The Terran Alliance: The Dark Soldier- Crosspost

Chapter 6- Inquisitor

Chapter 6- Inquisitor

In his cave on Saleucami, Philip Nelson is carefully field stripping his assault rifle. It's the day following his ambush of the Imperial field patrol in town. He's now just conducting some minor housekeeping in his hideout, including checking and inspecting all his weapons..

Philip finishes field stripping his rifle, then quickly reassembles it. Satisfied with his work, he sets his weapon aside and slowly moves over to his food storage, ready for breakfast. He opens a box containing some dried meat, takes a few strips, and reseals the box. He then slowly munches away on the meat as he walks to the entrance to the cave.

Philip looks out of the entrance to the cave as he munches away on the dried meat. As he looks up into the sky, he is surprised to see an Imperial class Star Destroyer sitting in the atmosphere. Philip stares intently up at it for a few seconds before he slowly starts to smile.

"Well, well. Looks like the big shots are taking notice. This is gonna be fun," he mutters to himself.

(Town hall)

In a small room in the building that serves as the town hall in the town close to Philip's hiding place, Tarkin is meeting with the head of the Imperial garrison here in the town. They've been discussing the activities of the Crimson Blade here on Saleucami and what the garrison has learned about the Blade and where he may be hidden.

"Was there anyone who witnessed the Blade leaving town?" Tarkin asks.

"No. At least no one who has come forward or admitted it when word was passed around," the lieutenant says.

"Then press the population. Someone certainly witnessed him leaving town," Tarkin orders.

"But, Moff Tarkin, the Blade could be anywhere. Even finding out what direction he took out of town doesn't give us a much better idea of where he is hiding," the lieutenant says.

Tarkin smiles. "Worry not, lieutenant. I did not come here unprepared to hunt the Blade," he responds to the lieutenant.

The lieutenant is confused by Tarkin's optimism. That is, until the door into the room opens and a figure walks into the room. The lieutenant quickly recognizes by the figure's dress and lightsaber at his belt who this is.

"Inquisitor," the lieutenant says in a low voice.

"Yes. The Third Brother will solve this problem. Give him time, and he will solve our problem of the Crimson Blade," Tarkin says confidently.

The Third Brother looks disdainfully at the lieutenant. "Your troops are clearly incompetent. I will bring the Crimson Blade to justice, and perhaps you can avoid the wrath of the Emperor," he says before he slowly strides out of the room. The lieutenant watches him leave, a lump in his throat.

(Philip's cave)

As the sun slowly sets, Philip is busy in his cave. He had decided to make another trip into town to see if he could figure out the reason that the Star Destroyer was in the atmosphere.

Philip slowly dons his armor. His greaves, breastplate, pauldrons, vambraces, gauntlets, and finally his iron mask. He then slips his cloak on over his armor, slides his pistol and his knife into their spots and his belts, and finally picks up the lightsaber of Darth Bane and attaches it to his belt. Finally, Philip slips out of the cave.

Philip makes his way slowly towards town, moving almost silently over the ground, his boots hardly making any sound at all. Philip just moves slowly towards town, reaching town in about 20 minutes.

Philip enters town quietly, sticking to alleys, and moving as quietly as he can. He is keeping careful watch on the streets, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

Less than a minute after entering town, Philip realizes something is off. He can just feel it. Something is different from his last time in town.

As Philip moves down a side street, he feels something out on the main road. Feeling he has to investigate, Philip moves out onto the main street. Philip slowly scans the street in both directions.

Suddenly, multiple stormtroopers move out from between houses. However, Philip instantly realizes something is up. These stormtroopers are wearing different armor than usual. The armor is of a slightly different design, and is painted in dark red and black colors.

Philip wastes no time and draws his pistol right as the troopers raise their blasters. Fast as a viper, Philip shoots two trooper between the eyes with two quick shots. Without even looking, he aims his pistol behind him and fires four shots, killing two more troopers. Two more troopers fire their blasters at Philip, but Philip ducks and rolls to the side and puts bullets through their necks. He then whips around and kills the last trooper with three rounds to the chest.

Philip slowly straightens up and returns his pistol to his belt. Then, he feels a shift in the Force, and a second later, the Third Brother walks out into the street, with two more troopers with him.

Philip firms his face as he looks at the Third Brother. The Third Brother smiles as he slowly approaches Philip, stopping about 15 feet away. He waits for a second before he speaks up and says, "Well, well. The man known as the Crimson Blade. At last we meet."

"Who are you?" Philip demands, not knowing who this is, and not yet knowing about the Inquisitorius.

The Third Brother chuckles and says, "I am the one who will bring you to Lord Vader." The Brother then removes his lightsaber from his belt and ignites both blades. He holds his saber up in front of him, the blades starting to spin.

Philip glares at the Third Brother, recognizing that whoever this is is a servant of the Emperor. Philip draws his saber from his belt and ignites it, it's crimson blade shining as it hums. Philip slowly rotates the saber in hand, readying himself to attack the Third Brother or defend himself.

The two hold their positions for a moment before the two purge troopers accompanying him charge Philip, firing their blasters. Philip snaps into action, his lightsaber spinning through the air as he deflects the blaster bolts flying at him, sending them back at the troopers and killing them both. However, the Third Brother takes advantage of the distraction and charges Philip.

Philip charges the Third Brother and slashes at him. The two men's sabers clash with a crackle, the two pressing against each other while growling at each other. Then, Philip pulls his saber back and slashes at the Brother's head. The Brother blocks Philip's blow, but staggers back as Philip follows up with three quick blows aimed at his chest.

The Brother forces Philip's saber aside after the third blow and slashes at Philip's feet. However, Philip leaps up and backwards to avoid the blow, then charges at the brother again, slashing at his feet. The Brother blocks Philip's blow. However, he is surprised when Philip follows this up with a sharp punch from his left fist, right into his stomach.

The Brother is somewhat winded and stumbles back. Philip presses his advantage and slashes at the Brother. The Brother tries to hold back Philip's blows, and manages to block three blows, all the while pushed onto the defensive. Then, Philip catches the Brother's saber and forces it upwards, then lifts his foot and kicks the Brother in the knee. The Brother stumbles back, his saber falling to his side. Philip then leaps upwards and kicks him in the chest, knocking the Brother onto his back.

Philip stalks forward, saber held at his side. As the Brother tries to get back to his feet, Philip steps forward and stomps his boot down onto his wrist, pinning it to the ground. He then swings his saber down and destroys the Brother's saber.

The Brother looks angrily up at Philip. "Going to kill me, Terran scum?" he demands.

Philip chuckles darkly, levelling his saber at the Brother's throat. "Oh, no. You have a lot of information I want," he says. He then bends down so his mask is inches from the Brother's face. "Let's see how easily you'll give it to me."