As the shuttle he had spent the better portion of a week on began to rattle and shake signifying entrance into the atmosphere above Mandalore, Xi couldn't resist the urge to let out a long, exasperated sigh. Being assigned to this foul planet wasn't his ideal form of work. The Mandalorians were a broken people, licking their wounds after a sound defeat by the Republic and their Jedi hounds. The scholarly Sith doubted that they would have much to offer his master's cause, but he had no reason to defy the man known as Crusade. After their initial meeting, the Sith Lord had been quite generous by allowing the Anzat full reign over his holocron archives. The knowledge he managed to absorb as a result was incredible, so flying to a backwater planet to turn some defeated warriors against the Order he hated so much was the least he could do in return.

Still, it felt wrong. Dressing himself in the robes of the past, clipping his old lightsaber to his belt and masquerading as a persona he had left behind so long ago. While faking his identity wasn't something foreign to the male after decades of wandering the galaxy, to think himself a Jedi once again was a sensation bizarre to him. At the very least, he could justify it by using his ruse to run the name of the Jedi further through the muck. Gazing outside the port window of the shuttle, he could only sneer as the surface of Mandalore grew closer and closer. The pilot, one of Crusade's many peons, called back through the intercom that they would be landing within ten minutes. They would touch down on the land belonging to clan Den, a reasonably high ranked faction among the wounded Mandalorian hierarchy. They would be the first of the clans he would torment during his little tour through their planet. 

After several more minutes of contemplation and smug thoughts of self superiority, the sounds of the secondary thrusters slowing their descent shook Xi from his musings. Without missing a beat, the vampiric Sith stood from his seat just as they touched down upon the grassy plains below. A few mechanical clicks as the automated systems went to work and within seconds a rush of air filled the ship's quarters as the back end of the shuttle opened up and a ramp extended down below, giving its occupants access to the outside world. His sturdy brown robes flickering in the wind, Xi trotted down the metallic ramp until his boot covered feet crunched the grass down below. So it all began.. Assuming the natives of the forsaken planet still had any fight in them, the owners of the homestead they had landed upon would soon come searching and when they arrived, they'd find a Jedi just looking for trouble. The real problem was the wait. For a man of an immortal race, wasting time was never something Xi enjoyed. Either luck shone down upon him, or Mandalorians did indeed have some fire in their spirits as soon, a set of riders broke from over the horizon. 

Five riders crested the horizon, all wearing rag tag red armour that appeared to have been cobbled together by various other sets. Only the lead rider had was discernable above the others to have his own set of unique armour. Seamless but definitely not in perfect condition, covered in scrapes and blaster marks and one burn from his right shoulder down to the left side of his waist was obviously made by a lightsaber attempting to cut through the metal, it's failure indicated to what the metal was. Mandalorian Iron.

Blaster fired out from the underslung basters on the swoop bikes, lacing a circle of fire around the shuttle. Several careless shots even crazed the outer hull of the vessel. Two riders broke right, and began circling the vessel clockwise and two left counter-clockwise spaced out in two layers, as the fifth rider obviously the leader rode through, using his blaster to fire near the feet of the man who descended the ramp to stop him. As the bike stop, and the engine was cut out the leader looked at the man, recognizing the attire and the weapon attached to his belt.

"What do you want Jedi? You are not welcome here."
 
A smirk found its way upon Xi's face as blaster fire came screeching over the hill. As warlike as ever, it seemed. One would assume their thorough defeat would make the damned Mandalorians more cautious about gunning down anybody who came around. Assured they wouldn't dare strike him, the former Jedi trotted towards them until the leader let a volley strike the ground before the Anzat's feet. Stopping his advance, he did his best to try and conceal his amusement and maintain the image of a stern Jedi.

[b]"It does not matter whether I'm welcome here or not. I've been assigned to an important mission by the Council to monitor your people."[/b] He informed the lead Mando, doing his best to convey a calm voice while simultaneously lacing it with a certain disdain that one would expect from a Jedi in such a situation. He was there to instigate a conflict, after all. [b]"It's been a long while since the scattering of your clans and while I'm quite certain you're still licking your wounds from the war, we cannot risk the remnants of your great ‘empire’ harboring any... less than peaceful thoughts as they rebuild."[/b]

He waved his and and two riders rode off in different directions, in the distance smoke could be seen indicating nearby settlements. “We have been bested, we have had all our weapons and armour removed having to begin anew. You have no need to come and gloat here.” He stepped off his bike, standing to his full height. “I am Mar Den, leader of the Den clan and you are not welcome on my land. We are honourable people [i]Jedi[/i] unlike you and your Republic.” 

He indicated to the riders circling them. “These weapons we used to defend ourselves, against people like you who would take advantage of us.”

Narrowing his eyes towards the leader of the riders, Xi simply shrugged his shoulders. [b]"It matters not whether you say your clans are bested and disarmed. The council has reason to believe Mandalore may become a threat in the near future. If you're truly sincere about how downtrodden your clan and the others of this world are, you have no reason to deny me entry to your lands."[/b] He retorted haughtily, ensuring the tone in which he conveyed his words was just as offensive as the words themselves.

He cast his arms around him. “These are the lands of Mandalore [i]artueii[/i]. My ancestors died in defence of these lands against the likes of you [i]Jedi[/i]. If you truly came to investigate this world for threats you could have done so from within your ship.” This time it was him who began accusing, with his blaster rifle slung over his back his right hand was down near a holstered pistol. “This world is naught but farm land and mines now, tell me what it is you [i]truly[/i] want.”

[b]"Your ancestors forfeited the right to have their lands left alone when they took a torch to the galaxy and expected to conquer it without challenge. You and your clansmen will have to pay the price for their [i]failure[/i], I'm afraid."[/b] Xi shot back sharply, his voice steadily growing more aggressive as their verbal battle seemed to begin heating up. Watching his hand slip down towards his holster, a glint of malice flickered in the vampiric Sith's eye. [b]"Those mines of yours can prove to be quite troublesome... Mandalorian Iron is quite an important resource for this planet. A very conflict encouraging resource."[/b] He said. In response to the man's aggressive stance he pushed his robes to the side, revealing the saber hanging from his belt. He made no moves towards it however. He simply allowed it to be seen. A threat... no, a [i]challenge[/i] of sorts. As if to say 'yours against mine'.

“Use of Mandalorian Iron is our birthright, it is what makes us strong and defends ourselves against you and your type who try to impose your will upon us.” More riders appeared on the horizon, from the direction that the ones earlier had left. Staying well back currently. However it could be seen from afar that whatever armour they were wearing was even more rag tag than the five who rode against the man earlier. He indicated to himself and the two riders who had remained earlier. “As you can see we do not have enough beskar’gam to protect five warriors in new armour, what harm is it giving your order and the Republic?”

He took a step forward. “Though I tell you something. You Jedi have finally revealed yourselves to be the scum you are, pretending you’re all high and mighty. When you come here to what, gloat?” He turned away and began walking to his speeder bike. “I am through with this discussion. I expect you to leave.”

Xi stood silent as the Mandalorian went about claiming his 'birthright' and speaking of how poor the warriors of his clan were, an uncaring look upon his face as he awaited the end of his speech. If nothing else, the Mandalorians certainly did hold a great deal of pride for a ragtag assortments of broken souls clinging to tradition. Only when the man issued his final sentence did the fallen one speak up. [b]"And if I don't?"[/b] The imposter questioned defiantly.

The Mandalorian turned, his helmet not betraying a hint of emotion on his hidden face. “You will be made to leave…” He let the sentence trail off. “Of course with the necessary restrictions you would be stunned and we’d have to think of an elaborate ruse to tell the Republic, probably involve some rogue Mandalorians bent on revenge - Such a thing being as unthinkable as it is. Though in all honesty.” His right hand was down holding onto the stock of his pistol by this point. “With the state things are in, I cannot guarantee that all the rifles nearby have working stun functions. In fact, I believe the settings on my own rifle are a little bit off giving kill shots when I merely want to stun.”

He flicked off his helmet mic, stopping the Jedi from hearing him as from atop one of the nearby hills a shot, aimed right at the mans head, left the blaster rifle. Speeder bikes began moving as more blasters began to join the chorus....

So it seemed the old, downed dog still had some fight left in him. Xi's lips parted to speak once again but it became quickly apparent to him that the time for words was over. mainly because of the blaster bolt soaring towards his head from over the hill. The sound of the blaster going off immediately triggered the reaction within the Anzat. He was more than aware of the odds against him at the moment and it proved to be quite useful for him. No sooner than he ducked towards the side did the bolt of blazing red energy screech near his face, the heat radiating off it caressing his skin as it past and struck the ramp of the shuttle behind him.

By the time any of the other riders had began firing upon him, the Sith had already pulled his saber into the palm of his hand with the force. With a simple click the green blade of his weapon extended to its full length, humming as it sliced the air. Two blasts flying past his body as he strayed from the shuttle's vicinity, his eyes narrowed down on the Mandalorian's leader who at this point had drawn his pistol and taken aim. More than prepared to reflect whatever shot he had back at him with his glowing blade, the former Jedi was certainly shocked when the weapon fired off not a stream of condensed energy, but a round metallic slug. Forced to duck away at the last moment, he hissed internally as the round sliced through the robes to his side, narrowly missing his mid section. Another shot soon followed it but the former Jedi, expecting it at this point, managed to roll out of the way of the shot with his superior reflexes.

There was no doubt in his mind another shot would be coming, but using the time it would take for the seasoned warrior to aim the Anzat focused the force upon the archaic weapon in the leader's hand, yanking it out of his grip at the last second and sending the weapon flying off into the distance. Free of such an obstacle, Xi made haste in closing the gap between them as the disgruntled warrior began to reach for his rifle. Thanks to the unnatural speed bestowed upon a force user such as himself, he easily managed the task, the reasonably inaccurate blaster fire from the ever moving riders striking the ground around him like rain as he rushed their commander. Seeing he had little time to pull the weapon up for a shot the old dog managed to throw up his gauntlet to block a horizontal slash from the speedy alien's blade. The lightsaber bounced off the resilient beskar, leaving little more than a scorch mark on it's surface.

For how pathetic his race was in the Sith's eyes, Xi could at least give the man credit for his skill in battle. Even with a Jedi in his face, the old bastard managed to keep him at bay, moving in close to limit Xi's capabilities with his saber while battering any swings away with his impervious armor. The melee, at the very least, guarded Xi from some of the incoming blaster fire as the Mandalorians were forced to divert the rifles as to not strike their leader, even if the bolts would have little effect on him. Yet even the most seasoned could only hold up for so long under the graceful assault of a well trained force user. A single mistake was all it took for the skirmish to end. Miscalculating the trajectory of an incoming strike, the searing blade of Xi's lightsaber cut through the vulnerable joint of the man's elbow. With no beskar to slow it, the gleaming green blade cut straight through and left the man's arm to drop to the ground uselessly.

A scream echoing inside his helmet, it took merely another fraction of a second for Xi to capitalize on the weakness brought on by the decisive strike and claim his other arm with a lightning fast flourish. Left defenseless, Xi easily sent the man sprawling with a force push to the chest. Of course, for his failure, the Mando did manage to give his men enough time to close the gap with their foe. A shower of blaster fire coming upon him, Xi pivoted his lightsaber and began to flick away the bolts as they came in. Seeing an opportunity with one of the riders slightly ahead two of his companions, the dark sider rose his hand and called upon the force once again to force the head rider to swerve to the side, the two behind him unable to turn in time to escape the sudden collision which left all three scattering in a fiery blast that claimed their bikes and their lives.

Yet with a variable swarm of warrior descending upon his position, three was nothing in the grand scheme of things. With several of the bastards circling around him to fire on him from behind, it became obvious fending them off with his saber wouldn't do at all. Left with no other option, he did the unthinkable. The blade of his saber quickly retreated to its hilt, leaving him wide open for the incoming fire. Yet as the Mandalorians focused in on this weakness, by the time the bolts arrived... he was gone. Disappeared into thin air as the riders circled about in confusion. But their foe had not disappeared. No, he had merely hidden himself from them as to better combat them, as was proven when two more of the riders suddenly found themselves losing control of their bikes as they moved to pass each other, the swoops crashing into one another in a blazing inferno that too consumed their riders even as they attempted to jump away.

Paranoia within the ranks, blaster fire began to reign supreme once more. Only ten riders remained and like cattle they would soon fall, one after another. Like a predator striking against his prey he slowly went about dispatching each of their riders. Flipping swoops into the air with bursts of the force so they would crush their riders beneath, crushing repulsors so the vehicles would fly off course and crash into the ground and violently smash their masters, even appearing briefly to ignite his saber and cut a warrior off of his bike before vanishing once more. Before long the carnage had claimed all of the riders, each and every one of them slaughtered by the ruthless 'Jedi' even in retreat.

Once he was assured that every threat had been taken care of and even the sniper who begun the entire fight had fled to the hills in fear or self preservation did the vampire will himself to reappear, the force energy he had cloaked himself in vanishing for good. Stalking slowly towards the only remaining life on the field, the clan leader whom he had bested earlier in the fight and 'disarmed' quite literally. The man laid upon the ground, struggling to try and stand despite his lack of limbs. A cruel smile on his face, Xi placed a boot onto his chest piece and forced him onto his back from the pathetic position he had forced himself onto up on his stubs.

[b]"You have no honour Jedi, finish what you started."[/b] The leader spat up at the Jedi, hatred burning in his voice as the Anzat drew his saber and ignited the luminescent green blade once more. Pointing his fingers towards the man's helm, he used the force to ensure his head jerked upwards to reveal the weakness of his neck. [b]"Oh, I know I don’t. Soon the whole of Mandalore will know as well. You've been of great service, my friend."[/b] The arrogant Sith purred in a condescending manner as he swept his saber down and cut through the man's throat, severing his head from his body before he could breath another defiant breathe.

In all honesty, Xi had expected to spend so much more time on this rock. But thanks to the rashness of one man, he had saved himself days of effort. With luck the lone survivor would return to his clan and bring him the news of the terrible massacre that had occurred on their lands. Men of their clan, the leader of their worthless existence cut down by a ruthless Jedi looking to further cripple their people. He considered it a success, all and all. Deactivating his saber and allowing it to stick to his belt via its magnetic clip the vile alien bent forward to collect the head of his fallen foe, looking down at the helmet with a quizzical expression.

 [b]"Wonder if it'll fit me..."[/b]

________________

Having successfully collected the armor of the fallen clan leader to further add insult to injury, Xi returned to the shuttle and within moments left the atmosphere of Mandalore for the wide open abyss of space. Having spent most of the trip tending to the various burns from close calls with blaster bolts and the nasty cut the main Mandalorian's slugthrower had left on his side the Sith at last had time to himself. Time which he spent contacting Admiral Roland to report his good news.

The return was curt, the admiral standing tall and proud in the hologram. “My congratulations to you, however preparations are not near finished for the Emperors reveal.” He nodded to someone outside the hologram. “We are sending you data now, you are to head to Geonosis and locate KallaTatha. He will inform you off your mission.” With that the hologram faded.