Joshua rammed his blaster through the Droideka's shields and fired several shots, destroying the last of the five lethal machines. Ateia and Pehn stood open mouthed by the two they'd killed with their lightsabers "You're not all human are you?" Ateia asked, stunned at what she'd seen. "What makes you say that?" Joshua asked with a grin as he stood amidst the remains of the three droidekas he'd demolished. "Just call it a guess." "He's the end result of centuries of genetic engineering." The Cerinian said as she put her hand on her former Padawan's arm. "He's the pinnacle of Human induced evolution as he puts it." "I said that one time!" Kirk said, jabbing a finger at Pehn. He shook his head before glancing about the chamber they found themselves in. It was little more than a junction for four tunnels. Three lead down further into the depths of the planet, the fourth went up. But they were not alone. On the ground were the remains of a GAR trooper. Next to the body lay a holo projector. Joshua hesitated a second before activating it. An image of a younger version of Stefan and Marko appeared. "I am RC 14,365. Or at least, that's what the Republic, and now the Empire knows me as. My brothers know me as Kheziin." The man slowly shook his head. "My brothers and I have failed. Our attempt to kill Palpatine was doomed from the start. It's like the monster knew what we had planned." "We never stood a chance. As we brought our weapons to bear on him, he used that damned Force Lightning. By all the gods that was painful. It's still painful. The others are dead down in the chamber where the Beast placed that thing he brought with him. Their screams still echo in my head!" "I survived somehow. Not that it does me any good. I can't walk." He then looked about him. "Palpatine ordered these damned droidekas to not kill me. He wants me to suffer a slow and painful death. Ha! I am Mandalorian. And I will choose the time of my death, not Palpatine." Kheziin put his hand to his mouth and swallowed something. "There are two things that can easily kill a Mandalorian. Time, and another Mandalorian. Everyone else has a hard time of the job." The trooper smiled, and looked out at people who were not there. "Please do me this one favor. Take my four brothers and myself, and bury us on Manda'yaim, and sing a song for us. Sing for Kheziin, Dallo, Westin, Gree, and Sandor. We fought valiantly for the Republic, we deserve it." "And if you should ever get to Bastion, search out Lady Aethiam. Tell my love and my sons how we died. I wish I could have been there to teach the boys the ways Skirata taught us. Ah Degro and Murgo, I'm sorry. I, Kheziin Serro wish you much prosperity and strong children. Farewell." The message ended. Joshua touched the gloved hand. "It will be as you've asked." The three, as one, turned to the tunnel that lead back to the surface. "I think you're wayward Padawan approaches." "Go for the holocron." Ateia whispered. "This is my fight." Joshua turned to one of the downward sloping passages. "I hear his brothers. They are down this way." And without waiting for an answer, he ran down it, quickly followed by Pehn Orell. Ateia Marelli knelt by the body and awaited her former student.