Tarsus was sitting down in Shadow’s chair in her private room in the Silent Death Citadel. He was leaning back with his boots resting on her desk as he await for her. The door opened, and a powerful and dark presence walked in. It was none other than the powerful Shadow Nighthunter. The Mando merc smiled as he stood up. He approached the deadly assassin, and kissed her. The Sith returned his kiss, and closed the door.

“Tarsus, we walked about this,” she told her secret lover. “Not here… if we are to be discovered… Our love could be used for leverage.”

Tarsus chuckled as he held Shadow in his arms. “Sorry, Shad… just missed you, that's all. Any word on our visitors?”

“They'll be here in the hour,” she replied.

“Good. That'll give us time to prepare. Best we stay hidden. Also, you never told me what the targets were.”

“Just some officers that have been causing some trouble,” Shadow told the merc. “They are incompetent. They've failed Excidium one too many times already. They need to be… retired.”

Tarsus smirked. “Retired, huh? So cryptic… I like it.”

An hour had passed as the incompetent officers arrived. They were greeted by servants with royal care. Brandon and Shadow watched from the shadows; studying their prey. The servants did their part, and separated the group to different areas.

Tarsus and Shadow had decided to split up. Tarsus reached a private room where they would offer massage therapy sessions. One of the officers, a Twi’lek male, was in bliss from an amazing massage. Tarsus walked in, and signaled the servant to leave quietly. Tarsus pulled out a bottle of very strong acid. The Mandolorian poured it all over the Twi’lek. The officer screamed in pain as he slowly melted to death. Tarsus quickly left the room as the smell quickly got to him.

Shadow was watching another officer from a distance. The target in mind was a woman, and was having her hair washed. The Sith snuck up from behind, and she signaled the servant to leave. The deadly Sith assassin held her hand over her target’s mouth, and quickly slit her throat with a razor. Blood filled the sink, and the Sith left for her next target.

Tarsus walked in a bar. His second target was drinking the luxurious tonic and gins available. Tarsus looked at the bartender, and nodded. The bartender knew his cue. As the target wasn't looking, the bartender quickly slipped a toxin in his drink. The drunken man that was the target took a swig of his drink, then slumped over the bar dead.

Shadow approached the fourth victim. He was enjoying the warmth from the hot tub. A radio was placed by the target for a reason. Shadow quickly went over, and kicked the radio in. The man in the hot tub jolted as he was electrocuted to death. Shad chuckled at the helpless man. To die without honor was the worse way to go out.

It was the last victim Tarsus was dragging by the hair. The woman screamed and kicked to get Tarsus to let go. “Let go of me!” The woman yelled at Tarsus as they reached a balcony overlooking a valley from a cliff.

“Want me to let go?” Tarsus asked politely.

“Yes!”

“Well, okay!” Tarsus then threw the woman over the cliff to her death. The Mandolorian mercenary laughed out loud at the scene. It was quite comical, one must admit. It's not often someone throws someone off of a cliff.

Tarsus was walking through the large hallways of Silent Death Citadel. His footsteps echoed as he walked with heavy footsteps. The merc walked with a relaxed swagger rather than the serious manner most agents of TA walked. Tarsus didn't care about being proper, or presenting himself to make Tacitus Athanasius look good. He was a mercenary. TA paid him well for the jobs they offered, and as a merc, that what was the important part.

The tall Mandolorian mercenary walked in a room. There stood a lone figure who was busy with stuffing herself of information about all that is going on. Tarsus cleared his throat to catch the figure’s attention.

The figure, who was a beautiful half sephi half human woman, looked up. “Tarsus. You're here on time… for once.”

“Hey, hey, I'm always on time, Shad,” Tarsus responded. “Don't get all snippy with me, snips.”

Shadow rolled her eyes. Hadn't he been a mercenary, Shadow would have put Tarsus in his place. “You're just lucky that you're a merc, Tar. I only tolerate your stupidity because it's expected from you mercs.”

“Well, that's just rude!”

Shadow made a slight grin. “Well, I called you today because I need a merc for this job… you see, TA could always… use extra funds.”

“I know exactly what you're talking about, Shad,” Tarsus said as Shadow handed him the info he needed.

“Make this situation much as profitable as possible, Tarsus. I expect good results.”

Tarsus was to sneak in a heavily guarded palace, and kill a politician. As dirty and corrupt politics is, Tarsus found it to be very profitable. One politician gains power, and the other seeks to gain it. This case was no different. The politician that was the target was one of those revolutionary ones. He spoke of words against corruption. The people loved him, so he was elected. Already, this politician was causing trouble for the other politicians. Now, they are paying Tarsus a huge fee to take him out.

The Mando studied the palace for three days. For three days, he studied guard movements. The merc quickly realized that they are well organized, and well trained. There was one huge flaw. They were too orderly. The guard shift changed exactly every time. There was no flex in their movements. Each guard had a certain area to scout. They had to look out after this area for hours on hours. This caused the guards to grow bored, and they were easily prone to distraction. Tarsus also found that the rear would be easiest to get through. It was finely covered in a beautiful garden, and the guards weren't as numerous. Perhaps they felt that the garden would act as a barrier, and less guards were needed. Either way, Tarsus found his point of insertion.

It was day four. Night fell, and Tarsus was in luck. There was a huge party that invited much of the public. This politician had a reason why he was so popular, and this was one of them. Because the public was invited, all guards were focused around the guests. This left the rear completely exposed. Tarsus snuck around through the back with ease. He reached the main door, and looked around. The merc made sure he was alone, and then studied the door. He checked for alarm sensors that would give his situation away. There was none.

The Mando slowly opened the door, and peeked around. The hallway was empty. He went right, and followed the hallway all the way down. Tarsus hugged the wall, and peeked around the corner.

"No one. Good," he said to himself.

The merc snuck down the hallway, and found a stairwell. He quietly open the door, and entered the stairwell. The Mando looked around carefully, making sure that no one was around. Tarsus quietly walked up the stairs to the floor he wanted to be on. He peered through the door carefully, and saw one guard with his back turned from him. Tarsus quietly opened the door, and walked out. He swiftly looked around, and saw that the other guards were focused on the guests. The Mando quickly snapped the guard’s neck as he quickly, and quietly killed him. The merc dragged the body in the stairway so not to be found. Tarsus then left the stairway, and found himself an opening within the crowd. He quickly blended in, and slowly made his way to the politician. The politician was interacting with the guests, and having a good time. Tarsus stopped the politician, and began talking to him. Tarsus pulled out a small gift, and gave it to the politician. The politician gratefully accepted the gift. Tarsus then made his way out from the front entrance. There was a taxi service that was available to the guest. Tarsus got in, and told the driver his final destination. A small explosion could be heard, and screams of horror and shock came from the palace. The merc grinned as he knew what had happened.

A week had passed. The public was angry over their favorite politician's death. They knew who was to blame. A rebellion formed, and a civil war began on this planet for political power. Tarsus was in a hanger as several rebel generals surrounded him.

“So,” Tarsus said with a grin. “It comes to my attention that you'd wish to hire my services.”

"This assassin thing," He thought to himself. "Much more profitable that I could imagine… Ha. I love it."

Brandon Tarsus was sitting down alone by the river. He was enjoying the peace and quiet presented to himself by nature. When Tarsus wasn't with his lover, he enjoyed being by the river. The sound of the wind, rushing water, and birds singing soothed the beast within the Mandalorian mercenary. As much as Tarsus loved to fight, he also loved peace and tranquility. Even the mighty lion that is his fighting spirit must rest from time to time.

As Tarsus embellished the peaceful scene that nature provided, the sound of familiar footsteps came from behind him. It was his Battlemaster, Shadow Nighthunter. The beautiful Sith sat down next to him.

“Enjoying nature?” She asked as she too began to enjoy the peace.

“Always,” Tarsus said as he looked at Sith, who was a wolf at heart. “What brings you here?”

“Another assignment,” she said as she handed him a tablet. “Rek Xavis… a man that is wanted for crimes. He has a huge bounty that would bring forth much funds to Tacitus Athanasius. Authorities want him dead rather alive.”

“So, he's dangerous, huh?”

“Indeed. You can find him in the underworld of Coruscant.” Shadow looked at Tarsus. “Having a merc in TA has brought forth much more profitability than I could have imagined. Although Scholae does fund us well… The extra funding is much appreciated.”

Tarsus chuckled as he looked back at Shadow. “I'm sure there are other reasons why.”

“Oh, shut up,” Shadow told Tarsus as she blushed. “I'm trying to be professional here, ya brute. Just get the job done.”

A week has passed as Tarsus tracked this Rek to the underworld of Coruscant. The merc was at a bar having a few drinks to blend in. He watched his target from afar. Rek was really enjoying his time at the bar as he got drunk. It was amusing, honestly. The fool was too comfortable in the dark corners of Coruscant. The man let his guard down.

Tarsus decided to make his move. The fighting lion within needed to get out and fight. The tall Mandolorian mercenary stood up, and walked over to Rek. Tarsus’ inner lion began claw inside of him, begging for a fight. Soon, Tarsus had no choice but to let the beast out. With a loud roar, Tarsus pulled out his stiletto and stabbed Rek through the head. He pulled the blade out of his target’s skull, and Rek fell down to the ground dying quickly. Everyone screamed in fear at the sight. A bouncer rushed at Tarsus with a baton. He swung at Tarsus, but Tarsus grabbed his assailant’s hand. With lightning speed and strength, Tarsus stabbed the bouncer twice in the side, and once in the neck. The bouncer fell to the ground bleeding as he died. A random brawler rushed Tarsus. The merc was quick as he kicked a chair into the man’s face. The brawler fell forward, and Tarsus quickly shoved his knife into the back of his head. The lion within was enjoying the fight. More men rushed Tarsus. He quickly made good work with his foes. With a beautiful combination of speed and strength, Tarsus killed five more men with his small blade. The rest decided it was best to run.

"I need to do this more often," the merc thought to himself.

Tarsus and Scorpion finally arrived back at the room Scorpion was staying at. The two carried each other in, both having cracked ribs from the crash. Tarsus laid Scorpion down her bed gently.

“Rest,” he said. “You need it."

Scorpion couldn’t help but chuckle. "Brings back memories, eh?"

Tarsus smiled as he sat next to her. "Yeah... I guess it does."

"Tell me we never worked out," she asked Tarsus as sat up.

"Darling, we both new it would have never work out."

"I don't know," Scorpion said as she laid her head on his shoulder. "I thought we had connected pretty well... especially after what happened back at Yavin 4."

"Yavin 4 was one big colossal cluster fuck of everything going wrong," Tarsus said as he couldn't help but lay his head on hers.

"Yeah... it was, yet you saved my life," she added as she wrapped her arms around his.

"As you saved mine."

"Nah. I didn't," Scorpion told Tarsus. "Your armor did. I just dragged you to safety."

"Yeah, yeah."

Scorpion chuckled as she looked up at Tarsus. "We could have made it worked."

"So we said three times before," Tarsus told him.

"Then maybe four will be lucky," she said as she kissed Tarsus. Tarsus turned away as she did. Scorpion's face showed she was hurt as Tarsus rejected her.

Tarsus looked back and said, "I'm sorry, Scorpion. I didn't mean to hurt you."

“I'll be fine,” she said as he got back up. “I'm taking a shower,” she told Tarsus as she walked in the bathroom to take a hot shower.

Tarsus was now alone, and in deep thought. He was now torn between duty and honor. Tarsus and Scorpion had some serious history together. They had worked together in the past. Not only that, but they were good friends. Scorpion saved his skin, and Tarsus saved hers several times. Now, it was his job to kill her.

Scorpion finally walked out of the bathroom about an hour later. This was plenty of time for Tarsus to decide on what he should do.

As Scorpion walked out of the bathroom in her robes, Tarsus suddenly charged at her with his knife. She quickly dodged out of the way. “I knew you'd do this!’ she said as he took out her knife. “After all, you're with the Brotherhood!”

She charged at Tarsus. Tarsus raised his knife, and blocked her attack. She struck quickly and ferociously, yet Tarsus blocked her every attack. The attacks eventually had him corned against the dresser. This caused him to stubble a bit; losing his footing. Scorpion took it as an advantage, and went to stab him. Tarsus; however, quickly grabbed her hand. He then pushed his knife into her stomach. Her eyes widened up as shock went through her.

“You…. You…”

“I'm sorry, Scorpion,” Tarsus said as he laid her down. “But there was no other way.”

A week had passed as Tarsus stood before Shadow Nighthunter. She read his report as he stood there quietly in front of her.

“So, Snake is dead, as well as Scorpion, yet Crow got away.” Shadow sighed as she sat the report down. “Well, we got two of them at least. You did well. I liked how to used one to kill the other. Very nice. Anyways, you're dismissed. We'll be sending a team for Crow. Get some rest. You deserve it.”

Tarsus left to his room after the report was done. As he walked in, he found that some of his belongings was missing.

“Scorpion, you little bitch,” he said under his breath. “I'm gonna kill you.”

Tarsus and Scorpion where traveling together in Scorpion's custom speeder. The trunk of the speeder was modified to hide her two 1D9 droids for emergencies. Tarsus thought it was a neat little touch.

They were traveling over Daemon; heading west to the ice fields to link up with Crow. Scorpion had made an emergency call to him. She told Crow that someone had killed Snake, and that they needed to link back up. Her ploy was to trick him to being exposed, and have her and Tarsus ambush him along with his two followers. Tarsus felt the plan was fool proof, yet a lingering doubt plagued his mind.

“Do you think he's onto us?” Tarsus asked Scorpion as they were exiting Daemon's city limits.

“I don't know,” she said. “I doubt it, though. We've worked with each other for quite some time. He should trust-”

A huge explosion rocked the speeder they were in. It fell one hundred feet, and hit the ground harshly. Tarsus and Scorpion both slowly climbed out of the wreckage; both in serious pain.

“I take he's onto us,” Tarsus said as they were quickly surrounded by police. The two shrugged off the pain, and pulled out their weapons. There were ten officers to kill; Four in front of them, and six taking their rear flank. Tarsus fired a shot into the gut of one which caused him to shoot the back of his comrade. Scorpion quickly threw her knife into a third, but the fourth fired a shot. He missed, and Tarsus shot him in the head. He turned his attention to the first one who was shot, and finished him quickly. The other six opened fire. Tarsus and Scorpion got in cover. As they laid pinned down, Scorpion pressed a button that released her 1D9 droids. They quickly ripped the officers in pieces. The Droids were suddenly destroyed. Tarsus and Scorpion popped up, and saw a group of three.

“Crow, and his friends,” Scorpion said as they got out from cover to engage them.

“How did you know?” Scorpion asked Crow.

“I have friends in high places,” he said. “You should know I have completed access to all the city's security resources. I've been watching you this whole time.”

Crow’s cronies unsheathed their kitanas, and charged them both. Tarsus got Kiv to worry about. Kiv quickly went to stab Tarsus, but Tarsus quickly side stepped, and grabbed his arm. Tarsus then suddenly pulled out his trust rusty bowie knife, and stabbed Kiv in the throat. He violently pulled out his blade, nearly cutting off Kiv’s head. Without warning, Tarsus threw his blade at Crow, landing it in his leg. He turned to his left, and saw Scorpion struggling to get Morson’s sword out of her hands. Tarsus pulled out his pistol, and fired a shot through the side of Morson’s head. He turned his attention to Crow, who began firing at them with his blaster. Scorpion and Tarsus ran to cover, and then heard more police sirens.

“Time to leave!” Tarsus shouted as he jumped on a nearby speeder. Scorpion jumped on, and they sped off as fast as they could.