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Author	Topic: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
Kisumi Registered: Jun '09	Date Posted: 7/3 6:21am Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	GM Approved and thank you Pashatemur and MOE for your assistance with bringing this character to life. Name: Xaverri (The Magician) --Age: 32 ---Gender: Female ----Species: Human -----Eye Color: Dark Brown ------Hair Color and Style: Long, heavy black hair. -------Skin Complexion: "Golden skin" --------Clothing: A stylish street outfit off-duty of her shows ---------Physique: Very exotic, voluptuous. ------------Force Sensitive: No Personal Ship -Name: Phantasm --Class: SoroSuub Personal Luxury Yacht 3000 ----Interior Description: An entire observation level included an exterior deck and numerous viewports. Xaverri's private suite and the five visitor cabins were decorated with rare art from around the galaxy. Conform-couches could be found throughout the starship, and the main deck contained a jet-stream meditation pool, and a small crystal garden. ------Crew Compliment: 1 pilot and one Co-Pilot -------Hyperspace Capability: Class 2.0 Backup class 14 Biography -Brief History: In the society of her birth, the surname was listed last after a series of ancestral ties, so she took no other name than simply her surname, "Xaverri". Xaverri was a trained stage magician by around the age of thirty, traveling the galaxy and reputed to be the "one of the best illusionists in the galaxy". Much of the profits she earned went to finance protection money to the Empire for her homeworld and friends, though even that was not always successful. However, for some reason, the Empire killed her husband and children, embittering her and creating a vast need inside her to take revenge on the entity that had robbed her of her family. On most of her tours, she spent much time trying to find ways to inflict damage on the Empire. Her past she kept secret, choosing to live alone after the death of her loved ones. Her solitude and lack of companionship was largely her choice, though, fomented by her natural suspicion and distrust of others. ---Traumatic Experiences: Xaverri had a large stage presence and was seen as beautiful and exotic in her performances. However, she was an embittered woman, an anti-tax demonstration by the Ghorman citizens ended in tragedy when Wilhuff Tarkin purposefully landed his ship on top of the crowd of peaceful demonstrators, killing and injuring hundreds which her husband had been within the area when the incident happened killing him and her two children instantly. Forever grieving for the loss of her family and seeking revenge against the Empire, to the point where she willingly chose solitude and to distance herself from others in order to pursue revenge. She kept to herself largely. Underneath, Xaverri was a loving, intelligent person with a sense of humor, but that part of her was buried under her hate for the Empire. Her years of hard living and deception made her suspicious and wary, though she was quite knowledgeable and skilled in a number of disciplines. Xaverri also had numerous ways of obtaining information. To her, all of these strengths and abilities were weapons to use in her private war. She would go to any length to harm the Empire, pursuing her vendetta against it with reckless abandon. IC: Lady Xaverri Coruscant - Galaxies Opera House - Change Room Sitting down, facing her own moment of reflection, taking in the contours of her face, her eyes tracing around as if drawing a mental portrait of her own facade. Her eyes slowly move to her dressing table before her and with a graceful flow of her hand as she brought into her hand eye-enhancers which flashed silver as she meticulously placed them over her pupils, giving her an ethereal aura. Her show wasn't due for another few more hours which always used this time to reflect, a long moment of reflection as now her eyes within eyes slowly met her reflection opposite her, with a slight tilt of her head to the right as if trying to proportion herself as an artist would on a canvas, painting the human form as her eyes painting her face as Xaverri slowly applied an elaborate coiffure as her long heavy black hair came down her shoulders past. Every moment of our lives is of infinite worth in that it has the potential for movement. My purpose here is to expand the moment it takes for a member of the audience to process and communicate new information, and the moment it takes for the magician to respond. To make these moments long enough to consider what happens in the conscious and unconscious mind of the audience and the illusionist. And to consider how that may inform us as magicians at the moment of our next intervention -- the intervention that will become the next input into the audience's system and have the potential for influencing anything from the further confusion of the system to its total transformation. What as a Magician do you do in the moment? Whether the audience is remembering the past or imagining the future their experience of it is in the here and now. In fact none of us is living precisely in the here and now. We are all living half a second in the past. At the start of each day we wake and become conscious. We hear the rain, see the light, touch the pillow. We have memories of yesterday, and hopes and fears of today. There is nothing mystical about any of this. Every mental image has to be constructed in our heads. We create a highly personal inner world ... using our knowledge of everything we've ever seen in the past to imagine what is there. You see, it's not actually the past that is evoked by the present. The past is always a reconstruction. Memory is a present experience. I notice a tree outside. I see not only its particular patterns of light and shade, shape and colour, I am re-minded of other light, other leaves, thoughts of childhood, dreams of tomorrow, feelings of pleasure, nostalgia and pain ... conscious content arising at several levels. And that conscious content, whether it be a sensory representation of external reality or a sensory representation of internal imagining, is a result of a process of 'serial selection' in the brain. Some scientists call it the left hemisphere at work -- a cognitive-linguistic problem-solving machine that has evolved to make more sense of sensory processing. This stage of cerebral activity takes the complex coded output of parallel processing and generates a simpler, coded, selective output ... which allows me to see the leaf, hear a word, taste my morning tea, reconstruct or imagine other times and other places. I can only do this because my brain is forming representations. Correspondences. Billions of computations are being translated into explicitly symbolic form that betoken (signify/stand for/denote) the elaborate organisation of the relationships between their component parts, and as a result I can form and express complex feelings or concepts with relative ease. She reached to the corner frame of the reflection and tugged once on the picture that was in place and turned the picture around and there were written words, as a warm genuine smile curled ever so slightly on her face. "As a magician I promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician, unless that one swears to uphold the Magician's Oath in turn. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic." The Magician's Oath. "The Magician's Oath....."She swirled those words over and over in her mind. What it means in essence is that we are only conscious of information that has been represented symbolically. She heard the faint sounds of distant voices, dead sounds, the loud sounds of disturbing noises. She had witnessed the smoke, the destruction, the innocents and the death. She had a sense of déjà vu, the same feelings that day, she had experienced them today again but what she witnessed and felt weren't the exactly the same that day to today's earlier events. Xaverri slowly leaned back into her chair and reflected more acutely to herself and with her life of the now not of what it could have been. This explains how we can be aware of the outcome of mental computations but not of the computations themselves. The operations of unconscious processing are not accessible in consciousness because they work subsymbolically. Whereas the processor for consciousness works -- and can only work -- at a symbolic level. There is no actual picture of a leaf in my brain. The 'leaf' I see is a metaphor that helps me make cognitive-linguistic sense of that which it is a metaphor for. Her left hand shifted to bring up a sabacc chip and gave her wrist a flick and it was gone and flicked it upwards again and it reappeared as she astutely studied it as she repeated the sleight of hand trick. The simplicity of how easily it is perceived by the human mind to be something supernatural. The brain does not differentiate between 'real' and 'imaginary' metaphors, by the way. The mental image -- what her Teacher calls 'that most ghostly of cognitions' -- is the product of an unconscious process indistinguishable from the process that results in our perception of an external object. If you look at a scan of someone's brain while they create an internal picture of, say, their bedroom, you will apparently see activity in the same vision and recognition areas that would be activated if they were actually looking at the room. This brought a cold, cynical kind of smile on her face as she looked to the chrono through the reflection that was behind her and then back to the object of her interest that was on the dressing table of the picture. The contents of the dressing table vanished and it was bare of anything remotely connected to the Lady Xaverri as she stood up to look at her bare form, moving to her wardrobe and opened it up before her, slowly picking the costume for her opening show on Coruscant which will begin her tour of the Capital. "Just like magic." She softly muttered to herself, in her own world. Open Tag and to be continued.......
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MASTER-OF-EVIL Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 7/4 4:29am Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith - Date Edited: 7/4 4:32am (1 edits total) Edited By: MASTER-OF-EVIL
	OOC: Welcome to GAW Kisumi! I'm sure a certain Corellian will be most pleased with your entry into our game (looking at you Solo) And also thank you to another Corellian (C_O) for your last minute input, I love it! And a reference to The Dark Lord novel. MOE IC: Admiral Unbro and Admiral Maww'dur(NPCs) - Lone Ranger(General Kota) Obligon Nebula - Chommell Sector Space as far as the eye could see. Space potted with millions upon millions of pinpoints of light that were distant stars, planets and other such celestial bodies. A violent, unseen storm of cosmic rays and racing space dust filled the vast sea of dark, but it remained unseen so all was regarded as peaceful, still. Serene. That serenity was shattered by the sudden emergence of a giant ship out of hyperspace. At first the ship appeared impossibly long, stretching on for millions upon millions of meters, but as it reverted back into real-space it settled into its actual form—which was still quite enormous and impressive. The Independence was soon followed by a contingent of Lancer-class vessels, four of which were part of the Empire and then an Imperial-class Star Destroyer soon reverted out of hyperspace which represented the Kuati presence along with the Independence known as the Kuat's Glory. "Admiral Maww'dur, remember search and capture as many of them." The spectacled-Admiral Unbro reminding his fellow Kuati Admiral of their task of acquiring the Pirate General to bring back to Kuat. "Understood, Admiral. We'll hang back far enough to have them assume there is nothing here. I'll be ready. Maaw'dur out!" The brooding figure of the Kuati Admiral shimmered out as Admiral Unbro stood and pondered for a moment before turning a crisp 180 degrees to find the helmsman waiting. "Sir, we have opened frequency to the Lancer-class vessels for you." He informed the Admiral. "Very good." He said as he paused before communicating his voice once more. "Favourite Daughter, Ohio, Silver and Away, you will be bringing up the rear as we move into Obligon. The force we are about to encounter are a very rousy bunch, very formidable. Do not underestimate them. They are a contingent of Y-wing bombers which we are going to deal with for Operation Bith Slap as the Imperial's will deal with the Nebulon-B frigates that make up the Lone Ranger's armada." Unbro said slowly before continuing further. "Our objective is lure and capture nothing more. No disintegration. We'll play our part well enough for them to take our bait to have them lead out this way into the Independence's path. You'll be given further instructions as we move into the nebula." With that the transmission was cut off as the Admiral moved towards the centre of the Bridge and observed the coming nebula. There could be seen some floating rocks and debris at the edges of the oncoming nebula some of those from Arriss'a Field that's on the other side of the nebula as the Kuat's Glory followed by the four Lancer-class frigates smoothly drifted into the smokey haze of Obligon, within the debris something had been activated in the form of buoy's of some kind hidden within the wispy tendris of the nebula. Within Obligon Nebula...... The gas and dust from the nebula tended to make most ships' sensors imprecise, and the pilot's line-of-sight was seriously compromised. Zigging in and out of the gauzy tendrils of the nebula was a confusing, chancy business, and there was always the chance that when a pilot zigged to avoid one asteroid, he'd zag right into another. Dropping into the swirling 'clouds' conjured by the nebula, Rahm Kota was reminded of meditation sessions with his former Master Mace Windu that had guided him when the Korun Master had brought him to the Jedi Temple soon after. No matter how fixed Kota had been on touching the Force, his mind's eye had offered little more than an eddying whiteness. Years later, when he had become more adept at silencing thought and immersing himself in the light, visual fragments would emerge from that colourless void---pieces to a puzzle that would gradually assemble themselves and resolve. Not in any conscious way, though frequently assuring him that his actions in the world were in accord with the the will of the Force. Frequently but not always. When he veered from the course on which the Force had set him, the familiar white would once again be stirred by powerful currents; sometimes shot through with red, as if he were lifting his closed eyes to the glare of a midday sun. Red-mottled white was what he saw as he fell deeper into Obligon's nebula. "The blood is in the water...." He said as could feel them approaching. Tag: Sithy's Contingent of Operation Bith Slap Heres a Visual Reference for the various capital ships: -----signature----- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCaOcv6OOQ Best New Star Wars RPG Winner Summer 2007 - War of the Sith Part IV: The Invasion of the Cha'ala
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/4 2:25pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	IC: Lieutenant Paul Stobbs, Ace TIE pilot, shuttle Unidade Bravo Location: Arrissa Field Stobbs did not like to remain too far from the surface of the large asteroid, and they could not land and still deploy the Zero-Gee spacetroopers. He therefore waited until they had nosed to within a hundred metres of the craggy, fairly light grey surface, then ordered all stop. Unlike himself, the pilot was in the full black TIE outfit and helmet, and with a thick finger of his black gloves, stabbed a big red button on the panel before him. A tethered harpoon became visible outside the single wide port as it shot off and burrowed deep into the asteroid surface, melting it’s way into the rock. “Alright, dep-deploy h-half the platoon.” Stobbs stuttered quietly. He was well jittery from just being inside the asteroid field, with the boulders of death flying every which way on random flight paths. They’d had glancing hits several times in pursuit of the TIEs that had absconded with the jedi shuttle, and at last check, their overall shield power had been in the high eighty percentile, though it was steadily climbing back. “Sir, we have company. TIE Interceptors.” Stobbs’ followed the man’s arm towards bright points of light that were resolving out of the maelstrom. There had been no point in having the proximity alarm on, which was why it had not alerted them first. “Good eyes. Do they have the shuttle with them?” “Negative, sir. Scans show that they are charging weapons.” He started flicking a number of metal toggles in a line by his right elbow. “What are you doing?” Stobbs enquired. “Arming ours. We have a dozen M-s3 concussion missiles, which I am setting to home in on their P-s5.6 twin ion engine signatures.” Stobbs frowned. "Don't know what bothers me more; that you and they are willing to fire on each other, or that it happens so often, that we have a setting to get them back." He did not claim to know much about starfighters, but he did not have a very high regard for the TIE-series, their courageous pilots not-withstanding. “Incidentally, they can't really touch us with those things anyway. Can they?” “They also should not be able to jump through hyperspace, or shatter asteroids.” He shook his helmet. “Too much that is unexplained about these guys. Aaand, we are getting a transmission.” “On speaker.” “This is Panthera Flight 2 of Panthera Squadron, your are trespassing and in decree of the n’Osnyi Treaty that is in place here, you are to leave immediately or we will fire upon you, no matter who you are!” The message had apparently had an effect on the shuttle pilot. Well, two effects. Deft typing across the weapons board brought a layer of HUD (Heads Up Display) graphics rippling across the inside of the curved windshield, and yellow crosshair/circle combinations floating till they overlaid and adhered to the images of the approaching craft. One after the other, they turned scarlet. “Targets locked on all of them, sir.” The Ace reported, turning from the sight towards Paul. “They do seem to have a point, Lieutenant. Especially if there really is a treaty we are violating by being here.” “Do you want to go back and explain that to the Admiral?” Paul invited pointedly. “I can bet you, he’ll point out that no local treaty takes precedence over an Order 66 Pursuit.” Thaw’s servant and confidante looked pensively out the port at the fighters. The instruments showed that they had decreased speed as well. They clearly were not going to make any headway butting heads, he realised, “Open a channel.” “Channel open.” One of the repeater screens on the horseshoe-shaped command console showed that about six of the bulky and heavily armoured spacetroopers had ascended through their hatches in the shuttle’s roof, and were jetting towards the surface of the asteroid. “Panthera Flight 2, this is the shuttle Unidade Bravo, of Admiral Thaw’s Kamino Expeditionary Force, operating under Code Silver authorisation from Lord Vader himself.” To be honest, he did not know if the Code Silver was still valid, or if it had expired with the liberation of Geonosis, but he wasn’t really in a position to comm up Imperial Centre and ask. “I apologise for my superior, but you must understand my position. We needed to ask the jedi a question, and we would have been perfectly happy to watch as Grand Admiral Thrawn asked it, but you assisted in the escape of an Order 66 fugitive from Imperial custody, and we certainly have a mandate to interdict your choobies in all territories within this Empire.” In a moment of self-awareness, he realised his voice had been getting quite testy towards the end, and he deliberately sighed, reining back his enmity towards these criminals. He glanced at his pilot, who had his hand hovering over the activation studs for the first of their missiles. “Tell you what; how about you pass this question to your pet jedi. I will relay the response back to my admiral, and if it is satisfactory, we will withdraw. Intelligence’ advise that the jedi were involved in the disappearance of our interdictor cruiser, the Charlotte’s Web, from Ryloth space. Can the Truthsayer shed any light on that, and does he know where that ship is now? Over.” Tag: Panthera Flight 2, Aquilla people -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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pashatemur Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 7/5 10:25am Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith - Date Edited: 7/5 11:40am (3 edits total) Edited By: pashatemur
	OOC: This is a continuation of a joint venture with C_O and SSS, to whom I am very grateful. This continues to be very invigorating effort with great input, creativity and very satisfying and enjoyable collaboration. Thank you C_O and SSS! IC: Marquis of Gripsholme Vanya Federov, Ledaren and Sheyftain Quinlan Vos, Admiral Colton, Dr. Molita, Lord Vader and Anakin's former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano at the Ursean Embassy NRCs Commander Margory Bri, Mr. Zarcov, and Sergeant di Berilini at the Ursean Embassy. LOCATION: Imperial Center, The Ursean Embassy Part 3 of (possibly)5: Apogee * “Are you … ok, Miss,” a voice spoke from behind her. Ahsoka put her hands over her eyes and rubbed. Through the mirror, she saw an Ursean officer standing behind her, the singled breasted pleated peplum coat in pale grey-blue, westkit of charcoal grey, and cream breeches now identifiable to Ahsoka as the USF uniform. Ahsoka didn't need to broadcast her agitated expression. Dipping her head, she reached down to the streamlined spigot to cup some cool running water and doused her face. “Ah, yes…” said Ahsoka, wicking her face with on her sleeve. “You don’t look it. Do you need some assistance? “ Dark circles were under her bloodshot eyes, some of the muscles in her face felt like they had slackened. She was feeling weary. While the water on her face rejuvenated her somewhat, it didn't have the same effect as a hot shower. “No, no…” Ahsoka calmed racing heart as she mentally seized the moment. Taking another look at herself again, she sighed. “I do look terrible,” she admitted. “I hurried here. I thought maybe I’d lost someone very … very important to me in the Senate bombing!” “Have you found out anything,” asked the officer, now approaching with sympathy. “Yes, and now I just need to see him.” Ahsoka said emphatically. “But thank you, I think I just need something to drink and then I’ll be better. I’m a little unsettled and lightheaded.” Ahsoka smiled fragilely and put her face to a blower to dry it. “Probably a low in your metabolism,” said the officer smiling. “Come and sit for a moment and have some jura juice.” Ahsoka smiled gratefully, falling in with the flow of the Force. “Thanks! That’s very kind of you!,” she said as they walked and entered the club again, the wary sergeant nearly half-way along the path she’d taken to get to the lavatory. “No, don’t mention it. I’m glad to offer some small help. My name is … The Black Guard now stood before them as the USF officer was ordering a juice at the bar. “May I escort you to your taxi, now, Miss?” di Berilini suggested. She was free to go at her leisure, her tool returned to her, no further questions. It had all happened quite quickly and the Sergeant was at a loss. “Um… Sergeant di Berilini, this is Flight Commander Margorya Bri,” said Ahsoka quickly. The bar discretely thumped with the unmistakable sound of a glass being set down on a coaster, that soft thud, and Ahsoka turned to catch the Commander waving the bartender away. “Hello…I’ll help her from here Sergeant,” said the Commander generously. “She looked a little ill. Sit down, Miss and drink the juice before we need to pick you up off the floor.” * di Berilini hesitated and considered, but the Commander had turned her back and outranked him and he was not at liberty to discuss Miss Tano further. He saluted in confusion and shrugging, exited the bar determined to go immediately to log his detail. Even in the lift he decided to give Zarkov a call. The young female was wiley. * "Flight Commander? I miss flying. What type of craft do you prefer?" asked Ahsoka before taking another sip of the sweet and mildly spicy fruit juice. “…USF Bird TK-7 interceptor,” said the Commander, “Feeling better – you look better,” she affirmed with a smile. Bri looked up and across the bar to a fellow officer who motioned to her. The Commander nodded and conversed a little further explaining the concept for the TK-7 and it’s inception 7 years ago, a design of the Re’s own making. * “Will I see an improvement, Doctor,” said Colton wincing at the gruesome memory of the Re as he last saw him. The 3 men strolled out into the wide circling gallery over which columned stone balustrade could be seen the busily populated marble parquetry of the lobby far below, voices and footsteps echoing. Before the Doctor could respond a contingent of some urgency caught their attention. Two officers and an older gentleman. “A moment, Ledaren, Doctor,” said Colton moving ahead to meet the small group. “Ledaren, while in surgery, a message came in on the Re’s private comlink. I took the liberty of reviewing it afterwards,” said Molita hanging back as Admiral Colton walked ahead, joined by the older gentleman with a flowing white beard, tall, imposing, it was the Marques of Gripsholme. The Admiral and the Marques bent their heads together, halting, obviously exchanging some sensitive information. Molita continued relating his information as he and Vos waiting for the General. “It was from a Colonel Sin. Are you familiar?” "So the dragon is a Colonel now? Interesting. I can only imagine what cryptic information that message contained." Replied Vos. The Doctor looked to the Kiffu intently. “He said, He was arriving on a ship called the Krayt’s Fire. He should be in orbit now…” "There has to more to it, than that, Doctor." A group of gregarious officers passed and saluted and continued down the warm and resounding hall, past the 4 men and to the lifts. Molita returned the salute and continued, “He seemed to be reporting – said there were no survivors but that he was bringing back a casualty that the Re might be interested in.” "Say no more..." said Quinlan while putting up a hand, as both men already understood the unspoken truth of Sin's cargo. Molita looked about at the wide and invitingly cozy entrance of the Officer’s club and furrowed his brow as he watched Sgt. Di Berilini leave alone, feeling his unspoken question’s tacit answer had been confirmed. *** Though Ahsoka wished to know more, her mind was on HIM. Searching; and now, from where she was sitting, her back facing the outside and front wall of the club, she could see the rest of the officer's club very well. Sergeant di Berilini had left moments ago. “You sure you’re feeling better? I’ll get you a taxi now if you…” offered the Commander, seeing Miss Vashee was distracted. "Thank you, yes…" Ahsoka took another sip, and grabbed a handful of nuts from a small crystal bowl on the bar in front of her and quickly stowed them in her pouch. “But no, I know my way back down.” She gestured to the waiting officer across the bar. “Looks like I’ve kept you from your friends,” said Ahsoka trying not to sound to eager to rid herself of her ‘good fortune.’ The Commander laughed. “They’re celebrating the return of the Re! I think they’ve managed to celebrate in spite of my absence. Well, I hope your friend is alive and well, Miss Vashee. Safe travels!” Ahsoka smiled and waved, and munched the handful of nuts that crowded her mouth, gulping down the rest of the jura juice to wash after the salty mash. She stood up and began to head for the lavatory again. Silently, she knelt down and adjusted the tabs on her left boot. Her eyes checking the few other people lounging in the rust colored club chairs arranged across the entrance bar four rows of small central tables deep. Making sure that she wasn't attracting attention to herself, she moved quickly. Ducking her montrals down below the height of the stools, she made herself small in the Force and slipped towards the service entrance. She could smell the food being prepared in the kitchen. She stopped flat against the wall just beyond the entrance and looked towards the kitchen door. Salivating, her ‘nose’ urged her in the direction of the clanking pans and chatter, the warm and flavorful aromas of the large service room, but the thought of her Master entered her mind and she moved on, stood up to her full height and continued down the corridor. Quickening her pace to a Force assisted sprint down the shiny floored corridor, Ahsoka’s sure footed pronation came down softly like a Togruta hunter, heel first to dampen the sound. She was tempted to take her boots off and carry them to reduce the risk of noise. ‘Not a good idea, I’d probably pass out from the smell!’ she told herself half-jokingly remembering how long her feet had been encased in the leather. ’Eyes can deceive the hunter who does not also use ‘mind’s ear!’ Her large blue eyes blinked as she looked ahead in the cream whitewashed walls of the hewn stone corirdor, her montrals sensing every little movement of sentient or machine in the empty and somewhat dusty hall, distinguishing all incidental sounds from the low hum of the lights in their cream colors v-shaped sconces. Even the holovid cameras panning the corridor around the turn, she could ‘feel,’ and with feline stealth the Togruta took long low steps quickly to the corner, ‘dipping’ every now and again into the Force to check that she was indeed heading in the right direction. Coming to a junction far down the corridor – she looked back from whence she’d come a pinpoint of silver in a straight run back. She breathed quickly, feeling so exposed, she inched up to the opening edge of the junction and peered around the corner. The camera she’d heard in it’s time panning of the corridor was at the end of a long run and mounted on the ceiling. Leaning back against the wall gently, careful not to tap the top of her montrals, she considered. 'How quick are they?' She wasn't sure what model they were but it was a good guess they were more sophisticated than the ones at Rendili Starport. She patted herself down, trying to think of something she could use to trick the cameras and allow her to slip through undetected. The slender Togruta had her hydrospanner and not really anything else useful. 'What if I cut the power? Yes Ahsoka, cut the power, that would be keeping Skyguy alive! Good one!' She rested her head back and this time her montrals rubbed against the wall as she slide down and sat on the floor. 'Emergency systems... fire. What if I could fool sensors into thinking that there was a fire and the automatic systems would kick in and-' She dismissed the idea in her head. She didn't know the systems - water, foam or some sort of gas? 'That would help with the cameras but not me. Blast doors could seal me in and I’d be trapped – no power in my saber!' She laughed inwardly. The hydrospanner made to mask her saber was more useful… Her brow raised at a possibility. 'What if I feel through the Force and pinch the wires? Rub them against each other, cause it to short out or cause a feedback loop? Hmm... no. That would require too much concentration and they might send maintenance.' She looked to the wall opposite her. 'If I kicked off that... that would give me speed to dash down the hall... but the camera.' She fiddled with her spanner and shook it with a growl. I might as well throw it as…. She paused and looked down at the tool in her hands. An idea came to her. Unscrewing the base cap from the chunky handle she tilted the saber out and clipped it to her hip. Filaments from inside the handle threaded out after her hidden weapon from the spanner's exposed opening. She detached the connections through which the hydrospanner drew its power. Yanking the filaments loose, she focused on the defunct remains of the tool. Dismantling the head of the hydrospanner, she broke it down into smaller pieces and arranged them in front of her, her hands working feverishly fast. She had a sense time was getting away from her. 'How am I going to do this?'[i/ She asked herself. [i]'Some cameras use fibre optics - small clusters of them. If spliced, the information bleeds and...' she shook her head. 'They are protected by an exterior casing... the lenses...' Her fingers picked up the socket driver. 'Depends on the lenses and positions, the image would be seen upside down. Why do I need the image to be upside down? What is the blind spot?' 'What if I put a cap over it and run past? Then that would be obvious if the person or whatever on the other end has sharp eyes to see that one obstruction over all the other cams. Regardless of what I do, I would be causing a disturbance and eventually they will come for me and time is ticking. The question is: Which disturbance is tolerable?' She stared at the objects, trying to piece together what optical illusion she could orchestrate with these parts. Her eyes darted to the tube of the tension adjustor. There was something about it. 'What if I could angle the view of the cam to not see me. If I crawl-' She grabbed all the pieces and shoved them into her pouch. ‘Oh, for crying out loud.' She didn't have time for illusions. Standing up she took the cap end and flicked it around the corner. Taking control of it through the Force, it levitated briefly before it shot across the distance between her and the cam and stopped in front of the lens. * “I’m sorry, gentlemen, shall we?” gestured Colton down the long marble corridor that opened to an air bridge in the distance. * She turned the corner, her hand stretched out to keep the cap blocking the camera. With her left hand she took out another part of the tool, ready to do the same to the next camera in her way. As she passed underneath it, she loosened her hold and allowed it to drop down to her hand. She needed to find a lift or stairs... 'I need to go up..' * The Embassy surveillance monitoring system recorded a series of black outs, only seconds long in each of 6 cases along a series of interconnected corridors on the 32nd level of the central Embassy tower. * The squeaks and sound of heavy things in friction, voices speaking in Ursean echoed down the new trunk corridor Ahsoka took. “Ja Den där er god. Har den droids lasta av dem över här….” The silver white tips and then the blue of her montrals showed around the corner as Ahsoka carefully watched the crew of two large Ursean males and an army of droids move flats of packaged goods to a large service lift. She ducked down as a droid trundled past the palette behind which she crouched. “Kanna du sända upp en annan. Där er en överskotten här vi er sändande ned i en gå för lättnaden ansträngning,” called the speaker again, another voice, unseen calling back, “Ja, säker! Berätta leveransen huvudman Jag har bort ned till dock till se till den upp lastande där. Ger oss omkring 20 minuterna leda tid.” A repulsor squealed into activation and the palette began to rise. ‘Oh. Poodoo!’ thought Ahsoka as she leaped onto the rising palette to save the exposure of two very long legs to the workers. 'Hiding in the Force, I am hiding in the Force….Oh for pity’s sake,' she groused as the palette began to turn and she squeezed in between tow large and burgeoning sacks of dry goods, sucking in her ribs as much as she could. Peering out of the cramp space, Ahsoka bit her lip. ‘Wouldn’t that just be grand?! Squashed like a cockroach!’ “ Ja , mycket väl. Se du siden Olaf.” “Senare , då Hagen.” Ahsoka watched through the very narrow space as the light changed, the doors of the lift closing as she, two droids, 5 palettes and repulsors, and Hagen traveled down the lift tower. Ahsoka winced in frustration. ‘Down?!’ No, no, UP!’ There wasn’t enough room to see the ceiling and ascertain the location of the service access door, but there had to be one and Ahsoka prepared to aim for it. * The surveillance holovids spawned error reports and the computer’s automated systems management began to transmit commands to appropriate departments. * It seemed like twenty minutes as she lay squeezed and sweating in the palette, but in actuality it was only three minutes! The lift bounced slightly on its breaking magnets and the repulsors revved and began to move the palettes one by one into the docking bay. With a muffled grunt, like a pea squeezed from a pod, Ahsoka scrambled out and clambered up to the top of one of the as yet unmoved palettes, and shot herself quickly through the access panel into the dark interior of the lift shaft and leaped onto the top of a swiftly rising cab, falling and pressed against the top with a groan as her chest felt the compression of the sudden rise. ‘At least I’m going in the right direction…’ *** Transmiting: /Security requests maintenance of holovids 32A-001... * Several close calls, a corridor and another lift later, Ahsoka was challenge by another series of holovids. Running the plush corridor of paintings and sculptures in the same manner she’d managed in the service corridor of the club and happy to find she had just enough pieces of her hydrospanner, Ahsoka leaped and rolled to find herself nearly in front of 4 very large crystal panels, a large gold sculpted seal, one she recognized very clearly now to be the Ursean Royal emblem, set into the wide crystal transom above. Beyond was a large round table with a vase as big as herself set upon it, and shooting forth in a riot of colour, an enormous bouquet of flowers. * Transmiting: /Security requests maintenance of holovids 32A-001...a Transmiting: /Security requests maintenance of holovids 32A-...b Transmiting: /Security requests maintenance … 32A-...c Transmiting: /Security requests … 32A-001-12…j Transmiting: /Security requests … 32A-001-12…k Transmiting: /Security requests … 32A-001-12…l *** Her eyes traveled over the rich appointments and across from the doors, a bank of 3 lift doors. These had to go somewhere important, thought Ahsoka and above, tucked in a corner just above her, whirring as it panned the foyer, was a holovid. Her pouch was empty of the metal scrap and all her hand brought forth were the handful of nuts…. Smiling, success snatched from the jaws of defeat, Ahsoka, concentrated and opening her hand sent the nuts into the open view of the camera, sixteen morsels sweeping in front of the lense like a swarm of nut-sized insects, and then sweeping upward and then down as she curled her fingers, to cover the lens! Nearly giddily, she threw herself into the central lift and lay on the floor as the doors closed, the nuts falling to the carpeted floor. She reached out with her hand and with flat palm, concentrating, she caused the only option button to depress and the lift rose with a discrete ‘whoosh.’ She looked up at the ceiling, almost tearfully and leaped up to flatten against the side of the cab as she felt it slowing. The door slid open. Where she was now looked like a lobby... for what... she wasn't sure. Her eyes were transfixed upon a painting adorning the wall opposite her. She could just glimpse it through the profusion of fragrant flowers that sat on another large circular table in the middle of the large ellipsis that served as a foyer. It was quiet, the sound of the environmentals only contributing to the growing awareness that she was and intruder. There was a whir and Ahsoka knew the sound well, as the holovid on the opposite wall recorded the view of the lifts. Ahsoka held the door, hoping she had enough time to accurately and swiftly send her saber to obstruct the motion sensor. She sent it in a streak of silver to halt directly over the lense and held it there, her hand outstretched, focused, her brows knit. The whirring stopped. There were guards nearby, she could feel it, yet the curve walls confining the room excluded all but herself. They were moving nearby and Ahsoka stood still until she felt the presences recede. Tentatively, Ahsoka stepped into the quiet and austere but lushly appointed foyer. Her eyes transfixed upon that painting adorning the wall opposite her. Rounding the table she could see it was a portrait of three people together: a man, a woman and a child. Her sights locked onto the man's familiar pale and fierce yet oddly serene face, her eyes wide, her gaze was drawn to the amazingly beautiful and compelling depiction of his own deep blue. The artist seemed to have captured him so … so well. Even in this posed and frozen moment, the body suggested a strong and forceful movement, a spring and agility and yet a quick grace. "An-Anakin...?" She whispered as she took a step deeper across the richly piled carpet into the foyer. Her voice caught in her throat. Her hand outstretched towards the image. Her gaze drifted across to the dark-haired exotic woman arrayed in silver, and standing next to him. Her features were fine, her chin slightly pointed, amber-brown eyes, with gently arching brows. Her corseted figure erect and a subtle smile on her fine full lips perfectly shaped. So many things had come to pass! It was not the petite and elegant Senator Amidala! The saber slipped and Ahsoka caught her breath, resettling it. 'She must be his wife... and the child…what was her name… the Infanta… Sophia?' She remembered what she was told back on Ursa and the resemblance could not be denied. The child looked like the distaff version of her father! Her outstretched hand closed up into a fist and Ahsoka, shaking, placed her knuckles against the bridge of her nose. Feelings of remorse welled up inside of her. It was her fault. 'I had failed him. He had moved on, a life of his own. I don’t want to imagine what happened!' She pushed the awful thoughts from her mind and looked up at his image all in black as if nothing but time had intervened. His robes and clothing not terribly different from the design of his old Jedi habit, it was an illusion, to see him this way as if she'd only just left him a week ago! He had to be different- older, perhaps with more wisdom in his dark blue gaze or maybe a harder jawline; the bite of determination there. But… he had a new life… 'Now I'm barging back and interfering. I can't do that to him. It is selfish of me and he doesn't need me.' She closed her eyes, and forced back the tears that were on the verge of spilling over. She turned back and walked around the large stone table with its over-flowing fountain of flowers, her hand on the door frame of the lift. "No... no... " She whispered. Shaking her head. 'If I leave him now, I will never forgive myself.' 'He is so close!' She looked over her shoulder in the direction she felt him to be. She drew in a deep breathe. She had to move, to remain at a main access point was not wise if she wanted to avoid detection. Keeping to the wall, she cautiously approached the left set of double doors which opened out of the foyer either side of the massive painting. Holding her head close to the deeply paneled wood clad walls, she counted to fifteen seconds as she listened for any sign of motion on the other side. Her mouth felt parched. There was no sign of anyone. Opening the door slowly, she slipped between the small gap, gave the room a sweep with her eyes, alarmed for a split second as she saw many figures opposite, before realizing it was her reflection in a mirrored wall and carefully closing the door behind her. There was a door on the wall across from her and another just left of her. She knew if she walked directly to her left, she would find him. The distance from her location to the door across from her seemed too open and she would be exposed. 'Maybe I can go around...' Her eyes were watching the windows in case someone or something wandered past and spotted her as she made her way to the nearest door to her left. She could tell that she was on the other side of the Foyer wall by the way the wall curved outwards. She took four large strides A hallway that led all the way through to another section, that was where she needed to go. Keeping low, she crept along the corridor. There was a door close to her. She needed to go further, but up ahead there was movement. She darted to the door on her right, and entered, hoping that whatever it was didn't detect her, as she closed the door behind her. She stood listening. It had to be a droid. 'Where is it going? Did it see me?' She unzipped her jacket and took it off holding it before her, ready to cast it over the droid's photo receptors. 'If it finds me, I would have to-' She sniffed her shoulder. 'I definitely need a shower!' She gave the room a look as she backed away from the door. Her muscles tense, preparing to pounce, the jacket ready in her hands to bag whatever it was that might come for her. Waiting there, her brow lifted and montrals turned out fully open and 'listening' for a change of pitch with the droid's movements outside in the corridor. There it was, moving off down that junction that intersected the main corridor. It seemed to have passed her without noting her presence. Ahsoka's shoulders relaxed, as she sighed and took in her surroundings. She needed to find a way to get down that corridor. Slowly she stepped, feet sinking into the soft thick pile of finely knotted carpet full of intricate scrolling patterns and curious symbols around the edge. This room was warmer in feeling than the other, personal items lay upon the tables here and there, and on the desk...an old drafting tool! She crossed quickly and picked up the golden hued metal protractor, hand polished from use and handling. Her eyes misted as the warmth of her own hand transferred to the metal and she could almost feel it was His warmth that returned to her. There were pleasant memories in this room, a child's drawing on the desk next to the protractor, and the embellishment of a more mature hand incorporated with the less controlled hand of the child's. It was hard to lay the protractor down. As she continued, her hand trailed along the polished wooden top of a large flat musical instrument. She could imagine the moments that had been shared here. Smiles, endearments, assurance and "Communion..." she murmured touching the small pendant which hung from her neck. As she looked up again, feeling a spy in the house of love, her eyes caught sight of a holographic photograph. Her jacket fell out of her hands. '..and love?' She made her way past a great stone firebox and mantle piece, her gaze drifting over the preserved memories of a life that was shut from to her. Her eyes unfocused, it became a blur to her though certain elements felt familiar and clear. She didn't need to see the details, she felt the essence. The essence of what she had recognized in a stolen embrace and kiss so many years ago: Happiness. Her heart sank suddenly in her chest just as it had that moment seven years ago! Seven years ago, happiness was in the moment, bounding, rushing in the Force, in her veins, in battle, being there at the right moment, the synchronicity, the bond! Seven years it had been since she had felt genuinely happy, since she had walked alone from the Council chamber. Her eyes lowered, skipping the last few holos as she moved on. Something caught her eye out beyond the three long windows that lined the exterior wall. The lights of Coruscant seemingly moving! She peered out as the moving shadows, realizing there were trees beyond a deep lawn. The garden terrace outside the windows could be seen tossing gently in a soft breeze, dark and inviting beyond the casement windows. Ahsoka stepped to one pair of double floor to ceiling doors and ran a finger along the panes of transparasteels and then along the dividing astragal, hearing the high pitched vibration of a current running through it. 'Of course they are monitored,' she thought to herself. She'd be exposed out there, but then there were more places to hide too. Bright Coruscant and the monumental edifice she had known as home stood pale lit against the dark night sky, her reflection in the pane of transparasteel over-casting all. Not going to blend in so easily with the Urseans, she smirked, pulling a panel of silken blue curtain to her and wrapping it around her like a luxurious and regal blue cloak. It was smooth and plush... and heavy. Lifting the curtain panel from where it 'puddled' on the floor in a soft cloud of pale blue, she held the edge against her as if it were a court gown the likes of the one the women in the portrait wore. It was appealing, her image thus draped, but what truly interested her was the hard weighted line of the curtain hem. Ahsoka felt along the edge and then looked to the window again. Working quickly she found the side opening of the hem pocket and turned out as much of the inside as she could to find a metal chain of tiny weights in all along the inside edge. 'Force!!!' In one quick rip, she'd pulled the chain out. She studied the astragal for where the security devices were installed as she felt the chain links with her fingers. 'There! Where the gasket and the astragal touch. There must be a current running through them. If that connection breaks then it would trigger an alarm or something.' She threaded the end of the chain in and divided the gasket from the filament installed on the astragal. Keeping the end in place, she looked up along the length of the window for any more before wedging the other end into the other one. "This is it." She whispered as the window slowly opened across If there was suppose to be an ear-splitting alarm, now would be the time for it to go off. All she heard was the sliding of the window, the leaves swishing in the breeze and the sound of her breath. 'Did it work?' She didn't know, she leaned her head out the opening. 'No guards barging in so I guess it did.' Her pupils widening to scan carefully for surveillance components, Ahsoka placed one foot stealthily out onto the stone landing and closed the window behind her crouching down to pull the small chain toward the outside, snapping it loose just as the doors were close enough to make contact. * The three men had ridden in relative silence, the lift opening with a whoosh that seemed to break their individual meditations. The three men had ridden in relative silence, the lift opening with a whoosh that seemed to break their individual meditations. In the back of his mind, Quinlan felt a nudge in the Force... alerting him to the now familiar signature of the young female Togruta. “I can stay but a moment,” said Colton. “I’ll leave you two after I’ve seen him,” there’ve been a number of small developments. “We’re here, Ledaren, Admiral, of course. “It’s this way,” said Molita, gesturing to the left of a large stone table covered in multiple sprays of fragrant flowers overseen by the large family portrait of the Re, Reina and the Enfanta. * Within the Embassy surveillance command center, a light blipped for an instance and garnered an error message within the computer to which the contact sent their messages. * Softly caressed, her cheek felt the humid night breeze. The slightly acrid air smelled so familiar, cause Ahsoka to lift her eyes to the perimeter border. She shivered. "E chutta, I left the jacket by the piano," she mouthed to herself. There were no sounds other than the brassy snare of traffic that streamed constantly in the distance. Three steps lead down to he lawn and staying low, she practically slithered down them to dive into the border, seeking a gardeners path she hurried along, heart beating more quickly as she felt she was drawing closer to her objective, the signature so near. THERE! There, directly across from her. Ahsoka stop, still, her breath caught. The leafy barrier yielded slowly to open lawn as she crept closer. A set of six long casements, all dark, lined the wall, only a dim greenish glow emanated from the far end of the very long room that lay before her. Ahsoka crept slowly forward to the edge of the border but there were others! Another force signature she half-sensed and considered must belong to Master Vos. * Molita, having lead the way through the august corridors lined with the artifacts of Ursean history and art till finally they stood before two large and elaborate scrolled doors. Molita gave the Ledaren a pointed look He opened the guarded doors to the darkened room in the vaulted dark, glints of gold could be seen in shadow-veiled rounded forms of plaster relief, moldings and furnishings at the far end of what could be discerned as an expansive room there stood a set of hard screens behind which a faint glow shown. Molita walked lightly to the screens and silently gestured to the medidroids to make way. The screen opened and within stood a large tank, very dimly illuminated. The bare body of a man hung in the harness, floating, his hair cropped close, and head bowed, the face in repose behind a breathing mask, arms limp and outstretched as in welcome, one missing its forearm. His feet hung just above the bottom of the tank his skin pale and green cast by the light of the monitors which tracked his vitals. A man in a preserving jar! The soft gurgle of fluids moving through various tubes entering the tank mixed with the undertone of a slow set of constant blips from the mechanicals surrounding him. *** A particularly loud speeder roared past, far off, its clattering engines echoing off the artificial canyons of ferrocrete in the distance. She shivered in the chill night air. Lifting cautiously, montrals held flat and back, Ahsoka felt she could wait no longer. 'He's in there! Right there! Maybe they would just let me in...fat chance,' she thought and smirked, looking upward to see how she might enter. She panned the floors to the back and above, the roofline - three flues to the right! Quickly traveling to the right and running low, she flattened herself against the stone wall and glanced into another darkened room to see a large workspace, food preparation appliances - a kitchen! Kitchens must use heat, heat must be vented - no, recycled. Without further deliberation, she scaled the wall smoothly, and pulled herself up onto the shallow roof to run silently to the larger of three flues. Pulling the vent cap from the larger of three, she brushed the soot and grime from her waist and chest and slipped down into the silent duct. The had to be heat recovery and a fan to force the air out, and yes,.... there it was, a grate. *** The low disc-shaped droid extended a pincer and nudged the pile of fabric on the rich carpet, its photo receptors refocusing and zooming in to magnify and analyze the material. synth-leather, composite padding…article of covering… clothing...reporting housekeeping… * The kitchen was dark and empty of any staff, droid or other. No work below, thus the fan would be off. She didn't think of how long it took to dispense with the grate and fan, only how happy she was that once she let herself down above the large range, swinging lose from the huge metal hood, she had caught and gently bent and propped the fan chassis back into the duct. A glint of light from a few of utensils swinging from their hooks in neat rows over the two long metal refectory counters. Some unseen current moved them and she stopped, holding herself absolutely still against the door of a walkin cryo unit till she was certain nothing else moved; the silence broken by the growling of her empty inside. Ahsoka looked through the foggy window of the freezer at a shelf full of jugs of blue milk. She held her stomach as it gurgled angrily again. Holding her belly Ahsoka sprinted to the door, palmed the keypad and curled around the frame, ducking into the next door down. The holovid at the end of the corridor whirred toward the motion. * Colton swallowed and shook his head where he stood between the Ledaren and Doctor. “He does look moderately better Doctor. I shall meditate when I have a moment,” he said quietly. * Entering the door, Ahsoka entered into a small and intimate room with two desks and a small seating area. The walls were lined with shelves and a couple of monitors. It was a study, a private study, and full again with personal items. This time, Ahsoka kept her focus and eyes trained on entry points and avoided taking in the objects, avoiding the feelings they engendered. A breeze reached her by way of a interior hallway immediately to her right. Ahsoka inhaled sharply. At the other end, it was dark with a faint pale greenish glow! This was the moment! She hesitated! Hugging the walls she moved on past an open door to what had to be a fresher and dressing rooms, tucking in there for a moment before returning to the hall. Again she slid along, the low hum of machinery and a constant bubbling could be heard just beyond the opening of the other end of the hall. Her fingertips nearly pulled her forward, the rest of her resisting. There were others, others, whose voices spoke in hushed tones, but that was not what gave her pause. And there at the end, beyond the door sockets, a large piece of case furniture was pushed nearly past the door jam, a piece of heavy equipment in front of that – the last physical impediments, impeding her. * The eerie quiet of the medical room was a stark contrast to the background noise of the Ursean Embassy and the Officer’s Club. The silence was not lost upon Vos as he took a few somber steps towards Vader’s Bacta tank. The battle hardened war veteran took a few minutes to regard his unconscious friend, taking the time to debate with himself on the best course of action for the long haul. His thoughts drifted from the here and now, to Celeste and back again. The low light from the tank cast an unusually long shadow behind the Kiffar as he stood deep in thought. The only sounds barely audible in the room were the constant muted-chimes from the various monitoring systems associated with keeping the Emperor stable. Quinlan loathed seeing Vader like this. Without turning around, Vos addressed Molita: “The last thing I want to see is Lord Vader attached to an artificial lung for the rest of his days. SO… unless you have a plan for something… temporary, then you must know that I am opposed to further surgery.” “A permanent breathing apparatus?” exclaimed the silver haired Admiral. The Doctor raised his brows at Colton, after all, he had explained the situation to the man. “Surely, not!” “I’m afraid it is a possibility, Admiral. The Re has significant scaring in his lungs, aside from the physical abrasion of the volcanic ash, there were severe lesions caused by chemical and radioactive elements as well. It is frankly, miraculous he was able to function so long as he has from the Kalee theatre to the Senate, much less remained alive,” said the Doctor, in hushed tone, as he regarded his Re. “Object you may, Ledaren, but I have stated the possible courses of action. If we are to avoid a mechanical lung, we nust consider the transplant, but even then there is the possibility of rejection of the tissue… if we can indeed grow it…I should have an answer on that in another hour. The lab have started cultures already. I’m sorry, Ledaren, but can you really see another option?” “Yes, as I mentioned to you downstairs… there may be another solution. But seeing the Re’s condition has given me reason to pause because I have never attempted something of this magnitude before.” “What in the Seven stars can you mean, Ledaren?” queried Colten looking incredulously at the dark Kiffu. “I have and will employ Force healing, Ledaren, but I am no God and should we experiment with our Re when clearly you doubt your own abilities with regard to this as yet, undisclosed method?” the doctor reasoned, throwing an long arm up and out. “No. I do not doubt my abilities, doctor. To stimulate, and then bend living tissue to your will is no small feat! I am concerned with how MUCH the Emperor can endure in his current… condition. We have no room for error.” Colton bent his head, being a devout Kavalad. “Shouldn’t we consult the Matriarch in all this…?” The manipulation of the Force had many repercussions, many of them unbalancing. He did not claim to be a philosopher, but the Admiral regarded the matter with the utmost concern. “The Matriarch would wish the best course to be taken, Admiral. I am his physician…she would rely on my counsel” said Molita evenly and leaving the group to read one of three monitors opposite the bacta tank. Looking down he busied himself in frustration. “We shall not keep you further Admiral. When I’ve more to report, I will notify you. The Re will revive,” he said firmly, though in what manner, he mused, he could not say. Colten grunted and took one last anxious look to the young Re, “Ledaren….” He muttered, excusing himself. Molita did not speak as the door in the far end of the bed chamber turned operation theatre whooshed closed. “So…are you going to tell me what it is you propose?” the dark-haired Ursean asked of Vos and then added very quietly, “You… ahem…" Vos cut him off with a silent "Shhhh," a finger over his lips and then signaling for the Doctor as he stepped sideways and into a shadow. Once out of the dim light, the Guardian shrank his presence within the stream, while he whispered under his breath; vanishing from plain sight. Without a sound, Tholme's former Padawan crept around the far side of the tank and came to stand behind Skywalker's former Apprentice. Much to Molita's astonishment, the Ledaren vanished into the shadows. "Perhaps... you could tell me..." Molita tried to find something in the reflection of his screens. "what your reservations are... what makes you hesitate, Ledaren..." *** No, it was not the others, one of whom was certainly Master Vos – and she hardly heard what they said, but the suppressed recognition of the possibility for the collapse of the heady expectations into ruin and cruel rebuke. But Anakin was like a magnet, as he’d always been. Once asked if calamity followed him, remembered Ahsoka, he had answered, “Always!” He drew everything to him, including her. She pulled herself up against the side of the casework and then to the edge of the machine, with only one last shadow shielding her, and as Ahsoka raised her eyes, she saw what cast that shadow; Anakin! In the vaguely pinkish bacta gel, the glow from monitors the other side of the tall tank in which he floated in a deep harness about his hips. His arms were outstretched, his right without the prosthetic, his head bowed and resting to his right shoulder. The signature mane of reddish-brown locks was gone, his head covered with a close crop of fuzz. His back to her, she could not yet see his face as he hung pale in the odd green glow. Ahsoka trembled. Her heart felt hard as stone. It was scary to see him this way. Her memories of her Master were of a man full of life, seeing him buoyant in a tank and not moving, his wild mane removed, his prosthetic gone and the stump with it’s metal cap exposed; he looked vulnerable and Ahsoka felt a tangible hurt deep inside her chest seeing him in that position. “Master,” she murmured incredulously, her heart aching in remorse, feeling herself exposed and vulnerable, and alone. She bit her trembling lip in anger for abandoning him. ‘The one time I hesitate…when I should have stayed with you…It should be me in that tank!...What happened to you…?,’ she moaned inwardly. Her eyes took in the symmetrical patches of skin, small grafts, healing, but still tinge and inflamed, swollen pink on his pale skin. She could see in the other side of the tank a reflection of a small light that seemed to circle somewhere on his chest…a monitor, perhaps? Before, he looked different in the holocast she’d seen in Ursa. Her eyes rose to find the reflection of his face in repose. There was a wound, a neat wound in the center of his throat! It was too much of a shock to her emotions and she wanted to cry out in anguish, “Leave us alone!” She stepped forward not caring if the voices heard her, the eyes saw her and she pressed her brow to the glass, her hands flat against the smooth warm surface, tears wetting her cheeks. "Master....Anakin!" to be continued... -----signature----- http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17959370/p1 The Flower of Bast: personal journals of LDV ~\| Acroama, LD, SDO\|~ o[]\|\|]ooooooooo[0]\|\|[]{ "It's a sin to kill a Mockingbird!"
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/5 1:30pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith - Date Edited: 7/5 2:01pm (5 edits total) Edited By: Sith-I-5
	OOC: I need to put a shout out to my mate, TJ, who made the blemish remark when I pointed out my ship on that comparison chart. IC: Captain-Supervisor Katie Stiles, Captain Caltose, Denon fleet monitoring station, the Victory Star Destroyer Predator Locations: Denon, Corellian Run; Obligon Nebulae, Chommell Sector The worried captain-supervisor of the secret monitoring station took time out of examining her tresses for grey strands, to check out the foot-high blue holograph of Captain Caltose, the VicStar commander who, to all intents and purposes, was the leader of Operation Bith Slap down at Obligon. “Captain Caltose.” She greeted, before her eyes moved down below the hem of his belted uniform tunic, to see the sagging flesh around one of his thighs, while the other leg was going into a pair of trousers being held for him by a kneeling subordinate! She was speechless, and could only wag a finger at him with words of admonishment stuck in her throat. Clearly puzzled, the man frowned at her, before the millicred dropped, and he was gesticulating off-holo’. “Pan up, dammit! She can see my legs!” The picture hastily moved up and closer to him, so the focus was his face, nearside arm, and torso. “Profuse apologies, Captain-Supervisor. I was just changing my trousers there.” “Gas, uh, gastro-intestinal accident, Captain?” Katie hazarded, finally able to speak. “Accident?” The officer glared angrily into the holo-recorder lens at his end. “ACCIDENT?! Your damnable Eclipse turned up, that’s what. It ought to have a bell on it! A large bell, one you can hear tolling through hyperspace.” Katie stared at him, the idea slowly dawning on her that the recent veteran of the liberation of Geonosis, from vastly overwhelming Separatist forces, had been so startled by the arrival of the Kuati Eclipse-class Star Dreadnaught, that he had actually…, no, she could not even finish the thought. Realising that she had zoned out for a second, she heard the Lok native still going on: “-Yards want an advertising slogan for this drokker, they can try, ‘Your enemies will *** their pants! Guaranteed, or your money back.’” Suppressing a smile that threatened to collapse her reserve, she made a show of writing the phrase down. “...Or your money back. Got it, Captain.” Stiles looked away from the holo’ to check her notes for what that monster ship had been called. “Has the Independence* contacted you?” "Don’t think it even noticed us, to be honest." Caltose’ expression looked rueful, his fury, borne of short-lived fear, now faded. “Ooh. What’s that blemish on the scanner-scope?" Though Katie could not see anyone apart from the captain, she could see that he was glaring off-camera. "Yes, what is it?” “Captain. We have intercepted a communication between the Eclipse and the star destroyer, Kuat’s Glory. The ISD and Lancers will be entering the nebulae to flush out the pirate starfighters, with us taking on the Nebulon-Bs. The Independence will hang back far enough for the bandits to assume that there is nothing awaiting them.” Caltose snorted. “They would have to be drokkin’ blind.” “As you say, sir.” “Alright, the bridge crew have three minutes to return to their stations, then we go join the ‘Glory.” The officer turned to Stiles. “We will be in touch with further developments. Predator out.” As his holo’ dissipated, Stiles exhaled all of her tension, and turned to her operators, some of whom were sniggering. “Alright, we can cancel that BOLO. Advise all commands that the Eclipse has turned up safely.” “Some of them might want to know where it turned up, so they know if it is anywhere near them.” One pointed out. She shrugged, not seeing the harm in it. “Fine, tell them. Obligon. Not like it is one of our ships anyway.” Tag: The Kuati forces at Obligon -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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TheAdmiral Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 7/6 12:04pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	OOC:Well...I guess I'm back, excuse my absence...and excuse the low quality of my post...fighting a heavy case of "writer's block" IC:truthsayer sister Alia Ursean embassy, Coruscant Alia didn't remember when, nor how she ended up in this suite. She had lost her sense of time too. The Bene Gesserit walked around the room, black and yellow cape swirled behind her as she circled around in the middle of the suite. She had been experiencing some very disturbing visions. Alia was holding her chin, trying to remember and order them chronologically. They were mostly about her "future son". She reached for her inner pocket in her cape and took her smaller journal. Every self-respecting Bene Gesserit carried a second one just in case something happens and she needs to write it down. Well after that she will have to rewrite it on the main journal though. Alia then took a pen, opened the "notebook" on a blank page. Entry 7-13: Concerning recent visions Due to inhaling a large dose of spice I've been experiencing a series of visions concerning the Prophecy for the Kwisatz Haderah. In them there was a chamber clearly the one that Magister Loraine had used when she was alive. There a blond woman, who I called "Magister Sunwalker", was sitting and a ghostly form of a man standing beside her. This vision was rather vague and I was not able to hear, nor understand most of the things she was saying. There was an expression that caught my attention "Sith alchemy". I suggest that we should investigate this. Then the vision become even more vague, I was in a tomb with several other presences that I cannot identify, not just yet. Here is a list of expressions that I understood: "...Necromunda...", "...Tomb of the Three Kings...", "...Death Cult Assassins...", "...Khaine, Onimi and Sigmar...", "...Sith Alchemy...", "...Technobeasts..." and "...Equivalent Exchange...". This concludes my report, I hope the Farseers will be able to shed some light on this enigmatic situation. My conclusion is that our order is at the brink of creating the Kwisatz Haderah. End of entry In her entry she omitted the vision where she was proclaimed a Farseer. They are a special part of the order, all of them sisters with the power of seeing into the past and into the future. The only problem is that they should be careful because the future can change very quickly if affected. And most of their predictions are vague and need further clarification so that a good prediction to be made. Still the Farseers were one of the most respected members of the Sisterhood. Alia then turned her head towards a mirror hanging on the far side of the room. She could see her eyes completely indigo, no iris, no white area...only indigo... TAG:anyone -----signature----- Proud member of the Clonetrooper Fanclub/Stormtrooper Fanclub Grand Admiral in The SWC Empire Proud player in the best rpg series on the boards - The Galaxy at War http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30532100/p1/?0 My first fan fic
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/6 1:27pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	IC: Captain Reed Close, Imperial Star Destroyer, Prestige. Location: Derra The commander of the ISD stood looking at the two fleets, sitting in empty space, the odd-looking ships of the Union fleet, and Admiral Veroti’s patrol squadron of creaky, old-style Dreadnaughts. The shooting had stopped, and all was serene once again. He accepted a report on a datapad from one of his juniors, cancelling the “Be On the LookOut” BOLO order, for that Eclipse Star Destroyer, the Independence. Looked like it had re-surfaced, at the Obligon Nebulae. He frowned at the update. Admiral Thaw was out that way, and this Independence was not an Imperial vessel, to his knowledge. Close thanked the subordinate, and returned to his perusal of the starships outside. Tag: no-one IC: Lieutenant Esteban Corel, Super Star Destroyer, Executor. Location: Sector Zero, Coruscant The Intelligence officer quietly paged through the pics he had taken of the documents in the Bene Gessarit’s chamber, waiting for Dave the Sensor Guy to get back to him on the presence of an Arc Hammer amongst the fleet now ringed around the capitol world. Behind him, one of the other operators remarked aloud, “I see they found their missing Eclipse. Down at Obligon.” Esteban blanked the screen and looked over at the speaker. “Wasn’t Imperator an Eclipse too?” He referred to Emperor Palpatine’s gargantuan 17.5 kilometre flagship that they had seen torn asunder at Kalee, by the Confederacy Death Star, Requiem. “Yes. Yes it was.” Corel looked around at his sombre fellows. “Hands up who would buy another one?” No-one moved. "That's what I thought." Tag: no-one IC: SGIS Agent Devon Robie, Jedi Crusier, Haven. Location: Ylix Biddley-iddley-beep. The rodian looked up from his musings, at the familiar sound from the bridge’s Communications Station, and shoved his boots against the deckplates to wheel his chair over there. For some reason, he considered, it either had not occurred to the Imperial Navy to cut the cruiser out of their communication network, or it was simpler to do a mass broadcast to their thousands of capital ships, and not worry about filtering out the ones that had been compromised. He just had to remember not to acknowledge the message, because that might, if they were awake at the other end, bring the wrath of the Empire down upon them. Come to think of it, that gave him an idea for a trap. He opened the latest missive. Ah, apparently, that Kuat Drive Yards’ Eclipse-class Star Dreadnaught, now known to be called the Independence, was at the Obligon Nebulae. Now his interest was piqued. Until his years past imprisonment for Grand Theft Astro, and the subsequent work under license for the Secret Galactic Intelligence Service, he had travelled in the sort of circles that talked about that impenetrable nebula, on the other side of the asteroid field named after some pirate woman. Arrissa Field. Chommell Sector. Lots of double consonants. SGIS had an operative in Chommell Sector. Not waiting to get permission from the person who paid the bills, he powered up the Haven’s long-range communications, and directed a call to his superior at the SGIS Base Ship. Within a few moments, he had Lim's image on a screen, expressing delight and surprise that they were chatting twice in one day! He filled her in. “Okay, Agent. I will take it from here. Good work.” Tag: no-one IC: SGIS Medtech Yavscout, Royal Starship Hangars, Theed. Location: Naboo. The wiry elf was not particularly happy with the course of action that he had decided to take, or the potential impact it could have on his adopted home, but as the others had stated, the galaxy as a whole required more from him. Pressure, much? After getting his assignment to go check on this stupid jedi, he had called the Ministry of Information to see what the deal was with travel off-world, at this time. They were tentative, but it seemed the planetary shield had been dropped. Again. He had then signed up to join one of that day's daily tours of the Royal Palace and Grounds, including the river-way that ran between two wharfs, and cannoned over the cliffs of Theed, providing some of the energy that powered the city. A wonderfully designed, or were they grown, grey Gungan submersible bubbled up from the waters, not a hundred metres from the vertiginous drop, and parked serenely on the quayside he was standing near. The tour guide for the gaggle of curious humanoids was just explaining why the waters were not a raging white-water torrent, as they would be on any other planet, or part of this one, and if he did not have Mission Supervisor Lim on his back, he would have stopped to listen. The former medical technician slowed his pace till there was a respectful number of metres between him and the back of the group. Yavscout dug into his pool of spells, and cast Levitate onto himself. He immediately felt lighter than air. Rather than make him automatically ascend, the spell would keep his feet on the ground as long as it stayed level, but if it fell away, he would stay at the same altitude for as long as he could keep up the momentum, and as long as the spell lasted. As he intended to penetrate the Royal Theed Hangars from the vertical cliff face, this ability was integral to the plan. A male youngling, humanoid, yellow short-sleeved top, one fat hand in the larger one of his parental unit, turned from the lecture and gazed up at Yavscout while sucking on his other thumb. The SGIS medtech smiled, put his finger over his lips in the universal signal for ‘silence’, and applied Camouflage to himself, a blue sprinkle of light sparkles fluttering over him, and in the next moment, both he and the sparkles were gone, invisible to the naked eye. The kid’s lower jaw dropped. About a foot! Yavscout was so startled he almost became visible again! Okay, maybe not so humanoid after all. The skin at the side of the toddler's lower jaw was really stretched, like rubber. What in the Fire Rings of Fornax are you, Kid? To be continued… -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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Ominous Registered: Jul '04	Date Posted: 7/6 3:10pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	IC: Colonel Uvye Location: Enforcer One Acclamator, Phat Base Golan II. Location: Astral Coordinates, 05-F.00I9 The Colonel was in his quarters checking over encrypted messages sent from his office on Coruscant to his datapad when the ship’s klaxons started blaring away throughout the ship. He immediately shut down his datapad and stood up when another message came through on the ship’s intercom: General Quarters. General Quarters. Colonel Uvye, please report to the bridge. Major Bayliss- Juru stood calmly and walked out of his quarters aboard the Acclamator and to the bridge. He watched as men raced by him, not bothering to salute which was standard operating procedure during General Quarters. The bridge was alive with activity as the ship’s crew prepared for the worst. The danger of space travel was the fear of being sucked right out of the ship and into the blackness of space during battle. Your voice lost to the vacuum of space which didn’t make any difference as your lungs collapsed ceasing the supply of oxygen to the heart and the rest of the body. It was a sad way to go and a slow death. With every heart beat, your ventricles pumped less and less oxygenated blood eventually arresting the cardiac muscle and tissue death. He found Major Bayliss near the Captain. “Major?” TAG: Major Bayliss -----signature----- Proud member of the JTC Silence is Golden, Duct tape is Silver! Those who live by the lightsaber get shot by those who don't. the real purpose of language is no longer to convey meaning - it is to obscure meaning
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pashatemur Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 7/6 3:33pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	OOC: This is a continuation of a joint venture with C_O, SSS and permission from Sith-I-5, to whom I am very grateful. Thank you C_O, SSS, and Sithy! IC: Marques of Gripsholme Vanya Federov, Ledaren and Sheyftain Quinlan Vos, Admiral Colton, Dr. Molita, Lord Vader and Anakin's former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano at the Ursean Embassy; Riek Supiro, Chief of Municipal Police, 6 the district, her assistand, Lt. Roc S. Il’barati NRCs Ms. Soobie and Senate aide, Mercier at the Imperial Senate, Offices of the Executor And retrospectively: Obi wan and Yoda in the Jedi Council Chamber, Coruscant 7 years previous LOCATION: Imperial Center, The Ursean Embassy Part 4 of 5: Prism The Senate glowed as magnificently as its designers hoped, yet the massive flood lights turned on the building highlighted not only its beauty and monumental size, but also it’s hulking girth hovering precipitously above the plaza and surrounding scrapers, like a doting plump uncle whose business you didn’t want to know. Inside, the offices had gone mostly dark as the work to rebuild hurried along as a frenzied pace and Soobie surmised that her comment somehow forfeited her lollipop and she watched it as it was put away. “I’m …ah… I beg your pardon,” said Soobie taken aback by the Inquistor’s request. I was spoken like a request, but coming from an Inquisitor, Soobie knew it was a command. Soobie glanced down to Mercier and then her eyes flickered across to the closed doors of His Majesty, Lord Vader’s office where the Senator from Alderaan and Her Majesty Sabe Amidala had been in quiet conference for the past 20 minutes. Though not particularly tall and sporting a white cloth sling for what seemed a somewhat short left arm, the dark-haired Inquisitor with his maroon robes cut an imposing figure. That was a requisite for an Inquisitor and Soobie hesitated for a moment. “Obtain access to Lord Vader’s office?” Soobie put a finger to her pursed her lips and stretched her good arm back behind her, looking from Inquisitor Nelf to the blond Detective Lockley stepping back against the desk behind her and opening a channel to Vader’s private office. How many people did he come with, anyway?, she wondered counting mentally 2 troopers, the man in the pilot’s uniform and 3 Senatorial guard. “Inquisitor,” she said inhaling and trying to stand the least bit taller though her lollipop had summarily been taken away. “I guess I’m not going to get that lollipop back but…I received no word from Lord Vader about this …” Mercier who’d ducked past Lockley with a glum smile stood outside the cubicle to take a call from another aide and held his comlink close and looking confused he looked to the private office doors and back to Soobie. * Molita did not speak as the door in the far end of the bed chamber turned operation theatre whooshed closed. “So…are you going to tell me what it is you propose?” the dark-haired Ursean asked of Vos and then added very quietly, “You… ahem… " he said nodding back toward the bacta tank. Vos cut him off with a silent "Shhhh," a finger over his lips, as he stepped sideways and into a shadow. Once out of the dim light, the Guardian shrank his presence within the stream. Without a sound, the former Padawan of Master Tholme crept around the far side of the tank and came to stand behind Skywalker's former Apprentice. The skin on Ahsoka’s neck prickled as if a breath zithered across her shoulders and she turned about, teeth bared, her elbow raised and driving round in a flash as her left fist bore forwards and upward in instinct, her left leg following through in a round house kick. Vos felt her tense up an instant before she wheeled around and the Kiffu easily avoided her initial strikes with hand and foot. The advantage still belonged to him and Quinlan seized the opening and he struck her squarely in midsection with a straight left handed thrust. Though of generous proportions, the dim lit corridor seemed close. Her sight blurred at first with salted tears, her focus became crisp as she landed back up against the heavy wood carved cabinet. It was Master Vos, and he just about knocked a hole through her abdomen! She looked wide-eyed up at the dark Kiffu, his tats burning brilliant white gold in the sickly green glow of the bacta tank, his dark lion's mane bearing down on her. “I don’t take kindly to uninvited GUESTS,” he spat as he stalked forward. Drawing quickly nearer, he reached down to grab a hold of her, but the young one was one step ahead. With one agile hand she grasped his wrist, twisted it counterclockwise behind his back, sidestepped and used his downward momentum against him. She finished the move with a powerful knee to his midsection. The air blew out from his lungs with a resounding “UMpf!” and she followed the skillfully executed blow with a right cross to the left side of his jaw. “I—I don’t want to…HURT you, Master!” The clean second shot dropped the Kiffu to one knee swinging him round to face the small study to the back of the corridor, the paintings and holos on the walls shifting a kilter with the wind of the conflict. Ahsoka stepped back, her moment of conflict causing her to hesitate long enough for Vos to regain his sense of awareness. Feigning difficulty the Kiffu placed his hand on the wall. “Hurt me? Heh hehh hehhh, puh-lease!” cracked Quinlan, just before he ‘Speh-tewed’ the blood from his cut bottom lip. “It takes a lot more than what you’ve got to hurt me…” The Kiffar thrust his right hand forward and Force pushed the Togruta backwards, head over heels into the study. Ahsoka didn’t have the time or enough strength to block the blow but she was able to buffer slightly her landing. She called upon the Force as she turned her shoulder but her back still crashed into a large and heavily carved desk, the hard scrolling forms pounded into her back sharply and she crumpled to the floor with a grunt. She barely had time to blink and he was upon her. They rolled across the thick carpet. Biting her lip, Ahsoka kicked her knee to his groin and flipped free back towards the corridor, but Vos thrust a leg out to clip her spin, flinging her to the outside wall, sending a group of porcelain plates crashing atop her. An instant after, Quinlan pushed himself up, he flew the four meters distance to the Togruta. Tano was able to adjust in midair and lessened the severity of her impact. But she was still rattled nonetheless, swatting the shards from before her face. “Another slow learner!” he cursed under his breath and reached out with the Force to grip Ahsoka and pick her up. Vos unclipped his own lightsaber from the several hanging at his waist and with a thought, brought it to life. Ahsoka twisted violently in his grip as he slid her up against the wall, and quickly snatched up her defunct saber into her hand, gurgling against Vos’ tight grip. “I… I have a stick…” she said in dismay, “but don…don’t think I won’t… USE it” she grunted as she thrust out sending her saber upward to clip his jaw. Vos threw her down upon the floor and swept his blade to her throat before she could roll away and he growled, rubbing his jaw,“Tell me why I shouldn’t end this day by executing you for breaking in here!” The crimson blade flooded the room with its glow and its thrum drowned out all the sound in its vicinity. Ahsoka did not blink and spoke deliberately, “My Master commanded me to come!” * “Wait, Roc…just find me… um… that Lieutenant from Sector Command… what’s his name… the nervous guy… George Jetson… Jetton? He was just here.” Riek looked around holding her buzzing comlink in her hand as she stood on tip toes looking about. “That’s him over there,” she said pointing. “He can fill in the Planetary Def. people when they come calling. I’ve got to take this call,” said Riek nodding approval to a fellow who’d been sent her way for Medevac to land. The hangar was now being sampled and analyzed concerning the Order 66 that had taken place with areas of incursion being mapped out throughout the skyhook. Mr. Il’ barati looked in the direction the Chief waved and excused himself. The burly municipal wore minimal gear, a drab green uniform suit with which he’d never really become comfortable, a few crumbles, the remains of lunch, conspicuously clinging still to his lapel. Shouldering his way through a thicket of troops he came face to face with the man he sought. His thick Coruscanti accent giving no doubt as to his native home, Rocket queried the man wearing a light grey Imperial uniform, “It’s Jetton, right?” Il’barati’s right hand held his datapad while the other shoved a stick of gum and 2 flimsies into his drab green suit pocket. “Chief Supiro’s remanding site authority to you and asks that you let her know who takes over if you change detail before there’s a debriefing to Command,” said Rocket acquitting the necessary protocol. “You can comm me and I’ll relay your messages if any,” he added, his glance taking in the two stains that marked the slightly incidental deaths of two Imperial servants; one an Imperial agent, an Emperor’s Hand and the other the hapless stormtrooper who happened to encounter the Hand apparently on a day of hormonal pique. The bodies and their constituent parts which had already been bagged and removed had been involved, in their animated states, in a particularly flashy bit of sword play Il’barati lamented he did not catch on holo! The other combatant- the Inquisitor, walked away one hand shy of total triumph, but with those Force-wielders, hands, and other more subordinate appendages to the one Wayland had lost, seemed to grow back as readily as a dragon’s tail! One never knew, mused Rocket. *** Riek smiled to herself as she listened to the message from one of the department’s homicide detectives. "This is Homicide Detective Kol Phoenix, Police Chief Riek Supiro I would like to have a talk with you as soon as possible in my office tonight. I'll be waiting there, ma'am." Looking up she shook her head. “It never ends,” she commented to no one before swearing under her breath. Deepening her voice she muttered, “I would like to have a talk with you in my office. I’ll be waiting,” and then she cursed. “Ah, I came back as quickly as I could, Chief,” said Rocket as he sidled up, chuckling to himself. “Not very ladylike of me, huh?” said Riek, looking at the balding assistant with a smirk. “Well, Chief, far be it from me to pass judgement…” “I’ve got to go, you stay and see what you can pick up on the Order 66 and Rocket, let me know what you can about Director Isard. I’ll take care of the initial report. I’ve got something back at the office that needs my attention,” she said still miffed at Kol’s presumption. “Will do,” said Rocket watching Riek trot toward her skyhopper. “ Hey,” he called following quickly after. “Yes?” said Riek her hand on the side hatch jam. “You going to eat those leftovers?” he queried with a quick gesture. Riek smiled and disappeared inside the craft only to emerge a few seconds later and toss a stained velo bag to her assistant, “Enjoy!” He smiled and waved as she closed the hatch and the repulsors kicked on, the craft hovering as the Chief logged the departure and then took off as the space cleared for her. “Alright now… to work!” Il’barati searched the hangar and found the comely twilek Holonet rep he wanted and wiping his lapel, he made a beeline across the decking for “the witness.” “Hello, Miss. Mind if we talk for a bit? I’m Lieutenant Roc Il’barati. We didn’t get a chance to talk earlier. Can you gain access to the surveillance room on this thing? I, um, I’d to review some of the video from the cams along the perpetrators’ routes.” * Molita looked from the long shadows leaping from the corridor over the carved panels of the bed chamber to his patient. A monitor previously quiet flickered to life and began a high pitched whine. The 2 medidroids began to whir into the screened in area. Molita spun around and then looked over his shoulder to see the Re begin to stretch and move in agitation. * "And what will you do, now that you are here? Your defiance has narrowed my options!" "Defiance?!" she said incredulously. "I came at his command, Master. He was clear on that. There wasn’t time for him to tell me …why, but I’ve come to help!" She coughed and gasped. "You are mistaken young one..." said Vos as he deactivated his weapon and stood over Tano, still. "You cannot help him. Your presence here has only seemed to agitate things, so I suggest you leave while I'm still willing to let you." "LEDAR..." the Doctor called, interrupted by a dull thud coming from the Tank. Ahsoka’s lips parted in hurt and disbelief as she rubbed the burn at her throat. “He needs me! He’s my Master,” she said plaintively looking toward the bacta tank. “You had a Padawan once, Master,” said Ahsoka more softly, her luminous eyes confident, a quiet returning to her she had not known in a long time, “She was a good… Je… General and I know she would not have left you …like this, either.” Ahsoka gestured back to the tank. Vos stood firm, unmoved but for a passing second, his green eyes bright in the dark corridor. "Now is not the time for debate; get out and do as you were instructed Ashoka, I will not repeat myself again...." "My Master instructed me to come to him..." she glared up at Vos. "I don't care what anyone else says, I am NOT leaving him," she asserted forcefully “Ledaren,” hissed Molita whipping round the door frame to confront the two combatants warily, “Both of you! He is awake!” *** /In this infernal harness again!/ The thick bacta lined his trachea. It squished irritably in his ears and tickled mercilessly. With great effort he lifted his eyelids, though his mind was far away for the moment, struggling to awake… ”Agreed we are, on this issue, Knight Skywalker. Your Padawan a new Master requires. If tell you her own reasons she wishes, know them you may…” remonstrated Yoda, placing his claw in his lap, for a moment before Anakin had glanced to Obi wan, trying not to look anything but neutral and yet to plead he speak. His Master averted his eyes, for a split second, but avert them, he did. “Hers alone are they to tell…Take responsibility in this, you will want, but the decision to take Padawan Tano as your learner was not yours… Obi wan turned in his seat, the setting sun to his left and he adjusted to turn from the red glare, clearing his throat. Usually, Anakin couldn’t block out Ahsoka’s frenetic energy, but just now, it seemed she shrank, and he thought he heard a fly buzzing in the dome overhead. So, they were relieving him of any blame for the record. What did she say? There’d been no words between Master and Padawan having anything to do with such a change of this consequence. He hoped eventually she’d put things in perspective… She would not look at him, but cast her eyes away. To insist she look at him would have been taken askance, provoked further questions given the proceedings. He looked around at the Council. So they did not officially find he had failed Ahsoka in anyway, not officially, but he could feel the application of good Jedi restraint and equanimity and if one HAD to apply it that assiduously, then one was protesting too damned much and one was an lying ASS! He felt the censure, but he did the RIGHT thing and bowed, saying with some measure of his own restraint. “Yes, Master Yoda, I… understand!” This hurt more than he could say, and it had been written, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth…” And that was the crux of the matter, for in his own assessment, he’d been paternal…and certainly not allowing the depth of feeling or nature for that matter…. /”NO, I DON’T BLASTED UNDERSTAND! HALF-TRUTHS AND HALF-LIES! WHY WON’T ANYONE COME CLEAN AND TELL ME STRAIGHT? Why didn’t you come to me Ahsoka? ”/ He knew her turmoil. Did Yoda really know? He knew she felt compelled, he could see her muscles tense, the tell-tale glint of salted brilliance in those big blue eyes, but she bowed where she stood on the other side of the central floor motif in the Council Chamber and turned to leave just as he was expected to do, only walking at a discrete distance to demonstrate his humility and acceptance of a decision which reasons he would not be told, not truly. /If you’d only spoken to me…./ In a dream one is Lord of all, could manipulate all elements, reality was a matter of will and a vision always felt like a dream but unchangeable; only in waking were either proven, but one had the sense that there could be other options. This was neither! Something was most definitely afoot around him. /Why am I thinking of that after all these years?/ * With a warning look down to Vader’s former Padawan, Vos hefted his saber returning it to his belt as Ahsoka pressed her hands against the floor above her montrals. Swiftly, she brought her feet to her bottom and kicked off the floor back onto her feet. She rose and gave the doctor a wide-eyed look. "Awake? Is he alright?” the metallic taste of blood in her mouth and a warm trickle at the left hand corner of her mouth. . * Restraining… inhibiting… anger… wake up… wake UP… Anakin blinked slowly and kicked out through the heavy healing medium, his legs leaden. Light! What was he saying last? Where? Senate…explosion…spice…Sabe… / “For us….stand for us…. Sa….”/ The rippled shadow of unmistakable blue and white twin markings drew his gaze immediately… Togruta?... No, it couldn’t be! It was her signature! Dark mane…Vos... Anakin smiled, his lips meeting resistance in the rebreather, / “always there, my Brother...."/ Still there…blue…and whi…?… AHSOKA!? Anakin gazed out directly and caught the large luminous gaze in his own, leaning in the bacta, he struggled, swimming forward and placing his hand and stump on the transparasteel to look more closely. He beat on the clear barrier. Molita stepped alongside Ahsoka, but Anakin beckoned her forward unable to fathom how it could be her and yet he knew it was Ahsoka. Her hand half reached out to him, her lips parted in concern. It looked like he was in agony. Spreading his fine and slender fingers across the surface, Anakin mustered the Force, drawing her forward. He slapped the glass again, his brow furrowed in query, / "How?"/ He had not seen her since that day...... He looked to Vos and back to Ahsoka whose worried face had lost its rounded youth, her Montrals now grown out, no longer a cub. Did Vos find her and bring her, he wondered groggily? Ahsoka couldn't stop staring at his eyes. Just moments ago he looked lifeless and now... She stepped forward, not caring what the other two would say and placed her hand on the glass, over the spot his hand was pressed against. He looked to her hand and matched the set of her fingers. The corner of Ahsoka’s lips curled up slightly at his reaction to her hand. He tried her name not knowing if the broken bond would mend, but he looked to Vos and sent to him, /”How did you find her, Brother?"/ Again he looked to Ahsoka and blinked slowly. Molita had left the Togruta female’s side to check Vader’s vitals again. Ahsoka wanted to speak with him, tell him everything. Between the glass and Vos behind her, she felt crowded. "What did they do to you?" She whispered sadly, not sure if Anakin would understand her. Her fingers curled, imagining that they were curling around his hand. "Master Vos, if you'd talk to me instead of call me "agitating", then we could make some progress!" said Ahsoka, turning from Anakin to plead her case. "I CAN help him, I have to help him." She turned to the Doctor. "What is the situation so far?" "The situation so far, Miss, is that the Re ....Emperor, is awake when he should be resting. His lungs were damaged by heat and the inhalation of volcanic ash. He needs lungs - there's the simple version," said Molita angrily and looking from Vos and Ahsoka to the Re who in turn was looking from one to the other of the three, attempting to decipher from the foaming mix of emotions he was sensing just what was going on. "He needs lungs...?" Her face went a shade paler as she looked back to Anakin. "Shouldn't there be a way to repair the cell walls? cellular regeneration?" "If it were that simple, Togruta, it would have already been done." Replied Quin as he shot Molita a nasty glance for prolonging Tano's stay. Ahsoka looked to Vos in silence then back to Anakin who hung still regarding the group with intense interested. "This is not getting any easier..." mumbled Quinlan. “It seems your little safari has elicited a response from security…” said Molita wryly, returning and looking back to the Re and then to Ahsoka. Quin added,"Once you have spoken your peace to the Re, you must leave. And those are my final words on the matter." “It wasn’t easy, but this is a restricted situation. I’ve taken care of it. No more high jinks, Miss Tano, or word WILL get out about the Re’s condition. We are losing time and advantage, the more people know of this,” said the Doctor sourly. In the tank Anakin rapped on the glass with the metal plate of his arm, and pointed up with his flesh hand. Molita sighed and Vos moved quickly. The crane above the tank whined evenly and once again, Anakin “enjoyed” the distinct thrill of the bacta sucking away from his body as he was pulled free, his eyes on Ahsoka still. “Is it just … me…” mumbled Anakin around the rebreather, and choking up bacta, “or have we been here before?” "I'm glad to see you so buoyant, Your Majesty," said Molita with a grunt as he helped with Vader's legs as the Ledaren lowered the Re to the floor. "We should stop meeting like this, the smell of bacta is almost enough to make ME ill,” said Vos, Vader’s arm about his shoulder. Anakin grabbed the rebreather from his mouth, “It’s an acquired… taste,” he choked , spitting bacta from his mouth and wheezing before Molita nudged the rebreather back to the Re’s mouth and nose, busily toweling his patient as the droids removed the harness and tubing. He handed a towel to Ahsoka, “You said you wanted to help!” She took the towel, a brief expression of surprise froze her in place. She shook it off, knelt down and began to remove the excess bacta that covered Anakin's skin. Half dazed that this was happening and closing her eyes at the tactile connection. There was no room for modesty and once the last of the conduits and tubes were retracted and removed, Anakin slumped slightly having to draw upon the reserve he’d built up in his short slumber. His chest ached in earnest now as he reached down to touch Ahsoka’s forehead with the tips of his fingers. Ahsoka trembled and stopped as she felt a warm touch on her forehead, almost electric – tentative and light, his fingertips. She looked up. Searching his face for any sign of what he might be feeling. Her eyes still not used to seeing his appearance like this, and awkward at the intimacy of the moment, she tried to give him a reassuring look, not sure how it came across to him. His brows knit, eyes bright as he asked in silence the question he’d asked her last. “Put him on the gurney,” said Molita shouldering the Re and indicating Ahsoka take his feet, leading the group to a metal table nearby, though it was Vos, who barely tolerating the proceedings scooped up the Re and carried him. His equilibrium swimming, Anakin kept his gaze on Ahsoka, still trying to reconcile this new surprise. Ahsoka started, feeling the mind touch of her former Master through the bond and her lips mouthed 'Not yet,' shaking her head ever so slightly as she kept her hand on his leg, unwilling to lose contact as she moved with him over to the gurney. “Leave ‘s,” Anakin croaked harshly to Molita and glancing to Vos. “Minn ‘ari… we have no time for reminiscing,” said Molita looking angrily to Ahsoka, and shaking his head though he spoke calmly. “LEAVE… US,” Anakin insisted again. Molita looked to Vos and, seeing the Kiffu’s eyes, relented. “5 minutes!” Vos threw a long towel over his brother and left motioning the Doctor toward the small study. Ahsoka watched after the two for a moment and then stepped closer. Anakin’s hand shot up to clasp her arm with surprising strength. He looked at Ahsoka expectantly, waiting for her answers. She glanced over her shoulder then back to her Master. "How- how you feeling?" she nervously asked. Reaching up, he detached the rebreather, knocking it free with the edge of the disc into which his prosthetic would normally be seated and locked and found he had to draw strongly on the Force to respire. “Rott’n,” he said breathily and offhandedly. “N’ tell m’, WHY?!” he insisted, his voice a hoarse whisper, his breathing shallow. He’d not once thought back to that day till now, and now it mattered like a house afire. "Why? I-I-I.." Ahsoka stammered and cringed to herself at her loss of words. "You... you called me." Anakin shook his head impatiently and angrily. "S’ not what’ mean, Ahsoka," Anakin said pulling, her close, "Why’d you go to t’ Council? What did y’ tell?" he said, coughing. She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a long sigh. It turned into a low growl as her stomach 'twisted' upon itself. "I thought that it was in your best interest that I... that you didn't know me." "Lil’ late f’ that, 'Soka...." he wheezed. "…Try’n t’ help me?!” he said incredulously, “S’not why!" he insisted, gritting his teeth. "I was compromised… did it to protect you …didn't want to drag you down with me." Her voice was barely audible. "I'm so sorry. I made things worse. I-I didn't want to compromise you." "T’….” he smirked. “How’d y do …that....ahhhhh... " he wheezed, frustrated with not being able to breathe. “Ahsoka, y’ were young... y’ think y’ were th’ first Padawan to … kiss h’r Master? he queried impatiently, then his gaze softened as he looked up into her tearful gaze… Until bounding over the jagged broken wing, his heart held to the calm rhythm required in sustaining the composed and serene mind of a Jedi in battle. He could see through the slender grime-lined windows of the cockpit that she moved. Ripping through the open fuselage and stepping and duckling low into the close cabin, he was relieved to find her in one piece! With a quick glance around he saw that the fires were out and smoldering. “Ahsoka, can you move yourself? Urgently, and he feared her loss when he felt though the bond as with sinking spirit he’d seen the small transport tumble toward the ground, her heart had stopped, but not wanting to act out of it or acknowledge that fear, Anakin touched her face. More loudly he called, “Ahsoka, move your legs!” If the assault had not been successful, he would not have had this opportunity. He might have had to abandon her to her own devices and trust to her survival, he recognized that he was being too internal, too self-centered to accept and allow others to learn and make their own mistakes and he promised himself he would correct that failing. He had to let her learn on her own and careful not to show her his worry and make her think he did not believe in her.; for he did and he wanted her to be every bit as a good a Jedi as she could be. Ahsoka moved slowly, rising dizzily to her feet as he held her hands and backed up, stooping in the low ceilinged cockpit. “I’m alhh…rihhgt,” tried Ahsoka, falling into him. Carrying her light form from the wreckage, the care of Master revealed the love of a more paternal form. The thought of her loss twisted in his heart like a knife. Laying her down on a grassy hillock he held her hand, the smile growing on his face as she began to revive grew broad. She spoke questioningly, “M…Master?” He snatched her up into his arms, overjoyed he’d not lost her. “Master? Did I get them?” He nodded his head, “But one made it away. We’ll need to move on as quickly as possible.” He smoothed her brow and searched her face, smile dissolving even as his eyes glittered, “…. DON'T YOU....EVER....EVER PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT AGAIN! YOU.... STUBBORN... PADAW.... AHSOKA...Ahsoka....!" Brushing her cheeks with his thumb, he cupped her face bringing it near, worry and relief still outlined in his own as he looked at her adolescent montrals, he began to calm as he established she was not injured beyond a few bruises and scrapes, his other hand feeling her arm, hands, lekku and chin. His fussing brought annoyance first that perhaps he did not believe in her, but she settled into the warmth of his care and chokingly whispered, “I'm alright Master. Really... I'm fine....I..." Leaning in, her face tilted upward, her pupils dilated in the haze of wonder and expectation that she felt, recognizing that he truly loved her and her heart beating quickly she lifted her lips slowly to his. She put her hands to his chest and reassured him, her hand flying to his cheek tentatively. It registered that Ahsoka was going to kiss him, and lips in the habit of kissing, kissed, and arms in the habit of embracing, held her, while suddenly the blood drained from his face as he felt her sink into his arms. ‘No…It’s not… It was a daily necessity-to filter the actions, feelings, and ruminations of the living world around him. He was as Obi wan had once said, “..so acutely open to the Force, it was sometimes painful to be near Anakin!” Her desire was intoxicating…to be of worth… I am the Force… Her lips were soft. A kiss was opulent, the first sip of a blissful draft that one, having once tasted of its power to smooth away the rough distractions of momentary, indecision, or the jagged accretions of a vision-gleaned darker self that since childhood, stood by the bed at nights to catch one’s sleep away, in hungry remembrance worked in near automatic and relieved acquiescence. In old scrolls it was recorded that the Jedi wed. The tea ceremony, the meditative velocities, these also gave way to conjugal communion, the conceptual understanding often pictorially represented as a little house, a small haven in the heart, it was not located in a physical space but in the mind. So with a kiss were such ‘little houses’ opened, poignantly, sweetly. The hand still cupped the chin in care, time gave way to ‘no-time’ and only broke the wafted moment when pressed against his chest Ahsoka leant, her hands upon his chest and then seeking his cheek. Had he imagined that she would be so ten….NO… wrong! Oh no… He was failing her! He wanted to cry out. How could I have done this? he thought. I’ve got to stop this… the doors already opening and with them, something less tender, but equally intoxicating, something that wished, having whelmed his Padawan, to feel her tremble beneath him, luxuriated in her submission, make her writhe and ebb in a pool of desire, needed her want, and wanted to test her desire. ‘I will hurt you… NO!’ The look on her face as he pulled her abruptly from his lips broke his heart as she shrank away and he squeezed his eyes shut. ‘Oh, no! This isn’t what I wanted! She was left hurt and feeling exposed, feeling weak before him and some part of him reveled in that. “NO,” he nearly shouted holding her at arms length and in her face what he hated to see, confusion and hurt. “A Jedi…. Must… ‘NO!’ He winced inside and turned from her, not wanting to speak and doing so quickly. And what had he said, knowing she was still disoriented from her ordeal ready to collapse? She had gotten up with a hasty apology and promptly fell. Lifting her into his arm, his sight was trained on the horizon, there eyes not meeting. He grabbed her rucksack and ported her from the crash site. The remainder of the mission was carried out in relative silence. She’d mend. It was just a phase she was going through, and he’d explain that to Ahsoka after she had her solitude. That time for that talk never came… “I didn't ... mean … t’….. r’ject you...” he said belabored, remembering how he had taken Obi wan’s example and awkwardly cited the tenets, feeling then how hollow it all seemed, “Ahsoka... whatever ... I b’lieve now, being…. a good J’di did n’t ‘nclude encouraging th’…’tachment of …one’s VER’ YOUNG Pad’wan, but we could have weathered that.... you should have trusted… me!" He had to stop and replace the rebreather for a moment, nudging it into place with his prosthetic. Her tearful eyes incited the strangest admix of light and dark in him, her love and regret both feeding something needful in him. He struggled as he clasped her hand and saw now, as she leaned down above her blue singlet, the now touch-smoothed japor carving he’d made for her years ago, the edges yellow and shiny. He let go her hand and reached the snippet between his thumb and forefinger, the bittersweet connections it brought, tight in his chest. Ahsoka’s mouth worked over the words that didn't come. She gulped and tried again. "There was more to it than that. I..." her eyes lowered, she fought with the words. "I didn't want to be a burden on you." That wasn't quite what she wanted to say, she still couldn't bring herself to tell him the all. "Burden?!” He half smiled and rasped, “Ahsoka, you were,” he shook his head, “annoying… rambunctious, stubborn… brash, but ... you were never a ... a… burden!" he said with difficulty, still clasping the carving and looking up to her eyes. She looked away, and closed her eyes, not prepared for how overwhelming it was to face those eyes, the corner of her mouth twitched as she fought back her emotions. She didn't want him to see her like this, see that her eyes were watering. "Go on!" She took a few deep breaths as she composed her face. "I don't know how to say." "SAY..." "That I... that I.." The words were caught in her throat. "I saw Senator Amidala and you... together..." He tossed his head and closed his eyes. "Soka, … I don’t have the luxury of ... time…” He stopped short, dizzy, but staring up now. Ahsoka looked down to Anakin. The sound of her breathing and the pulse in her neck was loud to her. He coughed. Turned his head to the side and let the tears dissipate. It was all "lost water" now, as they said in the desert. Her eyes lowered as he turned away. Unsure of what to say "You thought I'd rejected You...and the Council... thought ... they thought I'd foisted…”he laughed breathlessly, bitterly, “m’self on m’…m’… Padawan!” And somehow, he thought, that was an acceptable offense, an offense of poor management, whereas, marriage, that was an attachment! He didn't need the anger right now. Contrary to whatever musty old Sith holocrons might say, it in fact was not mitigating the pain. She swallowed and blinked. "…I did it to protect you. I.. I.." her voice barely a whisper, trailed off into silence "Master …Yoda?" "I told him that I was... unfit to be your learner. That it would be best if I stepped down." Anakin nodded. "Accepted your statement, but he knew... it was ... doesn't matter anymore.... s’ matter anymore, Ahsoka... all those tears," he said raising his flesh hand to cup her face. Her head automatically leaned into his hand "I'm so sorry." "Go to the …Chatelaine. Bed down ... stay... close by. You understand... too much to convey... ah… be better... y'll see... Do as I… say. Brother Vos ...heh... m’splaces his… heart. Stay out … f’ his way... Soka....I'll be better....” There was much more to address, but barely enough oxygen to think! He grasped a hand that used to fit completely within his own "I can't leave..." Vos clearly didn't want her around and she wasn't about to let him get his way. "’Sok’! …Do… as I say!" She stopped and nodded in acknowledgement. "I'll go now?" He tried to wet his throat with a swallow and nodded in return. "Molita ‘ll … make arrangements..." he looked to the Doctor who entered with his Ledaren. "She …stays,” he ordered unequivocally. “A room … She’ll…await me. Inform her… Doctor!" Molita looked surprised, but nodded to Miss Tano. Ahsoka leaned in and hesitated over his cheek. "I'll be close. You stay alive." She whispered. He blinked back his intention to do so, letting go any wonder or consternation he might have at this strange occurrence of Ahsoka’s return. The Ledaren raised his left arm and rather hurriedly keyed-in a brief message on his wrist-comm. “I have already sent word, Miss Tano… Admiral Colton, or one his aides will meet you downstairs.” said Vos, still wearing the unmistakable mask of anger. He then motioned towards the lift as he finished, “And don’t forget, WE’LL call you…” The two men watched as she walked into the lift with shoulders slumped and her head down. She didn’t bother to turn around and face them as the lift-door ‘whooshed’ closed behind her. After she left, Quinlan stepped forward to the metal table and regarded the Emperor as the Doctor began to provide him with an update. Molita looked over to Vos and the Re, the room now quiet again. "You have very few options now, my Re. The tissue samples we retrieved from the wreckage of the EmPalReconSu are not viable and your lung tissue is scarred to the degree that you require assistance breathing. This is not something that will miraculously heal given rest and plenty of fluids." Quinlan interjected, “There may be another solution, my brother…” He stepped closer so that Vader did not have to move to watch him speak. Running a gloved hand through his tangled mane he continued, “My Master often spoke of the ancient healing arts, but he was quite certain that knowledge was lost forever. I’ve never had reason to speak on the matter, but Dooku uncovered much during his time under Lord Sidious and I made it my mission to absorb everything I could. I have seen the scrolls; I’ve read the texts and deciphered the hieroglyphics. What made no sense then, is as clear as day to me now.” Vos took a deep breath before he continued, “But you must know that those same texts also offered a stern warning, {{One must pass through the fire to be restored.}} And, I take that to mean that our wills must be greater than the pain.” “With all due respect Ledaren, have you gone mad?” asked Molita after listening to Vos describe this healing through pain. “A temporary respirator will surely do the trick until we can take viable samples again. And the Re’s risk will be considerably at a minimum.” “I cannot expect you to understand, Doctor.” said Quinlan in a more somber tone. “Lord Vader knows firsthand: the greater the power, the greater the toll. And the one power that evades him will be the one to make him whole … once more…” Anakin closed his eyes for a moment and then looked up to the silent plaster creatures adorning the perimeter coves of the ceiling. He knew this moment! He’d dreamed and seen what was meant by, “assisted breathing” and could hear it in his mind’s ear. “I … WILL …heal,” he asserted in a hoarse whisper. TAG: Inquisitor Nelf, Det. Lockley and crew, Lt. Jetton and Bree, and Det. Kol Pheonix, Homicide, Imperial Center 6th district municipal police To be continued… -----signature----- http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17959370/p1 The Flower of Bast: personal journals of LDV ~\| Acroama, LD, SDO\|~ o[]\|\|]ooooooooo[0]\|\|[]{ "It's a sin to kill a Mockingbird!"
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/7 5:53am Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	OOC: Oh, nicely done! This was fantastic; well done to everyone involved. "What did they do to you?" We threw a torpedo at him. -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/7 10:31am Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	Sith-I-5 posted: IC: SGIS Medtech Yavscout, Royal Starship Hangars, Theed. Location: Naboo. The wiry elf was not particularly happy with the course of action that he had decided to take, or the potential impact it could have on his adopted home, but as the others had stated, the galaxy as a whole required more from him. Pressure, much? After getting his assignment to go check on this stupid jedi, he had called the Ministry of Information to see what the deal was with travel off-world, at this time. They were tentative, but it seemed the planetary shield had been dropped. Again. He had then signed up to join one of that day's daily tours of the Royal Palace and Grounds, including the river-way that ran between two wharfs, and cannoned over the cliffs of Theed, providing some of the energy that powered the city. A wonderfully designed, or were they grown, grey Gungan submersible bubbled up from the waters, not a hundred metres from the vertiginous drop, and parked serenely on the quayside he was standing near. The tour guide for the gaggle of curious humanoids was just explaining why the waters were not a raging white-water torrent, as they would be on any other planet, or part of this one, and if he did not have Mission Supervisor Lim on his back, he would have stopped to listen. The former medical technician slowed his pace till there was a respectful number of metres between him and the back of the group. Yavscout dug into his pool of spells, and cast Levitate onto himself. He immediately felt lighter than air. Rather than make him automatically ascend, the spell would keep his feet on the ground as long as it stayed level, but if it fell away, he would stay at the same altitude for as long as he could keep up the momentum, and as long as the spell lasted. As he intended to penetrate the Royal Theed Hangars from the vertical cliff face, this ability was integral to the plan. A male youngling, humanoid, yellow short-sleeved top, one fat hand in the larger one of his parental unit, turned from the lecture and gazed up at Yavscout while sucking on his other thumb. The SGIS medtech smiled, put his finger over his lips in the universal signal for ‘silence’, and applied Camouflage to himself, a blue sprinkle of light sparkles fluttering over him, and in the next moment, both he and the sparkles were gone, invisible to the naked eye. The kid’s lower jaw dropped. About a foot! Yavscout was so startled he almost became visible again! Okay, maybe not so humanoid after all. The skin at the side of the toddler's lower jaw was really stretched, like rubber. What in the Fire Rings of Fornax are you, Kid? To be continued… OOC: Been told to re-post this thing IC: SGIS Medtech Yavscout, Royal Starship Hangars, Theed. Location: Naboo. The wiry elf was not particularly happy with the course of action that he had decided to take, or the potential impact it could have on his adopted home, but as the others had stated, the galaxy as a whole required more from him. Pressure, much? After getting his assignment to go check on this stupid jedi, he had called the Ministry of Information to see what the deal was with travel off-world, at this time. They were tentative, but it seemed the planetary shield had been dropped. Again. He had then hoped to sign up with one of that day's daily tours of the Royal Palace and Grounds, including the river-way that ran between two wharfs, and cannoned over the cliffs of Theed, providing some of the energy that powered the city. Due to the recent alert, although over for now, the Palace had suspended tours and balcony waving. He didn't know what the citizens of Theed were going to do with themselves, without their dose of Amidala on the terrace. To be continued... -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/7 2:53pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	IC: Surgeon-Commander Debgate, Chief Surgeon Ny Brun, Taskforce Scimitar medical frigate, Huntress. Location: Coruscant Deb followed the directions of the ready-to-depart security chief, to stride into the mothballed observation deck, that had been re-opened and given a quick clean, to allow the multitude of guest medics who did not have rounds to perform with the patients of the previous day’s conflict, the opportunity to see their arrival at Coruscant. She looked over the sea of heads for her colleague’s distinct shrub of garish orange, and spotted it...him, near the front, his seat a few feet from a metal rail that stretched the length of the wide and high gash of transparisteel. The winding kaleidoscope of blue, grey, and black was still in place, but she could hear the thrum of the Immobiliser 418’s engines change as they slowed, threatening a break from the realm of hyperspace. She managed to plop into the chair he had saved for her, as, all at once, the view outside changed to dopplered starlines that started at infinity, and elongated all round the ship, overhead, and under the rapier shape of the cruiser’s domed hull. The luminous lines shortened, and within a few seconds, there was a field of blackness with a grey spot somewhere to the top right, rapidly expanding till they recognised the rear of an Imperial Star Destroyer, stopped dead. Their cruiser halted behind it, then a Nebulon-B braked and stopped to their left, and in that fashion, the first few ships of Taskforce Scimitar arrived at Coruscant, banking left and right to clear the way for the no doubt pursuing ships of Vectis and Perrinaw. “Popular place.” Ny Brun observed, craning his neck as he took in the planet itself and the queue of myriad starships on approach to it - a clean and angular military warship here; a long tan-coloured freighter, skeletal form augmented with external cargo pods, there. “The cradle of civilisation, some call it.” Debgate commented in a smug tone. “I was forgetting.” The Ambivalence Chief of Surgery looked aside at his junior peer. “You had your training here, didn’t you?” He did not have to specify ‘medical’ training. In their circles, no other type of learning mattered or had any relevance. Tag: no-one -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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Sith-I-5 Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 7/8 3:00pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	IC: AIL-1745 “Piss-head”, Commander Theta, Master Yoda, Padawans Roland and Fenlaka, Fastern Island and the Darth Unlucky. Location: Pantolomin “It will be no problem at all.” The investigator judged with a confidence that one did not expect from a naked drunk, smelling of stale beer. So that was it, the briefing was at an end; and this, the porch of the several metre silver lozenge that was this being’s home, was a surreal place to hold it. Riggsim moved to retreat into his home, then stopped, looking at the both of them. The clone commander and his guard. “Well gentlemen if you excuse me I'm in a little rush, you know places to go people to watch and that and with that I bid you adieu.” The door slammed in their faces, and Theta could hear the sounds from inside of him searching for things; hopefully not another beer can. “Re'turcye mhi! Piss-head commented to the closed door. “Goodbye.” Theta looked at his armoured companion in surprise, recognising the language instantly. “That was Mando’a! You are not one of the ‘new guys’.” That was their collective and not very respectful term for a clone not descended from Jango DNA. “New guy?” The stormtrooper leaned over and spat in disgust at the very thought. It was an emotional, instinctive response. Theta stared. “Err. You’ve still got your helmet on.” “Yeah, yeah thanks.” Piss-head stayed leaned over, helmet aimed down at the grey sand. “Oh, bate, it’s all ober by dose.” He distractedly pulled his headgear up from the chin, so he could get a tissue from his utility belt inside without taking it off completely. “You might as well take it off.” Theta nodded back towards their swamp speeder, as soon as he was sure the trooper could see him again. “Ba'slan shev'la.” The two Imperials trudged back down the damp, bottle-strewn beach, back to their parked speeder, and turned in to climb onboard. “We’ll stay here. Apart from Riggsim, all our other approaches are from the sea. If we stay here, we will be cutting off another point of entry.” They overheard the ex-CorSec’ man’s unseen departure via speeder, and listened to it purr off into the distance. “XP-38A landspeeder.” His upside-down helmet resting in his lap, and enjoying the taste of the salty sea-air, the stormtrooper sensed the commander looking at him quizzically. “I can recognise things by their sound, sir.” “When is that useful?” “When Rollers turn up. Uh, Hailfires, Commander.” A pilot by trade, Theta was not completely au fait with all the Separatist ground units. “Hailfires. Those the chakaars with all the missiles?” “That’s them.” They sat in silence for a few minutes, and after a bit, AIL-1745’s thoughts turned back to Riggsim. “He didn’t take the two hundred credits that you offered up front.” “He’s an honourable man, Piss-head.” “Well you couldn’t tell to look at him.” “Verd ori'shya beskar'gam.” “Yes, sir.” Biddley-iddley beep Theta answered the comlink. “Yes.” It was the Executive Officer on his star destroyer. He probably had a name. “They’re coming, Commander.” Theta smiled, unconsciously flexing the fist he had smashed against the deckplate on his bridge. He was going to get his chance at revenge, after all. “Let them approach her position, then-” “We slam the door?” “Negative.” Theta cautioned. “We ease the door shut. Like it needs oiling.” “Yes sir.” Theta switched off the call, and looked across at AIL-1745. “Now we wait for Riggsim to call.” Aboard the Darth Unlucky Yoda was worried. Master Whie’s padawan, Roland, was at the controls of the ship, taking them towards the waterworld. There had been no contact from Nifesta, or, yet, Fen, whom he had sent looking. The child’s voice came out of a speaker on the control panel closest to Yoda: “Master! I found Dad!” “Alive, is he?” The master jedi instantly asked. He had not known how Mitch would react to learning about the result of his missile attack on Galactic City; hadn’t cared really. But this, he had not expected. Or wanted. “Seems to be. He’s just sitting in his cabin, not moving.” “Alright, stay with him.” The pointy-eared, pale green teacher looked up at the larger padawan. “Handle this ourselves, we have to. To the ramp, you should go.” The padawan turned from the controls to look at the master’s small stature. “Not being funny, Master, but how are you going to reach the controls?” Yoda just smiled. “Trust me.” To be continued... Mando’a / Basic Key: Ba'slan shev'la = "strategic disappearance" chakaar = "******" Verd ori'shya beskar'gam* = "A warrior is more than his armour." Mandalorian phrase. OOC: Thank you to the Wookiepedia Mando’a guide, and the language’s originator, Karen Traviss, for the rich vocabulary. -----signature----- Crowning Moment of Awesome – THE MASTER. Summoning six billion robotic beach balls Of Doom to decimate the Earth, blowing a good-bye kiss to the Doctor, all the while dancing to "Voodoo Child". EPIC. EVIL. WIN. 007 Family - DVC's twin bro'.
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ArgenPalos Registered: Apr '04	Date Posted: 7/8 11:44pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith - Date Edited: 7/8 11:45pm (1 edits total) Edited By: ArgenPalos
	IC: Padawan Nashtah, Sergeant Odievo Location: Yavin IV The three continued their short journey in silence although Nashtah was very attentive and curious to her surroundings. The Rebel base bustled with activity – how different from the rather austere and meditative environment the Jedi had created just a short hop, skip and a jump away! In fact, looking at her still young ward she glanced over her shoulder and just out of the corner of her eye made out the Woolmander Temple in the distance, its apex just peering above the tall trees. Gripping Achilles’ hands tighter because of his curious squirming, the three cut a swath through the Rebel throng. Many of the Alliance still stared, mainly at the two Jedi, distinctive in the traditional robes of the order. Despite the fact that their presence had been announced and some time had passed to allow the members of the Rebel Alliance time to digest the welcome news, many were still intrigued by the presence of the esoteric group. Nashtah nodded politely, acknowledging an occasional stare. How times had passed since her days at the Temple on Coruscant! The Jedi were a common fixture and to spot one on most civilized worlds would never have been thought of as odd but now, many years removed she could sense the uncertainty in the minds of those viewing her and young Achilles. Finally arriving at the Great Temple, the giant structure dwarfing them, the three entered through the main portal inside, two sentries, motionless, guarding the entrance while another two administered a scanner which checked everyone for high-grade explosives. Sergeant Odievo had been leading the way the entire way and once inside his stern countenance glancing at the Jedi duo and beckoning them on. Nashtah was actually glad to have a guide – the inside of the massive Temple was a maze and she certainly would have had a hard time finding the location of Master Shuri and General Darkeyes without some help. Down a great staircase they quickly sped and soon after, after passing a security checkpoint, they arrived at an immense set of double doors, another two guards at sentry duty blocking the entrance. Sergeant Odievo, in hushed toned inquired of the two guards, Nashtah remaining aloof, certain that this ordeal of being guided by a man, who could barely tolerate her, would soon be at an end. Sergeant Odievo, nodding and ending the conversation with the two guards with a salute turned around and spoke: “They’re still in the meeting but it’s been a while,” he asserted with little fanfare. “For the time being, we can wait in these seats,” he stated gesturing to some nearby chairs. Nashtah nodded in agreement, eager to not antagonize the Sergeant any further though there was little she could do about her past and that was the part the Sergeant was having a hard part with. First allowing Achilles to take a seat, she sat primly next to him as she glanced thankfully at Officer Quill, attempting to decipher his thoughts or feelings past his mask which hid his features, she realized he was quite an enigma. TAG: Magris Quill, any others in the vicinity -----signature----- }~Proud member of the Jedi Technician Crew (JTC)~{ ~~~~Palmam qui meruit ferat~~~~ USC Trojans - 2009 Rose Bowl Champs and CFB Team of the Decade
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TheAdmiral Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 7/9 12:47pm Subject: The Galaxy at War Part III: Schism of the Sith
	IC: Representative Octavian from House Magnus (NPC); various other NPCs Coruscant, Downtown It has been a long day for Octavian, he had been trying to establish some new contacts for the Union. He had a partial success, several smaller companies seemed interested in doing business with them. Unfortunately the important senators and companies have been avoiding him for some time (since the establishment of the New Order), they still feared being connected with the Union. Only several of them regularly made contact with Octavian to share with him the new gossips from behind the curtains. That is how he knew that there was a new Emperor before the media announced it and about the terrorist attack on the Senate early today. This change of leadership gave him some hope for the Union. It was Palpatine who had severed his ties with large corporations and influential politicians. The luxurious speeder stopped at the level of his apartment. As soon as he stepped out of it he saw his daughter running towards him followed by her friends, he could hear them giggling at something. A pretty red-haired girl, not so bright as her father, but as sly as her mother and rather spoiled. At least Octavian was glad that she had not inherit his physique as he was rather obese. He could see the sparkle in her green eyes as she tried to make them look innocent. -Daddy, can we take the speeder, we wanna visit the opening of the new club in CoCo District? Pleaaase!!! He looked at her friends, they were grinning, there should be more than just this opening. But how could he deny her the meeting with the Coruscanti upper class so he just sighed. -Alright Atia, but do be careful... He was not able to finish his sentence as his daughter and friends screamed from joy and she jumped and kissed him on his cheek. Octavian slowly scuffed through the ramp towards the apartment, the door was still open and the protocol droid was there to greet him. The automaton started asking the usual questions like: how his day was, was it productive. Octavian muttered some form of an answer. As the they approached the lobby the droid turned away and left. There Octavian's wife Julia was sitting in an armchair, reading a book, there was also a glass of red alderanian wine on the small round table next to her. Octavian sat heavily on the opposing armchair and exhaled slowly. Julia peeked over the book. -How was your day? He chuckled. -You know, you are the tenth person today that had asked me the this very question.-he then slowly started massaging his temples-I'm making some progress in bringing the Union back in the grand business. He could see from the gleam in her eyes the annoyance from the mention of the Union. She disliked them, despite being from an aristocratic family herself, an "outsider" though, but still his wife. Julia thought of them as arrogant and snobbish who undervalue her husband's efforts to make them even more richer. -I know you dislike them, but it is their money that pay for most of our luxuries... He could see that she was about to burst out in anger, but luckily for him the protocol droid came. -Please excuse my interruption, Masters, but it seems there is an urgent call for Master Octavian from...the Union of the Great Houses. Octavian raised an eyebrow, his "Masters" from the Union rarely gave him a direct call, they always used couriers or other methods to let him know of their will. Octavian moved as quickly as his body permitted it, such a call must be very urgent. When he entered his cabinet he closed the door and sat behind his large wooden desk - a gift from the Union. He then switched on the vox communicator. On the screen appeared the wrinkled face of the Mother Superior. Before Octavian was able to open his mouth to greet the old witch she spoke first. Bey lah heifla Representative Magnus. I as the speaker of the Ruling Council want to inform you that Her Ultimacy is due to arrive on Coruscant to negotiate a treaty with the New Emperor. Currently she is experiencing some...diplomatic difficulties and we can't be sure when she will be planetside. You should pay a visit to one of our sisters - Alia, who is currently with Lord Vader, but we cannot be sure where exactly, also Lord Admiral Xavier is also due to arrive soon. Their welfare outranks your other assignments... Octavian just opened and closed his mouth as a fish from Dac. But his mind was working quickly, the situation was changing...fast. -As you wish, so shall it be done, Mother. I will do my best. I expect nothing less from you, Octavian, try not to fail, it will be pity to send the Death Cult Assassins after you...-the old crow smiled at him. The representative nodded and when he made sure the Mother Superior had nothing more to say he switched off the vox communicator. Finally those arrogant people were actually doing something themselves, the new duchess gave him hope for the future. Octavian moved to the pile of papers on a table in the middle of the room, on those sheets was his life-time work. It contained dangerous...almost heretical information. He had followed the Union's history to find where it's downfall had begun... It seemed that when they bought their independence it was the beginning of the end for them. They had to spend large amount of money to keep it that way for centuries... It seemed that if they hadn't done this, before the Clone Wars they would have been three times richer than when they had bought the three systems... They would have been a large corporation such as the Trade Federation... a safe haven for aristocrats and businessbeings... But there was still hope... The door opened, his wife had come. He could see the inquiry in her eyes. -The duchess is coming for a visit... -So your barbarian "queen" is going to pay us a visit? Octavian shook his head in disapproval. -Don't you understand...If the duchess is successful in her mission, this will solve most of our problems! He remembered his father's last words to him: "There is no right or wrong in our profession. The present changes the past from moment to moment. Only pray for the future to vindicate your action..." To be continued... -----signature----- Proud member of the Clonetrooper Fanclub/Stormtrooper Fanclub Grand Admiral in The SWC Empire Proud player in the best rpg series on the boards - The Galaxy at War http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30532100/p1/?0 My first fan fic
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