Tircolas Flow, Leá Monde Kara reeled sideways and half-crashed into the speeder, her left hand automatically flying to her neck, knowing that she was struggling in vain. Finding it difficult to separate her own pain and emotion from the hatred and anger being poured into the Force by her two foes, Kara decided to fight back. Her eyes narrowed as she gazed past Neesa's shoulder, and a second later she made a fist and yanked mentally at the crumbling hut beside the woman. The darkside seemed to flow easier here, unexpectedly amplifying the power of Kara's attack, so that the stone did not simply crumble, it ripped out from the wall at a furious speed, bludgeoning and battering Neesa, who barely had a moment to respond. Tieger whirled around in surprise. With both Knights distracted, the grip on Kara's throat vanished completely. Unfortunately, there was no time for the Zeltron to breathe in relief or to survey the damage she had done to Neesa- within seconds, Tieger was attacking, his saber jabbing violently towards Kara's neck, madness in his eyes. Tag: Xan Catacombs, Sanctum of the Dead "Indeed, we decided to...split up," Vic lied in response to the stranger's query. "And you must be the bounty hunter called Jan Rosencrantz?" The man grinned, and bowed theatrically. "At your service." "We need to get across," continued Vic. "I see," replied Rosencrantz. "Then it appears, I would quite literally be at your service. Usually I would not tolerate such a request. However..." He removed his jetpack, and held it out, gesturing for the Jedi to guide it over using the Force. "I do not particularly like this," added the bounty hunter. "But Sydney wishes for you to enter the City, and he will not explain to me his reasons." Tag: nemisis, Trimaj, despised
"At your service," the bounty hunter replied, confirming Vic's initial thought that the yellow-clad warrior was, in fact, Jan Rosencrantz. After the Jedi bluntly stated that he and the other two Jedi needed to get across, the man spoke again. "I see. Then it appears, I would quite literally be at your service. Usually I would not tolerate such a request. However..." Jan removed his jetpack and held it outwards. No matter how strong he was, there was no way he could toss it over the hole, so he must have been gesturing for Vic to grab it through the Force. The Jedi did so, grasping hold of it, lifting it into the air and bringing it towards him. "I do not particularly like this," Jan continued. "But Sydney wishes for you to enter the City, and he will not explain to me his reasons." Vic almost lost his grasp on the jetpack at that statement. According to the briefing, Rosencrantz was on this mission in order to find the child for some unknown employer. Why, though, would Sydney Losstarot, the leader of the Sith Cult, be speaking with someone who wishes to take the boy back? Vic hoped his hesitation was not noticed, and continued to bring the object towards him. When the jetpack arrived, he replaced his lightsabers with the jetpack, and slung it over his back. He had never used one of these before, but trusted in the Force and activated the jets. It sent him sailing into the air with more power than he had expected, but he gained control of himself and hovered over to the other side, landing gently on his feet. However, he tried to nonchalantly grab his lightsaber in case the bounty hunter tried something. There was something very suspicious about the man, and Vic did not like it. Keeping an eye on Jan, Vic - his saber still in hand - took off the jet pack and hurled it to the other side with a Force assisted throw, knowing that Kimara or Anengy would be able to grab it. He turned to Jan, giving him a semi-respectful nod. "Thanks," he said as he turned his body towards his companions, keeping his eyes on the bounty hunter.
Tircolas Flow, Leá Monde Kara had dived and rolled away, placing her opponent Tieger between herself and the overturned speeder. A quick escape was now impossible. Neesa began to stir in the corner underneath the rubble, stretching out a battered arm towards her lightsaber. Two trained Knights against one were not good odds- the young Zeltron would need to act while she still could. Kara ignited her weapon, and took two quick steps forward to close the distance between herself and Tieger, bringing her blade down in a powerful double-handed overhead swing. There was a moment that seemed to go on forever, all three combatants frozen in time. Neesa, half-on her feet, face contorted with pain and anger. Kara, leaning forwards, saber raised ominously above her head, waiting to come crashing down. Tieger, eyes narrow and locked upon his opponent. The darkside hung heavy in the air. In lightsaber duels, the slightest miscalculation can be fatal. Time unfroze, and Tieger brought his lightsaber up to block...a fraction too late. Kara's blade sliced through his forearm and straight down his torso, tearing through his scarlet armour and slaying him where he stood. "NOOOOOO!" screamed Neesa, scrambling to her feet as her comrade fell to the ground. Tag: Xan Catacombs, Sanctum of the Dead Vic almost lost his grasp on the jetpack at that statement, as Rosencrantz revealed his apparent communication with Sydney. What kind of situation was this, where the bounty hunter was in contact with his prey? Clearly there was more to this mystery than had initially been apparent. Fortunately, Vic's hesitation did not appear to be noticed. The young Jedi slung the pack over his back, and went soaring into the air, gaining control quickly and hovering gently over to the other side. However, he tried to nonchalantly grab his lightsaber in case the bounty hunter tried something. Rosencrantz watched lazily, apparently disinterested. Vic took off the jet pack and hurled it to the other side with a Force assisted throw. "Thanks," he said to the bounty hunter, as Kimara and Anengy caught the pack and prepared to fly over the chasm. "Pleased to help," replied Rosencrantz. "Perhaps we could work together for a brief period? My employer did not specify that I needed to do this job alone." Tag: nemisis, Trimaj, despised
Tircolas Flow, Leá Monde Neesa stumbled over to her fallen friend, tears in her eyes, her face twisted with pain and rage. Tieger was dead- his forearm sliced off and a lightsaber slash right through his upper body. He lay there, beside the stream, lifeless. The female Knight wasted no time. Her prey had displayed quick thinking under pressure, using a landspeeder panel to surf downstream, and tearing off all the other panels to prevent a pursuit. But Neesa was not yet defeated. Unleashing her fury into the Force, she poured lightning out from her fingertips and directly into the stream... Kara, meanwhile, was moving southwards down the waterway at a fair speed, her mind still trying to make sense of what had just happened. Still the young Jedi had no time to recover- as she glanced around, she saw the sparking arcs of electricity that were racing through the current towards her. If she stayed on her metallic raft when it reached her, she would be fried. It had been mostly houses and stone walls on either side of the stream thus far, but a gap was approaching on the left- a well timed jump would get her safely back on land. She would only have one chance to get it right. Tag: Xan
"Pleased to help," replied Rosencrantz. "Perhaps we could work together for a brief period? My employer did not specify that I needed to do this job alone." Vic stayed silent for a moment as the first of the other two Jedi made their way over. The request was somewhat of a surprise, Vic had been under the impression that most bounty hunters worked alone. Perhaps he was under orders from Sydney or whoever to work with the Jedi. Whatever it was, Vic had a bad feeling, but the Force was not giving him any negative signals yet, so he figured he should go along with it. "I guess that would work. As long as the boy is saved, I have no problem with it." Vic stayed silent for a few moments, before continuing. "If we are going to be working together, it may be helpful to know who your employer is..." He tried not to sound like he cared too much, just a bit of curiosity. He remembered to his briefing which laid out his priorities. Investigating any other matters was at the bottom, and rightfully so. Though, this issue was right in front of him, so Vic figured he would go ahead and try.
Catacombs, Sanctum of the Dead "I guess that would work," said Vic. "As long as the boy is saved, I have no problem with it." Rosencrantz smiled slightly at that. "If we are going to be working together," continued Vic, "it may be helpful to know who your employer is..." There was silence for a moment,and Anengy and Kimara completed their flights over, stepping up to join their comrade and the stranger. "Poor little Jedi," chuckled the bounty hunter at last. "I was told you were ignorant, but I did not realise how much. This is a very different game from that which you expected. So perhaps it is only fair that I explain the rules." He walked onwards past the dusty tombs, still laughing quietly to himself. After a few moments, he reached a large stairwell, at the top of which was an enormous door. Sunlight glinted through cracks in it. This was the exit to the catacombs, and the entrance to the City proper. "My employer is Moff Bardoba," called Rosencrantz over his shoulder. "The father of Joshua...and also of Sydney." Tag: nemisis, Despised, Trimaj
Tircolas Flow, Leá Monde Kara took a deep breath, levered herself up into a half-crouch, and leapt off the metal panel as powerfully as she could, using the Force to propel her jump towards the gap in the stone wall. As she lifted off the raft she could feel the lightning pass beneath her, momentarily tickling the soles of her feet. A split-second later and she landed, just barely making it through the gap and tumbling roughly onto the ground. She had caught her left shoulder on the wall as she edged through, grazing it nastily. There did not seem to be anyone in the immediate vicinity, and it appeared the young Jedi finally had a moment to collect herself. She looked up to see the huge spires of the Great Cathedral, not far into the distance. She was right in the heart of the city. Tag: Xan
Near the Great Cathedral, Leá Monde Kara approached the Great Cathedral cautiously, hiding behind a crumbling stone pillar as she surveyed the enormous building. It was a magnificent piece of architecture, dark and imposing, casting its brooding shadow over much of the surrounding area. Several cultists patrolled the Cathedral's highest reaches, warily watching the ground below. Four guards stood at the entrance, all well-armoured and carrying heavy blasters. As the young Zeltron watched from a distance, contemplating her next move, the Cathedral doors swung open. Out marched none other than John Hardin, the cultist that Kara had chased through the portal in the first place. His face was bruised but grim. He was holding the hand of a small boy with straw-coloured hair. It was Joshua. Tag: Xan
Jan did not speak a word in response to who his employer was until after the other two Jedi had both made their way across the chasm. "Poor little Jedi," he finally said with a bit of a laugh. "I was told you were ignorant, but I did not realize how much. This is a very different game from that which you expected. So perhaps it is only fair that I explain the rules." Vic nodded, standing in complete silence. He was anxious to hear exactly what was going on, but how much could this bounty hunter know that the Jedi Council could not have figured out? He doubted their was much. The bounty hunter then turned and began to walk away from the group towards what was expected to be the exit of the mineshaft. Vic shook his head, his frustration rising as Rosencrantz avoided actually telling them what was going on. Eventually, they reached a staircase, one that led to a large door with sunlight peaking through. The Jedi Knight allowed himself a sigh of relief. The light of the star would be great to see again after so long underneath the city in the mineshaft. "My employer is Moff Bardoba," he finally announced over his shoulder. Vic nodded, not quite surprised at the announcement of his employer. The Moff was the father of the boy that they had come to rescue, it was only right that he had hired someone to do the job as well. "The father of Joshua," Jan said, confirming what Vic already knew. "...and also of Sydney." Vic stopped dead in his tracks. Sydney was the son of the Moff, and, therefore, the brother of Joshua, the boy he had captured? That made no sense...Why would Sydney burn his fathers mansion to the ground and kidnap his own brother? For what reasons? Was he planning on killing his brother? Or did he plan on turning Joshua into one of his minions? "Excuse me?" Vic said, still unable to comprehend the situation. "Sydney and Joshua are brothers? What is the purpose of the kidnap then?" He stayed silent for a few moments, but spoke up once more, not allowing the bounty hunter to reply. "And how do you know Sydney? Have you come into contact with him?"
Leaving the Catacombs "Excuse me?" said Vic, able in two simple words to express the emotion felt by himself, Anengy and Kimara. The revelation had been both surprising and confusing, and coming in the wake of the undead, the Sith apparitions, the dragon, and the disappearance of their comrade, it was a lot to take in. "Sydney and Joshua are brothers?" continued Vic. "What is the purpose of the kidnap then?" He was quiet for barely a moment before speaking up once more. "And how do you know Sydney? Have you come into contact with him?" "I am a friend of the Bardoba family," replied Rosencrantz. "I have known Sydney since he was a child. No one outside his followers knows him better than I. That is why I was hired. "And recently? I have indeed come into contact with him recently. In this City, Sydney has the power to manifest himself wherever he likes. I spoke to him in person not moments before encountering you three. He told me interesting things. He vanished before I could ask him my own questions. He has something of a habit for that. "His plans and schemes are not for me to reveal; they may not even be for you to discover. What I can tell you is this: Sydney and Joshua are indeed brothers. There is a great legacy at stake here- and Sydney will not allow his younger sibling to inherit it." The bounty hunter smiled at that. "But take care not to assume too much, little Jedi. The enemy in this city is not Sydney, nor is it his cultist gaggle." He opened the great doors at the top of the stairway, and blinding hues of gold and blue flooded in, even as the small group walked out, adjusting their eyesight to the daylight. A crooked sign had been erected in the street, reading Rue Vermillion. Birds sang. A stream could be heard running somewhere far off. Finally, they had reached the City proper. Tag: nemisis, Despised, Trimaj
