Jedi Council Forums - A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)

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Author	Topic: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
boady22 Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 1/5/06 12:55pm Subject: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce) - Date Edited: 1/30/06 9:45am (2 edits total) Edited By: boady22
	Here's a pic. of Quinnix [image=http://photobucket.com/albums/f30/boady22/?action=view&current=quinnixropavik.jpg] ******************************************************************************************************** Quinnix Ropavik Born on Alzec III, in the outer rim. Quinnix Ropavik was one of two children born to a poor family. As a young boy he showed a great aptitude in building small, second rate household droids. At the age of ten, he went to work with his father in a factory that did just that, while he continued his schooling. Alzec III was no place to prosper in any trade, so it was imperative to his parents that both boys get off planet as quickly as possible. Alzec III was a planet split by factions. All who were born there had to complete four years of military service before they could leave the planet. The Alzec Rationalists was the party that governed the province Quinnix was born in at the time. At the age of sixteen he was pulled into military service, only two years after his brother Kaven. Both Ropavik brothers fought in many battles, several side by side. It was a civil war for the right to rule the whole system. It was never part of the Republic. Quinnix was a member of S.A.R. (search and rescue) squad, trained in all forms of hand to hand combat and trained to handle almost any weapon. During his training he showed remarkable skill with a knife, most notably his ability to throw them. His brother Kaven was also part of the Rationalist forces. However he was trained as a medic. His skill in fighting was not up to par. He also out ranked his younger brother. After seven years of service, at the rank of sergeant, Quinnix was finally released from military service. His faction had lost the war. Still controlled by nobles, the government made sure to keep the systems populace under control and in poverty. It became a home he no longer knew. He and his brother parted ways, both wanting to forget violence. Kaven found a wife and moved to Townowi, hoping to raise a family. Quinnix headed to the hub of the galaxy Coruscant in search of work. There he took a job programming droids. Mainly he preformed memory wipes. The job paid well and it brought the solitude he had looked for. As time went on and he preformed the wipes, Quinnix began to notice that droids weren’t all machinery, that they had some quality of life and compassion to them. After working in the programming facility for four years, he found the urge to travel. He bought the Binary Star, a class two Kuati deep space hauler. Still feeling the need for solitude, he bought an old model o-88 mech/protocol droid for a co-pilot. With his programming background, Quinnix quickly turned his the outdated droid into a multitask companion. The two began hauling supplies and parts for anyone who needed them to be transported. After the rise of the Empire, Quinnix began taking up contracts to work for them, most notably anything needed to be transported to Townowi, where he could visit his brother and family. Then one day everything changed. ********************************************************************************************************* Townowi A beautiful and lush planet, Townowi sat in solitude on the outer rim. A planet full of vegetation, covered in mountain ranges and majestic rivers, it had never catered to the politics of the Republic or the new Empire. Its mesmerizing valleys played host to the planets bursting cities. The valleys were the only inhabitable locations for the scores of people to conjugate. Cities rose in amazing speed, home for thousands to hundred-thousands of people and of any species. There was no bias towards the nonhuman races here. The majority of the planets surface was covered in green conifer filled mountain ranges that housed numerous beasts of all sizes and ferociousness. The two tailed Manarak, known for its hunting prowess, neurotoxin venom, and claws measuring one meter long, the Pinnet, a smaller beast, but still capable of devouring several humans in one day, and many more. All had no fear of the inhabitants, their creations, or their defenses. Still, people would venture out into the unsafe wood in search of the peacefulness that only solitude would bring. It was an old planet, not as wealthy as most but still a suitable location to live one’s life. The cities were full of entertainment and education. The valleys were extremely fertile. The rivers were bountiful with fish and vast sources of clean fresh water. All in all, the planet could be summed up in one phrase, a haven. But that was before the Empire. Now the new galactic government had forced the planet into servitude, turning most of its cities into training facilities for Storm and Clonetroopers. Due to the planets harsh survival conditions in the mountainous areas, it had become a primary location for the Emperor to train his elite. Moff Genari spearheaded the purge of the planets cities, forcing its inhabitants to either die at blaster point or retreat into the mountains. Many died, thousands took shelter in the low lying areas of the mountains and started once again building civilizations. Communities grew, and some were killed off by the beasts that lived in the forests. Those communities that were unfortunately destroyed, were soon rebuilt by other surrounding peoples. For most people, they would never leave the planet, and that was how they wished it. It did not matter that they did not have the means to escape, they simply had no desire to. It was believed that the Empire would soon move on to a new location and the people would be able to retake the cities. Besides, this was their haven, their sanctuary. Almost all had come here to escape the fast paced, technologically enhanced, politically corrupt society that has spread across the galaxy like a plague. Such was the mind set of Kaven Ropavik. Tired of the reckless bustle that was the Republic, he had chosen this out of the way planet in the hopes that he and Andreen, his wife could raise a family in peace, and purity. Driven from their home in the city of Opec, the Ropavik family now lived in the forest wood line that surrounded Opec valley. Traveling the several kilometers of road to Opec, Kaven brought in foods and mined ores to the imperial forces stationed their. In trade, they allowed him to accumulate materials to construct houses, and transports to move the materials. Therefore a peace existed between the imperials and the outlanders, as they now called themselves. They would raise crops, hunt food, and mine ore. In return, the Empire would allow them to take structures that were not being used and move them to the outer reaches of the city. It did not sit easy with Quinnix, but he knew his brother and his wife could not be swayed. The three sat outside in the backyard of Kaven’s home while he grilled what was left of the mornings catch. It smelled delightful. It had been a long time since Quinnix had a meal that did not come from a food processor, and he savored every bite of it. The two brothers sat around and talked small talk while Andreen cleaned off the table. Their son, Teison, played about in the backyard, using a stick as a spear, tracking down the household pet. Even though only twelve years of age, the boy had remarkable talents for hunting, something his father always took pride in. “I wish I could convince you two to come with me. The Star can handle you guys and the load I have to carry. I could drop you off on Coruscant. I know its not the place you want to be, but you will have more freedom than you do here”. He put a hand up to stop his brothers rebuttal, “The Empire is never going to leave. I’ve seen this happening all over the galaxy. They are here to stay”. “Even if they are Quinnix, this is the home we chose. We are not going to just run from it because its politics have changed”. “Its more than just politics, trust me. And what about the villages defenses? It wouldn’t take much for the animals of the forest to overrun you. You are only safe here until one of those creatures get curious. Then they will wipe all of you out”. “We have an accord with the imperials. If we were to come under attack by the forest creatures we send a signal. They will send one of their training squadrons out to defend us”. Quinnix ran his hand down his face before placing it in his lap. “You are live bait, you realize that right? They want this place to come under attack. That way their commandos get some experience. Trust me, when it happens they will have no regard for the citizens here. They will come, they will devastate, and they will move on. If you are lucky enough to survive, you will be stuck rebuilding all over again”. “If that is what’s to be, than so be it”. He knew he should not have brought this up, still he did it every time he visited. Quinnix told himself that it was because Teison deserved better, but his brother just did not see things in a rational way, and he knew very little of what was happening out in the galaxy, only what the Empire told him, and that was all lies and propaganda. Quinnix stood and extended his hand to his brother, “ I’m sorry I do this all the time Kaven, I just fear for you and your family is all. You three are all I’ve got”. “I understand your concern”. “They should be done with my load now. I’ll need to get back to the Star and be on my way”. “You will visit again uncle Quinnix”, Teison asked. He reached down and ruffled the little twelve year olds hair, “There is not a thing in this galaxy that could keep me away from seeing you squirt. You take care of your mommy and daddy. If a Manarak comes down out of the mountains, you be easy on it, okay?”. He reached down and picked the little boy up and hugged him, “You fearless little hunter”. “Fear benefits no man”, the boy responded as Quinnix put him back down. He gave Andreen a kiss on the cheek and made his way to his speeder. He reached it and checked the exterior for missing parts or anything out of the ordinary. An old habit, but one that has saved his life before. It sat unscathed on the cobblestone road that would eventually lead back to Opec, after winding through a kilometer and a half of towering conifer trees. He jumped in the seat and powered the speeder up. The hum of the engines silenced all other surrounding noise. Quinnix pushed the throttle forward and the speeder shot off into the distance. He guided his way out of the forest and down the road a ways before he noted a transport leaving the city heading his way. Several kilometers later they passed each other. Quinnix noted it was filled with stormtroopers in combat ready gear. He would be reaching the city’s gate soon, and then it hit him, what if they had to send the signal when I left? My speeder’s noise might have sparked some curiosity on the animals behalf. Before he even realized he had done it, he swung the speeder around and took it to top speed, back to where he had just came from. Most of the village looked untouched. Quinnix cursed himself for acting on his impulse. They were probably just going out on some op, and now he and his load would be behind schedule. Still he wanted to cruse by his brothers place and make sure nothing had happened. Smoke billowed out the front door while the roof burned. Quinnix sprang from his speeder and ran inside ducking under the thick black smoke. The family pet lay dead in the floor with a blaster burn scored on its side. He searched around the best he could. No one else was inside so he covered his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket and made his way out to the back. There Kaven lay on his back dead. Quinnix noted at least seven blast marks on his brothers chest. He panned over the back yard. Off to his right in the shrubs, a foot moved. He rushed over. Moving the limbs away revealed a broken and busted up Andreen. Bleeding from her mouth and nose, holding her side, she searched about frantically the best she could. Quinnix turned her over to her back. Two more blaster marks opened holes in her chest, she did not have long. “Andreen, what happened? Where’s Teison? Is he in the house?”. She reached out with her arm flailing leaves and needles away, still searching. “They couldn’t have caught him, he hides to well…..”. “Who’s they and who is it they could not have caught?” Andreen finally met his gaze, “The troopers. They were after him, after Teison”. Quinnix’s heart all but stopped. His family, his family had been brought this destruction. “They knew”, she continued, “They knew Quinnix, they knew. Kaven tried to pursued them differently but the man with them, he just knew”. “Knew what?”. “Teison is force sensitive. That is why your brother would not leave. He knew others would find out and turn him in to the Empire. They killed him for harboring a force sensitive”, she looked down at her wounds, “and they’ve killed me too”. She began to apply pressure to one of the holes in her chest that now poured blood, “Quinnix find him. Get him off planet……..”. Her eyes fell to a distant unknown that Quinnix could not see, but he could feel. A fleeting huff of air and she was gone. He ran his hand over her face, closing her eyes. Moisture softened his cheek as he realized his family was now dead. All he had in this galaxy was now gone. Perhaps not. Teison could still be alive. She said they were after him, that they took him. If he could get into the city and if Teison was there he would find him, or where ever they had taken him. But he could not go back to the city. If he did, they would make him leave with his shipment or possibly kill him if they knew he was Kaven’s brother. He needed a plan, and then a lot of luck and any other assistance he could rally. But first, he had family to bury. ***************** Quinnix watched from a heavily braided thicket, as the trooper crossed the fast moving river. The current almost swept the man away, but he managed to hold his ground. He moved slowly, studying the ground intently. It seemed as if no one else was near, this might be the chance he had been looking for these past three days. He had been hiding out in the forest in the hopes that one trooper would break away from its group or simply get lost. He studied his opponent harder, then shifted himself to get a better view. It was a scout trooper. This was his chance. Suddenly the scout stopped and brought his hand up to the side if its head, “TK217. This is TK217 I have located its tracks”. They were hunting. Quinnix repressed a laugh, now it was time for the hunter to become the prey. He picked up a rotted limb and threw it down the slope behind him. It hit several rocks, making more noise as they rolled down to the stream. The trooper herd the noise and brought his rifle up. He quickened his pace as he moved down the hill. He let the trooper pass the heap giving him cover. He stopped two meters below him. Quinnix had been in enough skirmishes with troopers to know their weaknesses. There were two blind spots, one from behind, and one from below. Picking up another stick he threw it into the branches above the trooper. He looked and aimed upwards. He needed to take away his helmet so he could not call for back up. Quinnix made his move. He dove out from behind the bushes wrapping his arms around the troopers head. While going downhill and the force from Quinnix’s weight,the trooper was sent to the ground. When the two hit Quinnix wrenched the helmet around blinding the man, then hit him in the throat, momentarily preventing him from speaking. He finished wrenching the helmet off. The clone, now unmasked made his way for the rifle he had dropped. He picked it up and prepared to fire. As the trooper turned, Quinnix let his left hand go. A metal throwing knife sped towards him and slapped blade first into the clones forehead. He fell to his knees, unable to do anything but perish. Quinnix moved fast and pulled off the trooper’s armor. He took the dead corpse and placed him in the thicket where he was hiding earlier and covered him up. Then he retrieved his helmet and rifle. “TK217”, the voice was worried, almost angry, “TK217, status”. “TK217, I’ve lost the trail in some rocks”. “Why weren’t you responding to my first few hails?”. “TK217 is experiencing an equipment malfunction. It is now corrected”. “TK217 you are not authorized to work on equipment. Head back to base camp. We will send you in with the next transport and you can switch it out for a new one”. “Affirmative, TK217 out”. Quinnix pulled his helmet free again and pulled his sleeve up revealing his chrono, “O-88. The Star will most likely be boarded. Let them. Let them put a restraining bolt on you, do not fight them. I need you to pack up a few things for me……………..”. *********************** It took Quinnix several days to finally be able to approach the Binary Star. Several units of stormtroopers combed about looking for anything out of the ordinary or anything else that might be useful. He ascended the ramp, more troopers pillaged about. The stations deck officer approached, “You there! What’s your designation and what is your business here?”. “TK217 sir. I have orders to transport the droid to the lab for a memory wipe”. He handed over the falsified documents. “They want him there now”. The deck officer scanned over the data pad, then nodded an affirmative. “Your droid is in the cockpit. He’s offline so he won’t be any trouble. Grab a lift from the main hall, put him on it and be gone”. Quinnix followed his orders to the letter, then gave the officer a stern salute as he made his way into Opec’s city streets guiding the lift that held o-88. He had plenty of down time in which to learn the lay out of the city. On the second night, he broke into one of the computers mainframes and located Teison. He was being held in what was now a detention facility. He felt good about his plan for retrieving Teison, but he had no idea how to get on the Star and out of the system. That meant very little to him at the time. He would most likely have to make for the forests and take their chances. There was a chance he could fly it out by remote, but with four days of rummaging through her systems, he was sure someone had disabled the remote assistance by now. Now was not the time to be thinking of these things. He had a mission to complete. Stopping off at the back entrance, Quinnix turned o-88 over to his side. Then he hit a switch that made the droids back plating slide upwards. There Quinnix retrieved four detonators, and his blaster. After suiting up he removed the restraining bolt from o-88. There was a small window that Quinnix knew lead to a storage room in the facility’s basement. He busted it out and rolled o-88 off the lift onto the ground and then through the busted window. He fell with a stunning thud, but it did not matter, no one would have been close enough to hear it. It was time for a shift change and all guards would be making for the front. That’s where Quinnix needed to be. He rounded the corner that lead into the detention centers main entrance. He quickly found the officer in charge and handed him more false documents stating that TK217 had been assigned to guard duty for the next two weeks. The officer did not question the order and sent him into the main hold where he would monitor external security systems. After sitting quietly for a few hours doing his job, Quinnix decided it was time to make his move. It would be dark outside and that would hide their retreat into the forest. He brought up the computer system and located Teison’s position. He was being held in cell block 23G, and was listed in training for the last two hours and the next five to come. Quinnix knew he would not be alone. Andreen’s words about the one who knew, rang out in his memory. Possibly someone with force powers themselves, most likely someone along those lines, here to access him, and then turn him to evil. He would not let that happen. He keyed the comms system and gave a false report of seeing movement on the opposite side of the facility. This would leave the side Teison was on guarded by a skeleton crew. After shutting off the coms system, Quinnix brought out his blaster and killed the remaining three troopers stationed at the consul with him, then began making his way towards Teison’s detention cell. *********** O-88’s primary processing unit sprang to life. The droid found himself on its back as a systems check scrolled in front of its optical readouts. There, a message had been hidden. After the systems check had been completed o-88 pulled up the message. There he found a schematic for the detention facility with a destination of cell block 23G. He quickly located his position in the schematic and plotted the fastest course to the destination. As he brought himself to his feet another message popped up, code green. The armor plating on the droids arms slid back, and laser mounts rose from the empty area, one on top and one on bottom. Sirens boomed throughout the building. O-88 easily bent the thin metal door and passed through it. There at the end of the hall two troopers stood on guard. O-88 blasted them before they ever saw him. He continued on down the hall, he had a mission to fulfill. *********** There was not that much resistance between Quinnix’s station and the G hall. Still Quinnix took great pleasure in killing all the troopers he came upon and found himself wishing that there were more. After a small firefight in the corridor leading to the G hall, Quinnix keyed the door open that would lead to his nephew. There in the center of the control room stood Teison. He was guarded by a tall slender man who had a mechanical eye. Teison did not try and escape when he saw Quinnix. He only wore a expression of despair. The man with the mechanical eye pointed towards Quinnix. “Do it”, he commanded. “Kill him now. Prove your worth or face the consequences”. Teison made no move at first, then slowly he outstretched his arm. Keying on the force, he clasped Quinnix wind pipe shut. Seeing his uncle squirm for air, the young boy did not hold the choke long. He released his uncle, causing him to fall to the ground. Quinnix nodded a thanks to his nephew as he retrieved his blaster rifle. Before he was able to return to his feet, a yellow lightsaber blade slashed though Teison from his shoulder to his hip. The boy’s corpse fell in two directions to the floor, and Quinnix gave a deafening yell. He brought his blaster up and fired at the mechanical eye. The yellow blade swept in front and picked off every shot. Seeing that his blaster would be of no use he pulled out one of his throwing knives and sent it sailing through the air towards the man. The knife hit the yellow blade and disappeared completely. The man then pushed outward with his hand. An invisible wave slammed Quinnix into the wall behind him again placing him on the floor. Realizing he had no other alternative, and now true reason to live, he brought out one of the detonators, gave it a ten second timer and triggered its magnetic locks, then threw it on the wall next to the man. Once the man turned to see what it was on the wall beside him, Quinnix dove for the exit. After passing through the doors he quickly triggered the panel to close, then he brought out another knife and slammed it into the panel jamming it shut. Seconds later the explosive blew, and the blast doors to G block slammed shut. O-88 arrived, moments too late. He scanned over Quinnix. No internal injuries noted, high level blood pressure, shock. Logical reason, stress induced. The Mechanical being reached down and picked its master up from his squatting position, “Exit way cleared. Following protocol. Destination, forest. Plan, hide and recover”. He threw Quinnix over his shoulder and started his servomotors for the exit. **************** Dawn was about to breach the horizon of the Townowi sky. Its light, combined with the waning light of the planets twin moons caste limited visibility on the ground beneath. There at the base of a waterfall that was supposed to serve as cover, Quinnix lay with the left side of his face planted in mud. Mists from the fall soaked his attire. He had failed, failed to protect his family, his loved ones. All that he had in the galaxy was now gone. Kaven, Andreen, Teison, he would never see them again. He watched as two of them died. It was likely that he would never see his home, the Binary Star again. All was lost. He had tried, multiple times to convince them they should leave this sith forsaken rock. But Kaven would not listen. O-88 stood guard over Quinnix as he laid there face planted in the cold mud as he had done the whole night. It was over. Would Quinnix Ropavik ever recover? For now he had found the sacred "Townowi" solitude its inhabits searched so passionately for..... and he loathed it. -----signature----- Whos scruffy lookin?
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Zane-Marit Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 1/6/06 5:05am Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	I like how this story played out. The angle you used was brilliant. I think with a little more experience your stories will be truly awesome. I will watch your career with great interest... -----signature----- Check my BIO for links to my fics...
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Healer_Leona Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 1/6/06 6:18am Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	A very nice response to the OC Duel. -----signature----- Feel so good, but I'm old 2000 years of chasing's taking it's toll
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boady22 Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 1/6/06 4:43pm Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	Thanks for the kind words Zane. Healer Leona, I'm not even worthy of your presence. Thankds for giving my work a read. -----signature----- Whos scruffy lookin?
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VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 1/6/06 6:58pm Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	Beautifully done! These OC responses have been amazing! -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
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Meredith_Kenobi Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 1/6/06 7:24pm Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	That was written very well...I was crying by the end. Well done, boady22. Very well done. -----signature----- Proud to be ZaraValinor's Padawan Delighted to be brodiew's Master
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PadwanKayla Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 1/8/06 10:01am Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	Such a sad story but very well written with great descriptions. Well done response to the challenge. -----signature----- NaNoWriMo 2007 Winner at 87142! Sanity is just a frame of mind This is where the fun begins
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boady22 Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 1/8/06 2:22pm Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	VaderLVR64, thank you for giving my stuff a read. Glad you found it to your likeing. Meridith, sorry I had ya crying, but then again thats what I was hoping to get in responce. Glad that you tuned in for this one. PadawanKayla, glad you enjoyed the story. There will be more to come I assure you. I've found a niche here in these OC duels and Quinnix and I plan to entertain many more times. -----signature----- Whos scruffy lookin?
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oqidaun Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 1/9/06 10:30am Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	Very edgy. I really liked the way that you handled the action sequences. I look forward to seeing more of this OC. psst... If you've not dropped by the worldbuilding/god-complex thread in Resource you might have some fun. You've crafted a very well developed planet and culture. -----signature----- . . . . I'm so bad, I banned myself.
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correllian_ale Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 1/14/06 11:23am Subject: RE: A Man At His Best (OC Duel Responce)
	Wow! Poor Quinex, to watch his nephew struck down like that...very sad. This fic was very emotionally intense boady22! Awesome job! -----signature----- Consider this my "throw back" jersey... I govern my life around my own personal code of ethics, and I suggest that you do the same.
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