Star Wars **Forces**

IC: Mariel Rian, Werdla Orar, Hyperspace

Very good, Padawan. Just continue what you're doing. You're catching on quickly.

Mariel blushed and smiled. Thank you, Master. She could feel the wound closing, cooperating with her efforts.

TAG: Gaan ( @The_Zeltron)

 

IC: Gaan Be'orar - Werdla Orar - Hyperspace

//Thank you, Master.// Gaan felt her Padawan's happiness at her words, and smiled. The girl's work was progressing well, and Gaan eased up on her concentration, letting the girl work on her own.

As she relaxed her grip on her Padawan's mind, Gaan suddenly felt a flash of darkness via two separate bonds. Her Master's was quick, sharp, and obviously meant to remind her that she wasn't alone in her mind anymore. Furio's, on the other hand..... He's back, Gaan realized slowly. He's back... stronger now, and darker. Gaan shuddered slightly, and reached out hesitantly over the bond, questioningly, unsure of his reaction to her now.

TAG: Mariel (echo_girl_94), Furio (Darth_Furio)

 

IC: Lord Nelf, Corporal Stefe Billings, Monorail Station, Tourist Island
Location: Ciutric IV


Nelf stalked ahead, following the painted direction lines on the floor, musing aloud. “Something familiar about this place.”

“Wandered through a lot of volcanoes, have you, Chief?”

“One or two. Your dormant volcano were a favoured site of the more ambitious super-villain during the Republic. I understand pumice is easier to dig through, than normal rock. That said, if this was not a tourist attraction, I would be thinking twice about walking through it.”

“Glad to hear it.” Billings announced gratefully, checking the shadows for sign of danger.

The Inquisitor glanced his way, and noticed that the Guardsman had moved so that the youngest of their party, Apprentice Rasa, was between them for maximum safety.

He approved, even though, as a padawan, she was likely more capable than the experienced guard.

He cocked his head as he walked. “Did you hear that?”

“They’ve turned off the main reactor?”

“No.” Nelf’s features clouded, “Someone is communing with the Force. And it is communing back. A Dark Side Power has returned to the universe.”

“Film at eleven!”

Ignoring Stefe's usual brevity, Nelf continued walking, distracted by the disturbance in the Force. “Something familiar... Apprentice?” He glanced and called back to her, “That Sith you tracked for me...HE'S BACK.”

“Watch out!” Billings dove past the Cathar and sideways tackled his boss into the left wall behind the surprised Inquisitor!

“Ooh, stang!” Nelf swore aloud, looking down and seeing what he had been saved from, the floor beneath his and Stefe falling away so suddenly into a yawning abyss

"Language!” Stefe muttered in jest, arms still round his master's midriff. “Rasa, be careful!”

Below, perhaps more than a five hundred metres down, the faint grey bubble of a hydrostatic shield formed a hazy dome over the stark angles and lines of an Empire-era Imperial Garrison.

“Paydirt!” Lord Nelf announced triumphantly, smiling down at their find, despite his close call. “Okay, people, let's see if we can find a way down there. For a tourist attraction, surely this isn't the closest anyone can get. Turbolifts, cable cars, a pathway cut into the living rock, anything. Uh...Stefe...you can let go now.” .

Tag: Rasa

 

IC: Darth Furio - Valley of the Dark Lords - Korriban

Darth Furio exited the tomb of the Ancient Sith Lord Tulak Hord and left to whispers on the breeze that prophesized his return. He felt comfortable with himself again and more importantly he had a purpose. Furio walked by the corpses of the Dark Side beasts he had to overcome on his entrance into the tomb, they were an aid and a guide back to his former self. Without them he would not have been able to summon the fortitude he needed to find within himself to become the Dark Lord of the Sith again.

As Furio walked he noticed the ripped and torn rags that hung of his body which had now been inflicted with even more scarring. He entered the code into the boarding ramp of the Furious Rancor and let it drop to his feet. Furio boarded and went directly to take a sani steam and clean off the dirt, dust, and grime of Korriban. When he was done he looked into a mirror and saw that the blood red eyes he had developed during the Fobosi Med Centre battle were still there and then Furio wondered if the uncontrollable rage would return again. He put on a fresh black tunic and hooded robe and went to the cockpit to start up the launch cycle and plot his course to Coreilla. Furio returned to his meditation room and started to contemplate the past. All he could see were her sea green eyes and then he knew that he had to deal with Gaan.

Reaching out with the Force he felt many ripples from new beings that had Force sensitivities, this was a new beginning and new challenges lay ahead. Furio knew that the bond with Gaan was still open and yet he dared not try and open it...yet. Afraid that he would lose focus he tried to concentrate on his own issues. Furio looked for Lorota, his second in command, from the criminal organization he set up on Coruscant and felt that she lived and was well. He would have to contact her over the encrypted comm channel they had set up. She would no doubt think that he was dead and that she controlled all his assets. Lororta was about to be reminded that he was still in charge.

Furio couldn't feel Master Baron as his Force signature seemed distant and he so wanted another fight with the former Sith turned Jedi Master. He could also feel the Grand Master's annoying Light Side presence which made his blood boil even more. Finally, as if on cue, a nudge over the bond touched him and with what should only have been a touch became a slap in the face, Gaan was contacting him. There we no words only a thought of recognition and acknowledgment of his presence. Gaan was testing him and his thoughts. Furio felt conflict in what to say in return and with that all he did say over the bond was //Soon Cyar'ika//
TAG: Gaan

 

IC: Gaan Be'orar - Werdla Orar - Hyperspace

Moments after reaching out, Gaan heard Furio's voice over the bond. //Soon Cyar'ika.// Unsure what to think, she simply sent acknowledgement over the bond, then attempted to return her mind to her Padawan, and her work on the wounds she had sustained. It was a useless attempt, as her thoughts spun out of control, all of them focused on the return of the Sith Lord.

TAG: Mariel, Furio (Darth_Furio)


IC: Laen Anjou - StealthX - Over Ruan

Laen was sitting in the cockpit of his fighter, thinking over the other contact he'd felt in Gaan's mind when he had touched it. It had been filled with a greater darkness than he had ever felt before, and he wondered if perhaps his Padawan had fallen harder and further than he'd ever imagined. At first, he smirked at the thought, enjoying the idea of her having lost what she once held so dear. Then realization set in, and he growled with anger at the thought of her being under another's control, instead of his own. Was that why she resisted so strongly on Dathomir? Why she's defied me since? And why she seemed to have lost none of her abilities? he questioned within his own mind, each thought growing closer to a shout, anger building at his inability to answer those questions to his own satisfaction. He reached out, searching within the Force for the signature he'd felt in Gaan's mind...

Tag: No one, maybe Furio if he feels Laen searching

 

IC: Darth Furio - Hyperspace

As soon as Furio had communicated with Gaan he felt her acknowledgement but little else. Gaan was beginning to show weakness already with such a pitiful response. He sensed that her feelings towards the Jedi were as strong as ever. Why she decided to stay in the mindless doctrine of the Jedi made him wonder if she would ever become the Force user he told her she could be. It was a flat out rejection and the mere fact that she called him and acknowledged his response meant nothing now to him. She would be forever ruled buy the Light Side of the Force. Furio did not know wheather to feel relief or betrayed by all of this, for now he didn't like it and he made that known over the bond and then he shut it down.

Oddly enough while connected to Gaan, Furio felt another presence over the bond. It was not of a Sith or a Jedi but a Force user all the same, conflicted maybe. It seemed like they were making Gaan feel pain and that the being enjoyed it. The flash of anger that came across the bond towards him made Furio wonder about the identity of this being. Who could make Gaan Be'orar feel fear? Furio hadn't contacted the being directly but he was sure that they could feel his own presence and his immense anger. If they were any kind of Force user they would notice that he was a Sith and he was not to be taken lightly.

TAG: Gaan, Laen

 

Rasa Ruu'ta-Li
Monorail Station, Tourist Island - Location: Ciutric IV

Rasa was busy concentrating within the Force, as she walked behind Lord Nelf. Something felt .. wrong somehow, but she could not place it. So it made her nervous. Alert. As she walked, she heard Lord Nelf comment, “Something familiar about this place.”

Then him and Billings bantered about hos super-villans perfered dormant volcano's for lairs. Rasa stayed silent, as she tried to resolve what she was feeling, with her surrounds. She was not sure if it was coming from this place, or someplace else. It caused her ears to stand high and forward, as her tail wrapped tightly around her waist. The moved forward even more, when she heard Lord Nelf suddenly ask, “Did you hear that?”

Rasa froze, and twitched her ears. She had heard nothing. But she FELT a multitude of things. "Hearrrrr?" she purred softly, even as Billings stated, “They’ve turned off the main reactor?” Rasa shot the man a look. She looked back towards Lord Nelf, as his face grew very serious. “No.Someone is communing with the Force. And it is communing back. A Dark Side Power has returned to the universe.”

Rasa didnt listen to Billings reply, she was too much paying attention to the words, 'a dark side power'. That was not good.Lord Nelf kept talking as he walked forward. “Something familiar... Apprentice?” He glanced and called back to her, “That Sith you tracked for me...HE'S BACK.”

Rasa's ears went back. That IDIOT?! The one who had done so much damage for no reason, other than .. well, she really didnt know why. She remembered him. She had not thought to check the tracker in ages.

“Watch out!” Billings suddenly shouted as he dove past Rasa, tackling Lord Nelf. Rasa crouched down as she tried to see what was going on. “Ooh, stang!” Nelf swore aloud, looking down and seeing the floor beneath his and Stefe falling away so suddenly into a yawning abyss. Rasa's eyes went wide. She had not felt anything! This place was much more dangerous than she had thought. “Rasa, be careful!” Billings yelled back towards her. "Yesss!" Rasa called back as she looked down. Below, perhaps more than a five hundred metres down, the faint grey bubble of a hydrostatic shield formed a hazy dome over the stark angles and lines of an Empire-era Imperial Garrison.

“Paydirt!” Lord Nelf announced triumphantly, smiling down at their find, despite his close call. “Okay, people, let's see if we can find a way down there. For a tourist attraction, surely this isn't the closest anyone can get. Turbolifts, cable cars, a pathway cut into the living rock, anything. Uh...Stefe...you can let go now.”

Rasa's ears twitched. THAT statement made no sense at all. This could not be a tourist attraction. Or else it would not have taken the floor falling away in order to find it. Unless that was .. planned? What strange place was this? Rasa took a quick scan with her datapad, before quickly slipping it away. She then began to scan the area again. This time, with her nose. Even though it could be years ago, there might still be a faint trace of a scent, especially if enough people traveled through here... and if Captain smelly hasnt been through the area.

Rasa turned, and moved towards one of the walls. There was a faint scent this way. And something else. Something she felt in the Force. She moved to the rough rock face, and began to sniff, as her slowly extended her claws. She made a soft mrrrwww? noise, as she began to probe the rock. She then decided that just in case the thing was booby-trapped, she used the Force to probe the surface, looking for a hidden switch, or a doorway to open. She was sure that SOMETHING was here...just not sure of what.



Tag: Lord Nelf, Billings

 

IC: Kiza (Kiri Zatul), Main Library, Coruscant

The ride to the main library to Coruscant main city Prime was uneventful. She had expected nothing else. As she rode, she listened to the news service feeds that crooned continuously upon the Corsec and the holovid feeds of the city. About the latest attacks that had happened, and the various beings involved. How a school had been destroyed. Kiza smirked. That could signal the chance of employment. There would be some healthy bounties out there. Or, perhaps with all the nervous citizens about, even procurement as a security guard. Many possibilities now abounded. Yes, the current situation played well with possible events. Things were now primed for action. But such endeavors must bide their time for now. Now, it was time for research.

Upon reaching the library, Kiza moved to a secure area, and parked her speeder. She slug a bag across her hips, and moved with a purposeful stride, as she headed into the large structure. As many times as she had been here, it still made her stop and take notice. The structure was grand, with many carvings and other items displayed amongst its meticulously manicured gardens and trees that surrounded the structure. Every visit, Kiza noticed something different. It was also a nice place to touch within the Force. Perhaps due to its many Force sensitive visitors, or it could simply be reflecting the multitudes of beings that entered the building, but it had a unique feel within the Force. Not anything annoying, as the energy that came from the places that the Jedi tended to inhabit, but a pleasant hum and feeling. Maybe it was all the knowledge stored within its walls. It definitely had a different taste to it. Yes, that is how she would describe it. A taste. She strolled into the structure, and immediately moved towards the back area of the building. Kirza has been within these walls many times before. Sometimes hunting. Sometimes, research, and other times, simply to get away from the annoying buzz that is the Coruscant. This day, it was research. Kiza looked about, her brows knitting themselves closer together, as she studied the walls. She then headed for the staircase, that wounds it way up the back of the building. Climbing its steps, she looked out to the other beings that were tending to their own business, cloistered off in their own little worlds. Reaching the top of the staircase, she turned, and moved left, heading directly for the service desk. Once she reached it, she waited patiently, as a older looking Bothan moved some books. Noticing her, he walked towards her, and gave a slight nod of his head. "How may I assist you?" the elderly Bothan asked, quite cordial. Kiza held up her datapad, showing a rather complicated script. "Languages. Possibly old, ancient. Translations or delineations." Kiza replied. The Bothan nodded slowly, as his ears twitched. "Ah. Topographical Trans-languages research" he raised his arm. "Ge'lorain studies, and langtech. Datalab one nine three. The main computer than can hopefully assist you. If not, Assistant Hyland can perhaps assist you as well." The alien nodded, "Good luck with your studies." The elderly Bothan told her. He stared at her for a moment, before turning away, picking up his books once more, and he began to shuffle them into various cubby slots.. Kiza's eyes narrows for a moment, but she said nothing. Most likely, it was nothing. It could be something as simple as her clothing. She was not going to turn away from her goal. Not when she was so close. Kiza turned, and walked across the large room, heading for the langtech labs the librarian had mentioned. Perhaps now, she would find answers for her questions. Kiza flipped the datapad back into her satchel. She felt that she was now closing in on the answers that she sought.


TAG: Anyone, Rainbow Knight Star

 

IC: Mariel Rian, Werdla Orar, Hyperspace

Mariel felt her Master backing off, letting her work alone. She continued to focus on the healing, which seemed to be going well, but she could sense that something was wrong with Knight Be'orar.

She tentatively reached out, keeping a small amount of focus on her current task. Master? Are you all right?
TAG: Gaan ( @The_Zeltron), Laen Anjou and Darth Furio ( @Darth_Furio) if either of them senses Mariel

 

IC: Gaan Be'orar - Werdla Orar - Hyperspace

Gaan felt Furio's contempt over the bond, and then it shut. She felt like she'd been slapped, and her mind reeled momentarily before her Padawan's voice grounded her again. //Master? Are you all right?//

Taking a moment to steady herself, Gaan replied, //I'll be fine, thank you, Mariel. How is your healing going?// She knew she could just reach out and find out for herself, but she wanted to keep the girl talking, to keep both of their minds off of the contact.

TAG: Mariel (echo_girl_94)


IC: Laen Anjou - Over Ruan

When he finally found the signature, Laen realized the being was much stronger than he'd thought at first.... And that only added to his anger. Jamming the ship's controls, he sent his ship into hyperspace toward the point where he'd felt it last. It was moving with enough speed that he couldn't track it, which doubtless meant that whoever it was was in hyperspace. Oh well, he'd just have to keep tracking it from point to point.

Growling, he reached out to his former Padawan once again, overwhelming her with his anger before shutting the bond down most of the way, leaving it just open enough to keep her aware of him. Then his thoughts resumed their path, his rage building more and more with nothing to do.

TAG: Furio, if he chooses

 

Rasa Ruu'ta-Li
Monorail Station, Tourist Island - Location: Ciutric IV

Rasa was busy concentrating within the Force, as her nose began to lead her towards one of the rough rock faces. 'Mrrrwww?' she stated softly to herself as she began to work on the wall. The Force was strongly telling her that something was here. With extended claws, she began to dig in earnest now, digging and feeling her way along the wall. Years of non-usage might have hidden what she was looking fir, but Rasa knew that she was close. Very carefully now, she dug her claws into they hit something that didnt feel like the rest of the rock face and plant life she had been scratching into.

Her ears perked forward now, as she felt something smooth. She pushed it. Nothing happened. With a slight growl emanatingfrom her throat, she pushed again. She felt a panel move a little bit, but still, nothing. Rasa then reared back, with with a viscous growl, PUNCHED the panel, using the Force to assist her this time.

THIS time, the wall next to Rasa groaned and shuddered, and Rasa jumped back into a crouch, as she heard the slow grinding of rock and metal. Ears forward once more, her tail swished on its own, as she was hit by a blast of air. She wrinkled her nose, and moved forward, looking down the entrance way she now saw. It was a corridor, or tunnel, and it seemed to lead its way down. Rather sterile looking, and quite clean, compared to everything else overgrown in the area, Rasa took a few steps in, and looked down. The soft hum of electronics filled her ears. The energy shield? Nothing looked threatening, and the tunnel was lit by a low soft glow of yellow lights. Rasa, took a few steps in, and she saw photos now showing upon the walls. Rasa could also see what looked like an opening at the far end of the down sloping tunnel, and the humming sound was louder now. "Isss thiiss whaat you arrreee looking forrrr?" Rasa spoke softly.

The air here was not so moist and humid as it had been above. That seemed to be heading in the right direction. Rasa took a few more steps inside, and waited for Lord Nelf and Billings to catch up. As she did, her fur began slowly tingle and rise just a bit. Strange. Extending the Force around her, she now began to walk down, towards the gathering of light at the end of the tunnel. It seemed to dead end at some type of window, and when she reached it, she could overlook everything below. This had to be one of the strangest 'tourist' sites she had ever seen before. And it was still confusing to her, why THIS would be a part of the tour.

As she reached the end of the tunnel, she again waited, this time looking out to scan the compound below them. Even with so many questions, this was quite interesting. Better than sitting around stuffy old libraries.


Tag: Lord Nelf, Billings

 

IC: Mariel Rian, Werdla Orar, Hyperspace

I'll be fine, thank you, Mariel. How is your healing going?

Mariel frowned. It's fine. I think the wound should close in a moment. Are you sure you're alright? She knew it probably wasn't good Padawan behavior to push the question, but it worried her. Maybe there was an injury she'd missed that was bothering her Master.

At least, that was the excuse she gave herself.

TAG: Gaan ( @The_Zeltron)

 

IC: Darth Furio - Hyperspace

Darth Furio felt the presence and there seemed to be a reach from it, a tracking feel. A challenge perhaps? Furio wasn't sure but if that was what the Force user wanted then that was what it was going to get. This presence was consumed, but not with the Dark Side of the Force, it was an inner anger that drove this individual in all things that they did. Furio could respect that as his own anger was what drove him as well, but he had the Dark Side of the Force as his weapon.

Furio returned to the cockpit and noticed that he was passing by the Toprawa system and he remembered the encounter he had with the two Jedi Knights that confronted him there. He recalled the fight, enjoying the blood bath, and overall killing them both. Salik City's history was full of ancient battles and wounds that resonated with the Dark Side's taint. Furio basked in the feeling and he quickly took it all in giving him another sense that he had fully returned to his former self with a potental for more.

The Idea of potential reminded him of Gaan and her short sightedness in staying loyal to Jedi Order. When they last communicated over their bond there were no words spoken but he knew enough that she had not left the order and Furio also felt Gaan's Padawan, the Nightsister girl. He debated wheather he should try and communicate with her again but his disappointment in her choice made him dismiss the idea for now. He and Gaan could be a powerful alliance in the Dark Side and could do all that they wanted with only a few that could rival them, it seemed it was not meant to be. Furio sat in contemplation, he was getting closer to Corellia and his old home.

TAG: No One.

 

IC: Gaan Be'orar - Werdla Orar - Hyperspace

Gaan could tell her Padawan wasn't satisfied with her response, even before she spoke. //It's fine. I think the wound should close in a moment. Are you sure you're alright?//

Deciding against giving the girl more time to think, Gaan replied, //Yes, Padawan, I'm fine. You're doing well with your healing, much better than I would have expected for your first time. Perhaps this is your true calling.// She smiled at the girl mentally, letting her choose to reply or question.

TAG: Mariel (echo_girl_94)


IC: Laen Anjou - StealthX - Hyperspace

Laen suddenly realized that whoever he was following had noticed him, and that they were in no way concerned with his intentions. As if that was not enough, he could sense some of his thoughts about his Padawan, and he just about exploded with anger. Furious, he almost missed two other thoughts that floated from the being's mind... Toprawa system.... Corellia. After a moment's hesitation between the two places, he finally decided to try Corellia first, and pulled the ship out of hyperspace. He noted that, whether Corellia was where the Sith was heading or not, he was going to have to refuel there. Irritated, he punched in the coordinates for the planet, and then sat back as the ship jumped again.

TAG: No one... Furio (Darth_Furio) maybe

 

IC: Anguish

Aboard the freighter Void Spanner
En route to Corellia

He usually didn't mingle with a ship's crew during his travels, unless he needed something, as he did now. Anguish required some special service, and by the looks of the crew, he gathered that perhaps one of them might know something useful. The captain of the ship, a nikto by the name of Sho'thok, seemed quite capable, and granted Anguish's request. The two others were a male barabel and a falleen female, Shakkaar and Xievaun respectively. Anguish, who was introduce simply as Albin Predari smiled easily at them, completely aware at the more 'nuanced' subtext of his position. His pale complexion paled in comparison to their hardier greenish hues, but they all shared similar black eyes, hard and steely. Unwavering. Anguish was feeling quite amused as they supped in silence at first. Their meal consisted of foods stuffs fit for reptilian folk, barely cooked. He ate just as they did and without complaint. He could tell they were 'surprised' that he had not demanded something more 'suitable' for humanoid consumption. If only they knew the things he'd endured.

"Ssso, I hear you have...questionsss...." the barabel hissed out after a while, breaking the silence. Albin simply nodded, then sat back. "Yes, in fact I do." he responded matter-of-fact. He noticed the falleen female shift in her seat. The captain continued to eat, content to simply observe. They were all armed with blasters and shivs. Anguish ignored it all, for he also carried his weapons under the finery he wore. The short indigo cloak no doubt hinted at this possibility.

"Then assssk." Shakkaar instructed with a rasp. Albin, acknowledged with a nod.

"My job is to 'acquire' interesting things for my employer. I'm currently following a lead, but have stumbled upon an unforeseen...obstacle. The information I require is well encrypted and I'm in need of a skilled slicer."

Anguish paused and waited for reactions, but noted that no one said a word.

"I am willing to offer a handsome reward to any who can lead me to such a being. And I do mean someone with true skill."

"How much?" asked the captain.

"How much, what exactly....?" Albin asked in return, tilting his head towards the nikto.

"How much is the reward?"

"That depends." Albin informed, returning his gaze to the other two. "I need the decryption as soon as possible. If I'm taken to a capable slicer, I'll double my offer. If the slicer is incapable, no bonus reward will be awarded. However, the bonus reward will diminish by 50% the longer it takes the slicer to complete the project."

"How much will you offer the slicer." The falleen female put in, finally speaking up.

"That's between me and the slicer, don't you think?" Albin answered her, meeting her gaze.

"What if I know a slicer? I'll need to make an initial offer." She countered.

"Not so. My answer is unchanged. If you know a slicer, then I will pay you to lead me to him, that is all. Your bonus pay will depend on his efficiency."

More silence followed. Anguish could almost hear their reptilian brains at work.

"Hhow will you pay ussss..?" came the barabel's query.

"My offer is to pay the individual who yields the best results, in whatever manner of credit he chooses, or any other fashion thereof. If any of you know such a being, say so now." 'Albin' steepled his fingers as he waited for an answer.

"Where's the encrypted data?" Xievuan asked, dark eyes steady.

"Not your concern..." the disguised sith answered, cocking his head at her.

"I can help you." she said finally. "Good, then it's settled." Albin responded, a satisfied smile playing across his pale youngish face.

"Not if you can't meet my price." At this, she graced him with a sly grin.

"Consider it met." Anguish retorted dismissively. "Pray your slicer doesn't fail. It's healthier all around, yes? Now if you'll excuse me..." getting up, Albin bowed graciously to the captain and his crew, then proceeded to the exit.

"We'll discuss terms tomorrow." He said over his shoulder as he paused, sensing eyes on his back. "Rest well." And then he vanished from view.

The sith assassin was satisfied with his 'interview'. He was not surprised at the outcome, for it was as he expected given the species involved. The dynamics at play were plain to see for those who know what to look for. No matter, he looked forward to 'dealing' with the falleen female, as long as in the end, the slicer she provided managed to decrypt Destros' data and bring him closer to the missing holocron. Thus far, all was proceeding as planned.

Through Victory, My chains are broken...

TBC Next stop, Corellia.

 

IC: Mariel Rian, Werdla Orar, Hyperspace

Yes, Padawan, I'm fine. You're doing well with your healing, much better than I would have expected for your first time. Perhaps this is your true calling.

Mariel knew her master was probably changing the subject, but couldn't help a return smile. I doubt that. I don't have the patience to do this all day.

TAG: Gaan ( @The_Zeltron)

 

IC: Darth Furio - Hyperspace

Darth Furio disliked the hum that his ship, the Furious Rancor, made while travelling through Hyperspace. It was conducive to meditation but while he was in the cockpit the noise made him restless and he did not like the wait from going system to system. He felt it was a waste of time and energy because he could do other things while he waiting to get somewhere. He scanned the extranet for news from Coruscant and saw that there was not much since he had been there last. That seemed like a long time ago when he killed that Sith pretender Cyrax, Jedi Master Darius Baron's former Master. Furio finally left Coruscant for Korriban to solve the Dark Side Rage sickness he was suffering from. Sickness? Rage should be a choice not a sickness he thought to himself. When Furio arrived on Korriban he then seemed to lose his control of the Dark Side which made him even more angry at the time. It was as if his Master Tulak Hord wanted him to experience no powers in the Dark Side of the Force, rather than give him back control right away. The strategy worked, Furio was more powerful than ever and more importantly in control of his emotions. Except one, Gaan.

She was still his weakness, the feelings he had for her were the one thing that could destroy him and try as he might he could not get her out of his mind. Furio opened the bond for a moment and tried to feel for her which unsurprisingly happened instantly. When he did, Furio felt confusion and pain from her. She was obviously in Hyperspace as he could not pin down a location on her and he also felt the Nightsister girl close by. Furio quickly dropped the connection before she could respond or acknowledge him. Gaan would have felt him looking for her and he regretted that somewhat but in the end, Furio needed to try at least.

He quickly tried to think about something else and his thoughts then went to his operations on Coruscant, it was time to contact Lorota. Furio raised her on their encrypted channel and sure enough her hologram materialized in front of him. "Lorota." Furio said in a menacing voice. "How are my dealings on Coruscant?"

"Lord Furio?" Lorota said obviously shocked by his appearance. "Everything is running well on the business side. Our corporations and front companies are making more credits than ever. Our only issues are on the other activities that you ran my Lord."

Furio instantly knew what she was talking about. "Are other organizations breaching our turf? Don't you have enough resources to hire more mercenaries to take care of such things?

Lorota quickly replied. "My Lord, when you left Coruscant there was still the threat of your existance, but when there was no contact from you or you making any appearances at all, other groups assumed you had died in the battle you had with that Dark Sider that appeared on the extranet. They grew bolder when they attacked some of our operations and you never showed up. We have been fighting back but the attacks against us have been more frequent and more lethal."

Furio's brow lowered in anger and if he was closer he would have chocked Lorota with the Force. "Lethal? I will show them what lethal is. The consequences will be most severe, for all of you."

Furio closed the channel and could not wait to get back to Coruscant, but first there was business to be done on Corellia. Furio felt that even more would happen there as the presence he felt from before was getting closer...

TAG: Gaan

 

OOC: Dear Reader, I must beg your indulgence.

Imagine, as you touch upon the first line in the post, that it has been preceded by a three minute montage of Stefe, hard at work, sawing, spot-welding, and lugging heavy metal cr-, stuff; accompanied by the A-Team theme music

---

IC: Lord Nelf, Stefe Billings, Cactus Jack, above an Imperial Garrison, set at the bottom of an island volcano, Ciutric IV


The Imperial Inquisitor, set his jaw, crossed his arms, and glared at the three-space train seat that Billings, standing beside it with his smoking blaster rifle cradled in his arms like a paralysed snake, had cut out of the carriage, and fitted with some kind of shiny parachute. Where had he got the material for that?!

“Not. A. Chance. In Hellion.” He ground out.

“Oh, come on Chief!” Stefe protested, a hurt look on his weasely face, “We could easily float down on that, and with two Force users aboard, what could go wrong?”

Billings was clearly proud of the contraption, and for a few minutes work, Nelf was rather impressed too. Impressed enough to award a gold star, and write a letter of praise home to Billings Mummy and Daddy. But not impressed enough to go flying in the drokky thing.

He was willing to bet that even the Dark presence that had caused that swell in the Force just now, would balk at giving it a ride, if someone double-dared him to give it a try. Easier just to massacre the witnesses, really.

“What do you think, Rasa?” Nelf looked round, “Apprentice? Now where is she?”

Stefe opened his mouth.

“And no cracks about kitty litter.”

Stefe closed his mouth and looked downcast.

“Have you tried banging a spoon on a plate, and calling ‘puss puss’?”

Nelf spun, lightsabre in his hand, the humming crimson blade illuminating Cactus’ neck and jaw in a reddish glow as it stopped just short of giving him a shave he would never forget.

A second later, Billings had his blaster aimed at the hermit as well. “Feth’s Sake! Don’t sneak up on people like that!” Billings demanded, straightening and lowering the weapon.

“And she’s not a cat.” Nelf paused. “Well, she is, but not in that way.”

“Focus, Boss! We’ve got a kid missing.” the Guardsman backtracked along the platform. “Where could she be? Oh, ‘ello, this wasn’t here before.” He activated the glowrod affixed to the gun’s barrel, and pointed it into the gap in the dark grey rock, the soles of his boots crunching through debris and cold lichen pieces underfoot.

Nelf stayed where he was, reaching out. Ah yes, he could sense her Force signature below them somewhere, and she was.....alive!

He released a breath, and trotted after Billings, extinguishing the blade, and returning it to it's horizontal scabbard under his cape.

"She-she's broken the seal," the hermit whispered, upon seeing the claw marks and general home improvements that the Cathar had made to the platform wall.

Stefe hesitated, looking back at Cactus, then down the musty tunnel that he could see sloping away. "Seal? What seal? Are we about to get ambushed by a pack of angry walruses?"

“Not that kind of 'seal', I'll wager.” Nelf swept past the guardsman, cape curling round the back of his calves as he strode fast along the yellow-lit corridor. He wasn't sure who he was thinking of more right now, his apprentice, or Isard. Or as he liked to call her, Trip, the diminutive of her SBI (Senate Bureau of Intelligence) codename, Triple-X.

He sensed Billings and Cactus trailing after him as he moved down, surrounded on all sides by that all pervasive electronic hum, where eventually the corridor, which seemed barely wide enough for someone with large shoulders, opened up into a sizeable box room, dominated by a large square window, three times as high as themselves, overlooking the shimmering force dome that they had spied earlier, but they were so close now, that if the window wasn't there, he could probably jump down from here either onto the dome, or fall through it to land upon the pre-fabricated Imperial garrison.



The sight knocked Rasa down to second priority as the Inquisitor walked up to the transparent obstacle, placing a gloved hand on the pane, and standing so close that his breath fogged the glass...ceraglase...whatever it was.
“So close. So close.” He breathed.

Behind him, Billings nodded at Rasa. "Good work. Don't run off like that. He looked speculatively at the Inquisitor's silhouette against the window. "My guess? He is going to want us to remove that."

"The Museum has been breached." The hermit intoned oddly, from his spot between the three of them, and the exit tunnel, drawing an equally odd look from Stefe.

"Frankly, you are starting to creep me out, Mate."

Tag: Rasa

 

IC: Gaan Be'orar - Werdla Orar - Hyperspace

Mariel smiled back, and answered, //I doubt that. I don't have the patience to do this all day.//

Gaan almost laughed. //Who does? It is useful to know, though.// Her smile quickly disappeared, though, as she felt Furio reaching out for her. She tried to conceal her sudden change in demeanor from her Padawan, but wasn't entirely sure how successful she was, especially as the contact disappeared almost as soon as she realized he was there.

A flash of anger that wasn't her own shot through her mind toward the Sith Lord, accompanied by a single word, //Leave.// She had no idea if he heard it or not, since the bond had closed again, but it unsettled her anyway. Could her Master see, and even speak, through her mind so easily after just one session? She shut down all bonds on her end, except the one with her Padawan, and hoped nothing would get through.

TAG: Mariel (echo_girl_94) and Furio (Darth_Furio)

 

IC: Darth Furio - Hyperspace

Darth Furio closed the comm connection with Lorota and started to pace back and forth in frustration and annoyance. He should have known that things would get messy while he was gone. There was little stopping his enemies from coming in on the territory he had seized, but he expected that the pieces he had left in place would have at least put up a fight to stop the bleeding. Now Furio had to push them back himself and make a clear statement that he had returned and that he was back in commmand. Lorota may have set up the finacial side of the operation and accumulated the vast resources of credits and technology but Furio was the muscle on criminal side. He wanted to be above that and concentrate on defeating the Jedi so his plans of destroying the Coruscanti government could proceed. Alas he had to do things himself, with blood and the Dark Side.

Another thing started to nag at Furio when he recalled the contact with Gaan, he knew he felt that presence from before. The presence that Gaan feared had tried to reach out to him now. The nerve of such an insignificant being trying to threaten him of all people, Furio concentrated deeper now trying to make out the contact. //Leave.// Furio did not know whether to smile or go into a fit of rage as he tried to find some connection to the being but he could not. He could sense that the only way to speak with this fool is over the bond with Gaan, which meant that she would be aware of the communication.

Furio went to his meditation room that was designed to carry Force currents farther much like the Ancient Sith Lord Darth Nihilus had aboard his flagship the Ravager. He opened the bond to Gaan in hopes of getting to the interloper and finding out who it was. Furio sent out dark currents from the Force and waited for the being, he assumed that his invititaion would not be turned down. Furio would ignore Gaan for now but he knew she would be on the forefront of hs mind.

TAG: Lean, Gaan

 

IC: Anguish

Coronet City, Corellia

The Void Spanner was finally allowed to land in Coronet's spaceport after three previously failed attempts.'Intermittent traffic adjustments' they said, is that what they were calling these odious delays now? Never mind. Though still going under the pseudonym of Albin Predari, the sith assassin wore all-black robes inspired by those of a sith inquisitor. Of course Anguish wore his stealth-gear and weapons underneath his robes as he always did, this was after all, still a mission. As pre-arranged with the Captain Sho'thok, Anguish paid to have Xievaun act as his guide, and gave him more than enough credits to hire-out some dock-hand to help him with whatever duties she would have taken on, at a profit. It was suggested that perhaps he should take Shakkaar as a bodyguard, due to his massive size and intimidating form. Anguish dismissed the offer. He secretly did enjoyed these 'power' games. The falleen female was intensely clever. It would be a shame if she did not realize her limits.

"Is that the speeder you rented? Isn't it a little...fancy?" Xievaun commented, looking at the sleek black two seat speeder with some misgivings, especially given their intended destination.

"Don't tell me you'd rather walk?" Anguish joked. "It'll be fun, you'll see..." he added with a hint of mischief he hadn't shown previously. Xievaun raised an eyebrow in surprise, then gave him a slick smile, but said nothing else as she watched him get in the passenger side. That meant he wanted her to do the driving. Fine then.

The trip to Corellia's Blue Sector was as expected, uneventful. They'd passed a few checkpoints without incident. Anguish was please that his 'credentials' were still viable. However, Coronet was definitely a 'jewel' in comparison to the Blue Sector. Anguish smiled as they crossed the invisible border and felt the undertow of darkside energy. Unlike Coronet, where the darkside felt 'suppressed', the Blue Sector teemed with its energy. Xievaun caught 'Anguish' smiling, and smiled herself. Anguish knew they were not smiling for the same reason, but that didn't matter much. "We grow closer to our goal." he noted, shifting the focus of the moment as he looked about and drove past. Everywhere his dark eyes looked, he saw cantinas, brothels, tattoo parlors, vaudeville venues, fence shops. Not to mention the undesirable criminal element that plagued the area. He couldn't miss them if he tried. Some of them happened to notice the sleek black speeder as it went by. Good. Those things he expected to see, however, Anguish also noticed a variety of antique stores, fashion outlets, eateries, open market places...and The Row.

"That's the place." Xievaun confirmed after she'd followed his gaze, a hint of eagerness in her voice. Anguish nodded. "Hold a moment." he commanded, before she turned the speeder in that direction. The falleen female gave him a questioning look, which he ignored.

"There..." he said, pointing.

"I thought time was..."

"I'm hungry." he said, cutting her off. "I won't deduct the extra time from your pay, if that's what you're worried about. Now drive."

Xievaun veered the speeder and did as commanded, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head, a moment later, they were in front of an eating establishment.

"Gutripper's Delight?" She said, curious at his choice.

"I like the name." Angusih responded with a deceptive grin as he exited the vehicle.

"Don't worry, it's one me."

Anguish waited for Xievaun so they could enter 'together'. He wanted to give the impression that they were a couple. But more importantly, he needed a moment before doing business, critical business. The sensation had been brief, but palpable. A disturbance in the force. He needed to know if this had something to do with the missing holocron and Khol Destros' encrypted datapad. Anguish was unwilling to put that information at risk, but not above taking great risks to get his hand on the prize, as he expected the falleen female to betray him at some point. Even so, he hadn't forgotten the 'vision' he experienced not so long ago. There was that to consider as well.

Through Victory, My chains are broken!

TBC

 

IC: Kiza (Kiri Zatul), Main Library, Coruscant

Kiza moved throught the rows of flimsy plasts and computer records with a graceful ease. Only a few looked up at her, some with a look of surprise. She simply smiled, and gave them a slow calculated nod, as she quietly drifted past them. She took the time to stretch out gently with the Force. It was something she did carefully while on Coruscant, because with so many life forms within such a cluttered area, it was almost choking. Add to it the extra floatsm that the Jedi tended expunge into the Force she tended keep her senses close to her, and cloaking her movements from other Force users. But here, she allowed herself the luxury of stretching her senses out some. It was easy, to reach out, and touch those withing. So many lifeforms, buzzing with life, were within this structure. Yes, she could tell that easy enough. And none with that, annoying Jedi aftertaste. She laughed softly to herself at her own joke, as she turned a corner, and looked towards the row of datalab's the other librarian had sent her to. Now, what had the Bothan told her? Oh yes, Ge'lorain studies,Datalab one nine three. He also mentioned an assistant. Kiza walked down the rows of rooms, until she came to lab 193. With a deft hand, she quickly opened the door. A young woman looked up from behind a stack of flimsys as the door opened. Assistant Hyland, Kiza assumed. "Yes, may I help you?" Kiza stepped into the room, closing the door. "Yes. I am researching old text. Possibly ancient. Looking for translations or delineations." Kiza told the young girl, as she held up her datapad. The girl briefly took a look at the sample text, her eyebrows forming a slight frown. "Hmmm. nothing familiar, but if you plug it into the analyzer, it will access and scan through all of the known complied collections that we do have. If anything comes close to it, it will let you know." The woman looked up with a slight smile. "But, of course, you do understand, that it could take a while before it comes up with something." Kiza nodded her head. "Understood. I will wait." Kiza paused for a moment, and then asked. "Is there someplace I can pull up the recent holonet feeds while I wait?" The woman nodded, and then walked over, pointing out a port and headset that she could use. Kiza nodded her head, and took a seat, while the woman walked back over to her area, continuing her work. Good. The woman was professional, not nosy, or trying to bore her with endless chatter. Kiza could appreciate that value.

Kiza walked over and sat down as she silently watched as the library's computer systems started its' search into the various database archives, searching for something that might possibly match the obscure text that her datapad held a small piece of. While it did its work, she turned to the holonet. She could look up the job boards from here. The legal ones at least. But first, she scanned the holonet news. She had 'felt' that something had happened within the Force here recently, and now she could confirm it. A Sith had attacked Coruscant. Well, perhaps not a Sith Lord, but a fool pretending to be one. A true Sith Lord, Kiza thought to herself, would not brandish themselves in a way this one had, in front of the many Holocams. He was more like the mad scientist, cackling away as he tossed ships and troops away, like 'small flies'. Of course, he could be an insane Sith. Those were more dangerous and annoying to deal with. She watched the general distruction that was filmed. Except for giving himself away, and perhaps annoy the Jedi, she didnt really see a reason or purpose. She scanned secondary sources, looking to see if perhaps a bank was robbed, or some other major crime committed while all the distruction was going on. She saw war droids being were used. Strange. It occurred to her that the battle droids she saw, were not connected with the first attack. A deversion perhaps? There was another battle going on that was recorded as well. A deversion would make sense then. But still, why the over blatently public display? She sighed as she watched the attack. It was really pitiful. Coroscant's security forces. With a Jedi temple in the immediate area, THEY should know how to handle a crazed Jedi. It didnt matter how powerful a Jedi was, they had a weakness. She she know, having to hunt down a few crazy Force users in her line of work. But no matter how powerful, they all had certain things even their powers could not handle. Why didnt Coruscants forces employ any of that? Mater of fact... where where the OTHER Jedi? There response seemed to be rather hampered. Was there perhaps a reason for it? Kiza leaned back in her seat. Perhaps there was indeed more to it. She simple hoped that any other deployments did not interfear with her own mission. She did not want to get caught up in a Jedi Sith spitting match right now. She had her own plans. And it did not include either group. But it did increase her possibility of getting hired now.

Back off in one of the back rooms of the library, a Bothan spoke quietly into a comm unit. The same one that had directed Kiza to the back rooms. He looked around, making sure he was alone within the locked 'freshner. "This is Fryne. Tell our boy I have something." he stated quietly into the unit. The voice on the other end sounded annoyed. Or bored. Perhaps both. "I dont have time to bother him with your games, and guesses.." The Bothan snorted, ignoring the dig. "Better make time. I got someone here doing some research into something he asked me to keep an ear out for. Tell him its Boolian." The voice on the other side suddenly squalked, and a female voice came over the comlink. This is Vella. Boolian. Got it. We'll get back with you." The comlinked clicked off. Fryne gave a slight grin, as he pocketed the comm unit, and turned to get a snack. Yes, he appreacited someone who was into research. It earned him quite a tidy amount of creds into his account. He then clicked his comlink again, but this time, to another source. One within the Jedi temple. They were also curious when folks came looking for certain things. And this language was one of them. He didnt really know why. He didnt care. But as an informant, he got paid either way. He didnt need to know more than that. Yes, he would enjoy spending these creds. It had been a long stretch since he had anything to pass along. He licked his lips, almost tasting the nerf steak he would be buying soon.


TAG: Anyone, Rainbow Knight Star
(there is a tag to anyone who might want to play within the Jedi temple...and to one of the more darker elements. Totally up to you. If not, I will continue on.)

 

Rasa Ruu'ta-Li
above an Imperial Garrison, set at the bottom of an island volcano, Ciutric IV

Rasa's left ear flicked backwards, as she heard the others make their way to where she was currently standing. She continued looking over the strange complex, as she stretched out her feelings within the Force, trying to sense if anything bad, was heading their way. So far, nothing. It was quite an interesting structure, and Rasa used her datapad to take a pic of what she saw. Soon Lord Nelf and Billings appeared.. and she was surprised to see (if not smell) captain smelly as well.

Rasa watched as Lord Nelf moved towards the transparent windows, and placed a gloved hand on the pane as he stood close by. Her sharp ears heard him whisper. “So close. So close.” Rasa's ears flickered but she stayed silent. Behind him, Billings nodded at her. "Good work. Don't run off like that." Her ears went up as if hurt. "I did nnnot rrrrun off!" she stated, looking as if she was going to pout, but she held a sparkle in her eyes. Billings stared at her master, and then added, "My guess? He is going to want us to remove that." As Rasa nodded, the crazy hermit made a very strange pronouncement, as far as Rasa was concerned. "The Museum has been breached." he intoned oddly. What in the world did he mean by that? And why would it bother him? With all the other crazy stunts had had done, why was this place making him act strange? Billings gave the man a strange look. "Frankly, you are starting to creep me out, Mate."

Rasa strolled over to the man, looking down at him, as her ears went back flat. His reactions were bothering her, but for another reason, and her feelings within the Force was beginning to set off warning bells. "Whhhy issss that prrrroblem? Isss thisss facility with autommmmated ssecurrrity? You herrre lonng enough to cause dammmmage." she growled at the man He knew much more than he was telling, and Rasa, so close to her master's goals, did not wish to seem them ruined. Rasa let her fangs show, as she continued to watch Cactus Jack, as she kept a keen lookout around them with the Force, and her other senses now on full alert.




Tag: Lord Nelf, Billings and Cactus Jack

 

IC: Gaan Be'orar - Werdla Orar - Hyperspace

Gaan felt the bond with Furio open, and felt him respond with a challenge. She knew it was not meant for her and tried to ignore it, knowing that otherwise her Padawan would sense it soon enough. Calling on the Force, she began building a wall between the bond with Furio, and the bond with her Padawan, trying to keep them separate.

TAG: Furio (Darth_Furio), Mariel (echo_girl_94)


IC: Laen Anjou - Hyperspace

Laen felt the Sith respond to him, inviting, almost taunting, and he instantly returned the gesture, sending currents of the Force over the bonds. //She's mine....//

TAG: Furio (Darth_Furio)

 

IC: Darth Furio - Hyperspace

Darth Furio never turned down a challenge when he was confronted or especially when he was threatened. The Force sensitive that Furio was communicating with had responded to his taunts with a series of his own, only now he verbally responded again with //She's Mine// Furio could only assume that this being was referring to Gaan. Given that he was not sure what to make of his relationship with her, Furio still did not like the idea of someone threatening her. During the situation with the Nightsisters Furio felt protective of her and he recalled how he quickly dropped what he was doing to aid Gaan, that same feeling hit him when this being communicated the threat. Furio had an uneasy feeling about all of this and he it unsettled him only because his feelings for Gaan were the wild card in all of it. She never needed defending because she was powerful and she had the Jedi to help her, how could this being be a threat when she had all that support he wondered?

There was something more to this being, Gaan must have meant a great deal to them, hence the possesivness of his two remarks Furio thought. A former lover? No, it was not that, it was more of a parental feeling. A teacher? Yes, that was it, her former Master. Gaan's Master was a logical conclusion to come to in this case and that led Furio to another question, what was wrong with this fool, and was he a Dark Jedi? The Force sensitive clearly showed signs of mal-intentions towards Furio and Gaan. He need to learn more of this being and Furio's only chance was getting that information from Gaan, but at the moment Furio felt that it would not be a good idea to speak to her about this. So he would wait to speak to Gaan over the bond as Furio knew the Force sensitve could here him as well. So Furio only said to them all, Gaan, her Padawan, and espeacially her Master, //Soon.//

TAG: Laen, Gaan, Mariel