Star Wars The Shadow War - Times End - Two new factions opened up! - Legacy: War spoilers!

IC: Kasha Sherland
escorting Sixtus to the Detention level

"You'll do nothing unless you're being attacked," Kasha raised an eyerbrow as she noticed him trying to call his lightsaber to his hand that was sitting on the floor from where he dropped it. She held out her hand and called the lightsaber to her hand and placed it on her belt. She sensed the anger coming off the padawan as he looked at Sixtus. Even though she could understand where he was coming from, attacking a Sith and killing one in cold blood was not the Jedi way. "You'll get this back after we discuss a suitable punishment," she spoke with a frown. "I can understand your frustration young Padawan but attacking a Sith and killing an unarmed opponent in cold blood is a path to the dark side. It is not the way of the Jedi. If you do not watch your step, your angry outburst will be your undoing and you will become what you hate the most. I'm going to finish escorting this prisoner to the detention level. Then I'm taking you to see the Grand Master to discuss your recent behavior. Jedi do not attack, they defend only. Do you understand me, young padawan?"

Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Council Chambers

Entering the Council Chambers Suraya discreetly made her way to her seat as Harbinger spoke. Waiting for a pause she then in a whisper asked the Jedi seated closest to her to briefly summarize what the Sith had shared thus far and then momentarily mused over his words before deciding to speak.

Fire, death and destruction, hmm...she grinned at Habringer looking at him steadily...perhaps if anyone of us here were asked to offer a concise history of every Sith sect and its individual members throughout time...that would seem to be a fitting epitaph as to their final fate and where the dark path always ends. Blinded by your own darkness. Always seeking to try to possess and control the Light, but alas, even in your darkest moments, only momentarily. Over and over again, like little vermin scurrying about in the shadows, scavenging for crumbs.And yet here you stand before us...posturing yourself as some sort of dark prophet... smirking confidently that whatever little window you have been allowed to squint through into the future should fill us all with fear and dread at its inevitability. Perhaps instead all you have done thus far is reveal more about yourself, than you have about the real nature of any future events to come.


TAG Bardan_Jusik The_Zeltron Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Tim Battershell
TCC, Temple of Light - Saridona Prime.

"In any case...as I was saying, I can submit the idea to the Council, though I doubt they would go for it. As for setting up surveillance equipment, you have my approval for doing so...provided we can spare enough to do it. I know that the Temple is stretched thin at the moment with the need to secure various areas. I would not recommend leaving anything less than at least one Knight and two Padawans in the TCC...and frankly, even that seems light if I am honest....Preferably, we should have at least four or five guarding the TCC, to avoid any sabotage attempts. That would only leave a couple able to plant equipment, and in this case...it would probably be best if it were that way anyway. The more who are planting, the more the Sith will realize we are on to him, or her. If only a couple are planting equipment, it can appear like we are just scouting the halls....I would also recommend that if we do so, that no one moves alone. Be with a partner at all times...that should go for anything in the Temple, until we capture the spy."

So it was to be Amateur Hour, after all, Tim thought as he finished updating his Database entry and started to idly browse though other data. He could only hope that the amateur in question was of the 'gifted' type - and also the Jedi he claimed to be - otherwise the Temple could be facing disaster.

"When you do put it to the Council, Sir"; Tim replied to Daniel Sandstrider, while ignoring Larod entirely; "Could you please stress that I spent half my late childhood and early adolescence listening to a high-ranking, professional, 'Seccer' detail how he and his colleagues found and captured bad guys on Agamar? Also that a similar 'Sting Operation' was exactly how I trapped a criminal who was going though the Sector fleecing well-off, highly attractive, women; leaving them so dependent on chemicals that most of the survivors won't ever see life outside of a Secure Institution again?

Please understand that I'm making no accusations, but Knight Dareagen and Master Ropol exiting hyperspace just after the Siths' Pellaeon SD did could look like a suspicious circumstance. Likewise that Knight Dareagen's first action was to launch a pair of torpedoes at the Pelly. You, I and your sister all know that it requires synchronised and concentrated volleys of Snubfighter-sized torpedoes to weaken Capital Ship Shields, but could a 'tickle' like that not be used as some form of identification signal? Come to think of it, he seemed to be very late in picking-up on the surviving fighters the Sith sent to attack our fellow Jedi in that Escape Pod. Only accounted for one of them, as I recall.

All highly circumstantial, of course, but in view of us not even knowing when our Saboteur left that little gift in here, Knight Dareagen can't be crossed off the suspect list himself. Did, I wonder, the Council know and recognise all those points of suspicion when he was appointed?

As for surveillance equipment; unless we fire-up the big Stage Control Unit that's housed aboard my Illusion, we'll be limited to the 'take' from just four holocams. Getting them into inconspicuous positions will also require one of the 'planting' team to climb up some walls - useless putting even low-profile holocams at or below beings' eyelines; too likely to be spotted! The job can be done, but it's never going to look like just 'scouting the halls', I'm sorry to say. In any case, even if we make very good guesses about location and orientation, isolating a suspect will certainly take over a week, possibly over a month.

If we do go ahead, I'd have to be involved with the 'planting' team. The required equipment is specialised and I'm the only one who knows where it's stowed aboard my ship. Also, I now realise I left her anti-intruder systems on automatic after the Sitan incident. Although Miss Lenea is on the 'recognise and admit' listing, that clearance doesn't cover my Illusion's Security settings. Penalties of after-market modifications!"; he said with a wry twist of his lips.

That was when he spotted the anomaly in the 'Berthing Assignments' file. After fruitless cross-checking, he announced;

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we appear to have a potential problem. I cannot find an entry for my Master's family's ship, a YT-1300 answering to 'The Rogue'. According to this, it was logged as leaving the Temple about two days before the Sith showed up, but has not been logged as returning to its proper berth in Hangar Bay 1, or to anywhere else!

Before we issue a formal alert, could someone request the Duty Security Patrols to carry out a close visual inspection of all Hangar Bays on their routes, please; also to check if Knight Anakin Sherland and the children are still in their assigned quarters, or elsewhere in the Temple? Maybe just an oversight, maybe Knight Consular Sherland got some advance warning of incoming Sith and elected to take the children to a place of safety, as I recall my Master saying he did once before. It's also possible we have a ship-theft to contend with, on top of our other problems!"


TAG: Bardan_Jusik, Zurros Ka, Gotab, Skywalker_T-65, Padawan4687.

OOC: Subject of final two paragraphs requested by GM.

 

IC: Darth Sixtus (NPC)/Padawan Nikoob Takkoo (NPC)
en route to the detention level, under guard

Still held against the wall, Takkoo lowered his head, shamed by Knight Sherland's word. She was right, he knew it. It was an old lesson that he should not have forgotten. "Yes master Sherland, I understand."

"Don't be so glum padawan," Sixtus began. "They plan on killing me anyway when this is all done." Her tone was sickly sweet. "Maybe you could even volunteer to do the deed?"

TAG: Falcon

---

IC: Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Council Chambers

Harbinger's expression didn't change as Archisa spoke. "Ah yes, the Ghoul's patient zero. I was wondering where you had gotten off to." His eyes clouded over now slightly, as he inclined his head in her direction. "My own nature is not to be concealed, I am what I have always been. A seer, perhaps even a prophet. What the future holds, no one can change. Not Cavillous, not your Grandmaster, not even myself." He looked to Zey, searching his eyes.

"This place is destined to be the birthplace of a new darkness, a darkness that will in time consume the Galaxy. There is nothing anyone can do to alter that." Now his smile altered slightly, becoming more conspiratorial. "But that doesn't mean Cavillous has to be around to see it."

TAG: Master Selkath, Mitth_Fisto, The_Zeltron, Rebecca_Daniels, Ananta Chetan

 

IC: Kasha Sherland
escorting Sixtus to her cell

Kasha took a deep breath and gently lowered the padawan to the ground as she shot a warning glare to Sixtus. It was almost like the woman couldn't help herself. The dark side did nothing more then twist someone into a sick version of themselves. One that took great please in the pain and sorrow of others was sick and disrespectful. It sickened her at how Sixtus can just... If Sixtus knew the true way of the Jedi she wouldn't be acting like this. "Padawan Takkoo, follow me to the cell blocks then we're headed to the chambers after."

Takkoo nodded in slum agreement as he followed Kasha to the cell blocks. She walked Sixtus into a cell then walked back out throwing the switch. "Sixtus, one day I hope you find peace with yourself."

Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Darth Sixtus (NPC)
Stockade, Temple of Light


Sixtus was escorted the rest of the way to the stockade without saying another word. Knight Sherland had saved her life, a normal being would have at least been grateful.

"Sixtus, one day I hope you find peace with yourself."

Perhaps one day she would, or maybe she wouldn't. Sixtus wasn't as in tune with the future as Harbinger was. Harbinger? Of course, he was being interrogated by these Jedi now. Sixtus cleared her throat loudly. "Sherland, you saved my life. As way of thanks I tell you, and you alone, this. Harbinger holds the key to defeating Cavillous. He can bring down the shields of the Hellfire. "

TAG: Falcon

 

IC: Kasha Sherland
Stockade, Temple of Light

Kasha smiled at Sixtus's words, perhaps there was hope for woman after all. "You're welcome. It's the way of the Jedi to preserve as much life as possible," she paused for a second hoping that this act of kindness will help Sixtus realize there was more to life then just the path of the Jedi. Maybe one day she would realize the errors of her ways and come to terms that the Sith are not right. "Thank you for the information. It is appreciated."

Kasha turned her attention to Takko and with a disappointed frown she nodded back the way they came. "You and I have a lot to talk about, Padawan Takkoo, it's time to head back to the chambers."

Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Council Chambers

Suraya arose from her seat and meditatively began to walk back and forth in front of the prisoner with her fingers interlaced behind her back. The enemy of our is enemy is our friend...of course. And after we dispose of Darth Cavillous for you, shall we then begin erecting your throne room as well? Maybe we should also thaw those Jedi aboard the Hellfire and retrieve them for your Necromancer so he can begin assembling your undead army?

Though...perhaps instead we could hail the Hellfire and share some recorded highlighted excerpts from these proceedings with Cavillous as well as those of Darth Sixtus? Who knows...he might now even be willing to trade a portion of the Jedi in carbonite to have you both in his care once again?


TAG Bardan_Jusik The_Zeltron Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Hector Zey/Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Council Chamber, Temple of Light

Zey leaned forward in his chair and watched with interest as Knight Archisa worked her "magic" on Harbinger. Her presence had made a major impact on Sixtus, and Zey hoped it could be repeated on this Sith as well. But while Sixtus had been clearly put off balance by the appearance of the Sith's former prisoner, Harbinger was completely unperturbed by her presence. Her questioning did little to change his demeanor either.

"You betray the depth of your lack of understanding, Jedi. The Dark Throne is not for me, sadly it never was, which is why I have been entrusted by Cavillous with the power I have."

The man talked in riddles, though Zey noted that he betrayed nothing at the mention of the captive Jedi aboard the Hellfire. He must know by know that it was Sixtus who had revealed their presence, yet he didn't seem to care. Why? Zey sighed as he stroked his beard and considered his unasked question.

Harbinger had also given no response to the threat of negotiating with Cavillous. The very idea of it turned Zey's stomach, but it was an idea to consider. Perhaps when the Council Chamber was cleared of all "outside influences" they could discuss it more freely. Until then they would have to deal with Harbinger. The Sith seemed to offer no real answers, only more questions. Zey had the sense that Harbinger was trying to tell them something, but the key to understanding him was yet to be found.

TAG: Master Selkath, Mitth_Fisto, The_Zeltron, Rebecca_Daniels, Ananta Chetan

---

IC: Padawan Nikoob Takkoo (NPC)
en route to the Council Chamber

"You and I have a lot to talk about, Padawan Takkoo, it's time to head back to the chambers."

The Rodian's head bobbed up and down as he sullenly nodded in agreement. He knew that what he had done was wrong, but at the time he just couldn't help it. Never before had he felt like he had wanted to end someone's life. But as he glanced back over his shoulder to see Sixtus wiggle her fingers at him, the feeling returned. He wanted to see her and all of her kind dead, the sooner the better. The feeling ate away at him as he walked behind Knight Sherland, doing his best not to dawdle. Finally though he had too much and he felt forced to express himself. "You can't tell me that you don't want them all dead too, can you?"

TAG: Falcon

 

IC: Kasha Sherland
Enroute to the council chambers

"You can't tell me that you don't want them all dead too, can you?"

"No I don't," Kasha answered honestly with a serious expression. "Some were misled in all of this and deserve a second chance if they're willing to change," she explained. "My husband lost his sister in a Sith attack on Ossus. I wanted to go after her but Anakin said she did her duty and we had to honor her memory by escaping and living. The last thing she would want us to do is get revenge for her. She knew the dangers just as much as we do."

Kasha paused for a second as she felt more anger come from the young Rodian. "If you don't learn to let it go, and you do something out of anger in revenge. You will be lost to yourself and will fall to the dark side and be no better then Sixtus."

Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Council Chambers

Cavillous entrusted you to betray him? Suraya raised both eyebrows at Harbinger's enigmatic curt response, then unhurriedly turned on her heel and walked back to her chair. What did that even mean? She cast a passing glance at the Council members searching for comprehension in their expressions or some form of support as she resumed her seat. If the dark fortune teller was merely going to use the interrogation as a stage to stoically share his revelations and entice them into following the trail of crumbs which he was scattering before them, then she would allow her mind to sink back into silence and simply observe.


TAG Bardan_Jusik The_Zeltron Mitth_Fisto

 

IC: Ian Thrace
TCC, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime.

"OK, seems like a good plan. We just need to decide now, who goes, who stays and where are those that go going to plant the equipment?"

Ian was frightened. He didn't like this plan, not one bit. First of all it depended on "Battershell", which Ian was almost sure now wasn't the man's real name. Secondly, it meant making a target of themselves, and thirdly it meant either leaving the safe confines of the TCC or having others leave which weakened their overall defense here. Even that was better than going though, and Ian hoped they would ask for volunteers. He didn't relish the idea of spending any time alone with "Battershell", he would probably end up dead that way.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we appear to have a potential problem. I cannot find an entry for my Master's family's ship, a YT-1300 answering to 'The Rogue'. According to this, it was logged as leaving the Temple about two days before the Sith showed up, but has not been logged as returning to its proper berth in Hangar Bay 1, or to anywhere else!"

"Before we issue a formal alert, could someone request the Duty Security Patrols to carry out a close visual inspection of all Hangar Bays on their routes, please; also to check if Knight Anakin Sherland and the children are still in their assigned quarters, or elsewhere in the Temple? Maybe just an oversight, maybe Knight Consular Sherland got some advance warning of incoming Sith and elected to take the children to a place of safety, as I recall my Master saying he did once before."

Oh he would love that, delay, delay, delay.

"It's also possible we have a ship-theft to contend with, on top of our other problems!"

A stolen ship? Now Ian really got it, though maybe it was more wishful thinking than anything else at this point. "What if the Sith isn't even here any more? What if he did something to disable the defenses and then stole the Rogue so he wouldn't get caught in the attack?" He was really getting into it now. "That would explain why the Sith didn't show up during the attack to help the other Sith, he was already light years away!"

TAG: Tim Battershell, Padawan4687, Skywalker_T-65, @Bardan Jusik, Zurros Ka

 

IC: Kai Dareagen
The Library, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

Kai tries to calm his nerves he knew this was coming but, he didn’t feel ready for it. He had minimal contact with the Chief of Security for the Temple. Even so he knows he doesn’t have the best reputation with him. That is fine to Kai. He still can’t get over the fact that an out and out Mandalorian Mercenary is protecting this place. If it was up to him the ‘Major’ would have not been allowed anywhere near any Jedi. Already the young knight can already hear his master’s calm voice,

“Never judge a person by their past, judge them by their actions in the moment Kai, then you will see their true nature.” Kai grits his teeth, even after everything they had suffered though during the Purge, Master Sarr could still find it in his heart to trust everyone. Outside of other Jedi, Kai finds it difficult to trust anyone, in his mind they had turned their backs and let people like him die. He screws his eyes shut he had a job to do. Opening them again he sees the Mandalorian standing before him in full armor. The knight filches a bit surprised by the sudden appearance.

“Maj…” His voice cracks a bit, “Major Taab please take a seat.” The armored being sits down and Kai can feel his anger? No his annoyance as he does so. Taab’s helmet remained between the two, is this him distancing himself from those he is protecting, or him intimidating his enemy, or does he just like wearing the thing. Kai doesn’t want to add to the tension so he allows the helmet. The Jedi coughs into his hand and swallows hard, it has been silent for far too long. “Major, you relived the previous shift early, why is that?”

“Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable,” His voice is gruff, and infused with anger, “I always relive the shift early.”

“Looking at the recordings of the comings and goings that left you with thirteen minutes alone in the TCC, what where you doing?” The T-shaped visor shifts slightly,

“After receiving an adequate brief from the Negotiator (Rand) and Ice Queen (Pasholl),” Kai lowers his brow. Is this another distancing tactic, using nicknames instead of their actual names so he doesn’t get too attached? Kai wonders what his Taab Name is, probably something bad.

“You mean Knights Rand and Pasholl right?” the young knight asks interrupting the Merc,

“Yes,” Taab says after a pause, his voice seems even more annoyed, “after the briefing, which checked out, I made sure that everything was squared away.”

“And was it?” Taab tilts his head to the side as if in disbelief at the nature of the question.

“Yes,” Another silence dominates the conversation, The Major sits as unmoving as a mountain of blasters and metal. Kai on the other hand, squirms and shifts his shoulders.

“I know that Knight Aroon asked you for a lightsaber” Kai says ending the unbearable quiet. Taab nods his head in agreement. “Did anyone else ask you for a lightsaber?”

"No, no one else asked me for a jetii'kad."

“That means lightsaber, right?” the young man asks,

“Yes,” this reply is dripping with condescension along with a healthy dose of anger.

“And to the best of your knowledge no one else reported missing a jetii’kade,” another long pause, the ire from the Mandalorian grew with each passing second,

"How should I know?” he didn’t seem to be hiding his disgust anymore. “I am not here to babysit jetiise."

“But, did anyone else report missing one, especially after returning from the Ruins?” Kai presses, he wanted this to end as much as the Major.

“No, no one reported missing their lifesaver,” Kai flinches at the common mispronunciation of a Jedi’s elegant weapon, did the Major do that on purpose, “after returning from the Ruins” the knight thinks for a moment, he has no more questions to ask, and has a feeling that Taab is done answering them.

“Thank you for your time Major Taab.” The Chief stands and walks away leaving Kai alone. Now the young Jedi considers his next move.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

OCC: Taab's responses apporved by Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Hochner Trevalus
Council Chambers, Temple of Light

Leaning back in his seat he had let the Grand Master speak to the situation of hydrating the members, and in a fashion that this was no true break in the proceedings but rather merely an off beat step to allow them to converse with each other. Not to refocus their inner selves, but the group of the Council as a whole.

Silently he had resumed his seat in deep chagrin at his error of understanding how and which protocol was being used here. He doubted his trunk had stayed straight with a quivering tip since he was going through puberty with a Matukai Master that found great mirth in his own turbulent feelings.

So he sat and he listened. The sith spoke of being a seer, and the signs were there. Though his touch in the Force about the man was fleeting as one listening to the sound of how a bug chews or walks to tell what kind it is rather then caressing it. Still there was no sense of deceit in what he felt indirectly from the man. The Jedi that was rescued entered and nothing had changed, the exchange strained protocol to the point of breaking and with one infraction already against himself he merely leaned forward as he stared with a burning curiosity and a niggling suspicion of what the birthing was.

"In every hive there is a queen and sometimes a king. In some there are many, but always a central one above all others. This one wishes to be by the seat of power, a Vader to this coming Palpatine, if one may speak historically and without direct parallels in terms of powers or reach." with a simple wave of his hand and buzz of his trunk he readjusted himself in his seat.

"In what is Cavillous is the queen. You are the smaller King? Betrayal is merely the term of self interest where one has taken you as far as they can, and it is time to seek another that will take you higher. Or strike out to create your own path without or through them. And so seeing what is to come you seek to position yourself best to slide from second in one small queen to the higher position of another greater queen in a new hive to come. . .from here. Is there any true interest in the Ghoul's method of using dead Jedi, or is it merely a footnote? A tale used to draw Cavillous into this web of fiery dark hatching?"

TAG: @Bardan_Jusik, @The_Zeltron, @Ananta Chetan, @Master Selkath

 

Co-GM Update: Part I

IC: General Hector Zey/Master Piim (NPC)/Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Council Chambers, Temple of Light

"Cavillous entrusted you to betray him?" Master Piim and General Zey shared a look at Archisa's question before turning their attention to Harbinger. The Sith simply shrugged to them smuggly, the smile still affixed to his face, but he gave no answer.

It was then that Knight Trevalus spoke, and the reaction from Harbinger was immediate and quite noticeable.

"In every hive there is a queen and sometimes a king. In some there are many, but always a central one above all others. This one wishes to be by the seat of power, a Vader to this coming Palpatine, if one may speak historically and without direct parallels in terms of powers or reach." Harbinger's smile became hardened as he looked at the Kubaz Knight, and there was the look of recognition in his eyes for a moment before he closed them.

"In what is Cavillous is the queen. You are the smaller King? Betrayal is merely the term of self interest where one has taken you as far as they can, and it is time to seek another that will take you higher. Or strike out to create your own path without or through them. And so seeing what is to come you seek to position yourself best to slide from second in one small queen to the higher position of another greater queen in a new hive to come. . .from here." Harbinger's eyes reopened as he regained control of himself. His smile became more animated once again. "Is there any true interest in the Ghoul's method of using dead Jedi, or is it merely a footnote? A tale used to draw Cavillous into this web of fiery dark hatching?"

Harbinger let out a short laugh, haughty and cruel, at the last question. This one saw things without seeing. He understood and Harbinger was instantly wary of him. There was no point in lying to him, this Kubaz saw the real truth of the matter, not the truth as given or even believed. Harbinger shook his head slowly from side to side as he answered. "No."

He took pleasure in the shocked looks he saw on some of the Council's faces and Master Piim seemed utterly relieved. Harbinger could have left it at that, but he continued. "There are a great many relics here. Baubles and trinkets that would of great interest to those that study the Force, dark and light side alike." He paused, a glimmer in his eye as he revealed the "truth" to them. "But there is nothing here that can help Darth Veneficus in his goal of creating an Army of the Undead." His gaze again fell upon the Kubaz and Harbinger shuddered slightly, as if he had suddenly found himself in death's frigid embrace. So, he is the one the thought came upon him unbidden though he dismissed it quickly. He continued on, in hopes that it was not noticed by the Jedi. "I..." he was tempted to use the word exaggerated, but it felt disingenuous, and now was not the time for that. Now was the time to tell these Jedi the truth as they would understand it. "...lied to Cavillous and the others. Their place, now, is here, and I had to bring them here. By any means necessary."

Zey found himself stunned by the Sith's candor and he found himself wondering if anything Harbinger said could be believed. "Why?" He asked bluntly, hoping for an equally blunt reply. The Sith reverted to his earlier enigmatic demeanor. "Because this is where they need to be." The damnable smile, that smirk, crept back onto his face and Zey felt as if he were being played like a Whipid claw harp.

"And what is their purpose here?" Piim spoke calmly, her soothing voice barely a whisper in the Council Chamber. Haringer turned to her and they could all see this was a great game to him, for he answered her simply. "Because you are here, and they are meant to face you."

Zey stood up now and roared, "To destroy us?" Piim reached a hand up and placed it on his shoulder to calm him, the action clearly catching the attention of Harbinger. He considered his thoughts for a moment before once again shaking his head, though his answer was far more ambiguous. "Possibly. The strong will survive, the weak will die. It is the nature of the Universe, and the will of the Force for this to be so."

Zey sat back down. Was this some sort of colossal joke? Had this Harbinger really brought the Sith here for a battle royale between his sect of Sith and the Guardians of Light? It boggled his mind that all of this had been essentially set up by one man for his own ends. He shook his head trying to make sense of it all. As he did so Master Piim spoke up once more. "So the conflict you speak of is unavoidable..." Harbinger nodded. "...and yet you would betray your Master, that you even have the means to do so..." He nodded again, his smirk becoming wider, crueler. "...and you do this why?"

"Because it is my destiny to facilitate the battle, the conflict, between the light and the dark. To ensure that the weak are trampled to dust and that the strong survive. The Force wants to be seen, wants to be wielded by the strongest of us, the best of us. Light Side or Dark, Jedi or Sith, it doesn't matter. So it is that we always fight, so it is that we try to wipe each other out. I believe the darkness is stronger, and the Force will one day discover this as well."

The evil nature of this being before her suddenly overwhelmed Master Piim and she fell silent, but now General Zey understood. However, there was still something that this Sith was not telling them. "And just how are you willing to betray Darth Cavillous, what power has he entrusted you with that can help..." He had almost said us, but thought better of it. Harbinger wasn't here to help the Jedi, he had his own cause as Zey understood it now. He was to be an instigator of conflict. "What power has Cavillous entrusted you with that will help kindle the flames of conflict?"

TAG: Master Selkath, Mitth_Fisto, The_Zeltron, Ananta Chetan, Rebecca_Daniels

---

IC: Padawan Nikoob Takkoo (NPC)
Entering the Council Chambers

"If you don't learn to let it go, and you do something out of anger in revenge. You will be lost to yourself and will fall to the dark side and be no better then Sixtus." Sherland's words gnawed at Takkoo as he padded along behind her in silence. She was right, he did have to let it go. He knew anger and revenge were not the Jedi way, his master had taught him as much. Sherland's warning about falling to the dark side was also taken to heart, he certainly didn't want to end up as bad as Sixtus.

He wasn't sure how to let it go though. Staying quiet, letting it all build up, didn't seem to be the best approach, but he found that as he thought things over himself, silently, the anger faded. He would miss his fallen master, he always would, and the anger he felt wouldn't be dispelled with just a thought. He would have to talk things out, though he felt that now wasn't the time. It would just provoke his anger once again. The pair found themselves back in the Council Chambers, where the padawan was confronted by another Sith, this time in the midst of being questioned.

"What power has Cavillous entrusted you with that will help kindle the flames of conflict?"

Takkoo felt the anger rising in him again, though he managed to keep it under control this time. Master Piim seemed to notice his plight as she gave him a wan smile and a nod. Takkoo bowed in response as she motioned for him to take a spot along the wall out of the way.


TAG: Falcon

 

Co-GM Update: Part II

IC: Beskaryc Taab
en route to the Council Chamber

Once again Taab's beskar boots clanged along the Temple's marble hallways. He was of course watching both in front, around and behind him thanks to the 360 degree view afforded him by his buy'ce, but his mind was momentarily elsewhere. The questions from Meat (Kai Dareagen) had seemed to cover two distinct subjects. The reasoning for Taab's early arrival in the TCC also covering his subsequent actions there before the attack, and Taab's supplying of Knight Aroon with a new jetii'kad.

The first line of questioning indicated that Taab himself could be a suspect, not that it surprised him. He was the outsider here, and a previous employee of Sith such as were now laying siege to the Temple. If Taab had been investigating he would have suspected himself as well. The straightforward answers he gave seemed to satisfy Meat though, either that or the next line of questioning was just a smokescreen to make Taab feel more at ease.

He laughed gruffly to himself, as if he could ever feel at ease surrounded by all these spoonbenders. But he wasn't paid to feel at ease around them, he had a job to do, and his own opinions couldn't be allowed to interfere with that. Wouldn't be professional. His own professionalism was all that was keeping him in check with regards to this Sith hunt as well. Taab knew how to root out Jedi in hiding, discovering another flavor of spoonbender such as a Sith shouldn't be all that different. Meat had neither the skills nor experience to handle such a job, and that could end in disaster for him, and the other jetiise (Jedi) in the Temple.

If the second part of his interview meant anything, it was looking like Meat was focusing on Knight Aroon, the Jedi who Taab couldn't seem to be able to assign a nickname to. Had Taab been wrong in giving the Knight a lightsaber? Was it possible that he was in fact the secret Sith? Taab couldn't be sure, he wasn't privy to all that Meat had dug up on him. Taab considered warning the other Jedi guarding the Armory about him, but thought better of it. Such an action would be well within his purview as head of Temple Security, but this was Meat's investigation, better to let the aruetii sink or swim on his own.

TAG: No one.

---

IC: Knight Letali (NPC)
Temple Library

The Mon Cal put down her book as the familiar feeling of unfocused aggression approached her. Looking up she saw Taab (who else would it be?) walk past her and leave, sending out one last burst of anger through the quiet confines of the library. Now that was a bit more unusual. His aggression and barely repressed anger generally seemed unfocused and simply there, an ever present symptom of his attitude in life. This was different. This felt slightly stronger and seemed to mix in more focused agitataion as well as the anger. And it was all directed at the only other being in the library, Knight Dareagen. That was concerning.

She pushed away from the desk she was seated at near the library's entrance and walked softly back towards where Kai had set up. She cleared her throat softly to get his attention. before saying, "Wow, he is not a happy Mando." She brought her flipper like hand up beneath her chin. "You sure there isn't anything else I can do to help?"

TAG: galactic-vagabond422

---

Knight Larod (NPC)
TCC, Temple of Light

Knight Larod was waiting to see what sort of orders Daniel would issue regarding location and personnel for the surveillance project when Tim became excited over some new information he had discovered.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we appear to have a potential problem. I cannot find an entry for my Master's family's ship, a YT-1300 answering to the Rogue. According to this, it was logged as leaving the Temple about two days before the Sith showed up, but has not been logged as returning to its proper berth in Hangar Bay 1, or to anywhere else!"

A ship had left before the attack and hadn't returned? How disconcerting, though Knight Larod couldn't see how it related to their current circumstances.

"Before we issue a formal alert, could someone request the Duty Security Patrols to carry out a close visual inspection of all Hangar Bays on their routes, please; also to check if Knight Anakin Sherland and the children are still in their assigned quarters, or elsewhere in the Temple? Maybe just an oversight, maybe Knight Consular Sherland got some advance warning of incoming Sith and elected to take the children to a place of safety, as I recall my Master saying he did once before."

Advance warning? If Sherland had such a warning why hadn't she told everyone else? Why had she just elected to save her own family?

"It's also possible we have a ship-theft to contend with, on top of our other problems!"

Who here would steal a ship? That made even less sense than Sherland sending her family away without giving anyone notice. Padawan Thrace though had already come to his own conclusions. "What if the Sith isn't even here any more? What if he did something to disable the defenses and then stole the Rogue so he wouldn't get caught in the attack? That would explain why the Sith didn't show up during the attack to help the other Sith, he was already light years away!"

Larod shook his head. "It's possible Padawan, but I think it is best if we continue on with the assumption that the Sith's spy is still here among us." He looked around at everyone else in the TCC. "What does everyone else think?"

TAG: Tim Battershell, Padawan4687, Gotab, Skywalker_T-65, Zurros Ka

 

IC: Kai Dareagen
The Library, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

Kai sit silently thinking, the Major is no longer there and the young knight breathed a sigh of relief. But, he still had nothing to go on. Nothing happened during Rand and Paholl’s shift other than Aroon’s visit and Taab relieving them early, both of which were explained. One thing that does stand out is Aroon’s missing lightsaber. Everything the investigator has heard up to this point says that Aroon is the only one that was missing a lightsaber at the time of the attack. That seems odd,

“Listen boy,” His temple’s battle master calls from the past, “this saber is your life. It represents the Jedi and, other than the force, is the only defense you have. Treat it with respect and never lose it, or it will be your death.” He grips the simple looking cylinder on his belt. He knows every facet, every little piece, like his name etched on the inside of the housing. It took him two tries just like Zoe to get it right, now it is a part of him. If he lost it he’d turn over every stone, look down every corridor, and even comb a desert looking for it. Aroon didn’t seem all that worried about missing his, other than it being a slight inconvenience. That struck Kai as odd, in fact it is the only thing about Aroon that stands out. What if the missing saber is just a ruse, a ploy to get into the TCC? Then why follow though and get one later, maybe to sell it to his padawan? There are still a couple questions Kai would like to ask the bland knight. A light cough brakes Kai’s concentration. He looks up to see Knight Letali,

“Wow, he is not a happy Mando." Kai chuckles a bit, leaning back in his chair. He feels a smile come across his face, releasing some of the tension that had been building up inside the Knight. “You sure there isn't anything else I can do to help?" the Mon Cal asks. Kai sighs, he still has a job to do, even though he has no idea how to do it.

“I don’t suppose you saw any suspicious characters around the TCC before the power went out?” He asks almost rhetorically.

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

 

IC Ian Thrace
TCC, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime.

Oh Knight Larod didn't want to know what Ian thought. Best to assume that the Sith was still here? That was a scary thought, and Ian just wanted to be safe again. It was best if the Sith had already left. Maybe his or her fellow Sith would also follow suit and leave too.

However, if the Sith was still here, Ian had a good idea of who it was already. The missing Rogue further solidified his opinion. Wasn't it "Battershell" himself who had mentioned that the best identity for the spies to adopt was a master and padawan pair? Now Sherland's family had been sent off, right before the attack, without any warning given to anyone else?

It seemed to Ian that it was likely now that Sherland had known about the attack because she was in league with the dark side. She had gotten her family off world to make sure they weren't hurt during the attack, and once the Temple had fallen she would bring them back. "Battershell" was her accomplice, maybe even her Sith apprentice (though he supposed it could be the other way around and "Battershell was the Sith master and "Sherland" his apprentice) and he was here to slow down any real effort at discovering their true identities. It was the perfect plan. With Sherland on the Council she could report everything they said and did to her masters, and "Battershell" would sabotage the TCC as soon as he was left alone. Only the unforseen appointment of Knight Dareagen had foiled their plan thus far. With those two currently engaged they couldn't harm him or disrupt his progress.

Still, "Battershell" had tried. Tried to stage his own investigation, tried to set up a "sting" where Dareagen would be placed in false danger to "lure in" the Sith. It was real danger though that he was planning, and it would all work out perfectly unless Ian could somehow warn the Council. But how?

An answer came to him, but it required him to lie, something he wasn't really all that good at. He licked his lips nervously before starting.

"Ummm...Daniel. When you go back to the Council Chamber to talk to them, would it be all right if I went with you?" He started to stammer a bit."I...if....if...you don't want anyone to be walking around alone, I think I sh...sho....should escort you back to the Chamber. T...T...to m....mmmmm...make sure you get there safely."

TAG Tim Battershell, Padawan4687, Skywalker_T-65, @Bardan Jusik, Zurros Ka

 

IC: Tim Battershell
TCC, Temple of Light - Saridona Prime.

"What if the Sith isn't even here any more? What if he did something to disable the defenses and then stole the Rogue so he wouldn't get caught in the attack?.... That would explain why the Sith didn't show up during the attack to help the other Sith, he was already light years away!"; Ian Thrace exclaimed.

"It's possible Padawan, but I think it is best if we continue on with the assumption that the Sith's spy is still here among us.", Larod commented, quite sensibly in Tim's opinion, before looking around at the group and continuing with; "What does everyone else think?".

Ian didn't seem to think too much of it; coming back with "Ummm...Daniel. When you go back to the Council Chamber to talk to them, would it be all right if I went with you?.... I...if....if...you don't want anyone to be walking around alone, I think I sh...sho....should escort you back to the Chamber. T...T...to m....mmmmm...make sure you get there safely."

How not to win friends and influence people the right way, Tim thought, addressing a full Knight and (now) Council Member by his first name - without, as far as Tim knew, having received any sort of permission to do so! If Daniel took exception to the over-familiarity, Ian might have a severe put-down coming his way!

Tim's own response was more measured. "All we really have at the moment is just speculation and assumption. Basing decisions on those can be a very dangerous gamble. We need to work from actual knowledge and we have little enough of that, at present.

What information we do have fits several scenarios - including that of a possible second Sith having been in the Temple to assist our Saboteur. A possibility we have yet to actively rule either in or out!

I should emphasise, though, that my Master was aboard Redemption with me at the time the Rogue's departure was logged. Knight Consular Sherland is her husband, Anakin. Having two Knight Sherlands in the Temple is rather confusing, is it not?" he said with a light chuckle and a smile. "I don't know if a bond-message was sent, but my Master said nothing to me about the matter. It's possible that she doesn't even know herself.

Still, provided it was Anakin Sherland and the children aboard, that could be to our advantage 'From a certain point of view'; particularly if the Sith get to hear of it. I'm thinking of possible strike-teams of Imperial Knights from Bastion or Jedi from Ossus being sent in response to this new Sith move. Might even see the return of those Force-trained Mandos! Even if nobody is actually sent, that they might be en-route would almost certainly be a major concern for the Sith. Getting caught between two fires can be most unpleasant; militarily speaking."


TAG: Bardan_Jusik, Zurros Ka, Gotab, Skywalker_T-65, Padawan4687.

 

IC: Kasha Sherland
Council Chambers

"What power has Cavillous entrusted you with that will help kindle the flames of conflict?"

Kasha walked in as a master the questioned causing her to frown as she glanced at Master Zey then shook her head with a frown. "Forgive me for being abrupt master, I believe from my further interrogation with the other prisoner, I know the answer to that," she turned her attention to Harbringer with a serious expression. "Harbringer, Is it true that you know the codes on how to bring down the shields to the Hell Fire? And the prisoners on board that are in carbonite, are prisoners from the battle on Ossus as well as a few Imperial Knights?"

Kasha raised an eyebrow watching Harbringer's reactions closely as well as waiting for his answer. This would definitely test Sixtus's honesty with her.

Bardan_Jusik, Mitth_Fisto, The_Zeltron, Ananta Chetan, Rebecca_Daniels, Master Selkath

 

IC: Knight Letali (NPC)
Temple Library

"Suspicious characters around the Command Center?" Letali repeated, her hands coming together as she rubbed them gently. "Not that I can remember," she shook her head now though she was clearly deep in thought, trying to remember back. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I don't have much occasion to be near the TCC, I've only been assigned there the once, with Knight Kurkak, and that was a couple of days ago." Her hand rubbing grew faster. "There was something weird that day though, Knight Sherland's ship, the Rogue, it suddenly asked for departure clearance. We didn't have anything on the duty log, no flight plan, no destination, nothing. So we called up to the Redemption where Knight Sherland was." She stopped rubbing her hands abruptly, as if she was suddenly conscious of what she was doing. "She said it was OK and since it was her ship and she was on the Council we gave the Rogue permission to launch. It went to hyperspace as soon as it got out of our gravity well." She shrugged. "It was weird, but not overly suspicious, especially at the time. Major Taab looked it over when he relieved us..." She stopped as her eyes went wide.

"That's right," she exclaimed loudly, though she quieted down almost immediately as if embarrassed by her outburst in a library. "Taab relieved us 15 minutes early." Her hands came together again. "He got there early, got a report from us, looked over our log and then told us to get out." The hand rubbing got faster again. "He was quite rude about it too, so Kurkak and I both left. I came here to read and I think Kurkak went to go get something to eat." The hand rubbing stopped again as she spoke about the Besalisk Knight who had been assigned to the TCC with her that day. "You know Kurkak, he's always hungry." She crossed her arms in front of her, a way to stop the incessent hand wringing if nothing else. "Taab would have had a good 10 minutes in there alone before the Grandmaster showed up. You think that could have anything to do with this?"

TAG: galactic-vagabond422

---

IC: Darth Harbinger (NPC)
Council Chamber, Temple of Light

"Forgive me for being abrupt master, I believe from my further interrogation with the other prisoner, I know the answer to that," Harbinger regarded Sherland's serious expression with one of barely controlled mirth.

"Harbringer, Is it true that you know the codes on how to bring down the shields to the Hell Fire? And the prisoners on board that are in carbonite, are prisoners from the battle on Ossus as well as a few Imperial Knights?"

He inclined his head to her, obviously she had somehow "broken" Sixtus. He closed his eyes...yes the seductive Sith woman was well along her fateful destiny. How unfortunate. He opened his eyes and answered rather easily. "Yes, there are a few Imperial Knights among the other Jedi prisoners, many of whom were refugees of the Ossus massacre." He thought carefully on the first part of the Jedi woman's question though before answering. "As to the Hellfire, the answer is more complicated than that."

He smiled at the council, relishing this moment. "I am the only Sith, aside from Cavillous, capable of "transmitting" the codes that will drop her shields. They must be sent via the force directly into the Hellfire's computer core, and that core will only accept a link from either myself or Cavillous." He paused for emphasis, it was vital for the Jedi to understand all of this. "Because of that, Cavillous did not entrust me with the codes themselves. Those he entrusted to someone else." His smile grew wider as he left the who unanswered for now. They were sure to ask, but he wanted to savor this for just a moment longer.


TAG: Master Selkath, Mitth_Fisto, The_Zeltron, Rebecca_Daniels, Ananta Chetan, Falcon

 

IC: Kasha Sherland
Council Chambers

Kasha reflected on his words, it's apparent this group had trouble trusting each other to the full extent and she knew that was something they could use to exploit and cut off the Sith's chances for success. She turned her attention to Harbringer, another question surfacing to her mind as she remembered the Padawan's reaction in the hallway. Was it possible his master was one of the few aboard the Hell Fire? "One more question does come to mind. Is it possible this Cavillous is unfreezing one prisoner at a time and executing them at this moment?"

Bardan_Jusik, Master Selkath, Mitth_Fisto, The_Zeltron, Ananta Chetan, Rebecca_Daniels

 

IC: Suraya Archisa
Council Chambers

Much to learn she still had. Suraya sat humbled while listening with rapt attention as Hochner's eloquent insect analogy apparently began to unravel Harbinger. Who was he? Was he even a Sith? Pondering the neutral tone of his words as being merely a sovereign presence to the destined destruction, she could only wonder. Then she witnessed something else, something quite abrupt and fleeting, a flicker of intense recognition, maybe even fear in the eyes of the Sith as he gazed upon the Jedi. What could it have been?...she began to speculate. Had this Seer foreseen Hochner's coming role in the events he believed to be inevitable, perhaps even his own demise at the end of the Kubaz's blade?

She then shook herself from her daydreaming reflections startled by Harbinger's further revelations... I am the only Sith, aside from Cavillous, capable of "transmitting" the codes that will drop her shields. They must be sent via the force directly into the Hellfire's computer core, and that core will only accept a link from either myself or Cavillous. Because of that, Cavillous did not entrust me with the codes themselves. Those he entrusted to someone else.

Now...this was where the fun begins...she mused to herself ironically.


TAG Bardan_Jusik The_Zeltron Mitth_Fisto Falcon

 

IC: Kai Dareagen
The Library, Temple of Light, Saridona Prime

"Suspicious characters around the Command Center?" Letali repeats Kai’s question, rubbing her hands together. "Not that I can remember," her head shakes slightly, “I’m sorry.” Kai shrugs his shoulders he hadn’t expected anything useful from the question, his feeling of frustration with the situation grew. "There was something weird that day though,” Kai’s mind snaps back to the aquatic humanoid in front of him, “Knight Sherland's ship, the Rogue, it suddenly asked for departure clearance. We didn't have anything on the duty log, no flight plan, no destination, nothing. So we called up to the Redemption where Knight Sherland was.” This is intriguing, but, does it link to the young knight’s investigation? “She said it was OK and since it was her ship and she was on the Council we gave the Rogue permission to launch. It went to hyperspace as soon as it got out of our gravity well." Kai’s nose wrinkles this doesn’t sit right with him, a ship leaving with no prior warning and approval given without explanation. He had no idea how long the device had been in place so it is entirely possible that person could have planted the object then escaped with the help of a member of this council. "It was weird, but not overly suspicious, especially at the time. Major Taab looked it over when he relieved us..." The outsider continues to mull over his options of interrogating an obviously respected member of this community.

“That’s right,” Litali exclaims, Kai’s attention returns to her, "Taab relieved us 15 minutes early.” From Kai’s most recent interview it seems to be the Major’s way, to relieve the sift before his early. "He got there early, got a report from us, looked over our log and then told us to get out." Her hands are rubbing together again, a nervous tic maybe? "He was quite rude about it too,” That seems very much like the Major’s way “so Kurkak and I both left. I came here to read and I think Kurkak went to go get something to eat." Her hand wringing subsides, "You know Kurkak, he's always hungry." Actually Kai didn’t but, he nods his head in agreement anyways. "Taab would have had a good 10 minutes in there alone before the Grandmaster showed up. You think that could have anything to do with this?”

“Not sure,” he hadn’t fully ruled out Taab as an accomplice or, as the saboteur but, getting any useful information won’t come from the man himself. That is abundantly clear to Kai now. He wraps his left hand around his chin. A pose Master Sarr took many times when thinking. The unscheduled launch of the Rogue is too suspicious not to follow up on but, Kai still feels that there’s more questions ask Knight Aroon. “Knight Letali do you think you could ask Knight Aroon to see me again? If it isn’t too much trouble.”

TAG: Bardan_Jusik

 

IC: Zurros Ka
TCC - Temple of Light

The air within the TCC was still tense, despite Ian Thraces stammering and Battershells attempt to ease it. Zurros did not know where he fit with this group, being the newcomer and listening to the conversations around him, they were giving the appearance of enormous disfunctionality. It was disgusting, if the Sith spy was watching this then they wouldn't need to attack again. They could just sit back and watch the Jedi Destroy each other.

Looking across the TCC, Zurros saw a Jedi sitting at a console, staring intently at the conversation, trying to recall a name he approached her. 'Greetings, what do you make of this situation?'

TAG Padawan4687 Bardan_Jusik Gotab Tim Battershell Skywalker_T-65