Star Wars CLOSED Star Wars: Episode V: Twilight of the Force II: A Father’s Fate

OOC: A combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Pascale Rouser, Ike, Qwi Xux
Location: Nouane City University, Nouane City, Nouane

It was high time he checked in on their resident war criminal, so he did so. In the intervening years since he had arrived, Ike had kept an eye on Pascale Rouser, if only because it broke up the monotony of his daily routine. The guards and staff essentially rolled their eyes at the blond man, his hair slicked up into a point like an unnecessarily dramatic animated character; the shoulder inserts to make them to point outwards in his clock didn't do much to negate the impression.

But Ike enjoyed being underestimated, so he played into it.

Inevitably, he found the archaeologist in the library, and Ike often dropped off tidbits of news about the New Republic, or things 'he had heard', because why not? He'd never left Nouane with the man, as and when he did risk it on a job of some kind, or some other. Dancing around a Umbaran librarian, who squeaked in surprise, Ike swept up to Rouser and planted his backside on the corner of his desk.

"Helloooo," he whispered, not all that close to the mans ear.

Just close enough, am I right?

It was time to look for another adventure.

Well one that had a bit more danger than he was used to.

The last couple of runs he had done had involved picking up a couple of vases, and pretty ones at that. One he had managed to steal before a competitor came calling and spotted him, the other hidden in a rather dark and dusty cave. After a few years of living on Nouane and keeping a low profile he needed to make sure that he kept his coffers topped up. An underworld client and a collector had thankfully paid him a good sum for both vases and now here he was back in the university library looking for more artefacts he could claim.

Being a war criminal meant he had to hide away for a bit until the noise died down. He had managed to pop to systems nearby and grab these gems but he was beginning to get restless and make his way back into the wider galaxy. But he had to be patient and bide his time, these quick runs would keep him going and on edge.

And he had his new Force abilities to play with. He had researched in the libraries of Nouane about the Force, both it’s light and dark aspects and had not decided which to embrace as yet. He didn't want to be a monster like QI’ra though, all he wanted to do was stay sharp and beat his competitors at all costs. He was his own Master, trained by no-one, ordered by no-one. He had learned the art of mediation, calming his mind and centering himself, and it came in handy when trying to dodge traps and solve puzzles, but his mind was still sharp as a blade. He still kept up his archaeological studies as well, he needed to keep abreast of any artifacts that would be worth a lot of money.

Firenze, his Baudo class yacht had been upgraded back up to Fortuna’s specs. A security system was installed, weapons and supplies had been restocked and his wardrobe had been replenished with his suits. Whereas Fortuna, his beloved previous yacht was grey with white, Firenze was red with golden yellow. She was now parked up at the spaceport, always packed and ready to go, his tools of the trade on board, both archaeologist and mercenary.

But a part of him wanted to settle down for a bit, perhaps find a woman to be with, to lavish upon and who would listen to his stories. Pascale was only interested in beautiful and intelligent women and they would never get in the way of his job. But perhaps he could give the job a rest for a little while.

And he had his eyes set on one woman….

As he looked at his latest entry to add to his archive, which was a place that carried an Ark of all things, he was interrupted by Ike poking his backside on his desk and whispering at him. He sighed and saved his entry before leaning back and folding his arms.

“Now to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” he said his blue eyes narrowing.

“How were the vases?” Ike said, without preamble. “Telerath this time of year is so beautiful.”

He didn’t allow Rouser to answer. “So you’ve still not picked a side to the Force, yet stealing and criminality remain your go-to’s.” Ike laughed, no longer whispering that noise, and was shushed by someone deeper in the library. He glared their direction, and looked back. “You’re interesting, I must say. You saw Qi’ra, and even Amedda, at their darkest and mad. Yet, all you know is that you don’t want to be them.”

“Curious, no?” Ike said, leadingly. He felt a winsome, feminine curiosity and concern drape upon the two of them, but Ike ignored the attention. Rouser would probably turn to look at the fragile Omwati peering around a bookcase.

"It's a job" Pascale said simply "Besides I have to pay the bills some way, and I would rather stick to what I do best," he smiled slightly "And it's not stealing, it's procuring. Those vases had a large credit value attached to them both and besides, on a resort world who is going to notice?These vases once belonged to an ancient civilisation and should be shown off, not sitting there gathering dust".

"As to taking sides in the Force at the moment I am taking the middle path. I have seen darksiders at work and I would rather die than be like them, but I am not good enough for the light. Besides being my own master has its own perks"

He felt more than saw the Omwati approach and he turned and gave her one of his most charming smiles. This Omwati he had seen around the library, mostly in science section and mostly in a group. He had given her just his repertoire of charming smiles as he passed her. Pascale thought this woman looked deliciously beautiful and she seemed intelligent too. Exotic, too. This was ticking Pascale's boxes and this seemed the time to finally go in for the kill. He wanted to settle down with a woman and this could finally be the one.

He turned back to Ike his face turning serious "Now that you have broadcast my status to everyone, do you have something important to tell me?"

"I whispered most of it," Ike said, petulant. He shrugged again,standing up. "I just wanted to see how my tip went down. I may be recused, but I am not dead. Needs to be some profit in it for me, and all that." He went to turn, gesturing lazily, as if discarding the discussion. "Seeing you flourish on this little world is enough reward for me."

He walked away, heading towards the pale-blue skinned woman. Ike glanced back at Rouser, looking mischievous, but he merely slid by her with a smile, not adding or saying anything. It did, however, bring her into the conversation, and Qwi Xux didn't have an actual reason to be chatting to the eligible bachelor, nor did she hear what they were actually talking about, so she couldn't even pretend to be knowledgeable about the same.

"Um," she started, about ready to turn away and flee.

Again.

Maybe if you are good, I'll cut you in for a bit of the profit next time he sent through the Force with a smirk keep providing those tips and I may even be impressed….

Now to turn his attention to the woman who looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights. He had to be his usual smooth and suave self and not frighten her off. Because this was a chance and a risk worth taking…

She was a lot younger than him but it didn't matter. If the right one dropped into your lap then so be it.

He pulled out the chair next to him the smile still radiating on his face, his blue eyes entirely focused on hers. "Please my dear, come over and join.me" he said, his Commenori accent turning gentle "I don't bite" he gave her a wink.

"I have seen you about in the library and am interested in what you are studying. I believe you do hang round the science section quite a lot, why did you choose that if I may ask"

He held out his hand ready for her if she did decide to approach "My name is Doctor Pascale Rouser and I am an archaeologist. It is an honour to finally chat to you in person"

She held out a pale hand, smiling slightly. "Doctor Qwi Xux, and I daresay that you do me the honour, Doctor Rouser."

To his question, she indicated the books in her arms. "I am a scientist by profession, indeed, but I teach in the University. I used to work on proof-of-concepts for planetary projects; solving energy consumption equations and the like."

The woman managed to make her smile fixed for that re-framing of what said projects and equations had likely, in terrible, monstrous, hindsight. Superweapons, she had, in the last year, came to realise, when the Empire fell and she was released into the real world again... not her safe, scientist bubble, created by the murderous threats of Grand Moff Tarkin.

But here, on Nouane, she had a different kind of bubble, not quite as safe, but she was allowed to teach, and so she could, placing the subtle emphasis upon the ethical responsibility of their craft to the students... penance, privately completed, for what she had done, without thinking.

Before her smile slipped, she gestured to the man leaving them. She didn't want to miss interpret a hint; her social equations were running at overdrive. "Is that an associate of yours? He seems very involved with you, considering how much he stands out."

She may as well have asked. Are you two a thing?

Pascale released her hand keeping the smile on his face, he knew the Omwati were a fragile looking species and he didn't want to crush her hand in the first instance. "It's nice to see someone doing good in this galaxy, teaching the students of the future. I've seen enough death and destruction to last me a lifetime and it's brilliant to see someone like you bringing hope into a galaxy that was once in chaos"

He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other " Equations must be hard work, science and math were never my strongest suits but it must be refreshing that when you have solved it you can do something good with it. I equate it to finding an artefact in archeology, once you know how to find it, it is rather satisfying." He looked at her right in the eyes "I can see that such an intelligent and beautiful woman as you enjoys her work and i'm sure the students appreciate you for educating them"

"As to that man you saw, that's Ike. He's not my associate he mostly just provides me tips on where to find artefacts and treasures in the Nouane system, and he gives me updates of what is going on in the galaxy." Pascale's voice turned slightly sad " I only wish that I could head back out to the wider galaxy again someday but alas I cannot"

His voice then turned back into his smooth tones "I am happy to say I am free and single, alas I am not so young anymore" he chuckled "Nouane though is a lovely planet and I hope to settle down here and perhaps find someone to share all my dreams and desires with".

Qwi allowed her eyes to express her intrigue, and surprise. He was very forthright, and Qwi appreciated that. He was like an equation of sorts, but she had yet to unravel much. She was tempted to follow-up on the point about the wider galaxy, but fear colored her thoughts and she allowed him to continue to speak, softly continuing.

"That would seem to be my dream, I admit." She squeezed her books to her chest. "It has been a lonely few years, since the Empire fell." She rushed her words to cover it. "Not that I am an Imperial sympathiser, but that it has been so chaotic that I didn't want to settle down until everything else settled down. I'm still not sure that it even has."

She sighed. "What with all the War Criminals missing, and that message Luke Skywalker sent to the galaxy... what do we do? Put our lives on hold until the New Republic tracks him down? Or, try and carry on...?"

Qwi wilted a little. "I am a little tired of not having someone around, to be honest." A smile. "I'd take random discussions with the infamous Ike, at this rate."

Luke Skywalker. Well he and everyone else in the galaxy had seen that message. On board Firenze all could think about as he watched Darth Zorn as he called himself spouting a message of fear and hate was oh great another nutter on the loose.

Pascale's stomach lurched though as she mentioned the missing war criminals. He had to tell her, he knew there was no way that if he did succeed in asking her out he was going to leave it to later Pascale might as well ruin his chances now than ruin the whole thing later. It would all depend on how she reacted afterwards, he just had to be honest and truthful.

He rose from his seat looking around to make sure that no one was listening or nearby and moved as close as he could to her, hoping to make sure that he did not look intimidating. He looked deep into her eyes as he spoke and spoke in a voice that only they could hear.

"I am one of those war criminals Qwi" he said solemnly, "I don't know why I was branded one. I never killed anyone, I never blew up Alderaan, I never burned Coruscant to the ground. All I did was join Black Sun and I became it's Underlord for all of a day or so and helped the Separatists out"

He shook his head remembering it all It was supposed to be a simple archaeological mission, pick a kyber crystal for Black Sun. But I made a wrong choice in a Temple that ended up with me being inhabited by a Sith God. I then found out from a Sith Lord of all people that I died in that Temple. I was reborn again and had that Sith God extracted from my body and killed. I was nearly killed twice, once by a Dark Lady of the Sith and a Sith spirit. I have seen death, destruction, people dying around me. And in the end I chose here, to get away from all of that. I just want to do my job, get away from it all. Nouane has not reported me to the New Republic and I am grateful for that. I want a second chance at life, and I want to spend it with someone whom I can love and treasure"

He then looked at her intently "We both are lonely, we both want to settle down and let the galaxy sort itself out. Darth Zorn may want to kill us all, but we need to enjoy life and embrace whatever comes our way. Live life to the full and enjoy every minute of it" Pascale then smiled "And hopefully have someone to enjoy it with. Perhaps it could be you, who knows. I don't care if you an Imperial sympathizer, i'm not exactly a beacon of shining light, I would love a person for who they are not who they support"

He turned serious again "I have been alone for too long, it's time to share all that I have and all that I am with someone and settle down to some peace and quiet." He smiled again "And Ike would no way be quite as interesting, he would probably spout some nonsense. I can tell you some stories that I'm sure you would rather enjoy".

Qwi looked at Rouser, blinking hard. He was a war criminal? She took a hesitant step back, but she was held from turning away entirely by just how brutally honest he was.

She wished that she could be like that.

He was being so forthright with her. Nouane wasn't prosecuting New Republic War Criminals, having apparently examined the cases of several and found the evidence lacking, and the likelihood of an execution likely, refused to look for them in their borders. 212 worlds was plenty to govern and paw through, and the New Republic had thus far been unwilling to cause issues with the neutral systems due to the risk of the various states that had joined the union being scared off; the Hapans, Centrality, Senex Lords, and the like, who had been independent for years and had jumped on the victory parade only after the Battle of Mandalore had been won and the Separatists collapsed.

Had the New Republic appeared, Nouane would have angrily appealed to the Hutts and Mandalorians for assistance, also neutral systems. It was almost like asking for a new war; so it hadn't happened. Qwi Xux knew this, because she had picked Nouane over rustic Mandalore or criminal Nal Hutta as the most academic of the various neutral states.

Without much else to add, she simply nodded, and held out her hand. "I understand, Pascale. I really do." It was all she could say.

She couldn't bring herself to give voice to what she really was.

"I need someone too."

When Qwi took a hesitant step back Pascale kept the smile on his face but inside his heart broke a little. It seemed that perhaps with all that he had said to her that she might be scared off by who he was. But she didn't run away to Pascale's delight.

It seemed she had accepted him for who he was, a man simply trying to find his way on a strange planet, a man that wanted to simply take a break from all that had happened and just wanted to enjoy himself. And perhaps she could be the one to help him not be lonely anymore and vice versa. Thankfully Pascale had chosen a neutral world to park up in and he was glad he did. He wouldn't have been able to take jobs, or meet people like Qwi. He would most likely be in a jail cell, or dead.

But how did this exotic and intelligent woman find her way here of all places? And did she have any stories to tell?. Even if she just spouted science he would still listen to her.

He stepped forward again, clasping her hand in his "Thank you Qwi" he said softly, his voice one of relief "You do not know how much those words mean to me. I hope you don't have as many skeletons in your closet as mine, but it is refreshing to release all of what I have done, what I am, what had happened during the war. I thank you again for listening to what I had to say"

"I would never harm anyone I loved nor hurt them. I would never break their heart or cheat on them. I would be honest and true like I have just been and I hope my partner would be the same"

He released her hand and smiled again his blue eyes sparkling "I am going to be honest here, we both need somebody as we both stated and you interest me greatly Qwi. Perhaps you would honour me if you could meet me for drinks or even dinner, my treat" his smile grew wider "I know you must be a busy woman so I am happy to schedule it when you have the time. I could give you my comm number, you can call me anytime even if you just fancy a chat"

Pascale was literally going in for the kill here, he hoped she said yes to his invitation or just to even accept his comm number would be a win in his book. However it was entirely up to her and he wasn't going to push it.

“Well, it’s pretty full-on, but I think I need full-on... otherwise I’m going to analyse the hell out of everything you say.” Qwi laughed, lightly. “So yes,” she said, holding out her comlink. “I’m more than happy to accept your number.”

“But only if you promise to use mine.”

She flushed; she was never this forthright. But she stood her ground; it had been too long that she hadn’t lived, and now she wanted to.

Rouser made her want to.

She looks pretty when she's flushed Rouser thought watching her. He hopefully would see her again and he was looking forward to it immensely. This scientist lecturer could be the one to unlock the key that was his heart. And perhaps this could be the one…

It wasn't time to hang the bunting up just yet. This was only stage one after all. This equation was in it's infancy in Qwi's terms.

Pascale chuckled as well "Full on is always good, besides it keeps the old brain ticking over. And perhaps dinner or drinks with me can hopefully provide a much needed distraction from teaching students"

He accepted her comlink and programmed his number in whilst putting her number into his before giving it back. He then placed a gentle hand on her shoulder his smile and aura radiating warmth "I hope to meet with you again soon and thank you for listening to all I had to say, some of it was pretty intense but you are still here so that is a bonus" he chuckled again.

He dropped his hand off her shoulder "You and I are very much alike and I am thankful to have met you. Perhaps fate has played a hand here and perhaps it has even more in store for us." He moved back to the desk and picked up his datapad before coming to stand before her again "Stay safe and well Qwi and I hope to hear from you again whenever you want to just chat or to sort a date for our meeting"

Rouser tipped his hat to her as any gentleman would before leaving. He didn't want to part from her but he knew that someday they would meet again.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

Combined with Sinre and especially Lawbreaker, for the last time as Obi-Wan Kenobi ...



Anakin Skywalker
Dagobah


Roots and lizards were his daily diet by now. He had actually learned to make an acceptable stew from those. Fourteen years were a long time to learn to cook. Even with such limited ingredients and his natural lack of talent.

Fourteen years he had waited. He had waited to die. Yet he was still alive. Anakin had considered taking his life, yet he had decided against it many years ago. The Force ... the energy field he had not touched in all those years ... was a natural flow. He had abandoned it, but yet he respected it's existence. Suicide would have disturbed this natural flow. It would have to be time that ended him.

Once, only once he had dared to journey into the dark cave. He had faced his past and future. He had faced Vader. The man he had not become. Palpatine ... Darth Sidious had failed, but so had Anakin. A failure leading to Alderaan, to Luke ... inevitable . The word echoed in the dark cave.

The galaxy had probably become a different place. The Rebels had won Obi-Wan Kenobi's spirit had said. Sometimes he was tempted to reach out and see. But every time the temptation became too great, every time he even dared to feel the presence of the force ... he had felt darkness. A darkness longing for him. Luke. His son was searching for him, was hungry to face him. It had reminded him of his only purpose: Never to be found. So he had withdrawn again and retreated to the darkness of solitude. The solitude was his weapon.

It had been disturbed once. A few month ago if his perception of time was still reliable.

Once an explorer had crashed here. Joren Sole, a young and reckless man. Anakin had been fearful to approach him, but had not been ready to watch the man die. So he had saved him from death and given him food and shelter. They had repaired his ship together. Joren had been good company. He had been telling him about the New Republic and Chancellor Feyna. About the age of peace. No Sith, no Empire. No more Death Stars. Prosperity. Luke had not been seen since the war had ended. There had been one last message of him before he went into hiding though. A demand to hand over Anakin Skywalker. Yet, his son had stayed in hiding and also deep down Anakin knew he would not stay forever away from the galaxy ... he hoped with every day he stayed away so would Luke.

He had never told Joren who he was. The man had offered him to take him off planet, but Anakin had refused and bid him farewell. Every day he hoped the man had forgotten about the friendly hermit on a planet far away.

Nobody had come though. Nobody had found him. His concern vanished and he treasured the memory of their few days of companionship they had shared. A gift to a man whose fate was to die alone.

Or the will of the force?

He knew it wanted him to be found.

Too long you have been hiding old friend. The time to return is about to come. The voice echoed in his mind. Fourteen years his old Master had needed to pierce the barriers Anakin had build. Time probably meant little to his old Master now. The familiar voice made him smile.

"You can't give up on me, can you?" Anakin asked out loud.

Never. The voice sounded as if it was carried by the generous warm smile he had given him so often when he had done or said something exceedingly stupid.

"The galaxy seems to do fine without me. Maybe the days of the Jedi are finally over." Anakin hoped they were. He hoped the eternal cycle of conflict was finally broken.

Oh there are Jedi ...

Anakin sighed. "Of course there are." He laughed a little. "But I am none of them."

He has searched you for so long ... he has grown powerful. And now he is about to return. If you dared to feel it you would feel his darkness already spreading among the stars. Obi-Wan's voice was full of concern.

"I cannot stop him. Somebody else will. The light will pick it's champion. It always does." Anakin nodded. "I have withdrawn from the force, I have grown weak."

Are you still angry with Feyna?

Anakin shook his head. "Of course not. I am proud of her."

Do you still feel the burning rage over Padme and Leia?

Anakin again shook his head.

"They are one with the force and in the force and the memory of the people they will live forever. I am proud of them, too." Anakin admitted.

How about your own destiny? Do you still hold a grudge against the force? I know you faced Vader in that cave.

Again Anakin shook his head. "That night I ended Palpatine ... I did not defeat him. I defeated Vader. The Vader inside of me. I have nothing to fear of him."

Then you have become more powerful then you have ever been.

Anakin nodded. The philosophy of a true Jedi Master.

"I fear Luke." Anakin finally admitted.

Yes. Yes I know. That is what gives Luke his power. You allowed his darkness to grow and feast on your fear. Your absence made him stronger also he felt it was a weakness. His hunger was nurtured until it became the essence of his existence.

"I am old now. I have not ignited my blade in many years." Anakin sighed. "I cannot defeat him. Not even if I wanted to."

Yes you can. But only if you defeat your fear. Fear is the source of suffering and suffering leads to the Dark Side. It feeds on it. You know that. You have seen it so often.

Anakin sighed. "I know. But I cannot defeat this fear. I have locked it away. I will deny him what he wants. That is my final move, my way of defeating even him." Anakin hoped Obi-Wan Kenobi understood.

I know. So does he. What price are you willing to pay for that victory Anakin? What price will you let the galaxy pay? His hunger will consume him, yes. Before it does he will consume the galaxy. You must face him. Only then you will be free.

Anakin raised his head. "Free of what?"

Fear, Anakin. You will be free of the fear that has been with you all those years.

Anakin had never considered this was even possible. Yet, he knew the path his old Master wanted him to take was a dangerous one. He could not risk it. He could not risk Luke being victorious. He could also not kill him. He was his son. Even now he was his son.

"I do not deserve to be free of that fear. It is all I got." Anakin said.

You will see that this could not be farther from the truth. The force will be with you, always.

With these words Obi-Wan Kenobi was gone. Gone forever. Anakin felt it was the last time his old friend and Master had talked to him. Free of fear? Was that even possible?

He wiped the thought from his mind and turned to his stew. It smelled delicious.


Tag: @Sinrebirth, @Lawbreaker (combined with both)

 

Darth Zorn
Ancient Ruins, Unknown Planet

Darth Zorn opened his eyes and hissed out in frustration.

"Where are you hiding? WHERE ARE YOU?!?"

He knew his father was alive, yet he could not find him. No matter how attuned he became or how deeply he dived into the Dark Side, his father was not there. Anakin Skywalker had cut himself from the force, he assumed. There was no other explanation by now. Fourteen years. His agents had searched every inch of Naboo and Tatooine, Coruscant, Corellia and every planet that could remotely be the choice of Anakin Skywalker. Hundreds of Bounty Hunters had been hired. Dozens of Sith send out into the galaxy. They had found NOTHING! A slight loss of concentration and Zorn's anger unleashed and a tremble went through the cave.

Anakin Skywalker was smart. He had always been. Many Jedi were wise, but Anakin was crafty and unconventional. Zorn had tapped deeply into his memories ... his life as Luke Skywalker ... to understand his father and figure out how he had vanished so absolutely.

His father had chosen a place with no connection to his former life. A place Luke Skywalker had not known about. A place Darth Zorn would therefore not find. Many of his old missions were no longer recorded after Order 66 wiped out the Jedi archives. What remained was mostly destroyed in the burning of Coruscant.

He had hunted Jedi and former Republic officers to reconstruct what he could of Anakin's years in the Clone Wars and had two dozen more planets searched. Again ... NOTHING.

So Zorn had withdrawn from his order and spend a year in meditation, searching for his father in the force. Nobody could hide from an energy field that connected all things. Yet, Anakin Skywalker had left no trace, not the slightest ripple. His echo was everywhere. On Naboo, Ossus, Coruscant, on a thousand planets ... but it was the fading echo of deeds long past. An echo of a man absent from the force. Impossible and yet true.

Fourteen years of preparation and his father had never returned to the galaxy. He had not joined the new breed of Jedi. He had not helped the New Republic. He was gone. Hidden.

Darth Zorn had spend years to prepare for him, he had honed his skills, had dived deeper into the Dark Side than any Sith before him. He had unearthed ruins on Malachor, Xer and Ziost, Roche and even on planets so long forgotten their names were no longer known. Secrets had been revealed to him too ancient to be remembered. Lettow, Ragnos, Bane and Sidious. He had absorbed their teachings like a black hole. The Embrace had ascended him above all others. Those secrets not given he had ripped from the force. In his early years he had found joy in hunting down those who considered themselves rivals. They rarely were a challenge. Darth Zorn had risen above them. His powers were far beyond what mere mortals could understand. Stars, thoughts, souls he destroyed through sheer will. A Sith like none before him he had become. Yet, he failed to find one single man. A man who should burn like a wildfire in the force. The greatest Sith Lord of all failed every day of his existence. Fear. It slowly crawled into his thoughts. The fear his father would die without ever giving him the chance to take his destiny was omnipresent now.

Darth Zorn had prepared a different approach to the problem in recent years. The numbers of their ranks had grown, his apprentices had become his Hands. Trained in the art of the Dark Side and powerful in the ways of the Sith.

But there was more than the Sith. Darth Zorn had become something else. An idea! An idea spreading between the stars.

If his father was hiding, he would pay for it. There would be a terrible price to pay for denying the Dark Lord of the Sith what was rightfully his.

---

He returned to the fortress build from the ancient ruins he had brought his first apprentices to so many years ago. Slowly entering the courtyard he ignored the Sith assembled there as they knelt before their Dark Lord and instead he made his way to his tower. The disappointment of them rang in the force and their fear, too. They all felt he had grown beyond their limited understanding of the Dark Side.

A thought ... it was enough to summon The Voice. Darth Tempera, the woman once known as Mara Jade, followed his call without hesitation. When he arrived in the private chambers she awaited him amidst the many Sith Holocrons he had assembled and the ancient scrolls he had collected. She was among the few allowed to even enter these rooms. Zorn smiled how thrilled he had once been for every piece in the room when he acquired it. How excited he had been to delve deep into the secrets. He had eventually grown beyond any of the teachings of these lesser Sith Lords. Sidious and his many students had been fools to believe they would find ascendancy in the teachings of those who had failed. Only by going beyond their teachings a true Dark Lord had been born.

One scroll in the center of the room had been the key to all secrets of the Dark Side. A simple scroll as ancient as the force itself. Just one sentence was written in an ancient dialect no living creature in existence knew anymore. Darth Zorn had ripped the knowledge of the scroll from the force itself.

Only the Dark Side remains ...

Oh indeed.

"My Lord you have returned." Tempera greeted him and knelt. He gestured for her to stand up. She followed the gesture as if it was a command without hesitation. Everything she did was without hesitation.

"I have never been away. My physical presence is not of relevance." He whispered the words. Indeed a portion of his attention had always known of every Sith of his order. He had felt them grow and die, rise and fall. Slowly he turned.

"I have failed to acquire the location of Skywalker." He said and felt the nervousness of his servant. The woman he had broken twice. Once her body and once her very soul.

"He can't hide forever my Lord." She faithfully said and he curled his lip in disgust.

"Hope? You dare to offer me hope?" He asked and his yellow eyes pierced her. She shook her head.

"Forgive me." She quickly replied. He nodded as a gesture he actually did.

"You underestimate his power and will. Indeed he can hide forever. He is the Chosen One. He can achieve anything he sets his mind to. His tragedy is all he does with this ability is ... flee from his destiny." He sighed. "Which is why I am gonna take it from him. Why I am gonna destroy the balance, he was meant to bring." Darth Zorn folded his arms behind his back.

"We will change what he wants. We need to lure him out of his hiding." His voice was a hiss now. He put the hood over his head, unaware how much he resembled his predecessor in this form.

"We have prepared for this." Tempera smiled with a wicked anticipation. She had wanted to unleash the Sith for many years. She had longed for it. The plan had been revised by her a million times. She had gathered the necessary information and brought the assets into position.

"Yes, you have prepared them well." Zorn turned to the scroll and extended his hand. He knew if he touched it the ancient paper would crumble to dust. Therefore he restrained himself.

"We start with a planet that means something. A big name. Ladies choice." He said and closed his eyes. "He has hidden his soul, his very essence and even his fear. We shall see if he can hide his pain." Zorn sighed and his head slowly lowered.

"Execute the plan." Darth Zorn whispered. "We shall begin."

"With great pleasure my Lord." Darth Tempera smiled. "With great pleasure."

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

Anakin Skywalker
Dagobah ... more or less ...

He breathed out. First Obi-Wan, then the cave and now this ... the force obviously was on the offense to draw him back in.

He knew right away he was in a dream. Dangerous places, dreams. A presence. He was not alone. It was not his son, he knew right away. Not feeling his power or gaping void. It was not his old Master either. So he would have to find out the old fashioned way.

"Who is this?" He asked and calmed himself. Whoever it was, this way they would not locate him, ever. "How did you find me?"

Anakin drew a defensive bubble around him, using the force for the first time in many years ... or dreaming of using it. Probably this did not count. Probably this would not matter or help either. So how had he been found after 14 years?

He felt a tremble in the force. An awakening of sorts ... that was what he felt. Hard to say if it was a good or bad thing. It was what it was.

Tag: @Sinrebirth, @BobaMatt



Joren Sole
Landing Platform, New Keldabe

Joren looked at the man Wohnhaus asked if he was Harper and smiled.

Note to my auto-biography: That was the moment I knew I worked with a gernius.

"No I am not Harper. What gave me away? The completely different look and height?" Joren sighed. "Harp is having a baby. Well, his wife technically is, but he took some family leave. So he send me, as I guess I am more than a worthy replacement." He shrugged. "Not a smuggler, you know? I am an explorer. Just doin' a friend a favourite here."

Those favors where all he had done past months. When everyone was getting out of smuggling, had Joren funny enough made a living out of it?

"So are we gonna load or are we gonna chat?" He tried to stand a cool as possible, as he said this. He knew how smugglers behaved. He had seen the vids.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Gil Fortis
Senate District - Sniffing through alleys...

Gil pulled his eyes from the small vid screen set into the front of the small shop he and Berko walked by. The new senator had just stepped out, but it was impossible to tell who it was from the tiny face on screen. Regardless of who it was, he was somewhat glad he wasn’t stuck in the thick of the fanfare. Cities were the worst places to guard high-profile marks, and Coruscant was chief among them. Most likely every guard there was feeling high-strung right about now trying to keep watch for danger. Alleys and small streets weren’t glamorous, and certainly not safe, but working here was preferable in his mind to having a target painted on your back out in the open.

What’s more, he had some help on this job in the form of a Rodian that called himself Berko. Gil was used to working alone, so the added company was strange at first, but he found it more of a relief after a while than a liability. Considering what he knew about Rodians, with infrared vision and all, he welcomed the tactical advantage it gave them. He just hoped his aim was as good as his sight.

“There is something there. I can smell it.”

The statement made Gil stop for a moment and peer down the alley Berko had indicated. The alleys around Coruscant ranged from wide to very narrow, and the thought of shuffling down one fatal funnel after another was not an appealing thought to him. Quickly producing a scanner, he gave the alley a once-over, seeing nothing come up immediately. With a sigh, he knew it was going to be a manual inspection this time.

“After you, Fortis.”

He glanced at Berko with a smirk, adjusting the sling on his A280 to a more ready position.

“You’re too kind. Though, if you ask me, all I can smell is the sewer.”

Putting his off-hand farther up on the rifle, he clicked the weapon light and began sweeping its beam from side to side, illuminating the shadows as he proceeded and occasionally glancing up to make sure the air space above them was clear.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Pascale Rouser, Qwi Xux
Location: Rouser/Xux residence, Nouane City, Nouane

It felt strange yet a nice feeling to be with someone, especially since you had spent most of your life traveling places and being a loner.

But Pascale Rouser was quite content with his lot at the moment as he watched the HoloNet in the living room of his and Qwi’s residence. It had started out as his but now he was sharing it with one of the most, beautiful, intelligent and exotic women he had ever met. Seven years together and still going strong.

Qwi Xux, Omwati genius and teacher looked at her erstwhile lover as she began to make dinner, humming as she worked. It was a trait she always did whilst cooking or reading coursework or exam papers or even sometimes when she was just bustling about doing things which Pascale seemed to enjoy too, he enjoyed her being happy and content. When she had met Pascale seven years ago she would never have thought she would have moved in with him and yet here they are together loving and living life. And this was one equation she was glad to have solved, it had taken a while but they had both got there.

But nagging away at her every day was the secrets she had kept from him. Pascale had been brave and honest to bare all to her in the library that day but she had chosen not to do the same. Qwi was frightened of what could happen when it all eventually came flooding out, that they could end up breaking up, or even worse, ending up with either one of them being kidnapped, tortured or even worse killed. And that the equation that she had fought so hard to serve turned out to be a wrong answer.

Pascale was beginning to suspect things as well, especially with his new found Force powers. He could sense whenever she was having a nightmare and would she would end up shooting up in bed covered in sweat and nearly in tears. And he would kiss her, tell her it would be alright and for her to tell him what was wrong. But she would deflect him, say it was only a dream and fall asleep again in his arms. And then Qwi would wake up in the morning as if nothing had happened and headed off to work leaving Pascale to wonder what was going on.

Most days Pascale was in the university library, reading up on treasures he could possibly add to his collection or sell on and usually caught up with Qwi on her lunch break usually catching up on her morning and perhaps what adventure Pascale would go on next. She always missed him when he went away to find some treasure or painting or artefact that could earn him some credits, and when he came back home their time together more than made up for the time they spent apart. Pascale loved this woman with all her heart and Qwi felt the same towards him. She made him feel young again and made him feel like he was special whereas he made her feel safe and wanted, he made her feel like all the atrocities that had come as a result of her research were washed away and that she could start a new life.

A new life that she was thoroughly enjoying her job was busy but satisfying and she had finally found a man that would accept her for who she was. Okay so he was much older than her but to her and Pascale it didn't matter. So long as they had each other and loved each other they didn't care what anyone thought.

Dinner was on the go so she headed back towards Pascale where he was sitting on the sofa watching the latest news. Pascale was radiating love and contentment in the Force towards her, as a non Force sensitive she wouldn't feel it but Qwi would see it on his face. His blue eyes were sparkling and he smiled at her as she joined him, they both slipped their arms around each other and enjoyed a quick kiss before Qwi settled her head against Pascale's chest.

"Coruscant is looking pretty again" he said with a smile, "I've been there, and it is a beautiful place, although the underlevels are a bit unsavory" he shrugged "Business is business I suppose And it seems to have recovered well from what Ananke did to it" he shook his head “Disgraceful”.

Pascale had also told Qwi about what he did for a living and Qwi had understood that he had chosen this life and that he was no angel, Pascale had told her it was just a way to make a living. Qwi may be doing an honest job now but she knew she was no sweet person, especially sympathising with the Empire in its heyday. Well they never understood why Pascale had been labeled a war criminal especially since Ananke had literally burnt Coruscant to the ground.

"Coruscant" Qwi breathed "I had always wanted to visit it. The center of the galaxy and a planet entirely covered in a city. It is a scientific marvel, how they could construct such a planet in this way. It must have taken them an age to do this. A planet that could be considered a capital of the galaxy, that spawned a Republic and an Empire", she knew Pascale was never interested in politics but she was always fascinated by it, an equation that was always difficult to work out.

Pascale ran a hand through Qwi’s downy hair which was always gorgeously soft “Cheri, I would love to take you there. I could find us a nice place to live, perhaps a penthouse apartment. I could find good contracts there and you could teach there too, there are some good academies and universities there” his face turned thoughtful and Qwi looked up at him “Unfortunately due to me having the mantle of war criminal it would be impossible. However perhaps it is time I finally stepped out of the shadows and into the galaxy…”

Both Pascale and Qwi had been glad that they had settled on a neutral world, but Qwi sometimes had dreams where New Republic agents would come for her lover in the middle of the night and take him away just when she thought it was safe. But nobody came and no-one was too concerned that they had a war criminal in their midst, or maybe they just didn't know. But there was one thing they both knew, no-one was going to take them away from each other. NO-ONE.

Another subject of contention was Pascale heading back out into the galaxy. Qwi was quite happy staying on Nouane but over the past couple of years Pascale wanted to get back out into the “real world” as he put it. And even Qwi was starting to feel that itch a little, to explore the galaxy with Pascale and perhaps as he mentioned getting a job teaching or maybe in the sciences, maybe even work for the New Republic using her knowledge and expertise to do good this time.

“Perhaps we will one day” she replied giving him one of her genuine smiles which made Pascale's heart melt before she turned back to the HoloNet with Pascale still stroking her hair which she melted into. On the News Chancellor Feyna Organa was waiting for a limo to pull in. Pascale had only seen the former Princess briefly on Takodana sadly he had never talked to her in person but she seemed like a competent and intelligent woman to lead the galaxy. Next to her was a beautiful white haired woman and Prince Isolder of Hapes. Hapes was on Pascale’s wish list of places to visit, especially since the Hapes Cluster itself held treasures beyond compare.

As they watched the limo door opened, out stepped a woman first whom Pascale did not recognize and then a gasp from Qwi as she spotted the man getting out.

“Isn't that...Aryan Graul?” Qwi said in shock “What is he doing back in politics?”

Pascale snorted as Isolder then swore live on the Net “I think they might have forgotten the censor on that” he said shaking his head “I only met the man briefly on Ach-To, he’d lost his wife and son to that maniac Ananke and I think he was petty angry. Being a former Emperor of the Galactic Empire gives you a taste for power and it looks like he wants back into the big time. Guess he just got his chance after being voted in”

“A war criminal being chancellor” Qei shuddered at the thought and st up still keeping one arm around Pascale “Who knows what he could cook up, possibly another superweapon if he felt like it” her eyes narrowed “He would even squander all the children of the galaxy’s education if it meant he could have a new toy to play with” she sighed “Sorry my love, but this man annoys me, that a man like that would come back into politics and perhaps even risk the galaxy slipping into war again. He preached for peace in the past and look where that got us”

Pascale studied her as she talked and her passion for things was what he loved most about her, the desire to do good in this galaxy which was better than he deserved being a mercenary. “I suppose everyone deserves a second chance” he said “I got mine after I was brought back to life and I decided to start my life over again, I suppose Aryan has done the same. Let’s see how he carries in front of the Senate with the whole galaxy watching, and perhaps cheri he will be a better person after fourteen years” he smiled “I would never have met you if I didn't take my chance”

Qwi turned to look at him and smiled moving closer to him with a smile on her face staring deeply into his eyes “I guess you’re right. We were both two lonely souls orbiting a star, we didn't know where we were going to go, what we were going to do. But i’m glad we found each other, because there is nobody in this universe I would rather be with”

They both leaned forward to share a kiss and as they did so Pascale felt the Force begin to stir, it felt like an awakening of sorts but he couldn't place where it was coming from. And then he felt a familiar presence heading towards their residence. Ike it seemed had decided to return and make an appearance, probably back from some travels with tales to share or news or maybe even hopefully another job. Meanwhile both he and Qwi were engaged in a long and lingering kiss which after a minute or so they broke.

Then came the knock on the door and Pascale sighed disengaging from Qwi “Ike is here” he said “I wonder if he will be as annoying as ever. But perhaps he may actually have something useful to share this time”

Qwi swatted him on the shoulder with a smile, “I thought you were always the quintessential gentleman. Besides as you say he might have something useful for you. Maybe invite him in for dinner, perhaps if you knew him better you may think differently” she rose up brushing her hand through his hair as she moved to the kitchen to check on dinner.

Pascale rose from the sofa his joints creaking as he did. He wasn't as young as he used to be and he was feeling his years a little now. But he could still keep up with the kids as it were and he wasn't ready for the scrapheap yet, Qwi could attest to that one.

Their residence wasn't too opulent but it wasn't sparse either. Bits and pieces of art and others that Pascale had collected and lots of books of Qwi’s were scattered about in places. They had enough money to spare and then some thanks to Pascale’s wealth and they never wanted for anything. But they had both decided that their residence should look homely and not too in your face. Pascale reached the door opened it to reveal Ike who was actually looking rather freshly shaven and cleaner than usual.

“Ike” Pascale said with a smile, “What brings you to our humble abode?”

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

Galen Marek
Metallos, Cockpit

Huyang laid out the options. First there was the Jedi Order. Galen leaned back in his seat and put one leg against the wall.

"The Jedi. Well, when have they ever stopped the Sith in time? Seriously, ever had a look at the history book? Sith rise and Sith attack. Never have the Jedi found them early, never have they stopped them. No, the Jedi are not an option." They would probably also dislike his methods. He remembered torturing the last Sith he captured. He remembered the fanatical almost amused silenced the man had returned in exchange for all the pain. Not speaking about the Imperial he had slaughtered. He had heard the New Republic was offering them their own space. Amnesty at a galactic scale for hundreds of thousands of participants in mass murder and genocide. How could the Jedi turn such a blind eye on justice? No, the Jedi were not an option. He would not be lectured about how he should not be so hateful. He would not be a student. Not while Darth Zorn was out there plotting for his return.

What was the Sith's plan? No armies seemed to be raised. No wars raged and threatened the Galaxy. Maybe it was something even more sinister?

"So the fringes it is. Hutt Space would be hard for him to hide in. He could threaten and bribe but from time to time he would need to kill a lot of them to remind the slimy schuttas who is the boss. Heard nothing about it. No, I also guess Corporate Sector is a bit to tightly controlled." He expected the Sith to hide somewhere nobody cared to pay attention to. That left a few billion worlds maybe. Not mentioning abandoned mines or shadow ports. Galen closed his eyes. The force did not speak to him as it had to his father. No, it whispered at best. In combat it gave him a superior might. In moments like this he painfully understood how useless that actually was. Maybe he was able to kill the Sith Lord. He was a great warrior. But what did it help if he failed to find him?

"Mandalore. The Sith have a history with the Mandalorians." He sighed. That was paper-thin. It was the best he could do. "Let's go to Mandalore then."

He was just about to lean forward to deactivate the hologram of his droid as he ... felt something. A tremble spreading ... through the force. He almost asked if the droid could feel it, but of course he could not.

"What is this?" He asked and closed his eyes, trying to locate it. Something like this he had not felt in a long time. It was nearby. This planet. Here.

It would draw them in. The Jedi ... but also the Sith.

"Departure postponed." He said, killed the line and ran out of his ship. Closing the eyes he reached out into the force. He tried to locate it. He had to locate it.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

(A combo post with the wonderful @TheSilentInfluence)

Ka'rta, Tor, Madelyn Linnett, Leia and Alfred Skirata Linnett
Mandalore's Estate, New Keldabe

Without her helmet Ka'rta took a deep breath, letting the smell of cooking meat and flowers fill her nostrils. Opening her eyes she could see Tor looking up at her eyes nearly begging.

"Go watch over Leia and Alfred ad'ika," She said her voice gentle yet with an edge of bes'kar in her words.

"Buir," Tor shot back slumping her shoulders, "You promised we'd go hunting." Tor was dressed in her green cloak light armor underneath, her light blaster pistol and hunting rifle on her back. She'd come here with a purpose and it wasn't playing with kids half her age.

"And we will, but I need to catch up with your Aunt and Uncle." She said looking up to Owen and Jerrod. "And I have to talk with the Manda'lor."

"You talk with her every day buir…"

"And we need to talk again...she is only the leader of all mandalore." Tor pouted turning away.

"Don't go too hard on Alfred...He is trying."

"Not hard enough." Tor said looking over her shoulder.

"Give him time, you weren't very good either at his age."

Tor turned away shoulders still hunched over face screwed up into a scowl. Begrudgingly she moved towards her younger compatriots giving one last cross look to her mother. As she crouched down to get on eye level with Leia and Alfred Ka'rta turned around, wrapping Owen and Jerrod in deep hugs thanking them for coming. Afterwards she made a wide sweeping route towards the Manda'lor stopping to give Mirdala a kiss on the cheek. She didn't want to distract him too much as he was putting his focus on cooking.

Finally she made her way over to the leader of all Mandalorians. "Madelyn." She started with a smile taking her friend into a light hug. "How have you been in the 25 hours since we've spoken last?" She asked making a light joke at how much time the pair spent together. One the leader of all mandalorians, the other her hand, her shadow.

Madelyn surveyed her home with a quiet expression. She was used to ruling now, had accepted it completely and yet still there was something nagging at her. The force? Perhaps; but Madelyn knew she was not as connected as when she first picked up the darksaber.

She smiled her at husband Arthur who was watching their children from a distance and let her gaze fall to Leia, who was six and so much like her father and Alfred who was so much like her with Ka'rta's daughter Tor.

But when Ka'rta distracted her by wrapping her in a hug she turned her focus to her friend. Her sister. "Leia may or may not have tried to take a Mandalorian fighter up for a spin yesterday." Madelyn smiled a little at Ka'rta. "I shouldn't be amused, but I did something similar when I was her age." She laughed.

Ka'rta gave a somewhat bemused smile hearing about Leia's attempted joyride. "Tor was always trying to get into my weapons locker...Took my speeder bike for a joy ride." She commiserated with her sister, "They are strong willed, and determined." She gave a slight smile, "Just like their mothers." The warrior laughed a little recalling finding Tor in a ditch the speederbike in a twisted wreck.

"You've heard that Beskar smuggling is up." She started, bringing a bit of business to this family event. "Just curious if you want me to 'look into it'." The edge to her voice made her point clear. Find whoever was involved and end them, violently. "They are stealing something precious from us..." she looked into the distance, seeing her daughter playing with Alfred...though it looked more like Tor running circles around him. "Tor will need it to make her own armor one day." The young girl's verd'goten was coming up, it wouldn't be too much longer before she fitted for her own Beskar'gam.

Madelyn grinned back, "Hopefully they find less trouble then we did." She paused at Ka'rta speaking about Bes'kar and looked serious; keeping her voice low. "Yes. I want those smugglers gone. But if you can capture one...bring them to me." Madelyn added. She stepped away to look at Tor for a moment. "I have a gift for her. I was hoping to wait until her verd'goten...." Madelyn trailed off, shrugging her shoulders with a smile.

"Understood Manda'lor." Ka'rta said with a nod of her head, her voice firm. She joined Madelyn in watching their children. "And I do hope that they do not have to face what we did...but we should still prepare them for the worse." Ka'rta lowered her brow a little, taking a breath she considered the other woman's words. "You are Manda'lor you can do what you wish, Tor's verd'goten is very close, you will not be waiting long to give it to her. Though I will not stop you from giving it to her."

Madelyn nodded in agreement and looked at Ka'rta. "I wasn't asking as Mand'alor, I was asking as you're friend." She looked back at Tor, Leia and Alfred. "I know Tor hates the age difference, but Leia and Alfred look up to her. I know we can't protect them from everything, but it would be nice if this peace...this calm would last."

There was part of Ka'rta that wanted to make Tor wait, to have her wait even unknowingly for a gift. Though she looked at her long suffering smile as she once again dodged out of the way of Alfred's latest attempt to push her over.

"I know she would like to be around kids her own age." Ka'rta hung her head a little, "But, I think it is important for her to be around those two. Have her learn how to comport herself around those that need her protection. Trying to train her to be a guardian, not a warrior." She let out a breath looking up to the trio, "I do hope that her skills are not put too the test too soon. That she gets to enjoy this peace we forged." Turning with a smile she looked to her friend. "If you wish you can give her your present..."

Madelyn turned to Ka'rta, eyes bright and excited like when Ka'rta had first let her hold her helmet. "Thank you!" She squeezed Ka'rta's shoulder and nodded to one of her guards who disapeared for a moment before bringing back something wrapped in cloth. He handed it to Madelyn with a bow and she turned to Ka'rta again before calling over Tor, Leia and Alfred.

"Come over here, I have something for Tor."

Ka'rta smiled letting Madelyn squeeze her shoulder, it had been a long time since she'd seen the other woman so happy. It seemed she needed to give that gift than Tor needed to receive it. The warrior stood to the side letting Madelyn collect the gift and call out for the children to come close.

"Yes mam'," Tor rushed forward out running Leia and Alfred with her longer strides. "What's it?" she asked her shoulders shaking just a little. Though she was trained as a Guardian, she was still a child, just as excited as any other when presents were offered.

"I have something for you." She held out the cloth wrapped item and loosed it, pulling out a beautiful looking vibroblade, the blade made of beskar. She pressed the handle into Tor's hand.

"Verd ori'shya beskar'gam." Madelyn said firmly. "May this weapon help protect you and the people you love."

Tor looked stunned witnessing the blade in Madelyn's hand. As it was pressed into her hand she gripped it feeling the weight of it, the balance, was exquisite. She looked into the iron of the weapon the light of the sun glinting on the edge.

"What do you say?" Ka'rta prodded.

"Uh..thank you...thank you Vode." She swapped the blade in her sheath with the gift it fit perfectly. Ka'rta gave Madelyn a half smile.

"Be careful with that, it is very sharp and will hold its edge for a very long time." Tor nodded her head at her mother's instruction.

"Thank you again." The girl said turning away and returning to playing.

"You're going to spoil her you keep doing that." Ka'rta said playfully shaking her head.

Madelyn smiled gently at Tor's thanks. "You're welcome." She turned to Ka'rta and laughed at her remark. "That's what family does." She motioned her head and led Ka'rta away from the children. "Arthur and I have been trying to have another baby. But the healers don't think its possible."

Madelyn looked disappointed and turned to look at Leia and Alfred, "I overheard Leia telling Alfred she has no interest in leading. At least not on the throne..." Madelyn lowered her voice. "And Alfred is force sensitive. I'm afraid the Jedi will try to take him away."

Ka'rta put a gentle hand on Madelyn's shoulder. "I'm so sorry Madelyn." The pain in her voice was evident, Madelyn loved kids, loved her children. To have that taken from her it must have been horrifying. "Aliit ori'shya tal'din" Family is more than blood. A reminder that family is not just blood, it is connection, and care.

"The jetii will have Alfred over my dead body." She spat, "He is mando'a, we are his people. And I will fight them to the death if they wish to take him from us." Looking into Madelyn's eyes Ka'rta's eyes softened a little. "I won't let what happen to you...happen again."

Madelyn sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I wouldn't be where I am without you." She looked over the room and caught Arthur, her husband smiling at her. Madelyn smiled back and blew him a kiss before returning her attention to Ka'rta.

"The galaxy isn't what it used to be. What if-" Madelyn felt herself lurch internally, realizing all too quickly that something was wrong. She physically flinched and held a hand to her chest, suddenly gasping for breath.

Elsewhere in the room Alfred felt sick and started to cry a little, reaching out for Leia as she held him close.

"Tor get mother." Leia said quickly, an order. "Get her quick!"

TAG: @TheSilentInfluence @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Zorn
Ancient Ruins, Throne Room, Unknown Planet

Darth Zorn had never needed a throne. He never wanted to rule. He wanted to shape. He wanted to break and resemble the Galaxy ... the force itself if he needed to. Yet, his underlings with their limited understanding had created one.

He had adopted his throne room for his own purposes though.

Darth Tempera. His servant entered the room and he was kneeling in it's midst. He never used the throne, as such vulgar displays of rulership were unnecessary for someone like him. His eyes closed he felt her presence and his yellow eyes snapped open as he felt how agitated she was.

"My Lord, there is a disturbance in the Force; on the target world." She said. Then she mentioned a name. The world had been chosen by her. Details did never interest him. He had not expected the first world to have the desired effect. It was only the beginning.

"Perfect, isn't it?" He simply said and slowly raised to his feed without his hands touching the ground. His simple black robes around him he slowly turned.

"Attention. We want to have his attention. I think he felt it too. The planet will have all of their attention now."

Or was it his father? The thought had crossed his mind the moment he felt it. Could it be his father or whatever power his father used to hide himself? It did not explicitly feel like his father but as long as he did not know how Anakin Skywalker accomplished the task of remaining hidden ... could he rule it out?

"I will oversee the performance of your plan personally." He then simply said. "With this disturbance, we cannot rule out Anakin Skywalker will be drawn there." He walked past her. "I know you will enjoy the illusion of power in my absence." He stopped as he passed her. This was an opportunity. "Send one of my hands there to kill any Jedi he can find. I want to add as much mystery to this as possible." He leaned over to her. "I want them to feel my despair, my hunger shall become a reality they cannot hide from. So don't you fail me with your arrogance and vanity. You hear me little girl? Don't. Fail. Me."

He walked past her to board his ship and almost forgot to allow her to breath again. Truth was he was hungry. Hiding and searching had barely sustained his more profound needs. Needs all his power could not be control. So he nurtured them.

He wanted to feel them all die. He wanted to feel them all die and scream and fear. It would make him stronger. Every death would make him stronger. Fear would make him stronger. Beyond the limits of an ordinary Sith lay only the vast darkness of his existence. An infinite darkness in which the own thoughts were the only existing limits.

Inevitable

The word echoed into the force again. One day this echo would reach his father. Darth Zorn would make him show himself. He would also let him pay a terrible price for his absence.

He remembered Alderaan. A billion voices screaming and then silenced forever in a second. The screams he would cause would last much longer ...

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Chancellor Feyna Organa
Senate Tower, Senate District, Coruscant

HOW IN THE---

Isolder, standing next to her, swore, a bit more loudly than he ought, and though Feyna agreed with the sentiment, she discreetly reached for his hand and squeezed, gently reminding him of the time and place.

Though, considering who had just arrived, her love cursing live on air was the least of their problems.

How in seven Sith hells had Aryan Graul, a known war criminal, been elected Senator of Bakura?

Her own shock might have registered on her face for a moment or two, but, mindful of the press, she quickly adopted a more stoic expression. She wasn't smiling, though.

Right under our noses, too. Now we know why Bakura wanted to keep their election proceedings a secret, Feyna thought ruefully. It had been an odd request, but the Republic had allowed it.

More fools them.

The first war criminal to re-surface after fourteen years…and he’d been elected back into the Senate.

Feyna had something of a reputation of being rather forgiving with former Imperials—perhaps more forgiving than people expected, or wanted, her to be—but Graul was a special case. Her personal opinions about the man were complicated; she didn’t hate him as she did Tarkin or Krennic, but his actions hadn’t exactly been helpful fourteen years ago, and the legal and political reality was that he was one of the Republic’s most wanted war criminals.

She would have liked to have arrested him here and now, and many in the Senate would probably be demanding it soon enough, but Bakura’s entrance into the New Republic was already becoming something of a political headache; though Feyna had once said that no system would be forced to join—and technically, they still weren’t—some worlds felt pressured to join for economic reasons as the New Republic continued to spread its influence, and people on those worlds weren’t always happy about it. Feyna wondered if the people of Bakura were voicing their displeasure now, via Graul’s election. Either way, arresting their newly elected Senator live in front of the whole galaxy wasn’t going to endear the New Republic to them.

And truth be told, after fourteen years, it might be wiser to wait, to re-examine the case against Graul before making any rash decisions. There was no point making a tense situation worse by arresting him on charges that didn’t stand up in the courts later.

She didn’t like it, hopefully she wouldn't have to regret it later, and the rest of the Senate might tear her apart for it, but she wouldn’t arrest Graul tonight.

Not yet.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29

 

Mace Windu
Dreamspace

He'd gotten more used to dreamspace, spaces between spaces, the underlying fabric of reality. It had gone from wondrous and new to fairly routine surprisingly quickly over the last decade and a half, to walk in these spaces and explore the galaxy from behind the scenes.

Anakin would think this was a dream, only a dream, a place where the Force couldn't find him. Did he realize how much effort it took for him to quiet the Force's call? How much constant strain? Or had it become normal to him, like having a crick in your neck or sore ankles?

Mace Windu responded, a smirk on his face. "You know me, young Skywalker. Not so young anymore, maybe. Younger than me. At least we're both younger than Master Yoda. Younger than he would have been." The joke held a note of bitterness. He pushed that away. "You were easy to find. 'A vergence,' Qui-Gon said." He bit down on that, too. Another death. Another loss to the Sith.

"You've seen how things were supposed to be, and how things went. We have to do something to make things right, Skywalker. We need to do it for the Force, for the galaxy...for your son, Anakin. My goodness. It pains me what happens to you in The Way Things Should Have Been. The burning. The black mask. Pain beyond reason.

"We'll do it right, this time. Somehow."

TAG: @DarkLordoftheFins @Sinrebirth

 

Darth Zorn
Personal Ship, Unknown Planet

Darth Zorn had seen and felt many things in his search for his father, so he was aware how incomplete the reports were. They did not matter to him. Nothing of all of this was important in detail. As long as it served to hide his true intentions and execute his plan he did not care. It was a myriad of facts that painted a picture. He would burn this picture.

Aryan Graul. He needed some time to remember. The last Emperor. A terrible weakling who now returned to the stage of the Republic affairs. He remember his father had a conflict with him before he vanished. He reminded himself to not allow the Sith to kill him. His presence might be another reason for Anakin to finally return.

But that was not his main focus.

No, his attention was directed to the presence. He turned and was greeted by his birthname. A feathered creature identifying himself as Vergere sat there. Zorn raised his brow.

"Call me by that name again and you will regret it." He said this without aggression. It was a simple fact. His interest was awakened by a creature who had the ability to find him here and sneak into his ship. He also felt the urge to unleash his power on it. Just because he would like to see the creature realize it's mistake. He resisted the urge. Too many questions had been risen in his absence. Too many uncertainties his order had allowed to exist. Maybe this creature offered some insight.

He could kill it later.

"My name is Vergere, and I come with a Dark Greeting for you." A slight chuckle. "That is what your Acolytes say to each other, is it not?" She shrugged. "Not your One Sith, that is, of course."

Zorn raised a brow and laughed. He had to laugh. This was a nice change. Usually he had to hunt them down. "Oh you know. They say knowledge is power. I guess they don't know true power. What do you think I do to those who know about my plans?" He fought the laughter down. "I am listening. I guess whatever you have to say to make this a civilized encounter ... now is the time."

He slowly picked his lightsaber from his belt and walked a step towards the creature. He hoped it had a lightsaber. He would prefer to duel it physically. The creature was obviously skilled. It could be a challenge. He longed for a challenge. Even a small one.

"So?" Zorn smiled at it. The smile of a hungry predator.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: A combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Pascale Rouser, Qwi Xux, Jyn Erso, Ike
Location: Rouser/Xux residence, Nouane City, Nouane

Ike drew Pascale into a hug which Rouser was surprised about but decided to reciprocate, mostly to be friendly and polite.

Behind him Qwi was smiling as she peered around the corner watching these two, at least Pascale was being polite as he always was, even with people he despised or were his rivals. Ike Pascale had managed to tolerate now.

"Good to see you too Ike" Qwi replied "Come on in, i'm just finishing dinner"

Ike then produced a statue as he came in and it was a beautiful golden statue at that. Modeled after Faya, one of the fabled Sages and of course the former Darth Wyrrlok was interested in these. Now Pascale had one of his own and his blue eyes lit up and he smiled. Qwi moved next to him looking at him with a warm smile.

"See?" Qwi said tiptoeing up and kissing Pascale on the cheek " Ike does give you some gifts sometimes. And something you have heard about in the past"

"Indeed cheri, indeed" he said smiling back at her before nodding to Ike " Thank you Ike, it is a beautiful statue, something else to add to the collection" he also heard Ike mentioning a ring but the statue itself was good enough. It stood there pride of place on the kitchen table.

As Ike was talking about what the Lords and Ladies of Nouane were discussing now that Bakura was joining the New Republic a loud bang went off. Qwi looked shocked and Pascale immediately went to grab his blaster which was in it's holster and his jacket. He managed to grab his holster and secure it as well as putting his jacket on. Ike was correct it did look like a bomb had gone off and the Clock Tower that had stood for thousands of years had gone.

"Why would someone want to blow up the Clock Tower?" Qwi asked looking towards Ike "I know it was dilapidated but still…."

The door then blew in, Pascale pulling his blaster out and Qwi screaming and then moving to stand behind Pascale. Pascale was going to make sure no-one harmed his girl. If they were finally here for him he would ask they let her be free.

A rough and ready looking woman burst through pointing a blaster at them. And she said she had found 'you' at last.

"If you are here for me then I advise you turn around and exit right now. Me and my partner have been living here in peace, and I don't need you ruining it"

Qwi was still behind Pascale wondering what was going on?Was this a bounty hunter or assassin about to take Pascale away like she had had in nightmares?.

The woman held up her blaster, and shot Ike. It happened so quick, that Ike simply toppled back in shock. His hands rushed to cover the wound, which had caught him in the stomach. "My name is Jyn Erso. My father built the Death Star; he was a war criminal, and he died attempting to fix his sin."

Her blaster tracked Qwi and Pascale. "You haven't done anything to remedy what you did. You've built yourself a comfortable life, and a quiet one. It's time you paid it back."

Ike moaned, and Jyn continued. "He'll survive; if he gets medical attention. I've shot a lot of people hunting people on the List. "She referred to the 52 playing cards distributed in in delicate circles by some members of New Republic Intelligence - most of which were dead. The highest value cards? Qi'ra Ananke, Pascale Rouser, Aryan Graul, Luke Skywalker. Not that such cards were in common circulation.

"I want Qwi Xux, and then your punishment can begin, Pascale Rouser. The Nouane government will deal with you, but they won't her; they won't give me the justice that the victims of the Galactic Civil War deserve."

Ike pawed for Rouser. "The government - it's thinking of," a cough interrupted," joining the New -"

"The New Republic," finished Jyn. "But that won't be enough. No prison would be punishment enough."

And so it has come to this Pascale thought our new life in ruins. Perhaps Qwi's nightmares were about this very moment….

But what was confusing Pascale was one question, why would they want Qwi? Jyn must not be working alone.

Qwi however had heard of Galen Erso, he had created the Death Star using he designs. He had tried to atone for his sins and now Qwi was about to atone for hers. She thought she could live the quiet life, make the galaxy a better place by teaching future generations how to build things that didn't destroy whole worlds but could rebuild them. And now her secrets were about to be laid bare right in front of the man she loved, and the equation that she had finally solved could be rubbed off the board forever.

Meanwhile Pascale was speaking "My dear, the only reason I can think of of being on that dreadful War Criminal list was that I was head of the Black Sun syndicate for all of a day. I may have also conspired with the Separatists but I never killed anyone " he shook his head "My partner has done nothing wrong, she is a teacher here. All she has done is teach students and make herself a life here. The New Republic can't have me or her, unless they want our services same with the Nouane government if they decide to betray its neutrality"

With Ike down Pascale knew he would have to use his wits now for them both to survive.

Qwi meanwhile was close to tears. They were both about to be punished, Pascale could end up in a prison cell for most of his remaining life or even worse dead. She couldn't live with that. But what would Jyn want her for?. To stand trial?. To be executed like the criminal she was?

Pascale deserved to know the truth, now was that time. It would devastate them both but he deserved to know everything.

She stepped forward moving in front of Pascale who nearly said something but she held her hands up "Take me, but promise me one thing, Pascale does not get hurt. He doesn't deserve this, I do. Please just let him and Ike go, that's all I ask"

She turned to Pascale who was looking rather confused "You deserve to know everything and i'm sorry I never told you when we first met" tears were falling down her face and Pascale could feel her anguish in the Force "Galen Erso used my designs to create the Death Star, someone else must have used them to create the Ultimate Weapon too." she swallowed "Grand Moff Tarkin used me as a guinea pig for a project, a project I thought was meant to do good, but I later learnt it was used for evil purposes. It was used to kill." She shook her head, "I supported the Empire back in the day thinking it would be a beacon against anarchy and chaos but it turned out to be monstrous"

Qwi looked devastated "I wanted to tell you but I could'nt risk losing you, the man I fell in love with. The one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. To atone for my sins. I guess that one day, karma does come back to bite"

Pascale was devastated, she had lied to him?. She had deceived him?. His heart was breaking into tiny little pieces. He had been honest with her and she had repaid him with this?. This beautiful intelligent woman had hidden a dark secret like this?

"You…" he managed to reply then shook his head trying to process it all. His pain, loss, anger and thoughts of betrayal poured into the Force, he couldn't help it.

"I'm so sorry my love" replied Qwi looking absolutely miserable she turned back to Jyn "Happy now?. My relationship is now in ruins, thank you ever so much. You are an equation I didn't want turning up in my life. So take me, and get whatever you wanted done over with"

Jyn was unmoved. Saw had taught her not to care about anyone else but herself, and notwithstanding however Feyna managed to have empathy when all the other Alderaan survivors didn't, Jyn wasn't Feyna, as much as she admired the woman from afar.

She stepped to Qwi and put her blaster to her head. She eyed Rouser. "I know that you can, apparently, use the Force now. I know you were, like you say Dark Underlord for a day, and that day you tried to help the Separatists complete the Ultimate Weapon. Feyna told me; she's Chancellor now ,remember."

Ike coughed, blood in his mouth. "Rouser, let them -"

"- let them go," he managed to say.

"Please," is all he was able to add before he collapsed.

Jyn sniffed. "What will it be, Pascale? Are you fighting for this lying Omwati, or are you going to save the only person in the galaxy who is probably still your friend?" She pushed the blaster into Qwi's head.

Qwi was still trembling and Pascale's eyes looked like ice. Rouser was still pointing the blaster at Jyn but inside his heart had shattered. Qwi had lied and deceived him was any part of their romance genuine? Well with what he had felt in the Force from Qwi she did seem genuinely devastated and heartbroken as he was. But was that a lie too?

You had to be rather clever to mask your true thoughts from a Force user and if she truly had no regrets she wouldn't be broadcasting them like a beacon to him. She would be hiding her thoughts, draping a cloak over them to hide her true nature. But she wasn't so that was a plus point in this whole horror show. Now Qwi was in danger, they were both in danger. Ike was down and needed help. He would need to trust Qwi to get herself out of trouble or he would have to find her.

Because they needed to get themselves sorted and whether to continue or end it all.

Qwi meanwhile was looking at him with pleading eyes. Let me go she thought at him. These are the sins I must atone for, I don't want you or Ike to suffer any more because of me. Please know that I love you, I always have and I always will.

And Pascale was feeling it all still, but her love for him outshone everything else. Pascale was still uncertain over things, but it seemed they were a match for each other. They had both been monsters and they had tried to atone for them, well Qwi more than him. But he did look at her deep in the eyes as he thought back at her.

I will find you again cheri and we will have to have a rather serious talk when we do find each other….

He lowered his blaster and nodded "Take her, but do not harm her. She deserves to be alive to atone for her sins, to think about what she has done. I will not follow but make sure she goes somewhere where some trigger happy bounty hunter or assassin can't get to her".

Jyn rolled her eyes. “Sure. The New Republic doesn’t execute war criminals as a rule, so she’ll get a nice and cozy cell.”

With a prompt of her blaster, she nudged Qwi to go. “Say your goodbyes, we’re going.” Jyn was going to get through this without balking.

Feyna’s face loomed for her, but she pushed Qwi harder. They had to go. Now.

Before.

Pascale and Qwi looked at each other, thoughts and feelings intermingling between each other through their expressions and Pascale feeling it all through the Force. He wished he didn't feel all these things but he was. Qwi meanwhile looked miserable as if all her nightmares had come at once. Pascale didn't blame her, and the expression on his face probably didn't help either.

He didn't want to see her hurt and she had decided to take the step of leaving with Jyn, to protect him from harm. But they would need to work on the healing process and Qwi did not deserve to rot in a disgusting cell and in a prison where everyone would be gunning for her. A public trial possibly loomed too which Qwi was prepared for, perhaps it was time to air the dirty laundry so to speak.

"Take care Pascale" she finally said, she wanted to step forward and give Pascale a goodbye kiss but Jyn wouldn't have it "Take care and hopefully this is au revoir, not goodbye"

Pascale nodded "Goodbye Qwi, hopefully one day we will see each other again. And you will have plenty of time to think about what you have done in your past and present and think about your future" in the Force he sent And we can begin our healing when you get out. I will come for you, I promise. I will find a way to see you again…

He watched her go, Qwi looking back one more time before being shoved out. First things first, get Ike medical attention then turn the dinner off before the residence got burnt down. Perhaps it was time to get in touch with his underworld contacts once again, see if he could get back into the swing of things. Integrate himself with them again and then perhaps they could help spring Qwi out. Maybe Black Sun if they still exist would have him back again as client or Underlord he didn't care which.

But it was time to get back into the galaxy, shake off the war criminal mantle, get his girlfriend back and perhaps make some waves...and money.

Time to get to work.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

Anakin Skywalker
Dagobah, Dreamscape

Anakin breathed in and out. He was aware it was not really breathing and he was not sure himself if he sighed or if it was relief he expressed.

"Master Windu, you survived." He did not feel dead, he felt present in a not-so-present way of dreams. Anakin felt not exactly enlightened the force found another Jedi Master from his path to try to persuade him. Master Windu and him had many conflicts over the years. Long ago. Obi-Wan Kenobi was a friend. Windu probably only wanted to do the will of the force. Without fully understanding what he asked for.

Then you should have died, right?

Anakin patiently listened as Master Windu dreamt of making things right.

"Master, you obviously did not see everything." He gave Windu a sad smile. "You want to repair the changes? It does not stop with the mask. Or your death, Master Windu. I killed all of them. Every Jedi I could find. Masters. Padawans. Younglings. Then every child, woman and man sensitive to the force. Finally I simply killed millions, billions of people." He closed his eyes. "Compared to what could have been, the events that came to pass were a better future. That day we succeeded. Not to fulfill the will of the force, but to avoid endless tragedy by blindly obeying it. I do not embrace my destiny, Master Windu. I defy it."

Then there was the hooded figure and mocked him with his name. Palpatine. Sidious. Anakin wondered if he had added him to the Dream or did the dead Sith somehow had found the ability to enter dreams from the afterlife? The Dark Side served one man now and he could not give this specter of his past the slightest chance to find out where he was.

"A dead Sith joins us. Well, the Skywalkers story will end. Just not how you imagined it, did you?" There was no reason to be provoked by the man. He was dead. Anakin had killed him.

Tag: @Sinrebirth, @BobaMatt





Joren Sole
Landing Platform, New Keldabe

Joren was irritated by this preacher promising ... what exactly was it he promised? Freedom of what?

"Lunatics, hm? Thought you Mandos are more the reasonable and rough kind." He could not help but watch the man though.

Then the shadow moved ... Joren looked to his ship and wondered if it had entered it. Or had it been an overactive imagination? Probably second. Why would someone Board his ship? The computer was locked and nothing of value was in there. The cargo had not even begun to load.

He never came to a conclusion as next to him a transport blew up suddenly and without warning. He could not help but draw his blaster as he went behind a large box nearby to take cover. Ships landed in Hangars did not explode like that. Reactors were powered down and fuel burned before it exploded.

"A bomb, call security!" He shouted and looked around the corner to see if his ship was clear of damage.

The shadow. Was someone planting bombs? What the hell had he got himself into. "Guess the shipment is postponed, hm?" He asked the Mando and made his way to his ship, his blaster in front of him.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
Mandalore's Estate

The pain passed as quickly as it had come; and Madelyn found herself on her knees, on the ground. She winched, could faintly make out Leia and Alfred's panic; and then the sound of the alarms rose through their estate. She stood up slowly and looked around, spotting Arthur running towards her.

"Arthur." Madelyn managed to get out, before she was swept up in his arms and a kiss was shared between them. "Get the children somewhere safe, I need to go with Ka'rta and deal with the situation." Madelyn reached out for Ka'rta and steadied herself on her shoulder. I think Tor wants to come to, but that's not my decision.

"Take care of her." Arthur said quietly before he turned and ran over to Leia and Alfred. Madelyn watched him go and turned her head towards her friend.

"We need to hurry." Madelyn said firmly.

I just hope we can intercept them in time.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @galactic-vagabond422