Star Wars OPEN Dark Reach: Episode II – THE STORM OF ONE

IC: Walce Quia-Vis
Pelegan

Walce eyed his Comlink for a moment, clearly he wasn’t the only one in trouble but until he escaped there was nothing he could do to assist the Senator or his fellow Knights.
Signaling back he whispered “Copy, I’m in a bit of a situation myself.”

Finally pulled himself back up. “I’d rather have answers but sitting around has never been much my style.” Looking to the door Walce thought for a moment, if this was a police speeder opening it from the inside would be impossible, but with the force he didn’t need to touch the outside handle to pull it.

It took a few seconds of concentration, but he had a mental picture in his mind, and he cautiously tried to open that escape route.

Tags: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Arthur and Sam
Kroan's Ship

The cruel smirk hadn't faded from Arthur's lips since he watched Nayr writhe in pain about the hard floor. Even when his captor had returned with the thing freshly healed, the smirk remained. He held no illusions about what was to befall him, chained up as he was. Ironic perhaps, to be on the other side of the binds for once, but nothing truly foreign. Arthur seared that image of Nayr finally receiving his just desserts to memory. When the pain would inevitably come, and he had no doubts it would, retreating mentally back to such an image would help keep his mind focused.

His eyes followed Kroan as he moved about the room, holding firm the insolent smirk even when one of his own hands were freed from their bonds. Arthur narrowed his eyes, silently letting his arm drop to the side instead of attempting to strangle Kroan where he stood. No, he would play this game of his and save his strength for the opportune moment.

Arthur shot Sam a momentary glance, before returning his glare to Kroan. "How quick you are to run off to your Master. What, too small to make your own decisions?"

Sam stayed silent, letting Arthur be the one to ask the questions. She looked down hesitantly at the food. She doubted that Kroan wanted to kill them or else they would already be dead. But that didn't mean the food couldn't still be poisoned and Kroan had the only antidote, which would force them to do whatever he said. Then again, the shock collar also did a good job at that...

Ultimately, Sam decided it was better to be safe than sorry. She obviously didn't trust Kroan and Nayr probably spat in it anyway.

Kroan laughed at Arthur’s comments and question, as he leaned over and took a piece of fruit from one of the plates. He turned it around in his palm a moment before he took a bite and slowly chewed.

“You know,” Kroan pointed at Arthur with his hand holding his Apple, “you’re a smart ass, and it reminds me of how I was before my Master beat me into shape.”

He took another bite and slowly chewed, “I see potential in you, that is why I’m taking you to meet my Master.” Kroan’s smile was a disturbing sight as he added, “I think she’ll love you.”

Nayr sat on the floor with his plate and was eating like he hadn’t seen food in months. He had juices dripping down his chin like a child without manners.

Kroan laughed again and studied Sam, “actually, she might like you a lot too,” he finished with a wink. “Nayr can go get dessert because he’s eating his meal, you two will need to tuck in if you want some.”

Sam kept her face as neutral as possible, something she admittedly wasn't too used to without a helmet. "And who is this Master of yours?" she asked.

Arthur made a show of glancing up at his remaining shackled hand, before returning to look at Kroan. The plated food was ignored completely. Somewhere along the line he had made it a point not to eat the food of his captor, both for practical reasons, such as avoiding the obvious such as poisonings or being drugged, but also simply out of pride. In some cases, the refusal to simply eat was infuriating, and would cause the more amateur interrogators to loose their cool.

Kroan however, didn't appear to be such. Or in the very least, he played the part well enough. "Think she'll love you after your report? Killed quite a few of your instructors back there." Arthur's smile grew. "Even worthless grunts you call soldiers need some modicum of training."

He was trying to rile him up, get him to reveal something he wasn't supposed to. Arthur had already witnessed the first cracks in Kroan's demeanor back when he was atop his desk, screeching at them all to stop fighting. He had been forced to use gas to regain control. What would he do now, Arthur wondered, when it was just the four of them?

“I’ll introduce you when we get there,” Kroan answered Sam.

He shook his head at Arthur, “all of your pent up anger will definitely please my Master.” He stretched his legs and scoffed at Arthur, “I told you that the trainees there are just meat shields. They won’t be important and are just disposable fighters.” Kroan’s forehead creased, “besides, you had a chance to improve their chances, but you decided not to be a team player.”

So far the Knights hadn’t asked anything significant, and the one called Arthur was damned insolent. He couldn’t help but smile over what was in store for him.

"Oh, we are team players," Sam spoke up. "We just know not to back the wrong team. Honestly, it's cute that you think what you're doing actually matters. You think you're some big shot just because you answer to a mysterious master and you have an army of 'meat shields', so you expect us to be impressed. But really you're just arrogant and I should know, because I have a lot of experience with arrogant men."

Arthur nodded along to Sam's words. "Tell me," He said just as she finished, "Which of the warlords have you pledged yourself to? It's not Admiral Daala is it? Oh Kroan, you're better than that right?"

Now Arthur was curious. He had specified that he followed a she, but to his knowledge, the list of former female Imperials claiming ownership over the Imperial Remnant was increasingly short. If not Daala.. then who?

Unless..

Unless Kroan's Master was someone new. Arthur narrowed his eyes, staring daggers into the face of his captor. "Y'know what? We've been rather rude to our host Sam. All we've talked about is Master this or Master that. All the while ignoring the man in front of us. Clearly he's of some importance, having been put in charge of the Yinchorr Academy and all, which raises a question. Just who is Kroan, hm? What brought you here?"

Kroan laughed heartily at Sam’s statements, his eyes felt moist from the laughter. “I like you,” he told Sam with sincerity, “do you have a man? Because I’d be tempted to settle down if I had a spirited babe like you. I’d treat you well, sweetie.” Kroan winked at Sam as he tilted his chin up giving her a thorough inspection.

He laughed again and turned to Arthur asking, “you think we’re Imps? Maybe you’re not as clever as I originally thought…”

Nayr walked back in and sat down with a wedge of cake in his hands, it appeared he had freedom to roam the ship at will.

“I don’t work for Daala, or any damned warlord.” Kroan stood and stared at Arthur, “I am loyal to my Emperor, Emperor Krayt.”

Sam found herself disgusted by Kroan's comments and by his wink. Babe? Sweetie? Yep, he was definitely no different than any of the other arrogant men she had the misfortune to serve under. She growled slightly.

And then when he answered Arthur's question, she almost snorted. "Seriously?" she asked. "Your boss calls themselves Emperor, just like so many wannabes who have popped up since Endor? Wow, you really are special and unique, totally not like every other upstart we've had to deal with."

Kroan and this false Emperor of his was doomed to fail, Sam knew that much for sure. Because she knew her history and she knew how this ended every single time.

"How are you going to take over the galaxy? Ooh, let me guess. You're going to throw your poorly trained army of meat shields at your enemies and be shocked that they fail. Or maybe you're going to somehow lure every one of your enemies into your room and gas them while they're easily killing your meat shields. Flawless plan!"

She had absolutely zero tolerance for this nonsense, especially after seeing so many lives wasted by people just like Kroan. She was done following arrogant, sexist men and other power-hungry morons.

"Emperor Krayt?" Arthur repeated with a raised brow. He was unfamiliar with the name, which unfortunately gave credence to Kroan's claim that he wasn't following an Imperial warlord. Not that Arthur would give him the satisfaction of agreeing with him. No, instead he would follow Sam's lead and continue to antagonize the man. Hey, It had worked this far.

"No no, don't tell me, you've created a brand new indestructible super-weapon which will finally put an end to all of your enemies in one fell swoop! One that definitely doesn't have an inexplicable weakness that will cause it to self-destruct just when you're on the cusp of victory?" Arthur smirked. "Nope, definitely not an Imp warlord."

“I’m trying to be patient,” Kroan wasn’t angry yet, but he was aware of their needling him with insults, “in fact I was trying to be hospitable, but it’s clear you don’t want that.”

He stood to leave, but stopped to speak to Nayr, “we’re about to be landing, you might want to stay on board, and then I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

The room wasn’t terribly crowded, but Kroan could reach Sam from where he stood. “You are a delight,” he whispered hoarsely and stroked her hair, “think about my offer, babe.”

Sam responded by spitting on his face and inching away from him. "Don't touch me, creep," she told him.

Arthur shifted his gaze between Nayr and Kroan. Clearly an agreement had been reached between the two. But to what end? He then glanced upwards, to the hand still shackled above his head. Did Nayr even matter anymore? Or was he always meant to lead them to Krayt?

A perplexing question, to be sure. Either way, Arthur had promised Nayr that he would face Imperial Justice. He may very well flee today, but that wouldn't free him from such a heavy burden forever. Arthur would find him, eventually.

But for now, Arthur turned away from the infuriating face of Nayr to look upon Kroan, his new fixation of inner rage. There he watched as the filth dare lay a hand upon an Imperial Knight. Arthur blinked, head tilted slightly to the side as the world seemed to slow to a mere crawl. He glanced down, curious to find his free hand extended out towards Kroan as if tightly grasping an invisible cup between his fingers.

Realization struck Arthur slowly to what was happening as he glared daggers into Kroan's throat. He was tired of the charade, tired of the man's inane prattling and inflated ego. He just wanted to grab him by the throat and shake, shake until at last that mouth of his fell silent. Arthur's smile finally faded, morphing into a look of cold determination. He was no stranger to the alluring power of the urge to kill, but this.. felt different somehow. His senses were muddled, clouded, yet the anger bubbling just below the surface offered focus, if not for a moment.

Was he trying to imitate what he had seen Vader do, all those years ago at the Academy? Perhaps, but at the current moment that was irrelevant to Arthur. He simply wanted to end Kroan. Arthur strained against his remaining shackle, as if using two hands would bolster his attack. Truthfully he had no idea, but if felt like something he should do.

So why had nothing happened to Kroan? Why did he still stand there, seemingly unaware of Arthur's efforts? Could he not feel Death's vice-like grip across his throat? Why was nothing happening..?

Kroan wiped his face, and then stacked his hands over his heart, “you injure me, love. I’ll be waiting for you to change your mind.”

He blew a kiss as he left.

“Don’t get into mischief”

They would be able to feel the ship preparing to land.

Sam groaned out loud. "He is disgusting..."

She then growled. "I want to kill him so bad."

Arthur continued to stare at his open hand, still expecting something to happen even as Kroan bid his farewell. The rage was still there, threatening to burst at the seams. Yet..

Nothing. It was infuriating. What was happening to him?

"..Me too." He finally said with a whisper, "Me too.."

Tags: @Lady Belligerent , @Sinrebirth , @HanSolo29 , @CosmoHender

 

IC: Soliloquy as Nihl
Bossy

Soliloquy in the guise of another was surprised to feel the recognition from Ormes, the man's regard was an obvious tell that brought a twinkle to Soliloquy's borrowed eyes.

The Sith Trooper glowered at the other.

"I have been told to kill this one," his voice was guttural, indicating. "To lure out Darth Insipid."

"Will capturing him do the same?"

"No." his tone was annoyed, but respectful. "It will do better." he added with a grin. "Now go, I will handle this." Solioquy was not impressed by the behemoth, his gait, as he stepped forward and towered over Soliloquy, multiple lightsabers still alit, was the opposite of his tone.

Ormes could only watch, too hurt to escape. A part of Soliloquy almost wanted the man to try something. His borrowed arm that was of the appearance of a Yuuzhan Vong beast twitched easily at his side as he awaited the response. He might not appear it, but his teeth and ambitions were paired in this moment. Ready for the delights of either an easy meal or a challenge. Either way he would have the Senator, alive.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett


Madelyn smiled a little at Mira, and realised she was right. This didn't need to become a bigger problem then what it could be. "I guess we can deal with it now...in our own way."

She paused. "And then we can ride off into the sunset after. I'm not particular on where we go." Madelyn winked at Mira. "So long as I'm with you."

Madelyn shifted on the speeder bike. "So..shall we go?"

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Kazan Aima (Alias: Nin Alma)

Remaining on his knees he did not bring his head up during the entire time Nix parked the ship and unloaded the cargo. His long hair flowed down in a sweaty tangled mess as her words washed over him.

“You should know that Aari really liked you, that’s why she asked me to tag along and recruit you.”

“You’re not a fool, and Aari gets a healthy bonus if she sends us recruits. So, why not get along?”

“I’m going to a meeting, you can either come with me or go do whatever it is you want.”

His head stirred slightly at that. She was... she was going to let him go?

He found this odd...

He was unsure what to do, should he play around with the ridiculous notion that he would allow himself to be recruited by these people in order to gain more information or...

Should he continue with he mission he had already been assigned...

Perhaps that was one thing that Nix had not accounted for. That the Aimas were fundamentally dutiful to their core. It was who they were.

It was who Kazan was.

And so he said nothing, waiting to see if Nix would truly leave him be.

TAG: @Lady Belligerent

 

IC: Soliloquy as Nihil
A way away

The Sith Trooper regarded Soliloquy and the Senator, and then relented. Unhappily. "Yes, my Lord."

At that, he dropped to one knee, and Ormes, clutching his injured side, sat up, teeth set. "Traitor."

He spat bloody bile at Soliloquy. Which Soliloquy caught with the Force, swirling it around his fingers. Smiling a predatory smile he dragged the man behind him. "Come Ormes. It is time we had a. . .Heart to Heart." Turning his back he headed back into the shuttle. To leave, and leave the Sith Trooper to his own ends as Soliloquy wanted privacy with the Senator. This should be interesting. So very, very interesting.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Walce Quia-Vis
Pelegan

Walce tried to maintain a stoic expression, but couldn’t hold back a thin smirk as they were led out of the vehicle. This hadn’t gone quite as expected, but his weapon was within reach as was an ally. The only question now was the ideal time to strike.

Glancing to Shey for a second, he turned to face the Storm Trooper carrying his lightsaber.

“Don’t suppose you would consider telling us why we’re here?”

Tags: @Sinrebirth, @TheSilentInfluence

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
Tailing

Madelyn smiled at the kiss, but tensed the closer they got to Havok. She slipped off the speeder as they came to a stop, and knelt in the foliage, reaching out with the force to Mira to encourage her to be next to her, and also trying to see if Walce was nearby.

"I don't like this." Madelyn said softly. She looked at Mira. "I feel like were walking into a trap we can't come out of."

She let out an unsteady breath. Nervous.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @ConservativeJedi321

 

IC: The First Azathoth
Disconnected

His eyes had caulked with excitement. Transfixed upon the the messy, juggled madness of the chill and the dark that he had almost missed it altogether. The loose sensation of something becoming undone within his inner soul. A thread that had been there since the beginning becoming severed... no not severed... let go.

Freed.

It was as if a great fog had begun to lift itself from the mind of the young Sith Lord. And this new feeling distracted him from his ecstasy of power, the unknowable sense of loss overcoming him. Yet again he almost missed what was happening to him.

"Enough. Swear fealty, or die." Krayt

Or flee, Adas

Such powerful Sith, ones Azathoth had studied in his endless research. He would not presence of mind to be flattered that they were both intrigued by his potential. Nor did would he have the awareness to marvel at the strength of Adas's armor, cracked though it was. The familiar sensation of fingers sliding over flesh. Of crushing squeezing the edges of his windpipe, this too would be dulled by the melancholy within Azathoth.

His eyes lulled into the precipice of his mind as if they were trying sever their own connection. Three faces shone within his mind... his own face. Three times over, and then within an instant they were gone. Forever gone.

Tobias's body would then sag, hunched over as his mind drifted slowly to eternal sleep, the only evidence to the contrary was the faint struggle of breaths that escaped his lips, just as blood began to drip from them.

Lord Chaos?

Had that not been a name he had wanted for himself?

Aye.

No more.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @Silvertough @darthbernael

 

IC: Serapis
En Route to Sith space

She was quite proud of herself. She'd gone to Ithor, joined up with a Herdship and found herself the perfect body. Though it was a female Ithorian, it was a Force-sensitive. The girl had not known what hit her when Serapis took her over. Yet she could still hear her in the hammerhead brain yelling to be let out. Not gonna happen, lady. If you only knew what it took to get you.

Serapis settled into the cockpit, hyperdrive calculating her journey to Coruscant. It showed it would take a few minutes to finish. She checked her supplies. Saber, blaster. She'd even thought to pack some grenades. She had food to last her for a few days. She was ready for anything. At least that's what she thought.

Then the Imperial cruiser appeared. Initially, she was thrilled. The Sith have come to me! she thought, excitedly. But something felt wrong. Bad. And the TIEs that were approaching her. They weren't Sith. Their wings seemed... hinged? This felt very wrong. If the Force had a color, this one was showing blood red.

She checked the hyperdrive again. Still calculating. One more minute.

Serapis checked for the telltale pull of a tractor beam. Not feeling one, yet, she decided to stall. She hailed the wedge-shaped destroyer. "Good to see a familiar ship! I commanded one of those in a previous life." Just a few more seconds. Hopefully she confused them enough to gain time. The hyperdrive bleeped ready and she punched the button.

Tags: @Sinrebirth, @Lady Belligerent, @HanSolo29

 

(A combo post between @Silvertough @CosmoHender @Lady Belligerent and myself)
Will Tyrell, Sam Hhat, Arthur Donvoy
Fondor

It had been in interesting ride for Will from Nubia to Fondor, from Servant of the Empire, to Servant of the One Sith. Though it felt more like a lateral move. Or he made it feel like such. Caught out alone and surrounded he didn't have much choice than to surrender. Though he was surprised at how fast he could talk. He could see and feel the bad intentions meant for him. That was until he said the magic words.

"I can assist you, I have knowledge that could be of worth to you. No torture needed." Thankfully Maladi was a smart woman, or at least saw him useful experimental fodder further down the line. Will has tried to not reveal anything that would jeopardize the Emperors' security, or the safety of his comrades. He knew his only value was what he could give them, and his knowledge of corutly manners was of little use to the inquisitor and torturer. It hadn't been easy to get himself so far so fast. There were a lot of things he'd done to get here. Things he wouldn't be putting in his journals. Innocent people that had nothing to do with anything lost their life. At least Will tried to make it quick, not extend their suffering longer than was necessary. He actually found himself acting as a what did one of the underlings call him, a Good Seccer, to Maladi's Bad Seccer. There was no joy in what he did, but it was what had to be done.

Having someone on the inside, doing what they could to frustrate the One Sith was useful, at least that was what the Ranger was telling himself to sleep better at night. Not that any of it really mattered, did it now. The Emperors could protect themselves, no matter what he did or was reveled they would be fine right? It was all madness, two megalomaniacal forces crashing into each other jockeying for position, and him and those of his ilk caught in the middle.

With his helmet off he greeted his fellows Arthur and Sam.

"Hail old friends, good to see you hardy." His stomach dropped seeing the state of them. He was going to have to find a way out of this for both of them.

Arthur was quiet for the remainder of the trip, his silence birthed from the contempt he harbored for his own inaction. There was nothing more to say on the matter, for he was sure Sam was sharing such thoughts as well. No, he far preferred to privately stew within the confines of his rage, chained to the wall like an animal.

A scowl overtook Arthur's expression, his gaze boring holes into the exterior door to their chamber. If that is what he needed to be to get Sam and himself out of here safely, an animal, then so be it. He would gladly play the part. He had already decided upon one thing, if nothing else. Kroan was destined to face Imperial Justice via the Courts. No, he would die by Arthur's clenched fists, if that was the last thing he did. Yet even a pleasing thought such as this did little to temper the Knight's glowering. No, he figured that only the act itself would calm his down now.

When Kroan eventually walked back into the cell, chipper as ever, Arthur remained silent, following where he went about the room with his eyes alone. He did not resist when his fee hand was reshackled, nor when he and Sam were finally escorted out from Kroan's blasted ship. He would play the part of an obedient dog for the time being, if only to make the coming violence taste that much sweeter.

Arthur took note of the state of the guards they passed by, specifically putting to memory their arms and armor out on display. They were more capable warriors than the whelps back on Yinchorr, that much was clear as day. He squinted, using what little time he had to really look them over. Something about them tickled the rear recesses of his mind, the same wriggling sensation he had felt when within the presence of the Emperor and Empress, if not to a far lesser degree.

They wield the Force. He surmised bitterly, turning away from the cluster of guards upon the ever insistent prodding from Kroan. They posed a significant problem, especially if his control over his own powers remained as diminished as they had been on the ship. It meant that breaking out wouldn't be the cake walk he had assumed. So be it. The group eventually entered into a large laboratory, the walls of which were lined by a dizzying amount of foreign specimens of all types of flora and fauna.

But Arthur wasn't concerned about any of that, for his eyes were locked upon a concerningly familiar man standing directly next to a woman he presumed to be the Master of this place.

"Knight." He replied venomously, his accusatory tone laying out everything that needed to be said. If Will had defected, then so be it. He would share the same fate as his new cohorts.

Sam had stayed silent as well. She had been able to sense Arthur's contempt and rage. It hadn't been hard for her to figure out what he was thinking, that he wanted Kroan to die by his hands.

Heh, not if Sam killed Kroan first.

Like Arthur, Sam had taken note of the guards they passed by, how they seemed more capable than the ones they faced back on Yinchorr and how some were clearly Force-sensitive. Yet Sam still wasn't impressed. Kroan and his master were insignificant in the grand scheme of things, just a footnote in the larger history of the galaxy. She was confident in that and looked forward to the satisfaction of seeing everything Kroan had built here get inevitably wiped away. This could only end one way.

The only thing that did shock Sam was the presence of a fellow Imperial Knight. This was an unexpected development, though honestly Sam was glad to see a familiar face after everything she and Arthur had been through. It was actually a relief.

"Knight Tyrell," Sam greeted with a nod. Her voice was calm, her tone neutral. She didn't want to jump to any conclusions. Was there a chance that their fellow Knight had betrayed the Empire and was working with the enemy? Perhaps. But there was also a chance that Tyrell was still on their side and was playing his new 'allies' for fools.

Darth Maladi ignored their outbursts, instead she greeted Kroan with a nod before she commented, “I see you brought guests.” She placed the cleaver on the table, and then slowly wiped her hands on a cloth.

A tangle of needle thin spikes and gnarled vines drifted to Maladi’s side as she stared at Arthur. One of its tentacle-like appendages extended to gently stroke her neck, causing Maladi to shiver, “are you jealous, my pet?” She asked in a hiss, “I’ll share with you,” she cooed to her Embrace of Pain, “but later.” She needed to find out about these curious force sensitive beings that stumbled upon their Yinchorr operations.

“You will tell me why you went to Yinchorr,” Maladi said while moving close to Arthur, “you’re very angry, careful or I’ll let my pet have you first,” the Sith warned him.

The woman didn’t feel as hostile, but both recognized Will, that was a bit of a surprise, but not unwelcome.

A room had been prepared for their guests, and Will would have had time to take note of the Vong technology spread around the facility, including the listening devices.
“I shall give you the opportunity to tell me why I should allow you to live. If I like your answer you’ll be given a 24 hour reprieve.”

Her smile wasn’t warm, it was laced with disgust, “I sense that Kroan wants you for himself,” Maladi addressed Sam, “do you return his feelings?”

She paced between Sam and Arthur, “what say you, Will Tyrell? Do I keep them or feed them to my pets?”

"No, I don't return his 'feelings'," Sam answered with a growl. "He disgusts me and I want nothing to do with that arrogant coward."

Will kept his easy smile while Maladi rambled on, a slight shiver ran through him as she caressed her 'pet'. He seen what that monster did to beings. It flayed their skin, or at least felt as such, left them broken and howling. On at least one occasion Will had chosen to kill an informant rather than let them face the Embrace. It was a vile thing, that went far beyond torture, it was sadistic, and cruel beyond all reason. He most certainly would not be letting his comrades face that monster. Though his eyes looked around noting the odd embellishments around the space, hiding the listening devices that dotted the compound. It would make it very difficult to get a message to his friends. That would be for later, right now he had to keep up his cover.

As Arthur mentioned the rank Will held, the man's stomach dropped, he was well aware of his station, and knew Arthur well enough to know that the other man would kill him given half the chance.

"Oh Sam don't be so hasty." Will started with a smile moving closer to the pair "Our fair Kroan is quite the catch, in line for what was it...accommodation...a promotion yes, he is soon to be a very wealthy man, a very powerful man. There is not much better you could do in suitors than are Dear friend here." He turned to Arthur still with that beaming smile. "And my dear friend just like that business with the privy is it not, hemmed in on all sides, nothing to do but what we must." He paused for a moment wrapping his arms around the former Imperial Guard. "I'm, trying." He whispered before giving Arthur a small kiss on the cheek before quickly kissing the other cheek.

"My lady," He turned smiling and bowing to his, for the time, mistress, "If I may, allow them to live, give them the time to see your magnanimity, and kindness, and they may come around. Serving under those needy and demanding Imperials leaves one tired and overworked. Give them some time, and hospitality, it will do them wonders. Failing that, I'm sure they could be persuaded with a few choice words of yours truly. Having a friend that has gone through the same...ignominy could help them see the light as it where."

Arthur merely glared at Maladi for several moments as she drew near. It would have been so easy to spit at her in an adolescent display of defiance, But he held his tongue, for now at least. "Nostalgia." He finally replied, staring the woman down. He refused to be intimidated by such idle threats, even if he didn't quite comprehend the true nature of them.

His glare was broken by the sudden appearance of Will, who had inserted himself temporarily between himself and Maladi. Will's secretive words did nothing to change Arthur's icy stare, the only indication that he had comprehended Will's intention being a tiny dip of his chin. Did he fully believe Knight Tyrell? A small part of him certainly liked the idea.

But he taken the brunt of defection before. If Will was being genuine in his desire to help, good. His own suspicions would remain private, never to see the light of day. If not, well, more fuel for the fire that was his cynicism. Either way, he wasn't about to put all his eggs in one basket, so to speak. Not until he could gather some more information.

Arthur tilted his head to the side to look around Will towards Maladi again. He wasn't particularly fond of begging per se, but something in his gut was beginning to give him the idea that he had grossly misjudged the situation he was in.

"Yinchorr's purpose was to train adept warriors. Yet your underlings' meddling creates nothing more than common grunts." Arthur said with a sneer. "Half-trained, panicked hordes don't win wars, let alone enable conquest. I can rectify this."

Maladi smirked at Sam’s indignant reply, “I’ve known Kroan for years, and he would never beat a woman he likes,” she shrugged. “What can you tell me about your Emperor Graul?” Maladi asked Sam, “and I don’t mean the political parts, give me a weakness or anything that I might not be aware of?”

“You sound very sure of yourself, Knight. I’ll still need proof that you can be trusted,” Maladi said to Arthur. Her mood was definitely turning around, maybe these two wouldn’t be a loss, and would indeed be useful.

Kroan gave Maladi a look, and something seemed to pass between them. He left the laboratory without a spoken word.

“Tyrell,” Maladi called over to Will, “do I trust your acquaintances to play nice? Or do they need to be fitted with a restraint?” She stroked a spineray that had crawled to her from a nearby food dish. “This little guy is eager for another host,” Maladi’s eyes glittered at the notion of using the painful creature.

She picked up the spineray and took him to Sam, “don’t worry, he won’t leave marks on you,” Maladi said, stroking the creature that was now clinging to her arm. She held it so Sam could pet it, if she wanted.

“Well, Tyrell? Will they be obedient guests?”

Sam stayed silent. She had nothing to say to Maladi at this point. Her disgusted glare said enough.

Arthur held his glare upon Maladi, ignoring the interactions of the others for the time being. He made note of how friendly they were each other, especially Kroan and the newly appeared Sith woman. Such a bond was a weakness, one he would eventually exploit. But now, he was focused on securing his own safety.

"The galaxy still bears the scars of the Sith Horde." He said, a noticeable hint of pride burgeoning in his voice. "But under my tutelage, they will learn to fear the lance. Many will die, but if that is the price of perfection, so be it."

In that aspect he wasn't lying, his words more accurately being an omission of truth. Even if he happened to be fully committed to the cause, the nature of the training regimen itself would produce casualties. But he wasn't. And if he had his way, hundreds would die from preventable deaths. An acceptable outcome fro such underhanded measures, he figured.

Will kept his smile through all that was occurring, he'd come to expect this kind of melodrama around him. Though it was good to see Arthur was his happy self, good to see nothing changed. Sam remaining quiet was fair given what they'd been through. Time for him to make the final move it seemed.

"I'm sure they will be well behaved, no need to restrain them. They see the writing on the wall, they know which side shall be victorious." He turned to Sam seeing the disgusted glare. "I'm sure they wouldn't want to cause too much trouble. They see what they would have to contend with if they displease you mistress."

TAG: @Silvertough @CosmoHender @Lady Belligerent @HanSolo29 @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Darth Iudex
Aboard the Star Destroyer

The High Lord of Meccetti lay dead at his feet, his lifeless corpse still faintly twitching from the rapid decapitation it had been subjected to. Iudex towered over him uncaring, now turning his wrath-fused gaze upon the likes of Wyyrlock IV. She had stubbornly chosen to continue her existence, a choice Iudex could not abide by any longer. His grip tightened around his lightsabers, stepping away from the body of the High Lord with deliberate clanks of his armored boots.

Shimmer, he observed, was quickly being overwhelmed by the Chagrian's attacks. Fury was replaced by simple, cold determination. No one was permitted to lay a hand upon her and live. Wyyrlock IV would die, simple as that.

Iudex quickened his pace, taking another step away from the body. His vision was filled completely by the pirouetting Chagrian, herself seemingly focused entirely on Bernael and Shimmer. It would be an easy kill then, her back to turned to Iudex as it was. Another step, and Iudex realized his mistake.

The High Lord's body had been a trap in of itself. His weapons, seemingly on their own accord, lept from the ground as Iudex turned his back to them and attacked. Iudex was too slow to react, managing to only deflect a few of the whirlwind of strikes from the blade. A pained hiss escaped from his throat as a half dozen slashes carved there way across his back. His armor deflected the worst of it, but he still felt the bite of the High Lord's blade.

The arrival of fresh pain was enough to momentarily awaken Iudex from his rage-induced stupor, enough to witness the apparent death of Azathoth. He blinked, his eyes darting towards Krayt

"Enough. Swear fealty, or die."

A snarl escaped from Iudex's lips. The Emperor's Son was gone, with Shimmer seemingly ready to follow in his footsteps at a moment's notice. While he placed full confidence in Bernael's abilities, as well as his own, the odds were certainly not in their favor. More importantly..

Iudex's grip tightened around the hilts of his lightsabers. He doubted he would be able to save Shimmer. Not if they continued fighting. No.

Sharing a look with Bernael, Iudex reluctantly extinguished his blades and took a step back from Krayt and Wyyrlock IV. He would live to fight another day. His pride could survive the blow if Shimmer would live.

With a sigh, Iudex hooked his lightsaber hilts to his belt and rose to his full height. "Strength recognizes strength." He stated with a pained hiss. "My blades are yours."

For now..

Tags: @Sinrebirth , @darthbernael , @Shadowsun

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
Hiding

Madelyn tensed up, aware that Havok could sense them and reached over to look at Mira. "He knows were here." She said softly, and moved a bit forward. "So since we've lost the element of surprise I say survival is our priority now."

She tugged on the force to Mira, and started moving forward. "He's strong, I guess you can't use some of you're fancy magic to hide us?"Madelyn asked, looking at all the Troopers. "It would be better to take out his lackeys first, then get close to him."

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Walce Quia-Vis
Pelegan

With his allies near, it was only a question of when the best time to strike was. Walce glanced at his ally with a confident flare in his eye, before responding to the Iktotchi . “Your service must be so much more honorable than ours.” He spoke with a subtle note of amusement in his voice, and his mind was racing as he considered the possibilities. For now, he would buy his hidden friends time to get their plan together, but it wouldn’t be long before he would get bored enough to take action preemptively. “You did after all have to kidnap us to bestow it.”

Stepping forward without hesitation. “Surrender now and we’ll go easy on you.”

Tags: @Sinrebirth, @TheSilentInfluence

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Barriss Offee

Temple of the Blueleaf Cluster

"Yeah, no problem," Barriss said, sensing the disturbance clinging to Luke. She decided not to comment on it and she instead looked at the Temple.

"So how does this work exactly?"

Luke pursed his lips, his eyes unfocused for a moment. "I merely show what is inside, by leading you to a Force strong point and allowing it to shape itself to you."

With a slight smile, he indicated the Temple entrance. "This is perfect. I did a similar test in an old temple on a world called Dagobah - where I met Master Yoda." His smile was explained. "I failed that test, and in slaying the vision of Darth Vader revealed that the illusion had my face. A warning, no doubt."

He looked back to the old Jedi. "Did you want to see?"

His voice was calm, once again a teacher.

Barriss didn't process the last part of what he said. She was too focused on a name he had said before then.

"Master Yoda?" she asked in surprise. "You know him?"

Of course, she had heard that Yoda survived Order 66. He was on the list of Jedi fugitives that Inquisitors were given. But she had no idea what had become of him...

"He trained me, and Obi-Wan Kenobi before that," Luke confirmed. "They both survived Order 66." He focused on Barriss, as a former Inquisitor. "I met Ahsoka Tano too, and Vima Da-Boda, but I believe she left the Order before the Clone Wars... and I worked besides Ferus Olin once, a Padawan who left. Kam Solusar, one of the Knights here on Yavin 4, his father was a Knight who survived Order 66 and became a Dark Side Elite for a time."

His eyes watched her for a reaction to all these other Jedi... not all of which gave up.

"Did you know of other Jedi who survived Order 66 that I could track down?"

Of course, Barriss would only have a memory of those Jedi who were unaccounted for early in the Dark Times - Shaak Ti, Quinlan Vos, An'ya Kuro, T'ra Saa, Tholme, Ylenic, Qu Rahn... a hundred names and more, but a mere fraction of the Jedi that had lived before the Battle of Naboo.

Barriss thought about the Jedi she knew that the Inquisitors had been looking for in the aftermath of Order 66. She looked down, frowning.

"I don't know," she admitted before looking back up at him. "Master Yoda... what became of him?"

"He passed away just before the Battle of Endor, of old age, but not before teaching me," Luke said, simply. "He was nine hundred years old." His eyes gazed up, that aura of a Jedi Master permeating; the calmness. "But I do speak to him from time-to-time."

He looked into the Temple. "Perhaps he'll be waiting for you."

Her eyes widened at this comment. She knew it was unlikely, but if there really was a chance she could speak to Yoda again... then she couldn't pass up on it.

Barriss took a deep breath and began to walk forward.

Into the Temple.

The Force responded to her.

How could it not?

She was here, and here was her.

Hers.

The colors rose up and surrounded her, and Luke's softly whispered. May the Force be with you permeated her...

And the illusion began.



Barriss just sighed. "Of course," she muttered to herself.

She wasn't phased by what she saw. After all, it was a face she saw Everytime she looked in a mirror and closed her eyes.

There was nothing it could do to her that she hadn't already done herself.

"Do you miss it, the brotherhood - the sisterhood?"

An image appeared; the Second Sister.

"Trilla loved you, you must realize."

Barriss tensed slightly. That got to her.

"It wasn't real sisterhood," Barriss told the images. "It was a competition, mistrust, and paranoia. I don't miss that. And real love couldn't have come from that."

Though there was still a flicker of doubt.

"What about the Third Sister? Reva, was it? She was committed; you respected that, didn't you?"

"I pitied her," Barriss admitted. "I pitied them all. But they made their choices. And I made mine. It is too late for them now."

But maybe it still wasn't too late for Brakiss. Maybe he could still be saved. Wasn't that why Barriss had brought him here? To be saved?

"So many deaths," her sister-self said. "Did we ever get a number? Were we ever worthy of one?"

"We were the Second Sister," Barriss responded. "Before Trilla..."

She looked down. Her sister-self said that Trilla loved her... was that actually true?

"Before, before, yes." A shrug from herself.

"But what of after, hmmm?" A noise from behind her Inquisitor-self, and Yoda stepped into view as she turned. "Died in service to the dark side, on the cusp of redemption, I heard. The title, unclaimed." He pointed with his gimlet walking stick. "Returned to you, did it?"

Barriss's eyes widened when she saw Yoda. Was it really him? Or was it an illusion conjured because Luke had put Yoda in her mind?

"I was gone by then," she told Yoda. "Long gone. I... heard that she died, though I didn't know the specifics."

Yoda waddled forward. "Turned away from the dark, she had, and Vader struck her down."

The Sister stepped back, hissing.

"Surprised, are you?"

Barriss looked down. "Not really," she admitted. "Vader turned on me the second that he realized that I was helping the Jedi that I was supposed to be hunting. It only makes sense that Vader would kill Trilla rather than let her betray him as well. But there is nothing I can do about her death now, especially with her killer dead."

"Dead indeed," Yoda said. "Redeemed too, Anakin Skywalker was."

"What would you say to him, I wonder, hmmm?"

"A lot of child-unfriendly things, probably," Barriss admitted, crossing her arms. "He may have been 'redeemed', but I shouldn't be expected to forgive him. I know I did bad things as well... but he slaughtered children and helped the Empire destroy entire worlds. I don't think I am a hypocrite if I don't think that he deserved to be redeemed after all the horrible things he did, the lives he ruined and the people he killed." She looked down, thinking of Trilla. "And if he murdered Trilla when she was about to turn back to the light, only for him to turn back to the light himself..." She sighed. "Where is the justice in that?"

She had to live everyday with her sins, she had to work everyday to make up for them as well. But not Anakin. He died and got to be redeemed despite more than two decades of committing evil against the galaxy.

"Exactly," hissed her Inquisitor-self. "If the Force decides what is good and right and cares not for your sins?"

Yoda nodded, sagely. "Sacrificed his life he did, for that, I wonder how much atonement there is. Killed the Emperor, and broke his power, enough that the galaxy could fight back. Without Anakin, that opportunity we would never have."

"Next you'll be happy her threw down the corrupt Old Republic," the Inquisitor sniped, and looked back to Barriss.

"A shame the Jedi Council saw the light after throwing us in prison."

"Oh shut up," she told her Inquisitor self before turning back to Yoda. "I deserved to be thrown in prison and Anakin Skywalker deserved death for his crimes, though at least he was able to do some good first. However, I doubt that is still enough for his victims. Perhaps he did kill the Emperor and break his power, but it was because of Anakin that the Emperor rose to power in the first place. His sacrifice doesn't change that and it doesn't undo the suffering of others under him and Palpatine's rule. I hope he knows that. I hope he knows that he got his redemption at the expense of those lives that he snuffed out along with their potential for good."

“I do,” Anakin said gravely as he swept into view. He looked like his younger self; they’d not seen each other since…

… well since, he said simply. “I’m sorry, Barriss.”

Barriss narrowed her eyes at him. She could feel her artificial arm stinging like it was in pain.

"I have nothing to say to you," she told Anakin.

“Hm,” Yoda said. “Much to say to you, have I.” He poked her with his stick. “Honoring your fallen friends, are you, being this? Atoning, you say, by inflicting harm to yourself, torturing Barriss Offee like a martyr?” A chortle.

Snap-hiss.

Her Inquisitor-self ignited a crimson blade.

Barriss ignored her Inquisitor self and focused on Yoda. "I'm just trying to do the right thing, Master. It's not just about atonement. The galaxy needs people with my abilities, Luke needs people with my abilities. I want to help set things right."

Yoda nodded. "Understand, I do." A gesture, and the lightsaber was yanked from the hands of the Second Sister into his. He switched off the blade, shook it, listened to the innards rattle next to an ear. He lightly tossed it to Barriss -

Anakin watched, and a flash of their last meeting as Jedi crossed her mind.

And when the lightsaber reached her, she was back in her room, on Coruscant, as Anakin walked in, investigating what had happened between Ahsoka seeing Ventress and her capture.

A do-over?

Coruscant.

Barriss recognized her old room in an instant, even though she hadn't seen it in years. She knew that this wasn't truly her old room, just a memory or an illusion. She hadn't even been back to Coruscant in at least three decades.

She looked down at the lightsaber in her hand. It wasn't the same as the ones she used back then. Truthfully she had no idea what became of Ventress's lightsabers after her arrest. Honestly, she hoped that she would never see them again.

Barriss turned to face Anakin. What was she expected to do? Surrender? Fight? Talk? What good would it do now? She couldn't change the past.

Barriss shook her head. "What is this supposed to be?" she asked. "A test?"

It wasn't the Anakin she was speaking to a moment ago, it was her memory.

The lightsaber in her hand, it became the same as the one she'd had confiscated at her arrest.

Anakin reached for it, yanked it to his hand as he spoke about Ahsoka and Ventress...

... in the jar to the left of her was Ventress's lightsabers...

She'd remember that much.

Barriss shook her head again. What was the point of this? Replaying her old memories was hardly important, since this wasn't about her.

"Just arrest me already," she said, wanting to get this over with so she could get back to what she and Luke had been doing instead. Because this wasn't going to help anyone.

The scene ended, and Yoda stood there.

"If nothing can be changed, why hold onto it, hmmm? Forgiveness, earned it, you have."

Another poke.

"Believe me, you should. Old I am; I get to be right, especially when I am dead, no?" A chuckle.

"Why hold onto it?" Barriss asked in disbelief. "Because those lives I took... they mattered. Those people had families and loved ones. And I killed them. Any 'forgiveness' that I earn won't change that or bring them back. I can't forget what I did and I instead have to live with it. You have to understand that."

She shook her head. "This isn't about just me and my past. There is so much more at stake."

Yoda nodded. "As long as you know that there is more, then you carry your burden with you as a reminder of what you must do." He made a noise of hmmmm. "Knight Offee, a true Jedi, you may yet become."

At that, the image came to an end.

Luke stood there, watching her, Brakiss still unconscious on the floor.

Barriss shook her head again and turned to Luke. "Did you... see or hear any of that?"

"Some, but not all. It was private to you. But I heard my father, and Master Yoda."

He didn't even sound envious.

It had been many years since either had spoken to him.

He wondered if they ever would again.

"Obi-Wan said that the distance between us was too great for him to speak to me any longer, a few years ago now." Luke absently recalled a conversation on Coruscant before the Thrawn Crisis. "I haven't heard his voice since."

"Oh," Barriss said. "I'm sorry." She was quiet for a moment. "I often wish that I could talk to Luminara, my former master. Sometimes I think I hear her voice... but that could all just be in my head."

"I'm sure you'll speak to her one day," Luke's eyes unfocused. "Darth Sidious is dead, and his Empire is defeated."

"The forces of the dark side remain at work in this galaxy," he indicated Brakiss. "And it is our responsibility, as those who have fallen and returned, to carry the burden of what we have done, and make it so no one has to face that choice again."

The shadows seem to elongated around Luke, as he recalled his time as a Lord of the Sith. "I have faith in you, Barriss." He paused. "Will you stay, or will you go, to find your place in the galaxy?"

Barriss suddenly remembered something. "I was given this," she said, showing a compass. "It's apparently able to lead the way to Tavion and the scepter of Marka Ragnos."

Luke hesitated. "Truly?"

"A Jedi Wayfinder." The Jedi Master handled it carefully. "I've seen one before; I took it from the Emperor's Storehouse on Pillio..." The Storehouses were apart of Palpatine's Contingency, which had torn down the Galactic Empire after it failed to save him. On Wayland, Utapau, Adumar, Cerberon and other worlds, all manner of terrible weapons, technologies, and artefacts had been hidden. If anyone was found, it could spawn a monstrous threat to the galaxy.

He had hoped all the Storehouse's had been discovered, their dangers passed with the destruction of Byss.

A deep breath.

"Where was this found?"

"Commenor," Barriss explained. "From a shop-owner named Wapoe. He said he calibrated the wayfinder to track the Scepter before Brakiss had him unnecessarily killed." She paused. "He also said something... strange. He said that my Force aura had 'Destiny' written all over me, that I was exposed to a particular strand of Force energy called Epitaph power, whatever that means."

Before Luke could reply, Brakiss stirred, igniting his lightsaber in a flash -

And Barriss pulled out her lightsaber in a flash as well, igniting its green blade as it immediately clashed with Brakiss's!

TAG: @Sinrebirth @Lady Belligerent @HanSolo29