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

IC: Circle Lord Iudex
Royal Hangar, Pelagia

The roar of wind was deafening during Iudex's wild descent. Far below, he could see a few scattered beings squabbling amongst themselves, merely playing at war. His targets, he presumed. How dull. Iudex tucked his limbs closer together, further bolstering his speed. A grin overtook his lips as he rocketed past Bernael during the final descent.

Iudex hummed gleefully, wrapping himself in a thin bubble of protection mere moments before his body smashed through the roof of the hangar. A second later and he was through, his sheer velocity treating the armored material more like a thin sheet of flimsiplast rather than several feet of concrete and durasteel. His cackling laughter was drowned out by the terrific boom that followed his final impact into the hangar's floor.

He rose slowly from the crater that had formed around him, unlit lightsabers held firm in his hands as Iudex took in the beings inhabiting the hangar. His displeasure of their abilities was obvious, even from behind his sealed helmet. This was what the Circle Lords were being used for? A motley collection of Imperial Knights and a Nightsister? Iudex scoffed, finally taking a step towards the group.

He ceased his advance however, as a flash of vibrant green lightning swept over his body. Iudex braced, eager to use the discharge of pain to overcharge his rage. Seconds passed, his armor casting quite the spectacular light show as electricity arced away from him. Iudex cocked his head head slightly to the side, silently observing how only the outermost edges of his plate armor had begun to blacken and chip away under the attack. Even if unarmored, he doubted if the Nightsister's lightning would have even left a mark.

Unlike his compatriot, Iudex felt no need to restrain himself, as boisterous laughter erupted from his lips. "Was his forces seriously struggling with against.. this?" He exclaimed, glancing towards Bernael. "What a waste of our time."

His laughter died down upon realizing the lightning was still coming, even after it's uselessness had been demonstrated to the absolute. Turning towards the collection of Imperial Knights, "You pledged an oath to the Emperor and Empress of the Galactic Empire, " He said with a pronounced sneer, "Submit! Or your bones will forever be associated with betrayal."

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael , @ConservativeJedi321, @TheSilentInfluence, @TheAdmiral

 

IC: Ormes Apollin - A Combo
The hangar

A Victory Star Destroyer was not much different functionally from another one.

Between the Victory I-class, and the Victory II-class, there were no real changes to pick out.

Now, if the rumours that the now-Republic-class Star Destroyer was indeed supposed to have been the Victory III-class, then that would have been a very different discussion.

The Empire hadn't put much energy into modernising the Victor line, instead focusing on a dozen Imperial-class variants that really had no business being in existence. But the Empire liked the Imperial Star Destroyer, and they wanted to make the design work for every conceivable problem.

Need a battleship? Let's just cut at the hangar space so we can have a bigger reactor so there is more power to the guns. We'll call it the Tector-class and build exactly four. Completely worth it.

Need a bigger and more imposing Interdictor? Let's shove gravity well generators into the hull, which doesn't really have space for the reactor to power all of that and the shields and the guns. Let's build like six, and give up on it. Also worth it.

And so on.

Ormes thought this absently as Soliloquy brought them into land, eyeing the TIE racks above the hangar floor; current era TIE Fighters, not even Interceptors. He did however see a curious man, standing alone - or seemingly alone. He didn't immediately recognise them.

Tobias Kya.

Flicking the controls he settled the ship. Soliloquy gave a subtle nod to the lone figure. Not because he was alone but he recognized him and in turn knew the man was not truly alone. Just as the man would only see and feel Soliloquy and the Senator, even though Soliloquy was not so alone himself. His children knew to stay back and hidden.

They weren’t his children, not really. Those were many light years away as well as thousands of years before meeting could answer either parent or true child’s questions.

“Time to meet the greeter Senator.” He simply stated before leading the way. Uncoiling a chain that ended in a leash as a silent threat for the Senator to follow, or else.

Tobias let out his hands with a wide, welcoming movement. A proud grin wore upon his face as he righted himself, his twin sith-colored eyes taking in Soliloquy carefully.

"Greetings Lord Soliloquy it is good to see you again,"

“‘Tis pleasing to the owner’s soul to see you as well little progeny! So fit and wearing that robe so well at ease. Not many are so at peace wearing explosives they do own the trigger to.” Soliloquy replied with a tendril waving nod to the little man as his feet danced half a tiny jig that moved not his upper torso a smidgen.

Ormes smiled tightly. "Lord Azathoth?"

He looked around. "I don't understand; are you, too, in league with this group of Sith?"

Tobias eyed the Senator carefully, his eyes hovering carefully.

"No... Darth Krayt has been rather..." his eyes tilted up as he searched for the word."...hospitable shall we say,"

His eyes wandered to Soliloquy, a waver of thoughts moving fast.

Ran into One Sith, captured, separated from Bernael and Iudex. Proposed to Krayt to create a team of both our Sith to track down Palpatine. Buys us time.

"I am unsure where our gracious host is, but there is the idea that we can perhaps work together against a common enemy. That of Palpatine,"

Soliloquy emitted the soft scent of moldy leaves ensconced in moderating scent of moss with notes of spice and decay, subtly from the scented depths of an old wood that yet knew new growth. “Shall we proceed with these words then? Or are we given to actions as well as prose?” He asked as his head fronds waved in an invisible breeze that blowed however gently towards Tobias .

"Palpatine..." Ormes hesitated. "Does this Lord Krayt have a lead on him, then?"

He continued to play the New Republic Senator, of course.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Barriss Offee

Dreams.

Barriss was no stranger to them, not to seeing figures from her past in them. But she had also learned not to trust them.

Because just because she was in a dream, didn't mean she was safe.

"Why do you want to know?" Barriss asked the Black-Coat. There was suspicion in her tone. She didn't know why the Black-Coat was speaking with the voice of Reva... but she found it unsettling.

"Why do you think so much of people gone from your life?"

A gesture towards the remembering's of all of those darksiders.

"They seem to haunt you, more than ever. The Emperor is dead; his Empire, broken. It's a new galaxy, no?"

Barriss shook her head. "No, it's an old galaxy. The past is never truly gone. To believe otherwise would be a mistake."

Reva pulled off the coat, and it dissolved, revealing her in the garb that they had gotten to know each other. That of the Third Sister. "True, nothing is ever really gone. The Jedi and the Republic will have to face down the past time and time again."

She indicated roughly towards Vima. "She fell, too, but is not so haunted. Why do you think that is?"

"She fell because of the pain of losing her daughter," Barriss pointed out. "Because she lost someone she loved. When I fell, I only ended up hurting the people I cared about, along with innocents. We both may have fallen, but our falls from the light are not the same."

"No, they aren't," Reva agreed. "Nor was mine; nor were any of the Inquisitors, Hands, Adepts..." Reva regarded the spots where the darksiders had stood. "So your redemption will be yours. Mine..."

A wistful smile. "I tried to kill Luke Skywalker, once, to get revenge on Vader. Imagine if I'd succeeded? Instead, I stared into the abyss, and I saw him, and not myself. Not anymore. I was going to kill a ten year old boy... to achieve cosmic balance or something."

Barriss narrowed her eyes at Reva. It couldn't really be her... could it?

"Who are you?" she demanded to know.

"A sending," Reva replied. "I met a man who wore this... after Tatooine. Ten years after Order 66. He set me on at least some of my path." She indicated the cloak. "It's useful, it wards off the dark side."

Her eyes yellowed slightly. "You may end up wearing one, one day. Riding the fire like you are..."

Barriss was still skeptical that this was really Reva, skeptical that Reva was even still alive after all these years. As far as she knew, all of the Inquisitors were dead.

"Why are you here?"

"Because you're about to start down a path that nobody else can follow, nor take," Reva said, solemnly. "And when you do... you'll be set on a road that will lead you to where you need to, once and for all."

Vima called out. Barriss, we're here.

Barriss's eyes opened and she found herself back in her ship.

Reva, or whoever was claiming to be Reva, was gone.

Barriss sighed and stood up, heading for the cockpit.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29 @Lady Belligerent

 

Helinith
Better out than in, I always say.

Helinith sighed to herself and rolled her eyes, whilst holding her breath and closing her eyes.
Of course there was gas.
Amateurs, absolute amateurs the lot of them. She never should have left the plan in the hands of someone else.
Well, the kryat was out of the preverbal bag, so to speak, there was no point in hiding any longer. She wasn't sure if the guards in this, wherever she was, knew what she was capable of, so the quicker she acted the better.
The best way to deal with gas, was to gtko. She felt around for the vent grate she had passed just before the 'blockage' had occured and, finding it somewhere near her left foot, gave it an almighty kick. She heard it clang and clatter to the floor somewhere below and began the process of wriggling out of the opening feet first, praying that whatever room she was now about to enter was empty.
She fell with an 'oof' to the ground and dared to open her eyes.

The corridor she found herself in was empty, though the sound of feet told her that it wouldn't remain that way much longer. Again she cursed not having her lightsaber- catching a group of non-force sensitives in a corridor without a lightsaber to hand was such a disappointment; lightsabers were just SO handy in close quarters. And long quarters. And every other set of quarters you could think of.

Well, that made up her mind. She would find her stuff, and raze this place to the ground and every one in it.
That would teach... someone... not to mess with her.
While clambering into a broom cupboard, she wondered who that someone was, how many pints of body fluid they possessed, and whether it would be of a strong enough pigmentation to write a very sternly worded letter.

Tag: @Lady Belligerent
(Thanks for being patient in waiting for this one!)

 

GM Approved

​

His eyelids felt heavy. Had that Senator not just asked him a question about...about... It had felt important to Azathoth just a moment ago.

Ah... yes Azathoth. That had been his name. He felt his body fall back out of itself, a dark, boundless void embracing him with its icy warmth. He had no way of knowing that the severing connection of a god-like being had wrought him so low. Perhaps it had underestimated how much they depended on it.

Azathoth felt like he had been meaning to do something... an image of Krayt flashed in his mind. A slow dragging build-up of trust as Azathoth sought to crush that which was the white-eyed man.

Krayt. Azathoth respected him, but he was no Insipid. But this weight, it was inescapable had father not seen it? What his son had struggled to do?

Azathoth felt the void cling to his cold, naked body as he saw both his arms, the once metallic arm made whole.

He did not blame Insipid... Azathoth had felt it was only a matter of time until this happened. It had only been through sheer luck that the voices of the Sith had not channeled through to Insipid's mind to slay his son.

A pained smile washed onto Azathoth's face as he recalled the conversation about 'love' with Bernael that had happened some months ago. He would not be missed he felt.

Such was the way of things.

Perhaps the only thing he wanted... an image flashed of Insipid speaking to him at that same feast, informing him of his lineage...

Was one...

...last...

...conversation...

Goodbye Father...

...enjoy the metal arm

​

​

 

IC: Circle Lord Iudex
Pelagia

"There are Sith, and there are pretenders." Iudex corrected venomously, his glowering glare remaining locked upon the gaggle of beings before them. "False idols destined to be cleansed in fire and flame." He clarified. The antics of the Nightsister and her ilk bored him. Even worse, the continued defiance of the Imperial Knights now bordered on insulting.

He approached the group in lockstep with Bernael, fists clenched by his sides. They would feel his unbridled rage crashing upon their collective psyches like a living hurricane, a writhing creature demanding to be let loose. A promise of assured violence, if nothing else. For his own part, Iudex had grown silent as his compatriot applied Dun Moch. Instead he let his gaze fall upon each member of the group, starting with the Nightsister and ending upon the Imperial Knights. A countdown had begun within his mind, fully dependent on each being's next critical decision.

"I wouldn't even break even I sold them in the markets of Sennex." He replied sternly, tilting his head slightly towards Bernael. "This is beneath us." His tone continued to morph between the twin extremes of boredom and fury, seemingly at random, resulting in a series of odd inflections as he spoke. "His pretenders have already fled. Their deaths would be inconsequential."

Iudex glanced back towards the group, his internal timer rapidly approaching zero. "Unless. They. Kneel."

Tags: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael , @ConservativeJedi321, @TheSilentInfluence, @TheAdmiral

 

IC: Serapis
Coruscant, en route to meet a Kuati Senator.

She had gotten out of the lift, into another, up, down, sometimes following the fob, sometimes going against it. It had taken the better part of the day, but she was positive she was not being followed. This last lift she was going to take it to her destination. It was time to meet this Kuati senator.

Meanwhile she thought about what she heard. Mention of a Grand Admiral, then two Grand Admirals. Also mentioned was Moff Gideon. How much of it was real and how much bluster was anyones guess. Though, consiering this man Bojo, most of it was likely bluster. The only things she was sure about: Bojo was dead, and she was glad she was out of there.

The turbolift stopped. She was on the right level. She had the X coordinate, now to the Y and Z. She got her bearings and looked around for the appropriate sidewalks and bridges to get her there.

She needed to get up with current events, that was true. But she also needed to get contact with the rest of the Sith. Well, her faction of the Sith. She gathered from recent encounters there were several darksider factions out there. While she was walking, she picked up a copy of the latest news.

Almost there. She kept her eyes open for anyone suspicious, but there were plenty of people on Coruscant. That was a good thing, and a bad thing. She could get lost in a group, but others tailing her could get lost from her sight as well.

As she approached the building of her mark, the Fob was lighting up more and more. Now she was outside the front door. Glancing around for one more look, she entered the building.

Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Sam Hhat

Fondor

Sam was finishing up her repairs without any help from those useless Rodians. Though at the very least they weren't getting in the way of her efforts. As she completed her repairs, she saw the encrypted comm transmissions. To Sam's surprise, it was from one of her fellow Knights, telling her to prepare for an extraction. She briefly considered that it may be a trap, but she still sent a brief response, telling her fellow Knight that she could extract herself. The other Knights on Fondor might need an extraction more than she did.

But now that the ship was repaired, Sam set her own coordinates and prepared to make the jump for lightspeed. The sooner she left Fondor the better, since it was her priority to get the information that she had to Imperial high command. Because this was obviously bigger than just her, even bigger than the Imperial Knights. The Emperor and Empress had to know.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @Lady_Belligerent @HanSolo29 @Ananta Chetan

 

IC: Walce Quia-Vis
Pelegan

Walce groaned internally as his companion took the bait, Jedi, Sith, what did it matter at this point? “This man kidnapped us and was planning on turning us over to his Master. Does that sound like we’re on the same side? Think Shey! He’s trying to drive a wedge between us, lies and deceit, nothing more!” Whatever superficial truth hid behind his enemy's words, keeping everyone on side was priority number one for him.

Glancing at Madelyn and the others, Walce called out. “Seems to me we’re out of our depth right now, but I’m open to suggestions.” raising his silver blade to his shoulder he called one of the fallen trooper's blasters to his other hand and began to empty the energy cartridge on the villain, in a vain attempt to keep space between them and their uninvited guest.

Tags: @darthbernael, @Silvertough, @TheAdmiral, @TheSilentInfluence, @Sinrebirth

 

IC: Madelyn Linnett
Waiting

Madelyn hesitated and grabbed Mira, pulling her close. She didn't trust these pretenders. These Sith. They wouldn't hesitate to kill them either way, she was sure.

"I agree with you Walce." Madelyn told him. She glanced around trying to find something to use against them. "But nothing worth fighting for is impossible."

Madelyn threw her opposite hand out, the one not holding Mira and pushed hard with the force, feeling as though she was on fire-

"RUN!" She ordered, and then pushed Mira away from the fight, "Go! I'll hold them off and join you..." She said softly so only she could hear.

Tag: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @Silvertough @TheAdmiral

 

IC: Cera Tan
The Palace Grounds, Pelagon

Cera arrived at the chaotic scene of the on-going battle. She took a couple of seconds to orientate herself on what was going on. Good thing her allies were easy to spot with their crimson armor and the Sith with their usual attire trying to look all edgy, as some of the teens on Coruscant would say.

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.” Cera replied dryly to the Sith ordering them to submit as she rejoined her comrades.

She tried not to roll her eyes at the exchange between the Sith. As the oldest in their group and most experienced, Cera stepped forward “It is you two who should go, I will take care of them. I have fought their kind before, in another life.” she grinned.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @Silvertough @TheSilentInfluence

 

IC: Arthur Donvoy
Fondor

The ride back from the tenement buildings was conducted in silence, save for the required pleasantries towards the driver of the vehicle that had offered him a ride. Otherwise, Arthur was quiet, spending his time locked against the viewport of the vehicle, as the battle raged on. He had long since lost track of Maladi and her ilk. Now, all he saw was chaos. Men and women garbed in all manner of clothing and armor fired upon each other seemingly at random, their allegiances known to them alone.

Soldiers, guerillas, rebels, and freedom fighters, all fighting with and against each other. It reminded him of the nightmare of Coruscant following the death of the Emperor. When seemingly loyal subjects rose up in violent protest, having been consumed by the madness of the Rebellion's propaganda. Here though, Arthur found a perplexing twist. The Empire had cared about the wellbeing of its subjects. But Maladi, and her Sith? They paradoxically reveled in the chaos, all the while appearing to be enraged by the betrayal it birthed from their underlings.

It just didn't make any sense to him.

If anything, they would be their own undoing. Which then implied that the need for spies within their organization was moot.

The vehicle eventually came to a rolling stop. Arthur thanked the driver, slipping him a credit chit as he exited. Before him was a ship, belonging to, if he had read the transmission code correctly, a fellow Imperial Knight. Brokenborough. Arthur was unfamiliar with the man, having only interacted with him breifly during the swearing in ceremony of the Imperial Knights.

But that was irrelevant. As long as he was loyal to the Empire, that was good enough for Arthur. He approached the boarding ramp, pinging the Knight's comm unit as a way off announcing himself he he boarded.

He welcomed the reinforcements, but it left a wriggling question unanswered. What to do with them? Sam, he was sure, had already made it offworld. Knight Tyrell, to his most recent knowledge, was still unaccounted for. Possibly even dead. It didn't leave them much to work with. A frontal assault with only two Imperial Knights didn't exactly inspire confidence.

Arthur clicked his tongue. No, it would be best to follow in Sam's wake and regroup..

tags: @Sinrebirth @Lady_Belligerent @Ananta Chetan @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422

 

IC: Sam Hhat

Fondor

Sam cursed under her breath as she heard the message from air traffic control. She knew that if she did return to the spaceport, she could forget about getting offworld. And she knew that she couldn't count on those incompetent Rodians to help her out. Weren't they given clearance to leave and that's why they were offering seats in the first place? It didn't make any sense for them to be doing this otherwise.

Still, Sam had to reply. Hopefully she would be able to bluff her way past the air traffic control, since that was her only option.

"Are you sure, air traffic control?" Sam asked. "Maybe you weren't notified, since we were cleared at the last minute and things are pretty chaotic right now. You see, we were ordered to deliver supplies to Yinchorr, which was recently raided. It was pretty urgent. Look, if you want to make it sure you can check it with Kroan. But I wouldn't recommend it. He's currently busy dealing with the attacks that just happened, so even if you reach him he would not be happy about being taken away from his current task or this delivery being delayed."

She held her breath as she waited for a response from air control. She knew that she wasn't a great bluffer and if her bluff didn't work, she would have to try to make a run for it and hopefully not get shot down before she can jump to a friendly system or even Coruscant. Anywhere but Fondor looked nice at this point.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29 @Lady_Belligerent

 

Will Tyrell
Fondor

"Will," A lilting voice echoed in his mind, though it wasn't the voice of the nurse he'd spoken to earlier. No this was a voice with history, history with him. "Will," The voice called him again. His eyes opened or he thought they opened. Before him a woman about his age, auburn hair pulled into a tight bun though a few ringlets escaped framing her rather comely face. "Well good morning princess. Sleeping in again?" She was leaned over him the tight corset she was wearing under her extravagant gown showing off her lovely chest.

"Wasn't my choice Beth." Elizabeth Fardor, eldest daughter of House Fardor, and Will's close friend from childhood. "Where?" His eyes cleared and he took note of the stone walls, the tapestry that hung on the wall, a knight shield glowing, lance glinting in the sun, he stood proudly. He knew this room, it was his room, back home, on Kilia IV. "Ah." He said sitting up and smiling a little. "I'm not here."

"What gave it away?" Beth asked sitting on a chair next to the bed.

"The fact that I'm home? That I'm here? That you're here?"

"Why do you think you're in this illusion?"

"Likely because my body is still recovering and my mind has put me somewhere safe while my physical form heals."

"From what I hear you lost a lot of blood."

"It was a substantial amount. But, I saved a life in the process, so I'd say it was worth the cost."

"Always with the heroics." The ersatz Beth said coming closer to him. "It will get you killed."

"Ah yes the last discussion we had before I left."

"I wouldn't call it a discussion. More a row."

"That is a fair assessment. You were telling me not to leave."

"To not put the needs of your house over the needs of yourself yes."

"My house was in dire straits."

"And you were to be their hero."

"As scion it was my place."

"And as my friend?"

"Yes I did put the needs of my family over you and myself. But, I'm honor bound to protect my family."

"You're doing a great job from half a galaxy away."

"Believe me I know."

"Will they let you come home?"

"They are not monsters."

"Are you sure about that?"

The words woke him from his sleep his vision finally actually clearing, he was surrounded by medical droids, and sterile looking walls. How long had he been here, had the nurse been an illusion as well. Another construct of his subconscious?

If so his subconscious was very lonely, and in need of some…companionship. If his last two hallucinations were anything to go by.

Getting up he was provided with a clean shirt and informed that Charles was waiting for him. With a nod Will made his way to what he thought was the bridge, or hoped it was.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Silvertough @Lady_Belligerent

 

IC Chalres Brokenborough
Rhymes with Endor

Somehow a rescue attempt that at several points seemed highly improbable had finally come to fruition. Arthur Donvoy and Will Tyrell were aboard.

Welcome, gentlemen. Make yourselves at home.

Now the pending dilemma...Should they try to catch up with Sam, who was attempting to escape? Or should they invade Maladi’s fortress to find the rest of the One Sith?

Arthur clicked his tongue. No, it would be best to follow in Sam's wake and regroup.

Frankly, Charles had no opinion on the matter. Freshly arriving on the scene, he was still playing catch-up as to what was happening and how to provide support to his brother Knights.

He waited for Will to offer his opinion as he ran through pre-flight checks and reviewed the medical data the droids had collected while treating him.


TAGS @Lady_Belligerent @CosmoHender @Silvertough @galactic-vagabond422 @HanSolo

 

Helinith
I want to break free

Helinith watched through the slight gap in the door of the cleaning cupboard. Her ‘pursuers’, as she had thought them, appeared. They were gangly and spotty, dressed in ill-fitting riot gear and the slight tremble in their posture and manner of speaking, spoke volumes of a group of men barely left childhood and with very little experience of the wider world- perhaps desk jockeys from the more mundane, day-to-day administrative workings of this prison labour camp. Had she been feeling clean and well-fed, she might have cared. She leapt out of the cupboard and barrelled into them, punching them both hard in the gut before swinging one around into the other and finally grabbing them both by the throat. They were dead shortly after.

She dropped the bodies, panting slightly. The manual labour of the prison camp had not been aerobic and she could feel her muscles complaining about this sudden physical exertion that had rudely interrupted their few weeks rest. She paused and mopped her brow on a cleaning rag, before tucking it in her pocket. The broom cupboard now became useful once more, as she was able to raid it in peace. Several cleaning chemicals could be combined to make a highly flammable vapor. She grabbed those she fancied, plus one of the guard’s guns, and then decided to try and find out where the rest of the corridor led.

Two left turns later, and Helinith wandered into what she presumed was a sort of living area for the prison staff, currently deserted. Several doors stood open, quick glances within revealed several shabby sleeping quarters, though from what she’d been sleeping on recently, it was almost inviting. Another door opened to reveal a shower, water rather than sonic, but there was very few things that she desired more. She glanced back towards the door that led back to the corridor but there was no approaching footsteps, no imminent threat. Blaster in one hand, pointed towards the doorway, she turned the tap and stood under the showerhead, clothes and all.

It was heavenly. And for a moment, she closed her eyes and let the water soak her to the skin. A couple of choking sobs escaped, to her surprise, but this was neither the time nor the place. She reluctantly tore herself away from the fresher and continued her journey.

After passing through another few rooms, and shooting a figure in the back, (overalls suggested they were probably a cleaner), she kicked her way through a window and emerged among the wreckage. She threw the cleaning chemicals back through the window behind her, and shot the blaster to ignite them, before spotting a small number of ships not too far away. Again she rued not having her kit with her, which would have made forcing her way onto any one of the ships simple. Maximum effort would be required once more.

She decided to sneak forward and scope out the area, maybe a lack-lustre guard or fleeing official would be carrying a key card.

@Lady_Belligerent

 

IC: Soliloquy - A COMBO with Insipid
Enough, Is Never Enough

Insipid clawed a hand, regarding Soliloquy. “Did you think my son would have congress with my husband?”

Soliloquy gave a snort that he barely attempted to cover with his hand. He might of been distracted at the death party, but he hadn't been that distracted! Think it?!? Ha! He knew it!

A snigger, and Insipid took the blue-eyed form. “A successor is no different than a clone, with more sentience than not, but never he think about his mother, because he should have thought of his donor’s.”

Ah, a true love child. Doubt Ike knew about his donation, but no bother. He watched as Insipid drew out a hand of black-ichor, almost porous. “The essence of the other… but unneeded, clearly.” He flicked it into the air, where it dissipated. The Senator was swaying, his eyes blank.

“So what say you, Lord Soliloquy? Do we throw in with Lord Krayt, or do we take him down now and round on Sidious? I can hardly check in with the Triumvirs.”

A smile. “You do so love command decisions.”

Insipid hesitated; he was not used to being rebuked by Soliloquy, and he did oft try to listen to him where he could. In-roads rendered naught. "Azathoth intended to align with Krayt, to proffer Ormes, and I gather you were considered a secret weapon of the One Sith."

He wondered aloud. "Shall I simply keep the facade, then? Or press on, and risk that whatever Krayt has that you need isn't worth betraying me for?"
Now he did laugh with a shake that sent his head tendrils all a quiver! "Yes, like you love offspring. Ha!" Punching himself in the chest he cleared away the mirth and laughter at the whole situation. What a display they were making!

Wiping away a tear from his eyes he composed himself once more. "Do as you like. You always will. To the victors though, go the spoils! Or in this case, me! For you see you gave me power, inadvertently or not for a time. I readily gave it back at the earliest chance, mind you, but - and here's the rub I dare say (not the good kind either) - you made most of my inroads for naught. You made my sand castles blow away instead of to settle into glass." he shook his head, still smiling. "Krayt has something I wish to learn, and you. Well, and you have choices."

Soliloquy shrugged. Stepped to bring the pair so that he had a body on either side of himself, and in another fluid shrug snapped his fingers like turtle jaws on an ear of each and pulled up. Like a school marm with unruly children.

“Like I said. You have a Choice.” Stepping forward he went to lead them where he felt they we’re meant to go.

Insipid-Azathoth sighed. "Alright then."

Ormes seemed to snap out of his stupor. "Yes, right. Let's see this Darth Krayt and what he can offer the Centrist Empire."

Azathoth quirked an eyebrow. A bit much. But Centrist Party plus Galactic Empire worked as a Centrist Empire.

But they marched in tandem, and Insipid watched as crew members stood aside.

"All from our own timeline," he whispered, the words curdling around Soliloquy's cranium, not spoken aloud.

Ormes looked a little worse for wear, but no surprises as he had been possessed for some time. He needed constant management, for better or for not. "So have you met with Lord Krayt yet?" Insipid's tone was conversational. "Or did his minions handle you?"

“Yes.” Soliloquy simply stated. For that was the truth of it in the convoluted pathways of reason. Continuing on his way without guile, guilt, nor concern.

Insipid pursed his lips as they reached the turbolift. He flexed a finger and silenced the cams. "Soliloquy, this isn't Mnngal-Mnngal, who is too semi-sentient to be a true threat, or one of my errant clones, or even a malevolence beyond all reason... it's a Sith Emperor. We don't face many of those. So either you're on-side, or you're not."

Ormes was listless again, not able to hear.

"I know you've been following your own objectives for a while now, but I need you. Krayt isn't interested in being a Dark Protector, he's just interested in being Dark. He'll burn the galaxy down to get what he wants. He'll give a lobotomy to a million Sith if he has to. It's not a personality cult, it's just him. The One Sith."

Noting the precautions Soliloquy smiled at the man before fuzzing them out in a way that would confuse even a Yuuzhan Vong listening device by the static he emitted across their neural bands. "You make him out a Wrix and plead to my sense of belonging." A smile, small and soft. "You are learning child, you are learning. Perhaps not fast enough, but some things are starting to develop that I wasn't sure you ever truly would." A soft pat of the young man's cheek.

"I'm not interested in a Dark Protector. I'm not particularly concerned about the Sith. I never was one, a distinction I have made many times over the ages - although always to deaf ears." He shook his head, clucking softly. "You have lofty ideas but are mired in the same simplicity. Why should I risk all for you? Hmm? Why not wait and watch and know?"

Insipid pressed a button, pausing the lift.

The pat was... unpleasant, but not sufficient to warrant a response.

"So, you will only intervene if the end of time is at stake..." A slight snort.

"Do you think Darth Krayt will not reap a Change, or seize the Epitaph? I know what you have said about neutrality, about your age, and how you are timeless. But you and I both know that things spiral into destruction when the Dark Side gives way to Chaos."

He pointed at the ceiling.

"That man is Chaos."

Soliloquy looked to the ceiling, "The man is aware of the Chance of a Change, and is dancing the edges. Not unlike you. Biding time until the changes will not cause a Change. I already told him when that would be, the event he has to look for. The event your plans would disrupt." He let out a little giggle at that, "You argue against yourself! You want my help, your flattery isn't working and your lack of understanding is gnawing at my patience. Unlike my fore-bearer I really don't give two creds whether existence is chaos or not. For I was born of an element of choas, an element of order, and live with your own brand of chaos that laps at my castles in the sands of time."

He scratched his chin idly. "As for the end of time. I already survived that once and my aid that defeated Mnggl-mnggl, that softened the holocron of Typhogerm to bend to your pressure, that caused Father and Mother and cousins to rebel against him again to secure a path forward. . .unrecognized. Unappreciated. Your contributions have merely been to provide physical outlets without spiritual growth."

A shrug. "What pretty words do you have for that? Or will you rely on me again to get your way? To let you fight again without paying attention to the path for you do not even know what or where it is?"

Insipid paused for a long time.

And then he dropped to the floor, crossed his legs, and indicated to Soliloquy.

"I am listening. What do you want of me?"

It was an odd moment to pause at their hurtling progress, but Insipid always at last tried to listen.

Looking at the Senator and then down at the boy with a smile he took his own seat. “What I want? Of you?” Hmmm, “ I want you to garden, grow something - harvest it with your own hands. Whether a windowsill plantar or a farmer’s fields, work and till and see the seasons of it. For ten years. Tell me what you will grow and where and I will gift you fungal spores that will boost your harvest and enrich the harvest with a bounty of flavor!”

His arms reached up, fingertips shaking and pointing to the nowhere between them. “You have found time, something most Savants like your kind never do. You need to learn it, feel it. Appreciate time by learning to walk with it, whether wholly or partly in some little things. I want your help to get a family to take a vacation off world on some future date without any explanation or questions. I want the Sith if they want to stay viable to keep a removed status to the Senate. Influence, not infiltrated. Let the galaxy have some run. I want to find and commune with Masters of other schools of the Force, and I want to learn those few secret arts you know that I have yet to master.” His fingers curled into fists. “ I want my daughter to feel the joys of life before she dies. For I love a day fly, and I found her at noon, and the clock soon strikes Two Thirty.” A shrug and a sigh escaped him then as he looked down. “That is all. My days are numbered in this shell upon this mortal coil. You call me timeless, when I am merely feeling my middles years beginning to settle upon myself. You remember your first time? It is so odd when it is your own flesh.”

Insipid paused, absorbed all that Soliloquy had to say.

"I will do as you say. I will retreat, establish a place where Sith may not thrive, but live, but survive."

He paused. "You remind me of the Dark Lord, Ajunta Pall. He merely wanted to atone, to carve out an Empire that was separate from the Jedi and Coruscant and the Senate. He didn't want to rule, he wanted to give his people freedom... something that the likes of Tulak Hord, Ku'ar Danar and Tor Valum could not abide."

The man released the turbolift.

"I'll do it. But on one condition."

He set his lips.

"After we kill Darth Krayt."

Soliloquy looked at the man with an raised brow. "I hope you know someone willing to live in an eternal battle to bind his soul. I expect he is like Palpatine of old in that regard potentially. As for the snide remark, I have been compared to worse." A shrug. "Always asking for the simplest things you are. So let us go." Standing he leaned against a wall in feigned boredom as his inner thoughts churned. "If you can manipulate Vong tech, that is your best route of attack - replace him. Bind him. It is a part without a part of him. There is your help for going in."

Soliloquy looked up and stared at the changing lights of the lift. Adventure, excitement! Why did he ever crave these things? He was getting too old for this.

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: Combo with @Sinrebirth

IC: Barriss Offee

Grizmalt

Barriss regarded the city world, which she was unfamiliar with. When she heard the comm chime, she looked over at Vima while silently considering the familiarity that she felt. Barriss didn't know what to make of it, at least not yet.

"I think we should see where this goes first," she told the older woman. "We should still be wary... but the Force is known to work in mysterious ways." She answered the comms. "Hello?"

"Greetings, is this the Chosen One?"

The voice was not quite obscured, but there was a weak quality, as if coming from a great distance.

Vima was curious, however, eyes narrowed.

Barriss's eyes narrowed as well. "The Chosen One?" she asked, curious and wary.

"Why, yes. We have served many of the Chosen Ones, and continue to do so now. It just a matter of them coming for what we hold." A pause. "Are you not the current Chosen One? Or have you been sent on their behalf?"

Vima whispered. Skywalker.

Barriss shared a quick glance with Vima. "Uh, yes," she responded. "The current Chosen One has sent us here on his behalf."

"Ah, well that is somewhat unorthodox, but if you have the Wayfinder -"

A pause.

"You do have the Wayfinder - the Key to the Sun?"

Barriss nodded. "Yes, we do," she confirmed.

"Well that's fine," the woman said - her voice was completely recognizable now. "Come to these coordinates; it's the old Palace, but I will make sure the authorities don't notice." A click and the line cut.

Vima looked to Barriss, seeking her thoughts before she interjected and colored them.

Coordinates flowed over the console as promised.

Barriss turned to Vima and took a deep sigh. "Alright, let's bring her down," she said as she started heading toward the coordinates that they had been sent.



The palace in question would not have looked out of place on Naboo.

"Grizmalt sponsored the expeditions to Naboo," Vima rasped. "Much of their architectural sense was passed on... as the Core World fell to civil war, I recall." She squinted. "Long ago my lessons were in this history. After the Old Sith Wars this was, before the Galactic Wars..."

Barriss nodded. She did find the palace beautiful. If she was still a Padawan, she would have been quite excited by the architecture of the palace. But that time had passed. And right now she focused on bringing them in for a landing.

They did indeed come to land, and there was a woman in a White Coat standing, her face concealed.

Vima looked out the cockpit. "I know not this one." She poked the viewport. "Do you?"

Barriss shook her head. "No, I don't."

Not that she expected to know anyone.

"This seems like a trap for Master Skywalker," Vima rasped. "Though the Force does not hint at danger..."

For Barriss, merely that resounding familiarity yet again, not here, not yet, or long gone?

"Do you wish to go, and see?" Vima's expression grew mischievous. "Shall we separate, one of us hugging the shadows?"

Barriss thought about it and nodded. "Yes, that seems wise," she told Vima. "I will go ahead then."

She departed the ship to greet their welcoming party.

Vima nodded, and vanished, almost as if before her very eyes.

The White Coat swept out her hands. "A pleasure. Now, come. Tell me what you know of Grizmalt, and whether you can reason why you are here." She turned to guide Barriss deeper into the facility.

Barriss followed the White Coat. "I know it was the homeworld of the humans who colonized Naboo," she explained. "And I know it is home to one of the largest heavy engineering facilities in the galaxy. As for why I am here, I was led to this world by a Wayfinder given to me by a being named Wapoe. Beyond that, I know nothing else."

"So not a great deal then," the woman said glibly. "Can you name the ships which took our ancestors to Naboo?"

Her tone was light; so swiftly she had changed into the role of teacher.

"Wasn't it the Beneficent Tasia?" Barriss asked her.

"One of them, yes," the woman said, amused. "But it's rather more telling with the name of the other."

She turned her face to the shadows. "No?"

Vima stepped out, looking abashed, if at all possible.

They had reached a doorway.

"There is no need for subterfuge, Jedi Knights of the Chosen One." Her voice was soft. "If I am to pass the Key to you for Master Skywalker, then you may put your trust in me. The Maker provides," the woman said, almost reverently.

"After all." If her face had been visible, she would have undoubtedly been smiling.

Barriss nodded. "Of course," she said, unsure what else to say. She was just going along with the woman in order to see where this was going.

A slight exasperation to her voice as the door opened.

"Mother Vima was the name of the lead colony ship."

And they entered a room that was a variety of relics - Holocrons, lightsabers, even Jedi robes held in stasis.

Central to the room was a statue, and Vima herself sharply in-took air.

It was a beautiful but hard-faced woman, kept as a statue, solemnly regarding them.

"I would introduce that mother, Vima Sunrider, better known by her royal name... Elsinoré den Tasia."

Barriss's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

She hadn't been sure what to expect, but she still hadn't seen this coming.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29 @Lady_Belligerent

 

A Combo post with the wondrous Lady B (many thanks to you and Hansolo29 for helping get Tia on the page to both)

IC: Tia Vainglorious
the Stardust

Tia sneered at the last remark, at least to herself. Her attire was, to many probably, not 'appropriate' but she cared not, she was far beyond her years in her own head, and if she wanted something, she was going to have it. "forgotten something...?" she said with a raised eyebrow and handed him her personal, ancient blade "can't let a 'kid' go shopping with this, can you?" she smiled up at him, a self-righteous one Dalask had come to know well. He took it and put it in his pocket. "And don't maim anybody" he put a long, Muun like hand on her shoulder. "I won't" she said, that deprecating smile again. And turned away from him in a steady but cock-sure stride


Tia

she set her sights along a huge corridor and wandered down it gazing into the windows of goodies on offer, a lot of the things were childish in her view, she stopped at one particular window, her eyes caught a sparkling necklace, embedded with corusca gems, even to Tia that would have been expensive and usually, she would not have given a second thought to such an extravagant item, 'still..' she thought to herself 'I always get what I want' her thoughts were interrupted by a small Rodian boy, who bumped into her, making her stumble. Without hesitation Tia launched forward pushing him, and he fell hard. "a choo skoo danki walliga" the boy said. Tia was not in the mood "what?" her face was one of perplexed disgust. "a choo skoo danki walliga" the Rodian repeated again. Tia's expression remained unchanged "don't speak basic huh?" The green skinned alien looked up at her, scratching his head and stared at her with blank, black eyes "a wan walliga mochorska!" he said. Tia bent down, her hands on her thighs "creatures like you...disgust me. You're worth little more than droids..." at this someone tall stood behind the confused boy on the ground, Tia raised her green eyes to see another Rodian, this one clearly an adult peering down at her. Tia gave them a warm, friendly smile and offered the younger her hand "was just helping the young one up, he fell".

"you pushed him" the tall Rhodian said, in feminine tones. "I saw you" Tia concealed her surprise this one knows basic as the Rodian herself helped the boy up, and checked him over. She and the boy conversed in Rodese. Tia grimmaced at this, but her fake smile returned when the grown Rodian turned to her "don't talk to my son again" with that she took him by the hand leaving Tia alone. She walked into the large room, where many trinkets and Jewelry were on display, and marched to the front desk "how much for that necklace in the window?" she demanded.


The sales clerk glanced over the rim of his glasses to study the child who just made the price inquiry. He gave her a small patronizing smile, “hello, dear.” He made a grand show of looking around the boutique, “I don’t see your parents, and the unspoken rule is that if you need to ask the cost, you cannot afford it.”

"I see" Tia responded, looking around her and then back to the clerk. "let's try this again shall we" she crinkled her nose at him, and gave a small wave of her hand. "you will give me that necklace for... let's see, 10,000 credits"

The clerk looked bored and picked up a bracelet and polishing cloth. “Nice try, but you really need more practice,” he told her while rubbing the bracelet.

“Did you check the Children’s Cluster? It’s an adorable little shop with clothing and jewelry that should fit in your budget.”


Tia looked at her hand, almost as though she was disgusted with it, she never failed to be surprised when 'mind manipulation' never worked. She was beginning to think Dalask, that old and useless half-breed had lied to her, holding her back. That or he said it was a force power as a cruel joke to make her look stupid. She half thought about 'force choking' him -the clerk-, but that barely worked either, At most, the unfortunate victims she had tried it on had only felt a slight pressure on the jugular, no matter how hard she had focused. No matter, she had her Sith blade, at those times. She also did not want to draw unnecessary attention to herself. Dalask had obviously brought her there for a reason.

"that does sound...'adorable' " she said with a sneer, and turned her back to the clerk walking out with another word.

Tia again wandered through the hall and stopped to look in several windows, delectable smells came from a tidy-looking candy shop, and small children munched away happily. 'Kids..' Tia thought to herself rolling her eyes, and walked on, she found herself gazing into the window of a store selling what seems to be young adult clothing. As soon as she had entered she was quickly escorted out by an irritated Yellow skinned Twi'lek. Still, Tia waited, spying on her from a scrupulous spot until the Twi'lek went into the stock room. And Tia walked back inside. She observed the many outfits on display, most were clearly aimed at the clubbing scene. Or so Tia guessed. She had many a time in her infancy seen many a girl or lady dressed in such attire, enter a seedy nightclub and departed with a sleazy if important politician or businessman. To her, these outfits were just another key to power, and she liked power. Tia, lost in her thoughts did not notice the native of Ryloth scurrying towards her, pushing her out again. "And this time...STAY OUT"

Tia flipped her blonde hair and continued on to the eating quarters, a concoction of both delicious and noxious smells lingered in the air as she made herself to the kids rule diner. A Pantoran child smiled at her as she passed "hi". But Tia ignored her and heads to the counter and clears her throat obnoxiously for service.


A young woman smiled and greeted Tia, “Hi! Would you like a kids menu? They come with colored styluses to make your selections. You can also decorate the menu and we will add them to the wall,” the waitress pointed to a wall covered in cheerful kids drawings.

She handed Tia a bundle with napkins, flatware and the coloring materials.

The young human girl curled her lip in visible confusion all the while giving the server an icy stare that would curdle blue milk, she did not bother to look at the wall. "I'm here to pick up Dalask Mustatravag's order...only it has been changed. Instead of fried protato and a large surabat cider, he now wants a simple tikktikk stew and some bittered water, I can wait while the new order is prepared"

“Let me check on that order, I’ll be right back,” the waitress said and walked away rolling her eyes. She’d let the sassy kid wait.

“We have a slight problem,” the waitress said when she returned, “the tikktikk stew is only served on the weekends. There’s some leftover, but the chef has to check to see if it’s still edible. I recommend sticking with your original selections.”

Not to mention the order had been made, so it would be helpful if the kid didn’t change her mind.

“You could get one of the kids meals, those can be quickly packaged for take out.”

Tia rested her hands on the counter looking at the menu above the waitress, taking her sweet time pretending to read and ponder everything on selection, a big line had begun to form behind her, and it was getting to the point heavy sighs were heard, "I think...I think...hmmm....yes I think Mister Mustatravag would like his stew, I'm sure it's still edible, this is the Stardust isn't it?" she said finally, that butter-wouldn't melt smile appeared once more.

“Certainly, miss,” the young woman replied. “Have a seat right there and I’ll bring you a fizzy soda to enjoy while you wait.”

The waitress disappeared into the kitchen again, just as another server hurried over to take the next customer in line. He worked swiftly and gave a few fancy desserts away to turn the frowns around. “We want happy and relaxed customers here on the Stardust he said cheerfully.

Once he was caught up, the server carried over a bright pink soda in a tall glass. It was topped with fluffy whipped cream with loads of candy sprinkles. “Here you go, little lady,” he smiled, “enjoy that while I check on your stew.”


Tia gave the waiter a cheery smile, "thank you sir!", Tia started to lick the whipped cream off her straw, she didn't want to admit it, but it tasted nice.

The little Pantoran child, Tia's age, came up to her table and shyly asked "my family..my family were wondering if you'd like to sit with us, since you are alone, at least until your urr, parent or family arrive"

Tia thrust the straw back into the whipped cream and looked at the blue skinned child "tell your family, not to be rude and all, but I'd rather sit at a table of Hutts and Parwans than a table of Pantorans, you see your planet is a joke, has always been a joke and always will be a joke, we clear?"

The Pantoran can only stutter

"I-I-I-uh-uhh-uhh-I" Tia mimicked back "I think we are done here"

the Pantoran went back to her table in a melancholy walk.

The restaurant manager arrived, and spoke with the upset family, they were soothed with a complimentary dinner, and certificates for spa services.

Once the customers were calmed down, he went into the kitchen and quickly returned with a bag containing Tia’s order. “Your food, ma’am.” The manager informed her while handing over the bag, “you must now return to your guardian immediately. I’ve messaged Mr. Mustatravag to inform him of your behavior. We do not abide by bigotry here on the Stardust.” His message was stern and matter of fact. “There is a guard just outside the door, he will escort you to your suite.”

Tia turned her head to see the guard just outside the door then her attention was back to the manager, bright green eyes gaze up at him as she stands "he's scary..." she said, her expression a little scared.

“I assure you he’s not as scary as Empress Bellorum will be if she learns you insulted her guests.” The manager wouldn’t be swayed by the child’s innocent act.

“You need to understand that this sort of behavior won’t be tolerated at all,” he said sternly. “Now run along so that your guardian has a his dinner before it’s cold.”


Empress Bellorum was on board?! this surprised her, but she would not let it show.
her lip trembled and her watery eyes gazed at the manager, receiving no sympathetic response, she walked forlornly to the guard "and what species are you then?"

It was quite a long walk back to the suite Tia and her mysterious mentor were staying in, The guard was not saying much, in fact, he wasn't saying anything at all, this was unnerving to Tia. She occasionally glanced up at him, "no funny business" she had said on her way to the quarters. At last they reached their destination, Tia sighed and used the panel to unlock the door, and it slides open "you can go now, your work here is done" she waved a dismissive hand at the guard and regards the old Muun-Pau'un "got you your lunch, only they did not have what you wanted, so they gave you some TikkTikk stew and some water...enjoy" she tossed the bag of food at him.

Dalask’s eyes narrowed, “you know very well that I hate tikktikk stew, Tia,” he looked at her with a stern glare.

“Also, you got into some mischief, I’ve heard all about it.” He sighed and studied her face before speaking again, “you should speak to me about things if you’re angry, coming here should be a treat. You get to shop and have some fun, did you see the holo theatres and other entertainment? Besides that I think you can sign up for all sorts of classes, even some for weapon training.”

He thought that might get her attention, and it would be much safer if someone else taught her to shoot.

“I’m working, and I’ll be most angry if we are made to leave because of your unacceptable behavior.”

Tia gasped in feigned shock "it's tikktikk stew you don't like? I thought it was grassroot stew!" she made her way to the large sofa as he lectured her. "well first things first, 'kids rule' diner? ha! you wouldn't have thought so the way I was treated, there I was minding my own business drinking a soda when this other kid started harassing me in some sort of abduction attempt by her parents, I have a good mind to speak to the captain" Tia haughtily crossed her arms as her mind pondered. With the many facilities on offer, the weapons training sounded intriguing as did the holo theaters. At his last statement, she pouted for a few minutes, "Hey!" she says suddenly "you know Empress Bellorum is on board this ship? can you imagine what her quarters would look like? hey! do you think the Emperor is here too?"

He didn’t look up from his datapad, but Dalask did answer her question as he typed.
“No, they’re both currently visiting Nubia…” he stopped abruptly because he probably shouldn’t know their whereabouts.

Glancing over at the child he asked, “why do you care what their quarters look like?”


"oh..." Tia was slightly disappointed by this. "I bet their suite is grand, huge, a symbol of great power! it is three times as big as this I imagine!"
she then gave Dalask a quizzical look "how do YOU of all people know where they are? you have been using your clairvoyance again? or is it your Muun blood taking over to know everyone's business?"


“I must’ve overheard someone mention it, or seen it on the holonet, I don’t know,” he lied and stared at his datapad. “I’m working, and I’m certainly not interested in how those people live.”

He levitated the bag containing the stew across to a rubbish bin, and dropped it in. “You’ll accomplish more in life if you stop being concerned with the spoils of wealth.”

How did Dalask manage to keep a straight face, when he was currently working a deal to secure his own wealth…


"hm" Tia snorted to herself as she gets up from the sofa and paced "does this ship have a library? I would like to do some research before I check out the weapons training program. And while we are on the subject of weapons, where is that lightsaber you have kept promising me? I want one, all the great Sith had one. Bane, Revan, Malgus...just to hold one in my hand, one that had slaughtered many Jedi..." her face was twisted, gleeful. Her thoughts turned to the legends of Darth Vader and order 66, wiping out young and old alike.

Sighing again, Dalask took Tia’s datapad and tapped in the Stardust’s map, “here is the Grande Library and Reading Rooms.”

He handed the datapad to the child adding, “Tia, you must not be disrespectful or rude to anyone, understand? You have hopes of power and wealth, but that won’t happen if you make the owners of this vessel angry.” He held up a hand before she could deny anything happened, “no, no more fictional accounts. They sent me holo footage, and I’ve seen, and heard, your antics. They will remove us both and we will be banned, so keep that in mind.”

Dalask shuddered slightly, hoping there weren't any such tutorials on lightsaber construction. That was the last thing he wanted to see Tia with.


Tia looked over the datapad, studying the map intently, he was babbling about being sent holo footage and witnessing from this that he had evidence of her escapades. She almost blurted that holo footage can be faked and was about to list various accounts when this had allegedly happened, instead she peered at him from the datapad and smiled a sweet grin at him, "I promise to behave"
she turned and hit a switch by the door as it slid open "don't miss me too much while I'm gone" she said sarcastically, she knew he never cared for her, not really. Though somewhere deep inside her, she wished he did, even just a little.

Tia again walked to the main hustle and bustle of the ship, working out directions to the library, when the words Starboard: East sector: Adults only appeared on the map.

'I'm sure they wouldn't mind me having a little look' Tia headed in that direction, but didn't expect to see two tall guards, looking a lot like senatorial guards in the days of the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine guarding the entrance. She walked towards them and offered an innocent smile "excuse me, but what is through there? please and thank you"

Dalask went back to composing his message to Emperor Aryan Graul…

You don’t know me, but I have something that belongs to you…

***

“This area is for adult beings only, I'm afraid you’ll need to move along.”


Tia nodded, sadly, and lowered her eyes "I understand" knowing that she would not easily get into that particular area of the ship without causing mayhem, she went along her way. As she walked the inane chatter and the joyful laughs were soon far behind her as she made her way to the quiet sector. She soon found the library. It was bigger than she had expected it to be. Rows and rows of shelves were filled with data books, there were a few holo projectors and data pads, as well as physical books (Tia liked these best). After some time she selected two hard copy books, with yellowing pages on wild animals, they were 'The King Of Beasts: A guide to the Galaxies most dangerous carnivores' and 'Nexu's Rancors and Dragons'. From the Data books she chose 'Ancient Weapons from the Old Republic' and 'Wars That Time Forgot: Battles Of The Outer Rim' and started reading, She spent most of the evening here, soaking up all the information she could. On her way out she nodded an acknowledgment to the librarian, whom Tia assumed was asleep.

She wandered back to the entertainment arena and saw an advertisement for the latest show on board 'Tratta the Galaxie's funniest Toydarian' it said. Tia walks to the ticket booth, "this Tratta, is she funny?"

The seller, a H'nemthe shrugged "yeah, the patrons seem to think so, And..." he stopped and glanced up from his datapad, seeing nobody there. he stood from his seat and looked down to see Tia, the top of her head just below the counter.
"oh...hmm, not age appropriate for you kid, sorry at least without a guardian with you"
Tia muttered to herself "figures" she sighed and walked on, following her data-map to the weapons area, there were many options to choose from, from traditional archery to electrostaff training, and Tia's eyes gleamed like jewels, "now we are talking" she says.
She found a shooting range booth and picked up a DC-15 blaster and aimed at the target, roughly 20 meters away "ka-pow ka-pow"
A hand grabbed the barrel of the blaster "would help if you turn it on kid"
Tia looked up to see a young looking lady, about 30 years old, she took the blaster from her and pressed a button on the chamber,
and passed it back to her.
"is it a real one?" Tia enquired
"of course not! security is really tight on this ship, besides.....you are what? six? seven?"
Tia scowled at this "almost eight..."
The lady chuckled "I see. Well, all you do is aim at the target, pull the trigger"
Tia tried and shoots, missing the target by about 20 yards.
"here let me help you" she guided Tia with her aim "now just relax your shoulders just a little bit, focus and...shoot"
Tia did so, and this time she is much closer to the target, one or two shots actually hitting the target area. Tia grinned at her progress
"see, you're a natural, a few more years and you'll be hitting the bullseye no problem, I'm Melcina" she offered her hand and Tia takes it.
"I'm Tia" she half smiled.
"well Tia...would you like to try another blaster or something else?" Melcina asked with a warm smile.
"You..you don't happen to have lightsabers on board do you?"
Melcina chuckled again "a lightsaber huh? I'm afraid not on board this ship, you like tales of the Jedi huh?"
Tia almost choked on a cough at this but played it cool "sure!"
"well..." we don't have lightsabers but we have electroftaffs, would you like to try?" Melcina offered
"yes!" Tia was clearly excited.

Melcina: weapons expert on board the Stardust

Tia was in her element for the next hour Melcina instructed her in the basics of staff fighting. And Tia caught on pretty quickly. But time was getting on, and she was getting tired, she thanked Melcina for the lesson, -a genuine thanks- and made her way back to her suite.


Tags: @Lady_Belligerent @HanSolo29 @Sinrebirth