Beyond - Legends Shadows of a Past Long Forgotten (NJO- post Rebirth, tagged, Completed 12\30\02, *sniff*)

Get up there, darn you!

 

UP!

 

Whoops...


One week later
Mantooine

It was cold, dark, and his head hurt like it'd been repeatedly pounded by a wookie. He must have slept for hours - days probably - for he could remember few waking moments before the darkness claimed him again. No longer in a ship, he could feel no movement beneath his body. The Force was blocked from him, giving him no connection to his family, or to the outside world. There was no fear. Monsters like Valdemar would sense it. No need to give him the satisfaction. Since he was allowed to stay awake, that meant Valdemar would soon be coming.

Corran Horn stretched on the stiff cot he had been placed on, pulling on the restraints that had been placed on his wrists. His feet had been left unbound - a possible fatal mistake on Valdemar's part? - but Corran didn't think he was that stupid. Slowly and painfully, he opened his eyes, blinking against the soft light of his cell. Glancing up, he noticed a caged ysalamiri hanging from the ceiling. The creature looked down at him, moving so slowly he barely noticed it blink. Corran wondered why they weren't using the drug on him. Perhaps it was in limited supply?

There was a bucket that passed for a refresher in the corner across from his cot. Is that soft, blinking light above it a holocam? there were no buttons on his side of the door from which to try to bypass a code , and they certainly hadn't left his lightsaber with him. Corran sighed, realizing he'd have to wait until this Valdemar chose to approach him before he could make any escape plans. No doubt a rescue party was on its way, but he didn't want to make things any tougher for them.

Soon, he heard slow and precise footsteps coming down the corridor. Corran used his elbows to pull himself up into a sitting position, struggling to look as relaxed as possible with restraints on his arms. His cell door slid open, admitting a tall, apparently ageless man. His dark features and deep gray eyes no doubt could have attracted many women, if there had been any trace of warmth behind them. He clasped his hands behind his back, offering Corran a cold smile. "Welcome to my home, Jedi Master Corran Horn."

"How could I resist your invite?" Corran asked, injecting sarcasm into his tone.

"I must admit that it was rather persuasive," he said smoothly. "I am Valdemar."

"I know," Corran said, keeping his voice calm. "I am also aware that you are a changeling... why do you choose human form?"

"Because you are human, " Valdemar replied simply, offering no other explanation.

Corran didn't need one. If he had been a Hutt, Valdemar would have assumed Hutt form. Being among people of your own race often creates a sense of comfort and stability, unless you are being harmed by them. Then you feel betrayed, and are forced to see your own kind at its worst, perhaps even seeing a mirror image of yourself in their eyes. "What is it you have against the Jedi?" Corran asked.

"Nothing, Master Jedi," Valdemar answered, his face remaining an emotionless mask. "I simply find them to be fascinating." His dark gray eyes glittered. "They seek to suppress every natural emotion, but claim to serve life." He paused. "I choose only to embrace the necessary ones."

"Such as?" Corran asked, dreading the answer.

Valdemar's lips curled into a sick impression of a smile. "The thrill of a kill." He paused, closing his eyes for a moment. "The sweet sound of anguished screaming, made even sweeter knowing that I caused it."

Corran shook his head. "Why?"

"Why not?" Valdemar countered smoothly. "Because it is...wrong?" He raised an eyebrow. "Should my conscience warn me against it?"

Spreading his hands as best he could in his restraints, Corran replied, "You tell me."

"Nice tactic." Valdemar appraised. "Certainly deserving of an answer. You see, Master Jedi, I have come to observe that believing in a right or wrong places limi

 

Okay, let's try it again!

 

*shudders* I hate it when the bad guys argues so well you can't argue back. You know in your gut what he's saying is wrong, but you can't for the life of you explain why.

Well done! I can't wait for more!

 

*gets a sinking feeling that proceeds to pull her directly through the floor of the thread* Ohno-ohno-ohno-- *disappears completely* *THUD*

*comes up the stairs and back through the thread door, rubbing her back* Ouch. And why do I suspect even more than your standard 'ouch' is in store for our favorite intrepid Jedi?? ACK!

Have I ever told you that I dislike cliffies? Like, A LOT. They have the unfortunate affect of making you so very frustrated that you wish you could *leave*, at the very moment when you most want to stay!! Result? You find yourself hanging around the fic in question like a starved puppy, making dewy faces at the author and begging for more! Does this sound good to you??

*realizes it's the author that she's been talking to* Never mind. I'll just suffer in silence.

Great job on Corran's thought process, and his talk with Valdemar! The discussion of wrong and right there, as well as the extra details about the old Jedi vs. the new, and Corran not wanting to kill any one in front of Jysella deserve a solid A+, not to mention a round of applause. *fills in applause*

So, more soon? PLEASE? *pulls dewy look and then slaps herself* Here I go... And what do you want to bet this particular brand of cliffie will be nothing by the time we're done...? *sigh*

Sarah >^,,^<

 

You're Luney

-Rogue

 

good post, but an cliffhanger! You are bad!

 

Yikes! You're scaring me Luney. I really hate Sociopaths. You did an excellent job of displaying his utter lack of morals or conscience. Coran must feel pretty frustrated knowing that he's just a piece of bait for his apprentice. More, more, more.

 

I hate to say it, but Valdemar had a point about the Old Jedi Order. This scene kinda reminded me of James Bond's laser-beam predicament in "Goldfinger."

 

Great As always....

I always love seening Corran..but Valdemear is one scary guy..

he wants to make her a part of his living collection? UGH!

 

Methinks Sebulba has a point...very James Bond-esque. Melikes!

 

Yikes!!!! Valdemar is so evil, LunettaskippingstonesoffthroughthewindowofCorran'scelltryingtohisValdemaronthehead!!! He's scary.

I'm worried for poor Corran and Lukie and Lainey - there goes their element of surprise!!

 

um... hi again!

 

Why isn't this derned thing upping?

 

beats me.

 

Very suspenseful.

Sorry that my post isn't longer but......

"Tis the season that The Real Life twins, "Darth" and "Delight" are taking up my time......



~Lelila~

 

*sneaks in and ups*

 

Luney, that may well be your best post on this story. Chilling argument, and you showed Valdemar at his creepy, amoral best.

Interesting argument - maybe you can incorporate the discussion we just had into this somewhere...

 

You write such a nice Val.

Your cliffhangers make me proud.

 

awesome postie! can't wait for more!

 

bump

 

Stellar post Luney! Valamar was fantasticly characterized... sly, smart, cunning... darn him!

 

Dang! Awesome last line your Luneyness!

 

UPPPPPPPPPPP