Kurt smiled from under his helmet and nodded to Jun-la.
"Anything for the jedi and the Republic ma'am." he replied.
He turned and looked over at Komad who looked like he needed help with carrying Alriana. He wanted to help but her feared he might crush Alriana's bones in his grip. That was one problem with being genetically modified, gentle was not in the job description. He did perk up when he mentioned tracking the Triumvirate.
"What can I do to help you out with the Triumvirate sir?"
“Alright kids, you heard the Sith. Our new target is on Jatalra.” Mech said putting away the comlink. “Ulim, get to the Unforgiven and prepare her for launch. Terror, go with Ulim. I’ll pack up our ordinance and meet you both there.”
“Yes Mech.” Ulim replied and exited the warehouse with Terror, who was practically quivering with excitement. However he would be disappointed, because a jump to that system from Nar Shadda would take some time.
Mech loaded all they would need onto a speeder: demolitions, ammunition, and other traps that could be useful in taking a Jedi down. It was only a common misconception that Jedi were difficult to take down. No using blasters, or getting close and it was in reality very easy to take them down. You could use gases that, while they could hold their breath for a long time, penetrated their skin instead. You could use slug-throwers, especially the sniper variants, to take them out from a distance. Fast with a lightsaber they might be, but no living being was fast enough to break the sound barrier like slug-thrower rounds did. Radiation, demolitions, and especially killing all of their allies worked out well. If push came to shove, Mech had easily defeated Jedi in close-quarters before. All he had to do was find them.
Tyrannus looked at Andirrul and motioned for her to follow. He motioned her to sit in the center of what appeared to be a large circle. He could sense her fear and it he guessed shrewdly that she was afraid of what he might do. He then said, "You already know a little from what your relation and the Jedi Jun-la was trying to teach you. It's basis is in techniques older than the Jedi. Few know of these. Recall instances where you have seen them."
**********
Jun-la nodded as she helped Komad to sit up the unconscious Jedi. It was Matton who came from his place in the cockpit and said, "Let me." With the manner of one used to doing things his own way, he scooped up the Jedi and started down the ramp and was met by a team of medical officers speaking in Avalonian.
Jun-la managed to catch up with him after beckoning Andros to follow. She listened to what they were saying and responded in Avalonian why they were there. They nodded and showed the way to the med bay. Jun-la explained to Komad, "Their dialect is peculiar. But I believe I was able to make the point that we needed medical attention for Alriana."
**********
Tonatius wasn't expecting the kiss and his eyes widened slightly as Kalla kissed him. yet he didn't pull away as he returned the gesture. When their lips finally did part he said, "Um...I guess unity works on all levels." He then blushed and started walking to see what he could do to help. That was one of the few times that he ever blushed around a woman.
**********
Tavaryn found the station easily enough and sent his ID signature to get permission to land. He also sent a message to Komad on his communicator, "Master Komad, this is Tavaryn coming in. As soon as I am cleared I will dock and meet you."
Hyperspace
Garja nodded in approval at the rations that they had managed to find in the very back of the shuttle.
"Excellent work. When we get to Admiral Velerc I think he'll be very pleased that we managed to pick up a cloaking device strong enough to cloak a Star Destroyer yet not affect the sensor readings. This is a great discovery indeed."
"Admiral, we're about to come out of Hyperspace at the Grand Admiral's last know position. Coming out of Hyperspace...now."
The stars turned from streaks of light to dots in the far away sky as the shuttle lurched out of hyperspace, in front of it was one of the many fleets that served the empire.
"Open a Channel to the Grand Admiral's Flagship. He should be made aware of the discovery of the cloak."
"Permission to speak freely Admiral?"
"Granted."
"Shouldn't we tell him about what happend to our ship? Your second in command is guilty of murder, attempted murder, mutiny and stealing an Imperial battlecrusier."
"Don't worry trooper. We'll get him another day...He got lucky, he won't get lucky again."
"Excellent." Komad replied, carrying Alriana the rest of the way in. Setting her down on the operating table, he stepped back and watched as the doctors gave her the medication she needed. "How is she?" He asked as the doctors finished treatment.
What came over me? Kalla thought to herself, having opted to remain in her quarters after Tonatius had left. She knew that her feelings for him had grown since she had lost Andorra, but that much? Equally surprising to her was the fact that he had kissed her back. She thought he wasn't interested that way.
Jun-la translated the question to the medical doctors. The one who appeared in charge, a tall Avalonian with grey at the temples replied. Jun-la paused to think about her word choices and then translated, "He says that she will be fine. The physical sickness will heal. The emotional will take longer. He says that he will keep a strict observation on her while we rest." Jun-la turned back and asked a question. When the medical officer replied, she translated, "There are quarters for each of us and the facilities are at our disposal. He does say that the..." She lowered her head to think about the translation.
"He is saying that the station has been on alert since before we arrived," Tavaryn finished as he came from the hangar bay. His hat was pushed back to allow for his face to be seen. "He says that they detected the dark ones and their ships and have been running on a minimal source to escape detection. As to actual scans, the security officer will have to show you."
Jun-la had perked up at seeing her youngest uncle. He had been out and about searching as she had yet he worked with people who got him into places that normally she would have had to fight her way in. She replied, "Yes." Then to the medical officer, "Dag."
Tavaryn managed to look amused and said, "Well at least our tactics haven't changed. Shall we go to the security room?" He motioned to Jun-la and Komad.
"I'm going back to check on the the ship," Matton drawled. He turned to leave, pausing only to take Jun-la's hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
***************
Tonatius managed to find work lifting and carrying things for the dock workers of the station. It didn't matter that he couldn't quite follow their dialect for he was a strong worker and they managed to get repairs done to the ship. Finding nothing to do, he went to his quarters to clean up but found himself feeling restless. He had to admit that he professed a fondness for Kalla but to the point of kissing her?
He had long resigned himself to the fact that she was his cousin's lover and he took it upon himself to look out for her as any relation would do for another relation. Trouble was he had seen it as a duty for so long that this new feeling was unsettling. He paced about holding some small daggers, blade side in his hand. He took one and flipped it around, catching both ends in his hand. I have to grab the katarn bull by the horns, he thought.
Outside Kalla's door, he paused to take a breath and then activated the chime to indicate someone at the door.
Once in the security room with Jun-la and Taravyn, Komad said to Jun-la, "My son mentioned that you had picked up the Triumvirate's trail, but he didn't go into detail." The reason they were out here was to find the Triumvirate, and aside from rescuing Alriana, the scouting had gotten them nowhere so far.
Hearing the chime, Kalla got up and opened the door, but felt butterflies in her stomach when she saw it was Tonatius. She didn't know what to say. "I don't know what came over me before. I hope you weren't bothered by it." She said, poorly covering up her feelings for him.
Tonatius, thinking he had a little speech prepared was rendered speechless at Kalla's words. Normally so eloquent, he was stuttering, trying to find the words. He finally said, "It was no problem. Umm...it was well..." Then on an impulse he gave a small, gentle kiss to Kalla's cheek and turned tail and ran.
Matton was on his way back to the ship when he saw the scene. He laughed and said to himself, "Traditional Avalonian boy who worships from afar." Still he thought he should ask what was up and strode over. In a joking tone, he said to Kalla, "Seems you have an admirer."
**********
Jun-la had been distracted by Matton's attention but immediately returned to that rigid discipline she had been taught. She replied, "We detected ion trails using the new sensory equipment our people developed. We were in this system and we plotted possible routes. The computer is still computing the data."
"You have no idea." Kalla replied, thinking more about Tonatius than paying attention to Matton. She'd have to be better composed the next time she spoke to him. That was two awkward moments so far; hopefully the third time was the charm. Following him to his quarters, she told him, "You know I've always had feelings for you, and you've been there for me ever since I lost Andorra. I know you've never felt the same way, but..." And suddenly, she drew a blank, unsure of what to say.
Andirrul was highly confused. The vengeful Lord Virul side of her personality momentarily seized control of her mind and said, Zula'ra! Chtoi di mano, a? Once again, she slapped her hand over her mouth. "What did I just say, Lord Tyrannus?" she asked. "Or, more fittingly, what did Lord Virul just say?"
********************
Iyav Dourden hated his job. Patrolling a space station was no easy task, but he wasn't even a genuine security officer. He was what the civilian passersby looked at askance and laughed at. He was the lowest of the low--a trainee!
"Hey, there, rookie!" His supervisor took a long slurp of his caf, not caring that one-fourth of it was dribbling down his chin. "Look sharp, Dour-den!"
Iyav winced. Why do you think I'm always in such a bad mood? he wanted to sneer right back at his boss, with his paunchy belly that hung right over his belt and his jowly, potato-shaped head. Nevertheless, he was being dragged along on this assignment with him and his smelly, drug-sniffing kath hounds. There had apparently been an illegal shipment of spice to the station, and it was his superior's job to try and uncover it before it got used.
He himself despised the hypocrisy of it. As if you never chewed spice!
Suddenly, one of the hounds squatted down and relieved himself on the floor.
"Don't forget to scoop!" howled the security guard, moving on ahead. It was left to Iyav to clean up the mess, as it always was with a "trainee's" job...
TK-777, one of the worst stormtroopers that's ever served with the Empire. He would have been killed long ago if not for one thing; he's very lucky. He's the only trooper who wouldn't fire a single shot in a battle but come out completely unharmed. TK-777 was patroling the hangar aboard one of the ships. He lasted about a few minutes before he went to sleep. His head moved to one side and he began to snore. He was awakened by the sound of blaster fire. Completely unaware of the mutiny that was occuring TK began to run and tried to shoot...it was jammed.
"Bad things, bad things, bad things!!!" he yelled as he ran around.
He spotted a couple people and ran after them thinking they were trying to escape too. He placed his rifle on his back and continued to run. the rifle bounced around on his back and by some weird act the trigger went off hitting TK-777 in the rear.
"Owwwwwwwwww!" he yelled again as his body shot forward into the shuttle. The doors shut behind him and he hit his head on a wall. TK fell to the ground hard and felt the shuttle begin to move.
Oh no, not again
After he felt the ship exit Hyperspace, TK-777 tried to stand. He pushed him self up from the floor and pulled his blaster rifle out. He began walking around the shuttle and pointing the blaster in different directions incase something bad was in the shuttle.
"Don't worry trooper. We'll get him another day...He got lucky, he won't get lucky again."
The voice scared TK and he turned to look at the person. It was the back of Admiral Garja so at least he knew he was in a good shuttle.
"Admiral Garja!" TK-777 said as he saluted with the blaster in his hands. The blaster hit the wall and bounced off of hit nailing TK in the head before dropping to the ground. He scrambled to pick it up and saluted again.
"TK-777 reporting in sir!" he said, still clueless to why the admiral was on this shuttle and how they had been attacked.
"Admiral Garja!"
Garja quickly turned around and two of his space-troopers leveled their weapon at the stormtrooper only to drop them when they saw him drop the blaster.
Garja leaned back in his chair.
"You have nothing to fear Trooper, put the blaster down and you'll be filled in on why your in a shuttle heading for the Grand Admiral's flagship."
The trooper hesitantly dropped the blaster and stood at attention. "It appears as if my second officer wanted his own ship more then I thought. He killed first officer Mets and brought me up on charges of Mutiny. I was forced to abandon ship with the only men I have. These five."
"Right now, we're trying to get in contact with the Grand Admiral to tell him what's happend. But for some reason he isn't responding."
Velerc suddenly saw the distinct shape of an Officer's transport shuttle stop out of hyperspace.
"Lieutenant Jerek, identify that ship."
"Yes, Grand Admiral."
It took a few moments, which nearly angered Velerc. He demanded the very best of his men, they needed to be the Elite in these dark times.
"Grand Admiral, we've identified it as OCS-991773, belonging to Task Force Beta....Admiral Garja, sir."
"What in blazes? Get a comm to that shuttle, I want TIE squadrons on that ship immediately, just to be sure he doesn't have good intentions."
Velerc didn't even know if this was Garja on the ship, either way, he'd soon find out.
"Activate Gravity Wells and Interdictor field....sound General Quarters."
The bridge was bustling with activity, Officers, Midshipmen, technicians, stormtroopers, even Medical Personnel, flooded the bridge of the Pellaeon-Class Star Destroyer.
Lieutenant Jerek stood up out of one of the Command Trenches.
"Admiral, I've secured a Comm line, we're on when you're ready sir."
"Good, transmit immediatley."
A blue light shined from a small port in front of Velerc and he stood at the ready, his face and posture being that of the arrogant Imperial Officer he was.
"Identify yourself, vessel OCS-991773...you are one of Admiral Garja's ships, who is currently suspected of Mutiny. You have 5 minutes to comply to a boarding party or we will destroy you. Do you understand, OCS-991773?"
Durrel was trying his best to get the signal from Garrick.
"Suy'vel? Come in, Garrick....your transmission is nothing by static here in the ruins..."
The blue hologram in Durrel's helmet was nothing by a grainy image, only showing signs of Garrick's helmet in split seconds.
"Pull out......Huntau........Jedi...Stasis...........ext raction point....coordinates 337."
"Sir! I can't read you! What was that?"
With that, the signal was lost. Durrel looked at one of the technicians who was inspecting the Sith Holocron.
"I wouldn't touch that just yet...."
Durrel sat down, trying to think on what Garrick was trying to say.
He was obviously telling us where the Extraction Point was....but where is that...
Huntau.
That sounds familiar, but from where...
At coordinates 337.
That thought opened the door to the secret of the puzzle.
He activated his map of Jatalra, and immediately found 337 on the map.
And there was Huntau Station.
The Captain looked at the technician who was messing with the Holocron.
"Okay...let's pack this thing up and get out of here. The Jedi will love this...but only if we get there alive."
Durrel began to help the Techs pack the Sith Holocron into a protected metal container.
"Identify yourself, vessel OCS-991773...you are one of Admiral Garja's ships, who is currently suspected of Mutiny. You have 5 minutes to comply to a boarding party or we will destroy you. Do you understand, OCS-991773?"
What the Kark?!
"Grand Admiral, This is Admiral Garja, formally of the Pellaeon-Class Star Destroyer Wanderer. My Second in command mutinied and took control of the ship after killing First Officer Mets. Be advised Admiral that we have something you may want to see."
"During our Patrol we came across some sort of invisible Gravity Mass that pulled us out of Hyperspace. After a few hours we managed to determine that it was an extremley powerful cloaking device. I sent a squad of Space-troopers out to retrieve the object. Shortly after, two Pirate Battle-cruisers appeared on sensors. I managed to disable one of them before the second one got away. Shortly after I was ambushed in the hanger by my second officer and a group of stormtroopers."
Garja had a sudden thought.
"Is that what this was about? Not destroying the disabled ship? Admiral we needed to take one of them alive. This is a brand new technology and I don't have the slightest idea how it works. But we did find out one worthwhile thing. Sensor readings are not stopped by it. This is a very advanced model cloak."
Matton watched with amusement as Kalla left her quarters to chase after Tonatius. He knew his relationship with Jun-la was like the same thing so he thought of giving a hand now and then. Now wasn't the time.
Tonatius had made back to his own quarters and looked at the wall where he had thrown his daggers and briefly wondered if he would be chewed out for that. He barely had time to process his thoughts when Kalla came and spoke to him. When she paused not sre what to say he said, "For a long time I stayed close out of duty to my cousin. Family traditions of people are like that where one would watch out for a person a relative cared about and I've always had feelings for you in a platonic way..." His voice trailed a bit, not sure himself.
*********
Tyrannus looked at Andirrul and replied, "Not a language I am familiar with but I get the distinct feeling he doesn't like me very much. Not that it matters. Now will you do as I ask and search for memories?" He put the request forceful so that it sounded like a demand.
"Reyvan mentioned a reporter, or at least a woman who claimed to be a reporter, who attacked Alriana back on Jatalra, and stole a Sith Holocron. Any chance we could try to track her hyperspace trail?" Komad suggested. "It's possible she was working for the Sith, in which case, tracking her will lead us directly to them."
Both of them seemed to be at a loss for words, until Kalla said, "Until I lost Andorra, I was content with just being your friend, but I guess neither of us are really sure what we want anymore." Was this really such a good idea? If Andorra's mind was lost, she would have wanted her to be happy. If her mind remained, would she approve? If Darth Virul's influence remained strong, probably not. He'd probably use it to fuel her jealousy, and further twist her into the perfect pawn.
Andirrul felt the pangs of despair gnaw at her temples, making them throb. What information, exactly, was she supposed to remember? Since Lord Virul had possessed her, she found it harder and harder to recall times from when she was Andorra, and only Andorra. She did have a vague vision of something that the Jedi had taught her--specifically, the worth of a dull vibroblade...
"The Jedi taught me how to use the Blade of Fourteen Slayings," she said carefully, "which I disassembled in order to craft the hilts of my own Sith lightsabers. "They also tried to teach me not to react violently or lash out in anger, but I do not remember being sensitive to their Force teachings."
Her head sank down wearily. The Force's honest truth--she only knew that!
*****************************
Pahro Utonula needed fuel for her courier's vessel, and it just so happened that she found it aboard Huntau Station. For a fleeting moment, she wished she was a celebrity again who went through scripts like children's books and through men like tissues. Both were perused, used, and then thrown away. As for the scripts, there were always new ones, and as for the men, she had no real love or desire for them anyway. She only loved seeing their reactions as she first pleasured and then betrayed them. It was no more than their due.
She thought she'd stay here a few days, to try to cement her identity as private Pitr Orkutt, First Class, the son of a rank-and-file Republic officer. True, people cast apprehensive glances her way instead of admiring ones when she walked by, but that was something she'd just have to get used to.
Wrath wasn't sure what to say or think when he overheard Tyrannus wanting to teach Andirrul. He was actually happy about it because that meant their might actually be peace between the two which meant they would be unstopable. He kept his distance but made sure to concentrate on Andirrul. The second he sensed danger he would go in there but for now he could go back to his on room and relax.
----------------
"It appears as if my second officer wanted his own ship more then I thought. He killed first officer Mets and brought me up on charges of Mutiny. I was forced to abandon ship with the only men I have. These five."
"Ohhh, that's why everyone was shooting. I thought someone had invaded us."
"Right now, we're trying to get in contact with the Grand Admiral to tell him what's happend. But for some reason he isn't responding."
"Aww man tell me about it. I try calling you higher up people all the time. So when that doesn't work I have to go find them. They always tell me that its a communication failure. Well one day I checked my comlink and found out they gave me a broken one, can you believe that??? Well I guess it was for the best after all I did have communication problems back in stormtrooper academy. And don't get me started on my old childhood bandcamp. Aw man those were some weired teen years...and I'm doing it again aren't I. Whenever I'm nervous or excited or bored I start talking...alot. Whoops sorry about that."
TK-777 put his blaster rifle on his back and looked at the other 5 soldiers.
"Man those are some awesome space suits!"
"Grand Admiral, This is Admiral Garja, formally of the Pellaeon-Class Star Destroyer Wanderer. My Second in command mutinied and took control of the ship after killing First Officer Mets. Be advised Admiral that we have something you may want to see."
This news surprised Velerc, but he couldn't help but be happy, apparently, the promising young Admiral had fallen so far.
"Oh...mutineers, that would explain it. I was under the impression that you yourself had staged the mutiny...this is encouraging news."
"During our Patrol we came across some sort of invisible Gravity Mass that pulled us out of Hyperspace. After a few hours we managed to determine that it was an extremley powerful cloaking device. I sent a squad of Space-troopers out to retrieve the object. Shortly after, two Pirate Battle-cruisers appeared on sensors. I managed to disable one of them before the second one got away. Shortly after I was ambushed in the hanger by my second officer and a group of stormtroopers."
This pleased the Grand Admiral even more.
"Excellent work, Admiral...it seems that you haven't lost everything in your mission...."
"Is that what this was about? Not destroying the disabled ship? Admiral we needed to take one of them alive. This is a brand new technology and I don't have the slightest idea how it works. But we did find out one worthwhile thing. Sensor readings are not stopped by it. This is a very advanced model cloak."
"There is no need to fear, Garja. We have enough ships to make amends...though the last time we had a mass cloaking device, Admiral Thrawn himself was in possesion of it...let's hope that we can make as good use of it as well."
Velerc nodded to Lieutenant Jerek, giving the okay to call back the TIE Squadrons and to sound release from battle stations. Garja had returned, and under good circumstances...but they would still need to reclaim the lost Pellaeon Star Destroyer. Even if the Fleet was still very large and powerful, every Star Destroyer helped.
"Remember, Garja, always give good reason not to fire on an enemy ship, don't leave us in the dark...never. I expect you and your men aboard my ship in 10 minutes sharp, Briefing Room on Diamond Deck."
With that, Velerc deactivated the Holocam and began ordering the men to make preparations for a quick departure once Garja was aboard.
"Remember, Garja, always give good reason not to fire on an enemy ship, don't leave us in the dark...never. I expect you and your men aboard my ship in 10 minutes sharp, Briefing Room on Diamond Deck."
Garja nodded as the Hologram scattered into nothing.
"Set course for the Grand Admiral's ship."
The trooper at the helm nodded and turned the shuttle toward the docking bays of the massive star destroyer.
Even as they headed toward the shuttle he couldn't help but remember the debates that he and the Second Officer had engaged in during their off duty hours.
"The Empire has a responsability to it's citizens! And yet they only help the rich and powerful in order to get something back from them. The Galactic Alliance helps everyone who needs it."
Graja was deep in thought as he stepped out of the shuttle and onto the deck of the star destroyer.
"Grab the cloak and follow me."
The troopers nodded and grabbed the cloak and began to follow the Grand Admiral.
Tyrannus eyed her speculatively and then said, "And I thought they, especially the Avalonian would have mentioned something called sentou. Your memory of blades is interesting and a pity it is that you disassembled it." He left his words hanging in the air, implying that she was thoughtless or too impulsive.
***********
"You said a woman reporter?" Tavaryn asked.
"I believe he did," Jun-la replied. A genuine look of puzzlement crossed her face. "How...?"
"I know this woman," was Tavaryn's answer, "Thought she would have given up chasing targets after that last one."
Jun-la looked at Komad. Her eyes were clearly saying that she had no idea what Tavaryn meant.
**********
Tonatius shuffled his feet slightly and cleared his throat. He replied looking down at Kalla's feet, "Perhaps that is so. Time allows her people to change though we still hold memories."
Kurt began to take a long walk around the station. He left the jedi to do their planning and watched Matton go check up on the ship. The only thing he could think of that was remotely interesting to do was walk around. He held his rifle in a relaxed grip as he marched through the station. He rounded a corner and found his HUD blinking for some reason. He checked his HUD inside his helmet and saw that it displayed a blue dot. That dot was either on no one's side or Kurt wasn't sure about it. He followed his HUD until he came across a strange looking person. The person appeared to be male but had an odd look about him. None the less Kurt walked up to him and stopped with only a few inches between them. Kurt towered over the man and had to look down to be eye level with him.
"This is a restricted base, I'm going to need some kind of indentification."
---------------
TK-777 eagerly followed after Admiral Garja. He had never been inside the Grand Admiral's ship before.
"Wow would you look at it, totally state of the art. Aw man if I was a stationed here I'd be a top of the line stormtrooper!"
((By the way, Kurt is speaking to Pahro aka Pitr Orkutt))
At that moment, Reyvan stepped in and joined them. "She was after something specific, likely Alriana, or the holocron she stole. On that topic, I recognise her presence nearby, but I'm uncertain of where exactly." He commented. "On the station? Unlikely." Komad commented, though he did get up to speak to a passing security officer. Reading off the man's nametag, he asked, "Iyav, other than us or the Mandalorians, have there been any recent arrivals to the station?"
------------
"I still love her, and I always will, but I can't deny the feelings I've always had for you. I love you, Tonatius. From the moment we met on Coruscant, all those years ago, I've always felt this way. Even when I thought you preferred men, I still loved you. I know you've never felt the same way, but I thought you should know." Kalla explained to Tonatius, finally making him truly aware of her feelings for him.
"I disassembled Chetyrnadtsat," replied Andirrul coldly, "in order to increase the power of my new weapons. It was not a waste. Indeed, one of the chief reasons that the skorost' technique flows through me is because of it. As for sentou," she continued, "it seems my memory has failed me on this point. When it came to combat techniques, I was taught little, but enough to slice my host in half." Andirrul blinked. "Lord Virul's host, that is."
***********************************
Private Pitr Orkutt, on Huntau Station, loved laughing at the security-guard trainees. So weak. So untrained. So inexperienced. So...malleable. She particularly leered at one Iyav Dourden, who was now cleaning up after the real security guards' spice-sniffing kath hounds. If I were a female, she thought to herself, I would try to seduce him. However, for all intents and purposes, I am male now, and that means...No. My only capture shall be the Dark Lady. Once I have her in my debt forever, that is checkmate for her!
Slyly, she walked up to the trainee, who had finished bagging up the waste.
"Can I help you?" A small smile.
"What do you want--soldier?" First scorn, and then respect, were in his voice.
"Calm down. My name is Private Pitr Orkutt, First Class, Republic forces."
The trainee threw the bag away, squirted sanitizing bacta-gel on his hands, and shook hers. "Iyav Dourden. Perhaps you can try and get me a new job?"
Suddenly noticing the stranger who was speaking to him, Iyav cleared his throat:
"I'm not a security officer, sir. I'm just a trainee. Nevertheless, I'm sure I haven't seen Private Orkutt around Huntau Station except within the past two days. Word of honor."
The young man sensed that the man addressing him was no mere man--or mere Jedi...
(Komad was just addressing Iyav)
(How old is Iyav exactly?)
"Thank you. A handsome young man like you could go far out here." Komad replied. Handsome? He thought to himself. Sure, there was something about this trainee that reminded him of Roan, or Jor, but it had only been a year since Greea died, and this man looked like he wasn't much older than Kalla or Tonatius.
"Private Orkutt? Let me take a look at you." Reyvan said, examining the soldier. Though he had a somewhat androgynous face, and not a particularly masculine build, that reporter could have just as, if not more easily, disguised herself as a female soldier, and saved herself the trouble of hiding her gender. "There's something familiar about him, but I don't think he's the one we're looking for." He told the group.
((Iyav is 21.))
"Thank you, sir." Iyav bowed his head in acknowledgement, noticing that the stranger had called him handsome. That wasn't what he was used to being called. Runt, shorty, trainee, and his own boss's personal favorite, green-nose had rankled the recruit ever since he'd taken the job on Huntau Station. Who was this man? Iyav was dying to know...
...and, thus, he told his boss he was going on break and followed him discreetly, all the while keeping an eye out for suspicious characters.
****************
Blast! Pahro Utonula knew that she had almost been found out. They're on to me. I should go to the recreational facilities and work out. As she pushed her body to limits a well-trained athlete would scream to endure, the Sith thought up a plan. She knew that those who had been talking to the little security-guard runt were Jedi. How to sabotage them? How to make them wish that they had never crossed the Sith Triumvirate?
How to make the Dark Lady grovel at her feet? There was only one way...
Lure them into a trap.
Pahro arranged for a message--and a special item--to be sent to one of the cantinas on Huntau Station and displayed proudly for all to see. It was an item that had been used and discarded by the Sith, more specifically Andirrul herself. It was the Dark Lady's chronometer, which had stopped working when Lord Virul had possessed her. Time was of no real relevance to her now, except as a slave, a servant that had surrendered itself to her.
Through sublustrum and skorost', she could slow it down or speed it up at will. If she became skilled enough, she could do both simultaneously.
The club owner, franchisee of Celebrity Planet Cantina, gawked.
"I'll put this out right away!" Immediately, he started blabbing about his find.
That was when Pahro crushed his upper spine, smiled, and walked away.
(Well that makes him only two years older than Kalla, and Komad's 43. I think it'd be kinda creepy for Komad to get together with a man who's young enough to be his son. Frankly that'd be like the gay equivalent of a cougar.)
((Can I add a third character to the Rp?))
Alriana's dreams were haunted by the visions of what had happend to the galaxy since she had been frozen.
To think that so much occured...and I missed it. This new Sith threat...they are far more dangerous then Palpatine ever was. It seems almost beyond belief.
She simply kept her eyes closed, and silently mourned each and everyone of her friends and teachers that hadn't been able to explore this brave new galaxy with her.
So much...so much has changed.
Star Destroyer
Even as Garja and his men continued walking toward the briefing room he could hear his men talking amongst themselves about what they were going to do once they managed to catch the traitorous second officer.
"We should just shoot him. Dead is dead."
"No...He has to suffer. First officer Mets was a good man. He would join us in combat training every week. Had a good sense of humor as well."
Garja couldn't help but throw in his two cents. "Rest assured men, the traitor will pay. I'll leave it up to you on how he pays. You each have the right to decide what his punishment is when we catch him."
The men nodded and continued following Garja to the briefing room.
((OK. How about he's 33, then? Ten years shouldn't be that much of a diff. He's old enough to NOT be Komad's son, and yet young enough to still be a trainee guard.))
Huntau Station's holovid news stations suddenly ran an on-site commercial:
"You've seen lightsabers. You've seen holocrons. You've seen capes and robes, hilts and boots, and every single artifact that you think you'll ever see in your lifetime from the Jedi and the Sith. Well, you're WRONG! Come see...
...a real Sith chronometer! Broken, of course, but it's just OOZING with the power of the Dark Side! We have it on good authority, from the valiant Republic soldier who brought it to us, that this one's from the Sith Triumvirate! Come one, come all, and maybe you can get that broken watch working again! Celebrity Planet Cantina, next to the refreshers on the 2nd floor." A sudden pause, and then: "Now under new management."
The commercial flicked off, and that same "Republic soldier" marveled at just how effective her little ploy was becoming in so short a time. Hopefully, the Jedi would be interested. Hopefully, they'd bite, and then she'd reel them in.
Tavaryn replied, "Pahto is a free lancer. Highest bidder but she also carries a personal vendetta...against me." He entered something on the console to pull up a moving schematic of space. He said, "You said she was looking for something and you found that is was something of power here on Jaltara." He clicked the image to get it flashing. "If it were a simple matter of taking and going, she would have gone to a remote region and then doubleback to her original destination."
The image showed the possible routes that the stranger had taken. Tavaryn worked his magic and said, "However, if she knows I am around, she will most likely be headed here. Also I suspect her mission has only begin and Alriana is the key."
"If she is then we must keep a closer watch on her," Jun-la replied, "Monitor security and use the Golden Rule." She had meant that any conversation regarding this should be in code. "Master Komad, who is currently on security detail in med lab?"
**********
"Yet I am sure that you remember that lesson of even a simple thing could have great power." Tyrannus looked at Andirrul and smiled knowingly. Avalonina lessons were not easily forgotten. "By taking apart you blade you have reduced its power. True that you made something more powerful but it is weak because the foundation is cracked. So bad. So sad." He had walked to a shelf where there were a series of weapons, all used within the means of warriors who utilized sentou. He picked up a pair of chobos, rings of metal with a sharp blade, and began to hold them, appearing careless. "It is possible to learn on a cracked foundation but bear in mind that there will always be a weakness."
**********
Tonatius gave a swallow, knowing that what he wanted to say was going to come out wrong. Yet he took courage and said, "It is because you loved her I kept a distance yet honoring that bond of family. It's because of that bond I am still here but also because you shouldn't be alone." He then raised a hand. It looked as if he were going to touch Kalla's face but it dropped to finger her Jedi robes gently. He looked down as he said, "I will always be there."
(@Tysy: Yeah, 33 might be better
@Chev: Go ahead
@JM12: Keep in mind how Kalla is dressed in all the artwork of her)
"I don't know, but I'm not so sure it's Alriana she's after this time." Komad suggested. Watching the developments in Celebrity Planet Cantina from the conference room's viewscreen, Reyvan added, "That looks pertinent as well, though something doesn't feel right about it."
"And I thank you for that." Kalla replied, kissing Tonatius on the cheek again. "We should actually get off the ship and join the others on the station sometime."
Durrel looked forward at the bunker that was half-buried in the ground, this was Huntau...at least what was left of it. There used to be alot more to it, at least as Durrel remembered.
"We're here...and it seems are little holocron hasn't done anything strange...."
One of the technicians nodded, "Yeah..ner'vod...let's get this thing to the Jedi, if they're around."
Durrel walked over to the bunker and kicked the door hard, not making it budge, but at least giving the people inside a fair warning.
"Su'cuy!! Anyone there?"
Velerc saw Garja walk into the briefing room.
He saluted, "It's good to see that this Lieutenant Mets' mutiny hasn't ruined your sense of punctuality. Do you have any reports of the sector, and what is this cloaking device you speak of?"
"That would be wise. Our help could be needed," Tonatius replied. "Shall we patrol now?"
He looked embarrassed and shuffled slightly on his feet. A tinge of blush rose on his neck indicating his embarassment.
**********
"It might not be Alriana but Pahto has a rather sick sense of humor," Tavaryn allowed. He frowned at his choice of words. "Her greatest asset is her brand of mind games. I still suggest a quick inspection of medlab."
Tavaryn looked at the viewscreen in the conference room. Something came to mind and he said, "She does like to disguise herself."
"It's good to see that this Lieutenant Mets' mutiny hasn't ruined your sense of punctuality. Do you have any reports of the sector, and what is this cloaking device you speak of?"
Garja's eyes flashed.
"Mets wasn't the mutineer sir. Second officer Hetra led the mutiny and killed Mets when he tried to resist from what I heard."
Garja shook his head.
"Sorry about that sir. Mets was a good man and I'm sorry to see him go. Anyway, Pirate activity in the sector was down to only one possible base that we saw and I believe we've scared the pirates out."
Garja turned toward the Cloaking device and patted it affectionatly.
"This...simply is the most advanced model cloak I've ever seen. Sensor readings and targeting scanners aren't affected by it so a ship can now fire while in the cloaking field. From what we've seen it can be installed aboard a Pellaeon-Class Star Destroyer with no ill effects."
Garja patted it again.
"My men performed the greatest of services by getting it aboard safetly. I'd like to recommend them all for promotions. They performed well beyond what they signed up for."
"I'll deal with that." Reyvan said, leaving the room and activating his commlink. At the same time, Komad sent out a message to Kurt. "Kurt, I'd like you to keep an eye on Alriana. I'll be down shortly."
"Yeah, let's go." Kalla replied, when her communicator started buzzing. She opened it up, and heard Reyvan's voice. "Kalla, there's something going on at the Celebrity Planet Cantina that requires our attention." He explained. "I'll meet you there, Master." Kalla replied, looking to Tonatius. "You might as well come too." She told him, leading the way to the cantina. As they entered, Kalla caught a glimpse of a hologram of the chronometer. "I've seen that watch before! I gave it to Andorra as a gift! Now I definitely want some answers." Kalla said, clearly sounding a bit angry, and annoyed. That watch had cost her quite a few credits back on Amshrey. "Settle down, Kalla. We'll get to the bottom of this." Reyvan replied, partially chastising Kalla for that outburst.
(@Tysy: Hope you didn't mind me taking that little liberty)
Kurt opened up his comlink and listened to Komad's orders.
"Yes sir, you can count on me."
Kurt turned around and made his way to the medical station. On his way there he stopped and turned both his head and rifle in another direction. He swore he heard a noise. He shrugged after a few minutes of standing there and continued walking towards the medical station.
-----------------------------
Wrath made his way through the ship and over to a holopad. He was hearing rumors of mutiny from troopers and sith alike. He activated it and patched himself through to the Grand Admiral himself. Wrath would get to the bottom of this.
"Grand Admiral Velerc what is the status on your mission and what is this talk of mutiny I've been hearing?"
The Celebrity Planet Cantina was absolutely packed. Any artifact from the Sith--even a broken one--warranted the entire galaxy's attention, or at least the attention of every passer-by on Huntau Station. The new owner, who had been notified only two hours before of his recently-acquired position, could not believe his good fortune! Orders for food and drinks were absolutely pouring in as the crowd jostled for a position in line to take a look at the Sith chronometer. With luck, he'd do more than break even for the entire year!
Fortunately, as rattled as he was, he'd assigned one of his underlings, a schmoozy "Celebrity Paraphernalia Specialist" named Jhon Urgel, to talk about the Cantina's latest acquisition. He was yakking boisterously at the crowd:
"A real find, this one! This chronometer, now broken, supposedly belongs to a Sith Lord. Can you believe that, ladies and germs? A Sith Lord!" He yuk-yukked merrily. "Luckily for us, no sentient beings were harmed in the taking of this watch. It was actually given to us by a Republic soldier as a gift--a gift that he wanted to sell, of course! So much for charity." He pouted a little. "Of course, if no one bids over 500,000 credits, then that means the Celebrity Planet Cantina owns this busted artifact for good! The person or people who shouts out the winning bid"--his grammar wasn't the best--"will get to own this piece of Sith Lord history! Any takers? Anyone? The winning bidder will get the money transfer address of the soldier. Bid!!!"
Of course, he was hoping no one would. He wanted the chronometer badly.
Meanwhile, the new owner of the Cantina needed to use the refreshers. He wiped sweat off his brow, thanked the Force for a moment of respite, and--
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
That silenced the whole place, bidders and all. In front of the nearest latrine, a man knelt down with his head bowed, as if preparing to vomit. Oddly enough, there was no vomit in the latrine bowl, and the man did not move.
He was dead. That was when the Cantina owner knew his luck had run out.
Calming herself down, Kalla told her Master, "I've got an idea." and whispered the rest into Reyvan's ear. Then, the three of them walked in, and Reyvan announced, "Do not be alarmed, we have no interest in confiscating the item, or interfering with your bidding. We simply wish to verify the claim." He then put his hand on the chronometer, to feel its presence in the Force. They were right; this thing was very strong in the Dark Side, but he'd really throw a hydrospanner into Pahro's plans if he got the bar patrons to think otherwise, so he lied. "It's a fake. This chronometer holds no resonance in the Light or Dark Side of the Force at all." He explained, casting feelings of disappointment on everyone in the bar except for Kalla, Tonatius, and himself.
The crowd at the Cantina couldn't believe it. A fake?! Since when had the redoubtable Celebrity Planet franchise ever purchased fake artifacts? Truth be told, this had happened several times in the corporation's history, but never in the case of Jedi or Sith-connected memorabilia. Mortal celebrities hawked their junk to the highest AND lowest bidders, but the frazzled new owner could have sworn that chronometer was real...Hearing the commotion outside, he saw everybody leaving. "Wait! Wait! Come back!" he cried. Once he saw that no one was staying to bid or to buy food and drinks, he snarled:
"You three! Which one of you said my chronometer was a fake? Thanks a lot! You just ruined my business for the entire evening, and perhaps the entire year! Do you know how much it costs to break even on Huntau Station? Rent is as high as the reaches of the Unknown Regions! Can't you give a guy a break?" His eyes suddenly lit up. "Unless you yourselves wanted to bid."
Visibly shaken, he said, "If not, there's a dead guy in the refreshers. I would not go in there if I was you. Someone positioned him there, I'm sure. He was bent over the latrine like he was going to regurgitate his juma juice, but there was no vomit. The guy's neck--his vertebrae--had all been crushed. I haven't moved the body. I'm getting out of here." He dashed out of the cantina and regurgitated his own recent dose of juma juice into the nearest trash receptacle. That was it. He'd settle down on Dantooine from here out.
That gave the Jedi a chance to look at the chronometer. The time? 14:00:57.
The exact moment, as it were, when Lord Virul had possessed Andorra.
Durrel had waited long enough.
He looked to one of the technicians.
"Give me your pack."
The Mando complied without question, handing it to Durrel, who took out two explosive devices.
"This'll do two things at once..."
He attached the devices to the wall, extending their claws into the durasteel.
"We'll get inside..."
The Mandalorian Captain then set the timing fuse and extent of explosion meter.
"And get the attention we need for our little holocron."
With that, the bomb was ready.
"Okay, I'd back up a couple meters or more..."
The squad took cover, and 2 minutes later, the bomb went off, spewing metal and flame everywhere.
"Okay, Let's GO!"
Durrel ran inside, closely followed by the Technicians.
"Hey!!! Any Jedi here!" Shouted Durrel as he ran through the smoke into Huntau station.
Velerc looked at the cloaking device.
"Well, bring it to our scientists are Krono deck, they'll analyze it and see if we can make it any better, or how we'll install it onto the Pellaeon-Class Star Destroyers..."
"My men performed the greatest of services by getting it aboard safetly. I'd like to recommend them all for promotions. They performed well beyond what they signed up for."
"Your connection with your crew is admirable, Garja. Let's hope that my other commanders can do the same. But still, we must stick to procedure, put in writing, Garja, and then the Naval Administration Board and I will decide if the commendations should be handed out, which I'm sure they will."
Suddenly, Velerc's holopad activated at the corner of the room.
"Grand Admiral Velerc what is the status on your mission and what is this talk of mutiny I've been hearing?"
"Wrath....this is a surprise..."
Velerc nodded at Garja, giving him the okay if he needed to leave.
"I had thought you and High Command dead by this point, after Bastion I mean. The New Republic has definately become a thorn in our side, but it is good to see that you live...hopefully along with more men."
The Grand Admiral straightened his back and took a breath.
"And it's not exactly a mutiny, more a failure of communication....Admiral Garja was suspected of defecting by his second officer, who used that to his advantage and took over the ship, Garja escaping with only a few of his personal staff."
((Who is the supreme commander of the Repulic fleet at the moment?))
"Well, bring it to our scientists are Krono deck, they'll analyze it and see if we can make it any better, or how we'll install it onto the Pellaeon-Class Star Destroyers..."
He pointed at one of the Space-troopers standing behind him. "Fera is the expert on cloaking systems, he's always studied them. You might want to take him along for his expertise.
"Your connection with your crew is admirable, Garja. Let's hope that my other commanders can do the same. But still, we must stick to procedure, put in writing, Garja, and then the Naval Administration Board and I will decide if the commendations should be handed out, which I'm sure they will."
Garja sighed. He hated paperwork with a passion. He was a fighter not a writer.
"Anyone else hungry? Or rather is anyone else sick of the ration bars? Lets grab something to eat in the gallary."
The remaining troopers nodded and followed Garja.
Tonatius followed dutifully behind Kalla feeling like an idiot for not saying what he felt but it was his people's way. The less, the more it meant and the deeper the intentions. He followed and listened to Kalla's plan and kept his face impassive. He recognized the time and nearly went rigid in stiffened anger but his face was its most bland. "Time has a funny way of jogging a memory."
**********
Tavaryn had taken advantage of the situation and gone with Reyvan to the cantina. He had put his hat back on and pulled it low. He then thought better of it and went towards Alriana. He stuck to the shadows not being noticed at all by the soldiers on duty. When his niece passed with Komad and her apprentice they appeared not to notice him.
Tavaryn had skill and practice in the arts of camoflage and was very good at making himself invisible even among Jedi. Often times Jedi never knew he was there; they couldn't sense his presence through the Force at all. On that note he had his mother to thank. She taught him the ways of the Jedi but only after she taught him about sentou and how to mask oneself and leave no trace. She wanted to 'do right by him as she should have done with his siblings.'
He stationed himself within running distance of either place and waited.
**********
It was rare for Andros to ask a question of his master and when he did it was with purpose. He asked, "Master should I be scouring trails as before?"
Jun-la wondered how long Andros had been listening. Lately he had taken to giving blank looks and appear he wasn't listening when he was. She knew it was a defense mechanism when they went into the cantinas on the different worlds. As much as she would rather have him not involved, he was a Jedi too. She replied, "As usual. Use those configurations."
Andros nodded and turned away. Once he was gone, Jun-la said to Komad, "It was your son who found the trails before. He can do it again. I prefer that he not engage this Pahro if she is as Tavaryn says she is. Do you agree?"
**********
Tyrannus held his chobos out to inspect them and said, "Warriors are not defined by weapons though often preferences become a weakness. Wouldn't you agree my little pretty?"
((I hope this is some of my best writing yet!))
Weakness. Preferences. Something clicked in Andirrul's clouded mind.
"Yes. I agree," she told Lord Tyrannus, nodding. The Dark Lady noticed that her voice sounded like a holorecording on half-speed, or even quarter-speed. However, its timbre was fully that of Andorra's, with no trace of Virul to be detected. The only clue that the young Avalonian maiden was a Sith Lord was her golden, glowing eyes. The robe she could remove--her piercing gaze, she could not. What was it about those two words that had disturbed her?
"Is that why Lord Virul chose me?" she asked after a moment. "He could have possessed Kalla, for instance, or any one of the Jedi that were there during our final confrontation. I could not even use the Force before he entered my consciousness. Did he select me as his new host because I was weak?"
Lord Tyrannus smiled. That's it. Now you're finally making sense, sweet.
Andirrul's heart started racing. "If so," she continued, "then that means he also chose me because he wanted to make me strong. A strong Sith, not a strong Jedi. The Jedi draw their strength from their compassion, and to us, compassion is but weakness. Sith draw upon anger, hatred, the desire for revenge and the lust for power. Virul was angry with me for not betraying the defenses of the Avalonians before the final battle. He hated me...or, is it that he hated Kalla and the others more? Yes...he hated them utterly. They were strong. He had to make sure that he was the final influence over me, and not the people I loved. Only then could I achieve the power I'm starting to reach. As for the desire for revenge, he wanted it upon both me and you. Me, for standing against him, and you for tormenting him. The lust for power?"
She paused. "That is the final piece to this puzzle. As Andorra, I had none, but as Andirrul, it now consumes me. Virul has taught me everything about power, or almost everything. The Jedi thought they knew...yet they do not."
The Dark Lady licked her lips. "I'm finally starting to understand, aren't I?"
"I had thought you and High Command dead by this point, after Bastion I mean. The New Republic has definately become a thorn in our side, but it is good to see that you live...hopefully along with more men."
Wrath shook his head.
"I'm a Gen'Dai and a sith, it'll take a lot more than that to finish me. As of now me speaking to you is to be told to no one. You had better make sure Admiral Garja keeps quiet about it as well or he'll suffer for it. As for his second officer, he should be punished for his betrayal."
Wrath almost turned off the holopad when another thought ran through his head.
"Grand Admiral I need to ask you something. Do you know the last known locations of a Death Guard named Konig?"
A massive shape dropped out of Hyperspace directly behind the station and proceded to head for one of the docking ports.
Commander Belina looked out at the station as a wide grin appeared on her face. It's about damn time I get this ship looked at. We've been in more battles in two weeks then most people have in a a year.
"Open a channel to the station."
"Channel open."
"Huntau Station, this is the Republic Star Cruiser Ackbar, Admiral Belina commading. Would you happen to have any spare techs? We've taken a bit of a beating out here and could go for repairs."
Medical Bay
Alriana's eyes slowly began to open as she looked around the unfamiliar room. I hate this future. Why is there always a war? Always a Battle that needs to be fought? Why can't I just stop fighting?
"Grand Admiral I need to ask you something. Do you know the last known locations of a Death Guard named Konig?"
Velerc instantly recognized the name.
"Yes, I remember Konig. We lost contact with him after we had to pull the invasion force back, after the attempt to take Kaltas and his comrades. We have no idea where he is, or what his status is. I would think he is either dead, or a prisoner. There is no way of knowing unless he contacts us."
The Grand Admiral began to pace back and forth, thinking.
"If he is captured, I'm sure he's still on Amshrey."
Velerc silently hoped that Konig and his partner had survived. Good soldiers were always hard to find these days, and the numbers of the Empire were no longer what they once were.
Garrick looked out of the Bridge's massive viewports, just in time to see a Republic ship come out of hyperspace.
The comm-stat's picked up a transmission directed at Huntau station below.
"Huntau Station, this is the Republic Star Cruiser Ackbar, Admiral Belina commading. Would you happen to have any spare techs? We've taken a bit of a beating out here and could go for repairs."
Garrick opened a channel with the Republic ship, "Admiral, we have some spare technicians. If you dock your ship with ours, we can transfer some of our superior Mando'a engineers."
"Admiral, we have some spare technicians. If you dock your ship with ours, we can transfer some of our superior Mando'a engineers."
Well. That's a plesant suprise.
"Thank you captain. We're a bit beat up I'm afraid, we engaged a Sith battle fleet near Jaltra yesterday and took some damage. We'll be docking with you momentarily."
She turned to helm control.
"Bring us about. Prepare for docking procedures. All hands are to assist the Mandalorians if they ask for assistance."
Everyone nodded and began their tasks.
Soon the ship was docked with the Mandalorian flagship. And a mighty big ship it is...Belina thought.
"If he is captured, I'm sure he's still on Amshrey."
"He's a great soldier, I do not think death is the reason we lost contact with him."
Wrath watched Velerc pace around the room. He too seemed to know Konig. Wrath had met him only for a short time but in that time he came to respect the Death Guard more than most people.
"Velerc is it possible to know exactly where Konig is on Amshrey? If he's in a prison I want to know which cell and which floor."
------------------
Kurt arrived at the Med Bay and stood over Alriana. He kept his rifle on his back but that didn't keep him from having his hand near his pistol. If someone was going to try something in here they'd have to get through him first. He turned his head over to Alriana and noticed she was beginning to wake up.
"Miss Alriana, are you awake?" Kurt asked making sure she was going to stay up this time.