Zendrin

With a nod she was off, her troopers followed on her heels. Kahla's heart pumped and the rush she felt fueled her push. Her heart felt heavy, skipping a beat as she hauled on the blast doors through the force. Taking all her might to open them enough for her soldiers to pour in before her. She stepped through to the hall marching troopers had filled, no sign of the Jedi. "We have an escaped Jedi, he came this way. Any sign of him?!" She demanded. "No ma'am, not here." Her anger brewed deep inside her. "He'll be going back to his allies, Take your group that way. Squad with me, we're securing exits." her tone was rock steady, and her words sounded almost practiced. The garrison turned and took off towards their dark lord. Kahla took her group, heading back towards Mordecai. As they passed him, she quickly remarked. "He's out of our reach, but only for now. A garrison is headed towards his allies, and we're securing the hangar." With that she was off, her and her troop holding a steady run towards the hangar. This day would not make another failure.

The Jedi was smart, his silver tongue kept Kahla on her toes. "Then who decides what can and can't be studied?" She allowed the boy to continue. As he spoke about the impact of the Sith like a fuel, an affront to nature she hesitated. "And similarly to that inefficient fuel, the dark side is in abundance, it is better, and damned the cost of the natural world. Again, morality can't beat results." For a moment Kahla pushed her feelings aside in favour of her steely calculations. She had the fullest intent to learn from her master. Not just on the power she could wield but the philosophy. Her mind wandered however, remembering what happened to not just herself, but her crew. The things they'd been through together, their eventual triumph, the feeling of success that washed over herself and her closest allies; her friends. Her mind began to torment her, torture her with the memory of their faces, first in celebration, then in fury, fear, and finally in death. The things they did to each other, torn down to their baser instincts, fighting for nothing more than survival, self preservation. She remembered enjoying the feeling of the saber cutting them down, the look in their eyes as she mercilessly struck them down, one after another. What could he be thinking right now? The things she's put him through, moreover the things that he must be enduring. She couldn't just double back on her word now; but maybe she could make things slightly more barrable. In her distraction she failed to notice the Jedi's saber being summoned to his hand. Kahla was pushed against the plated hall, grasping for understanding of what happened. When her mind caught up to her the boy was bolting for the door. For a brief moment she locked eyes with Mordecai before drawing her blaster pistol and unleashing a flurry of bolts in his direction, one of which catching the blast door release ahead of him.

"I don't care for your views, Jedi. The meer possibility of afterlife in exchange for the strength the Sith hold is not a worth while bargain. Trading power for morality isn't worth my time either. I have no need for the Jedi's hushed ways, instead the knowledge I seek is granted freely." She continued walking aside Mordecai, thinking on his victory and her own. The Jedi that had given up, the arrogant mercenary that refused to tap into his potential. Mordecai had tried teaching her that there are more to the Sith than the power you could wield. Perhaps she had a purpose higher than simply rising through the ranks, both in the Sith military and in strength in the force. Maybe there was more to her destiny than her visions of grandeur. She would meditate on the thought when they reached the shuttle, perhaps seeking clarity, or that higher purpose.

Like the winds of a storm the Force was turbulent in the air. Kahla could feel the great conflict both physically, and internally. Her master's strength seemed almost wasted in this duel. Was this the power her preached? Picking on lesser foes? Perhaps not. She thought back to her own training, only very recently did she undergo a very similar show. It was hard for her to forget the taste of Korriban's soil. She could feel Mordicai's emotions leveling out as he sheathed his sabers. As the duel had gone on, her own had mellowed out, and for a brief time there was a calm in the combat. Watching the Sith Lord continue to pummel away at the Jedi without mercy, without retort. She nodded to the troopers. "Get him in cuffs and ready for transport." Two of them made their way over, and with shackles placed, the Jedi was under Kahla's custody. She could sense his struggle, the fight he still had in him. The battle still raged on however, though no one in this room would participate. The elegance of the light clashing with the fury of the darkness, victory was not yet secured. Kahla would have the chance to see the outcome of the battle, as she gathered the remaining troops and followed her master proudly. Remaining mostly silent, she knew he could feel her pride both in her victory and his. There was no doubt left in her mind, he would be the one to lead her to the power she yearned for.

The heft of the glaive was unfamiliar to her, but welcomed; although it was neigh useless in her hands. But the weapon she held would make for excellent proof of her victory. The remaining troops gathered, and with scattering light they navigated the darkened halls. Kahla had been ordered to return to her master, and she would do so with pride. The halls felt eerily silent, not but the clunking of boots could be heard. She thought hard on her weariness, she had wandered the dark and empty halls of a derelict vessel before and felt no fear. As her mind drifted from thought to thought she noticed one thing troubling her most. The enemy she faced, he must have been force sensitive. Then why did he restrain from using such power against her? Limiting himself to patronize her? As if he thought himself so capable, he wouldn't need the aid. Her pride slowly turned to anger, that he might have thought so low of her drove her mad. But she had shown him, shown him she wasn't the whelp he thought. She was strong, and growing stronger. Voices down the hall, the troopers quickly hid their lights. The element of surprise was a glorious weapon. The first of the two voices became more familiar as they approached, their steps were silent as a hunter in the forest. The trooper's commander, Kahla's master, was stood in front of a much younger boy. They seemed to be at some sort of stalemate, and Kahla would watch with utmost anticipation.

In the break of combat the unmistakable sound of armour hurtling towards the door echoed in the hall. Boots thumping on the steel. Vox grinned, knowing his pack was coming to finish this skirmish. Kahla lifted her chin, smirking. He made a powerful charge towards her, lifting his glaive over his shoulder. She slide her left foot behind her, her weight planted firmly on her right. The heavy footsteps grew louder, any second they'd be all over her. Facing just one had proved a daunting task, but three more? She had to be quick. Their weapons clashed, the impact drowning out the impending fireteam. Pushed back on her supporting foot, Kahla slid her saber forward, Vox's blade near the hilt of her weapon she sliced down and right. The end of her blade pierced his right brow, burning its way to his left cheek. As he recoiled from the pain she slid her blade below what served as his handguard, liberating the weapon from his grasp with a heavy swing. The door hissed open, and the first volley of blaster fire rang out across the room. The hangar walls danced with hues of red and green as Kahla gave to order to return fire. From their advantageous positions, the Troopers started making short work of the Alliance soldiers. When the pack burst through the door, they didn't hesitate to launch grenades at the defending Sith. With the force she hauled the paneling up in front of her, creating a make shift shield of durrasteel. She had to hold it strong as blast after blast served to push back. The engines of their transport boomed just as the barrage halted. With great fury Kahla lept from her cover, only in time to see the shuttle's rear leave the hangar. Only a few, now surrendering Alliance troops remained. Kahla tightened her fist, her rage contorting her thoughts. She cut down the rest of the soldiers without mercy, one after another, slash after slash. The sith troopers came down from their position, one approached her. "We held the hangar, ma'am. Suffering two friendly casualties, three injuries." Her weapon disengaged as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Very good. Get the injured, and myself, medical attention." While she didn't secure the killing blow, she defeated the boarding foe, forcing them into retreat. Finally her pride had been earned. Comm link in hand, she reached out to her master. "My lord, I've successfully driven off an enemy attack. We have minimal casualties, and sustained some injuries. What are your orders?" The medic began tending to her gashes, her robes now soaked in blood. Kahla's spirits were high, glad she had proven her worth.

His gaze met her own as their weapons clashed. In his eyes, no longer did she see the hatred he expressed previously. Kahla could sense his new calmness towards the battle, as if he'd come to terms with their position. She was infuriated. She had come so close to corrupting him only to fail at the very last moment. The pain she felt in her muscles from straining against his powerful attacks and the onslaught of damage she had taken reverberated in her mind. Their blades screech echoed in the dark as she was shoved back. She gave into the push, following it as he swung his weapon just short of hitting her. She took stance as he reached to his back. She had seen the weapon only briefly, and it would mean business. She made ready to run again, out of the way of the shots that never came. Instead the weapon hurtled towards her. She evaded to the left, the blade of the weapon hitting her right forearm as she raised to defend from the charging beast. She could feel it slice through her muscle, but she had to press on. Her weapon ready, she deflected the short swing, his blade notching into her side. She yelled out not just in pain but in anger. The abuse she was enduring was starting to take its toll. She grimaced as he reared for another thrust, dodging to the left again as he stabbed forward, swinging her saber opposite to further deflect the devastating blow. She couldn't but stare menacingly at the hunter. Her strength dwindling, her emotions storming, she held her saber across her body in defiance. ((4))

She could sense his anger growing, that he was giving in. She could use this against him, push him over the top. As she contemplated her next moves he threw his firearm at her. Startled, she quickly dodged to the right once more. The twin blades sliced through the flesh of her shoulder. But she didn't have time to worry about the blood now slowly spilling onto her robes. She bolted, sprinting, jumping and sliding as the spikes of his second weapon chased her. His tracking was good, better yet was his lead, as a few bolts glanced her, tugging at the cloth she wore and burning against her skin. She came to a stop with the click of an empty weapon. She turned to face him with her weapon ready, unexpectedly he charged her, swinging at her hips. She held her saber strong, planting her feet into the steel paneling as his weapon impacted hers. Had she not leaned into the sing he would have easily knocked her off balance. He would follow through to a diagonal slash she had to jump back to avoid, Quickly he swung another diagonal swing, but seeing him wind up for it gave Kahla time to prepare to deflect it with her saber. Once again the power of his strike pushed hard against her, this time causing her to stumble. As her footing slipped so did her blade, at fist she didn't notice the burn across her arm, but she felt herself get pushed. She felt his rage rise, he was at his brink. It was time to push him over. She disengaged her lightsaber before pulling another flare. She threw it at the creatures face before slipping back into the darkness. She lurked, quickly making her way around the hangar. "Good, Give in to your hatred. You would make a wonderful sith..." Her voice echoed against the metal walls as she swiftly and quietly darted around the large room. The darkness her shroud, and a weapon she would use to the fullest. "You're fighting for the wrong side, Imagine the power you could wield." She continued stalking in the shadows. When she'd finally positioned herself behind him, she charged, her saber ignited as she lifted high. With pain still coursing through her she twisted her anger into her weapon. With utmost force she brought her blade down. Quickly she brought the hilt back towards her center, and stabbed hard towards him. This final assault she would give everything she had. She knew even if she fell, she would make him fall to the dark side. ((3))

The hunter moved with surprising finesse, as he rolled back she saw him reach for his blaster. She reached out in the force, pulling the flare back towards the back of her opponent. At that moment she realized the nature of his weapon as the burst of spikes hurtled towards her. There was no way she could block it all, even with the force. She ducked to the right hastily, but not quick enough as she took a glancing hit to her ribs. And as the shock of pain wormed its way through her body, another round embedded itself into her left arm. The burn of the metal charring her flesh aggravated Kahla. His next swing came wide, so she pressed forward ducking below his relatively high swing while stabbing her saber towards his stomach. He reared for his third attack, a stabbing lunge. She felt the burn of the blade hit her right shoulder as she stepped wide to the right. As it pressed she spun, using the momentum to swing her saber across his chest. The burning corded through her veins, she focused on the pain, it would fuel her fury and embolden her connection to the force. ((2))

The Trandoshan's resistance infuriated her, and to mock her? She wouldn't just defeat him, she would punish him. Her troops remained hidden, and by her lack of order did not fire. She knowingly let them stay their weapons, honouring the nature of this duel. If he sent off his troops to face her alone then he wanted the glory to himself. She would use that, humiliate him for his failure to slay a lone apprentice. The thugs would be no match for her master, nor the other sith lords that awaited them. While she didn't understand what he said in reply, she knew it wasn't in surrender. "So be it." her lips curled from grin to a scowl. She lit a handflare, its bright red smoke pouring into the air as she tossed it towards the shuttle behind the behemoth. With fury she charged, her mind racing as she thought out her battle. He was big, but was he fast? With swiftness she would strike low, towards his knees, using the momentum she flicked her wrist back up towards his chest, his comrades comment serving to enrage her and empower her swing. ((1))

Stalking in the dark, Kahla watched as the shuttle land clunkily. It hissed as the doors opened, and Alliance troops pored out. While they looked ready for a fight, they weren't going to be worth her time. No, she sensed something else, something stronger. Her emotions stormed in her head, senses screaming at her of a foe worthy to fight. Then stepped down a group of Trandoshans, armed to the teeth, even if their weapons looked barbaric in nature. Bounty hunters? Mercenaries? It didn't matter. Not only did they look like they could handle a Sith, but that they had before and come out victorious. This first fight would be hard, but Kahla focused, grasping her saber's hilt and holding it to her side. She waited as the troops scattered, either taking their position and waiting orders, or making their way into the halls. Of the four hulks that stepped out of the transport there was one to stand out, her senses drawing her towards him. Her blade ignited, sending orange hues cascading against the durasteel panels. Her saber pointed down to the floor beneath her. She spoke with a raspy malice, threatening the Trandoshan directly. "Leave now, or I will teach you to fear mortality."

She wore a wide grin and did as her master instructed. Focusing hard on the emotions, turbulent as the ride over. "Very good, my lord" she responded before turning to the troops. "You heard him, Secure the hangar, When clear, take firing positions behind cover and on the catwalks. Open fire only when the enemy thinks themselves safe." While her experience in combat was limited, she had faith in her strategy. She could prove herself in this conflict as a reliable commander. But she wouldn't let her aspirations cloud her vision. Daydreaming can be done later. Ahead of her was her first true challenge, and she would meet it with arms wide.

The air was thick with anxiety and fear, and albeit a silent ride the shuttle was rough. Kahla grasped a handrail, letting the anxiety consume her. Her heart sank and she began to dwell on the thought of failure. Not only the looming threat of death, but should she show mercy to any enemy, surely she would be punished. This would be to the death, and the fear of failure shall fuel her. Starfighters whizzed by, their attention tuned to their own battles. Good hunting she thought to herself, eyeing the Sith fighters. The shuttle began shivering not long after as it touched down. Darkness consumed the vessel with the lights out, but also with the fury and malice of the Sith presence. Yet still she felt the light, blinding in the shade. The impurity dug into her and served only to further her hatred. She would seek out the embers of light contrasting in the foreboding shadows. She would snuff the fires of resistance before they could get a foothold. Adrenaline pumping through her veins waiting for the chance to strike a foe. On this day not only would she earn her position, but she would earn her master's respect.

Her heart began to race as a grin stretched across her face. Kahla could feel the looming darkness, the power being commanded. Her master's speech roused her, finally she would have the chance to prove herself in combat. The glory of the Sith fleets inspired her almost as much as he had, and with her orders she rose to the challenge. "Right away, my lord." She bowed, taking one last look at the battle ahead before leaving the bridge. In the armouries she retrieved a mounted flashlight for her blaster pistol. A handful of red flares, five would serve just fine. Finally, a comm link that would rest on her belt. Satisfied, she made her way towards the hanger. She breathed deep, forcing herself to remember her hardships, the pain she had endured. She let it swell inside her, prepare her for battle.

Her heart rate slowed as her wounds caught up to her, but she had survived, she was successful. Now her last surviving crew member's life was once again in her hands with the order of her teacher. "Yes, my master." Kahla bowed her head before turning her attention to the unconscious man in the dirt. With heavy steps she stalked over to him. With a swift kick to the ribs, he awoke screaming in pain. She pressed her boot to his throat, cutting his plea for mercy short. "Silence. That I should spare your life once, you should be grateful, but to beg for a second, third chance? You will serve the rest of your life here, wishing I had shown the mercy of killing you. Here you will be taught true understanding of servitude!" She grabbed him by the throat, her flesh still burning, and cast him into the dirt to be hauled away. As he was lifted she shouted once more "Know that I show you no mercy, and should I see you again I will make you beg for the release of death!" She turned away in search of a place to mend her wounds, and to find an outfit more fitting of an apprentice. Many moments passed before she returned to her master. Adorning robes benefiting, her weapons proudly displayed over her crimson robes. She still wore her issued boots, melted and damaged. A reminder to be prepared and absolute in her actions. That the smallest slip could cost her more than her appearance. Her hood would remain down, as she wished for her enemies to know her face should they meet her more than once. "What is thy bidding, Master?" she keeled before her lord, awaiting instruction.

While she had let her self-doubt show, she held onto her confidence. The threat of death still spilled from the Sith's lips, but she would earn her place. She will call him master, and someday, he will call her equal. She ignited her blade as he had, holding it towards the dirt. His first swing came quickly, and she raised her saber to meet his. The weapons screeched as they made contact, and Kahla could feel the strength of the swing bare down on her. It pushed her off balance, she had to move. The second swing came low, and she jumped back. The scent of burnt leather filled the air, his saber had melted the cuff of her boots. Then, the unmistakable sound of another ignition. She had hardly flicked her wrist in time as the plasma burned into her shoulder. She let out a scream of pain as she leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the rest of the blade. Her arm burned, the pain coursed through her, emboldening her strength. She bore her teeth and prepared for her next teaching.

'Impressive' he called as she stood, dusting herself of the soil. Her pride once again tried showing itself but she forced it down. This wasn't a moment of pride, not yet. As she was told, there was still much room to improve. And improvement, she would strive for. Kahla paced towards her weapon, her eyes locked on the Sith, waiting for him to try and catch her off guard. He was strong and cunning, more-so than herself. He would make a worthy teacher, and she would willingly become his instrument. Forged in the fierce fires of battle, she would become a ferocious soldier. With the cunning of fleet operation, she would become a master stratigist. She recovered her Saber, leaving it extinguished in wait. "I am ready.." the words she spoke were soft, calculated and deliberate. She needed more to convince herself, than him.

With her knees planted in the dirt again and the taste of defeat in her mouth, her anger surged through her body. This time Kahla stopped. She listened to him, and his words weren't as harsh. She would have to use more than her weapon, and more than instinct. The threat ever present, she stood, formulating her attack. She would use her surroundings, try to catch the Sith off guard. She focused hard on where he stood, his stance, and the places he could go to dodge her attack. Without pause she reached out in the force, gripping the dirt beneath and around him, slamming it up around him before dashing to close the distance. She swung her lightsaber wide to the right while she pushed through the cloud of dust. Her eyes burned as she charged out the far side of the cloud, pushing in as close as she can, now stabbing towards his ribs. The pain still coursing through her arm she reached to grab his wrist, pressing ever forward she would take small slashes with her saber. She planted her feet into the soil with every step, strengthening her stance, and preparing for push-back. Failure was not an option, not again.

As her breath escaped her she could hear the Sith drone on. Her hatred grew, her anger forced her to her feet once more. His words went through her like the dust kicked into the wind by her impact. Her blood boiled with the fury that coursed through her veins. She locked eyes with the man so bent on humiliating her. As instructed, she channeled her rage through herself and reeled back. The pain in her arm that once was debilitating was now fueling her as she drew back. It all happened in a flash, with all she could muster, she slammed forward with the force in a push. The scarlet sands were parted with the pressure to blast the paint off the hull of her ship. Without hesitation she followed up by lunging at the Sith, with her rage still flowing through her she swung her blade hard for his neck. Regardless of whether the blade's connection, she took two quick steps and positioned herself behind him and again hammered a force push towards his spine.

An unfamiliar sense of inspiration came over her, she felt herself tense up, her grip on her weapon tightening. Focus she told herself, her sholders dropped as she allowed herself to loosen. If she wanted to be swift she couldn't use her whole body in the attack, but at the same time she needed the strength, the power to carry her blade through. The fury she felt towards this Sith burned into her stomach, She hated the lack of recognition, the overwhelming sense of being cast to the wind like dust. Her face contorted into an expression of anger foreign to her. She flicked her wrist out, took a step forward, and with a twist in her elbow struck low towards him. Quickly she followed up, using the momentum in her arm to swing high, slashing her blade towards his shoulder. With her weight on her forward foot now she took a step to the side, still carrying her Saber in tight arcs. She slashed once more at the opposite shoulder. She had let herself fall into a trance, allowing her body to flow naturally, guided by her instincts and not her focused mind. She had always made herself think, to plan her attacks with purpose. This feeling was different, this fluidity was uncomfortable to her. Her last strike she snapped herself out, falling back again on strategy.

His sharpened words pierced her sense of triumph. He was right though, the crew, or the savages they turned into. They weren't a true test of strength. Her pride drifted out of her mind just as the smile from her lips, now a burning desire to prove her worth, to reach her potential. She would need this Darth Mavanger to teach her the ways of the Sith. But to kneel? Put up no fight? She couldn't show that kind of weakness. Her arm was still pulsating in pain, bruises starting to show and the taste of blood filled her mouth as the adrenaline wore off, she knew there was no way she could put up a worthy fight. "I will be yours, and I will serve you with great devotion. But..." Her body still writhing in pain, she drew the saber at her side. "I certainly can't pass up my first opportunity." Her foot slid back as she raised her blade, taking her stance and preparing herself. In his head he could feel his pulse, beating him with pain like a drum. He could only muster the strength to lazily open his eye. Hazily, he could see Kahla, stood before someone, something different. Both of them wielded weapons he'd only heard of in folktale. Bodies still strewn among the dirt, he feared himself forgotten, left to die on this wretched planet. He wouldn't be so lucky, as he had survived the conflict and knew he would recover from his wounds. He allowed himself to drift once more, laid on the ground amid the dead.

The words echoed in the crew's head, and with only a moment of hesitation, an officer pounced for the hilt that lay before them. The time he spent in the air he recollected his thoughts, memories of the things they've done to survive. This would be no different, he knew he would have to fight hard not only against the others but against himself, force himself to forget what they had done for each other. The palm of his hand only glanced the ancient weapon before it was ripped away from him and he fell to the ground. In an instant his hope for survival, his craving for life was shattered. Whoever got it first would surely slay him before he'd even finished tumbling. His heart skipped a beat, but his anticipation bore no fruit. With the moment of terror gone from his mind he gazed upward. The rest of the crew were equally in shock, all of them locking eyes with Kahla. Deep breaths she thought to herself, disconnecting her mind from her actions. She inhaled, holding the dark air in her longs. She lit the blade in her hand as she exhaled, Opening her eyes she met the stare of the crew. The elegance of the Sabre she gripped fed her, she could feel the power she could take. This is how it had to be, that to reach her potential, she had to win. The grin she now wore betrayed her intent, while most stood in shock, three of the security crew charged her. She showed no hesitation, and relished in the first to fall on her new blade. He dropped to the ground, cut open across the chest, the arm she severed followed him. The next two flanked her either side, both lounging towards her, to try to rip her new found power away. She bounded forward and turned about, using her momentum to swing with ferocity. Those that did not cower in fear had swiftly turned on one another. With a gouged out eye, one chocked the life out of her victim after firmly planting her knee in his stomach. Another had weaponized his belt to serve him, quickly he hung one of the shorter men with the strength in his shoulder. Kahla had little care for the ones that showed no fight in them, and she turned to face the girl with only one eye. The one who stood slowly, dazed at the monstrous way she'd dispatched her former colleague. Kahla's hand wrapped around her neck as she drove the Lightsaber into her back. She locked eyes with taller gentleman, who'd just let down his subordinate, who lifelessly fell to the unforgiving ground. Kahla could hear herself cackle in amusement, Nobody that still stood could stand a chance against her onslaught. In that thought he made his play, wrapping his waist belt around the wrist she held her winning chance in, and snapped her elbow with a knee. In pain she screamed at him. "You Dare Richard?!" He did not pause, he had seen what she did, had seen her pride, and would not let her progress. His boot landed hard against her chest, and with the unmistakable gasp for air he charged her. With her off hand she tried to reach out in the force once again, but had little luck in merely making the now derelict weapon roll. With all the might he could muster he struck her chin, knocking her aback once more. For a moment she had thought herself unable to defeat him. That moment of shattered pride, the fury she held for him, the pain she felt, something inside her snapped, and like a failing damn she shoved him; throwing him back with the force. His skull cracked against the Durrasteel of the Unwavering Pursuit, and his body slumped heavily. Deep breaths she repeated to herself, her arm now hanging uselessly at her side. She stalked over to the hilt once more. She summoned the weapon to her hand and burned a glare down upon the cowered who stayed himself, that shrunk down to the ground like a child crying for their mother. Her second in command, had she known he could be reduced to such a low so easily, she would have turned on him much sooner. She let out her final deep breath as she dispelled the pale orange hue of the lightsaber, it's sound being the only echo she heard in her mind. Her shoulders rolled back, her spine cracked and snapped as she stood tall, turning to the dark lord with an unsympathetic gaze. She lifted her chin, and stood at attention, awaiting her next order. "He did not follow your instructions, my lady; may his punishment supersede death."

As the imposing presence that the dark figure commanded, Kahla stepped to the side, she walked with head held high, almost proud of herself and her possition. Deep inside she felt she knew what was coming, and mentally prepared herself for what's to come. As the crew lined up in front of the Sith Lord, some stood quivering in fear, but not all. There were a few crew that had fought through a long and hard service, sometimes new ships, sometimes another captain. Time had not been kind to them, and they were ready for the hardships to come.

Before she could get far her second in command called to her. "Ma'am, looks like we've got company. They're waiting just outside, and they look like they mean business." Kahla's heart sank, but she stowed her fear and made her way to the ramp. Only by sheer force of will and determination did she make it down the ramp, and face to face with the Sith. She locked eyes and spoke with strength. "Greetings, My lady." While she hid her terror deep inside herself, the two security officers on her flank weren't so collected, visibly shaking at the thought of what might come next. The Sith have cut people down just to make a point, even just to get a rise out of someone. Who's to say they won't be next? And with them, their entire ship. They waited for the worst.

The alarm rang early this morning, but there was little sleep the night before. Kahla silenced it, quickly rising to her feet, her heart thumped loudly in her ear. She donned her uniform and triple checked her blaster. It wasn't pretty, scuff marks, hadn't been cleaned in a while, but she trusted it. Quietly she stepped from her quarters and across the hall to the Captain's. His wretched snoring echoed through her bones, how a man like that can sleep so soundly she couldn't understand. She put it past her mind and continued. Silently she grabbed his pistol, loosening the barrel, and jamming it to be safe. That's all it would take. She crept back through the hall, appearing on the bridge at almost the same time as the first pilot. "You're up early, ma'am" She froze briefly but steeled herself. "Had a rough night, figured I may as well report in." The pilot smiled as he sat in his chair. "Captain's not up yet, not sure who you could report in to." He laughed to himself and turned away, busying himself at the controls. Kahla had a laugh to herself, she didn't know if it was to keep up appearances, or if it were just the nerves getting to her. She took her post, and let her mind wander as she stared out into the black. The door behind her hissed, her heart jumped but she kept herself reserved. Slowly she turned to see two more officers walk on deck and took their post. Both of them nodded, the gesture was unnatural for them, but it wasn't lost on her either. She returned the nod and again turned her attention to the window. The door hadn't quite shut before halting. One of the officers shouted "Captain on Deck!" Everyone stood at attention. Surely he'd give us another mistake of an order, more lives to be tossed aside on his meaningless crusade. "Report." his raspy morning voice called out. "We found the station, sir. We've kept out of their scanner's range." The fear in his voice was only noticed by the most attentive ears, but the lieutenant sounded disconnected. The months blurring in his mind. "Very good, Back to your posts." Kahla's heart sank as the time quickly approached 06:00. Any moment now they'd get the signal, one final attempt to halt the captain's reign of terror. Time stopped briefly as the lights died. Every console had gone dark, the whole ship had just been shut off, as if with the flick of a switch. "What the kriff is going on?!" The captain demanded. There was no answer. "I Said Report!" He shouted, the whole ship must have heard it. He had been angry before but this was something else. Did he know? "Engineering's reporting power is gone for almost the whole ship" the lieutenant shakily replied. "Why?!" the captain pressed, the lieutenant shaking in his boots had no answer. But he didn't need one, it was time. The door blasted open, smoke filled the room; then blaster fire. Red hues reflected off the durasteel floors, the smoke itself turning to a dark red. Kahla drew her pistol, and as she scanned the room saw the pilot dead on his console. She buried him deep in her thoughts and focused. the smoke had started clearing, and behind his chair the captain crouched. His face had turned dark red with fury, his eyes locked onto Kahla's as she raised her pistol. But not to the door. Without a hint of hesitation the captain trained his blaster on her. The sound of the bolt burning through the air was unforgettable. The blaster's aim was true, and not a second passed before the captains body fell with a thud to the ground. For months they'd listened, they'd followed orders like lap dogs, biding their time. One at a time they had turned the crew to their truth. The truth that had stared them all in the eye. The captain had to die, the tyrant, usurped. The lights came back on, and with them the flood of thoughts Kahla had shoved aside. There was no undoing this, that if they were to be caught, captured; they'd suffer the same fate. The two security officers that had started the shooting stepped onto the deck, their blasters lowered. "Decks are secured, ma'am, the ship is yours." Her chest was pounding, she could hardly stand, but she gathered her strength and spoke. "V-Very good." She turned to see only three officers make away with their lives, each of them heard her cries for justice and trusted their lives to her. She stepped forward, turning on the ship's intercom. "Men and Women of the Unwavering Pursuit, set aside your arms. The Mad Captain has been taken from his throne. No longer must we stand aside as his atrocities haunt us all. His mission has ended." She turned to the shaken lieutenant, his body now resting on the floor. He looked peaceful, as if finally allowed to rest after a lifetime of torment. "Rest easy, Byron." she solemnly said to herself. As she stood, she heard the unmistakable sound of the escape pods launching. Each and every one. Only a few crew members disagreed with Kahla's words, yet every pod? The realisation hit her, she snapped and turned to the security. "They mean to report us! If they turn our names into the Empire we'll be hunted down and shot like Dogs!" She froze. With dread in her eyes "They took all the pods, we won't be given even the slightest chance. We Have to stop them, Those bastards don't understand!" Her fear quickly turned to anger, all the wrongdoings of the Captain, and they'd be the ones taking the fall? No. She rushed to the comms and raised the gunner's position. "The men and women aboard those escape pods mean to betray us, they cannot be allowed this freedom." Her anger now twisting her thoughts. "Fire on those escape pods. Leave not a single one standing!" There was silence from the other side, so she persisted. "I am ordering you! Destroy those pods, Now!" Time passed slowly, mere seconds felt like hours of hesitation. Then finally the turrets echod. The volley utterly obliterated the pods, leaving nothing more than scrap and ashes to float untouched. When the guns fell silent, so did the ship. All eyes were on Kahla. For a moment the pressure bared down on her, but she recovered quickly. “When ready, plot course for Korriban. Put a few jumps between us. “Right away, ma’am.” an officer gently lifted the pilot’s body out of the chair and took his place. The ship groaned as it jumped to lightspeed. The ship was on alert as soon as they exited hyperspace. They’d just dropped into the lap of their enemy. Immediately they flagged friendly across open coms, praying they wouldn’t be shot down before they make landing. The nav computer issued them a landing pad, where they’d spend an indeterminate time awaiting orders. With a sigh of relief as they touched down, Kahla retired to her quarters. ((Waiting on Mavanger))