Roon

[SithAcolyte]

Darla was a little confused by Zeke's lat statement. There were a lot of clones growing in the chamber and if he had to let them all go there would be doppelgangers of many powerful people running around not knowing who they were or where they had come form.

 

It didn't sound like a good idea.

 

"Where would they all go?" Darla looked puzzled. "I mean you said it yourself, you can't afford to set them all up with lives. If some of them do leave, won't you just clone more of them?"

 

Ezekiel had almost talked Darla around. His gesture of kindness had filled her warmth, but now she was once again worried and filled with dread.

[Zeke]

Zeke tapped the arm of the chair. A small part of it moved back and he typed a few words into it. The lights dimmed and suddenly a display of the compound, when it had first been created came up. It was small, consisting of just a few labs, living quarters, and the hanger.

 

”œThey can live out their lives here. The money it would cost to have them live here will be made up for by putting them to work on whatever task suits their fancy. You see, when this place was originally built”¦it was very tiny, but it hasn't stopped growing since.”

[SithAcolyte]

"There sure is... I guess it's a lot better than having them running free throughout the Galaxy. These clones have the potential to become very dangerous people if they're anything like the originals."

 

As Darla spoke her eyes fell upon the form of Kakuto Ryu's clone. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. His face was one that she would never forget. Darla had felt the true Kakuto in orbit around Roon just before they had landed. Her heart still skipped a beat when she thought about him even though she knew all too well that he really was no good for her at all.

 

"This one..." She said pointing to Kakuto's clone. "Can you make sure he doesnt end up with one of those creatures inside him. Don't ask him, just let him free. Could you do that for me?"

 

Darla was becoming very uneasy around all of the clones. She reached out to Darex letting him know how she felt.

[Zeke]

Zeke looked to the clone that Darla was pointing out, his face remaining a mask of stark indifference. Even if she wouldn't admit it, he could tell there was something there that she felt towards him. For a moment he wondered if she'd even admit it to herself. Perhaps had things turned out differently for Kakuto and Darla both they'd have ended up together on some out of the way planet.

 

”œMmm”¦Kakuto Ryu. He gave me my first set of trials. I'd say of all the clones he would have the most potential. If I can't ask him the question, then I'll ask you a question instead. What's your reasoning for wishing that particular clone free?”

[SithAcolyte]

Darla's heart began to beat quickly. It was a simple question, but being faced with it made Darla increasingly more uneasy. Sense told hr that she should have nothing to do with Kakuto Ryu, that after all he had done she should hate him. But she couldn't. She couldn't control the way she felt and deep down seh didn't want to.

 

"Beacuse this clone..." Her voice was shaky. "He was cloned from a man I once cared for very much.... A man I once loved..."

 

...And still do?

 

she knew that by saying the words out loud she was making herself appear weak, giving Ezekiel something to use against her. She hoped that he would understand and show the compassion that he had when it had come to her own clone.

[Bad karma]

Zeke offered an understanding smile, glad that she had actually admitted to it part of what he knew she felt. Things were always more difficult when a person couldn't even admit that they were a problem, or that the feelings were there.

 

”œWe all have those people we once loved.”

[Darex Trevelian]

Finally, Darex felt a whisper of surpressed emotion from Ezekiel. There was something there, something that made him relate with Darla's confused love for Kakuto Ryu. He didn't have any time to delve into it, but stored it away for future reference.

 

"It sounds like an acceptable plan," he finally said. "There is just one more question. How will we know you follow through on this agreement? No offense, but Barton is still in you. If he manages to break free--not that he will, but still...is there any kind of assurance that this will be followed through on?"

 

He didn't mean to offend Ezekiel, but he wanted to know that operations here would continue smoothly and that none of the clones would be forced into doing anything they didn't want to do--especially becoming host bodies.

[Zeke]

”œThere is no fail safe that could be implemented that would stop him should I lose control of him. Of course, chances are that if he gains control”¦This entire place will be brought down and you won't even have to worry about the clones.”

[SithAcolyte]

It almost sounded like a good idea to Darla. She thought the cloning chamber was wrong and would have destroyed it if she could. As for the rest of the compound, she would just as soon see it leveled. But Darla knew that Barton wouldn't stop there if he was freed. No, that would just be the beginning. Ezekiel was the lesser of two evils, but Darla still didn't like what he was doing.

 

He seemed peaceful enough. Other than Darla disagreeing with what he was doing she couldn't see that there anything wrong with him. When she squeezed his throat with the Darkside he didn't attack and instead chose to use words as weapons instead. He had explained himself rationally and Darla had to respect that.

 

But she still couldn't silence the little voice in the back of her head that wanted to destroy the cloning chamber.

 

"You're right... There's no guarantee... There can't be. I'm just glad that this didn't have to end in a duel. You seem like a good man underneath..." Darla waved her hand towards the cloning cylinders."...All this. I believe that you'll try to keep this whole thing under control, but you must know that you're playing with fire here. These clones would become lethal with or without the spiders taking over their bodies. As for the man trapped inside you... I think what you said pretty much sums it up. If he ever gets out you're f$*#ed."

 

Darla's words had become a warning.

 

"Do you like the danger? Why do you do all of this, with the clones? There has to be more to it than just serving the Hive. You know that these clones could kill you if they got free somehow, right?"

[Zeke]

Zeke offered a smile that appeared to be a mixture between joy and sadness. A smile one would expect to be painted on the face of a circus clone. She had unknowingly answered her own question as to why he did all of this.

 

”œI am well aware of the fact that I am playing with fire.”

[Survivor's Foundation]

A transmission from Esperanza, the now famous flagship of the Survivor's Foundation, reached the surface of Roon. It was a request for the services of the shipyards belonging to Mortati.

 

The ships requested were detailed within the message:

 

2 Venator-class Star Destroyers.

2 Victory-class Star Destroyers.

 

Over two hundred shuttles and freighters of various designs were also requested.

[SithAcolyte]

Ezekiel's sentiments touched Darla on some level she really could understand them. There ha been a time when she had roamed the Galaxy in search of dangerous thrills and there had also been a time that she ha been so filled with self loathing that she cared very little for own well being. She could she that Zeke's current situation was a mixture of both of those feelings.

 

At first she had thought that he was planning on attacking the rest of the Galaxy with his clones but he had admited himself that he was merely playing with with for the simple fact that he may get burned. From what Darla could sense from Zeke it was more out of disregard for himelf and smoe sort of nihilistic desire more than for the thrill of it.

 

There was a somberness about him. Part of Darla wanted to tell him that everything woul be alright and that he didn't need to punish himself for his misdeeds. Another part of Darla was just plain angry at him for endangering people's lives with his recklessness.

 

The angry part won out...

 

"You want the promise of death?!" Suddendly Darla's force grip was round his throat once more. "You're creating these clones, helping these monsters so that you just might slip up and get killed by them? What about other people who might get hurt by them? I could end it all for you now." Her grip tigthened around his windpipe. "Set this place to blow, get rid of the clones an the arachnids. Keep the galaxy safe. That's what I wanted to do when I got here and saw all of this."

 

Darla's snarl softened and she released her grip.

 

"But that would be all too easy. You'd just be getting what you want. Do you see it as some kind of penance, staying here and doing this work? Or are you truely wrapped up in the thrill of manipulating these monsters that could kill you? Life is a gift! Don't throw it away. The powers you have... You could accomplish great things... These are your 'pets' keep them safe, do as you will with them. But I swear by the force if I find out that a simgle one of these clones causes harm to an innocent I swear by the force I'll hunt you down and put an end to this."

 

Once again Darla was calm, but now she was cold and emotionless. Her features an icey mask. She hoped that her threat got through to Ezekiel. It wasn't completely idle, while she wished him no harm if she found out that his clones were free wreaking havoc she wouldn't hesitate to kill them or their creator.

 

Whatever it takes

 

Darla got the feeling that she really had out stayed her welcome.

[Zeke]

Zeke didn't make any moves towards her as he felt the force clinch his wind pipe. He was beginning to become annoyed by the seemingly bi-polar woman. She had a good heart, but with the way her emotions ruled her actions so thoroughly he wondered how she ever made it as far as she had. It took far more composure to make it in this Galaxy then what she was displaying, but then Trowa had been quite fickle himself and had made it just fine.

 

”œThese creations, they are just like insects. You can kill all you want, but if you leave even one of them alive, one egg in existence”¦They will flourish again. All it takes is time, Darla. Now, as alluring as Genocide might be, that time has long ago passed.”

[SithAcolyte]

"Everyone makes mistakes... You me, Trowa, Kakuto, The Alliance, The Empire. I believe in Redemption and I believe in doing what good I can when I can no matter how small or how large and no matter what it costs me. It's a big Galaxy and I try to protect my own most of the time and leave the rest of the Galaxy to go about their business."

 

Darla's words had obviously been the wrong ones and all she had done was make Ezekiel think that she was irrational. Being soft and kind didn't seem to affect him just as being violent and aggressive didn't.

 

"I've saved the life of Kakuto Ryu even though I know what a terrible being his is because I saw the chance for redemption in him. You... I can feel the humanity still inside you, the glimmer of goodness. You have compassion towards these creatures, that I can tell. The Galaxy has hurt you, you're lost and you feel like you deserve death for the things you've done...

 

"I felt that way once. But you're wrong. There's still a place for you in this Galaxy, but you need to make it for yourself. Perhaps you're in the right place, perhaps this is where you belong. But I can't just walk away knowing how dangerous this whole operation is, knowing that you don't care if you die and these terrible creatures run free...

 

"Can you at least understand where I'm coming from?"

[Zeke]

”œTrowa once fought a Jedi and was bested. The Jedi believed Trowa could be redeemed, that he was not to far gone. In exchange for being spared, Trowa went to Faust and returned Ara to the Jedi. Do you know what he did after that? He took his Master trials and went on to kill Millions. Redemption is just another thing people can throw into one another's faces.”

[SithAcolyte]

"You're the one who's playing with fire... You admitted that. You also told me that it's the promise of death at the first mistake that drives you to these dangers... Sorry for imagining tha there was some kind of human feeling behind all that. I guess I thought that you were different to Trowa. Redemption not just a word that I'm throwing around. It's something very real and personal, but it's something you have to want and fight for. Which I'm guessing you don't want at all...

 

"You were the one who told me that you were equally loathed by Jedi and Sith alike. I just assumed that you'd done something. I don't know you and I don't know what you've done. I've flet like an outcast and I've hated myslef at times, I figured you were feeling the same and I wanted to tell you that nothings set in stone...

 

"But I don't think you need or want my advice. Right? You know exactly what you're doing and I'm just some crazy bitch whose stepped in and started telling you how wrong you are right?"

 

Darla had somehow managed to keep her tone calm and even.

 

"For some reason, I do't know why, I have this need to protect the rest of humanity and the idea of super-powered Jedi/Sith Spider clones on the loose doesn't sit right with me."

 

Ezekiel seemed completely unreachable. For moments Darla had sympathized with him, but it seemed that her empathy was completely misplaced.

[Zeke]

Zeke sighed, then sat down his glass and looked at Darla. He ran his right hand through his hair slowly, letting the silky smooth locks fall back into place after his hand passed by. He was beginning to feel sleepy and even though he knew he could push himself to stay awake for days, even weeks longer, he just wanted to lay down and rest. There wasn't much that could beat a comfortable bed and a good nights sleep.

 

”œI am loathed by others for things Trowa did. Have you ever wanted to die, genuinely wanted to die, but not had it in you to just let yourself die or to kill yourself? I've resorted to playing with fire to reach my goals. Simple, yes?”

[Darex Trevelian]

And that was that. They had done all they could for the clones and for Ezekiel. Darex rose and turned to Darla. "Well...we've done what we can, and got as much information as we're going to get about Shy and the twins."

 

He turned to the two men. "We'll leave now."

 

The men escorted them back to the hanger, and the two Jedi boarded the ship they had arrived in. Sitting down in the co-pilot's chair, Darex meditated on a strange pulling he felt in the Force, letting Darla prep the ship for takeoff.

 

He didn't know everything he needed to know. He had some wisdom, but it needed to be increased. He felt the call to become a student once more. "Darla..." he said, "I feel at last our paths are going to part. You're planning on going to the Alliance still, right? I think I need to study, to delve into the history of the Order, like I did in my youth. There is much more I can understand now."

[SithAcolyte]

Darla was a little shocked Ezekiels final statment. She flet that she understood where he was coming from. A part of her wanted to keep trying to get through to him, keep trying to help him. Another part of her was just glad to be leave. Seeing things from both sides had always been Darla's bleesing and curse.

 

When thy were finally safe aboard the ship Darla was a little taken aback by Darex's words. She had been delaying the inevitable, but just like Nivana, Darla and Darex would have to follow their seperate paths.

 

"I understand... You're a true Jedi on a quest for knowledge. I'mlooking for knowledge too... Bad I find myself feeling more and more distant from the Jedi path. I've been dragging youy around the Galaxy on dangerous adventures for a few years now, I think you deserve a break." Darla grinned. "But seriously, I think I'd be dead without yu and I never would have been able to see Nivana safely off this planet and on to knighthood. You've been a true friend Darex and I'm going to miss you. But we all need to follow our own paths. I think I'm finally ready to get my ass into gear and head on over to the the alliance. I'll fly you to where ever you need to be, just tell me the co-ordinates."

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex grinned. "I know. We've certainly had our share of adventures, huh?"

 

But his face grew more serious. "I don't know where I'd be without you, either, Darla. You've been a true, loyal friend to me. You really have helped me in many ways. Not only have you been a constant reminder of the power of redemption to me, but you have encouraged and strengthened me."

 

A small smile returned to his face. "As for where to take me...there is a place where I think I will find all the information I could ever learn in a lifetime. It's safe, and it could feel like home to me after a while. The Eternal Vigilence."

 

He let the name hang in the air. It reminded him of days past, as he had spent good times there in the past. There were a bunch of holocrons there, and as far as he was aware, it was uncompromised and didn't attract the intrest of many, even in the Jedi Order.

[SithAcolyte]

Darla had spent some time at the Eternal Vigilance after Fynn's death. It hadn't been a happy time, but it truly was a place of peaceful contemplation. Not to mention a place where a dedicated student could find a wealth of information. Darla wanted to ask her friend how long he would be there, but she didn't. It was his quest for knowledge. It was her chance to follow her own path too.

 

"I know the way, I'll get you there safe and sound in time..."

 

There were a lot of things Darla was leaving unsaid, but she was sure Darex understood how she felt. Ultimately it was time for them to part. Darla just hated saying goodbye, so she was trying her best not to make a big deal out of it. Darex knew that she would miss him and he knew that he would always be her friend and that was what was important.

 

In not time at all Darla had programmed several hyperspace jumps into the navicomp and there journey had begun.

 

((Contined in space thread))

[Mittsu]

Sparkling lights, darkest depths.

 

Blood

 

Gore

 

Insanity

 

Pleasure

 

Come to me; scream for me

 

Rushing water, dizzying heights.

 

Save me from this hell

 

Money

 

Drugs

 

Pain

 

Sex

 

Drag me into the fiery depths!

 

”œMental activity is off the charts, keep him still and give him a tranquilizer!”

[Mr. Mortati]

Fletchette Launchers and Disruptor weapons were the item of the day on Roon. The Massive R&D section of the underground city was hard at work designing new and improved ways to use them. Disruptors were the sort of weapon that could inspire fear in the heart of most that laid eyes upon it and even now the scientist that were hard at work on improving the designs were worried about messing something up and accidentally ”˜disrupt' their hand, or even worse failing to improve the models and having their boss turn the weapon on the,

 

What they developed was a tri-barreled weapon that could replace some of the automated slug thrower turrets and in some places merely compliment those slug throwers.

 

On the Fletchette side of things, they worked towards developing a new type of grenade to outfit their soldiers with. It would work on much the same concept of a fragmentation grenade, except it would have a stronger concussive blast and the surface of the grenade would be able to adhere to any surface one second after activation. There was no activation button for them, though, merely a finger print recognizer. Since the soldiers at Roon were no where near the amount the Empire had, it was a simple enough task to customize all of their gear so that it better suited them. They were elite, they deserved it.

 

Below the sprawling underground city, down in the dank caverns of Roon the creatures of Trowa Barton had been steadily mutating. Every so often a group of new scientists would come in, or they'd create a clone of some exotic species and the creatures couldn't help but pull the unsuspecting person down into the depths of their home. New Species of the Galaxy meant new species for them.

[Zara Nargal]

With legalities for a take over in motion, the delegation from the Link emerges from hyperspace. Upon reentry to real space, a message was sent through to the base and ship yards that the Link was taking control. They were allowed land and the rest of the paperwork set down to what remained of Mortati and Trowa's people. This would all be completed by the time the new owners arrived.

 

The Link had previous ties to this base, having constructed the original section for Trowa Barton. This was also taken into consideration as the take over went through.

[Idarah]

((OOC: I was given permission by Zara to post for her - just this one time))

 

Zara and Idejjen come out of hyperspace and forward to the other Link delegation that they have come... at the mention of Zara's name the Link delegation didn't even hesitate to grant them clearence... Idejjen and Zara ended up touching down easily in one of the many ship yards due to the presigned paperwork...

 

...Idejjen had just gotten through with his bacta bath and was now mostly recovered - he did still have a few scratches and bruises though... and although he didn't have his armor still, at least had some new clothes that covered his entire body with the exception for his head... he also had a gun, although it was in its case on Idejjen's back... as a last precaution, Idejjen made sure everything was ok before he left the ship... Since Idejjen was here on the Link's and Zara's behalf, he waited outside for Zara to emerge... Idejjen didn't have to wait long, for the visage of his boss soon came visible from where Idejjen was standing, as she made her way out of the ship...

 

with Zara here, this would seal the deal for the entire takeover operation...

[Zara Nargal]

((sorry for the delay - RL has a way of taking up time))

 

With the shipyards and base now under the control of the Link, all paperwork done and dusted, filed and officiated, Zara and Idejjen were taken on a tour of the shipyards.

 

"Security looks good but I'd appreciate it if you and some of your security team could revamp it. I've heard a few things about the base on the planet, see what you can find out about it. These... creatures that Barton created, we will have to make modifications to the base so that the creatures are taken care of, but can't interfere with the rest of the population. I might seek assistance with dealing with them either through the Jedi or Sith. I want the neutrality of the Link to remain, though we need to have this other matter taken care of, one way or another. I would prefer it as diplomatically as possible."

 

Zara looked up at Idejjen for his opinion on the matter, also to see if he had any questions on the matter. Zara also sent off a comm to Kheldar informing him of the Link's acquisition of Barton and Mortati's Roon holdings.

[Idarah]

Idejjen nodded curtly and said:

 

Idejjen: "I will do what I can, and I think definitely a boost in security around here would be great. About the creatures, I agree that we should get some help and to get hired help to the scale of the Force using type would definitely come in handy, but I can't emphasize enough that we need to be careful with that... and I don't think your enitrely ignorant of that fact either... "

 

It hadn't been just recently that Idejjen was exposed to the Jedi Civil war for, while he and his creator enjoyed the peace of each other's company, he tended to read a great deal and manajed to retain a great deal of that knowledge... and he saw, from previous experience, what happens when you mess with the "wrong" side... Idejjen saw both sides as rather shady but in different ways and he just didn't want to get involved with either...

 

As for questions, Idejjen didn't really have any because he was used to going along with people; so, he figured if he didn't understand something, he would eventually understand it as they carried it out..

[Zara Nargal]

With Zara having sent the comm to Kheldar through the internal comm chip embedded in her brain, Idejjen wouldn't have heard what she had requested of him. She now told her security officer.

 

"I've sent word to Kheldar now. I've asked if he knows of someone to come take care of our problem with these creatures so hopefully he will get back to us on that soon, otherwise we will have to advertise for someone to take care of it for us. I do have a couple in mind that I can call on for that if we need to, though they might not want to do that kind of work." Zara grinned at the thought of calling in Piccolo for that particular 'job'. "I think for now, we will have the locals and a workforce of droids block every passage into the lower levels where these creatures are."

 

Zara thought for a moment, staring out into space through one of the view ports in the shipping yards main foyer.

 

"For now, I think that anyone we want to have come here that doesn't already know their way in through both the security system and the asteroid belt, we have brought here in one of our transports. We don't want just anyone showing up here. Barton kept it a fairly secret location. I think we should keep it that way."

 

Again she looked out at the stars after having glanced up at her companion.

 

"Bring in all of our necessary people that you need to get the job done."

[Idarah]

Idejjen hesitated for a moment, and didn't really know how many people to bring in... He didn't know exactly how big the complex was... How many floors how many doors, or if Zara just meant for the Creatures he would probably bring only enough to compensate where the droids and/or the civillians lacked...

 

Idejjen: how big exactly is this complex? or do you just want the security for the creature chambers?

 

If possible, he would only want to bring in around 20 or so varying on floors... he would have one guard situated at each entrance to the floor, and one guard patrolling for every floor.... than he would take two gurads for the front door, and send all the rest down to help with creature management... pretty standard guarding job, or so Idejjen thought because thats how the guys did it in all the books Idejjen used to read... which reminded him, he really needed to make a time to read a book someday...

[Zara Nargal]

"You'll have to ask the locals to find out how many floors there are. Concentrate on security and blocking up the lower chambers for now. Hire some of the locals where you need to. As soon as we've got the basics taken care of I want to head back to the Casino. I'm sure some of the Coruscant branch would be up for some different scenery, bring some of them in from there."

 

Zara wasn't sure just how large the complex was. She knew from what some had said that it went underground though just how deep she wasn't sure. That was where the creatures were said to reside.