Bespin: (Black Sun's) Cloud City

[Qaela]

The Sith shuttle reverted from hyperspace in orbit over Bespin and began to descend toward Cloud City. Qaela stood next to the acolyte in the cockpit with closed eyes. She had her senses extended and made no attempt to conceal her presence even as the Sith sent a request to meet with whomever was in charge. Though it was distant, Qaela could detect the bittersweet presence of Ca'Aran. She had suspected that he would be here based on what Furion said, but she had not been sure. A part of her had not wanted it to be true so she wouldn't have to face him. The other part was secretly hoping that he had been able to clone himself and transfer his essence. That he had and yet, made no effort to contact her left her with questions both answered and not.

 

She waited silently as the acolyte pilot came in closer to the city. He wouldn't attempt to land without permission and had identified the ship as carrying official ambassadors from the Dark Lord of the Sith. Qaela didn't know if Ca'Aran would allow them to land or simply try to blow them out of the sky.

[Delta73]

Delta sat and snacked on a not so healthy Ewok tart cake. They were very rare delicacies made from the refined brain matter of an adult Ewok, and after the disaster that befell that old forest moon, the only ewoks left were on reservations. Luckily Black Sun had aquired two of these reservations, and were busy flooding the market with the new Ewok tarts.

 

He glanced to the Wookiee Grandmaster and let himself smile a bit. The plan for finally relieving this pain of evil was almost-

 

A blue shirted Wing Guardsman came bursting through the door, a wild expression upon his black face.

 

"Sir, ship inbound Shuttle class, holding diplomats from the Sith Ascendancy."

 

Delt sighed and brought his ice blue eyes to bear upon the Jedi Master. "I am sorry to bring this to a sudden end. They, the Sith are here for me. There is no stopping them. Without your help. If you so desire you can accompany me to docking bay AA24 where fates will collide in a shower of molten metal and broken souls. Or if you desire, I can send an escort with you, to bid you off planet, to safety and the Jedi Council. Though I cannot accompany you on this and leave my people to death and oppression."

 

He turned to the African-Bespinite, "Scramble the wing guard, full battle dress, and summon the remainding bannersmen as well, there will likely be a war fought here today. Bid the Sith to land at AA24, but before they do set up a defense grid there. I will not allow them to take the city if that is what they are here for."

 

The Wingsguardsman turned to go, "Commander," Delta said, "Bring me my gear. There is a war to fight. Diplomats my ass, they send Sith lords to my kingdom. Unbidden and unlooked for, if they wish the children it shall be war and death!"

 

He turned to the Grandmast, 'Will you join me in this?"

[Qaela]

"They have given us permission to land on Platform AA24, mum," the acolyte said.

 

Qaela nodded, but she was still deep in thought. She couldn't get a read on any of Ca'Aran's emotions, not at this distance. The thought of meeting him was both thrilling and terrifying at once. She wondered if Furion had made a mistake in sending her because this could turn out rather well or horribly wrong.

 

She whirled around and exited the small cockpit to find Lucifer. "It is as I feared," she said without preamble. "Vigo Ca'Aran is in the city. You will need a short history lesson before we land and meet him. He was one of those who participated in the sacking and destruction of the old Cloud City. After its destruction, he directed his Black Sun minions to rebuild the place as his own personal domain. While that was happening, he remained with a group of Sith and Black Sun agents who pillaged their way through the Galaxy accumulating in the deaths of the Jedi Grandmaster and Dark Lord Haphaestus.

 

"I was among them for some of the later actions during which we grew somewhat close. Whether it be wisdom or folly, we remained in contact and perhaps even fell into that abominable emotion of love. He looked after me while I was with child and cared for my children after they were born, but things did not turn out well. We were on Dathomir attempting to claim control of the Clan when I went into a terrible rage. He tried to stop me, though I didn't recognize him and slew him without mercy. I had wondered if he was truly dead, but since coming here, I know that he is not. I do not know if he will desire vengeance or reconciliation, but I think that Furion had some idea that he was here and sent me because of it."

 

She paused and considered her next words. "In this situation, I must be careful how I act or risk our destruction. Ca'Aran has an entire legion at his disposal here, if we try to fight our way out or even intimidate him, it will only ruin us. No matter what I do or how I act, you are not to interfere, even if he chooses to strike me down. Sometimes, survival requires us to do things that we would not otherwise do, no matter how humiliating or out of character.

 

"If I am killed, you will not avenge me, but will do as he says. He may be satisfied in killing me and will be more open to negotiations after I am dead. However, you are not to negotiate. There is a reason why Furion told you to mind your tongue. If he spares your life, you are to return to the Sith with whatever message he gives you so that a proper negotiator can be sent. Furion may have sent me solely as a sacrifice, a sign of goodwill, and as a gift before the true negotiations could begin. If that is the case, your interference will only doom you."

 

There was a brief shudder in the ship as it touched down on the platform. The acolyte lowered the ramp for them to come down. Qaela motioned for Lucifer to follow her and walked to the bottom of the ramp and remained there. Numerous guards and weapons were aimed at them, but she didn't care about that. They would do only as their master ordered and there would be no escape should he wish them dead. She stood there silently to wait for Ca'Aran or his chosen representative to arrive.

[Karys Narat iv-Adas]

Lucifer listened as he heard the words."They have given us permission to land on Platform AA24, mum," the acolyte said. So here they were at last.

 

Qaela seemed distracted, but then again he had begun to notice on the journey it was just her way of things. She seemed worried about something, and then she revealed why as her chair turned so their eyes met when she came to the cockpit.

 

"It is as I feared," she seemed to say. "Vigo Ca'Aran is in the city. You will need a short history lesson before we land and meet him. He was one of those who participated in the sacking and destruction of the old Cloud City. After its destruction, he directed his Black Sun minions to rebuild the place as his own personal domain. While that was happening, he remained with a group of Sith and Black Sun agents who pillaged their way through the Galaxy accumulating in the deaths of the Jedi Grandmaster and Dark Lord Haphaestus.

 

"I was among them for some of the later actions during which we grew somewhat close. Whether it be wisdom or folly, we remained in contact and perhaps even fell into that abominable emotion of love. He looked after me while I was with child and cared for my children after they were born, but things did not turn out well. We were on Dathomir attempting to claim control of the Clan when I went into a terrible rage. He tried to stop me, though I didn't recognize him and slew him without mercy. I had wondered if he was truly dead, but since coming here, I know that he is not. I do not know if he will desire vengeance or reconciliation, but I think that Furion had some idea that he was here and sent me because of it."

 

So it seemed the Vigo and Qaela had history. Interesting, not the least the fact she had children...this would complicate matters a little.

 

Lucifer thought on it and replied in kind. "Ca'Aran, interesting name. I believe I met a Vigo before when I went to meet Lord Ar-Pharazon prior to my fall, he was training to be the man's apprentice...or so far as I could fathom. Seemed distant at times and appeared to be a relic of the old wars who still lived. Maybe this seems like too much of a co-incidence but I would guess that this...Ca'ran might be the same man I met. He may have an entire legion, but even the mighty fall. However has an entire legion at his disposal here, I will not interfere however should he try to strike me I would welcome it. It would a welcome reprieve from the curse I am given to suffer, I would be free of my bond to the Alcazarin's and of this accursed demon within.''

 

There was a stark impression of truth by that statement. Lucifer longed for nothing more than to die and be free of his curse, however he would have preferred it on the field of battle if the choice was given. A brief shudder signaled the ship touching down on the platform. The acolyte lowered the ramp. Showtime. Qaela seemed to motion for Lucifer to follow her, walking down the ramp walkway to the bottom of the ramp he let his good eye adjust to the light as he exited the craft. It seemed the welcome committee was there waiting for them. Numerous guards and weapons...aimed at them. It seemed this 'Ca'ran' was the cautious type. However, Lucifer was just as cautious.

 

He looked about briefly looking for possible escape routes and checking out guard patterns of the area within eyesight. Just in case things went sour.He waited patiently but with curiosity. This meeting would be interesting indeed given the history of Qaela and Ca'ran.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca was a bit more prepared for the news than perhaps Delta was, as he could feel the cold darkness in the back of his mind. The Dark Side had crept up within the system, and it held a very sinister feel to it, one that was a bit more familiar to him, but the Grandmaster couldn't quite place where he had felt it before. He was going to join in the fight, whether he was asked to or not, it was in the Wookiees blood to do so. As the Vigo gave orders to the Bespin security, or whatever they were, Kirlocca sent out from his comlink a signal to a very secure location, a signal which had been present since his arrival within the system and then stood up with his lightsaber hilt drawn, but not activated. He was now more than prepared for anything that could transpire here on Bespin.

 

<< I will defend with you. >>

[Delta73]

Delta looked across the heavy laden table, now forgotten with the arrival of the Sith emissaries. An Ewok Tart cake lay in shambles upon his seat, the crimson filling oozing slowly from the crumbled pastry, eight thousand credits a piece, and now it lay abandoned like the starving refugee's it could have fed. Snifters of Alderaanian bourbon, half filled, the sickly sweet aroma of alcohol escaping into the recycled air of the station. The recently built station of the criminal empire the Black Sun. For rebuilt from its ruin it was indeed, reconstructed with the force of crime and credits.

 

Black gloved fingers curled around a silver goblet as Delta awaited his vanguard. The Wookiee Jedi Master was offered the choice picks from the rich armoury of Delta's personal stronghold. The city was strong, and the Agents and Guards that inhabited it, were loyal to but one master, the ex clone commando with the silver armour and crimson cape. The Vigo Delta 73, Ca'Aran to those whome he loved, he was a proud commander, and if this fortress was assaulted, the populace would die to the last man before giving an inch.

 

Drums, deep in their tone, reverberated through the white corridors, followed by the sound of marching feet. For the vanguard had arrived in force, a hundred men and women of the wing guard led the front line, dressed in their dress uniform of light blue with a silver sun stitched above their name plates. They carried the silver plated blaster rifles, pistols, and the sonic rifles usually reserved for rot control measures.

 

Next came the fifty men and women of the Homeguard, mostly the survivors of the expeditionary force sent to Dathomir, dressed in the plate armour of the home guard (Black full plate, etched with silver, and dark blue kamas of rancor hide) They carried with them heavier guns, blaster cannons, flechette launchers, and portable missile weapons. They marched in line under the three remaining bannersmen. Addie, Matthew, and Benjamin.

 

When they had assembled, Delta ordered thirty of the Wing Guard to accompany him and the Jedi to the landing bay. And the Homegurd and bannersmen to set up in various positions of defence around the landing bay, in the off chance that the negotiations went poorly.

 

Delta motioned to Addie who brought forth his equipment. A disrutor pistol that Delta slung on his right hip, a flechette rifle which Delta took to his hands, a sonic pistol which went to his left thigh, the red lightsabre that Qaela had given him so long ago he placed into the holster embedded into the wrist of his Katarn Armour. He placed his ceremonial vibrosword on his back and bowed to the Jedi Master.

 

"Then let us discover what it is that they desire, arriving unwanted and unbid for."

 

With that and a short motivating speech to stir the hearts of his men, they made their way to the landing bay. Addie and three of her men set up in the platform directly above Delta, she carrying a long ranged slug thrower, and her men carrying support weapons. As the landing ramp lowered, the wing guard fanned out to an arc, in case there was a charge down the ramp.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca more or less just had himself standing around near the back parts of the room as Delta and his wing guard got prepared for either the battle or the talks that would pursue from this encounter. While the Jedi Master never really did wear armor of any sorts, he did have a few extra surprises within his own arsenal to help protect and defend himself from a large array of attacks that most enemies attempted to use upon him. He could even now feel the Dark Side filter through the air like a poison seeking with a passion to kill it's prey. For only a short moment, Kirlocca wondered if this was the beginning of what he had felt growing a year back, but the thought of it wasn't worth him actually dwelling upon, so he let the thought die within the back of his mind. Carefully and surely, he followed the vanguard in silence towards the landing pad where the Sith ship was granted temporary access to land. All the while, the Jedi Grandmaster was preparing himself for the thousands of different outcomes that could come from this situation.

[Qaela]

As the firepower and manpower arrayed against them grew, Qaela remained standing with a look of bemusement on her face. She was not really surprised to see Ca'Aran taking such precautions against her, but she was surprised to see a Jedi with him. She had some sort of vague memory of such furry creatures, but couldn't think of the name. There was no need to know the name to sense the purification of light side that poured from the creature as it drew power to itself. She was moderately confident that if Ca'Aran had wanted her dead, he would have already done it, so she wasn't truly afraid of his forces. The Jedi, on the other hand, was an unknown factor that needed to be watched.

 

As they approached, she whispered quietly to Lucifer, "Mind the Jedi, but do not initiate a confrontation with it." So far, he seemed to be behaving himself and that was promising.

 

When he finally got within earshot, Qaela smiled sadly at her former love. Her voice was filled with sadness as she spoke to him. "So many weapons, Ca'Aran, all of them unnecessary. The ship we brought is unarmed and we are here purely to negotiate. I am here on behalf of the Dark Lord of the Sith and the last thing he would want is to cause grief to the Sith's old allies. You fought with them once before, I know because I was with you. Would you hear my words for the sake of that bond, a bond bought through the shared spilling of blood?"

[Karys Narat iv-Adas]

As the firepower and manpower seemed to grow, Lucifer followed Qaela equally bemused on the sight before him. He seemed amused by the fact that the Vigo thought of him and Qaela such threats as to warrant such a gathering. He saw the Jedi with the Vigo and his bemused look took on one far more akin to a begrudging dislike. To make it worse it appeared the Jedi was a Wookie...overgrown walking carpets. He hated the feeling of light radiating from the furball, to sense the purification of light that poured from the creature was irritating to say the least. However Lucifer as Qaela seemed moderately confident that if this Ca'Aran had wanted them both dead, he would have already done it, and so he simply stood observing as per his orders. The Jedi, on the other hand, was watched throughout, if it was one thing Lucifer had learnt it was never to trust a jedi.

 

As they approached, Qaela whispered quietly to Lucifer, "Mind the Jedi, but do not initiate a confrontation with it." With that sentiment the kiffar gave a nod as he spoke.

 

''I shall not provoke anything unless he does first. Although that stench of his is irritating my senses.''

 

Lucifer simply watched the interaction with interest as he kept his robotic eye fixed upon the Jedi. His other eye however was upon Ca'ran and his guard, yet he kept a hand close to his sabre just in case the need arised to use it. It was then he recognised the clone, he was indeed the very same he had met before, the armor was too distinctive not to miss. Strange how fate seemed to deal him such a hand.

[Delta73]

"So many weapons, Ca'Aran, all of them unnecessary. The ship we brought is unarmed and we are here e purely to negotiate. I am here on behalf of the Dark Lord of the Sith and the last thing he would want is to cause grief to the Sith's old allies. You fought with them once before, I know because I was with you. Would you hear my words for the sake of that bond, a bond bought through the shared spilling of blood?"

Delta inclined his helmeted head. Her voice seemed sad, empty, straining for love in a Galaxy that would never satisfy.

 

“My lady, as you know, the Sith are never unarmed. With such allies that you stand beside I can never be too cautious.” He let his visor fall upon the lowly man beside her. “Have you taken an apprentice my lady? Or another lover to manipulate?”

 

He slowly shook his head in feigned disappointment

 

“He pointed a black gloved hand towards the Sith Lord Lucifer, “You always proclaimed, Qaela, for your hatred of his kind. You despised the Sith, and yet you always return to them!” His voice took a tone of loving frustrated anger. “Qaela, they have done horrible things! They defiled you! They beat you, THEY HATED YOU!” His voice raised in loving anger. “Yet you return to them again and again, for simple power. Why? Was it worth killing me for a chance to gain more from the Sith and your mother? I LOVED YOU!”

 

His free hand curled into a fist. “I never did anything to hurt you! I tried to keep you from the evil that THEY ARE. I once willingly laid my people into the hands of the Sith for power and wealth, but now I see! I see Qaela, what they are, what THEY DO!”

 

He raised his hand to his visor, “They will only ever harm you, I will never bow to them again.”

 

He tossed the rifle to the ground where it clattered upon the white tiles.

 

“Come away with us! Save yourself from this evil, I love you Qaela, and I will never cease loving you. Turn away from this lust for power, give up your lifelong quest. Join me, it will be hard, I know, but you will find a better thing than power..”

 

He let his hands fall to his sides.

[Qaela]

Qaela's face was mostly unreadable as Ca'Aran spoke, though her jaw was clenched tightly. She said nothing for several long moments as she contemplated what he had said. There were emotions within her tugging her various ways, but she buried them as deeply as possible using all of her skills to prevent the others from sensing them.

 

When she spoke, her voice was calm and quiet. "It was not my intent to harm you, Ca'Aran. You should have run or at the least, defended yourself. You have seen me in such a rage before, it could not be controlled. I never stopped loving you and would have sought you out immediately had I known you were alive or had a ship to do so." She doubted that would mean much. She had done what she did and there was nothing she could do to take it back. Her weakness in that moment had cost her much.

 

"You are right: I did hate the Sith and I still do. They have caused me much harm, but they have also taught me strength. Not all Sith are the same, not all are hopelessly treacherous.

 

"When your forces abandoned Dathomir, I was left with my own kind. A Sith came to visit us, to seek out an alliance. I rebuffed him at first, but he was not like the others. He was in control of his emotions and wanted more than just blind slaughter and treachery. I accepted an offer of an alliance between our two peoples and he has kept his end of the deal without fail." She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Exasperation entered her voice as she continued. "I tried to push him to make him kill me, I truly did. I thought you were dead or at the least, hated me and didn't care about my life. I did things to intentionally push this Sith into killing me. I was insolent, I was arrogant, I pushed his buttons and tried his patience. I even killed one of his Sith--something he expressly forbade any Sith to do. Through it all, he never acted against me. He kept his word and spared me when no other Sith I have ever met would have. They would have killed me without a second thought, but this Sith didn't.

 

"This Sith has a purpose, has a goal, and forbids Sith killing each other. No Sith dares challenge him because of the power this purpose gives him and he rules with an absolute fist, yet he shows me mercy and forbearance that no other Sith did.

 

"This Sith's name is Darth Furion, Dark Lord of the Sith. It is through his request--not order--that I am here. This man desires an alliance with you and Black Sun, an alliance to throw off the weakness and chaos that the Jedi and their Galactic Alliance pawns are spreading throughout the Galaxy. He isn't seeking random violence and slaughter like other Sith have--like you committed. He has a purpose, a vision, and the drive to carry it out."

 

She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. "Think, my love, about what you are now doing with this Jedi. How are you going to survive in this new, Jedi lead path you are seeking? All of your power and authority as Vigo comes from a corrupt, violent, mercilessly evil criminal organization that relishes slaughter and carnage. There is no way that Smash will let you turn his people and property over to the Jedi or to be 'good.' Those men under you are part of that 'evil.' Even if many join you, there are many who won't reform and then there is Smash who will destroy you. A civil war will erupt and many innocents will die should you attempt to keep your power here. Are you willing to give that up and start a massive bloodbath all for this new found piety?"

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca was quiet and patient throughout the exchange of words going on. He wasn't sure what sort of knowledge this Qaela had on Smash, but from his own personal experience, Black Sun always did what was best for business. True as it may be, the Galactic Alliance may have been placing a burden upon the illegal side of business for Black Sun, but an outright against the Jedi would be the ultimate downfall of any form of business for Smash. So claiming such a ridiculous accusation was folly on the part of the Sith. Even Kirlocca knew that no matter what form of treaty the Jedi and Black Sun signed, Smash would never allow the Jedi to outright take out the Sith. It was just bad for his own business. But the tainted schutta was driving him a bit on the over cautious side with her words. So whatever alertness he had before, the Jedi Grandmaster made sure to extend his own instincts further out within the Force to watch for even more so than what he had before. By now, even someone attempting to spit upon him, Kirlocca would detect within the Force and be able to defend himself. But he did so without showing anything to the Sith, even within the Force. He had lived a longer life than the two Sith before him now, and his skills in hiding himself in the Force was far greater than theirs.

[Karys Narat iv-Adas]

Lucifer was as the Jedi opposite, quiet throughout while the exchange of words going on albeit he grudgingly bit his lip and tensed slightly when the clone pointed a finger at him accusingly. To him it looked something like a lover's quarrel, albeit with a bit of business thrown in, this was beginning to get more and more interesting. Much of what Qaela spoke was true...at least from his perspective, the sith were changing and so far it seemed for the better. Furion seemed indeed to be a man with a vision although he did have his moments when the kiffar felt he wanted to claw out the man's eyes with nothing but a rake.

 

He inwardly laughed at the thought that this Vigo thought he could change what had existed for decades, centuries even. Black Sun would never change even if covered in the facade of so called 'good' underneath there would always beat a black heart. It was why the Sith and Black Sun had always seen eye to eye, they were not restricted by morality and thrived on the corrupt. From what Lucifer had heard of Smash he would die before letting the Jedi or Galactic Alliance change that. What some perceived as 'evil' was simply good business to him or so he had heard. The kiffar felt the Jedi suddenly change, it was as if something had set him off...or got to him. Lucifer was cautious about it afterall one could never trust a Jedi, just as they could not trust a Sith. To his mind they were hypocritical schutta's hidden behind the mask of compassion and peace.

 

Lucifer kept his stance neutral simply standing next to Qaela silent and his arms crossed. A typical watchdog pose, yet he was not a typical watchdog. His eyes were constantly on the look at for trouble, one wrong movement from either the Jedi or the Vigo and he was ready to if needs be die in glorious battle. He did not fear death but embraced it as his own, it empowered him.

[Delta73]

Delta looked down to the ground at her feet. "I shouldn't have to defend myself! Uncontrollable rage is deadly to everyone, including you. I know you love me, and I love you as well, however the path that you are on will only lead to sorrow. I am willing to give it all up for a chance to do something meaningful....to...." He lowered his hand to the disruptor on his hip. "They have taught you strength? How? By saying surrender to your anger? Qaela, listen to me you don't need power! You never have! You mother had all the power in the world, and what happened to her? A blaster bolt took her life after she used her cursed powers. I love you Qaela, but this path you tred upon is evil, and I swore an oath to you and your children, I would protect them from all harm....."

 

He could feel a tangible sadness in his voice. "So, I must tell you, I cannot let you see your children again, I will bring them to the Jedi Order so they may live in the light, instead of the darkness. It is what mu, y oath requires. For their sake my lady, leave behind your power and lust and take a different route, if I am destroyed by turning instead to the light. Then it is what I must do. I cannot live like this any longer. I love you, so I ask one more time, think of someone other than yourself for once in your life. I love you Qaela, I died for you to be freed from the curse of your mother. You are free of her, now be free of this Sith folly. My heart breaks for you."

 

Delta shook his head, "Then a civil war will erupt, like there has been for a thousand years. I seek to turn the Black Sun from evil my lady, not abandon it."

[Qaela]

Qaela stood like a statue while she considered the situation. Many paths were laid out before her, but she could only take one. She had given her word to Furion and felt bound to keep it. However, she had also pledged her love to Ca'Aran and had responsibilities to him. Her bonds weren't just to him, but also her children, her flesh and blood. Though she viewed herself as practical, she also kept her word when possible and didn't turn on allies without very good cause or provocation. She was now torn between two duties and was not pleased at the options open to her. Still, there was one way that she could handle the situation without breaking her word to either party.

 

"I will not simply abandon my responsibilities and oaths to either you or Furion," she said calmly. With a glare of anger bordering on pure hatred aimed at the hair covered Jedi, she said, "You have clearly placed your faith in the Jedi and their representative. If they are so strong, then perhaps you will agree to a little contest, a wager. If your Jedi here will agree to face me without interference, then we can see who is truly the stronger path. I propose a duel, and it doesn't even need to be to the death. If my way is stronger and I defeat him, then you will give me back my children and we will part ways at peace. If the Jedi way is truly stronger and I am defeated, then I will send the Sith with me back to their master and submit to whatever fate you choose for me."

[Tobias Vos]

The eyes of a Force Ghost could reach far and wide. Especially for the one that bonded to him, and killed him. Tobias's familiar presence could be felt once again on the galaxy. No real coincidence that it came back next to Qaela. She was concentrating on the task in front of her- like always. If Vos had lips, they would pressed together to smile.

 

Most of his plans had come to pass in his transcendent state. But more work was needed, as always.

 

Tobias decided to circle the place, in his near-invisible state. He would observe the exchange, and figure his next move. Watching, waiting, planning. This was Vos's next chapter.

[Delta73]

Delta straightened his shoulders, and let a grin fall under his helmet. "So I and Furion are on the same level in your mind, if you hold both our oaths equal. Fight then, let the Gods of Fate decide!" He gestured to is Fellow Jedi Friend, "Are you willing to partake in this duel friend?"

 

Then his eyes focused behind his dear Qaela, a semi transparent figure seemed to be staring at her.

 

"Assassins! Get down my lady!"

 

His disruptor pistol whipped from its holster and a stream of concentrated energy lanced towards the hapless ghost!

 

<>

[handofthrawn]

Tobias Vos. When you initially checked in with the mod team about appearing as a Force ghost, you were told that appearing as a ghost is not against the rules as long as you waited three days after your death. We also stipulated that you couldn't use appearing as a ghost to gain tactical advantage or information that you couldn't access as a physical character. You can't simply use a spirit form to appear anywhere you want and get a free pass to see restricted data or eavesdrop with no chance of being detected.

 

I believe I spelled this out for you with due clarity before, and yet now we've received multiple complaints about you ghosting around. I do not want to add rules making Force ghosts illegal because they are a part of the Star Wars mythos and can be used quite flavorfully and tactfully for such things as Masters appearing to their padawans or postmortem games of dejarik between old foes who find themselves now unable to fight physically.

 

What you're doing is abusive and models exactly why we have more rules in this RP than we'd like to have--to regulate people who exploit the edge cases. The result is a game that's less fun for everyone.

 

Your presence on Bespin is nulled. If it becomes clear down the road that you gained other tactical advantages (as in, any advantages that may be used to give yourself the edge against another PC, their property, or NPCs under their command) from actions you took while in a ghost form, they will also be treated as though they didn't happen. To save yourself the trouble, I'd recommend carefully reviewing your actions and deciding for yourself what needs to be redone.

 

Delta, you can decide whether the second half of your post stands. In either case, there is no killshot.

 

Thank you.

[Karys Narat iv-Adas]

Lucifer stood emotionless, not betraying what raged below the surface. He was in a internal conflict but kept that fact well hidden within the force and otherwise. It seemed likely that this relic of the wars did not want to play ball, and if he did not the odds increased he would have to consider his next choice carefully. He had made a oath to the Dark Lord but also one to Qaela as his new teacher of sorts. Yet the two oath's would conflict should she fail to convince her one time love...and he would be forced into a compromising position. Many paths were laid out before him, but he could only take one if the time came, he only hoped she would win her duel and spare him the choice.

 

Yet Lucifer knew Qaela must have been aware that he could not return even if she were to order him back. His orders forbade it. He was either to return with the alliance made by her with Black Sun or with her death in her failure to secure it there was no middle ground. It made him wonder why then did she say it knowing the possible outcome, it would be no easy fight against a Jedi Master no less. His presence was repulsive, yet he was forced to endure it....question was how would the clone react if Qaela lost knowing his newfound hate for the Sith.

 

He seemed a man of contradiction...a man trying to be good in a inherently 'evil' and corrupt organisation. Yet the Sith knew he could never change Black Sun, Smash was not one to change his mind about the riches he made so easily of the misery of others. The man's heart was as evil as the so called 'evil' the Sith were said to possess. In the end when the chips were laid down, this clone was dreaming of a world that would never exist.

[Rookwood]

A lone shuttlecraft of olive drab descended through the cherry-hued clouds of Bespin, a world bathed in sunset. At the ship’s helm, sat a brooding man, deep in thought, dressed as a simple ranger, but simple he was not. In one black-gloved hand, he held a partially disassembled revolver, while with the other, he cleaned it with a mixture of solvent and oil, stained upon a dirty cloth. Finishing his work, the man re-holstered the weapon and looked though his mask upon the approaching city amongst the clouds.

 

It glimmered black, nestled in a sea of pink fluff, catching the last rays of a fading twilight. Its appearance was symbolic to the very soul of the galaxy: Beautiful serenity poisoned by imperialist ambitions and rank criminality. The Black Sun Syndicate had disillusioned yet another elegant world with their filth. With every world they touched, they grew in influence, recruiting more of the galaxy’s denizens to their side, like a cancer metastasizing to the vital organs, to kill the host.

 

With his voice filtered through the mask, the man opened up his comlink, hailing Black Sun’s Bespin Cloud City, on a widecast.

 

“Fyrebane requesting docking clearance... Clearance Code... 86 Charlie.”

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca watched carefully more the movements of the main parties on the platform. It seemed strange for such politics to be handled in the way they were, and Kirlocca understood that such an exchange of words was very political at this moment, whether the parties involved could see it or not. But then the offer was placed for it to be ended upon a duel. The Jedi Grandmaster narrowed his eyes and turned his head ever so slightly towards Qaela. It was only after she made the open invitation that Kirlocca placed where he knew her from. She was the one that interacted with Kitt on Gala before his death. This young woman may have found Kitt an easy one to bring down through a multiple of reasons. Had it been any other Grandmaster, she would not have been productive in killing them off. Kirlocca offered up a slight smile as he came to understand that this woman may not have realized who she was inviting to duel against. Carefully stepping forward to stand now side by side with Delta, the Jedi Grandmaster spoke.

 

<< If this is what you truly want, I will oblige you. >>

 

Kirlocca took only a fraction of a second to turn towards Delta. The conversation had hinted that the two were once lovers of some sort. And Kirlocca had a gut feeling that deep down, Delta still cared for her. This duel could end with Qaela's death, an outcome he wasn't sure Delta wanted. But Delta showed no sign of hesitation in letting the two fight, so Kirlocca would go in as he would with any other Sith.

 

<< But perhaps to secure a duel without interference, maybe an isolated room would work best, with Ysalamiri, if Black Sun has such resources on planet? >>

[Delta73]

Delta bowed to the master of the Jedi Order, "Thank you ser, for this generous show of support. WE do indeed have such resources. If you will but follow me. Only yourself and Qaela may enter the city." His gaze fell upon Lucifer, "Qaela's pets will stay outside."

 

He spun on his heel and bid them deep into the city. To a great white chamber, with a multitude of pillars. It was the storage area for the force sucking creatures. Upon the walls were suits of ancient armour, and arms of the elders. Swords, pikes, bows and arrows, all reckoning back to a time long forgot. "Go at it my friends, and may the best force user win!"

 

The door slid shut behind the two. sealing them within the chamber...

 

Then the comm chirped, echoing in the back of his skull. "Fyrebane requesting docking clearance... Clearance Code... 86 Charlie.”

 

What? Who was this? What kind of code was this?

 

"You are cleared to land at AA24, next tot he Sith ship..."

 

His guards would still be posted there, and it would be easy to contain any evil doing. With a twirl of his crimson cape, his made his way back to the docking area....

[Qaela]

Qaela didn't much like the idea of heading even deeper into Black Sun's control, but it wasn't that much different than the situation they were already in. At least she could place a reasonable amount of faith in both the Jedi and Ca'Aran to keep their words and not ambush her. Despite most of the darkness considering it a negative quality, Qaela always did respect Ca'Aran's habit of keeping his word and not resorting to treachery. She had little to fear from him now that he had consented, and the Jedi were too honorable to resort to treachery.

 

"Return to the ship," she told Lucifer. "If I return, then we will have much work to do still. If I do not, I will attempt to guarantee your safe passage. Do as you will, but do not try to come in after me. There is no point in you getting killed."

 

She followed Ca'Aran, the Jedi, and those with him into the city to whatever sort of room he had in mind.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca was a bit more relaxed walking into the large and grand room that was offered up as the dueling room at the Jedi Master's request. It may have seem odd from a certain point of view for him to make such a request, but Kirlocca understood the advantages it came with to be more isolated with a possibility to be without the Force as well. Turning his head just slightly, he spoke with a bit of compassion towards the young woman he was about to duel.

 

<< I think it would only be proper to let you begin things. >>

 

Kirlocca then suddenly had his lightsaber hilt within his paw and his body turned towards the young woman, prepared for anything that could happen.

[Karys Narat iv-Adas]

As Delta spoke, Lucifer's lip almost curled...if he had been any other man he would have stamped his head to a pulp at such a insult. Lucky for him he was forced to endure it thus he simply gave a wicked grin before turning to face Qaela. Lucifer shook his head, he would not disobey an order by the Dark Lord...or at least this particular order. He did not like the idea of having to wait outside considering the Jedi and Black Sun, there was always the chance one would be traitorous. But given the choice he had to stay his hand...for now.

 

The kiffar spoke.

 

''I cannot wait inside the ship. The Dark Lord specifically instructed me, I was to watch you and make ensure you do not come to harm, I do not trust these two. Jedi are never to be trusted just as much as my kind. I cannot protect you while inside the ship thus I cannot go where you told me however I can wait just outside the chamber if I cannot follow directly inside. It is by this way both oath's I made are honored to you and to Furion and I am but a stones throw away if you need me.''

[Rookwood]

A voice, often repeated throughout history, uttered forth from the mouths of millions of identical soldiers crackled across the comlink, carrying an air of disdain.

 

“You are cleared to land at AA24, next to the Sith ship...”

 

As the voice gave mention of a Sith Ship, the skin of the ranger began to crawl. There were very few Sith that made the galaxy a better place, and wherever they went, they wrought havoc, giving homage to the seven cardinal vices. Every Sith he had met in his journey was bound to at least one of the Sins. Olden verse harkened to his mind as he guided his olive drab shuttle through the darkening sky, like a bird soaring to its nest.

 

No Sith are without a proud gaze and a lying tongue... Their Hands shed the blood of innocents, and their hearts devise malevolent plots... With their dark power, and harshest facade, they pull down the sun... Their feet run always to mischief and the wise are deceived their merciless lies... They sow discord amongst brethren and drag them to darkness... Hades is their fate, and in endless torture their demise!

 

As the shuttle descended to the platform below, the ranger walked stiffly to the landing ramp, his dark duster flowing about him, concealing his revolvers and sword in shifting shadows. His presence within The Force was concealed, masked under the facade of the mind of a simple ranger, one that could not be broken but by the very masters of the Jedi or Sith Orders. To any other, his mind exuded a calm confidence, cynical and brooding, the very nature of a ranger. Beneath the crimson glow that emanated from the mask’s eyepieces, the man’s eyes took in the full view of the landing platform below. The Sith ship was beside them, and before him, stood several Black Sun cronies.

 

As he stepped from the shuttlecraft, he threw a small bag of credit chits to the lead security guard, along with his clearance code. His armour would identify him as a Bittersteel Ranger, to any who had run afoul with the law far beyond the outer rim, in Wild Space. There, wolves hounded the flock daily and the only defence was the occasional ranger, the crimson glow the last thing raiders or pirates ever saw before they arrived at the River Styx.

 

Bespin was not far from Wild Space, but it was doubtful any would recognize the armour and mask. Soon enough, all would know it, and criminals would fear it more than any. Without a second glance, the ranger passed through the doorway, and into the great city amongst the clouds. Once through the door, the man took sub-passages and backroutes towards the city’s centre, and where the greatest cluster of scum and villainy lay; The Red Light District.

 

*******************************************************************************

 

Long bereft of its famous Wing Guard, Cloud City’s criminal underworld had expanded far beyond the simple days of gambling fraud, prostitution, and card counting. The farther and farther the ranger moved into the bowels of Cloud City, the darker it became. Every vice was on display, every carnal appetite advertised to be fulfilled. It was disgusting.

 

Armoured footsteps were concealed by the ambient noise of the district, and in shadows the man walked, contemplating where to begin on such a grand canvas. It would be a masterpiece, to paint a new picture of Cloud City, in the blood of criminals and prostitutes, but it was not his work to complete. That would be left until later. His was only to form the foundations of resistance. The next generation would have no more patience for such waste. The vermin would drown in their own blood.

 

The neon glow of a shanty bar attracted his gaze. Destiny was calling to him. The sign’s glow was dimmer than the rest, a few of the letters shattered or long gone dull, but the sign could still be read: “The Rat’s Respite”.

 

Perfect...

 

With a black-gloved hand, the ranger pushed aside the moth-chewed blanket that served as a door, and strode slowly into the smoke-choked room, unnoticed. Few in the room saw through eyes that were not dull, and thought with minds not addled by long addiction to chems. Those that were alert cared only for the whores around them, and the drinks before them.

 

A small girl, perhaps just into her teens washed away her sorrows with a glass of blue milk, using a tattered sleeve to smear the dirt on her face, mixing it with tears. Her brownish hair was clumped and tangled, but not nearly as warped as the men that clustered about her, insulting her with callous remarks and crass statements. Another object of attention was a twi’lek girl, having passed similarly into the age of desire, her skin a pallor amethyst. The whole bar was set against them, drugs and alcohol having devolved the minds of men to simple bestial instincts. It was a good place to start.

 

Almost on cue with his arrival, a bottle broke over the head of the unlucky human girl, sending shards of glass everywhere, and stained the girl’s head a bright shade of crimson. She screamed in pain and terror, and to the ranger’s surprise, she shoved a screwdriver into the chest of the attacking Gran. The Twi’lek spun in her chair and dragged a serrated blade across the exposed throat of one of the junkies, dropping him like a stone.

 

Once a man, even one who has long been corrupted, has truly seen the darkness the galaxy is capable of producing, civilization’s diseased and festering underbelly, he can never turn his back upon it...

 

With unnatural speed, the ranger flipped his revolvers from his duel holsters and with his first step, discharged two rounds. One bullet slammed into the baslar skull of the Gran, splattering brain matter across the bar before the struggling pair, the bullet passing through to strike the bartender in the chest, the force of the bullet sending his lifeless corpse into the case of expensive alcohols. The other bullet took a good portion of a Trandoshan’s face past the Twi’lek girl, twisting the reptile where he stood, sending him sprawling into a gambling table, sending cards and chips flying like flocks of birds.

 

His duster trailing behind him, the ranger continued his stride towards the two girls, and in another two steps he’d emptied his revolvers. The girls were the only ones left alive, standing shocked amongst the carnage, eyes wide in horror, bodies trembling in fear. As his armoured foot stepped upon the caved-in chest of a dead human, the man reloaded his revolvers, and the human girl finally spit out a feeble question.

 

“W-what... W-who... Are y-you?”

 

The ranger smiled, his face concealed behind the mask. He slowly reholstered his pistols and gazed upon the massacre about him. Thirteen lay dead, mixed species, all hostiles. None were important enough for the Black Sun Authorities to complain about, or come hunting for their killer. His voice was filtered through the mask’s breathing and respiration system, and carried with it a mysterious anonymity.

 

“I am but a ranger... What... Are your names?”

 

The Twi’lek flipped the blood and flesh from her blade and tucked it back into her tunic. She was first to speak, her voice far less troubled than the other’s.

 

“My name is Rose...”

 

Comprehension of the ranger’s words dawning in the human’s eyes, the girl spoke as well, tears welling in her eyes.

 

“Uh, mine is Simone. Simone Helwesy...”

 

The ranger extended a hand to each girl, an offering of peace and brotherhood.

 

"You will find my shuttlecraft at platform AA24. There, you will find armour and weapons... Use them well, I will call on you when you are needed."

 

With that, his duster flowing about him, the ranger made his leave. He had felt a disturbance, and with Force Users around, he was glad that his aura was well concealed, masked behind the mind of the ranger.

[Qaela]

Qaela frowned at the odd machine speaking for the Jedi, but she could understand the creature well enough. "Proper" had nothing to do with this, for this was nothing short of war. This Jedi had corrupted the man she loved and taken him away from her. To make it worse, he was also taking away her children, her own flesh and blood whom she suffered dearly to bring into this galaxy, and the shame of it all was that he didn't know the truth.

 

Though it was not what she had learned from the Sith, she drew upon her love for Ca'Aran and her children to give her strength and resolve. Since this Jedi was allowing her to make the first move, she would take advantage of that by conjuring a more complex spell than she would have otherwise been able to. Her hands began making ritualistic gestures and she chanted quietly. When she was done, she felt at peace and calm. There was no hatred within her, no rage, and no fear for what she was about to do. She had been purged of the darkness for the first time in a very, very long time.

 

She smiled at the alien Jedi and briefly wondered how well he understood human expressions. Without taking her eyes off of him, she slowly unhooked her lightsaber so as not to be threatening and tossed it aside. In a pleasant, almost cheerful voice, she said, "I see no need to involve crude weapons when there are so many other ways to inflict damage."

 

The smile left her face and her voice became icy calm, "In fighting like this, you are taking three children away from their mother. I suppose the Jedi have ways to justify that, but I don't care to hear them. To me, it seems very much like the same sort of cruel, cold, darkness that you claim the Sith employ. I am not Sith, though I be allied with them. Why am I allied with them? Simply because, unlike you, their leader personally pledged to help me get my children back. So tell me, Jedi, how is he evil and you are not?"

 

((1))

[Delta73]

Delta held out his hand in greeting to the lonely ranger.

 

"Peace be onto you friend, welcome to the city above the crimson clouds....Come and speak to me when thou art done...."

 

He gestured also to the Sithling Lucifer, and strode several kilometres until they were in a large room of finery. Gold decorated the pearl coloured walls, mixing with the blood red drapes. Suits of armour from deep antiquity lined the walls. Their empty masques and helms staring to the great table at the centre of the room. The armour was black as night, adorned with filigree of silver and ruby. They had held this hall in their gaze since its creation. Though the suits themselves were millennia old, pounded from the ores that once marked the planet from which humanity once hailed, long since forgotten in the vastness of the stars. For those that had left, never did return.

 

The table under their gaze was made of heavy oak, and laiden high with foods: Breads, alcohol, meats, and fruits. A bountiful feast, fit for the kings of old. A high transparisteel window looked down on the arena where Qaela and the Wookiee Jedi were dueling.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca was a bit thrown back by the Sith woman casting her lightsaber aside, but his own goal was to put her into a position of weakness so that she would understand. Carefully, he also tossed his aside as a respectful gesture, but an empty amongst Sith. At this point, the use of words would be greatly wasted amongst the two combatants, as they were now fighting for their own purpose and not of the pretense hinted; that much was clear now.

 

Without hesitating, Kirlocca jumped at her. But not with the purpose of striking her, but rather to get her to move into a better position for him. Mid air, one of his paws lifted and released a blast of Force energy, which displayed in a brilliance of light. This action was followed by a strong Force push. All to get the Sith woman to move in a favorable direction.

 

<< You mistake my actions. That could end up costing you a small victory. >>

 

((1))

[Qaela]

Qaela didn't resist the attack, but allowed herself to be hurled across the room and into a bubble of ysalamir. She gasped as the air was driven out of her lungs and the Force was cut off from her. Without the Force, her spell was broken and the brief serenity she had attained was shattered. Darkness flooded back and vengeance flooded her mind. The Jedi would rather attack her than face his own hypocrisy or even risk discussion. For a few moments, she struggled to reign in her fury at the naively gullible hope she possessed regarding the Jedi. What else did she expect? The Jedi were no different than the Sith, both were treacherous, neither cared about anything but themselves and power. At least the Sith were open about it, even if they did have a slight problem with betraying each other.

 

She made a choice and stuck with it.

 

She stood up and waited for the Jedi to come at her once more. At least while she was standing here the Jedi wouldn't be able to use the Force on her and would have to get his paws dirty.

 

((2))