Naboo

[CR-34]

The waiter droid waited for his "masters" to be seated before he was to make his propery query. But just as they were taking their seat the Droid obtained an odd quirk and he soon realized he no longer needed to perform the task given to him. In other words, Piccolo weas dead and Black Dawn was no longer in control of the Droid. He was delighted so much that no time had he ever processed information so fast.

 

"Query: Is there anything more you need fine Masters?" said the Droid politely alloeing his sub Protocol Routines to kick in.

 

EDIT: Fixed the whole HK speak problem.

Edited November 4, 2006 by Guest

[ObliviousKnight]

Armiena's aiwha seemed content to glide by Aryian's side as they approached the waterfall. Armiena was perfectly happy with that, dazzled by the light reflecting off the surface of the water and watching the broad ripples form on the surface of the river from each stroke of the aiwha's wings. She was quickly soaked by the mist rising from the waterfall, but she merely laughed in glee at the shock of the cold water. However, once her aiwha began to climb into the air above the open plains, the buffeting winds quickly dried out her saturated robes.

 

Finally, after an indeterminable amount of time of defying gravity on the wings of her aiwha, Aryian guided the two down for a landing. This was the only part of the flight that Armiena dreaded; due to the awkward legs of her mount, it would be nearly impossible for the aiwha to reduce the shock of landing on solid ground. Even the aiwha seemed mildly displeased at having to land on solid ground, but it absorbed some of the landing with a few awkward steps nonetheless.

 

When Armiena's aiwha settled, the Jedi Master handed her reins to another Kaminoan trainer and watched as he cajoled the magnificent creature back into flight. She watched their departure for a few seconds, still in silent awe of the experience of riding the beast. Armiena grinned when she turned to Aryian and walked with him, breathing in the heady fragance of the wildflowers.

 

"I can't imagine forgetting a day like this. It's like a dream... That's the only way I can think to describe it." Indeed, both of the Jedi seemed at a loss for words. Armiena silently cursed her inability to find words. This was one of the very few times that she had been able to enjoy a moment with Aryian Darkfire, and yet she seemed as inarticulate as an awkward teenager. There was so much they could talk about, so much they hadn't learned about each other, but they had been reduced to the level of a pair of inexperienced children in the grips of their first crush.

 

((Gar, curse the writer's block!))

[Ary the Grey]

Both walked up, sitting on the large blanket laid out for them, covered with a feast fit for royalty.

 

"Is there anything more you need fine Masters?"

 

Aryian looked at the droid, smiling. He hadn't expected the staff at the resort to send a droid waiter, but it wasn't as if it mattered. Droids had certain advantaged where other beings did not.

 

"No, not really, I think we're fairly well off. Unless...unless you have some music in your databanks, something soft to fit the mood. That would be nice."

 

He plucked an Alterian apple from the main spread with the Force, using it's precise power to cut into it, removing slice after slice from it before finishing, making it resemble a rose. It hovered down to float in front of Armiena, within easy grasping distance.

 

As they began to eat, Aryian noted that it was near perfect timing on his part, the sun hung low in the sky, just about to set for the night. A cool orange haze cast over them, and several lights began blinking in the air around them. Sparkbugs, blinking their little lights on and off.

 

As they finished up, Aryian turned to Armiena, a serious look on his face.

 

"There...one dinner date paid in full. And you know, Armiena...I have something I've been meaning to ask you. Something I hope you'll like very much."

 

Aryian stood, taking off his Jedi robes to reveal the armor he wore underneath. Few had seen it outside of battle, Armiena might have seen it once when they were at the cave on Coruscant, though there it would have been far too dark to make out the detail. Now she saw it for what it truly was, an instrument of war. Long ago Aryian had taken metals and permanently fused them on top of his body, creating an armor without chinks, without weaknesses, so he would be near invincible in battle against his enemies. It complemented his styles in the lightsaber, a struggle to defend rather than to attack.

 

But still, it served only one purpose, and that was for war. It was high time Aryian did something about that. He summoned the Force to him in all it's majesty, the runes on his armor glowing a pale blue as he used it as a focal point for the energy. It was in all aspects a Force artifact as well, allowing him to draw and use a massive amount of energy. His body lifted into the air, red lines running around the armor, splitting it in half from front to back. The heat Aryian was producing by frictionizing the air molecules on the armor was intense, yet he also knew how to absorb it.

 

In little time at all, he had burned his way through the outer metals of the armor, leaving just the inside heat/electrical insulation and padding. This he did not burn, but merely ripped with the Force, allowing it to fall straight down out of the armor as it came apart, leaving him naked in between the two halves. He was also positioned so that neither the Droid nor Armiena could truly see behind it, preventing the awkwardness of the situation.

 

His Jedi robes floated up to him, covering him while the halves still protected his modesty, then both he and the armor descended back towards the ground, the armor crumpling in two piles around him.

 

"I would like you to take that as a symbol, Armiena, a symbol that I no longer wish to fight. I used to be a soldier, a master of combat, but you've changed me. I can no longer return to who I once was. It is still there, I can feel it, feel the lust for action flowing through my veins, but something else is there now, too. Something stronger."

 

Aryian bent down, again superheating the Force on the armor, drawing the more precious metals from the alloy to the surface to form a very distinct shape, before he finally plucked it from thin air, fully complete. It had a silverish sheen to it, and tiny runes were beautifully etched into its surface, like his armor had once been.

 

"My love for you."

 

He knelt in front of her, holding the ring he had just made towards her.

 

"Armiena Draygo...will you marry me?"

[CR-34]

"Statement: Certainly Sir." said the droid somewhat hating this protocol that made him prefer this pathetic pacifistic meatsack in front of him. He ran through his memory banks and played something that he found when he had blown through a drug cartel on Abregado Rae.

 

*Kenny G plays*

 

He watched over this proceeding event in amazement. Perhaps the Jedi were not as pacifistic as CR processed at first. This was sheer abuse of his power but it was for an ultimate good. For the first time in his existence CR-34 was beginning to understand the Jedi. They weren't the failures he had projected no, they were much more. And when the man named Aryian Darkfire popped the question CR could somehow feel a jolt of excitement in his Core. It was an inexplicable thing, something the droid could not explain, could it be pure and utter happiness for another? It was and the droid could not celebrate at his revelation he just stood there watching the event unfold before him.

[ObliviousKnight]

...Will you marry me?

 

It was amazing how four simple words, only five syllables, fifteen letters, could change someone's focus.

 

A curious sensation passed through the Force. It was as though an invisible puppeteer was testing the Force's tensile strength, twisting it and stretching it in all manner of shapes that should have been impossible, even for the omnipotent energy field. The unseen conjurer continued stressing its surface, continuing to stretch it until it simply....

 

Snapped.

 

At that moment, so did Armiena.

 

Aryian might have seen his friend rise to her feet, but Armiena had unconsciously tapped into the Force at this moment. Her body became a mere blur of white cloth as she stood and launched herself at Aryian. The maneuver wasn't entirely well planned out; she was faintly aware of her ankles making contact with the underside of her chair and kicking it away to tumble across the grass. Her momentum knocked Aryian clean off his feet and caused him to hit the ground with enough force to leave him slightly winded and with a small bump rising on the back of his head.

 

However, Aryian would probably forgive her utter abandonment of dignity when he came to his senses. Armiena was now perched above Aryian's body, straddling him just above the waist, grinning down at him with her emerald eyes, lips, and her Force presence. "Yes." She reached down to kiss him on the lips, almost breathing in his presence through her lips. "Yes, yes--I will!" Armiena laughed as she finally had to come up for air, only to reach back down for another long kiss.

 

And one syllable, only three letters long, became what Armiena believed to be the most significant thing she had ever said in her life.

[Ary the Grey]

The next few minutes were the happiest moments Aryian had ever experienced. The sheer force Armiena had tackled him with had knocked the wind from him, a testament to her willpower and sheer exuberance. They kissed like never before, Aryian filled with the warm aura Armiena was emitting and vice versa. Perfection, it seemed, was merely an arm's length away for Aryian, he had finally found what would complete him.

 

After several moments of passion, they simply lied there in the fragrant grasses, looking at the Sparkbugs and taking in the magnificent sunset. The music played in the background, but it was obvious that neither one was paying much attention to that. Eventually, Aryian spoke, his tone almost dreamlike.

 

"You know what this means, right? We get to compile the guest lists...choose the Best Man and the Maid of Honor...I think I also know of someone who can help us with the decorations and location."

 

He shifted, pulling out one of his lightsabers, holding it above his face. It was so peculiar looking in the light, glinting a near golden sheen.

 

"I think I have an idea for vows as well...but that ceremony can wait until the wedding."

 

He noticed she wasn't saying anything, and simply decided to shut up, just holding her out amongst the cool night atmosphere. One by one, stars began to come out overhead, and as Aryian saw the first one, he made a wish.

 

Please...whatever Forces that may be out there...allow us to live in peace.

 

It seemed a selfish wish, yet Aryian was thinking more of just himself and Armiena at that moment. Subtly, the Blur notified him of a comm sent out from the Jedi, ordering all Masters to meet at Ossus. Aryian, though, simply laid there next to his queen, content with inaction for now.

 

All in good time...all in good time.

[CR-34]

The droid inclines his head to Aryian Darkfire.

 

"Question: May I shut this dreadful music off?"

[Ary the Grey]

The droid's voice once again broke the silence of the magical night.

 

"Mm? Oh...yes. Go ahead."

 

A few seconds went by before Aryian spoke again, remembering something.

 

"Waiter, contact the Resort, have them ready to send a small transport out to pick us up. As for the food...we're done with it. Thank you for your service tonight."

[ObliviousKnight]

Armiena Draygo sighed as she withdrew from Aryian, breathing somewhat heavily from the passion in their kiss. She rolled off of her fiancé's chest and let him slide the engagement ring onto her finger, wondering how he had managed to construct the armor that it once was. It was a question for a less significant moment, she decided. Armiena drew him towards her for one final kiss and smiled against his lips as they held hands, stroked each other's faces, and shared their warmth against the cool air of the approaching night.

 

They would have to worry about the smaller details of their wedding later; Armiena personally entertained a few ideas for their best man and maid of honor, but that was for a later time. What mattered at the moment was that they loved each other””the Jedi Master reached for their bond, marveling at the sharing of their emotions as she consciously held it open for a few seconds. She only half-listened to him, snuggled up at his side, surrounded by his arms, the fragrance of the wildflowers, and the steady chirping of the night's insects.

 

All was perfect””Armiena never wanted this moment to end...

 

But, alas, she was left to wonder why Reveille began playing at her waist. After a moment of wondering, she realized what it was, and a flicker of annoyance passed over her presence. Someone, most likely a Jedi, was attempting to contact her, interrupting their time together.

 

Like hell that was going to happen.

 

Armiena reached down to her belt and punched her left thumb through her comlink in a casual motion. Something broke inside the device. Whatever it was, it shut off and the silence reigned supreme once more. As innocently as possible, she shrugged against Aryian's body as though nothing had happened.

 

”œI love you. Don't ever forget it; don't ever doubt it.”

[CR-34]

CR-34 quickly made the arrangements and as the droid was picking up the remnants of the meatsacks succulent fine dinner the transport arrived a bit pout of the way as to not interrupt anything. CR did not hesitate an boarded the ship at once stowing away the remains of the gobbled up meal. He awaited the Jedi Masters to come on board before they set of to the resort.

[Ary the Grey]

"It's still hard to believe...yet I know it's true, I have you right next to me. I'm going to be married. Wow..."

 

The thought at that moment was mind boggling to him, he had never ever thought about it. He simply followed what his heart was telling him, not worrying about what would happen the next day. He had lived all his life that way, in the passion of the moment, hardly slowing down to take the time to do something like this. But now that he was, he knew he had been missing out on the better, finer things in life, the deeper truisims that lied within.

 

The transport arrived, and Aryian could faintly hear the droid packing up their meal.

 

"Come on...it's getting late and cold, and I have one last thing to show you before the night is through."

[Vladimir Faust]

As the couple prepares to leave, another waiter drops by, depositing a bottle of a chilled, yet fine Naboo vintage on the table, with a small note sealed in an envelope. "On the house," the waiter murmurs, then quickly dissapears again before anyone could catch his face.

 

Upon further examination, the note appears hand written, though with a distinctive signature on the bottom.

 

To Ms. Draygo:

 

I am sorry you missed our appointment on Coruscant. It was a strain on my resources trying to find you again, but all is forgiven since I understand how things come up and the service done for the galaxy over Haruun Kal. My compliments to you and master Darkfire both. Know for the time being you are safe, just as long as you don't misbehave (with in the bounds of the law. What you do on your own time is up to you). Until your wedding, enjoy your free time to enjoy the wonders of Naboo since it is a very peaceful world and they finally cleaned out that awful, awful virus someone used to nearly exterminate the Gungans a while back.

 

Once you are ready to tie the knot, do let me know. I have every intention of offering a suitable wedding gift for the two of you. Till then, enjoy your health.

 

-Faust

 

PS- Unlike most vintages coming from my private stock, you may enjoy this wine without fear of poison or worse.

 

***

 

A small investigation would reveal later one of the waiters bound and unconscious in a back room, stripped of his uniform. He attested how some sonic device knocked him out. The stolen uniform was found a mile down the road, where it looked as if some unidentified ship blasted off several hours earlier.

[ObliviousKnight]

Armiena shook with silent laughter at Aryian's words. ”œThat's putting it lightly. I'll have to think of a way to break the news to my mother.”

[Ary the Grey]

"Am I, now? Well, then...I'm not sure if this is all I've heard it is, I haven't seen it myself honestly."

 

The landspeeder's repulsors kicked on, allowing the vehicle to glide upwards and forwards, escorting the two to the Resort, which was a short distance away. The only reason they couldn't have walked back was that a bit of forested parts separated them, and there was no path back. Aryian would have to remedy that...he liked that meadow.

 

They disembarked once they landed, and Aryian took Armiena's hand, walking her down the beautiful hallways of the resort. It was when they made one particular turn though that the architecture suddenly changed, instead of smooth stone walls it was rough walls, water gently flowing down all over them giving one the appearance they were alive. Every now and then a short jet of water shot out from one side of the wall, forming an arch to a funnel on the other wall that caught it effortlessly.

 

The effect was nice, and made walking down the luxurious hall rather fun. Finally they reached a double set of intricately carved doors, which Aryian opened with the Force, looking inside.

 

"Well...not bad. Better than I expected, to be honest."

 

The luxury and splendor the master suite offered was astounding to Aryian, however he realized Armiena came from a wealthy family. She would appreciate it, but it wasn't likely to impress here, and certainly not after the night's events.

 

"This is the last thing that I intended to show you tonight. This...is your room. I bought it out for an entire week, though...we may have to leave as early as tomorrow. You probably already guessed why...anyways, I hope you have the most magnificent dreams. I know I will..."

 

He held both of her hands for a moment, looking deep into her eyes. He smiled, not his normal rougish smile, but a genuine caring smile. He reached up, putting a hand on her cheek, and kissed her. It wasn't incredibly involved or deep, merely intoning the feelings they were both having at the moment.

 

He pulled away gently, the same look still on his face.

 

"Good night."

[ObliviousKnight]

”œAryian, today was the dream.”

[Ary the Grey]

The walk down the hall to Aryian's own room seemed to take forever. It wasn't that it was a long walk, in fact, he chose the room right next to Armiena's. The fact of the matter was his mind wa wandering about things to be. A million possibilities flooded his head, and he was swimming amongst all of them. From here on out, he didn't know where to go, where his life would take him, only that he would be by Armiena's side. And that alone was enough to keep him eternally content.

 

He didn't know what would happen, but the greater fact was that he didn't care. The time had come, his life as he knew it was forever gone, replaced by something else: her.

 

As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out cold. The excitement was clearly the only thing keeping him awake.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

In the morning, he found the main dining room down the main hallway, sitting down for a nice meal. He sensed Armiena was still sleeping, and for now...he didn't want to wake her.

[Ary the Grey]

((I knew it...screw you too Internet Explorer.))

 

 

 

Delete this.

[ObliviousKnight]

Armiena woke up in unfamiliar surroundings””an unfamiliar room; an unfamiliar bed; on an unfamiliar world; on an unfamiliar time of the day. She ordinarily required very little sleep, but she had slept until an almost unreasonable hour””for her, at least””in her determination to hold on to her pleasant dreams. She also felt an unfamiliar hardness on her left ring finger.

 

Fidgeting with the ring, she took a moment to recall the events of the previous night: that thrilling ride on the back of an aiwha, Aryian's fulfillment of his promise to treat her to a dinner date, his proposal””her heart seemed to leap slightly inside her breast””then holding each other while the stars came out, kissing, touching”¦ content in the knowledge that no matter what happened, that night belonged to them and they belonged to each other.

 

I'm going to get married! She mouthed again, raising the ring to her lips and softly kissing the Force-forged metal.

 

A few minutes later, she left her room and followed Aryian's presence to breakfast. Approaching him from behind, her arms enveloped his body in a hug and she rested her chin on his shoulder. ”œHey”¦”

[Ary the Grey]

He had sensed her coming, but it still surprised him a little as to what she did, making him jump slightly. That, however, quickly turned into a chuckle and a grin.

 

"Mm? Yes...like a baby. The silk they had for sheets here...I need to sleep here more often. Anyways...I was right about what I said last night...I think we need to go soon. The Jedi Masters are gathering on Ossus, but I'm not going straight there, I have to make a series of side stops. Lots to do...Breakfast?"

 

The spread of fruits and various breakfast pastries was incredible, more of an art form than an array of food.

 

"I didn't know when you'd come down, and I already ate a bit. I think it's time I got out of here, otherwise I might not make it to Ossus when you do. I love you, and I'll see you there."

 

He rose and kissed her on the forehead, embracing her tightly before saying his final goodbyes. As he got to the Blur, however, there was anything but a smile on his lips, more like a 'Oh boy, the galaxy's done it again' sort of grimace.

 

His ship took off, headed towards Coruscant.

[ObliviousKnight]

Armiena sighed as she ate her breakfast alone. She supposed it was to be expected. Given their roles in the Jedi, they would constantly be pulled apart by their duties. It was a mildly irritating possibility, that they might be separated for so much of their future”¦ but they would just have to make the most of the time they had together, she reflected while chewing on a pastry with an unidentified fruit filling.

 

She was tremendously tempted to enjoy a rare lazy afternoon, but the Jedi were counting on her to be present for the meeting at Ossus.

 

A few minutes later, Armiena boarded her Ghost Breath and shot away from Naboo. She left Faust's ”œgift”

[Leinemaster]

Outside the outer reaches of space about Naboo a clawcraft bolted out of hyperspace. As the ship turned towards the planet, the pilot within, Det Juzaka, was examining some information on the planet. Comprising of grasslands, swamps hills and forests native home to the Gungans and well settled by humans, the world was home to many important figures in the Republic to Empire transition. Two capitals are present ”“ Theed, and Otoh Gunga. Once the clawcraft entered the atmosphere a voice spoke up over the comm.

 

”œPlease identify your purpose”

[CR-34]

As certainly as he could CR-34 disposed of his uniform and went back to his ship on the outskirts of Theed. He was not disappointed in the loss of this bounty as he had gained much more from the experience. The Jedi are not afraid to use power if necessary, this was a teaching CR would have to keep out of purge from memory wipes. He stored this into his Assassination Protocols as a new section of information on the Jedi.

 

He moved to his ship and took off from the useless planet deciding to camp out in space for a bit.

[Aschen Skirata]

Naboo had long been a planet of much discussion. It was said that the Battle of Naboo is what had started the Clone Wars. When in truth, it was merely the first battle of that war. Many people had ventured to this planet to visit the burial site of the mother Luke and Leia Skywalker, Padme Skywalker, wife to Anakin Skywalker, one of the most infamous men in the history of the galaxy. But history and the visitation of the dead was not the reason why a single soul had ventured here. Animando had made his way to this small planet to find a a droid by the name of CR-34. As he made his way towards the planet, he noticed a ship making its way off planet. Scanning the ship for lifeforms and finding none, Animando raised his eyebrows. Opening a com with the ship, Animando began speaking.

 

"This is the Wolf Blade I. Please identify yourself."

[Aschen Skirata]

Proceeding to board CR's ship, Animando fired an ion blast into CRs chest and removed the droid. Placing him in a holding cell, the Mandalorian took off for Tattooine once again.

 

ooc:you have had plenty of time to post a response. You are now in the custody of the Hutts.

[Ary the Grey]

((I believe what he meant by that post was he's in hyperspace. In other words...you can't get to him. I don't know, I'd PM Nokrt if I were you.))

[Bad karma]

A mildly damaged humanoid ship entered the Naboo system. The pilot sat in his seat, arms crossed, asleep as his machine of havoc and destruction drifted towards the planet. His body had been worn down and his mech had been blasted from behind several times over; leaving his left wing barely more then a scorched fragment of its former beauty. That mark on his creation had left a scar upon his vanity, one that could only be erased by creating something far more powerful and stunning from his ruined toy.

 

A pull in the force stirred the sleeping beast, bringing him to wake and take in the sight of his home world. After the revelation he had on Roon it seemed so foreign and he couldn't help but wonder if he could even call the place home anymore. Tragedy marked his past here, but the few good memories had here truly did shine in his darkened past as some of the greatest.

 

Trowa unfolded his arms and stretched them out, placing his palms on the top of his controls. Before curling his fingers around the grip of his controls, he flexed and straightened them relishing the feeling just before squeezing something in his grip as if he was choking the life out of it. He sucked a breath of air threw his warm lips and gripped the throttle of his massive beast, pressing both sides forwards causing the machine to rocket towards the planet at a high velocity.

 

Warning lights began to go off in the moderately sized cockpit, telling him of the incoming messages from Naboo requesting him to identify himself. After his adventure on Coruscant using the name Trowa Barton simply was not an option in most civilized systems. His mind ran through the possibilities and after two or three seconds he found two viable solutions. He could use Ezekiel's name and hope that his mind had progressed so far down the road that it rewritten portions of his history”¦like the fact that as a child his name was not Trowa, or he could simply use the code given to him by the Queen when he had last paid a visit to her”¦and stolen her secrets.

 

Being that Ezekiel was still alive and out in the Galaxy, he opted to go for the second option. It was a simple task and, as he figured it would, it went threw and they cleared him for entry. His forward view screen glowed red as he entered the atmosphere and the temperature in his cockpit rose ever so slightly before he finally broke threw.

 

The planet looked the same as the last time he had visited it, but everything felt different. All of it felt foreign, except for the one area where the pull in the force was coming from. Drawing him back to the mansion he had inhabited during the days he most entrenched in the dark side and the Sith order.

 

The mansion came into view and where he had expected to see a demolished home overgrown with foliage he saw a completely rebuild spitting image of what he had once called home. It surprised him to say the least that anyone would rebuild the mansion but it was not an unwelcome surprise. He felt various life forces around it”¦life forces that couldn't quite be categorized like most others. They were more of the force then of the physical realm.

 

The microchip in his brain began to work, calling out to areas hidden for over a year as well as to operatives that had gone dormant. Within hours they would flock back here to assist him; tonight he would stay here.

 

__

 

After a thorough exploration of the mansion Trowa found that the presences he had felt were merely clay golems embued with the force to be something”¦more; something he didn't understand and had no intentions of bothering lest he make his task here all the more difficult. By the time he was done exploring well over a hundred Gungans had arrived and entered the massive hanger hidden in front of the mansion. It hadn't seen use since he had left, but all the gear and tools he left behind were still there.

 

They began work on his Mech, removing the damaged wing for repairs as well as recalibrating and reloading everything. It would take much longer then a single day to fully repair the machine, so it would be left here until Trowa required it once more. Defenses would be installed, insuring he was the only one that would be able to operate it.

 

As the sun set clouds began to gather around the estate threatening rain. Trowa, now cleaned up and dressed in a set of his midnight blue with crimson trim robes, meandered down to the lake side and took a seat just out of the reach of the tide. He pulled his knees to his chest and loosely draped his arms around his legs.

 

He let his emerald eyes gaze upwards at the speckle of stars that hadn't been hidden from his view. Time was a concept lost to him, but he recalled long ago how he had brought Shy-Ree and Ikanya here to teach them both, one a Jedi padawan and the other a strange, lost little girl, the ways of the dark side. The latter of the two had disappeared without a trace as several of his apprentices had done later on in his life, but Shy had gone on to become much more then the Jedi who had hated him and wanted nothing more then to see him dead; despite the path she had formerly followed.

 

Even then he was an eccentric person; wielding custom weapons out of nightmares and acting completely out of character at times”¦such as the night he danced with, perhaps, the person who hated him the most. Out in the center of this very lake he had once danced while working on a new ability. Since that time he had changed.

 

Everything about him had changed.

 

From the radical alteration of his appearance for a while to leaving the order changed had become rote. He barely seemed to notice it all these days, only putting his focus into the activities that occurred on Roon”¦and even then only a few of those took his full attention. For all the lives he had ended, for all the unique abilities he had gained, and new beings and toys he had crafted”¦it seemed like none of it mattered.

 

Where does one go, once they reach the top and there is no one there to take them back down? He felt as if the Galaxy was his playpen and there was no one to punish him for his misdeeds. Sure, there had been those that had tried”¦.some repeatedly, but only one had succeeded and that one had seemingly vanished. He had dished out a beating to Trowa when he was still climbing the ladder, but that was then. Now he doubted that Isolder could take him down in a square fight much less a dirty one.

 

There was, of course, one other person that could stop any scheme or ploy of his with a few uttered words. But he had a sneaking suspicion that she delighted in the wanton destruction he unleashed upon any that dared step in his path.

 

Large drops of rain began to pelt the surface of the lake. The once tranquil setting was gone, but the rain upon his face was a welcome sensation. For a moment it washed away his thoughts and stress and left his mind blank; an enjoyable state considering his normally rushed state of mind.

 

Without even realizing it, he opened himself to the force. His senses sharpened and showed him the area in a new way, whispering all of its secrets to him. It was then that he felt the remnants of what he had come after. It saturated the area, ripe for the picking by anyone with the talent to do so. It was a minuscule portion of what hell had detached from his body; the part he had failed in collecting before leaving and the part that was preventing him from completing what he was making for Shy.

 

Thoughts began the slow trickle back into his brain as he focused on the fragments all around him, drawing them out of the plants, animals, and ground and into the palm of his hand. With his free hand he opened the tiny pouch at his waist and pulled out the shimmer gem. The area around him pulsated with a faint light from the center of the crystal.

 

Over the next several hours Trowa was in deep concentration, binding the Gem to his every aspect and gifting it with significant control over a great deal of things, but of course it had its limits and safety precautions. It would only be useable by one person, as that one person had was the only one that ever had and ever would meet the requirements.

 

Once he finished imbuing the Gem with its special properties he began to toy with a few ideas of what sort of chain to connect it too. After tossing around several ideas, he finally decided to conjure a thin, cordlike set of shadows and give it a permanent form as the chain around the necklace. The night had passed him by, but the rain was still pouring down onto him. The weary figure got up and stretched, then made his way inside to dry off and get some sleep before the long trip tomorrow.

[Piccolo]

A Firespray ship emerged from hyperspace. Piccolo had spent much time trying to ascertain the precise location of Trowa Barton. The Sith had a debt to pay. Piccolo knew he frequented Naboo. But beyond that, he would have to rely on some luck. His ship landed on the planet's surface, near one of the smaller settlements. Piccolo thought perhaps Trowa would have to repair his damaged Lyger.

 

That's the only clue I have to go on.

 

He questioned the locals, learning of a strange mansion rumored to exist several miles from the small city. Piccolo took his speeder into one of the rural areas of Naboo. The hunter unknowingly was swiftly approaching his old foe.

[Bad karma]

Dusty antiques filled the dim room that Trowa inhabited. He had been awake for three hours and sitting in the same position ever since he had come down the stairs. Between his pallid fingers he clutched the necklace he had designed for Shy”¦unsure if she would ever get it. The gem hovered inches above the ground due to his slumped posture; a very uncharacteristic position for the normally proud and ego-centric man.

 

His life had began in this home, how long ago he could no longer recall. He had grown up here, started a family here and watched that same family end. He had trained here, fought here, loved here, and now he wondered if he would die here. If he would ever die. While the prospect of living forever with the sort of power he had would be tantalizing to most, it felt like a burden to him. With his power he would outlive everyone that mattered in his life and then what would he have? Money, power, gadgets”¦but nothing important. It was all meaningless in the long run.

 

With time, there was also the risk that he would go on to commit even greater atrocities against the innocents of the Galaxy. He would commit deeds that he would be ashamed of if his kids were to ever find out, things that would hunt him forever in his dreams as they had last night. Then, once he was left with nothing”¦it would consume his mind and he would risk finding a new depth to insanity. One that scared even Trowa, the man who had claimed to be fearless.

 

But No man was fearless.

 

Several times over during the duration of his time on the plush couch did he wonder why he let such meaningless emotions and thoughts get to him? He knew how to control and suppress his emotions, so then”¦what was the problem. Why couldn't he just forget them and go on to put his mind to more important matters?

 

He didn't really have to ask the question to know the answer. His emotions were important to him and as debilitating as they risked being, without them he”¦quite simply”¦would not be Trowa Barton. He would be a faceless force user with a cardboard cutout personality. Perhaps that was how people saw him though. As the evil figure, threatening those weaker then him for his own twisted amusement. Killing millions, perhaps billions on mere whim”¦Men, women and children.

 

The realization struck him like a sudden bolt of lightening from the sky. Some of the things he had done in the past truly made him sick to his stomach now when he thought about them. His children, despite being gifted with several genetic boons, were still young and thus weaker then many of the enemies he had made. They could, just as easily as he had, eliminate his children.

 

No amount of revenge in the galaxy could ever make up for such a swift, precise blow. If he kept up on his current path, though, such a think was not only possible but very likely to happen. After all, why strike someone who could be the end of you”¦when you could hit them harder by taking down the easier target.

 

”œI'm a liability,”

[Piccolo]

Piccolo knew if Trowa was in this ominous dwelling, he had sensed the hunter's presence by now. No doubt there were also several sensors watching his every move. He felt very foolish. Does a fly usually walk up to the front of the spider's web to say hello? Piccolo did not like to think of himself as the weaker party, but he was no match for a Sith on his home turf. Piccolo was not hunting here, he was visiting, and he was conducting himself as a non hostile visitor. So he was really relying completely on Trowa's word. Ostensibly, he was here as someone who had done Trowa a favor. But reality could be quite different.

 

Many have killed my body. And yet my soul still stands, for whatever that's worth. Trowa will certainly go down with me, in any case.

 

Piccolo wasn't sure how to gain entrance. He stood at the foot of the imposing building and waited. He could feel the darkness emanate out. Despite the relatively warm weather, Piccolo found himself chilled, and adjusted his temperature controlled suit. Piccolo could smell Trowa's scent now. This mansion reeked of it.

 

I don't believe in all of our fleet battles, and even in that last encounter, that I've actually seen Trowa Barton face to face. That is quite odd.

 

"Come out Trowa Barton. I promised you once I'd wear your skin, and yet I saved that skin on Coruscant. Repay your debt."

[Bad karma]

Trowa's ears twitched at the sound of footfall outside his door. This was not to say that Piccolo was loud, just that as a Master of the Darkside and one of the Galaxies most hated men you had to be at least a bit perceptive. His hand dropped to his back and ran along the handle of his dagger just to be sure it was there as he moved towards the front entrance of the mansion that had been claimed by the Sith.

 

Just before he opened the door he heard the hunter's words and couldn't help but laugh at them a bit. Trowa's ego refused to accept that Piccolo had saved his skin, merely he had paused long enough for him to finish off the Jedi and escape. Had he so desired he would have wiped the floor with not only the remaining Jedi, but also the former leader of the Black Sun.

 

His hair was back to its original length, hanging just below his eyes when he wasn't brushing it aside. Today it was a deep black with dark violet tips, so dark that they would only be noticed by someone with a keen eye. His chest was bare, with one ring hanging from each of his pecks. If one didn't know him, they would think him to be merely sixteen or seventeen, but his muscles were like steel cords hidden beneath his flesh. Trowa opened the door, gazing out at the armor clad figure.

 

”œWear my skin, huh? You know I'm not in season and the game warden would have your hide if you attempted such a thing. Maybe you should try the house down the path, as I hear Jedi hang out there and as you could so plainly see on Coruscant they are in season.”