Naboo

[SithAcolyte]

Through a strange stroke of luck the TIEs that were taling them had given up. Darla realised that they probably thought the were wasting their time chasing an already wounded ship.

 

We're not dead yet!

 

The low energy shield alarm was joined by a proximity alarm indicating that the ground below was steadily rushing up to meet them. Darla barked order at the crew but all their efforts seemed in vain. The ship wasn't slowing down. There was a chance that some of them would survive they crash, but there was no way that there wouldn't be any casualties. Darla's assult would be pretty fruitless with wounded soldiers.

 

There was one trick left up her sleeve...

 

She had never really tried to do anything on such a large scale, but she knew the principles behind what she was about to attempt intimately. Levitation. It was onne of the first tasks Jedi padawan's were taught to perform. It was fairly simple for those gifted with the force. But the transoprt weighed... The idea of lifiting it with her mind was daunting.

 

I don't need to lift it, just slow it down!

 

Her eyes closed tightly and her force senses opened. She saw the air around the ship, each tiny particle. Darla reached those particles and pushed them upwards towards the ship. First gently, but steadily increasing in speed. In moments Darla had created a kind of vortex of air pushing againt the ship. The craft was still hurlting downwards, but it's descent was slowing.

 

Darla began to sweat from the effort and struggled to stay focused on the task. She kept pushing herself until finally she felt the shudder of the ship hittting the ground. All she felt was a lound thud and some kind of snapping sound, but nowhere near the thuderous crash that she had first expected.

 

She had done it. Darla had managed to get all her people safely to the planets surface. Getting home would be difficult, but that was a bridge that they would have to cross when the came to it. For now they were where they needed to be.

[Cadio Sikaot]

Cadio sent a message to the Rebel forces on the ground from his ship in orbit.

 

--Comm--

 

Attention all ground force commanders. Focus your men on finding the Imperial Commander. Once he falls the battle will be in our hands. May the Force be with you.

 

--End Comm--

 

The Justicar having recieved the brunt of the damage from the oncoming Imperial Destroyer moved back, allowing the Nebula Light and Starlisk to move into attack positions. They began harassing the Imperial vessel while the atmosphereic fighters were harrassing the Imperial installments. there was no bombing of civilian territory, nothing but the war of armies. Civilians were warned to stay in their homes.

[Deton]

Deton took solace in the idea that the civilians were safe from the scars of war. Yet a small amount of pleasure that they were seeing war brought to their doorsteps. War brought to their doorstep from no fault of their own. After all eveything in the city besides the imperial HQ was more or less civilian territory. Unless the view was taken that the city was run by the Imperials, then it would be the entire city as imperial territory.

 

It wasn't so much that civilians had been warned to stay in their homes, as it had, been his order to move most of the civilians to the areas of the city, he felt wouldn't see too much combat. he had felt that they needed to see what war brought. They needed to see how much the rebellion threatened their existence and their livelihood yet, at the same time, keep them innocent from the real scars of war.

 

After all, I chose to be a Stormtrooper in the galactic army. I chose to be come a fighter for peace, order, and, for stability and justice. Why should I force the civilians to take part in the horrors of war? To see friends, and allies be blown apart by some faceless man seeking only to kill you because of what he believed in. These were just civilians who happened to get in the crossfire between politics. These civilians had the mishap to see the disenfranchised rise up like some sort of hippy army. hoping to simply take what they felt was entitled to them. Who some how felt wronged by the legal system in place, and felt that it needed to be overthrown. Not for the good of the galaxy, but because of their own personal beliefs that it would be right.

 

Not that the galaxy might actually prefer having the empire ruling, the empire, which had its own standard galactic army, which did not force a single soul to enter it. I do not even understand why these blasted rebels felt like their idea of government was better. If anything, it looks like nothing more than a grab for power. A group of people, who instead of looking out for the good of the galaxy felt the need to fracture and divide it. To make it question its own decision, and force on it something it had already rejected. They were the remnants of the old way. the fallen and rejected way. there was no justifiable reason for them to be rebelling except out of pure selfishness.

 

He stopped his rant mindful of the battle still raging around him. He saw the gleam on the ceiling yet again, and took solace that there were gleams all around the palace.

 

It was strange; he had still gotten no word of the Rebel trump card. He had studied and researched this trump card. He had watched videos with the trump card being used, and he felt he had devised a suitable way to defeat the various trump cards that the rebels seemed to whip out. For one, he had many heavy stormtroopers in the palace, quite a few by intersections and empty clear line rooms. In addition, he had a few choicer units hidden away waiting to spring out. Lastly, he created battle plan 29a, for the off chance that the trump card was played. Despite what he had researched, he felt certain things conflicted with the ways he had devised. So naturally, he drew up a battle plan. It would be the best way to test out his theories, as well as win the battle. If anything, he had little doubt that by the end of the day, this planet would still be under imperial control and support. As it was, he was sure that the shuttle that had no doubt been dispatched by now, should have had the chance to contact something or another. If not, it was of no matter, he would still the day.

 

 

The Star destroyer, began to veer of slightly, try to expose most of its side guns, with out providing a broad flank. After all it was designed to be able to take on six ships and win. That was the idea by the creation of the eleven km long starship. It did help however, by having numerous of tie fighters come to the rescue. As it was a few of those tie fighters decided to form up and attack the leader of in incoming rebel attack. (Jedi Master Kirlocca) It seemed that all of the fighters had returned to space leaving the atmosphere. This had quickly created a mop up situation, as the n-1 starfighters and tie fighters began to target the dangerous bombers. it would only be a matter of time before all of the current ones were destroyed.

 

However, the move to space did not go unnoticed. Formations of tie fighters followed suite, forming up behind the rebel fighters and in a way trapping themselves. They quickly found themselves between the rebel ships, and behind the rebel fighters. the quickly opened fire with their gun, figuring that the faster they engaged the rebel fighters, the harder it would be for the rebel ships to fire into their midsts. With nothing but the thought of survival on their mind, they began to tear into the newly formed rebel front.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca made a quick maneuver to get his fighter into a position to fight the Star Destroyer. Although he didn't want to get fully involved in a dog fight, it was needed for the Jedi master to see what desperation tactics they might use against him.

 

Kirlocca made quick use of his position over the imperials to begin a strafing run against them. As he began, Kirlocca felt something deep within him...an extreme chill ran down is back as he both felt and "saw" the destruction of five whole planets. Kirlocca was unsure of how affected he was by it until he saw a TIE race pass him, almost colliding with him. Kirlocca brought his fighter around and reached out with the force to confirm with Darla and Damon that they felt what he did as well.

 

Once he was sure of it through the force, he opened a channel to Cadio.

 

"Cadio, This is Kirlocca...I think Naboo is no longer a big concern of the Alliance. We need to either retreat back to base, or have a cease fire...but we can't remain here and waste resources like this anymore."

[Damon]

As Damon recived his orders and was packing his selected men and gear for the mission ahead a tinge was felt. Instead of focusing on his task at hand he focused on the force. Being a consular ment that Damon was more intune with the force than most and as result what happened next was more than he was prepared for.

 

Entering the force as a whole the tinge transformed into a blinding light that made what Damon could do pale in comparison. The light swept though Damon forcing his body to fall on his knees. With in moments five planets also known as the five brothers in the corlliean system vanished as the life with in the system was no more. Full pain wiped over him as body went limp. The soliders in the area picked up the jedi and took him to the med bay where the exaimners did not know what was wrong him.

 

After what only a matter of mintues Damon awoke with in a cold soaked sweat.

 

So many lives. Lost in an instant.

 

Gaining his compuser he knew this battle would have to wait. Leaving the med bay Damon ran to the bridge and felt the message from the Kirrocla. He responded with he knew. Ariving at the bridge Damon spoke to the General.

 

"I am not asking what I am about to ask as a solider, but as a jedi. Five planets were just lost in an instant. You must ask for a cease fire or order the retreat and make haste back for Gala till we know more of what has happened." At the moment the holo net streamed across the screen.

 

"General offer the cease fire now and begin the retreat."

[Cadio Sikaot]

Cadio was listening to the holonet report when the Jedi Masters commed in. He listened to their suggestions and began putting them into action. Commander Damon seemed a little touchy today, as though he didn't understand that Cadio was in charge of this mission. He sent a comm out to the troops under his command.

 

"All troops fall back. Naboo will fall at a later time. Once you are back aboard your ships your commanders will alert you to some distressing news that we have just learned about. Fall back, repeat, fall back."

 

His comm sent he sent another message to the Imperial Commander.

 

"Commander, I highly suggest we have a cease fire. This distressing news has surely reached you. WE will need to all work together to get through this tradgedy. Do we have an agreement."

[Deton]

Deton was...put off by the tone of the rebel commander. Lording over him knowledge he clearly did not have thanks to a jamming field in space. Luckly he could think of ways around that.

 

It took him mere moments to access the holonet and when he did it shocked him to the core.

 

What sort of symbol of peace and order could he be if such things could happen. He had failed in an unimaginable way to help protect the beings in the galaxy. He decided he should establish contact with the rebel commander.

 

If what he saw was true, it could spell untold amounts of trouble, yet if it was only a rebel ploy, designed to bring down his defenses. He would make sure.

 

"Rebel scum, move all of your troops, away from the city. I will grant them the chance to not be fired on during your retreat. Following this, you are to send shuttles down to pick up your men. My Tie fighters will escort them downward. Should you begin to unload more forces, I will oblerated your remaining forces on world.

 

I will verify with my own sources the accuracy of this report. You are to return all of your men to their ships, all of yoru fighters are to redock with in your capital ships, and you are to move outside of planentary airspace. Once that has been established, we may move on from there. Consider this your cease fire!"

 

The comm shut off, and he began barking out orders. He wanted his men fully alert for any rebel foul play. If only to keep them from learning the truth behind this sudden cease fire. If anything, he would be the one to deliver the distressing news.

 

He sent a comm off to the Star destroyer, which following his orders, sent of a transmission as well as shot off a single probe. By the time the rebels had pulled out, he should have his information.

[Damon]

The message was recived and another sent as the troops began to withdrawl. This time a jedi master was on the message.

 

"We will not send any additonal forces however our fighters will remain in space till our shuttles have returned our men to make sure of their saftey. We are leaving soon as our men have returned. With that said I recomend that you prepare your city and get your orders. As I am sure you are confirming your sources we are preparing for our next step. This is the alliance out."

 

All the shuttles landed with no sign of additonal forces. Picking up the soliders and supplies from the battle. No fire was seen, heard, or detechted as the alliance gathered all of its forces fromt he world.

 

When the last shuttle was abord the fighets in the air returned and the fleet left in a non tracking flight path back to Gala.

[SithAcolyte]

Before Darla had the chance to rally her troops she felt an emense shockwave of destruction hit her through the force. She fell to the ground as if she had been struck and screamed out in anguish. So much pain, so much destruction... Darla had felt the dath of worlds before, it was and angonising experience for a force-sensitive. But this, this ws so much more. Many worlds had died in an instant.

 

After almost blacking out form the pain, Darla managed to make it to her feet. She was surronded by concerned troopers who had rushed to her aid.

 

"I'm fine... There's been a great disturbance in the force..." Darla didn't really kno how to explain it.

 

Luckily she didn't have to, the downed transport soon recieved a message explaining the situation. The battle was over before they had even joined it and they would be evacuated promptly via shuttle.

 

"Alright people." Darla's voice was weak. "Let's head to the evac co-orinates... We're going home."

 

In the back of her mind all Darla could think about was Skye. Corellia had been her homeworld, Darla hoped against hope that her friend had been far away from the system. Questions of how and why filled her mind as the Rebels left Naboo far behind them and headed back to Gala.

[ObliviousKnight]

It was at Naboo that Misal Draygo decided to continue her search. This, she knew, was something of a planet of destiny for her daughter. Judging from the ”œprivate”

[Deton]

Life had returned to as close as normal, as it could after the rebel attack. the streets had been cleared, building's repaired, and the debris of the battle, hauled away, to be recycled. Those who had fallen, had each recieved a service, which he had personally attended.

 

All in all, things were going as well as they could, for a galaxy wide invasion.

 

Deton stood, hands clasped behind his back, in the standard black imperial outfit, reserved for imperial stormtrooper officers, when they are not in combat.

 

Rasing an eyebrow, he glanced over datasheets, his e-11 on his desk. It was one of the things he never seemed to leave with. Armor or no, his life depended on that rifle. Plus ever since the run in with the jedi, and his missing then detonated explosives, he had been...extra cautious.

 

"Try again, we must reach the Emperor, if we are to receive word one what to do next. Also send up more crews to clear up the space lanes, all those destroyed fighters are still slowing down daily traffic."

[Silas]

A light freighter burst out of hyperspace above Naboo. Its lone occupant, Jacen Onnd, silently guided his ship down to the surface where his contact had told him to land. He checked all of his weapons and descended the ramp, locking his ship. He made his way out of the hangar, heading towards the suburbs of the town. He found his marks and pulled out a datapad to confirm this was the address he needed. Smiling, he walked up to the door.

 

He knocked on the wooden door, trusting the element of suprise to be his weapon rather than secrecy. A petite woman made an appearance at the front door, cracking it slightly. Only a portion of her face could be seen, but that was all Jacen needed. He rushed the door, forcing it open and crashing to woman into the wall. He pulled out his blaster and quickly stunned her before running up the stairs. He encountered two small children sitting in their room playing a game. They both looked up at him and he smiled. There was no easy way to do this.

 

"Hey kids..." he said as his voice trailed off. "Why don't you come with me. Something really bad has happened to your mom and we need to take her to the hospital." The kids seemed weary at first, but when they saw their mother lying in the corner they were immediately drawn into Jacen's trap. He carried their mother out to the speeder he had rented under one of his false identities and loaded the kids in next to their unconcious mother. As they got situated he ran back into the house and grabbed the package that his contact had said would be there.

 

He had only been to the planet once before and that had been with Kal close to two years ago, but he had seen some abandoned warehouse section on the outskirts of the city that he hoped were still there. He drove off in the direction he remembered them being and thirty minutes later he had arrived. By this time the mother had begun to stir and Jacen knew he had to hurry. He drug the mom into the warehouse and the kids followed voluntarily. Once inside his entire attitude changed. He pulled some rope out of a corner and nodded to the kids, blaster drawn as the mother woke up.

 

"I'm a liar. You're going to survive if you listen to me, but if you don't I won't feel any regret about killing you or your kids. Now, sit." Jacen finished his small speech, taking the rope and tying up the kids and their mother's hands and feet, then gagging them. He pulled out a vid cam and took a short video of the trio tied up. "Don't go anywhere," he said, smiling. He took the tape out and put it in the envelope, then attached it to the package he had picked up from the house. He locked the warehouse door from the outside, then jumped back into the rented speeder and burst off back into town.

 

He reached the outskirts and made his way towards the second address he had recieved. The bar he arrived at seemed kind of farmiliar, but he couldn't quite place it. He walked into the joint and sat down at the counter, ordering a drink. He downed it slowly, savoring the intoxicating taste. The man gave him his tab and he smiled. He wrote a quick note on it, paid, put the package on the bar and left as quickly as he had appeared. He popped back into the speeder and made his way towards the edge of the city. About 2 kilometers away from the warehouse he ditched the speeder and jogged the rest of the way, hoping he wasn't being followed.

 

He put the key in the lock and unlocked the door, then locked it again as soon as he was inside. His prisoners were right where he had left them, but now they were struggling. He couldn't have them escaping, so he quickly stunned all three of them and sat back to wait.

[Tarrian Skywalker]

Slowly she opened her eyes as the curtains were opened by the young servant girl. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders as she sat up when the girl brought her the morning meal.

 

"Malan, set out my traveling clothes, it is time for me to depart this place. I feel the time is here for me to return now. Notify the landing site to ready the Hell's Remembrance."

 

The girl nodded to her master and went about getting the lady's things prepared. Before leaving the room she turned to her mistress. *madam, do you require me to come with you?*

 

Tarrian looked at her darkly a moment before responding "No, you will stay here and take care of the estate. You will take care of Bishop."

 

The girl lowered her eyes to the floor and nodded as she backed out of the room.

 

Finishing up her meal, Tarrian quickly got up and dressed, and headed out to the landing field where she quickly boarded the Hell's Remembrance and lifted off.

[BLACK1]

A comm comes in for Jacen Ond.

 

--Comm--

 

His Majesty the Emperor requests your presence at his residence on Coruscant to discuss the current Arach'tar matter. Time is, of course, of the essence. All parties are given general amnesty and a truce is declared and enforced during this alien invasion.

 

--End Comm--

[Silas]

Jacen recieved the comm and immediately moved into action. He picked up the three unconcious bodies and dropped the uncerimoniously into his cohorts ships and ordered them to take them back to Black X-1, then got into his own ship and lifted off, blasting into hyperspace.

[Sasori]

The night breeze had a slight romantic feeling to it this day. The dusk was beginning and the once blue ridden skies were now graced with waves of amber and violet. This setting had begun to illuminate inside the bedroom of a small apartment within the capital of Naboo. With the shade up and the window open, the heart filling event had washed over the room being absorbed into everything that it touched, including one man who sat in front of his computer, knees in his chest, his hair protecting his face from the rays of light, and his eyes staring intently at the screen.

 

*Chomp*

 

He finished off the last of his chocolate bar that he had begun mere moments ago after stacking his bars of chocolate to resemble the appearance of the Senate. He wasn't compelled by this, it merely showed his multitasking and obsessive compulsive expertise. He barely even looked at what he was doing because his eyes were fixated upon the screen that was before him. They never left that glowing screen as they danced across it.

 

So that's how he did it.

 

He reached to his right and clicked a button on the keypad which began a dialing sequence on the monitor of his computer. He compatriot appeared only for a moment and showed himself, the shady figure he was dressed in black and awaiting his conclusion on the case he had been working on for nearly a week. Had it really been that long? He could not remember the last time he slept.

 

*Chomp*

 

Then again, it is done now, and that monster can be placed behind bars, or perhaps taken care of forever.

 

"Wess, we can determine from the sources I am sending you now that the mass murders of the Gungan Representative's Family along with that of the Rodian Collective Counsel, was done by none other than Drissmore Orno, a Malastarian from Ord Mantell. He was an objector of their recent motions in the Senate, that alongside his assault charges against a few Rodians in the past bring him as a perfect candidate."

 

"At that point I was only 11% sure he was out man. I continue to find out why he would want them gone to the point it would benefit him. It seems that the Malastarian believed that he would stop the Gungan-Rodian Act because it would allow him to bring a larger profit from his Podracing. The Act would limit the amount of places where Podracing parts can or not can be used or sold. As a racer that would mean the entry fee would more than likely double when most racers these days barely afford the fees to begin with."

 

"Here I was 67% sure, enough to go out on but I had to make sure this was correct. So I placed some surveillance on Drissmore and we found that he was acting unusual, his habits changed daily as if to purposely make it seem like he was always sporadic, but it was too obvious he was hiding the fact that he was not doing things as he normally was. Thus I had the local Police a get a warrant to search his room. Surely enough we found an unregistered pistol along with some clothes that were tainted with a slight case of metalmites which are usually found on the Refugee ships that go to and from Coruscant."

 

"I looked back at some of the security tapes of all of these Refugee ships and found that he indeed had boarded and left on those ships. He is our man, we must just capture and sentence him."

 

*Chomp*

 

"Very good as always Sasori. I will make your report for you as usual."

 

"Thank You Wess. Contact me as soon as they need me again."

 

He closed the computer down and held his legs into his chest as he sat in his chair. Was it really over? Is it truly ever over? He did not know, but restlessness was beginning to take him over and on the last grips of his ability to stay awake he came to his bed just enough to collapse completely beginning to coo as he drifted into sleep.

[Sasori]

((3 Day rule))

 

Days had passed by and Sasori had nothing to do on the planet of Naboo. For fear of his own self-identity he remained hidden in his loft, safe, secure, but most of all...

 

weak.

 

Sasori felt like a coward every day he remained here, while he had others fighting for his sake in harm's way. He couldn't help but feel that his actions would kill others, as they had in the past. It was the inevitable fate of his choices, and that in some of these, if he doesn't have the heroes die, the innocent will. It was a horrid life, one which plagued the mind of the young man on a regular basis.

 

He looked out the window, gazing out as the sun began to filter over the Nubian landscape. It was a sight many do not know, or care to know, especially in times such as these, where many who could not know of its beauty, or any beauty.

 

saddened by his own self worth Sasori moved forward to his computer and began to type in random searches, trying to find something to hold his time and to focus his mind elsewhere. Search after search nothing was too complicated that only he would need to interject on its behalf.

 

A day or so later, following many coffee's and many many bags of candy, Sasori's eyes finally lifted to a blurb that popped up on the screen. A disappearance, and multiple deaths of the same person. Incredible. He knew the force had incredible power but this, especially on such an unworthy man. Regardless, it was worth doing something about.

 

Sasori sat there in thought for a few moments, wondering how best to go about this. It was here thoughts of cowardice laid in his way, and then again thoughts of his own death. If he did this it would surely get back to not only the Empire, but the Sith, Jedi and Rebel Alliance simultaneously. That would be most unfavorable. He would have to go himself, and do hsi work, on his own.

 

Standing firm for the first time in several years, the young man made arrangements for a ship to be delivered to him and began to pack his things.

 

Soon enough, the ship arrived followed by a taxi for the attendant to return home. Sasori accepted and paid for his purchase and moved his things inside, soon thereafter leaving the planet of Naboo perhaps for good.

[silent88]

Aluc sits silently, listening to nothing but the wheeze of his ships engines as he descends toward Naboo. Condensation splatters the windows on his ship as passes through a cloud. He slows as he reaches the landing field.

 

Once he is on the ground Aluc climbs out of the ship. He does not leave it though instead he stands leaning up against it observing the crews of other ships. Out of the corner of his eye he spots a blond in a jumpsuit who appeared to waiting for something as well. He watches her for a moment attempting to catch her eye. When she finally looks in his direction he smiles and tips his hat. She smiles back awkwardly and looks at the floor. Aluc pushes off of his ship and wanders over to her, but once she notices his movement, she disappears into a back room.

 

Aluc then returns to leaning on his ship waiting.

[Jzora Scorpio]

Aluc had barely heard the sound of boots tramping along the hard floor when twin stun caught him in the neck. The device delivered a powerful shock to his body, dropping him to his knees. Jzora, flanked on either side by hired thugs, grabbed Aluc's head and smashed it into her knee, causing blood to flow freely from the man's nose. The nearby clones watched blankly, they were programmed to ignore sith and imperial brutality. As the world around Aluc faded to black, Jzora's thugs grabbed him by either arm as Jzora put a bag over his head.

 

The trio dragged the man to a nearby security station, where the officers were encouraged to take a break while Jzora used the interrogation room. When Aluc was sufficiently strapped down, Jzora began to circle around him like a predator, or a raven wairing for its meal to expire. Behind him, she spoke.

 

"You are weak."

[silent88]

Dried blood flecked Aluc's face, as he looked up into the empty wall in front of him. He thought of all the things that had happened in his past trying desperately to recount something that could help him escape this situation. He could feel his mind waning from loss of blood, and he struggled to stay awake. When the person behind him spoke he could barely comprehend the words that came out of her mouth. He struggled for a few seconds then looked down and spat the blood out of his mouth and said the only thing that came to his mouth.

 

"Hahaha... Do you know who your dealing with?"

[Jzora Scorpio]

"A petty man with delusions of standing. Or perhaps you fancy yourself something of a soldier. It doesn't matter, your status has no meaning, and no skill at arms cannot save you. You are in the Devil's keeping tonight, mortal."

 

A sharp flick of the wrist sent the man's weapons sliding away from him, and another opened his shirt with a loud rip. Drawing a scalpel from the folds of her outfit, Jzora made a wide incision on the man's abdomen. Before you can fix something it has to be broken. The man's mouth was gagged with fabric, no need for him to speak at this point. Jzora opened a plastic container and let her new insectoid friends crawl into the man's gut.

 

"I want to watch you scream with your eyes while the things inside you start eating you alive."

[silent88]

Gagging on the salty cloth in his mouth while he screams into it Aluc starts shaking his body back and forth in an attempt to purge the things from inside of him. Pain floods the lower half of his body, he tries to focus on the situation at hand yet the pain is too intense. He starts to seize, and tries desperately to think of something he can do to get them out. He reaches deep inside himself to try to calm his mind, yet the only feelings he can grasp are of pain, misery, and fear.

[Darth Furion]

Naked and confused, he could do nothing but lay on the cold ground, coughing the viscus contents of his lungs. He didn't know how long he had been here, or how he got here. The only thing on his mind at the moment was food and clothing.

[Exodus]

• ”œ”¦Naboo. You devious little planet, you stole something from me.”

[Darth Furion]

Primal apprehension drips into the mind like the condensing moisture, one with the body of thought as a whole, yet chaotic in it's own right as one spilled readily with the rest. Instinct prompted him to retch from the scene, to play quarry to this beast and hide as best he could, but the sudden, brute force presented an irrefutable catatonia. His struggle against the fear not only matched but trumped, he did all that was required of him; embrace silence. It was only when the dark being's utterance pierced the chains bounding him in his silence did the thought of expression occur to him.

 

"I...uh...don't know where I am. Do you...do you have some clothes or something I can barrow? I'm...uh....do you..."

 

Defeat was the only thing capable of gracing his features. There were things he did not know or understand just out of reach, but despite his time spent on introspection alone and naked in the cold and unforgiving alley he remained oblivious to himself.

 

"Who are you?"

[Mephisto Dracul]

The Scourge docks in Theed's spaceport and its owner exits. The problem of finding his quarry boiled in his mind. Some Sith had created a large ruckus on Naboo to the point where it ended up filtering halfway across the galaxy to Coruscant. Subduing the Sith would not be too hard, the Dragon concluded, his eyes searching for something, anything that seemed amiss. Physically overpowering the typical Lord of apprentice would be easy enough. If it was a Sith Master, lethal means would likely be necessary. If it was his target, the heavens help Naboo.

 

The Dragon's senses tingle, sensing... fear... flight... panic... Two thousand years honed the Gen'dai's instincts well and he knew his prey was near. Pulling himself into an alley, he sizes up the distance between the two buildings and, with a cautious glance around to make sure he was not being watched, extended his arms out and leapt. With in four, forceful pounds the hulking bounty hunter propells himself onto the roof, landing with a clange that was too loud for his taste. Grunting, he considers his options, creeping across the rooftops, drawing out his double headed vibro axe, prepping his flechette launchers on both wrists.

 

The plan, simply enough, was to use the minature blaster in the handle to stun a lesser Sith into submission, then chop down anyone that came to his aid, collect the target, and escape back up into the rooftops to interrogate him. If it was anything else, a storm of razor sharp needles would make a quick end to this. Against a Force user of high caliber, surprise was the Gen'dai's best defense.

 

Three rooftops later and the Dragon reaches the alley he needs. Dropping onto his belly, he slithers forward, peering over the edge for a single glance to visually confirm his target. To his shock, it is the Dark Lord, standing in the middle of a frightened crowd. The onlookers might prove a liability, Mephisto concluded in a split second analysis, but they did not trouble his conscience either.

 

Mentally ticking off a two count in his head, Mephisto Dracul rose to full height, ready for battle and sent a deadly rain of flechettes into a wide stream into the alleyway below him, set to tear the Dark Lord and anyone who rushed to his aid apart.

[Exodus]

[C]ursed Blood.

 

 

• ”œDo not snivel before me.”

[Darth Furion]

Panic stricken him for the brief moment the stranger disappeared from sight, shed when the man returned with some form of clothing. An instant trust was established but remained unspoken as he fashioned the tattered cloth into a crude toga. For whatever reason, this man had chosen to help him. From the commanding presence he carried and the somber visage he bestowed upon the world, it didn't seem to be from the kindness of his heart, so he must have known him in some manner. Despair filled him yet again. The information was there, he knew it had to be, but it just wasn't his to behold. At least in ignorance he wouldn't feel as if something vital were missing. The tall man moved toward him, his hand stretched forth with a desperate malevolence.

 

• "Look"

 

He only stood silent as the vision unfolded before him, feeling the ever present confusion, but now consciously making an attempt to objectively observe. Letting his fear run him would do him no good. He had to remain calm and collected if was going to figure anything out. This proved to be a rather daunting task as the unfolding vision proved to be unsettling to the very core. He wasn't sure what was going on, but as he stood there motionless next to his guide, he couldn't help but feel he was deeply involved. The man at the epicenter of the memory was looking at them both, not just Exodus. When the vision faded, pieces had allowed themselves to be seen, helping him size up the true scale of his ignorance.

 

"So...you're my..."

 

Before the question was asked, the dark being had turned from him and froze. Julio's own eyes narrowed as he studied the figure, looking for the particular detail that would unlock the newest mystery of Exodus' actions. Before he could question it, instinct took hold, thrusting his body to the side for shelter. From what, he couldn't tell until he felt the fury held within the stirred wind flying in all directions. Waves of deadly needles bent to the Dark Lord's will and misdirected themselves, embedding into all surrounding surfaces. Screams were heard as the eavesdropping onlookers fled from potential danger, his uncaged power too much for their fragile minds to handle. Unfortunately, running for your life was not a luxury the situation had gifted Julio. This man had been the only connection to the lost treasures of his own mind that he had in this world. Should he flee now, or the strange man fall to his hunter, everything would be lost. Despite the danger, life would not be worth living if the looming sense of emptiness lay underneath it for the remainder.

 

There were to options Julio could see. One, he remain hidden and pray his newfound key holder to the inner workings of his mind could handle the situation, or two, he could help. Neither seemed to be wise, but choice was already made before he had decided. When the hail of metal found it's home, Julio rose from his improvised sanctuary and lept at the door leading into one of the buildings making up the walls of the alley, smashing it open just enough to let him squeeze in. He moved through with haste, exiting out the building into the main street. Peace keepers had been called, now running toward the alleyway. For the moment, only two had shown up, but more were bound to come. Julio charged out of the building, stopping the two officers just short of the alley.

 

"You've got to help me! I heard shot's fired! I think they're in my house!"

 

No dutiful officer would leave his cry for help unheard, and for all they knew what he spoke of was exactly what they had been called here for. Without pause the rushed into the home, rifles raised as they swept room by room. Julio followed them into the first room. Just past the threshold he moved before he could think, his leg shooting out to catch the first officer in the side of the knee. The sickening crunch of bone and cartilage broke the tension and created a new one of it's own. Julio leaned over the crippled officer, his finger sliding over the officer's own to pull the trigger. The blast was swift and final, dropping the second officer before he could even react. Julio released the gun, replacing it with the injured man's chin and crown. A harsh jerk ended the confrontation, but with it gone allowed him to focus back at the matter most important. He removed the power cell from one of the rifles and stashed it in the folds of his robes, gathering the second rifle for it's original design. He left the house and moved to the corner of the building, his back pressed against the wall. He tipped his head for half a second to scan the alley for changes since his previous visit, then returned back to the corner.

[Mephisto Dracul]

The moment Mephisto saw his quarry scatter the flechettes, he leapt into action, knowing what his follow up plan would be. Against a heavy force user surprise was his best weapon. Giving the target time to escape, plan, think, or even prepare for the next assault was unthinkable. He leapt downward, barely missing his own weapons as they powerful telekenetic attack scattered them.

 

The Dragon landed with a firm crunch into the ruined alley, momentarily losing sight of things amid the dust cloud thrown up by his attack. His eyes darted around, trying to find where Exodus dissapeared when a momentar sense of groginess seemed into the back of his head, as if he spent a hard night drinking.

 

The reactions came instinctively yet again. He knew it was not battle rage, as that drove his senses on the alert. This was treachery of the worst kind, an effort to leach into his mind. Normally cold and effecient, Dracul felt a small pinprick of rage at this as he gathered sheer force of will to beat off the attack, giving force to a single mental roar.

 

I am not some weak MINDED IDIOT!!!

 

Mephisto fell back on brutality- a crude, but effective weapon. When in doubt, fall back on pressing, physical threats to break someone's concentration. Spinning around, Mephisto unleashed a whirlwind of flechettes at both ends of the alley even before the dust settled.

 

Over the steady clicking of his launchers, the Dragon heard footsteps, heavy and quick of tempo, his senses snapping alert. Only one person would be able to run at those speeds, that steadily after the carnage visited on all those in the alleyway. With a calculated roar to let his prey know he was coming and inspire fear, Mephisto sprung after the Dark Lord, emptying out the last of his flechettes in the fleeing Sith's direction, gaining some blurry visual confirmation of a running figure.

 

The hunter bounded as he ran, his limbs extending unnaturally, giving extra distance to his step and allowing him to keep an even distance behind his target. Even as on the other end of the alley, the hunter heard someone crying about a house and shots fired, Mephisto put his all into a great leap, his mighty vibro-axe drawn back over his shoulder in a powerful side stroke that, if it connected, would cleave the Dark Lord Exodus in two.

[Celestia]

Pure Pazaak emerged from hyperspace above the jewel planet of Naboo. It's pilot commed her employer as she brought her ship into a holding pattern until she received an answer. It didn't take too long before she got one, giving her the co-ordinates and location of her drop off point.

 

Celestia had sought out all kinds of jobs of late, anything to keep her ship well maintained and in the air. This one had been delivering certain items from Coruscant to Naboo. A job she'd soon complete. She'd also been a long time dry, intending to find a decent 'watering hole' while she was dirt side. She missed her friend, Jari, having spent most of the trip thinking on some of the antics the both of them used to get up to. But that's all it was, memories, for Jari and Ramzies had taken off somewhere into the unknown. Where they had gone to, Cel had been unable to catch up with them. She missed that big ol' feline as much as she missed his companion.

 

Refocusing her thoughts, Cel entered in the co-ordinates she had been given, taking her ship down to one of the landing pads around Theed. After she had gone through her post flight checks, organised for refuelling and restocking, Cel left her ship, heading over to the representative from her employer so that she could organise the unloading process. She was met by the landing pad's exit by a Rodian.

 

"You make good time. Boss will be pleased with that. Boss will contact you if he wants you for other jobs."

 

Cel handed the Rodian, a male by the name of Graden, a datapad containing the load manifest. "It's all there. I'll have my droid unload soon as your people arrive."

 

The Rodian checked over the manifest before sending a signal to the unloading party. It wasn't long before they arrived, Cel already on the ball, having given a signal to her droid to unload the pallets of unique items. There were four pallets in all, each containing several crates of expensive items that had been bought on the black market.

 

Once everything had been unloaded from her ship and reloaded onto their transport, Cel was paid, with a bonus for speedy delivery. She was pleased with that, knowing she'd not have to worry about finding another job straight away. She waved Graden goodbye before re-entering her ship to watch them leave. Cel didn't trust them completely. She ran a few checks over her systems, making sure that everything was in order before she again left her ship. This time initiating the security protocols before heading to the nearest Cantina.

 

The Cantina was dimmly lit, though not as seedy as she expected. Ordering a Nubian Ale, she sat down in one of the booths to enjoy it. Taking her first swallow of the ale she let out a sigh of contentment. It was a good brew.