Ilum

[Dacob Degal]

Suluric opened from hyperspace not to far after the emergence of the two fleets, using stealth and wits, he had hid in a near by ion storm. It had worked for awhile but his antique intercepter could'nt handle anymore.

 

He shot out from the storm and opened broadcast with a nearby SEED stardestroyer.

 

"This is Jacobi Suluric, permission to come aboard."

[Darex Trevelian]

Noting the appearance of the room and the fact that he was strapped to some kind of grim-looking machine, Darex prepared himself for whatever was going to happen, knowing that he wouldn't have to wait long.

 

He vaguely recognized the man who had begun interrogating him from his pictures on the Holonet--Jidai Geki, the governor of SEED. And apparentlya leader in the Empire as well.

 

As Geki asked him the questions, a flicker of a smile crossed the Jedi's face. "Predictable, Governor. Well, I'll answer your questions. I do not know where the Jedi base is. I have been out of contact with them for the past several months. Any information I could give you is probably older than that which your spies have passed on to you. As for the message, it was a personal correspondance with an old friend."

[Trith]

*Trith signaled and an honor guard of troopers fell in behind the party. She took her own shuttle up to the Imperial SSD. She did not feel like missing on her part of the persuasion that was aboiut to happen, because the Jedi would surely not talk.*

 

____

 

"Governess, we are recieving a comm from the Mandalorain. He requests permission to dock with us. Shall we exterminate him?"

 

"Instruct him to dock with the flagship, where he will be given quarters and await my arrival."

 

"Very well Governess"

 

"And captian... We will probably have company soon. Prepare the fleet for aggressive countermeasures. Have two VSDs exit the system and return at my order, or lack of, in the case of communication jammming. "

 

"As you wish, M'lady."

 

"Out."

 

____

 

 

*Trith walked the rest of the way through the corridors and came upon Geki and the others.*

 

"Have we made any progress yet, Emporer?"

 

*Trith inquired while her hand dropped to her blade.*

[Jidai Geki]

(OOC: Phillep hasn't posted for many days, so I'm moving the rest of the Imperial fleet to this location. Trith, the status of the SEED fleet is still being negotiated; You definitely have an ISD, An Interdictor, and seven other smaller ships. I'm not sure how big they can be, but since we posted building them, we're keeping them dammit! )

 

*Upon Emperor Geki's orders, the rest of the Imperial fleet arrives at Ilum. Command of the SEED flotilla is restored to the Governess, and the space around Ilum is crammed with Imperial and SEED craft.

 

Geki sighs at the Jedi's recalcitrance, and gestures. The Jedi's apprentice, Shy-ree, is wheeled in, also strapped to a steel cot and stripped naked save for some modesty-preserving bandages like her master. Another gesture, and an Imperial interrogation droid injects her with pain-enhancing endorphins.

 

A stormtrooper steps forward and slams the heavy stock of his blaster rifle into Shy-ree's kneecap. It gives with a sickening crunch.*

 

'Where is the Jedi base? What was in the message you sent?'

[Piccolo]

As Piccolo questioned Avion, an operative rushed into the cave, interrupting their conversation.

 

"Sir, the probes have picked up a large fleet in the area. We know you ordered a comm jam at any sign of incoming ships, but we didn't think it wise to make our presence known to such a large force. But they have created comm jam that is sweeping the whole planet. We picked up a broad comm sent over the planet."

 

"Jedi, This is Governer Vadrieriand of SEED. You are in violation of several Imperial laws, the first and foremost being the illigal harvest of imperial crystals, punishable by death. Surrender now, and you will be spared."

 

Piccolo looked over the data.

 

"You made a good decision operative."

 

Piccolo spoke to Avion,

 

"Obviously we can't tangle with such a large force. Though we can't be sure, I suspect our alliance with Geki still stands. If he's found some Jedi perhaps he'll share the intelligence with us. Take all the operatives, and move out of here. If SEED does turn hostile, I want them to think I'm the only one here. If something happens to me, keep the operatives hidden until SEED leaves, then report back to Dubrillion."

 

Piccolo move out from their hiding place, piloting his speeder several miles away. His comm channel opened up. He hoped it would still work short range with SEED jamming the comms.

 

"Governer Vadrieriand, this is Captain Piccolo of the Black Sun. I was on a private mission to Ilum before you came, and from your open comm it seems we have a similar purpose. Perhaps it would be mutually beneficial if we shared some information here."

[Jidai Geki]

'Governess, please deal with the bounty hunter. Do no harm him; the Black Sun are old allies to our cause.'

 

*Geki turns his attention back to the Jedi.*

 

'I grow bored. When I grow bored I do irrational things. Share, Master Jedi, and quickly.'

 

*The stormtrooper who shattered Shy-ree's kneecap brings the stock of his rifle up, ready to cause further injury to the Jedi apprentice.*

[Trith]

"Of course Emporer."

 

*Trith turned on her heel and strode quickly out of the room. Hearing commotion in the room behind her, Trith ran back in, her force whip crackling. The Master was freed just as The apprentice was shot with a stun bolt and went limp. The Troopers, having been capturing prisioners, had not switched their weapons back to 'kill'. She whirled the whip around her head and cracked it over Darex's back. Even the Jedi would not be able to stand under the sustained electrical current.* She approached and slapped cuffs on him, She turned her whip off and stomped on back of his neck, pinning his face to the ground. She drew her Vibrosword and held it to Darex's temple, letting the sharp blade draw blood, as she spoke into her comm.*

 

"Very well, 'Captian Piccolo of the Black Sun'. You may rendezvous with the ISD Havoc's folly. I will be awating your arrival. After tending to some buisness here. Our forces will not engage you, Though they may provide a close escort. Governess out."

 

"Foolish Jedi. You cannot hope to escape. You will be punished for attempting. To postpone or possibly eliminate grevous disfigurings of your body and mind, and that of your apprentice, talk. NOW."

 

*Trith let the blade leave a crimson trail down around his ear and onto his cheek. She applied let the sword have a little more weight, and the tip buried itself in his flesh. She was about to take his face off, and he knew it.*

[Piccolo]

Piccolo recieved the comm, and gunned his speeder. He activated his comlink as the bike raced up a large hillside. Coming to the edge, the hunter pulled up, and the bike flew off the hill and into the awaiting cargo hold of the Howling Runner. Piccolo flew his ship toward the SEED vessel, requesting permission to enter.

[Dacob Degal]

Suluric marched down the corridor with three SEED troopers close behind.

They had taken his weapon into a storage unit, but they let him keep his armor. As they came to a crew quarters section they ushered him into a room filled with a bunk-bed, as well as thirty SEED troopers, an assortment of uniformed and off-duty soldiers stood in front of him. Some gazed at him curiously, others just stared in awe. Suluric chose an unnoccupied bunk and awaited the return of Governess Vadrieriand.

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex had moved quickly when he was sprung from the machine, but Shy's movements caught him by surprise. Seeing the trooper shoot her, his heart jumped into his throat...but he didn't feel her death as he should have. He wondered why...then realized the trooper's gun was on stun.

 

He was relieved and worried at the same time. This meant that the troopers weren't dead either. In his moment of pause, Trith rushed up and confronted him.

 

As the blade buried itself in the skin of his face, he answered her questions. "I honestly don't know where the Jedi base is," he replied without a hint of quaver in his voice. "The last time I contacted them was on Borleais. As for the message, it was to my former master to inquire as to her pregnancy."

 

As he spoke, he kept her distracted on his words as he slowly pulled the downed trooper's blaster towards him with the Force. It slid soundlessly towards him, stopping a few feet away from both him and Geki, just out of range of her peripheral vision. However, it was ready for when he needed it, and he got a firm grip on the trigger, ready to shoot Geki again if he moved.

 

He stood still, building up another wave of the Force in order to shove her away if she tried to cut him any deeper. He knew he would probably still loose part of his face, but it was better than all of it. He waited for the conclusion of the tension....

[Trith]

*Trith pondered the man's reply. It could certainly be true, she decided. She abrubtly pulled the blade away and sheathed it. She removed her foot from the back of his neck.*

 

"I think you are telling the truth."

 

*She inserted her boot under his ribs and rolled him over. She stepped over him and crouched, leaning close, and inquired in a soft voice.*

 

"However, that does not mean that you cannot contact them, right?"

 

*She leaned even closer.*

 

"You know, how would an apprentice, like her, dominate the mind of a highly trained stormtrooper?"

 

*Before he could answer, Trith quickly leaned in and kissed him on the mouth, hard.*

 

(Undetectable by the force and nearly any other means, The microscopic nanites in her body transferred, carrying with them, a dangerous force-eating virus, that had ravaged Geki in the past. Trith pulled away and stood, Darex had no idea that his cells were being permiated by nanotech. Being nearly a thousanth of a human hair, they easily began taking over the cells in his body. After a moment, Darex was as harmless as a caged gungan.*)

 

"We will wait for Geki to awake, he will probably want to kill you both, but we need you to contact the Jedi."

 

*Trith waved her hand and thirty highly trained SEED operatives filed into the room, no use taking chances. They trained their shock rifles on the two prisoners, in case they should try anything. Trith left to see if she could roust Geki.*

[Jidai Geki]

(OOC: It never ceases to amaze me when people fail to realise they're beat and pull really stupid things in the brig of an SSD surrounded by highly trained troopers, the Governor of SEED, and a Sith Lord.)

 

*Geki is up in a second and stamps on Darex's arm, using the Force to fling away the blaster he had. He turns, his face contorted into a mask of rage, and grabs hold of the apprentice's shattered knee. As Geki squeezes it as hard as he can, and she awakens with a scream. Geki punches her in the nose, and it shatters in a gory cloud of crimson mist. Seconds later he takes his thumb and drives it into her left eye, gouging it out.

 

Darex is resecured, and four stormtroopers and several SEED troops all train their weapons on him, ready to stun him if he does anything he shouldn't. Shy-ree, in a great deal of pain and half-blind, has similar measures implemented. The troops make sure to use their foregrips, essentially making it impossible for their weapons to be quickly jerked from their grips.*

 

'Master Jedi, I will give you one last chance to answer this question: where is the Jedi base, and what was the nature of the comm you sent? If your answer fails to satisfy me I will see to it that your precious apprentice spends several weeks trying to catch her teeth in her hand. Now-'

 

*Geki uses the Force to twist Shy-ree's good leg in an unnatural position, and the large femoral bone snaps.*

 

'WHERE ARE THE JEDI?'

[Darex Trevelian]

((OOC: Well, one can't just surrender when they're threatened with their death and the death of others now, can you? BTW...I assume the nanites left me void of the Force...right? What virus were these nanites carrying?))

 

Darex didn't know what the woman did to him, but he felt the Force flicker and vanish. He prayed it was only ysalamiri entering the vicinity. But for now, he would have to deal with the effects of feeling slightly sick without the Force--until he figured it out.

 

He was strapped back up, and saw Geki get up. Geki continued to torture Shy, using her as bait to get Darex to talk. He couldn't feel her pain anymore--a small relief--but he could tell she was nearly dead. He hoped she would die quickly, for her sake...or they could escape.

 

As Geki demanded the location of the Jedi base in a thundering voice, part of Darex despaired. He almost wished he knew, so that he could tell Geki and perhaps end this all into the oblivious sleep of death. But he couldn't tell him what he didn't know.

 

"I don't know," he said weakly, the pain from his injuries hitting him full blast in the absence of the Force. "I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE JEDI BASE IS!"

[Jidai Geki]

*Geki walks towards the Jedi and glowers at him, his rage still boiling over. He looks into the Jedi's eyes and sees that he is telling the truth. This does nothing to defuse his anger.*

 

'Very well. She dies slowly. Tell me the content of the communication you sent, and she'll die twice as quickly. You will then contact a member of your order and allow me to speak to them. Do you understand?'

[Darex Trevelian]

Darex turned his head. "As I told the 'Governess', the contents of the message where no more than a checkup on my old master. WHen I last saw her, she was pregnant, and I wanted to see how she and the baby were doing."

 

He shook his head at Geki's last demand. "However, as much as I 'understand' your other demands, I cannot comply."

[Jidai Geki]

*Geki glares at the Jedi, holding his gaze for a while. Eventually he gestures.*

 

'Take his apprentice's other eye.'

 

*An interrogation droid, hypodermics glistening, floats towards Shy-ree... seconds later, her world goes black as her remaining eye is removed.*

 

'You will find that I can make life very, very unpleasant if you fail to comply, Master Jedi.'

 

*Geki withdraws a syringe and Shy-ree is injected with the same virus her Master has received, cutting her off from the Force and subsequently causing her to bear the full brunt of the pain of her injuries.

 

The apprentice is unbound and strapped into a durasteel chair which has just been wheeled in and bolted to the ground. Several wires trail away from the chair.*

 

'Tell me what was in the comm-'

 

*Geki stops as he realises that what me was looking for may have been easier to get than attempting to break a Jedi Knight. He sends for the man's belongings, and withdraws his comlink. The last frequency connected with was still programmed in.

 

Geki smiles, and comms the Jedi Master Skye Organa as Shy-ree begins to convulse, a powerful yet non-lethal charge coursing through her body.*

[Trith]

*Trith laughed at the random screams and moans of the Jedi.*

 

"Emporer, perhaps if we were to take a portion of the fleet to Helix Station, where that comm was destined, we could more readily convince the Jedi, Skye Organa and her friends to divulge the location of the base. Their sad devotion to that hokey religion may enable them to 'sacrifice' these two for the greater good. Such devotions may be overlooked, when it is they who are at stake. At any rate, I must go see if the Black Sun have anything useful to tell us, unless you need me here, But it appears you have everything under control."

 

*Trith kicked Darex in the groin with her durasteel alloy encased foot. She laughed when the sorry excuse for a Jedi tried to double over in pain, but was restrained by his bonds. She turned and exited, taking fifteen of her troops with her; the others would be useful, should the pitiful Jedi scumbags try anything brilliant again.

 

The Governess strode arrogantly down the boarding ramp of her dropship, onto the deck of the Havoc's folly She entered the meeting room on the bridge of the ship, and summoned Piccolo. She also gave orders to bring the Mandalorian, Jacobi Suluric, and allow him to join them. Her fingers played over the intricate carvings on her desk, which was more of a long table, than a desk. In fact, it nearly stretched the length of the room. it was a fine table, befitting the organisation.*

[Avion Chassis]

Avion couldn't help but feel a little dissapointed. He really wanted to capture some Jedi, but he wouldn't get the chance this time around. He had to make up for his failure at some point.

 

The young bounty hunter waited a few minutes after Piccolo left, just incase there was someone watching their position.

 

Motioning for the other BC operatives to follow, Avion left the cave at a quick place. He figured the safest direction would be towards his own ship, so he lead them that way.

 

After a few minutes of walking, Avion noticed something that looked extremly familiar. A particular formation of rocks had cought his eye.

 

Of course! He thought to himself. That was the rock formation that I hid behind when fighting the Jedi apprentice. That must mean...

 

The Zabrak took off in the general direction of his query, making it a little difficult for the rest of the BS to keep up. He reached the rock formation and stopped for a moment to regain his sense of direction. After a moment, Avion took off running again, knowing excatly where he was heading.

 

He found himself starring right at a crystal cave. It was the cave that Avion had watched Hou-jo and Sadowfett battle. After waiting for the rest of the BS to enter, Avion sent a comm to Piccolo.

 

"I have found crystal cave. The rest of the BS operatives are with me. Requesting futher orders."

[/i]

[Piccolo]

Piccolo knew SEED had probably monitored the comm, but at this point he was confident they weren't going to pull anything. Piccolo returned the comm to Avion.(Assuming comm silence only means you can't send messages outside of Ilum)

 

"Good work. Start inspecting the crystals and collect a few as samples. We need to record everything for Kabal. I shouldn't be much longer."

 

Piccolo was granted entrance onto the ship. He piloted his Firespray onboard, and exited, allowing himself to be escorted. The hunter wore his full armor, his dark visor concealing all facial expression as he stood before Trith.

[ObliviousKnight]

Crud--Wrong thread!

[Bad karma]

Trowa came out of hyper space above Ilum. His eyes doubled in size. He had heard about Super star destorys... but to see one was something amazing unto itself. Their shear size is just amazing and to be with a fleet this size...

 

"What the hell did i get myself into this time. Better Identify myself before they blow my apart. Such a tragedy that would be."

 

"This is Trowa Barton, requesting permission to dock. I was told to report here."

 

An almost mechanical voice came over the comm

 

"Trowa Barton, you have permission to dock."

 

He piloted his New A-wing into the dock on the Closest Star Destoyer. He landed and opened the cockpit not knowing what to expect...

[Trith]

Trith looked the hunter up and down. So this was the renowned Piccolo. She gestured to a large, high backed chair, offering him a seat.

 

"We have picked up a comm directed to you, from an Avion Chassis, A cohort of yours? Do you have any others we should know about, we would like to avoid collateral damage, if possible," Trith said as a slight trace of a grin whisked over her features. "Your 'mission' I take it, is to prevent the Jedi from harvesting the crystals, Am I correct?

 

*Just then the comm bussed. Trith angrily slapped the button.*

 

"Governess, A recruit has docked, and is awaiting further instruction."

 

*With an edge in her voice, she replied to the secretary*

 

"Take him to a secure hold and interview him, leave me alone for the moment, I'm involved in other matters, you know the proceedures."

 

"Yes Governess"

 

*Trith turned back to Piccolo, awaiting his response.*

 

______

 

*Trowa is ushered into the room by several troopers. A man clad in dark clothes and a trim beard greeted him.*

 

"Hello Trowa Barton. I will be conducting the preliminary checks on you. Firstly, Have you any ties with other organizations, hostile or friendly to SEED? And secondly, Do you have any close personal relations that are affiliated outside those factions we are allied with?"

[Bad karma]

Trowa greeted the man and listened to his questions.

 

"No sir, I have been looking for a job as of late and seed looked to be perfect or at least the best out of all the choices.

 

I have no personal relation ships with any group or any body for that matter. I am a man all of my own."

 

Trowa waited in his seat for the man to continue.

[Skye Organa]

--- Encrypted and untraceable comm to Jidai Geki via Darex's commlink ---

 

You will not receive that information from me. If it is the location of the Jedi you are after, I can truthfully say I do not know. If it is my current location you can forget about that also. From you I sense only treachery, darkness and the will to destroy all Jedi. I despise what you have done to my former padawan, even if I knew the location you seek, I would not tell you. I know for a fact that even if I were to give you the information you want you would still continue to torture and kill Darex and Shy regardless. I have seen enough data on you to know exactly what you are like.

 

(added in as a direct message to Darex, not knowing if he would hear it or not but hoping that he would) May the Force be with you my dear friend, know that my thoughts are with you.

 

--- end comm ---

[Jidai Geki]

*Geki listens to the comm with some interest, his eyebrows raised. He allows Darex to hear everything but Skye's reassurances to him personally.*

 

'Did you hear that, Master Jedi? Your former master cares little for your life, or that of your padawan. You are alone, Master Jedi, your apprentice blind and writhing in agony, and your Order, your friends and colleagues, have betrayed you and left you to die in this place. Doesn't that make you angry? Don't you wish to revenge yourself upon those who have left you here to rot?'

 

*Geki sees the defiance still burning in the eyes of the battered yet unbroken Jedi, and sighs. He gestures, and the Jedi is given a powerful sedative.*

 

'Take him to the Last Call on Coruscant, and leave him there. He may be some use to us yet.'

 

*The Jedi is unbound and transferred to a shuttle, still devoid of consciousness, the Force, and his belongings. The shuttle enters hyperspace for Coruscant. His apprentice remains behind, still being tortured...*

[Capt. Phillep]

*A comm is sent from the Bridge of the Anubis (an Imperial II SD) to the Flagship from Phillep to Geki.*

 

"Emperor, what remains loyal to me, is now dutifully bound to you, in Lord Akturus' place, my Liege."

 

*The holographic image of the Admiral in his grey uniform bows, his mustache twitching in the process.*

[Piccolo]

"Avion and a small detachment of operatives are on the surface. A small portion of the Black Sun Armada sits on the other side of this planet as well. But that is all. I did not reveal this information until I determined what exactly you were doing here Governor. I'm sure you can understand that."

 

Piccolo had already known Geki held the title of Governor. He was curious as to how that had changed.

 

"As for our mission, we were only sent here to scout out the planet. Nothing more. I can't guess how Kabal will proceed after we gather information from the surface, but I'm sure he has some plan involving the Jedi.

 

Piccolo knew a little bit more than that, but he hadn't lied about there purpose here or anything. He'd merely left a few minor details out.

 

"So, since I've revealed my mission, perhaps you could tell me what you are doing here? And how you came by the title of Governor?"

[Trith]

"Yes, dear Piccolo, I understand perfectly."

 

*Trith keyed access to the recent comm activity. Piccolo's own voice resonated throughout the room.*

"Good work. Start inspecting the crystals and collect a few as samples. We need to record everything for Kabal. I shouldn't be much longer."

 

"Surely if you are inspecting the crystals and taking samples, you know what you are looking for and why, otherwise you would not select the proper crystals. Is there something you wish to elaborate on? I expect straight answers, you realise. I have my doubts Emporer Geki will appreciate a leashed tounge, when it comes to our benefit, anyway"

 

*Leaning back in her chair, Trith wondered if the hunters were getting anywhere with their plight, whatever it may be.*

 

"We came to this planet in search of Jedi and things useful to Jedi."

 

*Trith deliberately answered vaugely, imitating Piccolo's reserved caution. It did not matter in the slightest if she had divulged more of their plan, but she saw no need, If he saw none.*

 

____

 

*The interviewer made notes on his paper, and raised his head to ask Trowa another couple questions.*

 

"And have you commited any outstanding crimes against any body of government in the last ten years? Do you possess any proficency in weapon and strategeic training?"

[Bad karma]

Trowa smirked a little bit.

 

"Any major crimes aginst any body of government, eh? Well I havn't done anything of that sort. Well does it count if they never found out? Well either way, I am good with hand to hand and with my Katanas and my knives. I don't particlar care for blasters they seem almost like a cowards way out of a good fight."

 

Trowa leaned back a little bit more in his chair, waiting for the rest of the quetions and runing over all the crimes he had commited wondering if any of them were really that big.

[Piccolo]

"So Geki is Emperor now?"

 

Piccolo wasn't sure if that was good or bad. He'd once been enemies with Geki after all. The man was ruthless.

 

"I'm sure you can respect my position here. I cannot entirely reveal Mr. Daisaku's intentions, partly because I'm not sure what they are, and partly because I do not have his permission. However, I do suspect his plans involve blocking the Jedi from getting their precious crystals on a permanent basis. How exactly that will be done remains undecided."

 

Piccolo didn't like telling that to Trith without approval from Kabal. But it was a judgement call he had to make.

 

"And if I have things my way, this planet will be brought to its knees. The Jedi have become too much of a problem for the Black Sun. How far Kabal will support me on that I cannot say."

 

But Piccolo fully expected the Black Sun to stick with his quest for revenge. The hunter expected to bring the whole Order down. Permanently.

 

"Now it's your turn. When you released an open comm over the planet, you acted as if there were already Jedi here. Is this the case?"