Altyr 5

[Mira Jesra]

Lightening the mood slightly Mira smiles at him.

 

"Nice to meet you Moon Knight, pity it wasn't under better circumstances. I'll have to change Indi's dressings too. Her injuries are far greater than I have had to treat before so the thing will be getting her to see a specialist I feel. She needs expert attention, not just a patch up job."

 

Collecting more bandages she made her way around the rest of her 'patients', changing dressings where needed. Looking back at Moon Knight she added:

 

"I don't know about you but I could use a caffa..."

[Moon Knight]

Perhaps it was the memory of the burning, or some sort of side affect, but Marc realized he was extremely thirsty.

 

"I don't drink caffa, but I could really use some water."

 

Marc took stock of his injuries for a moment. His upper body was burned, and a small part of his face, but his legs were fine. He actually felt he could walk. To prove it he stood up. The room began spinning, but Marc hid it well.

 

"Look, we're defenseless right now. We really need to replenish our supplies, and as you said get her to a specialist. I think we should go to Coruscant."

[Amidala Skywalker]

Indy stirrs. Must have fallen asleep... She hears Moon say that they should go to Courascant, since they are defenseless and she needed a specialist.

 

Sitting up, she states her agreement. "I think that's a wise idea, Moon Knight. There isn't much more damage anyone can do to this base while we're gone. But I don't know if it's a good idea to leave the others behind. I take it they're not doing well, still?" she asks Mira.

 

Mira nodded, then caught herself and vocalized it.

 

"I'm sure we can get the supplies we need to restock there. What do you two think?"

[Mira Jesra]

Mira looked from Moon Knight to Indi before answering both.

 

"Curoscant would be the best option I agree Moon Knight." Then to Indi, "Yes they all will need extra medical attention but you are the one that needs it the most Indi."

[Moon Knight]

Marc agreed with Indy's appraisal they couldn't leave the base unguarded. He had hoped to stop on Tatooine and visit the Moon Temple, but there would be time for that later. He wasn't feeling much like traveling anyway. Inwardly, he realized that had less to do with his burns and more to do with his broken spirit.

 

"If you want someone to remain behind, I'll volunteer. As long as you guys promise to let me know if you run into any trouble."

[Amidala Skywalker]

Indy could tell by the tone of Moon Knight's voice that he was didn't realy want to make the trip. She felt that she could trust him, even thought there was a lot she didn't know about him.

 

"Alright, Moon Knight...I trust you not to betray the Death Strikers. But you must tell me something first. I know nothing about you, or your background. I'll learn it sooner or later, so you might as well be open about it."

 

She turned her blind eyes in his direction. "And you can start by telling us your real name and why you wear a mask."

 

Indy felt bad asking him to do this, but at the same time, she needed to be able to trust him. After what had happened recently, she needed some serious information if that was going to happen.

[Moon Knight]

Marc was genuinely surprised Indy had asked him that. No one had ever asked him his real name. He had always appreciated the respect people gave to his privacy. Nonetheless, he could understand her wanting to know, after he'd claimed to know Wartide and Scando. She no doubt questioned what else he was hiding.

 

"Alright, I suppose it doesn't matter much now. My name is Moon Knight now, don't mistake that. But there was a time I was called Marc Spector. I was once part of a wealthy Corellian family. We were well respected, my grandfather had even been a Jedi. But after his death, my father invested much of the family fortune in gambling. Too many losses brought the wrath of a vicious Hutt upon the entire family. They were all taken out while I was off on one of my adventures. I was a pilot for the Corporate Sector then. After I learned what had happened, and that the Hutts would probably come for me next, I went into hiding. It was during a stop on Tatooine that I was attacked, robbed, and left for dead by Tusken Raiders. And it was on those sands that I became the Moon Knight."

 

Marc purposefully did not elaborate further. The true secrets of Moon Knight were not meant for any to hear, save those who bore his mantle. He hoped that was good enough for Indy.

[Amidala Skywalker]

Indy listened carefully. Her gut instict that she had developed growing up on Courascant told her to trust him. And it was hardly ever wrong. His background impressed her, and the fact that he had a history with the Jedi in his family was a good mark on his record.

 

She nodded. "Alright Moon Knight. Mira and I will go to Courascant. We should be back soon. Do what you can for the others, and don't leave Altyr 5. When we return, I think it will be time to start your training," she said. "Yours too, Mira," she added.

 

Induran reached out for Mira's shoulder to guide the Codru-Ji to the landing pad.

[Mira Jesra]

Standing silently beside Indi while Moon Knight spoke, she nodded at his request to remain known as 'Moon Knight'. She gave him a nod and smile before taking hold of Indi's arm.

 

"We'll be in touch Moon Knight. Take care and redress those wounds of yours in 12 hours time won't you. Keep them clean. See you on our return."

 

Mira lead Indi over to the landing pad, looking at the ships there and finding one that would be suitable for more than one passenger.

 

Finding a small freighter she led Indi on board and to the cockpit, seating her in the co-pilots chair before seating herself in the pilots and warming up the boards ready for take off.

 

"All set and ready Indi. I'll take you to the medical center on Coruscant first off and then we'll resupply."

[Amidala Skywalker]

"Alright," Indy replied. She sighed and whispered, "Be safe," to the base before the ship blasted into space.

[Moon Knight]

Alone now, Marc tested his injuries by standing up. He lurched, easing back down on to the bed. The pain was dissapating, but it was still to severe for him to walk much.

 

Though, I could force myself to.

 

Marc made a visually check of the others injured. No one seemed in immediate distress.

 

Once they return with medical supplies, all will be well.

 

After he was healed, Marc would have to depart for Tatooine for a couple days. He could feel the Temple's call . . .

[Amidala Skywalker]

A comm comes in for Moon Knight from Induran:

 

Moon Knight,

 

My operation was successful and I have been restored my vision. Mira and I will restock our supplies and be back to Altyr 5 shortly.

 

~Induran

 

End transmission.

[Jidai Geki]

*The moon of Sanity's End, along with its accompanying fleet, drops back into hyperspace above Altyr 5. Geki sends a transmission to the surface as SEED Warships form a blockade around the planet.*

 

'This is Governor Geki of Sanity's End. You will shortly be occupied by SEED forces. Surrender immediately and nobody will be harmed.'

[Barga]

*The underbellies of two warships nearest to the planet open up, and immediately begin spewing out hundreds of smaller dropships, sleek craft each carrying a squad of SEED troopers.

 

*Within half an hour the area surrounding the deathstriker's base is surrounded by troopers, their eye lenses gleaming malevolently as they size up their quarry. On Geki's orders they do not attack yet, but wait for the Deathstrikers to either surrender or refuse.*

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust jumps out of hyperspace over the Deathstriker's base. Signaling his intent to land to the SEED commanders, Faust identifies himself as an independent bounty hunter on a special mission that requires him needing to get inside the base. He makes mention of having worked with Geki in the past before Geki ascended to the governor of Sanity's End and when he was a bounty hunter. Faust, using his pursausive skills, is eventually given clearance to land at which point he makes his way through parting ranks of the SEED troopers and walks alone into the surrounded base, whistling a lilting folk song from his homeworld.

 

Searching the base and finding it mostly empty or in a panic, Faust stumbles upon the wouded Moon Knight in the infirmary.

 

"Hello," the white coated hunter says conversationally. "I've been hired to pavaler, or talk with you a bit. It seems your situation here is, how shall we say, less than enviable? Surrounded and alone against an army. However," he states, almost ironically, "I've been sent as an angel of mercy and allowed to by-pass the SEED ranks for a brief time to speak with you. What is said here stays here. Your superiors do not seem to be home and a mutual friend has asked me to get ahold of them in relation to finding out about this attack." Faust kneels down, his blue eyes glittering, voice speaking softly.

 

"You can't make it out alive or free, but I can. I get get ahold of your friends and help them come up with some form of attack. I need to know where they are and how to contact them though. I'm afraid you may end up having to be a pawn sacrificed for the sake of the queen. Then you have two options as I see it- go down fighting and trying to take as many of them as you can, or ending it on your own terms before they capture and torture you. For that I can offer my services if you desire- quick and painless." He stands up again. "Whatever you decide though, you best hurry. Time is running out for you, me, and your comrades."

[Jidai Geki]

*Word is brought to Geki that Vladimir Faust is planetside.*

 

'Wait for the hunter Faust to conclude his business. After that we will give these people a short time to answer. If they fail to surrender ground troops will cleanse the area, followed by an orbital bombardment of the entire planet. If they give themselves up, take them into custody and bring them to me.'

[Moon Knight]

Marc glared at Faust from behind half a mask. The other half torn off, replaced by a vicious burn scar from his encounter with Rane. Marc had not expected an attack like this and he cursed himself for not expecting it. Nonetheless, Marc was not so wounded as he appeared. His torso had nearly healed. Not that it mattered much. The transmission had claimed the base was surrounded. Even at full strength he wasn't a much for an army, not by a long shot. Part of him regretted remaining behind to protect the others, but that was his agreement. If that meant dying for them, then so be it. He turned his attention back to this man. Marc did not trust him enough to give him their precise location, even if he knew it. This stranger could kill him at any moment.

 

"I thank you for your offer. But I cannot tell you where exactly they are. Somewhere on Coruscant is all I will say."

 

Marc swept back the blanket revealing a concealed pistol Marc's other equipment was in another room. But his knife and blaster were on his belt. Most of his armor was on too, save the torso that had been completely obliterated. He stared down Faust for several moments. He could get no message on the man's intentions.

 

Of course, it never comes when I need it.

 

Marc gripped the comm on his belt and tossed it to the man.

 

"Contact them there."

 

Marc didn't even bother with any useless threats, if he planned to kill them, at least it would be before they got caught in this governor Geki's little bombardment. And if he planned to aid them, it would be worth the risk. Marc kept the blaster on Faust until he had departed into the adjacent room. He took several moments to gather his equipment, including his cape, throwing it on quickly. Marc picked up a spare piece of torso armor also, so thin it wouldn't be of much use anyway.

 

Better than nothing I suppose.

 

His mood was grim as he descended into the basement levels. Marc left a detonator behind, on the elevator as he exited. Down this far they would have to come personally to reach him, and he wasn't making it easy. The explosion ripped through the air behind him as the entrance to the basement was destroyed. All he could do now was wait.

[Vladimir Faust]

Faust gives a grim nod, eyeing the doomed Moon Knight.

 

Poor bastard... Best you can hope for is a good death in battle.

 

Faust takes the comm and hurries out of the base. Outside he quickly hails the SEED commander. After an ambiguous discussion on how "business was taken care off" Faust sweeps into his ship and clears the planet's orbit.

 

He vanishes into hyperspace- destination Coruscant.

[Jidai Geki]

*Geki receives word that Faust has cleared the planet.*

 

'Sir, there's just been an explosion in the Death Striker's main encampment. We're reading no life signs in the building.'

 

*Geki frowns. From what he'd heard, these people weren't the type to lie down and die.*

 

'Conduct a more intensive scan, Captain, and extend the range.'

 

'Yes, Governor.'

[Barga]

'Sir, we have a single life form approximately five hundred metres below surface level. How should we proceed?'

 

'Take no chances, Captain. I want everyone on that planet dead.'

 

'Yes, Governor.'

 

*SEED troops enter the remnants of the Death Strikers' base, ruthlessly gunning down any remaining civilian personnel. When they reach the remnants of the infirmary, demolition experts move in and expertly clear the rubble in minutes using shaped explosives. The troops find an elevator shaft in the remnants of the basement.*

 

'Deploy frag grenades.'

 

'Yes, sir.'

 

*Two troopers drop grenades down the shaft, clearing the way. As soon as the grenades have exploded, Six troops rappel down the shaft, night vision on, and hit the bottom in less than five seconds. They fan out, looking for their quarry.*

[Moon Knight]

He pressed his wrist link jamming the comms of all he proceeded down the shaft.

 

Not sure if that would help, but it couldn't hurt.

 

Marc mentally noted the number that landed as soon as the dust cloud cleared.

 

Six, they're going to have to do better than that.

 

Marc tossed a flash grenade to the right, as he ran toward the SEED Agents that had fanned out to the left. Three were taken down in the first explosion. Marc leaped toward the other three and the seeringly bright light coming from behind the phantom blinded the remaining agents who had turned to fire on Marc. Marc aimed his arm forward, his crescent blades burying themselves into their throats. Marc didn't know how long he had until the rest came, but he if he was going to escape it would have to be now. The former Space Pirate moved to where he'd left his heavy weaponry. Marc swung on his blaster pack. The straps rubbing painfully against his healing burns. He dropped his blaster rifle and replaced it with his proton missile launcher. With the addition of his blaster pack, Marc struggled a bit in carrying it over to the shaft.

 

He aimed upward as fast as he could, knowing more agents would follow. Marc Spector loosed the launcher's only missile, and it rocketed straight through the opening, and the subsequent ceilings above. Rubble descended from the gaping hole, and Marc rolled out of the shaft trying to avoid it, leaving his useless launcher behind. Unfortunetaly, a large slab struck his back sending pain through his shoulder blade. Favoring the arm, Marc drew his two pistols and waited for them to blow open the shaft again.

 

More will come this time, and I'm going to have to be fast.

[Barga]

'Comms are down, sir. All members presumed dead.'

 

'The area is enclosed, correct? It doesn't come out anywhere else?'

 

'Yes, sir.'

 

'Deploy nerve gas. Rebreathers on.'

 

* After a quick re-clearing of the new rubble over the shaft, several cannisters are thrown down. Within seconds they release a thick, noxious gas, causing synaptic breakdown and death within thirty seconds of inhalation. The troops on the surface fall back and take up cover, carbines trained on the shaft in case the Death Striker makes a run for it.*

Edited October 11, 2004 by Guest

[Moon Knight]

Marc's eyes widened as the canisters fall down through the shaft's opening.

 

I thought for sure I'd sealed it.

 

The Death Striker swept his cape in front of his face, and held his breath. He ran forward switching on his blaster pack and headed up the shaft. He held his blast shield in front as blaster fire rained from above.

 

They'll butcher me as soon as I get clear.

 

The phantom emerged from the gas cloud, rocketing up the shaft. He pulled a flash grenade from his belt. Marc was rushing up the shaft fast, so he worked quickly deactivating it's explosive. He only had one hand free, forcing to press the button against his side. The blaster fire was heavier as he neared the top. He was struck twice, once in the thigh, and once in the abdomen. Both bolts made it through his armor. Barely finishing the deactivation as he reached the hole, Marc closed his eyes and activated the grenade. Blinding light filled the chamber as he flew out of the opening, and towards the whole he'd made in the ceiling.

 

Marc dropped the grenade, and released the wings on his pack. The former Pirate flew out of the base and into the sky above. Blaster fire from the SEED forces surrounded him, but his flying was so erratic none reached the Striker. Marc could sense he'd lost control and opened his eye . . . to nothing. Marc panicked. Apparently just closing his eyes hadn't been enough to fully block the grenade's affect in such close quarters. Marc could not see where he was going, and soon realized he was spiraling toward the ground. The slab that had crushed into his shoulder had damaged his blaster pack, and only one wing had been realeased. Marc crashed into the nearby forest, landing hard as he rolled along its floor.

[Barga]

*Barely half an hour later SEED forces find the wounded, temporarily blinded Moon Knight, lying in the heavily forested area. After the slew of destruction he had left, it hadn't been hard to find him.

 

*The squad leader shoulders his rifle and motions to two of his troops. They step foward and pull the injured Death Striker up onto his knees.

 

*The squad leader pulls a heavy carbine pistol from his belt and rests the muzzle between the eyes of the stricken Moon Knight. His finger tightens on the trigger.

 

*Suddenly he stops and pulls the gun away, listening to a voice in his helmet.*

 

'Yes, Governor.'

 

*The sergeant brings the stock of his pistol down on Marc's head, and he gives a grunt and falls to the ground. The sergeant motions to the squad medic.*

 

'Sedate him and strip him. Full body cavity search, This guy doesn't leave the planet if he's carrying anything.'

 

'Sir.'

 

*Moon Knight is stripped, an extensive search performed, and his weapons and equipment taken away. After a futher electronic body scan, the Death Striker is given a powerful sedative. He can only be woken by the proper administration of counter-active drugs.

 

*The squad load him onto a dropship, which returns to its mothership in orbit. The prisoner is then transferred to the Ace of Knaves, where Geki is waiting.*

 

---

 

*The SEED troops on the surface are given the liquidation order. Immediately they cleanse the Death Striker base thoroughly, along with the surrounding area. They use heavy-duty napalm to scour the earth, plants and trees wilting before the fierce heat. Any civilians still in the area are summarily executed.

 

*The SEED troops, their mission complete, return to their extraction points and thence to their motherships.*

[Jidai Geki]

'Sir, area has been cleansed.'

 

'Excellent. Conduct an intensive orbital bombardement of the planet. We are leaving the system as soon as you have finished.'

 

*Geki proceeds to the brig of the ship, accompanied by his bodyguards. Moon Knight has been secured to an upright steel bunk, his arms and legs shackled securely. Two guards and a doctor keep watch over him.*

 

'Wake him up.'

 

*The stimulant is administered. Moon Knight comes around groggily.*

 

'Now, my friend, we will discuss the location of your friends.'

 

*The torture droid begins its grisly work.*

[Moon Knight]

Marc screamed in agony, but revealed no information. He glared at Geki speaking intermittenly between bouts of torture.

 

"Do as you wish Governor Geki, you will get nothing. You cannot realize the power I wield. You can never truly harm me."

 

Marc's eyes took a faraway look as he tried to block the pain. He concentrated on the memory of the day he discovered the Temple of the Moon. The Moon Knight had spoken to him then. And then only two days earlier, it had returned to show him his death.

 

Was it like this? I cannot remember.

 

Marc's thoughts faded as the pain returned.

[Barga]

*SEED warships begin a heavy orbital bombardment of the planet's ice caps. Within hours huge portions of the planet's ice masses have melted and flooded the planet with massive tidal waves which deluge the continents and sweep away any sign of land-based life and civilisation. Altyr 5 becomes an aquatic planet within the day. The Death Striker's base is lost.*

[Jidai Geki]

'Sir, the client's resistance to physical torture is considerable. It may be some time before he volunteers any information.'

 

*Geki nods.*

 

'In that case, we shall have to try mental torture. Put the client in a class 1 cycle.'

 

*A class one cycle means that Moon is put on a course of drugs which artificially control his sleep/wake cycle. He is put into a deep sleep in a small, unlit room with nothing but a bunk and a pale, and then artificially dragged out of his sleep and fed, before being returned to sleep. The effect is very disorienting, and lulls the client into believing he has been captive for months when it has, in fact, been a few days.

 

*At the end of the cycle, Moon is taken and put in room designed to take the client to the bring of sanity. Called the 'White Room', the angles are haphazard, and a strobe light flickers on and off, showing the client terrifying images designed to break his mind. The client is left screaming in the room for thirty minutes; the strongest mind can take forty-five minutes of the White Room.*

 

'That's enough. Use the voice sample.'

 

'Sir.'

 

*The client is removed from the room and returns to his cell. After a while blinding light floods the room. A voice, carefully synthesised to sound like Mira Jesra, her voice purchased through spies who make it their business to tap and record comms, begins to speak.*

 

'Moon? Moon, it's me. Listen to me very carefully. They don't know I'm speaking to you. Listen to me; I have to find the others. They escaped Altyr 5, but they must be warned. You must tell me where they are.'

[Moon Knight]

Marc was tired, and extremely fatigued. He felt, after so much time of being put through this horror he must be close to death. To hear Mira's voice triggered his memory. He must find a way to protect her and the others. But her question did not make sense to him.

 

"You took Indy to Coruscant to be healed. How did you lose her? The rest are all dead."

[Jidai Geki]

*Geki sits in his chambers, eyes closed, trying to regain his Force powers. The virus which has resurfaced has robbed him of his Force rapport, and Geki attempts every day to overcome it.*

 

'Sir, Moon Knight has broken. The Death Striker leadership are on Coruscant.'

 

*Geki's eyes snap open for an instant.*

 

'Good. Take the fleet and Sanity's End into hyperspace. Go to location 13. We will execute him publicly.'

 

'Yes, sir.'

 

[The fleet and Sanity's End move into hyperspace]