The Hapes Cluster

[Ki Vastor]

Ki looked back at Aisling, noticing one of the servants pass her vision. She motioned for a chair to be brought for both herself and for Phillep if he required one, and for a meal to be brought. She was suddenly very hungry, not having had any nourishment for some time.

 

She sat down in the chair, resting a hand on the table, the other in such a way over her abdomen as not to be too obvious. Ki was still getting pains. She'd have to go and lie down soon.

 

Ki glanced up at Phillep, not knowing how Aisling would feel about sharing him now. Deep inside her mind, she surmised that he was probably hoping for the rivalry to anger Aisy, to make her use that anger. Would he remove the implants that controlled her so after he had trained her?

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

A small X-wing burst free from hyperspace. The ship approached one of the main planets of the Hapes Cluster, where the dark side signature was strongest.

[Ki Vastor]

Ki had finished the meal that had been brought, her eyes looking up at Phillep again as Aisling remained silent towards them.

 

"I feel something. Someone's coming. Phillep?"

 

She could feel someone light coming in, still a fair way off now, though her connection both to Phillep and to the darkside had grown alot recently and was increasing with her own pregnancy. Who was this that approached the Cluster?

 

One of the soldiers approached the Queen's room's, giving Phillep a smart salute as he reported on the single x-wing that approached.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep paused curiously... interested, "Scramble escort fighters above the Palace. Locate him... shoot only if provoked. Understood, Corporal?"

 

The young soldier's face, ever expressionless, responded by a crisp salute before turning and dissappearing into the Palace's catacombs, in direction of the hangar bay, where a squad of eight Defenders took off to greet the guest...

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder saw the ships coming. He decided to hold back on identifying himself until he landed. If the Imperials decided to destroy him in the air, there would be no stopping them. He could not fight so many ships in an old X-wing. If he landed first, he would identify himself and his intentions fully. If they decided to destroy him at that point, it would be considerably harder. Isolder had the skills to hide, especially on his familiar homeworld. He was not in control here. All he could do was cross his fingers.

 

They will know I have a Force signature. But a Ral'tath is impossible to read. Whoever has the incredible dark side power down there will not know my strength or tendency.

 

Ral'taths had both light and dark. It was confusing for traditional Force-users to read quickly. The Blademaster opened his comm.

 

"I wish the Imperial forces no harm. I just wish to land. I will comply with any escort."

[Capt. Phillep]

"Diplomacy... is overrated."

 

The Admiral rose from the bed, placing one hand on Aisling's forehead and another on Ki's shoulder... "I shall return."

 

He walked, slowly, almost as if disturbed towards the hangar bay... awaiting the interloper, who held... some presence in the Force, though, from Phillep's odd perception it was certainly abnormal.

 

He placed his hands behind his back and let his own presence hide, he felt no need to demonstrate to the galaxy that the Empire was actually a Sith tool, and its Admiral, a powerful Sith puppet, but still, only a puppet.

 

He let a false smile plaster his face as he waited...

 

The appropriate non-aggression reply was issued to the old X-wing, allowing the Force User, whoever he was, to land...

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder landed his ship. He could sense darkness here, but its source was lost to him. It was familiar though. Whatever dwelt here was connected to the evil he had found within the Sith Master Trowa Barton . . . before Isolder sent him into the next world. His hand reached to his cheek. Dark scars lined each side of his face. A parting gift from Barton and whatever dark master he served. That master wasn't here, Isolder was sure. But seomeone connected to him was. Isolder looked at Phillep for a moment, but the thought of the Admiral's involvement never crossed his mind. Other Blademasters would have been able to read Phillep, but Ral'tath did not possess that power. Isolder's senses were blocked by Phillep's disguise of his abilities, just as any other Force-user could be tricked. The Blademaster opened the Final Flash, and hopped out of the ship. He saw the Admiral and many Imperial troops.

 

Now I am in my element. Of course, I am not stupid enough to think I can defeat the Imperial army. But I have a chance to do something in this situation. More than I had in the air at least.

 

It was up to Isolder to figure out exactly what that something was. He knew it was foolish to land here without a plan. But he had tried to elicit the help of the Jedi and the Republic as his people died. Each had deflected his attempts. So now he had to go by instinct. It was his duty as a Blademaster and a Hapan to try. And it was by instinct that he spoke.

 

"My name is Prince Vegeta Isolder."

 

Isolder was once closely related to the leaders of this sector. There would be no doubt to Phillep that he had some blood connection with the royal house. But Isolder knew his name had long been forgotten here. When he was young, the Blademasters had taken him. Isolder had spent many years in other realms, training himself and training others. He had only aged the few years he had spent on this plane, but time had passed while he was away. All the relatives he knew were deceased. Nevertheless, he felt it his duty to protect his family and his people, however few of them remained and regardless of whether his name was remembered.

 

"I will speak plainly to you. You seem a man who does not play games. For now, my only desire is to see whatever members of the royal house here remain alive. Then we will talk further. I am a member of the Jedi Order. I have little doubt that means nothing to you. But . . .

 

Isolder had allowed his instincts to carry him this far. May as well keep going. He only hoped his idea would not come back to haunt him.

 

"I have a proposition. First, I wish to see what has been done."

 

He added that last part quickly and forcefully.

 

"But regardless of the horrors I find, the offer of a reasonable deal will be made. I am sure a man like yourself would at least like to hear it out. You are one who siezes an opportunity. Humor me, and you shall have one, I give you my word."

 

It wasn't a lie to say he was part of the Jedi Order. It just wasn't all he was part of. He doubted the Admiral even knew what a Blademaster was, anyway and for now that was best. Better to give them as little information as possible. From rumor, he knew Phillep was a vain and egotistical man. Though Isolder's offer was very strange and vague, Phillep seemed the type that would be intrigued.

[Capt. Phillep]

"I can tell you, and then I will show you."

 

Phillep's eyes narrowed, refusing to allow his own nature in the Force to be foreseen, "It shall be plain to see, even for someone so connected, Prince Isolder."

 

He smiled, somewhat honestly, somewhat falsely, it was a knack he had gained playing politics... "When I arrived, the Hapan worlds were... backwards, weak. I came here and enlightened, taught, advanced and shared technology that is spread throughout the Imperium."

 

He looked off towards a more formal meeting room within the Palace, "Please, come along, Prince Isolder..."

 

He chuckled, lightly, "I was not aware the males of the Hapan lines were of much use outside of breeding, at least it seemed that way, when I first arrived. The Matriarchal society... seemed weak and ineffective. It was, actually. It offered a laughable resistance, having been conquered and decimated by the Hutt forces prior to my arrival. The Hutt Overlords, of course, had retreated leaving an even weaker provisional government in place."

 

He offered the Prince a chair, cracked his knuckles and sat opposite him, and as if on demand, a map of the sector appeared. "This is what the Hapan Cluster resembled before my arrival... and this is what it looks like now." Automatically, the image changed to show several trade convoys rapidly leaving to-and-fro, industrialized sections suddenly sprang up. "In addition, I have placed a Military Corps that is far more capable, and trained by Imperial Elites. The Hapan Naval Corps have been updated with Imperial Tie Defenders and adequately-trained Pilots."

 

The Admiral seemed almost content with his work, "Of course, I also was forced to craft a penal system, and did capture political dissidents in hopes of controlling the chaos. A patriarchal system with me as its present figurehead, and the two remaining heirs, Lady Aisling and Ki are carrying my heirs. However, with a new male heir to the Hapan throne."

 

"Well... why don't you observe the Cluster for yourself..."

[Ki Vastor]

Ki had smiled up at him as he placed his hand on her shoulder, then looked back over at Aisling. Her attendants were scurrying around making sure that everything was set for the imminant birth of Aisling and Phillep's daughter.

 

"I'll be back soon Aisling. After the trip I'd like to freshen myself up abit. We came straight here to see you"

 

She respectfully inclined her head towards her Queen and then left the room, telling the servants to call her if Aisling went into labor. Ki headed into her own rooms, having felt Phillep disappear in the Force. She recalled how she hid herself in the shadows, hiding herself from everyone in the Chambers on the Chiss world, now attempting to do the same again, though with only her Force sense, not with her appearance.

 

She went into the shower, longing for the hot water to soothe the pains that she'd been experiencing from her own pregnancy. Ki stood under the water for a time before re-emerging, letting the servants aid her with her getting dressed. They were talking about rumours of Prince Isolder being the one speaking with Phillep.

 

"He hasn't been back here in a long time."

 

"I think all of his line was killed in the purge"

 

"He's looking well"

 

Ki looked at the servants, remaining silent. She'd never met the other lines of past leadership of Hapes, not that she could remember, although she had heard of the name. She'd come across it when she was doing some research about her own parentage and family. Ki had been hoping that maybe someone knew if any of her own line had survived. Well I have a new line now... and a sister I never knew about. She held her hand over her abdomen, so far not showing very much at all with her condition, although looking in the mirror her appearance had more of a glowing look about it. The servants had all realised that she was also carrying a child. They had noticed the signs she had been showing without realising it. They had also seen her attempt to hide the pains she was feeling. Luckily for the moment, they had eased off again, with the help of the hot water.

 

The servants helped her to dress in the Hapian Royal colours. A magnificent gown that showed off her best features. This new gown also had the combined crest on it, designed show the new Royal Line. The tattoo that would be placed upon the child she carried would be similiar to this crest. Her hair was brushed out, hanging down her back. Ki had placed her saber into her bedside table draw, out of sight but close to where she'd have access to it. She'd have to practice with it, practice the Forms that Phillep told her to decide upon. She'd decided she'd learn Form IV.

 

Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Ki made her way through the Palace, firstly going to the stables to check on Sheeba. The black pegasus was settling in well, quick to move over to nuzzle Ki when she leant on the rail.

 

"Not that long for you either. I'll be here for you girl."

 

She gave her a pat on her neck before moving off, heading back into the Palace itself, finding herself wandering past the meeting room where Phillep was conducting his meeting, though she didn't go in.

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder gritted his teeth and held his tongue. This was not the time to lose his temper. Isolder had despised Hapan society. He never got along with his family and was revolted by almost all aspects of his own people's culture. But seeing the changes Phillep had made, the Blademaster found himself angry. Maybe Phillep was right. Maybe they had been backward, though Isolder had never found technological advancement especially troubling when he had lived here. But regardless, it wasn't his decision to make. The only one leading the Hapan people should be a Hapan. Not a pompous Imperial officer.

 

Information. That is what you need now. A Ral'tath gathers information before he judges.

 

Isolder declined the seat and allowed Phillep to speak without interruption. Then he forced a smile.

 

"Well, times change. I'm not one to stand in the way of progress. These changes, while noble, are not exactly what I am interested in seeing. I long ago separated myself from Hapan government. As you can understand, my main concern is the safety of the royal family, of which I am a part. You have been gracious so far, Admiral, I hope to see that continue and I will make it worth your while. Would I be permitted to see the Ladies?"

 

Aisling's name was familiar to him. He hadn't known either of them of course. But he had kept up as best he could on Hapan royal dynamics. He had grown up with the grandparents of Aisling. But Ki's name was completely foreign. He hadn't kept up as much as he should have, it appeared.

[Ki Vastor]

Wandering past the rooms they were in, she heard voices. Phillep's of course and the other one... Prince Isolder. Shrugging she kept going, heading back to check on Aisling. She would be giving birth very soon now and would need her there. Besides, she did have to to be told of their relationship, if she didn't already know of it. She walked back into her room, moving to Aisling's side and sitting on the chair. Ki took hold of Aisling's hand as she spoke.

 

"Aisy... I don't know if the Servants told you or not... Phillep was the one who told me... We're half sisters, we shared the same Father. That was apparantly why Mother decided to take off to Coruscant in the first place and why my 'father' took off. He wasn't my natural father at all. It would have been a major scandal if the knowledge had gotten out. I'm not making excuses for her at all... you know my feelings about her.

 

It would also explain the connection we have, stronger than being just the cousin's we thought each other to be..."

 

She fell silent, waiting to hear Aisling's response to that news. It would be harder to tell her though that she too carried Phillep's child, though she may be able to sense it herself. Ki knew deep inside herself that it was politics, that Phillep wanted both of them to have his heirs so he dominated the Royal line. It made sense for a conquorer to do so. She didn't hate him any longer... that was all. She had fallen for her captor... just as other woman who had done so and would in the future as well. Her thoughts on the matter would be open to Aisling, and the pain she felt in regards to it knowing that it would hurt her to know what had happened.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep chuckled, politics had a knack for teaching a man to read the subtle expressions of another, even the most powerful of Judges still shed a glimpse of emotion... and it was Phillep's gift to ferret out such glimpses. To probe the waters of his assailants, critics and allies... still, it was a considerably difficult task, having grown dependent on the Dark Side's tendrils of information.

 

He nodded, "Lady Aisling is resting, and her sister, Lady Vastor, is with her. Descendants of the Hapan line. Lady Aisling, being the official heiress. Opposition to the heiress and her decision to marry outside the line led to my actions against them. My domination of the opposition parties, was in favor of the Hapan line. But, let's go see them..."

 

Rising from the table, Phillep motioned towards the Upper Levels of the Palace...

 

The door parted, revealing Ki and Aisling to Prince Isolder and the Mad Admiral, "Lady Vastor and Lady Aisling, Prince Isolder, your... second-cousins, once-removed." The Admiral managed a faint smile, "I studied the Royal lines quite carefully."

[Ki Vastor]

Ki turned around at the sound of the servants announcing visitors to the Queen, standing as she let go of Aisling's hand. Ki inclined her head as Phillep introduced them.

 

"Prince Isolder. I'm pleased to meet you. Welcome."

 

To the servants, Ki requested refreshments be brought as she again took a seat beside Aisling's bed. Hearing Phillep refer to him as their second cousin made Ki smile. Not all the Royal family had been destroyed afterall.

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder could sense immediately they were both pregnant and it didn't take a Blademaster to deduce that the father was standing directly behind him. It was an unfortunate turn of events.

 

"I am pleased to meet you Lady Ki."

 

Seeing them was enough to sour Isolder's mood. He was sure that was not the proper reply of a submissive Hapan male. But Isolder had denied those traditions long ago. The thought didn't even cross his mind. He was in the hornet's nest. It didn't seem that bargaining was an option at this point. Nothing Isolder could give would be worth heirs. He had hoped to agree to damage the Jedi Order or the Republic in exchange for the Empire's pull out. But Admiral Phillep had bigger plans than he thought. Isolder was fully willing to go that far for his people, to betray the Order and the Republic But this made such a bargain unthinkable. Phillep would have agreed of course. And then when the deed was done, have had Isolder blown out of the sky. He wouldn't give up heirs. There was only one path now. Violence.

 

"Thank you Admiral. I just needed to see they were alive."

 

Isolder moved out of the room and turned back as Phillep followed. The walls nearly tremored with the Blademasters power. His eyes turned white. It was a Ral'tath that spoke to Phillep now. The spirits of this planet were visible to him. They spoke to Isolder in voices only he could hear. The Admiral had a secret.

 

"There is something you are hiding from me. A dark and vile presence hides on this planet. He is related somehow to whatever source power the Sith Master Trowa Barton had. You implied you had nothing to hide. Yet you are hiding this dark side Sith here. I would like to know why. What are Sith doing on my homeworld Admiral?"

[Capt. Phillep]

"Sith are religious fanatics. I am known to accept their assistance, more importantly, to use them in times of war. They are fitting Generals and Commanders, capable of manipulating thousands with their vaunted Force. The Empire has seen its share of their atrocities, and understands the value of such a warrior in combat. Therefore, it is likely that they are here... but you speak of something a bit more... refined. Let us refer to it... as the Bearer of Plagues, a mark grafted to those who follow the Principles of Nurgle. One doesn't necessarily have to be blessed by a God to follow his views," the Admiral cracked his neck and paused, his eyes not trembling or faltering, almost amused at the coy tricks of those nature gifted with the Force.

 

"Then again, I should know, I am one such Pupil."

 

Phillep smiled and released the 'cloak' of deception, as it were... "I had nothing to hide in regards to your people, Prince. That was the point of fact, but I am still Admiral to an Imperial Fleet, and Steward to several worlds under its protection and authority, including this world."

 

The currents of the dark side that ran through Phillep were not nearly of the same calibre as those that rang through Nurgle's other Champions, it was a different nature... it was unnatural, in Phillep, as opposed to a natural, perversion of the Dark Side in the Dark Lord, Barton or Exodus. As such, it manifested differently... Dark Lord carried the plague in his very blood. Barton harnessed Nurgle's gifts into retrofitting his body. Exodus was a Spectre of Death. Phillep... like the youngest of Nurgle's kin, received the gift of transmissibility of disease through vampirism. He was a leech of the Force and of life, off others.

 

"I presume it should be clear now, Prince. I am the Darkness you came to ferret... which begs the question, are you here as Judge, Jury or Executioner?"

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

It took all of Isolder's control to maintain an unemotional facade as he absorbed this information. The idea that the Admiral could have such hidden power without Isolder knowing was borderline embarassing. Ral'tath didn't have the power to sense such things all the time, but it was a weak excuse. He had at first thought Phillep trying to lie. But the man was less weasely than he appeared. It didn't take Isolder long to verify the truth of the Admiral's words. The deceased spirits of Phillep's victims told the Blademaster that the man was not lying. Not to mention, Isolder could now sense powerful darkness within Phillep. It had been there all the time veiled from plain sight. All in all, it was a precarious situation.

 

But there is good news.

 

He had at last found the source of Trowa Barton's abilities. He didn't know the nature of this new vile religion both these men seemed to follow, but it was related to Trowa's incredible abilities and the strange monstrosities he had found on Maltauros. It was a puzzle that needed solving badly. If he survived. He had tried to get the Jedi interested before, but they were of little use.

 

Maybe now is the time to bargain.

 

"I am all three. Trowa Barton died by my blade. Needless to say he was found guilty. I am not a Jedi Phillep, just as you are not a Sith. We are both far more than we appear to be and that is a recipe for massive destruction. Your future children are too close at hand for this to come to blows at this moment. I'm sure you have a reasonable proposition prepared, to save the lives of your children and make me happy."

 

Isolder wanted to make it perfectly clear he was no Jedi.

 

"I am not constrained by the code just in case you think I would surrender to prevent harm from coming to your offspring. My darkness has depth as deep as your own, should I have need to call on it."

 

The real reason was different though. Isolder knew these children would have the same dark power Phillep did, in all likelihood. Their birth could not be permitted. Ral'tath were as dark as Sith when the need arose. And Isolder had the power of the Moon Knight. He was not an army and couldn't stand against one alone. But he was a serious threat to all Phillep had built here.

[Capt. Phillep]

"Do I have a proposition to save my children? No, you clearly misunderstand... my children, my heirs are no less a part of your Hapan Royal blood than you are. Direct lineage to your own line. Would you sever all ties to your own people in an effort to save them?"

 

The Admiral had a slight hint of a sadistic smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, he was and will always be the Mad Admiral... "If the Jedi have abandoned this world, the Alliance left it in my grasp... perhaps, they have determined that such a world is better in the hands of a tyrant, than in their inept ones. I have given things to this world and so many others like it. I teach them strength and advance their understanding. I have given them true leadership."

 

The Admiral enjoyed reminding others of his successes, regardless of their costs, "I have made your homeworld safe from Invaders. I have ferreted out the Hutt Overlords and sentenced many to Executions, acting as Judge, Jury and Executioner to restore Order. I have done a great service to this world... and linked myself to it, by blood."

 

Pausing, "You see, if you destroy me, it is inevitable that I shall return from Death. I am an asset of the Imperial Machine, I am the Will of the Military, I am the Lord Protector and Military Steward of the Empire. It does not function without me, and my faith in Nurgle and in the Will of the Emperor and his Empire, is indomitable. I shall return from such a death, only that much stronger and more resolute. The same is true of my blood... and that which has congealed with that of your kin."

 

His face had grown stern as he spoke, but slowly, it crackled into another smile... "But you still want a deal... do you? Fine, hear this, to strike me down is to kill your family. Would you risk their death, only to offer judgement on mine, Prince? Not my children... but all that lingers of your lines. As they are tied to me, they require of me, as I require of them. We are bound by the living, physical fabric of the Force."

 

A strange maniacal cackle erupted from the Mad Admiral's parched and increasingly-chapped lips, the light flooding his paling face and revealing the almost spectre-like being, his elongated canines dancing in the new light... "You may leave her peacefully, or leave here the Butcher of your world, dear Prince."

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Phillep clearly hadn't gotten the hint. Isolder was here for precisely that reason. He had sensed the taint within Aisling and Ki. It was the same taint he had found in Trowa and in Phillep. Even Isolder had been infected upon Trowa's demise. But Isolder had cured himself.

 

Perhaps there would still be a chance for them. But either way, I am willing to proceed with what must be done. If I can't save them, they must die.

 

"No Admiral. I am no Jedi. I am not bound by their code. Nor am I bound by my emotions. I deal with the dead every day. Their emotions are mine. So what I feel in this realm is but a small tremor of grief. A Jedi would be troubled by your words. But I am not a creature of Light. My judgment does not spare anyone."

 

Isolder remembered when Jareth Vermillios had surrendered to him. And Isolder killed him anyway for his crimes. That was the mission of a Ral'tath. Mercy was not an option, even for his own kin.

 

"If killing you ends the lives of Ki and Aisling, all the better. The sickness you have infected them with is worse than death in the eyes of the Ancestral Spirits."

 

Isolder's heart raced. Unless a miracle intervened, his line would die with him. Better that, than the Hapan lines be forever associated with the darkness of the vile religion Phillep served. He called upon the Spirits to strengthen him. They obeyed. Isolder drew his Caelestum. His pure white eyes stared down the end of the sword into Phillep's.

 

"Perhaps you will return. And if you dare come back from the hell I send you to, you will again face judgment. Either way, you will not survive the night."

 

The ground beneath the Blademaster seemed to liquify as Isolder called upon a Ral'tath ability. He dropped through the floor, much to Phillep's surprise. The ground was solid as soon as the Prince had phased all the way through. Fighting in close quarters would be difficult, and Isolder needed a plan.

 

Maybe I don't need to fight him at all. I just need to avoid him.

 

Perhaps there was still a way out of this. If he could not save his planet, he could save his family. He knew the Admiral would be following soon. But Isolder did not have to worry about physical obstacles. He phased through many walls. The trick was to lead him and the soldiers on a wild goose chase. Isolder made no effort to hide his power. The dark side emanated from him, like a beacon to the Sith warrior.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep's eyes narrowed as the Blademaster vanished, "Not your usual Jedi, this is true. But I am not your usual Sith..."

 

Cleanching his fist, Phillep walked towards his developing young... You will not take them from me, you will never break my will over this world.

 

The Minion of the Plaguebearer, through clenched teeth hurled his fist into a wall out of anger... and immediately, summoned the Force to protect his bone from shattering. But it... was too late, the anger and defiance shown the Admiral snapped his feral nature.

 

It was rare to see the transformation, as Phillep had managed to regain the majority of control over his psyche... but it came moments, when unleashing the Beast was necessary. The muscles in his left arm changed first, the bone shattered before a new layer of calcite seemed to manifest itself and craft elongated bone structure; the relatively small-statured Admiral's left arm dragged to his knee, before he felt the shattering of bone in his right leg, and the same excruciating process. His cranium was flooded with calcite, protecting his mind, but applying extensive pressure on it. It was an aneurysm that severed off the rational thinking part of his brain, accentuating only the primal, instinct-based portions. His chest muscles were torn apart before the fibers instantaneously healed themselves, denser and tighter than before.

 

His body mass nearly tripled in size, and he fell with twin massive fists just before his feet... his nostrils flaring in tune with his Force-sense, "Hunt..."

 

As if letting the word settle, his fists went up above his head and came crashing down, shattering the floor and dropping the beast into the lower level... startling servants who had seen a Jedi-like force user suddenly sliver through and dissappear.

 

The game was on...

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder's sensitive ears heard a nearby crash. He wouldn't have thought much of it if it weren't for the massive spike in Force energy. Isolder was no fool. He had fought Trowa Barton, and meant Tzeentch himself. He knew that this would be no normal Sith. But he had no idea how precisely Phillep's added abilities would manifest themselves. From the sounds he was hearing, quite closer than he anticipated, He had a feeling his speed advantage was not as great as he first assumed. More crashes confirmed this.

 

I expected he might try to go through the walls perhaps, but I can hear him going room to room quite fast. A Sith saber would take time to cut through durasteel. It's nearly instananeous for him. Going through them as I do is still a bit quicker, but I needed to put great distance between us for my plan to work. Having him right on my tail will make escape impossible.

 

There was still a chance of course. He just had to alter the plans. So far the Blademaster had had to slay few Imperial or Hapan warriors, what little of the latter might be left. Phillep hadn't decided to use his military forces yet. The base they were in wasn't even on alert. If that continued, he might just have a shot.

 

But he needs to be slowed somehow. I need to erase some of his extra gifts. No need to fight to the death and possibly lose. Just hamper him a bit.

 

Guerilla warfare. Isolder turned and waited. May as well let Phillep come to him. The durasteel wall burst apart just a second later. What emerged certainly was a surpise.

 

May the Ancestral Spirits protect me. I can't send him to hell. That's precisely where he's from.

 

But Isolder had faced death before. He had thrust his arm into burning lava, he had leaped from a cliff face on faith alone, and performed many other actions that many other prospective Blademasters died performing. He was not without fear. But he knew his duty. It was what a Hapan Prince did best. He had just traded Hapan Ladies as masters for the spirits of the dead. Isolder held out his caelestum, ready to defend. He wasn't sure if the beast could even understand his words.

 

"Impressive trick Admiral. But brute force will not overcome the power of a Ral'tath. Finesse is the only way you would have had a shot."

 

They were empty words obviously. Isolder had never been overcome and really had no clue what was needed to defeat him.

[Capt. Phillep]

Phillep's feral mind stopped as he looked at the pseudo-Jedi with the strange weapon... his eyes glared and he snarled, and roared like an animal. Primitivity understood two basic concepts, fight or flight. Relying solely on agression, remarkable levels of adrenaline and ferocity, as well as the final form of his vampiric curse... Phillep's mind functioned solely on fight. More precisely, on kill or be killed.

 

With clenched fists, Phillep's body glowed a new green, as if a second skin rose to the surface, and a dagger appeared in one hand and the traditional Sith lightsaber with its hilt of decaying flesh in the other. The armor he wore, crafted from the blood and soul of the Kaminoans danced off the dim light in a strange green-black tint.

 

With both weapons drawn, Phillep's beast-like form charged at the Prince, massive arms held up high to come crashing down on the caelestum with unparalleled strength. Phillep was his Master's pupil... trained by the Droid-General of Nurgle, Haphaestus... trained to be resilient to fear and death.

 

A conduit for all that is of the Dark Side... Phillep's transformed body already began to suffer injuries, the skin boiling beneath its green-translucent armor.

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Now that's just cheating.

 

A caelestum could cut through just about any substance. But weapons created from the Force were unfamiliar territory for Isolder, aside from his own. Phillep's arms were not damaged at all by Isolder's weapon. That was unthinkable. The Blademaster was forced to phase through the floor to avoid being crushed to death. His sword was strong enough to block, but the Hapan's human arms were not. The sheer force of the Admiral's attack sent them down through two floors. Isolder solidified, rolling away from the monster.

 

I do not think I can penetrate his armor.

 

A caelestum's source of power was its imbuement with Force energy. Phillep's armor was also imbued with such energy. Trowa Barton had nothing like that. The Admiral appeared to have gotten the longer end of the stick by a long shot.

 

Can't give him time to think.

 

Isolder opened his ears to the spirits of his dead relatives. It fueled his dark side rage. Pain flared in the dark vein-like scars on his cheeks, the eternal wounds inflicted by Barton. It always happened when his dark side power spiked. Isolder concentrated on speed as he struck Phillep's armor repeatedly with his caelestum. At last, he swung the weapon with all his furious strength. It didn't hurt Phillep, but staggered him for a moment. The Blademaster disengaged, his sword reverbating painfully up his arm. It created a powerfully sound wave that hurt his ears. But in that moment of pain, clarity was achieved. A solution presented itself. His Ral'tath powers gave an aura into Phillep's mind of divine power. Isolder's white eyes were terrifying to behold.

 

"At first I thought you'd transformed into some ferocious creature. But my abilities allow me to see into the hearts of others. Becoming a slow, ignorant animal is how your outside form finally reflects what is truly in your soul. Catch me if you have the skill."

 

Isolder leaped nimbly through the gaping holes above them. He continued up and up as fast as he could, and phasing when necessary. The Blademaster was headed for the highest point in the entire complex.

[Capt. Phillep]

Time to think?

 

Phillep's feral eyes blinked as the Blademaster rushed up the roofs... a snarl appeared, as the Hapan prince continued to speak in long, winding speeches. His face contorted in anger, he hid away his lightsaber and dagger... he rushed for the window, a knowing sinister smile overcoming his face.

 

His hands shattered the glass, as his body's intense muscles hurled him across the gap to the next spire of the Palace... and he leaped from ledge to ledge, his massive arms hoisting up his incredible girth.

 

Of course, there were moments when the Castle's beauty was not ready for the sheer mass of Phillep's transformed form, and it crumbled beneath his hands... but it was only a momentary loss which Phillep countered... continually lunging from side to side... slowly overcoming the obstacle of height in his path.

 

His primitive mind needed no reason to think... Phillep's Sith rage overpowered his reason, he was an animal in every respect... and now the Blademaster had given the Mad Admiral a desire to hunt prey. To be a true beast...

 

His elongated canines glimmered their yellow, blood-stained hue in the night's sky... his sharpened claws dug into the architecture, allowing the crazy beast to continue heaving himself higher and higher...

 

As he lunged from rooftop to rooftop chasing down the more efficient Blademaster, he could feel his skin rupturing beneath the armor coating, anger and pain coursing through his veins... enhancing his Dark Side connection. His vampiric curse continually strengthening the beast with enhanced strength and endurance...

 

And then... there he was. His prey... jerking a coolant system via the Force, Phillep's massive arms swung the large item around and hurled it towards the Blademaster... either missing the human entirely and collapsing his perch, or smashing the man with the large, massive item... Regardless, Phillep was rushing right behind the large item, his dagger in hand, ready to crash into the Palace's materia and form a grip for the powerful man-beast...

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder had felt the oppressive pain emanating from Phillep's aura as he fled. Phillep's power was causing him tremendous agony. Sith fed off pain at times, but it was still a sickening way to increase one's Force ability. These Demons were a scourge upon the universe. Isolder believed that their extermination was a necessity now more than ever. Isolder's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp sense of danger. He spun as he reached the roof. Phillep had found an alternate route it seemed and had arrived at almost the same time.

 

Well Mr. Hyde, let's finish this.

 

Isolder hadn't seen the massive object being torn out, his back had been turned. So when the Sith whipped it out at Isolder, the Hapan was taken by surprise. He brought up his caelestum to block, on instinct. His weapon cut through the durasteel and various other metallic substances the object was constructed from with ease. Shards of metal tore at the cloth on his robes as the two halves fell beside him.

 

A pitiful and desperate attack. Without the ability to think and form a strategy, Phillep is allowing himself to be lead on a leash. This is almost . . .

 

Isolder had allowed his royal hubris to blind his senses. There was a second massive object behind the first, and it was the Admiral himself. Isolder's caelestum blocked the dagger, but the force of Phillep's attack sent them rolling along the roof. His head bounced off the rooftop, sending stars into his brain. The sheer physical power Phillep wielded, as well as a mild concussion, had sent Isolder's sword out of his hand as he tumbled. It rolled down the roof catching on something below. But Isolder had to let it go for now as he rolled to his feet. Pain shot up his shoulder, and his head pouned. Hopefully it was not broken, his shoulder or his skull. Isolder jumped back, as the dagger was slashed toward him. It didn't seem this behemoth was one for finesse. Phillep's massive hands were smashing everything in sight. The tumble hadn't even phased Phillep.

 

Now is the time, no choice.

 

Isolder allowed his body to be guided by the Force. He ran for a time barely avoiding the rampage, before he somersaulted to the side on a small ledge. He had landed in a sitting position and held his hands in the air. Phillep's momentum carried him a bit before he realized the Blademaster had jumped off course. They faced one another.

 

"I am unarmed. Strike me down Leviathan."

 

Isolder summoned his Blademaster power. This would take a lot of energy.

[Capt. Phillep]

Leviathan.

 

The word had many connotations for the feeble-minded, Imperially-trained, sub-standard, weak Admiral that hid beneath the layers of limbic, reptilian-minded ferocity... and beneath the exaggerated layers of pre-frontal cortex-inclined, "tactician" that Phillep was better known for. But no... crushed by the over-powering super-ego and the relentless id, there was the man that Phillep was... had been, and left to rot. The man who studied memories, and who recalled the word... Leviathan in reference to a man named Saul Karath... a Sith Admiral from the Old Republic. Thousands upon thousands of years before the Empire had been formed into the Empire by Palpatine. The broken ego did smile, for Saul Karath was corrupted and twisted by Dark Lords Revan and Malak. Made a pawn for their games... and that is what Phillep and this monster were.

 

As amusing as a trapped ego's thought processes are, Phillep, the monster, was atop a collapsing roof staring down at an unarmed pseudo-Jedi who clamored about wanting to die. Beasts don't think.

 

As such, Phillep would strike... it was inevitable... even as in the rear of his mind, alarm klaxons resounded... and nanite machines clamored to repair tearing flesh and searing boils. Decay was being expedited as Phillep's massive arms rose up, the green, translucent dagger and the green, translucent armor reflecting the pale night into the Blademaster's eyes.

 

And then... as predicted, he struck. The dagger was aimed to pierce through the chest-cavity... splintering the sternum and collapsing the ribs about the rest of the interior anatomy. A slow, gurgling, choking death... as blood seeps into all other organs and pours out from the heart. Even stomach acids would spill... the sheer amount of adrenaline to quell such pain... well... it would be phenomenal.

 

Of course... that is supposing the blow becomes landed... and as the alarm klaxons warn... that is not so great a possibility.

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

The blow was blocked. But only with Isolder's hand. As soon as the dark dagger touched his skin, both combatants were frozen. Isolder had invoked the Phantom Counter. A bridge between this world and the next was opened. Three dark spirits emerged and plunged into the Admiral's body, unimpeded by any earthly armor no matter how powerful. Time resumed.

 

Thank you, Ancestral Spirits.

 

Phillep was thrust high into the air and off the side of the high spire. His hulking frame disappeared below. Isolder examined his hand. A small impression was visible where the blade had barely touched his palm. It had been a dangerous maneuver, but he lived still. Isolder stood calling his caelestum to his hand. There was little chance Phillep was dead. Isolder could only hope the power of the spirits and the fall had stunned his massive frame for a while. The Blademaster phased back into the compound, falling down through several stories. He emerged in the room of a startled Ki Vastor.

 

"We have little time so do not speak yet. This is the one chance for you and the other Lady. Throw off the chains of bondage. I can do little to help our planet, but I can save the Hapan royal family and the children you carry now. There is a way to cure you of the sickness Phillep has infected you with. But you have to trust me."

 

His white eyes regained their color. Isolder needed time to recover his strength. His demeanor held no special Blademaster aura as a spoke again. It was a simple Hapan Prince that looked into Ki's eyes.

 

"Phillep is more insane than you know. The spirits have spoken to me. I know what he has done to our people and to both of you. I probably know more about it than you do. Once the child is born, he will have no use for you. This is your chance to escape and spare yourselves from being consumed by his darkness."

[Ki Vastor]

Ki's look was one of being startled as Isolder just 'appeared' in front of her...

 

"Where'd you..." come from...

 

Her words were stilled as he spoke, cutting her off. She had felt the conflict, had felt Phillep's transformation. She'd felt that once before, when she'd been on the receiving end, she felt a shudder go through her. It had been just before she'd given into his demands for her to comply... given in to both his and Aisling's requests for her to behave, to stop being so defiant. Before she had let her hate turn into love for her captor. She'd been left in a state that had required Phillep's blood to revive her after that incident. She had lain in that medical bunk, strapped down to it with only her mind escaping to a 'safe' place.

 

"We... can't. You don't understand. I... I thought I could live without him, thought I could find a way to overcome... I know what happens if I don't."

 

If I don't have his blood, I die regardless... as long as I behave, and love him back he'll look after me and Aisling... and our children... Ki winced, knowing what had happened to the Hapan people and what she had been so defiant of in the past to protect. Now that she had become more compliant to him, the people had suffered much less. Ki had been subtle with her dealings though she had protected those she could from his men.

 

Her eyes broke from Isolder's, a great sadness behind hers. Ki's hands crossed over her abdomen, resting over the child she carried within her. It was easy to see how hate had turned, how it had been twisted to be the opposite. Yes she knew what Phillep was, possibly more so than Isolder ever could with his strange abilities. Ki shook her head as he said Phillep would have no use for her after she'd had his child... she knew differently there.

 

"You're wrong there. He does love us. If you really want to help keep the old Hapan Lines alive, then go, please. Now, before it is too late."

 

She could feel Phillep still, though he wasn't too close at the moment and she didn't think, with all the chaotic sensations she was feeling through the bond with him, that he wouldn't be able to focus on their conversation. Her hand went up to her collar, knowing some of it's abilities but not all. Would he have heard every word said? Or was he too far into his beast mode to hear them? Would he know that love was still there with her knowing what he'd become?

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder's eyes began to tear up. It was the answer he feared. Isolder believed he could cure them both, but he hadn't been sure anyway. Phillep would never rest, he would hound them for eternity. And even if he could cure the women, the children carried Phillep's blood. Their darkness might be even more ingrained within them than Phillep's. They would be born evil. Isolder had know this to be a fool's errand from the start. He should never have given himself false hope. He knew what needed to be done from the start. The tears vanished suddenly. His eyes turned white again, and the room darkened. Isolder spoke in a loud voice,

 

"Then I have no choice. You have chosen to remain in the service of one who is evil, and bear his children. I judge you guilty of these crimes. Your sentence is death."

 

Isolder was swift as he appeared in front of Ki, slashing toward her with his caelestum. The blade glowed as his Ral'tath power flowed through it.

[Ki Vastor]

Ki felt the change in her... relation... her second cousin... immediately putting her on edge and wary. She had a child to protect no matter what. She leapt away as he came at her with his caelestrum, angered that he would judge her when he didn't know all the facts to begin with, that she was Phillep's slave and couldn't escape even if she wanted to? Did he really think he knew what was going on? Right now it didn't matter any longer, Ki having to think very quickly to protect both herself and her unborn son.

 

A dagger flew across the room towards Isolder at her whim, already able tap the child's unknown potential as well as her own skills. She turned, running through her rooms to her bedroom, snatching out her saber hilt, still not having focused on the form she had chosen, being form IV. No time like the present she assumed, turning swiftly and igniting the crimson blade. She found herself stretching out, calling for Phillep, letting him know that she and his son were in danger. Her mind also touching another presence. With that touch, an idea formed.

 

Ki was unable to get past Isolder to flee the rooms, and knew he was again closing the distance as he moved to attack her. Sheeba now coming to her aid. The magnificent black pegasus, also pregnant with it's foal, beating her strong wings as she closed the distance to Ki. If Isolder had of come before Ki had given in, before she had lost her defiance towards Phillep, she would have gladly gone with him. But she knew all too well what would happen if she didn't have Phillep's blood to survive. She needed it, he had made her reliant on him to survive. To distract Isolder, or at least try to while she made for the balcony, Ki spoke,

 

"If you wanted to save us, why did you leave it too late? Do you know why I must stay? You have no idea what he has done to me!?! What he has done to Aisling! He controls us in more ways than you could possibly be aware of. He owns us now, through blood, through his god, through his power. I've tried, truely I have to be free, to protect our people from being killed. I am now in a position where they aren't being slaughtered at every whim! Do not condemn the rest of Hapes to death by killing me or Aisling. We're family! Do you think we want this?"

 

Ki held the saber between them, more defensive than attacking as she retreated to the balcony. If she didn't have another life to protect, she would have given him his fight. She'd been near death so many times that she had lost count since she had become under Phillep's control. Death didn't frighten her any longer. What did concern her was her unborn son. Hearing the hooves landing lightly on the balcony, Ki swirled around, running and launching herself onto Sheeba's back, urging the pegasus to flight. With wings beating swiftly, the pair were launched into the air, over the balcony and away from danger.

 

Ki's black cloak billowing in the breeze behind her, her crimson blade held aloft making a very impressive sight before she shut it down, clipping it onto her belt that had surrounded her midnight blue dress worn beneath her robes.

[Prince Vegeta Isolder]

Isolder deflected the dagger with his Force imbued blade. The Blademaster could feel Phillep still motionless, but very much alive. It was only a matter of time. This had to end quickly. He considered slaying Aisling now, but that would only fuel Ki's rage. She possessed unusual powers as well. Isolder didn't need to make it harder for him to overcome those powers. The Hapan Prince ran to the edge of the balcony in full Ral'tath mode. But his eyes softened at Ki's words. Isolder faltered.

 

She is right. If I had come sooner, I would have been able to stop them. But I hated the Hapan people and their society. I ignored them, and was deaf to their suffering. I allowed my personal feelings to cloud my judgment. What has happened here is my responsibility . . . and I must fix it one way or the other.

 

Isolder watched the strange beast fly. Soon it would be too high. He leaped off the balcony, summoning the winged reaper. The Blademaster's jump carried him ten times as far as normal with the help of the reaper. His hand caught on the winged horse's hoof. Isolder could not fly, but he could make his body lighter, allowing him to jump high and fall slow. He continued to use that power as he held tight. The Pegasus would not be weighed down, it would barely feel him. But he knew Ki could sense his approach easily. Isolder held his blade, but did not strike. He knew it was foolhardy, but he was reconsidering his judgment. His voice yelled out to his relative,

 

"I was poisoned by that power too Ki Vastor. Not as bad as you, but I found a cure. It could work again. The Spirits I serve will not permit you to remain in Phillep's servitude either way. The children you will bear for him are too dangerous. Accept my offer, please give it a chance."

 

He gripped his weapon tight. He was a Ral'tath. Regardless of what she decided, Ki would no longer be a slave to the Admiral. Isolder did not have the strength to kill her. But the Ral'tath Blademaster did.