What You Leave Behind

[Lord_S_Gray]

In SW, "Always in motion, the future is" is the saying, but then comes the question: is it really? Is it really in motion, or is it set in stone like many scholars believe it is? Very good chapter, I look forward to what is to come.

Yeah this is something i couldn't resist! Time Travel and interaction in SW has often been at the fringes, notably Jacen Solo did a fair bit in EU though most famously letting Tahiri kiss Anakin solo before he died - bu there are limits -Jacen and also in KOTOR2 Kreia explained at some point the past and future were not completely set but are difficult to change in a meaningful way.  The Aethans know a lot about twisting time e.g. in LotA Milaea talks to Palpatine, Valens forces Kimar to watch Anakin Skywalker destroy the Jedi order, in the Interlude with Sofa/Valens 'Rumours' Valens is wandering around staring at things no one else can see (past and future events).  So it makes sense they know a lot more about it and the limitations than Karmack would.  Difference is Karmack is responsible and fearful of his use of such power...Aethans not so much....

Anyway I love the growing tensions between Karmack and Cliff - once more the realities of being part of M'Tzigon but also with concerns beyond the limits of the system is grating both sides.

Also loved the visual of the 'traces' in the force and the different colours a visual way of representing something usually invisible.

And poor Ruug...at least he got away from Mendax control in the end...But the desolation...that's gonna hurt, and the message being so direct at Karm, Zearic and D'alyanna...I don't know how the tensions between Cliff and Karm - and the whole Mak'Tor can ever de-escalate from there. 

On a broader note it seems none of our forumverse factions are immune to terrible suffering - Darth Rowahn loses his master, Mak'Tor on Vyth and now this, the Templars get hammered fairly regularly, Vhal'Dan in a civil war, Aethans slaughtered and enslaved....yet out of great suffering comes even greater terrors....the cycle repeats - but then they are all warriors - "By the sword you did your work, and by the sword you die." the Problem as Cliff noted in C 16 is -"Sith and Singers…blasting each other…not just each other, every time this happened, every time Force users fought it was the regular people who suffered in the cross fire." Now he's been proven correct.

[Karmack]

Yeah.  Karm will be spending more than a little time trying to figure out a way to get the civilians on M'Tzigon out of the line of fire.  Cliff is right in one respect - they kept their heads down through the Empire and managed to survive, even thrive.  Now?

Damn Macks sticking their glow-sticks into every Maker-cursed mynock nest and rankor den in the Outer Rim....   

[Taegin Roan]

Yeah.  Karm will be spending more than a little time trying to figure out a way to get the civilians on M'Tzigon out of the line of fire.  Cliff is right in one respect - they kept their heads down through the Empire and managed to survive, even thrive.  Now?

Damn Macks sticking their glow-sticks into every Maker-cursed mynock nest and rankor den in the Outer Rim....   

Well at least they are in the Outer Rim, and there are no Gorog nests to stick their glow-sticks into (yet).

After the debacle with the Aethans finally ends, I would like to see where M'Tzigon goes. Will they try and retreat back into the shadows of myth, or will their presence be too well known now, and they cannot stay out of the spotlight of the rest of the galaxy. As it is, they have already been seen or heard of in almost all parts of the galaxy. Including Hutt Space, so the chance of them being able to go under the radar again is pretty slim. We'll see what happens I'm sure.

[TheDutchman]

And so now we find out just what has befallen M'Tzigon... Roughly 100,000 casualties, landscars marring the beautiful alpine terrain, and a madwoman who'll stop at nothing to exact her revenge...

INCREDIBLE developments in this fantastic story!  Karm, you and LSG have truly constructed a narrative that easily surpasses anything within the SW Universe that I've seen/read lately... To echo a sentiment: "give these guys a movie deal, stat!" 

On a more serious note: EXCELLENT conflict between Karm and Cliff.  Both have valid concerns and motives.  And I can't help but feel sympathy for Cliff, even if his vilifying Karm is misplaced...

But Karm's Singing equivalent of Flow-Walking was an awesome scene!  I have to agree with LSG: the visual representations of each characters' auras was a brilliant detail that helps to elevate the story 

One of my favorite parts of the chapter was Karm revisiting Geonosis.  The level of detailed continuity is like an easter egg for me, the seemless inclusion is testament to the superb breakdowns and writing. 

...I just wonder what Mendax has planned next...

[Lord_S_Gray]

Chapter 19 - Stolen Moments

Part 1

Thanks to Dutch for the picture!

Muddy brown dirt spewed up as the ground rocked beneath Gingal’s feet.  The flick of water from the recent rains felt cool on his brown splotched skin, it had been nearly three years since he’d been back to Dac, the pools on the MC30c Cruiser Ellinga always had a slight taste of the water recycling filtration chemicals - even with the grit of the mud this at least felt a little natural.

“Captain! South East three AT-ST’s with speeder support,”

“Divert two squads to help, where are those Ion Launchers!” he replied in gravely tones straining against galactic basic with his vocal cords.

He knew where the launchers were…the transport had been shot down, he could see the smoke and blue green flare of blaster fire just over the top of the bunker – his attempt to surround the Imperial position had been a bust – after three bombing runs he thought the had the anti-aircraft weapons cleared – instead they’d dragged them into the tunnels of the blocky prefab garrison and wheeled them out as his transports moved in. The X-Wing escorts made light work of them but not before they’d done some damage.

Gingal had come down to oversee the attack himself, wanted the troops to feel like they hadn’t been left behind by the Alliance…Waters of Dac he felt like they had too. 

This sector barely registered in Alliance thinking, the Deep Periphery region between various independent systems and Hutt Space had never had much Imperial presence, he had been deployed here as an afterthought with one MC30c Cruiser and an escort of four CR90 Corvettes, along with 2000 men to intimidate the few Imperial outposts after the Capital Ships had fled the region to join up with the larger Remnant forces.

“Silver Flight making attack run!” the comm crackled as the air ripped with the low flying rumble of the X wing squad, a hammering of red fire cut into the AT-STs to the South east, barely bigger than his outer finger at this distance. 

Air superiority wasn’t hard, the two flights of TIE strikers dealt with, ground and mobility would soon be obtained even without the Ion Launchers…the problem was getting into the garrison.  Up hill at the 600 metre wall to the north was a largely prefab building that was still imposing given his lack of heavy weapons – his artillery had been wreck three days before by a scout force.  Whoever was in command was competent, playing to their strengths very well – Gingal hoped he could convince them to join the Alliance but knew better.

As one of the AT-STs fell with a metal screech the fire over his trench subsided…they were falling back to the garrison.  He could take out the walls with proton torpedoes easily…but he was running low…they had been in this sector for nearly five months without resupply, the margins were getting thin…if he could secure the system maybe it would convince Command to send him some supplies…

“Sir we have incoming in orbit!” Lieutenant Jyss said frantically – everything was a calamity with him.

“Imperial Re-enforcements?”

“Imperial Raider corvette and irregulars, twelve ships…they’re hailing…”

“Patch it through,”

The grainy image of a Ferroan woman appeared on his screen.

“Captain…” there was a pause, likely static delaying her sentence

“Gingal…I am Commander Gaetana of the 63rd Rim Auxiliaries here to support…”

63rd last he heard the Rim Auxiliary force numbered only 40 divisions…still their force grew every day as the Alliances success built, even the Imperial Raider Corvette wasn’t unusual…and frankly he was just happy for the help.

“What resources do you have?”

The Ferroan smiled

“Special forces and irregulars…melee fighters – ready for some close combat in the bunkers.”

Bunkers…he hadn’t told her about the bunkers beneath the garrison yet…

<<<<>>>>

Give them what they want the most and no one asks where it comes
Mendax mused as she stepped onto the muddy no man’s land between the Rebel and Imperial position, Orfa casting daggers at Mendax over Ruug’s fate with her Pirate goons to her left, Misrum petting his new dagger with his Darkside fanatics to the right.

Both Orfa’s hate and Misrums obsession over his new toy would serve her – Orfa would keep Mendax sharp but seeking out any weakness, and Misrum would unlock the dagger secrets…although from the very little she had sensed it seemed the light eating dagger was unlocking Misrums secrets rather than the other way round.

The Rebel troops remained hunkered behind their trenches as she stepped forward – with an effortless swing she hit back the sniper shot from the walls with her sabre, the bolt screaming straight back into the Scout troopers scope. 

“Hold here,” she ordered her thralls – she needed to show them her dominance, that was why she had so many down here…

As she strode across the battle churned mud only a few more took shots at her, idly she noted the white rocks half way to the wall – low tech range markers.  The phwwooop of mortars cut the air she waved the bombs away dismissively as the flow from the Qixoni built in her limbs. 

A brisk walk turned into run as a heavy turret opened up, somewhere in her ear piece the Mon Cal idiot was asking if she wanted air support.  She WAS Air support.

Her blade a red shield clashing orange against red blaster bolts, Mendax took a running leap over the 10 metre duracrete wall grasping at its foundations in the silty dirt and tugging inwards.

She came down as the dust rose with the wall tumbling inwards, the Imperial regulars scrambled backward against the tide of rubble. Too quick for them to track, she brought her knees down with gravity accelerated force energy to smash into the top of an AT-PT – the durasteel buckled under her strength, metal shearing into flakes that bounced off her telekinetic shielding. 

She wasted no time leaping out of the wreck and into the Regulars who turned in confusion at her lithe form.

A tide of red fury overwhelmed her as she unleashed her pent up frustrations on the petty mortals.  Arms flew clear of shoulders, necks were divested of heads, auto-turrets were rent from rockrete plinths and slammed into fleeing soldiers as Misrum and Orfa crested the ruined wall in time to see her pursue the soldiers into the bunker. 

They fired back at her through the emergency lit tunnels, her sabre beat a steady rhythm of retaliation as she approached the Vault door.  Its servo’s whined against her force pull, the Qixoni increasing her strength well beyond what mechanical resistance could offer.

Misrum and his fanatics were close behind as she unleashed a torrent of blue turning the entrance way purple with her red blade as the lighting obliterated the defensive strong points behind the door.  Troopers flopped over, the tang of burnt flesh filled the air as she moved deeper. 

Lost in the rush of blood, within her body and painted in it from without, she forgot her conscious intent to take them alive to bolster her forces for a time, she sang into the melody of destruction, butchering, slaughtering these fools who thought conventional weaponry could resist her. 

Through corridors and small cramped rooms she worked her way to the seat of control, an ever less confident presence in the force.  Around him stern minds determined to fight to the last. 

Behind her Mirsums thralls took a few hits, reminding her of the need to accumulate soldiers not destroy them all.  She could be selective.  Barging through the heavy doors with an indifferent thought the few Storm troopers hurled grenades and flash bangs as she contained the antipersonnel mines explosions under her feet to mere yellow flowers that lit her path.

Sending the explosives into the lights she plunged them into darkness – their helmets would compensate soon with night vision or thermal…so she gave them something to look at. 

With blinding light that cut through her closed eyes she unleashed a Force Flare that stung their eyes, adapting the method Cha’s Black fiends used on her she screeched vocally to send waves of confusion from their ears to their mind as her fist and hilt worked in unison to pummel the elite forces into submission – some would die, but they were too weak for her to care –the strong would survive and serve their new Mistress.

<<<<>>>>

Gingal stood in awe as the Jedi came out of the smoking bunkers tunnel with the Imperial Commander and half his Storm Trooper guard dragged by her goons.  He hadn’t been left behind by the Alliance…they had sent a Jedi to help!

Mendax fed these self-delusions with a flow from the Qixoni crystal. 

“Master Jedi,” that was the formal term of address wasn’t it? His father had fought beside them in the Clone Wars…he never believed the stories till now.

“We are…in your debt…are you…” he was tentative to hope
“To assist with securing the rest of the system?”

“I am…” the Ferroan replied with an agitated tone, she was bouncing on her heels as if over stimulated.

“We will take this system and the Imperial Assets as quickly as possible…then you will assist me with a special task General Calrissian and Knight Skywalker have assigned me with.”

“Anything Mistress!” he replied enthusiastically

…Mistress?

<<<<>>>>

[Lord_S_Gray]

Chapter 19

Part 2

Canto Bight

“Come on and do it!” Julwynn pressed

“It’s not…right…”

“It’s no different to sparring,”

He arched an eyebrow looking over her shimmersilk dress

“Alright a little different, but it needs to be True, just do it.”

Balnard didn’t like it…but Force Types could pick a lie like a Pink Bantha…so…balling his fist he punched his wife in the right eye.

“Harder than that!” she insisted

It took more willpower than he thought but the next blow smacked with a red mark.  He felt sick.

“Alright…that should be fine…” she cupped his face with her hand, “It’s alright...” he understood the strategic reason…but it didn’t make it feel any better.

“Now let’s move.”

<<<<>>>>

She stood gracefully as Cha approached with a bow, his rid and black suit impeccably crisp

“Lady Mack…”

“Please take a seat,”

About them the rooftop restaurant buzzed with conversation as the stars glittered overhead.
“I was tickled pink you invited me…” he began scooting in

“Though I must wonder why…”

Arnor leaned back.

“I wanted to apologise for…my deceptive behaviour and costing you a lot of money in an auction over something I didn’t really want, dinner seemed appropriate.”

Cha smiled softly

“Well…as I recall Lady Vesi is now paying for this dinner and your accommodation…but still your company alone is worth 10 times the cost of that trinket.”

She suppressed the urge to vomit on his sleazy face.

“Now shall we order?”

<<<<>>>>

“Locked in boys?” Du’an looked over to Mutt and Vegan plugged into data ports using Tel’Owna’s best slicer and security interruption systems.  The Casino’s cyber security was naturally impressive, but there were differing levels, unfortunately Cha’s room was Category 5 Security, just below the maximum Category 6 for Talia friend Vesi’s Penthouse and the Casino Vault itself.

Still they were reasonably confident.  Arnor would keep Cha out of his room, Talia was distracting Vesi, meanwhile Balnard would get in and out whilst Julwynn ran interference on anyone who got too close.

Chillum was to oversee extraction and cutting the security alerts if anything went wrong.  So far it had been straight forward, he’d ‘convinced’ an electrical engineer of the importance of repairing a faulty converter to the anti-grav spa which had been out for a week – utterly shocked at his oversight he had readily agreed to Chillum and his droids assisting in repairs.  Said engineer was now safely back to his usual work having completely forgotten the conversation ever took place. 

Mutt issued a quick string of blurts.

“Hmm…none at all?”

A negative tweet, the droids couldn’t find the safe on the schematics for Cha’s room.

“Tippler we have no eyes on the kitty, have to rifle through the wardrobe,” he commed across the secure network.

<<<<>>>>

“HA!” Vesi cried as the comedy song full of double-entendres and veiled references to bedroom antics that made Talia blush finished.

“Oh…that’s so true…you never really think of it at the time!”

Talia wasn’t sure this was necessary, but Arnor and Chillum insisted she keep Vesi and Sophi away from their room – it wasn’t hard - they were determined to show her around their Casino, all she had to do was indicate she wanted to see a show and it was done.

She still couldn’t sense anything like the force to them, just that thin normal presence of all life forms, but Chillum in particular was convinced they had extreme abilities.

“I’m sure that song was written with Mari in mind!” Sophi said as the applause died down
“Ughhh she’d spend hours in the bathroom!”
“Still does!”

Talia tuned out mostly as a beep came across her in ear comm…it didn’t feel right stealing from them, especially now they were paying for their whole trip here…

They didn’t notice, the next song had started…

“…Please don’t ask me out / It’s a stupid thing to do / it’s embarrassing for me / and it will be much worse for you / please don’t ask me out / ain’t it plain to see / I’m a glowing Ten / and you’re at best a Three…”

<<<<>>>>

Julwynn was in position across the corridor from Cha’s door way, lying in a crying heap to intercept anyone who approached the door while he was in.

Corridor clear Chillum signalled the loop of the camera had begun with a single beep.  Balnard had one system refresh cycle – 3 minutes twelve seconds – to get in, find the safe, spring it and get out.

Darting to the door way he flicked out the EMP scrambler onto the lock and began – 184 seconds to go.

<<<<>>>>

“It strikes me as odd Mrs. Mack…you could have simply sent a card…why meet me in person?”

Arnor shrugged “I prefer to offer my apologies face to face.”

“No that’s not the real reason is it…” he looked straight into her eyes, leering into a smile.

Her heart skipped briefly…surely he couldn’t know.

“Oh but I do know…you can’t deny it, I’ve known the whole time…” he leaned back with a winning grin

“You want me…”

“Wha…”

“I saw it the moment you came to the sabacc room, you couldn’t keep your eyes off me…”

The sick…perverted…thinks he’s Makers gift to Women! On the Other hand…

Arnor blushed and looked askance

“I’m a married woman Nimmin…”

“Oh I know that’s what makes it exciting for you isn’t it, sick of your frumpy Book of the Way Quoiting husband so busy playing with his little crystals he neglects your precious pearl…”

Arnor was caught in a strange place between amusement and revulsion as he went on, leaning forward,

“You want something dark, exhilarating…let go of those puritanical inhibitions…embrace pleasure…” he extended a hand across the half eaten meals.

There were lines she wouldn’t cross…but she wasn’t quite there yet…she only needed another few minutes…and this could be a bit of fun.

“You’re right…” she took his hand “…you’re so right about everything!” she gushed

<<<<>>>>

The apartment was large, but with the scanning visor he could trace lines of electric charge…he was looking for an electronic device not connected to the main supply…there a datapad, electric shaver, a few battery comms…behind the wardrobe, a large energy source in bright yellow against the blue haze of the visor, not connected to anything.

Bingo.

Swift, precise motions Balnard pulled the door open swept the clothes on small motorized rails aside and in one movement dropped to his knee, pulled his lock-pick kit and put the first breaker in.

<<<<>>>>

Turning the corner a woman was strolling along the corridor toward Cha’s room in a golden yellow dress - Julwynn increased her sobbing.

A quick gaze up she noted the features similar to those Arnor had shown her of Talia’s friends, Cha’s employers.

The girl noticed her and immediately swept toward Julwynn.

“Are you alright! What’s wrong!” she knelt down toward her,

“My…my husband…” she sobbed “Hit…hit me” just as Chillum had guessed Julwynn felt a brush of the Force against her assessing the truth of her words – and despite Balnard’s misgiving the truth of him hitting her flowed through.

“He did…oh my Goddess…well we’ll show him…” she flicked out a comm “What’s his name love?”

“Dex…Dex Alman…he saw me talking to the man in that room as he left…he got so jealous…it’s really my fault I shouldn’t have spoken to a strange man…”

The heat radiating off the woman in yellow was overpowering, Talia had told them they were ardent feminist matriarchs, Julwyyn had devised this distraction to play on that specifically.

“Yes…” she said to the comm, “Dex Alman – Bring him to me,” she paused for a moment “No alive for now…”

Julwyyn felt a stab of guilt for poor Dex Alman, the woman seemed to interpret the feeling as self-blame for being abused.

“Come on darling, can you walk, it’s not your fault ever, I’ll help you, you’ll see, everything will be alright”

<<<<>>>>

“Don’t you know who I AM!”

As Cha gently stroked Arnors hand there was a kerfuffle at the far end of the restaurant, five uniformed and two plain clothes security grabbed a man at his dinner who vehemently protested his treatment. Arnor felt a little pang of guilt for Mr. Alman.

“Things are getting heated,” Cha crooned not in reference to the poor fellow grabbing the table cloth, causing the plates to spill on top of him as he protested being taken away.

“We should go somewhere more private…I can have desert brought to us…”

Arnor could hear the ping in her ear, Balnard had found the safe and was working it, but it was taking longer than expected, and Julwyyn had obviously already diverted one potential interloper.

“Perhaps one drink for the road…” she replied, his face fell and despite herself she added a racy twist

“…something stiff,” now he smiled again

<<<<>>>>

The timer was going down fast,

“Any more give?”

Vegan this time tweeted negative,

On the real room feed he saw Balnard trying to deactivate the mag lock – so far it seemed resistant to a Pole-shifter that swapped one side’s magnetic pole around to fling a normal magnetic safe open.

He couldn’t wait anymore…donning his workman’s cap he moved to the turbo lift.

<<<<>>>>

CLUNK

Success at last, the polarity switched – but the lid didn’t lift, his nanite camera worm had disabled the internal lock…it just must be a heavy lid.

With both hands he pulled…

It was a bloody heavy lid…

“Makers bloody...what is this thing made of!”

<<<<>>>>

“No really, I’d like to go back to my room…pack my things…” this wasn’t going how Julwyyn expected

“It’s fine you’ll be much safer here…” the golden dressed woman guided her into her room one level up.

As soon as she stepped out of the entrance hall she saw it.

Separated from the main lounge room by a circle of stones – a Warding circle –were woollen rugs and hand spun cushions around a grey stone hearth a blue fire burning gently within. About the chimney were three carved female figures, engraved eyes stared at her, pulling at Julwyyns very soul.

Who’s she?
She’s new,
She’s looking at us – why is she looking at us?
She’s lying to our Daughter, Why’s she lying?
She wants to hurt HER!!

All three voices were the same yet distinct, speaking all at once, not in any order or normal conversational flow.

The woman in the golden dress slowed her pace and turned around, the statues weren’t grey anymore…

They were blood red. 

This was bad – beyond bad – this wasn’t the Force – this was Old Deep Magick even the most deranged of the Night Mothers wouldn’t contemplate using.

Julwyyn had to get away, the woman’s expression turned from happy and serene to vicious in an instant.

“DOWN”

<<<<>>>>

“Please don’t ask me out /such a stupid thing to do / I’m a stunning Ten…” the Singer held the note tapping the same key building for the pay off…

“And I lied you’re just a Two!”

Raucous laughter over took the claps,

But this time Sophi and Vesi were not joining them, their face were carved of ceramic as they stood swiftly,

“What where are you going?” Talia protested

“Sorry,” Vesi’s voice was stern,

“We have to go,”

<<<<>>>>

Chillum pushed Julwynn aside with the force as the voices screeched in her head

STOP HIM   
He wants to hurt our babies!
Children, Children, Hurry!
Get them, Run!

His stun blast fired straight at the girl in the golden dress as her hand lit with blue energy.

The stun pulse slammed into an invisible barrier, twisted into a concentrated spear and flew back out into Julwyyns breast, knocking her out cold.

Before Chillum had time to even blink at the flash of white from the hit, Chillum felt his chest sucked back out of the room, through the hall and out the door, the scene passing more rapidly that his eyes could pick up.

<<<<>>>>

Du’an Chillum would never fully know what his shot at Talia’s friend Mari caused – he was unconscious before he slammed into the wall from the Scream that echoed across the Aether.

For the first time in decades someone had actually shot at one of their People.  To add insult to injury it had been a man who did it.

In a scurry three men suited up – genetically enhanced muscles tensed with fanatical rage that an outsider had attacked a female.

On Aestis Minor Black Armour left a meeting abruptly to confer with his comrades.  At the edge of the system the Destroyer meant to protect the Sons powered up its engines, mirroring a half-dozen others across nearby sectors.

A sliver of a material the Templar Faradi had never gotten round to studying, and a curious statuette the Revenant had stored amongst other relics in the search for immortality both trembled looking for someone to send a warning to.  By the time anyone noticed they had returned to a seemingly inert state realizing’ it they were far away from any ‘real’ People. 

Luke Skywalker’s concentration momentarily snapped from piloting his T-65 X-wing alongside the quickly forming Rogue Squadron as they deployed out of Home One, a tremor in the force that felt strangely…familiar…distant and diluted - a call to home and family.  As they approached the jump point he brushed the quiet flicker aside, there was still so much about the force he was yet to learn – but for now he didn’t have time to pursue every little flicker and jolt.

Further still in the deep core, devices honed over centuries of experimentation picked up the signal just after a thousand shrines and totems demanded their Children protect their Daughter in distress. 

In less than a minute a People as paranoid as they were overprotective were primed war.

<<<<>>>>

Arnor pressed her hands against her head trying to block out the screech in the force.

Even Cha spat up his drink.

As it slowly died she heard his voice across the echoes – his face no longer the slick smiling sleaze bag, but drawn and iron.

“Oh Mrs. Mack…someone just made a very big mistake.”

<<<<>>>>

Finally

Balnard felt enormous relief in his arms as the huge slab of a lid finally gave.

Inside a few gold plated latinum bars, pure diamond casino chips, jewellery boxes, credit chits, and the Holocron, dim next to a black orb.

Fast as he could he swiped the holocron and twisted round.  Straight into three angry looking white cloaked security guards. 

For Kohl Balnard these regular security guys would be no problem to take out.

The Tank of a man in Light Eating Armour behind them however…

<<<<>>>>

Talia screeched around the corner to see a titan standing over Chillum. She had heard Ken and Jorya’s description of Black Armour…but the reality…

She lost her footing and fell to the floor as Chillum was lifted up without any effort at all and pushed into the wall by one midnight hand, the other fixing restraints.

Behind them White cloak security dragged Julwyyn out on a stretcher, behind them was Vesi,

“Oh there you are! Are you alright!,” she flew across the 6 metres to grip Talia

“You won’t believe what happened your friend Chillum and this blonde woman tried to attack Mari!  She’s fine though, Sophi is with her…our cousins are here now,” she gestured to the Monolithic death statue that moved.

“Goddess know what came over him…” Vesi continued “…our Parents will be very angry about this…”

<<<<>>>>

“I think we should retire to my room Mrs. Mack…” Cha seethed his fists balled on the table broking no argument.

Arnor could feel – something - move up behind her.  As the people behind Cha looked in terror she felt afraid to turn around to see what was looming over her.

“You can come under your own power,” he continued as a shadow fell across her from behind deep as night.

“Or my friend can assist you….”

<<<<>>>>

[Karmack]

The thought that comes to mind with this installment is ... out of the frying pan and into the fire...

While I understand their motives and the intent, even why they felt they needed to do what they did, I kinda wish they'd given Talia a chance.  There's a little itch in the back of my brain that says they would have been very surprised at the outcome...

But that's not what happened, and it wouldn't fit their world-view...   LSG, I love the construction of this passage.  Its a great example of how good intentions can easily pull you into error.  Du'An and Arnor should have paid a little more attention to the Way of the Maker...  ;-)

And Mendax...  Recruiting REBELS!  Impersonating a JEDI!  And a lot of the Mak'Tor equipment is clone-war era ... Imperial... 

Yeah, this is NOT going to end well....

[TheDutchman]

...Oh boy.  Looks like Chillum has done kicked the hornets nest now... I LOVE the details of the effects of how it's widespread (the bit about Luke was particularly awesome IMO  ).  But now with the Aethans on "red alert" I'm even more worried about our heroes...

And Mendax, she is one.  Badass.  Sith.  I think that your characterization of her is better than mine.  And her mass of followers keeps getting larger... Karm, D'Aylanna, and Zearic are going to be in for one tough fight (or two...or three  ).  Fantastic job LSG! 

Let's hope that Balnard or Talia can help to help alleviate the situation (although I kind of doubt it...)

I think that Karm put it best:
"Yeah, this is NOT going to end well...."
Corollary: "AT ALL!"

[Lord_S_Gray]

Chapter 20 — Justice for the Wicked

Part 1

Canto-Bight

Justice on Canto Bight was swift. 

After being arrested they were before a judge within 18 hours – their rooms and ships ransacked, the droids taken for forensic investigation. 

With their in-ear comms the police had evidence that all of them were part of the crime – and under Canto Bight law designed to penalise criminals who ganged up to cheat the Casinos – every member of a criminal group would suffered the penalty for every crime that group committed.

“Mr. Kohl,” The Judge began, it was sparse just before sunrise – the courts operated non-stop in line with the Casinos they largely catered for – fast justice deterred offenders.

“Following the presentation of overwhelming evidence, audio and visual recordings, DNA traces…you are found Guilty of attempted Theft, Destruction of Property, and interference with a Legislated Security System, trespassing grad four, and Attempted Rape and Murder,”

“I would NEVER!” Kohl yelled back

“Would you like to add Contempt of Court as well Mr. Kohl!” The middle aged Bothan Judge with light blue dyed fur cautioned.

“And the possession and use of a prohibited weapon in licensed premises.  The sentence for these crimes is in total 13 Years and eight Months of indentured labour at Deep Locke Correctional facility…alternatively you may remit your sentence on payment of 100,000 credits per month to be served coming to 13.8 million credits and exile from Canto Bight Independent System for not less than 25 years,”

On Ten Month Canto Bight anything could be bought with enough credits Arnor sighed, knowing that she, Talia, Julwynn and Chillum would all get the same sentence exactly as part of the criminal group…and M’Tzigon would struggle to find 69 million credits to buy them out.

And Arnor was certain that the only audience in the gallery, the three sisters and Cha flanked by two black killing machines, would make sure they didn’t escape.

“Any further outbursts Mr. Kohl…I thought not. The next will be Talia Cam, step forward,”

Talia did so, but couldn’t help looking to Vesi and the girls, they looked utterly shocked, disappointed and horrified she had betrayed them. She turned to face the judge…14 years…but it was true they had broken the Law, were anyone to do what they had on M’Tzigon they would’ve been imprisoned too.

“Your Honour,” The prosecution investigator stood up

“We have a Formal Minute here from the Fresia Rim Diplomatic Mission, might I forward it to you now?”

“Please do Counsellor,”

Talia glanced to the girls as the Judge read, then briefly conferred with an aide.

“The Free System of Fresia has formally requested the Independent system of Canto Bight turn over to their judicial officers the following offenders – Cam, Talia, Mack, Arnor, Chillum, Du-an, Kohl, Julwyyn, and Kohl, Balnard – under the Canto Bight External Affairs Act subsection 154 Extraditions on the basis that their offences were committed substantially against Persons and Corporate bodies who are citizens of the Free System of Fresia.”

The Judge then paused looking over all the ‘offenders’

“I am satisfied with this request and approve the transfer to occur in not less than three days after which the sentences imposed by this Court revert to an Exile for each offender of 25 years from Canto Bight.”

Arnor could feel Cha’s smile burning the back of her neck.

<<<<>>>>

Flanked by Night Shrouded warriors they were taken to the Casino’s hangar, waiting for them were their possessions neatly packed into their luggage, along with Mutt and Vegan.

“We will remove your restraints,” Sophi informed them

“If you try anything…Vesi won’t save you again.”

Talia’s hands tingled as the blood rushed back into them.

“Well Mrs. Mack it seems our game is at an end…” Cha slithered up beside Arnor

“Unfortunately for both of us…you’ve moved from the Junior league to the seniors by comedy of errors…” stepping back for Sophi to approach Arnor felt more than a little regret that Cha was leaving the scene…the devil she knew was far more preferable to this Devil she didn’t.

“Take them to the ship, I’ll be along shortly,” Her guards ushered them for except Talia who Sophi guided away,

“Wait where are you taking her!” Arnor protested, the Black Guardian simply pointed where she was to go – she wouldn’t leave Talia behind, Arnor’s fists balled.

“I’m not scared by the likes of,” she challenged the implacable soldier,

“Move or you will be moved,” Sophi said without emotion.

As much as it rankled…Anor had little choice.

<<<<>>>>

You can’t trust them.
They’re mean and nasty.
She said she was your friend.
She was though wasn’t she?
Maybe…not anymore.
She’s still nice, she didn’t want to do it.
It’s the others, they’re bad.
They made her do it.

Vesi listened as she sat within the Circle around the hearth. It had taken a lot to convince her Aunt not to come here…she had seniority and would’ve taken control, but Vesi convinced her that they were alright, and her Aunt trusted them – it was the Outsiders she didn’t trust.

What will you do?
Forgive her, forgiving People is nice…
But she’s not People, you don’t have to forgive her…she tried to hurt your sister…
Maybe she could be your friend again if she apologises…
Maybe…

Talia could only here a distant whispered conversation as she was brought into the room before the guard vanished into the Shadows it sprung from.  She was sure it was still there somewhere….

Vesi stepped out of the Circle, a gentle shimmer of blue across her form as she passed through and gesture for Talia to sit.

“Why Talia…why?”

Talia didn’t know how to answer…it was her mission…yet they were her friends…

“I thought you were my friend…did everything I could to make you feel welcome here, offered to get you whatever you wanted…all you had to do was ask and I would’ve seen if we could get you the trinket…”

Vesi shook her head as Talia remained in shamed silence, Vesi reached out a hand to her.

“Why did you let them use you like that…they’re not true friends who ask you to lie, steal, attack people…”

“It was…our mission was to get the holocron…” she said quietly

“And you didn’t think to just ask…We’re your friends Talia…or we thought we were…”

That reminded Talia,

“Where are the others…”

Vesi paused,

“They weren’t our friends…Sophi will deal with them now.”

<<<<>>>>

The molten pieces of Chillums hold-out stun blaster dripped to the floor.

Julwynns mouth was wide open.  Balnard remained stony but if he had a Force presence Arnor was sure it would be screaming shock.  Chillum seemed to fare the best at the sight, he’d seen a lot more than any of them, and was less shocked than intrigued at how it was possible.

The last remnants dripped from Sophi’s hand like mercury – her hand simply held it one moment and it boiled the next, a small pop as the battery exploded. 

She stepped forward, no longer in a dress but in Blood Red armour that had a sick glisten to it. She was wearing a helmet too, but the first shock had been seeing it vanish so they could see her face with an illusion Arnor didn’t dare try to break.

She stood over Chillum shaking out the last burning drop that hissed on the ferrocrete between his feet.

“What were you going to do to her?  Why did you want to knock my sister unconscious? Rape her, mutilate her, kill her? Speak willingly human or I’ll make you talk.”

“I would never hurt her, she was about to…”

“To strike the woman who had lied her way into her room, to defend herself, yes she was.”

She shook her head

“How can I trust your intent, you came to steal from us, what else did you intend you lecherous vile creature.”

She stared deeply into his eyes, he felt a burning at the back of his skull spreading forward

“You’re not scared of me are you misogynist…what about my Aunt…no…my Mother…no…my father,”

Despite himself there was a micro surge in fear at the last name – socialization in a society where men were physically stronger on average making the patriarchal threat more potent.

“There it is…you’re scared of my father…that is wise…” she turned back from him

“My father has splattered more potent creatures than you under his boot without even noticing…and you had the temerity to try and abuse his daughter… ”

“We had no intent on sexually assaulting anyone, you know that!” Arnor wouldn’t let her accuse her father of crimes he would never commit

“Really, Old man breaks into girls room, stuns her unconscious – what do you think happens next Arnor Mack?”

Arnor swallowed back her protest, finally seeing how it looked from the outside looking in – Chillum had been in her room a floor above Balnard and the holocron, arguably there was no reason to shoot at Mari.

“You’ve already proven a willingness to lie and deceive, how can I trust what I sense as the truth from you? You may be mind-wiped programmed assassins for all I know,” Sophi went on.

Arnor bit back…it was true…Arnor couldn’t assume Sophi could see the truth perfectly…all her accusations were defensible.

“What has given you the right to come into Our Business, try and steal our possessions, and assault Our family!” she went on

“You gave as good as you got in the auction” Arnor snapped recalling the flashback to Namman Cha’s goons beating her.

“We did no such thing – if you fainted it was because of the trauma left behind in your own mind – we did nothing – we never needed to – you Outsiders destroy yourselves, and hurt real People in the process.”

Outsiders…real People…what did that mean Chillum wondered…who was In and Out?

“You felt Cha was ‘dark’, or ‘evil’ and didn’t want him getting some mystical box the contents of which you don’t even know…confused fools”

“Quit the blathering, if you’re gonna kill us be done with it!” Balnard yelled

“I’m not going to do anything with you…you have a far more terrible judge to face…”

“Who?” Chillum the most controlled asked

“Talia.”

<<<<>>>>

“What are these missions costing you Talia? First your husband, then your body – it’s disgusting sending you to seduce Cha – now your friends, your morals – your very sovereignty of self?”

It was a hard thing to say – because it was true – what was she really doing here except hurting herself – why were they even investigating Cha?…because Karmack thought he was bad…because he cheated at cards and bought a holocron they wanted…

“We’re the criminals…” Talia said quietly, they came here trying to steal something
“I’m sorry, We shouldn’t have done that…”

“You can’t apologise on behalf of the others Talia,” Vesi’s eyes were high looking down upon her, but she let out a soft breath.

“What do you think?” Vesi turned her question behind them Talia following her gaze to Mari

Her mouth twisted in thought,

“Hmm…The Goddesses said it’s nice to forgive…and you were a good friend to us on M’Tzigon…I forgive you.” Mari held out her arms expectantly as Vesi prodded Talia to hug her

“It’s not sealed until you embrace each other to reconcile physically as well,” Talia did so happily, a sense of relief flooded over her as she fell into Mari arms, Vesi encompassing them both from the side.

“You have to think seriously about what you want to do Talia,” Vesi went on

“Stop being used by other people, just a follower, first used by the traffickers, then the Mak’tor…you need to make your own decisions…and we’re happy to support you with whatever you need.”

Vesi was right, too long she’d been an observer in her own life…just going along with things, following not leading – her own desires left behind and ignored as her doubts.

“What will happen to the others?” she asked firmly, they gave her an odd look and didn’t reply – this was up to her.

“I’d appreciate it if you let them go to return to M’Tzigon,”

<<<<>>>>

“That’s it? You’re letting us go?”

“I’m not letting you go…” Sophi said dismissively as Talia entered looking a head taller.

“I’m doing a favour for a friend,”

Arnor could only wonder what trick they were up to now as Talia approached.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine” the younger woman replied

“We’ll go back to M’Tzigon together tonight,”

“Together?”

“The Wayfarer is being sold at a Police Auction to cover court costs…Vesi will try and get it back,”

Arnor didn’t like this, every step they took was into deeper debt to those girls and whatever…society…was behind them.

“You have to be out of the system in three days” Cha broke in

“Or else things come off a head…So you get to enjoy my company for even longer Mrs. Mack…”

“I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way Mr. Cha…” she kept herself saying anything worse

“Oh but it’s not…I have a delivery for the good General Cliff….,” her eyes followed his hand as a transport she couldn’t recognise the make of lowered a platform.

Red Machine eyes stared back at her.

<<<<>>>>

M'Tzigon

[/i]
Leaving Csilla and Chiss space was much easier than entering it, so easy in fact Ry suspected her Grandfather had expedited their departure.  Only two border checks and even those were perfunctory at best.

Leaving her family had been less tense than sad.  They still didn’t seem to take her choice not to live in the Ascendancy seriously, were convinced she would come to her senses and return, that Ken was a mere fling with an alien before finding a real man – a Captain or Colonel in the CEDF.

It was true things with Ken were strained, chasms they had glided over in the first flushes of passion had resolved from the mists – difficult questions and issues that they needed to seriously consider hit them all at once. 

Had it been painful for her – yes – would there be even more difficulties and stress as a result – yes – but you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge – and this trip had forced them to do a lot of acknowledging. 

Perhaps that was good even if it felt bad – full honesty was rarely warm and fuzzy…

As soon as they came out of the last jump at the edge of the system on the main in-bound jump exit from the Corellian Trade Route offshoot to the Deep Periphery Ken was at the cockpit door Ricky trailing behind with the top of his dome still open beeping furiously as to why Ken had run off with him unfinished.

“What’s happening…” he said leaping into the co-pilots seat his face gaunt and terror stricken –

“what, noth…” she paused realising he must’ve felt something in the force, then as light began to filtering real time she saw what was going on.

A vast line of ships ahead were in neat orderly rows, overwatched by two refitted Old Republic Light Attack Cruisers, a CR-90 Corvette hovering just within range as fighters flew scanning missions over the queue, their blinking red lights indicating active scans.

“Vessel designate MT-1443-28 Gryphon you will proceed to these co-ordinates to await inspection before entering further, failure to comply will be considered an act of aggression,” A terse woman’s voice came over the open channels.

“And here I was thinking we’d left home…” Ry sighed.

<<<<>>>>

It took nearly two hours in line to reach the choke point where ships were and boarded- and hope Ken’s rank and the Gryphons status as a Men at Arms Vessel might expedite things was lost as the docking hatch hissed to reveal six power armoured Marines.

Having just been through nearly a dozen Chiss inspections since leaving M’Tzigon weeks ago, the Men at Arms were almost laughably inept in comparison – professional and detailed to be sure but nowhere near as scrutinizing as Chiss.

“So…Koawan Mack…” the Sergeant leered at Ken through the plated visor holding his indent card.

“Glad I get to be the one to bring you in before your Clan can do any more damage,”

“Bring in? What are you,”

The Sergeant produced a pair of stun cuffs

“Please make me do this the hard way,”

“That’s enough!” a crisp voice cut in from the docking port

“Koawan Mack, I am Lieutenant An’ne’Krey here to inform you that you are to be detained immediately on Lunar Base Crystom until debriefed,”

The lieutenant had a thin face but piercing eyes

“As for your companion…she will be detained pending an interview with Customs officials,”

“Chiss Schutta,” The sergeant whispered

Ken bit back any response that might make things worse.

Ry glanced around the body cramped living area, Ken with his sabre could easily take the Sergeant and other marines – heck even without it he could use the force to slap him,

Instead ken nodded grimly and extend his arms

“Mack scum,” The Sergeant sneered as if the word Mack were now more insult than scum as he slapped on the cuffs the servos in his mechanized arms audible as he clamped down on Ken’s wrists,

“I don’t know what has happened or what is going on,” Ken added lowering his arms “But as a Knight,” he emphasized
“I’m more than happy to follow orders – even if i don’t understand them,”

Ry felt proud to stand beside him then, compared to his aggressive reaction at the party with was a major turn around
“Follow orders! A Mack, That’ll be the day,”

“One more word Sergeant and you’ll be sharing the cell with Koawan Mack,” the Lieutenant cautioned.

The Sergeant awkwardly moved his suit behind Ken and gestured him forward, his heavy rifle in Kens back as though he were a prisoner of war,

As Ken stepped forward he turned and flashed Ry the warmest smile he had ever given her 

‘I’ll be fine, you’ll see’ it said without words

<<<<>>>>

[Lord_S_Gray]

Chapter 20 — Justice for the Wicked

Part 2

Mendax

Nyder had been here before…well not quite here exactly, but close enough.

Standing behind Mendax on the Bridge of Zearics Bane she tracked the flights of X-Wings moving to make a run on the cavernous facility on a rocky moon of Uorous VII a gas giant the Empire had a Helium 3 processing plant on. 

Mendax had swiftly integrate Gingal and his Rebel forces into her growing fleet, as well as the Imperial soldiers who surrendered.

“They’ve seen the light!” The Rebels had cheered

Oh they’d seen a light alright Nyder thought – the blazing energy of force lighting cutting their will to pieces.

She wanted to scream, but simply checked off the approach vectors, relaying orders through the Raider II from the MC30c Cruiser Ellinga that was positioned on the far side of the muddy orange gas giant to cut off any retreat.

Mendax was slowly rocking on her feet, becoming ever more impatient at the delay in getting what she wanted.  Misrum and Orfa continued to snipe at each other, but in the effort to please her had continued to grow her forces, taking half a dozen small outposts more or less intact on the inhabited Oorous IV.

Now Mendax had ground forces, troops and vehicles…but nothing to transport them with - the over enthusiastic Rebels having blown the Imperial Sentinel Class Landing Craft in a bombing raid.

But Oorous VI held the key – a Clone Wars Era Venator Class Star Destroyer docked in the caverns.  The outpost was built toward the end of the Clone Wars – intended to be a key depot for attacking the Sepratists from the Outer Rim inward – the war had ended shortly after the construction finished.  The systems nearby were of no strategic value to the Empire anymore, so a token force and an old Venator Destroyer was posted, retired and forgotten.

As soon as they entered the system the local Imperial Commander had rushed to get the old ship back online – Mendax had done nothing to stop him – he would soon call her Mistress.

<<<<>>>>

Three flights of four Y-wings followed the X wing flights toward the hangar built beneath the lip of a natural rock cliff, atop the mountainous feature were the ruined craters of what were once turbo laser batteries, blasted by the X Wing and the Elinga now only odd pieces of metal and wire floated into the void.

“Stay tight, arm at 200 to target, Blue flight come round to cover,” Not that there were any enemy fighters to cover from, but Gingal would not let discipline slacken. 

Their advance under the Master Jedi Mendax had been rapid, so many defectors they didn’t have the ships to house them – and still no word from the Alliance on additional ships to help their good work here.

It didn’t bother him, this was what the Rebels had done in the early days, making the most of enemy assets by capturing them.  Once they had this Venator, they could get their new forces to the final destination the Master Jedi had targeted – the centre of Imperial control in the Sector – M’Tzigon.

<<<<>>>>

In close formation the somewhat clunky, frequently refitted Y Wings lit the ash grey sands of Oorous VII – Satellite 6 glacial blue with rapid repeating ion blasts against the cavern mouth, the batteries to the side hurled green fire in return, blasting one into an orange ball of crippled metal. 

The concentrated fire was simply too much - within a minute of the attack run the hangar shield was flickering out and the emergency blast door descending, all the defensive platforms sputtering and cracking with ion discharge.

Pulling up from the attack run the Y Wings cut over head of the descending Raider 2 Corvette, its side panels opening, but in place of the usual TIE interceptors were mismatched forces – Rebel Shock Troops, Imperial Strom Troopers, Church of the Dark Side Flagellant Berserkers and Ex-Ruugs Raiders – their shadowed forms were lit blazing red by the Qixoni that one way or the other held them all in check, gripped tightly by the woman who had mastered it.

<<<<>>>>

Dust that had lain undistributed for decades flew up as the first boots hit the ground. 

The ground quaked as the sparking ruin that was a turbolaser battery was ripped by eldritch powers off its foundation and into the careless void.  With quick hand gestures the Rebel Shock Squad moved forward and tossed two stun grenades down the newly reveal maintenance ladder.  Electric blue peeled over the sides as they jumped in followed quickly by Mendax herself. 

She didn’t bother with the ladder, just dropping through the buildings faux gravity onto the decking beneath.  The shock squad was already engaged by the Imperial Regulars, she’d sent them in first to capture more ‘recruits’ alive. Pressed to the walls they traded fire as she strode into the hall.

Such an obvious target was naturally pounded with E-11 fire – red bolts smacked into a deeper crimson blade with pinkish flares as Mendax inexorable march continued down the utilitarian tunnel.  Rapid fire thoughts sent the ‘bucket head’s blocky helmets into the columns and beams they were covering behind, bloodying noses and swirling thoughts. 

In moments she had overtaken the Rebel Shock squad leading the advance from the maintenance tunnels into the facility proper, pulling legs and thoughts from under the Storm Troopers. 

There was a frustration to keeping them alive, all build up no climax – the peaking pain from her disorienting telekinetic strikes and the jittering twitches of the shock squads batons and stun cuffs – but not satisfying crunch in the Force as life fled.

Mendax determined she would have to attain a sense of ‘Finality’ another way.

Blast doors slammed before her, anti-intruder stasis fields lit up sickly electric yellow. The doors were torn apart by a flick of her hand, the fields overloaded with a burst of lighting from her fingertips.

She was barely paying attention to the pathetic attempts to stop her advance, more interested in ensuring her vassals were performing their tasks appropriately. Even at the height of her prior powers over Mellichae she never had this level of control and observation – the Qixoni crystal added a level of precision beyond anything she could achieve on her own.

From Misrum’s scheming and pandering to his Dark Dagger that increasingly twisted his thoughts, Orfa’s resentment that Mendax had used Ruug as her suicide bomber, even Nyders raging against the actions of her body in Mendax service, she saw it all as clear as a holo film in her mind’s eye.

As she slammed another four troopers to the ground and buffeted an officer over a rail down into a storage well, she knew Misrum had already seized the main power interchange but was delaying cutting the power in the hopes Orfa’s Raiders would take more losses.  Orfa for her part had a secondary force stripping consoles for any scraps of data to sell on the side.

“Misrum cut the power,” Mendax seethed her voice carrying to his ears – she could see his scowl and tightening grip on the Dark Dagger – it was a dangerous thing he had found along with the Darkside fanatics in the deep core, but Mendax permitted it curious to see just what it would do to him.

The Lights died replaced by the orange energy glow rods as another hatch was torn away, before her the trasnparisteel wall that overlooked the docked Venator.  The control room was empty, she gestured Nyder and the Rebel tech forward.  They rapidly connected up the consoles to their battery packs and inserted the indent-cylinders from fallen officers to gain access.

“Status of the Stalwart?” Mendax demanded

“75% operational capacity…the inertial dampeners are still not fully functional, Tertiary drive engines inoperable,”

“The Hypermatter Annihilation Reactor?”

“Functional” Nyder replied the blue glow of the screens text zooming across her face

“But not necessarily stable, I wouldn’t try to jump to hyperspace with it.”

“Unacceptable, how long to repair,”

“We have to take the ship first Mistress…”

Nyder was not strong in the force but had an inkling enough to occasionally breech Mendax control – not completely but a snide remark here and there – Mendax feared clamping down would render Nyders mind too slurred to be of use. Still a little prick to remind her of who was Mistress.

“That is not your concern, begin determining a way to repair the reactor and dampeners….and get the comm online.”

Nyder nodded inwardly, reeling from form her Mistress dart of pain she continued the work getting the bases internal comms back on line.

“Imperial Commander,” Mendax pressed the whole of station comm

“You are surrounded and outnumbered - surrender and I may show you mercy and allow you to join the…”

Words slightly stuck in her throat
“Alliance to Restore the Republic,”

There was a long pause, the Venator below a silent block of durasteel and doonium from the outside – within Mendax could feel hundreds of Imperial personnel, left behind by their Emperor, even the Sectors Governor, to face a horde of Rebel ships, now their last desperate attempt to relaunch an ancient vessel and escape had floundered.

“Rebel Scum,” the response finally came Mendax eyes blazed as the Qixoni zeroed his presence amongst the trembling throng.

“We are not fooled by your lies, Even now the Emperor prepares to implement his final solution while the Rebels think him dead, You are the ones who will…ugrkkk..”

Even from here she could see his throbbing pulsing neck as the blood desperately tried to push past the artificial blockage in the artery. 

Soon enough Mendax felt a little death, a micro climax to her day.

 “Alliance Commander this is Lieutenant Nordas, offering our unconditional surrender….”

Finally someone intelligent Mendax smiled as she looked upon her new Star Destroyer, she had longed to say the name she had decided for it out loud ever since she learned of its existence.

“The Requiem….” 

<<<<>>>>

[Karmack]

And the mis-adventure on Canto Bite comes to an end!  In a way, there's true justice there, with a very large dose of mercy.  Vesi and Talia settling the fate of the rest...   What if Talia had chosen differently?  And the scene of Chillum watching his blaster just ... melt ...

Who are these people?  Wow...

I am going to be VERY interested in what happens when Arnor and Chillum can finally compare notes with Karmack and Zearic and Silman...   Assuming, of course, that they don't just end up in their own personal cells...

Things are spiralling out of control .. and then, when it can't get worse ... Mendax.  And the Requiem.   

Perfect name.  Simply awesome!  :-)   Indeed, a Requiem...

[TheDutchman]

Good news: Arnor, Chillum, Bal, and Julwynn got off EASY considering.  Bad news: looks like they're losing Talia (even more)...and she's already lost SO much...

I am amazed at Cha's temperance (or maybe he's at the end of a leash that only he and the Aethans know about?) but for all of his changes he's still a (great) villain.  BTW: love the Marvel easter egg "Move or you will be moved" 

...And so the sins of the father are visited upon the son.  Well, "The Gray&the Unchained" showed that Ken and Ry can take care of themselves.  Too bad M'Tzigon is already compromised 

But seeing Mendax get a prolific force under her command... Our heroes are DEFINITELY in trouble.  And Karm is exactly right: the Requiem is a badass name for her ship (to say nothing of the entendre)!

OUT-
STANDING!

[Lord_S_Gray]

Chapter 21 - Homeward or Bound
Part 1

Delivery

The trip was…strange to say the least. 

The Ships interior – or what little Arnor was allowed to see of it before being placed in a room dead to the force – had a blue-grey pallete with odd stone highlights, and frequent depictions of barely clothed women – always in threes – indented statues at the end of hallways, or hung in elaborate black frames – one might think it a strange art lovers home except for the hangar they had been rushed through full of Dark Trooper Mark IV’s.

Knowing just one of the things was just below a match for Kage Silman…seeing a vast cargo lift with 100 in a ten by ten standby mode vanish into the ships huge storage bays…Planets had been conquered with less firepower than those 100 droids, Maker knew how many the whole cargo hauler was carrying.

Once secured the Black guard left them alone they all let out a collective sigh. Their ‘cell’ was a hastily secured lounge area, with adjoining refresher and centre table covered in jugs of water and confectionary bars for them to eat with a disturbing note

‘Apologies for limited food - Our normal food is fatal to Outsiders’

“Maker what do these things eat…” Balnard shook his head reading the note

“I smelt some of their normal food once…” Talia explained, “It was…extremely rich, full of proteins, metals and sugars the girls are meta-humans…but I didn’t realise just how different they were…”

“It’s not your fault lass,” Chillum added suspecting Talia was feeling betrayed

“They tricked us all…”

“Did they?” Talia turned on him,

“Or did we – the Mak’Tor rarely tell anyone they are force users, it’s hypocritical to say they should’ve told me they were…and they weren’t the ones trying to steal things,”

Arnors eyes narrowed, had they done something to Talia to turn her.
“These are not trustworthy people,”

“And the Mak’Tor, conducting undercover missions on the basis of Karmacks bad feelings about Cha are?”   

This didn’t sound like Talia…or perhaps not the Talia Arnor was used to, she’d been much more subdued since Illians death – perhaps this was a comeback.

“Talia, your friends are involved with some very dangerous Force Magicks, things that would’ve terrified Night Mother Talzin…Gethzerion herself wouldn’t touch that kind of deep Magick” Julwynn added – Arnor would speak to her later privately – if they go out of this – about exactly what these people were involved with.

“And we’re not, with ancient Crystals, Songs in the force…” She sighed and flopped into one of the genuine leather lounges.

“My point is maybe we are looking at this wrong…we’re more similar than different – both force users who don’t want the galaxy to know about it, both interested in force artefacts to protect ourselves and prevent our enemies from obtaining them – same goals but on opposite sides…” she paused looking at the cool white lights of the ceiling

“It’s misunderstandings like that which start wars.”

Their confinement was all but forgotten amidst the uncomfortable thoughts that now occupied their minds.

<<<<>>>>

Ry

She still had no idea what exactly was happening as she was shuttled with a handful of others out of system visitors to the Lunar base.  There were no viewports to see just how extensive the lock down was.

Taken through the hangar to the brig she wondered how Ken was going to react to all this.  He’d had his fill of this treatment with the Chiss, he should feel safe and welcomed on M’Tzigon…instead he’d been called a traitor.

Placed in a small but clean cell it was two hours before anyone visited her, an argument outside signalled her release.

“…still have the authority to debrief any prisoner,” the Knight behind the door argued with and officer backed by two guard.

“Ry’Lak?” the knight asked as the door slid open

“Yes sir,” she kept it formal
“I’m Koawan Da’Ne’Mas come to take you to the Mountain under my custody…” he glared at the indignant officer.

<<<<>>>>

“What’s happening?” she asked as they half ran toward the hangar before the Men at Arms changed their mind

“There was an attack on M’Tzigon, Maenowan Mack has been arrested and Martial Law has been declared.  I spoke to Ken briefly, they’re holding him in maximum security, he told me to get you out first…”

Ry felt a slight smile spread that he’d thought of her freedom first, quickly dulled by concern for him.

Rounding into a smaller hangar a group of Knights waited for them before a few small transports,

“They’ll take you straight to the Kage…I’ll see what I can do to get Ken out…”

<<<<>>>>

Ry had met many intimidating figures, Ministers, Admirals – the Kage of the Mak’tor was not one of them contrary to what Ken had told her – perhaps having a mother and grandfather who were both Admirals inured her to the mystique or rank.

“Please sit,” the Zabrack looked slightly haggard, dark circles under his eyes

“I’m sorry to meet you in such circumstances….both Ken and Jorya spoke very highly of you...”

“Thank you, Ken also speak well of you Kage,” she note taking a seat

“Huh well…I trust Da’Ne told you what has been happening…”

“He did the other Knights told me about the attack…I’m sorry for your losses.”

“Thank you…” he finally stopped tapping a message on his comm to sit and look at her

“We’re still working on getting Ken out…General Cliff is determined to keep him off world…but that’s politics,”

He shifted somewhat uncomfortably as though sitting was at odds with the demand for action he felt.

“I asked Ken for a favour, to look into things on Csilla regarding the sale of Chiss technology for battle droids, did he tell you anything about it at all?”

“No he didn’t…Ken was…he’s been struggling lately,”

Silman nodded “I see…well thank you for…”

“But I have some information that might be helpful regarding not only Chiss technology but also the…thing…called Black Armour”

Silmans attention immediately perked up as she detailed what her grandfather had told her about the Chiss ‘open secret’ allies asking occasional questions regarding the nature of the CEDF and its operations to understand how they would fit.

“…The more I reflect on it the more sense it makes” Ry explained “the Chiss have beaten a number of force sensitive races, notably the Kiliks but never had any force sensitive corps of their own,”

“Kiliks?” Silman probed

“Uhh…insectoid sentients that use a telepathic ability to make people ‘join’ them…the first houses they encountered were pulled right in…but then it suddenly stopped – I mean abruptly, and the war that followed…I studied it in the Academy but on reflection some of the campaign details don’t bear close scrutiny,”

Silman had an inkling in the force
“Such as”

“Some of the Orbital Drop Shock Troop missions seemed…incredible…teams of 10 men destroying planetary shields and turbo laser batteries, it sounded like Chiss heroics – but the Kiliks we’re highly co-ordinated with a Hive mind…A Hive Legion of 3000 shouldn’t scatter into a rout to be cut down by 50 marines”
“But someone…or many Somethings…like Black Armour could….very insightful…”
He sighed heavily wiping his hands over his eyes in a sign of fatigue

“Any other time I’d love to hear more about that particular war…but…no that is useful…knowing the Sons are getting their Charric weapons through these ‘allies’…though I can’t see why the Chiss would allow it…”

“The Chiss…” she paused even after leaving the Ascendancy there was an ingrained desire not to talk about certain things

“Wouldn’t care about the Sons…but they care about the Hutts and Crime syndicates – sometimes they start probing the border regions, if they’re tied up fighting the Sons they’re not expanding.”

Again Silman was impressed and struck on an idea

“Could there be a link…between these Allies and the Dark Troopers…”

“I don’t know…Chiss circuitry is certainly well beyond simple Charric rifles if that is what it is…I could have a look.”

Silman grabbed his comm in a frantic burst

“Tel’Owna…I know you were having trouble analysing those droids…well I’m sitting right across from someone who might be able to crack the code.”

<<<<>>>>

Cliff

Cliffs foot tapped of its own accord as light freighter descended – he had made sure to expedite Cha’s Cargo Hauler passing through the system blockade by signing it in as a ‘Critical Ally’ – he wanted no delay in getting the new Mark IV’s.

As the gas exchangers hissed out carbon dioxide the ramp descended, Cha with his winning grin descended and behind him…

“Mack…bloody Mack…” Cliff hissed under his breath.

“General my friend, I have your droids…once we sign some paper work…and some of your friends…there was an unfortunate incident on Canto Bight…” Cha handed him two folders, one stamped with the Great Seal of the Canto Bight Independent system, the other the documents to lease the extra droids.

As Cliff’s eyes scanned over the Diplomatic Minute signed by the High Justice of Canto Bight his foot all but tapped through the sole of his boot.

A Mak’Tor infiltration force arrested – attempted theft and murder, hacking of a Casino’s security system…A formal caution that any further operations on Canto Bight by M’Tzigon would be viewed as an act of aggression and result in them being Blacklisted across every single Industrial and Commercial Trade organisation Canto Bight was a member of – M’Tzigon wouldn’t be able to buy a depleted Clone wars power pack from a Toydarian junk dealer if they were blacklisted….

And jail sentences remitted by Aertemis Industries costing…70 million credits!

“Maker…I…”  He bit back what he really wanted to say to Arnor Mack

“My sincere apologies, on behalf of the M’Tzigon Government, for all offences against your company and staff…I assure you we will fully repay all costs incurred…”

Cha’s smile was greasy

“Not at all General, Vice President Vesi has impressed upon me we are not to hold this incident against you, but to turn over Mrs. Mack and the others to your custody.” 

Cliff nodded to the Major who having overheard quickly had the Sword of Light squad surround Arnor and the others to take them away

“Put them in isolation, three droids,” he ordered – now Cha had brought more droids he could spare some to keep watch on another rogue Mack returned from spreading chaos across the galaxy. 

“A moment in private General…” Cha gestured, Cliff felt just like a green recruit about to get lectured…he steeled himself, this admonishment knowing it was for the Mak’Tor and not him personally.

“Aertemis industries is very displeased about these actions against our staff and property, however we are willing to overlook it for now…but should anything like this occur again…”

They would be more than blacklisted – they would be anathematized as a trading partner for generations…

Bloody Macks…

<<<<>>>>

[Lord_S_Gray]

Chapter 21 - Homeward or Bound
Part 2

Ry

“It’s…Chiss but…”  The images flickered across Ry’s gaze, half stolen from the Men At Arms who were struggling to program the Dark Trooper Mark IV to recognise friend and foe.

“…Different – I can’t really make out some of the connections…there aren’t sharp junctions, it’s more curved, rounded…almost feminine …”

“Feminine?”

“Artefact Psycho-Analysis…an old Chiss concept - learn about your enemy from their art and architecture…”

We could use some of those Chiss insights…if you’re free to share…” Tel’Owna noted

“Happily…” an odd readout on the schematics caught Ry’s eye

“That’s…interesting…” Zooming in she tried to determine was it was…

“Within the torso…that component…”

“Yes…we can’t work out what it does…”

“With scanning equipment like this you wouldn’t…it doesn’t do anything for the droids movement or control…” she zoomed back out to not the size and shape

“This is why your Kage couldn’t hit the thing with the force as hard as he should have.”

Flicking to a second screen she brought up and image of one of the Oblivion Marbles Karmack had found on Dantooine.

“Those Droids have hearts of Oblivion….”

<<<<>>>>

Cliff

His brow was drenched in sweat that also stained his singlet.  The mountains rose majestically around the base, the deep colours of the rocks contrasting with the bright blue of the clear morning air and the brilliant white of glacial ice.  Even in the summer the morning air had a crispness to it that Cliff loved.  Too bad a morning run was the only way he could enjoy it...  Cliff had to keep fit, physically and mentally especially now.  Three laps around the perimeter of the Base took just over an hour, all he could unfortunately spare.

Turning back into the hangar he slowed to a light jog heading toward the barracks for a stretch down.  Most of the new Mark IV’s had already been unloaded with the speed and professionalism he expected, and were now with the techs who were still having trouble with friend-or-foe identifiers.  The transports were mainly gone, the hanger standing empty, but one Aertemis industries Transport was still there, a single figure loading spare power packs two at a time onto a grav pallet that trembled with each one he put on.

“Want a hand?” Cliff called out, he could use some upper body work...

“Sure…careful they’re a bit heavy,”

Well if he could take two surely Cliff could…

“Maker!” he almost toppled before righting himself “This has to be nearly 50 kilo’s”

“Yeah…” the employee said again lifting one in each hand, he had short ashen brown hair, a slightly pitiless serious face, handsome if he smiled.

“You get used to it.”

“Must keep you fit,” Cliff hauled one onto the palette

“A little…”

Cliff looked him over, he had solid, muscular figure but not overly bulky, a well-rounded soldier’s profile, his speed of movement and precision had a military look.

“You in the forces, Navy before this job?” Cliff asked heaving some more packs.

“That’s right, still in the planetary militia,”

Cliff could always spot a soldier

“Where did you serve, Empire?”

“CEDF – Chiss – ODST,”

Chiss was unusual…but given the Chiss tech in the Mark IV’s used not surprising.

“Orbital drop shock troop, that’s a tough posting,” ODST’s were often the first in last out in a warzone, sent to secure vital sites before a larger invasion force, or hit key targets – but getting to those targets - dropping in from space in single occupant Exoatmospheric insertion pod was even more dangerous, slightest miscalculation and you could burn up or get knocked off course.  It certainly explained his physical fitness though.   

“How long?”

“Oh a while…but…too much time away from the family…”

“I know the feeling…” Cliff had barely spoken to his children or wife since Orbital 3.

“It’s what you’re out there for…but…ah you know the feeling…so here I am,” the worker went on, and Cliff did, everything he was doing was to protect them, yet it so often took him away from them.  Never more than now.

Cliff slapped the last power pack on the hauler, his arms sagging down straight after – he’d pay for that for a week.

“Thanks for the help, take care of yourself,” he clapped cliff on the shoulder, his hand heavier than it should be

“And take care of the people you’re fighting for,”

Cliff nodded feeling oddly humbled as though this much younger man was far wiser than he was.

They finished with a hand shake and Cliff headed for a shower, wishing he had more men like that in the Men at Arms, and determined to talk to his children before he went back to the chaos.

<<<<>>>>

M'Tzigon - Temple Precinct - Mar'Shall neighborhood

Karmack stretched and padded over to the 'fridge.  The regenerative power of the crystal allowed him to spend a LOT more time in meditation than in the past, but he knew that eventually fatigue would catch up to him.  And he still got hungry...

Karmack selected a cold mocha caf from the door niche, and then on reflection grabbed the second half of the sandwich he'd constructed the night before.  Gulping down the cold cuts, cheese and veggies trapped between two slices of locally baked bread Karmack paced around the open-plan living area and reflected on the fruit of his 20-hour long meditation.

Or more correctly: the lack of fruit.

"Why did they have to use Chiss electronics..." he muttered, shaking his head in frustration.  For nearly a full day he'd been examining the structure of the nearest battle droid in the force, and while he'd learned quite a bit about how it was laid out internally, he was no closer to tracing its circuitry out now than he had been at the start.

What he HAD traced out were the internal structures, which included reinforcement from what Cha had called "Phrik" in his sales pitch but which felt very much like the black, super-dense stone Zearic had dubbed "Oblivion".  Whatever it was, the substance was extremely dense and it seemed to absorb force energy.  Where he could move with full freedom and near imputinty through most materials during meditation, following the flows of the force, with these machines it was more like walking through knee-deep mud in pea soup fog.  It was slow, slippery, you couldn't see very well, and exhausting.  Without the power of the crystal and the new perception motifs he'd learned, Karmack doubted he would have been able to discern anything at all.

He finished the sandwich and carried his caf over to the window, looking out into the gathering darkness.  The hulk of one of the quad of droids Cliff had dispatched was visible, maintaining its silent vigil over him.  Well, big guy, a quick and painless death is out.  So I guess we'll have to do it the hard way... 

Karmack glanced around the quiet neighborhood streets.  He would need to draw them away from the homes, minimize the chances of collateral damage.  But there would still be some.  I need to get a message to Silman ... have the neighborhood evacuated.

Karmack finished the caf and padded toward the master bedroom.  A shower, some sleep ... and then he'd see how good his stealth techniques were. For a moment loneliness threatened to overwhelm him.  He paused in the doorway of their bedroom, his eyes catching his wife's dresser and undisturbed closet.  Maker, I miss her!  I wish she were here with me...  At an impulse he gathered the force to him and sang along their connection, weaving a melody for her into the song.

She was near, yet held back ... Karm couldn't speak to her telepathically across their bond but he could get a general sense of emotions and broad concepts. Beneath the joy to feel her husbands touch Arnor closed her eyes to try and communicate a sense of where she was, confined but safe, disappointment at things recently past, and worry about where it was all heading.

Karmack tried to reply with soothing melodies, but couldn’t hide his own concerns.  The rhythms, melodies and harmonies of the song were gathering tempo, the themes and motifs building and melding, working their way toward - not a harmony, but a fugue - a rising crescendo of interlocking, reinforcing structure who's motions he couldn't predict.  The only stability seemed to be the strong and steady rhythm between the two of them. 

Everything else, every other melody and harmony, was bound up in the towering, growing uncertainty.

At the edge of the whorl a familiar yet new drumming beat entered his senses…it’s familiarity irritated like the tune to a song whose words you can’t remember…only as it closed rapidly did Karm finally recognise it….
Zearic?

<<<<>>>>

Zearic

Dualisms Soul rippled through the faux-reality of hyperspace at the edge of the system – but even before they reverted to sub-light movement both Zearic and Jim had sensed it.

A tension, like a tightly wound spring about to explode needing only the slightest breath of wind to trigger it.

“What has happened here?” Jaim queried to no one in particular.

“Mendax…” Zearic seethed the Nocte in his grip. Jaim cast concerned eyes over that dagger – the previous one the Tenebris was bad enough stoking Zearics fears…his one seemed to…consume…Zearics emotions and reflect them back.  Added to the still unexplained regeneration of limbs and eye…

Jaim was determined to get the best Gray Singer he could to look his friend over once they reached M’Tzigon…though as they approached Jaim realised it may come too late.

<<<<>>>>

Zearic had never had such a cold welcome to M’Tzigon before.  Getting through the blockade was hard enough – fortunately his access pass and permission to carry weapons was still valid, even so they had been escorted to the Mountain by ARC-170s.

The Mak’tor central hangar usually so full and alive was all but deserted except for the Kage himself.

Silman did a double take when he saw…and felt the Vhal’Dan approach – he had oft times sparred with the Vhal’Dan and knew Zearic Vih’Torr enough to know this was Zearic – but also enough to know this was also not Zearic. 

“Kage Lo well met, may I introduce Jaim Monocerous, Maenowan of the Vhal’Dan,”

Silman nodded and took the firm hand

“You are most welcome here Maenowan, I apologise for the difficulties in getting you here, things have deteriorated, I’m afraid that,”

“I know about Mendax,” Zearic interrupted steel in his tome

“Tell me what she’s done…”

Even as Silman related recent events of the suicide attack, Karmacks house Arrest, Arnor’s internment after the disaster on Canto Bite, Silman suspected Zearic had his own story to tell, not the least of which would involve the where he came across thinner but even more vicious looking dagger on his belt that had taken the place of the Tenebris Pugione.

“…and when Ken’in’ah’Mack arrived he was detained on the Lunar Base, Ry’lak we managed to get out…she’s not a Mack after all, she had some interesting stories to tell from Csilla relating to the thing known as Black Armour.”

Zearic stopped dead on the walk to the office suddenly primed.

“What did she discover?” he said far more forcefully than he intended, in an almost…interrogative…tone

“That beings like them are allied to the Chiss, have been for centuries,” Silmans tone was steady and factual.

“It explains Chiss success…” Jaim noted “they’ve expanded into the unknown regions for centuries without defeat, Sekot has had to move a number of times to avoid their advance…we always wondered how they were so successful – after seeing that Black Armour thing…”

“You saw it?” Silman was now the one intense in his questioning

“We were after details on the Tenebris Pugione and the various ‘oblivion’ orbs Karmack found on Dantooine, traced it to a mining world in the Deep Core, turned up in the middle of a slave revolt lead by the Sons of Kessel, that thing was with them – we didn’t see much, but enough to know a dozen of them could turn the tide of a war,” Jaim explained oblivious to the historical import of his words.

Zearic remained unusually silent as Jaim narrated in more detail their journey to the Deep Core as they reached the Kages office – not sparing the details of Zearics remarkable recovery.

“…and then Zearic showed up and we held them off long enough for the Sons re-enforcements to reach us…speaking of Kage I think we would both benefit from the ministrations of a Gray Singer if there are any available?”

“I’m sure we can arrange…” Silman began

“No…” Zearic interrupted, “I need to speak with Karmack, without any delay…”

<<<<>>>>

[Karmack]

And so it begins...    Pieces moving into place ...  a confrontation imminent.  :-)

Nicely written!  This was a fun one to pull together!  Nice work, LSG!  I really love the way the insights are starting to converge, with Ry identifying the Chiss circuitry and programming ... sort of.  And the delivery of Arnor and co with the droids...

Indeed, things are moving toward an inevitable confrontation...