NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: I’m going to introduce a few Jedi non-player characters in the next few posts. This is so that Jenghis can be a non-Jedi who, having gained the trust of the High Council, works with them. He will be called in and then Tal’s Sith will kill the NPC’s off. A minor adept, Jenghis will be in way over his head.
---------------------------------------
IC:

Delta Phangees was a strange star system. Usually, the two stars of a binary system were of different sizes, sometimes even different stellar generations. Not so for Delta Phangees. Two dim white stars circled a center point so perfectly that one would almost think that there was some artifice involved. Also, the stars weren't very bright, but they spilled massive amounts of heat into the surrounding space, leaving three planets in their habitable zone, dimly-lit but easily able to support life. All of this led to the name that starfarers called them: the phantom twins.

It was in this star system that a flotilla of New Republic Starships found themselves escorting the diplomats of various member worlds to a trade conference in the rebuilding Wookie planet of Kaschyyyk.

Chosen’s Choice was the well-worn but well-maintained heavy cruiser that had been assigned escort duty on the diplomatic flotilla. A complement of 20 Jedi Knights augmented the 200 combat veterans within her hull and the 50 or so who at any given time were outside performing maintainance, sharing wisdom with the diplomatic contingent or just plain keeping everyone safe. She may not have been new, but her condition made her top-of-the-line. Perhaps partly as a result, the crew remained vigilant even though it had, up to now, been a boring mission.

Against this backdrop, an unexceptional but unusual event saw Councilmember Jenghis, one of the diplomats, shuttling over to the Choice to meet with her skipper, a Jedi named Starvlan, and his top advisors.

Jenghis was the group’s military liason, the go-between for the military and diplomatic personnel. It was thus not surprising that he and Starvlan knew and respected one another.

Starvlan was a man of humble origins whose fairness and prowess in the force had earned him high ranking among the Jedi. It was even rumored that there could someday be a place on the high council for him, though, in his later years as he was, he had learned to regard these with patience. His graying hair stood in contrast to a strapling six foot frame. His Jedi training had assured that the years would be kind to him.

Jenghis had accomplished the impossible: somehow, he had taken the plague of vampirism and turned it to partial remission. Though shorter and gaunter than his counterpart, he had a mysterious something that could only be described as presence. When he cast his gaze upon a room, those who returned it would often feel as if he were in touch with their innermost thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, he had to remind them that he did not read minds without the permission of the subject.

So it was that the two men found themselves in the Captain’s Ready Room, having exchanged but a few cursory words. The room had no windows, merely four walls with red panels separated by white supporting bulkheads. In the center was a table with six chairs that swiveled fastened to the floor around it. Standing in the far side of the room, Starvlan turned to face his new guest. Finnally, Jenghis thought, we can get to the heart of the matter.

“So,” the civilian said, “what’s so important that it can’t be discussed before the crew?”

“A vision,” the Jedi replied. There was a pause.

“Go on, then,” Jenghis said. “Neither of us is going to live forever.”

Starvlan smiled. “How utterly true,” he replied. He waited a moment. “I have foreseen my death, and the loss of the Chosen’s Choice on this very day. I have forseen that, with you onboard, our enemy’s victory may not be complete.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Not to worry. You will…quite soon.”

As Starvlan finished his speech, the emergency klaxon sounded, calling the crew to battle stations. Without sitting, Starvlan reached into a drawer that opened from the table in front of him and pulled out a light sabre. “I trust that you know how to use one of these.”

“I’m a little out of practice, but should be able.”

“Good. Take it.”

Starvlan held the weapon in his hand and Jenghis summoned it to him with the Force.

“Now what,” the diplomat asked.

“Now…we defend our ship and our...precious cargo.”

OOC: TAG, so I can find it later!

The shadows moved through the void silently, having no communications being passed between them. They sat in ambush, the magnificent fleet of the Sith awaiting on both sides of the passing Republican vessels who slid through space ignorantly.

Thousands of starfighters flew towards the unsuspecting fleet, unleashing their payloads of missiles and blasters, bombers flying in low near the hulls releasing their bombs. Before the starships even engaged in combat, the pathetic Republican fleet would be hard pressed to defend themselves against the barrage of small craft.

The mighty cannons lashed forth as they spewed the massive blasts of red that were the turbo lasers at their foes. They closed in, continually raining hell upon the startled prey, surrounding them and cutting off their retreat. The slaughter a testimate to the power of the Sith.

A cloaked figure sat upon a throne of black among the bridge of the Sith flagship The Relentless Agony, the lights, or lack of such, shedding the room in darkness with the exception of the various computers shedding red glows upon the faces of the men who worked them. Around the figure, an aura or red seemed to glow in the darkness, the only real thing showing that he was indeed there and not just another shadow. The raw essence of the force streaming through him, it's power effecting those around him.

"Destroy their pitiful fleet," came the sick and twisted voice, made all the more terrifying by the flem that had to continuously be pushed out of the throat, "But leave the capitol ship whole. Disable it, and have the troops prepare to board."

"Yes, my Lord." came the shaky voice of the fleets Admiral, who promtly nodded at another officer nearby who went to transmit the orders.

The ready room door opened. An aid came through. She was a young and stunningly beautiful humanoid with dark red hair and large, black eyes and a lightsaber in her belt. The robes of a Jedi and the unmistakable feel of the force around her left little doubts as to her ability to use the weapon, young or old.

“Master,” she said, “we are ambushed!”

“I know, Tell,” Starvlan replied. “Contact the other ships. Tell them to run. The enemy will not be interested in them, and will instead come for us.”

“They’re jamming our communications, master! There’s no way that--.”

Starvlan looked at Jenghis. “And you wondered at your place in my vision?” he asked.

Jenghis didn’t need to be told twice. He sat in the nearest chair, closed his eyes, and went into a trance to improve the range of his telepathic powers. The first person he found was the most familiar: his wife, Miriam, who was aboard the lead shuttle.

Ambush! he called to her. Run! Get the fleet to safety!

Husband? What is— and then her voice went silent. Jenghis could only pray that he would feel it again someday. As quickly as he could, he contacted the other ships.

As he awoke, he felt the hull shake under the force of a barage. “Status!” he called.

“The swarm is upon us! Mostly small fighters, one big carrier. I thought the fleet would be lost, but they’ve brought arms to bear. I don’t know how, but they found out before--.”

The hull rocked again.

“To the bridge,” Starvlan said.

It didn’t take long to step out of the ready room and onto the ship’s bridge. From there, monitor screens showed what Jenghis had feared. They had concentrated their fire on the lead ship—the one his wife was in, and were trying to use it to seal off the escape route of the others in the flotilla. The flash of turbolasers filled the skies.

And then, Jenghis saw the proof that he needed that his wife had survived. The lead ship, the Silver Ghost, finally showed how she had gotten her name. As the lasers came searing in at her hull, explosive plates that had repelled a round of missiles blew away. Beneath, the hull shown like a mirror—and reflected the laser light safely away. In a moment, she had her engines at full power and was ahead of the flotilla.

Starvlan reached his hand forward, and a fighter stopped dead in mid-run. Three companions behind it could not negotiate the sudden change in trajectory. It began a chain reaction that blew a hole in the attackers’ wall.

Not long afterward, Silver Ghost had made the jump to hyperdrive. The others that were able quickly followed. When it was done, only three ships and Chosen’s Choice remained.

“You’ve done better than I had hoped, my friend,” Starvlan said. “Now, we must finish this.” He went to the intercom.

“Attention all hands, this is the captain. Prepare to repel borders. Repeat, prepare to repel borders.” He pulled his light saber from its place on his belt.

“But…why aren’t we trying to run?” Tell asked.

“You will find that our engines are already disabled—,” the hull rocked again, “now.”

“What would you have me do, Master Starvlan,” Jenghis asked.

“Stay behind me,” the wizened Jedi replied. “Though this ship and all her crew are lost, you still might be able to survive this encounter, if we’re all careful. In the meantime, I’ve got to extract due payment for the offense of attacking a Cruiser of the Republican Space Force.”

With that, the Jedi Master turned and strode through the bridge door and off to join the battle. Jehnghis and Tell followed.

The Jedi fleet had dwindled down to only a few ships remaining, sadly it was due to their luck at escaping instead of the deadliness of the attack. The Relentless Agony moved quickly above the head Republican vessel, and from it's hangers flew the landing shuttles, carrying many elite Sith troopers that would take the ships. The void had been secured for the most part, time to go start hell on the ships.

The plan was to not just beat them, but humiliate them aswell, leaving the Jedi trembling back at their temple when they would hear of this. The attack came on the main airlock, the sound of fusion cutters hard at work as sparks flew. No doubt the Jedi "Master", tho his skills were obviously no match for the dark side, would send his small force to counter the attack on the airlock chamber.

With a defening blast, the door blew off, and was replaced by a wall of thick smoke. Bursting through this wall, came the soldiers clad in grey armor, blasters drawn and ready, firing at anything that moved.

...which was...nothing.

Not a single troop, not a single droid, rose to threaten the attackers. Not even a single molecule of atmosphere greeted them as they began methodically working their way into the ship, searching for survivors, defenders, anything to sate their blood lust.

On the bridge monitors, Starvlan watched them.

"Do you think it is wise to spring this trap now?" Jenghis asked.

"The sith respect only cunning," Starvlan replied. "They will learn respect today. Don't you belong in the communications room?"

As Jenghis started to leave, he heard the ship's master softly utter a single syllable: "now."

Explosives in the walls detonated, turning the wall plating itself into shrapnel. At high velocity, it pierced the armor of the entering troops. The vacuum of space did the rest. In a moment, only one in five of the original attackers remained. The rest died soundlessly, exploding within their own suits.

It was then that the Jedi within Chosen's Choice donned air-tight armor of their own, burst in on the first wave and began to drive them back.

This provided the cover that was necessary for Jenghis to reach the communications room and secure a beacon, as per his request. After securing his charge, and setting it to a specific frequency, he slowly began to make his way to the engine room. Unlike the others, he needed no armor. As long as no star shown on him, his vampiric powers protected him, even from the dangers of explosive decompression. Arriving without interference, he set to work at a back-up plan.

On sensors, it would have appeared that they were attempting to make the engines permanently inoperable. This was not true, however--in fact, it was precisely the opposite. They were rigging the engines so that, once activated, they would run at full burn until the ship either ran out of fuel or crashed into something. They were repairing them. Guidance controls were set inalterably for the nearest atmosphere-laden planet. In affect, the Chosen's Choice became a missile.

During this time, Jenghis became distracted and could not follow the battle, but the thoughts that he picked up were, so far, encouraging.

They erred when they chose to enter through a single point, Jenghis heard Starvlan thinking. With the advantage of a familiar battlefield, we can concentrate our defenses on that point. This, Jenghis hoped, would not prevent the Master from keeping some troops in reserve against the likely event that this error was later corrected.

Although the Jedi had skill and the home front to aid them, they were outnumbered by at least nine to one. Even the kill ratios that they were attaining would not be sufficient to prevent the enemy from taking their objective. Having broadcast a message calling for help in The Force, Jenghis knew from the responses he got that it would not arrive in time.

Worse still, he could feel a horrible disturbance in the force--almost like a black hole drawing the energy of the world in. And Starvlan had not shared the worst of his vision. It had called for the sith not only to gain control of the ship, but control of the universe.

For this, Jenghis would need someone who could thwart prophesy. For this, he would need someone who could battle even the strongest force-adept on his own terms.

Fortunately, he knew of just such a being. But this one could not be contacted through the force. The force-adept diplomat clenched the beacon tight in his hand and readied himself for the trial that was to come.

The Sith troopers continued to pour into the ship, replacing their fallen comrades at the engagement point where the Republican troops had made their stand. It was inevitable that victory would come, but as insurance, a deadly force came.

The dark robed figure moved with a great speed around the corner to the battle, his robes swinging in the air as he spun, deflecting anything that came near it with a red blade. The figure stuck out his hand, and an invicible wave flew forth, knocking all the defending troops back against the walls.

It wasn't long now, the Jedi plan twarted, and the Sith troops moving through the ship, taking every level, every room, killing freely. A troop of 40 men moved towards the bridge of the ship, lead by the dark figure.

Starvlan watched the proceedings a bit concerned, then twirled around to face his opponent as the doors blew off and Sith poured into the room, killing mercilessly the crew of the vessel. He activated his lightsaber, the blue blade humming as he moved swiftly with his other Jedi friend in the room, striking down the Sith troopers with ease, leaving only the shadowy figure.

A frightfull laughter ensued, the dark shadow choking as he let out the hols of amusement. Without a word, he raised both his hands, and dark bolts of lightning, pure power of the force, came shooting out towards both the Jedi. The figure lifted his head slightly to let out more laughter, and his old face was revealed for a second below the hood.

Jurithia Haden, Jedi Knight, watched calmly as the Jedi ships were boarded by the Sith.

Death is nothing: the living Force remains.

Jurithia activated his dual lightsabers, one green, one blue, and yelled. He did not know if the Sith could hear him, but he did not care.

"I am one with the Force! I do not fear you, Sith. I merely pity you."

The Jedi Knight lay in wait of the Sith. He would fight them to the death, and he would fight in harmony with the Force. That was enough. It did not matter if he lived or died, it only mattered if the Jedi as a whole survived.

In a moment, Starvlan replaced his light saber in his belt and extended his hands. In another, he had set up a feedback loop with the Sith Lord. The power of the force built as the energy pitched and rolled back and forth between them.

The look on Tell's face changed from concern to fear as the charge grew beyond lethal. There was no stopping it--it was building up into a great explosion. Everyone in the room would be killed.

Cutting down another sith warrior who had entered the room, she made for the door.

She hadn't quite made it when the blast erupted.

In the engine room, Jenghis felt the pain of Starvlan's death, and the injury of the Sith Lord. He would survive, but his powers would be greatly reduced until he could heal himself. It was at that moment, Jenghis noted, that he became the last one left standing in the engine room.

Deflecting a blast with his light saber, he sped to the nearest control panel and threw the final Jedi plan into action. Engines nearly dead showed that, even in their last throes of life, they held great vitality. With a huge lurch, Chosen's Choice sprang into motion. Unprepared, the sith troops lost their balance.

Not needing to defend himself, Jenghis spread his hand toward the nearest power conduit. The resulting explosion blew a hole in the hull. Debris from everywhere flew toward it. The force of friction tore the hole even larger.

Jenghis threw himself toward the chasm. As he flew out, he used the force to draw to himself a section of hull plating that had been blown free of the ship, and to bend it to enwrap him. He then called upon his vampiric powers to induce a death-like state. In this manner, he could not only survive in a vacuum, but evade even the most sensative of scanners. They would detect him, alright, but, to them, he would look exactly like what he was now becoming: a dead body. All he had to do was make sure that the light of no star ever shown on him. It would be instantly fatal. Hence the hull plating.

As his eyes closed, Jenghis prayed silently that he had done enough to hold onto the day, and that he would survive to relate the events that he had just witnessed to someone who could help his cause. As the last air left the confines of the warped hull plating, all sound died away. Soon, all other sensation also vanished, and the diplomat's consciousness faded.

* * *

Twenty-one standard days later, an unusual space ship picked up the piece of hull plating and, with a robotic arm, took it into the ship's cargo hold. The ship was saucer-shaped, and powered by a magnetic drive. Because of this, it could accellerate so rapidly as to kill any humanoid within it. Obviously, it was not using its full capability of late.

The beacon had activated after a mere four days, but, as it was surrounded by the metal hull plating, it had gone virtually undetected. Inside the ship, Miriam prayed that her husband, whose body she had found only through her skill in the force, would survive.

"Is it pressurized yet?" she asked an empty bridge. "Can I see my husband?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a voice from the bridge answered. "Let him recover from his trance first. We wouldn't want him to do something that he would regret. I'll arrange a communication channel so that you can speak with him, though--and some wombird soup. In fact, I think I'll send a suit of mine to greet him--though it will, of course, be empty."

"Thank you, Metal Man. You've always been the best friend a girl could have."

"And you've taught me much over the years, Miriam," the voice said. "Especially, of love."

The missle that was in all truths the ship sped violently and un-impeeded towards the nearby planet. With a mighty crash, and a destructive blast, the woodland around the crashsite became a desert of fallen trees, lit aflame and crackling.

Darth Solus pulled himself out of the wreckage, it was only with great difficulty that he had survived. Reaching into his pocket, he activated his beacon. A party would be down soon to collect him, but for now, he was alone for the exception of the few birds that flew overhead.

Then it hit him, some unforseen pull, a great and terrible power beckoning him, compelling him to seek it out. And so he listened, moving through the desert and back into the thick forests. After an hours march, following the growing feeling of the raw power, he came across a small cave entrance within the side of a high mountain range that stuck up stubbornly through the trees, not wanting to be envelopped by them like the rest of the planet.

He ducked down, and painfully crawled through, not being in the prime of his life anymore made it a bit difficult to bear. Emerging in a dark cavern, he moved through the long natural corridor, guided solely by the force, drawing closer and closer towards the source of this magnificent power that now seemed to drive him.

"No, this can't be!" the dark lord exclaimed in wretched agony, meeting a dead end which abrumptly stopped his finding of the mysterious power source. He moved forward, closer to the rock that closed off his path, and pounded his fist up against it. But he did not manage to hit it, rather his fist went right through. It was an illusion, an illusion strong enough to trick the force into making it seem like any old cavern wall.

A wry smile formed on the old man's face as he walked through the stone, and into a circular room, lite by a glowing blue orb which lay on a pedastle in the middle of a small pond.

The Sith fleet left the area, and the Sith Lord headed back to his comfortable palace, where he would study this artifact that was so strong with the force, to pervert the minds of any that came within range of it.

Jurithia Haden emerged from his force trance. The trance had been taught to him by his late Jedi master. It slowed breathing and made a Jedi less suscepitable to harm, though the Jedi was uncousnous. He had entered the trance right before his ship had crashed.

Crawling out of the remains of the Jedi cruiser, Jurithia realized he was wounded. He would be stuck on this planet for some time...

It looked much like a protocol droid, but it was made for a different purpose. Its silver-plated limbs were many times more powerful than those of any protocol droid ever made. This became evident as they reached into a crevace in a warped piece of hull plating and, with little fuss, partly straightened its main bend. As a result, the man inside was unwrapped like the sweet insides of a pastry. As the light hit him, his eyes opened, and, looking at the machine that had released him from his self-constructed prison, Jenghis seemed to recognise it.

"How long?" he asked, starting to rise from his pauper's coffin.

"Twenty-One days."

"What??!?!"

The travel suit shrugged.

"Metal Man, we've got trouble!"

"There will be time for debriefing after you've recovered."

"That won't be necessary. I've been healed. I've got to get word--."

"Are you sure that you wouldn't rather speak with your wife first? She's the one who found you, you know."

"Perhaps you did not grasp the meaning of what I just said. I am HEALED. The Orb of Life that I wear around my neck was ACTIVATED--and NOT by ME."

"What? How is this possible?"

"The Orb is not unique. It is one of several that were bequeathed to the galaxy by a predecessor society. They're all attuned. So...this could only have been done through the use of another orb."

"But I thought that yours was unique. You called it 'The Orb of Life.'"

"It was--until some time in the last twenty one days. Someone must have found another one--and, from the disturbance that I felt in the force, I think I know who it was."

"A friend, I hope."

"Ohhhh, not hardly."

"Well, I hope that the one in your posession can balance the new one. Their power is about equal, isn't it?"

"Ummmmm, ..."

"Husband, do not fear," a voice came from a nearby plate on the floor. A hologram of Miriam, rendered all themore stunning by its transparency, stood before them. "I'm sure that, together, we can get through this."

Jenghis smiled briefly.

"This is too big for even the three of us. We need to take it before the Jedi High Council."

"It could take some time for us to reach them," the Metal Man said. "I'll send word, alter course--and prepare some wombird soup."

"Besides," Miriam continued, a smile forming on her features, "there is something that we haven't done in a great, long while that I wouldn't mind if we were to do again."

Jurithia finished his healing rather quickly. He had not been wounded badly, and was good with treating injury.

His next objective was to find a safe place to sleep, than get off this force-forsaken planet.

Huh! Liam shot straight up in bed, knocking the covers off of his chest. A disturbance... a powerful disturbance... Liam thought as he felt his hair, wet with sweat. What is it that could cause such a disturbance? I must know...

He lept out of bed and threw on his robe in one swift move. He walked swiftly out of his chambers and down the hallway that was on the perimeter of the ship. As he got to the bridge, the droids there greeted him, subserviently.

"Just get back to work..." he replied to them as he walked over to a projection of the galactic map. "Here!" he said as he indicated the point of disturbance he had felt. "You!" he yelled at the droid piloting the ship, "Set a course for this... make it quick, stealth isn't needed."

The droid did as was told and as Liam walked back to his chambers, the ship jumped into hyperspace, bound for the Council. On his way down the hallway to his room, a door opened on his right side and outstepped a woman (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/Brianna.jpg) clad in a tight black suit. "Where are we heading?" she asked him curiously as she had felt the change from drifting in space to hyperspeed.

He stopped momentarily and looked at her without saying a word. "A disturbance..." he finally said before turning and continuing down the hall into his room.

She too had felt the disturbance in the Force, though not as strongly or directly as Liam had. It was well known that Liam was much more powerful than herself as he had become a 'Grey' of sorts, though he didn't refer to himself that way.

The lovely woman stood there for a moment thinking about the future before turning and walking briskly down the hall to the bridge. She didn't really understand Liam. Not many people did. But for some reason she had followed him and obeyed him anyway...

"Sensor contact," Miriam said, "zero four six mark zero two zero."

"A starship off the starboard bow?" Jenghis asked, a silly expression on his face.

The bridge was located near the top center of the giant saucer's hull. Its tear-shaped compartment had viewing windows all the way around, and was lined with a multitude of different consoles. These were usually not used--the Metal Man, deep in the heart of the ship, normally ran everything through a direct neural interface. The arrival of his old friends and a small Jedi escort had changed that, though. Miriam, by virtue of her unusual combination of scientific and diplomatic training, made for an excellent communications liason, and was manning the sensors and the coms. Her husband, on break, was engaged in one of his favorite passtimes: distracting her. This had ended when the sensor contact began.

"Time to see if those Trade Federation Scanners are as good as the salesman said they are," came the Metal Man's voice. "Please scan and identify the contact."

Standing before a bridge console, Miriam touched a portion of the panel. "Scanning," she said. There was a moment's pause.

"That's odd," she said. "It's a Sangheili destroyer. It's a long way from home, isn't it?"

"That doesn't bode well," Jenghis added. "The Sangheili are fiercely xenophobic. If they're out here, in the middle of republic space..."

"The plot thickens," the Metal Man said from his place in the center of the ship. "I can read her status beacon. Her name is Faith's Fury, and she's flying legal. Even has a law enforcement tag. Skipper's name is listed as...oh. Him. That explains it rather nicely."

"So who is it," Jenghis and Miriam both said together.

"Either of you ever heard of a Sangheili Elite named Fulsam' Ikaparomee?"

Jenghis looked perplexedly into the bridge camera.

"I thought he'd gone back to hunting for...some strange...artifact. Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Metal Man?"

"I don't know," the Metal Man replied. "You're the telepath."

"I don't know what either of you is thinking, but I'm thinking that it's time to hail that ship," Miriam said.

Jenghis walked over to another console.

"This is Brain Jar to Faith's Fury. Come in, Faith's Fury."

There was a moment's pause.

"Typical Sangheili," Jenghis said presently. "They've sent an auto-acknowledgement. They're too good to talk directly with rif-raf like us."

"I'll have to do something about that, won't I?

"This is the Metal Man requesting direct communication with Fulsam' Ikaporamee regarding recent events that may interrelate our current missions. Please respond by voice."

Liam's ship came out of hyperspace where he had indictated on the map was the place he felt the disturbance from. He walked out of his room and down the hall until he reached his "partner's" door. He knocked on it and inside the woman came out of a state of meditation and opened it, "Oh... we are there... I wasn't paying attention."

"Grab your stuff... we have company," Liam said.

"Company... what do you mean?" she asked, "Are you sure?"

He merely held his stare a second longer than normal, which told her that he wasn't joking and nor was he mistaken. He continued to walk slowly down the hall to the bridge as the woman rushed to get her black cloak on and attatched her lightsaber to it. "Make contact with any ship in the area...." he said to the droids, "Find out who they are and why they are here."

If I am lucky... the council hasn't sent anyone to investigate yet... he thought as he waited for the droid to fill his orders, That would make it much easier if I didn't have to deal with the hassle... then again, I am not that lucky.

"Dig's going allong well Shamman. We're beggining to uncover the entrance of the tomb of some ancient dark lord."

Assigned to excavate old tombs and temples, on the old sith planet Korriban, by Darth Solus, their goal was to find old tombs with holocrons or teachings of the old sith empire. He nodded, "good, I'll come on over. Is it the temple we're looking for?"

"Unknown sir, but it sure looks it."

Shamman's lightsaber's dangled by his hips as he walked. He took one off and began to twirl it.

"Here's the entrance sir."

Shamman waved his hands, and oppened the door. He felt something within the old temple. Something..... Worthy for the sith.

Ah.... This is it.

IC: The bridge had been full of activity and bustling. The heretic was out here in this area, but he was masking his ship through some thrice damned fashion. But that had been killed by the second message they received.

Even Ikaporamee stopped in his tracks. They knew the Metal Man; he was the only active holy oracle. He had been scribed in many holy texts and even Ikaporamee’s family tales. He was the being of the forge, the one who exposed the greatest heresy in the Holy covenant since the fall of High Charity. Rolamee, the renegade Commando Praetor had turned to the service of dark gods.

So he, Infiltrator Praetor Ikaporamee had been assigned to deliver the prophet’s justice to this foul cur. He had been assigned the Faith’s Fury, a well decorated destroyer in the service of the forerunners for many decades. He had been trailing Rolamee for many weeks now, through slip space, the hellish warp, and through real space, never but a few hours behind. Eventually the cruiser would tire and the blade would strike down the serpent.

They had just exited slip space in this area, very exited because Rolamee’s signature was growing stronger and stronger instead of being a constant; this meant the hunt could very well end here and now. All attention was focused on finding this bastard in the vast space, that is until the Metal Man spoke.

“Ship-master, open the communications, screen seven.” The ship-master was the gold armored sangheili. Ikaporamee wasn’t ship-master since he was technically borrowing the ship.

His milky silver armor gave off a soft sheen from the purple and blue lights of the surrounding consoles as the picture converted over to the oracles communication. As is befit to the honor of the oracles, the sangheili dropped to his knees and bowed, the others followed suite, but only briefly since they were piloting a warship. The powerful sangheili rose to his feet as he began to speak.

“With all due respect Holy Oracle, I do not see how it does. We are here on a mission of the prophet’s own command to hunt down one who would defile the beliefs of the forerunners. We are here for no other reason and doubt very much that you would be hunting Joslith in this forerunner-forsaken place. But if you need my services, I am sorry Holy Oracle, this holy order must be carried out as soon as possible.”


It was now that the renamed cruiser, Khorne’s Iconoclast, made a bark despite being out gunned.

Edging from behind a nearby planet, the warp-energy spike went unnoticed due to the spike from communicating. The modified particle cannon was now designed to fire pure warp energy instead of the accelerated particles.

The tall red-skinned sangheili watched the debased view screens in the blood soaked bridge. He grinned with a mouth missing several teeth with perpetual bleeing of an unhealthy looking ichor. Barking a curt command in the language of the damned, a sangheili wearing red armor from the blood stains nodded at the command, unable to acknowledge the command with words due to his hideously deformed jaws.

The order was simply, cripple the dog that hounds us, move into the warp four our next move.

A blinding flash the color of swirling nebulae struck the covenant destroyer through the plasma engines, the shield was downed instantly in that small section while the armor melted at the power of the shot. Gouts of blue flames roared out of the hole in the ship as emergency venting and diversion of plasma saved this ship from being destroyed…

OOC: I just posted the attack quickly to move one, so ie it happened maybe 5-10 seconds after Ika’s message…

...and then, the intruder struck. A weapon fired, impacting the Sangheili destroyer's hull and tearing a hole in it.

As the Brain Jar's engines engaged, Jenghis took to the weapons console. He knew good and well what The Metal Man was doing: moving his ship between Faith's Fury and the intruder. The diplomat also noticed that the main plasma cannon had come to a full charge. With his hands at the console, the targeting and charging mechanisms became manned, leaving The Metal Man to concentrate on helm.

"Who's in that thing?" The Metal Man asked.

"He's a Sangheili heretic," Jenghis answered, "the one whom Ikaporamee spoke of. I can feel his lust for blood."

"And he's after whatever caused the disturbance in the force that we all felt earlier," Miriam continued.

At that point, the cannon fired--but the shot never reached its target.

The moment Brain Jar began to move, the Sangheili cruiser turned tail and ran. Before the weapon's fire could reach its mark, the ship had jumped into hyperspace. No doubt it would stay nearby, but it would not be easily found.

"You realize that he's probably lauging at us right now," Jenghis said.

"Let him laugh," The Metal Man replied. "We're the ones who carried the battle."

"Things just got a little bit more complicated than they were five minutes ago," Jenghis observed.

"Did they survive?" The Metal Man asked.

"All of them," Miriam replied.

"That's why things are complicated," Jenghis continued.

"I'm going to have to awaken my organics," The Metal Man said. "This is Brain Jar to Faith's Fury. Let's get some plating on your hull, and get your ship ready for battle again. While that's happening, you can tell us what kind of heretic you're chasing, and we can pass on some information to you about a possible reason for him to be in this space."

"By the way," Miriam said, "another ship just came out of hyperspace."

"Identify."

"Too distant."

"Well I'm not leaving this area until the Preator's ship can fend for itself. He'll have to come to us."

"What's this Oracle stuff, anyway?" Jenghis asked. "I thought you never played god."

"It's nothing," The Metal Man replied. "I'm a Sangheili Oracle. No big deal."

"It is for them. Their Oracles are supposed to be able to work miracles."

"I really can't help that. Ika was on hand when I resurrected you and Miriam. I can't argue the evidence."

"But you've renounced those powers."

"They don't see it that way. And they're powerful beings. With proper guidance, they could become the pride of the republic--her best defenders and artisans. Their self-discipline is simply phenominal!"

"Leave it to you to see them for something other than what they are."

"Only what they can become, old friend."

"Well, we don't have time for another long talk, boys," Miriam cut in. "That ship has changed course to intercept us."

"Well, shields are already raised," The Metal Man said, "so we're relatively safe. If you can hail them, tell them to watch for a Sangheili cruiser."

------------------------
OOC: The ship is Liam's. Juri should TG me if he wants a pick-up. Otherwise, we can write it that he was already taken back to the Jedi high council. Your call, Quaeon (hope I spelled that right).

Liam's ship was quite fast and quick as it was lightly armored for better manuevering, and in no time flat it had closed the long distance between them and the unidentified ship. "Bring the lasers down and the shields up," Liam said as he barked orders to the droids, "Be prepared to divert all energy to the engines on my command."

"What are you doing..." The woman asked confused about his move.

"Just trust me," Liam replied.

"But what you are doing is suicide! You know this ship isn't stupposed to be capable of taking a direct hit and if they shoot us with lasers down... we are sitti-"

"Trust me..." Liam said as he interrupted her rant. Turning back to the droids at the controls he began issuing more orders, "Maintain a steady course directly at them... if they alter their course, change accordingly. Make a connection with that ship and find out where there allegiance lies. Have my fighter prepared and open the doors..." he said as he turned and walked out of the bridge. The droid quickly sent out a message to the ship:


This is the Grey's Flight, tagged XCA-199. Identify your self and your intentions. Over

"I still don't understand..." The woman replied as she too turned and hurried after him.

"You still don't feel it?" Liam asked her. "Brianna... I am dissappointed," he said using her name; something he rarely did. He continued walking down to the hangar bay and he hopped into his fighter. It was nothing special, just something he had bought after his previous one had been destroyed.

"What am I suppose to do...?" Brianna asked, "We haven't fought anybody in months..."

"Patience was never your virtue..." Liam chuckled as he strapped himself in and turned the controls on. "Trust me... you will have more than your fair share of fighting soon... but for now, you will remain with the ship and-"

"But-" she began to protest but was silenced as Liam shot her a heavy glare.

"And meditate until your understand..." Liam said continuing his sentence.

"But I don't even know what you want me to understand!" she yelled as her impatience was getting to her.

"You will know what I want you to understand, when you understand it," Liam replied calmly, though he knew it would only make her madder.

Brianna stormed off back to her room like she was a little girl who just got put in time out. She was never who favored sitting back when there was adventure and killing to be done, but she was still learning what her Master had to teach. As she entered her room, she pulled off her obviously Sith, black robe and threw it on the bed. Next she pulled off her lightsaber and was about to throw it too, when she thought better of it and merely tossed it, lightly onto the bed. She had already lost one lightsaber in the past year and she didn't want to lose another...

Back in the hanger, Liam adjusted his Lightsaber and Lightwhip to make them comfortable for travel in the fighter. He flicked a button that was over his head and called to the bridge, "I am going to make contact... tell me when they respond." With that, he hit thrusters and his fighter shot out into space at the thus far unidentified ship.

IC: “Transfer all plasma to weapons batteries! Expend fire into the space toward us to prevent a melt down, make sure it doesn’t hit anybody either. Recharge the plasma turrets because of a visitor. Have the Yan’me down at the engines sealing the vacuums, then I want engineers down there fixing the engines. We may have a fierce amount of turrets, but we stand no chance if that bastard can out maneuver us.” Ikaporamee was bellowing orders now at the panicking unggoy and steeled sangheili. Like a greater unit they scurried to work as the ship began to lick its wounds.

Ikaporamee activated an ion message since the non-essential view screens were shut down.

There is no need Holy Oracle. We of Holy covenant have evolved our ships unlike the old ones so self-repair is much easier. But if you could happen to watch our vulnerable rear, we would be in your debt as we already are. But in response to your question, he has been stripped of his title and name and been branded “Joslith”. You encountered his soldiers at the Order of the Star and Moon, the commandos in the service of the…dark one. We believe he is simply fleeing us, searching for other pockets of heretics, but even they have a depraved form of honor and will not take him in. We have been on his tail until now and he will most likely escape justice for several years now.

Ikaporamee knew it was rumored that he was after some artifact of the dark ones, but it was merely superstition and blasphemy as the prophets declared it.

"Our information is sketchy, Ika. There was a sith attack on a diplomatic convoy some twenty-one days ago in this region. The sith didn't get anything directly from the attack--the one ship that they managed to board was scuttled and crashed into a nearby planet. It was shortly after this--about eighteen days ago--that force adepts across the galaxy reported sensing a great disturbance. We haven't had time to investigate, but we think that the sith found something on the planet, and that your quarry may have felt the disturbance, too, and be scheeming to acquire whatever has caused it."

"It's an orb," Jenghis said. "I carry the only known surviving orb, and it is reacting as if another orb is nearby."

"This is only speculation," The Metal Man continued, "but, if I understand this right, this heretic of yours is in Khorne's thrall. Khorne would covet something like an orb. They imbue their bearers with supernatural powers. It could conceivably even allow a creature like Khorne to bridge the interdimensional gap. We must not allow this."

"Guys, I have an ID on that ship," Miriam cut in. "A Grey's Flight, the XCA-199."

"A privateer?" The Metal Man's voice said. "In this part of space? We'd better go and make sure that he's not in over his head.

"Ika, your situation appears to be stable. There may be an innocent in the vacinity, and, if there is, I can't allow him to suffer at the hands of a servant of Khorne. I'm going to move in and protect him, if necessary. I'll return when I'm convinced that his situation is also stable."

Not waiting for a reply, the Brain Jar fired up its maglev drive and was rapidly up to cruising speed.

"Looks like there's another ship nearby. Can't get much of a reading on it, though."

"If it's that cruiser, they're in trouble."

"XCA-199, this is the Brain Jar, rescue ship of the Republic. There are pirates in this region--we just exchanged fire with one of their ships. Use extreme caution, repeat, extreme caution, when dealing with other ships in this region of space."

"Guys," Miriam continued, "the privateer has just launched a fighter."

"I really hope that second ship isn't hostile," Jenghis said.

"As soon as you can identify it," The Metal Man continued, "let us know."

----------------------

OOC: Perhaps Liam and TMM can have something of a meeting of the minds now.

As the droids in the bridge room of the Grey's Flight recieved the message, they transponded it to Liam's fighter which was closing in on the Brain Jar.

Great... the republic, Liam thought to himself. "All right... I will deal with it," Liam replied over the commlink to the droids, "Just go into hyperspace and stay out sight..." he ordered and the droids followed command.

As the Grey's Flight slipped into hyperspace, Brianna again felt the change, though this time instead of being curious, she was quite mad. She knew Liam had left her behind again as he ventured out to make contact and it was killing her to be stuck on the ship without anyone to fight. She picked up her single bladed black lightsaber from the bed and ignited it. She started practicing by hacking at an invisible enemy, but soon her rage overtook her and her slashes were cutting into the wall...

As Liam's fighter neared the Brain Jar, he began sending a message... through the force. I am aware of the presence of other ships here... I was expecting it and would have been surprised if there weren't any. My ship seems to have left me and gone into hyperspace... could you allow me to land aboard the Brain Jar.

"Awake at last," the voice said.

Jenghis sighed. "I noticed. I can barely feel the force anymore. Maybe you'd better go back to sleep."

"It doesn't work that way, and you know it," the Metal Man replied with a chuckle.

"Well," Miriam said, "you two had better stop arguing. Our friend wants to come aboard."

"Easy enough to take care of," the voice said, "and we're not arguing, we're communicating."

Brain Jar rotated so that its lower docking hatch was turned toward the fighter, and its docking lights came on.

"What about that second ship?" said the voice.

"It was just a sensor echo."

"Prepare to bring the pilot aboard."

In a moment, the fighter had docked and Liam was in the lower holding area.

Thank you he replied through the force to whoever was paying attention on board the ship. He turned off his guns as a show of good faith and directed his fighter to the docking hatch. He brought it in fast, but as he got close he slowed it dramatically until he was all but drifting to the docking hatch.

As he attached to the Brain Jar, he flicked a few switches and turned the fighter off. He then opened the hatch on his fighter and entered into the ship. "Got to love to fly," Liam said as he stood upright and drew himself to his full height. He straightened out his simple grey robes, no designs apparents nor any damage, though he left his hood on covering his face in darkness. He then readjusted his lightsaber and lightwhip to a more comfortable position as he awaited the "welcoming party" to arrive.

As he attached to the Brain Jar, he flicked a few switches and turned the fighter off. He then opened the hatch on his fighter and entered into the ship. "Got to love to fly," Liam said as he stood upright and drew himself to his full height. He straightened out his simple grey robes, no designs apparents nor any damage, though he left his hood on covering his face in darkness. He then readjusted his lightsaber and lightwhip to a more comfortable position as he awaited the "welcoming party" to arrive.

He was greeted by an man who looked quite unexceptional at first glance. He was a middle aged man with pale skin, blue eyes, graying black hair, a clean-shaven face and a rotund middle. He wore a simple robe of white cloth, and seemed almost out of place on a ship of such complexity. Still, there was something keenly observant about the man, almost as if he could see the things he looked at on levels that many men could not. He wore a wan smile and extended an open, ungloved hand. He seemed inherantly trustworthy. Certainly, the Diplomatic Transponder on his ship bespoke of someone trusting him.

"I'm called The Metal Man, and this is my ship. May I ask your name, and how it is that you happened to be in this rather turbulent region of space?"

Liam looked over the man from behind the darkness which covered his face. Cloaked in mystery from behind his grey robe, Liam spoke with a soft but stern tone. "My name... is not important," he said slowly, "Nothing you can gather of a man's character lies in his name."

"As for what I am doing here... I would think that is obvious considering you too are here," he said. "Not a coincidence, I would think." As he spoke he slowly took a few steps forward and was only a couple feet from The Metal Man.

IC: A forerunner artifact of some nature. But sharquoi are able to use it? With enough power to cause the wandering oracle to intervene. What if one of the prophets got a hold of this artifact. Perhaps we could initiate the great journey…
“How well are the repairs going master-engineer?” Ikaporamee had turned towards a tentacled pink mass that was apparently the covenant’s engineers.

The language it responded in was an odd deep rumbling noise from some type of throat in the beast, but the implanted translator remedied this.

“The vacuums have been sealed, but it will take maybe a day or longer to get the engines at 100 percent, however we could use the new nanites that were included on the ship, they could fix it in a matter of hours, but they’re untested so might malfunction Praetor.”

Ikaporamee weighed the two options then decided, “Activate the nanites, we can’t be sitting sharquoi out here with Rolamee after a forerunner artifact. And have the engineers work too so it moves faster, I want this ship moving, and I never wanted it to stop in the first place.”

“Of course Praetor, it shall be done.” The engineer floated off to the sites of repair…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

That went well, but not as I planned. That damned tin-can man was there. Why would be here of all places unless he…

And then it dawned on the heretic. This hunt for the artifact would not be a covert one, if the metal man was here, he would not be alone, and those would bring others, pursuers, servants, allies. This could get very complicated, very soon. And that’s not something his one cruiser could afford.

Stick to the warp, we are safe here in the realm of my lord. Just keep searching for the sharquoi and then something will work out from there…

Liam looked over the man from behind the darkness which covered his face. Cloaked in mystery from behind his grey robe, Liam spoke with a soft but stern tone. "My name... is not important," he said slowly, "Nothing you can gather of a man's character lies in his name."

"As for what I am doing here... I would think that is obvious considering you too are here," he said. "Not a coincidence, I would think." As he spoke he slowly took a few steps forward and was only a couple feet from The Metal Man.

The gentleman was evasive, and that could be a harbinger of trouble. The Metal Man charged his shields, but did not activate them. He also began a meditation that strenghtened his force-weakening powers. He stopped short of charging the plasma beams in his forarms. That was for enemies. It would be imperative, now, to open communications with this man. Toward that end, The Metal Man would start with information. He brought his sensors fully online and interfaced with the Brain Jar's cultural and anthropological database. After studying the man for a moment, he began.

"The measure of a man," the Metal Man said. "Forgive me, but I think I'll yield to that temptation. I have no skill with the force, but posess a signifigant sensory capability. Perhaps if I tell you about yourself, it will help you to learn about me--and how I percieve the world around me.

"You seem to be a man of great physical prowess. Your bones have a density that comes only through vigurous exercise; your heart and vascular system are similarly built up. Your rest pulse is that of a professional athelete. This suggests a thorough regimen, followed for years.

"Your main weapons, though you carry several, are two light sabers. A closer inspection of one of them, in the X-Ray band, shows that it has modified control and emission systems, allowing its wielder to decolumnize the beam. I have a student who constructed something similar, but less advanced. If I may say so, the design is innovative. I'm impressed.

"This is all consistent with a Jedi; however, you don't know me by name. This would mean that you're a former Jedi, who has left the fold. Like me, you are not a Jedi, but sometimes ally yourself with them. And you've come here from a great distance. The clasp on the belt beneath your robe is new, and the logo is distinct to a Sith temple found on their homeworld of Korriban. A battle trophy? Am I correct? Have I...taken your measure...to your satisfaction? What more should I know?"

"As to what you're doing here, it is not obvious. I am not a Jedi because I am anti-force. You may have noticed this. As such, I cannot forsee or divine natural or supernatural events. I am here to rescue survivors of a clash between Sith and Jedi, though recent events have led me to believe that a High Council Meeting will soon come out of it. Force-adepts who are with me tell me this. You are, of course, welcome to attend, if you're interested--but, once again, I must ask your reason for being here. I sincerely do not know it."

"I am impressed..." Liam said from behind the darkness of his hood, though it was a tone that implied he wasn't sincerely impressed. "You have discerned much from my mere presence... not any more than I believe your companions could... but nevertheless a fine bit of information."

"It is no doubt that you are a preceptive man... quite," Liam said after a moment's pause. "But you are incorrect..." he said clearly suprising the man. Again he paused for a moment to allow the man to sit in wonder. Then he again spoke to explain himself, "It is a reminder... not a trophy." He grinned beneath the darkness of his cloak.

"Quite a pity; to be able to sense the most minor of details about a man by just glancing over him... and yet not able to see a major event that is close-" he said though he did not explain what he meant by a major event.

"Anyway..." he said as he put his robed hands together like a monk. "My presence here is no mere coincidence. I suggest we go meet with the rest of your companions so we can talk about this more fully... no?"

Juri, reaching out with the force, tries to contact any Jedi nearby.

"I am impressed..." Liam said from behind the darkness of his hood, though it was a tone that implied he wasn't sincerely impressed. "You have discerned much from my mere presence... not any more than I believe your companions could... but nevertheless a fine bit of information."

"It is no doubt that you are a preceptive man... quite," Liam said after a moment's pause. "But you are incorrect..." he said clearly suprising the man. Again he paused for a moment to allow the man to sit in wonder. Then he again spoke to explain himself, "It is a reminder... not a trophy." He grinned beneath the darkness of his cloak.

He minses words like Jenghis does, the Metal Man thought. Sometimes, he uses the wording to ignore the meaning. I must be careful from now on to use the most accurate, neutral vocabulary that I can, rather than something that will goad him.

"Quite a pity; to be able to sense the most minor of details about a man by just glancing over him... and yet not able to see a major event that is close-" he said though he did not explain what he meant by a major event.

He must have lived a hard life, to view my explanation as a confrontation. I did not mean it as such. We all start from ourselves and work our way out. Could it be that he has not learned to value the contributions of those who are different from him? He was smart enough to understand what I wished to communicate, but he prejudges it as inferior. If I told him that I once had the choice between the abilities that I currently possess and those much like his, and chose what I have, he would, no doubt, consider it a challenge to his legitimacy. I must convince him of my worth without resorting to violence. I will start by asking only for equal value from any exchange that is between us. No free offers for this one.

"Anyway..." he said as he put his robed hands together like a monk. "My presence here is no mere coincidence. I suggest we go meet with the rest of your companions so we can talk about this more fully... no?"

No new information. Perhaps the others can succeed where I cannot. They share his abilities and his sensibilities more than I do.

"I will ask," the Metal Man responded, and, as he spoke, four chairs rose automatically from beneath the floor and the intercom activated. "Jenghis, Miriam, our guest wishes to meet with us all." He relaxed, and let the force flow around him more completely.

"The Jedi guard will have to remain in the bridge," came a male voice, "but we can certainly spare the time to meet with a fellow traveler."

Juri, reaching out with the force, tries to contact any Jedi nearby.

"Metal Man," the voice continued, "could you please let us feel the Force a bit more?"

"Certainly," the Metal Man said, relaxing his hold yet further. "Why?"

"Someone's trying to contact us. OK...we've...got another pickup to make. A Jedi."

"Where?"

"Second rock from the suns."

"The planet? Is it safe? Last I heard, the place was crawling with Sith."

"Seems to be--they all seem to have left--but I'd keep a security contingent on hand just to be safe."

"I should say so. Contact Ika. Ask if he'll fly cover with us. I'll alter course."

"What about our guest?" a woman's voice asked.

"I'm not one to presume upon anther's actions,” the Metal Man replied. “I’ll ask.”

The cyborg looked straight at Liam. “It is your choice. You’re welcome to join us, or we can refill your fighter's power cells and let you go your own way. I suspect that you'll want to come along. A major event is about to occur. We can get you into a Jedi High Council meeting, and I think you'll want to be on hand for one of those. We, for our part, could use something with heavier armaments than our rescue shuttle in that uncertain territory. In the event of a Sith attack, your fighter could be valuable. It seems a fair trade."

***

It wasn't long before the Brain Jar was in orbit around Delta Phangees II, and Juri had been located.

***

OOC: If no one objects, I’d like to skip over the High Council Meeting and move straight over to Korriban. I’ll need a post where Liam makes his decision, one where Juri joins the group and one more where the group plan, as best is possible, what they’re going to do on Korriban, so that they don’t end up slicing each other up once they get there. Who wants to go first?

He seems agitated by my response, Liam thought, Does he does not realize I have little in common with the Jedi and their ways? Perhaps in time he will come to see where the Jedi have been mislead and the Sith went too far, so that he understands the true nature of who I am.

Liam sat down in the chair that had risen behind him and realized it was not all that comfortable, though he made do and settled in. As he did he felt an ever so slight surge in the force around the area and realized that this anti-force being had relaxed slightly. It brought back memories of one of the Jedi Academies he had attended many years ago; he remembered the headmaster teaching him to maintain the force around him despite the presense of a void or force disruptor.

"Why does the Jedi Guard have to remain on the bridge?" Liam asked. "I don't bite..." he chuckled ever so slightly from beneath the darkness of his hooded robe. Again he felt a tinge in the force, though very slight in nature.

As he heard the two communicate, Liam gave his response. "An adventure... how fun. And perhaps a chance to see old... friends... again," he said about the trip to meet with the Jedi Council as it was sure to be an interesting visit. "Oh... and you guys can have my fighter if you want. I am having a new one built anyway..." he quickly added.

IC: And so the forerunners threw yet another challenge at the Praetor in his holy quest for vengeance. Those nanites had fixed the engines, but decided on their own initiative to borrow materials from their scanners, oddly, one in particular. The Warp-energy tracker was a newly discovered forerunner device, it was the thing that made this damned hunt even possible, and they had devoured it. The Holy artifact had immediately destroyed them when it found out what they did, but the damage was already done. Then in that moment of irritation and indecision, the Metal Man contacted them.

Fly cover for them as they what? Why are they going there?

Metal Man, we’ll aid you however we can, we just fixed our engines and are ready to move at your command.

He decided to neglect the nanites incident for now, it wasn’t a necessary worry…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

There, now they no longer have the eyes to see us. But we must be patient, soon enough this waiting will be rewarded a thousand times over…

Rolamee grinned at the riches that await with the artifact...

OOC: I'm going to have to drop out of the game. Sorry.

"Why does the Jedi Guard have to remain on the bridge?" Liam asked. "I don't bite..." he chuckled ever so slightly from beneath the darkness of his hooded robe. Again he felt a tinge in the force, though very slight in nature.

As he heard the two communicate, Liam gave his response. "An adventure... how fun. And perhaps a chance to see old... friends... again," he said about the trip to meet with the Jedi Council as it was sure to be an interesting visit. "Oh... and you guys can have my fighter if you want. I am having a new one built anyway..." he quickly added.

"The Guard are on the bridge," the Metal Man said with a bemused grin, "because someone has to steer the ship while we're talking. By the way, you'll find an adjustment control on the right arm of the chair. It...seems not to conform to you as it is. Can I prepare you some food or drink? It is, after all, only good manners for a host to offer his guest refreshment."

Soon, Jenghis arrived, and a conversation ensued.

***

The fighter picked up Juri, and, finding no other survivors, the group went to New Dantuine. They ran into a pack of vulture droids along the way, and the forsight to have two ships provide covering fire for each other was welcomed. It turned out that one of the things that Brain Jar and Faith's Fury had in common was sensors that were better than your standard ship's complement. This allowed each ship to be able to blast the vulture droids off of the other without damaging the hull of the ship in question.

On New Dantuine, the High Council met. They did not care for Liam's presence, but Jenghis and the Metal Man, true to their word, secured his place among them. The meeting brought out the fact that The Orb of Life, which Jenghis wore, was acting as if another orb had recently been activated.

The Jedi noted that there was a heavy contingent of Sith on Korriban. When the Metal Man pointed out the clasp on Liam's robe, it made him an instant celebrity. This put him back on a small battle group that included Brain Jar and Faith's Fury, the chief reason for this being that, unlike virtually any Jedi ship in the area, those two could cloak if they had to. Juri was assigned to another battle group headed in that direction. If nothing else, it would serve as a distraction as the two cloaking ships slipped in and reconoitered.

This brought the group to the Brain Jar's conference room, with Ikaporamee on the intercom from his ship.

"I would prefer it that we ran this as an observation mission," the Metal Man was heard to say. He was wearing a stealth suit, which, though humanoid, was entirely black. "Cloak, infiltrate and reconoiter, engaging the enemy as little as possible."

"You do that around a force adept," Jenghis said, "and you'll lead yourself into a trap. Better to smoke the Sith out now, before they start smoking us."

"We seem to have a tie," Miriam said. "What say you, Liam?"

Shamman continued to walk through the old temple and found wonderous structures, tombs, and..... A Sith Holocron. This, is the golden tickit to be Solus's personal apprentice for Shamman can not fail at this point in time.

"Move some digers and scientists in here. I also want a 24hr guard watch on the dig site. We don't want anyone else to get this information. And.... Watch out for any jedi. I have a very, very weird feeling we'll be seeing them very soon."

"Yes sir!"

"I would have thought you had an autopilot or droid for that kind of thing... especially when not engaged," Liam commented about the Jedi Guard.

He smiled, though it was not apparent, as he found the indicated controls and began fiddling around with them. After a moment or two of adjusting them to his desire, he sat back in a more comfortable seat and relaxed. "I am quite alright," Liam commented in reply to the Metal Man's offer of food. "Just had a meal on the way over here."

***

As they arrived at the high council on new Dantuine, it was obvious that they did not approve of Liam's presence. Though Liam did not care what they approved of or not and the matter was settled, albeit uncomfortably, when Jenghis and the Metal Man reassured them that he was not there for confrontation.

When the Metal Man pointed to the clasp on Liam's robe, it again made the Jedi Council uneasy for he had ventured to Korriban, where few had gone. However, they realized that he would be useful... and disposable, as they agreed to allow him on the mission.

Liam listened intently to the discussion of what their angle should be as they reached the conference room. "And you? Are you not voting on the matter?" he asked to Miriam, though he gave his response anyway, "I would say, begin it as a stealth, reconnaissance mission, but be prepared to infiltrate and take them out if we find what we came looking for."

ooc: Does the Metal Man create a noticable void in the force with his presence?

"I would have thought you had an autopilot or droid for that kind of thing... especially when not engaged," Liam commented about the Jedi Guard.

"We do," the Metal Man replied, "but it can't reliably discriminate between friendly and enemy ships. Right now, that could be a serious liability."


***

Liam listened intently to the discussion of what their angle should be as they reached the conference room. "And you? Are you not voting on the matter?" he asked to Miriam, though he gave his response anyway, "I would say, begin it as a stealth, reconnaissance mission, but be prepared to infiltrate and take them out if we find what we came looking for."

"I was waiting for you all to say what you were going to say," Miriam replied.

"What do you think?" the Metal Man asked.

"I don't know," Miriam replied. "You're very good at infiltrating. You have a cloaking device and so does the ship and you can make yourself almost invisible in terms of the force. But the people we're trying to infiltrate are really really good with the force, maybe even better than Jenghis and I, maybe even better than some of the Jedi Guard, who are almost all better than Jenghis and I. I think that you're the only one who stands any chance of not getting made the moment we get into orbit, and I think that we can't do much to help you if they make you, so you'd better be wearing something with lots and lots of weapons in it."

OOC: She's a woman. What do you want? YOU'RE the one who HAD to say she wasn't saying enough! ;)

IC:

"That is why we will need two other operatives," the Metal Man said, "who have a viable cover story in case they're discovered. I recommend you and Liam, going as a Sith Lord and his Apprentice. If you're willing, Liam, you'd be invaluable with your previous experience on the planet. You can claim to be following me to try and learn something about my onboard technology. It wouldn't be the first time. This would leave Jenghis in his usual role as someone to tell the tale if no one else survives. Is that acceptable?"

ooc: Does the Metal Man create a noticable void in the force with his presence?

ooc: Depends on how much he's pushing it. Normally, he keeps the power low-key, and it doesn't really register, but, if he amplifies is, as he did when Liam first entered Brain Jar, a Jedi or Sith could pick it up from a light year away.

BTW, sorry that it took me so long to post. A wind storm knocked out the phone service. Took a couple of days to get it back.

"Well that certainly is a pleasant role to have," Liam smiled. "Ah, but yes. That is quite acceptable to me," he commented on pretending to be Sith; though he still had some concerns.

He sat pensively for a few silent moments before speaking up, "I have only two conerns about the mission. One, are you capable of acting like a Sith no matter what - that means anything that a Sith is prepared to do, you have to be also. It may mean abandoning the Jedi ways for the time being... are you prepared to do that?" he asked wondering if she could do the worst if need be.

"If so... I guess all that remains is deciding who will be the Master and who the Apprentice."

ooc: no problem, Jolt has been on the fritz anyway.

"Well that certainly is a pleasant role to have," Liam smiled. "Ah, but yes. That is quite acceptable to me," he commented on pretending to be Sith; though he still had some concerns.

He sat pensively for a few silent moments before speaking up, "I have only two conerns about the mission. One, are you capable of acting like a Sith no matter what - that means anything that a Sith is prepared to do, you have to be also. It may mean abandoning the Jedi ways for the time being... are you prepared to do that?" he asked wondering if she could do the worst if need be.

"If so... I guess all that remains is deciding who will be the Master and who the Apprentice."

A mischievous grin played across Miriam's face as she answered. "You can't turn away from a path you're not walking."

"They are my students, Liam," the Metal Man said. "Like me they are not Jedi. If you'll pardon my presumption, I suspect that we have this in common."

"Perhaps," Jenghis, ever the diplomat, continued, "it would serve our common interests if we gave each other more complete introductions.

"I'm not a Jedi. I work with them sometimes. I am a Theodore. I lead the Children of the Light, a group of vampires who are recovering from the disorder. Vampirism is a genetic alteration brought on by an ancient retrovirus, something that our friend Ika might even refer to as a 'forerunner artifact.' The Metal Man found me before the metamorphasis was undone and helped me find the courage to become what I am now. As a leader, I find that I must sometimes make certain compromises to protect my people, even from themselves. You'd best pay heed to this, as the Jedi have refused to crew the Brain Jar while you're on her. My Children are there in their stead.

"As to my wife, don't discount her abilities. When we first met, she was hunting me. I assure you, she can be quite...cunning." As Jenghis spoke, he ran his hand over a small scar on his left cheek, and Miriam's eyes fell to the floor. "The biggest problem she will have passing as a Sith is that her style of combat is unique. If you're going to masquerade as her apprentice, I'd suggest that you familiarize yourself with it."

"No," Miriam said, her eyes narrowing as her mind focused completely on the situation at hand. "I've got to be the apprentice. He's older. They're suspicious enough without something that out of the ordinary."

---------------------------

OOC: Thought that a brief intro on Jenghis and Miriam was in order. Liam's bio is already a matter of record. I'd appreciate it if DMG would mention somewhere that Liam told them a thing or two about himself. If you want, I can also give a brief summary of TMM, what he is and how he got that way. For them not to know about each other is an impediment to the trust that they will need to have in order to work together.

"My apoligies," Liam said, "I did not mean to suppose that you were Jedi... only affiliated with them. I gather as much when you spoke of the Jedi Guard, something you would not have said had you been Jedi. However, my question and concern still remains..." he paused. "Would you be able to kill an innocent with your bare hands if necessary..." he said slowly in a monotonous voice.

"I will remember that," Liam replied in reference to Jenghis' comment about his children. Just like the Jedi...

"It is not her abilities I doubt," Liam commented. "I am sure she is a most skilled fighter... perhaps better than myself... I would not pretend to know. I merely question where her conscience will allow her to go..."

"But alas, I presume it is time for my formal introduction," he said, his voice chaning in tone. Understanding Liam required understanding his past and so he began at the beginning. "It was my fifth birthday... I remember the day clearly," he said very slowly, taking pauses every so often. "The day my life changed, forever..." Liam went on telling them about his life and the journeys he had been on. When he was done he chuckled slightly, "It might interest you to know that despite all of what has happened in my life, I believe I am younger than you," he commented to Miriam, ending his long introduction.

---------------------------

ooc: Just an insignificant note: I am going to be updating Liam's bio soon so his life story might change slightly (most of the main parts will stay the same - though some other ones will be added)

"My apoligies," Liam said, "I did not mean to suppose that you were Jedi... only affiliated with them. I gather as much when you spoke of the Jedi Guard, something you would not have said had you been Jedi. However, my question and concern still remains..." he paused. "Would you be able to kill an innocent with your bare hands if necessary..." he said slowly in a monotonous voice.

She almost killed me--deliberately--once, the Metal Man thought.

"I will remember that," Liam replied in reference to Jenghis' comment about his children. Just like the Jedi...

"It is not her abilities I doubt," Liam commented. "I am sure she is a most skilled fighter... perhaps better than myself... I would not pretend to know. I merely question where her conscience will allow her to go..."

There's no way to tell until the situation arises. It's foolish to kill without delving into the matter at hand.

"But alas, I presume it is time for my formal introduction," he said, his voice chaning in tone. Understanding Liam required understanding his past and so he began at the beginning. "It was my fifth birthday... I remember the day clearly," he said very slowly, taking pauses every so often. "The day my life changed, forever..." Liam went on telling them about his life and the journeys he had been on. When he was done he chuckled slightly, "It might interest you to know that despite all of what has happened in my life, I believe I am younger than you," he commented to Miriam, ending his long introduction.

---------------------------

ooc: Just an insignificant note: I am going to be updating Liam's bio soon so his life story might change slightly (most of the main parts will stay the same - though some other ones will be added)

"It seems that we all have...interrupted life cycles...in common," the Metal Man said when Liam was done. "You, when the Sith murdered your family; Jenghis, when he was vampirized, Miriam when a demon--actually a species of semi-humanoid--parasitized her father and I when I was kidnapped and cybernated by the Holerons. It was a particularly painful process. Shock sets the drug they use to reconfigure the captive's nervous system, so they pulled my arms and legs off without anesthetising me.

"Of one thousand initial subjects taken, I was one seven who survived the cybernation process. From this, they determined that we were unsuitable for their purposes. Three of the remaining seven self-terminated shortly after their inception; three of the other four were destroyed while attempting escape. That leaves me.

"I make it my mission to find those who, like myself, don't fit into others' plans--people like you, Liam. I ally myself with them, and we make each other stronger. A short while ago, I found Ika. I taught him to improvise, a rare and potent talent among the Sangheili. In return, he retaught me to use my emotions in life and in battle.

"It seems to me that we're natural allies, Liam. We've both reasoned out that neither the Jedi nor the Sith have found the enlightnement that they so zealously seek."

"This is good," Jenghis broke in. He turned to Liam. "If you're going to convince the Sith that you're together and," he gestured to the Metal Man, "chasing him, you'd better get used to each other's styles."

"Point taken," the Metal Man replied. "There are training facilities on the Brain Jar. Perhaps we can teach each other a few things over the day or so that it will take us to reach our destination."

----------------------------

OOC: DMG and HC are welcome to write posts about the training/acquaintance sessions or not as they see fit. If you want to, that's fine; if you want to get straight into Kroriban (sp?) and start dealing with our great and wonderous friends the sith, that's fine, too. :) :) :) We can gloss things over with a few sentences here and there.

Beauty
Upon
My
Posts!

"That seems like a good idea," Liam commented. And so it was. Over the next few days the two of them continued to teach each other about their styles and tendencies, though Liam decided it was best not to give up too much information. Occasionally, Miriam joined in so that she too would understand Liam's style, and he hers.

As the days rattled off in intense training, the ship continued its course to Korriban, eventually arriving not far from the planet. The group met up in one of the many rooms to discuss any last minute things that needed revision. "By the way," Liam commented as they were talking. "Though I have my guess, we never settled which of us was older and thus the master," he said to Miriam.

As the days rattled off in intense training, the ship continued its course to Korriban, eventually arriving not far from the planet. The group met up in one of the many rooms to discuss any last minute things that needed revision. "By the way," Liam commented as they were talking. "Though I have my guess, we never settled which of us was older and thus the master," he said to Miriam.

"It seems to be the concensus among us that you'd make the better master," The Metal Man replied, a hint of a smile forming on his mouth as he did, "though your apprentice may be a bit unsubbordinate at times."

Miriam was absolutely beaming. No doubt, she was still remembering the time when she caught Liam with a blast from the shield generator in her belt. That anyone would still use something as unreliable as a personal shield was unusual, but the way that she used it--as an offensive more than a defensive weapon--made sense. Though the three of them had obviously held information back, they could not hold back the fact that no rationalle was sacred to them. They had thought and rethought every technology that had been available to them for the last three centuries, and beyond.

Liam, the Metal Man noted, though he was a prodigy and a formidible force-adept, had basically stuck to the standard, mundane physical powers. Though he kept his fancier techniques to himself, his greatest contribution to his craft was, as anticipated, that he could use his emotions to help him channel the force without succumbing to the Dark Side. Though the fact that he had been able to do this marked him as special, his lack of true innovation kept him from realizing his full potential. He didn't know it, but the Metal Man vowed to change that.

Thus it was that, less than a day after that final conversation, they found themselves upon the planet--the Metal Man in a suit shaped like a box, brown in color, with four robotic arms that could extend from its bottom, that moved through levitation. He had chosen that particular suit becuase it was at once small and versatile, and had the best cloaking device in his wardrobe.
With no ship to encumber him, he immediately left a trail to make it appear as though he had been slightly disoriented, and, cloaking, headed toward the largest group of life signs that he had been able to find--a dig of somekind.

As he did, he noted that two ships had dropped out of orbit. He vowed to look into this anomaly at his next convenience.

----------------------

OOC: would someone PLEASE give me SOME HINT of what the terrain looks like? I can design a set with the best of 'em, but I have to know what I'm working with.

"There you are..." Liam said as he reached up a hand to help Miriam down from the shuttle. "I was beginning to get worried that you didn't like the idea of acting as the apprentice," he chuckled as she climbed out.

"Got everything you need I hope," he commented as the shuttle closed up and they began making their way across the sandy surface.

"I think we should go over a few things now that we are down here; just me and you," Liam suggested. "I know you don't like the idea of being my subordinate or apprentice, but if we are going to survive you are going to have to make sure you don't slip up and challenge my authority while we are in the presence of others. While we are outhere with nobody near us... you get be as insubordinate or as bossy as you so please."

"Now, to decide upon our course of action," Liam said as he stopped his walk. "I suggest that we act like we belong here and don't try to hide... that will just appear suspicious," he decided. "What do you think we should do...?"


OOC: If something is out of place here, please same something.

OOC: Have the jedi landed on Korriban yet, or does Taledonia (Darth Solus) still have to do something with my character?

OOC: Have the jedi landed on Korriban yet, or does Taledonia (Darth Solus) still have to do something with my character?

OOC: If by Jedi you mean DS' characters and mine (none of which are Jedi), then I believe so... at least according to my post.

"There you are..." Liam said as he reached up a hand to help Miriam down from the shuttle. "I was beginning to get worried that you didn't like the idea of acting as the apprentice," he chuckled as she climbed out.

"Got everything you need I hope," he commented as the shuttle closed up and they began making their way across the sandy surface.

"I think we should go over a few things now that we are down here; just me and you," Liam suggested. "I know you don't like the idea of being my subordinate or apprentice, but if we are going to survive you are going to have to make sure you don't slip up and challenge my authority while we are in the presence of others. While we are outhere with nobody near us... you get be as insubordinate or as bossy as you so please."

"Now, to decide upon our course of action," Liam said as he stopped his walk. "I suggest that we act like we belong here and don't try to hide... that will just appear suspicious," he decided. "What do you think we should do...?"


OOC: If something is out of place here, please same something.

OOC: OK. Miriam's going along with Liam as the Master and herself as the apprentice. Though her method of combat is more innovative than his, he's a better all-around force-adept than she is.

Remember: the cover story is that Liam and Miriam are on Korriban (sp?) to hunt down TMM. Furthermore, Miriam and TMM know each other, and have trained together, so each should be able to use this familiarity to some advantage in combat.

I'm going to write a quick skirmish between the two faux Sith and TMM, in the context that they agreed upon this before they left in order to make their cover story appear more credible.

---------------------------------------------

IC:

"I'm sorry, master," Miriam said, dropping to one knee, "if I appeared to be insubbordinate earlier. I was merely trying to find out how to better serve you."

She had fallen completely into character. There was no hint of sarcasm in her words, nor of anything but the deepest of respect. The Metal Man had brought her up paranoid--if there were any prying eyes on this part of the planet, they would find no reason to suspect that these were anything but two Sith coming to hunt down a foe and learn at the Sith Temple.

"As to our course of action," she continued, "I humbly suggest that we defend ourselves. Our quarry has found us."

And then, the Metal Man struck. As soon as they were far enough away from the shuttle, he emerged from behind a nearby sand dune. Turning off his cloaking device, he brought twin plasma cannons to bear upon the small ship's thrust cones. They melted like wax, contorting until the engines were completely useless.

Without turning around, Miriam pulled something from her utility belt and hurled it into the Metal Man's shields. It was a plasma bomb, set to the same frequency and temperature characteristics as his cannons. Though a comparitively small charge, it detonated upon impact, completely draining the shields. By the time he knew what had hit him, she had stood up and turned to face him, light saber drawn. Pressing a button on its hilt that most light sabers don't have, she watched as the beam extended, turning the weapon into a long-range laser blaster.

The Metal Man dodged and, recognizing the impossibility of defeating two foes without his shields, disappeared, leaving in the direction from which he had come. The battle was over.

Miriam turned around and sank back to her knee.

"I'm sorry, master," she said. "I failed to protect our ship. I did, however, manage to keep you safe from harm. It will take him four standard hours to recharge his shielding, and, when he does, he will alter its characteristics so that it will be more resistant to my plasma bombs. This will work to our advantage, however, as he will no longer be able to use his main weapons without first lowering his shields."

Hopefully, she thought, this will make me look more like an apprentice to anybody who was watching. Too bad I didn't sense him earlier, or I'd have fried his ugly little telemetry antennas while I was making a fashion statement on his shields. I mean, they're so yesterday.

"Yes, you should watch your tone next time," Liam said with a mild smile hidden beneath the shroud as he too dropped into character, realizing Miriam had already done so. "Or I will make you feel pain beyond your imagination..."

Despite being stern with his 'apprentice' thus far, Liam hadn't quite decided what kind of master he was going to be. Perhaps a little of everything, he thought, Some intensity, some reassurance, some harsh words, and some wise advice...

He watched his 'apprentice' in a quick sequence between her and The Metal Man, as she had noticed his appearance near the ship. Quick on her toes, Liam noted as he saw her spin around and hit TMM with a plasma blast.

Soon it was over and Miriam turned back to her master, Liam. "It is alright, you did well anyway," he said reassuringly. "First we focus on tracking him down and then about how to get off this planet."

"So the hunt begins," he commented as he began walking across the arid land. "So it does..."

"In that case," Miriam replied, keeping her head down in supplication and a respectful distance, "I recommend a radiation detector. The Metal Man uses an antimatter power source. With his shields down, it should be relatively easy to trace that source." She pulled something else from her belt.

It was a pocket sensor. Twisting its calibration controls, she aligned it to search for X-band. It was a brilliant piece of work--a hybrid Sangheili-Republic technology miniaturized beyond what either of them would have been able to produce alone. It was one of several contributions that Ika had made to the journey--and it sent a telemetry straight to him in his destroyer in such a way as to be nearly impossible to detect. The ever-wiley Metal Man had insisted on this as one of many back-up protocols that were a part of the mission. Using The Detector, Ika could easily target any resistance they might encounter from orbit.

"Would you prefer to carry The Detector, Master?" she asked, "or would you rather that I did?"

-------------------------

OOC: This would, IMHO, be a good time for a Sith player to make a post. It would also be a good time for HC to decide what his character's going to be doing during this phase of the RP. I can't guarantee that I can keep Ika involved without any help. Maybe Romalee is already on the planet...?

Don't worry about the toys, BTW. Toys can always fail at the worst possible moment. :) :) :)

Clever... Liam thought as he watched her take out the sensor. It is a good thing she has spent so much time around the Metal Man.

"No, you can carry it," Liam said after a minute, "You seem to know what you are doing.

"When you get a reading on him, tell me and we will be off," Liam commented while he continued to walk, albeit at a slower pace, and without turning to look at her.

What exactly were they expecting to find here? Liam thought to himself as they walked along...

The Metal Man broke off his attack and turned straight toward the nearest cluster of life signs that Faith's Fury and Brain Jar had registered on their sensors. As the Hunted, it would make sense that he would try to involve third parties in the chase. It would distract his pursuers. Thus, none of the Sith whom they would be dealing with would find it abnormal when the group showed up.

He could have flown faster, but he had to recharge his shields. He had forgotten just how good Miriam was at doing her homework. She studied her foes individually, and usually brought at least one surprise into any meeting between them. He shuddered to think what it would have been like if she had actually wanted to damage him. Still, the sun was bright in the sky, and he was able to extend his solar panels and soak up its rays while he levitated across the dusty land. Besides, he chided himself, to be a good teacher, you must have students who supercede you.

As he hovered, the terrain changed from sand dunes to a dry riverbed that had once been an inland sea. Columns of sedimentary rock stood where the river had eroded away the surrounding, weaker rock.

Must be ancient, he thought. This planet hasn't had surface water since just after the Massassi-Sith convergence. In the distance, a range of mountains rose from the rugged land. Among the peaks, the Metal Man could just barely make out the energy discharge of a nuclear reactor. Must be somekind of base in the mountains. What an antique!

He followed the river until he found a nearby settlement. Mud brick houses were arranged in rough lines, with slightly larger dwellings at regular intervals. A slave colony, he thought. The larger houses are for the overseers.

His theory was further verified when he saw a recently unearthed Sith Temple. It showed the straight-rising, rhune-laden walls and open windows of a post-convergence civilization. A few miles away, he saw that there was another dig site. They've been busy.

The Metal Man stopped. These were the Sith that he was dealing with. Security would be tight. If they found him, the conflict might start before it all was ready. As it was, he was able to rise to a height of about 500 feet, recloak and focus his zoom lenses on the Sith project.

This one was impressive. It, too, was a temple, but it was nothing like the ones that he had seen earlier. This one was much older--in fact, it may have even been pre-convergence Massassi. Its slopng, clean walls, stone roof and enclosed space testified to its immense age. It had been built to stand against rain--and that was something that this planet hadn't seen in nearly five thousand years. Rhunes would be useless if placed on a structure that would stand in whether that would erode them away.

If the Sith were going to find something ancient and dangerous, it would be in a place like this one. He stopped to wait.

Good. There will be time to meditate.

---------------------------------

"That way," Miriam said, pointing in front of her. "Moving fast. You may wish for me to get the hoverbikes from the shuttle."

"Let's hope they are still in working condition after that attack," Liam asked in reference to the Metal Man's appearance and subsequent attack on their ship. "Though they should be fine as he didn't appear to aim anywhere but the thrust cones."

Hmm... using the hoverbikes will get us there faster, though it will also alert the Sith of our presence here. Liam debated over what to do in his mind, weighing the pros against the cons. If we walk however, we are less likely to be noticed - yet - but we may be far behind.

Then again they could still spot us while we are walking and then it would just be a waste of time to have no taken the hoverbikes. Hell, they might already know we are here...

"Alright. Grab the hoverbikes - quick like. We don't have any time to waste," Liam said after making his decision.

Miriam reached into her utility belt and took out a communicator. She pressed one button at its base.

A panel on the shuttle popped loose and fell open until it was parallel to the ground. The bikes were on a rack on the panel, secured to a frame. The frame opened, releasing the bikes. They floated up to about a quarter of a meter above the panel.

Miriam cleared her throat. Their control circuitry was obviously tuned to the sound, because the bikes started. She snapped her fingers and pointed her index finger toward the ground. The bikes moved to a point in front of her. Taking one by the front harpoon, she led it over to Liam.

"Your transport, master," she said with a slight bow, "primed and ready."

She pushed the button on her communicator again and the panel folded itself back up onto the shuttle's body.

---------------------------------

OOC: When technology's done right, the more complex it gets, the simpler it gets. :) :) :) As Liam learned in his training sessions, if his hand doesn't rest on the handlebar within two minutes, the bike will turn itself off.

"Good job," Liam said as he watched her bring the hoverbike over to him.

He quickly jumped aboard the hoverbike and prepared himself. His robe seemed to hover in the air slightly behind him as he descended onto the bike and the swirling wind caught it.

"Lead the way," he said, indicating for her to go ahead before returning his hand to the handlebar. He knew it was unorthodox for the apprentice to lead, but considering she had the sensor and still knew more about the Metal Man than he, Liam thought it best to allow her some discretion on their course of action; and what better way than to have her decide the direction.

---------------------------------

OOC: Good to know.

"Good job," Liam said as he watched her bring the hoverbike over to him.

He quickly jumped aboard the hoverbike and prepared himself. His robe seemed to hover in the air slightly behind him as he descended onto the bike and the swirling wind caught it.

"Lead the way," he said, indicating for her to go ahead before returning his hand to the handlebar. He knew it was unorthodox for the apprentice to lead, but considering she had the sensor and still knew more about the Metal Man than he, Liam thought it best to allow her some discretion on their course of action; and what better way than to have her decide the direction.

---------------------------------

OOC: Good to know.

After a short bow of respect, Miriam mounter her bike. She placed the pocket sensor on a spot between the handlebars of her bike. It fit as if it was designed to...because it was. After settling the shuttle's security system, she cranked the throttle and they were underway.

It wasn't long before they came to a dried up waterway.

"It looks like he's following the riverbed," she said over her communicator. "It would be least dangerous for you, Master, if we went up over those rock ledges instead of maneuvering through them. It would be faster, too."

Then, the sensors told her something that her sensativity to the Force added to. "There are life signs ahead. From their disturbance in the force, I think that they're Sith, and at least one of them is a high-level force adept. It appears that our quarry is attempting to use his cloaking device against us. They will detect us before they do him. He may attempt to play our new friends off against us."

-------------------------------

OOC: Is Romalee involved in this?

"Sir, I think you should come see this!" said one of the lowly Sith technicians.

"Do we have a disturbance?" hissed Thiron Valian, Sith Assassin charged with the digsite's defense.

"Of sorts, sir. This fuzzy reading just popped out of the blue..."

"Coaking device," shouted Thiron. He had once hunted a Jedi who tried to employ one. Things hadn't turned out so well for the Jedi. "Assemble a party of 30 troopers. Prepare to sweep the ravine.

While the platoon of Sith troopers was assembled, Thiron activated a dozen assassin droids (Dark Eye droids with guns and deflector shields) and picked two Dark Side Adepts. They would find this intruder...

"We were bound to run into them sooner or later," grumbeled Liam to himself as he slowed his hoverbike down.

"Lead the way over the rocks; if they find us, they find us," he ordered.

If he plans to use them against us... "Then we will just have to use our new "friends" against him," he commented as the bike began speeding up again, following Miriam.

On his personal communicator, Thiron listened. Another disturbance, a small battle. And two hoverbikes, coming up the riverbed, on rock ledges. The first investigation would have to wait.

The sound was unmistakably the engines of a swoop or a hoverbike. Reaching out through the force, Thiron was able to determine that both were indeed Force-users. There was a definite aura of secrecy about them.

Thiron's party of troopers and droids struggled to keep up with the fast-moving assassin. Thiron and company halted in a small ravine past the rock ledges. The intruders would have to come this way. And they would have 30 troopers, 12 assassin droids, two Dark Jedi apprentices, and a Sith Assassin to deal with.

Thiron silently issued commands through the Force. Two of the troopers carried shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, another two had sniper rifles, and the rest were equipped with blaster rifles, vibroblades, and fragmentation grenades.

The two Dark Side apprentices each carried two arm-mounted short lightsabers.

And Thiron himself was a walking arsenal, with two lightsabers, two blaster pistols, a disruptor rifle, a harpoon gun, and grenades. It would be quite a fight, indeed...

OOC: This thread is having some problems; can't get to page 5.

"I wouldn't go that way if I were you," a voice said from the air behind the two faux sith.

"What are YOU doing here?" Miriam asked in annoyance, before Liam could stop her.

"I'm a little crazy, remember?" the voice said. "Every so often, my mind goes. Who's to say it isn't starting to go right now?"

A momentary pause.

"Then again, I could also remember the fond conversations that we've had," the voice continued--Miriam snorted in disgust, "and want to turn you back from the dark path you've started down."

"You're wasting your time," Miriam said.

"Could be a little of both, then. But, either way, it won't help you much when you drop in on the two Sith assasins and 20 or so battle drones that are waiting on just the other side of the rigde."

The voice went silent for a moment. There was a soft buzzing sound, followed by a loud electrical discharge.

"Master," Miriam said, "I don't like--."

"Make that two sith asassins. The droids weren't EMP-hardened. An' I bet they're gonna think that you did it.

"OVER HERE, BOYS!!!!"

He's gambling, Miriam telepathed to Liam, that, after hearing his voice, the Sith will show us some lenience, as it will make us the enemy of their enemy. They know where we are, and they'll probably engage either us or him. Should we prepare for a fight, or try to get back to the bikes, Master?

"WHAT!" screamed Thiron as his droids fell from the air. Then it hit him like a Coruscanti mag-lev train. He had never had those drones EMP-hardened.

Then came a sound he'd have least thought to hear when he accepted this duty: "Over here, boys." What was the meaning of this? No intruders would be stupid enough to do that, unless they wanted a fight.

Follow he telepathed to his troopers, who had only de-powered vibroblades now, and the two apprentices. Reverting to all fours, he ran over the last ridge at extreme speed.

OOC: Ahem, yeah, if you want me gone, just say so and post deleted!

IC: The bloody grin grew across the defiled warriors face as he watched the nearby commotion. His dinged and dirty armor was almost entirely covered with a cloak. It was a specially manufactured cloak, after the covenant’s encounter with a being such as the Metal Man. Efforts were put into alternative cloaking technology. One of the early prototypes was the camo-cloak. A forerunner rune used earlier for architecture and other various artistic means was adapted for war, giving this “soft metal” a chameleonic capability.

Flanked on both sides by commandos in the same attire, they had left the Cruiser “nearby”. It entered real space for a few seconds, allowing a few drop pods of commandos to land planet side, and then re-entered the warp. He and his two warriors were currently scouting out and found an interesting sight. A woman that many a demon whispered to Rolamee as being exceptionally accursed in Khorne’s eyes. And they also spoke of some “Metal being”, it received apparently a decent portion of Khorne’s attention and hatred. This meant that killing either of them would make Khorne look favorably upon the sangheili…

OOC: I’m not sure on space ship situation so I’ll forgo posting with Ika right now…

Dastardly Stench']He's gambling, Miriam telepathed to Liam, that, after hearing his voice, the Sith will show us some lenience, as it will make us the enemy of their enemy. They know where we are, and they'll probably engage either us or him. Should we prepare for a fight, or try to get back to the bikes, Master?

No use running now, Liam replied via telepathic link, that would only make us suspicious; especially because our cover is that we are Sith and running from the Sith here would only make it seem that much more out of place.

He mulled it over for a brief moment, deciding on their course of action. Alright. We go to meet the Sith; we will go on foot, so bring the hoverbikes behind us. If they decide to fight we will have to show them our power. Otherwise, we stick with our story that we are Sith tracking down the Metal Man.

"Come," he verbally said as he began walking forwards in the direction of the Sith. He walked with his arms at his sides, showing no apparent threat or hostility...

Now Thiron could see the intruders. Two humans, a male and a female. He felt a telepathic conversation through the Force between them, although he did not here the conversation that was exchanged.

Thiron's party of Sith troopers and Dark Jedi finally caught up with the fast-moving Sith, breathing deeply.

Prepare for a fight he silently ordered through the Force. The two Dark Jedi activated their arm-mounted lightsabers, while the Sith troopers adopted defensive stances, de-powered vibroblades at the ready.

Authorization papers! he snapped through the Force at the two humans.

Thiron's two lightsaber hilts floated into the air and started hovering around him, while his hands rested on his holstered disruptor rifle and a stun grenade.

Thiron sensed calm and a degree of tranquility in the male, as well as a stronger Force connection. By contrast, he felt restlessness and a pinch of anxiety in the girl. She was not as good at concealing her emotions.

Miriam snapped her fingers twice in rapid succession. The hoverbikes started up and slowly came up behind her and Liam. Between the handlebars of her bike, a small, red light came on, indicating that the onboard weapons systems were now active.

Then, she sensed a troop of living soldiers coming in to replace the droids that the Metal Man had recently knocked out.

This could get really really ugly in a terrible hurry, she thought.

AUTHORIZATION PAPERS! came the demand through the force.

Master, she sent, I don't believe it. Are they really still using those?

----------------------------------------------

One must have confidence in one's coworkers. This is why, when he saw the troops move in, The Metal Man left Liam and Miriam to deal with them themselves. Having worked with both of them, he was confident that they could at least stall long enough for him to find out what was so important to these people about that dig site. When that was done, the cover story would no longer be necessary.

With hardly a thought, he fired up his maglevs and zipped past their lines and on toward the recently unearthed temple.

Liam stood nearly eye-to-eye with Thiron in defiance of his demand. A minute passed in silence as Liam continued his icy stare from beneath the darkness of his cloak. Nobody dared make the first wrong move as they stood in silence, only the wind and the sand being heard sweeping through the area.

Then, without warning, Liam's left hand rose into the air and out shot a non-lethal barrage of lightning bolts. They struck out at four of the closest Sith Troopers and were powerful enough to cause them writhe in pain.

"How are those papers?" Liam replied in a dark and cold sounding voice.

In less than a second, five things happened.

First of all, the lightsabers floating around Thiron's head blasted out green bars of light and began twirling in defensive velocities.

Thiron's right hand brought up a disruptor rifle and fired off a shot at Liam.

His other hand activated and threw the grenade at Miriam.

Thiron's party, after receiving a sharp telepathic order, charged at the two humans.

And Thiron said, "No, I don't think they're satisfactory.

"Darth Shamman," the deep voice of the dark lord Solus rang through the halls of the ancient Sith temple that had been unearthed by the Sith forces, "you have done well."
The Sith in charge of the dig, Shamman, walked along casually with the small droid that projected the hologram of the dark lord. "Now, find the artifact, and bring it to me. Be weary, for I sense a great disturbence in the force. The Jedi suspect something, so be on your guard. Failure is not an option."

Kreynoria']In less than a second, five things happened.

First of all, the lightsabers floating around Thiron's head blasted out green bars of light and began twirling in defensive velocities.

Thiron's right hand brought up a disruptor rifle and fired off a shot at Liam.

His other hand activated and threw the grenade at Miriam.

Thiron's party, after receiving a sharp telepathic order, charged at the two humans.

And Thiron said, "No, I don't think they're satisfactory.


The apprentice always protects the master--even if he doesn't need protecting. There were a lot of soldiers, but they were still back from their leader. He was all but isolated. All Miriam had to do was keep herself from getting too mad at the two men for trying to start a testosterone poisoning contest and she might make it out of this alive. She drew her light saber and, in a single, arcing motion, deflected the blaster shot away from Liam and then, using its firing mode, vaporized the grenade before it could detonate. Finally, before the troops could reach her, she stepped right up to Thiron, whirled through the lightsabers that spun around him, and, just as they all converged simultaneously on her body, lowered her light saber and tapped a button on the center of her belt, activating her personal shield.

Everything that was activated shorted out--sheild, light sabers and all. But her light saber was off when it happened. With the press of a button, it was back on again and now extending toward Thiron.

"We're not here for you," she hissed, "but I'll be more than happy to scribe those pitiful papers with your bones if you dare to attack my Master again!"

--------------------
OOC: Miriam can't use her personal shield anymore. It's burned out. She'll have to get another one before she can slam anyone into a wall with it again.
:) :) :) And she doesn't think she can stand up to Thiron, whose name she doesn't know, if it comes down to a knock-down, drag-out brawl. She's bluffing.
----------------------

IC: The Metal Man reached the temple's main doorway when his motion sensors went almost off the scale. It could only mean one thing: someone nearby was using a passive cloak. They were much harder to detect than the variety that he employed--his used energy to bend the light around him. You can always pick up the energy. A passive cloak, by lacking this energy signature, is a great deal more effective.

Technolgy such as this bore investigation. The Metal Man turned back and brought his sonar online.

Three of them, roughly humanoid. They were heading toward the temple, too. Maybe I should clue in my friends back there...no, I think that, if they're going into the temple, I'll follow behind and let THEM spring the inevitable booby traps. Then they turned toward the melee. Then again, they could just be looking for trouble. If they are, they'll find it.

He turned back toward the temple and hovered in. He was correct in assuming that there would be traps. Fortunately, the first few were simple--triggered by the victim's weight as he stood upon them--and, since he was moving on maglevs, the Metal Man was beyond their grasp. As he came inside, The Metal Man noted the Late Massassi script that lined the insides of the walls. The Massassi had been nothing if not loud. He copied the inscriptions into memory and, hurrying to sidestep all the commotion, continued onward without reading them.

-------------

OOC: Ship situation is negotiable. Faith's Fury could be in orbit with Brain Jar or Ika could have gone off and done something else with it. Jenghis is still upstairs if anybody wants to interact with him.

Don't mind you staying, HC. Glad to see you getting a post or two in edgewise.

Thiron merely flexed his hand and Miriam's lightsaber flew out of her hand and sailed over the heads of the Sith troopers, landing on the ground.

"I think that is just about fair," said Thiron, and then suddenly Miriam lifted into the air, as if by magic. And just as suddenly, she slammed into the ground, knocking the wind out of her and giving some heavy bruising.

OOC: I don’t think I’ll have him in orbit. Because then he’d probably start glassing it if they detect Rolamee…and glassing is not healthy for anything…

IC: There was one voice in particular, it grew louder than the rest and seemed to make the others speak more and more quietly until it was just the single voice. It guided him and his two commandos. Traps they never would have seen were diverted from this unknown patron. But even more importantly was that it said they were heading towards the artifact! He did not like this much at all. A completely unknown structure, no guess as to it’s layout, unknown number of hostiles, and he didn’t even know what the artifact looked like! But faith has it’s uses and the trio continued on…

OOC: Bleh short, need to bother people TG wise…

It was a nice attempt, Liam thought as he watched Miriam be thrown to the ground. Actually, it was quite useful, he realized as now the Sith were pretty much defenseless except for Thiron's control over the Force.

"I hardly see how it is fair," Liam spoke up. "You came at us with a platoon of soldiers, demading proof of our allegiance as Sith." His voice then became very cold and dark, "Perhaps now you will learn the true power... of a Sith Lord."

Before the words escaped his mouth, he had raised his hands in front of him and let out a fury of deadly lightning bolts at Thiron's troops. "You DARE question me again and I will make you feel write in unimaginable pain far beyond death."

"Now... show me to the dig site. I am here to check on your progress..."

"But I can imagine quite a lot, imposter," said Thiron, "I am under personal orders from Lord Solus. Anyone who will inspect the digsite will be Solus himself...And you are no Solus!"

With that, Thiron leaped back over his ranks of terrified troopers. At the same time, the two Dark Jedi he had in heel sprang forward, attempting to flank the "Sith Lord." Thiron, meanwhile, began using a Force technique to bolster the wavering morale of his troops, who were essentially serving as cannon fodder to shield Thiron from Liam's attacks.

Thiron knew that the two Dark Jedi stood little chance of defeating this foe, and had already devised six possible escape plans. Now it would just be a question of which one to put to use...

He was too much of an adept. Their cover was blown.

But it didn't matter. As strong as the Sith was with the force, Liam was stronger. Miriam reminded herself again that she would have to talk Liam into showing her how to draw lightning from the force.

As it was, she was stuck with the techniques that the Metal Man had taught her. One of these was to sense the wake of an object that had been moved using the force--like her light saber. Being able to feel where it was, she had a relatively easy time drawing it back to her through the ranks of the troops, now dead from Liam's electrical discharge. Another thing that The Metal Man had taught Miriam was an old martial art called Floor Technique. When on the ground, one is not defenseless. In fact, when freed from the need of walking, one's feet and legs can become weapons of considerable merit.

Two warriors approached from the top of the ridge. From the way he disturbed the Force, Miriam could tell that he was a Dark Jedi, trained and then turned. The nearest had made a tactical error, however: he had come too near to her body. Without bothering to rise, she recoiled her leg and then sent a savage kick into the very bottom of his leg. With a startled yelp, he joined her on the ground. He would not easily rise again--his ankle had been broken. Still, he had his light saber drawn, and obviously knew how to use it. As long as he remained alive, he remained a threat.

To counter the Jedi, Miriam removed a second weapon from her belt--an unusaul weapon, a Silver Gladius. Not a daggar but not a sword, a gladius was a deceptively useful blade, and could strike a man dead in a single blow. By virtue of its silver surface, this one would also reflect a Jedi's light saber back upon its wielder. Ages ago, before there had been light sabers, the Jedi had used swords of steel. The Silver Sword had come into use for a short time after the advent of the Light Saber. It was a tempermental weapon, and, used alone, proved to be ineffective. Miriam used it along with her own light saber, though--it returned to her right hand as the gladeus came into her left. Together, they were quite a lethal combination.

From the ground next to her, he struck at her with his blade, but she blocked with her own. As he withdrew for a riposte, she brought the gladius to bear--on her own blade, which she extended with its blaster-mode button. The gladius reflected it, bending the beam straight into the Dark Jedi's evil heart. He gurgled once and then moved no more.

In a moment, she was back on her feet and facing the other Dark Jedi.

"I told you not to attack my Master," she said.

---------------------------------

The Metal Man hazarded another radar discharge. With force adepts so common, radar was so seldom used anymore that they hardly bothered to scan for it. If anyone had, they would easily know that he was in the temple.

This time, it came back with a curious reading. Rather than showing the location of another hidden trap, it indicated that something was moving up the passage behind him.

The cloaked strangers must have doubled back.

The Metal Man was not one to undertake violence in such a situation. In fact, if he could hide behind his cloaking device and let them pass, so much the better. It had been his original plan to allow them to pass before him anyway. That, he decided, was what he would revert to doing now.

Redoubling his cloaking technology, he brought himself up to the ceiling and wedged himself into the most distant corner he could find. This way, they should simply pass him by, and, by following them, he could learn where the traps were, making his life easier. No one need be harmed.

That done, the Metal Man said a short prayer and then began to meditate while he waited.

Thiron winced as the first of his Dark Jedi went down. The apprentice could probably easily take them both on. It was time to leave.

Through the Force, Thiron began manipulating the controls of one the hoverbikes. It began to accelerate, and with a Force-fuelled leap Thiron was in the seat of the bike.

Kill them, or I will be boiling the skin off your skulls in my private quarters! he angrily telepathed to his Sith troopers, who had proved useless to bring along so far.

My turn... Liam telepathed to Miriam.

"I will have your lightsaber now," Liam requested of the Dark Jedi with an outstretched hand. "Wouldn't want anyone else to get hurt needlessly, would we?"

The Dark Jedi stared at him with a quizzical look of confusion and wonder, but remained silent and motionless - not sure how to act.

"I SAID... your lightsaber!" Liam again commanded, though the soft tone he had sported in the first request was now gone, replaced with a harsh tone of authority.

Again the Jedi stood motionless, bewildered by what he thought was a ridiculous request, especially of to a Jedi, no matter how dark he may be. He was about to open hit mouth to either question or deny the request, but apparently Liam's patience had run out.

In one swift movement Liam had removed his lightwhip from his belt and swung it at the Jedi's lightsaber while simultaneously hitting him with a power force throw. The result was that the Jedi moved in one direction and his saber the other.

"Better..." Liam said as he snatched the lightsaber out of midair and returned the lightwhip to his belt. "You have five seconds to leave my sight..." he decreed as he began mentally counting down from five to one.

The Dark Jedi that lay on the ground was completely taken by surprise by the swift change of positions and wasn't to his feet until Liam had reached two. With fear in his eyes, not daring to try something as foolish as attack the pair, he began running across the arid land.

"A pity..." Liam said, his voice trailing off before he ended the sentence. He then chucked the lightsaber at the Jedi with incredibly aim and speed, landing it in his back and sending him to his death. "...that he couldn't run faster."


"Shall we?" Liam said to Miriam in away that one would never have thought they just fought a battle and killed two Dark Jedi.

Thiron began to speed away on the stolen hoverbike. The Dark Jedi had not even come close to killing either of them, but had bought crucial time for Thiron to make good on his escape.

Break ranks and distract the traitors he telepathically ordered to the few remaining Sith troopers.

Thiron realized he had probably revealed too much information when he said he was serving Darth Solus. If this troublesome duo managed to track down Solus, and this wouldn't be too good for Thiron's health, or his pocketbook for that matter. These two would have to be eliminated soon...

Kreynoria']Thiron began to speed away on the stolen hoverbike. The Dark Jedi had not even come close to killing either of them, but had bought crucial time for Thiron to make good on his escape.

Break ranks and distract the Jedi he telepathically ordered to the few remaining Sith troopers.

Thiron realized he had probably revealed too much information when he said he was serving Darth Solus. If this troublesome duo managed to track down Solus, and this wouldn't be too good for Thiron's health, or his pocketbook for that matter. These two would have to be eliminated soon...

...and then the security system on the hoverbike kicked in and it sputtered to a halt. There was a soft whush as a small door in the side of the bike opened and a metal band emerged, attempting to clamp Thiron's leg to the bike.


--------------------

OOC: didn't read that earlier post, did we? :) :) :)

--------------------

IC:

"Yes, let's," replied Miriam, a wicked grin playing across her features. "I do believe that these bikes can seat two when necessary." She snapped her fingers.

------------------

OOC:

Didn't Liam kill off all the troopers with his force lightning?

Wouldn't Thiron figure out that Liam ain't Jedi if he caught Liam using force lightning? Likewise, wouldn't he figure out that Miriam ain't Jedi 'cause her style ain't Jedi?

OOC: Yeah, that was a typing mistake that I'll correct. Since there were 30 troopers, I assumed about five or six survived. Basically I was going to have them cower or run.

IC:

"Damnit!" cursed Thiron under his breath. But the clamp proved too slow, and Thiron flipped out of the bike. Time for another plan. One hand brought up an automatic blaster and depressed the hair trigger. The other raised his harpoon gun and fired it into the highest rock ledge. Gathering up enough Force power, Thiron flipped into one last Force jump...

"I really don't like your bike's model. I prefer my new SoroSuub."

"Darth Shamman," the deep voice of the dark lord Solus rang through the halls of the ancient Sith temple that had been unearthed by the Sith forces, "you have done well."
The Sith in charge of the dig, Shamman, walked along casually with the small droid that projected the hologram of the dark lord. "Now, find the artifact, and bring it to me. Be weary, for I sense a great disturbence in the force. The Jedi suspect something, so be on your guard. Failure is not an option."

OOC: 'Bout time. BTW, when I communicate via Force, I use ::blablabla::instead of italicized letters or "quotation marks". Got it from KOTOR 1 and 2.


IC:
::Of course Master. My guards will be ready for anything. And, we all know failure isn't an option.:: Shamman walked up to the ancient artifact and held it in his hands. The future of the Sith seemed bright in his eyes when he held it. All of it's secrets shall be unlocked. Shamman senced that battle was near on Korriban, so he jestered for his guards to be in battle formation incase enemy troopers came on by. He lifted his dual lightsabers, and two glowing black blades emitted from the hilt.

"Stay on your guard. I sence our enemies are.... Near," Shamman grunted.

IC: His one beady black eye scanned the corridor carefully, but he trusted the other warp-altered eye. The color was a flowing mixture of colors. With this he could see the tiny flames of souls and more importantly, daemon-spawned visions. These he relied to get past the defenses of this temple.

But then, the voice changed it’s message. Instead of directing him, it started babbling about a “forsaken one”. Apparently it was VERY close to Rolamee at the moment.

A grin stretched across his broken teeth as he hacked up a slightly congealed purple-blue mix of blood and ichors. He would wait and let this “forsaken one” make the first move, he had more important things to worry about like the artifact…

"How convenient," Liam replied as the hoverbike slowed to a stop in front of them. "Unless you have any objection, I will take the front position - seeing as it was your hoverbike he took," Liam commented as he lifted one leg over the seat.

"Shall we go take a look at what all this fuss is about," Liam asked as he waited for Miriam to get on and then hit the thrusters.

((OOC: Sorry for the short post - didn't have much to say))

IC: His one beady black eye scanned the corridor carefully, but he trusted the other warp-altered eye. The color was a flowing mixture of colors. With this he could see the tiny flames of souls and more importantly, daemon-spawned visions. These he relied to get past the defenses of this temple.

But then, the voice changed it’s message. Instead of directing him, it started babbling about a “forsaken one”. Apparently it was VERY close to Rolamee at the moment.

A grin stretched across his broken teeth as he hacked up a slightly congealed purple-blue mix of blood and ichors. He would wait and let this “forsaken one” make the first move, he had more important things to worry about like the artifact…

He just stopped. He didn't look; he didn't listen; he didn't even sniff at the air. He just stopped--right under the Metal Man.

It must be true, the cyborg thought. SOMEONE is directing him, and that someone can't sense my presence any better than any other force-adept.

The guide had obviously discerned that The Metal Man did not have the time to wait. In his suit, the cyborg wondered why the large being thought that it could wait any more than he could. They were both in danger of being found, and, if the Sith DID find them, it would not be pretty.

Perhaps this was a lesson that this being needed to learn: not to seek conflict in all that he did, that the wages of conflict were eternal inner strife. But the best way to teach this lesson would be by proxy. The Sith were far more adept at inflicting pain than he was.

Thus it was that the man-machine took a depleted power pack and dropped it...right on top of an alarm pad in the floor, which the Big Guy had just stepped over. If the one following him turned to look at the power pack, the Metal Man would hazard a quick flight through the nearest archway; if not, well, the alarm was now set. The Sith would be there in a moment, and the Big Guy would be staring down the flatulent end of a burp gun or two...or fifty. With any luck, the Metal Man could use the confusion to sneak through. Now, the onus was on the Big Guy, and it was the Metal Man's turn to wait.

--------------------------

Miriam smiled in her place behind Liam.

Why don't we just use the sensors and go straight toward the Metal Man? she telepathed to Liam. If we did that, we could make that stupid Sith come to us. She was going to have to stop this. She was really starting to get into this Sith Apprentice thing just a little too much. She smiled wickedly.

Well you have the sensors, Liam replied via telepath. Either tell me where to go or I need to be going or else we are just going to be heading straight for a while.

As he finished telepathing the message to Miriam, Liam hit the throttles hard and the hoverbike sped across the arid, dessert like terrain of Korriban. There wasn't much to see as they cut across the land; a few ruins here and there, but not anything spectacular yet.

I wonder if this whole journey is going to be as easy as defeating that Sith was, Liam thought to himself. It would certainly be a bore if it were... I hope not.

IC: Rolamee physically sighed which turned into bloody hacking cough. He had known to the extent of what happened when he heard something fall behind him. He could easily kill this “forsaken one”, he hadn’t met an opponent better than him in his long life span, and he doubted very much he ever would. But for now, he would have to concentrate on the approaching sith.

He knew he was a far superior fighter than any being here(Well, that’s what he thinks lol), but numbers would win out. And he had no intentions of dying and reporting his failure to Khorne…

His two accompanying commandos were already taking cover on the sides of an arch way. His plan was to have all ten of their holograms activate and distract plus harm the approaching sharquoi. His two soldiers would sell their lives, but he could get past them, perhaps killing a few on the way.

Unfortunately plans rarely survive meeting the enemy…

Well you have the sensors, Liam replied via telepath. Either tell me where to go or I need to be going or else we are just going to be heading straight for a while.


Actually, Miriam telepathed back, they're on the instrument panel on your handlebars. Push the button between the handlebars and it activates. From then, try to get the bright dot to the center of the viewer. When it is, we're there.

IC: Rolamee physically sighed which turned into bloody hacking cough.

His two accompanying commandos were already taking cover on the sides of an arch way. His plan was to have all ten of their holograms activate and distract plus harm the approaching sharquoi. His two soldiers would sell their lives, but he could get past them, perhaps killing a few on the way.

Unfortunately plans rarely survive meeting the enemy…

The Big Guy went for it. Instead of trying to harm The Metal Man, he and his followers started to take cover.

Seeing this, the cyborg slipped past them and moved deeper into the temple.

The traps had started to get fewer and farther between, and the walls more elaborate. When he was certain that he was not being observed, he began first to use a light to aid in his capturing of the images from the walls, and second to read them.

Old Massassi is an incredibly cryptic language. The written variant was basically phonetic, one symbol per syllable, but it had iconic "shorthand" symbols interspersed that would refer to well-known events or myths. This was what made the language hell to read--if you didn't know their history, their calendar, their religion, you were out of luck. Worse yet, the same symbol could have different meanings depending upon whether it was used in a religious or secular context.

The basic story was simple: this was the Temple of Atonement, which housed the Arch of Atonement, under which was placed God's Egg. If one felt that injustice had been done against one, then one would speak with God's Egg, and, if God felt that one's case was just, the Egg would hatch and an Angel of Atonement would set things right, returning to regenerate God's Egg when the job was done. If, however, the case was not just, God's Egg would begin to glow, meting out some punishment upon the poor litigant.

In his mind, the Metal Man shuddered. If the Sith had found something like that and tried to use it...and if they removed it from the Arch, the only place where it would work properly...

His fears were soon realized as he reached the temple's inner sanctum and, except for a few security precautions, found it to be...empty.

----------------------

OOC: wonderful thing about this post is that it really doesn't say anything. TMM could've flubbed up the translation!

IC:

A glint of light cast itself on the small fighter that seemed like a space worm compared with the universe that surrounded it.

The pilot seemed skilled enough behind the controls, and the rhythmic beating of his heart would have put any of the passengers to sleep at once. But there were no passengers. The one-man fighter carried only a lost Jedi, and his harbored anger.

How foolish, he thought, how utterly foolish for them to expel me. I will one day repay them for all of the torment they've caused.

His ship cut it's way through space with the greatest of ease. Jacen Thomas leaned on the accelerator as he maneuvered the small fighter.

Why am I here? Why do I feel called to be here? Why am I even near this force-forsaken end of space?!?

But he knew his reasoning in the last question was flawed. This piece of the universe was hardly force forsaken.

His vision last night had led him here, and he had no idea why. All he knew was that he was supposed to be here, that it was the will of the force. At least the force that he knew. The light side may be a little contradictory.

So he flew and waited.

Perhaps a message will be coming in... perhaps.

Jacen hardly spoke... telepathy and thinking were his allies. Speaking was for the weak in his opinion. He was far too advanced for that.

Little did he know how much he would need to use verbal communication within the next few days.

__________________________________________

OOC:

Tal, can you have Solous send me message... calling me to Korriban?

Dastardly Stench']Actually, Miriam telepathed back, they're on the instrument panel on your handlebars. Push the button between the handlebars and it activates. From then, try to get the bright dot to the center of the viewer. When it is, we're there.

Ah... Liam simply telepathed in reply. Making sure the path ahead was clear with a quick glance, he looked down at the handlebars and instrument panel that Miriam had indicated.

He then found the button between the handlebar and pushed it gently to activate the sensor. The red dot appeared on the viewer and Liam took note of their relative position to it.

Changing the course ever so slightly, the red dot was now directly above them on the viewer - dead ahead.

Hold on tight... Liam hit the thrusters, so they were beaming across the arid desert like environment of Korriban.

---

A short time later, the pair had arrived as the red dot was barely a microdot away from the hoverbike on the viewer. "Alright... let's get to finding him."


OOC: If anyone has a problem with me just sending them to the sight... say so, and I will change it (as long as it is a valid reason)

He had finished studying the room, and the realization he took with him made him anxious. The arch was impregnated with a substance that the Sangheili called "the binding." It dampened psionic activity. The implication was simple: whatever had been stored there was too powerful to be used anywhere else.

Of course, the Sith, if they'd realized this at all, were probably so arrogant that they believed themselves above this rule.

All the more reason for the Metal Man to finish locating the object.

Unfortunately, he had limited his options earlier.

His only choice now was to go back the way he had come...right through the scrum that he had helped to create.

Though violence was something that he detested, he prepared himself for it now, charging his weapons and bringing his shields to the ready. Then, still cloacked but now much more visible to EM-band sensors, he started back, continuing to avoid the traps that were still set where he had left them.

"Jacen" came the echoeing voice, "you are to report to my apprentice on Korriban, there you will aid him in protecting an artifact that we have just discovered. I sense there is danger, so you must make all haste. Do as he says, and you shall be rewarded."

Jacen heard the telepathic voice crying out through the force.

This was the message. This was the reason he was in this part of space...

Korriban. The system was so close he could taste it.

I bow myself to the living force... Jacen's thoughts echoed.

He slammed the controls, reversed thrusters, and blasted off towards the nearby planet.

This was too good to be true. What he would do when he got there, he had no idea, but somehow he felt it was in his best interests. Who had called him? It didn't matter... what matters is that he avenge himself... and pick up a piece of the pie at the same time.

Danger... sounds fun. I'll be there in a flash. he replied telepathically through the force, to his unknown "master".

Apprentice indeed! No way he would submit himself to that. Mercenary Sith was more like it. He would only submit to authority if he was properly awarded in the end.

A flash on the screen from his astromech droid drove Jacen back to reality. According to the little robot, he would be on the surface within the hour.

A flash on the screen from his astromech droid drove Jacen back to reality. According to the little robot, he would be on the surface within the hour.

Aboard Brain Jar, Jenghis saw the small craft enter the atmosphere, and sensed the disturbance in the force.

"They're bringing in mercenaries," he said to no one in particular. "This one could be only the first of many."

In a moment, he was at the communication console. In another, he had sent a tight-beam signal to the Republic, warning them of a Sith military build-up on Koriban. Not long afterward, he received an encrypted confirmation, and a message telling him that an invasion force was on its way.

-------------------------------------

OOC: I humbly acceed to the will of the team.

OOC: kind of bumping this up... but getting my character on the planet at the same time.

_______________________________________

IC:

Jacen let the force flow around him as his ship dived into the atmosphere.

He had no idea what to expect, so he closed his eyes and let the force guide his craft.

He felt and heard the thrusters reverse, and the one-man fighter came an abrupt halt on the sandy landscape.

As soon as he felt the landing, Jacen used the force to activate the cockpit emergency ejection. Within seconds Jacen was soaring through the air, and before he hit the ground his lightsaber was activated in his hand.

He flung himself around, staring off into the sand, looking for any challengers. But there were none, at least not yet.

Time to go find the master...

Jacen replaced his lightsaber at his side and started in the direction he felt the force was leading him.

Thiron's performance in that last encounter had been disgraceful and had violated many of his late Master's teachings. Number one among them, 'Stealth is the greatest tool of the Sith Assassin."

He had gone into the battle overconfindent, and had grievously underestimated the abilities of the two Force-users. Perhaps they were Sith...The master had used Force Lightning, and the apprentice fought with a red lightsaber. Perhaps a test from Lord Solus, in which case, Solus was probably laughing his head off right now.

Rather than reporting to Shamman, Thiron decided to gamble a second try against the pair. The Sith kept a secret weapons cache concealed not far away.

His new plan and armament called for stealth and deception, the two great arts of the Sith Assassin 'A well-placed knife can be worth more than a thousand lightsabers.' Another of his ex-Master's teachings.

First off, Thiron began recharging his overloaded lightsabers. Silencers were screwed onto his blaster pistols. The grenades were replaced, with a mixture of sonic and posion gas grenades.

Thiron also took a flame rifle and a poison dart shooter, garrote wire, shurikens, and bolas, and a vibrorapier. The vibrorapier was unique among vibro-weapons in that it didn't generate a low hum when activated. It also lacked the giveaway glow of a lightsaber, making it ideal for stealth attacks. Like many of Thiron's weapons, it was custom-built out of cortosis alloy, which resisted lightsaber attacks.

Using a small portable scanner, it was relatively easy to locate the hoverbikes, parked in front of a Massassi temple, and Thiron felt the strong Force auras around the two figures, around the front of the Temple. Thiron set out at high speed, using a Force technique to conceal his presence in the Force. He had been "aquainted" with all the buildings and temples near the digsite, and knew of a second entrance on the side of the Temple. It would then be easy to attack the two intruders, who would probably be suspecting another direct assault.

Sifting through the rhunes, the Metal Man noticed a temple map among the documents. It indicated a side shaft that would lead to the outside. Though it was generally wise to accept the responsibility for one's actions, this second path promised the possibility of more knowledge to be gleaned. The Sith cared little for their own history--even though this lack of concern had haunted them on several occasions. They would allow this temple and all the knowledge that it held to weather away to nothing. The path had to be mapped before it was lost to the ravages of time.

Careful not to alert others to his presence, the Metal Man moved through the temple tunnels and into the new passageway. This passage was not beset with traps as the other was. With great care, he began to record the rhunes that were marked on the walls, making images in several different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, and often from different angles.

It was as he travelled down the passage that he noted that someone else was coming from the other direction.

It would stand to reason that a counterstrike force, responding to the alarm that the Metal Man had set off earlier, would come through this way, as it would give them a certain element of surprise. Located where they were, they would be counterattacking those whom he had met earlier basically from behind. It would completely alter the element of surprise.

Once again, the Metal Man decided to try to avoid violence. He powered down his main weapons and brought his cloaking device up to full power. In that state, he again went to the ceiling and hovered there, waiting for the counterfoce to pass by.

---------------------------------

"He's moving," Miriam said quietly. "There must be another way through. Should we look for it?"

Dastardly Stench']"He's moving," Miriam said quietly. "There must be another way through. Should we look for it?"

"Sure... waiting around here hasn't done us any good anyway," Liam replied as he looked at the sensors and began walking in the direction indicated.

"Perhaps we will run into our friend again..." he commented as they strode around the temple, referring to Thiron.

OOC: Zzzzz....

IC:

Jacen strolled through the landscape, feeling his way through the force to make sure he would not be suprised by any enemies.

Why am I here?

As he walked, he came to large temple... but it seemed so small in the middle of the expansive terrain.

Interesting... maybe I should go in? The force has led me here... I will enter.

He found a strange looking tunnel entrance. Peculiar...

But just as he went to step in, he saw two figures come around the far corner of the temple. Jacen jumped back to the cover of the nearest pillar, and watched them carefully. He couldn't tell whether they were Jedi or Sith, but the force was strong with them. It surrounded them.

I guess they may be who I am searching for... I might as well go talk with them. I better be careful...

How he had found the small hole in the rock, an entrance to the temple, he never knew... perhaps the force, but if the two figures made any hostile moves, he would escape to there and use the force to close the tunnel behind him.

Jacen stepped out from behind the pillar and went to meet the two people...

___________________________________________

OOC:

DMG and NSDast... the two people Jacen is walking towards are Miriam and Liam... it just so happens Jacen has found the entrance you were searching for.

Thiron had sensed his quarry moving around to find another entrance. Perhaps they had spotted or sensed him, perhaps not. Nonetheless, it was always good to have a welcome prepared.

Thiron was currently hanging from the ceiling over the small hole, invisible to viewers on the outside of the Temple. Thiron was also using a Force technique learned early on to wrap the shadows around his body, granting excellent concealment in the poorly illuminated temple.

But now there was a third prescence, another Force-user. Thiron could not tell whether or not this one was friend or foe. He would have to wait and see...

He had the object and that was enough for him. Shamman picked it up and held it in his hands and his eyes widened. He quickly put it away, and signaled to the guards to move on out. He knew of a new mercenary who was working for his master, and decided it was best for them to meet. He could also feel multiple force-wielder's precense, but he didn't know who they were. He signaled for the guards to move on out of the temple, and he then proceeded to follow them out of the temple.



(OOC: Geneticon, I'm assuming you're referring the temple Shamman is in? Or yet another one on Korriban?)

OOC: Wherever Liam and Miriam are... I'm there.

Also, when you refer to the mercenary are you talking about me (Jacen)?

OOC: Wherever Liam and Miriam are... I'm there.

Also, when you refer to the mercenary are you talking about me (Jacen)?

OOC: Yeah. You're the only other guy who is highered by Solus right? You're suppose to (from what I gather) help my character. Let's talk about this in the "OOC" thread.

Kreynoria']Thiron had sensed his quarry moving around to find another entrance. Perhaps they had spotted or sensed him, perhaps not. Nonetheless, it was always good to have a welcome prepared.

Thiron was currently hanging from the ceiling over the small hole, invisible to viewers on the outside of the Temple. Thiron was also using a Force technique learned early on to wrap the shadows around his body, granting excellent concealment in the poorly illuminated temple.

But now there was a third prescence, another Force-user. Thiron could not tell whether or not this one was friend or foe. He would have to wait and see...

OOC: The Metal Man is anti-force. He is not a force-user because he absorbs it. He can't use it, and neither can anyone else who's near him. It's not 100%, though. For example, one can use the force to throw things at him.

That said, SOMEBODY was SUPPOSED to send A GAZILLION TROOPS RUSHING IN. Is this going to happen or are the Jedi-aligned characters just going to have to start to improvise? I'm with DMG on the plot ramifications of having our characters continue in their current holding pattern...that is to say, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

IC: There was a hole in the ceiling ahead, and a body just inside of it. It was concealed well enough that the Metal Man did not notice it until after he had snapped several images of the rhunes on the wall--loudly enough to give away his position. Hopefully, the owner of the body would be confused by the fact that the Metal Man left no footprints and made no noises of foot contact. He finished his cataloguing and, cloaked, continued forward.

His most convenient exit barred, the Metal Man began to examine the man who was barring it. He posessed a multitude of concealed weapons, and looked as though he was capable of moving as a quadruped when he needed extreme speed. This also gave him the ability to cling to ceilings. Probably a Sith assassin.

As the Metal Man watched, two figures came by on thermagram. They were on the other side of the walls that held him. They were met by a third figure, whose heat signature the Metal Man did not recognise.

As he watched, the three heat signatures moved slowly closer to the opening.

It would not be permissible to watch others die at this man's hands. In fact, it would be a violation of all that the Metal Man believed in. So, rather than let others perish through his inaction, he floated his brown, rectangular box of a suit right up to the man, charged up his weaponse, decloaked and spoke to him, right there and then.

"So, what would bring a nice guy like you into a hole like this?"

"I was wondering what you were doing, trying to behind that pillar," Liam said as the boy jumped out in front them.

Miriam and Liam stopped walking as they greeted the new person. Let me handle this... Liam telepathed to her. Just follow my lead - I am trying to read his thoughts as the moment...see why he is here. Just be ready for anything...

"State your name and purpose..." he said in a cold, threatening voice.

The man seemed cold, like a Sith, but yet his eyes didn't seem to hold the Sith quality, they weren't red enough.

I might as welll tell him the truth...

"My name is Jacen. I have been called here by the force. Someone used the force to call out to me, and now I'm here. I'm not sure who or why... but I'm here. I'm not a Jedi, and technicaly not a Sith either... let me tell you my story."

Jacen explained to the two his background quickly. (OOC: Read the OOC thread for the rundown of this)

"...So I've come here. Only the force and the person who called me knows the purpose."

Jacen stared the man down. Have I seen that face before?

"May I ask you two who you are?"

Originally posted by [NS]Dastardly Stench
OOC: The Metal Man is anti-force. He is not a force-user because he absorbs it. He can't use it, and neither can anyone else who's near him. It's not 100%, though. For example, one can use the force to throw things at him.

I meant Jacen.

OOC: Yes... Jacen is definitely a force user.

OOC: His eyes can't technically be seen as they are hidden beneath a shroud of darkness.

IC:

After hearing the story, Liam paused momentarily as if exmanining the boy. "He has done well to tell the truth..." he said as he turned to Miriam. "He has passed the test."

He then turned back to Jacen and again paused. "Who am I? I am the one who has called you hear..." he said letting the words sink in.

"And this..." he said turning to indicate Miriam, "is my apprentice... Thiron. Help her in the task I have set for her and you shall be rewarded."

OOC: Ok... then he wasn't seeing your eyes... maybe only your features. Either way he feels you are not a Sith... but he isn't sure.

IC:

Jacen stopped the man before he could speak any further, "I don't think I caught your name..."

Still, he doesn't seem like a Sith...

"I must tell you that I would like to be paid at least half in advance, if my payment is to be in credits. If not, I would like to know exactly how you intend to reward me. I will only do what is in my best interest."

Jacen turned his head to look at the second figure. It was a female.

"And as for you, you're quite a beautiful apprentice... I don't think I'll mind working with you at all."

"I don't think I gave it..." Liam snapped back quickly, with a threatening fury in his voice.

But just as it had come, it was again gone as he spoke, "Your payment, which you will recieve after you have completed the task, is something that will be quite in your interest..."

"How do you feel about power beyond your wlidest dreams!" Liam said, playing to what he thought was most likely Jacen's wants.


OOC: I don't think Jacen as any knowledge of who the person is or whether they are a Sith or not.

Boy... this guy was touchy...

Maybe he is a Sith after all... no matter... all I want is adventure, and to kill some Jedi.

Where have a heard that voice before? It seems familiar...

"I'm not sure power is good enough... but perhaps. Don't get all steamed up, if you don't want to give me your name I guess that's fine. What do you need me to do?"

Shamman strolled out of the temple, with the orb in his pocket. His eyes glowed red in the sun's light and his dark grey skin, corrupted by the Dark Side, could be seen. He stared out upon the empty plains, and signaled to the nearest trooper.

"I'm almost ready to move on out trooper. Get the Death's Hand ready to launch."

<Lord Shamman, we have a situation here.> the trooper said through his helmet.

"What is it?" Shamman hissed through his teeth.

<It would appear the Jedi know of our current project. Several reports have shown to have multiple Sith Trooper shots fired at unknown force wielders. When we went to the scene, they bared lightsaber cuts.>

"It could be a rouge Sith faction."

<Could be sir. But, my instincts tell me otherwise. A rouge Sith faction is highly unlikely.>

Normally he would execute a soldier for questioning his judgment, but this is a special case. "All right then trooper. Obviously if the Jedi know of our operations, then we need to eradicate them. Start sending out search teams and have your weapons set for 'Kill.' I will be leading one of our squads."

OOC: I think this is a good excuse for TMM or any of the other Jedi/Sith characters to run into him.

Jacen turned his head to look at the second figure. It was a female.

"And as for you, you're quite a beautiful apprentice... I don't think I'll mind working with you at all."

Miriam smiled her cruelest, most sadistic smile. Having heard the young man's story along with her Master, she realized that Jacen was gullible, and that his tongue was far too loose. The first rule of conflict is that you never, never, never just give somebody information. Instead, if you give it at all, you make them pay for it. Liam was already trying to exploit the poor, gullible young man. The expression on her face would let him know that she was every bit as capable of evil as he was.

The smile faded as Liam snapped at him and he looked away. Regardless of this Jacen's ability to divine the truth, he was Jedi-trained, and he knew how to handle a light saber. When he realized the truth--and the truth always comes out--this would not end well. It was a saving grace that Jacen liked to bargain. Unlike the Jedi, he didn't want his payments deferred, but wished to be paid directly. This made him dangerous, but also meant that, if she remained aloof and participated as little as possible in the deception, she might be able to buy her life from him if all else failed.

Neither Jacen nor Liam knew it, but she had a skill that either of them would find useful. She had Verpuud, a safer variant (there is no variant that is completely safe) of the all-but-extinct Jedi form Verpaad. In fact, it was Verpuud that allowed her to use the Silver Sword and the light sabre at the same time without killing herself while she was doing it. But she had to be careful with this. Though the Jedi and the Sith alike believed that Verpaad was extinct, some could recognize her style as the form that had taken two Jedi Masters to the dark side. When that happened, their attempts to exploit the emotional channeling that the form required would be relentless and merciless. Miriam hoped that the mental discipline that she had acquired as a vampire hunter, before she had met her husband, would keep her sane when that time arrived.

She also thought that Liam would make an excellent student of Verpuud, if he would trust her enough to learn it.

Then she heard the Metal Man's voice coming from the temple entrance and her hand shot to her light saber.

He was talking to someone, and it wasn't anybody she could see.

--------------------------------------

OOC: going to leave it to DMG to run into the troopers. TMM should have his hands full with Thiron now. Forgive the extended verbage. Trying to channel a female character, you know.

After he had spoke he heard a slight noise from the temple.

Someone is talking...

In seconds he had stepped back a few yards and had engaged his lightsaber, he was going to be ready for anything. He wasn't sure who was his friend and who was his foe.

I may have told him a lot, but I kept back the most valueable part that I now know... that ought to be a decent bargaining chip later on...

This and hundreds of thoughts rushed through his head while he waited. She was thinking about me a second ago... why? And what exactly was she thinking?

"Hey summoner... or whatever you want me to call you, I think we might want to be prepared for whatever's coming out of that whole, because I have a feeling that someone will be very soon, and I doubt he will be friendly."

Thiron's head snapped up at the sound of the snapshots. Someone else was here, and Thiron hadn't sensed it. No footprints either. In fact, the Force told him the room was devoid of any life. A cloaking device couldn't fool the Force. So what was?

Then a figure materialized out of thin air. So it had been a cloaking device. The figure itself looked like a floating metal box.

"So what would bring a nice guy like you into a hole like this?"

Over his many hunts, Thiron had learned that combat banter was a pointless distraction. Another lesson forotten in the last fight. Not to be in this one.

Thiron whipped a pair of grenades at the figure, one plasma and one ion, then dropped silently to the floor, lightsabers flying into is hands...

"Yes..." Liam responded, slowly and coldly as he too had sensed Thrion just on the other side of the entrance. "The beginning of your task lays in there," he said pointing at the entrance, "a rogue Sith has tried to hamper our efforts and no doubt will be fighting with one of my mercenaries... dispose of him."

"I," he said turning away from the too and looking over the arid desert where he sensed others approaching from, "will deal with his lackeys."

"Play nice..." he said and as his final words carried with the warm breeze, he disappeared...

Kreynoria']Thiron's head snapped up at the sound of the snapshots. Someone else was here, and Thiron hadn't sensed it. No footprints either. In fact, the Force told him the room was devoid of any life. A cloaking device couldn't fool the Force. So what was?

Then a figure materialized out of thin air. So it had been a cloaking device. The figure itself looked like a floating metal box.

"So what would bring a nice guy like you into a hole like this?"

Over his many hunts, Thiron had learned that combat banter was a pointless distraction. Another lesson forotten in the last fight. Not to be in this one.

Thiron whipped a pair of grenades at the figure, one plasma and one ion, then dropped silently to the floor, lightsabers flying into is hands...


The grenades detonated, putting a goodly dent in the Metal Man's shields. Dust kicked up from the walls as the concussion of the blast spread to the structure. It was a wonder that this part of it was still standing.

This was a Sith whom the Metal Man was dealing with, and this Sith was intent on combat. The Metal Man was not.

"My young apprentice," he said through the dust and grime that made all vision impossible, "hasn't anyone told you that conflict is the preferred tool of the unenlightened?" With that, he flew up through the hole in the ceiling and, using his plasma cannon on an exposed slab of rock, sealed the hole as he left.

Now, the Sith could slug it out with the Sangheili in the temple. Sangheili stand eight feet tall and weigh in at over four hundred pounds, and their warrior caste is indoctrinated into martial arts from birth. The Sith would have a fitting partner to help satisfy his lust for blood. If he won, he would have great stories to tell his master of how he had defended Sith honor--which might lead that master to merely torture him instead of killing him outright when he determined how thoroughly the Sith had been outwitted. You have to learn to pick your battles.

Now, the Metal Man had to concentrate on his mission, and its latest dilemma. The artifact had been removed from the temple. He had no idea where it was.

It was then that he turned to find a young human male with a light saber coming straight at him. Behind him stood Liam and Miriam.

More unnecessary conflict.

"You know, young man," the metal man said sternly, "before you take that thing to someone like me, who has no intent to harm you, you might want to take a quick look behind you."

It was true. Behind them, a Sith army was rapidly forming from a series of underground tunnels that obviously honeycombed the area. In front of them, obviously rousing and directing the group, stood what could only be described as a Sith with Attitude--and, clutched in his hand, an egg-shaped, blue stone.

On the bright side, the Metal Man reasoned, he didn't need to go looking anymore.

On the dark side...

I think we're going to need some help on this one...

OOC: Liam has already left.

_______________________________

IC:

Jacen turned and looked the group behind him... his lightsaber still active.

What in the...

He turned back to the metal box looking thing that had approaced him. He glanced quickly at the female apprentice, there seemed to be some recognition between the two.

He asked the metal thing, "Before we have to deal with that..." he motioned to the army, "may I ask you who you are?"

Then he turned to the girl, "I don't think I know your name yet... what is it? And by the way, got any suggestions?"

He waited for their responses in a tense moment. This was a bad time to show up... and where did that Sith Master go?

The Sith Master in question had disappeared into thin air, only to reappear on top of the temple. High above the arid plains below, Liam had the perfect vantage point to spy for miles. As he had felt, he saw an army of soldiers approaching the temple at a sustained rate, most likely raised by the Sith.

If only we had an army of our own... Liam thought as his robe stirred in the wind of such a high altitude.

Maybe we could create a distraction while The Metal Man sneaks around and finds the artifact, he thought as ideas raced in and out of his mind.

Most likely he wouldn't be able to avoid at least a couple of battles. Though perhaps Jacen could be the one to take the brunt of the attack...

OOC: Liam has already left.

_______________________________

IC:

Jacen turned and looked the group behind him... his lightsaber still active.

What in the...

He turned back to the metal box looking thing that had approaced him. He glanced quickly at the female apprentice, there seemed to be some recognition between the two.

He asked the metal thing, "Before we have to deal with that..." he motioned to the army, "may I ask you who you are?"

Then he turned to the girl, "I don't think I know your name yet... what is it? And by the way, got any suggestions?"

He waited for their responses in a tense moment.

"I'm Miriam," the girl replied, "and that," she gestured toward the box, "is The Metal Man. You need not worry about him attacking you. He is an avowed pacifist. In fact, if what I think just happened is what really just happened, he was attacked by an enemy assassin and let him live."

"It is," the Metal Man replied, "but I was far more generous than you know. There is a group of Sangheili warriors in the temple. In them, the assassin will find much to satisfy his craving for battle."

"You're ablsolutely diabolical," Miriam said.

"No," the Metal Man replied, "I merely grant unto others as they can understand. For example, there is an army before us that I dare to presume would desire combat."

"You're not considering a direct assault on--."

"Certainly, you should know me better than that."

An antenna extended from the box's upper left rear corner.

"Metal Man to Brain Jar. Come in, Brain Jar. This is Metal Man calling--."

"Metal Man, this is Brain Jar," came a voice over a speaker that was...somewhere within the Metal Man's body. "Come in, Metal Man."

"Well, Jenghis! Fancy meeting you here!"

"What a surprise. So how are things going? How's my wife?"

"Would you like to talk with her?"

"If possible."

"Miriam, I believe you're needed."

Miriam walked over to the intercom.

"Husband!" she said.

"How are you, dear?"

"Well...we're fine for now, but a Sith Army is gathering nearby and I don't know how long we can hold--."

"Say no more! I'll send in a republic landing party."

"You have one of those?" the Metal Man's voice asked.

"I saw a ship land on the planet," Jenghis said, "and presumed that they were gathering mercenaries. They should be--in fact, the first ones are coming out of hyperspace now."

"How long until they land?" Miriam asked.

"Estimated time: twelve standard minutes."

"Tell them to use caution," came the Metal Man. "There's an armed base in the mountains to the east of us, and they're using a nuclear generator. If it blows, a third of the planet could be rendered uninhabitable for thousands of years."

"Roger that, Metal Man. We have the radiation source on our scopes. Will tell them to expect to come in under fire."

"Tell them about the nuke, man!"

"That, too."

"Thank you," the Metal Man continued. "Now, I've got an army to confuse. Metal Man out." The antenna disappeared.

"Now, young man," the Metal Man said to Jacen, "before I ask anything of you, I would know what your values are. What brings you here?"

Jacen blinked... That girl is married? She certainly looked to young for that... She can't be a Sith... is it a hoax? And how would she know this metal guy if she was a Sith? Something is terribly wrong.

Jacen was getting confused. Republic ships are on the way? Only the Jedi worked with the Republic, and a few scattered mercenaries. One thing was for sure, if these people were working closely with the Republic, they weren't Sith.

What now? Why am I here if that man didn't call me? But then again, I sort of already know, I'll keep that card in my hand for now...

"The force brought me here... as I told your friend. He just left a bit ago. Someone called me through the force, and your friend claims it was him. All I really want is to get as much for myself as I can."

Uh-oh, Jacen was getting angry, and it was getting obvious. His feelings were starting to betray him. Well... if this gets violent at least I'll be more powerful...

He asked The Metal Man, "In other words, I'll help you... but what's in it for me? Your friend offered power, but that's not exactly what I'm after..."

This is a bad time to decide where my allegiance lies, maybe I should make a break for it...

Jacen blinked... That girl is married? She certainly looked to young for that... She can't be a Sith... is it a hoax? And how would she know this metal guy if she was a Sith? Something is terribly wrong.

Jacen was getting confused. Republic ships are on the way? Only the Jedi worked with the Republic, and a few scattered mercenaries. One thing was for sure, if these people were working closely with the Republic, they weren't Sith.

What now? Why am I here if that man didn't call me? But then again, I sort of already know, I'll keep that card in my hand for now...

"The force brought me here... as I told your friend. He just left a bit ago. Someone called me through the force, and your friend claims it was him. All I really want is to get as much for myself as I can."

Uh-oh, Jacen was getting angry, and it was getting obvious. His feelings were starting to betray him. Well... if this gets violent at least I'll be more powerful...

He asked The Metal Man, "In other words, I'll help you... but what's in it for me? Your friend offered power, but that's not exactly what I'm after..."

This is a bad time to decide where my allegiance lies, maybe I should make a break for it...

"I understand now," the Metal Man said, hovering motionless, "and I would never require you to risk harm on my behalf. The wealth that I have to give you is primarily a wealth of knowledge. For example, from examining your light saber in the x-band spectrum, I can tell that realigning its emitter will increase its power output by ten per cent, which could make all the difference in a...situation where it needs to be used. I can show you a great deal about the construction and maintainance of these things. I can also help you to develop a style of combat that is uniquely fitted to you.

"There is an artifact here that I seek, but I do not feel that it would be of particular value to you. It is an item of adjudication, and a danger to use in its current circumstances.

"I recommend that you not endanger yourself at this time. A conflict is about to occur, and you could do worse than to ally yourself with its victor--or the loser, if you feel that this party is more aligned to your sense of ethics. I suggest that, from your point of view, this would be the wisest choice. Leave, but stay close by. Observe. Make your decision when you have enough information. On your word that you will not interfere, I will do what I can to ensure your safety."

Knowledge... what did this hunk of metal know about knowledge. He was just a computer after all...

Jacen stared at his lightsaber. You don't need to find my style.. I already know it.

The Soresu... the most simple lightsaber style ever devised... but yet the most brilliant. Other styles had action. The Soresu had straight up power. In the hands of a skilled user, the Soresu could defeat any other style... if used properly.

And Jacen had learned to use it properly.

Not only that, Jacen's Djem So was nearly as good. He could switch the two out and mix them up, making him extremely unpredictable. And when the situation became dangerous Jacen let his instincts and anger take over.

The Soresu and Djem So would be more than a match than anything you could teach me...

Jacen decided it was time to reply, "Why stand back? Do you think I'm afraid of danger? I'll take the fight to whoever I need to.

But I can see now that that man could not possibly be telling the truth!"

He had not exactly been honest with the metal man. Realistically he was wanting to step back and watch the procedings... but something was holding him back.

He turned to Miriam, "Are you a Sith? Tell me the truth now..."

It must be her...

Liam continued to stand aloft the tower, his gray robe swirling in the strong winds that swept by. His eyes looked far into the distance as he tracked the incoming army.

He stood motionless, seemingly relaxed, but around him there was a different feeling. There was immense amount of energy flowing towards him and surrounding him; a sphere of energy was building...

Thiron was about to blow a hole in the ceiling and go after the pacifistic droid. But then he stopped. He was still not alone in this ancient temple.

Cloaking devices are wondrous pieces of technology, but they were not without their faults. They did not conceal the sounds of their user, nor did they hide him in the Force.

Try as they might, 400-pound armored monsters have a hard time muffling thier footsteps.

Thiron activated both lightsabers and adopted a Jar'Kai ready stance. Besides Jar'Kai, Thiron also had mastery over the fourth and sixth forms of lightsaber combat, respectively Ataru and Niman.

In any case, the light and hum of the lightsabers probably alerted the three Sangheili to Thiron's presence.

Knowledge... what did this hunk of metal know about knowledge. He was just a computer after all...

Jacen stared at his lightsaber. You don't need to find my style.. I already know it.

The Soresu... the most simple lightsaber style ever devised... but yet the most brilliant. Other styles had action. The Soresu had straight up power. In the hands of a skilled user, the Soresu could defeat any other style... if used properly.

And Jacen had learned to use it properly.

Not only that, Jacen's Djem So was nearly as good. He could switch the two out and mix them up, making him extremely unpredictable. And when the situation became dangerous Jacen let his instincts and anger take over.

The Soresu and Djem So would be more than a match than anything you could teach me...

Jacen decided it was time to reply, "Why stand back? Do you think I'm afraid of danger? I'll take the fight to whoever I need to.

But I can see now that that man could not possibly be telling the truth!"

He had not exactly been honest with the metal man. Realistically he was wanting to step back and watch the procedings... but something was holding him back.

He turned to Miriam, "Are you a Sith? Tell me the truth now..."

It must be her...

"I've never lied to you," Miram said. It was true. She had let him believe what Liam had said, but she had never directly lied herself. "I'm a little bit like you. I want what I want. I'm not Sith or Jedi. Neither is he." She pointed toward the Metal Man.

So confident, the Metal Man thought, but does he realize that it's not the style, but the fighter who wields it, that is important?

"And I don't mean to impugn your courage. It's just that I've shed enough blood during my life to not want to waste any more of it. If you do not need to take the fight to anyone, why pick one? That is all I said. Certainly, you seem competant to engage in combat if that is what you wish. I've trained Sith and Jedi and independants. I feel the weight of hundreds of deaths upon my soul. If your sword is as true as you claim it is, why waste it on the unworthy? Why not let them murder each other and test yourself against...the superior competition?"

"Metal Man," Miriam said, "something's happening at the top of the temple."

"What?"

"A disturbance in the force. It's...Liam."

"I need to talk with him. Excuse me, but I have to leave."

With that, the Metal Man flew up to the top of the temple. Keeping his distance so as not to interfere with Liam's manipulation of the force, he hovered there.

"It appears that our ruse is no longer necessary," he said to Liam. "I've ordered a strike force. They're due in about seven minutes. We need new plans. What are yours?"

Liam had been growing accustomed to the feeling of having The Metal Man draw near, and so he felt his presence as he appeared near the top of the temple.

He continued for a moment, not replying to The Metal Man, as the force continued to grow and expand around him. Finally, he spoke; "My plans... my plans are to show them the awful power of the force. To give them an ultimatum... and then five minutes to obey it... or die."

The air around him seemed to be charged with electricity as it began sparking and crackling.

"Go... find he who has the prize... I will keep the rest of them busy until your strike force arrives," he whispered.

A gust of wind seemed to stir up and whip around them, blowing Liam's robe around. As it did so, Liam's lightsaber leapt from his belt and hovered in front of him ominously.

Jacen stared at the top of the temple.

What the...

Something was definitely going on up there. Between the enemy bearing down on them in the desert, and the strange feeling that surrounded the top of the temple... something was wrong.

And Jacen decided it was time to do something, he was in a bad position.

He turned to the girl, "Been nice talking with you, I'm gonna take a temporary leave of absence. Feel free to follow me if you want..."

Jacen whirled around and sprinted for the temple. He reaced it in seconds and flipped down to hole entrance. Igniting his lightsaber, he slashed the rocks away and burst through the entrance.

And he stepped in, he took one glance back and saw the army approaching... would Miriam follow him?

There was something happening in this temple, and Jacen would figure out what it was. As he looked through the tunnel, he saw a green glow up ahead. Lightsaber...

Jacen decided to make a confrontation... if Miriam followed, he would have help, if not, he would speak with this new saber wielder alone.

________________________

OOC: Hello Thiron.

OOC: Two green lightsabers. He constructed them from the lightsabers of his Jedi kills, hence the green color.

IC: Thiron turned to meet yet another opponent. This was just getting way too confusing.

This one looked like neither of the two enemies he had fought earlier, and must have been the third Force-user.

"Who are you? Sith, or one of them?"

"I understand," the Metal Man replied. "I hope your measure gives you more than a Sith vendetta. In the event that we become separated, return to the shuttle. I will attempt to return there and repair it, that we may use it for egress. Now, there's one more detail to attend to: that base in the mountains."

He flew back down to Miriam. She looked as if she was preparing to follow Jason down into the temple, but he stopped her.

"There's an armed base in the mountains," he said.

"You already said that," she replied.

"It's got air defenses and nuclear missiles," he continued. "You have to disable them or they'll slaughter the strike force in the air."

"OK. I'm on it." She snapped her fingers and her bike rode up behind her. In a moment, she was on the bike and driving away.

"Now," the Metal Man said, "I've got to negotiate with a Sith...but first, I've got to find him." He recloaked and, still not having time to recharge his shields, hovered toward the growing ranks of the army.

------------------------

OOC: Where is he? What's he doing? How can TMM get to him?

Jacen stared at the new force user with the green lightsabers...

"My name is Jacen... I work for myself, and whoever can give me what I want. I'm a little confused right now... who are you? Are you working with that girl out there, Thiron I think her name was... or was it Miriam?"

Heck... I got to know more before I take a side...

"Who are you?"

As The Metal Man spoke to Liam, he didn't respond, but continued focusing in on the Force, drawing it around him and creating a powerful sphere in the vicinity - something many would begin to notice whether they were adept in the Force or not.

Momentarily, his focus was broken as he honed in on Jacen and Thiron in the temple. It was a dangerous move; the energy around him started sparking and webs of lightning were created as it tried to release itself.

Finally, Liam re-concentrated all of his focus on the energy around him and it settled down again. It was a waiting game now...

"I would be Thiron," said Thiron, "Sith Assassin and loyal servant of Darth Solus. Enemy of that girl, who is now an imposter as well as a traitor. And the man with her as well. I repeat my question. Who are you?"

OOC: I just answered Krey... he just told you who he was.

No offense... I may be confused... is Thiron trying to get more info from Jacen?

__________

IC:

Jacen stared at the man... he didn't have time to waste.

Do you have short term memory loss?

He said he was Thiron... But I thought that girl was Thiron (Or maybe Miriam)... he claims she's an imposter.

It looked like it was all coming together.

That girl back there was likely not Thiron at all... in fact, Jacen was sure both her and her master were not Sith, no matter how much it seemed like it.

And I know who that master is...

But the real question for Jacen was why he was here... someone had called him here... it was likely the master this man claimed was called Solous.

"Forgive me for not being clearer, I repeat, my name is Jacen, I have no allegiance besides myself.

Take me to this man you call Solous, I must speak with him.

By the way, what is this artifact that everyone seems after?"

Jacen held his lighstaber unignited in his hand, he would be ready if "Thiron" tried anything.

OOC: Didn't notice that. Srry, it looks so stupid.:headbang:

IC: "I believe Solus is offworld. He was due back several weeks ago from a raid on a Republic convoy. But I can take you to his apprentice, Darth Shamman. He happens to be right out there," said Thiron, pointing to the approaching army.

"Of the artifact we are searching for, I am not certain what exactly it is. As far as I know, it is an orb of incredible Force power. To control it would mean near infinite power. I am in this for the credits and promises of power in the new galactic order. So are you going to help us, or not?"

Jacen looked to the floor and concentrated for a second.

What is the truth in all of this?

Suddenly, Jacen could feel a rumble above. He had not noticed it until he had focused, but it was definitely there. Something was happening on top of the temple.

"Do you feel that? Something is taking place above us. We must leave here at once. I will help you, for now. I'm sure it will pay well."

What have you got youself into Jacen?

Jacen dropped the lightsaber from his hands and the force guided it to his belt. He looked down once more. Jacen was now focusing totally on the force. He was homing in. He was in a partial meditative state.

::Feel the force Jacen, feel the force::

What? Where did that come from?

Then with a sudden rememberence of his former master, his anger increased. His focus was growing stronger now.

Jacen looked up at Thiron again. His eyes were fire red.

"Let's go kill some Jedi..." he exclaimed with passion.

OOC: bump...ZZZZZZZ.

The Artifact had not been difficult to notice. Even in its "inactive" state, it gave off an ultrviolet "glow" that was "visible" from quite a distance. The Metal Man turned and made his way through the air toward it. As he flew, he opened the hatches on his front manipulator arms and brought his weapons to the ready. If there had to be a scrum, he would be ready.

------------------------

Miriam sped toward the base, relaxing her mind and concentrating as she drove. If the base ahead of her had air defenses, then it was only a matter of time before they were brought to bear against her. Since the bike had neither cloak nor shielding, she would have to use the force to defend herself.

Miriam was not a natural force user. It was one of the things that Jenghis had taught her. Because of this, she was never completely sure that she would be good enough when she came into conflict with the Sith and the other people she came into conflict with. She didn't like all this fighting. It was too much of a man thing for her--too often, men hit first and thought second. Still, her husband had convinced her that she would be involved in this conflict sooner or later, one way or another--him and a premonition that she had received through the force. So she had once again picked up the mantel of the warrior, which she hadn't wanted to wear since her husband had shown her that not all vampires were strictly evil.

It was a strange world.

-----------------------------

OOC:

* Need post from Huntaer with Shamman noticing a little electronic buzz near him...or getting distracted by Liam's force bubble and NOT noticing it...

* having the female Jedi direct the strike force and start the landing would be a good idea, IMHO...

* Need post from Huntaer or Tal with the army's reaction to Liam.

* Anybody wanna RP the missile base?

* A post with Romalee meeting Jacen and Thiron would be nice about now...

And wham bam thank'ya mam! The sith troopers let out a hail of blaster fire, a true testimate to the power of the dark side, and they serged forth, led by Shamman himself who swung his lightsabers in arcs and pressed into the fray of battle head first, followed by his troops who wielded vibroblades and blasters.

ooc: Yeah, Im waiting for HC before i have us leave the temple. I'll TG him.

And wham bam thank'ya mam! The sith troopers let out a hail of blaster fire, a true testimate to the power of the dark side, and they serged forth, led by Shamman himself who swung his lightsabers in arcs and pressed into the fray of battle head first, followed by his troops who wielded vibroblades and blasters.

The distance between the Sith troopers and Liam made it improbable for any of their shots to hit, whether they were aiming at him or not. Even if they did come close, Liam could simply block them with the Force or his lightsaber, which still hung suspended in midair in front of him.

He didn't pay any attention to the army that was surging over the arid desert towards the temple. Instead he focused all of his thought and concentration on the force and the bubble of energy around him continued to grow.

OOC: Sort of a bump...

The Metal Man wondered yet again what it was about these people that made them so dependant upon violence. It also made them predictable, though, and this was a good thing.

As the Sith army sped toward the temple grounds, they found no one there! Miriam had moved on to neutralize the missile base in the mountains, Liam had, as best the Metal Man could tell, enwrapped himself in somekind of web of the force at the top of the temple itself and the Metal Man himself was using maglevs to move--he simply hovered over them all, quite invisibly.

Their leader was not invisible, however, nor was the artifact that he held. The glyphs had ambiguous meanings on what the artifact was--he was not sure what the Massassi had called it, precisely, or how it was used--but it was QUITE specific that it was dangerous if used outside of the arch in the temple in which it had been placed. The Sith were notorious for forgetting their own history, and ignoring the warnings of their previous generations. This could be a recipe for trouble.

The Metal Man moved in close to the Sith with the artifact. If he was quick, he could cut the sack that it held it loose with his plasma blaster, grab it and be off before the man knew what had hit him. He charged up his weapon--enough to cut the bonds, but not enough to harm anyone if he missed--aimed and fired.

Without another word, Thiron started to run down the passage to the outside. The sounds of battle echoed around the temple. There was killing to be done...

The Force was swirling around and through Liam as he stood atop the temple. The sheer power of it began randomly making parts of him invisible, despite it not being the desired affect. Soon the army would be in range... and then devastated...

While continuing to concentrate, Liam reached behind his back and pulled eight lightsabers from his belt - all basic and none he would use... except in this situation. His own lightsaber returned to his belt (off) as the other eight ignited and hovered in front of him. With a swift arm movement the lightsabers began spinning and then flew down towards the approaching army where they would begin cutting and wreaking havoc.


OOC: We need peeps....

Jacen followed Thiron out of the temple.

He had calmed down a little bit, but he hadn't kept total control.

He walked out and saw lightsabers swirling towards him. "DUCK!" he yelled to Thiron, as he slammed himself to the ground.

He felt the sand cut into his face, and could almost taste the lightsabers that had missed his head by only inches. He stood to his feet, and watched at the blades swung into a lrage group of soldiers that seemed to be headed towards the temple.

He messaged to Thiron, ::What the heck is controlling them::

Then he looked up.

Far above his head on the temple, he saw the glow swirling around the so-called Sith.

Jacen had had enough. Time for action.

::Be back soon hopefully:: He told teh assasin, and without a word he leapt to the roof of the temple.

Performing several leaps off of the edges of the building, he finally came within about 50 feet of the man who claimed he had called him. He saw the force enveloping the man. This is incredible...

Jacen just stared. Power like that is astounding! If I had that I could get even with...

He shook the thought away as he held his balance on the rooftop. He began to walk towards the man. This time he would get a name from him. This time he would get the truth. That was the only way that he would ever get to Jacen... by telling the truth.

He reached the man in under 10 steps. "Hello there..."

He shook the thought away as he held his balance on the rooftop. He began to walk towards the man. This time he would get a name from him. This time he would get the truth. That was the only way that he would ever get to Jacen... by telling the truth.

He reached the man in under 10 steps. "Hello there..."

Liam's concentration and focus remained unbroken and unchanged as Jacen appeared near him.

As Jacen entered the area of influence that the Force around Liam had, he would instantly begin to feel drained of his energy. The Force swirled around him as he made his way towards Liam, when he got within ten feet there was a massive build up that discharged. The energy 'poinged' and rejected Jacen's presence - hitting him extremely hard and attempting to knock him backwards ((OOC: I leave the results up to you.))


OOC: Btw, where Liam standing is sort of a point - like the top of a pyramid.

Liam's concentration and focus remained unbroken and unchanged as Jacen appeared near him.

As Jacen entered the area of influence that the Force around Liam had, he would instantly begin to feel drained of his energy. The Force swirled around him as he made his way towards Liam, when he got within ten feet there was a massive build up that discharged. The energy 'poinged' and rejected Jacen's presence - hitting him extremely hard and attempting to knock him backwards ((OOC: I leave the results up to you.))


OOC: Btw, where Liam standing is sort of a point - like the top of a pyramid.

OOC: Kind of figured that, that's why it him a while to get to you.

______

IC:

As Jacen drew near, he felt the force leaving him. This is not good, why doesn't he answer me...

In a swift moment, Jacen was thrown back.

If not for his extreme concentration to gather what force energy he had left, he would have fallen of the roof. But he was able to gather just enough, and grasped the edge of the roof just as he was able to tumble to the ground.

He flipped up back to the roof and fell to his knees. He began to gather the force around him as he fell into deep meditation.

He would make another move toward the man when he was stronger.

Is there going to be a post with Shamman, or am I going to have to start to

Bubble
Up from
My
Posterior?

I am, after all, Dastardly Stench...

:) :) :)

Dastardly Stench']Is there going to be a post with Shamman, or am I going to have to start to

OOC: I think you are going to have to...

The Metal Man was alone in that thing. It was not the first time he had been stripped of his body altogether, and, from experience, he knew enough to survive, but this did not make the process pleasant. Shaman had left after he had received his warning. This made sense if viewed within a purely selfish context; however, from being in Shaman's mind, the Metal Man knew that his master, Darth Solous, had another agenda, and that, from within the crystal, the erstwhile cyborg had the opportunity to discover things that Shamman could not.

As it was, there were images, laid out in a line, that those in the crystal could view. From the outside, they looked like snapshots, static images, of pairs of more or less force-adept minds. The Metal Man approached the first of them for a closer look...and, instantly seering pain overtook him.

For a moment, he became the bearer of the mind in the image. Tortured and relentlessly beaten, he had claimed right of decision by combat against an evil tyrant. They had enterd the crystal. The tyrant, having been in the crystal before, had forced him into other images, and his mind had all but disintigrated.

Something about the Metal Man's mind prevented him from getting lost in the image. He had been across the line that separates the sane from the insane, and had somehow managed to keep his senses, to recover. Perhaps this made him able to cope with the partial loss of self that he had experienced, the pain and suffering that the others had experienced.

From this, he learned that he had been wrong about the crystal. It wasn't a mystic adjudicator, it was a dueling place. Rather than enforcing morality, it was merely another cheap, disgusting tribute to the philosophy that might makes right. The cyborg also learned that the "images" were all "stored" in reverse chronological order, and that, in order to get to one, you had to go through the image that preceded it.

Resolving to trace the history of the object back as far as possible, the Metal Man brought himself into the next image, and the next, and the next. His journey of pain had begun.

------------------

OOC: since I'm not getting any posts to work off of, I'm going to continue the story as agreed upon. Other players can make back posts later if they want.

ooc: Is anyone going to control the Sith Army?

OOC: Since Holy covenant is dropping out, I guess I'll kill off Romalee here.


IC: Thiron ducked the flying lightsaber and looked to the top of the pyramidal temple. The man from earlier was there, gathering Force energy into a bubble around him. Jacen was trying to attack him, and the Sith army was opening fire on just about anything that moved.

Thiron looked back just on time to see three massive Sangheili warriors charging out the temple. Two of them carried plasma rifles and opened fire; the third, a particularly massive individual with blood-soaked armor, wielded an energy axe.

Thiron started dodging plasma bolts and used a Force pull to disarm the two rifle-wielding Sangheili. A Force-fueled leap landed Thiron right in between the three. Thiron feinted towards the right, then used a backhanded slash to lower the energy shield of one of the Sangheili. The one with bloody armor aimed a downward blow, but the nimble Thiron easily dodged the attack while slicing off one of the jaws of the unshielded Sangheili. The alien monster howled in pain, and Thiron quickly disembowled it.

The other Sangheili drew an energy sword and leaped into the fray. Thiron parried its blade and ducked another axe blow from the Sangheili leader. The two Sangheili kept up the attack, trying to flank Thiron. But Thiron was just a blur, surrounded by a globe of green energy. The whirlwind of destruction de-shielded the sword-wielding Sangheili and severed one of its legs, decapitating it as it fell.

The final Sangheili flew into a range and launched a flurry of blows with its energy axe. Blue and green energy crashed around the two combatants, punches and kicks were exchanged, and Force pushes crashed into the Sangheili. The monster had the advantage in sheer frontal force, and Thiron fell back after each exchange. Two green blades whipped across the Sangheili's torso, knocking out its shield, but the blue axe slashed through Thiron's leg. Thiron used a simple Force healing technique to quell the pain, but the injury played havoc with his speed.

The axe crashed down and down again and again, and Thiron's defense was becoming increasingly desperate. The axe struck so hard that one his lightsabers fell out of his hands. The other one caught another blow of the energy axe, and the Sith assassin fell to his knees. The next move was a testament to Thiron's treachery: the vibrorapier and blasters flew out of concealed holsters. The vibrorapier stabbed through the Sangheili's armor and the blasters opened fire. The Sangheili roared one last time and fell backwards, defeated.

OOC: This is a bump.

I will post as soon as DMG comes back and makes a post.

OOC: This is a bump.

I will post as soon as DMG comes back and makes a post.

ooc: He's on vacation, and has temporarily bequeathed his character to me...
He ain't the only one...

IC:

Without even bothering to change his stance, Shamman reached over to his belt, picked up his light saber in his right hand and, in one swift mostion, sliced off the metal arm that had ahold of his artifact. "That was for trying to take control of my mind!" he sputtered, a satisfied laugh escaping his throat. Ironic, isn't it, that I have control of yours now.

The Metal Man's cloak failed as soon as the arm was severed. The brown, box-like shape of his suit seemed to appear in a crackle of lightning. Shamman's guard turned instantly to his defense--and he laughed even harder. With the mind that drove it safely locked away in the artifact--where Shamman was going to make good and sure that it stayed--the little box of tricks was no threat. In fact, the only good use for it anymore was...target practice! "Leave this one to me," he told them. "It and I have...unfinished business."

In a moment, he brought his light saber down upon the box, right in the middle. To his surprise, however, rather than being cleaved cleanly in two, the box dodged to the outside of his right shoulder. The thing must have had a primative AI that was trying to keep it from harm.

Shamman laughed even harder. It had been a long time since he had practiced against a "live" drone. This was going to be even more fun than he thought.

Changing his stance, he began to slowly, carefully take the little box apart, destroying it piece by painful piece. It did not matter to him that another arm stretched out, this one holding a light saber of its own, to parry his attacks. It wasn't even alive, and could not hope to keep up with the power of his dark fury.

In fact, he became so intent on having his way with the box that he did not notice Liam until the man took to the air over the temple and the huge ball of the Force around him began to glow. Of course, he had already sliced off three of the little box's four blasters and taken a corner with it. It was a deliciously mangled sight to behold, as smoke slowly discharged from the ruined corner, and its maglevs arced back and forth from the effort of keeping it balanced in the air. Still, Shamman was forced to pay some attention as the ball of force became so concentrated that one really couldn't help but notice the thing.

"This," a voice bellowed from inside the bubble, "is for those who would doubt my power!" And then it unleashed a blast of force lightning that struck not a single target, but every shock troop that the Sith had within half a mile of the bubble.

Shamman was impressed. The lightning didn't strike him. Obviously, the fool in the bubble had enough control to keep it from striking the little box in front of him, with which the fool was in league, and being as close to the box as he was had saved Shamman from experiencing the excruciating pain that his troops had begun to. Still, there were too many troops for the fool to kill them all, and, though he certainly had skills, Shamman would soon be correcting his technique. He would start by showing the little fool the price for having the audacity to attack a true Sith Lord.

Then, Shamman noticed Jacen atop the temple roof--though he did not know the young man's name. From his disturbance in the force, Shamman could tell that he was aligned against the fool in the bubble, and that he had somehow found a way to steel himself against the fool's attacks.

Shamman changed his plans. He decided that, instead of attacking the fool directly, he would let the other fool take him on in combat and then clean up the mess. The fool in the bubble would have to be dealt with. The fool on the temple roof might make an interesting addition to Shamman's personal guard, or his corps of Dark Jedi. It remained to be seen.

Either way, Shamman would have a few more minutes' time--and he knew just how he would most enjoy using it. He drew his light saber and prepared to strike again.

-------------------
OOC: take it away, folks. I'll RP the sith amy. Someone will have to RP the Jedi landing (still). I'll RP Liam until DMG gets back. Basically, I'm not going to write about Miriam until she gets back from the base. I've got too much else to concentrate on right now.

OOC: Jacen is starting to put it together... but he's got it all wrong.

Am I correct in assuming Shamman is no longer under anyone's control? (and that Dast is NPCing him)

______________________________

IC:

Jacen had his eyes closed when the huge wall of lightning surged from the nearby force user. His meditation was instantly disrupted and he jerked his eyes open to see the electricity headed for him.

Jacen continued to kneel, and focused his energy on supressing the lightining around him. It worked! The strands of electric power surged all around him, but did not affect him.

Take that mister...

That man must be a Sith, he just used force lightning. I must have it all wrong. The girl had a red blade, she must be a Sith too. I don't care... that man offered me power... and that mercenary down there who called himself "Thiron" offered nothing of the kind. It all fits. This man and that girl are Sith, and Thiron is a decoy. He will die for this!

Jacen leapt to his feet and stared down to the ground. He could see a sort-of mindless looking humanoid creature hacking at a metal box. That's a friend of the Sith's!

Then he looked off in the other direction as saw Thiron breathing heavily and covered with sand. It looked like he was fresh out of battle.

But Jacen was fresh... period.

He didn't have much time to think, he only needed to act. He jumped off the temple and headed in the direction of the humaniod creature. He had to stop him.

With a swift motion Jacen's lightsaber flew into his hands and was activated, and he reached the creature (Shamman) within under three seconds from his leaving the temple's roof.

He swung his lightsaber into action, he would defeat this enemy with the element of surprise... and his anger.

Anger was Jacen's primary power... and Jacen was mad.

He brought the blade to bear on Shamman with a quick swing at the man's head.

Thiron got shakily back to his feet and sheathed his weapons. He glanced quickly around. Then a wave of Force lightning blasted from the bubble around the false Sith. Although considering the power of that lightning, he was probably a rogue Sith, rather than an imposter.

Thiron gathered Force energy into a protective wall in front of himself. The lightning stopped as it struck the invisible but tangible field of energy. Where was the other man, Jacen? Unless he got killed by the Force lightning...

But there he was, attacking Darth Shamman?

What are you doing, fool?!

As Shamman's and Jacen's lightsabers whirled and crashed together, Thiron drew out his disruptor rifle and extended the collapsible stock. Rather than the laser targeting system, Thiron used the dark side of the Force to aim. And then, he pulled the trigger.

OOC: Are your firing at Jacen, Shamman, or just the general direction of our fight?

ooc: Jacen

Shamman was neither surprised nor impressed. The fool on the temple wall had finally realized that he had something in common with the fool in the air. Neither of them, no doubt, realized that what they had in common was that they were both COMPLETE AND UTTER FOOLS!!!, but this would not stop this one from having the foolishness to ATTACK A TRUE SITH LORD!!!! And now, Shamman thought calmly, THE INFANTILE MORON WAS GOING TO PAY FOR HIS FOOLISHNESS!!!!!!!!

So fast that a normal human would not have seen it move, Shamman snapped his light saber over his head and blocked the incoming strike, deflecting it down on his right side. Instantly, he reversed his blade and thrust straight at his opponent's head. As he did, he signaled his elite guard that, while the little box may have been off limits to them, the humanoid was FRESH MEAT. And the best part of it all was that this was more than a mere quaint expression. Two of the guards were Bovines. Part of their "benefits package" was that they got to eat whatever they could kill.

As this happened, the troops found that their blaster fire was bouncing harmlessly off of the lightning ball that contained the fool in the air.

First things first. Engage the fool in front of you, neutralize the fool in the air, and THEN, finish off the slack-in-the-box.

----------------------------------------

OOC: We don't really NEED a Jedi Landing. If someone (other than myself) does not write one soon, I'm going to bypass it.

I've picked up Shamman as an NPC. Others are welcome to play him as they see fit. I thought to give him a touch of sadism and a nasty little sense of humor. They go so well together, after all.

Since no one's communicating with Jacen, I'm going to have the characters at my disposal basically ignore him unless he DOES try to talk to them.

OOC: What do you mean with communicate? Jacen is getting really confused because no one is telling the truth. It will take the REAL sith Lord to get Jacen under control... or a little truth.

___________________________

IC:

Jacen slammed his blade upon his enemy's, and was stunned to see the man had actually countered him.

Jacen quickly blocked the counter blow and flipped backwards... right into a group of hungry Bovines. Not cool...

Jacen was smart in the middle of battle, but his rage made him even more concentrated. In a swift blow, he swung to behead both of the animals at once.

At the same instant, a blaster bolt hurled toward Jacen with tremendous speed. An instant sooner than it reached him, he ducked. The bolt missed his head by inches, and struck the guard beside him.

"COME ON!" Jacen screamed in frustration.

Do they never seem to keep coming!!???!?...

Jacen had no time to think any further, for his lightsaber weilding foe was upon him. Jacen couldn't take any more chances. Using one hand to block the man's lightsaber parries, he quickly thrust out his other. Instantly a pillar from the temple broke from its base and hurled towards Jacen's enemy.

It had to pass through Thiron to get to him.

As the pillar came closer, Jacen leapt over his enemy, parried a few blows, and then leapt backwards out of reach.

The pillar continued to surge towards Shamman.

Shamman reached out his hand, and the force stopped the pillar in mid-air.

"So, little fool," he said to the young man, "you wish to draw the ire of a Sith Lord, do you?" His voice dropped to a low-pitched growl as he continued, "Your impudence comes at a price."

He squeezed his fist, and the piller crumbled. He extended his index finger and twirled it once, and the pieces began to fly through the air, around him and Thiron, and straight at Jacen--most of them, anyway. A few made a tiny detour and smashed into the side of The Metal Man. Even so, there would be too many pieces for a mere Jedi--and 'Jedi training' practically bubbled out of the fool's pores--to deflect. The kid was fast, but not as fast as Shamman was. The only thing to save him was the number of targets that the Sith Lord had to concentrate on.

In fact, there were two other things that escaped Shamman's attention for precisely this reason. The first was the energy build-up in the force ball over his head. By the time he felt it, it was almost too late.

Fortunately, he got a Force shield up just in time. This one blocked almost half of the bolts from the fool in the air, and saved almost a quarter of his troops from being rendered ineffective again for several minutes.

He also did not notice that the Orb of Purity at in his belt began to glow a light shade of blue. He did not notice this because it was requiring almost on effort on his part to block mind of the slack-in-the-box from returning to its little box.

He was too busy looking at Jacen. "Time to pay, boy," he grumbled.

A grimace of anger taking over Shamman's face, he hopped past his guards and went on the offensive, starting with something that they seldom teach a proper parry for: a simple overhand smash. As he came forward, he simply brought his lighsaber up. If the fool somehow managed to survive the pieces of his own trap, the light saber would be coming straight down, toward the fool's head. It glowed red as it screamed through the air. As he did this, Shamman closed his empty left hand, preparing to deliver a jolt of force lightning the moment the little fool parried and could no longer use his light saber to defend himself from it and Shamman's primary attack. Let's see if the fool can stand a multi-part attack.

------------------

OOC: It's really not Jacen's fault that the cover story worked. It's more fun to have him fighting than negotiating with the other characters, anyway.

Shamman is a Sith Lord, BTW, just as Darth Maul and Darth Vader were.

-----------------

IC:

This was not good. Though Liam had control of a vast measure of the force, it was starting to overwhelm his endurance. If someone didn’t do something quickly, the stalemate that he had created would shift and the battle would be lost. He had about one more good blast of energy in him, but he decided that, rather than attempting to use it, he would bring his light sabers to bear against the closest of the enemy forces. He lowered himself to the ground, at the edge of the carnage that he had caused, brought his light saber up to power and instantly decapitated the first Sith soldier that he saw. Force lightning took down three more before they could turn their blasters to him. It somehow felt good to make the Sith pay, even though these Sith knew nothing of the loss of his parents' lives, nor the part that their fellow sith played in it. The battle was on again.

Jacen was getting frustrated... very frustrated.

He couldn't stand being outsmarted, and this enemy before him seemed smart. This is not going well... rule #1 of battle... if you can't win, run.

Jacen made his mind up there and then that leaving the area would probably be the wisest option. But he had a few things to deal with first. Before he could react any further, millions of particles were swirling at his head.

Not cool...

Jacen's hand flew forward and the bits and pieces stopped in mid air... it seems their forces colided and the bits got jammed. Jacen flipped to his left and let go of the peices at the same time. They crashed towards his former position, as Jacen looked on.

He didn't have much time to think about it though, as his foe was already on top of him. He was charging Jacen, raising his lightsaber above his head.

Fool...

Jacen easily flipped back before the man could reach him, and then rolled to his right. He was well out of reach now, and he ran for the temple. Only one problem, he would cross Thiron to get to the temple.

It was worth it, Jacen needed to get to that man up top on the temple.

Jacen charged Thiron...

I just need time to speak with these people!

Thiron cursed silently and threw his disruptor rifle to the ground. Lightsabers flew into his hands, the vibrorapier hovered in the air. The fool was simply charging; no semblance of tactics whatsoever. At the last possible moment, Thiron somersaulted forwards; one lightsaber slashing at Jacen's legs from behind, the other moving to disembowl him. The vibrorapier flew straight as an arrow to Jacen's face.

OOC: Just bumping this since it is on page 8.

Jacen easily flipped back before the man could reach him, and then rolled to his right. He was well out of reach now, and he ran for the temple. Only one problem, he would cross Thiron to get to the temple.

It was worth it, Jacen needed to get to that man up top on the temple.

Jacen charged Thiron...

I just need time to speak with these people!

As the fool on the ground back flipped, a bolt from Thiron's turbolaser whizzed past. Shamman could feel that the fool had not known it was coming, that he had survived by mere dumb luck. Yet, no sooner did the fool land than he returned to his feet and began to run--straight into the waiting arms the fully-trained assassin. Thiron was unmentionably stupid, even for an assassin, but the fool on the ground would be no match for him. Shamman had no trouble leaving the kill to his henchman. That brought up item two on Shamman's little laundry list: neutralize the fool in the air.

Shamman found that the fool on the ground had been more of a distraction than he had, at first, surmised. During the time he had asserted his ultimate superiority over the fool on the ground, the fool in the air had landed, becoming the OTHER fool on the ground. Muttering something about paying no attention to flies except to swat them, the Sith Lord turned in the man's direction, drawing the force to himself for a show of strenght as he did. The box, he knew, would remain in place unless something acted to disturb it. Its Artificial Intelligence was only artificially intelligent.

As he moved, he noted a small explosion in the hills to his right. Someone had attacked the missile defense base. Judging by the disturbance that he felt in the force, they were well-versed in its use, too. This, he noted, could be a harbinger of ill tidings.

"All troops, attack the fool on the ground!" he bellowed into his headset. "And, if any of you fails to ascertain who that is," he added, "I'll disembowel you personally."

Jacen turned to see the man on top of the temple leap to the ground.

What the heck... I just risk my life to come to you and instead you come down to me...?

He didn't have any further to think.

A rapier was coming at his head and blades were whirling around his body. He struckout at the vibro weapon and then rolled left, out of reach of the lightsabers.

Thiron was a decent match... with all those strange gadgets. Jacen would call it cheating.

Jacen bolted for the temple door and reached it in less than a second.

He had gotten extremely lucky that he had escaped Thiron's wrath in that last attack, but the assasin might keep coming.

"I just need time to figure this out!" he screamed.

He fell flipped up on top of the temple and waited for someone to follow. He may not have all those fancy weapons, but the force would help him. In any case, he needed to figure out the meaning behind all of this.

He paused for a second then called out to Thiron. "What's going on... where's your master?"

"A shallow, unmarked grave on Ord Mantell. Or, if you mean Solous, offworld," said Thiron, recalling with evil pleasure the joy of that particular murder. He placed a helmet on his head and then, disappeared.

Thiron had activated his camosuit. The suit was covered in tiny cameras. The devices took images of their surroundings and displayed them on the other side of the suit, making the assassin completely transparent. The only disadvantage was that it malfunctioned in the rain.

The assassin crawled silently to the edge of the temple and started to climb. The vibrorapier, as a distraction, flew up towards the other man and started attacking again, while the assassin climbed.


OOC: All's fair in love and war, buddy.

Kreynoria']OOC: All's fair in love and war, buddy.

OOC: Heh, I was just thinking that.

BTW, if you haven't noticed by now... I'm back. Thanks to DS for RPing Liam for me (you did it as I would have).

IC:

The massive amount of energy and concentration Liam was forced to put into his initial attack on the Sith army had tired him greatly and now he was beginning to feel the affects as he slashed through more and more troops with his lightsabers.

He couldn't risk making a stupid mistake or being taken down by a lucky shot so he decided to disappear. As his lightsaber finished its quick slash through a black armored figure, Liam teleported a short distance away to safety. From where he reappeared he again teleported so that he was out of the fray and could rest for the moment.

Just like the Jedi to be late for a battle... he thought as no Jedi forces had arrived to help them out yet.

OOC: Time to make things interesting... and make Jacen a little angrier.

It should help Liam and company though.

______________

IC:

A lone ship darted into the Korriban atmosphere, and slowly descended to an abandoned valley. The sound of the wheezing turbo-lifters were raised, as the vehicle lowered itself to the ground.

A sharp hissing announced the lowering of the platform, and a cloaked man stepped out of the ship onto the sandy desert. Behind him, a small form followed quietly.

The two went where the force followed, and as they stepped away, the ship lifted off and headed to the black abyss called space.

The taller figure, a man in a traditional Jedi cloak, slowly walked toward the place he planned on meeting Liam. Actually, the Force had planned the meeting.

The smaller figure, a girl taht appeared in her late teens, walked swifter behind him.

It would be obvious to anybody of knowledge, that this Master and Apprentice pair was on a mission of some importance.

---

Jacen saw the assasin disapeer, and swore. This cannot be happening...

For all Jacen knew, the man could be crawling up behind him, bracing for an attack.

But Jacen wasn't an ordinary force user, at least not when it came to meditation. He focused his energy on discovering Thiron's position, and soon ascertained that the man was crawling up the sign of the temple. Towards me...

Jacen waited no longer. This situation was not ideal. Better to run than to die...

He spun and dove for the opposite side of the temple. He burst into a force ran and fled into the desert expanse. Now if I can only find that Sith... (LIAM)

He was safe for the moment.

After he was sure that he was safe and away from the battle, Liam rested for a few minutes to regain his strength and energy. However, he realized that his current spot on the open land wouldn't be suffice for long, so again he disappeared with the help of the force (teleported).

When he reappeared he was at the base of a brown and dusty looking mountain. He paused momentarily as he sensed a new force user in the midst, descending toward the ground in a nearby space ship.

And still the Jedi don't send a regiment of knights to help... he thought after discerning that the ship only had a couple of force users aboard. He shrugged at what they might be doing and then again disappeared into the force.

After reappearing and disappearing a few more times, Liam stopped moving and settled in. He had reached the top of the mountain - high above the clouds - where it was surprisingly cold and snow capped. He sat on the peak and closed his eyes in meditation...

OOC: Time to make things interesting... and make Jacen a little angrier.

It should help Liam and company though.

______________

IC:

A lone ship darted into the Korriban atmosphere, and slowly descended to an abandoned valley. The sound of the wheezing turbo-lifters were raised, as the vehicle lowered itself to the ground.

A sharp hissing announced the lowering of the platform, and a cloaked man stepped out of the ship onto the sandy desert. Behind him, a small form followed quietly.

The two went where the force followed, and as they stepped away, the ship lifted off and headed to the black abyss called space.

The taller figure, a man in a traditional Jedi cloak, slowly walked toward the place he planned on meeting Liam. Actually, the Force had planned the meeting.

The smaller figure, a girl taht appeared in her late teens, walked swifter behind him.

It would be obvious to anybody of knowledge, that this Master and Apprentice pair was on a mission of some importance.

---

Jacen saw the assasin disapeer, and swore. This cannot be happening...

For all Jacen knew, the man could be crawling up behind him, bracing for an attack.

But Jacen wasn't an ordinary force user, at least not when it came to meditation. He focused his energy on discovering Thiron's position, and soon ascertained that the man was crawling up the sign of the temple. Towards me...

Jacen waited no longer. This situation was not ideal. Better to run than to die...

He spun and dove for the opposite side of the temple. He burst into a force ran and fled into the desert expanse. Now if I can only find that Sith... (LIAM)

He was safe for the moment.



The assassin climbed up to the top of the temple, only to find that the prey had inconveniently disappeared. Thiron looked at the ground on the other sides of the temple. Emptiness. The kid was faster than he looked.

Thiron leaped down the side of the Temple and ran over to where Darth Shamman was standing, deactivating the camosuit. The little box from the temple was flying away.

"Where have you been, fool, and where is the boy you were fighting?!" shouted Shamman. Thiron had not caught him in a good mood, not that Shamman was ever in a really good mood except when inflicting torture upon other life-forms.

"He got away," said Thiron.

"Of course he did, fool. He teleported away! We have to find him now!"

Thiron was about to ask why the boy was so important, but held his tongue. People who ask too many questions around Sith Lords tend to get hurt.

Thiron remained silent as the Sith Lord began to meditate, trying to establish the location of the boy.

Kreynoria']But no human could outrun Thiron. The assassin leaped off the side of the Temple. Even without Force assistance, Thiron could run twice as fast as a human and for far longer distance. The assassin chased after the foolish boy on four legs, simply a blur through the air thanks to his speed and camoflauge suit.

OOC: Oh come now... a force user could outrun someone without the force anyday. Besides that, you have a suit on, I have only a light cloak. Thirdly, you're hanging off the side of a building, and I am on top jumping off the other side. You can't even really see me.

Please be realistic here. A suit would slow you down... not speed you up.

Besides that... your suit is not listed in your inventory of your character. A speed suit like that should be listed. Also, an invisible suit should also be listed. They're like secondary weapons.

OOC: Oh come now... a force user could outrun someone without the force anyday. Besides that, you have a suit on, I have only a light cloak. Thirdly, you're hanging off the side of a building, and I am on top jumping off the other side. You can't even really see me.

Please be realistic here. A suit would slow you down... not speed you up.

Besides that... your suit is not listed in your inventory of your character. A speed suit like that should be listed. Also, an invisible suit should also be listed. They're like secondary weapons.

OOC: I agree with Geneticon on this one. Even if the suit (which could be a 'speed suit') sped him up and made him twice as fast as a normal human, it wouldn't make him faster than a force adept who already has increased muscle mass due to the force and is using force speed.

After he was sure that he was safe and away from the battle, Liam rested for a few minutes to regain his strength and energy. However, he realized that his current spot on the open land wouldn't be suffice for long, so again he disappeared with the help of the force (teleported).

When he reappeared he was at the base of a brown and dusty looking mountain. He paused momentarily as he sensed a new force user in the midst, descending toward the ground in a nearby space ship.

And still the Jedi don't send a regiment of knights to help... he thought after discerning that the ship only had a couple of force users aboard. He shrugged at what they might be doing and then again disappeared into the force.

After reappearing and disappearing a few more times, Liam stopped moving and settled in. He had reached the top of the mountain - high above the clouds - where it was surprisingly cold and snow capped. He sat on the peak and closed his eyes in meditation...

The man in the cloak closed his eyes.

"Time to meet Liam" he muttered.

His padawan caught his speech and engulfed herself in the force. The two were surrounded in a moment and combined their meditation to teleport to the mountain.

In a flash, the two stood on the top of mountain, staring at a young man who sat in meditation.

The girl spoke first, "Master P'do (said "Do"), is that him?"

"Silence, Stasha. Can't you see he's meditating?" The Jedi Master replied in a whisper.

The two sat and began their own meditation, waiting for Liam to speak with them.

The man in the cloak closed his eyes.

"Time to meet Liam" he muttered.

His padawan caught his speech and engulfed herself in the force. The two were surrounded in a moment and combined their meditation to teleport to the mountain.

In a flash, the two stood on the top of mountain, staring at a young man who sat in meditation.

The girl spoke first, "Master P'do (said "Do"), is that him?"

"Silence, Stasha. Can't you see he's meditating?" The Jedi Master replied in a whisper.

The two sat and began their own meditation, waiting for Liam to speak with them.

OOC: Just a note Geneticon; You can't really see much of Liam's figure - he is covered by his cloak and his face is shrouded in a mysterious darkness. Also, if you could see what he looked like, he might look slightly young (though not like a teenager), but he certainly isn't.

BTW, how do they now his name? Or will that be revealed during the conversation.

IC:

"In the midst of battle one does not have time to waste. Speak now or not at all..." Liam replied without averting his attention or opening his eyes. He was still seemingly in a meditative trance and yet he was fully aware of what was going on around him.

OOC: I figure that maybe Liam and Master P'do could be friends... perhaps P'do watched Liam train when he was younger at the academy. Besides that, didn't Liam and Miriam meet with the council earlier? This is the help you've been waiting for.

There's more to this than meets the eye as well...

______________________________________

IC:

In the Desert

Jacen could barely breathe. Everything had spun out of control in an instant. He didn't understand. He couldn't comprehend. He was lost in this huge mess. Who had called him? Why was he here? What was everyone so anxious to get there hands on? Jacen didn't know the answer to these questions... he only knew he had to find the man who had claimed to be a Sith, and fast.

He stared off towards a mountain, standing where he was finally out of reach on that crazy assasin. He was miles away from the temple. Where are you sir?

He had no other choice but to follow the Force... and the Force was leading him up to the snow-tipped mountain.

He began to walk that direction.

WAIT!

A screamed lurched in Jacen's mind. He fell to the desert sand and burried his face in his arms. The wind whipped around his form, as he lay in desolation. What's happening?!

The scream continued, getting louder and louder. It seemed like something was about to explode. Deep within Jacen's mind, all was chaos.

Then it stopped. Like a clap of thunder the sound vanished instantly. The throbbing in his head ended. And he felt it...

Could it be? Could it possibly be?

A rage overtook Jacen, and he clamored to his feet and stormed towards the mountain...

---

On the Mountain

"As always, your wisdom goes far beyond your appearent youth Liam."

Master P'do smiled beneath his cloak, though no one could see it. Just more evidence that this man was genuine.

"A battle you say? But perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself. Quite unwise actually. Forgive me Liam. Don't you recognize me?"

P'do pulled back his cloak to reveal the face of a human man in his late 50s. A short brown beard covered his chin, and his brown hair didn't have a streak of gray in it.

"It is I, Master Kly P'do... surely you know me Liam. I met you in the recent Council meeting."

Kly's voice shifted an octave lower and he looked sad, "I must tell you something Liam. I once had a padawan learner. But all that soon passed. He was overwhelmed with his anxiousness and turned on my one day."

P'do replaced his hood on his face. Suddenly, the Force around him shook, something he hadn't felt in a while. His voice shifted back to normal...

"This is my new apprentince, Shasta." He said gesturing toward the young girl. "He and my former apprentince were childhood friends, and some may say sweethearts, but now she is my learner in the Force."

P'do walked over and sat down next to Liam, and Shasta sat with him.

"You may be wondering why I am even telling you all of this... for how could it possibly have anything to do with the matter at hand. Well I'll tell you Liam, it has everything to do with it. There's a boy here, on this planet. He's my former apprentice. I know he is here, because I feel his prescence. He doesn't hide himself well.

When he comes... he will confront me and it could get violent... but from what I feel, you know the boy and have a reel on him. You need to help me control him."

P'do shifted and looked at Liam.

"And now for more urgent business, I can help you with something. With a battle raging, me and Shasta will both be needed. We are at your service."

Master Kly P'do stood and bowed, and his apprentince followed suit.

OOC: Oh come now... a force user could outrun someone without the force anyday. Besides that, you have a suit on, I have only a light cloak. Thirdly, you're hanging off the side of a building, and I am on top jumping off the other side. You can't even really see me.

Please be realistic here. A suit would slow you down... not speed you up.

Besides that... your suit is not listed in your inventory of your character. A speed suit like that should be listed. Also, an invisible suit should also be listed. They're like secondary weapons.



It is not a speed suit. It's simply a natural ability of Thiron's race, which I noted in his entry on some page in the signup thread. I'll edit the post a bit, but the fact is Thiron has been especially fast since the start of the RP. I was saying 'because of the camosuit' because even if he wasn't running, he would still pretty much appear a blur.

OOC: I figure that maybe Liam and Master P'do could be friends... perhaps P'do watched Liam train when he was younger at the academy. Besides that, didn't Liam and Miriam meet with the council earlier? This is the help you've been waiting for.

OOC: It is doubtful that they would be friends. Liam moved around a lot in his earlier years, never staying anywhere long. In his later years (meaning from around 20 or so and on) he didn't have many acquantenaces. He could have watched him at an academy, but unfortunately Liam, I will tell you, is older than fifty. Sorry, but I am going to have to ask you to edit your post and remove the parts about knowing Liam.

Also... two Jedi is all the help the Council sent...? Liam will certainly have something to say about that.

OOC: It is doubtful that they would be friends. Liam moved around a lot in his earlier years, never staying anywhere long. In his later years (meaning from around 20 or so and on) he didn't have many acquantenaces. He could have watched him at an academy, but unfortunately Liam, I will tell you, is older than fifty. Sorry, but I am going to have to ask you to edit your post and remove the parts about knowing Liam.

Also... two Jedi is all the help the Council sent...? Liam will certainly have something to say about that.

OOC: Hold up.... the OOC page said he was 22... you better check that again... he's a lot younger than you think!

And yes... 2 Jedi is all they sent... I can't RP more than three people at once... and seeing how no one else will RP Jedi, I think this is actually pretty decent for you to get help at all!

Liam might not like it... but the Jedi have been known to send less than is needed.

OOC: Hold up.... the OOC page said he was 22... you better check that again... he's a lot younger than you think!

OOC: No, that was Taledonia's post. My post says he appears to be 25 (though you can't really see him) and his actual age is unknown. After the RP got settled and was ready to begin I asked him to change it but he went inactive in this RP and never did. It doesn't fit his history/bio for him to be 22 as he is a Grey now and he doesn't learn/embrace that until he is older than 22.

Oh, I know. I am not criticizing you OOCly for only sending 2 (as you were the only one to decide to RP the Jedi support), but Liam will certainly have something to say about it.

OOC: No, that was Taledonia's post. My post says he appears to be 25 (though you can't really see him) and his actual age is unknown. After the RP got settled and was ready to begin I asked him to change it but he went inactive in this RP and never did. It doesn't fit his history/bio for him to be 22 as he is a Grey now and he doesn't learn/embrace that until he is older than 22.

Oh, I know. I am not criticizing you OOCly for only sending 2 (as you were the only one to decide to RP the Jedi support), but Liam will certainly have something to say about it.

OOC: Ok... I'll change it... but not much. We'll say they met when Liam and Miriam visited the Concil earlier in the RP.

*EDIT* Post changed slightly to fit in and make sense...

OOC: Ok... I'll change it... but not much. We'll say they met when Liam and Miriam visited the Concil earlier in the RP.

*EDIT* Post changed slightly to fit in and make sense...

OOC: All good now - sorry about the mix up.

IC:

"You speak of the young and confused boy... Jacen," Liam replied as he continued to meditate.

"Controlling that one is not something that is easily done," he continued. "He is lost and doubtful am I that he will want to see you again... at least not in amiable way. Though perhaps, if what you say is true, the young one could be used..."

"However, now is not the time to be discussing or implementing a plan to deal with the lost one. We must use him in our battle... we will need him and all else. We must go... now... or the tide will turn against us..." he said before disappearing from the mountain...

The other fool on the ground had teleported away. Perhaps he was not a fool after all. He was, nonetheless, an irritant.

Shamman, you are failing me, said a voice in the Sith Lord's head.

Master? he replied.

Do not question me! The boy is for us to use! Why did you attack him?

He attacked me, master.

Well bring him back into the fold. And take care! There is a potent disturbance in the force in your area!

I can feel it, mas--by the powers that--.

At that moment, the autoturrets around the encampment started to fire. Like a swarm of stingerflies, the transports came, their escort guns opening up on the ground defenses as they came in range.

And it was at that moment that the Metal Man made his move.

As Shamman was momentarily distracted by the Jedi army that he suddenly sensed, the Orb of Purity flared a cobalt-blue glow. In a moment, the Metal Man had drawn Shamman inside of the orb. As their minds drew close, he inflicted Shamman with all of the memories that he had suffered--all but one.
And Shamman knew that the Metal Man knew what the Orb of Purity truely was--what it had been made for and what it had become. And, in that moment, he lost control, and the Metal Man escaped back into his body.

The world swayed and wavered around him. Though the machines around him struggled, everything was out of balance. He was damaged! He was ill! He was going into a fugue! His he was losing his mind!

While he could still think clearly, he fired up what was left of his maglevs and flew as fast as he could out of the camp, to a spot by the temple. There, he met Liam.

He tried to talk with the man, but it wasn't making much sense.

"Status check: plasma cannons one through three disabled, shields disabled, manipulator arm two disabled, maglev system reduced to 76 per cent capacity!"

As he finished his speech, Miriam pulled up in her bike. Her left hand was burned, but, other than that, she didn't appear much the worse for wear.

"Status check," he began again.

"We know you're hurt!" Miriam said.

For a moment, the Metal Man was in hysterics. "Mission st-st-staaaaatus: primary objective accomplished! Hahahaaa! I know what it is that they have now! My mind was inside the thing! Late! Too late! The pain! The suffering! The world wavers around me!"

Then, for a moment, he was completely calm. "Liam, we have to talk. I have to tell you...you...you...you do not respect my pacifism, or my choice to turn my back on the force and become the Keeper of Chaos, but the knowledge that I now have will not be safe if it is only in Jedi hands. We will have to deal with each other later. I am not the pushover that you imagine. You would not have survived what I have just been through."

He paused. No one said a word. The smoke just billowed out of the sliced-off corner of his box-like brown suit. Then, for just a moment, time seemed to stop completely, and, in that moment, the entire world seemed to undulate around him. Then, it just stopped, and things went back to normal with no affects.

"Egress required," he finally continued. "Must...regenerate eubance!" There was a nasty electrical buzz as his maglevs fired up, and he flew off in the direction he had originally come from.

"He's going to fix the shuttle," Miriam said with a shrug, "while he's still lucid enough to do the job. His mind's going. Must have something to do with the artifact. This has happened to him before, and he always comes out of it. We need to get out of here--if there aren't any other issues that we need to tend to first. What happened to the boy, anyway?"

--------------------

OOC:

Sorry, DMG, if I godmodded too much in picking the place where Liam disappeared to. I was hoping that TMM could save Liam's butt, and that it would allow them to respect each other and start a proper friendship. Something should be done about Liam's attitude--though this doesn't necessarily mean a skirmish between him and TMM.

OOC: All good now - sorry about the mix up.

IC:

"You speak of the young and confused boy... Jacen," Liam replied as he continued to meditate.

"Controlling that one is not something that is easily done," he continued. "He is lost and doubtful am I that he will want to see you again... at least not in amiable way. Though perhaps, if what you say is true, the young one could be used..."

"However, now is not the time to be discussing or implementing a plan to deal with the lost one. We must use him in our battle... we will need him and all else. We must go... now... or the tide will turn against us..." he said before disappearing from the mountain...

P'do spoke slowly and clearly. "I understand. Jacen is a strong one in the Force, though his recklessness may get someone killed, maybe himself. We will want him to help us."

Shasta spoke for the first time since the conversation began, "May I provide some input Master?"

"Yes, go ahead Shasta."

She stood and faced the men. "From what I remember of Jacen, he will not be pleased to see you Master P'do. I would recommend you stay here out of the way, while I go with Liam."

"You are wise young Shasta," The old Master replied, "and we will do as your propose. Jacen may come here looking for me, and I will try to deal with him, luring him to you." He gestured toward Liam. "I think perhaps you are the only reason he will listen to... he seems drawn to you. A strange bond has been formed."

P'do coughed a few times.

"In any case, go..."

Shasta vanished along with Liam, and Kly P'do was left to wait for Jacen himself.

He would not have to wait long...

---

Jacen climbed higher and higher up the slope. He was not trained well enough to telleport with the Force, but speed was his best ally in this case. As he came over the top of a ridge, he saw it.

The Master.

The one who had trained him since he was a boy.

The man he loved with passion.

The man he hated with obsession.

It would end now.

"Hello Master P'do..."

I will kill you for what you have done...

_________________________________________________________

OOC: An epic duel between Master and apprentice is coming!

Shasta will go with Liam, so next time you post you can include her DMG, just don't control her too much, just enough to get her to interact with whatever you are doing. It's like "Rent-a-Jedi-Apprentice".

Dastardly Stench']"He's going to fix the shuttle," Miriam said with a shrug, "while he's still lucid enough to do the job. His mind's going. Must have something to do with the artifact. This has happened to him before, and he always comes out of it. We need to get out of here--if there aren't any other issues that we need to tend to first. What happened to the boy, anyway?"

"I don't know," Liam responded as he ignored the ramblings of a man who had lost his marbles. "Though I believe his former master is here... and I believe they both know the other is here... so... I think you get the point. Oh and he hates his former master," he added quickly before moving on. "Nothing left to do now but leave if we are to trust that the mission truly is complete."

OOC: No problem - I was hoping someone would do something like that. You can try talking to Liam about his 'attitude problem' but I think you will find he can be quite articulate on the matter.

OOC: Shasta will go with Liam, so next time you post you can include her DMG, just don't control her too much, just enough to get her to interact with whatever you are doing. It's like "Rent-a-Jedi-Apprentice".

OOC: Will do. Though it is your decision whether she leaves on the ship with him or not.

IC:

Just when Liam was about to teleport away from the spot and return to the ship to see if they could leave or not, he sensed a new presence near by. "Hello again Shasta," he greeted the girl as she appeared only a few feet away.

"Hello, Master Liam," she replied, "I have been said to assist your cause in whatever way you need."

Liam glanced over at Miriam to see her take on the matter. "Well, I believe we are about to leave... I guess it is up to Miriam whether you can come or not and then up to you if you want," he remarked before waiting to see what would happen.

"I sense his location. On the slope of that mountain!" said Shamman, pointing to one of several nearby mountains. "We must teleport there at once!"

"Master, I cannot teleport," said Thiron dejectedly.

"I can teleport both of us, fool," said Shamman, and he did so. The two Sith reappeared on the mountain's slope. The boy was climbing onto a ridge, and was greeting someone. Shamman and Thiron started climbing up to the ridge.




OOC: I'm leaving someone else to RP what Shamman says to Jacen.

Kreynoria']"I sense his location. On the slope of that mountain!" said Shamman, pointing to one of several nearby mountains. "We must teleport there at once!"

"Master, I cannot teleport," said Thiron dejectedly.

"I can teleport both of us, fool," said Shamman, and he did so. The two Sith reappeared on the mountain's slope. The boy was climbing onto a ridge, and was greeting someone. Shamman and Thiron started climbing up to the ridge.




OOC: I'm leaving someone else to RP what Shamman says to Jacen.

OOC:

Should've checked with me, Krey. In the last post, Shamman's mind got sucked into The Orb of Purity. I was going to write a post where he regains consciousness and finds that, when the mind is in the Orb, the body dies. If you get out in time, your body comes back to life; if not, well... Only reason, it would go on to say, why TMM survived being in there so long is that he has the mother of all life support systems.

Now, I'm going to have to think up something else.

From now on, can we institute a policy where, when one of us is going to pick up an NPC off of another, the one picking the NPC up either TG's the last one posting the NPC or uses the sign-up thread to check any plans the last person may have had?

P.S. Krey, I'll pick up Shamman talking with Jacen. Is there anything else that you intended for him?

IC:

"Wait, assassin," Shamman said. "This is lunacy! Search your feelings. Do you not agree that we are heading into battle with Jedi masters? If we are to emerge victorious from this ordeal, we need a plan.

"In order to defeat a Jedi master, one must have as allies surprise and intimidation. Activate your cloaking suit--I will use the force to cloud their judgement so that they cannot tell your precise location. Then, you can surprise and I can intimidate."

Behind the Sith Apprentice, the situation was rapidly deteriorating. A major landing force was coming in, and, with the defensive base taken down, there was no way to prevent a battle that was not of the Sith's choosing. The good and bad of it was that the Jedi would be fighting on Sith ground--and, as the planet was such a dried out husk, the Sith had never seen the point in rebuilding their defenses after the last Jedi invasion. Time was running out, and Shamman knew it. Hopefully, the Jedi did not also know it. Either way, the beginnings of an escape plan had already been implemented. Shamman's top priority--and Solous had made this mortally clear to him--was to bring the Orb of Purity safe to their home base. If possible, he was also to turn the boy, but this must not come at the cost of the artifact.

He had also taken the time to get some intelligence from the assassin. The boy, he had learned, was uncommonly greedy. For him, everything came at a price. He also hated all Jedi. This, Shamman realized, was good--as he was coming up the slope, he realized that he could deal in precisely the currency that the boy would recognise.

It was not long thereafter that Shamman reached the ridge that he had seen the boy on moments earlier.

HOLD, boy! he called out telepathically. I've got a deal for you! What would the heads of the two Jedi beyond us be worth, in your reconing?

***

The Metal Man arrived at the shuttle with an electrical crackle. All had gone well: ship, with its obvious damage, had not been stolen. Even better, no one had thought to steal its parts for scrap. After a hysterial laugh passed his main speaker, he shut the vocal synthesis system down. It would be some days before it was any good to him again.

The shuttle's appearance belied the care that he had used when he had "damaged" it. In reality, there was very little wrong with it. Though the hull had been blackened, it had not been damaged. Once the tail cone was reshaped, it would be fully functional.

It was with a strange combination of clumsiness and dexterity that the strange, brown box that the cyborg wore landed on a double-hop and flopped into position right exactly where it would need to be...to remove the fasteners that held the tail cone in place. Though one of the manipulator arms was a blackened stump, the other three worked deftly and patiently to detach the assembly.

The shuttle had been designed for ease of repair. The tail cone's stabilizer bars had been made so that they could be set up as a holding pen. This is what the Metal Man did. Then, taxing his maglevs beyond their limit for a moment, he slid the tail cone out, inverted it, and sat it in the pen.

The realignment process would have been better if he'd had three plasma cannons to heat it with, but he had to make do with one. Thus, it took him quite a while, slowly heating the metal until it flowed, but not enough that it deformed too much--to get the cone back into place. He had to stop several times because he became unable to tell the difference between the things that he was seeing and the visions in his mind.

He completed the repair, reassembled the cone and turned the holding pen back into a set of stabilizer bars. It cost him. The maglevs couldn't hold the cone's weight as long as was needed. By the time he was done, they had all but completely burned out, and he was reduced to little more than a smoking statue behind the shuttle. There, unable to move or communicate, he rested, meditated and, in the scattered moments when he was coherant enough, prayed.

P'do turned sharply as the boy reached the top of the ridge.

"Jacen, I have felt your presence, I knew you would come."

Jacen face turned sour as he stared the old man down. "You influenced the council to send me to my exile..."

"We've been through this before Jacen. I have told you time and time again that it was your own fault. Your headstrongness clouds your judgement. Your pride has destroyed your reason. You can no longer think logically enough to realize that you yourself began the fall in the first place, and that you are typicallly on teh losing side of battles."

Jacen scowled at Kly. "How dare you acuse me of a lack of undersatnding... when you have brought about my downfall."

"You've brought it upon yourself Jacen."

Jacen dropped his cloak. "Shut up and defend yourself."

P'do stepped back and flipped his cloak off his shoulders. It dropped to the ground in a heap and disapeered.

Both of the Jedi drew their lightsabers.

_______________________________________

OOC: Don't have time to write more now... later tonight I'll finish up.

((OOC: I need both of your responses to Liam before I can post any further.))

"Wait, Liam," Miriam said. "There is a disturbance in the force."

With all of his prowess, she was surprised that he hadn't noticed it. At a ridge along the side of a nearby mountain, it was as if the world had been set ablaze. It meant only one thing: multiple advanced force users getting ready to use their power.

"There are at least four of them," she said. "Can you feel it? I don't know why, but I feel that we need to be there."

* * *

The techniques were working. After finding his still spot, the point of greatest peace within his soul, the Metal Man was able--slowly, gradually--to begin to isolate the others' minds within him and to begin to give them the peace that they craved. As he did, he found a source of discord that was capable of growing to threaten his peace of mind.

Liam.

We all start from ourselves and work our way out. Liam, a gifted force user, naturally contemned that which did not have to do with the force, and that included the Metal Man. Liam may not even have been aware of this--we are often blind to our own blind spots. Before Liam could progress further in his life's path, he would need to understand this limitation, to overcome it.

Soon, it would be time for the Metal Man to administer another lesson--this one, most probably, without bloodshed. Those were always the best lessons. And if the Metal Man could happen to learn something himself from the exchange, so much the better. Though it was long and filled with unusual turns, he, too, had a path of life. It told him that a proper respect for all things was essential.

Dastardly Stench']"There are at least four of them," she said. "Can you feel it? I don't know why, but I feel that we need to be there."

"Yes, I can feel them," Liam replied, "It is where I left Master P'do on top of the mountain... he said he feared Jacen was coming to find him, so that would explain at least two of the force signatures that you sense."

"The battle has turned in our favor, I believe - we should either press the attack and wipe them out or leave..." he commented as he reached out with the force to feel the tide of battle. "It is your call, though," Liam added as he stood tiredly among the two female force users.

"Yes, I can feel them," Liam replied, "It is where I left Master P'do on top of the mountain... he said he feared Jacen was coming to find him, so that would explain at least two of the force signatures that you sense."

"The battle has turned in our favor, I believe - we should either press the attack and wipe them out or leave..." he commented as he reached out with the force to feel the tide of battle. "It is your call, though," Liam added as he stood tiredly among the two female force users.

Shasta stared the gray force user down with sad eyes. "We must help them... Master P'do needs us."

Jacen had now worked himself up into a passion. It was common for him to be this way when he thought of the Jedi, but today was different. Today, he was standing beside one. His old master.

P'do patiently waited while Jacen's blood boiled. This was the reason he had dropped the boy's traning. His anger and headstrong ways were his downfall, and they would ultimately lead to his destruction. Maybe today. P'do stared him down silently and somewhat sadly.

"I don't want to have to kill the teenager I trained as a boy."

Jacen was worked up enough that his voice choked as he spoke, "How dare you speak of me as your apprentice. You planned it all along! You turned on me that day!"

Jacen faced distorted into a wrathful glare. His voice cracked through clenched teeth, "Today I will end what I began! I allowed you to live earlier, I will not be so forgiving now. I lived through hell in my exile... and now I will avenge all that you have done to me."

P'do was ever the calm one. "Your wasting your breath... let's get this over with..."

Jacen smiled and grimaced at the same time. "With pleasure..." he uttered under his breath.

The lightsabers ignited instantaneously, one purple, one blue, and the two figures began encircling.

Jacen froze when a cry came through the force. The heads of two Jedi? No matter what he was talking about, Jacen would deal with it after he killed Kly P'do.

Jacen raised his blade above his head and threw himself at his master.

The duel began.

P'do easily blocked the quick blow and flipped behind his former apprentice. Jacen had to pull himself back and block the counter-attack, and then the two exchanged a series of quick hits.

Seeing his oppurtunity, P'do found an opening and pushed the boy back. Then he attacked the boy. Jacen was ready, and the clash after clash of the blades sounded.

P'do was not happy, but he was calm. Jacen fought with passion, Kly fought with logic. The winner would soon be evident. Kly used the Makashi, his favorite form, and fought the boy with an elegant touch. Jacen was much more basic, using an Ataru form at first.

Quickly Jacen realized his agility wouldn't be enough. He flipped this way and that, but his master was there before he could reach the ground. It was getting dangerous in a hurry. Jacen was forced to switch to his favorite form, the Soresu, just to remain alive. He blocked lightning blow after lightning blow. Each attack was perfectly placed by the older man, and Jacen had his hands full just defending his life.

For a second P'do lost his momentum, and the two backed off, staring at each other. Jacen in a rage, P'do in meditation.

Now the end would come.

P'do looked down at his robotic arm. A product of Jacen's rebellion. How follish the boy seemed.

Jacen stared at his blade, eager once more to attack.

The two converged to a finish.

Jacen started the attack, using a Djem So. Instictively, P'do defended himself using the Soresu, and did a fine job of deflecting the attacks. But Kly P'do had done exactly as Jacen had wanted.

Now you will die master... now!

With a flick of the wrist, Jacen's form became the Vaapad. The exciting attack became deadly for the old Master instantly. Within six quick blows, the Soresu defense fell apart, and a swift swipe of Jacen blade took off Master P'do's left arm.

Jacen was mad, and mercilessly pushed his attack. He flipped the blade down and sliced through both of P'do's legs, leaving the man to flop on the ground. The blue blade fell to the sand.

Jacen stood victorious over the body of his wounded foe. With a pull, the blue blade flashed into his hand, and he used the force to replace his purple blade on his belt.

"Now I will kill you with your own lightsaber.... master." The weapon flashed above his head, and he twisted his wrist to bring it crashing down. It flew towards it's target...

Jacen stood victorious over the body of his wounded foe. With a pull, the blue blade flashed into his hand, and he used the force to replace his purple blade on his belt.

"Now I will kill you with your own lightsaber.... master." The weapon flashed above his head, and he twisted his wrist to bring it crashing down. It flew towards it's target...

A plasma bolt sung through the air, aimed precisely for Jacen's wrist.

He wasn't talking, and his cybernetic suit was in tatters, but, somehow, he had managed to repair his ailing maglevs and fly back.

The Metal Man had returned.

As the cyborg fired his weapon, Shamman's head appeared at the edge of the ridge. His eyes narrowed, and he reached his hand forward, as if trying to feel something beyond his reach.

Thyron, he telepathed, NOW!

Shasta stared the gray force user down with sad eyes. "We must help them... Master P'do needs us."

"So does the galaxy," Liam countered simply. "You must weigh one against the other and all the baggage they carry with them. However, as I have said, I leave the decision up to Miriam," he said, turning towards the other female and waiting for her inevitable decision.

"The Metal Man is up there," Miriam said. "I can feel it. I owe him my life--more, in fact. I died and he brought me back. We've got to help him--and the Jedi master. Can you teleport us both to the ridge?"

OOC:

Jacen should be responding to TMM's diversion. Thiron should be trying to kill TMM right now. But TMM can't face down Jacen, Thiron and Shamman by himself. He needs a LITTLE diversion so that he can help P'Do. His blood has healing properties. If he gets there fast enough, he can reattach P'Do's arm.

IC:

The Metal Man waited for Jacen to respond to his diversion. Hopefully, the boy would not realize that his intent was not to harm him, but merely to get the Jedi master whom he had just defeated to safety. He had seen enough of the boy's style to note that he had used the Vaapad form. Bad news for anyone as inexperienced as he was who didn't want to end up a Dark Sider.

There were still a few other personalities with him. These were the strongest of those in the Orb who did not desire peace--those with business that was unfinished after, in some cases, thousands of years. Fortunately, there seemed to be a concensus among them all that saving the Jedi was a reasonable course of action. Still, the Metal Man knew that, before the day was over, people he knew would be seeing sides of him that the never knew existed--because, before today, they hadn't.

Dastardly Stench']"The Metal Man is up there," Miriam said. "I can feel it. I owe him my life--more, in fact. I died and he brought me back. We've got to help him--and the Jedi master. Can you teleport us both to the ridge?"

OOC:

Jacen should be responding to TMM's diversion. Thiron should be trying to kill TMM right now. But TMM can't face down Jacen, Thiron and Shamman by himself. He needs a LITTLE diversion so that he can help P'Do. His blood has healing properties. If he gets there fast enough, he can reattach P'Do's arm.

IC:

The Metal Man waited for Jacen to respond to his diversion. Hopefully, the boy would not realize that his intent was not to harm him, but merely to get the Jedi master whom he had just defeated to safety. He had seen enough of the boy's style to note that he had used the Vaapad form. Bad news for anyone as inexperienced as he was who didn't want to end up a Dark Sider.

There were still a few other personalities with him. These were the strongest of those in the Orb who did not desire peace--those with business that was unfinished after, in some cases, thousands of years. Fortunately, there seemed to be a concensus among them all that saving the Jedi was a reasonable course of action. Still, the Metal Man knew that, before the day was over, people he knew would be seeing sides of him that the never knew existed--because, before today, they hadn't.

Jacen was intent on killing his master. But suddenly a blaster bolt ripped towards his wrist. Not today...

In a swift motion his hand shift course and he deflected the bolt into the sand. He turned to see the little metal box. What the...

He was now faced with a decision: kill his master... or destroy the little box. He decided on the former. He turned back to his master and once again raised hi blade to kill him. If the metal box tried anything again, he would deflect the bolts back in it's face.

OOC: it doesn't have a face. :) :) :)

IC:

The Metal Man was channeling the Man of Arms of a Massassi tribe. He had his own memories, but now they were filtered through the personality of a cold, cunning warrior.

The diversion had worked. The first shot had prevented the boy from killing the Jedi. Mission accomplished. As the boy turned to strike again, he did not realize that his fate was now sealed. The initial assessment had been correct: lethal force was not called for. A simple stun setting, which would not penetrate the outer skin of the suit if it was returned, was all that was necessary. The boy didn't know it, but he needed to be saved from himself. Moving in, the Metal Man discharged another bolt. As he did, he took hold of his light saber, though he did not power it up.

Dastardly Stench']"The Metal Man is up there," Miriam said. "I can feel it. I owe him my life--more, in fact. I died and he brought me back. We've got to help him--and the Jedi master. Can you teleport us both to the ridge?"

OOC: I need this question answered before I can post. In my opinion and understanding, one person would not be able to teleport another and so Liam's answer would be no. However, seeing as how Shamman already did it and despite my questioning of it, we let it go, should I just play it like it is possible and thus Liam answering yes.

OOC: I need this question answered before I can post. In my opinion and understanding, one person would not be able to teleport another and so Liam's answer would be no. However, seeing as how Shamman already did it and despite my questioning of it, we let it go, should I just play it like it is possible and thus Liam answering yes.

OOC: He could also show her how to teleport herself... :) :) :)

Dastardly Stench']OOC: He could also show her how to teleport herself... :) :) :)

OOC: Yes, though I sort of wanted an answer to the question. On top of that learning a new Force technique usually takes more than 5 seconds...

OOC: Yes, though I sort of wanted an answer to the question. On top of that learning a new Force technique usually takes more than 5 seconds...

OOC: Well, he's YOUR character. It would logically seem as though it's your decision. I, personally, won't accuse you of godmodding if you decide that he can teleport someone else, and I won't call you a wimp if you decide that he can't. If you think it would take too long to have him pass the technique on, I don't have a problem with that, either. I'd just like to see this story get moving.

Dastardly Stench']OOC: Well, he's YOUR character. It would logically seem as though it's your decision. I, personally, won't accuse you of godmodding if you decide that he can teleport someone else, and I won't call you a wimp if you decide that he can't. If you think it would take too long to have him pass the technique on, I don't have a problem with that, either. I'd just like to see this story get moving.

OOC: Shamman already teleported Thiron... so Liam should be able to teleport Miriam.

Shasta knows how to teleport herself.

Dastardly Stench']OOC: Well, he's YOUR character. It would logically seem as though it's your decision. I, personally, won't accuse you of godmodding if you decide that he can teleport someone else, and I won't call you a wimp if you decide that he can't. If you think it would take too long to have him pass the technique on, I don't have a problem with that, either. I'd just like to see this story get moving.

OOC: Sort of missed my point. I was not asking whether my character can be do it or not, I was asking if it is possible (in everyone's opinion) in the Force.

Dastardly Stench']"The Metal Man is up there," Miriam said. "I can feel it. I owe him my life--more, in fact. I died and he brought me back. We've got to help him--and the Jedi master. Can you teleport us both to the ridge?"

IC:

"I understand," Liam responded with a certain odd understanding. "Give me a moment to prepare myself..." he said as his words trailed off. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath and concentrated all of his energy on the task at hand. It was exponentially harder to teleport another person, let alone two, and so he had to take his time or risk damaging any or all of them.

In a flash, the three of them arrived on the mountain only ten or so feet away from the opposing group.

Dastardly Stench']OOC: it doesn't have a face. :) :) :)

IC:

The Metal Man was channeling the Man of Arms of a Massassi tribe. He had his own memories, but now they were filtered through the personality of a cold, cunning warrior.

The diversion had worked. The first shot had prevented the boy from killing the Jedi. Mission accomplished. As the boy turned to strike again, he did not realize that his fate was now sealed. The initial assessment had been correct: lethal force was not called for. A simple stun setting, which would not penetrate the outer skin of the suit if it was returned, was all that was necessary. The boy didn't know it, but he needed to be saved from himself. Moving in, the Metal Man discharged another bolt. As he did, he took hold of his light saber, though he did not power it up.

Jacen saw the second bolt fly towards his body, and he flaired his arm up to deflect the shot. The laser struck the blade and bounced back right at the metal box.

Meanwhile, Jacen flipped back about 10 feet from P'do's body. SOmething didn't feel right. That flip had seemed.... well... strenuous. Weird. Painful. Heavy. It felt like the Force itself had abandoned Jacen.

Could it be that stinking little box? That thing is annoying...

Jacen backed up farther and felt his strength rebuilding. In a flash he transfered the blue blade to his left hand and called up his own lightsaber to his right. He swung them around and the rainbow of blue and purple filled the area around him.

Jacen didn't want to bother with the metal box... he wanted to deal with P'do. He glanced up and saw a head peeking over a ridge. THE SITH!?!

To his left he saw a grenade lying in the sand. Strange... Could it have been dropped by that Sith Assassin? Jacen didn't care. Calling on the Force, he summoned the grenade and it flew into his hand. In a flash, the grenade had been activated and it flew from his hands into the air.

With a muffled thud! it fell beside the body of Jedi Master Kly P'do. Jacen smiled. Only a few seconds to live now Master...

As they arrived, the grenade lying lethally next to P'do flew up into the air and detonated at a safe distance. "Your rage blinds you," Liam said to Jacen. "He does not deserve death..."

While talking, Liam was acutely aware of the others standing nearby and would be ready should anything happen.

The cavalry had arrived--and none too soon!

The Metal Man's suit was in tatters. His shields were gone, his levs were working on prayers, and the smoke that was coming out of the chopped-off corner was probably the main power cooling system getting ready to overload.

Shamman had appeared over the ridge, and he was not happy. "Hey, artificial intelligence," he said, "poke your nose into this!" And with that, he loosed a blast of force lightning right into the cyborg's suit.

He turned just in time to avoid taking a shot in the exposed corner. The suit's skin, where whole, was proof against the attack. It sent a jolt through his system, though, and, as a result, for a moment, his mind became his own again.

Already moving toward the Jedi master, he throttled up as fast as he dared and arrived before more harm could be done. Things were worse than he had thought: the Jedi had lost both legs in addition to his arm. The problem with that was that there were now four pieces and the Metal Man only had three working arms. Working as best he could, he picked up as much as he could and tried to drag the Jedi as far out of harm's way as he could.

As he did, he made an appeal to the young Jedi trainee. His emotions had resurfaced with a vengeance, and he hoped that they could penetrate the boy's arrogance.

"Don't you understand?" he called out. "You can't take this back! If you kill him, it'll pollute your soul! And the Jedi will use that pollution to hunt you down! My weapons were set to stun--I never tried to harm you! They won't be so forgiving! Nor will fate, if a killer is what you become."

"Don't listen to him, Jacen," Shamman said. "He means to deny you the destiny that your entire life has led up to. Finish the old fool and start a long and wonderful journey! The Sith can help you--and we can arrange it so that, instead of them hunting you, you will be hunting them."

Just then, Shasta stepped forward. "Do you remember me Jacen?"

Jacen whirled to see thr girl. His face was pouring sweat, and his eyes were desperate. "Shasta?"

"Right..."

"What... I don't understand..."

"Jacen, do not give in to the dark side. Flee the anger that has enveloped you. Come to the light. Do good instead of harm."

Jacen screamed an answer in rage, "What can the Jedi offer me??!? I've spent my whole life trying to make good, but all the Jedi dished out to me was evil! Dropped me off their list and moved on! Exiled! Do you know how it feels to be alone in a desert for three years of your life?!?"

Jacen's blades swirled above his head.

"And he," Jacen thrust his blade to point towards P'do, "did it to me. He's the one who got me thrown out of the order. I've given up the ways of the Jedi. I'm much too far over the edge. I'll never be able to give up my dark side powers. What can you offer me in exchange for Kly P'do's life? What about you sir," Jacen said sarcastically, turning to Liam, "What can you offer me?"

Jacen flipped up to the metal box and stood over the body of his former master. His sabers wavered a few inches above his former Master's head.

"WHAT DO ANY OF YOU OFFER ME?!?"

"I can offer you a path that none of the others, most likely nobody in your life has offered to you," Liam replied. "I have been on both sides of the fence - I have seen the green grass on the other side and then seen that when I arrived on the other side, it wasn't as green as it first appeared," he explained reassuringly.

"I was in the Jedi Order... I witnessed their hypocrisy, weakness, and misjudgment of the Force," Liam continued as he took a step closer to Jacen. "I learned from the best... all across the galaxy, but in the end I found my own path. I left the Order... but my new path brought me to the Dark Side - where else would it have lead. You are taught your whole life that there are two sides; the Light and the Dark. I found that the Dark Side did not deliver me all that it had promised and so again I left to find my own path..."

"And that path has brought me to where I now stand. A fine line few are able to walk - in the Grey of the Force. Utilizing your emotions yet controlling them. Accessing the Dark Side and the Light Side simultaneously - allegiance to no order, but my own."

"They," he said pointing to the others, "will use you or judge you. I will help you to harness your potential..."

"I can offer you a path that none of the others, most likely nobody in your life has offered to you," Liam replied. "I have been on both sides of the fence - I have seen the green grass on the other side and then seen that when I arrived on the other side, it wasn't as green as it first appeared," he explained reassuringly.

"I was in the Jedi Order... I witnessed their hypocrisy, weakness, and misjudgment of the Force," Liam continued as he took a step closer to Jacen. "I learned from the best... all across the galaxy, but in the end I found my own path. I left the Order... but my new path brought me to the Dark Side - where else would it have lead. You are taught your whole life that there are two sides; the Light and the Dark. I found that the Dark Side did not deliver me all that it had promised and so again I left to find my own path..."

"And that path has brought me to where I now stand. A fine line few are able to walk - in the Grey of the Force. Utilizing your emotions yet controlling them. Accessing the Dark Side and the Light Side simultaneously - allegiance to no order, but my own."

"They," he said pointing to the others, "will use you or judge you. I will help you to harness your potential..."

"He and I walk similar paths," said the Metal Man. "On his path, he has learned a great deal about the force, but I am denied its benefits and its pitfalls. From this, I have learned aspects of it that no force user can see. You may have noticed that your Jedi powers weaken when you are in my presence. I am anti-force. This is why he cannot respect me--I am different, and we all start from ourselves and work our way out.

"I am nearing four hundred your years of age, and, in those years, I've taught many a student whom the Jedi turned their backs on the ways of the force. Like Liam, I can show you a path that is meant for you--in fact, despite his contempt for my abilities, I may work with him, if you so choose. What I can show you that he cannot--what I can show him, if he'll open himself to the possibility--is how to find peace within yourself without giving up the ability to feel. And I can teach you to understand those who are not like you.

"I will never abandon y--UHHHH!"

A plasma bolt slammed into the back of his suit. If he had been human, it would have been instantly fatal. As it was, it pitched him forward and almost brought him into Jacen. He took the shot, and the pain that it made him feel through his suit.

"I can't go on taking hits for you forever, Jacen. I can be hurt and killed. And I can also offer the wrath I've saved if you take this man's life so cheaply. We're not so different, you and I. We both show our emotions and we both can get angry. Please let me put him back together."

Shamman laughed. "Is this the peace you've found within yourself?" he asked. "How does it feel to be an artificial intelligence?"

The Metal Man turned toward Shamman. Pops and cracks sounded nearby, a sign of the battle that was raging.

"It feels a great deal better than being organically, born stupid," he said.

Shamman laughed again. "Then it's a good thing that you got the upgrade," he said.

"Too bad you didn't." He turned back to Jacen. "Now, what's it going to be?"

----------------

OOC: Though he hasn't moved it over to this thread, I'm going to treat Krey's post as if he has.

Krey: like, HINT, dude.

Thiron knew the sensors on the box would see through his simple cloaking suit like a cat through darkness, so he had tucked himself away between two rocks and drawn his disruptor rifle. On Shamman's call, he'd fired and then rolled to the side to take a different cover, simultaneously uncloaking. Hopefully a new Sith player would help intimidate the enemy...


OOC: Treat this as before the above post

Jacen desperately glanced at each of the faces.

The blaster bolt had just missed him and hit the metal box in front of him.

But now he was faced with his choice. He stood over the body of his former master with two lightsabers, both poised to strike. But what was the best solution? What would gain Jacen the most power and revenge? He wanted to live long enough to help himself. He worked for himself only.

Then there was Shasta, with tha kind face, but a Jedi none the less. How the heck did she get here and should he believe her?

But Jacen didn't know what to expect with the Sith. They might kill him after he did them a service. That was just what he might do after all.

But he couldn't go to the Jedi either... for obvious reasons. They'd thrown him out and treated him like dirt. If anything, he would spend his life serving himself and doing what he enjoyed the most. Killing Jedi.

There was a fine line to draw here. Jacen enjoyed both the light and dark... although 3 years of exile had drawn him to the dark very strongly.

There was a battle raging within Jacen, despite the one raging without. He was torn.

But hadn't he already made his decision? No... but yes.

In an instant he made his choice.

He flipped away from the body in front of him and landed beside Liam. "I don't even know your name, but we think alike. I think we'll make a good team."

He readied his lightsabers...

Liam did not smile, even if nobody would have seen it - Jacen had made the expected choice and that was all there was to it. If Jacen could survive this battle them Liam would begin teaching him the ways of the fine line...

"Go ahead..." he said in the direction of Metal Man, telling him to go about fixing the body of P'do.

He then turned to Shamman, but did not say anything or do anything. He merely stood staring in his direction. It was quite clear that the Sith were now outnumbered here, and the ground forces below should be wiping up the ends of the Sith Army soon...


ooc: Oh god... this was a terrible post. :(

Keeping an eye on Shamman, and scanning behind him, the Metal Man picked up the pieces that had once been P'Do. Keeping the bulk of his body between himself and the location of the last plasma bolt, he aligned the severed limbs with the parts of the body where they had once been attached.

"Shamman," he called out, "I have a deal for you. You and your friend leave now, making no effort to harm us, and we don't cut you to pieces."

Shamman shook his head with a soft "humph." The Artificial Intelligence was really starting to get on his nerves, and so was the Betrayer. They did not know this, but the day would dawn when each, in turn, was hunted down, and the fool from the temple turned to his proper destiny, the Dark Side.

That day, however, was not today.

Assassin, he telepathed, the day is lost. Make your escape. Leave our friends a nice, explosive parting gift.

"We shall meet again," he said as he turned and left.

The Metal got to work. Using his water knife, and the last of his distilled water, he cleaned the cauterized ends off of the limbs. Then, he brought them together. Finally, a syringe appeared from within his body, on one of his robotic arms. Slowly, it extended forward, and then, quickly, it punched through the Jedi's chest and into his heart. In a moment, a tiny portion of the Metal Man's blood ran through the Jedi's veins.

Though unconscious, the man seemed to tense for a moment. Then, the skin on his torso grew out to reach the severed limbs. In less than a minute, all of the wounds had completely closed, and the bones had begun to fuse.

"Shasta," the Metal Man said, "take care of your master. My blood has started him healing, but the same chemicals will slightly damage his nervous system. This, too, will heal, but that's going to take time."

As the cyborg was tending to the Jedi, Miriam turned to Jacen and smiled. "You've made a good choice," she said. "You won't regret this. By the way, my husband is a diplomat. Not that you'll ever need it, but, if you ever do, we can offer you protection from the Jedi." She smiled a mischievous smile. "We got Liam a seat on the last council meeting, and they absolutely hate him."

"Our work is done here," the Metal Man called. "We need to get away from the battle. I'm too beat up to get into orbit, so I'll need a lift. Liam, we've got a lot to talk about, so I'd like to ride up with you, if you don't mind."

----------------------

OOC: I'm leaving Thyron to his own diabolical devices. Enjoy.

I knew this wouldn't end so simply, Liam thought as The Metal Man informed him of his request to travel together. "Fine..." he replied. "Though I do not know what you are talking about. I have nothing to talk about..."

"Though Jacen and I do have much that needs to be talked about before he can begin any training or learning," Liam added as he looked back at Jacen - happy that he had made the right choice in choosing to gain the knowledge Liam had to offer.

"You have what we came for, I assume," Liam said to the Metal Man. "So after we get up there," he indicated as space, "I assume we are done - after our short chat that is." He made sure to emphasize short as he did not feel like talking half away across the galaxy with an idealist and a pacifist. "I guess we should go now. I don't know what ship you came on," he said as he turned to the figures of Shasta and P'do, "But you are welcome to grab a lift with us. Though, if I could, I would prefer not to stop by the Council again..."

Jacen was still a bit angry... but he knew what he had done was right.

"I'm ready to leave with you sir... by the way... what is your name?" he asked Liam.

He turned back to P'do. "Just keep me away from him and the Jedi and I'm happy."

Thyron thought for a moment about continuing the attack, but was against multiple Force-using opponents, had lost any advantage of stealth or surprise, and was under orders to leave.

The assassin turned slowly and crawled back down the ledge. One thing was certain, the Sith would have revenge on each and every one of those fools.


OOC: Thyron is a much better spelling, it is officially changed.

Kreynoria']OOC: Thyron is a much better spelling, it is officially changed.

OOC: lol, I was wondering if anybody else had noticed that DS was spelling his name Thyron instead of Thiron.

OOC: Marionetonia is a "posting puppet" for Dastardly Stench, hence its name.

---------------

IC:

It took them a little over an hour to get back to the shuttle, stowed the bikes and got ready for the flight back to Brain Jar. They found, not surprisingly, that removing a storage cooler made a good space for The Metal Man. He had gone silent after the encounter, and Miriam had noticed that his presence seemed more brooding than usual.

She had struck up a conversation with Jacen. They had exchanged life stories. She had felt infinite compassion as she heard him speak about being cast from the Jedi.

She told him how a Gargolan--a species that some referred to as demons--had laid an egg in her father and killed him, and how, as a result, she had sought revenge against the Gargolans' servants, the Vampires. How, when she and her husband first met, she was trying to kill him. How he had shown her that even Vampires were sometimes the champions of the light. How, after they had met, the Orb of Life had set him back on the path to humanity, which he walked to this day. She told him that she thought that he and her husband would like each other if they met--both had suffered having the world turn its back on them, and both had found ways to survive.

The conversation turned to the gray path--the path least travelled. At this point, she was about to ask Liam to join in, but they had reached the Brain Jar, and it was time to strap in for final docking.

They unloaded quickly, the Liam being the first out, followed by Jacen, then Miriam and the Metal Man bringing up the rear. The way that he moved seemed different--somehow, more malignant, as if he would harm anyone who got in his way. This prompted Miriam to ask if he was alright. The box turned--more slowly than usual, as if brooding, and a soft laugh came from the vocal synthesizer.

"My enemies," he said slowly, "shall rue the day...that they permitted me...inside their little trinket.

"Liam!" he called out, his voice deeper and more forboding than she had ever heard it. "Whenever you're," another soft laugh, "ready."

They unloaded quickly, the Liam being the first out, followed by Jacen, then Miriam and the Metal Man bringing up the rear.

OOC: *Points out error in black* :p

IC:

"You sure are acting strange," Liam called from a little bit ahead of the group. "But I am ready for our short conversation whenever you are... I still haven't had time to speak with Jacen in depth though, so keep it short," he added, making sure to emphasize the briefness of their conversation.

Jacen approached Liam.

"I'm ready to speak with you when you are."

Jacen approached Liam.

"I'm ready to speak with you when you are."

"Patience," Liam said. "I feel that we should be more relaxed and have plenty of time when we speak and thus I would like to complete my conversation and dealings with the Metal Man before we begin."

Liam wondered if he would want to speak in private or not, but decided to wait for TMM to respond first.

OOC: *Points out error in black* :p

IC:

"You sure are acting strange," Liam called from a little bit ahead of the group. "But I am ready for our short conversation whenever you are... I still haven't had time to speak with Jacen in depth though, so keep it short," he added, making sure to emphasize the briefness of their conversation.

"It is simple," the cyborg said, the box settling into a hole in a nearby column. "The bargain was that I would share the knowledge I derived, and I keep my bargains.

"The artifact that the overmatched Sith Lord held was quite a conversation piece. It can harbor minds. For this reason, the Massassi used it as a place of mentalic duels. The Sith will know this. What they will not know--what I had to travel deep into its inner recesses to find--was that it is actually a failure, a prototype for a much more advanced orb. This more advanced model, I believe, is what the Sith discovered after the battle.

"A more advanced variant would be able not only to hold minds, but to reshape them. It would permit its bearer ultimate control. Yet, the dueling techniques used within the prototype may be useful in an effort to defend against the advanced model.

"I happen to have studied every move that every player in that sordid little game ever made. I can show you how to defend yourself," another soft chuckle, "if you're up to it, that is. Jenghis has an orb of his own, and, if I can," a chuckle, "coax him into using it properly, we can...take care of business. You decide while I'm recorticating." And, with that, the back of the Metal Man's suit opened and the small tank that contained him was drawn out of it and into a track in Brain Jar.

"Oh, and tell the boy to mind his whereabouts. One never can tell when the vampires will get...a little bit hungry."

This was the last of the personalities that the Metal Man had encountered. It was an early Sith Lord, and it was not going to simply give up and go away. It had other plans.

----------------------

"Well," Shamman asked the test subject, "what did you find?"

The man had not completely returned from inside of the orb yet, and his middle-aged features were completely calm as his eyes opened...for a moment.

"Well?"

His eyes went wide, and he screamed at the top of his lungs. He screamed and screamed, until, eventually, Shamman took out his light saber and put a merciful end to the annoyance.

A thick, hideous coght filled the room. From everywhere and nowhere, the voice of Darth Solous filled the room.

"Your experiments are a failure, Shamman," he said. "As nearly was your mission."

"But, master--."

"Don't you dare grovel at my feet, boy!" the Sith Master all but spit out. He held a staff now, with the orb that he had found after the battle inlaid in it. As he spoke now, he pounded it into the ground to accentuate his words. "We must (pound) find (pound) the answer (pound pound) to this conundrum (poundpoundpound)!"

"But no one who goes in there comes out with their mind! How can we insure--."

"Simple, my young apprentice. What is called for is someone with the skill to handle the job, with experience in successfully negotiating the trials and tribulations of the artifact. That would be you (POUND)!"

"But, master--."

"What did I tell you about grovelling?

Shamman's hand raced to his throat. For a moment, the air was cut off from his lungs. Then, just as quickly as the sensation started, it passed.

"Now, is there anything else you'd like to say to me before you begin your little joourney?"

"N--no, master."

"Good," Solous said, his voice dripping with sadistic glee. "In that case, you can begin now."

OOC: Solous gonna mention Jacen? I would think he still has an interest in the boy.

"A more advanced variant would be able not only to hold minds, but to reshape them. It would permit its bearer ultimate control. Yet, the dueling techniques used within the prototype may be useful in an effort to defend against the advanced model.

"I happen to have studied every move that every player in that sordid little game ever made. I can show you how to defend yourself," another soft chuckle, "if you're up to it, that is. Jenghis has an orb of his own, and, if I can," a chuckle, "coax him into using it properly, we can...take care of business. You decide while I'm recorticating." And, with that, the back of the Metal Man's suit opened and the small tank that contained him was drawn out of it and into a track in Brain Jar.

"Oh, and tell the boy to mind his whereabouts. One never can tell when the vampires will get...a little bit hungry."

This was the last of the personalities that the Metal Man had encountered. It was an early Sith Lord, and it was not going to simply give up and go away. It had other plans.

"I will, of course, hear and witness the knowledge you have gained when your mind was locked in the orb," Liam replied, always feeling that he could gain more knowledge and not willing to pass up the perfect opportunity.

"I will be sure to pass that odd to Jacen," he said, noticing it was a bit of an odd statement. "But for now... what do we do?"

His focus was now solely on the matter at hand with his thoughts of Jacen, his new 'student' tucked away for their talk later.

OOC:

Clarification:

There are THREE orbs so far:

1) The Orb of Forever

Solous found this after the battle. It's The Big One, and can be used to control the mind of...everyone.

2) The Orb of Purity

Shamman found this one in the Massassi Temple. It's a prototype of The Big One, and was used for mental battles. Outside of the temple, though, it's not much use...as the Sith will be finding out.

3) The Orb of Life

Jenghis wears it in a pendant around his neck. It's a relatively minor orb, though, when properly channeled, it has a specialized healing property that the other orbs don't. Not as useful for mind control of domination games as the other orbs, though a certain NPC personality doesn't know this yet.

Heh heh.


There may be other (undiscovered) orbs.

snip

OOC: Ah! Now I get it. I thought there were just two. I will edit my last post.

A hatch in the far wall opened, and the Metal Man emerged, now once again in his humanoid suit, once again appearing to the world as an obese, elderly man. The smile that he cast upon Liam was almost a leer.

"The most important thing for us to do, of course, is to show you and Jenghis how to defend yourselves. Your minds would be," he paused a moment, smiling a little more broadly than usual as he did, "terrible things to waste."

Dastardly Stench']A hatch in the far wall opened, and the Metal Man emerged, now once again in his humanoid suit, once again appearing to the world as an obese, elderly man. The smile that he cast upon Liam was almost a leer.

"The most important thing for us to do, of course, is to show you and Jenghis how to defend yourselves. Your minds would be," he paused a moment, smiling a little more broadly than usual as he did, "terrible things to waste."

"Perhaps later," Liam replied, noticing something was a bit off with the Metal Man. He was acting quite strange. "For now I need to attend to a few matters that require my attention."

Liam turned slowly, gave a brief glance behind, and then walked off down the corridor towards where he felt Jacen. Talk to Jacen, check on my ship, get Jacen a new lightsaber, and begin teaching him... Liam thought, running through the list of his tasks.

"Perhaps later," Liam replied, noticing something was a bit off with the Metal Man. He was acting quite strange. "For now I need to attend to a few matters that require my attention."

Liam turned slowly, gave a brief glance behind, and then walked off down the corridor towards where he felt Jacen. Talk to Jacen, check on my ship, get Jacen a new lightsaber, and begin teaching him... Liam thought, running through the list of his tasks.

"Take your time," the Metal Man replied. "No hurry. I've still got to arrange things with Jenghis anyway."

With that, the cyborg turned, walked to the lift and used it.

Liam left and walked down the corridors, his steps ringing through the hallway. Jacen, he called through the Force, Time for us to talk and get better acquainted. I am sure you have questions for me...

OOC: Jacen's turn...

Liam left and walked down the corridors, his steps ringing through the hallway. Jacen, he called through the Force, Time for us to talk and get better acquainted. I am sure you have questions for me...

OOC: Jacen's turn...

Jacen heard the call through the Force and turned away from the girl. IT was hard not to stare at Miriam, she really was very beautiful. And Jacen liked her, a lot. She was one of the main reasons he had chosen what he had chosen. What are you thinking Jacen?!? She's a married woman for goodness sakes! Does it matter though?! The second side of him battled back. Does it really matter. Darn these frustrating voices in my head!

Jacen walked towards the place he felt he would meet Jacen. Feel. That's what Jacen Thomas always did. Feel. He knew nothing but raw emotion. And it was this raw emotion which gave him power. It was this raw emotion which urged Jacen to strive to gain Liam's approval. It was this raw emotion that drove him to love Miriam.

Love...

Boy, you are lost.

But it was very refreshing to finally hear the voice of Liam through the Force. He hadn't spoken through the Force in what seemed like weeks, although in reality it was only a matter of days.

I'm waiting Liam...

Love...

SHUT-UP!

NO!!! You love her... that's ok... maybe you should, you know... make a move or something. Her husband might be easy to deal with!

What are you thinking!?!? You can't kill a man and steal his wife!

Why not?

It's not right.

Did the Jedi ever teach you what was right?

No...

Well, there you go then... if something goes wrong, it's their fault... go get that girl...

But the Jedi aren't to blame for--

The Jedi are always to blame! Look what they did to you!

Thus was Jacen's dillema. He leaned forward, buried his face in his cold hands, and sobbed uncontrolably.

"Why are you crying my boy?" Liam asked as he appeared next to Jacen. He felt the strong emotions pouring out of the confused boy - no doubt a symptom of his experiences in life. "You have known so little life and death... and yet you weep like a mother sending her children off to die in a war."

"Tell me your issues... this is where we will begin to understand each other," Liam urged. "Because before learning, must come understanding..."

After the unfortunate failure of the mission to take the boy, Thyron had been avoiding any encounters with Shamman, who was generally unpleasant when plans failed. Fortunately, he was spending most of his time in the main temple. Thyron neither knew nor particularly cared exactly what he was doing; he assumed it had to do with that orb thing. Thyron himself was spending most of his time maintaining his arsenal of weapons, devising new methods of torture, and randomly killing any of the useless Sith troops who got in his way.

Kreynoria']After the unfortunate failure of the mission to take the boy, Thyron had been avoiding any encounters with Shamman, who was generally unpleasant when plans failed. Fortunately, he was spending most of his time in the main temple. Thyron neither knew nor particularly cared exactly what he was doing; he assumed it had to do with that orb thing. Thyron himself was spending most of his time maintaining his arsenal of weapons, devising new methods of torture, and randomly killing any of the useless Sith troops who got in his way.

Assassin, Shamman's aura came through, the Jedi Troops are taking the field. Destroy the temple and prepare the Vessel of Eubance that you may live to take our revenge. Return to the home base.

-------------

OOC: Thanks for keeping Thyron on the planet, Krey. Does a great job of tieing up a loose end that was lieing around.

"Why are you crying my boy?" Liam asked as he appeared next to Jacen. He felt the strong emotions pouring out of the confused boy - no doubt a symptom of his experiences in life. "You have known so little life and death... and yet you weep like a mother sending her children off to die in a war."

"Tell me your issues... this is where we will begin to understand each other," Liam urged. "Because before learning, must come understanding..."

Jacen looked at Liam... wondering if he could trust this man. I think I can... He coughed and went into a coughing spell, then finally settled down. He took a deep breath and stared at the gray force user.

"So I have known so little life and death... huh?"

Jacen looked to the ground.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I have seen more death in my life than most people will in a hundred. Yes, you must understand me. You must understand what happened to me. You must understand what the Jedi did to me."

Again Jacen took a deep breath and let it all out very slowly.

"I was born on the planet of Alderaan, a little out of the way system. No doubt you've heard of it. I loved that place. So peaceful and oustandingly beautiful. I literally loved that part of childhood, it's the only bright spot in my life..."

Your lying about the bright spot... there's another Jacen...

"Anyway, when I was four years old my parents moved us to Tatooine. My father was an avid gambler, and he has raised a fortune. He decided he would settle down on Tatooine and waste his fortune gambling on the many things found on the desert planet.

Little did he know what would happen.

A few months after our arrival, I remember a sharp knock on the door. I may hvae been only four, but my Force awareness was strong, and I was quite mature for my small age. My mother approached and opened the door.

Then light. Light. I'll never forget the massive bright light the flooded through.

For about fifteen seconds I couldn't see a thing. I heard the scream of people, I heard the yell of my father and other voices. I heard my mother call out. When I finally regained my sight, all I could see were numerous colored bands of light. Blue, Green, Red, Purple. All waving around extremely rapidly. I was very confused and frightened. I had no idea what was happening.

Then, out of no where something veered straight for my face. I saw and felt it coming, and I tried to duck. Too late, it smacked me in the head, and the room grew dark.

The next I remember was waking up, lying face down on the sand and pulling myself to my knees. I crawled (although dragged is a more appropriate word) myself over to where I saw a woman lying in the sand a few meters away. It was my mother. Dead. A gash was found deep in her heart. Her death had been instantaneous no doubt."

Jacen leaned back and start to cry again. He finally composed himself a little bit, choked back a tear, and continued.

"My father was the same way. Dead. Only I found his corpse in one place on the sand, and his head on another. Decapitated. Dead.

After that, I don't quite no what happened. Some men, Jedi, who happened to return found me and brought me back with them to Couruscant, (OOC: sp?) where I began my training as a Jedi."

Jacen looked up again at Liam through tearfilled eyes.

"That's my childhood, but only half of the story. I don't know who killed my parents, but I know it was a lightsaber that did the deed. Do you have any comments before I tell you the rest of my life?"

Reminds me of someone, Liam thought to himself as he listened calmly to the story, showing and expressing no emotion or judgment.

“I wonder why you turned away from the Jedi,” Liam commented as Jacen asked if he had any questions. “Don’t get me wrong. I too turned away and still believe it was the right thing, but for you… I would like to know why. They seem to have helped you in your time of greatest need and then trained you to eventually achieve your goal, which appears to be revenge.”

Though I will tell you revenge is not as sweet as it seems… satisfying, maybe. Gives you closure, definitely. But if all you have lived for is revenge, when you finally get it… you will have nothing else… Liam thought in his own mind, instead of expressing the words to Jacen. Perhaps eventually he would inform him of his view, but not now.

He became silent as he waited for the answer to his curious question and then the rest of the story.

Thyron heard the telepathic command. He had already known the battle was going against them; he had spent the last few minutes watching as the Sith troops struggled to hold back a handful of Jedi Knights and their battalion of soldiers, occasionally sending a telepathic command. It was no use. The battle was lost, and it was time to leave.

Thyron returned from the supply cache with a permacrete detonator; they had been invented long ago for the demolition of massive Coruscanti skyscrapers. This would more than suffice for the temple, Thiron planted the device, stepped back, and pressed the 'detonate' button on the remote control. The explosion consumed the entire temple. Thiron spent a few minutes gathering up his weapons and belongings, he summoned his bodyguard droid, and then went to prepare the Vessel of Eubance for their departure.




OOC: What exactly is teh Vessel of Eubance?

Kreynoria']OOC: What exactly is teh Vessel of Eubance?

OOC: Probably just the name of his starship.

(Also, you spelled Thyron's name two different ways in your post - the old and the new. :p )

Kreynoria']OOC: What exactly is teh Vessel of Eubance?

OOC:

It's a ten-dollar description of the ship that Thyron's going to escape in.

"Eubance" is another word for "exit." A stuck up jerk like Shamman would use a word like that just to hear the sound of his own voice in his mind.

Reminds me of someone, Liam thought to himself as he listened calmly to the story, showing and expressing no emotion or judgment.

“I wonder why you turned away from the Jedi,” Liam commented as Jacen asked if he had any questions. “Don’t get me wrong. I too turned away and still believe it was the right thing, but for you… I would like to know why. They seem to have helped you in your time of greatest need and then trained you to eventually achieve your goal, which appears to be revenge.”

Though I will tell you revenge is not as sweet as it seems… satisfying, maybe. Gives you closure, definitely. But if all you have lived for is revenge, when you finally get it… you will have nothing else… Liam thought in his own mind, instead of expressing the words to Jacen. Perhaps eventually he would inform him of his view, but not now.

He became silent as he waited for the answer to his curious question and then the rest of the story.

Jacen stared at the man. He doesn't understand for one moment... does he? He kept glaring, and when he spoke, his voice squeaked at first.

"There's more..." he startled himself at his voice cracked. He regained his composure and began again.

"After being led off to the Jedi Temple, I began my training. Master Kly P'do took me under his wing. Although not one of the Jedi who had found me, he took a liking to me in my younger years, and when I was 8 years old he asked to train me as his apprentice."

Jacen's voice had downgraded to an anger pitch.

"Things grew worse. The galaxy was getting more and more dangerous each day, and Master P'do harnessed my strengths. I was obviously a very powerful Jedi for being so young, but he wouldn't let me do any of the important parts of the missions. He thought I was too young and unimpressive. We argued a lot, and couldn't agree on anything.

It was hard to work together on our missions, and we would often give absolutely different briefings to the Council upon our return. We never went into that room together. We couldn't really stand to be around each other, except in the heat of battle.

Then the day came..."

Jacen's face dropped back to staring at the ground, and his hands fidgetted with his cloak.

"We went out on a standard mission, seemed easy enough. There a robery in Corusant, supposedly Force powers had been utilized, so we were sent. We were not happy about such a pathetic investigation duty, for two distinguished Jedi.

We found the building, and rushed inside."

Jacen looked up past Liam and into the distance behind him.

"There was a Sith there. We attacked oviously, and things were getting ugly. The Master was attacking weakly, as if he didn't intend to hurt the man. But we had watched him kill an innocent woman in her own house only minutes earlier, and now the same house was the battlefield.

We kept fighting and eventually Kly was taken out of the fight. Pushed I think. I attacked viciously, and finally took of one of his legs and one arm. He fell in a heap, and I thought the day was done. It wasn't. The Sith went to pull the ceiling down on me, summoning what Force powers he had left.

It was bad timing. I couldn't let him live. I instantly swung at him hoping to kill him before he brought the building down. I suceeded. But not without cost. Master P'do, who had just revived himself, woke to find me attacking what he believed to be an unarmed prisoner. It was the straw that broke our relationship once and for all. He ran forward and threw blade in the path of mine. My blade clashed with his and then slipped down to decapitate the Sith.

The roof was stable, but everything else was chaos. The instant P'do saw the Sith was dead, he turned on me. We clashed for about 10 minues, before some more Jedi arrived and they forced us to settle down. We were both dragged before the Council, and forced to explain what had happened. I was Sixteen at the time.

Both of us gave our stories, they believed his. He actually claimed that I initally attacked him, a falsehood no doubt. But it was too late. The Council believed that man and threw me out of the Jedi. They exiled me from their sight and then actually sent Jedi to hunt me down and throw me in prison. I couldn't stay on Corusant. I ran for my life and eventually found the system of Jork, and there I spent 3 years of my life, all alone. I never saw a single human being in those three years. It was truly an exile.

So that's my story. Tortured day and night by my memories of my parents, and the Jedi's treat,ent of me. I'm headstrong and have a lot of anger. And I believe rightly so. The exile was the worst thing that ever happened to me..."

Jacen finally focused his eyes on Liam. Well...

After Jacen's story had ended, Liam said nothing for a few very long moments. "Now here is where we stand," he said after letting Jacen calm down again. "You have just told me your tale of hardships and why you were thrown out of the Order. I would assume that if I were to ask P'do what happened, I would receive a vastly different story - would I not?"

"So the question is: Who to believe? The very same question that the Order had to answer when you returned to them," Liam stated as he sat calmly in an uncomfortable metal chair, resting his arms leisurely on the armrests. "The Order believed Master P'do's experience, history, and status... not his story. The same way they believed your lack of experience, troubled history, and status... not your story."

"That is where they were wrong!" he exclaimed, his voice rising and becoming deeper. "You can't define a man by his history or past actions. At any moment a person is liable to lie or start down the Dark path... having a well known history does not prevent that. That is why you must NOT base your judgment off of your perception of someone... perceptions have a habit of being woefully wrong."

"Now what you must ask yourself is, would they still have believed the tale Master P'do said, if you had said it and he had said yours? No!" Liam boomed, before Jacen had much of a chance to think about the question. "That is again why they were wrong."


He paused for a moment, letting all that he had said sink in. The room was quiet except for the soft humming of the space ship's engines. "However, I will tell you that while leaving and despising the Jedi Order because they wronged you may be a good reason, but it is not a reason that will allow you to walk the Grey Line. It is a reason that will take you down the Dark Path of self-consumption...."

Jacen's world had been rocked, no doubt about it. He was composed now though... utterly composed. It felt good to share his story. The first time he had ever shared it with anyone.

"No matter."

Jacen stared down Liam.

"No doubt they had other reasons. I was promising and powerful... they were wary of me perhaps. I don't really care. What's done is done. I hate them and they hate me."

Words ehoed off Jacen's mind. Words from--

If you are to walk the line in your life, two things are needed. First, balance. If you cannot stay in the center ground, and maintain specific weight on the line, you will fall off. Second, support. You cannot hold yourself to that line. Someone or something must hold you, or else your balance will fail. Support and balance. Life is support and balance. The right life is support and balance...

--His father. Where had they come from? Jacen couldn't figure it out.

Support and balance...

"Liam, I assure you that I can walk the fine line. The Jedi and myself will never see eye to eye, and I wrestle with trying not to kill each one. But, I think I can maintain myself to work for my own interests, not just revenge. I turned a corner when I made my decision on Korriban."

Support and balance...

And who is your support? The Force...

What is your balance gained by? The Force...

Support and balance are life. The Force is support and balance. The Force is Life.

Support, balance, the Force.

But what is the Force? The Force is Life. I am Life.

I am the Force...

"That's what I have to say... Liam."

"Your dedication and vigor will be useful tools in your growth," Liam replied. "As will your determination and hard work."

"I will tell you that walking this line... down this path... is not easy. In fact it is harder than the way of the Jedi and much harder than the way of the Sith."

"Do you know why the Jedi so eagerly seek to destroy the Sith and yet will never be able to? Do you know why the Sith are ever hungry for power and domination and yet cannot quench their hunger?" Liam asked rhetorically. "It is because the Jedi utilize the passive and defensive side of the force and yet believe that balance comes in the total destruction of the Sith - they cannot kill or do what is in their best interests... they are restricted by the rules and ideology of the Jedi. The Sith are the opposite extreme. They are sucked into the Dark Side and despite how much power they gain - and they do gain power as the Dark Side is stronger - they always want more. Furthermore there are no rules and everything is for the betterment of the individual without prejudice or thought of tomorrow... even stabbing one another in the back..."

"What this line is about is harnessing both sides. It is about understanding that you can't be restricted by a set of definite rules and yet you cannot ignore all rules and morals. It is difficult to explain... and harder to achieve."

"Balance is key..."

The doors behind the two force users opened, sliding apart from the middle, and the Metal Man, now still looking like an obese, old man, stepped through.

"Ah, Jacen," he said, smiling broadly, "glad to finally get a chance to speak with you as a 'noid. It strikes me as though I was little more than a big box of tricks the last time we met. As you can see, I have my more...organic moments."

The Metal Man's powers were simply fascinating. Though he could not fortell the future, or any of the other myriad things that came easily to a force user, he could lie right to a Jedi's face and the man would be no better able to discern it than the non-forcer standing next to him. Every curse has its compensations.

There was a name that went with this personality. It was Lord Kanth. He glad to be alive again--even if he had only been restored from a backup copy. It didn't matter. The sensations of being alive were beyond the ability of mere adjectives to describe--and, irony of ironies, the sensors that the Metal Man used actually had the affect of rendering these more acute.
For a moment, the Metal Man/Kanth wondered if it would be wise to TELL the boy about the little calcium deposits that he could ACTUALLY SEE in the bones of his shoulder--a situation resulting from too much light saber practice, that could turn into arthritis or bursitis. He decided that there was no cause to distress him. After all, he still had at least ten or fifteen years of good use in the limb, even without medical intervention.

It was almost worth the effort of sharing the body with a mind as uncompromising as its original owner. This situation, however, would still simply have to change. On this, neither personality would compromise.

"Liam," he said, turning his attention to his travel companion, "I've set things up with Jenghis. We can use his orb for practice...whenever you're ready."

Of course, Kanth had other things in mind. While Liam's mind was outside of his body, the body would be a perfect target. After he had taken it over, he could then use it to destroy the Metal Man and Jenghis, leaving their minds trapped within that pitiful excuse for an orb that he had. If he was in a benificent mood, he might even leave the orb intact and allow the three of them to live, after a fashion.

He had all but secured complete control of the Metal Man's body by now. He could just barely feel the cyborg's consciousness, as if it was there but not there. Though the body had some excellent qualities--immortality, centuries of experience, and, of course, those wonderful physical capabilities--it was still an acquired taste. Lord Kanth had acquired another taste--a taste for the Force. To satisfy that taste, he would need a body that was much better attuned to it--Liam. And, right now, Liam was completely unable to detect that he was being lied to, despite his adeptness in the Force. The irony was simply too delicious.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, the Metal Man meditated. Lord Kanth had his plans, but there was something that he had not taken full account of. In addition to being as uncompromising as his ancient alter-ego, he was also every bit as devious--and perhaps even more so. Still, his mind all but slumbered. He did not think about his plans, and, in that way, prevented Kanth from learning them. Still, like Kanth, he had them. And they did not call for Liam's death.

"Alright... we will do it some time later," Liam said with a wave of his hand as he turned back to Jacen. "The boy and I still have much to do and talk about... as well as a few errands that we must run."

After their conservation was over, Liam would have to contact his ship and grab a couple of things... but that could wait a little longer as well.

"By the way," the Metal Man said, the mysterious smile still playing across his face, "I heard you talking, Jacen, and, if you'll forgive me for prying, I just have to say that you sound like one of us. You may not know this, but I once had a body very much like yours. That was before they took me away and turned me into what I am now. They use a toxin to alter the victim's nervous system, too, and the shock of having your body torn apart while you're conscious sets the venom--except it didn't set for me. That's why we're talking.

"If you talk to any of us here, you'll find that we have all gone through experiences that--allow us to understand what you've been through. I'm not saying that we're exactly like you, but we're all closer to your situation than some Jedi whose only concern for his whole life is if some dark sider has interrupted his afternoon tea. If you check Liam's biography, you'll find that the Sith killed his parents, and that he's had a run-in or two with the Jedi and rejected them, just as you have. So have we all.

"Anyway,

I've a box of tricks that needs a fix,
A suit that needs repair,
So I'm going to break out the ol' sewing kit
And see what I can do there.

Liam, let me know when you're ready."

With that, the Metal Man turned, walked back to the lift and left.

Yes, life was certainly looking up.

Jacen turned to stare down the Metal Man. "Thank you sir. I know we've all had our ups and downs... I'm just a little immature to deal with them yet. My exile hasn't helped. When you don't see a soul for three years, it becomes very hard to interact socially."

Jacen turned back to Liam. "What can you teach me about the Force, the gray side? Can we walk and talk about it?"

Jacen stood.