NationStates Jolt Archive

A loud beeping noise erupted as Magriel slept in his shuttle pod, leaving the Dornalian home system. Magriel sighed as he rubbed his eye and looked at the tiny viewing screen on his shuttle and squinted at the time. "4:30 am... The hell..." He pushes the "accept call" button and his master appears on the screen. "Councilor Jorrus. What are you calling me for at this hour?"

"Sorry to wake you up on your journey back, but we got another request from the PA for you to do a lecture in London again."

"London... *sigh* I just got back from there," he holds up a Big Ben miniature to show his master. "Had to pay 30 bucks for that thing."

His master looked at him curiously, "... bucks? You've definitely spent too much time there. Don't worry, we'll get you out soon. Sensie Tadanobu asked for you to go back one more time this week. She knows you just left, but your lectures were a popular hit for controversy and different idea thinking for the Acolytes." Magriel groans, "hey, at least it means you're a good teacher."

"I have a hard enough time keeping Jessie under tabs when I do have him around... He's falling behind in his studies again."

"I'm sure you'll think of something on how to deal with him."

Magriel sighs, rubbing his aching head which was telling him to go back to bed. "All right, I'll go back. But I want a two month vacation after this. No council obligations, nothin'."

"I'll have Melisha make sure you're listed as 'booked' for the next month for lecturing back home."

"Thanks. Magriel out." He sighs and lies back down onto the bed, just before an idea came to him. He gets up and rubs his groggy eyes, "computer, this is a deep space shuttle is it not?"

"Correct."

Magriel thought to himself for a few moments, "get the hibernation chambers online and set the deep sleep mode for only twelve hours. I don't want to be disturbed until we reach earth via thruster power only." The computer beeped in acknowledgment and the Malkir fell fast asleep.

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Earth SSR, London

Magriel walked into the PA's Grand Sensie's office, where he was sure to meet Junko Tadanobu once more. Feeling more awake than he did when he was on the shuttle, he rapped his hand on her office's window to let her know that he has arrived.

The Grand Sensei of the People's Acolytes whistled to herself cheerfully, as she poured some tea from a nicely made tea set. She was in town herself on business, so it made sense for her to be contacted by Magriel. When he knocked, she singsongingly replied, "Cooooomminng!" Cheerfully putting down the teapot, she then opened the door with a smile and a cheerful look.

"Ah! Master Magriel! Good to see you again," she spoke in a perfect Californian diction, honed by years of practice. "Please, sit." She motioned to a chair, and then sat at her desk to get comfortable.

She happily said, "It's official. Your lecture series here was a success. And frankly, I've never seen such a response before...." She then presented the old Master with a copy of the Times of London, and pointed to the relevant article. "Even the Times loved it. They found your discourse 'intellectually stimulating, and a boon to the People of Britain.'" She chuckled in a girlish way as she said, "But I didn't invite you here for flattery. I invited you here to speak again at the Temple of Greater London. You remember 'Spooky' McKinnon, the Sensei who manages the place?"

The forest was thick, and dark as the young woman in white slowly walked though the ancient woods. Streaks of pale moonlight came down from the thick canopy above like streaks of arrows. It was the only light there was, the small slivers that came down from the grace of the Moon.

The air was cold, still, as Hera took a breath. She gently exhaled as the grey steam left her cold body. The leaves rustled as she took a step, her bare feet gently moving the dead leaves of old on the forest floor.

With each step her body shivered. She went to grab her robe, the thin robe that was all that stood between her and the cold. She shook as she walked amongst the ancients, trees that were born before the great exodus of Kobol.

Each step slowly became more painful, as her legs grew cold, white with bits of blue stretched across her skin. She looked to the sky, and cried out, “Oh God, help me please.” Her brown eyes looking to the tree tops and towards the pale moon obfuscated by it’s large dark and ancient branches. As she cried out, her body grew numb. She was tired, so tired. With one flutter of her eyes, she laid down. Her breath began to slow down, her heart stopped, as the moon vanished. She was in total darkness.

She shot up, as her voice screamed to out in terror. The room was barren, just four walls and a cheap cot for a bed. She looked around the room terrified, trying to remember where she was. In the corner of the room a single candle burned.

Knock Knock, “Miss... Miss... are you alright in there?” a voice came from the other side of the door.

Looking down, at her body, she reached across her chest, pushing against it, not knowing if the forest or the room was real. Her hand slid across her skin, as her heart pounded.

“Miss, You alright?” the male voice on the other side of the door asked as the handle jiggled. Hera reached down and grabbed her shirt. Slipping it over her head, she said to the door, “I am fine.”

“Alright, well we are about to land in London in ten minutes.” the voice said to her.

“Ok, Thank you.”

She walked around the room, and slipped her pants back on. She placed her head in her hands, as she sat on the edge of the cot. Taking a deep breath of the warm recycled air of the ship, her body began to stop trembling. “Every night.” she said to herself. Looking around the room, she began to pick up the few belongings she had in the room. Taking her clothes that were thrown across the room she began to shove them back into a small black bag.

Then she grabbed a case, about four feet long, and a perfect cylinder. The case had what looked to be gold trimmings, surrounding the purple hue. Last but not least she reached under her pillow and grabbed her colt .45. Slipping it into her bag, she grabbed the case threw her bag over her shoulder.

The old transport ships began to shake as it slowly entered the atmosphere. The candle fell over as the ship screamed out in pain against the atmosphere of the Earth. Quickly the woman ran over and grabbed the candle. With a quick puff she blew it out.

Then the shaking began to subside until the ship jolted. Her knees buckled as she was sent to the floor of the old ship. Reaching down, she gently pushed herself up. “Last time I travel on a firefly.” Hera said to herself as she began to walk out of the door and down the cargo hatch.

When she finally left the ship, she took a deep sigh of relief. Thankful to still be alive, she took a deep breath of the fresh London smog. The thick fog that surrounded the area. “Not too different.” she said to herself as she looked around the long lost colony. She walked over towards the taxi services. Getting in a yellow cab, she looked to the cabby. “PA recruitment please.” she asked the cabby politely.

The affiable London cabbie looked at Hera and shrugged. It wasn't his place to judge customers, but Hera did strike him as one of his more unusual fares. Then again, with MacIntyre's coming a lot of characters had entered his black cab. He then smiled and said, "Right, then."

He immediately puttered into London Traffic. It was certainly better than Los Angeles traffic; the Lord Mayor had endorsed the use of buses, the Underground and hover/repulsorlift skycars increasingly. However, it was still packed on the ground, and the cabbie had time as he was trapped in a jam to turn and ask, "So, what's yer business at the Temple of Greater London? I knew they were open to all sorts of individuals, but I'll admit--they might not find one quite like ye. Not to imply anything by that of course."

Once traffic eased up, they moved on. Eventually, the cabbie stopped in front of the Temple. A large building that was simply built, it had two signs marked, "National School, People's Acolytes--Temple of Greater London. Emma McKinnon, Sensei in residence. Meetings at 13.00, 16.00, and 18.00 PM daily. Visitors and Inquirers Welcome," and "Special: Interfaith Dinner Series--Ramadan Awareness Dinner, 18.30 PM, Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan guest speaker."

"There ye are. That'll be eight bob," the Cabbie said. After Hera paid up and entered the Temple, she would find the inside to be simply furnished, with red carpeting, a bulletin board, a directory, a generally clean environment, and a sign leading her to wherever she wanted to go through several hallways.

On another wall there was a display case, with the People's Acolytes flag, a symbol that resembled the Jedi Order symbol of a solitary lightsaber standing tall, but with the obvious Communist-inspired additions of a cog representing industry in the background and sheaves of wheat on a crimson red background. Being this was the "California School" or "National School," she would notice in the upper left canton a silhouette of crossed AK47s with the motto "Liberate."

She could hear the sounds of "KIAI!" in the back from one quarter, from another quarter one could hear prayers and meditations of a sort.

Hera slowly walked down the hall, as the sounds of KAI, and the red communist Jedi decor that filled the hall. Her bare feet gently and gracefully walked across the halls, as she looked for the admissions guy, before seeing the flag.

She walked over to the flag and gently took her hand and touched it. “So strange.” she spoke softly to herself, as she rubbed it’s outer edge between her index and thumb.

Gently she turned, as she walked over to the case. She looked into it, at all the various pieces behind the glass, as she stared back at herself from the light reflection. “How did they come to be?” she asked herself again out loud. “They are odd.”

Lowering her head she did not know what to do. This temple, more like a college than the temple she was used to. This was very different from the Coredians, stranger than the True sith, and lacked the spookiness of the men in white. It was very... normal. Shaking her head, she began to walk slowly towards the admissions.

Hera reached out to the old wooden door. Turning the knob she walked in, to a woman sitting behind the desk. Hera walked up to the desk, and placed her hands on the edge. “Hi.” she said, to the woman. “I am here for class, can you please tell me how I can enroll?” she said, in a soft and innocent voice.

"I am not fimiliar with the enrollment process of the thirteenth, but I did bring my I.D." she told the woman, as she looked into the receptionist's eyes, staring blantently into them.

Hera slowly walked down the hall, as the sounds of KAI, and the red communist Jedi decor that filled the hall. Her bare feet gently and gracefully walked across the halls, as she looked for the admissions guy, before seeing the flag.

She walked over to the flag and gently took her hand and touched it. “So strange.” she spoke softly to herself, as she rubbed it’s outer edge between her index and thumb.

Gently she turned, as she walked over to the case. She looked into it, at all the various pieces behind the glass, as she stared back at herself from the light reflection. “How did they come to be?” she asked herself again out loud. “They are odd.”

Lowering her head she did not know what to do. This temple, more like a college than the temple she was used to. This was very different from the Coredians, stranger than the True sith, and lacked the spookiness of the men in white. It was very... normal. Shaking her head, she began to walk slowly towards the admissions.

Hera reached out to the old wooden door. Turning the knob she walked in, to a woman sitting behind the desk. Hera walked up to the desk, and placed her hands on the edge. “Hi.” she said, to the woman. “I am here for class, can you please tell me how I can enroll?” she said, in a soft and innocent voice.

"I am not fimiliar with the enrollment process of the thirteenth, but I did bring my I.D." she told the woman, as she looked into the receptionist's eyes, staring blantently into them.

The receptionist leaned back, and promptly lifted her finger up, saying, "One moment please." The receptionist picked up the phone and said, "Sensei Singh, someone to meet you and Sensei McKinnon." A gruff voice replied, "Send her in, I'll call down Sense McKinnon."

The receptionist then motioned for her to enter the office. Inside was a large Sikh man, bespectacled, reading a copy of Clausewitz's On War He looked up and then got up to greet Hera with a handshake and a basso profundo Anglo-Indian accent. "Ah, yes. One of our many new applicants. Please, sit."

As he sat, he then said, "I am Sensei Ajeet Singh, Ph.D and head of Admissions. I understand you wish to be a member of our organization."

He then got up and pulled out a book from a massive shelf, placing it on the desk.

"This is the People's Acolytes National School Manual. I'm going to make it clear what you must do in order to join us."

Singh flipped the page open to the Oath and Code of the People's Acolytes.

The Code of the People's Acolytes:

1. I will swear to obey the Grand Sensei, my Sensei, and my lord at all times, unless he tells me to commit an unlawful order that contradicts this Code.

2. I will swear to defend the Rights of the Workers And Peasants to live in accordance with True Liberty and to enjoy their right to a full and enriching life. In turn, I will treat the Workers and Peasants with justice and respect.

3. I will swear to embrace neither the light nor dark sides, but rather, reject them both as falsehoods, engineered by the Superstructure. Instead, I will embrace the Force as one, all-encompassing People's Will (Shinmei version is "Light of Lights") to be taken as a moderated whole.

4. I will swear to maintain a clean mind and body to the best of my ability, freeing myself from excesses such as gluttony, wrathfulness, and lust. Celibacy and temperance are not mandatory, but I will understand them to be tools to aid the development of mind and body.

5. Relating to Number 2, I will dedicate myself to stopping those who attempt to commit unjust acts against the Workers and Peasants. I will assist the lawful authorities in stopping criminal elements and ensuring a peaceful life.

6. I will also vow to commit myself to a regimen of spiritual training and continous learning to cultivate my abiities, as well as instill self-discipline and self-control over myself.

7. I will commit myself to training in the ways of the warrior, both ways honored by tradition and ways vindicated by the modern class struggle. I will practice these ways daily, through a strict regimen.

8. I will recognize that as I am able to embrace the Force as a moderated whole People's Will (Shinmei version is "Light of Lights"), all forms of waging war to defend justice and win any Class Struggle I am placed in are available. This also means I may utilize any Force based skill that I choose as part of my training. However, I recognize that this responsibility comes with a price, that I must moderate my use and training in such skills to ensure their just use. I must also ensure that I am mature enough to understand the consequences of said skill and/or method of waging war.

Oath of the People's Acolytes:

Acolytes Embrace the People's Will. They are neither Light Nor Dark.

Acolytes Defend the Workers And Peasants

Acolytes Strive to Learn and Discipline Themselves

Acolytes Are Pure In Mind and Body

Acolytes Embrace Justice



"You must swear to obey these documents as part of the process; this will be the end point. These are our guiding creed. We want individuals who'll do whatever it takes to protect people, but will remain sensible sentients when all is said and done with a consience."

A knock opened, then a door opened and a blond woman, with short hair, youthful features made shopworn by some distant conflict and a dignified poise walked into the room (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Senor_Nb3/SERAS.jpg).

"Did you need me, Sensei Singh?"

Singh then pointed to Hera and said, "We have an applicant."

"Ah yes!" The woman perked up and shook Hera's hand, saying, "Sensei Emma McKinnon. I see Singh was about to walk you through the steps to join us."

The Sikh nodded and McKinnon continued, sitting down and turning to face Hera.

"Now, as Sensei Singh may or may not have mentioned, we take anybody as long as they have balanced, sensible moral character. Having said that, it looks like he's shown you the documentation as well....the oath comes last, yes, but it gives you an idea of what we aspire for our members to be."

She then leaned back, and said, "Now then. To test the qualities of moral character, mental stability, physical fitness, combat prowess, and all those sorts of things, we'll put you through a series of examinations.

These would include a mulitple choice examination, an interview with a panel consisting of psychologists and religious figures--with law enforcement figures if some of those happen to be busy--a combat examination with some of our members progressing in difficulty level, and finally an Extrasensory Aptitude Examination. All of this seems rather boring and bureaucratic, but only the multiple choice really involves much forms. The rest is all hands on.

Now, we can speed up the tests if you provide documentation such as military service, medical forms, permanent records, etc.--but it is not necessary. We find some members come from regions of Earth that had lacked developed medical facilities in the past or lost them in the Apocalypse, and didn't have good recordskeeping. Or, the potential member simply hid their sensitivity until they came out of the closet, as it were. So you can just join 'cold' if you wished."

As she spoke, her ability to probe people's minds--honed by years of service in the past with the British Army as Lieutenant "Spooky" McKinnon--picked up that this wasn't any ordinary applicant. She'd been through a lot, and was no spring chicken. In fact, you might say she was a very angry, forceful chicken who had seen too much. Not that Emma said anything about that.

The Grand Sensei of the People's Acolytes whistled to herself cheerfully, as she poured some tea from a nicely made tea set. She was in town herself on business, so it made sense for her to be contacted by Magriel. When he knocked, she singsongingly replied, "Cooooomminng!" Cheerfully putting down the teapot, she then opened the door with a smile and a cheerful look.

"Ah! Master Magriel! Good to see you again," she spoke in a perfect Californian diction, honed by years of practice. "Please, sit." She motioned to a chair, and then sat at her desk to get comfortable.

She happily said, "It's official. Your lecture series here was a success. And frankly, I've never seen such a response before...." She then presented the old Master with a copy of the Times of London, and pointed to the relevant article. "Even the Times loved it. They found your discourse 'intellectually stimulating, and a boon to the People of Britain.'" She chuckled in a girlish way as she said, "But I didn't invite you here for flattery. I invited you here to speak again at the Temple of Greater London. You remember 'Spooky' McKinnon, the Sensei who manages the place?"

Magriel nodded, "you're a bit giddy today. So what's up with ol' Spooky? Haven't heard from her in a while."

Magriel nodded, "you're a bit giddy today. So what's up with ol' Spooky? Haven't heard from her in a while."

At the sound of Magriel asking about Junko's sudden cheer, she then launched into one of her infamous, longwinded, overly enthusiastic stories.

"Oh, it was marvelous. I had a good day. I met one of my relatives, Uncle Eduardo--one of the few from my mother's side who will totally speak with me without insulting my sexuality or my Force powers with every word. Anyway, I'm like totally going home from a meeting when I bump into him and we're totally like, 'WASSSUUUUPPPP!!!!!' Eduardo was totally into that sorta thing. Anyway, we decide to catch up on some old times and totally go eat at a local pub he knows. We get some Guinness and some pies and some sausages and eat as much as we can. Om nom nom! Then, as we're scarfing down, this old dude's like, 'Hey, you, I bet you can't eat more than I can!' and I'm like, 'Bring it,' so we totally get into this eating contest. And you shoulda seen it too. We ate enough pies to feed North Korea! And then, I won, and everyone cheers and--"

Junko then stopped and laughed. "Sorry. I did it again." Regaining her composure, she leaned back and said, "Right. Spooky's fine. She's the one that wanted me to invite you back to the Temple of Greater London, actually. Seems she loved it too. And she thinks highly of you, both as an intellectual and as a fellow sentient. Seems your run-in with the Dark Side resonated with her. She never did tell me what her run-in was though....she'd get real nasty when I asked."

Magriel pretended to be interested through the whole thing, nodding every now and then and saying "how interesting" when Junko got up to where she challenged her Uncle. And he noted that she seemed to use the words "totally" and "like" every other sentence when she talks about one of her stories. Note to self: no dates. He finally "woke" from his trance when she said what Spooky requested. "Hmm... I don't see why not. I did enjoy the cultural differences in London... And I wouldn't exactly call my experience with the dark side a... "Run in." Much more in depth than that... And I gotta admit, she never told me herself. Though I'd imagine that her experience was no where near as drastic."

Magriel pretended to be interested through the whole thing, nodding every now and then and saying "how interesting" when Junko got up to where she challenged her Uncle. And he noted that she seemed to use the words "totally" and "like" every other sentence when she talks about one of her stories. Note to self: no dates. He finally "woke" from his trance when she said what Spooky requested. "Hmm... I don't see why not. I did enjoy the cultural differences in London... And I wouldn't exactly call my experience with the dark side a... "Run in." Much more in depth than that... And I gotta admit, she never told me herself. Though I'd imagine that her experience was no where near as drastic."

"Probably not. She identifies nonetheless with it somehow." Junko shrugged. "Then again, she did some work with the old British Army. Doesn't say much about it other than it was in Ireland. Then she told me to shut up. Must've been something big."

"So it's a deal then?" Junko then began rummaging around her desk and produced a form, saying, "Right. Just something to make the lecture above the board. Nothing as bad as a certain nation's forms, but you know tax time here in New Dornalia." She then filled out the necessary bits, and then slid it over to him.

Magriel nods in approval, "deal. I'll be in London before midnight. I'll begin classes tomorrow I s'pose. 'Comparative uses of the Force: The Jedi, Sith, Malkir, Kirtir, and Acolytes.' I'll have my apprentice help me write up the course materials so that they'll be ready for tomorrow morning. He needs to catch up in his studies anyways. That just about cover it? Have any topics you wish for me to cover?"

Hera nodded as she listened to the application process. She listened to them go on about the need for all of the battery of tests, but one stood out in her mind. The Medical exam. Hera became nervous at the thought, as the memory of Tsunade chasing her around with a scalpel trying to cut open her insides for the good of Coredia.

Hera clammed up for a moment. “I have a past.” she said quietly. Reaching into her pocket, hoping to skip that dreaded part, not knowing that Daniel Masaki had locked up this exam tighter than the gold in Fort Knox, she pulled out her Coredian I.D. Card.



Picture (http://sorozatjunkie.freeblog.hu/Files/celebrity/summer_glau_mammoth.jpg)

Name: Hera Agatheon
Race: Classified by Order of Emperor Masaki; S Class Clearance required
Rank: Knight of Coredia; Knight of Ossus
Planet of Origin: Caprica / Battlestar Galactica - Coredian Adopted
Nation of Origin: Twelve Colonies of Kobol, Caprica
Citizen of United Colonies of Kobol / Coredia - Adoption
Occupation/Role: Classified; S Class Clearance required
Address: 323 Naruto Street, Apt 39 B Issus, Coredia
Security Clearance: S Class
Height: 5'8, 103 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown


Placing the card down, on the back in a bar-code strip, with a simple microchip contained her entire career as a Knight of Coredia and Ossus. As the sensei pulled up the records, across her screen came:



Hera Agatheon- Medical Reports
Race: Classified by Order of Emperor Masaki, S Class clearance required
Born: Ninth Month SCW
Age: Ninteen Years
Height: 5'8, 103 lbs
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Blood Type: Classified By Order of the Jedi Council; S Class clearance required

Medical Observations and Exams: Classified by Order of the Jedi Council; S Class clearance required

Psychological Exam: N/A due to natural abilities. Notes Classified by Order of Jedi Council; S Class clearance required

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Education:

Trained under Master Christopher Hawkins
-Excels in physical and melee Combat, needs to learn patience and control over emotions.

-Exhibits lack of Control over abilities. Needs to work on it. Excellent at concealment and stealth recon.

Konoha:

Meditation 101-201: Struggles with the basic concept of Meditation. Claims to hear voices, and see people. We believe she is being stalked by some unseen presence.

Control 101: Seems to accidently excels in all fields. Unorthodox in approach, but capable.

Sensing 101-401: Excels to the highest degree. She seems to perceive everything in her surroundings
Seems to exhibit natural talent for mental arts.

Combat: Classified by Order of the Jedi Council, S Class Clearance required

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Mission History: Classified; S Class Clearance required

Hera looked at the Sensei as they reviewed her file. “Does that help?” she asked in a soft spoken tone. "I was also in the Colonial Fleet for a year, as a Raptor pilot before the civil war." she said looking down to the arm of the chair, as she touched the end of it with her index finger.

*Class S- Coredian ranking for the highest level, usually reserved for the Jedi Council or higher.

Hera nodded as she listened to the application process. She listened to them go on about the need for all of the battery of tests, but one stood out in her mind. The Medical exam. Hera became nervous at the thought, as the memory of Tsunade chasing her around with a scalpel trying to cut open her insides for the good of Coredia.

Hera clammed up for a moment. “I have a past.” she said quietly. Reaching into her pocket, hoping to skip that dreaded part, not knowing that Daniel Masaki had locked up this exam tighter than the gold in Fort Knox, she pulled out her Coredian I.D. Card.



Placing the card down, on the back in a bar-code strip, with a simple microchip contained her entire career as a Knight of Coredia and Ossus. As the sensei pulled up the records, across her screen came:



Hera looked at the Sensei as they reviewed her file. “Does that help?” she asked in a soft spoken tone. "I was also in the Colonial Fleet for a year, as a Raptor pilot before the civil war." she said looking down to the arm of the chair, as she touched the end of it with her index finger.

*Class S- Coredian ranking for the highest level, usually reserved for the Jedi Council or higher.

Singh and McKinnon looked at the form. All the black marker marks and the angry screams of "CLASSIFIED" worried Singh, who greeted the document with a surprised look. He then said to Hera, "One moment, please" before taking McKinnon out into the broom closet.

"This woman's got more classified marks on her than a People's Navy project," Singh said once he entered. With a look of skepticism and urgency he declared, "I don't like the look of this. She's got potential, you and I could sense it...but she's got issues. I mean, look at this. Hears voices....unpredictable....has emotional control issues. We could be taking on a good student, or taking on a serious risk to the faculty and ourselves."

McKinnon eyed the record over on her PDA, and listened to Singh. He had a valid point. She picked the Sikh because he was not only a good judge of character, but also a good telepath in his own right. Those two made an excellent combination, and one that could be trusted. She then said, "That is true. However....did you also sense a certain....weight?"

Singh's eyes widened.

"If you mean the sense that she's hiding something, potentially an emotional trauma that we shouldn't pry into--"

"Exactly, Ajay," Emma McKinnon immediately replied. "Like those events in my past that I've only told you and a few others. The British Army service." At those last words, she cringed, and Singh immediately steadied her with his hand. He knew that anything that reminded her of that time tended to cause her to develop debilitating flashbacks, so he said, "Easy, easy...."

Emma then shook her head and said, the flashbacks flowing away, "Sorry. But yes. That. I have a feeling she's gone through that sorta business. But worse. It's as if--she's got the weight of ages upon her."

Singh anticipated her response. Not missing a beat, he calmly replied, "And you want me to begin administering the tests and take her in."

His eyes then narrowed, and he said observantly, "Something tells me you are doing this out of sympathy. I'd be careful. We can't let emotions get the best of us."

Emma then said, "It's sympathy. But not emotional. It's based on experience. And let's face it. She's damn good, at least from what the records do tell us."

Singh's reply was a simple, "Very well. We'll inform her of our assessment. Besides, there is another element in your favor."

It was Emma's turn to anticipate Singh's words, and she said with a smile and a chuckle, "We've made a lot of bad eggs into sensible ones, I know. Given street thugs born with powers a new sense of purpose and taught them that maybe there's something better than mugging old ladies."

Singh nodded.

"We could do that. Subtly though."

"As always, Ajay," Emma said. The two then got back into the office, and then Emma said to Hera, "Right. Your records look excellent, from what we can tell. Considering their sensitive nature, we'll ensure your secret stays with us. Therefore, we can exempt you from the medical examination and the Extrasensory Aptitude Examination, and truncate the psychological evaluation to the multiple choice examination. As for the combat exam...we're curious to see what the Coredians meant by natural talent. We would test you in that regard still."

With a smile, both of them spoke at once with the words, "Otherwise, any questions?"

Hera felt uncomfortable as the two went into the broom closet. She felt anxious as she waited. Something was wrong, and she knew it. What could it be though, she wondered to herself as the pair discussed her application.

“They do not trust you.” a man in a white robe appeared in front of her, sitting in the chair before her. His fingertips stretched tall, pressing the ends of his pale fingers together to form a steeple, his skin pale and eyes yellow.

“When will you learn little girl, you are alone?” the man in the white robe grinned at her, as he propped his boots on the desk. “No one cares for you, no one is willing to train you. Right now they are discussing the fact that you are a threat. But you knew that didn’t you. You are always a threat, you always bring down death and destruction on those you care about. It is the way of your master, the way of calamity.”

Hera glared at the man in front of her, “I want to improve myself.” she spoke to the phantom in the chair.

“Ah!” the man smiled at her, as he stood up. Circling around the desk, his fingernails dragging across the surface of the table, cutting into it, as it produced an eerie sound. “But how can you improve, little girl. You are one who brings death. You are nothing more. If you want to improve yourself give yourself to me. Let me guide you, I will show you the path that will bring you to perfection.”

Hera shook her head, “No. I do not want to do that, and if you keep talking I will shoot you in the head now, just like Calamity. You are no different than he.” she spoke in a calm voice, as if it were something trivial.

The man laughed, “No dear, you can not kill fate. It has all happened before and will happen again. Your destiny has been laid out for you."

Hera reached down and grabbed the arms of the chair tightly, trying to restrain herself from the phantom, as she became visibly irratated. "You do not know the first thing about the meaning of those words." she spoke out in anger.

"Don't I?"

Then with a bright light, the man faded, as the closet door opened. The two sensei’s walked out together. Hera looked at the two, as she took a deep breath. She was nervous and frustrated, as she tightened her pose in the seat and straightened her back. She nearly held her breath as she waited for the verdict.

“Right. Your records look excellent, from what we can tell. Considering their sensitive nature, we'll ensure your secret stays with us. Therefore, we can exempt you from the medical examination and the Extrasensory Aptitude Examination, and truncate the psychological evaluation to the multiple choice examination. As for the combat exam...we're curious to see what the Coredians meant by natural talent. We would test you in that regard still."

With a smile, both of them spoke at once with the words, "Otherwise, any questions?"

Hera smiled as the weight was lifted off her shoulders. “No questions.” she responded as she stood up, stretching her hand out towards the two sensei’s. “Thank you, and I promise I will be a good student. I will not be a threat to you or this facility.” Hera said quietly, as she looked down avoiding the eye contact of the two. “When do the tests begin?”

“Right. Your records look excellent, from what we can tell. Considering their sensitive nature, we'll ensure your secret stays with us. Therefore, we can exempt you from the medical examination and the Extrasensory Aptitude Examination, and truncate the psychological evaluation to the multiple choice examination. As for the combat exam...we're curious to see what the Coredians meant by natural talent. We would test you in that regard still."

With a smile, both of them spoke at once with the words, "Otherwise, any questions?"

Hera smiled as the weight was lifted off her shoulders. “No questions.” she responded as she stood up, stretching her hand out towards the two sensei’s. “Thank you, and I promise I will be a good student. I will not be a threat to you or this facility.” Hera said quietly, as she looked down avoiding the eye contact of the two. “When do the tests begin?”

Singh then flipped through his PDA, and penciled in a date in a blank spot, saying as he looked at Hera, "Report for testing here at 090-er, 9:00 AM Thursday morning. Sorry, it's been a bit of a bother trying to use the American/Colonial way of keeping time. Anywho, come to this office, we'll lead you to where you need to go."

Emma then replied, with a smile, "Also, bring whatever combat equipment you're good with. Knives, falchions, katanas, millwall bricks*, lightsabers, et cetera. You could also bring long distance weapons such as firearms and archery equipment, if there's not too many that day."

She then added, "Oh! And two number two pencils with good erasers. Mechanical preferably. For the written exam. That's all, then. Good luck!"

When Hera began to leave, Emma Forcemessaged her, her smile growing sadder as she did so. It was a simple message:

"I sympathize with your situation. I've been...there."

*Millwall brick--an improvised weapon invented by football/soccer hooligans in the UK to get around laws banning the bringing of bricks and other such objects into football/soccer games. Consists of a section of the newspaper wrapped around a pocketful of change to create a handy blackjack.

It had been a long two days since the initial interview and the day of testing. Hera did not waste much time after the interview process. She booked flights all over the globe to obtain the materials and weapons that she would need for the test. Her first stop was Dallas Texas, where she bought a pair of nine mm pistols and several boxes of ammo. Having only brought her Colt and Rapier, she was not planning on extensive combat testing. “The P.A. are certainly different than the Jedi.” she thought to herself with a smile. “I think this will be a good move.”

Then she hopped a flight to Toledo Spain, to the famous sword smiths there. She obtained a short saber, and a set of six throwing knives. Each knife was perfectly balanced, as she inspected their superb quality.

Then she hoped the next flight to Norfolk Va, where she bought a small combat knife to slip into her boot. She had no idea what Emma was planning, so she had to be prepared. Then after six hours of shopping at Williamsburg outlet mall for clothes, and one of the teacher stores for the mechanical pencils with large erasers. After a quick layover she hopped the next flight back to London.

She was tired, as the only sleep she had was on the plane. Luckily for her the flight across the Atlantic was a long one, giving her plenty of time to sleep.

Hera walked into the doors of the Great hall of London, dressed to kill. She wore a form fitting black gym workout attire, with her rapier and colt on her side. A combat knife slipped side her combat boots, and with three throwing knives each up both sleeves. The nine mm’s were in their holsters behind her back, as a short saber stretched across her back, to be grabbed quite easily. She waited at the office for Emma to appear and begin her first test. Hera looked down at her watch 0853.

It had been a long two days since the initial interview and the day of testing. Hera did not waste much time after the interview process. She booked flights all over the globe to obtain the materials and weapons that she would need for the test. Her first stop was Dallas Texas, where she bought a pair of nine mm pistols and several boxes of ammo. Having only brought her Colt and Rapier, she was not planning on extensive combat testing. “The P.A. are certainly different than the Jedi.” she thought to herself with a smile. “I think this will be a good move.”

Then she hopped a flight to Toledo Spain, to the famous sword smiths there. She obtained a short saber, and a set of six throwing knives. Each knife was perfectly balanced, as she inspected their superb quality.

Then she hoped the next flight to Norfolk Va, where she bought a small combat knife to slip into her boot. She had no idea what Emma was planning, so she had to be prepared. Then after six hours of shopping at Williamsburg outlet mall for clothes, and one of the teacher stores for the mechanical pencils with large erasers. After a quick layover she hopped the next flight back to London.

She was tired, as the only sleep she had was on the plane. Luckily for her the flight across the Atlantic was a long one, giving her plenty of time to sleep.

Hera walked into the doors of the Great hall of London, dressed to kill. She wore a form fitting black gym workout attire, with her rapier and colt on her side. A combat knife slipped side her combat boots, and with three throwing knives each up both sleeves. The nine mm’s were in their holsters behind her back, as a short saber stretched across her back, to be grabbed quite easily. She waited at the office for Emma to appear and begin her first test. Hera looked down at her watch 0853.

At precisely 0900, the two from the other day walked back into the office. This time, Singh's turban was joined by the National School uniform, a gray almost militaristic piece of clothing resembling an old East German army tunic, with half a Jedi cloak over it. Emma McKinnon was dressed in her own version, though it had some extra pips and marks on the uniform to denote her rank.

She bowed and said, "I see you kept the appointment. Follow me to the psych exam, please." The woman then led Hera to a spare classroom, whereupon she said, "Right. I'm going to set up the Combat Exam. In the meanwhile, Sensei Singh will take over." Emma nodded and left. Singh then motioned for her to sit and then passed her a packet of paper upside down and a sheet of bubble paper.

"Right. Don't turn that over unless I say so." Singh coughed, and motioned, saying, "Empty your pockets, and surrender all electronic devices." When that was done, they were put into a Faraday Cage on the desk, which was sealed.

Afterwards, Singh said, clearly and almost mechnically, like he had done this before, "Right. You get two hours. Make all marks on the bubble sheet clearly. Fill in your name and gender on the packet and on the bubble sheet. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers, fill in the most appropriate one you think is best. If you need help, ask me."

Concluding with, "Flip your paper over and begin," he sat down and opened a copy of the Times of India.

Magriel nods in approval, "deal. I'll be in London before midnight. I'll begin classes tomorrow I s'pose. 'Comparative uses of the Force: The Jedi, Sith, Malkir, Kirtir, and Acolytes.' I'll have my apprentice help me write up the course materials so that they'll be ready for tomorrow morning. He needs to catch up in his studies anyways. That just about cover it? Have any topics you wish for me to cover?"

Junko shrugged and said reassuringly, "It's your lecture series. We let you run with it before, so run with what you did last time. Maybe explore a little more on the Huntarian Traditions, since that seemed to be the big draw. Otherwise, go nuts!"

"Anything else?" she asked.

Hera was seemingly shocked by the paperwork test, as she slowly sat down. She had not expected this today, she only knew of the combat test. She had no pockets on her, nor did she bring any electrical devices. In combat those would be the first things to break.

“May I borrow a pencil, Sensei?” she asked quietly. “I was not expecting a written exam today.” Once she got the pencil she began to fill out the morality test.

“Hera Agatheon, Female”

She looked at the questions. Some made sense, others the answers were very biased towards an outcome. Still though the questions centered on Morality completely. She took her pencil and began to fill in the blanks.

At first, it would seem her morality was completely in conflict. In some questions she was willing to do horrible things, even kill a child. In others she would turn in a man’s wallet to the police and not take anything out of it. However upon closer examination a pattern emerged. When it came to self, she did not strive to make her life better for her own sake. She was quite selfless when it came to personal gain. But when it came to others, she fought for their lives to be better, even if it meant doing the most horrible of things. She was willing to kill a thousand people to save a million. She was willing to let her mother be tortured, to save a family.

She turned over the paper and turned it in.

Junko shrugged and said reassuringly, "It's your lecture series. We let you run with it before, so run with what you did last time. Maybe explore a little more on the Huntarian Traditions, since that seemed to be the big draw. Otherwise, go nuts!"

"Anything else?" she asked.

Magriel shook his head, signaling that he was done with the meeting. "I think that just about sums it up. In the mean time, I shall be at London in less then 10 hours. Magriel to shuttle, one to beam up." With that, the Malkir disappeared in a flash of blue light. When he reappeared on his ship, he and Jessie Masaki immediately began working on the next few lesson plans for the PA.

Jessie looked a little bit disappointed, "C'mon... Do we seriously have to go back there? I thought we were suppose to see my uncle for the next few days."

Magriel ignored Jessie's pleads to get away from Earth, "patience my apprentice, you should know that the life of a Jedi and Malkir is not about what your self-centered needs are. Now, I've been away from home a lot longer than you have. I haven't been to the Alliance's base in nearly three years time and you don't hear me make a peep. Now quit your whining."

Jessie stared at the floor and grumbled, "yes sir."

"Now, for your next lesson. Lets go to the shuttle's cockpit." Jessie raised his eyebrows in surprise, he hasn't had a lesson in a while since they've been going to PA temples. "Now, most force sensitives can pick up any ol' flying machine and get it somewhere. There's a special force ability which enables us to navigate to somewhere we've never been, give us foreknowledge on flying the ship, and the ability to land in emergency situations. Now, we've already covered flying the ship and navigating. Lets see if you've been paying attention to your previous studies and holocrons I've given you." Magriel walked to the back of the shuttle and began to shut down several systems.

"WARNING! HULL STRUCTURE DOWN TO 40%! IMMEDIATE DANGER!"

Jessie jumped from his chair, startled, "What the hell..."

Magriel continued to push several more buttons and more systems went off line, "WARNING! Critical system malfunction in main thrusters. Secondary thrusters are off line. Planetary entrance trajectory error!" The shuttle then began to groan as it entered Earth's atmosphere, the hull plating on the outside heated up, and sparks began to fly in the shuttle craft.

"What the hell are you doing!"

Magriel sat back in one of the secondary chairs, plopped his feet up, and crossed his arms behind his head and relaxed. "This is your test to see how well you operate under pressure. It is clear that the holosuits aren't doing you justice, so I thought we'd see how you'll operate under the real thing."

Jessie quickly grabbed hold of the piloting controls, "you're insane old man!"

The shuttle moaned loudly as it continued to shake upon Earth's entry, "pilot her away apprentice. What's the first thing you should do if you have lost most power to your primary systems?"

It didn't take Jessie long to think of an answer, "computer, disengage all secondary systems and reroute power to primary thrusters and hull plating. Take power away from life support if you have to." Jessie looked at the thruster gauge and the hull plating readings, "thrusters are back online at 30%, hull plating back up to 10%... Orbital trajectory still malfunctioning. C'mon!" Jessie attempted to pull the shuttle's nose upwards, but not without difficulty. "Hull's collapsing under the pressure! I got us leveled, but we're still coming in too fast! I need those sensors!"

Magriel shook his head, "at this rate, the shuttle will burn up by the time you get 'em on line. Use your imagination boy!"

Jessie grumbled, but then remembered something. As the hull plates began to groan again and fall off of the ship, he used the force to reach out to the plates. Using his metallic powers, he slowed the molecules in the plating and placed them back in their original position. Continuing on this path of action, he then used the force to level the shuttle again and slowed it down until it came to a complete stop at just 20km above London. Magriel smiled and used the force to turn the buttons he pressed back to their original position.

"Hull plating restored. Thrusters restored. Sensors restored.." The computer continued to list a number of systems that were shut off and were now back online.

Magriel walked up front to the shuttle's cock pit where a shaken Jessie was sitting, "I'll take the controls from here. It took you long enough, but you eventually got it. I don't know what it is with you and not wanting to use your powers but it has to stop. The first time I saw you use them was back when I asked you to move that quarter. You've certainly grown since then, but you still have a ways to go."

Jessie wearily walked to a back seat, and slumped down. "Just promise me you won't do that kinda thing again..."

Magriel smiled, "no promises."

The two transported themselves to the PA temple which they were in the last time, and had Magriel's lesson plans ready. Magriel looked at his watch, and saw that they were a bit early. No matter, gives him thirty minutes of meditation. Plus there's always some nerdy student who likes to arrive early...


OOC:
Since CW isn't always around and Jessie is Magriel's apprentice, CW gave me permission to RP Jessie.

Singh's Argus eyes looked over the paper, and then nodded and filed in a manila envelope. He then got up and said, "Follow me, please."

The Sikh led her down the austere halls to a large room with pillars, marked "Combat Instruction Hall A." It was a large room with mats on the floor, delineated with a circle in the middle, martial arts equipment on the side, gym rules, and other such accoutrements.

He then walked out, flipping on the lights. Emma stepped in at the same time and walked in front of Hera.

"Right. This is the Combat Examination. Owing to your circumstances I've lengthened it a bit. I won't tell you what happens, only that any falls on your part mean you fail this portion. That's it."

She then left, and closed the door and locked it. Hera would then be alone for several moments....until she would be able to begin sensing something. Something that was hiding. And probably hostile.

The two transported themselves to the PA temple which they were in the last time, and had Magriel's lesson plans ready. Magriel looked at his watch, and saw that they were a bit early. No matter, gives him thirty minutes of meditation. Plus there's always some nerdy student who likes to arrive early...


OOC:
Since CW isn't always around and Jessie is Magriel's apprentice, CW gave me permission to RP Jessie.

The "driving lesson" elicted some minor attention, but was otherwise ignored when things sorted themselves out.

The room Magriel was given was much like the room he had last time. Well maintained, with all the whizbangery and comfy chairs he could want. Well, not too comfy. He'd need a listening audience.

Sure enough, a student's head popped in, and then the whole student. He was dressed in the basic East German-style uniform with the glaring pips of a Novitiate, said, "Um....is this the Comparative Lecture with Magriel?"

The "driving lesson" elicted some minor attention, but was otherwise ignored when things sorted themselves out.

The room Magriel was given was much like the room he had last time. Well maintained, with all the whizbangery and comfy chairs he could want. Well, not too comfy. He'd need a listening audience.

Sure enough, a student's head popped in, and then the whole student. He was dressed in the basic East German-style uniform with the glaring pips of a Novitiate, said, "Um....is this the Comparative Lecture with Magriel?"

Magriel looked at his watch as and then at Jessie rocked his seat back and forth. "Yes, this is the class. You're a little bit early, but it doesn't hurt you." There's that nerdy student. Damn, why am I always right? He looked back at Jessie who continued to rock and lean backwards in his chair, "mind yourself my apprentice. That position you're in has caused many major injuries to Malkir apprentices." Jessie just looked back at Magriel and shrugged. The Malkir sighed and turned his attention to the newly arrived student and force messaged him, ::hey, 10 bucks says that guy falls over when the class arrives.::

The room seemed empty, as Hera drew a deep breath. Closing her eyes she took in another, as the air felt cold to her lips. She could feel it coming in, and out. She could feel something, in the empty room around her.

A small smirk crossed her lips as she reached for her rapier. She could feel it’s life, the anticipation of the hunt, as she reached out towards her target. It was one of the many tricks she learned at the New Sith Academy. She was the huntress, and her prey was hiding somewhere in this room.

Slowly she tapped into it, feeling it’s emotions as her senses heightened. Her prey was close. She took a step forward as the ambush came close. “Come out, come out where ever you are.” she said playfully as she took a couple gentle easy steps towards the room.

Hera looked around the room, as she drew closer to her unseen target. Hiding would be useless at the moment, as her prey knew she was here. She walked closer and closer towards the feeling in the pit of her stomach. As she did she could feel the bond between predator and prey growing stronger. Then when the moment was right, when her senses told her to move, she did. Hera stepped to the side, and thrust her rapier at the unseen target.

Slowly she tapped into it, feeling it’s emotions as her senses heightened. Her prey was close. She took a step forward as the ambush came close. “Come out, come out where ever you are.” she said playfully as she took a couple gentle easy steps towards the room.

Hera looked around the room, as she drew closer to her unseen target. Hiding would be useless at the moment, as her prey knew she was here. She walked closer and closer towards the feeling in the pit of her stomach. As she did she could feel the bond between predator and prey growing stronger. Then when the moment was right, when her senses told her to move, she did. Hera stepped to the side, and thrust her rapier at the unseen target.

The target, though hidden winced at the sudden hit with a rapier. He tried his best to suppress his reaction, but a little squeak of "Yip!" could be audibly heard in the large room.

At that point, the other Novitiate knew the jig was up. Cursing, "Fucking hell," he darted to another pillar and whipped out his shinai, the wooden sword normally used for kendo practice. He then darted to another one, and would keep darting closer. In the meantime, his skewered assistant would turn and extricate himself....

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

The Newbie replied with his own Forcemessage, "You're on."

“Love is patient, love is kind.” Hera thought to herself as the other novice darted around the pillars attempting to get closer to her. She slowly walked as the novice was making his runs, towards the center of the room.

There she waited, as she closed her eyes once more. She could hear his heart pounding, his inner voice begging for victory as his pride chimed at him to move in faster harder, overwhelm her, the usual tactic of Kendo.

Fencing was quite the opposite sport. It was about timing, patience, knowing when to strike and when to pull back. Quick motions, not strength. So Hera did just that, she waited. She could hear his footsteps coming closer, his breath hard as he moved in. She stayed still as she left her back exposed.

She waited for him, to move in closer, out of the way of the pillars. As the novice came into full view, and made his move, Hera spun around at him, launching three throwing knives at the would be assailant, with her left hand, and with her right she readied her rapier in a low guard, the best position for fighting against Kendo.

“Love is patient, love is kind.” Hera thought to herself as the other novice darted around the pillars attempting to get closer to her. She slowly walked as the novice was making his runs, towards the center of the room.

There she waited, as she closed her eyes once more. She could hear his heart pounding, his inner voice begging for victory as his pride chimed at him to move in faster harder, overwhelm her, the usual tactic of Kendo.

Fencing was quite the opposite sport. It was about timing, patience, knowing when to strike and when to pull back. Quick motions, not strength. So Hera did just that, she waited. She could hear his footsteps coming closer, his breath hard as he moved in. She stayed still as she left her back exposed.

She waited for him, to move in closer, out of the way of the pillars. As the novice came into full view, and made his move, Hera spun around at him, launching three throwing knives at the would be assailant, with her left hand, and with her right she readied her rapier in a low guard, the best position for fighting against Kendo.

The Novitiate was caught off guard by the sudden throwing knife assault, and staggered back surprised. It was fortunate they were all in body armor for the occasion, for the man took the knives in the chest. He then got back against a wall, and began breathing heavily. He could see Hera had a rapier--classic fencing. She must have been thinking he was all muscle, being a kendo practioner. He laughed. Typical European arrogance. Kendo could have a subtle side as well. Especially with the way the Acolytes taught it.

As he heaved, he Forcemessaged his comrade, who was by now able to move again. He then motioned for him to flank Hera from behind. Thus, the two dashed out into the open. Or rather, the man who had the chest hit dashed out into the open, whilst his partner began skulking about for a good entry...

---------

Some time passed, and before long, the Acolytes began filing in. A popular class, the room became packed with all sorts of people. Pencils, papers, tape recorders, and all manner of equipment could be seen as they sat, ready to listen. However, more were coming in....

One girl in the audience shouted, "WE LOVE YOU JESSIE!" in a rough Cockney accent. She then shut up, embarassed but giddy.

Hera watched as Novice #2 took the hits in the chest. With glee for a moment she thought she had won, both people hit in what would normally be fatal areas. She smiled as she was about to put away her rapier, until to her surprise both contestants came back in. Hera was puzzled by this. Did Emma want her to actually kill them? If that was the case then she grossly under estimated the People’s Acolytes. She could have stayed with Atrox for that, which to her was high praise for the PA.

She watched as Novice Number two came at her again. His voice screaming at his friend about joining in. “What to do?” Hera thought to herself as the rules of this competition became less clear.

“Do what you know how.” a small cynical voice told her. “Do the only thing you know how to do.”

Hera shook off the thought, as she watched Novice number two closing in. Reaching around quickly before he closed the gap, she pulled out both nine mm pistols. Pointing the first at novice number two she aimed square at his chest. She gently squeezed the trigger as she exhaled, launching three rounds at the man’s chest. The other pistol Hera pointed at the first novice, as she could feel his location. Pointing it to her side she fired at his torso, three rounds, before he could close the gap.

Hera watched as Novice #2 took the hits in the chest. With glee for a moment she thought she had won, both people hit in what would normally be fatal areas. She smiled as she was about to put away her rapier, until to her surprise both contestants came back in. Hera was puzzled by this. Did Emma want her to actually kill them? If that was the case then she grossly under estimated the People’s Acolytes. She could have stayed with Atrox for that.

She watched as Novice Number two came at her again. His voice screaming at his friend about joining in. “What to do?” Hera thought to herself as the rules of this competition became less clear.

“Do what you know how.” a small cynical voice told her. “Do the only thing you know how to do.”

Hera shook off the thought, as she watched Novice number two closing in. Reaching around quickly before he closed the gap, she pulled out both nine mm pistols. Pointing the first at novice number two she aimed square at his chest. She gently squeezed the trigger as she exhaled, launching three rounds at the man’s chest. The other pistol Hera pointed at the first novice, as she could feel his location. Pointing it to her side she fired at his torso, three rounds, before he could close the gap.

The man got the message this time--or his body did. He immediately was stopped in his tracks again, and this time crumpled, shouting "MEDIC!"

Whilst Hera was distracted, Number One saw the woman opening fire. He frowned. He came here for a fair fight. No one said anything about pistols.....he immediately lowered the shinai and launched a fireball at Hera, before beginning to dart off....

Hera watched with glee, as all of her senses light up like fireworks during the forth of July, as Novice Number two went down. She walked towards the man, her pistol levied at his body, as he cried out Medic.

“Finish him off.” the small voice in the back of her mind told her.

“I am not sure that is what they want.” she said outloud as she stepped closer towards novice number two.

“Of course it is, why do you think they stuck them in the same room with you. They attacked you, they deserve to die.” the voice said coldly.

“No.” Hera replied as she suddenly broke the link with number two.

“No, no, what do you mean no. Kill him now!” the voice yelled at her. Hera put her hands, pistols still in her hand to her ears trying to drown out the screams of the man, as another voice spoke in a panic, barely audible to her. “I came here for a fair fight, no one said anything about pistols.”

Hera looked around the room surprised, as a small orange flame came rushing at her at high speeds. Time seemed to slow down to her as she watched it coming closer towards her body. She quickly jumped to the side, but as she did, the fire hit her left bicep.

“Mother Frakker.” she screamed out as she hit the floor hard. The pain sent a shockwave through her body, as she hit the ground hard.

“I told you, they are trying to kill you. Kill them.” the voice lectured her.

“If you would shut up, I could concentrate.” Hera yelled back, as she took the pistol in her right hand, and levied it at the first novice who was running. She winced through the pain, but as the pain coursed through her body she began to see, it was helping her. She could feel number one much clearer. The ability she learned at Atrox’s school, blossumed from a bud into a beautiful flower. She could feel his patterns, and his soul. His mind became open to her. Before she could fire at him with the pistol, her left hand formed a fireball and as if an instinct she threw it at the novice.

“Mother Frakker.” she screamed out as she hit the floor hard. The pain sent a shockwave through her body, as she hit the ground hard.

“I told you, they are trying to kill you. Kill them.” the voice lectured her.

“If you would shut up, I could concentrate.” Hera yelled back, as she took the pistol in her right hand, and levied it at the first novice who was running. She winced through the pain, but as the pain coursed through her body she began to see, it was helping her. She could feel number one much clearer. The ability she learned at Atrox’s school, blossumed from a bud into a beautiful flower. She could feel his patterns, and his soul. His mind became open to her. Before she could fire at him with the pistol, her left hand formed a fireball and as if an instinct she threw it at the novice.

This time, the fireball hit home, and the Number One man was tagged as he tried to make a second strike. His armor caught fire, and he lept onto the ground, rolling and moving about with visible alarm. The medic that moved to help Number Two motioned for his second to aid Number One, and before long, Emma's voice could be heard, as she was standing in one of the room's exits.

"I think that's enough for now. They've gotten the point. Let's go to Phase Two."

With that, she was led down some halls outside into the streets. Then, Emma said simply, "Right. This one we're going to mix it up a little bit. Reality based fighting, as it were."

The street she took Hera to was comprised of a quiant row of townhouses made of brick, dating from the Victorian Era. Wiith kids playing, cars parked on the "wrong" side of the road, and people moving about, it seemed like a pleasant scene.

"Well, I've got to attend to some business. Tally ho!" She then walked off and into a local convience store not too far away, ordering an ice cream cone and walking outside into an alley, keeping out of sight. As she ate it and kept and eye on Hera, she couldn't help but think that she was going to be a handful. She could sense from Hera that she was a formidable fighter--using imitation techniques only Shinmei usually had.

But, back to Hera. As Emma mused, Hera could once again be able to detect enemies moving about. And sure enough, these weren't newbies like the two she had fought. This was a squad of experienced Acolytes.

Some time passed, and before long, the Acolytes began filing in. A popular class, the room became packed with all sorts of people. Pencils, papers, tape recorders, and all manner of equipment could be seen as they sat, ready to listen. However, more were coming in....

One girl in the audience shouted, "WE LOVE YOU JESSIE!" in a rough Cockney accent. She then shut up, embarassed but giddy.

Magriel forced his arm up to his face making it look like he was coughing when in reality he was snickering, from both the fact that the girl was obviously a pro Masaki propagandist and the fact his apprentice fell backwards before the rest of the class would show up. He force messaged back to the German kid, ::guess I owe you 10 bucks.:: He then got up from his seat, still trying to hide his snickering, "erm... Excuse me while I leave the room for a few moments." He quickly ran to a nearby bathroom and burst out laughing, he forgot how hilarious Dornies could be sometimes.

Magriel forced his arm up to his face making it look like he was coughing when in reality he was snickering, from both the fact that the girl was obviously a pro Masaki propagandist and the fact his apprentice fell backwards before the rest of the class would show up. He force messaged back to the German kid, ::guess I owe you 10 bucks.:: He then got up from his seat, still trying to hide his snickering, "erm... Excuse me while I leave the room for a few moments." He quickly ran to a nearby bathroom and burst out laughing, he forgot how hilarious Dornies could be sometimes.

The crowd got a bit of a chuckle, though it was a lot less than usual considering who it was that fell. On cue, an army of fangirls ran to Jesse's side, jostling about as they tried to amateurishly pick him up and tend to his wounds. Eventually, one of the staff walked in and said, "Okay.....okay....."

Naturally, none of them listened. Eventually, two got through and tried helping him up, asking frantically, "Are you okay?"

Jessie got up from the floor and was completely fan-shocked by all these girls. Quite frankly, he wasn't exactly sure if he should feel like he's the luckiest guy on earth or if he should run away screaming. Reaching back to his training, he cleared his mind of thought and moved his arms outward, indicating to give him some space. "Just some space would be fine thanks." With that, he got his desk and chair back up right and sat down. He decided that this time, he's not rocking in his chair.

Jessie got up from the floor and was completely fan-shocked by all these girls. Quite frankly, he wasn't exactly sure if he should feel like he's the luckiest guy on earth or if he should run away screaming. Reaching back to his training, he cleared his mind of thought and moved his arms outward, indicating to give him some space. "Just some space would be fine thanks." With that, he got his desk and chair back up right and sat down. He decided that this time, he's not rocking in his chair.

The fangirls then went back to their seats on command, and sat down. They proved attentive, smiling, and compliant with their idol's wishes. Then again, they were just persuaded to go back by a mind trick of sorts.

Still, they looked rather obsessive, squirming and such. But, things were quieter now, and people filed in now as usual....

“And the game continues.” Hera thought to herself as she looked around her new surroundings. She closed her eyes again, as she felt around the area. Breathing in quietly, she listened to the people. Their thoughts, their feelings, their actions. She could feel the enemy was around, hidden, blended into the surrounding area. But who, who were they.

She sighed in frustration. This is nothing like a normal mission. No known targets, no mission to speak of than to wait for an ambush. Her arm still hurting from the burn, she knew she could not fail so utterly again.

“But what to do? How can one play a game where the rules are unknown. Would innocent people being hit cause her to be disqualified? Were there any innocent people here? “ she thought to herself as she stood in her location. “Well then if there is no rules then there is nothing to break.” she thought to herself as she walked towards the street. Hera knew that if ambushed she was screwed.

Hera closed her eyes, as she used her knowledge to her advantage. She figuratively took the force by the throat, as she commanded it to change her. Soon she felt smaller, as her heart raced. Her skin and bones felt like they were shrinking, as the woman seemingly became a child. She writhed in pain as the magic she knew seemed to make her feel like her skin was on fire, as it felt like her bones were breaking. Hera looked at herself, as her clothes began to change. She now looking like she was the age of nine, seemingly wore a simple white Sunday school dress. Her white shoes with a little pink ribbon at the top. Hera ran out, and she saw several kids playing on the side walk here in Pleasantville. She walked up to one little boy, “Mind if I play?” she asked the boy who was holding a ball in his hand. She looked at the boy as she batted her eyes playfully at the boy, while she continued to try to use her dark arts to locate the targets and connect to them, the way a predator forms the circle with it’s prey.

With the pain as her ally, she reached out to the squad. Their thoughts were clear, their powers.... so delightful. Their training so good. They would be quite a worthy hunt. Hera slowly backed up from the boy, “Come on throw it to me.” she said as she backed up down the street to one closer to one of the Acolytes that was blending in the scene.

Hera ran out, and she saw several kids playing on the side walk here in Pleasantville. She walked up to one little boy, “Mind if I play?” she asked the boy who was holding a ball in his hand. She looked at the boy as she batted her eyes playfully at the boy, while she continued to try to use her dark arts to locate the targets and connect to them, the way a predator forms the circle with it’s prey.

With the pain as her ally, she reached out to the squad. Their thoughts were clear, their powers.... so delightful. Their training so good. They would be quite a worthy hunt. Hera slowly backed up from the boy, “Come on throw it to me.” she said as she backed up down the street to one closer to one of the Acolytes that was blending in the scene.

OOC: Using OG's "I can play his folks until I get back" clause:

IC:

The Acolytes were all over the place in that little stretch of British Suburbia. The six man team were in cars, behind fences, and one was even in a house--he happened to live in this neighborhood. All of them could feel Hera's attempt to sense them out. And all of them smiled. Their target was here, and it was time to evaluate her. The fact that one of them witnessed Hera's transformation was enough of a clue that this woman was something else. A flurry of Forcemessages followed thusly:

"Jonesy, did you see that?" sent the man who saw her change shape.

"Nope. What'd she do?"

"She fucking turned into a child!"

"Lay off the pipe, Mickey. I tell you, that--"

"No, I swear to you, I ain't lyin'. That woman's gonna be a bit of a bother," the man said.

"No shit....we'll have to get Lionel. This is his neighborhood, it won't look like some pedo came and took her if he moves in to begin the assault."

"Aye."

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

The boy then said, "Umm...okay." He then threw the ball to Hera, whereupon she picked it up with a smile. Hera's unusual appearance, which was something as Victorian as the townhouses, made their mark upon the kids of this road. They looked at her, as people tend to do whenever new people come into their midst.

"They're doing it again. You know they don't like you. Admit it, they're thinking about how to snatch that ball back." came one of the voices.

"Not now" was Hera's curt reply. She then smiled, and decided to keep in character by asking the boy, "So, whaddya wanna do?"

The boy then said nervously, "umm....."

One of the kids, an Indian girl, walked into the scene with a group of friends. She then said, stopping Hera's retreat, "We were just playing a round of Four Square." She then frowned and said, crossing her arms in clear displeasure, "Only, it ended when you took the ball."

The boy then lept to Hera's defense. He shouted, "I thought she wanted to play, Shanta!" with all the nervousness of youth. Shanta chuckled, and so did the other kids. Hera couldn't help but do so either, for he was turning beet red--the internationally recognized sign of embarassment.

Hera decided to save the kid some embarassment, and walked back over with the ball. She then said, "I'm willing to play. They got Four Square where I come from."

The boy said, "You sure? We do it a bit differently here on Aldwick Road."

Another boy interjected with, "Yeah, no offense....you sound like a Yank."

Hera chuckled, quickly improvising, "My dad lived in London for a while on business, as did I. So I know your version."

Skeptically, Shanta looked her over, before one of the other kids said, "Come on, Shanta. Stop mucking about." Sighing, she then gave Hera a skeptical look and said, "Alright. Let's see if your story holds water." Motioning for the distracted gang of kids to form up, she then said, "Alright, you lot! Back in the square. I'm Queen, rules are standard. If I'm correct, Billy was out, so let's bring the new girl in." Shanta then turned to Hera and asked her, "What's your name?"

Hera quickly replied, "Suzie."

"Right, Suzie. Alright, Suzie, you're replacing Billy. Get in there!"

As Hera stepped into the square, she saw one of the Acolytes move in--the man who was trying to blend in. A tall man with red hair and an inqusitive look, she couldn't give herself away, so she decided to play along when the kids waved hello to "Mr. Murphy."

The Acolyte stopped and said, "Hello, kids! Aren't we having a good day?"

Shanta replied, "Just fine, Mr. Murphy."

Murphy then glanced at Hera and said, playacting a smile, "I haven't seen you before....you must be new to the neighborhood. What's your name?"

"Suzie," Hera said.

"Huh." Murphy immediately knew this anomaly was his woman, who had somehow elected to shrink herself. A dangerous trick this--he had to act carefully to prevent disaster. He then got up and said, "Suzie, I've gotta go. Business." He then smiled and left, walking down the street to say hello to another neighbor.

The kids then plaintively let cries of "Awww..." out, disappointed Mr. Murphy, crack Acolyte and favored trustworthy playmate of the children of Aldwick Road, had to get to business.

The game then commenced. As she finagled her way around the rules of Foursquare, she decided to stay in character and play a trick on Murphy. Making like she was throwing a ball at Shanta's position, it connected with Shanta alright. It bounced off her shoulder, slammed into a facade and then hit Murphy in the head.

As Shanta winced and screamed about the pain, Murphy merely stood there, and the woman he was talking to immediately asked, "Are you alright?"

Murphy looked at Hera-Suzie, and the latter did nothing. Murphy's eyes narrowed now, for it was obvious what had occurred. The Quarry had deliberately slammed the ball into his head. Perhaps to test him, perhaps to disorient him. Either way, it was time for him to get moving. He picked up the ball, and said, "Excuse me," throwing it aggressively back at Hera. He wasn't surprised when Hera-Suzie caught it rapidly, to the tune of "Thanks!"

Murphy then Forcemessaged the others, saying, "She fucking beaned me on the head!"

"Nice," said another Forcemessage.

"Shut it," Murphy replied, nursing the black eye. "All units, target is among a group of kids playing foursquare. Be aware she is in the form of a child, assuming the identity of an American child named Suzie. She's still dangerous, though. And, those kids are going to hamper any operation. We have to seperate them, to get at the Objective."

"Right-o," acknowledged the others.

"Guess this means you summon the icecream van, eh, Lionel?" challenged Jonesy.

"Damnit. I got a black eye already--fine." At that point, Lionel Murphy stumbled upon an ice cream van. He then flagged down its driver, and used a Jedi Mind Trick on it. Moving his eyes and hand subtly, he said, "Looks like those kids down there playing Foursquare want Ice Cream. You think so?"

The man then nodded, "Yeah, I would agree." Complying with the mind trick, the ice cream man activated his bell, and the kids dispersed to meet it. Hera was confused--and then knew what happened. The Acolytes were getting smart, and incredibly obvious. Using an ice cream truck to tempt kids away from her was a problem indeed, and it would also have the bonus of kids asking their parents for cents and dollars, leaving her alone. She decided to follow them in, though she knew her wallet didn't have much in the way of cash.

Murphy then winced--the plan was about to go sour. He immediately Forcemessaged the others saying, "MOVE IN!"

At this point, the Acolytes began moving in to flank her. Hera looked around, sensing their coming from a mile away. One eventually emerged from a side street, and tried to move in as she approached the ice cream van. Hera turned about, and then used Force Push to shove a garbage can in front of the man, tripping him up. When he got back up, Hera's new friends turned to look at the man following him with some suspicion, the noise from the rubbish can causing some attention. Not to mention, one of the kids' parents, who happened to own the can, got angry at the Acolyte who knocked it over asking him to pick it up. The other one met the curious stares of the kids, which became very disconcerting to the other man.

"Um, hi" he said, trying to use his mind trick.

Hera then said, as Suzie, "Don't be so greedy, mister. There's enough for everyone." She then looked at the assembled and asked Shanta, "Right?" with a smile and a Mind Trick.

Shanta chimed in with, "Yeah! Mummy told us not to be hasty and make a mess. What's your problem!?" The kids then began roughly asking questions, wondering what was the problem. It helped that Hera used a bit of Mind Trickery on Shanta, but the rest fell into place. Given that these were kids, they were going to be forceful, and unyielding until their questions were answered. And this made the man nervous. Not to mention their parents got angry at the man.

Smiling, Hera bought a chocolate ice cream cone in the midst of the confusion, walked away, and smiled at Murphy evilly as she Forcemessaged him with the message, "This the best you can do? Try again."

Murphy defiantly Forcemessaged back, "You ain't seen nothing yet."

As all this happened, Emma smiled and said, "Kids these days...."

Hera smiled as she gently licked her ice cream cone. The Acolytes were distracted, as she skipped like a small child down the road. Still though, she needed more. The Acolytes were scattered but their spirit was not broken. It would not take long for them to come back and try to frak her up. So she skipped, her white shoes gently touching the ground, as she smiled with the innocence of a child.

“What to do?” she thought as she moved gently down the road away from the kids. “How can we bunch them up together?” she asked.

“Patience, soon they will be at your mercy.” the voice spoke to Hera-Suzie.

Hera nodded as she took another bite of the Ice Cream. She tapped into her unused roll over force minutes, as she text the guy. “Catch me if you can.” she said taunting the acolyte as she continued to skip, towards a small park near the street, but keeping within eye sight of the kids and their parents. As the message went out, she added to it just a slight nudge. Focusing on his humiliation and anger, she gently nudged the man's emotions to move slightly higher than before, increasing his anger enough to hopefully make a mistake.

Hera smiled as she gently licked her ice cream cone. The Acolytes were distracted, as she skipped like a small child down the road. Still though, she needed more. The Acolytes were scattered but their spirit was not broken. It would not take long for them to come back and try to frak her up. So she skipped, her white shoes gently touching the ground, as she smiled with the innocence of a child.

“What to do?” she thought as she moved gently down the road away from the kids. “How can we bunch them up together?” she asked.

“Patience, soon they will be at your mercy.” the voice spoke to Hera-Suzie.

Hera nodded as she took another bite of the Ice Cream. She tapped into her unused roll over force minutes, as she text the guy. “Catch me if you can.” she said taunting the acolyte as she continued to skip, towards a small park near the street, but keeping within eye sight of the kids and their parents. As the message went out, she added to it just a slight nudge. Focusing on his humiliation and anger, she gently nudged the man's emotions to move slightly higher than before, increasing his anger enough to hopefully make a mistake.

Lionel immediately noticed Hera's bait. She was just wandering down the street, eating an ice cream and taunting him and by extension his squad with the message. He was smart enough to realize that if he lept on Hera now, those same kids calling the man in front of the truck a "bloody pedo" along with their angry parents would turn on him. No need to make a scene now.

"Reggie, Jackie. Jonesy and Mike are down. We're gonna have to pay bail for them later." was the Forcemessage for the next two.

"Figured that's what the noise was about. Where's our target moving?" Jackie replied on his wavelength.

"She's heading to a park outside of our little road. Intercept her. Bring in the others. This is a coordinated assault. Don't muck about. Cloak yourselves."

"Righty."

With that, the other two waved themselves into nothingness with Force Cloak, and began skulking about, moving closer to the park Hera was approaching, as did the others. They took hiding spots in shrubs and behind trees, observing their mark.

Lionel, meanwhile, nonchalantly dropped a penny from his hand, letting it bounce on the pavement before giving it a rapid Force Push with his mind, aiming it at a wall and banking it off of at one of her shoelaces. If done right, the old phrase "Your shoelaces are untied" would be correct this time, for the penny would hit one of her shoes and undo a clasp. Hopefully long enough to distract....

Hera smiled again as she tapped into her targets. Cloaked and hidden, she felt pride in the fact that they were still undeterred. She could feel their intent, she could hear their frustration, and it sounded like a symphony of chaos. “This herd is truly a good hunt.” she thought to herself, as she stopped skipping and turned to the man with the kids and gave him a smile.

She could sense Lionel's move, as the penny whizzed through the air.

“Your time is now.” a small voice said from behind her. Hera turned around quickly as a man stood before her. His robes were long and white with an aura of an angel. His eyes looked like fire as he put his large hand on the small shoulder of the child. “Now is the time to strike them down. Do you feel them, coming for you. As if you were the prey?” he asked his voice booming in her head.

“I do.” she nodded to the man.

“Then do what you know. Now is the time to take them down. Be patient, and let them come to you. Use their strength to your advantage.” he said to Hera as he slowly removed his hand.

“What do I do?” Hera asked.

The man in white took his hand and as the penny hit, he shoved her hard. As he did, the wind picked up, blowing her dress up around her waist, as her head hit the pavement hard.

Hera cried in pain, as the sharp spike flowed through her. A tear rolled down her face. She looked down and could see a small bit of blood puddling from her nose. “You frakking bastard.” she said to the man in white.

“Stay down, Hera.” he spoke to her. “Stay down now and you will win. Make yourself the victim, and your enemies will fall.” he said clearly to her, as he man kneeled down to the young child. “Make yourself his target and he will fall.”

Hera stayed still for a moment, as she silently agreed. Her eyes yellow with hate and pain, Hera closed her eyes. As the man near the kids who started the penny attack walked closer, Hera concentrated. Gently some pictures just fell out of Lionel pocket's, where the penny came from. The pictures would be of the children in the playground, playing four square, jumping rope, some were groups, other individual shots. The majority of them though, would be of the young girl, Suzie, who just fell, swinging on a swing, playing on the monkey bars, and even walking out of the church that she seemingly just came from.

Hera stayed still for a moment, as she silently agreed. Her eyes yellow with hate and pain, Hera closed her eyes. As the man near the kids who started the penny attack walked closer, Hera concentrated. Gently some pictures just fell out of his pocket, where the penny came from. The pictures would be of the children in the playground, playing four square, jumping rope, some were groups, other individual shots. The majority of them though, would be of the young girl who just fell, swinging on a swing, playing on the monkey bars, and even walking out of the church that she seemingly just came from.

Lionel's eyes opened wide with horror, as it was pretty clear that these pictures would brand him a pervert, to put it mildly. And sure enough, one of the parents, a giant Jamaican man, saw the pics fly out. Sauntering up to Lionel, he grabbed a picture, and then delivered a sudden blow to the groin with his fist, saying, "Bloody perv! I'll teach you to do that to my kids!" At that moment, the others looked about and saw the fake pictures, and then immediately joined the melee before Lionel Murphy could react with any Force powers. Before long, the others in hiding knew the jig was up, and Emma McKinnon had to rush out to explain to the six London Metropolitan Police officers that arrived on the scene that this was part of a test.

The kids were stunned, and then turned to "Suzie." Running to her side, they noticed "Suzie" was hurt; but, they also had a gut feeling that Mr. Murphy wasn't a complete perv. Call it denial, call it the skepticism of youth that made kids say, "Say it ain't so!" but they rushed to "Suzie's" side.

Shanta then poked Suzie and asked, "What'd you do to Mr. Murphy? We ain't seen a camera on him, he can barely work his lightsaber--we know you're up to something!" The boy then said, "Shanta....I know Mr. Murphy couldn'ta done it, but do we really gotta blame Suzie?"

Shanta then knocked the boy onto the pavement, shouting at him, "She takes our ball, she gets Mr. Murphy in trouble....." Staring at her suspiciously, Shanta said skeptically, "She's up to something, this Yank."

The other men from the bush walked out, decloaking. The leader of them, Reggie, a tall Jamaican man, said, "She is, kids. In fact, she's no Yank."

Staring at Suzie, he then said, crossing his arms angrily, "Aint'cha, Miss Alien Troublemaker Who Only Looks Like a Kid?" Reggie timed his speech carefully, to appeal to any knee jerk reactions and fears these kids had about newcomers.

The kids were now duly confused; who could they trust? The New Girl, or the People's Acolytes?

Suzie slowly picked herself up from her puddle, as she was assaulted by the kids verbally. She looked confused, as she was far away from Mr. Murphy. Her eyes stayed closed as she waited for her eyes to become brown again. Tears rolled down her eyes, as blood continued to pour down her cheek.

“What?” she asked sobbing from the pain. “What are you talking about?” she asked seemingly clueless about the “pictures” considering she at her angle would never have seen the pics nor would have known what was happening.

She looked up to the big Jamaican leader. “What are you talking about?” she asked still sobbing. “I just busted my nose.” she said again crying like the little girl she pretended to be. She put her hands over her eyes as she tried to cover her tears. “I just moved here, I do not know what is going on.” she yelled out crying. “Why are you being so mean to me?”

As she did she sent out another force nudge. Very slight very subtle, she just tried to make them slightly more sympathetic, to see her as innocent.

Suzie slowly picked herself up from her puddle, as she was assaulted by the kids verbally. She looked confused, as she was far away from Mr. Murphy. Her eyes stayed closed as she waited for her eyes to become brown again. Tears rolled down her eyes, as blood continued to pour down her cheek.

“What?” she asked sobbing from the pain. “What are you talking about?” she asked seemingly clueless about the “pictures” considering she at her angle would never have seen the pics nor would have known what was happening.

She looked up to the big Jamaican leader. “What are you talking about?” she asked still sobbing. “I just busted my nose.” she said again crying like the little girl she pretended to be. She put her hands over her eyes as she tried to cover her tears. “I just moved here, I do not know what is going on.” she yelled out crying. “Why are you being so mean to me?”

As she did she sent out another force nudge. Very slight very subtle, she just tried to make them slightly more sympathetic, to see her as innocent.

The kids got the Force nudge and began murmuring, but the Acolytes did not. Reggie was rather tired of Hera's games, and decided to nudge the kids in his own direction.

"Because a little schoolgirl in Sunday best ye ain't. Jonesy saw ya shapeshift on the way here. One minute he sees a tall, pale woman, next moment, you. And when you come in, all these things happen. Anybody else find that odd?"

Looking at the kids, he asked, "Anyone?"

The kids then became divided. Arguing amongst themselves, they began debating whether or not "Suzie" was what Reggie said. Shanta took the position she was a bad person in kid form; The Kid took the position that she was just a kid who got a bad rap for no good reason, probably because of a drunk dad.

As they argued, Emma moved closer to the scene. Buying a soda, she opened the bottle and began drinking as she observed Reggie's confrontation with "Suzie" ahead. Even as she causally answered police questions, she observed how things were going. And it looked like "Suzie" was winning.

One of Reggie's men then decided to scream, "Fuck this!" and immediately lunged at Hera-Suzie with his bare arms. "I'll kick your ass, brat or not!"

Reggie then tried to hold him back, shouting, "Ease off, Mike!" but not before a slap connected with "Suzie," sending her onto the pavement. Mike then taunted Hera with, "You think you're smarter then me, eh brat? Fucking shit you are! You're just a skank in Sunday best!"

Reggie then turned to the kids and said, "I'm really sorry! Don't be like him!"

Suzie looked in horror at the accusations of the Acolytes as she kept her hands over her head. Slowly pulling them down, she looked up at the new acolytes in the area. “Are you fucking Mental?” she screamed at them, opting to use the Dornie cuss word instead of her native version Frak.

As she let her scream out, she soon felt the hand of the previous acolyte strike her down. He hit her hard, and it hurt like hell, as she fell to the ground. The side of her face grew red from the strike, as her left side hit her head on the side of the pavement.

The man cussed at her, baiting her to strike. Hera laid there seemingly stunned, as she sent out a wave of to coerce the parents and cops in the area to grow enraged at the man who hit the young child. “Help Me!” she screamed out in terror, as she reached forward trying to crawl away. “Somebody help me, Please!” she screeched out.

She then reached out in the force one more time, to the man that flipped out and struck her. “You hit like a girl.”

Suzie looked in horror at the accusations of the Acolytes as she kept her hands over her head. Slowly pulling them down, she looked up at the new acolytes in the area. “Are you fucking Mental?” she screamed at them, opting to use the Dornie cuss word instead of her native version Frak.

As she let her scream out, she soon felt the hand of the previous acolyte strike her down. He hit her hard, and it hurt like hell, as she fell to the ground. The side of her face grew red from the strike, as her left side hit her head on the side of the pavement.

The man cussed at her, baiting her to strike. Hera laid there seemingly stunned, as she sent out a wave of to coerce the parents and cops in the area to grow enraged at the man who hit the young child. “Help Me!” she screamed out in terror, as she reached forward trying to crawl away. “Somebody help me, Please!” she screeched out.

She then reached out in the force one more time, to the man that flipped out and struck her. “You hit like a girl.”

One look at the injured girl, and the men in front of her, and the crowd went berserk. Whipping out nightsticks, knives, and running to get shotguns and pistols, they screamed for vengance.

"Fucking child molesters!"

"Fucking abusers!"

"Brutes!"

"Monsters!"

At that point, the angry mob descended up Reggie and his crew, until Emma then shouted, throwing her voice to prevent herself from being noticed, "ENOUGH!" That got people to stop moving, and then people noticed Hera had crawled off.

As that occurred, Emma suddenly appeared in front of Hera as she escaped the ruckus, smiling.

"Don't worry, I ain't gonna hit ya."

Offering her own hand and another ice cream cone, she then knelt down and said, "Come on now. I think we've caused enough trouble for one day. Made us look like perverts and violent thugs, that time. Don't worry, the man who gave you a slap will get his..."

As she moved to clean up Hera-Suzie's wounds and applied some bandages, she said violently to herself, with anger, "I don't like it when kids get abused....even if you aren't one, wasn't right."

Looking at the crowd, she then sighed, saying earnestly, "Come along now. No need to get fussy." Looking at one of the cops, she said, "PC Epstein, it's just another reality test....looks like Comrade Flanagan's failed his." She then glared at the one named "Mike," and he winced.

The mob descended, as the loud voice in her head crackled in laughter, loving the chaos that had descended the small town street. The Heroes were villains, the Lady of the Sith the victim of the evil good guys. Hera smiled, as she pulled herself away, as history seemed to repeat itself as the populace rose once more against the People’s Acolytes.

Unlike last time though, this Lady had no ill intent against the People’s Acolytes. As the words enough boomed across the street, Hera took it as a cue that the game was over. She pulled herself up, to see the mob descending upon the PA, their wrath and vengeance pouring into her. Her darker side loved it, as it fed her, but another voice in her mind spoke up.

“You can’t let them do this.” the sweeter voice spoke. “You came here to join them, to learn from them. You are destroying them, and their blood will be on your hands. Please Hera.” the voice begged her. “Do not give in. Save them.”

Hera said nothing as she watched. Her anger still poured out of her. This one man in particular, the one that struck the injured child that she pretended to be. “Please forgive him” the voice pleaded.

Then Emma came, and as she spoke, Hera nodded. “Ok.” she simply responded. "I take it the test is over then?" she asked. As requested she dropped her spells. Her bones grew back, as she screamed out in pain and agony. The pics vanished, and the emotions went away. Hera laid there for a moment, immobile from the pain of her bones, and flesh cracking as it returned.

After a few moments, she got up. Her body ached, worse than any beating the man gave her. She held up her hands to the crowd. “Please stop.” Hera pleaded with the cops and angry crowd. “This was all a test.” she told them. None of these men are at fault. None of them are perverts, they are all good men. They are hear to protect you, and they do a great job of it.” she shouted to the rabid crowd.

“It takes courage to do what they did. An enemy, even in the body of the child in this test came to you, and these brave men and women of the People’s Acolytes still defended you. Despite appearances, knowing that they would be seen as the bad guys, they still did what was right and came to your defense. They deserve your admiration, not contempt. I am sorry for the tricks I played on all of you, and I beg your forgiveness. This was an impromptu test of the People’s Acolytes and they preformed admirably.” She said boasting the PA, as she sent out waves of emotions to help calm the populace, and boast their confidence in their defenders.

“Those pictures, as the body I was in were all illusions. None of these men were guilty of what they seemed to be. They are all good men.” she said reaffirming her stance. “And to be honest they passed. Really it takes such honor and devotion to make an unpopular decision to protect the people. If only our national leaders had their courage, and devotion. So please forgive me for what I did. It was not their fault, it was mine.” Hera pleaded with the crowd.

As she finished her speech, she walked over towards the kid that had handed her the ball. “What is your name?” she asked softly.

Then Emma came, and as she spoke, Hera nodded. “Ok.” she simply responded. "I take it the test is over then?" she asked. As requested she dropped her spells. Her bones grew back, as she screamed out in pain and agony. The pics vanished, and the emotions went away. Hera laid there for a moment, immobile from the pain of her bones, and flesh cracking as it returned.

After a few moments, she got up. Her body ached, worse than any beating the man gave her. She held up her hands to the crowd. “Please stop.” Hera pleaded with the cops and angry crowd. “This was all a test.” she told them. None of these men are at fault. None of them are perverts, they are all good men. They are hear to protect you, and they do a great job of it.” she shouted to the rabid crowd.

“It takes courage to do what they did. An enemy, even in the body of the child in this test came to you, and these brave men and women of the People’s Acolytes still defended you. Despite appearances, knowing that they would be seen as the bad guys, they still did what was right and came to your defense. They deserve your admiration, not contempt. I am sorry for the tricks I played on all of you, and I beg your forgiveness. This was an impromptu test of the People’s Acolytes and they preformed admirably.” She said boasting the PA, as she sent out waves of emotions to help calm the populace, and boast their confidence in their defenders.

“Those pictures, as the body I was in were all illusions. None of these men were guilty of what they seemed to be. They are all good men.” she said reaffirming her stance. “And to be honest they passed. Really it takes such honor and devotion to make an unpopular decision to protect the people. If only our national leaders had their courage, and devotion. So please forgive me for what I did. It was not their fault, it was mine.” Hera pleaded with the crowd.

As she finished her speech, she walked over towards the kid that had the ball. “What is your name?” she asked softly.

The mob and the PA agents then looked at one another, and grew beet red, quickly bowing and apologizing to all parties concerned from the PA side in a quick exchange of embarassed handshakes and nervous chuckles. It was as if it had all been a reality TV show, set up to fool the participants for a laugh.

PC Epstein, one of the cops involved from London Metro PD, sighed and said to Emma, "Sensei McKinnon. Really. You have to warn us about these sorts of things--we can't very well have your people lynched as child molesters when they're clearly not."

Emma then said, "Didn't know she was going to do that."

PC Epstein then shrugged and said, "Still, some warning's a good thing. Reality based training aside, this has caused quite the mess." He then walked off to disperse the crowd and get people back to work.

As Emma was talking to the cop, the boy with the ball said, "Umm...James. James Harcourt."

Shanta walked up and said, "I knew you weren't a Yank...but I've gotta say, Suzie. I wish I could do that." The kids then began asking her about her powers and things, as kids were wont to do.

Emma then walked over to Hera, shrugging herself. "Anywho, I think we can agree you're in. You've shown enough subterfuge and talent to earn a seat." Turning to the kids, she then said, "Alright, children. Thank you for being excellent sports about all this. I hope our guest was a good playmate."

James replied, "She does a good game."

Shanta then said, "She does an okay game. Not bad for a first timer."

Emma chuckled and leaned in, with a reply of, "Alright, alright....it was her first time. Now, we got business to take care of. You can see Suzie again later."

Hera just smiled at James as she kneeled down next to him. “You were so nice to me, you were the one that believed in me when the others did not.” she said softly to the boy. “Thank you.” she whispered softly. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a one hundred pound bill and placed it in his hand. “That is for being kind.” she said as she smiled at him.

Then the onslaught of questions erupted at her. Hera smiled, as she gave a hug to the kids that would let her. As the questions came Hera shrugged it off. “I do not have any powers.” she told them. “You do. I am not the one to be admired you are.” she said to them with a gentle smile. “You knew something was not right, and you came to the defense of a man you knew and trusted. You knew what was right. You are the ones that are to be admired. You are the one with power.” she said to the kids.

Then Emma came to Hera. Hera nodded at the mention of business. As she got up, she smiled once more at her playmates. “Name is Hera by the way. Nice to meet you all.”

Then walking besides Emma, Hera walked quietly at first, but then spoke up. “So when is the last phase of the test?” she asked her new sensei.

Then Emma came to Hera. Hera nodded at the mention of business. As she got up, she smiled once more at her playmates. “Name is Hera by the way. Nice to meet you all.”

Then walking besides Emma, Hera walked quietly at first, but then spoke up. “So when is the last phase of the test?” she asked her new sensei.

James lit up proudly and then ran off with the kids to play foursquare once more. Life settled back into its regular routines, as PC Epstein stayed behind to make sure things were normal again.

Emma replied with a sheepish grin as they walked back, "I think we've pretty much proven that you're capable of a spot in our group already. No need for anything further that might upset the populace. After all, you usually only get one chance to apologize, especially folks like us."

Looking up into the air, she muttered as they sauntered back into the Temple, "Good thinking with the kid disguise, by the way. I've never heard of anybody doing that, really. Save for a few of the Shinmei School. But they're rather esoteric, that lot."

Hera nodded gently, as a smile creased her lips. "Thank you." she said softly as she walked next to O'l Spooky. She walked in silence again for a moment, down the streets of greater London.

Finally Hera turned to her. "What is my first assignment?" she asked Emma, "or lesson?"

Hera nodded gently, as a smile creased her lips. "Thank you." she said softly as she walked next to O'l Spooky. She walked in silence again for a moment, down the streets of greater London.

Finally Hera turned to her. "What is my first assignment?" she asked Emma, "or lesson?"

As the two walked into the Temple, they noticed the people packing Magriel's lecture. It was then apparent that Emma had something for her to do....

Smiling, she said, "Let's ease off the testing and training some, and take in some intellectual stimulation. The Malkir Master Magriel is hosting a lecture today. Let's get in while there's still seats."

Leading the woman into the room, she took a seat near the back, motioning for Hera to sit. The room was packed....

Hera nodded as she sat down next to Sensei Spooky. Sitting at her right side, Hera squirmed in her seat for a moment. The burn and the pain of the tests still felt through her body, sitting became uncomfortable for her. But she would try to endure.

She looked at the podium and noticed two men. One looked fimiliar, like someone she had seen before, and the other, the speaker she stared at.

"Damn, he is hot." she thought to herself speaking not of the masaki but of the speaker. She leaned back and listened. As she did she tried to figure out where she knew the kid from, but every time she tried her eyes wandered back to the speaker. Hera leaned back in the chair and listened.

OOC: Yes, I do realize the coin flip is from "No Country for Old Men." Apologies to the Coen Brothers.

IC:

"Another fool. Tut dun's the mouse, I suppose."

Boris Tereshkov, currently in the body of a People's Acolyte he hijacked in Somalia, had left yet another grisly scene. As usual, the local folk didn't know how to serve him ice cream without an attitude, so he decided to teach them a lesson. At least this man's soul was satisfying enough, and he put up enough of a struggle to make the meal fun. Revitalized once more, the Forcepowered Russian Serial Killing Necromancer was once again on the prowl. He looked for things that tickled his fancy. Good books, mainly.

Stopping into a bookshop, he browsed about. Finding a good copy of Aeschylus' Orestia, he took it off the shelf and walked up to the clerk, who scanned it unceremoniously, without cheer and with a curt, "Five dollars."

Boris sighed and took out the man's wallet. He mused out loud, "I wonder, young man. Does the art of customer service mean anything to you?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Then why is it everywhere I go in this city I am treated like dirt? Every clerk in London either doesn't speak English, or speaks it in a way that makes it seem I'm bothering them."

"Well, that's not my business." The clerk looked up at Boris with a look that indicated he wasn't interested in a lecture. Boris grew angry, and wondered whether or not he should kill the little snot. He then realized he wasn't hungry. But the little snot was so irritating.....

Smiling, he pulled out a coin and said, "Here's a trick I saw in a movie once. I will flip this coin. Call it."

The Clerk looked at him funny.

"I'm not joking. This could very well affect your future, laddie. Call the damn coin," Boris said, using a swear word--something he never usually did.

Sighing, the Clerk muttered, "Heads, bloody heads--flip the fucking coin!"

Boris flipped the coin, and then watched it land on the counter. With a smile, he said, "It's your lucky day. Keep the change."

The Clerk then saw Boris walk off with his book, as he smelled a strong presence in the city. One that would prove more entertaining than beating up clerks and random joggers. Problem being, it meant the temple.....but no matter. He would go near it, and wait it out.

Still in the bathroom, Magriel turned on the sink and splashed some water on his face. He looked at the mirror deeply, studying his own face. His smile from Jessie's little incident slowly disappeared and turned into the classic stern face which he usually has on when he's in a classroom. He dried off his face and marched on out and into his classroom. The classroom hushed as he marched down toward the podium and opened up his lecture notes. He cleared his throat, "good afternoon class. Today's lecture will be on "Comparison on the Major Force Users: The Jedi, Sith, Malkir, Kirtir and Acolytes." As he was speaking, a sharpie pen hovered up into the air and wrote the title on the white board behind him. Jessie meanwhile, stared down at his desk with a blank datapad and started to doze off to sleep when he was suppose to be taking notes. The Malkir Master frowned at Jessie and cleared his throat again.

"All of these major users basically believe in the same core of one main point in the Force. It creates all living things in this universe. It surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together. The basic building block of life for without it, none of us would exist. They all believe that everyone is touched, connected by the Force. However, yet despite the basic belief, there are many different methods for the Force's application and philosophies. Any guesses as to why this is?"

Not a word was said as the question was asked. Not a noise was heard, except that of a small cricket that somehow managed to enter the lecture hall. Nothing was said, so nothing was the answer. At least to Hera.

She sat up, her back as straight as a board, as she peered out onto the podium. She watched Magriel, watching his moves, his subtle hand gestures, the very way he peered out into the audience. Hera watched for any clue into his motivation for asking the question.

Hera watched and waited, what seemed to be forever to her. She did not want to be first, she did not want to attract attention. She did not want to look like an idiot to her peers here in London.

As she sat still, like a statue, watching this teacher, she could not help but to feel the impulse to speak. She watched him, her eyes blinking somewhat rapidly, as the tension slowly built up inside her. She closed her eyes, trying to resist the urge to speak, hoping that she could control herself. The last thing she wanted was a repeat of Konoha, to repeat the cycle that her peers would think she is insane, or scary.

Hera sat still for what seemed to be an eternity the internal struggle waged in her, as she put her hands on her legs. Finally one side won out, as she raised her hand.

“Yes you in the back.” Magriel called out as he pointed to the young woman in the back of the lecture hall.

Hera was nervous as she stood up. She had never given a public statement before, never in front of so many people. The Jedi Council sure, but there were only twelve of them, and she had nothing to lose. Now though, she feared looking like an idiot.

“For one of three reasons.” she finally said, as she fidgeted with her hands.

“The first is individualism.” she spoke out. “That perspective is reality and that our perceptions create our very ideals. Such would be true when coming to theory on an unseen unknown entity such as the force.” she said out loud. “However that is not concurrent with the known laws of reality. Outside of us there is a true existence, one that would be here if or if not we and our perceptions did not exist. It would also imply that the force does not speak to us, at least not all of us in the same manner, and that we, not the force guide our own destinies.”

“Individualism also offers another problem. If it is our own minds and perceptions that give us the ideals and theory of the force, then the force has no conscious. It has no intelligence, it simply is a delusion to assume that it would. Also it puts our own minds and desires above it, creating our perception as actually more powerful than the force itself. As such, it is probably a logical fallacy to assume Individualism is the correct answer.”

She paused for a moment as the room was probably staring at her. Their whispers were loud to Hera, as she placed her hands over her ears. Trying to block out the sound of their thoughts, their inner voice, she finally spoke up, “Please be Quiet.” she yelled trying to get her voice over the sound of the people. She looked around, as they spoke with their mouths closed. Hera tried her best to shut it out, but it was hard, the noise was so loud.

Looking around, she concentrated, til the noise became a dull roar. Hera shook her head as she looked back towards the podium. “Sorry.” she quickly apologized lowering her head to the teacher. “Damn it, why in the frak can’t I shut this out?” she thought to herself as she looked back to the podium. “The second reason could be Culturalism. Each planet that has life has developed a multitude of cultures, societies and thoughts. Each society sees itself in it’s own microcosms and defines the world around it. This would explain the Dathomir Night Witches, the Sith Society on Korriban, the Coredian Jedi movement, even the People’s Acolytes. However again, the same problems result from individualism as they do in culturalism. Reality becomes defined by group perception and backed up by centuries of cultural ideals.

Also it implies that the group and culture are above the force, causing many of the same problems as Individualism, thus is probably not correct.” she said again.

The Voices of the crowd grew louder again and Hera did her best to shun them out. The hall was loud to her, too loud. Shaking her head, “Please, God.” she spoke out to the group.

She looked back at the podium, her voice a bit louder, as the noise in the room was deafening, “The only concept that seems to be universal, is the fact the force talks to us.” she said her voice higher than usual. “Yet it tells us all different things. It tells the Sith to use emotions, the Jedi to use reason, and the Colonials to drink more ambrosia.” she said booming her voice over the loud and unruly crowd that she heard. “Yet it tells us different things. This is why different groups exist. But why?” she asked the group.

“Probably because it likes the sound of Chaos. The force is not evil, it is not good, it is a puppeteer, playing with us like puppets on a string. It moves us to do it’s will, causes the conflict that we are so eager to join. In the end billions lay dead, and it is still not entertained. The force is crazy, and it divides us itself. It is an old man playing chess with himself, getting into an argument with itself. To get to the truth the force needs medication.” Hera said plainly and clearly as she sat back down.

OOC: The noises and distractions she heard and her perceptions may or may not be real. At no point did I play ND's people.

Emma immediately sensed there was something wrong as Hera's voice began to increase in volume as she spoke. Her comments were wise, but something was making their presentation disturbed. Then, as Hera sat, Emma pieced together what the thought was--it was that same feeling she detected when she first met Hera, only with a little more urgency to it. Spooky leaned in and whispered to Hera, "What happened up there?"

Hera turned her head towards Emma as she spoke softly. “They were being loud, the students kept talking. I tried to shut them out, and their mouths did not move. But their voices grew, all the way to eleven.” Hera said making a classic Dornie reference to the movie Spinal Tap.

She shook her head and gently put her face in her cupped hands before her. “It was so loud, so overwhelming. I tried Emma, I really tried, but their voices screamed at me.”

Hera turned her head towards Emma as she spoke softly. “They were being loud, the students kept talking. I tried to shut them out, and their mouths did not move. But their voices grew, all the way to eleven.” Hera said making a classic Dornie reference to the movie Spinal Tap.

She shook her head and gently put her face in her cupped hands before her. “It was so loud, so overwhelming. I tried Emma, I really tried, but their voices screamed at me.”

Emma looked about; the situation seemed calm enough to her. Though the people around Hera began mumbling to themselves. She Forcemessaged those folks, assuring them things were alright.

Then, she realized what it was about. The items on the psych report....they were right. Emma leaned in and put her hand on Hera's shoulder. Calmly, she said with a reassuring tone and a little help from the Force, "Hmm...well, the important thing is, its over now. You can relax."

Forcemessaging, she simply said privately to Hera, "I understand what's going on. Don't worry. Just breathe in, and out--and try to focus on other things....I'm here."

Hera did breath in and out. With each breath she drew, she became calmer, quieter. Her movements nearly stopped as she stood as still as a statue, with her hands embracing her face as she leaned forward. The only real movement was her chest as she took in another deep breath.

A moment passed, as the young hybrid woman turned towards Emma. Her text message received, Hera slowly turned her head towards “Ol’ Spooky.” A small warm smile came from the young woman as she looked at this Dornie who did not seem that judgmental.

“Do you really care?” she asked plainly, her voice without passion or emotion. “Do you really know what you have taken on? Do you want to help?” she asked almost as if Hera was asking about someone or something else.

With that the young woman chuckled, “You are a good person Sensei. You really are.”

Magriel nodded at Hera's rather... Odd response. "Very well. We could interpret it as individualism, but then that would apply that every single person would have a different view of the Force rather than a select group of people. Sure, it could tell the Sith to use emotions, the Jedi to use reasons and for your people to be a bunch of drunks. But if that were the case, then the Jedi would always remain Jedi and the Sith would always remain Sith. We know that this isn't the case. Jedi have been known to fallen and become Sith, and Sith to redeem themselves and cast off the mantel of Sith Lord. You are somewhat half right with individualism, but it's more along the lines of personal interpretation through philosophy. The Force tells us all the same exact thing, but we interpret it in different ways through different minds of thought. Jedi don't always use reason, certainly not in the Masaki Regime. While the Sith seem to remain true to your idea of using emotions, it's the kind of emotions they use which govern their interpretation. Jedi too use emotions to govern their philosophy. Their code states that they believe in harmony, peace, knowledge and serenity all which are forms of different kinds of emotions. The Sith code states that they believe in passion, power and strength which will lead to their victory and the Force will set them free. One might also put emotions on the list of things which cause us to interpret the Force as well as personal interpretations.

“Do you really care?” she asked plainly, her voice without passion or emotion. “Do you really know what you have taken on? Do you want to help?” she asked almost as if Hera was asking about someone or something else.

With that the young woman chuckled, “You are a good person Sensei. You really are.”

Unfazed by the challenge Hera had summarily issued from her lips, Emma stood stoic. The challenge, the look--it reminded her somewhat of the bad old days. If she was having flashbacks of her past self--scruffy, nasty, with wild hair, tattered BDUs, wild and homicidal look in her eyes, glaring at passersby and scaring young children with visions of their worst nightmares and scaring people into giving her change--it didn't show.

Instead, she smiled simply and said, "I know" in a gentle tone.

Hearing Magriel's comments, Emma then nodded, pulling out a little notepad. She had a feeling this would be worth a question later on. Indeed, others were doing so, and one person got up and said, "Does the influence of emotions fit then, into the way the Acolyte Oath and Code are set up? And what of the influence of politics? After all, we are called the 'People's Acolytes,' an obvious nod to Marxism-Leninism and other forms of leftist ideology even if we aren't too Communistic now."

Magriel nodded at the young student's question, "emotions shall always fit into a Code. We are all imperfect beings, so no matter how well set up one's code can be, we will never be able to follow it 100% of the way. Lets take a page out of your Oath... One phrase you have in there is 'Acolytes Embrace the People's Will. They are neither Light Nor Dark.' You say the people are neither Light nor Dark. What if the people's will was manipulated as such to the point where they no longer want the Acolytes to protect them? Even going so far as to the point of total extermination? What will the Acolytes do in that scenario? While the Acolytes might be trained to be disciplined and learn, and are pure in mind and body, the people aren't. Their 'will' is governed mostly by emotions, which conflicts the acolytes latter codes."

Magriel nodded at the young student's question, "emotions shall always fit into a Code. We are all imperfect beings, so no matter how well set up one's code can be, we will never be able to follow it 100% of the way. Lets take a page out of your Oath... One phrase you have in there is 'Acolytes Embrace the People's Will. They are neither Light Nor Dark.' You say the people are neither Light nor Dark. What if the people's will was manipulated as such to the point where they no longer want the Acolytes to protect them? Even going so far as to the point of total extermination? What will the Acolytes do in that scenario? While the Acolytes might be trained to be disciplined and learn, and are pure in mind and body, the people aren't. Their 'will' is governed mostly by emotions, which conflicts the acolytes latter codes."

The crowd murmured. Magriel was rightly chosen, evidently, to have returned to London for the lectures. His sharp power of observation certainly showed that. Immediately, a flurry of hands was raised, and among them was Sensei McKinnon herself, who stood up and spoke.

"Master Magriel, that part of the ideology was based on a local cult, to put it in Anthropological perspective, that deified Communism and believed that the Will of the People was almost a divine force. Nonetheless, I agree with you.

Let me be the first to say that having witnessed what human beings can do in terms of letting their fury get the best of them...."

She then broke off and continued, evidently hiding something. It was a pain that Hera could sense, and Magriel and Jesse could probably sense--something happened that probably she wasn't comfortable witnessing in public. "Yes. Bringing us back to your concern, it can be said to have deified the power of the people--a very unstable force that can become a tyranny of the majority if left to be swayed by demagogues, opportunists, and disgruntled cranks. And for that, I thank you for your conclusion."

Emma decided to sit before she totally broke down. She had come close to recalling the past. And frankly, it wasn't something she liked. Shaking her head, she began meditaiting in a cold sweat. Hera could tell something had shaken her, but Emma's mind was guarded as a Woodian's right now.

Another student, in the meanwhile, got up and spoke.

"What would you say then, about the role of what the brains call 'agency' in the different Force schools? That is, different peoples deciding to make the choice to use the Force in their own way....is that a big factor by itself, or something would you say plays on the other factors already mentioned?"

Hera stood up, quickly at Magriel’s response. Her mind was clear for the moment, as the small framed woman stood up in the back of the class. “I am sorry teach.” she said with a slight smile, “But it would seem that you are confusing ethics and motive with emotions. Emotions are just that emotions, but the actions we cite are more of a choice. Hate is not a bad thing, when it is a hatred of an injustice. The emotion of hate is neither good nor evil, just a chemical response in the brain.” she quipped out.

“However what is good or evil, light or dark is our choice. What do we do with ourselves? What is the long term results of our actions? Emotions have little to do with that, except to a weak willed person, who is more animalistic than a person. The true nature of the light and dark, is conscious choice. Will we be agents to bring about a change that is long term beneficial for those in our care, or will it be detrimental for the majority, for the benefit of ourselves, or worse, a determent for all.”

“A mistake is not evil in itself, nor is perfection and imperfection. Only our actions are what can be judged efficiently, and only by those who are affected.”

Hera stood up, quickly at Magriel’s response. Her mind was clear for the moment, as the small framed woman stood up in the back of the class. “I am sorry teach.” she said with a slight smile, “But it would seem that you are confusing ethics and motive with emotions. Emotions are just that emotions, but the actions we cite are more of a choice. Hate is not a bad thing, when it is a hatred of an injustice. The emotion of hate is neither good nor evil, just a chemical response in the brain.” she quipped out.

“However what is good or evil, light or dark is our choice. What do we do with ourselves? What is the long term results of our actions? Emotions have little to do with that, except to a weak willed person, who is more animalistic than a person. The true nature of the light and dark, is conscious choice. Will we be agents to bring about a change that is long term beneficial for those in our care, or will it be detrimental for the majority, for the benefit of ourselves, or worse, a determent for all.”

“A mistake is not evil in itself, nor is perfection and imperfection. Only our actions are what can be judged efficiently, and only by those who are affected.”

Magriel paused for a few moments at the schizophrenic's response. He rubbed his chin for a bit and paced back and forth in the classic philosopher way of thinking. "Quite true for the most part. But what if the mistake causes the lives of millions upon millions to be destroyed? Such as lack of concentration on a Fusion Power plan which explodes, thus ending countless lives."


"What would you say then, about the role of what the brains call 'agency' in the different Force schools? That is, different peoples deciding to make the choice to use the Force in their own way....is that a big factor by itself, or something would you say plays on the other factors already mentioned?"

Magriel turned his attention to the Acolyte, "I'd place that more along the lines of factors already mentioned. Side comment, some would attempt to choose to interpret the force to not only in their own way, but to their own WILL. I know of one such person, but I dare not mention his name."

Magriel paused for a few moments at the schizophrenic's response. He rubbed his chin for a bit and paced back and forth in the classic philosopher way of thinking. "Quite true for the most part. But what if the mistake causes the lives of millions upon millions to be destroyed? Such as lack of concentration on a Fusion Power plan which explodes, thus ending countless lives."

Hera shook her head, as she appeared to begin to get frustrated. "No sir." she replied sharply. "It is not evil, it is a mistake. A mistake is not a choice. It has no desire, it has no ability to choose. It is like asking if a avalanche kills 14 people is it evil? No, it is not cause it does not know anything better. Evil and good, are a result of direct and purposeful choices. Destruction, and creation are not good or evil by neccessity, it is just a factor of life. It is the intent and purpose of those that design such destruction or creation that cause good. Is it evil to bull doze a forrest, to create a hosptal that would save lives, dispite the fact that some of the flora will go extinct by such a building?" she retorted back. On one hand the intent would be to save lives, and create good, but in the implimentation, things are dead forever. Is it greater to build the hospital, or to let the flora live and people die?"

Hera shook her head, as she appeared to begin to get frustrated. "No sir." she replied sharply. "It is not evil, it is a mistake. A mistake is not a choice. It has no desire, it has no ability to choose. It is like asking if a avalanche kills 14 people is it evil? No, it is not cause it does not know anything better. Evil and good, are a result of direct and purposeful choices. Destruction, and creation are not good or evil by neccessity, it is just a factor of life. It is the intent and purpose of those that design such destruction or creation that cause good. Is it evil to bull doze a forrest, to create a hosptal that would save lives, dispite the fact that some of the flora will go extinct by such a building?" she retorted back. On one hand the intent would be to save lives, and create good, but in the implimentation, things are dead forever. Is it greater to build the hospital, or to let the flora live and people die?"

A student then got up to contest Hera's assessment. A lad of Indian look, he spoke eloquently as he issued his own retort to Hera, obviously moved.

"I don't think it is so much that that Magriel refers to. I think Magriel refers to what we studying the law would call 'criminal negligence.' That is, accidents that prove quite fatal. I don't think that the man who commits such negligence usually intends to. If anything, he would feel remorse for what he has done, likely, if he lives to tell about it. However, there must still be some mechanism to censure his disregard for others, so he may be reminded to be more diligent. Hence, such acts are treated with contempt and are punished accordingly as if they were done with intent to cause harm."

Hera shook her head, as she appeared to begin to get frustrated. "No sir." she replied sharply. "It is not evil, it is a mistake. A mistake is not a choice. It has no desire, it has no ability to choose. It is like asking if a avalanche kills 14 people is it evil? No, it is not cause it does not know anything better. Evil and good, are a result of direct and purposeful choices. Destruction, and creation are not good or evil by neccessity, it is just a factor of life. It is the intent and purpose of those that design such destruction or creation that cause good. Is it evil to bull doze a forrest, to create a hosptal that would save lives, dispite the fact that some of the flora will go extinct by such a building?" she retorted back. On one hand the intent would be to save lives, and create good, but in the implimentation, things are dead forever. Is it greater to build the hospital, or to let the flora live and people die?"

Magriel narrowed his eyes a bit, "some mistakes are made by choice however. Such as, in the scenario I gave you the person could have chosen to be more attentive and have avoided the meltdown in the first place. In the scenario you have given, it's a completely different subject. The scenario you give is more along the lines of "kill a few to save the lives of others" rather than a mistake."

A student then got up to contest Hera's assessment. A lad of Indian look, he spoke eloquently as he issued his own retort to Hera, obviously moved.

"I don't think it is so much that that Magriel refers to. I think Magriel refers to what we studying the law would call 'criminal negligence.' That is, accidents that prove quite fatal. I don't think that the man who commits such negligence usually intends to. If anything, he would feel remorse for what he has done, likely, if he lives to tell about it. However, there must still be some mechanism to censure his disregard for others, so he may be reminded to be more diligent. Hence, such acts are treated with contempt and are punished accordingly as if they were done with intent to cause harm."

Magriel narrowed his eyes a bit, "some mistakes are made by choice however. Such as, in the scenario I gave you the person could have chosen to be more attentive and have avoided the meltdown in the first place. In the scenario you have given, it's a completely different subject. The scenario you give is more along the lines of "kill a few to save the lives of others" rather than a mistake."


Her little outburst, seemed to draw everyone's attention. It was a feeling she hated, especially since the screams of their thoughts bombarded her thoughts and her mind. He raised her hands to her ears and pressed tightly, to cut out the sound, in vain. "Stop it please." she screamed out loud. "I...."

Suddenly the look of fear ran across her face. She turned and ran, bolting out the door, as fast as her hybrid body could move not using any other preternatural means of moving. As she moved, she slammed the door wide open, and took off down the hall, covering her ears as she ran.

She ran as hard as she could, her breath sucking in the air. Her heart pounded hard, not from the run, but from fear. The sound of the students baiting her, dismissing her, nearly threatening her. She could not take it, as she ran down the hallways, running aimlessly, just trying to escape. As she slung open the last door, she found herself in a court yard. Running to a simple tree, she sat down and put her hands over her eyes, and gasped for air.

As Hera ran out, the room began entering into a state of near panic. People were wondering what had just happened. This was all very civil, or should have been. It wasn't worth running out over, was it? People began chattering nervously. Emma, meanwhile, stood up and raised her arms, saying, "People, please....let's get back to business. I'll take care of it, you just pay attention to the Master."

She then walked out, muttering with concern, "Where could she have gone?"

------

By unfortunate coincidence, one Boris Tereshkov had gotten close enough to the Temple to sense Hera run out and to somewhere away from the debate she was not prepared for. He smiled as he sensed the Force flowing through this one. And he sniffed the air. This one had a soul akin to a filet mignon. Worth pursuing, no doubt. The man then began following his quarry.

Entering the Temple, he rushed down the halls, powerwalking and snifing the air to keep after his target. Yes, he couldn't miss this one. For a moment, he saw Sensei McKinnon run by in another hallway marshaling some Acolytes; he fumed and ran now. For all he knew, they were also after his quarry, and eventually they'd find him. He thus began running more and more, until he found an entrance to one of the courtyards, marked "Meditation Garden." He then opened the door, and hid from sight as he saw the weeping woman. Smiling with a glee that would have caused him to be committed to an asylum if caught, he then sauntered into the entrance, and leaned against it, quoting Shakespeare as he said, "'I'll say she looks as clear as morning roses newly washed with dew.'"

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

As Sensei McKinnon rushed about to look for her, she eventually sensed something had come into the Temple....something quite malevolent. It was thus that she had recruited several men and approached where it was coming from. In her heart, she prayed it wasn't Hera. Something told her she didn't need anymore of that.

When they got the garden, she told the guards to wait before sauntering, going, "Hera?"

“They can trust their God to watch over their immortal souls. What about ours? We are machines dear, remember. We do not have souls.” - Brother Cavil / Boomer

The forest was loud with chatter, the voices of countless, burning her mind with the fire of hate. The meditation was on fire, the heat, melting her skin, burning the small hybrid. Hera’s skin slowly cracked, as her skin turned black.

She watched helplessly as she tried to scream, but she could not. Her mouth opened, and instead of sound, her throat began to clasp. The black smoke of her flesh began to permeate the area, the smell of the dark incense which was her flesh, tearing and gnawing, as if she was being punished for some great heresy.

“Hera!”

Hera gently removed her hands from her face. The garden was much more peaceful, her hands unscathed. She stared out in terror, as the pain vanished, and her flesh was whole. Gently she wept in the pain, the horror of being a prisoner of your own mind.

As Emma approached the hybrid, Hera looked up. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and as Emma looked into her eyes, she saw sadness and fear. Her body shook under the tree, like it was a freezing cold day.

Her skin was wet, soaked in her own sweat, as she looked up to the sensei. “It is too loud, I see them all.” she exclaimed in terror.

Placing her head back in her lap, the girl shook some more. “Their eyes are black, and they spoke to me. Their lips never moved, but I can hear them. I know what they are saying, and their tongues never move.” she murmured with her head down.

“They are with me and will not leave. I can hear them, their plots, their deeds. I heard them speaking to me.” she exclaimed. “It is not fair, I never asked for this. I do not want this. Take it away please.” she said again pleading with the Sensei to help her.

Hera then gently lifted her head up and looked at Emma. A small smile creased her face. “I’ll say she looks as clear as morning roses newly washed in dew.” Hera said to Emma.

She then looked at Emma again scared as the words left her lips. “I do not want to hear anymore. I hear too much.”

OOC: Technically, Boris made the Shakespeare crack. Didn't know if that got made clear, as he is kinda doing the sleaze-bag thing in the doorway there near Hera at the same time, which may be confusing.

She then looked at Emma again scared as the words left her lips. “I do not want to hear anymore. I hear too much.”

OOC: Oh. My mistake.

IC:

Emma then took a hold of her new charge, looking Hera in the eye and going, "I sensed something of the kind.....but this isn't about the barrister, or the lecturer, was it? That was a philosophical debate, no need to take it personally now. As for what I also sensed...." She paused, wondering what to say, then declaring, "It is a bit much, but I have some things that can help you with your condition."

"Help her?" Boris laughed as he spoke, swaggering into the room. Emma turned to him and glared--this was the presence she sensed.

"What's with the cold shoulder, darling? Not happy to see the prodigal son come home?" Boris chuckled evilly.

"I know you're not Thomas Allenby; you're something that's imitating him. A monster. Now, get out!" Emma shouted.

"On the contrary. Why should I leave the presence of such beauty?" He leaned close--uncomfortably so--to Hera, smirking like a cheap gangster eyeing a shipment of goods. "Young lady, you-"

At this, Emma got up and stood between them, and glared at the Darksider before delivering a Force-powered slap and a knee to the balls, sending him flying across the yard. She then said, addressing all involved, "Comrades, escort this man out. If he comes back, he doesn't leave alive."

"All right, all right...I'm leaving...." Boris staggered up and waved for the guards to keep their distance.

As the guards escorted him out anyway, Emma punched in a few keycodes, effectively registering Allenby as a "Rogue Psyker" for all Acolytes to target with the reason of "Force Corruption" before she turned to Hera, with renewed vigor. She said simply, "We'll help you get some clarity of mind. As I was about to say before I was interrupted, I know plenty of techniques, meditation based and otherwise, that can prove useful for holding back malignant influences--learned them myself to deal with similar....temptations."

A pause, like in the lecture hall. Then, she said, "After all, I'm not willing to subject you to chemicals just yet. That's the last thing I'd like to try."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VQzyrMwZVU

Emma and Hera walked side by side, in the opera house. The room was illuminated by a thousand lights, as the red roof, and the long isles lead towards the center stage. Six white long curtains adorned the backdrop, as the Sensei walked side by side with the woman in white.

“It has all happened before and will happen again.” Hera said, as her body began to calm down. Here in this refuge, the site of the things to come, and the beginning of the things past, Emma could see Hera began to take on a new light. She was no longer scared, no longer confused, as the first of God’s new generation took Emma's hand.

“I did not ask for this.” Hera said again, her voice no longer trembling but calm, almost angelic. “I did not want this. I want to be whole again.” she said with a slight smile.

Hera stopped Emma half way down the hall, and looked at her in the eye. The sadness was gone, the hurt and the pain. Here in this place, Hera seemed to be full again, whole.

Her hand gently reached up and touched Emma’s face, like how a mother touches the cheek of her child. “I need your help Emma. Darkness surrounds us, and soon we will be put to the test. I need your aid. Please help me.” Hera said again, as a single tear fell from her left eye.

“You have been through so much, you can help me, and I can help you. It is not temptation that baits me Sensei, but destruction. The cycle is continuing. Soon it will begin anew. Teach me what you know, so I can be ready when the wheel begins again.”

With that Hera soon found herself standing in the garden. She smiled at Emma, as she took her hand. “If you can help then please do.”

OOC: A much delayed post on my part...

IC:
Magriel didn't need the Force to know that something was wrong with Hera, whether it was that she was a wee bit off her rocker or the fact that she just ran out of the room screaming. Magriel marched out of the class, "class dismissed. I expect everyone to hand in a 5 page essay on my desk by next morning on your own view of the reasons why we have many different Force groups. And no plagiarizing, I'll know if you've cheated. With that, I bid you good day." Magriel found Hera and Emma wandering in the Temple's lecture hall and got another feeling. There was someone else here recently, and he didn't get a very good vibe from the sensation. Magriel walked up to Hera and Emma, "you obviously have an interesting point of view on the Force, though somewhat disturbed. Are you all right?"

“You have been through so much, you can help me, and I can help you. It is not temptation that baits me Sensei, but destruction. The cycle is continuing. Soon it will begin anew. Teach me what you know, so I can be ready when the wheel begins again.”

With that Hera soon found herself standing in the garden. She smiled at Emma, as she took her hand. “If you can help then please do.”

OOC: A much delayed post on my part...

IC:
Magriel didn't need the Force to know that something was wrong with Hera, whether it was that she was a wee bit off her rocker or the fact that she just ran out of the room screaming. Magriel marched out of the class, "class dismissed. I expect everyone to hand in a 5 page essay on my desk by next morning on your own view of the reasons why we have many different Force groups. And no plagiarizing, I'll know if you've cheated. With that, I bid you good day." Magriel found Hera and Emma wandering in the Temple's lecture hall and got another feeling. There was someone else here recently, and he didn't get a very good vibe from the sensation. Magriel walked up to Hera and Emma, "you obviously have an interesting point of view on the Force, though somewhat disturbed. Are you all right?"

OOC: Same here.

IC:

Emma nodded and replied in her best voice as she looked Hera straight in the eye and put her hands on Hera's shoulders, "I will help you. Don't you worry...I will help you."

Then, she sensed a presence and turned about, seeing the large frame of Magriel. When he asked what was happening, Emma shook her head, sadly repling, "It would seem she is far from alright, Master. We've had a bit of a run-in with a nasty character. A former student, Thomas Allenby. I say former because Mr. Allenby seems to be corrupted or possessed somehow by a dark entity...I could tell it wasn't him. Otherwise, I've been chatting with her....I'll let Hera field that bit."

“I am fine, fine as ever, fine as I ever was.” Hera said to Emma, just before she glanced up at Magriel. The young hybrid looked at the man before her, the teacher that came after her. He was a good man, she could tell, but she felt strange. Her heart raced slightly, as if she were scared, and she began to feel sick, like there was some sort of insect in her stomach, fluttering about.

Hera reached down, and wrapped her arms against her stomach, as she tried to keep the “Butterflies” from flying around.

As she wrapped her thin arms around her waist, she gently began to rock back and forth. “They will not stop flying.” she said to him as she smiled at Magriel. She then leaned forward, as a slight ray of sunlight peered through the tree canopy above, hitting the young woman’s face. “But you did not come to ask about the insects, or the creepy man. You want to know my perspective.” she said as she lifted her left hand up and pointed towards her head. “How I got this way, and know what I know.”

She leaned forward and smiled at him, “I know what I know, by my experience. The force dances with you during the day, then tries to get you drunk and frak you at night. It is a partner, a jealous partner, that loves you, but is always looking for someone better to mate with. It is a father who praises your good, but beats you with a belt when you act up. It is unknowable and yet simplistic in nature, like a rabid dog, or a little kitten. It is both, yet none. If you listen quietly you can hear it, the music of creation. It plays in all we do, in our actions and our thoughts. Just be careful not to be hit by the violent strings, they are not pleasant to hear.” she said with a smile of a child.

Then Hera leaned back again, and shook her head. “I am so sorry.” she told Magriel. “I do not know why this happens to me.” she said in a moment of clarity. “I hate it, but I get so overwhelmed.” Hera turned to Emma, and took her hand. “Thank you for caring, for trying. No matter what I want you to know that.” Hera said to the Sensei.

Then, she sensed a presence and turned about, seeing the large frame of Magriel. When he asked what was happening, Emma shook her head, sadly repling, "It would seem she is far from alright, Master. We've had a bit of a run-in with a nasty character. A former student, Thomas Allenby. I say former because Mr. Allenby seems to be corrupted or possessed somehow by a dark entity...I could tell it wasn't him. Otherwise, I've been chatting with her....I'll let Hera field that bit."

Magriel raised an eyebrow and shuttered. "Reminds me of a power one of the Kirtir Lords I once chummed with mastered..." Magriel shivered at the thought that he had been the only Kirtir Lord ever to be able to have an idle conversation with the Lord of Death. "A Force ghost, if it was strong in the Force while it was alive can possess another body until it can find a more suitable host. Sometimes, even taking complete control of the person and erasing any and all existence. This presence I felt is much stronger and more disturbing than anything I've ever felt on any of my visits on Earth. I will consult the Grand Sensie about this at once."

Magriel then turned his attention to the one who was truly troubled, despite the fact that she would deny it.

“I am fine, fine as ever, fine as I ever was.” Hera said to Emma, just before she glanced up at Magriel. The young hybrid looked at the man before her, the teacher that came after her. He was a good man, she could tell, but she felt strange. Her heart raced slightly, as if she were scared, and she began to feel sick, like there was some sort of insect in her stomach, fluttering about.

Hera reached down, and wrapped her arms against her stomach, as she tried to keep the “Butterflies” from flying around.

As she wrapped her thin arms around her waist, she gently began to rock back and forth. “They will not stop flying.” she said to him as she smiled at Magriel. She then leaned forward, as a slight ray of sunlight peered through the tree canopy above, hitting the young woman’s face. “But you did not come to ask about the insects, or the creepy man. You want to know my perspective.” she said as she lifted her left hand up and pointed towards her head. “How I got this way, and know what I know.”

She leaned forward and smiled at him, “I know what I know, by my experience. The force dances with you during the day, then tries to get you drunk and frak you at night. It is a partner, a jealous partner, that loves you, but is always looking for someone better to mate with. It is a father who praises your good, but beats you with a belt when you act up. It is unknowable and yet simplistic in nature, like a rabid dog, or a little kitten. It is both, yet none. If you listen quietly you can hear it, the music of creation. It plays in all we do, in our actions and our thoughts. Just be careful not to be hit by the violent strings, they are not pleasant to hear.” she said with a smile of a child.

Then Hera leaned back again, and shook her head. “I am so sorry.” she told Magriel. “I do not know why this happens to me.” she said in a moment of clarity. “I hate it, but I get so overwhelmed.” Hera turned to Emma, and took her hand. “Thank you for caring, for trying. No matter what I want you to know that.” Hera said to the Sensei.

Magriel held Hera firmly at her shoulders, like a typical father would hold his child. "I'm your teacher, it's my job to feel concern for my students whom I teach. However, it's obvious to me as to why these things happen to you. You have an undisciplined mind. Tell me, what was the first thing you learned how to do?"

His touch sent a tingle up her skin, as he embraced her like a father does a child. Her skin seemed to move to her, as he reached his arms near her and touched her body. She took in a deep breath, as the electrifying sensation went through her body.

Hera looked up into his eyes, and seemingly got lost for a moment. She lowered her head, on Magriel’s shoulder, as he asked her what was the first thing she learned.

It took her a minute to speak, as she sat there, with him near her. She did not want to speak, she wanted the moment to last, no matter how platonic the moment really was. “I learned.” she finally spoke up, “I learned to kill. I learned to shoot you in the back, side and front. Where major arteries, nerve clusters and organs were. I learned it only takes a pound of pressure to penetrate flesh, and four pounds to break bones. I learned to track you across a field or the stars, and to turn your advantages into disadvantages. I learned to stop wars with a kiss, and start them with a blink. I learned I would never be cared for. I am a tool. I am a razor.”

"I learned in the early moments, that Palpitine wanted me, that Emily and Hawkins would not let him have me. I learned I am alone." she responded to Magriel casually.

Emma, at this point, lept up. Something inside of her possessed her to say what she said--perhaps her own memories of being such a "razor" springing to the surface and making themselves known. Either ways, she began to speak insistently, with the force of honest, if slightly emotional conviction.

"But that's what you're not. You're neither a shaving implement, nor a knife, nor a gun. You're a sentient being of flesh!"

She then slumped down, that same look from the Lecture coming back onto her face for Hera and Magriel to see....

----------

Ten Years Ago--Belfast, Northern Ireland

"Sergeant!"

Young Sergeant Emma McKinnon, who was busy reading a copy of Pilgrim's Progress, lept up and saluted her superior officer. She regretted it soon after, for she saw it was Major West, her utterly ruthless commander. He was followed by his airheaded secretary, Lieutenant Pickman.

She had just gotten off a shift involving interrogating a group of Irish Republican prisoners, and it had left her drained, yawning but nervous. Most of the interrogations left her drained. Then again, this one seemed to also make her want to really reach out and kill something, not out of anger but out of boredom--hence why she was a bit nervous. Was that normal? Probably not. But not that West would listen. As long as West got his intelligence, and as long as Pickman could have material for her grist mill of offensive and bad jokes, they were happy.

"Sergeant--we have another one for you to handle," he said glibly. "Get to it."

"I just got finished with one, sir!" Emma said, her expression turning to one of genuine disgust. "Can't you get Edwards or Paxton to do it?"

"Besides, this one's valuable. Too valuable, can't have you schlicking yourself doing nothing," West said, ignoring her demands as he lit up a cigarette, looking at the ground as he did so.

Pickman laughed gratingly, and said, "I know, right? A mind's too terrible to waste, love," in a Cockney accent. "Unless it's Irish!" She then slapped Emma in the back, her laugh--which resembled a donkey's braying--being the major thing standing out to a now visibly distressed Emma, who clearly didn't think that joke was funny.

"Alright, Pickman, that's enough." West tapped her on the shoulder, and the uncouth Lieutenant moved away from her unwilling subject. West then walked up to Emma, and tapped her pistol.

"Now then. Get to work." He leaned in and said sternly, "Now."

Emma sighed and wandered over to the dank room where they usually kept prisoners....

------

Emma then woke up, and then rubbed her temples. Looking at Magriel and Hera, she then said, "Sorry. Zoned out for a moment." She then shook her head with a shudder, as if her flashback--which it clearly was--was something grotesque.

As Emma closed her eyes, she was not the only one to be engulfed. Hera saw through her eyes, felt her thoughts, the nausea of the past, the dirt and filth of the sins she committed against her fellow man, her crimes against her own people.

Hera cringed as Emma did, and cried as she did. Her heart raced, and her head spun, as she was dragged down the terror that was this rabbit hole. Slowly the light emerged as Emma’s flashback withdrew.

Hera reached out for Emma, and gently placed her fingers around Emma’s chin. Slowly the young woman cocked her head to the side, and stared into the Sensei’s eyes.

Hera did not move, as she looked into the windows of Emma’s soul. She then cracked a smile. “You are a good person Emma. Pure and whole.” she said to her sensei. “Do not forget that, you are a good person. You have died and been resurrected. I love that about you.” she said to Ol’ Spooky.

She then turned with a smile towards Magriel. The eyes of the young hybrid light up, like the sun itself shined from her eyes. “I am ready now.” She said. “I need to be good, I need to be pure and whole. I know you can do it. I know I am more than a weapon, I am flesh, blood, protein, and bone mass. I have red and white blood cells along with silicate. I am a person, more than that, I am me. Just help me to be whole again. Help me to have meaning.” she said seemingly growing in happiness as she spoke. Soon she stood up, and reached her hand down to Emma, to help her up. “Are you ready?” she asked the Sensei.

Hera did not move, as she looked into the windows of Emma’s soul. She then cracked a smile. “You are a good person Emma. Pure and whole.” she said to her sensei. “Do not forget that, you are a good person. You have died and been resurrected. I love that about you.” she said to Ol’ Spooky.

She then turned with a smile towards Magriel. The eyes of the young hybrid light up, like the sun itself shined from her eyes. “I am ready now.” She said. “I need to be good, I need to be pure and whole. I know you can do it. I know I am more than a weapon, I am flesh, blood, protein, and bone mass. I have red and white blood cells along with silicate. I am a person, more than that, I am me. Just help me to be whole again. Help me to have meaning.” she said seemingly growing in happiness as she spoke. Soon she stood up, and reached her hand down to Emma, to help her up. “Are you ready?” she asked the Sensei.

Emma nodded, simply saying, "Very much so." As she got up, one thought came into her mind. That was the last bit, where Hera spoke of "silicate." What was that about? Well, it was said people had had augmentations before, and certainly humanoid races could be made of anything. She shrugged and thought, "That's what the report was about, maybe. Though why?"

Getting back up, she took a deep breath and wiped her brow. "Right. Let's do this."

Although Emma thought it, Hera heard it like it was her own voice. It did not help matters when she was looking at Magriel, and away from Emma as she had her internal questions.

Hera turned and gave Emma a puzzled look. “I was born nine months into the second cylon war.” she stated plainly. “Have you ever heard of a humanoid being on the Twelve sisters. I am not a augment, that is something that Earth does, not the Twelve sisters as far as I know.” she told Emma.

She then shrugged knowing that Emma was about to ask the next obvious question. “I am called the first of God’s generation. I am the shape of things to come, or so my mother’s people call me. I am the first born of Cylon and Human. I am not the last.”

Although Emma thought it, Hera heard it like it was her own voice. It did not help matters when she was looking at Magriel, and away from Emma as she had her internal questions.

Hera turned and gave Emma a puzzled look. “I was born nine months into the second cylon war.” she stated plainly. “Have you ever heard of a humanoid being on the Twelve sisters. I am not a augment, that is something that Earth does, not the Twelve sisters as far as I know.” she told Emma.

She then shrugged knowing that Emma was about to ask the next obvious question. “I am called the first of God’s generation. I am the shape of things to come, or so my mother’s people call me. I am the first born of Cylon and Human. I am not the last.”

Emma then looked at Hera, realizing her thoughts gave her away. Sheepishly, she replied, "Not so loud, dear. We've heard tales about the Cylons....none good."

She then coughed and looked down, sighing. "Still, it doesn't mean I'll reject you--far from it. After all, it'd be foolish to throw away a chance at redemption because you're some sort of half-caste. Not to mention downright wrong."

Emma thought for a moment, and asked puzzled, "So, you said there's more of your kind?"

The young woman nodded, "Yes there are. Another was born on Galactica, but where he is I do not know. Then there is Athena, she is such a beautiful child. Master Rydo is raising her now. You should see her, she has a smile that will light up a room, and her hair is as yellow as the sun. She is such a beautiful baby. She is my sister, but I love her like a daughter. Yes their are at least three grandchildren to humanity. Why do you ask?"

The young woman nodded, "Yes there are. Another was born on Galactica, but where he is I do not know. Then there is Athena, she is such a beautiful child. Master Rydo is raising her now. You should see her, she has a smile that will light up a room, and her hair is as yellow as the sun. She is such a beautiful baby. She is my sister, but I love her like a daughter. Yes their are at least three grandchildren to humanity. Why do you ask?"

Emma shrugged and replied, "Curiosity, I suppose. Never heard of a half-caste group quite like yours."

She then smiled and replied, "Then again, in this day and age--there's still plenty to discover out there, I suppose." Getting the subject back on track, she smiled and said, "Like those exercises I told you about."

Hera soon stopped walking and reached out for Emma. She took in a deep breath, as she tried to calm down her anger. “Look, I know you do not know any better.” Hera began her statement, “But I am not a half caste. I am not a freak. I am not some abomination of science. I am a person. I have feelings and thoughts. For all intents and purposes I am human. I am a descendant of Kobol like you. I have blood, a brain, organs, and emotions. I have thoughts. I am not some side show freak. I would appreciate it if you would not act like your sisters and talk about me or my sister or brother like we are some sort of half breed creature. We were born with impossible odds, not in a test tube but out of love. Without love we could not exist.” Hera finished her comment as she took a deep breath.

She looked at her Sensei and smiled. “I am the same person you knew earlier. I am a Caprican, I am a Colonial, and by that virtue I am a Dornie. So please treat me and talk about me like I am one, and yes I am ready for my excercises.” she said in a calm voice, yet it was obvious she was annoyed.

Hera closed her eyes, as she took in another breath. All her past experience in the Colonies taught her she should have kept her mouth shut. Yet she thought the Dornies were different than their sisters. Somehow they would not be so open against her existance. Hera sighed, "If only all humans were as nice as those on Galactica." she thought to herself.

Hera closed her eyes, as she took in another breath. All her past experience in the Colonies taught her she should have kept her mouth shut. Yet she thought the Dornies were different than their sisters. Somehow they would not be so open against her existance. Hera sighed, "If only all humans were as nice as those on Galactica." she thought to herself.

Emma sighed, replying, "My apologies. The term was not meant in offense, I assure you--put it to sheer ignorance if you must, but it really wasn't meant that way." She then sighed, knowing that the use of that very British--and possibly offensive--word for a mixed person was offensive, and yet--put it to her mother, or her father--she had used it anyway. And frankly, she was right--just as human as anyone, Hera Agathon was. Who gave Emma McKinnon, fellow ex-"razor," the right to use such language?

Hera would be able to pick up on that much of Emma's mental discourse to herself, which would hopefully ease the accidental sting. She had detected some irritation of the sort from Hera, after all.

"Right." Delivered with a smile and a nod, Emma motioned for Hera to sit Indian style, saying, "We begin our entry into the thoughtery, then. Now, we're going to begin with some simple meditations. I assume your previous teachers instructed you on meditation--if not, close your eyes and try to blank out all extraneous thoughts from your mind. Imagine yerself pushing away the negative thoughts with a broom, or a fan, or whatever you wish, but try to imagine doing that as you breath in and out--slowly, now, to establish a rhythm. And block out distractions."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvS6ihEBaSo&feature=related

Hera slowly settled down beside her newest mentor. Rocking herself back and forth for a second, she crossed her legs Indian style. Hera did not look enthusiastic, instead she seemed scared. “Um Emma.” Hera spoke to her somewhat scared, “You should know, I have never been able to do this well. Something always happens.”

“You will be alright. Nothing will harm you Hera. I am here.” Emma spoke to the girl, reassuring her with calm waves.

Hera shook her head, “You are not the first to say that.”

“No but I mean it. I will not let anyone or anything hurt you. Trust me Hera. I trust you.”

Hera looked into Emma’s eyes, and reluctantly nodded. “Ok.” she said under her breath.

“Close your eyes, and sweep away your thoughts. Push away all distra….” was what Hera heard, as she breathed in deeply. Emma’s words trailed away, gently as she pushed out all around her. There was nothing, no voice, no body, no thoughts. Pure silence, as Hera took another breath. As she exhaled, she sat with herself, and only herself.

There was no one, nothing, until the color red began to unfold. Soon shades of purple, with slight white dots covered the horizon. Hera looked down, to see below her soft green grass. “Where am I?” she asked. She turned around, and saw the hill she stood on. It was beautiful, like the fields of Elysium. The air wrapped around her thin naked body, as she stood on the hill. She gently held her hand up, and covered her eyes from the setting sun. Below her stood a forest, barren of leaves, with a strange top to the trees. Hera smiled and jumped for joy. “I did it.” she yelled to the heavens as she ran with joy and glee.

Down the hill she ran faster, her naked body pushing the air past her, as she ran free towards the forest below. The air was pure, and clean, the grass ever soft. It was truly a beautiful sight.

“So this is heaven.” Hera said to herself as she got closer to the trees below. Slowly the long shadow of the hill began to grow in the setting sun as she got closer to the edge. The air began to turn foul, with a stench she had never smelled before. She quickly looked around. “What is going on?” she asked. “Emma?” she asked as she looked around frantically. “Where are you Emma?” she asked again.

“Go closer.” the small dark voice of the wind told her. Hera turned again, clutching her fist. “Who said that?” she asked again. “Go Closer.”

“No!” Hera yelled at the voice.

“You will never be free till you do.”

“Leave me alone.” Hera yelled again. “Just leave me alone.”

“I will my dear, just finish your journey to the woods, and you can go home.”

Reluctantly Hera knew she had to go. She was trapped in this heaven turned hell. The air grew colder, as the light vanished. She had to go, or else she would be trapped. Slowly and wary she took more steps towards the woods.

“Help us.” the cries of the many screamed on the wind. “Save us.”

Hera crossed her arms across her exposed breasts, trying to stay warm. “Who are you.” she yelled into the woods.

“Help us save us.”

Slowly she walked up to one of the thin trees. It was so smooth, and there were no branches. The smell of blood, flesh and feces filled the air. It permeated everything around her. Her steps on the once soft grass grew sticky. Gently she reached down and touched the ground. It was thick with some liquid.

As she extended her index finger on the ground, with the small light that was left she saw what it was… Blood.

“What the frak!” Hera yelled in terror as she looked across the ground. Every inch was covered in blood. Slowly she looked up towards the sky. The trees were not trees but pikes, each impaling a man, woman or child.

“Help us.”

Hera woke up and screamed at the top of her lungs. Shaking, and sweating in terror, the young woman laid on the ground shaking. “Help us!” she yelled to the heavens in the meditation gardens. “Save us.” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

In her moment of terror she reached out. Her arms moved quick, as she grabbed on to Magriel. She held on to the man tightly, as she held him with all her strength. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as the horror laid waste to the peace of her mind. "Save us." she whimpered, as she wrapped her arms around his neck squeezing him tightly.

Magriel felt Hera's pain and suffering and he held her hand as she cringed through her nightmare. He could sense the images which she envisioned, since he was a more powerful adept at the Force than she was. When the vision was over, he held her firmly once again. "There are a lot of Force adepts who go through what you do. The reason why they affect you as much as they do is because your former masters took you right into training with weapons. The proper way would be to start with the discipline of the mind rather than the sword, even the Sith start most of their students out on how to channel their rage so that they might be able to use it to their advantage." He turned to Emma, "it would seem that you too could learn some mind control techniques to keep yourself from dwelling on the past. I think that's the reason why some of your lesser colleagues call you 'Spooky.' No offense," Magriel sighed, "if you two wish, I can show you some temporary techniques which work for the average apprentice with these kinds of images. But first, since you both have shared visions of your pain, I shall show you some of my own to show you that these techniques do work when you need them to."

As she listened, she still held on tight, like a child clinging to their parents through a dark thunder storm. His words were not comforting, but they were precise. Hera just held him, as he talked to both Emma and herself.

As the vision passed from her mind, she gently pulled herself away. She looked up at Magriel, her eyes still puffy and red, as she let out a smile and a quick laugh. “I, I am sorry, Magriel.” she said as she raised her right hand and rubbed one of the streams of tears from her face.

She turned her head to Emma, then looked back at Magriel. “Alright.” Hera said to him. “Please show me.” she said as she wiped the other tear off her left side of her face.

As she listened, she still held on tight, like a child clinging to their parents through a dark thunder storm. His words were not comforting, but they were precise. Hera just held him, as he talked to both Emma and herself.

As the vision passed from her mind, she gently pulled herself away. She looked up at Magriel, her eyes still puffy and red, as she let out a smile and a quick laugh. “I, I am sorry, Magriel.” she said as she raised her right hand and rubbed one of the streams of tears from her face.

She turned her head to Emma, then looked back at Magriel. “Alright.” Hera said to him. “Please show me.” she said as she wiped the other tear off her left side of her face.

Emma winced at the nickname of "Spooky," but with Magriel she didn't feel inclined to be too offended. Thusly, she replied just the same, "Same here. I'd like to maybe get those flashbacks under control, myself. It's a bit of a bother..."

Her voice trailed off, then she shook her head with a gasp, before she could fall into another nightmare. Coughing, she said, "Apologies. Go on."

Magriel sat down with his legs crossed and his hands folded outward and motioned for Hera and Emma to join him. He closed his eyes and slowly breathed in and out and allowed his emotions to surfface his mind. The rage, anger, hate, jelousy and fear which has clouded his mind for 4 millenia of ruling as a Dark Lord. His head swayed side to side as he forced his mind to recall his past experiences for the two women to draw upon.

He first took them to the image of a young boy, who looked no older than the ages of 10 to 12. There was someone else with him... A sister. They were running through the fields on his home planet. He and his sister were in the middle of training to become while the Malkir held control of that planet before the Kirtir attacked it. He was living in a peaceful house on the outer rims of the Huntarian Republic. They are suddenly thrown forward and they now see a man in his mid 20’s, though 2000 years have progressed since the first vision. The scene quickly changed from a happy place to one which was burning. There were two elderly adult bodies lying faced down on the yard where the young man’s house was and a woman was running away from the POV of Magriel. He was shouting out to her to run and escape into the Republic and warn the Council of an invasion. The POV suddenly swerves around and runs toward a squad of Clones and Kirtir Shock Troopers. Magriel sees his green lightsaber blade ignighting and attempts to deflect the blaster bolts as the squad of Kirtir troops shot at him. All to fail, for Magriel’s image soon turned into a thing of empty blackness. Though... It wasn’t totally empty of thought.

There was rage, and a burning sensation of anger. Anger at his master, Jorrus, for abandoning him to be one of the few Malkir to be captured alive though his master was on another mission at this time. He was angry at the Malkir Council for not realizing that the Senator they had casted out would come back with vengeance. Magriel felt the burning flame in his heart wrap around it, clinging ever so closely (though it could just as well be Hera’s hand). The vision soon focused in on two figures standing in front of him. One was an old prune of a man, similar in shape and figure as Emperor Palpatine. This was Darth Trilkan, former Senator of the Huntarian Republic and the current ruler of the Huntarian Empire. The other figure was that of an invisible body drapped with ancient black robes. It’s yellow eyes glared into Magriel’s vision, and his rage grew even more terrible. His head swayed backwards outside of the vision and he hissed two words with bitter hate, “Lord Vorman...”

As the vision progressed, one would notice several changes in Magriel’s presense on the outside of the vision. His emotions thrashed outward around him, no longer giving off the aurora of the friendly but stern teacher most people knew him as. But a creature of Darkness, one with a lust for power and a crave for killings and blood. His skin grew greyer than marble, distorted scars and tissues rose up onto his skin once more as he continued to visit his dark and violent past. His face twitching violently and his mouth moved as though he were muttering to himself. A face which was so distorted it couldn’t be viewed upon by the average person. One which required a red and white skull mask. (http://theforce.jaymach.com/images/NihilusMask.jpg)

The vision skipped down through a few years and filled itself with the bridge of a standard Star Destroyer peering over Magriel’s home planet and Magriel gazed out upon it.

A man dressed in a nazi styled uniform walked up to Magriel and saluted him, “Lord Deshoonde, what are your orders?”

Magriel stared outward some more, his mind conflicting with the two decisions which stood before him. Destroy his home planet and his initiation into the Kirtir Order will be completed, or allow a planet who continues to prove to be a painful pebble in the conquered systems which the Kirtir have taken over. He moved to face the officer, “have the orbiting ships move into Imperius Exterminatus position. Batteries are to be charged to the maximum firepower.”

”Charging weapons sir.”

Magriel gazed out upon his home planet for a few more moments, slightly hesitant on making his next command. The last bit of good which was within him at that time fluttered and fought with his darker self, stalling for some more time.

“My Lord?”

Magriel closed his eyes for a few brief seconds, his hesitant light side continuing to fight. “Fire.” He continued to gaze upon his planet as bright green and yellow lasers hit it’s surfface, explosions of buildings could be seen all the way up in space. His eyes glowed red as the brightness of the explosions on the planet below erupted into flames, he steadied his breathing.

The vision then continued onwards with the Civil War, showing Hera and Emma more atrocities which Magriel had committed. The destruction of several more planets, him ripping the heart out of the Chancellor of the Huntarian Republic, and him torturing and turning his own sister over to the Dark Side. As his emotions continued to fuel, he slowly breathed in and out and thought of a happy place. His mind focused upon that place of calmness and tranquility. The images of burning hate and rage suddenly turned into silence. They turned into a calm jungle, with a cool breeze flowing past and the calls of nature. He slowly lifted up into the air and hovered peacefully, viewing down upon the tranquil jungle and he saw the current Malkir Temple which was built after he had exiled them from Huntarian space. Vines wrapped around the temple and the temple itself was surrounded by ancient tombs and ruins. However, it was bustling with life. The sound of childrens laughter can be heard, and loud applause and happy cheering erupted within the Temple. He saw laughter, love, envy, hope, honor and respect amungst these people, a sense of peace and prosperity.

Suddenly, the vision changed. A vision which wasn’t exactly his, but he felt that he somehow recognized where he was. It was a tranquil ocean which he was looking upon, one which wasn’t normally a part of his vision. A calm field of golden grass and glass shores opened up in front of him, as he floated towards it. This must be the Netherlands of the Force he thought to himself. The sound of beach waves could be heard, as well as the cry of gulls. At the other side, he saw Hera, Travis, Jessie, Melisha, Jukassa, Emma, Junko, another woman he didn’t recognize though was clearly Dornalian, an adult version of Athena and two children who were standing next to Hera. They looked oddly like a combination of him and Hera. He extended his hands to greet them as he walked up upon the shores and they reached out in return, only to turn into the hands of skeletons. He watched in horror as the sky turned into a blood red color with violent clouds erupting with lightinging storms in the sky. He looked out upon the field and he saw an endless burning flame which erupted and rows upon rows of rotting and burnt skeletons. Some weren’t just human, others were metalic. Almost the shape of a robot. He held his hand up to his face to try and see through the firey field and smoke and saw another hazy figure in the distance. It was female, followed by at least 15 other figures, each one with a different shape and size to their body. They walked through the field of fire and burnt skeletons as though it didn’t bother them. As they drew closer, Magriel could see that the leading figure had glowing red eyes. As she grew closer and closer, the Malkir’s darker emotions quickly started to rise up again and he had to do something before they got a hold of him. He closed his eyes and ignored the sight wich surrounded him, as well as the smell of burning bodies. He slowed his breathing to a steady tempo.

Then, he was back at the jungle he loved and cared for. He calmed his emotions to the point where this time he didn’t just float above the temple, he continued onwards, up and up towards the sky where all was calm from activity. His emotions were now back underneath his hardened shell, his normal professor aurora returned and he opened his eyes. He folded his hands onto his knes and spoke, “this technique has helped many people escape the most woesome of images and extreme images. I can teach it to you, as it has helped me calm my mind from my active and violent past and I am able to control and master my thoughts, images and emotions.” He turned to Emma, “I have no doubt that with your current experience with the Force, you will quickly master this technique, but as for you...” He turned his attention to Hera and gazed upon her, his eyes focusing into the depths of hers, “I feel that you have not been trained sufficiently enough. These techniques cannot be taught in a classroom, for such environments are distracting and inhibit the purpose of this exersize. This can only be leant from a Master to the Apprentice and I, for one, and willing to take on that challenge if you are.” He held out his hand to Hera, waiting for her response.

Hera walked with Magriel, and with Emma through the dreamscape of the horrors of Magriel. His innocence was lost, and he had committed the utmost sins against his own. As he looked at those in tow, he noticed though, Hera did not seem to care. She watched him bomb planets, kill billions, and her face never changed, like she was watching a movie, or like she easily accepted this about him.

Hera stayed quiet through the movie, until the end scene came. She found herself in the fields, that which looked like the fields of Elysium on Kobol, the fabled home of the dead. The grass in this field was golden, and the tranquil ocean gently lapped against the white sandy shore. Hera smiled, as she held her hand out to the wheat that grew.

Her hand grazed the top of the wheat, as it tickled the palm of her soft hand. Hera turned to Emma and Magriel. “I know this place.” she said quietly, as she beamed with happiness and satisfaction. This was her realm, her home, it was where she belonged, and where she would be. It was soothing to her, and it seemed that it called to her.

Then she watched as the people in the fields came. Her eyes narrowed as she saw herself, although it was not her. She was different, and then she saw her sister. Hera walked over and looked at them, as she walked in front of them. She stared into their faces, until she came to the children. Hera turned towards Magriel, shocked, as she put her hand over her stomach. She opened her mouth and was about to speak, until the flames consumed all, and the cylons marched upon their home. Hera could say nothing as she watched her mother, and her family destroy the fields with ease.

Then when the vision ended, she looked up at Magriel.

I feel that you have not been trained sufficiently enough. These techniques cannot be taught in a classroom, for such environments are distracting and inhibit the purpose of this exersize. This can only be leant from a Master to the Apprentice and I, for one, and willing to take on that challenge if you are.”

Hera paused for a moment as she looked at Magriel. It seemed nothing phased him, it seemed the vision told him nothing. She still held her hand over her stomach. "You knocked me up?" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB5OgidhfLQ)she asked him, not sounding offended but really just curious.

She then looked to Emma, then turned back to Magriel. Hera reached up to him, and took his hand. His hand was warm, but rough, as she walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I am sure you will be a good teacher, but all my teachers end up dead. You should know that.” she whispered in his ear.

As she grew closer and closer, the Malkir’s darker emotions quickly started to rise up again and he had to do something before they got a hold of him. He closed his eyes and ignored the sight wich surrounded him, as well as the smell of burning bodies. He slowed his breathing to a steady tempo.

Then, he was back at the jungle he loved and cared for. He calmed his emotions to the point where this time he didn’t just float above the temple, he continued onwards, up and up towards the sky where all was calm from activity. His emotions were now back underneath his hardened shell, his normal professor aurora returned and he opened his eyes. He folded his hands onto his knes and spoke, “this technique has helped many people escape the most woesome of images and extreme images. I can teach it to you, as it has helped me calm my mind from my active and violent past and I am able to control and master my thoughts, images and emotions.” He turned to Emma, “I have no doubt that with your current experience with the Force, you will quickly master this technique....

After Magriel's frightening and dizzying vision, Emma understood that she was not only not alone in her troubles, but in fact her troubles paled to the burdens Magriel carried--and by the looks of things, they looked to have been carried for a long, long time, much longer than Emma could have carries such a thing.

After Hera spoke, Emma said "I understand. However, I won't be surprised if it still proves to be a challenge to learn. My pains are not as grave compared to yours, but they still run deep and may take a bit to control. Nonetheless, I accept the challenge."

Hera paused for a moment as she looked at Magriel. It seemed nothing phased him, it seemed the vision told him nothing. She still held her hand over her stomach. "You knocked me up?" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB5OgidhfLQ)she asked him, not sounding offended but really just curious.

Magriel raised his eyes in surprise, "it would appear that way. Visions of the future are such odd things, for the future is always in motion. It isn't a thing set in stone, like the past. One shouldn't rely on what they see in their visions such as the ones we just had. But... I do find it very alarming in general. Not 'us' mind you, but the indication of The Death Fields. I can't help but feel that Ive been there before, but I don't remember where it is or why I seem to remember it."


She then looked to Emma, then turned back to Magriel. Hera reached up to him, and took his hand. His hand was warm, but rough, as she walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I am sure you will be a good teacher, but all my teachers end up dead. You should know that.” she whispered in his ear.

Magriel snorted, "we'll see about that. After 6000 years of surviving some of the most horrific wars, I think I know how to survive assassination plots or random assaults."


After Hera spoke, Emma said "I understand. However, I won't be surprised if it still proves to be a challenge to learn. My pains are not as grave compared to yours, but they still run deep and may take a bit to control. Nonetheless, I accept the challenge."

Magriel nodded, "nothing worth doing ever comes easy. And if you wish to be able to have a sound mind, this is worth doing." Magriel folded his arms once again in a meditative position, "come, sit."

Death was in the air, and yet the sun shined bright. In the wake of terrible turmoil, Hera could do nothing but beam for a moment. She had no idea why, and if she was asked it would not make sense to her. Instead all she did was smile, as she still held onto her teacher tightly.

“Yes.” she said to Magriel, her voice teeming with happiness, as she spoke in his ear. Gently she backed away from her teacher as she looked at him. “I do not understand, what did you see that was so bad?” she asked him again. “Was it all you saw was death? All I saw was life, and creation.” she said as she lowered her eyes to the ground. “Destruction breeds creation, death makes way for life, and in that vision, all I could see is true life.” she said as she looked down at herself.

Slowly she raised her eyes back at Magriel, as they blinked slightly rapidly. “That is not a bad thing is it?”

Then as he motioned for everyone to sit, Hera sat down next to Emma. She squirmed for a moment until she got comfortable. Then she closed her eyes, trusting Emma and Magriel, in their lessons to lead her to better clarity.

Magriel nodded, "nothing worth doing ever comes easy. And if you wish to be able to have a sound mind, this is worth doing." Magriel folded his arms once again in a meditative position, "come, sit."

Emma began to sit, imitating Magriel's position as she began to calm herself. Hera's words touched Emma, and then caused her to comment, "Well, some people have different ideas of what creation looks like. And frankly, what I saw wasn't making anything but Hell." She then calmed herself and stopped herself from thinking or saying any more on the subject, and then said "Enough negatives. Let's clear out the distractions...."

She then turned to Magriel and said, "Right?"

“Yes.” she said to Magriel, her voice teeming with happiness, as she spoke in his ear. Gently she backed away from her teacher as she looked at him. “I do not understand, what did you see that was so bad?” she asked him again. “Was it all you saw was death? All I saw was life, and creation.” she said as she lowered her eyes to the ground. “Destruction breeds creation, death makes way for life, and in that vision, all I could see is true life.” she said as she looked down at herself.

Slowly she raised her eyes back at Magriel, as they blinked slightly rapidly. “That is not a bad thing is it?”

Then as he motioned for everyone to sit, Hera sat down next to Emma. She squirmed for a moment until she got comfortable. Then she closed her eyes, trusting Emma and Magriel, in their lessons to lead her to better clarity.

Magriel narrowed his eyes, "you see life and creation in the death of others?" His voice was scornful, "you have a lot to learn indeed young one to have such a view on life, though rudely correct. While destruction and death is necessary for life to grow and continue, that is not true life in of itself. With that kind of philosophy, one can wipe out entire races of species who deserve to live on. In other words, genocide. What I saw was not creation of life even in your own words, but genocide. The complete extermination of entire races. Is there life in the complete death of others? The needless suffering, chaos, disorder, none of that is necessary for the extinction of entire races or species just for the 'creation of life.'" Magriel sighed, "let me put it like this. The place I saw is the Malkir version of the Netherlands of the Force, our Heaven if you will. If you suddenly saw your heaven burning in flames, your home, family and friends along with it, would you call that a good omen?"


Emma began to sit, imitating Magriel's position as she began to calm herself. Hera's words touched Emma, and then caused her to comment, "Well, some people have different ideas of what creation looks like. And frankly, what I saw wasn't making anything but Hell." She then calmed herself and stopped herself from thinking or saying any more on the subject, and then said "Enough negatives. Let's clear out the distractions...."

She then turned to Magriel and said, "Right?"

Magriel nodded to Emma, "right. Lets begin." Magriel closed his eyes and reached outwards with the Force, connecting himself with Hera and Emma. He spoke out through the Force, ::imagine your most favorite spot in the universe. A place of quiet tranquility, where you can get lost in your own thoughts. Distractions are nonexistent. Here, you are the Master of your mind and your emotions. Here, you are safe from anyone and anything. No one can harm you while you're here. Now release your emotions! Every painful memory which resides within your very soul, every ounce of bitter hate and lust, every foul action, every crime against humanity you've ever committed. Allow them to attack you. Now, rise up above the flames and destruction. Rise up, and up, and up towards the sky where all is peaceful. Nothing but the gentle breeze and sun beating up at your face. Then, you will turn your attention to your emotions below. You are now master of the sky, use it to your advantage. Use the clouds to block out the raging emotions within. Use the clouds rain to extinguish the burning fire of shame, guilt, lust, vengeance. The rain regrows your confidence, your ability to survive, to continue. Seed the thoughts of happiness, love, kindness and caring. Let the rain nurture them, grow them. Here will be a new train of thought, a new resting place for your mind and soul to retreat to. Here, the jungle will be thick, blocking out even the strongest of your fiery dark memories. Here, you can retreat and not be harmed. Here, you are at peace...:: And with that, Magriel let go of the Force, leaving Hera and Emma to their own empty minds. ::This is an exercise on the mastery of your emotions and memories. Now, I leave you with the challenge of completing this exercise on your own.::

“I consider the life I saw a good thing.” she said to Magriel. “I see your point, I really do, but all you saw was fire. I didn’t see any genocides, or massive cities burned. All I saw was my own death, and that I have kids.” “You do not understand, but procreation is next to impossible with us. Can’t you see the miracle that this is? Everything burns, everything dies, and eventually every species will be made extinct, through war or the decay of time, but as you see your heaven burn, I see my race, my species surviving.

She turned to Emma. “I mean in that vision, there was a fourth of us. Then the children...” Then slowly she began to realize someone was missing from the vision of fire. The second. ‘Wait, where was Nick?”

She watched and waited for their response, as she could not understand how in the world, Magriel could ignore the happy part of the vision in favor of the death. Why Emma was so fixated on the demise and skeletons, when it would happen to her.

“It is because they do not know Hera.” the carnal voice of the Man in White spoke to her. “They have been blinded by their perceptions. They have not been liberated like you have. He should not be your master, he is not worthy of you.”

Hera winced as she heard that old familiar voice. “No, that is not true. You just want me for your own perverted means.” she replied back internally.

The man chuckled to her, “You believe that is true, do you? Perhaps I made a mistake then. I have never lied to you my child. You are an instrument of destruction. You are the cause of the heaven being on fire. No one else but you. Why do you think you were in the vision. You are the cause of the great blaze. What is it your people say, ‘It has all happened before, and will happen again.’ You will reign down the death of your people, and the death of their heaven. If you care for him you should leave him.”

Hera shuddered as she heard his words. Fear began to build up inside her, as she began to feel his words were true. She reached down, and pulled out a cigarette. Hera rarely smoked, but this time, she really needed it to calm her nerves. Reaching down she pulled out a lighter and light it. Taking a deep breath, soon she began to cough. She took another, as her face nearly turned green. “Yuck gross.” she said out loud, as she put the smoke out, in disgust. “That is so stale.”

Magriel nodded to Emma, "right. Lets begin." Magriel closed his eyes and reached outwards with the Force, connecting himself with Hera and Emma. He spoke out through the Force, ::imagine your most favorite spot in the universe. A place of quiet tranquility, where you can get lost in your own thoughts. Distractions are nonexistent. Here, you are the Master of your mind and your emotions. Here, you are safe from anyone and anything. No one can harm you while you're here. Now release your emotions! Every painful memory which resides within your very soul, every ounce of bitter hate and lust, every foul action, every crime against humanity you've ever committed. Allow them to attack you. Now, rise up above the flames and destruction. Rise up, and up, and up towards the sky where all is peaceful. Nothing but the gentle breeze and sun beating up at your face. Then, you will turn your attention to your emotions below. You are now master of the sky, use it to your advantage. Use the clouds to block out the raging emotions within. Use the clouds rain to extinguish the burning fire of shame, guilt, lust, vengeance. The rain regrows your confidence, your ability to survive, to continue. Seed the thoughts of happiness, love, kindness and caring. Let the rain nurture them, grow them. Here will be a new train of thought, a new resting place for your mind and soul to retreat to. Here, the jungle will be thick, blocking out even the strongest of your fiery dark memories. Here, you can retreat and not be harmed. Here, you are at peace...:: And with that, Magriel let go of the Force, leaving Hera and Emma to their own empty minds. ::This is an exercise on the mastery

Sweet Dreams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNJ3doNND-A)

Hera closed her eyes. “Go to the happy spot.” she told herself. As she did, soon the familiar site of the Opera house appeared. The red floors, and beautiful designs on the wall. The large stage, and the red seats. Hera smiled again, as she always did here. Here at the site of the destruction of a planet, Hera felt the most at home. She gently went and sat down in one of the red comfortable seats. Reaching down she grabbed the large oak arm rests.

Then she listened to his words. “Release your emotions.”

“No.” she said. “I do not want to.” she said fearful of the consiquences.

“Release your emotions, let it burn down this place.”

“But, no, I can not. It is beautiful, why do I need to.”

“Release your emotions.”

Hera finally consented. On the stage, was a small box. It was covered in Gold trim, with large portions of thick oak exposed. Hera slowly walked up to the stage. She placed her hands on the box.

“Release your emotions.”

“Frak it.” she said nervously. She gently reached down to the golden ring. Pulling up with all of her strength, she tugged and pulled on the box, but the lid was heavy. She tried again, as she struggled with all her strength to open the box. Slowly it began to crack open.

Boom, the lid then flew off the box. The shock wave sent Hera flying back, to the far end of the main hall in the opera house. Her body slammed against one of the pillars, as she laid there. Slowly she opened her eyes, as the world began to spin. She felt groggy, as she reached back and touched the back of her head. A large knot began to form, as her fingers enhanced the pain by the slight touch.

The lights soon began to flicker off and on as she tried to stand. Out of the box, a tornado began to form, black and dark. It started off small but then began to grow.

She watched it swirl in a large black swirl, then the swirl rose to the ceiling, in a thick black cloud.

Allow them to attack you. Now, rise up above the flames and destruction.

Hera gently stood up as the cloud began to move towards her. She reached down and pulled out her colt. Aiming it at the cloud, she fired a shot. “Bam.” the sound echoed across the acoustically sensitive hall. But the cloud was un-phased. It continued to drift closer to her. Hera stepped back as she cocked the hammer again. “Bam.” She fired again.

The bullet passed right through the cloud, but still it came. “You can not fight me.” was all she heard, as the cloud leaped at her. It pushed her against the wall of the Opera house.

She tried to scream, as she felt like she was choking. Her body felt motionless, as she was suffocating in the cloud. Her jaw, felt like invisible hands were prying it open, as the cloud began to enter her. “You can not escape me.”

Hera opened her eyes to the garden. Her eyes were yellow, like a daisy. She took a deep breath, as a ring of fire began to surround her. The flames grew ever hotter, as the color shifted from orange to blue.

Magriel raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I sense you were disturbed by a particular image during your meditation my child. Who was it that you envisioned that was blocking you from completing your meditation?"

OOC: Some content in this post might be a little disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.

Emma, meanwhile, imagined something different entirely.

-----------

First, Emma imagined herself in a moor. One of those wildwoods that her parents used to take her to on holiday years ago. She could almost hear her mom going, "Emma! Come here, darling!" But, she wanted to get relaxed first, and ran about.

Just as soon as she was relaxed however....she stumbled upon a place she knew with horror. And yet she moved on.

Northern Ireland, Some Time Ago

"Yes....sir."

Emma had stumbled into her old Army camp, and had just left Major West chewing out her past self, stunted, willowy, and quiet and nervous as she was. West's assistant then slapped her backside with a laugh usually reserved for bullies and shoved her, saying, "Get on with it, Spook!" finishing with an immature slap on the behind. Emma winced when she saw that. That woman had a way of humiliating her.

She then followed her past self into a tent, where she saw herself beginning an interrogation.

"Alright, you bastard! Where's those Kalashnikovs!?"

Emma, disembodied, saw her past self dressed in ratty fatigues, pale, and angry. She could sense the awful miasma of the events in the room. In a simple oak chair, there was a man with a blindfold, being splashed with cold water as Emma's past self barked.

The sight made her uncomfortable, but Emma followed the advice given and thus let herself play the audience to this charade. She knew right away that the normally quiet and miserable self she was during her time in the Army always found that outlet bullies used on other kids--taking it out on others.

The man babbled, "I...I dunno..."

Emma then kicked the man and the chair over, replying with an angered "Wrong answer, mickey!" and a stomp to the groin. She then witnessed her past self ask again, "Now, where are those guns?"

The man said, "I don't know...."

With that, Emma's Past Self swatted her hand--the Present Emma knew it was the trademark manuever for Force Push. However, she also witnessed her Past Self create a Force Wall for the poor prisoner to slam against, slumping over with a cry of pain.

"You know now!? I can make it worse! I've had a shit day!" her Past Self said, pumping her fists.

The man cried out, "I swear to you, I don't know! I DON'T KNOW! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

Emma's Past Self leaned in and sniffed, saying to the man with a tinge of anger, "Wrong answer." She then proceeded to raise her left hand up, and squeeze it, as she grabbed the man with her right by the scruff of his neck, staring him coldly with a piercing gaze. Emma's Present Self recognized this was when she would begin to let the Dark Side take over. And this was when she wished she had a barf bag.

Fortunately, she remembered the rest of Magriel's instructions, before she could witness Emma's Past Self begin to work God-knows-what form of sadistic Force power on her quarry out of frustration. She then imagined a ladder, and quietly began climbing up out of a sudden hole in the tent. Following the rest of the metaphors in her own way, she found a calming rainstorm washed out the Army camp below, causing the scenes below to stop...and even vanish.


It took a bit, but by the time Hera flipped out, Emma found herself in that moor again. With that, she opened her eyes and went, "Huh. It does work."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGrD3ECzqAg

The fires licked around her, burning the grass with the torment of her repressed rage. It jumped out at the sky, licking the air around her, teasing her with it’s unbridled passion, as the blue flames continued to encircle her.

Inside the raging circle sat the lone woman. Her eyes were yellow as she sat as still as a statue. Her muscles did not move, nor did her skin sweat, as she sat there, staring blankly into oblivion. Her face was motionless, her skin cold and pale. She was perfect, like a marble statue, and as still as one.

Magriel spoke to her but she could not respond. She internally wanted to, she wanted to reach out for him, beg him to help free her from the plagues and torments she unleashed. But she did not move. She could not move.

Internally she was screaming, but now she laid trapped, a prisoner in her own body, trapped by her personal Pandora's box.

Magriel knew that Hera was in danger, and cursed in ancient Huntarian. "Emma, keep an eye on our Force Signs. I'm going to attempt a Force Meld and go within her mind. It would seem that she's having trouble with her own emotions and they're taking control of her. If you should start to sense our two minds to start merging as one, I want you to use the Force to sever the link." He then placed his hands on Hera's head and closed his eyes, opening his mind up to hers and to the Force.

He opened up his eyes and saw Hera surrounded in Fire and this creature thing staring right back at her. Magriel switched on his lightsaber and a bright glowing white blade appeared. He pointed it in the direction of the thing, "leave us Daemon! Your time of haunting is at an end! Leave this place!"

Chemicals Between Us (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoLw4uYRJSU)

Magriel stood before the flame. His light saber extended, he stood defiantly against the heat and burning rage of the woman before him. The fire did not move, it did not respond, as fire is want to do. Flames do not care, they do not feel fear, or shame. They only feed.

His words he spoke echoed of courage, but what was to come, he would need it all and then more.

The gardens slowly faded away. He soon felt the cool air of an air conditioner striking his neck. As he looked around, Magriel found himself high above the stage, on a balcony. It’s woodwork was impressive, each piece hand carved by a master artisan. The room was covered in red carpeting, and hundreds of seats. The lights of the stage, burned bright, as he stood above the floor below.

In the center of the stage was a ornate box, that had been opened, and a dark cloud, that was assaulting the helpless hybrid. As he watched, he could see the last bit of the cloud enter Hera.

The body of the woman in white gently stood up. Her eyes were as black as midnight as she pushed herself off the floor. Gently she reached down and with the grace of an angel she picked up the Colt from the aisle.

“I know you are here.” she spoke out, in her own voice. “I can feel you. Come out, come out where ever you are.”

Magriel's eyes rolled into the back of his head and fluttered. Then they returned as a bright white light, without any irises in the center of his eyes. He extended his lightsaber, which now turned into a bright white light, illuminating a blinding sphere around him. He jabbed his lightsaber into the direction of Hera, intending to blind her emotions and surround them with light. "Leave her body, it is not yours to control!" His voice had changed, it became deep, mystical, almost like a voice synthesizer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT0lNRtUcIM) "You will do as you are commanded."

Her head turned, as the light engulfed the room. Then laughter followed suit, like a thousand people laughing at a comedy that was on stage. As the light vanished, Hera stood still before Magriel, her eyes still as dark as midnight on a new moon.

She pushed her hand against him, as she lashed out at him with all her anger, and all her hate. “You think that I am some ghost possessing a body? How amusing.” she responded as she pushed against him with an invisible hand trying to force him into a pillar in the back of the room.

With her left hand she brought her hand up to her chin. “You do not understand do you? Do you think that lightsaber is real? Do you really believe you have any power in this place?” She said again, as she pushed against him again harder, trying to cause him more pain.

“What do you have here? What do you seek to destroy? What you created by chance?” Hera screamed at Magriel. as loud as a banshee. “All you have here is your life, and your mind.”

All of her anger which was released at Magriel was deflected by the light which surrounded him. "I had a feeling you were naught but emotions," as he spoke, his voice was unchanged from it's previous mystical sound, "what do I seek to destroy? Nothing. I have no real feud with you. In fact, I can almost sympathize with your position. You think my meditation techniques seek to destroy the anger which makes you you."

Hera paced back and forth as Magriel spoke. “You came here to kill me. You humans are all the same. Fear and aggression, seeking to destroy what you made. Yes, you are hear to kill me. You are here to take me away, to force me to do things against my will. You are just like the others.” Hera yelled at him.

She reached around her back and pulled out the Colt. She aimed it at Magriel’s head, and cocked the hammer. “You want me gone. It is all you think about. You mock me behind my back and send me to kill those you hate. I know what you say about me, I know what you do at night.” she yelled at him. “I am not your slave.”

As she spoke, the floor of the opera house began to shake. The paintings gently began to fall, as Magriel stood before the wrath and the pain that was unbridled. The seats shook, and soon began to fall over as she pointed the gun at his head. “Tell me Tsunade, Do you still want to see my intestines?” she asked him…

Magriel stepped forward, his voice still unchanged, "but I'm not a human. I am a Huntarian. We have evolved beyond that of the species you know as 'human.' I am not like others you have encountered in the past. I am unique. We are unique. I seek not to destroy, but to understand. To be able to understand is to grow, to know what you don't know is to grow stronger. My mind is calm, I have no thoughts to kill you as I might have before, but to accept you. Tell me, what else do you feel? You say I mock you, and send you to kill those you hate. What else do you think I do?"

The woman began to pace back and forth as her anger flowed forth. She reached out again, to grab Magriel by the throat. She looked at him, staring him right in the eyes. It did not take the force to know she wanted him hurt, beaten and bruised. She walked closer holding the Colt ever steady at his head.

“Do you think I am stupid? You know what you have done, or do I mean so little that you do not even bother remembering it?” she screamed at him, as she let loose a shot that barely missed his head, and cracked into the wall behind him.

“You send me to do your work, and yet when I am murdered at your secure temple, you do not even send the ANBU. Hell you didn’t even hold a frakking funeral for my old body.” she screamed at him. “All you did was take my sister from me.”

Her thumb quickly reached up to her pistol and pulled back the hammer again. “Only one person gave a frak about my death, one, and you let him die.” she ranted and raved like a lunatic.

“You blame me for your ills, and when I came back, forced into a new body in a tub of goo, you decided that I can do suicide missions for you. Like I want to die for you and your cause. Have you ever died? Have you ever taken your last breath and felt your heart stop? Have you ever lied their helpless as the one person who gives a damn about you is crying in your arms covered in your blood? Do you remember death? I do you stupid bastard.”

She took a deep breath, and her eyes began to look like fire. “Then you send me on a suicide mission to capture Vader’s apprentice. A man who did nothing wrong than piss off other than Danny boy. You expected me to die. You wanted me to die and when I succeeded what did you do? You put me in his order. You pushed me away."

"You made me what I am, and you come here with your light saber extended at me? I am what you made me you stupid self absorbed prick.”

"I am growing weary of your questions Tsunade." she said to Magriel, in a much colder tone.

Magriel nodded, "I see, in that case, let me show you who I am." He deactivated his lightsaber and lowered the intensity of the glow, revealing his face and features in Hera's mind. "You know what I do? Help others. Can you believe that after all I've been through? You know my past. You'd think it would be being in the heat of battle, having all sorts of emotions flow over my mind as I hack away at my enemies. But, what I truly enjoy most of all is helping others. The satisfaction of seeing one's life become a bit better, so that they can go home to their families with a renewed sense of hope. Despite my violent past history, I am a symbol to people who hope that those who have turned can forgive themselves and go back. I enjoy helping other people know that they're not the only ones who have had a difficult life, past. The emotions of joy, happiness and love are much more invigorating than those of hate, lust and power. I am not Tsunade, I am not one of those who have helped to destroy your very soul. My goal is to help undo the damage which they have done. I intend to help you keep a sound mind. My name is Councilor Magriel, and I'm here to help you."

Magriel knew that Hera was in danger, and cursed in ancient Huntarian. "Emma, keep an eye on our Force Signs. I'm going to attempt a Force Meld and go within her mind. It would seem that she's having trouble with her own emotions and they're taking control of her. If you should start to sense our two minds to start merging as one, I want you to use the Force to sever the link." He then placed his hands on Hera's head and closed his eyes, opening his mind up to hers and to the Force.



OOC: Couldn't resist a nod to "Quadrophenia."

IC:


I'm getting put down,
I'm getting pushed round,
I'm being beaten every day.
My life's fading,
But things are changing,
I'm not gonna sit and weep again.

--The Who, "The Dirty Jobs"

Emma witnessed the whole scene. Hera slipping into a trance and cursing her Coredian handlers--no doubt they had her do things she didn't like. She was also probably the first Dornalian--outside of those serving on the Konoha Occupation Force who walked where they shouldn't have walked and seen horrors they probably shouldn't have and one Gracie unit abducted by Cylons--who heard the Cylon resurrection process described to her. Albeit done rather simply. This was something to be filed in the records for later.

Still, impromptu research aside, it was apparent that Hera and Magriel were tussling, Magriel tussling to reach her and Hera tussling with those who had wronged her previously. Emma kept an eye out, and so far Mag's readings were good. Then again, she didn't have too much experience with Huntarian Force Melds, although she was quite the empath--so who knew if it was going somewhere good. So far, it did. So, she opted to stay back and let Magriel handle this, until she was damn sure things were under control.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7amYNaPTRI

Time seemed to slow down, as each moment lost it’s significance, as the woman in white stared at the newly revealed form of Magriel.

She stared at him, with the face of an angel, and the eyes of a demon. Her hand slowly lowered itself, as her fingers grew heavier. She slowly lost the grip on the Colt, as it fell to the floor.

“Magriel?” Hera asked him as she stepped closer to him. She reached out to him, as she touched the left side of his cheek. “Is it you?”

She stepped one step closer, and reached up to him. Gently she kissed him on the lips. Her lips were warm and soft, as she pressed them gently against his. She then pulled back and smiled at the Master before her.

“It is good to see you.” she said as she smiled at him. She reached around him, and embraced him tightly. “What are you doing here?”

The moment seemed to last an eternity, as time continued to lose it’s importance.

As she pulled away again, a small tear began to form in her eye. “I ...” she said nearly sobbing, “I am sorry.” she said as her voice began to quiver. In a moment, the woman in the white dress turned around and began to run down the aisle. Her body shook as she ran like a scared rabbit away from a fox. Dashing across the room, she ran for the double door exit at the back of the opera house.

Magriel watched as the woman ran away, out of the Oprah House. "Wait!" Her ran after her, unsure really as to what was going on with her. "What are you afraid of?"

And she ran, running through the maze of stair wells and hallways. She sped past the gold colored columns, and over the red rugs, as Magriel gave pursuit. Past the beautiful mosaics, and decorative artwork, she ran bare foot through it all. Soon she came to the entrance of the building itself. Hera flung open the doors, and ran outside.

The sky was clear, and the air smelled fresh, as the tall grass that had been unkempt for millennium surrounded her. She stepped back in ghastly horror as she looked around. The Opera house was gone, except for the two ruined pillars that stood at the entrance. Below her, were the remains of the great stairwell, and the broken columns, now covered by green moss. She put her hand up to her mouth as she tried to suppress the urge to scream.

The air was silent, not a cricket chirped, nor a bird sung. There was nothing, but the sight of the distant mountain ridge, and the broken remains of Olympus. She turned around, and soon saw the man that gave chase Magriel behind her.

Hera looked at the ground frantically. She turned her head to the left and right as her eyes were taking a look at the long dead and ruined rubble that surrounded the pair. “It is gone.” she said in pure terror. “It has all been destroyed. My home is dead, and there is no one left.” she said to him. She then took a step back away from him. Shaking in terror, she held her hand towards him. “Stay away from me!”

As she screamed, Magriel could feel something wrong in the peaceful scene of rubble. Something dark lurking nearby, something left over...

Magriel staggered for a few moments, confused at Hera's shouting, "who are you yelling at? Hera, what are you talking about?" Then, in a few moments he felt it... Something which was dark. He didn't like the feeling which was in the air, "who else is here? Show yourself!"

The temperature slowly began to drop, as the long shadow from the near by mountains began to creep closer towards the ancient ruined city of Olympus. Magriel could look into the sky, to see the once yellow sun, slowly turn the sky red.

It was quite beautiful, as the red halo formed behind the now blue mountains. As if by magic or command of some unseen director, the base of the mountains began to grow grey with fog.

Hera kneeled down, as she picked up a handful of dirt, from her shattered home. “It is all gone.” she said to Magriel, as her eyes were teamed up with sadness and fear. “They are all gone.”

“Now you see Magriel.” a dark voice said behind him. The voice was cold, like an arctic wind blowing around him. “She is beyond your help. You have nothing to offer her but pain and suffering. Your teachings will ruin my child, and will cast her into the oblivion in which you came.” it said again.

As Magriel turned around, he could see in the fading light, a man in a long white robe. His face was obfuscated from view, as the phantom walked ever closer. “Your compassion is well placed, but your methods are of ill intent. Do you really believe that you can undo what I have spent years perfecting? Do you believe that my sacrifice can be undone, by simple words? You are very arrogant my friend.” the man spoke.

Although he was dressed in white, the man gave off the aura of darkness. He walked silently, across the crunchy leaves and grass, and yet still somehow did not make a sound. “Do you know who she is? Do you even care about the vision that I have shown you?”

Magriel growled, "you seem confident for an illusion/ghost remnant." Magriel folded his arms, "yes, I do care about the images. However, you are so very wrong about me not being able to cure her. My people have seen cases like hers and they've turned into some of the best citizens of my people."

The Man in White chuckled at Magriel’s defense of his actions. He watched the hopeful Malkir with such glee, like when a mouse believes it just got away, seconds before the cat pounces on it.

He mused with the prospect for the moment, let the man remain hopeful, or crush his dream now. Decisions.... decisions....

After a moment, the man smiled under his hood. Lifting his finger towards Magriel, he let loose a sinister chuckle. “Ah but you see.” the man spoke confidently, “She is not one of your own. She never has been, and she never will be. She is an abomination, to creation, to the very force itself. Surely you have felt it. Her life is an insult to the force, and it’s desires.”

Her very existence is an act of unnatural accident, just like that of her people so long ago. Do you not wonder how it is that your heaven can be torn asunder, as if the force itself has rejected the Malkir from it’s grace? Have you not asked yourself why it is, that such an action can occur.

The man walked slowly over to the near frozen Hera, sitting on the ground, dressed in a long white dress. “Here is your answer Magriel. She will begin the chain of events that will rip you from the heavens. Really you should extinguish this blight from the universe while you can.” he said musing to himself. “Then again you will not. You’re too noble now, aren’t you?”

Magriel raised his eyes, "ripped from the heavens? Now THAT is an unusual interpretation of such events. No, I never felt ripped from the heavens. Just that the heavens were on fire... Something bad happening in the future." Magriel circled around the Man in White for a bit, brooding. He stops abruptly, and faces the illusion, "you want to know what I think?" Magriel paused in his thoughts for a few moments before continuing, " I think... That you know that it is only a matter of time before you loose your grip on Hera. I think that you know this to be true, because you've never encountered one with such powers which I possess. I think, that you're attempting to scare me away, " Magriel chuckles in mid sentence, "and that you fear that you could loose your grip on her and crash into a course of oblivion yourself, not her. You're afraid that I CAN save her."

“How could Magriel be such a fool?” the man thought to himself, as Magriel voiced his opposition, filled with a defiant and arrogant tone of voice. The Man looked down and shook his head at the Malkir council member.

“No, my dear boy. My work has been done. It has been done for some time. Her path, her destiny, is to destroy all she cares for, which includes you.” He said as he stood up from her still body, that seemed to be frozen in time.

“Your power is meaningless, your arrogance is nothing. If you believe you are greater, only because you survived Vorman, then you are sorely lacking in judgement. I am not afraid of losing her. She is a tool, and although valuable, she can be replaced, sharpened or broken.”

He then slowly hobbled over towards Magriel, like an old man. “Tell me, what is your interest in her... hmm... Do not tell me that you are bored, or are looking for a new apprentice to pass on your teachings to the next generation. No, there is something else. Tell me, do you see yourself in her eyes. Identify with her plight. Maybe saving her will somehow undo the horrible things you have done. Maybe it will allow you some measure of forgiveness?”

He chuckled at the thought, “Or is there something else? Something that you would be willing to wager on, even the death of your heavens, the death of your family and all you know, for this one moment. Tell me Magriel, what is driving this passion of yours?”

Magriel shrugs, "I don't know what my passion is. I have no plans, I just simply do things. I'm like a Jawa chasing a shipment full of repair parts. I wouldn't know what to do with them all even if I caught one! I just simply do things... So, if Hera's as easily replaceable as you say, why are you hesitant to let her go?" Magriel turned to face Hera, "do you really need him to survive? I will be able to show you so much more than what he can. Friendship, compassion, kindness, caring, love, hope, happiness, I can show you so much more than a limited illusion which is embedded in your mind." Magriel walked up to Hera and extended his hand.

Hera kneeled gently towards the ground, as the war of words battled on. The arrogant and smooth words of the man in white vs the experience and wisdom of Magriel.

Hera was at a loss, as her former and dead master, burned into her brain at the moment of his death, the moment she killed him waged his hold over her, in front of the would be new master. To her surprise, Magriel didn’t seem to attack him. He brushed him aside, like a piece of trash left behind on the side of the road.

As he offered Hera his hand, she turned to the man. The man didn’t say a word, as he mused about the situation. He didn’t need to. He knew that he was burned in her mind. No matter how Magriel tried to trivialize the man, the man would always exist, forever a part of his apprentice.

Hera then turned her eyes to Magriel. Gently she placed her hand in his.

Then a deep breath, as Hera leaned backwards. She opened her eyes to see herself in the garden in London. Catching herself as she leaned backwards, she looked up to the blue sky. “I do not want to do that again.” she said as she gently propped herself up. “Never again.”

Magriel sighed, "you will have to at some point, as it is an intermediate form of meditation. I admit I was a little bit shortsighted when I thought you could learn this technique, it was too intermediate for you. For now, we shall start with something more simple. However, I think we must be getting back to the Temple now."

Emma got up and replied, saying, "Agreed." She for one looked rather tired, and as it was rather sobered by the experience of having to see Magriel intellectually tackle Hera's issues and Hera vowing to never experience those things again. She then added, "I think we'll go with the bare basics for now."

Coughing she then motioned for the group to follow. Her rationale was, plainly, that, "As it is, we have to do the official swearing in of one Hera Agathon, and then we give you a People's Acolytes lightsaber. Come along now, to my office."

Once led to her office, Hera would then be asked to swear the oath, and then be handed a small wooden box, emblazoned with the same Socialist Jedi symbol she had seen in the Temple's lobby. Inside was a lightsaber. A simple one, almost ugly in its Socialist Bauhaus stylings, but one that, as Emma said, "will take you from hell to heaven and back again."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjUdKsJ4d3k

The idea of doing that again, under any circumstances was not a pleasant idea to Hera. Her stomach felt like it was in a knot, as if she was going to be sick. Although she trusted both Emma and Magriel, she couldn’t help but to think that somehow they wanted her to face that again, to suffer and fail once more.

Reluctantly she got up from the meditation garden. She was scared, as she walked towards the temple. What horrors would await her inside? Would they make her open the forbidden box again? Would they do worse? What was to happen to her once she got inside? All of these thoughts echoed in her as she stepped behind Magriel and Emma towards her destination.

The walk was a long one. She didn’t know what this oath would entail, what it would mean. Would it change anything? Would she be altered, or not be herself? After her recent lesson, she was not all that eager to find out. Soon though she found herself in the office.

Magriel stood on her right side, as Emma walked behind the desk. Opening a drawer she pulled out a small simple wooden box, and a rather lengthy parchment. Emma smiled at Hera as she handed her the paper.

“Please recite the oath.” she told Hera.

Hera looked down and read the oath. Looking it over once again, she looked up and nodded.

Hera held the paper with both hands as she started to read. Emma shook her head, “Hera.” she said stopping her before she began. “Please raise your right hand, so it can be official.”

Hera slowly raised her hand, and thus began to read.

I will swear to obey the Grand Sensei, my Sensei, and my lord at all times, unless he tells me to commit an unlawful order that contradicts this Code.

I will swear to defend the Rights of the Workers And Peasants to live in accordance with True Liberty and to enjoy their right to a full and enriching life. In turn, I will treat the Workers and Peasants with justice and respect.

I will swear to embrace neither the light nor dark sides, but rather, reject them both as falsehoods, engineered by the Superstructure. Instead, I will embrace the Force as one, all-encompassing People's Will (Shinmei version is "Light of Lights") to be taken as a moderated whole.

I will swear to maintain a clean mind and body to the best of my ability, freeing myself from excesses such as gluttony, wrathfulness, and lust. Celibacy and temperance are not mandatory, but I will understand them to be tools to aid the development of mind and body.

I will dedicate myself to stopping those who attempt to commit unjust acts against the Workers and Peasants. I will assist the lawful authorities in stopping criminal elements and ensuring a peaceful life.

I will also vow to commit myself to a regimen of spiritual training and continuous learning to cultivate my abilities, as well as instill self-discipline and self-control over myself.

I will commit myself to training in the ways of the warrior, both ways honored by tradition and ways vindicated by the modern class struggle. I will practice these ways daily, through a strict regimen.

I will recognize that as I am able to embrace the Force as a moderated whole People's Will (Shinmei version is "Light of Lights"), all forms of waging war to defend justice and win any Class Struggle I am placed in are available. This also means I may utilize any Force based skill that I choose as part of my training. However, I recognize that this responsibility comes with a price, that I must moderate my use and training in such skills to ensure their just use. I must also ensure that I am mature enough to understand the consequences of said skill and/or method of waging war.

The oath was certainly long, and quite boring as she read the oath, but to her surprise she didn’t feel any different. She just read the words, and that seemed to be it, like reciting a speech, or a play. It was almost disappointing to her, as she expected to feel something different. Anything.

She looked up to Emma as the oath was finished. Maybe it was the box that had been opened previously. Maybe just maybe something would be different, if she had not opened that damn box.

She extended her left hand with the parchment and handed it back to Emma.

She extended her left hand with the parchment and handed it back to Emma.

Emma smiled and then handed the copy of the Manual back to Hera, saying simply, "Keep it, I insist. This copy of the People's Acolytes Manual is for you to use. It's custom that each new person keeps their manual, and knows it from top to bottom."

She then proceeded to open the box, and it revealed a lightsaber. It was admittedly more austere than a Coredian saber, though it looked the same shape. It was simpler, not as shiny, and it only had just enough knobs for functionality and for ease of the user. And, its only special mark was a stamped logo on the bottom, the same People's Acolyte logo as on the flags in the lobby.

"It's probably not what you're used to, but it's what we got. Plus, it has technical support, from our Master Smiths on Mars."

Hera smiled back as she held out her hand and accepted the Dornie lightsaber. It was rather simplistic in design, very much unlike that of the Coredians. It’s structure, and lack of artistic detail, and emphasis on simplicity was more of that of the Ossus council where she first was trained.

Hera looked at the lightsaber, studying each and every inch of it. It was beautiful in it’s simplicity, a tool of function, not of individual style. One could say that the lightsaber was a reflection on the order as a whole, not on the individual, as the Coredians would have had done.

Then she saw the symbol stamped on the bottom. It’s red emblems of the Marxist movement, symbolizing the people’s struggle against. If only she had been from Earth, or had a real understanding of Marxist ideology, she would have had a deeper understanding of what it meant. Instead she only could see the beauty in the design.

Hera then flipped the switch, igniting the red blade of the People’s Acolytes. “I thought red blades were sith blades.” she finally said as she turned the blade off. “Why is it red?” she asked with the near innocence of a child.

After the question was answered, she clipped her blade to her belt loop. “Thank you, Emma.”

“So what is next for me?”

Emma nodded and replied to her question, "It's actually red because we are the People's Acolytes. Our organization does have those Socialist origins, and red is traditionally associated with Socialism and Communism. Hence, the redness of the blade. Technically, we've made it a different Red than the Sith sabers, but I personally think we should use a different color."

As Hera asked another question, Emma replied, "Well, we should get you some local quarters, if you so wish. And, maybe an assignment of some sort....maybe fighting crime?"

“Fighting crime?” Hera asked slightly confused as Emma began thinking of her first assignment. “You mean like a beat cop, or would you like a more permanent solution to a particular individual?”

She then crossed her arms, and looked around the room. "Are the People's AcolyTes cops?"

(sorry for the one liner)

“Fighting crime?” Hera asked slightly confused as Emma began thinking of her first assignment. “You mean like a beat cop, or would you like a more permanent solution to a particular individual?”

She then crossed her arms, and looked around the room. "Are the People's AcolyTes cops?"

(sorry for the one liner)

OOC: It's cool.

IC:

Chuckling, Emma said, "Not as much as the Coredians, Hera. See....we are constrained by the laws, namely the Hawley-Lew Act. This act basically restricts us to tackling cases involving criminals and individuals who abuse Force, magic, or psychic powers for criminal purposes that threaten the populace at large. This includes those who gain such powers through artificial means, such as plasmids--artificially injected stem cell cultures popular amongst lowlifes for their psychokinetic properties.

Thusly, we are 'cops' to some extent."

Emma then coughed and said, "But, first things first." She then pulled out a small brochure about housing. "Now, we have some dormitories inside the Temple of Greater London, but barring that, there are several local places that will lease flats out for you to use. If you so wish. If not, we can skip to the job rosters."

Hera reached out and grabbed the brochure. The thought of her own loft frightened her, as her own mind began to go back to the faithful day, the day she lost her life. The day, she held her baby sister in her arms, as her body went cold.

Hera winced as the sound of Athena’s cries curdled in her soul, and the image of the blood covered infant burned it’s way into her mind.

“No.” Hera said defiantly, “I do not need a flat, a dorm will be fine.” she said. “I think it would be better to be in the temple. Easy access you know, if I need help with something.” she explained to Emma, as she handed back the brochure.

“All I need is a room. I move around too much for a house. Besides it may be haunted.” she explained to Emma. She then looked to Magriel, “You are quiet?” she said as she gently touched his arm, “Are you ok?”

(OOC: Playing this part out, to avoid needless posts of one liners and pointless descriptions.)

Emma nodded, then walked Hera, with Magriel in tow down towards the dorms. The hallways were bustling with activity, as most of those who lived in the dormitories were either masters, or new recruits. Hera brushed past the busy hall, until Emma came to one door.

“Here ya go.” Emma said as she tossed Hera the key. “It may not be what you are used to, but it is what we got.”

Hera nodded, as she opened the door. Inside was a very spartan room. There was a pillow on the floor, which was obviously used for meditation. Against the wall, there was a bed, and on the other side of the small college dorm size room, was a desk. Hera looked around, and smiled. “It is perfect.” she said as she turned to Emma.

“Good.” Emma replied back, “I will have your belongings brought here then.”

Hera nodded, “So, what is my first lesson or assignment?”

Emma then mulled Hera's question over. It probably wasn't a good time to try out any lessons involving meditation, considering how Magriel's little exercise went. And frankly, she seemed to know her way around fighting, so there wasn't much for her to teach in that regard. But, there was definetly an opportunity to teach her about the way being a member of the PA worked. So, it now fell on Emma to assign her a mission.

Picking up her PDA, she then said, "Well, to be honest, I think we should try sending you on a job first. Give you a taste of how we handle fieldwork in the People's Acolytes organization." Pushing a few buttons, she then said, "Hmm....I'll start you on something relatively easy, but not a pushover." Looking some more, she then said, "Something's just come onto the PeopleNet. There's a rather nasty fellow down in Brixton who's holding up a bank, with a group of ruffians. London Metropolitan says they're using Plasmids--which means he's under our jurisdiction, being that he's officially psychic and all. They've got him in a standoff, but they don't know how long they can hold him." Looking at Hera, she said, "I've got directions here if you want them."

“Well this is certainly new.” Hera thought to herself as she looked at the PDA of Emma’s. Looking at the text, and the call of support, the young woman knew that this was more than a lesson. It was a test in restraint, especially for her.

She was not sure she was qualified, as all of her training up until this point had been to silently strike from the shadows, and take a person out without a whimper, only to vanish back into the night. Trained for combat, she certainly was, but it was a totally different ball game.

Hera turned to Emma and nodded, “Ok.” she said as she looked up at the Irish Sensei. “However I have never made an arrest before. I will do my best to make both you and Magriel proud.” she said.

Then after getting the directions to the bank robbery, the woman in white left the room, heading towards the robbery, without a clue as to how to disarm the situation without bloodshed.

“Well this is certainly new.” Hera thought to herself as she looked at the PDA of Emma’s. Looking at the text, and the call of support, the young woman knew that this was more than a lesson. It was a test in restraint, especially for her.

She was not sure she was qualified, as all of her training up until this point had been to silently strike from the shadows, and take a person out without a whimper, only to vanish back into the night. Trained for combat, she certainly was, but it was a totally different ball game.

Hera turned to Emma and nodded, “Ok.” she said as she looked up at the Irish Sensei. “However I have never made an arrest before. I will do my best to make both you and Magriel proud.” she said.

Then after getting the directions to the bank robbery, the woman in white left the room, heading towards the robbery, without a clue as to how to disarm the situation without bloodshed.

The trip to the bank was quick, given the efficacy of the London Underground. However, Brixton itself would prove a rough area. Neglected by London authorities up until the Unification of Earth, it proved to be somewhat akin to Compton in Los Angeles. A relatively poor area, filled with working class folk of all sorts eager to make their mark legally, semi-legally or neither of the two. Council Estates, the equivalent of the American "Project," could be spotted, intermixed with a certain red-brick charm that only Merry Old London could provide. Afro-Caribbean culture was vibrant here, and Hera would be able to pass by shops offering all sorts of things from the West Indies. The smells woud be overwhelming at times, but pleasant.

The Bank however, was not so pleasant. London Metro PD, being armed only with pistols and nightsticks and one or two men with rifles, kept a cordon with squad cars around a bank. There, two men in balaclavas and camo jackets behind concrete planters were wieldng AK47s and throwing balls of ice at the police to scare them. They shouted in Cockney accents and were clearly not eager to surrender. Inside, Hera would be able to see through the windows several more men.

"I told you, you sods! Fuck off!" shouted the only one not behind a planter, the one who seemed to be in charge. He had a black woman, a teller it seemed, by the scruff of her neck as a hostage, and held in his hands a fireball. "Fuck off, or she gets it!"

"Stand down! There's no need to hurt anybody!" the police shouted.

"You're making it that way, ya mong! Now fuck off!" the Robber shouted as he threw a fireball at a cop, and the cop ducked.

The leader of the Barricade saw Hera, and said, "About fuckin' time. We've got a situation here, two crazies with Plasmids and we suspect several more inside. We're outgunned. They've got military weapons, and they've got powers and hostages."

"The girl is a witch. Ya, but she is our witch, so cut her the hell down." --- Firefly

It was a lovely neighborhood, teeming with life, and culture, as Hera walked down the street, alone. Never before had she felt so quiet, the voice itself seemingly gone. No taunts, no abrasions, no coy and arrogant remarks as she walked down the street. For the first time since she could remember, there was only her in her head.

The peace though, seemed to shatter easy enough, as the Woman in White, walked up to the bank. Chaos had taken grip as the gun wielding psychics began their rounds. Ice and fire were flung, as the cops ducked and cowered in fear.

Fear.... it was the true nature of the scene. The air was ripe with it, as she walked up casually to the police car. It permeated the whole area, like a ripe incense used to glorify some dark god. It bore it’s mark on every man and woman. She could feel the cops, and how they thought they would die, she could feel the desperation of the men inside, as they didn’t want to be taken to some sort of jail. Then there were the innocent people inside. The simple people wanting to cash their checks, or pay on their mortgage. Hera stood in a sea of fear, and it was .... intoxicating.

"About fuckin' time. We've got a situation here, two crazies with Plasmids and we suspect several more inside. We're outgunned. They've got military weapons, and they've got powers and hostages." one of the cops shouted at her, as another ice ball came flying towards his car.

Hera turned to him, and just watched, and listened. She turned to him, and ran over to his car. “Shh.” she whispered sweetly, like a mother does to her child, as she put her finger on his lips. “I can’t hear.” Before the cop could reply, with some colorful comment, Hera closed her eyes.

The sea was dark, and it was deep, as it teemed with the fish. Blue fish, trout, sword fish, but where was the one she was looking for. She put on her scuba mask as she looked in the water, trying to find the ones she wanted. It took a moment, until she saw their silvery shine. “Ah there you are.” Hera said out loud, ignoring the cops comments. The cops could probably sense, or get the strange feeling from her ignoring them, that as of this moment, they didn’t exist, they were just one of many, swimming in the current of fear and desperation.

Hera extended her finger and began to draw on the street. First she drew a circle, nearly perfect, as she traced it with her index fingers. Then she began to draw a line, from one point to another, until it soon formed a star in the center. Gently she drew a second larger circle, one that encompassed the pentagram in the center, then drew what would look like some lines in-between.

As she opened her eyes, she turned her gaze, her brown eyes now yellow towards the plasmids. She could see their hearts beating, the sweat from their pours. “Such animals... should be taken out.” she thought to herself. “But no, they should be caged and shoved in a zoo for all to see. Ah yes, the zoo.” she said as she stared at them, as another fireball flew.

Hera stood up, leaving the protective covering of the cop car. She felt each of the plasmids, their inner essence, their very being. She concentrated as she formed the hunter’s bond, as she called it, the circle of predator and prey. Walking closer, she began her spell, the spell of Domination...

“Quis eram quondam vestri est iam mei. Vestri mos belongs volo. Quis eram quondam vestri est mei. Vestri animus belongs volo. Quis eram quondam vestri est mei , vestri vita belongs volo. Quis eram quondam vestri est mei. Vos belong volo.” Hera spoke, as her voice turned darker, and much colder. The wind began to pick up, as she completed the last phrase of the domination, at the men inside the bank, and the men outside.

“Surrender.” was the only command she uttered.

The other men stopped their chaos and looked at Hera. Pausing for a moment from their shooting spree, they leveled their rifles at Hera before being gripped by a sudden sense of panic. Something within them compelled them to surrender, and though the lead man tried to fight it, the teller in his grip managed to convince him of the futility of resistance via a swift elbow to the chest.

Indeed, the entire lot proceeded to surrender, drop their guns, and hold their hands high, marching forth as angry bank tellers and London Metro PD rushed in to make the surrender official. Cuffing the men, the man in charge of the scene said quickly, "Good job. That ended the situation rather quickly, now didn't it? Tell whoever sent you that PC Ellington sends his thanks."

The bond between predator and prey was a hard one to break, as Hera soon found out. The blessing of the teachings at the N.S.O Academy, was more of a curse as she stood there staring down the surrendering plasmids. No other existed, the streets were eerily silent, as if Rapture itself had occurred, leaving only her and the men behind.

In her gut, she wanted to reach out and smite them all down. She could feel their stolen power, their wretched souls. In her mind, she could only see them as a wolf sees a fawn, an easy target. Her eyes focused on them, as they put down their guns.

“Hera... let it go.” the small voice of a conscious spoke to her. “You can not do this, break the bond.” it pleaded with her.

The bond between predator and prey is strong. She was hungry, hungry for them, as the connection lasted. She could feel their heart beat, as she drew one step closer. Inside of her, a hunger grew, a hunger for their soul, their body, their flesh. She wanted to reach out and just snip the small flame of their lives from existence.

“Please.” the voice begged. “Do not do it. Let them go. I know you can do it.” the voice asked pleading with sorrow, as the young Darth Sunshine stared at her prey.

Sunshine slowly lifted her hand to one. She wanted them, in a blood lust. She could smell them, and it was insatiable. “Hera NO!” the voice yelled. “What would Magriel think? What would Emma say? How would you make Emily feel? Stop this madness now!”

Hera shook her head, as she felt the bond between them fade. She looked around at the cops, who were staring at her eerily. “Everything turn out ok?” she asked one of the cops, as if she was absent through the entire thing? “Were they caught?”

Hera shook her head, as she felt the bond between them fade. She looked around at the cops, who were staring at her eerily. “Everything turn out ok?” she asked one of the cops, as if she was absent through the entire thing? “Were they caught?”

PC Ellington looked at Hera with a strange look when she asked that, and said, "Um, yeah. You technically caught them for us." He then asked skeptically, "Bit of a strange question, innit? They ain't dead and they're in our squad cars."

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

London Metro PD was also asking questions about another crime. This one involved a call from a certain bookshop clerk about a strange man who threatened him using a coin toss. One overworked Sergeant Wilkins, a Detective from the London Metro PD, was grilling him with a notepad and a second who seemed more eager to read the latest issue of Loud Music Monthly than actually help.

"So what did the man do?"

"He said I was givin' 'im bad service, and he flipped a coin, said my future depended on it. Bastard forced me to call it, I called it heads and then it came up heads. He said it was my lucky day, and left."

"That's all?"

"That's it."

Sergeant Wilkins wrote that down and said, "Anything about him you remember?"

"Awfully snotty one, that man. Kinda tall, balding, relatively thin, speaks with Recieved Pronunciation but he kinda had strange ways of talkin'. Thirtyish. He was also buyin' something from the Classics section."

Wilkins raised his eyebrow and said, "Classics?"

"Yeah. Lemme show ya."

Leading Wilkins to the Classics section, he pointed out a copy of the Oresteia trilogy and said, "He bought this one. I charged him five bucks, he didn't like the way I talked to him."

Wilkins wrote this down, and raised an eyebrow.

"Fascinating. Our man's snotty, obviously hates clerks....highbrow, or at least seems to be. Has Force powers...."

The clerk, at the last part, frowned. He then asked, "Force powers? What's all this?"

Wilkins said, "My boy, today WAS your lucky day." He then turned to the clerk and said to him with a smile, "If it was whom I'm considering it is that threatened you....you should be glad he left peacefully."

"The Clerk Snuffer!?"

Wilkins nodded.

At that, the bookshop clerk got very scared.

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

Sure enough, Boris was walking his beat, having left a West Indian restaurant in Brixton after a satisfying meal of souse and Jamaican style meat pie. Well, at least the souse was good. His tastebuds, used to Russian delicacies both high and low, didn't enjoy spices so much, and he ate the meat pie only reluctantly.

As he walked out, hands in pockets, he sniffed the air, and sensed the presence again. That overwhelming--it was her!

He smiled. It was time they met again.

Hera stared blankly at the police officer, as he spoke his peace about the strange question. What was so strange about it? This was her first time, her first arrest. She didn’t know how this was supposed to go down. No death, no conversion, only the peace of the jail, and handcuffs awaited them. She was like a fish out of water, so she really didn’t know if what she did was ok or not.

“Well...” Hera spoke up shyly at the police officer. “I am sorry, I really am. This is my first time. I didn’t know if everything went alright. I am sorry if my question seemed off.” she said to him, as she slowly turned away.

As she turned, the streets were like they were. Merchants outside selling their wares, and the smells of the local area. The spices that floated in the air, the sounds of mixed accents, the sight of real cars going by. For the first time in forever she began to feel like she was home. This world, this colony, this Earth, was very much like her own planet.

Hera looked around for a bit, at the scene where chaos descended. Turning to another cop, she smiled warmly at him. “Excuse me.” she said. “I am new to this area. Can you direct me to some of the sights around here, or maybe to a good restaurant. I feel like I haven’t eaten in a week.” she said to the police officer.

Hera looked around for a bit, at the scene where chaos descended. Turning to another cop, she smiled warmly at him. “Excuse me.” she said. “I am new to this area. Can you direct me to some of the sights around here, or maybe to a good restaurant. I feel like I haven’t eaten in a week.” she said to the police officer.

The policeman replied, with a note of understanding, "Well, it's alright. The way this job works, I rarely get to eat a decent meal meself." Pointing with his finger, he motioned to several restaurants as he rattled off what seemed like a tourists' guide listing of sites.

"Well, there's the Brixton Academy. Used to be kinda dormant--then some chaps from California bought it and restarted it. They got music there if you want it, though I'm afraid it can be a little rough if you're not into moshpits. Then there's the Brixton Market--good place to buy all kinds of exotic treats and thingamajigs. Mostly food from Africa and the Caribbean, the kind that you can smell being cooked all about. There's also a cinema, the Flashy Cinema. Used to be called somethin' else, until it got rebooted.

There's also lotsa attractions outside of this little neighborhood. You got the obvious--Big Ben, that giant clock tower you may have noticed on your way in, and so on."

He then moved close and whispered, "But between you and me, I personally like to see the things tourists don't usually see when they go on holiday." The policeman then pointed at a restaurant marked "Louie K's." He then said, "Not a bad spot, that. Speak the plain truth, I rigged it so I would get the beat nearest that restaurant. They serve a good curry, and a good jerk chicken. Management's half-Indian, half-Jamaican--all good though, they know me. Anyone asks, tell them PC Constant sent you and they'll understand."

Hera looked up into the gray sky of London, and saw the giant clock tower of Big Ben. “How in the world did I miss that?” as her eyes filled with wonder. “Why did you build such a giant Clock?” was the first question that crossed her lips, as she the bells began to chime, with their high pitch noise.

She shook her head as she looked back at him. “Is it some sort of temple to your god of time, or does it have some other purpose? I mean I have seen you all having watches?” she asked in a furious rant showing her confusion of the necessity of such an object.”

Hera after hearing the response, nodded gently at the kind officer. She extended her chilled hand, at the PC, as she smiled. “Thank you so much.” she told him sincerely. ‘For everything. My name is Hera Agatheon, recruit of the PA. If you need any help or anything, please call me.” she told him, as she began to turn towards Louie K’s. Jerk Chicken sounded delicious at the moment, as her stomach growled.

She quickly ran across the road, to the other side of the street, and began to walk towards the fabled favorite of the cop she just spoke to, completely unaware, that someone else was following her. Soon as she came into the restaurant, when the waitress came up, Hera simply said, “PC Constant sent me. He said you were the best in London.” with a blank emotionless expression on her face.

Hera looked up into the gray sky of London, and saw the giant clock tower of Big Ben. “How in the world did I miss that?” as her eyes filled with wonder. “Why did you build such a giant Clock?” was the first question that crossed her lips, as she the bells began to chime, with their high pitch noise.

She shook her head as she looked back at him. “Is it some sort of temple to your god of time, or does it have some other purpose? I mean I have seen you all having watches?” she asked in a furious rant showing her confusion of the necessity of such an object.”

Hera after hearing the response, nodded gently at the kind officer. She extended her chilled hand, at the PC, as she smiled. “Thank you so much.” she told him sincerely. ‘For everything. My name is Hera Agatheon, recruit of the PA. If you need any help or anything, please call me.” she told him, as she began to turn towards Louie K’s. Jerk Chicken sounded delicious at the moment, as her stomach growled.

She quickly ran across the road, to the other side of the street, and began to walk towards the fabled favorite of the cop she just spoke to, completely unaware, that someone else was following her. Soon as she came into the restaurant, when the waitress came up, Hera simply said, “PC Constant sent me. He said you were the best in London.” with a blank emotionless expression on her face.

PC Constant tipped his hat, although he was confused at Hera's behavior. No one had asked him why Big Ben was there before, although he recalled something about how it involved Parliament in the old Pre-Apocalypse days. When there was a Parliament. He hadn't done so well in history class.

The waitress seemed confused, until the Indian man working the counter nodded and said, "Hey, John! Another one of Jimmy's recommendations!"

The "John" he called soon came out, a Jamaican man in his forties still in a chef's apron. He looked at Hera, and then motioned for the waitress to take Hera to a seat. The waitress then took her drink order and moved out.

John then walked back into the kitchen, as he said to the Indian, "Look, Rog, I gotta manage the cooks. No time for pleasantries here, we're a bit short today, six of 'em called sick. Apparently, that Clerk Snuffer's got people scared."

Rog replied, "Ach! He comes here, and I'll blow his head off! I don't care what kind of voodoo he has! Force or not, there's a reason I bought this Lasgun!" He thumped his counter twice, to emphasize the point.

John sighed and said, "Alrighty, Rog." He then went back to work, as Rog asked Hera, laughing nervously, "Didn't mean to scare ya, ma'am. Jimmy, er, PC Constant, pointed you here, didn't he? Well, nevermind us, you came to the right place. Have you a tolerance for spicy food?"

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

Boris, wandering around Brixton and mercilessly bored, sniffed the air again. Now he knew his Angel was near. Oh yes.....so many emotions. On one hand, he adored her with all the raging obsession that stalkers usually give celebrities. Then again, being a vampiric self-taught Sith necromancer of some repute, he was also a man who knew a good prey when he sensed it.

He happened upon "Louie K's." Smiling, he figured that though he had lunch, there was always room in his stomach for a meeting with one he cherished in his rather, um, "special" way. He then promptly entered the restaurant, keeping a low profile as a waitress sat him down and he ordered a glass of water.

The wonders of this place never ceased to amaze Hera, as she sat down in her booth. She watched carefully, as the owner, the Jamacian owner came over and talked to her. His accent was thick, yet strangely familiar. Like a weird form of Geminise, one of the tribal villages locked away in the mountains. How strange is it, that this colony has accents so like that of the Colonies.

She looked up to the man, who seemed friendly enough, except for the stress of work. “It is quite alright.” Hera said, as the man apologized for the jumpy behavior of one of his employees, and the scare. “I am sorry.” she told the man as he was at the table. “What is a clerk snuffer?” she asked him in earnest, oblivious to the man that sat near her.

She then when asked about spicy food nodded. “Yes I do enjoy spices.” she said as she smiled at this man whom Jimmy recommended. “Can you tell me what I should try. I just flew in from Caprica, so whatever you recommend I will try.” she said as she reached down and took a sip of the Whiskey Sour, that she ordered a minute ago.

A small sip was all she needed, as she nearly shook her head. Her lips puckered up, as she tried in vain to hide the reaction. “Wow.” she said gasping for air, as she tried to shake off the burn. “What a drink. Good liquor.” she said, as she took another sip of her amber colored beverage.

The wonders of this place never ceased to amaze Hera, as she sat down in her booth. She watched carefully, as the owner, the Jamacian owner came over and talked to her. His accent was thick, yet strangely familiar. Like a weird form of Geminise, one of the tribal villages locked away in the mountains. How strange is it, that this colony has accents so like that of the Colonies.

She looked up to the man, who seemed friendly enough, except for the stress of work. “It is quite alright.” Hera said, as the man apologized for the jumpy behavior of one of his employees, and the scare. “I am sorry.” she told the man as he was at the table. “What is a clerk snuffer?” she asked him in earnest, oblivious to the man that sat near her.

She then when asked about spicy food nodded. “Yes I do enjoy spices.” she said as she smiled at this man whom Jimmy recommended. “Can you tell me what I should try. I just flew in from Caprica, so whatever you recommend I will try.” she said as she reached down and took a sip of the Whiskey Sour, that she ordered a minute ago.

A small sip was all she needed, as she nearly shook her head. Her lips puckered up, as she tried in vain to hide the reaction. “Wow.” she said gasping for air, as she tried to shake off the burn. “What a drink. Good liquor.” she said, as she took another sip of her amber colored beverage.

Rog smiled and recommended, "I'd recommend the Jerk Chicken...or the Chicken Tikka Masala. I make mine extra spicy, so it isn't like the usual takeaway fare. I'm sure they haven't that sort of food near Caprica."

The man next to Hera chimed in with a simple, "Yeah. I hear its rather like Greece, innit?"

Rog replied, "Well, Ned, she hasn't been to Greece. She wouldn't know where the hell that is."

Ned shrugged, only to get nervous at Hera's question about the "Clerk Snuffer."

"Didnt'cha hear? The Clerk Snuffer's this real nasty asshole. He goes about town, going up to little shops and greengroceries, and then when they give him bad service, he kills 'em. No reason. They say he's a real nut. Eyewitnesses--if they do survive--keep sayin' he's a real thin fellow, kinda nervous, smarmy, real arrogant type."

Another chimed in with, "I thought he was Force powered."

"Well, that too. How else could ya get wounds like that?" Ned then turned to Hera and said, "Check out the Daily Reflector sometime, love. They've been trackin' that sneak for weeks. All the little graphic pictures--even got to the point where they got into a legal row over that. Contusions this way, bones broken like that. Little wonder people say he's Force powered. London Metro says he ain't, but I think he is. A lot of people around here think he is too. Don't quote me on this, but I hear that whenever the Clerk Snuffer attacks, sometimes, crazy types show up. Like, real nutters who try to claw and bite folk."

Rog, the Indian chimed in with an angered, "He's also racist! A lot of the shops he's attacked just happened to be owned by non white individuals."

Ned said, "No. The police say the Clerk Snuffer's got no pattern, no reason, no rhyme--he's killed a lotta different folks!"

Rog replied, "But I tell ya, I'm starting to think he's getting one. My friend Sanjay didn't come home from a late shift one night! John's brother, Riley, was killed in one of those attacks. I had to go to that funeral. Miserable. If I could get that nasty....." He then shook his head, the anger fading from his face and replaced with one of sadness.

At that, Boris sniffed the air, and said nonchalantly, "Now, now, maybe he just wanted some service, and he had difficulty with their command of English."

Rog said, turning to Boris, "Fine thing for you to say."

Ned added, "Not funny, mate. There's a limit to playing Devil's Advocate."

Boris then turned, and said, "Oh really? I have much more where that came from...." eyeing both of them evilly. He then looked around, and then spotted Hera. He smiled and said, "Where have you been all my life?"

One question, one simple question, erupted the restaurant in an orgy of statements, accusations and rumors, as the locals in the area began to speak up, voicing not only their opinions about what they had heard of, but what may be true.

Hera tried to look at each and every one of them as they spoke, but unfortunately it was just all to quick. She decided, that instead she should take a sip of her over shot whiskey sour, which was rare for any pub or restaurant to do.

Again, as before her face winced as she sipped down the drink, and looked around the room. “Yeah.” she said, as she tried to get a style of the local scene. “I dunno anything about Greece, except according to the history books it is believed to be the original landing site of the thirteenth.” she spoke up, as she placed her arm on the back side of the seat. “I can tell you though, Caprica is a lovely planet. Still very green, and plenty to do. Especially in the capitol, or Delphi. Clubs, art, museums, sports of every kind.” she said as she tried to be friendly, ‘but if you ever go I really recommend the pyramid games. Although I recommend you don’t root against the Buccaneers. Things get a bit personal if you do in a game.” she said as she loosened up a bit. Colonials take pyramid like you Brits take football, or so I hear.” she said as she reached down and took another drink.

As she did she sat back and then out of no where, the room burst out in a near hysteria about the mythical Clerk Snuffer. Like a volcano that erupted, leaving devastation in it’s wake, Hera watched the pleasant conversation turn into a disaster, as the people inside seemed to really become frantic.

Hera watched everyone speak, including that weird guy who seemed to be playing Devil’s advocate, when it was clearly unwelcome. Hera looked at him, “Um... I hate to say it, but I doubt they wanna debate the mind set of a clerk snuffer.” she said as she turned back to her drink, shrugging off his rude comments, and the creepy vibe that emanated from him.

Then as she took another drink, she noticed that weird man staring at her. As she turned to look at him, he then spoke probably the second lamest one liner that exists, aside from “What is your sign.” Hera pulled back slightly in her seat, as her eyes narrowed for a moment. Being hit on was nothing new, but such a bad attempt. No effort, no style, just a lame statement. Hera turned to one of the other men, trying to shake off the piss poor attempt at being hit on. Looking at the man who asked about Caprica being like Greece, Hera held out her hand. “Got a smoke?” she asked him.

Then she turned back to the man who was pathetically making a move. “I have been on the Battlestar Galactica. Why?” she asked the creepy man in the corner.

Boris's hit got a groan from the crowd and an angry reply from John, who said, "HEY! This isn't a pickup spot! Take that somewhere else! This is a family restaurant now, we keep a clean environment!"

Boris then turned to John and smiled evilly. He then said, "Hmm...you look familiar...." in the creepiest, sadistic tone. John raised his eyebrow and then reached for a phone, saying, "Alright, creep. Get out! I'll call the police!"

At that, Boris twitched, and in a stellar example of "from zero to full rage in no seconds flat" he began giving a demonstration of his powers.

The phones that were plugged in on hard lines were ripped out of the wall. Indeed, people would suddenly find their cell phones and PDAs dead, removed out of their pockets and flung into the back like missiles. And, to top it all off, a chair, a ficus, and a car from outside suddenly appeared with a CRASH! to block the entrance.
With an evil smile, Boris said, "I'm sorry. You seem to be missin' your phones."

Rog then picked up his Lasgun and said, "Alright, batty boy. Out!"

Boris slammed him against a wall using Force Shove and then proceeded to walk up to him and perform Force Choke, saying angrily, "Let's face it. I know what people have been saying about the Clerk Snuffer. And I don't like it."

At that, the people in the room got up and began to try to run. And Rog and John grew angered and desperate. After a gout of Force Lightning, the patrons huddled into a corner, scared.

"Don't fucking move!" He then turned to John. He let Rog go, but then grabbed Ned. Pointing to Ned with an angry grin, he said to John, "Your brother Riley was just as mouthy as this one!" He then snapped Ned's neck with the Force, extinguishing him as quickly as he picked him up to the horror of the people inside. He then did a ritual which really drove it home how excessive this man was. Leaning in, he breathed in what looked like an essence that escaped from Ned's mouth and nose, and then threw him, narrowly missing John.

He then continued, "And no, I don't discriminate. I hate all assholes, little shits, morons, idiots, and subhuman beings equally. Especially those who don't behave like men."

John then tried to retort, and Boris said, "What? Gonna say how much of a hypocrite I am? Your brother said the same thing." He then glared at John, and all John could do was glare back angrily, muttering, "You monster."

“There will come a time, in every person’s life where they have to commit the unforgivable sin. And if you flinch in that moment, if you hesitate for a single moment, you know what happens? More people die.” Admiral Helena Cain

One line, one crappy pick up line brought hell to earth as the horror of the Clerk Snuffer came into the peaceful and tranquil environment that was Louie K’s. Hera watched, as the man went off, snatching phones, breaking necks, and doing all sorts of horrible actions. Yet she remained unharmed, and unthreatened.

Hera reached into her robe, and grabbed her nine mil auto, holding it tight. She knew she had to wait for the right time, for the moment which Boris would least be expecting. She listened to his rants, and his racist bull shit, especially the comment of “sub human.”

As she heard that word, Hera filled with rage. All her life, every damn day of her childhood, she was considered a half breed. For the sin of being born, of having two loving parents, Hera suffered.

“Shut the frak up, blender.” echoed in her mind, as the memories of school unraveled in her mind. She still could feel the tears of her child hood, long dry running down her face, as the one word, one single term brought her to hate like nothing else would.

Hera tried to shake it off, as Boris began to inhale some sort of smoke from the corpse. She knew when this was happening that she had to act.

Hera pulled out her nine mil. Squeezing the trigger, she sent a spray of bullets across the resturant, starting from the left in case he wanted to dodge that way, towards the right, in a downward slashing movement, in case this racist son of a bitch tried to duck or run.

At that, Boris ended his ritual and ducked, quickly wiping his mouth and looking at his assailant with a sadistic glee. "'Love is a spirit of all compact of fire.' In this case, automatic fire." Amused by his bad pun, he got back up and said, "My dear, guns are rather uncivilized. Fortunately for you...."

He then raised his hand, and Ned got back up, a shambling parody of his former self, snarling angrily and clawing at all he saw.

"...I have better weapons. Waste not want not, so the English say. And their Bastard American cousins."

He then was the recipient of gunfire from Rog's Lasgun, and Boris ducked as he motioned for his monster to shamble forth at Hera. In the meantime, he grabbed a random passersby, and through the same unfortunate procedure turned her into a zombie as well to send at Rog, who immediately was distracted trying to shoot it in a state of panic.

To aid his newfound kin, he immediately began casting Force Shock. Not enough to kill Hera, but enough to test her in his own, um, special way.

A shock, well that was needlessly said or done, as Hera watched, the body of the man who was so nice and kind rise from the grave. His eyes were soulless, as he rose from his make shift grave.

Hera’s eyes focused on the body, and her hand reached down for the rapier at her side. As she touched it, she was overcome by pain, as white light flashed before her eyes. She could feel her skin burn. The pleasant smell of the restaurant, soon was overcome to her, by the smell of the small burnt hairs.

“Mother Frakker.” she screamed, as she found herself against the wall of the restaurant. Her body was sore, as the final bit of the shock ran through her. “Oh you son of a bitch.” she screamed out.

Hera reached down, and began to push herself off the floor, when she noticed the animated horror, coming at her. Hera with her right hand, reached down to the hilt of her rapier. Then she waited.

As he got closer, Hera sat patiently, waiting for the reject from a Thriller video to come within striking distance. Just when the moment was right, the hybrid moved as fast as she could, pulling out the rapier, and with a fencer’s speed, attempted to shove the rapier in the zombie’s heart.

As he got closer, Hera sat patiently, waiting for the reject from a Thriller video to come within striking distance. Just when the moment was right, the hybrid moved as fast as she could, pulling out the rapier, and with a fencer’s speed, attempted to shove the rapier in the zombie’s heart.

The ex-Ned Zombie was now speared through the heart with a roar, and Hera's gambit worked to prevent the horror from doing her anymore harm. Boris merely reacted to that with glee, and as John Hinckley tried to impress Jodie Foster with a gruesome act, so did this rather insane man. He killed two more individuals with Force Crush and quickly revived them, sending them piecemeal in an effort to prove his will. Hera, judging by the look in Boris's eyes, would be able to interpret the moves as some sort of sick test.

One thing was for sure. Rog had shot up the other Zombie he made, and then motioned for John, who was stunned by the horror, to get the other gun from the office. He darted into the back, distracting Boris with a spray of laser fire.

Boris then said, "What's this!? Strategy!? I LOVE strategy!" He then Force Crushed Rog's battery, causing Rog to drop the gun as it began to spark and later explode, causing him to stagger back as he reached for a revolver. John later came out with a shotgun and began firing at Boris, nicking the man in the arm and causing him to kill and raise another zombie for his defense.

The test was sickening, as Boris stood up, defiant at all he saw, tormenting, and destroying lives, for the sheer pleasure of it. Was he trying to impress Hera, or just trying to see what she could do?

All she knew was, it was no longer time to play softball. She had to do something and quickly before he turned everyone that was left in the diner to corpses...

Hera closed her eyes for a moment, before re-opening them. Her brown eyes seemed to change yellow, as she reached up her free hand at Boris. “Enough.... love.” she said much colder at the man who was tearing up this simple and family facility.

Her hate was becoming unbridled as she focused on the tormentor of these people. These people who did nothing wrong, but try to make a good dinner, and pleasant conversation. Hera closed her eyes again, as she mentally began her incantation.

Vestri pectus pectoris est plenus of livor. Vestri votum occulto vestri dedecus. Vestri contemno exuro infrenis , sic sentio ut poena.

As she finished her incantation in her head she opened her eyes at Boris. With a simple gesture, she finished what she started. Boris would begin to feel hot, as his clothing that covered his body, soon vanished into hundreds of spiders, each biting him, injecting their venom into his body. Hera watched in glee as she watched the metamorphosis happen. She knew it would not be enough to kill him, no he didn’t deserve a quick death, but... it would be humiliating, and the pain, the pain of the venom. It would feel hot, likea thousand hot pokers, buring away at his skin, then the sickness that was bound to follow. Darth Sunshine smiled as she watched the scene gently unfold, like a beautiful canvas.

As she finished her incantation in her head she opened her eyes at Boris. With a simple gesture, she finished what she started. Boris would begin to feel hot, as his clothing that covered his body, soon vanished into hundreds of spiders, each biting him, injecting their venom into his body. Hera watched in glee as she watched the metamorphosis happen. She knew it would not be enough to kill him, no he didn’t deserve a quick death, but... it would be humiliating, and the pain, the pain of the venom. It would feel hot, likea thousand hot pokers, buring away at his skin, then the sickness that was bound to follow. Darth Sunshine smiled as she watched the scene gently unfold, like a beautiful canvas.

At that, Boris began to itch. He then witnessed the embarassing sight of his clothes turning into spiders. This was new to him. Nothing so fiendish had been thrown at him before. Now, he was being stung all over, and uncomfortable. Not a bad thing, but the shots fired at him by John and Rog, who by now had found a .44 Revolver, were beginning to pose a threat. He immediately harvested another soul, blew a hole in the door leading to the kitchen, and then ran as he sought to use whatever Force powers he could to get the things off of him.

But whatever the case, Boris had fled the scene, and just as well. The police had intervened, and had smashed through the glass windows to reach the inside. PC Constant could be seen going, "Oh. My. God." Several men with him had similar reactions, seeing the horror of the situation.

John then said, with bitterness and gallows humor, "Jimmy....do me a favor. Next time, keep your eyes open."

Then he left, like he came in, unnoticed, uncared for. Hera looked around at the huge mess that had occurred. Then as if to add insult to injury, the cops came in, blowing out the window, sending shards of glass cascading down like a water fall to the table.

Hera closed her eyes, as the object of her hate ran away. Her own hate, soon subsided, as her eyes went from Yellow to Brown.

The scene was gruesome, as numerous dead laid on the floor. Burned, scuffed, crushed, and soulless, the bodies covered the ground.

Hera looked up, as the police investigated the horror. There wasn’t anything else Hera could do, so she reached into her pocket and pulled out a ten cubit bill. Leaving it on the table, she grabbed her whiskey sour, and chugged it down, before attempting to walk out of the building.

Hera looked up, as the police investigated the horror. There wasn’t anything else Hera could do, so she reached into her pocket and pulled out a ten cubit bill. Leaving it on the table, she grabbed her whiskey sour, and chugged it down, before attempting to walk out of the building.

PC Constant then stepped in front of Hera, and asked rather politely, "Um, excuse me....I may need to ask you a few questions. Mainly about...." He then pointed nervously to the scene and said, "That."

John then said, "I can answer them. Let the girl go, she's seen enough."

At that, PC Constant let her through, saying, "My apologies, ma'am."

It was just as well too. Roy got to answering eager BBC and NDBC journalists, which distracted folks as she left....

---------

As Boris now stumbled naked through an alley, with rags that were once his suit, he happened upon a man who looked at him funny--a businessman of sorts who merely said, "Pervert," as he left.

Boris then grabbed him with the Force, and jerked him close as he flew into a wall. He quickly proceeded to use Force Crush on his heart to kill him, and then took his clothes. No time for subtleties, no time for pithiness. He then left the alley, raising the man as a shambling form in whitey-tighties as he left, thinking about the encounter.

She was his woman alright. A virago, fiery, attractive, with the right amount of anger in her. He found himself unable to drop the vision of the woman running one of his creations through with a rapier, and using spiders on him.....it was somehow strangely comforting.

Yes, she had beaten him. But, it was also confirmation that she was also not only good prey, but also a wonderful individual, a strong, forceful personality with good looks and a sense of vulnerability that somehow made her attractive on a somewhat normal level--about as normal as this guy could get. He wanted to know more of it, to see it, and to meet her again.

Thus, with all these ingredients stewed together, he decided to try and encounter her again, in that way stalkers try to meet their favorite stars. But Boris Tereshkov, Ph.d, knew that his opponent/interest/prey wasn't going to go down easy. And, so he began to set out on a little spree that would make him even more dangerous....

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

Emma watched on her little HoloNet projector the news live on the BBC. And it was not pleasant.

"Shots were fired today in Brixton when an unidentified man, believed to be the legendary Clerk Snuffer, attacked a group of individuals in a restaurant. Three individuals are dead, ten are injured and thousands of dollars in property damage are reported. The fight began apparently when an altercation between management and the Clerk Snuffer escalated into a violent confrontation, allegedly with the use of Force powers by both the man and a bystander whom the management asked not be interviewed. London Metro PD is denying that the Force was involved at this time, only that damage had occurred."

In the background, Emma saw a woman in white, who looked oddly familiar. Turning to Magriel, she said, "Oh dear. I think our adversary is back. And Hera's just gotten into a scrap with him."

She was finally free, of the chaos and commotion, as she walked briskly away from the scene of the crime. Her white robe over coat was flapping in the wind, as she walked up to a cab. Holding her hand out, she finally got one to pull over. As she opened the door, she sat down.

“Where to?” he asked her.

Hera stared blankly at him, she had no idea. She looked out side the window, and stared at the beauty of london.

“Ma’am, look, I got better things to do then talk to you. Now tell me where you are going, or get out.” the cabbie said impatiently.

Hera looked out the window, “Take me to the giant clock please.”

“You mean ole Big Ben.”

“No I mean that giant clock. Don’t be a perv.” She said to him.

The cabbie shook his head at the woman in his back seat as he drove off mumbling under his breath.

The cabbie shook his head at the woman in his back seat as he drove off mumbling under his breath.

The cabbie then proceeded to begin driving to Big Ben, sighing as he said, "That's what they call it, y'know. Big Ben. Named after the people who built it."

Driving through London traffic, the cabbie asked Hera, "So....what brought you to London?"

The cabbie then proceeded to begin driving to Big Ben, sighing as he said, "That's what they call it, y'know. Big Ben. Named after the people who built it."

Driving through London traffic, the cabbie asked Hera, "So....what brought you to London?"

Hera looked at the rear view mirror of the London cabbie. She looked at him, as his reflection stared at her. She gave a hint of a smile as she looked out the window. "What a strange name." she said as she looked out the window at it.

"Why did I come here?" she then replied, almost as if she was in a drugged haze. "I do not know anymore. I thought I did, I thought I came here to learn, but now, I am not sure. I mean I came here to learn about life out here on Earth, but then things changed. Now, I am not sure what is going on for the first time in my life. It is all so quiet now."

Hera looked at the rear view mirror of the London cabbie. She looked at him, as his reflection stared at her. She gave a hint of a smile as she looked out the window. "What a strange name." she said as she looked out the window at it.

"Why did I come here?" she then replied, almost as if she was in a drugged haze. "I do not know anymore. I thought I did, I thought I came here to learn, but now, I am not sure. I mean I came here to learn about life out here on Earth, but then things changed. Now, I am not sure what is going on for the first time in my life. It is all so quiet now."

The cabbie merely shrugged and replied, reassuringly, "Well, I don't think anybody knows what they're gonna do in their lives nowadays. My boy certainly doesn't."

He then sighed and said, "So much is changin', by the time you make one choice, things change and you gotta make another. Me, I learned to embrace this fact. Sure, you can control some things, but frankly, in this cabbie's humble opinion, the universe, God, Allah, the Force, whatever, is in control of the rest. Of course, that don't mean that we're just boats bobbin' in a sea of troubles, love. I think we have some element of control."

He then looked at her and said, "I studied philosophy, ma'am. Hence, the way I think. Of course, I like dealing with real people, not academics at Oxford. Hence, why I'm a cabbie."

Maybe, but I was always raised with the notion of the cycle of time. Our destinies being written for us, as we play our parts. But for the first time, I do not know anymore what I am playing. Everything I knew has burned down, and is gone. I hated the crowded room, but now in the silence, I miss it. I know I am not making any sense, but it is the only way I can say it.” she said as she stared out the window.

As she looked out, she closed her eyes, and an idea came to her, a way to explain it all. She held out her hand and took out a pencil. She reached forward to the cabbie. “Take this.” she said to him. She let him feel the wooden pencil, and if he so desired the sharp pointed edge. Hera took the pencil and placed it between her hands, length wise so the sharp end was touching the palm of her hand. “It is like this.” she said, as she shut her hands hard against the pencil.

It didn’t go through her skin, instead it seemed to be done. Hera opened her hands to the cabbie, revealing nothing in her palms. “It is like that.” she said to him. “Want to know the secret of the trick? The pencil never existed.”

Maybe, but I was always raised with the notion of the cycle of time. Our destinies being written for us, as we play our parts. But for the first time, I do not know anymore what I am playing. Everything I knew has burned down, and is gone. I hated the crowded room, but now in the silence, I miss it. I know I am not making any sense, but it is the only way I can say it.” she said as she stared out the window.

As she looked out, she closed her eyes, and an idea came to her, a way to explain it all. She held out her hand and took out a pencil. She reached forward to the cabbie. “Take this.” she said to him. She let him feel the wooden pencil, and if he so desired the sharp pointed edge. Hera took the pencil and placed it between her hands, length wise so the sharp end was touching the palm of her hand. “It is like this.” she said, as she shut her hands hard against the pencil.

It didn’t go through her skin, instead it seemed to be done. Hera opened her hands to the cabbie, revealing nothing in her palms. “It is like that.” she said to him. “Want to know the secret of the trick? The pencil never existed.”

The cabbie, fortunately mired in London traffic, took a look at the pencil trick. When the pencil disappeared, he smiled and had a laugh, going, "Now that made my day. Though to be honest, you had to be hiding that somewhere..."

He then mused and thought, "...Unless you've got powers I don't know about--not that I mind, or even care--one fare's as good as the other."

Hera looked at him strangely, and then shook her head. “I am not hiding anything, and I have no power. Really it never existed.” she said as she leaned back in her seat, as they rode down the road. “You can’t hide what is not real.”

“That is what I do not understand.” Hera said to the cabbie. “I had known what was the world, and now, it is no longer real. Like the pencil, it is gone, and there is nothing left in the palm of the hands.”

She then sighed, “I am sorry, I really am. I should not be saying this. You probably think I am crazy to don’t you.”

Hera looked at him strangely, and then shook her head. “I am not hiding anything, and I have no power. Really it never existed.” she said as she leaned back in her seat, as they rode down the road. “You can’t hide what is not real.”

“That is what I do not understand.” Hera said to the cabbie. “I had known what was the world, and now, it is no longer real. Like the pencil, it is gone, and there is nothing left in the palm of the hands.”

She then sighed, “I am sorry, I really am. I should not be saying this. You probably think I am crazy to don’t you.”

The cabbie shrugged, and then, to the tune of honking horns, began driving again. As he moved on, he merely stated, "Well I've heard crazier. Try listenin' to a crazy street preacher talk about the apocalypse, or about a hardcore athiest ranting in the middle of class. Now that's crazy."

He eventually parked in front of Big Ben, and said, "There you are. Nice chattin' with ya."

Hera nodded, as she took a pulled out the cash to pay the cabbie. She then looked at him and smiled. He was a nice guy, he listened to her rants and worries and was nice enough to indulge in her trick. She reached down, and pulled out a five cubit coin. She handed it to him, and nodded. “Do not spend it.” she said to him as she opened the door. “It is lucky.”

With that she closed the door and turned around to see the giant clock, attached to some weird looking building. Hera stared up at it, like it was some sort of freak show. It was huge, who in the hell would love time that much to make a clock this big, especially when everyone had watches or cell phones these days.

She then looked around at the crowds walking by her. They were like a blur, streaks of life walking too and from. Each had their purpose, yet none had their significance. It was the strangest feeling that began to grow in the pit of her stomach. It was like her life and theirs didn’t intersect. Like time itself was losing it’s meaning, and the people around her had no purpose or place.

She began to grow scared by the feeling, as it settled on her like a fine snow after a blizzard. Hera looked around, as she saw the blur of faces, and the jumbled up lives of others. What was happening, what strange effect was going on? What magic did this clock possess to take her from this world? Hera knew it had to be the clock, and she had to go. She took off running, down the street, and across the road. She didn’t think of the danger of the traffic, nor anyone she could injure. She had to just get back to Emma and Magriel. She had to know what was going on.

She began to grow scared by the feeling, as it settled on her like a fine snow after a blizzard. Hera looked around, as she saw the blur of faces, and the jumbled up lives of others. What was happening, what strange effect was going on? What magic did this clock possess to take her from this world? Hera knew it had to be the clock, and she had to go. She took off running, down the street, and across the road. She didn’t think of the danger of the traffic, nor anyone she could injure. She had to just get back to Emma and Magriel. She had to know what was going on.

Eventually, Hera would bump into a tour group, where the guide was speaking. Though she was speaking about the structure, she would make some sense of Hera's confusion.

"And, thusly, Big Ben was built. It is an iconic symbol of London, commonly associated with all things English. Now, as you can all see...it is built in a neo-Gothic Italian style. Though damaged druring the Atomic War, Big Ben was rebuilt on royal order some 250 years ago to exact specifications--using only old surviving photos and local materials. Now, the clock faces themselves, designed by Augustus Pugin, were some of the largest in the world in one time, though they were quickly outdistanced by a tower in Minnesota. Still, this tower remains an archetectural marvel, and to its credit, rarely fails."