NationStates Jolt Archive

Careless Whisper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7imqO-OBVk)

The world was new to her, as she sat on the beach. A thin white night gown, was all she had, as she curled up her legs on the warm night. For the first time in her existence, she was alone.

She looked out with new eyes, as she stared at the full moon. She could see the white in the distance, feel the beating of a heart. Something was wrong with her, and she didn’t know what.

It all started not long ago, as she sat next to the ocean. It’s waves rolled in and out, gently lapping against her toes. She could feel the breeze against her skin, the wind blowing gently against the fine hairs of her body. She was a kython, not a human, yet with each passing moment, she felt more…. More than any kython could.

With each beat under her breast, she took in a deep breath. The smell of the salt filled her nose as she looked out. All of this occurred cause of the incompetence of one man.

Mary (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/Robinb53/Moon_Woman_2.jpg) sighed gently as she looked out at the rolling waves. How she wished Hera would be next to her. What would the lady Sunshine think, seeing her as she is? Would she know her? Would she love her, as Mary loved Sunshine?

Sunshine was the only friend Mary ever knew. The first person who didn’t fear her, who didn’t treat her like a tool. Sunshine treated her like a person, like a friend, even giving her the name she proudly accepted. Mary.

Slowly Mary put her finger down to the ground. The sand was rough and course. Gently she placed her hand in the sand, burying it under the white tiny rocks. It was warm, as the sensation crawled up her skin.

She looked down at it, as the sand slowly turned black, and liquidish, like the kythons she was born from yet now forever separated. She longed to be back where she was, in the state she once knew. But more than that, she wished for the woman she loved to be with her once more.

Mary smiled at the thought. What would Sunshine feel like in her new arms? She could only wonder how her warmth would make her feel? Mary sighed as she looked out into the water. It was no use, Sunshine was gone. Dead forever.

Mary let a tear fall down her face. Quickly reaching up to her face she wiped the moisture off her face. “What is happening? She asked herself as she wiped the water off her face.

Gently she pulled her hand out of the black liquid and looked out towards the sky. Her shoulder length black hair blew gently in the breeze. “Sunshine would know what to do.” She gently wept to herself.

She looked up to the sky, and stared at the stars with her eyes for the first time. She glanced up and stared, her bright blue eyes looking to the heavens. “None of you are worth anything without her.” She thought to herself. Without Hera, none of them mattered. “I will burn you all.” She said to herself. “None of you matter now.” She said longing in the pain of she who was taken from Mary.

The First had never felt so humiliated and angry in his life. He had been forced to avoid the attack on Issus due to internal power struggles and attacks by the Swarm, which had diverted enough of his military resources so as to make it impossible for him to aid. And now he heard of the massive casualties his allies had taken, the deaths of Nina Masaki, Hawkins, and the most heartbreaking, rumors of the death of Darth Sunshine, or as he had known her, Hera. The Dominion was humiliated and feeling utterly guilty but they were determined to find a way to make things right. So a general message was sent out to their allies, asking what kind of aid they would need, while the 3rd Fleet, under High Admiral Easton, was sent to Lehon to speak with Atrox to find out the truth and seek his advice on where his troops and fleet would be best put in the war.

So it was that the twenty-four ship fleet appeared in system, with a rather distinct Warp signature as the ships slid out of that screaming dimensions, still unawares of the danger such a place presented. Leading the fleet was the Apocalypse-class Battleship, the Iron Might. Onboard, the High Admiral stood on the bridge, gazing at the data scrolling down the holopad, detailing the information the drones they had sent ahead had gathered. It matched everything, except for one minor anomaly on the surface of Lehon. However, he dismissed it. Atrox and the NSO would not allow anything they did not want on the planet and the planet's disruption field made sensors not one hundred percent perfect. He turned to the navigation officer.

"Helmsman, take us to a close distance of Lehon outside of the field and then initiate defense formation and patrols. Have our shuttles make ready, with the special disruption field protections we have, so we can go down to the surface and-"

"Something's.....down there."

The bridge quieted as the Shade, the Dominion term for psychic, grasped the metal bar in front of him as one hand clutched at his head. "I sense....a powerful psychic presence down there. It is....strange. I can't quite make sense of it."

The High Admiral's eyes narrowed. "Have a squad of Shades be sent with us. Orion, pull yourself together and come with us." Orion nodded and proceeded to focus for a moment, letting out a breath and standing up tall once again. Mary would have sensed a faint but shocked contact with her mind, and realized the mass of life in the system. The High Admiral got into his protective power suit and entered his personal shuttle, with a special Space Marine escort. Another shuttle was prepared, to bring down Orion and the other Shades. As they launched and headed towards Lehon, two ships slipped into the system and headed towards the planet. Both fighter-craft sized, one was sleek, black and shaped like a dart, while another a simple small starfighter. These two held the Sith Force Users, the Librarian Aven, and one of the members of the NSO, Darian, who was also the leader of the Ascendancy Remnant currently guarding the Colonies.

Both were shocked at the others presence and contacted each other.

"Aven, what are you doing here? Atrox hasn't summoned you, has he?"

"No, but something has gone wrong. I felt an immense disturbance in the Force and have felt something strange going on down on the planet. I came to find out what was going on. I heard some kind of battle was fought on the Coredian world of Issus."

Both saw the forces of the Dominion and thought nothing of it. No one would attack Lehon seeing as the Balroggans were sure to have hidden defenses ready to rip enemies apart.

So Mary would sense three forces coming down to the planet, one unfamiliar with five beings who seemed like the mind who touched hers earlier, with one being the being who did so, and the other two being those she would recognize as the Librarian and Darian. The Dominion shuttles landed on the official landing, beginning to exit and awaiting an NSO representative to come meet with them. The Librarian and Darian landed elsewhere and quickly moved to the spot where they saw Mary. Darian gazed for the longest time, his face hidden by his Kython-generated mask and body. He hesitantly took a step forward.

"You seem to have the properties of a Kython but I do not recognize your form. Who are you?"

Jumper - Third Eye Blind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdgCajndgNw)



Ba’El remained within Hera’s chambers for hours. After he had returned he entered those rooms and just walked around the empty rooms. They were more than empty of life, they were completely empty, her furniture and other belongings created out of her Dreams and with the Dreams dead, there was nothing holding them in Reality any more. That was the nature of her magic. When she was there, you were under her spell. When she was gone, there was nothing left behind. That was true with one exception, Atrox.

Being a Ta’Nar he remembered everything. His Ta’Nar mnemonic skills would have put any eidetic to shame and would normally be considered a blessing. In this case it was a curse. He will never forget that feeling as Hera simply disappeared from his awareness forever. He was not sure what happened but he could recognize the cuts on Hawkin’s body as belonging to Hera’s wrist blades. He did not say anything; let the meatbags figure it out for themselves. The reason WHY? is what bothered Ba’El. With Issus gone, there was no way to return for a Postcognitive search. There was no way to determine what actually had happened.

Realizing he was only pitting further frustration on top of the hurt, Ba’El needed an outlet for his emotions. Willing himself to the Starforge, he appeared upon the hull of the greatest defense the NSO possessed. He walked over to the edge and looked down at the surface of the sun. At this proximity, it was pretty big and he could perceive the raw energy of the star below. Ba’El looked once more at the distant glimmer of Lehon almost completely hidden by the glare of the star.

After another moment, Ba’El stepped off the Forge and fell.




------




The Swarm instantly detected the fleet as it appeared uninvited in the system and certain actions were taken immediately. The weapons platforms (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/beldragos/LockdownStationclosed.jpg)spread through the system activated. Four panels opened (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/beldragos/LockdownStationopen.jpg) on the sides of the structures as they rotated to face the target. Energy gathered as the panels shone with violet power (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/beldragos/LockdownStationFiring2.jpg)seemingly drawn from nowhere. As recognition programs searched the immense database of ship profiles the Kythons contained within their collective targeting locked only the fleet and final procedure completed. If they did not register as friendlies, the platforms would fire. Moments before they would have fired, recognition from the ESUS records identified them as Dominion ships, an ally according to the ESUS Constitution. The platforms shunted power back to where it was summoned from and the panels closed as they went back to sleep. The total time was less than three seconds.

A Flight of Kythons diverted from their swarm and approached the newly arrived visitors. Aboard the bridges of the ship a single command could be “heard”.

FOLLOW

After waiting a few seconds, the Flight turned and headed toward the planet, it’s blue oceans glimmering through space even from this far. Sensors would detect a large Dread in orbit of the planet as well as thousands of smaller craft, most less than three meters in length. Once the ships approached the planet, the Flight of Kythons returned to their duties.




------




Ba’El fell past the Forge and plunged into the photosphere through temperatures that reached 6000 degrees Kelvin. As he sank deeper into the core he passed into the Reactive zone where temperatures exceeded 2 million degrees Kelvin until he finally he felt the neutral buoyancies at the exact core where it exceeded 14 million Kelvin. It was a good thing Ba’El possessed no body.

Once there in the perfect balance, the exact center of the entire system Ba’El opened u p his feelings and let them loose. He poured every negative emotion into the raging nuclear infernal knowing it was impossible to have anything closer than a few million miles. He poured all the emotions he had buried and pushed down because after today he understood he needed to get rid of them. This was anger management, dealing with those emotions that affected your actions before they had the chance to build up and you lost control. Every NSO member had their own way to achieve equilibrium and this was his. It was part of his Doctrine.




------




Sometime later, a fully readjusted Ba’El was back on Lehon ready t receive guests.

The woman in mourning gently laid down on the course white sand of the beach. Her soul churned with a tempest of sorrow and hate, as she looked amongst the stars that she once ferried her lost one to and from.

Although she sensed the others, she didn’t care. What was there left to care for? What could there possibly be left of any value in this universe. These were her thoughts as Darian approached.

Mary laid on the beach, as the silver moonlight cast it’s light on her. Her white dress shimmered in the light, as she laid against the beach. The white foamy waves, gently lapped against her legs as she stared into the sky.

"You seem to have the properties of a Kython but I do not recognize your form. Who are you?” Darian asked her, as if she was some sort of stray dog.

Mary turned her head towards them, as the sand filled her black hair. When she turned she noticed quite the crowd before her. She could tell who some of them were, from the distant echoes of which she came. The Librarian whom was there with Atrox as he defeated three ragers, and Darian, an ascendant turned New Sith Order, whom protected the lands of Hera, and joined Atrox’s division of the lords.

She didn’t smile, as Darian saw this woman was clearly upset. Her face echoed the pain that she felt as her bright blue eyes looked at the sith lord. Even in the night air, Darian could see the tears that streamed down her face. “Who am I?” she asked him quietly. Gently she pulled herself to an upright position, as she turned towards them. “I am no one of any importance. I would like to be alone right now.” she asked him nicely. “I do not want the company of people who look at me like a curiosity.”

Gently she turned her attention back to the full moon on the horizion. Pulling her knees to her chest, she crossed her arms on her knees and put her head on her legs. For a kython, especially a Ta’Nar strain, she was a vortex of emotions. It was.... almost human.

Darian took a step back, obviously doing a foot in mouth gesture. He took a deep breath and let it out, and focused on this strange being. He noticed the vortex of emotion and realized that this was the first Kythonized being who had actual emotion by itself. Taking another step forward, he spoke again. "I apologize for what I said, I did not mean to treat you as an object. However, we do want to help and are also here because we have heard rumors of something major happening and want to know what is going on."

The Librarian gazed around, her eyes half-closed, signaling that she was casting her Force Sense around. Her eyes narrowed as she seemed to notice something and then turned to gaze at the being standing before them. She knew something was wrong. Twilight was gone on a mission, but Atrox and Hera always went on major missions together and only Atrox had returned. Hera should be back. Darian took a few steps forward and then kneeled by her side, putting a hand on her shoulder, quietly trying to suffuse sympathy and understanding and helping the person before them.


High Admiral Easton saw Atrox walk out to meet them, seemingly calm. He braced himself and walked forward, extending a hand out to him. "I am High Admiral Easton, commander of the 3rd Fleet. The Dominion apologizes for the scare, but we wanted to come ask your advice on how to help. We feel, honestly, like fucking idiots for not coming to your aid at the battle of Issus. There are many rumors that Navy Intelligence has forwarded our way, but we know it didn't go well. So we came to ask your expert advice on what we should do next and how we can help you out?

OOC: Placeholder--OG, check telegrams when you see this, pronto.

OOC: OG wrote the letter up on MSN.

IC:
Magriel was in his meditation chambers with Jessie Masaki, who was levitating in the middle of the air, teaching him his daily lessons about meditation and calming the mind, "... Now you are one with the Force. Continue onwards, floating through the deep trenches of you mind as though you were a bird. Soon your mind will feel at..." His door chimed.

A marine walked in with a letter in his hand, "sir, there's an urgent message to be delivered to you."

Magriel sighed, "I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed." At the distraction of the door chime caused Jessie to land on the floor with a loud thud. He moaned in pain, "oh deal with it. Physical pain builds character."

"It's from your other apprentice, Hera. It was to be delivered to you and opened if something went wrong on her mission," the Marine reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter, written on corner-less paper of all things. Definitely from Hera.

Magriel's heart stopped for a moment. Admittedly, in private at least, he had a small crush on that particular student. However, he always hated it when his apprentice was in trouble. He turned to Jessie, who got up and rubbed his bottom from the pain, "class dismissed. If it bothers you that much, go to see Melisha. She's the healer around here." Jessie shook his head "no," dealing with that woman was more pain than what he had right now. Magriel got up from his meditative position and walked up to the Marine. As he walked up to the Marine, he began to fear the worst. Reaching into his pockets for his reading glasses in one hand, he grabbed the note from the Marine and saluted him, "thank you Corporal. You're dismissed."

The Corporal saluted back, "I'm sorry to be the one who has to deliver this to you sir. Good day."

Magriel snorted at the comment "good day." If this letter is as grave as he feared, he would think that idea to be moot already. Magriel put on his glasses, sat down in his office chair and began to read the letter.

Dear Magriel.

Do you remember that day, when we first met. I ran out of your class, screaming because the students were well lets just say horrific?

Yes I know you don’t remember it that way, but that doesn’t matter. The happiest moment of my life was the moment that followed. The vision of the children, our children, surrounding us, in loving memory. Of course, they soon perished in that fire, but still for that single moment, it was beautiful.

That day you didn’t seem to understand why I was so happy. Perhaps you thought of me as an evil woman, or perhaps just a machine devoid of emotion. Truth is at that moment, I felt loved.

The thing you may not know about me, is for my race to reproduce naturally, love is a key component. Since that vision, I loved you. I loved you for your strength, for your courage, for your wisdom, and let’s face it, you aren’t bad on the eyes.

However, you are more daft than any man I have ever met. I kissed you and you pulled away. Where there was life you saw death. You never once showed me any emotion, not love, or hate, or even disinterest. It’s like I am a toy.

I do not know why you acted like this. If you were scared, or apathetic. Then again if you are reading this, I guess I will never know. My life is over, and I am dead. At least though you know the way I feel, even if being this blatant you probably are still looking at this letter and going, huh!

I love you. I hope you find the woman, or man that makes you happy and that fills your heart every day. I hope you to have a family of your own. I just can only wish that every so often you think of me.

Always,

Hera Agathon

Tears filled his eyes after he finished reading Hera's letter. Magriel started to get up from his chair, but collapsed onto the floor from the sudden wave of emotions which got the better of the Councilor. For the first time in his life, he felt vulnerable to Emotion. He didn't realize that he meant that much to her, just figured she was a unusually rather unusual "touchy-feely" kinda girl. Had he been more... "Insightful" in female relationships, outside of the one he has with Melisha and Junko, he might have caught on and stopped being so damned stubborn. If only there was a way for him to find out who would know the exact details on what happened to her. He had no information on her last whereabouts, other than that she might have gone after Vorman for capturing her sister.

There is only one person he knows of that Hera might have asked help for in her mission to find Hawkins, then go on a hunt for her captured sister... His name escaped him though... Only remembered that he was some sort of a giant Cockroach, a space bug of sorts. He sorted through his public data on past trials which the Jedi have been involved in, starting with Hera. He knew that she was an Assassin of sorts, the only thing he despised about her. It was no secret that she is also known as Darth Sunshine of the New Sith Order, that definitely helped narrow his search down to possible allies. His mind began to wonder as he continued to search through his database. Why hadn't she asked for his help? Did she think him too philosophical and less combative? No, she knew of his prowess all right. Did she think he didn't care about this particular mission? Perhaps, but he would've gone anyways. Did she fear that he would hate her if he saw her in her assassin mode? He might have, but then again, it would be very hypocritical of him since he's done worse things as a Kirtir Dark Lord. Damn it, if only I had payed more attention...

Then he found it. Darth Twilight and Darth Atrox, names only though. No list of gender, species, former associations, nothing. Just general names. He narrowed his eyes at the names and began his next search with these names. Then he found it, a trial placed in the more "secure" files and he found his missing name. Grabbing a brief case, he got up from his desk and walked up to a wall which was covered in a wall pattern of boxes. He placed his hand on one of the boxes and a red light turned on beneath it. The wall collapsed inside, and then slid open sideways revealing a darkly lit chamber. He slowly strolled to the center of the chamber where there was a black chest. He muttered an ancient Huntarian name under his breath and the chest unlocked itself and opened up, revealing the robe, mask and twin Lightsabers of his former Kirtir Dark Lord self. He placed these inside the brief case and activated his personal transporter to be beamed up inside a stolen Hornet class Lambda Shuttle he acquired from the Empire on his previous journey. Warming up the shuttle, he began to wonder where in hell was he going to go. Then he remembered one of his older lessons as a young apprentice, before the Huntarian Republic's fall: "The Force will always guide you. Be it Light or Dark, it will help you find your destiny in the Galaxy."

He launched his shuttle out of the Malkir Temple's Hangar Bay and into space. The Councilor closed his eyes and attempted to calm himself, allowing the Force to flow through his mind and body. With his eyes closed, the Councilor punched several buttons to activate a Wormhole from the Shuttle's Interior Deflector Dish. The Force steered him through it and the direction which the Wormhole exited. It took him directly to the NSO's head quarters on Lehon. He soon found himself heavily disoriented and fainted. When he woke up, he found himself on the floor of the NSO's Academy.

There was a time, when I was small and Riley was even smaller, when I remember Dad coming home one time from a mission. I was pretending to sleep and yet I could remember Mom and Dad talking all night then. It was a fight against Remiel that ended really badly for him and he barely survived. Mom wondered how many more times was Dad gonna do this sort of thing and Dad...well, he said,

"As many times as it takes to make sure everyone's safe. You know that."

Mom sighed. "You know, one of these days, that crazy luck of your's gonna run out. And then what would we do without you?"

"Well, my luck would pass onto the kids and they'll be the ones who would have to clean up the messes."

He was joking then, but little did he know that those words would become prophetic.

Today...was that day when his words would come true.

Dad and Naruto-sensei...they stayed behind on Issus...and I can't feel them anymore. Two important people gone. And for what? A mission that was doomed from the very beginning! And why the heck did Dad send me to find Athena? I almost got killed by that stupid bug-guy!

As soon as we (meaning my friends, my uncles, and a bunch of other people) untangled tails, hands and feet from each other from going through that wormhole, I felt a presence here. Coming down the stairs...

Bug-guy!

Her flesh was warm, as the tiny hairs tingled strangely as Darian compressed them on her shoulder. The ascendants were a lot like the Godulan Avatars, or the Ta’Nar, in many respects. Ascendant to a higher plane, they were usually gifted with amazing abilities, including the ability to see what others could not.

As Darian touched her, he could feel blood circulating under her skin. Her chest rose ever so slightly, as if she was breathing. Even her tears were clear and salty. Her hair blew gently against his armor, each individual strand gently waving in the wind. As he breathed, he could even smell her scent.

Mary didn’t look at him as he tried to be sympathetic to her plight. “There is nothing you can do.” She said with her face buried within her arms. “Even you can not bring her back. I would like to be left alone right now. I do not feel like talking right now.”

(Sorry for the crappy post but not much I can really do at this point until Bal posts with Atrox.)

OOC: I talked to OG and we agreed to have this taking place after the ND fact finding part just for time line sakes.

IC:

Jessyka guided the kython Scimitar through the dead of space. It was a familiar design, once used by Darth Maul, but now greatly improved upon. Her mind guided the vessel ever so slightly with little effort. At one time, it had taken a great amount of concentration for the young Abh to move the vessel with the Shipmind link. Now it was effortless as her mental abilities grew with each passing adventure.

Now it was time to rest though. She had spent a bit of time on New Dornalia gathering the vast amounts of information from the People Alcolytes' temples. Of course she was not received by the entire populace and had to leave a few dead bodies in her wake, but the overall reception was about as good as she could have hoped for. The New Sith Order would grow thanks to the effort and new knowledge would flow to the students on Lehon.

Darth Twilight's ship came to sublight speed within range of the academy. There was no fear of attack as she was one of the three head masters of the order. She was simply going home. The first home she had felt lke she belonged to in some time. What was waiting for her, though, was something she was not expecting.

It looked as if a crowd had descended on the typically remote world. Almost immediately, Twilight went to the concern of her duties. She was charged with collecting Force artifacts as well as the military of the academy. The information she had gathered would be safe on her ship until it docked but there was the matter of the fleet that required her attention. From the looks of things, it seemed that there was no hostile intention but Twilight would only take the word of few others.

Close to Lehon now, she used the mental link to find Shipmind. "Shipmind? I'm coming in to dock. Could you please inform Lord Atrox that I wish to speak with him? I believe I have jumped into the middle of a situation that I do not understand."

Something I can never have (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5gXC2AgbY)



NSO, Atrox’s Tower:




Ba’El walked through his quarters. He had just arrived from his Purging but he still felt the same. The only difference is the buildup of emotions he had gathered during the failed rescue attempt had been released so he was not in danger of losing complete control. If any of his forms possessed tear ducts he would still be crying but that was a physiological impossibility. That did not mean he was not weeping inside. He just wanted Hera back.

“Shipmind?”

“Yes Ba’El?”

“Is there any record on The Abomination of attempted use of the Resurrection Pods?”

“Negative, there was no attempt.”

“I don’t understand, if Hera was shot then she would have Downloaded and we were the closest.”

“No, we were not the closest, the Dimensional Veil would have provided additional barrier for the download to occur and the presence of another pod in the system might have superseded our reception.”

“Who would that be? The Farstars did not have that technology and we would have known about it from them. The Huntarian fleet was destroyed according to reports by the Black Fleet before the Shipminds rejoined the Collective. There was nobody else.”

“The Black Fleet did receive a power spike of some sort where you battled the Coredians but that was not relevant and just might have been flashback from the wormhole. The data is pretty distorted but I will work on it.”

“There were no rez pods there, just Danny and his diaper patrol.”

“Speaking of that, you have a number of guests in the main hall.”

With a mental sigh, Ba’El went over to one of the many stasis pods he kept and retrieved an Atrox clone to wear. When he had purged himself, he had used all his avatars so every Atrox was currently in the pods. He began to create Avatars to send back to their tasks. One was going to the Ratakan computer to work on the translations, one was to head to the main hall, one to the training halls to call class for the day, and one to the beach where a group of foreign guests seem to gather like insects to a bug zapper.






NSO, Main Hall:




Lord Atrox entered by the large winding staircase and seemingly descended into Chaos. There were dragons, Coredians, Dornies, and Kythons scurrying around in confusion. Most of the Kythons were at the entranced preventing the strange guests from wandering throughout the Academy unattended and students crowded the archways beyond the barricades curiously watching the strangers.

What the hell happened here?

A wormhole opened by the Kythons brought them.

The Kythons? Are you sure?

Who are you asking? Of course I am sure.

Sorry about that but this is unprecedented.

I know, the Kythons that were part of Hera’s ship has formed their own Avatar and she is at the beach right now.

Contact Ga’Ton and send him this information, he will be interested.

Father has been contacted.

Thank you.

Atrox descended a few more steps before addressing the group below.

“What is the meaning of this? Please act civilized when within the house of your Host.”

When the throng did not immediately heed his words, Atrox created a loud pyrotechnic explosion in the air above their heads near the ceiling to get their attention. Once he had it he calmly asked his question again.

“Would someone please tell me what this is about? Not everyone at once, just someone who has a good command of language and is clear minded.”







NSO, the landing pad:




Atrox walked toward the beach area the Academy Shipmind reported a commotion at. He came across a large group of visitors nearby at the landing platform on the way. From their uniforms it appeared they were Dominion Officers.

Atrox walked calmly towards the ragtag group of individuals As he approached one of the Dominion representatives spied him and stepped in his way.

"I am High Admiral Easton, commander of the 3rd Fleet. The Dominion apologizes for the scare, but we wanted to come ask your advice on how to help. We feel, honestly, like fucking idiots for not coming to your aid at the battle of Issus. There are many rumors that Navy Intelligence has forwarded our way, but we know it didn't go well. So we came to ask your expert advice on what we should do next and how we can help you out?”

“Please, while I appreciate the gesture, it is too late to help that situation. Please head up to the Academy to make yourself comfortable. I will have an Avatar there to receive you. Right now the young girl you see over there on the beach needs my help desperately. I do not mean any disrespect and I hope you will understand.”






NSO, the south beach:




Moving onto the beach, he encountered the Librarian.

“Welcome, I wish I would be receiving your company at a better time. As you can see, I have a very delicate situation to take care of at the moment. I will have someone guide you to our Library so you can browse the content until I get things straightened out.”

“Lord Darian, can you please escort the Librarian to the Library? I have a feeling she would like to see what selections we have here while I help her out.”

Walking past the Atrox approached Mary. He kneeled on one knee and looked the poor girl in the eye.

“Mary, I know you are hurting, probably a hell of a lot worse than I am. Can you please walk with me so we can talk? I have sent the others away so we can have solitude.”

Atrox held out his hand so she could take it.







NSO, Training room:





Atrox entered the training hall to talk to the students.

“Attention class. All activities have been canceled for the remainder of the day. Please spend the rest of the day contemplating the nature of your relationships with others. Learn to appreciate those relationships and the people you call friends. This is an important lesson to learn. I will address everyone later.”

As the room emptied a bright flash of light near the kicking dummies caught his attention. There was a strange man lying on the floor and the dissipation of energy filled the area. The man seemed to be unconscious and began to awaken after Atrox arrived.

“Who are you?” asked Atrox.







NSO, Atrox’s Quarters:






Ba’El had remained behind while sending out the Avatars of himself to meet with everyone else. He was still morning but he needed to get several things done at once. It was a good thing he was a Ta’Nar or he would have to send servants instead of himself. His thoughts were interrupted by Shipmind.
“Ba’El, I have an incoming message from Jessyka.”

“I expected this, patch it through please.”

"Shipmind? I'm coming in to dock. Could you please inform Lord Atrox that I wish to speak with him? I believe I have jumped into the middle of a situation that I do not understand."


“This is Atrox. We have had a situation. About an hour ago it seems Hera fell. I am still examining the situation but it seems either she did not Download or her Download was intercepted. So far it points to her total loss. Please return ASAP.”

“I do not want to fill her position until everything is completely known. Until we are absolutely certain, she will reside in the Third Chair. Our concern now is to find out what happened. I will be in my Tower if you wish to speak to me directly.”

“Right now we have many guests. There are Dominion officials, The Librarian, Lord Darian, an unknown man who was somehow teleported here, and the main hall has a menagerie of Dornies, Dragons, and Coredians milling about completely confused. Hera’s Shipmind Mary is also here and I am seeing to her personally.”

There was no return message to Atrox after Jessyka received word about Hera's likely death. The communication and mind link was simply cut as her Kythonized Scimitar came into dock. Darth Twilight fixed the folds of her cloak so that she was completely wrapped then disembarked. Along the way, she gave instructions for her ship's cargo to be unloaded and sent to the Library for cataloging.

A dark cloud formed around Twilight as rage boiled within her. Her thoughts jumped from how it was possible that one of the Sith Lords of the academy could have been killed to the mass murder of everyone that had a hand in allowing Hera to fall. Then those are related to them would also fall prey to her murderous whims.

Those were the thoughts that followed her all they way to Atrox's wing. Her fist pounded the door with a force that could move the very foundations of the world. When the door opened, Twilight walked in with Force energy crackling around her.

"Who? Who is responsible? Who allowed Hera to fall? Who organized the mission? I want names. I swear I'll make every last one of them pay with their lives. I'll have them crying out to whatever god they worship and begging for mercy before I inflict real pain."

Would (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQs8B9gv994&feature=PlayList&p=E3B733FF3C6C85FC&index=0&playnext=1)

His hand she didn’t take. She cared not for company, nor words, as she looked up to the Ta’Nar. Her eyes raged with pain and sorrow, as she gently got up. It was only the fact that he was Hera’s friend, her confidant, and a Ta’Nar, that he would be allowed to breath this day.

Even the worst of the Ta’Nar were better than any of the other creatures that some cruel diety birthed for some sadistic form of pleasure.

Atrox was also the leading member of the New Sith Order, the order Hera helped to found, and cared for like a child. As she thought for a moment, no she would not harm this place. How could she? It was part of the one she lost. No, this place had to be protected at all costs.

As she got up, his words of understanding, his words of compassion seemed to infuriate her even more. Inside her swarmed a vortex of emotion, anger, lust, and the deepest of pains. It was like she lost a part of herself, a part that would never be whole again.

Her bright blue eyes stared at Atrox as she walked silently next to him. She didn’t say a word, as everything built up inside her. She just wanted to see everything burn, everything but those that were closest to her old love.

Atrox sighed as Jess entered his study. This will be the hardest part, disarming Twilight from wanting to destroy the universe. None of that will bring Hera back.

“She fell during a mission to rescue her sister Athena. It seems the Coredians had a traitor in their ranks that turned the girl over to Vorman. Hera contacted me and asked I join with her and Hawkins in the raid on Issus. Her body was found with Hawkins, both dead suspected acts of Vorman.”

Atrox took a few breaths to continue.

“They were both lifeless when I got there. If you would allow, I wish to place my memories of the entire event within your mind so you will know what I do.”

After Jess nodded, he carefully approached her and extended two fingers, gently and lightly touching her left temple. The flood of memories filled her awareness starting with his arrival on The Dauntless and ending with his arrival at the NSO.

“Now you know everything I do. The Abomination did not detect her Download but that does not mean it was not intercepted by another in the system. There was also something wrong with the gunshot wound that did not look quite right. I am checking on them to see if there is anything to go on.”

“Before you go apeshit, please remember the zoo in the Main Hall are guests and should not be beaten upon. We need clear heads here and cannot allow ourselves to go half-assed in the wrong direction. I would like nothing better than to obliterate them but that will not bring Hera back. Vorman is most likely our target but nobody knows where he

NSO, Training room:

Atrox entered the training hall to talk to the students.

“Attention class. All activities have been canceled for the remainder of the day. Please spend the rest of the day contemplating the nature of your relationships with others. Learn to appreciate those relationships and the people you call friends. This is an important lesson to learn. I will address everyone later.”

As the room emptied a bright flash of light near the kicking dummies caught his attention. There was a strange man lying on the floor and the dissipation of energy filled the area. The man seemed to be unconscious and began to awaken after Atrox arrived.

“Who are you?” asked Atrox.

Magriel slowly rubbed his eyes as he got up from the floor. His vision slowly adjusted to the room, revealing Atrox looking right at him. Had he been any other person he would've screamed at the top of his lungs and collapsed back onto the floor. But Malkir and Kirtir training told him otherwise to not panic, this was whom he was looking for. "I'm looking for someone by the name Atrox, he's a friend of my apprentice, Hera. I must speak with him."

Say Hello 2 Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pt03oU6RHI)




Atrox and Mary walked in silence for a bit. Atrox struggled for the words that would be best and decided to talk from his heart.

“Mary, I truly know what you are going through. Hera was a daughter to me and I loved her more than any other corporeal being. She was the true light of my existence. She was my Teacher as well as my student. I know words will not mean much and you only want to lash out and hurt everything as badly as you are hurting yourself. I want to do that as well. I so want to make Vorman burn in hell for what he has done.”

Atrox could only draw on what he was feeling and Mary could tell he was truly sincere with his words but it did not matter, they were only words and at this time words were worthless. He reached out with his mind and found Mary’s awareness. He could feel her fear and her hurt boiling off her like a pyroclastic cloud from an erupting volcano. It was not needed to use his power actively since her emotions were so strong even a non-psi could probably feel them in some way.

He walked in silence a little bit longer and they entered the Garden. The garden was living testimony to Hera for she provided the apple seeds years ago and as a result her dream apples produced what could be argued as the best in the universe. Every time he walked here or even ate one, he thought of his dear friend.

Reaching up he picked one of the apples and began to eat it. Taking another one he handed it to Mary.

“These are Hera’s Apples. She made them from her Dreams so part of her is in every tree and every fruit. Please have one even though you may not wish to. Think of it as if you are connecting with her and…”

Atrox stopped talking and halted where he stood. He was staring in disbelief at the old gnarled tree standing in the center of the Garden. The tree was filled with blossoms and literally flowed with life.

“I don’t understand… This cannot be.”

Atrox hurried to the tree and stared at it in disbelief before realization dawned upon him.

“She’s alive! She’s alive!”

Atrox grabbed Mary and gave her a huge hug.

“Do you understand what this means? Hera is still alive.”

The blank look Mary gave him clearly made it understood she had no idea what Atrox meant.

“When I planted that tree, I tied Hera’s essence into it so she will feel safe under it. IF she had truly dies, it would not be blooming. This means she is alive somewhere. We have Hope still.”





OOC:

The revelations in this post will only be known to Atrox and Mary until everyone has had a chance to respons. Atrox will reveal the information when it is right to each based on the timeline of events here.

Magriel slowly rubbed his eyes as he got up from the floor. His vision slowly adjusted to the room, revealing Atrox looking right at him. Had he been any other person he would've screamed at the top of his lungs and collapsed back onto the floor. But Malkir and Kirtir training told him otherwise to not panic, this was whom he was looking for. "I'm looking for someone by the name Atrox, he's a friend of my apprentice, Hera. I must speak with him."

Atrox peered at the stranger as he got to his feet and had to steady himself on one of the nearby training dummies. He had no idea who this being was or why he was here.

“I am who you seek. What can I do for you?”

Atrox paused before continuing.

“Who might you be and what brings you here to the NSO, especially with your unorthodox form of entry?”

Atrox peered at the stranger as he got to his feet and had to steady himself on one of the nearby training dummies. He had no idea who this being was or why he was here.

“I am who you seek. What can I do for you?”

Atrox paused before continuing.

“Who might you be and what brings you here to the NSO, especially with your unorthodox form of entry?”

Magriel groaned at his stupidity. Apparently the shock from allowing the Force to have total control of his mind and body, as well as creating the wormhole in the first place affected his memory. The Councilor slowly looked up at the man whom he knew should be his enemy, but yet he wasn't. "Of course..." Magriel grumbled to himself, "I am Councilor Magriel, second in command of the Huntarian Alliance. I was Hera's most recent teacher..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out Hera's letter. If he really was Atrox, he would indeed be one of her few friends. The Councilor felt it was necessary to show Atrox the letter. "Apparently, she wrote this just before she left either to find Hawkins or to find her Sister, it's unclear as to which." He showed Atrox the letter. "You can see now why I am here. I was to open this should anything go wrong on her mission. I know you were one of the few people she would ask for help... I need to know what happened to her, in exact details."

Atrox sighed, this was going to take a long time to explain, unless…

“I can tell you what happened but it would take a while. Instead I can show you, if you allow ne. I can plant the memories of mine over the past few hours of the event and you can derive your own conclusion. Please follow me while you think about it.”

Atrox led him to a nearby study room where he can be seated to prevent him from hitting the floor again.

“Have you decided?”

“Yes I have. I agree.

Atrox nodded to Magriel and held out one of his hands. He extended two fingers and lightly touched him on his temple exactly like he had done elsewhere with Twilight. In a flash Magriel relived the past few hours from when he arrived aboard the Dauntless until he returned home. The memories rushed forward like a flood and threatened to drown him in their unexpected inrush. His own Self seemed to drown in the foreign memories at first but he was able to steady himself once he realized it was like a movie where every sense was somehow included.

Magriel shook his head to clear his thoughts as the alien memories settled and he felt like himself again. That would certainly be something he remembered for quite some time. Atrox sat in silence to let Magriel go through the memories himself to relive the experience.

A rush of emotions and memories fled through Magriel's mind which he was not prepared for. Yes, he has shared memories before, but this was different. Quite different. Magriel watched Atrox meet Hawkins for the first, and last time. He became angered at the fact she hadn't asked him for help, he would have in a heart beat. He smiled for a brief bit at the thought that Hera had pulled Atrox from being Darth Vader's apprentice. Yes, she had that effect on people. If they spent more time together and she asked him to leave the Malkir Order, he might have.

He was suddenly pulled into the memory of Atrox going down in his drop pod. Magriel nodded at the entry, remembering that he himself had made several entrances quite like that with the Empire's Drop Pods. Magriel cringed at the memory of Atrox having to repair one of his own limbs. He'd hate to think what he would have to do if his arm was hanging on a limb. Then he watched in agony as Athena was transported off of the planet. It didn't take a big guess as to where she was transported to. Knowing the Empire's general tactics, she would've been transported on the Fleet's HQ Ship, the Gothic. He also knows that if that ship were boarded or assaulted, it would've self destructed.

Then he watched with immense shame and dismay at the memory of Atrox fighting Travis, though he supposedly didn't recognize the young Masaki. How could Daniel be so stupid!? First off, you never send a 14 year old to go after a high priority target, even if they are the best or your own kid. Especially when you're dealing with the Empire. Second... WTF DANIEL!? Why didn't you inform your allies that you were sending in troops on the surface to avoid this from happening in the first place? Then... He saw Hera's limp body. He shook his head at the idea that Atrox would have been able to see Hera safe. Especially if it was whom he thought was behind all these events.

Water began to fill his eyes as he watched Atrox place her down onto the morgue table. He slowly choked back the tears as he watched Atrox go through the motions of checking Hera's body. Magriel knew exactly who did this to her, why and how. He worked very close with the Phantom Lord as the former Second in Command of the Empire. He slowly watched in horror as Atrox witnessed the Empire's fleet disappear when the Singularity went off. Then anger and curiosity blended in with his sadness. Something wasn't right. The Empire could have easily prevented the Singularity missile from exploding. Why would Vorman want them dead, after all this? It didn't make sense, to wast so many ships to go after one target, or capture one when they simply could just jump away. Then it hit him. What Vorman had planned was more sinister than anything previously encountered before.

Magriel lowered himself onto the Training Room's floor. The idea which Vorman had planned for HIS apprentice was appalling at best. He shouted out in anger and slammed his fists into the floor. He looked up at Atrox, "she's not dead... I can feel it, my instincts tell me so. Vorman's not one to waste an entire fleet when he could've jumped away... She's alive, don't ask how I know. I just do. It's all a part of his never ending plan." He got himself back up and growled, "I need your help in finding her... And the Phantom Lord. He has a sinister plan for her, one worse than what any Sith Lord could ever come up with. Do you know anyone who would be willing to help me find them?"

“First you must calm down. You will not do Hera or her memory any good rushing about controlled by your emotions, acting like nothing better than the very same Ragers she hunted down herself. You will only hurt yourself if you do.”

As if to demonstrate his point, Atrox took the battered hand he had used on the floor moments before. A blue glow surrounded the Sith’s hands and Magriel could feel the tingle of healing spread through his hand.

“We must get all the information together that we already have and act upon them instead of scattering to all four corners of the universe on dead end hunches. Twilight wants to burn the universe as well as Mary. We must be calm at this moment or we will fall to the level of Vader and Palpy.”

Atrox waited a moment before finishing.

“Vorman would expect us to act reckless so let’s keep a clear head in this matter. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

Darian's heart felt like it was torn in two as he felt her sorrow but also a bit of wonder at this being who was a kython but exhibited all the signs of a living person. She was like a fragile statue of glass. Beautiful but even the hint of a harsh touch would break her. It didn't help when she confirmed their fears that something had happened when they said even he couldn't bring her back. Darian's heart shattered even more as he took a shocked step back. Hera was someone he had grown to care about like family during his time in the NSO. She had even trained him from time to time, and showed the utmost understanding, compassion, and wisdom. And out of everyone, she didn't deserve whatever happened to her. As this being put her head back down in her arms, Darian let out a pain-filled sigh and bowed his head, showing his acquiescence to her will. Aven took a step forward to help her but then Atrox arrived. Aven gazed at him as he told her that he wished he could receive her better and that the library awaited her.

Darian nodded when Atrox told him to escort the Librarian but Aven turned to Atrox. "I will do as you say, since I know you will be able to help her in a way we cannot. But I feel that this time, I will not be able to enjoy the comforting whispers of the Library." With that she bowed and walked after Darian, as they both headed towards the Library. Darian was a tightly contained swirl of emotion, as he simply let a part of his mind automatically lead Aven to the Library, while the rest was caught up in swarm of memories.

"Out of everyone...why did it have to be her? Of all the people in the galaxy, who deserved more happiness than Lady Sunshine?"

"It's best not to get too overwhelmed by what has happened, Darian."

He turned to see Aven gazing at him through her mask. "I know....but..."

She let out a breath."I understand your feelings, and I am greatly saddened by the idea that something horrific happened to Hera. I did not know her like you did, so it's natural that you have more of a reaction. However, if we wish to avenge her or help her, depending on what is going on, we need to focus on that and not get lost in our emotions. Explore them, come to terms to them, but do not let them master you."

Darian let out a breath and reluctantly pulled much of his mind out of the maze of memories. She nodded slightly in satisfaction. Her voice went much colder as she spoke again. "Besides, do not worry. I will have Darth Rilven and the Guardians of the Library be part of the NSO forces who work on repaying those who have done this."

**************

Easton took the bite about it being too late and simply let it wash off gracefully. He could sense, somehow, that this being was not angry with him but he still felt unsure on their position here. When he mentioned that they move up since a girl needed his help, they glanced over at the girl on the beach. Orion moved to touch Easton's shoulder.

"High Admiral, that is the one I sensed upon arrival in this system. She is awash with many emotions, and appears to be overwhelmed by them. I suggest we let this man do what he says."

"I never said we wouldn't, Orion. I am not a sadistic jackass."

After that mental conversation, Easton replied to Atrox. "We will go on upstairs, as you request and we do not take offense since there wasn't any. Do not feel that you need to split yourself to meet with us. If you need to shut down your Avatar to help deal with that girl's situation, it is okay. I am a patient man." He bowed to Atrox and then motioned for his two guards, and two aides to come with him as they began to head up the stairs towards the area indicated.

(OOC: Expanded on the Conversation in the garden, with the long standing agreement I have with Bal, about character interaction.)

The apple was firm in her hand, and warm as it should be from sitting in the tropical sun of the home of the New Sith Order. Mary’s eyes were astonished by the sight, trees of every kind lined the orchard. Rows as far as the eye could see, each forming a circular pattern, all leading towards one path. The path to the tree.

Mary looked around, and could feel her presence, the touch her lady gave to this place. But it was far more than the apple tree’s which Atrox pointed out. The apple trees were the center of the path.

There were many more kinds of fruit trees here, Oranges, limes, lemons, banana’s, Kiwi. Between each of the trees laid many bushes. Some were strawberries, some were raspberry bushes, others were Atrox’s favorite, Jasmine.

Had she not known any better, she would never have guessed such beauty and life existed within the temple grounds of the sith. The sith were always bleak, about death and power, yet in the center of all of that was beauty and life.

Mary cracked a smile as she brought the apple to her lips. Taking her first bite of food, it’s juice flooded her mouth. The sweet taste of the apple flooded her senses, as it made a crisp sound.

Her bare feet touched the soft topsoil that was so close to the beach as she walked with atrox. This was all so new, and in this place she did feel Sunshine’s presence.

“Why would she make this place?” Mary asked as her eyes were opened.

“The Sith Code says, “There is no peace only emotion.” Atrox said as he looked to the woman next to him. “In the past people have misinterpreted that. They falsely believe that means that there is only hate, and anger. That those emotions make you stronger.” Atrox said as he took an apple himself and began to munch.”

He turned his bug eyes to Mary. “Sunshine was one of the few that knew the truth of the Code. Emotions make you stronger, but to deny yourself the better emotions. Love, Tranquility, Happiness was just as falty as denying yourself all emotions. She built this place to remind everyone, that you need to experience the full range of emotions, not just those that make you into a rager.”

He placed his “hand” on her shoulder as they walked the only path in the center of the garden. There was only one path for a reason. It’s the path of life. No matter what decisions you face, you truly only walk one path. Each step taking you further to the only end we all have. In this case it was to the Tree, snatched from Konoha.

Atrox walked with Mary to the side. His words mostly washing over her, as her senses were filled with the sweet air in the gardens. She could hear birds chirping in the nests in the trees, as she walked with the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Suddenly he freaked out, and Mary didn’t understand why in the hell he was acting the way he did. His four arms picking her up like she was nothing, he twirled her around, flinging her around like a child hugging it’s doll.

Gently he put her down. “She’s alive.” he told her.

Mary didn’t know what to make of that, as she reached down and took another bite of the apple. For a moment, she thought he went insane. Even given the power of the Ta’nar, what does a tree have to do with her. No, she couldn’t be alive, if she was alive she would have returned to her.

Mary glared at Atrox, as her anger grew. “Why do you want to taunt me?” she asked him as her face became very stern. “Do you just get some sick pleasure out of this? Frak you.” she said, not even knowing she used the slang of her former friend.

Atrox shook his head, “It’s true.” he said happily. Mary glared at him, as she approached the tree. She placed her hand on the bark. It was rough, and hard, but as she concentrated, she knew the truth, that Atrox was correct.

Mary turned to Atrox in haste. “If she hasn’t’ come back, then that means she’s been captured.” she said, half way sounding excited. “I’m going to her.” Mary said as she began to walk down the path. “Who ever has her, I am going to tear apart, from limb to limb. I am going to set a fine banquet. I will season and cook their flesh to a fine temperature, and serve their blood as wine. You of course are invited, as are your friends.” she said as she began to storm off towards the gardens exit.

“First you must calm down. You will not do Hera or her memory any good rushing about controlled by your emotions, acting like nothing better than the very same Ragers she hunted down herself. You will only hurt yourself if you do.”

As if to demonstrate his point, Atrox took the battered hand he had used on the floor moments before. A blue glow surrounded the Sith’s hands and Magriel could feel the tingle of healing spread through his hand.

Magriel looked down at his hands, "unique ability... Though I could've handled it myself." Magriel sighed, "emotional stability has always been a problem in my history. I've been able to handle them when I was spying on the Empire before, and when she was kidnapped by Boris on earth... This is just... Different, somehow."

“We must get all the information together that we already have and act upon them instead of scattering to all four corners of the universe on dead end hunches. Twilight wants to burn the universe as well as Mary. We must be calm at this moment or we will fall to the level of Vader and Palpy.”

Atrox waited a moment before finishing.

“Vorman would expect us to act reckless so let’s keep a clear head in this matter. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

"I never said anything about acting recklessly!" Magriel snapped, "you don't need to tell me what he expects either. I've worked with him for nearly four thousand years of my life Atrox! I know his ins and outs, what makes him tick, how he thinks..." Realizing his anger got the better of him, he sighed and shook his head, "apologies, I don't normally burst out like that. It's just that he brings up memories I'd rather leave forgotten... I can tell you what his tactics are. Yes, he'll wait for us to act recklessly and then advance upon that mistake. But his tactics go much deeper than a simple military victory. He turns allies against each other, enemies into friends, makes the innocents look like they are the wrong doers. He has turned families inside out, he is the destroyer of souls, erodes moral. His powers and prowess go beyond anything you or I can possibly imagine."

"Look at what he's done to the Coredian Jedi. He's caused a top Jedi Councilor to turn against his own people and ended up destroying the Jedi Order. He made Hera want to go after Athena and do anything it took to get her sister back. Hell, she told you to let the Kythons loose on Issus. He is slowly turning some of the Coredian allies against them. Dornallia can no longer afford to support Coredia due to the Tauronese civil war, draining their military assets. Eventually, he'll find a way to turn the three of you against each other. This is the kind of threat which we face. You can see why I might get a little emotional about it."

Something I can never have (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5gXC2AgbY)

NSO, Main Hall:

Lord Atrox entered by the large winding staircase and seemingly descended into Chaos. There were dragons, Coredians, Dornies, and Kythons scurrying around in confusion. Most of the Kythons were at the entranced preventing the strange guests from wandering throughout the Academy unattended and students crowded the archways beyond the barricades curiously watching the strangers.

What the hell happened here?

A wormhole opened by the Kythons brought them.

The Kythons? Are you sure?

Who are you asking? Of course I am sure.

Sorry about that but this is unprecedented.

I know, the Kythons that were part of Hera’s ship has formed their own Avatar and she is at the beach right now.

Contact Ga’Ton and send him this information, he will be interested.

Father has been contacted.

Thank you.

Atrox descended a few more steps before addressing the group below.

“What is the meaning of this? Please act civilized when within the house of your Host.”

When the throng did not immediately heed his words, Atrox created a loud pyrotechnic explosion in the air above their heads near the ceiling to get their attention. Once he had it he calmly asked his question again.

“Would someone please tell me what this is about? Not everyone at once, just someone who has a good command of language and is clear minded.”
"I suppose that would be me." Commander Masamori said calmly as he extracted himself from the crowd. The dragons then grew smaller to give more space to the main hall and perched on peoples' shoulders. He gave a bow to him, recognizing Lord Atrox. "Lord Atrox, I am Commander Masamori Hazama, one of Emperor Masaki's strike team leaders that were sent to Issus. With me are what remains of that strike team and some civilians...unfortunately, all that those dragons could carry...and all that's left of that forsaken planet. It appears that the...person who calls herself Mary has opened a wormhole and dumped us here."

"Wait a minute...you, Darth Atrox, the guy that shook hands with my dad a while ago, was the bug-guy I was fighting earlier?" Travis asked, pointing an accusing finger at him.

"It seems so. Same presence...same looks." Reika sighed. Naruto-sensei...you really did leave one heck of a loud-mouthed legacy, didn't you?

"Oh...crap..." And the kid, completely exhausted from the entire day's events, fainted dead away.

"Aah! Travis-senpai!" A small boy named Mark yelped and rushed to try and help his older friend.

"Ah...my apologies, Lord Atrox." Commander Masamori rubbed the back of his head in half-embarrassment, half-annoyance. He glanced at the grieving Masaki Twins and Taylor returned a nod. "It appears we all have had a long and ugly day. Would it be too much trouble to ask for some time to recuperate? Of course, we wonder where we are at this moment."

It was going to take more than a few well place words to make the volatile Abh settle down. She watched the events of the Issus role through her mind as Atrox showed her the events that took place. Jessyka could grind her teeth at the mistakes and clench her fists so hard that her palms threatened to bleed as Hera's body was found.

Atrox's words were distant and blood still colored her vision. "No, it may not bring her back but it will make me feel better."

She stormed through the room pacing about in a furry. "If we don't know where Vorman is then allow me to interrogate them. I'll have answers for you within the hour. If no one here knows, then I'll go throughout all the Huntarian Empire until someone does tell me. Surely out of the millions, one person can tell me what I want to know.

Then I will return to you with Vorman's head after I have laid waste to everything he holds dear."

Force energy crackled from her fingertips. "Damn these Coredians! Damn the Huntarians! And damn this universe!"

New Sith Order, Garden:



Atrox listened to the hurt childe. He could feel her pain and anguish. He could feel her loss. He could feel her determination to strike out at what hurt her and make them pay. Unfortunately it would not help.

“Mary, where would you go? You have no idea where Vorman is. I know that for a fact because you are privy to the same information I have and honestly I haven’t the slightest clue. If you go off half-assed you will not only waste valuable time but also let him know you are coming. He will then have plenty of time to hurt Hera.

“What would Vorman do to Hera if he knew you were coming? If he somehow captured you since you were kicking and screaming all the way there he was forewarned what would he make Hera do to keep you safe? He already has Athena to use against her, don’t let him gain you too.”

Atrox moved to intercept Mary and grasped her by both arms. He looked her in the eyes which were blazing with blue fire.

“I am not saying to not do it. Hell, when the time comes I will be right alongside you cut for cut and I will light the fire for the cookout. You have to learn to control your new emotions. When you are out of control, you are what Hera spent all her time tracking down, Ragers. What would Hera do in your place? Think of that and use it to control yourself. Once you learn how I will teach you more. Right now you are raw emotion and raw power. You must learn control.”

Turning Mary back around, he faced her to Hera’s Tree.

“Now go to the tree and breathe its perfume. Feel the bark. Feel Hera’s presence and let it calm you.”






New Sith Order, Atrox’s quarters:




Atrox watched as Jess paced back and forth. He could feel the immense force presence of his ally and comrade as she fumed and raged about their fallen friend. Atrox himself could not only sympathize with her anguish but even after his Purge earlier he still wanted to crush a few planets to make himself fell better. If he knew where Vorman was at this minute his dreadnought would be half way there along a wormhole. Sakir’s Fate was too kind of an ending for that Bastard and Atrox knew many ways to make a mind feel pain, many more than Jess could imagine to be truthful.

“Jess, please keep yourself in check.” Atrox said quietly but forced his words to be heard through her rage fog. “Hurting Shipmind will not bring her back. We need to find out what happened so we can make that Bastard Vorman pay, and damn hard.”

Atrox knew Jess hated her former name and outside him and Hera, he knew nobody that was allowed to utter it without retaliation. He knew nothing of her family and there were probably a few loved ones that could get away with it. He had used it to get her attention and he hoped she would not lash out but instead listen to him. He hoped he would not have to activate the Force Inhibitors in his armor but would in order to save Jess from herself. Right now Jess was all he had left and he was bound and determined to keep her safe if he could.

Taking a few steps toward the Abh, Atrox began speaking. “What we need are calm minds so we can gather information. When we know what exactly happened, we can track the responsible party down and make them pay…”

Atrox stopped speaking and appeared to be stunned. He stood perfectly still for a few seconds and then suddenly burst out, “I can’t believe it, she is alive!”

Atrox rushed forward and grabbed Jess and activated his teleport ability taking her to the Garden where he was already standing next to Mary. Before them was the tree, full of health and blooming in the gentle spring breezes of Lehon.





New Sith Order, training room 17:





Atrox watched Maggie as his hand healed. The man was going through an extreme emotional rush of endorphins caused by reliving his memories. He had filtered them down so a meatbag could not only understand them but also only transferred the normal range of sensory perceptions the human would feel. If they truly perceived the world like a Ta’Nar there was no telling what would happen to the mind. “Seeing” energy in every direction simultaneously was just the beginning.

"Look at what he's done to the Coredian Jedi. He's caused a top Jedi Councilor to turn against his own people and ended up destroying the Jedi Order. He made Hera want to go after Athena and do anything it took to get her sister back. Hell, she told you to let the Kythons loose on Issus. He is slowly turning some of the Coredian allies against them. Dornallia can no longer afford to support Coredia due to the Tauronese civil war, draining their military assets. Eventually, he'll find a way to turn the three of you against each other. This is the kind of threat which we face. You can see why I might get a little emotional about it."


“You must not worry about Hera or Jess fighting against myself. Unlike other organizations we actually trust each other and it would take a very well knowledge and thought out plan to take me out of existence. I have protocols set up that would prevent it. Also, she did not have me attack with the Kythons, it was her request to Mary that initiated the attack with no influence on my behalf.” Atrox stopped talking, remembering that Hera was dead.

“Forgive me; it is hard to remember she is gone. I have seen her little deaths so many times that it really is hard to think of her as truly gone. My ship was there and she would have uploaded if she had been there unless her Download was intercepted and redirected elsewhere.”

“You said earlier that you know Vorman, where would he take…”

Atrox stopped speaking and appeared to be stunned. He stood perfectly still for a few seconds and then suddenly burst out, “I can’t believe it, she is alive!”
Then Atrox rushed forward grabbing Magriel. Teleporting to the garden he arrived where there were two Avatars already standing next to both Mary and Twilight. They were all looking at the most beautiful tree, blossoms rocking in the warm breeze.





New Sith Order, Main hall:




Atrox could feel the eleven below, his Hunter’s Bond still active and it would be until their deaths. The lure of ending their lives was intoxicating and he was strongly tempted to simply let them die somehow so he could feed. The “smell” of them milling about below like sheep not knowing the wolf was among them pulled at his desires. Masamori’s voice pulled him from his thoughts and made him center his attention upon the individual before him.

"I suppose that would be me." Commander Masamori said calmly as he extracted himself from the crowd. The dragons then grew smaller to give more space to the main hall and perched on peoples' shoulders. He gave a bow to him, recognizing Lord Atrox. "Lord Atrox, I am Commander Masamori Hazama, one of Emperor Masaki's strike team leaders that were sent to Issus. With me are what remains of that strike team and some civilians...unfortunately, all that those dragons could carry...and all that's left of that forsaken planet. It appears that the...person who calls herself Mary has opened a wormhole and dumped us here."

“I understand,” said Atrox, still distracted by the scent of the prey below, “I am currently talking to Mary to help her through this. It was actually a good thing she was there or the battle in orbit would have destroyed you. Right now I don’t suggest thanking her though; she is a bit pissed and would most likely lash out.”

The conversation and subsequent fainting of Travis gave Atrox the urge to thin the heard of the weakest. He pushed back the urge of leaping over the banister onto the floor below from the steps where he and Masamori stood talking. All the other Avatars could feel the Bond and the urges but he was closest and thus had to deal with them.

"Ah...my apologies, Lord Atrox." Commander Masamori rubbed the back of his head in half-embarrassment, half-annoyance. He glanced at the grieving Masaki Twins and Taylor returned a nod. "It appears we all have had a long and ugly day. Would it be too much trouble to ask for some time to recuperate? Of course, we wonder where we are at this moment."

“You are currently standing in the Main Hall of the New Sith Order’s Academy. I cannot tell you of the location for it is not on any of the Empire’s maps, even ones that date back thousands of years. This is where Darth Sunshine, Darth Twilight and I run our Order. I will send you home as soon as things settle down. Right now I have to deal with the death of a good friend. Where did Daniel and Naruto go? I remember speaking to them on Issus before I went to find Hera. Did he find another way off world?”

Atrox shook his head.

“Forgive my lack of manners. I will have someone show you to an area where you can recuperate. Do you wish to remain within the walls or do you want to relax in the tropical sun outside?”






New Sith Order, Library:




Atrox walked into the Library as Dorian showed his charges the extent of the NSO Library. Information ran from the mundane to the exotic. The range ran from the daily workings of various planets easily found out bay accessing public records in several nations but updated and easy to access to several hard to find topics. The Force section seemed quite extensive and contained several Holocrons, all accessible by the terminals. Hera had copied the entire collection from the Coredian Jedi enclave long ago and with Twilight’s endeavors, the knowledge base of the Force has expanded. There were even 40 thousand year old references dating back to the Ratakan Empire. One thing was clear, the most deadly powers were not included in the Library, something that was easily understood to prevent the use of them by those unable to control said powers. Even Darian’s login would not allow those Forbidden powers like Thought Bomb and he had one of the highest in the NSO. Truthfully, only Atrox could access those abilities, the knowledge carefully stored in his private Archive separate from the Library.

Atrox approached the Librarian and Darian as they looked through the archives. “I trust you are finding everything satisfactory?”

“I wish to thank you for your understanding down at the launch pad. Mary needed my immediate assistance. What can I help you two with?”






New Sith Order, Diplomatic Lounge:




Atrox walked into the Lounge as the Admiral and his Officers made themselves comfortable in the room. A glassteel window looked out across the tropical island with one panel slid open to allow access to the deck outside. Most guests would find themselves outside in the humidity of the open air instead of the climate controlled interior just because of the smells and sounds of the tropics. Many found them relaxing after the time spent inside their vessels and if needed, the entire glass wall was retractable. If one of the tropical storms, really miniature hurricanes which only had minutes of warning, were approaching, the entire deck would be withdrawn inwards and the glass sealed to keep the terrible winds from entering the lounge.

“Please pardon me for making you wait so long, I have been busy and I thank your patience.”

Atrox walked over to the refreshment cart and got himself some of the Jasmine tea and one of the apples.

“These are both grown here in our gardens and I have yet to find their equal anywhere. Help yourselves.”

Atrox stopped speaking and appeared to be stunned. He stood perfectly still for a few seconds and then suddenly burst out, “I can’t believe it, she is alive!”
Then Atrox rushed forward grabbing Magriel. Teleporting to the garden he arrived where there were two Avatars already standing next to both Mary and Twilight. They were all looking at the most beautiful tree, blossoms rocking in the warm breeze.

Magriel looked at the tree and the others surrounding him, slightly puzzled at the sight of two other Atrox's in the area. He looked back at the tree, "curious. As to what purpose does the tree serve? Sure, it looks pretty and all... But what are you trying to tell us? That it's connected to Hera's soul or Life Force?"

When the others had arrived, Atrox explained about the tree.

“As a gift to Hera, I returned to Konoha and retrieved a seedpod from the very tree Hera as a child sought refuge and comfort under. I returned here and placed it in the center of the Garden. I used all my power, Psionics, Force ability, and Eldritch Magics to tie her very essence to the tree. Even if she uplifted, she is tied to this tree. What this allowed is Hera to feel the most comfort when under this tree.”

“If she were dead, the tree would be dying too. As you can see, it is obviously not stricken but is blooming. She may be in trouble but she is very alive.”

Atrox paused before continuing.

“Now where would Vorman take Hera and Athena? That is what we have to figure out. I do not want to waste any time rinning around in the wrong direction so we need information.”

Magriel snorted, "trouble is putting it very mildly... He probably already has her under his will. And as to where he might be," the Councilor sighed, "while I knew him better than any other person alive, there's still things which he wouldn't reveal. As head of our special ops and R&D departments, it was his job to keep those facilities top secret... But I know where we can start looking. There is a research facility a few systems away from one of the Huntarian Alliance's main outposts. He frequents there enough that we might be able to pick up which direction he's going in."

The breeze blew gently against the flesh of Mary, as her short white nightgown rustled against it, pushing against her new born body. Her dark hair gently glided with the breeze, rooted to her flesh by the scalp she now had.

It was all so strange to her, as she waited impatiently by Atrox’s request. Suddenly two new people appeared, one next to her, wearing all black. Only her blue eyes could be seen, and another, an Asian looking man.

She didn’t know what to say at first, so she stayed quiet. It didn’t matter that these two were here, no, she was going to be the one to save her beloved, and end the life of all those who stole Hera from her. She felt her heart race at the ideas, as she imagined herself ripping through the flesh of those who dared to steal Hera from her loving arms.

Her heart pounded in excitement, as she focused on the tree. “Where are you?” she gently whispered towards the tree. She gently crossed her arms as she looked at the tree and listened to the conversation.

Something didn’t seem to make sense to Mary as she listened. Hera was gone, thought dead, and now suddenly at the moment of revelation a expert on Vorman appeared who knew him better than anyone else.

She set her sight on the man who was speaking, the man who suddenly knew a possible place for a lead. She took in a deep breath trying to conceal her anger as the man spoke. “Anyone else find this too convenient?” Mary asked as she took a step closer to the man.

“Atrox just finds out she is alive, and boom suddenly like mana from the heavens we have a bonafide Vorman expert on our hands. We are so blessed.” she said in a remarkably snide tone for a kython avatar. “Tell me, whoever you are, if you knew Vorman so well, and I presume you will tell us you broke free from him, why didn’t you kill him?” she asked as her bright blue eyes glared at the Malkir before her.

With another step closer, she spoke up again, “And who are you anyway, and why would you care about my Lady Sunshine?”

Something didn’t seem to make sense to Mary as she listened. Hera was gone, thought dead, and now suddenly at the moment of revelation a expert on Vorman appeared who knew him better than anyone else.

She set her sight on the man who was speaking, the man who suddenly knew a possible place for a lead. She took in a deep breath trying to conceal her anger as the man spoke. “Anyone else find this too convenient?” Mary asked as she took a step closer to the man.

“Atrox just finds out she is alive, and boom suddenly like mana from the heavens we have a bonafide Vorman expert on our hands. We are so blessed.” she said in a remarkably snide tone for a kython avatar. “Tell me, whoever you are, if you knew Vorman so well, and I presume you will tell us you broke free from him, why didn’t you kill him?” she asked as her bright blue eyes glared at the Malkir before her.

With another step closer, she spoke up again, “And who are you anyway, and why would you care about my Lady Sunshine?”

Magriel sighed, "I seem to have to keep on explaining this. I am Councilor Magriel, probably the last person alive who can claim to have been Hera's Master. As to my past history with the Phantom Lord, I'd rather leave forgotten... Seems like I have little choice as of now. I was formerly the apprentice to Emperor Trilkan, the former leader of the Huntarian Empire during throughout much of the Huntarian Civil War. I worked somewhat closely with him as the Second in Command of the Empire back then. By the end of the war and with our re-entry into the Universe at large, beginning with our initial encounter with the Galactic Empire, I was sent off to die, hunting an enemy created by our own government. Vorman wasn't there when I realized that we were all being played for fools. If he was, he'd have been gone long ago. He knew that I would've eventually caught onto his plan, so he convinced my former Master to send me off on a hopeless mission. Ever since I rejoined with my older Malkir Master, my desire for vengeance was kept at bay, up until now."

“You are currently standing in the Main Hall of the New Sith Order’s Academy. I cannot tell you of the location for it is not on any of the Empire’s maps, even ones that date back thousands of years. This is where Darth Sunshine, Darth Twilight and I run our Order. I will send you home as soon as things settle down. Right now I have to deal with the death of a good friend. Where did Daniel and Naruto go? I remember speaking to them on Issus before I went to find Hera. Did he find another way off world?”
The silence from the group told Atrox the answer as many eyes were downcast. As far as they could determine, they were killed when the blackhole destroyed Issus.

Atrox shook his head.

“Forgive my lack of manners. I will have someone show you to an area where you can recuperate. Do you wish to remain within the walls or do you want to relax in the tropical sun outside?”
Some wanted to relax in the sun outside, but several needed to be taken to the hospital wing to heal. One of them was an older woman who was still unconscious and the wound by her side was pulsing with the Draught of Living Death that was on the tip of Blayden's knife when he stabbed her. Atrox would recognize her as one of the Council Masters...perhaps the only one remaining. And perhaps the most important.

Emily Rydo. Hera and Athena's surrogate mother.

As far as could be determined, the other survivors are as follows:

Commander Masamori and what's left of the strike team under his command

Taylor & Jacob Masaki

Team Seven:
Travis Masaki (KO)
Nick Kingfisher
Kagome Outerbridge

Team Eight:
Haruka Umino
Reika Uchiha
Keith Masaki (KO)

Team Nine:
Asuka Soryu (KO)
Shinji Ikari
Toji Suzuhara

The Ouran Club:
Tamaki
Kyoya
Hunny
Mori (KO)
Kaoru and Hikaru
Haruhi

Other members of Travis' Pack:
Nawaki Uzumaki
Mark Amaral
A few other apprentices, nameless for the moment. Most of them are unconscious.

A number of civilians, soldiers and nameless Jedi & Shinobi, including a few surviving initiates. And of course, the dragons that carried them through the wormhole. All together, there were about 200 Coredians (100 humans and 100 dragons), all that's left of Issus.

And of course, there was Adrian and his group of Dornalians.

OOC: Sorry it's kinda short. Bal, I'll allow you leave to post my people either heading for the tropical sun or being healed in the hospital. I'd like to request a timeskip of a few days for recuperation.

The name was so familiar, like a name she heard when she was a child. It echoed into the past, but Mary couldn’t place it. So many things had changed, so many things that once were ceased to be in the last few days. The days seemed to turn into years as she took a step back.

She gracefully turned, as she placed her hand to her mouth. “Magriel…. Magriel….” She said over and over, as if she was confused by the name she heard. Her gaze turned to the tree, as she continued to think to herself.

Mary turned back towards Magriel, and reached out pointing at him in an accusing manner. “I remember now.” She said as she looked at him. “This one constantly upset Lady Sunshine.” She said as she glared at him. “She often called him an idiot and blind.” Mary said as she glared at him. “You always seemed to upset her, and cause her discomfort.”

Although the truth of the relationship between Hera and Magriel was far beyond what Mary could know. Being new to the human condition, she had a lot to learn.

Magriel nodded and sighed, "yes, I did apparently get her agitated even without meaning too. She apparently had a crush on me when we first met on Earth. My problem is that when you have been bereft of love or passion for four thousand years, you tend to forget what a 'crush' is. For the entire time she was under my care, I was unaware of her... Attempts to hit on me. At the same time, had I known, it would be discouraged by the Malkir Council, though it isn't forbidden. So yes, in other words, I was also blind and an idiot."

Twilight looked peculiarly at Atrox when he started saying that she was alive. Truly the Abh thought the Balroggan had gone insane but she was soon transported to the gardens where some woman was and another version of Atrox stood.

Jessyka gave up not really getting the point of all this. Being an Abh she didn't really have any mystical tie to trees and stuff or paid them much attention. In her world, wildlife tended to be used as decoration.

"Alright, so it's a tree. I've seen this tree before."

Then came Atrox's explanation of how this was supposed to show her that Hera was still alive. Realization sunk into the dark lord and the storm began to subside over her head though clouds still remained. Instead of a storm, it had slackened to a light rain.

"If she is alive then this only increases the urgency in finding her. If she is captured then that means we must hurry to find her before anything can happen."

OOC:

I know others wanted to come along on the hunt so please contact OG or one of the others to get yourself into the actual "party". I am on the way to work posting this with my phone so I will not be on MSN until I get home many hours from now. I give permission to play Atrox or his Avaters to get everyone together.

Work sucks...

Emma McKinnon was now admittedly in a bind, as were most of the Dornalians. Sitting amongst the Shakespearean Intrigues, they admittedly felt like someone who just left a modern art show. Dazzled by big splashes of color and explosion, yet hopelessly confused as to what was going on, they had witnessed both Kython consumption of a world and a deathblow via singularity charge. Frankly, they were left scratching their heads. No time to be angry at somebody--just time to be confused and slightly dismayed as all get-out.

Adrian O'Shaughnessy and Emma inspected the Dornalian ranks, and so far, they witnessed a group keeping itself relatively cohesive. The Qiangquans, keen on discipline, already began sentencing those rogues who nearly sparked a general war with their particularly stringent and tiring punishments--hours of meditation, plus letters acknowledging their guilt and extra PT and a little caning to even things out. The others merely meditated, seeking a little inner peace to stabilize themselves after a battle, as any good Force user seeking balance had to do.

Emma herself felt a disturbance in the Force....as if there was something terribly wrong. Then, she felt she knew what it was. Hera. Her student. Her heart sank then, as the Avatar bid her to come immediately, as her suspicions were confirmed. The implications of capture....she knew Hera had a fragile personality. The slightest bit of "Nightmare Fuel" could easily send her over the edge....likely, given this was Lord Vorman whom this mission was directed against, he had subjected her to this sort of "Nightmare Fuel."

Emma, as a result, nodded and said she would follow. However, she paused and siad, "I need some people first. Hold on."

Closing her eyes, she executed the usual Dornalian PA method of cheap, quick comms--the Forcemessage. And she sent them to the two most powerful people she knew.

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

Qiangquan Temple, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, Earth SSR

Those two most powerful men were currently sparring, as usual, in the isolated complex of the Qiangquan Temple. Chin was ducking and rolling with his wrist sabers, executing kung fu moves as he got in close and kept parrying Batov's saber strikes and lightning blasts. It was good, furious combat, something the two "blood brothers" did constantly, as they taunted one another, kicked, punched, etc.

Then, the message stopped them cold.

Chin Tai Wong. Grigori Alexandrovich Batov. If you can hear me, this is an urgent distress call. I need your help. One of my students is in the hands of the enemy, and may likely be in danger. Please come to Lehon as soon as possible.

Batov turned off his saber and said, "My God. Lehon."

Chin noted, "That is the home of the NSO." Turning to Batov, Chin said, "I know how you feel abou--"

Batov simply raised his hand and said, "No need, brother. The Light calls me to this task." Immediately beginning to suit up, Chin followed suit, asking, "I do not doubt your need to rescue an Acolyte in need. But...I worry about your stance. They say Lehon is hard to reach, guarded by a mental labyrinth that seeks negative thought."

"We do not come on crusade. We come to help. What have they to fear?" Batov replied with a big grin. "Besides, rumors aren't always true."

Chin replied with his own smaller grin, "Simple as it is...there is a certain comfort and inevitability to your thinking. It is a shame life is never so simple these days."

"Brother, that is because too many people worry too much about too many things. Your philosophy and mine recognize this all too well."

Chin laughed, and then said, "Where we come from, we would rather not experience life's sufferings at all." Motioning for him to follow, Chin said, "Come. We have to prepare for a tough road ahead."

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

The arrival at the Destiny Point proved very strange indeed. Indeed, Chin and Batov were looking at their maps for a moment, almost wondering if they had traveled correctly.

"Are we in Hong Kong, brother? Perhaps you should let me navigate," Batov said with a sarcastic laugh.

Chin, however, was busy observing the environs. What he found was not promising. Hong Kong was dingy. The people in despair. Why? There were soldiers on the streets....and then....he began to understand why. This was something familiar to him. All too familiar.

"Brother, look. The street sign. Why is Nathan Road repeated in Katakana underneath?" Batov examined the street sign, and then saw other posters in Japanese and Chinese and badly translated English too, noting them with puzzlement.

Chin, however, found only concern in that. Not panic, but mere concern. Now he knew how these things were familiar. He saw the soldiers, the signs....and then told Batov, "We have to go. We have to go now. No time to talk."

Batov then said, "Wait--"

Then, a squad of men approached them. Dressed in mottled camouflage, carrying Type 89 rifles that looked centuries old and wearing angry Japanese Naval Ensign armbands, the leader of the squad pointed the rifle at Chin's chest, with a giant bayonet attached, and said, in broken Cantonese, "Present ID Badge! Now! You do it now!" He repeated it in equally broken English.

With that Chin and Batov broke and ran. Batov asked, "What is the matter?"

"This is Hong Kong. The Hong Kong of my youth, under a regime of slavery and death. Those were the men of the Imperial Japanese Army. The same ones that brought death and tyranny to my city. They were going to kill us!" Chin said hurredly, as he and Batov now played a game of Parkour with the IJA men, who now called on their friends and began opening fire with assault rifles and explosives.

Then, an old woman motioned to them from a backalley, saying, "Come, quick!" Closing the door, Chin and Batov opened the door, and ran in without thinking, to find themselves....in Lehon.

Emma greeted them with a simple, "Hello. I see you just got through the Destiny Point."

"Not so much destiny, as a trip to a time best not wished upon one's worst enemies," Chin replied, calm on the outside but shaken slightly on the inside. Batov nodded and said, "I concur."

Time passed for the Coredians as they settled within the NSO. Those that still had lots of energy were given a fine tour of the NSO, including the massive, ever-growing library that was central to its goals of collecting all the works of Force knowledge in the galaxy. A couple decided to browse the library to pass the time, but others moved on the tour.

Meanwhile, Emily Rydo was taken to the hospital wing, where medical psionics began stirring her mental facilities to begin the healing process. Hours passed as the healing went to work, slowly eliminating the poison that kept her in a coma from her body.

Hours turned to days...and on the third day, her vital signatures returned to normal as the body eliminated the poison from her system. As the sun rose high over Lehon, she awakened for the first time in a long while.

She looked around and noticed that she was in a hospital room of some kind.

"Ah, you're awake!" A nurse smiled. "You're in the hospital wing of the NSO, Master Rydo. Lord Atrox was kind enough to help you and your people recover."

"Oh." Master Rydo said quietly. Lord Atrox had rescued her somehow? "What...happened?"

The nurse paused for a moment. "I...will let Lord Atrox know you're awake."

Master Rydo sensed something was wrong. Perhaps Atrox would inform her? The nurse finished looking over the patient and then went away to inform the NSO leader that the last Council member was awake...

“Yes, I quite agree. We need to rescue her as soon as possible but if we go in all half-cocked and heads afire we will fail. If we fail, she will suffer much more and far longer than if we take a few breaths and use our minds instead of becoming Ragers.”

Atrox let that point sink in for a few seconds. The NSO hunted down Ragers and he hoped that point would cause cooler heads to prevail.

“Also, Hera will not leave unless we also retrieve Athena. I suspect that is the only reason she allowed herself to be taken. Yes, I said allowed. Hera knows how to get away from even a supposed self-proclaimed god Shadow lord like Vorman. We all would have our different ways but I feel in my very bones, if I had them, this was her intention all the while. Oh I doubt she knew Hawkins would die, probably had the shit hit the fan and his death was the result.”

“Using hindsight I can see Hawkins was the real distraction and Hawkins used me as the distraction for himself. I bet she did not expect him to show up like he did and then things fell apart but I seriously doubt she would not have been able to get away if Athena was safe.”

“It is our duty to follow through with whatever plan she had and be there, wherever there is, when she needs us. In order for that to happen put aside your grief for we know she is not dead. Put aside your Anger because it will only allow us all to make mistakes and those will kill Hera and Athena for real. We don’t let Anger control us; we control it and use it as a tool.”

Atrox stopped and looked toward the academy building.

“It looks like we have company. Dorain and the Librarian will want to join us and there is a group of Dornalians passing through Destiny Point. I will have my Avatars direct them here to meet with us. Together we shall be a force of Hera’s Friends and we will save her. I plan on having an Avatar attend her funerial appropriately grieving for both her and Hawkins so nobody will think she is alive. If word gets out we think she is, then Vorman will try to hide her that much harder. If he thinks we are not looking for her he might make a mistake and we can find them.”

“The only ones who should know of her survival are those rescuing her, agreed?”

As he was talking two gates appeared. Through them another Avatar led the Dornalians and Darian and the Librarian before returning through the gates leaving them in the orchard.



OOC:


@ ND and Telros

Pretend there was a conversation in the background but the truth about Hera was not disclosed. If you want top play Atrox for it you can RP it but in order to get things rolling I am pulling us together.


@ CW

Since there are a few days in which Emily was in the coma, we can figure out over MSN what exactly who was doing what during those times. I will wait to hear from you before I post anything about your characters.

"A weapon more than a tool and mine is razor sharp. But yes, I do agree. This knowledge should not be widely shared."

Twilight continued walking with Atrox even as her temper started to subside. "What is your plan?"

The Dornalian masters were certainly nodding and chatting amongst themselves, as the Avatar led them to the orchard where Atrox was. Batov dryly noted, "A most hospitable place. I would not expect an orchard here."

Chin merely noted, "'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'" He looked at the orchard, and took in the sights. Strangely, it made him feel at ease. It reminded him slightly of Batov's own well manicured gardens inside the Shinmei Grand Temple, cultivated owing to Batov's own love of samurai culture and a simple desire to "make the place look nice," as well as some of the nicer city parks he had experienced as a youth. Indeed, all it needed was a man performing tai chi, and--

Then, Chin was called back into the present with a simple cough. Batov politely but firmly said, "Well, we didn't come here to sightsee, brother. We came here because of Sensei McKinnon, yes? Now, focus, our host isn't likely to be too paitent."

The Avatar led him to Atrox, and the three bowed in respect. Emma McKinnon walked forth and said, "Let me handle this," to the two masters as they stood apart from Emma, as she said to Atrox, "Mas-er, Darth Atrox. I am Sensei Emma McKinnon, Head of the Temple of Greater London, and member of the People's Acolytes organization. I have come because of concern about a student of mine. Her name was Hera Agaethon, and it seems something monstrous has occurred to her."

Emma then paused, and reluctantly said, "And....God, it pains me to say this....I think you may know her. All I know is hearsay, she didn't say much more on her dossier besides the usual and a bunch of classified scribbles. But I think you might know her." Shaking her head, she then said, hurredly, "The point is....do you know if you can do anything for her?"

Hearsay was right....all Emma knew was that she was on Issus for some business, and that the BBC feeds showed a Woman in White as part of that big kidnapping story. The Times even had pictures of Hera in a black van of some sort, with that madman Boris. And with the Woman rumored to be a Sith....well.....there was something strange....

Reluctantly Mary just nodded, as Atrox made his proposal to the group. His words were sound, and the plan of action was logical. Although it pained her in her heart, she knew he was right. That she couldn’t tear the galaxy apart looking for her…. Just yet.

Mary looked over at Darth Twilight. She knew of Twilight well, how impersonal she was to her ship mind, how it was just nothing more than a vessel to her. She was so unlike Sunshine. Mary then smiled as she mused over there names. Of course Twilight was nothing like her lady. Even there names were polar opposites.

Still though seeing the woman in the flesh, with real eyes, there was something to be admired by the Abh. She was a force to be reckoned with, her anger and hate were indeed sharp weapons which she used to bleed her enemies dry. Of all the people here, she seemed to be the most upset by this circumstance. Perhaps there is more to her than the simple commands that she gave her ship.

Mary looked back to Atrox. The anger and hate in her eyes seemed to lighten slightly, but the pain remained. “Alright Ba’el.” She spoke softly, “Your right, but we still need to do something.” Mary remarked. “Lady Sunshine won’t communicate with us, if she is in fact on a mission as you have said, or at least thinks she is.” Mary told the group. “Of course she is also probably over her head. What we need to do is get her bait. If we find Athena, we will find her.” Mary spoke gently to the group.

“I will also go to the funeral. If we fail her, I at least want to honor her body.” Mary said sadly.

Then from behind she heard the new comers. Mary turned around to see Emma, and two others. She remembered Emma. Mary could remember seeing her, as part of her was in the black bag Hera carried with her the day she joined the PA. Emma was one of the few that was kind to her lady, one of the few that fought for Hera to get into the PA. Mary smiled as the woman approached.

Mary watched and listened as she approached Lord Atrox. Listening to the questions, Mary elected to stay silent for the moment, and let Ba’el answer the questions. This was his, Sunshine’s and Twilight’s house. Only they were the ones that should speak up first.

Magriel's anger had not yet subsided like Twilight's but he was getting a better control of it. It has been a long time since he last had this kind of Anger, and that was when he was one of the rulers of the Empire. He turned to Twilight, "I also agree, this information must be kept between the lot of us and no one else, even those we would place our utmost trust in." He looked at Emma, "this includes the Grand Sensie Junko. I'm sorry Emma, it must stay this way even if it means exile."

He shook his head at Mary's idea that where Athena was, they will find Hera, "while I hope this is true, Vorman will likely have separated them. It is a classic Kirtir trick when separating siblings from the same family. My former Master separated me from my sister after I turned. I wasn't allowed to contact her for the longest time, then when the fall of the Republic was upon us, we were forced to duel. I ended up severing her hand and forced her to turn, thus proving my loyalty to Darth Trilkan. Vorman will likely do something similar, if he hasn't already."

"What I propose we do is this: We start off in the Alliance's system Gritisha, each in a group of two or three. I will provide us with an accurate map of general Empire space. We will go to the Aeith System, specifically looking for a scientific laboratory on Lunisha. When he was one of the "minor" Kirtir Lords, Vorman often spent his time at Empire research facilities. Someone there might know where he is. Plus, there's about a dozen and more Special Ops training and Kirtir Planets where he could've taken her. We need stealth for this mission, or we use old Galactic Empire ships such as the Imperial Star Destroyer. That will buy us some time, but they will eventually catch on."

The striker speeds down the regulation-issue field, dodging defenders like crazy. He fought viciously to keep the ball, using his foot to dribble it, barely avoiding an aggressive defender. He breaks through the defense, driving down the field towards the goalie, passing the ball between his feet. The crowd barely held their breath as the striker and the goalie locked eyes.

The kick! It screamed towards the goalie at a thousand miles per hour. The goalie dove for it...and missed by a bare inch!

GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!

The crowd roars!

"Travis! Hey, Travis!"

Suddenly, the crowds and the field disappeared, replaced by sandy beaches and a palm tree that was currently the target of the ball. It didn't like that and reared back before sending the ball back at the blue-haired kid. In the face!

"Oww! My nose!" The kid moaned, clutching his face. The ball bounced away and was met by a foot. Kagome's foot.

"Goggle boy, ball brains, bat freak." Kagome grinned. "Is there any name we haven't called you yet?"

"Urrgh. I liked Goggle boy best. What's your excuse?" Travis rubbed his nose. It wasn't broken, but it'd hurt for a while.

"Master Rydo's up again. She wants to see you as soon as possible." Kagome said.

"All right." Travis said. "You know what for?"

"No. Your uncle Jacob is talking with her, so she probably knows by now."

Travis looked down. "Yeah. All right. Where's she?"

"Hospital wing."

"Right. Thanks." Travis started heading back towards the hospital wing. Along the way, he began thinking. What are they gonna do now? What's happening in the outside world? What about Mom? What's she going to do without Dad? What's the nation gonna do without Dad? And Master Naruto for that matter? What's he gonna do without them?

By the time he reached the hospital wing, his mind was abuzz with worries and questions. He entered and found Emily Rydo. Her eyes were wet as she had just learned what happened to Issus, but she composed herself.

"There you are." Jacob Masaki said. "We've just been talking about you."

"Me?" Travis asked. "What about?"

"Do you understand the Order of Succession of the Throne of Coredia?" Rydo asked.

"Yeah. It was Dad and Mom, then me, then Riley, then you and Uncle Taylor...wait a minute, I'm not ready for it! I can barely keep my Pack together, much less a big country!" Travis exclaimed, realizing what his uncles and the remaining Council member was asking of him.

"Well, we've been talking and we agree with that." Emily said. The Twins nodded. "Your Uncles will help your mother as Regents until you're ready, at least when the Council and the Kokkai get together for it."

"Still, once we return to the wider galaxy -we appear to be cut off on this planet- it'd be important to reveal that we're still alive. Just knowing that the executive government can be restored will begin the healing process." Jacob said. "For that to work, you're going to have to step up to the plate. I'll deal with the political issues and Taylor can handle the military affairs, but you just gotta be there."

"Yeah, big stuff on little shoulders." Taylor agreed. "But you are the Heir, as is your sister. It's kinda your job to take your father's place when the call comes."

Travis didn't know what to say. He looked down at his feet. "I...I don't know if I can do it. I haven't really done much good lately. I don't feel ready."

"Hmm. Well, we won't push you until you're ready. Talk with your friends about it. In the meantime, I must speak with Lord Atrox and anyone else that's with him." Master Rydo said as she forced herself to get up. "My cane, if you please, Jacob."

"Yes, Master." Jacob helped her up and gave her a cane personally alchemized by him.

The brothers helped her to her feet. She's still healing, but for now, the Force and her body can take care of the rest. For a minute, she closed her eyes, reaching out to figure out where she is. She could feel the strong presences of Magriel and the Dornalians as well as a dark presence in the area. Lord Atrox. I am awake now. I wish to speak with you and your other guests immediately, if you please.

In the meantime, Travis took Master Rydo's advice and decided to head out and look for his friends, sticking his hands into the pocket of his long shorts.

All of the religious rhetoric began to bore Mary, as she listened to Magriel speak about turning his sister. Light, Dark, who really gave a damn. It isn’t a creed that you follow it’s who you are.

She looked over at him as the wind picked up just gently enough to move her hair across her face. “None of that really matters with them does it?” Mary was the first to speak up, “Who cares if she cuts off Athena’s hand. Shoot her in the head, wait about three hours, and she would have a new body, hand included. I don’t see the point in doing something so, trivial.” Mary said, not really trying to be snide, but truly not seeing the point in any of that religious rite.

“The most that would happen is Athena would be pissed off at Hera. That doesn’t mean that Hera will not go for her sister though. I know Hera, obviously better than you, since you are blind and dumb. She wouldn’t abandon Athena. Even if they are separated, if we can get her, Hera will come for us then.” Mary said to Magriel.

“Either way though, you are right, we need to begin scouting the Huntarian Empire, and keep this quiet…. For now.” Mary begrudgingly agreed.

She turned to Lord Atrox, “Who should make up what teams?” she asked. Looking over to Magriel, “And where should we go first. The Kirtir training grounds or this secret lab of his?”

All of the religious rhetoric began to bore Mary, as she listened to Magriel speak about turning his sister. Light, Dark, who really gave a damn. It isn’t a creed that you follow it’s who you are.

She looked over at him as the wind picked up just gently enough to move her hair across her face. “None of that really matters with them does it?” Mary was the first to speak up, “Who cares if she cuts off Athena’s hand. Shoot her in the head, wait about three hours, and she would have a new body, hand included. I don’t see the point in doing something so, trivial.” Mary said, not really trying to be snide, but truly not seeing the point in any of that religious rite.

“The most that would happen is Athena would be pissed off at Hera. That doesn’t mean that Hera will not go for her sister though. I know Hera, obviously better than you, since you are blind and dumb. She wouldn’t abandon Athena. Even if they are separated, if we can get her, Hera will come for us then.” Mary said to Magriel.

“Either way though, you are right, we need to begin scouting the Huntarian Empire, and keep this quiet…. For now.” Mary begrudgingly agreed.

She turned to Lord Atrox, “Who should make up what teams?” she asked. Looking over to Magriel, “And where should we go first. The Kirtir training grounds or this secret lab of his?”

Magriel narrowed his eyes at Mary, "Don't think that I don't know that she would still go after her sister. What was done with me was a mere example, Vorman has a more Psychological approach to these sorts of things. He'll know that they can resurrect and shooting the other wouldn't matter in the end. It's all about manipulating their trust in each other. Children are impressionable at such a young age and he will act upon that. After that, it will only be a matter of time before he can make Hera no longer care about her sister. Vorman has a way of breaking even the strongest of relationships. You claim you know Hera better than me but I know Vorman better than all of you. He WILL find a way to break her, separate them permanently. Manipulation is a powerful tool which you have yet to realize and appreciate. Given your young inexperienced age, I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"As to where we should start, it should be the lab. It will give us a better idea on where he has been coming from, plus we could try and see what the Empire has been up to recently. I would suggest we go in groups of three teams: Team one would be me, Atrox and Chin. Team two Mary and Twilight, Team three Emma, Rydo, and Batov. Is this agreeable?"

The Dornalians nodded, Emma noting with horror at Magriel's assessment of Vorman's strength, "Then we must hurry as soon as possible. Who knows what that monster could do to Hera by now?" She shuddered at the thought, and she began recounting all the possibilities...including the worst, which unknown to her, had occurred.

It was then that Chin put his hand on her shoulder. The act stilled the master, albeit it left her with a look of surprise. Chin then continued, letting go and saying, "We must stay calm, Sensei McKinnon. Such emotions will do no good. Focus."

Batov merely said, "A formidable opponent indeed."

Chin nodded and said to his blood brother, "Yes. One I have met before. He visited my Temple through my television. Vorman failed to scare me when he threatened me the first time, though. He seemed a hungry ghost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta), more than a fearful Sith Lord."

At that, Batov skeptically looked at Chin and said, crossing his arms and expressing dismay with a frown, "Brave words, brother. But you heard Magriel. His experience was less favorable. I'm no coward, but I don't like to underestimate a threat, and Vorman seems a formidable danger indeed."

Chin nodded once, and said simply, "I merely say my own experiences with Vorman. I make no underestimations."

Chin deep down wasn't too scared of Vorman. He didn't say too much, and didn't want to seem arrogant or aggressive. But he wasn't that scared.

His first encounter was not so impressive, and even though he had reached for his guns, he had reacted as calmly as possible to the Huntarian Emperor. Chin knew full well Vorman was a threat. And no mere Hungry Ghost, as he liked to dub the being--but a Sith Lord and non corporeal force that posed a danger to all the universe. But, though Chin knew Vorman couldn't be killed, it somehow didn't make him afraid. A threat yes. Something to be feared? No. After all, "fear was the mind-killer," so the saying by Frank Herbert went.

Batov, meanwhile, was of a different mindset. He didn't relish the idea of a malevolent entity that could turn people against one another at will. It was a different sort of challenge than what he was used to. Then again, it was as he said to his blood brother. He was no coward, and he had seen his share of frightening things.

And Emma? Emma tried to keep calm. But she knew her PTSD would possibly prove a window for exploitation. She was powerful mentally--but her greatest strength could be a threat.

Mary nodded as Magriel began to assign the mission and create teams. It seemed to make sense to her, Magriel and Atrox in team one. Both of them seemed level headed, but she didn’t know anything of Chin.

Her and Twilight in group two, that could only mean that they were to be called in, when a planetary enema was needed.

Group three though she knew even less of. Mary was very confused on why in the hell of all creatures in the verse, Magriel would choose a coredian. Was group three the cannon fodder group? Or the fall guys to leave behind in case the mission began to fail? Mary was truly baffled by this, but at the moment she let it go.

She turned her gaze to Atrox. “Ba’el.” She said gently, seeming a bit calmer than before. “It seems we have all the plans ready but one. It seems we have a sudden infestation on this planet of a weak creature. With your permission, I would like to train with Lady Twilight, in removing the Coredian pestilence from this world. I know it isn’t any sport shooting fish in a barrel, but it would allow me to learn to fight with Twilight by my side, and also do the universe a favor. Would that be acceptable?”

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



NSO, Orchard:




Atrox listened to Mary as she asked about the Coredian refugees.

“I am afraid I cannot. Emily will be comatose for a couple days and she was Hera’s favorite Coredian. It would cause her distress if we harmed Emily. We are trying to save Hera without causing her any other problems; she will have enough after Vorman’s deeds.”

Mary sighs as she looks to the ground, "A compromise then? Emily will be unharmed, but since the rest of them are useless, at least Twilight and I could get some training out of them."

Atrox shook his head sadly, "I thought we wanted to leave right away? If we didn't have to help Hera I would be all for teaching them a lesson but Hera is more important than they are.”

Mary shakes her head, "Fine, whatever, but when we come back and they have taken over the place, and we have to call an exterminator, I will be here to tell you, I told you so."

“If that happens, I will let you do with them as you please.”

Atrox turned to Magriel, “Where would you like Dorian and the Librarian in the quests? I can have a ship ready by the time we reach orbit.”







NSO, Academy:





The Coredian refugees were given rooms in one of the wings which did not exist before their arrival. Shipmind just applied power to a section to cause replication and grew the quarters for them. The ones that found their way into the Library would discover the wealth of information it contained but due to Guest Profiles, anything force related was unobtainable because they were not students. The gymnasium as well as cafeteria was made available to them also and the Childer and Ta’Nar were probing Emily’s mind deeply to stimulate her body and mind to fight off the artificial coma.

They probably would never know that Atrox had saved their lives again...

Mary's assessment of the groups was not far from Twilight's own understanding though she took it a bit further. She didn't quite understand why they needed to include humans in any of the teams. If anything, they would just slow the Sith Lords down in completing the mission. Twilight just figured that she and Mary were together in case the whole operation went to hell and they needed a group to bail everybody out.

The Abh's ears perked up slightly as she listened to Mary's great idea about dealing with the others that were in the orchard. It was definitely adding huge points towards getting on Twilight's list of people she won't kill or as some would call them, her friends. She knew Atrox too well though and knew the Balroggan would never allow as long as they were guests on this world.

"Well if we're leaving, then let us leave before their stench makes me nauseous."

Mary turned her attention to Lady Twilight, as she spoke for the first time in a while. Mary nodded at her, as she seemed to be one of the few here that was actually making sense. A small smile creased her red lips.

“Twilight is correct.” Mary chimed in afterwards. “We should get going. Aroma aside, I do not want anyone having any longer of a time to violate Lady Sunshine. The longer we wait around, the more time Vorman has to do, God knows what.”

She then turned her attention to Magriel. “Unless of course we are going to sit around until who knows when for the Coredian pet to wake up.” Suddenly Mary laughed as she turned towards Emma. “Is it true that in some sections of Earth people eat pets as a delicacy?” The implications behind the statement were quite stark, and there was no illusion behind the malice of her intent with the Coredians.

As Atrox looked at Mary sternly, she gave him a innocent puppy dog stare. "I am only kidding." she said to him, "I don't want to pollute my body with poor quality meat."

Emma looked at Mary with a gaping stare, and a simple, "Excuse me?" Even without the implications snapping up Coredians for lunch, the idea of eating dogs and cats, to a woman from Britain, was offensive nonetheless.

Chin once more held Emma back, saying to her quietly, "No. It was a joke. Poor taste, but a joke."

Chin then smiled at Mary. He got the joke, so he simply retorted to Mary's comment on meat with a simple Buddhist homily--his little way of urging Mary to perhaps focus less on eating.

"'What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.' Take that as you will."

Aven walked through the great NSO library, drinking in all the knowledge and majesty that the combined efforts of the Three had brought to this place. She thought her library had brought great knowledge into this galaxy but this library put it to shame, but only just, Aven thought to herself. She noted the most dangerous and vicious of powers were not included and she nodded in satisfaction. It was good to see Atrox taking precautions and ensuring that no fool walked in, came across that power and went insane, thus creating a Rager Lord from within. However, as much as she enjoyed it, she was not fully into the experience, the rumors about the situation and the scene with the being known as Mary on the beach weighing heavily on her mind.

And it weighed even more so on Darian, who not only blamed himself for not being here when everything happened, but for being so careless with Mary. He should be the the one who helped their fellow NSO members in dealing with crises, not acting like a scientific jackass. He sighed as he walked along Aven, his mood black and an almost visible aura of pained struggle about him. This continued, with the air becoming more and more darkened by the moods of the two lords when Atrox entered again. He would feel the anguish Darian was undergoing as he fought with himself and the wary and concerned feeling from Aven had filled the air, when combined with the natural Dark Side energy of the Academy here, made the air seem to be filled with lightning.

At his question, they turned to face him. Darian managed to partly suppress his inner struggle and nodded. "It is quite alright, Atrox. I fully understand. My comments to her certainly didn't help her mood any, I imagine." Aven sighed.

"It is quite impressive, milord, but I am afraid I cannot fully enjoy it." Her masked face turned to face Atrox's, his sense of her mind detecting a sharp sense of purpose and wariness emanating from her now. "What is going on here, Atrox? I sense great sorrow, worry, and despair from this place, making it more like a Rager stronghold than the NSO I know. I have heard rumors but I want to hear the truth from you."


***********************

Easton and Orion, along with their entourage, kept themselves busy looking over reports and messages from the Dominion newsfeed, talking about the recent problems with the Terran Alliance, the onset of the war between it and the nation of Red Talons, and the other diplomatic problems. So it was with a collective jerking of heads when Atrox entered. The Admiral handed the pad off to the soldier who had give him his and walked up to meet Atrox, Orion by his side. They mimicked the Sith Lord's action in taking an apple and some of the tea. Once they were all snacking and fulfilling their thirst on the tea, they began to talk.

"Thank you, Lord Atrox. Do not apologize for keeping us waiting, we understand that something has happened here and it has kept you busy. Most other leaders would have been forced to ask us to come at a later time." He set down his cup and looked at Atrox. "As I have stated before, the Dominion is quite chastened to have missed the battle at Issus, even with it being a debacle in the end, and we wish to make amends. We had come to offer the forces of the fleet under my command, and the troops contained therein, and to seek your advice on where we would be best place to aid our friends in dealing with that scum Vorman." He glanced at the place around them.

"However, it would seem that you are having problems of your own. So I wish to ask if I could aid you in this in any way?"

Both groups continued their conversations with the avatar of Atrox, and understand that something had happened, and that things had changed. But what exactly, they were not sure.

OOC: While we wait for others to post, in the new forums I posted a Search thread:

http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2691

Anyone invited in this thread is invited to that one. TG or MSN me for the details of the plot.