The Dread Fortress, Oricon
Adira took a swig of the water, grinning at her sister. "How we looking?"
Aayes was doing a headcount. "So far, so good. Us on the front lines only have minor injuries and our backups are doing good. You?"
"Well, the good news is I haven't heard 'One Winged Angel' yet, so I'm not panicking. The bad news?" She produced a sharp looking pair of sunglasses, snapped neatly in half. "Their son of a bitch gate commander broke my shades! 500 credits! Gone!"
"You always have your priorities straight." Aayes knew what was coming. She knew Tyrans was hunting for her. She would give him what he deserved.
Ursulina had meditated for hours leading up to the assault on the fortress. Her mind was focused, and it would not fall prey to her mother's manipulations. She opened the door, ready to face Brontes.
Part of her had hoped that the Architect of Fear would be wearing her mask. But it was like looking in a twisted mirror, tainted by the dark side. It was painful to look at.
"What did you do?" asked the Barsen'thor, pointing at the strange mechanical wings on her mother's back.
"Upgrades, my dear child. Best to punish you with."
"Punish me for what? Doing my duty as a Jedi? It doesn't have to be like this, Mother. You choose this."
Brontes cackled. "Foolish, arrogant child! Come, let us be a family!"
Oricon, 35 years ago
The infant already had a resemblance to her parents, despite being a few days old. Brontes was proud of her work. The plan would work: the child would be their enforcer, or the newest Dread Master should the need arise. She laid a kiss on her daughter's head before heading to sleep.
Oricon, present day, the Dread Fortress
Brontes clutched her arm in pain. She could feel her wings cutting into her back, into her flesh and reaching bone. Tears made tracks from the dirt on her face. Her orange eyes flashed hate at her child.
Ursulina stood ready, her white bladed dualsaber shining. "You are in pain. Surrender, or embrace the Force."
"You! Wretched...disobedient..." But Brontes was getting weak, and her breaths were labored. She collapsed to the ground, her vision fading. Coughing up blood, she looked up.
Ursulina stood over her, her normally well-kept, tied up hair flowing freely. Brontes blinked, and her daughter was a child again...then another blink, and she could barely make out Ursulina's face...
Ursulina pulled up her comlink. "Barsen'thor to base. Dread Master Brontes is down."
D'leah laid a hand on her mother's shoulder. "Mom, I'm sorry."
"I told you long ago, D'leah. Our duty as Jedi is a hard one. But we must do whatever it takes to defend the Republic."
outside the Dread Fortress
"I don't know about you, but our losses are minimal." Xenli looked at the Dread Palace. "We should be fine for the next fight."
"I know we are," D'leah affirmed. "The plan is-"
That familiar chill. "You think you can defeat us all?" sneered Raptus. "Come, try."
A flash of light, and the group was separated from each other. Adira looked up to find Ursulina shaking her head. "I need to find Aayes and help her kill Tyrans."
"She already told me that it would be a bad idea. That's why Agent Anoor showed up out of the blue."
"Isn't she kind of susceptible to Dread Bullshit?"
"Aayes is protecting her. Furthermore, you are very impulsive and Tyrans will use it against you." Ursulina extended a hand to Adira. "We can do this."