SPACE - THE WRAITH
Necrolis Darkstar paced the deck plating of the cargo bay, foot falls the only sound save the shuffling of 2V-R8, who he had summoned to clean up. He was stalling, he knew. Supervising the droid was not at all necessary. 2V-R8 had been exemplary in taking care of the ship and cleaning up after its crew for a long while now. In truth, Asha Lightstar's words had gotten to him more than he cared to admit. Necrolis knew he needed to get on with things. The jedi had been right; he could not afford to hide away from everything. It was not going to make it go away or change what was.
Making his way from the cargo bay, Necrolis moved into the lounge area where he saw Asha. The jedi spotted him, her blue eyes meeting his. Necrolis nodded to her then waved for her to follow him as he turned and headed up the steps leading to the cockpit. Asha slid from the padded bench at the lone table and followed after the sith. She smiled as she noted he had returned to the controlled and calm man she had seen before.
Stepping into the command hub of the ship, the jedi on his heels, Necrolis nodded to both Pierce and Jaesa. Pierce had the command chair, relaxing as they headed wherever they were headed. Jaesa lowered her head and made herself busy at the weapons station, seemingly trying to avoid contact with him as much as possible. Given what had transpired between them, he could understand such.
"Status report, Pierce."
"We're on course to the co-ordinates they sent." The trooper replied. "We've got clear screens and no pursuit."
Necrolis nodded to the man, patting him on the shoulder before looking once again to his apprentice. Jaesa was once again running checks on the systems, head down and keeping quiet. Necrolis felt a pang of guilt knowing his words had upset her, but it was fleeting as in the end such made her stronger. He had done what he had and he did not regret it, since it had kept her alive.
"Pierce get Asha a channel on the holo terminal. She needs to contact her people." Necrolis said and the trooper moved quickly to comply. Necrolis did not need to look to know the man paused at the entry, casting a glance back at he and Jaesa both, but it was a fleeting moment and Asha was quick to follow him out.
"Apprentice." Necrolis said calmly as he stood behind her, arms crossed and watching her intently.
Jaesa winced slightly hearing his voice. She had known sooner or later Necrolis would seek her out over what had happened. She regretted speaking out of turn so, more so in front of everyone. It was one thing had it just been those that made up the crew, but there had been many more people. She knew better than that, and had been chiding herself for such ever since. Necrolis had been nothing but patient and understanding. He had been a good master to her, and she had learned so much from him. Still, there was little doubt she had harmed that relationship now.
"Jaesa." Necrolis said her name and she turned to look up at him, golden eyes seeking to stare at a point on his chest, not wanting to meet that stern gaze.
"Master, I am sorry for my outburst." Jaesa said quickly, voice almost a whisper.
Necrolis shook his head before leaning down, hands going to the young woman's shoulders and staring her in the face. Jaesa jumped at the sudden contact before finally staring into his eyes. He looked at his apprentice and could not help but smile slightly. She had grown so very well and come into her own. If she could stand up to him, even if it had been foolish, then she was indeed ready.
"You have come a long way indeed, apprentice." Necrolis said softly. "I can teach you no more. You are ready to learn the rest on your own, making your own decisions. Only experience holds you back now."
Jaesa blinked at the words, caught completely off guard by her Master. Where she had expected to be raked over the coals for what she had done, he praised her. For a moment she had the thought it was a trick, some sort of test, but she knew Necrolis better than that. He had been the only one not to lie to her, try and manipulate her. He had been the one to set her free.
"From now on you are your own person, Jaesa." Necrolis stated, rising back up and looking down at her. "One day you will come fully into your own and take my place. I see you shall do great things."
"Master…" Jaesa said but the words she wanted to speak died in her throat. Instead she rose and then leapt into him, wrapping arms about him in a tight hug.
"Ok, ok." Necrolis growled at her as he disengaged her from him and gave her a curt look before winking at her. "Not in front of the jedi!"
"Never." Jaesa laughed and nodded back at him. "Master, about Quinn. I didn't feel anything."
"I know." Necrolis said and scowled, hoping that could only mean one thing but not daring to say such.
SPACE – NAR SHADDAA
The massive Harrower class dreadnaught hung over the planet of Nar Shaddaa, the flagship for Darth Marr giving those coming and going an impressive sight. The ship was modified, larger and more impressive than even the BSX-5 model that had been used by many, including Darth Jadus. Marr, being in charge of the military, had ensured his dreadnaught was one to inspire fear as well as awe.
The Vaiken, named after the founder who had built and replenished the Imperial Navy centuries ago, was double the size of the normal dreadnaught, bristling with turbo lasers, ion cannons, and tractor beams. Proton torpedo batters dotted the top side of the ship. It was beyond any shadow of a doubt, a ship made for a singular purpose, war.
Darth Marr looked out the viewport, taking in the three hundred and sixty panoramic view. Behind him, he could hear the whispering voices and hurried steps of the crew as they went about their tasks. They were all competent, Marr knew. If they were not, they did not last long on his ship. Marr did not suffer ineptitude well. He sensed the presence before he had even looked, turning to watch the Grand Moff and two Captains approaching, along with the one he could sense.
Darth Pyrannus had been a promising student on Korriban. He had taken a great interest in her as she had risen through the ranks, and finally he had taken her on as his apprentice. The white furred cathar had passion and fury to spare. She was indeed powerful in the dark side of the force. As was her habit, her attire left him annoyed. The woman wore a hooded armoured top that wrapped over her shoulders and breasts, then bared her stomach down to her waist. Black armoured pants, and knee high boots completed the outfit for her.
"My lord!" Moff Traegus said, bowing before Marr.
Marr was in no mood for flattery. The day had not gone at all well for them. Not only had they not captured or killed those he was after, they had escaped right through their fingers. They had a rough trajectory, but then Marr doubted they were foolish enough to run from him in a straight line. While the advanced HK-47 droids had failed despite their significant advantage in numbers, there was only one person to blame for those fleeing getting their ships into hyperspace.
You have failed me for the last time." Marr seethed beneath his faceless helmet.
The Dark Lord of the Sith let his hand rise, Moff Traegus likewise rising off his feet to hover above the deck plating. His hands scrabbled at his throat, helpless as he gasped for air that could not reach his lungs. Marr let his fingers close into he had made a fist, then glanced past the man to his apprentice. As if reading his thoughts, Pyrannus drew her lightsaber, the blue blade flaring to life, its core dark blue the energy about it lighter in colour. Drawing the blade back the cathar struck quickly, the blade searing through the Moff as if he were not even there. Marr let the man go then as Pyrannus withdrew her weapon, watching the lifeless body hit the deck. Both Captains stood still, and Marr could see them trembling, the sweat beading their brows. Good, let them know and taste fear. It was, after all, the best motivator.
You are now in command, Moff Breinn." Darth Marr hissed, turning back to stare out the viewport once more. "And do clean up the trash."
Newly appointed Moff Breinn snapped to full attention and saluted then turned to the other Captain.
"Thank you, my Lord!" Breinn offered before barking out his first command. "Captain Jannik get a crew on this immediately and tidy up this bridge."
Pyrannus moved forward, stepping on the corpse of the former commander of the vessel, to stand beside her Master. She had seen such enough times to not even be phased by her Master flexing his powers in a display meant to inspire. Anyone foolish enough not to learn from the dead man's mistakes would not last long on the Vaiken. It would not be the first or the last of the command structure to fear Darth Marr's displeasure.
"Master, you summoned me." Pyrranus said, voice soft and coming out with a hint of a purr.
Marr glanced at his apprentice and nodded his armoured head. Standing before the stars, he clasped his hands behind his back as he spoke.
"Yes. You will seek to draw out my enemies." Marr said, "I am giving you free reign, Pyrannus. Seek out and destroy those of the Darkstar Legacy."
"As you command, my master." Pyrannus grinned a feral grin, flashing pointed teeth. "Where might I begin?"
Marr grinned behind the helmet hearing such from his apprentice. Her eagerness was something he never got tired of. She enjoyed battle, craved it, as well as death. She had a bloodlust that matched and exceeded most warriors. Turning about he cast a glance to her, then motioned with one hand, waving towards the far end of the bridge where the turbo lift doors opened and a pair of Imperial troopers dragged the man before them.
" You may begin with him." Marr stated coldly. " Interrogate him, break him, but do not kill him, my apprentice."
Malavai Quinn watched the deck plating slide along underneath him. His head throbbed with each beat of his heart, but it was more comforting to know it still was working in his chest. Beaten, bloodied, but alive, all Quinn could do was bide his time. He had thought death would claim him, but he had been wrong. Instead he was now a prisoner. May the abyss take me soon, he thought, knowing all too well the pain that was to come. Barely able to lift his head, Quinn cast his gaze up to take in the two sith standing at the end of the long narrow walkway on the command deck. Darth Marr he recognized, his dark black eyes then taking in the female sith beside him. He didn't know her, and honestly he didn't want to. All there was to come would be pain, he knew.
SPACE – THE SABERSEDGE
Kamthar Mantell settled back in the cushion of the long bench seating, closing his eyes a moment and just enjoying the luxury of such. Havoc Squad had caught up with Kyl'thanis Lightstar, cramming into his ship and heading out into space. The jedi still had no real heading, and no communication with the other jedi he was seeking. Much as Kamthar knew the jedi had their ways, it still rankled to have to sit and wait and hope for some sort of feeling to guide them. He was a soldier, after all. You got your orders, you marched there, did what you had to do, and marched back home. It was all cut and dry.
"I could get used to this." Tanno Vik commented and then laughed as he took another drink of alderian ale.
"You're going soft, Tanno." Alric growled over as he glanced away from the dejarik board, where he and Elara were trying to get the better of one another.
"Yeah, right." Tanno shot back.
Kamthar smiled lightly at the banter between the troopers. Downtime was rare indeed, and he was glad they were enjoying it while they could. It was one mission after another when you were the best of the Republic. Havoc Squad had their reputation, one they did well in living up to, but it meant every impossible mission came their way. Sometimes Kamthar missed the simple life of a grunt.
The blinking red light and loud beep from the holo terminal interrupted any further talk. Kamthar sat up, glancing over before looking to Tanno. With a motion of his head he sent the man off to fetch the jedi. His ship, his call, he thought. In moments, Tanno had returned with Kyl'thanis in tow. Kamthar guessed Yuun was left flying the ship since he had taken to sitting in the cockpit and talking with the jedi. Kyl'thanis headed right for the terminal and pressed the button watching the light blue display come to life.
"Kyl'thanis!" Asha Lightstar's image said, a smile coming to her face.
"There you are. I was beginning to worry. Where are you?" Kyl'thanis said, relief clearly evident on his face.
"I'm fine. There have been some interesting developments." Asha explained. "There's trouble."
"I know, we found the bounty list for members of the Republic. We were coming to look for you."
"Who's we?" Asha asked.
"Kamthar Mantell here, master jedi." Kamthar said, shoving up from his comfortable seat to move and stand by Kyl'thanis to be seen. "We're enroute to rescue you."
"Appreciated commander." Asha said and laughed, knowing at least they sent the best of the best to find her. "Not necessary, however. I'm sending co-ordinates for rendezvous. Be advised I'm in strange company these days and you are not to take any aggressive action upon arrival. Understood?"
"Understood, master jedi." Kamthar said, now curious.
Kyl'thanis checked and double checked the co-ordinates as Asha terminated the call. Glancing to the leader of Havoc Squad the jedi could only shrug. Something was going on, and until they got where they were going, it would be a mystery they could not answer.
"We have our heading. It's time to get to work." Kamthar smiled and patted the jedi on the back.
Asha connected immediately after ending her first call, watching as Doc picked up the signal right away. Likely worried he won't get to give me my next physical, Asha thought with a grin. Much as she tried, Asha knew she couldn't fight the fact she liked the man. A momentary pang of guilt hit her, knowing such would land her in trouble with the jedi council if it ever came to light.
"Hey there beautiful, we were starting to get a bit worried!" Doc said in that smooth talking way he always had.
"Nothing to worry about. I'm sending co-ordinates." Asha replied, getting right down to business. "I want you all to rendezvous here. I'll meet you but it's on your best behaviour. No fighting unless I say so. Clear?"
"What's going on? Where are you?" Kira Carson shoved Doc out of the way, taking over from the man in the holo display, and Asha smiled to the young woman.
"Kira, relax. I am fine." Asha said, smiling at the concern shown from her. "It's just a bad situation, and the company is… well… different. I don't want anyone jumping the gun as it were."
"Alright." Kira said with a frown, not quite liking the secretive and vague answer she had gotten. She knew better than to argue however, and she trusted Asha completely.
"Make sure you relay that to Rusk especially, I don't need him shooting up the place."
"Copy that, darling." Doc commented from out of view and Asha watched as Kira made a gagging face, causing her to laugh.
"Kira, keep a careful watch. Don't get followed." Asha warned before cutting the transmission.