Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Apr 6, 2006 17:53:15 GMT -5
Cudearga merely looked stubborn. "Skywalker, don't start. I told Katarn why I couldn't stay, and going over the same old routine isn't going to change anything." She inclined her head. "I'll help the girl, if she's still alive. She has a chance." Her voice sounded weary.
"And you don't?"
"... I don't mean it that way, Master Skywalker. I just mean she could be more than I ever was, even at my best." Cudearga looked away.
"I see you still have your lightsaber, a tool you earned. I have never regretted naming you a Knight, Cudearga."
"Oh." Cudearga drew out the decorated bone tube and considered it, than tossed it at Luke's feet. "Whatever you think, sir, I'm not what I should have been." She walked away, looking to neither the left, nor the right. For a change, she was feeling strangely centered. The usual undercurrent of self doubt had abandoned her. It took a second to realize that if she got out the door, it would be her last schism with the Academy. She could move on with the business of living, and stop worrying every time her rage muttered. She could just be a wookie. Except, of course, the force would still be there. She would still be able to track the girl and the hooded man, even if she chose not to. The dark furred wookie's eyes were open, and she had no way to close them. She might not be able to rejoin the Temple, but she couldn't just live a normal life, either. She hesitated.
Master Luke was suddenly in front of her, holding out her saber in his hands. The heavy bone tube was too big for his hands. "Cudearga, whether you see it or not, you are a true jedi. We all have our struggles, and, since yours seem to lead you away from the Academy, know you are always welcome inside these doors. Now, take back your lightsaber."
The big wookie reached out gingerly. The bone outside conformed perfectly to her hand. The beads swayed gently back and forth on the hilt. She activated it, tapping one of the exposed buttons. It had been two years since she'd last seen the blue blade hum to life, but it was just as she remembered it. It was as beautiful as her bowcaster, deadly power combined with grace and elegance. For a lightsaber, it was relatively quiet, with a sort of hum that sounded like a rainstorm barraging dry leaves. The hilt had been a labor of love for her, and the spiraling red and black patterns over the bone were indeed beautiful. The beads clacked softly as she half slipped into her old opening stance, a low guard with both hands on the saber and the knees heavily bent. It could turn to a strike as quickly as a block. Cudearga turned her saber off. "I haven't felt right about using it since I broke contact. You may as well keep it." Still, she didn't hand it back, and Luke made no move to take it.
"You're going after the girl, no matter what, aren't you?"
Cudearga's eyes flashed. "I've never left a child in danger. If it means my life, I'm willing. Besides, I have the scent. How can I do any different?" She stopped, suddenly, as another Jedi entered the room. At least, he was wearing a lightsaber, but he looked more like a spacer than a jedi. Cudearga was on him in three steps and lifted him in the air for a hug. "Kyle!" she shouted, delightedly.
Master Kyle Katarn gasped for breath, then punched the wookie on her shoulder. "Dearga! I knew you'd be back sooner or later, you oversized ewok!"
Cudearga's face darkened, and she looked away quickly. "I'm not staying, Master Katarn. Just passing through."
Kyle looked at her with concern in his eyes. "Anyhow, it's good to see you're still in one piece. How's your problem doing?"
"Likewise, Kyle. I figured you'd have some new blaster scars to show me. I think I've managed to improve, too. I just need some more time on my own." Kyle nodded understandingly. Speaking technically, he hadn't taken an apprentice yet, but, since he found Cudearga and had helped her throughout her time at the Academy, she respected him as much as her former master. Cudearga hadn't taken an apprentice before she'd left, another regret. When I get control. When I don't have to worry about going madclaw whenever I use my wookie rage. When I know that I won't draw on the force in rage again. Then, I can take an apprentice and come home. The men and women in this room knew how she felt, and why she no longer stood with them. They also knew how badly Cudearga wanted to feel herself in control enough to rejoin them.
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Apr 6, 2006 22:36:43 GMT -5
(OOC: The only thing I'll say is... Told you I'd be adding more to the plot.
At the time of Yllona's battle, someone else was watching with great interest. Upon initial inspection, the figure was that of a man, lean, strong, and limber. He was watching a hologram seen through the eyes of one of the Underworlder Hunters. When he saw one of the Hunters fire the dart at the girl, he slammed his fist down on the desk.
“Idiots! I told them to bring her unconscious, not dead!” he cried. They were all incompetant fools. And he hated dealing with fools. Still, he watched the battle with great interest. When the hologram suddenly went dark, he knew how it ended.
“Yes, she is the Intrinsic Shadow,” he spoke to his aide next to him. The other man looked at him, confusedly.
“The Intrinsic Shadow, M'Lord? The one the Oracle spoke of?”
“The one and the same.”
“But Lord Ulryk, I thought that you were the Intrinsic Shadow...”
The man laughed. “If I can get rid of her and acquire her power, I will be. It's proving difficult when I have to deal with idiots like those Hunters.” He looked at the view from another Hunter and noticed the hooded figure.
“Hmmm, interesting. A Dark Side user. It's rare to find one not of our race who can master it.” He frowned. “He could also prove a problem if he's interfering with Yllona. We cannot have her learning to control her abilities, lest my conquest fails.”
The man stood and walked over to one of the large windows that overlooked his kingdom. Gained by treachery, he knew that Yllona was the only threat to his throne and the one thing that prevented his coronation. For eight long years he searched for her, and now he found her. He would keep what he fought to acquire, no matter the cost. His hard, indigo eyes, that perfectly matched the indigo streak in his close cropped white hair, swept over his kingdom before turning to his aide.
“I think it's time we stepped up our efforts. Send another group of Underworld Hunters to the Jedi on Coruscant as a message to keep out of this. And bring me an Underworld Stalker.”
The aide sputtered. “A Stalker M'Lord? But why...?”
“They're better suited for acquiring things, vassal. I need Yllona alive, and a Stalker will have a better chance of seeing this done right.” Ulryk waved his hand, and the aide bowed and left to fulfill his lord's wishes.
“Run where you will, Yllona. I will find you...” he whispered to the stars.
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Post by Christopher on Apr 6, 2006 22:49:58 GMT -5
The sith gently let his new apprentice slump to the ground. He straightened up, and glared at the interlopers that had dared to interrupt his meeting with the girl, again. The man gripped the lightsaber in his hand, his thumb dangling over the activation switch.
“You are fools for sticking your scrawny xeno hides where it does not belong!” He growled to the creatures “You will pay for crossing my path!”
Before any of the creatures could bat an eyelash, the creature that stood closest to the dark knight was emitting terrible gargling noises, as a vibroblade slashed its way through his throat. The creature fell to his knees, grasping at the gaping wound on his throat, fruitlessly trying to stem the flow of blood. His efforts proved fruitless, and the strange creature was soon lying lifeless at the sith’s feet.
The robed figure stood in a battle stance, wielding a vibroblade—he had discarded the lightsaber for his sword. The other creatures stared, dumbfounded, worried that any movement would provoke the dark one to strike. But even this could not have prevented another attack.
The sith dashed towards them, and brought the heavy blade down on one of their skulls, killing him instantaneously. A quick slash brought another creature down. By this time, the aliens had recovered from the shock of the human’s fast reflexes, and readied to retaliate.
One of the aliens lashed out with his staff, but the dark one’s honed skills were too fast. Another of the creatures cried out in surprise when his comrades bashed his skull with their staff, leaving him unconscious on the alley ground. The xeno which had just hit his comrade, stood, shocked. Not only from the surprise had he got when he struck his own teammate, but also from the vibroblade that had just impaled him.
The dark man pulled his blade out of the creature’s body, stood up, and stared at the last one; an evil smirk was on his face. The creature was trembling when he brought his staff up to a defensive formation. The robed man laughed at the creature’s poor attempt to save himself. A gloved hand left the sith’s side, and was extended to the poor creature, who clicked in fear, when he felt an invisible hand grab his entire body. The invisible force that held the creature lifted him from the ground, and began to constrict all around him. The alien let out one last agonized cry before it was all over—I’m sparing the squeamish of any other details.
All of the creatures now lay vanquished—since the sith ran the unconscious one through before standing by Yllona’s side. Gingerly, the dark one knelt down to take Yllona in his arms, and carried her away from the alley. It was time for the shadowed one to depart from Corocent; it wouldn’t be long until the jedi council made the decision to send more jedis out after him. It wouldn’t be long until they discovered one of their sith holocrons was missing.
With Yllona tenderly cradled in his arms, the sith slipped through the city unnoticed, as he made his way to the space docks.
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Apr 8, 2006 22:03:06 GMT -5
Yllona's heart struggled to beat the thick sluggish blood through her oxygen starved body. She was dying in her master's arms, and he was still too far from his ship to administer an antidote. Looking down at her lifeless face, the man could not help but feel the tiniest sense of urgency. He centered himself, tapping into the force, using it to expand and contract the muscles of her diaphragm, allowing her lungs to draw in oxygen. It was enough, for he sensed life trickling back into her body. She still needed the antidote, but at least she'd survive until he could give it to her. He felt a tingling sensation in his mind; she was projecting her thoughts again. No... not her thoughts. Her dreams. She was dreaming.
_-^-_
Fire. All around her was fire. They were burning it. Her home. Everything. The shouts and cries were deafening. She cried, wanting her mother, but mother could not be found. He was coming. He would find her. He would take her away, and she would die. Just like mother. Just like everyone else. They were there. Soldiers. Coming to take her away. Coming to destroy the last monarch. She looked at them, eyes flashing with scorn... and hatred. They took everything away. She would take it all away. It would all go away.
Again she heard it. Like the countless times she dreamed it before. The song. The lullaby her mother would sing. Forgotten when she awoke, in the dark, she would hear it again.
Hush now, my baby, Be still, Love, don't cry. Sleep 'til the dawn light's first gleam. Sleep and remember, my last lullaby, So I'll be with you, when you dream.
_-^-_
The man was startled from his reverie; having come to a full stop while inside her head. He'd probed people's thoughts, but this was different. He was there, with her, seeing her, what he assumed was, eight years ago. Yes, there was shadow in her heart, but it seemed somehow, it had been there since the day of her birth.
---,--'--(@
Katarn was about to say something else, when he tensed, sensing something. Glancing over at Luke, his eyes clouded with concern.
“You sense it, too?”
Luke nodded, then paled. “The padawans!”
The two men sprinted out of the room and down the hall, Cudearga, Jacob, Japoka, and the others in hot pursuit. When they made it to the main level, they skidded to a halt and gaped at the sight that greeted them. Nearly 2 dozen tall humanoids in gray-brown floor length cloaks had backed a small group of padawans against a wall. They were brandishing EMP staves, and looked ready to finish the job.
One noticed the group of new arrivals and clicked to his comrades, who spun around and faced them. Menacingly, they advanced on the group of Jedi. They had their orders, and they would carry them out... to the last creature standing.
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Apr 9, 2006 10:48:28 GMT -5
Cudearga's bellow was deafening. She didn't even bother with weapons; she barreled into the first creature between her and the children. It was nearly as tall as her, but the wookie was double the mass of the slender humaniod. It obeyed the laws of physics and went flying. She turned on the closest with a snarl and sunk her teeth into its shoulder. She hardly bothered slowing down, but drug the creature with her. It brought its staff up, but Cudearga grabbed the center and, with her greater strength, wrested the weapon from the creature's hands. The back swing caught its head, and it went limp. Cudearga dropped it and spat blood from her mouth.
She now was between the children and the creatures, who had split into several groups. The confines didn't allow for use of a grenade, much to her regret. Most of the padwans were unarmed, or had only training sabers. Some had blasters. They were woefully underarmed, and Cudearga regretted leaving her weapons behind. At least she still had her lightsaber. She tossed it to a young bothan, who ignited the weapon instantly. The hilt was too big, but the weapon was more lethal than the staffs. It was also better than the training sabers that most of the children had.
"Form three ranks! Unarmed, drop back! Heal any injured, give us what support you can! Second rank, ranged weapons! Provide protection! Third rank, to me! Wedge formation, strongest behind me, fastest on the wings! They're very slender, so close and break some bones! Don't play at who's quicker, just bludgeon them." Five children, armed with training sabers and Cudearga's own lightsaber, formed up behind her. It looked like the masters were giving a very good account of themselves, but now there was a group of eight facing her little group of padwans. She roared and charged. Cudearga could be said to be unarmed, but that was only from a certain point of view. There was no time to hold back or wonder if what she was doing was the right way. She trusted her instincts, honed by years of combat. She had fought in groups before and she knew the way of it. Her opponents had spread out, so as not to interfere with each other, a disadvantage of the longer weapons. She reached out to her little group, helping to hold them together and steady. She felt them reaching back, bonding into a unit.
When the wedge hit the line, Cudearga shoved, throwing her light opponents aside like straw. "Wheel!" she bellowed. The children, connected with Cudearga and each other, wasted no time in transforming the wedge formation into a circle. The eight Hunters closed in. They were reluctant to come to grips with the massive wookie herself, which was part of her plan. As they tried to surround the small circle, they jostled one another. Their weapons were hard to deploy in close quarters, yet the children and the wookie were quite literally back to back. The Hunters tried to draw one or another into breaking rank, but, reaching out to each other, the circle was unbreakable. They stood rock steady, refusing to be pulled out by feints. Even massive Cudearga was still, though she rumbled. Obviously, one, two, or more could attack together and possibly break the circle, but the damage a lightsaber could do was well known, and the bothan female with the over sized lightsaber had an unnerving smile. The Hunters circled around the tight jedi formation, probing for weaknesses.
Their own control was admirable. Unfortunately, their backs were exposed, and the children Cudearga had left with distance weapons lost no time in making their presence known. A blaster shot took one of them through the arm, and, when they turned to meet the new menace, the bothan girl took the opportunity to close with her distracted opponent. It was a single rush, all her effort centered on the stab. The other's guard was a fraction of a second too slow. The Hunter next to the downed one brought his staff up to avenge his comrade before the girl could bring the saber into a high guard. Cudearga launched herself into him. Both rolled across the floor, but Cudearga's greater muscle carried the day again, and she threw him into the wall. His head hit with a thunk, and he didn't move again. The blaster pistol fired with great precision, and another dropped. Cudearga hurled herself back into the fight.
She lost herself, trusting purely to instinct and the force. Her paws swiped with bonebreaking power, while around her, she saw that the children had mostly paired off to take the remaining Hunters. The bothan girl landed at her side and grinned up. She swung Cudearga's saber into a medium guard, deflecting a swipe from her opposites staff, and aimed a kick under the other's guard. He avoided it, but, off balance, it was a simple matter for Cudearga to grab and hurl him. The remaining Hunters were being surrounded and picked apart by the children. This fight was over. Cudearga charged towards the masters and their opponents. She was surprised that the bothan girl remained with her.
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Apr 9, 2006 21:53:14 GMT -5
(OOC: Why does everyone want to kill off my guys?! They're not bad, they're just... okay... so they are bad. But no one got hurt. And sorry, Katrina. I controlled Cudearga a little, but I tried to stay in character. If its bad, let me know and I'll fix it.)
Luke wanted to help the younglings, but when he saw that Cudearga seemed to have everything under control, he could focus on his own problem. The creature before him seemed to be different from all the others. Luke could sense it. Something deep within this creature. Something dark. Even though this creature was sightless, it's cloudy off-white eyes still seemed to bore seep into his soul.
Finally, the creature seemed to tire of this game. “Stop!” it commanded. Luke was speechless to discover that the creature was speaking with it's mind. Apparently, it was mute as well as blind. What surprised him even more was the fact that everything did indeed stop. No one could move. It was physically impossible.
Suddenly, Luke felt a coldness grip his heart. It was colder than space itself. Everyone else felt it too, especially, the padawans. They all fell to their knees, shivering and gasping at the darkness that permeated the entire room. All of it emanating from the brown-robed Hunter-that-was-not-a-Hunter.
He stood before them, tall and majestic. “If we truly wished you harm, then the outcome of this confrontation would have been different.”
One of the younger Jedi masters snorted and the creature turned to him. Raising a hand, the young master was lifted into the air with relative ease, even though it was apparent that he was resisting. The creature's grip did not falter as he flicked his wrist forward and the young man shot backwards, crashing into the wall and falling to the ground. The young man wasn't seriously hurt, just stunned.
”I would not scorn that which I do not know, if I were you,” it said, patronizingly. He turned his attention back to Luke and the others. ”I bring a message from our Overworld Leader. Stay out of my lord's business. The fate of the Overworld Monarch, Yllona, is of no consequence to you, and if you try to interfere, there will be repercussions.”
His sightless gaze rested on Cudearga. ”In shadow, we are born, and only shadow may defeat us and break the bond which hold you in your light.” Amazingly, as he spoke, the felled Hunters rose, straightening themselves and rearming. They clicked warily at each other before rallying behind the other strange creature, who hushed them into silence. The creature's gliding step brought him over to Cudearga and the young female Bothan who knelt, shivering, at her feet. She growled at him, but he paid her no mind and knelt to face the young padawan.
”Are you cold?” he asked her, his long-fingered hand tilting her face up to his. She nodded, saying nothing, her eyes fearful of what he might do to her. Suddenly, Cudearga saw Yllona in the young Bothan: Fearfully kneeling in front of a dark figure who had the power to end her life if he chose.
In an instant of rage, she broke free of the creature's mental grasp and charged him, swiping a deadly powerful paw at his face. During that instant, the creature gripped the young Bothan female by the back of the neck and swung her out of the way before turning around and ducking underneath the fatal swipe, using the force of the Wookie's momentum to trip her up. Cudearga stumbled, but did not fall. But by the time she regained her footing, the creature had retrieved his EMP staff and held it at her throat. He grinned, knowingly.
”Only darkness can break the bonds that hold the light. You snapped them fairly easily. I'm impressed that a Jedi would have such knowledge of the shadow's use.” He clicked to the group of Hunters, who bowed, then seemed to vanish before their eyes. The other creature remained. ”You all would be wise to heed this message. Light has no place interfering with Shadow. There are things hidden there which those who have come before you, calling themselves 'Sith', have only scratched the surface. For your own safety, and the safety of those you hold dear, stay away from the Shadow.”
“Is that a threat?” Katarn piped up.
“No, Jedi. We do not make threats. Just a warning. I could do no less.” With a flourishing bow, the creature seemed to simply disappear.
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Apr 11, 2006 8:15:02 GMT -5
((Well, technically speaking, Cudearga didn't kill anyone, just dish out concussions and a toothy shoulder wound.))
Cudearga dropped to her knees and embraced the girl. Her heart was beating surprisingly fast, and they clung together. Cudearga needed the comfort as much as the girl; her control had slipped so easily. To protect the children, would I turn to the power of the dark side? she wondered. It seemed the question had been answered with a yes. She wondered if that constituted a true fall. The bothan girl was small, and seemed even younger than Yilona. The same age as... She banished thoughts of the slavers from her mind. The past was a place for pain and regrets, and she didn't need to mope now.
Kyle had gone to help the young master to his feet, while Luke was talking to some of the others. Cudearga got, shakily, to her feet. The child rose with her. Kyle Katarn, who was supporting the younger man, noted that. All gathered around Luke. Cudearga changed her breathing to a steady, even pattern, and used the breathing technique to calm herself.
Kyle lounged against one of the pillars. "We've faced plenty of darksiders before, and sent them home crying to their mothers. These don't seem that different, despite their claims. Mystic hooplah aside, the light side has its own power, and is a match for the dark side. I've got a few ideas about what should work. So, they got the jump on us once, but when we're ready for them..." He grinned, and fondled his lightsaber hilt.
Luke sighed. Kyle was always a hothead. "We should excercise patience and calm. Perhaps we underestimated them once. We should not let it happen again."
"I'm not leaving the girl!" Cudearga barked, determination in every word.
"No one is suggesting you should. However, we also need to think of protecting the Temple against repercussions of our involvement. Cudearga, if you want to represent the Academy in this matter, you must reclaim your title."
Cudearga stared at him, blankly. This was not what she had been expecting. She inhaled deeply, then let it out slowly. "Yes, Master Skywalker." So, this was how the mantle came back to her - for the sake of a child, when she had just proven that her control was nowhere near what it should be. She bowed her head.
"Cudearga, you have always proven yourself surprisingly unselfish. It should not shock you that the Temple has kept track of your actions, even in your self-imposed exile. You spent most of your time fighting slavers and remnants where you encountered them. When you earned credits, you were willing to share them with those who had less. Your actions were worthy of a true Jedi. It was recommended you take an apprentice."
Once again, Cudearga was speechless. It was Kyle who broke the silence. "You know," he said, gesturing at the young bothan, "Reeshaw needs a master." The girl clung tighter to Cudearga, and the protests already rising up in her throat died.
"She'll need a proper lightsaber, then. Maybe a good blaster or two, and a stealth field generator sounds nice for this one. I'll also need a ship for myself and whoever comes along with me." The bothan girl handed the dark furred wookie's lightsaber back. Cudearga ruffled the girl's fur absentmindedly.
"Me, for one," Kyle jumped in. "I've fought plenty of darksiders in my time, and The Raven's Claw is as good a ship as you'll finf.
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SilvanoshiS
Apprentice
flightless and loving it
Posts: 143
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Post by SilvanoshiS on Apr 11, 2006 14:45:58 GMT -5
"I have a ship, and I'm sure I could procure the blasters and the generator." Jacob had no idea what he was saying, this girl ment nothing to him. But the chase, the hunt called to him. He would be a hunter again, and would be doing what he most loved. "When do you want to leave?"
Jacob had no problem getting what he needed, the blasters were in his ship and the steath generator was given to him as a returned favor from a business associate. "Where exactly are we headed anyway?" Jacob asked Cudeara as he showed her around the ship's interior. Jacob thought it might make her nervous seeing the holding cells in the cargo bay along with the various weapons and vehicles therein. In the workroom, the converted second sleeping compartment, still had a loft bed, but little else except the desk with all the tools to make lightsabers and a shelf with books that seemed to vary on subjects ranging from history of Tatooene to Business theory in the core worlds, the rest of the wall space was mostly weapons mounted on the walls, just in case. His room was the most like a room of any place on the ship, still only a loft bed, but other personal effects were in here as well. The cockpit was the final place he showed her, and it was surprisingly spacious inside when it looked like a one seater from the outside. Four chairs were here, two of which had controls, and one of the control chairs was taken up by a deactivated co-piolot droid.
"Well, this is my boat, what do you think? We can leave whenever you like."
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Post by Christopher on Apr 11, 2006 22:21:05 GMT -5
The shadow of a man held his new apprentice close, and wandered the streets, towards the port. Help for the young women was not far off, and she would soon be safe on a ship destined for a target known only to the hooded man.
"Sir!" an armed guard snapped a salute
After half an hour of walking through the streets of the slums, the shadow reached the platform that his ship was docked at. The platform had been cut off to public access, and several armed men paced the lenght of the walkway that lead to a small ship.
"My lord, the cargo has been loaded onto the ship, and we're ready to leave Corocent."
The guard's eyes momentarily glimpsed at the limp body that his master held, and was tempted to ask, but knew questioning his master would only lead to agony.
Fifteen minutes later, the ship's engines roared to life. The ship hovered briefly over the landing platform, before it turned 180 degrees, and engaged its engines. The ship was gone in a flash.
"Master, what do you wish to do with the girl?"
"Take her to the medical bay, and treat her for paralysine"
The guard took the young women from his master and nodded, before making an aboutface to the medical bay.
"oh" the dark figure added "and I'll be in my quaters, have no one disturb me"
"Yes, my lord"
A young man, the same age as Yllona in appearance, watched from around a corner. He glared at the young girl, and growled to himself. He could sense the force within her, and could figure out why his master had brought her here...
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Dakota
Junior Scholar
Breathe Deep, Read Fast
Posts: 363
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Post by Dakota on Apr 12, 2006 9:27:59 GMT -5
Japoka Walked around the ship yards tyring to find his new "companions". He had to wait and sneak out of the temple because he new master Skywalker would not approve of him going with out his master. Then again that's what happened in the first place. He had snuck out to get alone and saw a girl walk right into the hands of a Sith. "Master Carlona is going to kill me" "There they are!" He saw them climb into a ship on the other side of the platform. He ran to them, Not knowing if they were leaving immediately or not. He walked up the ramp and saw Cudearga, Jacob, Kyle, and Reeshaw (the little girl) in the cockpit. Before he could say anything Master Kyle said "Hello Japoka I was wondering when you would show up." "Hello Master. Does anyone know where we are headed?"
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Apr 12, 2006 15:46:56 GMT -5
Again, Yllona's heart slowed to an almost standstill. Though the Paralysine had affected all her other muscles, her heart had yet to be conquered. Her mind, too refused to shut down and continued to work, albeit unfocused. She was aware, but not coherent.
---,--'--(@
The guard gazed down at the frail-looking girl in his arms. With her height, he was expecting her to weigh more, but she seemed to weigh no more than 70 or 80 pounds. For a man used to carrying his own body weight in armor and weapons, she was almost nothing. He had no idea why his master wanted the girl; she wasn't that much of a looker. In fact, apart from her stunning milk-white hair with the off-center violet streak, he himself would've probably passed her on the street without a second glance. Although, her face did bear a slightly royal look to it...
He shrugged. It wasn't his business, and he'd be wise and alive to stay out of it. Just follow orders. He laid her down on one of the examining tables in the med bay and looked her over. He saw blood from a nasty bump on her head and ordered a full bacta tank to be filled. She'd need some time in there to heal it properly. While the med droids set about readying and filling the tank, he took out a syringe filled with an orange-red serum. Injecting it into her neck, he readied her for the tank.
---,--'--(@
Again there was fire. But this time, it was not in her mind, but instead spreading through her body. An acidic burn coursed through her veins as the antidote purged her functionless muscles of its Paralysine captor. And it continued to spread an swell until the agony was almost too much to bear.
Just when she thought she could take no more, she was freezing. She had been dropped into a frigid liquid that bubbled all around her. Her eyes shot open and she gazed at the world through liquid. Her lungs began to burn for oxygen, but she still couldn't move her arms or legs to propel her towards the surface. She was drowning. It was too much, she couldn't hold her breath any longer. She took a deep breath, assuming it would be a liquid one; instead was pure oxygen. She then realized she sported a mask over her nose and mouth attached to a hose that fed oxygen to her from a nearby generator.
Yllona hung there, suspended in the mysterious liquid, eyes unfocused and mind reaching billions of thoughts away. Outside, she was near shivering in the frigid liquid, while inside, her body flamed. She began to mentally reach; not for the Light, where everything could be seen, and not for the Dark, even though her 'master' resided there. No she reached for that place where the two met. The Shadows that balanced. That place of 'betweens'. Between Pain and Relief. Between Fire and Ice. Between Sleeping and Waking. Between Darkness and Light.
---,--'--(@
The young man watched her with animosity. He had not only sensed the force in her, but also sensed the shadows in her as well. He knew the rule of the Sith: Only two; and this girl was a threat to him. He walked over and placed a hand on the glass that separated them and looked at her more closely. She wore nothing save the black second-skin tank top and a pair of matching shorts that barely came to her mid-thigh. She was thin; unnaturally so, with almost no muscle build whatsoever.
Physically, she seemed to be no threat to him at all; but he knew better. His master wasn't interested in muscle alone. No, she would have to be strong or truly gifted to catch his attention.
He stepped back and regarded her, thoughtfully. He knew the best way to deal with a threat was to face it and destroy it, but first, he had to speak to his master; find out just how much a threat this girl was.
He slipped silently out of the med bay and made his way to his master's quarters. Orders or no orders, he would learn the truth from his master, no matter the cost...
(OOC: Such competition... Oh dear... *is worried for Yllona's safety*)
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Apr 13, 2006 14:01:03 GMT -5
Cudearga was rather surprised to find not one, but two children accompanying them. It would be dangerous, and, while Master Kyle could handle anything, and Jacob certainly seemed like he'd been around. The cells worried her more than she cared to admit. She resolved to keep a close eye on Reeshaw. The girl was surprisingly fierce, but she didn't speak much. Then there was the twi'lek boy, definitely a surprise. Judging from the grin on Kyle's face, it was just more trouble. Oh joy. Sure enough, Kyle guffawed. "Japoka, you manage more trouble than all the padwans combined. I should just send you straight back." He paused, then snickered. "I won't, of course."
Cudearga had the girl's scent in her nostrils and her aura in the Force. They hadn't had time enough to escape the former hunter's senses. She was not particularly outstanding at any other use of the Force, but she could always track her target. "Get us off the ground, and I'll tell you where to go. I can feel the child and the dark one." Their path shone with ripples left behind. It surprised Cudearga to discover traces of yet another Force user overlapping theirs. Cudearga was very troubled. Her slip scared her. She had hoped she had better control. Too much had happened in the past few hours. She looked down at the lightsaber hanging from her bandoleer. So, it was time to use it again, heh?
There was also the small matter of Reeshaw. The massive female wookie decided that lightsaber forms probably weren't the best idea on the cramped ship. Practicing meditation techniques would be best, but Cudearga knew that that wouldn't build a tight bond between master and apprentice. She reached down to hold the girl's shoulder. "Perhaps you and young Japoka should take advantage of the journey to catch up on some reading. Knowledge is a true strength." Reeshaw nodded vigorously and vanished. The dark furred Jedi knew it was a temporary measure at best, but it would be good for the the girl.
The ship seemed reliable enough. Perhaps it wasn't quite as elegant as Kyle's Raven's Claw, but it was certainly less recognizable, a problem that also existed with Kyle himself. Speaking of which... Kyle seemed to have vanished as well. Knowing him, he was probably getting a better look at all the weapons. She sat heavily in the spare seats with no controls and sighed. "It looks to be a good ship, and I'm sure you can fly her with the best. Forgive me - I suppose none of us has had an easy day, but suddenly I'm a Jedi Knight again, with a Padwan in tow, chasing after a man who might be a match for Kyle, and there's also a bunch of skinny half-immortals, and I'm doing it all on a whim. Sometimes the will of the Force is hard to follow." Cudearga flicked her beaded mane back. Her eyes suddenly grew intense and perhaps a little dangerous. "Have you ever used those cells to transport slaves?"
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SilvanoshiS
Apprentice
flightless and loving it
Posts: 143
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Post by SilvanoshiS on Apr 13, 2006 15:26:55 GMT -5
"Slaves? I thought you had a better grip on character. No, live bounties only. If they became slaves later, that wasn't my deal, I just haul 'em in for money." Jacob could tell that the cells had bothered her, but he really wasn't a slaver, so he thought it would be ok. "You know, they might want to try saber drills in the cargo bay. I know you say knowledge is your best weapon, but putting up a good fight helps too. I know it's cramped, but we can move the speeder bike and it seems like there's more space in there."
"Good," Cudearga growled.
"As for doing this on a whim, I know what you mean. I woke up thinking of joyriding and maybe going to the bar. Boy was I wrong. The council seemed nice enough though." Jacob said this and walked out, going to find the otheres to make sure everyone was accounted for and ready for takeoff.
He found the padawans studying in the workshop, and Kyle messing with the weapons. "Break any of those and you'll find out what my sabers do," Jacob said mockingly to Kyle.
With that, he settled into his chair, put his goggles on, and lifted off into the blackness of space.
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Dakota
Junior Scholar
Breathe Deep, Read Fast
Posts: 363
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Post by Dakota on Apr 13, 2006 17:46:24 GMT -5
Japoka was in the workshop with reeshaw looking at the lightsabers. He hadn't really met her much he knew she was friends with Master Skywalker's niece but he didnt know much more.
"I'm Japoka" he said "I know, Jason and Jaiana talk about you some times" "What do they say?" "Just that there are times when Master Skywalker wants to kill you" "It must be hard having him for a uncle" "Yeah... Look at this one!" "This design on the blade almost looks Rylothian." "This looks nothing like anything a Twi'lek would even spit at." He pulled out his to pretend to compare the two. He was just trying to bring up a conversation and make her feel like she had a friend. He knew what it was like as a young padawan. Shy, scared, not many friends.
"I wonder where we are going?" Said Japoka "Have you ever met that wookie?" Said Kyle "We could be going anywhere from Tattione to Mustafar." "Let the fun begin"
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Apr 16, 2006 11:56:24 GMT -5
((Well, I suppose it's my turn with story two, since Anon seems to be busy.))
Cudearga helped to set a pursuit course. She doubted that the ship could catch the other in space, but she could feel Yilona. I hope she doesn't learn to mask her presence anytime soon. The whole thing smacked of the will of the Force. It was guiding her life again. She stretched, mentally and physically. Female wookies were usually smaller than their counterparts, but Cudearga reached average size for a male. Even under her shaggy dark fur, powerful muscles tensed when she moved. Those great fangs attracted a certain amount of attention, as did the beads clacking in her mane. She knew that this was a test, and that Kyle was partially here to make sure she passed it. The wookie shifted her weight calmly.
"Look, I'm sorry if I offended you," she rumbled, staring at the stars. "I spent too long in a cell very much like yours when I was a child. I don't like being caged at all." The ship was big enough so that it didn't make her nervous, but there was still a strange restlessness and a sense of being trapped. Jacob was interesting, and, in her own way, Cudearga liked him. He was tough and brave. Whether he admitted it or not, he was risking his ship and his neck to help a kid he didn't even know, and the wookie admired that. She wouldn't make an enemy out of him if she could help it.
Jacob glanced up from the controls, curiously, but Cudearga did not elaborate. "No harm done," he replied, flapping his hand in her direction. She rumbled, but apparently it didn't mean anything, because her datapad didn't translate. Instead, she got to her feet and paced. The big wookie was just short enough so that she only had to crouch at doorways. The ceiling was uncomfortably close, but she wasn't scraping her head. Her beads clacked as she moved, providing a sharp, crisp counterpoint to her heavy footfalls. Of course, if she wanted, she could all but vanish, and move silently. Cudeagra liked the clacking beads. They were kind of comforting.
She felt the lives around her through the Force. Kyle shone with energy. He was really the force to be reckoned with among them. Reeshaw's tight control was remarkable in one so young, while Japoka was full of potential, shining and slightly wild. She paced the ship on her own, avoiding contact with the others yet. There has to be a way to beat them beyond anger. Kyle thinks he knows how, but perhaps some sort of shield... If we can't touch their darkness, there must be some part of our light they can't touch. She put the thoughts aside to ruminate on later, when her mind was more placid. The edginess was still bothering her. I don't need to be doing something. I can rest. She turned, a fitful snarl creasing her face, and the beads snapped a counterpoint. Cudearga was still on a hair trigger, a state she hadn't fell out of since the encounter in the bar.
She walked back to the cockpit and said to Jacob, "If you'd care to join us for some sparring..."
The dark furred wookie turned quickly and walked down to the workroom. She smiled at Reeshaw. "Proper chatterbox when it isn't me, heh?" The bothan grinned at her and nodded. Cudearga laughed and rustled the girl's fur. "I think we should practice some lightsaber forms. We'll probably need them. Switch the power output down to practice intensity."
Kyle wandered into the room, tossing his lightsaber casually from hand to hand. "Ready to get your big furry nonexistent tail handed to you?"
Cudearga laughed. "Any time, old man."
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