Sitting in the conference room, waiting for some sort of signal or anything to tell them what to do, it came.
Where are you, my students? Find me, if you will.
"Alright... Master's not far now. Let's go." Raezyr said. The others nodded, as though they were about to say the same thing. Suddenly they could feel his presence, as though he'd been hiding in plain sight and had removed his cloak.
They made their way down the hall... moving as quick as they could while trying to look inconspicuous in their coveralls. They made it down the hall without notice, and then started down a stairwell when they ran into a patrol.
"You four!" The leader of the patrol called out. "What are you doing? We're in lockdown, and you can't be moving around like this without orders and an escort!"
Trychon was in front, and responded, while still moving slowly towards the patrol and down the stairs. "Well, we were staying in one spot like we're supposed to, and it was all well and good... but then those madmen showed up and started massacring guards. We were lucky to slip by without them seeing us!"
"I didn't hear a distress call..." The leader watched the four start to move past them.
Trychon shrugged at him. "We didn't wait for one or for orders... it was happening really quick. I just knew what was was away from danger and went." He picked up his pace and hurried away.
"Come on, men. Let's find these bastards." The patrol hurried up the stairs.
A few flights down, they found their Master. Still in the lead, Trychon spoke first. He saw the stump where his hand should be, but Eiron wasn't favoring it or making mention, so Trychon didn't either. "Master. We're glad you're here. The place is crawling with guards. They're spread out and could be taken easily at first, but they'd likely have found us and pinned us down while reinforcements came in. What would you have us do?"
January 29, 2009
235. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
Eiron killed the driver of the hovertram and detached the energy couplings, dumping the tram's load. He then brought the tram to the Galactic Senate building, where his students were waiting.
He would need to tend to his wound, but in time. Now it was time to finish the job.
There were presences in a stairwell. Republic soldiers, perhaps two dozen of them, working their way up. Eiron sent the tram into the wall, bulldozing through the stairwell and taking out most of the troops. He absorbed some of the kinetic energy of the crash with the Force, keeping himself from being injured.
The soldiers who weren't killed, he finished off with a few precise cuts of the lightsaber.
"Where are you, my students," Eiron whispered to himself. "Find me, if you will."
He would need to tend to his wound, but in time. Now it was time to finish the job.
There were presences in a stairwell. Republic soldiers, perhaps two dozen of them, working their way up. Eiron sent the tram into the wall, bulldozing through the stairwell and taking out most of the troops. He absorbed some of the kinetic energy of the crash with the Force, keeping himself from being injured.
The soldiers who weren't killed, he finished off with a few precise cuts of the lightsaber.
"Where are you, my students," Eiron whispered to himself. "Find me, if you will."
234. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
As he sprinted through the crowds, Barbagar started to focus himself and draw upon the Force, working to locate the Dark Jedi who had killed Master Treemba. He was easy to find.
The Dark Jedi was leaping through the air and cutting at his head.
Barbagar ignited his green lightsaber and twirled it, blocking the Dark Jedi's unanticipated blow. Under better circumstances, Barbagar would have liked to parry, but he hadn't the time. He took two steps back and looked at the Dark Jedi, who was smiling again.
"Did I kill your friend?" the Dark Jedi asked.
"You did. You will go to prison for that."
"Oh, what prison can hold me? Metal breaks and minds bend under the Force."
"Have you ever heard of the Shelter? You go there, and you do not return, no matter how powerful you are."
For that, the Dark Jedi had no response. His attack, rather, was his response, a blur of red sweeping towards any spot Barbagar had exposed. The Jedi Master, however, was an expert with the blade, spinning his weapon in one hand and gracefully deflecting the red with his own shaft of green. Barbagar's Makashi style made his bladework even more efficient than his skills would have allowed on their own.
"You cannot stand against me," Barbagar said. "I am the Light."
Eiron smiled back at him. "I am the Shadow. I consume." He reached out and grasped for Barbagar's arm. His right hand clenched Barbagar's left at the wrist and for a second the Jedi Master reeled, the color fading from his cheeks. Eiron smiled, strengthened by the Master's strength, reinforced by his power.
Then, Barbagar brought his blade around and removed Eiron's hand. The muscles severed, the fingers slacked and the hand fell.
Eiron reverted to his own Makashi style and fought with one hand, barely acknowledging that he had lost his limb. The wound was cauterized and did not bleed. Barbagar did not acknowledge his victory, either: it did not mean victory in the fight, and to dominate Eiron's will through gloating would be a Sith art and was frowned upon.
Eiron's moves became quicker, faster, Barbagar dancing in and out of his reach. They were near-equals, each one tipping the balance in their favor before the other rallied and righted the scales.
Barbagar pressed on, slashing at Eiron's head. Eiron held his blade up and blocked, standing firm.
"You are cast away," Barbagar said.
"Victory here means nothing," Eiron replied. "My legacy continues, whether I die or not."
Barbagar shrugged. "So be it."
He attacked. Eiron, instead of blocking, back-flipped. The blade passed through empty air.Eiron landed several feet away. He jumped onto a hovertram and was gone. Barbagar had lost his trail within two minutes.
The Padawans were dead. During the moment when Eiron had sapped his powers, Barbagar had known this to be true. Le-Ek...he might be saved. The Dark Jedi...or Sith, rather, for the warrior spoke of legacies and knew the strange powers of the Sith...would be found again. Now it was time to rescue his friend.
Barbagar powered down his lightsaber and returned to save Le-Ek.
The Dark Jedi was leaping through the air and cutting at his head.
Barbagar ignited his green lightsaber and twirled it, blocking the Dark Jedi's unanticipated blow. Under better circumstances, Barbagar would have liked to parry, but he hadn't the time. He took two steps back and looked at the Dark Jedi, who was smiling again.
"Did I kill your friend?" the Dark Jedi asked.
"You did. You will go to prison for that."
"Oh, what prison can hold me? Metal breaks and minds bend under the Force."
"Have you ever heard of the Shelter? You go there, and you do not return, no matter how powerful you are."
For that, the Dark Jedi had no response. His attack, rather, was his response, a blur of red sweeping towards any spot Barbagar had exposed. The Jedi Master, however, was an expert with the blade, spinning his weapon in one hand and gracefully deflecting the red with his own shaft of green. Barbagar's Makashi style made his bladework even more efficient than his skills would have allowed on their own.
"You cannot stand against me," Barbagar said. "I am the Light."
Eiron smiled back at him. "I am the Shadow. I consume." He reached out and grasped for Barbagar's arm. His right hand clenched Barbagar's left at the wrist and for a second the Jedi Master reeled, the color fading from his cheeks. Eiron smiled, strengthened by the Master's strength, reinforced by his power.
Then, Barbagar brought his blade around and removed Eiron's hand. The muscles severed, the fingers slacked and the hand fell.
Eiron reverted to his own Makashi style and fought with one hand, barely acknowledging that he had lost his limb. The wound was cauterized and did not bleed. Barbagar did not acknowledge his victory, either: it did not mean victory in the fight, and to dominate Eiron's will through gloating would be a Sith art and was frowned upon.
Eiron's moves became quicker, faster, Barbagar dancing in and out of his reach. They were near-equals, each one tipping the balance in their favor before the other rallied and righted the scales.
Barbagar pressed on, slashing at Eiron's head. Eiron held his blade up and blocked, standing firm.
"You are cast away," Barbagar said.
"Victory here means nothing," Eiron replied. "My legacy continues, whether I die or not."
Barbagar shrugged. "So be it."
He attacked. Eiron, instead of blocking, back-flipped. The blade passed through empty air.Eiron landed several feet away. He jumped onto a hovertram and was gone. Barbagar had lost his trail within two minutes.
The Padawans were dead. During the moment when Eiron had sapped his powers, Barbagar had known this to be true. Le-Ek...he might be saved. The Dark Jedi...or Sith, rather, for the warrior spoke of legacies and knew the strange powers of the Sith...would be found again. Now it was time to rescue his friend.
Barbagar powered down his lightsaber and returned to save Le-Ek.
January 27, 2009
233. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
The blue robed Senate Guards filled the landing platform as the monorail came to a complete stop. All was dark inside the train, and the Guards trained their rifles on the gaping maws where the doors had once been. The tension was thick in the air.
Suddenly blaster fire errupted from inside the train car, and four republic commandos backed out of the train, continuing a barrage of fire into the train car as they backed up. Two of the soldiers were clearly wounded as they were assisted in their retreat from the train, although all four continued to fire their rifles.
"They're still in there! They've killed everyone!" one of the commandos shouted, just as two lightsaber blades snapped on inside the train, held by dark figures.
Instantly the Senate Guards opened up, their salvo blowing out windows and riddling the cars with holes. They continued to fire as they advanced on the train.
The Commandos were approached by a blue robed officer as they neared the back of the ranks. "Sit down, we'll get you men a medic."
"No, just get those damned Dark Jedi. They slaughtered our troops and all those innocent civillians. We can get ourselves to the med bay," one of the commandos replied. The officer started to turn back to the fight, but the soldier caught his sleeve. "Don't try to take them alive, sir. You'll loose too many men if you try. Just kill them.... kill them all."
"Don't worry, those are our orders. They won't leave that train alive," the officer said before turning and adding his own fire to the continuing hail of fire.
The four Republic Commandos limped up the steps and away from the landing platform.
----------------
Trychon removed his helmet once they were all safely inside a maintenance corridor. "How do you breath in these things, Raez?" he asked, as they moved quickly down the hall.
"You just get used to it," Raezyr returned. Not far down the corridor, they came to a small break room with a locker room off to one side, and they stepped in.
"I'm pissed that we had to give those two padawan lightsabers up," Tyrrazapon huffed.
"They never would have been convinced that we were still on that train if they didn't see lightsabers," Raezyr said. "Now it's going to take them some time to figure out who's who among all those bodies."
They stowed the Republic armor into a couple of dusty unused lockers and found maintenance staff uniforms that would work. They tucked their lightsabers into cargo pockets of the tan coveralls and transferred their clothes and Raezyr's armor from the commando back-packs into two duffels they found stuffed under a locker and headed back out. Anya did her best to conceal her limp, and Raezyr still gave no hint of his broken rib.
"Alright let's move casually, and see if we can get out of here and back to our ships," Trychon said, as they exited the utility corridors and into the lower halls of the Senate Building.
The place was crawling with Senate Guards. Each time the Sith saw them, they turned down a different corridor or ducked into elevators. Eventually they found themselves completely lost.
Finally, Tyrrazapon picked a lock and they found themselves in an unused conference room.
"Well, what now?" Anya asked the other three. Blank stares were all she got in return.
Suddenly blaster fire errupted from inside the train car, and four republic commandos backed out of the train, continuing a barrage of fire into the train car as they backed up. Two of the soldiers were clearly wounded as they were assisted in their retreat from the train, although all four continued to fire their rifles.
"They're still in there! They've killed everyone!" one of the commandos shouted, just as two lightsaber blades snapped on inside the train, held by dark figures.
Instantly the Senate Guards opened up, their salvo blowing out windows and riddling the cars with holes. They continued to fire as they advanced on the train.
The Commandos were approached by a blue robed officer as they neared the back of the ranks. "Sit down, we'll get you men a medic."
"No, just get those damned Dark Jedi. They slaughtered our troops and all those innocent civillians. We can get ourselves to the med bay," one of the commandos replied. The officer started to turn back to the fight, but the soldier caught his sleeve. "Don't try to take them alive, sir. You'll loose too many men if you try. Just kill them.... kill them all."
"Don't worry, those are our orders. They won't leave that train alive," the officer said before turning and adding his own fire to the continuing hail of fire.
The four Republic Commandos limped up the steps and away from the landing platform.
----------------
Trychon removed his helmet once they were all safely inside a maintenance corridor. "How do you breath in these things, Raez?" he asked, as they moved quickly down the hall.
"You just get used to it," Raezyr returned. Not far down the corridor, they came to a small break room with a locker room off to one side, and they stepped in.
"I'm pissed that we had to give those two padawan lightsabers up," Tyrrazapon huffed.
"They never would have been convinced that we were still on that train if they didn't see lightsabers," Raezyr said. "Now it's going to take them some time to figure out who's who among all those bodies."
They stowed the Republic armor into a couple of dusty unused lockers and found maintenance staff uniforms that would work. They tucked their lightsabers into cargo pockets of the tan coveralls and transferred their clothes and Raezyr's armor from the commando back-packs into two duffels they found stuffed under a locker and headed back out. Anya did her best to conceal her limp, and Raezyr still gave no hint of his broken rib.
"Alright let's move casually, and see if we can get out of here and back to our ships," Trychon said, as they exited the utility corridors and into the lower halls of the Senate Building.
The place was crawling with Senate Guards. Each time the Sith saw them, they turned down a different corridor or ducked into elevators. Eventually they found themselves completely lost.
Finally, Tyrrazapon picked a lock and they found themselves in an unused conference room.
"Well, what now?" Anya asked the other three. Blank stares were all she got in return.
232. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
They all looked up at the noise on the roof.
"Shit!" Raezyr exclaimed. He grabbed a blaster rifle, slung it over his shoulder and and ran to door of the car.
Using the Force, he grabbed the top of the door and swung out and up, flipping onto the top of the car.The force of the wind nearly blew him off, but he layed flat on the roof and braced his feet against a low vent and looked back at the end of the car. There were three more commandos setting up some sort of cutting torch at the end.
Raezyr unslung the rifle, took aim at the first one and squeezed the trigger. The bolt hit one of the soldiers in the chest. The force of the blast and the wind knocked him clear of the train almost instantly.
The other soldiers looked up when their comrade disappeared, quickly spotting Raezyr, and began to unsling their rifles.
Raezyr flipped the selector to auto-fire and held the trigger down, laying down a thick spray of fire and sending the other two the way the first soldier had gone.
Slinging the rifle back over his shoulder, he rolled over and reached over the side of the car. Grabbing the door again and using the Force, he swung over the edge and back into the car.
Landing safely he looked up and straight into black and orange lightsabers.
Trychon and Tyrrazapon switched off the blades as soon as they realized it wasn't a commando."I almost took your head off, there," Trychon said.
"Good thing you didn't, we're approaching our final destination," Raezyr responded. "I'm going to go make sure the operator stops where I told him," he said and headed back for the front of the train.
"Where are we stopping?" Anya asked as Raezyr passed her.
"The Senate Building," Raezyr said over his shoulder as he exited the car.
"Shit!" Raezyr exclaimed. He grabbed a blaster rifle, slung it over his shoulder and and ran to door of the car.
Using the Force, he grabbed the top of the door and swung out and up, flipping onto the top of the car.The force of the wind nearly blew him off, but he layed flat on the roof and braced his feet against a low vent and looked back at the end of the car. There were three more commandos setting up some sort of cutting torch at the end.
Raezyr unslung the rifle, took aim at the first one and squeezed the trigger. The bolt hit one of the soldiers in the chest. The force of the blast and the wind knocked him clear of the train almost instantly.
The other soldiers looked up when their comrade disappeared, quickly spotting Raezyr, and began to unsling their rifles.
Raezyr flipped the selector to auto-fire and held the trigger down, laying down a thick spray of fire and sending the other two the way the first soldier had gone.
Slinging the rifle back over his shoulder, he rolled over and reached over the side of the car. Grabbing the door again and using the Force, he swung over the edge and back into the car.
Landing safely he looked up and straight into black and orange lightsabers.
Trychon and Tyrrazapon switched off the blades as soon as they realized it wasn't a commando."I almost took your head off, there," Trychon said.
"Good thing you didn't, we're approaching our final destination," Raezyr responded. "I'm going to go make sure the operator stops where I told him," he said and headed back for the front of the train.
"Where are we stopping?" Anya asked as Raezyr passed her.
"The Senate Building," Raezyr said over his shoulder as he exited the car.
231. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Trychon rubbed his eyes and cursed under his breath. Thank the dark side for Raezyr's timing... He thought as he gathered himself fully.
He watched as Tyrrazapon also pulled himself together. Anya was also rubbing her eyes, but was still seated comfortably. She seemed to be dealing with the pain well.
Trychon walked to the back of their section, giving Raezyr a quick pat on the back as he passed him. He followed it up by giving a couple of the passengers a rougher pat on the back.. out the side of the monorail.
He shoved his way through was was left of the passengers, now scrambling again to survive. He stepped between the doorways of their section and the one that the soldiers had most recently come from.
He stared at the floor, imagining the workings underneath and around the rail they were traveling on. There was no real way to use his lightsaber to separate the sections without his blade dragging away from him in the rail itself. At least none he had the time for. Instead, he closed the door to the other railcar, and put his blade through the control, letting it melt for a second. He stepped back into his original section and repeated the process.
Then, he pulled his datapad and connected into the main control of the system. It took a little bit of work, but he sliced his way into the emergency overrides, eventually disconnecting the rest of the sections from their own and the control.
That should clear things up... He thought, prior to hearing a clanking noise from above...
He watched as Tyrrazapon also pulled himself together. Anya was also rubbing her eyes, but was still seated comfortably. She seemed to be dealing with the pain well.
Trychon walked to the back of their section, giving Raezyr a quick pat on the back as he passed him. He followed it up by giving a couple of the passengers a rougher pat on the back.. out the side of the monorail.
He shoved his way through was was left of the passengers, now scrambling again to survive. He stepped between the doorways of their section and the one that the soldiers had most recently come from.
He stared at the floor, imagining the workings underneath and around the rail they were traveling on. There was no real way to use his lightsaber to separate the sections without his blade dragging away from him in the rail itself. At least none he had the time for. Instead, he closed the door to the other railcar, and put his blade through the control, letting it melt for a second. He stepped back into his original section and repeated the process.
Then, he pulled his datapad and connected into the main control of the system. It took a little bit of work, but he sliced his way into the emergency overrides, eventually disconnecting the rest of the sections from their own and the control.
That should clear things up... He thought, prior to hearing a clanking noise from above...
230. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Raezyr heard the bang of the flash grenade just moments before the door opened. He took just a moment to survey the scene before rushing forward. Trychon was shaking his head and reeling backwards, while Tyrrazapon had his hands out searching for something to lean on. In his disorientation he stumbled toward the missing door.
Raezyr grabbed Tryrrazapon with the Force and yanked him backwards into the car an instant before he fell to his death.
At that moment the soldiers broke through the crowd and saw the armored Dark Jedi charging them, red and blue lightsabers blazing brightly in the waning moments of the night.
Raezyr was on them before they could bring their rifles to bear. They dropped them to the floor and drew their vibroblades. Sparks flew as the engergy beams met the cortosis weaved swords.
Raezyr Force shoved two of the soldiers out of the door, then kicked one of the remaining commandos with his left foot backward into the crowd behind him, and swung his red blade at the fourth, which was blocked. The Sith spun left around the standing soldier and drove his short blue blade through the chest plate of the commando who was just trying to get up from the mass of bodies on the floor.
The other republic soldier turned, and attacked with a back hand swing at Raezyr which he blocked. He turned to fully face the man, swinging the blue blade low. The commando jumped back and dropped his sword down to block the incoming blow, Raezyr swung for the commando's head who promptly ducked and rolled backward.
Raezyr pressed the attack, lunging forward with both blades crossed in a scissor like manner. The commando stood up and blocked the attack, placing his sword at the crux of Raezyr's blades.
They held there for a moment, then Raezyr flicked a switch on the hilt of his blue short dual phased light saber and slightly adjusted it's angle. The blade instantly extended from half a meter to three meters in length. The extending blade pierced the commando's throat.
Suddenly the view outside the monorail went black as they whipped through a stop, still moving full speed ahead.
Raezyr grabbed Tryrrazapon with the Force and yanked him backwards into the car an instant before he fell to his death.
At that moment the soldiers broke through the crowd and saw the armored Dark Jedi charging them, red and blue lightsabers blazing brightly in the waning moments of the night.
Raezyr was on them before they could bring their rifles to bear. They dropped them to the floor and drew their vibroblades. Sparks flew as the engergy beams met the cortosis weaved swords.
Raezyr Force shoved two of the soldiers out of the door, then kicked one of the remaining commandos with his left foot backward into the crowd behind him, and swung his red blade at the fourth, which was blocked. The Sith spun left around the standing soldier and drove his short blue blade through the chest plate of the commando who was just trying to get up from the mass of bodies on the floor.
The other republic soldier turned, and attacked with a back hand swing at Raezyr which he blocked. He turned to fully face the man, swinging the blue blade low. The commando jumped back and dropped his sword down to block the incoming blow, Raezyr swung for the commando's head who promptly ducked and rolled backward.
Raezyr pressed the attack, lunging forward with both blades crossed in a scissor like manner. The commando stood up and blocked the attack, placing his sword at the crux of Raezyr's blades.
They held there for a moment, then Raezyr flicked a switch on the hilt of his blue short dual phased light saber and slightly adjusted it's angle. The blade instantly extended from half a meter to three meters in length. The extending blade pierced the commando's throat.
Suddenly the view outside the monorail went black as they whipped through a stop, still moving full speed ahead.
January 26, 2009
229. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Noises started to come through from the doors at the rear of their section.
Tyrrazapon knew what was happening and reacted. Projecting his voice once again, he spoke to the crowd around him, who were all obviously in a bit of shock... but were behaving fairly well considering. "Alright everyone! We all saw what sort of bad things can happen if we allow our guests to come in and try to do what they will... so we need to stop them. Here's what we're going to do..."
-----------------
Rawwk 11 looked at Rawwk 12 and signaled that he was about ready to go. They had spent the past minute trying to get the passengers in this section to be quiet... not that he could blame them.
They'd heard some very brief yelling and attempted comm chatter from Rawwks 17-20... before losing contact, which meant that the targets should be in the section right ahead of them, on the other side of the door that they were now perched, waiting.
-----------------
Trychon watched as the people got in place for Tyrrazapon's rather sadistic plan.
As they moved, one middle aged man got sucked out of the gaping hole on one side of the section.
"Please watch your step, everyone." Trychon commented.
-----------------
Group three of the Rawwks were poised and ready to go, with the knowledge that they should have groups one and two still making their way forward to help as well.
Rawwk 9 hit the button to open the sliding door between the sections. He got back into his crouch as the light turned from red to green and the door moved out of their way. All four were ready.
They were greeted by a wall of civilians. Rawwk 9 saw the others drop their weapons only slightly before adjusting. This wasn't exactly a new tactic, although having the parents in the back with children raised on their shoulders was an interesting twist.
-----------------
When the door opened, Trychon smiled at Tyrrazapon. If nothing else, this plan did suit his humor. The soldiers would undoubtedly push through the barrier they'd made, but they were at least restricted for a moment.
Then, they both made a mistake by turning to look at the source of the clanking noise on the floor in front of them.
The Flash grenade exploded, blinding both of the Sith and with just enough of a concussive element to make their ears ring as well. It was hard to concentrate, and next to impossible to discern what movement the force was telling them.
As the smoke cleared, the Rawwks did indeed begin to push through the crowd.
Raezyr opened the door from the control station to see the passengers, Trychon and Tyrrazapon attempting to regain their sense of what was happening, as well as the soldiers making headway.
Tyrrazapon knew what was happening and reacted. Projecting his voice once again, he spoke to the crowd around him, who were all obviously in a bit of shock... but were behaving fairly well considering. "Alright everyone! We all saw what sort of bad things can happen if we allow our guests to come in and try to do what they will... so we need to stop them. Here's what we're going to do..."
-----------------
Rawwk 11 looked at Rawwk 12 and signaled that he was about ready to go. They had spent the past minute trying to get the passengers in this section to be quiet... not that he could blame them.
They'd heard some very brief yelling and attempted comm chatter from Rawwks 17-20... before losing contact, which meant that the targets should be in the section right ahead of them, on the other side of the door that they were now perched, waiting.
-----------------
Trychon watched as the people got in place for Tyrrazapon's rather sadistic plan.
As they moved, one middle aged man got sucked out of the gaping hole on one side of the section.
"Please watch your step, everyone." Trychon commented.
-----------------
Group three of the Rawwks were poised and ready to go, with the knowledge that they should have groups one and two still making their way forward to help as well.
Rawwk 9 hit the button to open the sliding door between the sections. He got back into his crouch as the light turned from red to green and the door moved out of their way. All four were ready.
They were greeted by a wall of civilians. Rawwk 9 saw the others drop their weapons only slightly before adjusting. This wasn't exactly a new tactic, although having the parents in the back with children raised on their shoulders was an interesting twist.
-----------------
When the door opened, Trychon smiled at Tyrrazapon. If nothing else, this plan did suit his humor. The soldiers would undoubtedly push through the barrier they'd made, but they were at least restricted for a moment.
Then, they both made a mistake by turning to look at the source of the clanking noise on the floor in front of them.
The Flash grenade exploded, blinding both of the Sith and with just enough of a concussive element to make their ears ring as well. It was hard to concentrate, and next to impossible to discern what movement the force was telling them.
As the smoke cleared, the Rawwks did indeed begin to push through the crowd.
Raezyr opened the door from the control station to see the passengers, Trychon and Tyrrazapon attempting to regain their sense of what was happening, as well as the soldiers making headway.
228. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Red emergency lamps flashed all about the car as Raezyr and Tyrrazapon pressed forward against the blaster fire amidst the screams of the passengers, as they sought protection from the commandos.
The commandos did their best to fire around the passengers, but their orders were to eliminate the Dark Jedi threat, with minimal collateral damage. Unfortunately for two of the passengers, it wasn't possible to avoid all, as they were taken down by fire from the commandos.
Raezyr and Tyrrazapon used the momentary distraction and Force pushed the two soldiers out of the entrance they had created.
Wind screamed through the cabin and Raezyr had to shout to be heard, "They won't try that again, but they'll try something else. Apparently we're more important than the civillians. "I'm going to the control station to find out where we're headed. Keep me apprised of the situation," Raezyr said.
As he moved forward through the cars, he took out the emergency beacons which were messing with his low-light vision built into his helmet. He reveled in the fear emanating from the passengers as they cowered from him as he passed, striking the lamps with his light saber.
When he reached the control room, the door was locked. Using the force, he manipulated the controls on the other side and the door slid open.
The operator was speaking with someone on the comm. "I copy, I'll stop at station 7..."
Raezyr shoved his light saber into the communications panel, cutting off the transmission. The operator jumped back as sparks and smoke filled the air.
"If you want to live you will do exactly as I say, understand?" Raezyr commanded.
"First, accelerate this train to full speed," he paused as the operator complied. "Now show me where this track goes.
"The operator pulled up a map on his control screen showing where the line led. Raezyr looked it over for a minute, then pointed to a spot on the screen, indicating a location several stops down the line. "Here. You will stop the train here. If we even begin to slow down before we reach it, I will kill every person on this train, beginning with you."
The operator nodded his head in compliance and looked at the location Raezyr had indicated on the screen. It was the Republic Central Station, located beneath the Senate Rotunda.... the seat of the Galactic Senate.
Raezyr turned and left the control room. As he looked out the windows, he could see the pale lemony light over the horizon in the east.
The commandos did their best to fire around the passengers, but their orders were to eliminate the Dark Jedi threat, with minimal collateral damage. Unfortunately for two of the passengers, it wasn't possible to avoid all, as they were taken down by fire from the commandos.
Raezyr and Tyrrazapon used the momentary distraction and Force pushed the two soldiers out of the entrance they had created.
Wind screamed through the cabin and Raezyr had to shout to be heard, "They won't try that again, but they'll try something else. Apparently we're more important than the civillians. "I'm going to the control station to find out where we're headed. Keep me apprised of the situation," Raezyr said.
As he moved forward through the cars, he took out the emergency beacons which were messing with his low-light vision built into his helmet. He reveled in the fear emanating from the passengers as they cowered from him as he passed, striking the lamps with his light saber.
When he reached the control room, the door was locked. Using the force, he manipulated the controls on the other side and the door slid open.
The operator was speaking with someone on the comm. "I copy, I'll stop at station 7..."
Raezyr shoved his light saber into the communications panel, cutting off the transmission. The operator jumped back as sparks and smoke filled the air.
"If you want to live you will do exactly as I say, understand?" Raezyr commanded.
"First, accelerate this train to full speed," he paused as the operator complied. "Now show me where this track goes.
"The operator pulled up a map on his control screen showing where the line led. Raezyr looked it over for a minute, then pointed to a spot on the screen, indicating a location several stops down the line. "Here. You will stop the train here. If we even begin to slow down before we reach it, I will kill every person on this train, beginning with you."
The operator nodded his head in compliance and looked at the location Raezyr had indicated on the screen. It was the Republic Central Station, located beneath the Senate Rotunda.... the seat of the Galactic Senate.
Raezyr turned and left the control room. As he looked out the windows, he could see the pale lemony light over the horizon in the east.
227. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Tyrrazapon spoke loudly and projected his voice throughout the cabin. "Everyone please remain in your seats and remain calm! We have no intention of killing anyone right now, and it would serve everyone to try and relax before things get more hectic." He waved his orange blade around for show and added effectiveness. "Please don't confuse that with an unwillingness to kill or even some sort of displeasure at the idea. It's the opposite."
"Excuse me, do you mind if I use this seat?" Trychon asked a young boy as he force shoved him onto the floor, setting Anya down in his spot. The boy's father got up and was clearly about to confront Trychon when he looked down and saw a lightsaber hilt pressed to his chest. "It doesn't take long to turn on. That was as nice as the asking gets here. Understand?" The man stepped back, nodding... and grabbing his child and moving to the furthest available seat and sitting down, covering the boy's mouth with his hand.
The hard part about 'shields' is keeping them alive until they're useful.. Trychon thought to the other three, while applying what little medical resources he had available to the injury on Anya's thigh. The damage was minimal and she'd be fine if they could get her out of this without further injury. She was definitely going to be hampered in the meantime though.
Raezyr watched through the transparisteel as they pulled out of the tunnels and into the air. It was only moments before they saw what looked to definitely be Republic troop carriers hovering in the area. The others turned to look as he watched them. They moved tentatively into position along the transit vehicle. They were going to have to guess a bit as to where the Sith were. That gave them a bit of extra time, hopefully.
It didn't amount to much time at all though, as one of the entryway doors blew off and two soldiers landed inside, releasing their cables back to the ship and getting their weapons to a ready position. They began to visually scan the area quickly, looking for their targets.
Trychon moved a few feet away from the men looking for him and kept his back against the monorail wall. Just as he felt, that entry also disappeared allowing two more assailants to drop in. He moved quickly to step in front of them. As they unhooked their cables by out of natural reflex, and were pulling their arms to bear, Trychon spun around and landed his left foot squarely on the chestplate of the soldier on the left. That soldier dropped his weapon and fell out the maw where the entrance had been, grasping at the cable he'd released and getting a questionable hold on it with one hand.
Trychon used the momentum from pushing off the first soldier to spin around to his right, and as he settled down on one knee, he scooped up the falling carbine just as it hit the ground, and brought it up to squeeze the trigger on the other soldier in the entry way. He scored multiple direct hits and the second man fell out, but not before slamming into his fellow casualty, causing him to lose his grip and join the fall.
Blaster fire erupted towards Trychon, but Raezyr and Tyrrazapon were already in position with blades whirling to block for him.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I use this seat?" Trychon asked a young boy as he force shoved him onto the floor, setting Anya down in his spot. The boy's father got up and was clearly about to confront Trychon when he looked down and saw a lightsaber hilt pressed to his chest. "It doesn't take long to turn on. That was as nice as the asking gets here. Understand?" The man stepped back, nodding... and grabbing his child and moving to the furthest available seat and sitting down, covering the boy's mouth with his hand.
The hard part about 'shields' is keeping them alive until they're useful.. Trychon thought to the other three, while applying what little medical resources he had available to the injury on Anya's thigh. The damage was minimal and she'd be fine if they could get her out of this without further injury. She was definitely going to be hampered in the meantime though.
Raezyr watched through the transparisteel as they pulled out of the tunnels and into the air. It was only moments before they saw what looked to definitely be Republic troop carriers hovering in the area. The others turned to look as he watched them. They moved tentatively into position along the transit vehicle. They were going to have to guess a bit as to where the Sith were. That gave them a bit of extra time, hopefully.
It didn't amount to much time at all though, as one of the entryway doors blew off and two soldiers landed inside, releasing their cables back to the ship and getting their weapons to a ready position. They began to visually scan the area quickly, looking for their targets.
Trychon moved a few feet away from the men looking for him and kept his back against the monorail wall. Just as he felt, that entry also disappeared allowing two more assailants to drop in. He moved quickly to step in front of them. As they unhooked their cables by out of natural reflex, and were pulling their arms to bear, Trychon spun around and landed his left foot squarely on the chestplate of the soldier on the left. That soldier dropped his weapon and fell out the maw where the entrance had been, grasping at the cable he'd released and getting a questionable hold on it with one hand.
Trychon used the momentum from pushing off the first soldier to spin around to his right, and as he settled down on one knee, he scooped up the falling carbine just as it hit the ground, and brought it up to squeeze the trigger on the other soldier in the entry way. He scored multiple direct hits and the second man fell out, but not before slamming into his fellow casualty, causing him to lose his grip and join the fall.
Blaster fire erupted towards Trychon, but Raezyr and Tyrrazapon were already in position with blades whirling to block for him.
January 25, 2009
226. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
"NOOOOOOO! YOU BASTARD!," Tracker yelled as he watched Raezyr kill his friend. He flew into a frenzy, striking wildly at Raezyr. The blows from his lightsaber were easily knocked aside by Raezyr's blue and red blades.
With all his attention focused on the man in the armor, it was a simple matter for Tyrrazapon to step behind the young boy and take his legs from him. He rolled the boy over with his foot and looked him in the eye. "Well, you showed me the end of SOMEONE'S life, I guess," he said and stabbed the boy in the chest with his orange blade.
Tyrrazapon and Anya scooped up the fallen lightsabers and clipped them to their belts.
By this time the troop carrier ship was hovering a short distance away. Ropes were thrown down and armored Republic Commandos began to rappel down into the street. And they just kept coming, one after the other, each one armed to the teeth. They immediately opened fire upon hitting the ground.
The Sith began redirecting the bolts from the assault rifles, but only the most precise shots were effective against the commandos' armor. Within moments, they had lost count of the number of Commandos on the ground, and more were still coming.
It quickly became impossible to redirect anything, due to the heavy barrage of fire.
"Into the station! Hurry!" shouted Raezyr over the gun fire.
They slowly began moving toward the steps leading down. Tyrrazapon was the first to get there and ducked down the stairs, then Trychon followed. The commandos were pressing the attack, advancing as the Sith retreated.
As Anya neared the steps, her defenses failed her as she caught a blaster bolt to her thigh and fell to the ground. Seeing her fall, the commandos concentrated their fire on the injured girl, but Raezyr stepped in front, allowing Anya to crawl down the steps.
Trychon pulled her up and put his arm around her waist, helping Anya down to the landing platform.
Raezyr was now taking the full force of blaster fire from the commandos and it was too much. He could feel bolt after bolt glancing off his armor, and he was barely able to throw himself down the steps. He used the Force to control himself, but still felt a rib crack as he tumbled.
By the time he hit the bottom and rolled to his feet, the commandos were at the top of the steps, firing again. This time he had Tyrrazapon by his side and together they were able to deflect the fire, working in unison.
"The monorail is about to leave, Trych and Anya are on it, let's go," Tyrrazapon said.
Using all the Force they could muster, the two suddenly turned and ran. They ran faster than either of them thought possible, covering the 50 meters to the train in a blink of an eye.
The doors shut just as they scooted through the door. Raezyr looked around the car as the train began to move. There were about 20 passengers on board besides themselves.
He grinned beneath his helm. "Sheilds," he said, and laughed.
With all his attention focused on the man in the armor, it was a simple matter for Tyrrazapon to step behind the young boy and take his legs from him. He rolled the boy over with his foot and looked him in the eye. "Well, you showed me the end of SOMEONE'S life, I guess," he said and stabbed the boy in the chest with his orange blade.
Tyrrazapon and Anya scooped up the fallen lightsabers and clipped them to their belts.
By this time the troop carrier ship was hovering a short distance away. Ropes were thrown down and armored Republic Commandos began to rappel down into the street. And they just kept coming, one after the other, each one armed to the teeth. They immediately opened fire upon hitting the ground.
The Sith began redirecting the bolts from the assault rifles, but only the most precise shots were effective against the commandos' armor. Within moments, they had lost count of the number of Commandos on the ground, and more were still coming.
It quickly became impossible to redirect anything, due to the heavy barrage of fire.
"Into the station! Hurry!" shouted Raezyr over the gun fire.
They slowly began moving toward the steps leading down. Tyrrazapon was the first to get there and ducked down the stairs, then Trychon followed. The commandos were pressing the attack, advancing as the Sith retreated.
As Anya neared the steps, her defenses failed her as she caught a blaster bolt to her thigh and fell to the ground. Seeing her fall, the commandos concentrated their fire on the injured girl, but Raezyr stepped in front, allowing Anya to crawl down the steps.
Trychon pulled her up and put his arm around her waist, helping Anya down to the landing platform.
Raezyr was now taking the full force of blaster fire from the commandos and it was too much. He could feel bolt after bolt glancing off his armor, and he was barely able to throw himself down the steps. He used the Force to control himself, but still felt a rib crack as he tumbled.
By the time he hit the bottom and rolled to his feet, the commandos were at the top of the steps, firing again. This time he had Tyrrazapon by his side and together they were able to deflect the fire, working in unison.
"The monorail is about to leave, Trych and Anya are on it, let's go," Tyrrazapon said.
Using all the Force they could muster, the two suddenly turned and ran. They ran faster than either of them thought possible, covering the 50 meters to the train in a blink of an eye.
The doors shut just as they scooted through the door. Raezyr looked around the car as the train began to move. There were about 20 passengers on board besides themselves.
He grinned beneath his helm. "Sheilds," he said, and laughed.
225. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Trychon spoke up. "Hang on... I think I can do the 'more peaceful' thing here..."
He turned off his black lightsaber and hooked it on his belt. He paused a second and then grabbed the other hilt. He ignited it and swung the yellow blade around a few times and looked at it. It felt lighter and swifter in his hands, oddly... but also didn't feel quite natural.
"Nope... I still feel like killing..."
Recognition passed over the faces of the padawans as they watched him slice through the air with saber of the Knight Le-Ek. "You're monsters. All of you. Jokes at a time like this?" The young Chadra-Fan asked.
Trychon looked at his cohorts and then at the two young Jedi learners and shrugged.
"A time like this?" Tyrrazapon stepped towards the young human. "You should see him in the afternoon... then he's really insufferable..."
Tracker turned his blade towards the advancing Sith and smiled a bit himself. "I'll show you a time of your life... The end."
Trychon looked at him. "He's funny... can I keep it?" He asked to nobody in particular. "No." Raezyr responded.
The padawans began striking at the Sith, but were clearly mismatched. Their strikes were repeatedly swatted aside easily... even when they tried to jump around a bit and be less predictable.
Eventually, Raezyr pushed the young alien to the ground through the force, and followed up with his blue blade through the heart and into the ground. He looked up and saw an incoming troop carrier. "Again?" He mouthed silently. The three Sith all seemed to hear him though, turning to look at the approaching trouble.
He turned off his black lightsaber and hooked it on his belt. He paused a second and then grabbed the other hilt. He ignited it and swung the yellow blade around a few times and looked at it. It felt lighter and swifter in his hands, oddly... but also didn't feel quite natural.
"Nope... I still feel like killing..."
Recognition passed over the faces of the padawans as they watched him slice through the air with saber of the Knight Le-Ek. "You're monsters. All of you. Jokes at a time like this?" The young Chadra-Fan asked.
Trychon looked at his cohorts and then at the two young Jedi learners and shrugged.
"A time like this?" Tyrrazapon stepped towards the young human. "You should see him in the afternoon... then he's really insufferable..."
Tracker turned his blade towards the advancing Sith and smiled a bit himself. "I'll show you a time of your life... The end."
Trychon looked at him. "He's funny... can I keep it?" He asked to nobody in particular. "No." Raezyr responded.
The padawans began striking at the Sith, but were clearly mismatched. Their strikes were repeatedly swatted aside easily... even when they tried to jump around a bit and be less predictable.
Eventually, Raezyr pushed the young alien to the ground through the force, and followed up with his blue blade through the heart and into the ground. He looked up and saw an incoming troop carrier. "Again?" He mouthed silently. The three Sith all seemed to hear him though, turning to look at the approaching trouble.
224. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
"Dammit, Raez! You could have at least warned us before crashing!" Tyrrazapon said, climbing out of the back seat and rubbing his neck.
"Stop whining. The Force softened the blow," Raezyr said. He watched as Trychon confronted the Mon Calamari reporter and the camera man ran down the street in sheer terror.
"I'll make you famous," Trychon said before slaying the alien.
Raezyr chuckled. This was getting to be too much fun. He was going to be sad when it was all over. He stepped forward and checked on the young man crushed between the speeder and the news van. The man groaned a bit as Raezyr grabbed a handful of hair and lifted his head. The man's eyes fluttered a bit.
Raezyr gathered the Force and stretched out, taking hold of the man's throat. The man's breathing became ragged as he gasped. Raezyr tried to tighten his grip, but to no avail.
Frustrated, he grabbed the man's head with both hands and twisted. With an audible crack, the young man died.
"Raez, stop screwing around with that guy, we've got company," Tyrrazapon said.
Turning quickly he saw them exit the mono-rail station. It was the young boy, and the Chadra-Fan. They stopped when they saw the carnage and wreckage scattered about the four Sith.
The teenaged boy spoke up, "You are all under arrest. Drop your weapons and come with us peacefully." He snapped on his blue blade and crouched in fighting stance, the bat like alien following suit.
The Sith spread out, each igniting their own blades, and slowly approached the Jedi.
"Your friends are dead. Their life forces were exhilarating," Raezyr taunted. "What makes you think you will succeed where they failed?"
-----------
Half a world away, in the Coruscant Action Five News room.......
"Stay with the feed! Don't cut!" yelled a man with a headset to the crew operating the contols.
He had just watched in horror as one of his low-level field reporters had been cut down on live holo, and he had almost cut it, but something told him to stick to the carnage, and now was the payoff.
"I can't believe we're going to get this whole battle live! Look at our ratings! They're going through the roof! Every one in the galaxy must be watching this! I don't care what it takes. Comm that camera man, tell him to get back to his camera and DON'T LOSE THEM!!!"
"Stop whining. The Force softened the blow," Raezyr said. He watched as Trychon confronted the Mon Calamari reporter and the camera man ran down the street in sheer terror.
"I'll make you famous," Trychon said before slaying the alien.
Raezyr chuckled. This was getting to be too much fun. He was going to be sad when it was all over. He stepped forward and checked on the young man crushed between the speeder and the news van. The man groaned a bit as Raezyr grabbed a handful of hair and lifted his head. The man's eyes fluttered a bit.
Raezyr gathered the Force and stretched out, taking hold of the man's throat. The man's breathing became ragged as he gasped. Raezyr tried to tighten his grip, but to no avail.
Frustrated, he grabbed the man's head with both hands and twisted. With an audible crack, the young man died.
"Raez, stop screwing around with that guy, we've got company," Tyrrazapon said.
Turning quickly he saw them exit the mono-rail station. It was the young boy, and the Chadra-Fan. They stopped when they saw the carnage and wreckage scattered about the four Sith.
The teenaged boy spoke up, "You are all under arrest. Drop your weapons and come with us peacefully." He snapped on his blue blade and crouched in fighting stance, the bat like alien following suit.
The Sith spread out, each igniting their own blades, and slowly approached the Jedi.
"Your friends are dead. Their life forces were exhilarating," Raezyr taunted. "What makes you think you will succeed where they failed?"
-----------
Half a world away, in the Coruscant Action Five News room.......
"Stay with the feed! Don't cut!" yelled a man with a headset to the crew operating the contols.
He had just watched in horror as one of his low-level field reporters had been cut down on live holo, and he had almost cut it, but something told him to stick to the carnage, and now was the payoff.
"I can't believe we're going to get this whole battle live! Look at our ratings! They're going through the roof! Every one in the galaxy must be watching this! I don't care what it takes. Comm that camera man, tell him to get back to his camera and DON'T LOSE THEM!!!"
223. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Dant Rathel watched in shock as Joel Pablic was smashed into the news van by the speeder.
Steam came creeping out of the front of the crashed vehicle, and the Mon Calamari couldn't bring himself to say anything to the camera, the viewers, or his bosses back at the holo-station.
Then, one of the passengers hopped out directly between Dant and the camera, with his back facing to the world watching him.
Dant panicked. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" He screamed.
The man turned and looked over his shoulder, glaring into the camera and then back at the reporter.
He pulled out a cylinder from his belt, and flipped a switch that caused a ghastly black blade with a light glow around it to form.
"I'll make you famous." Trychon said before decapitating the Mon Calamari for the global city to see.
Steam came creeping out of the front of the crashed vehicle, and the Mon Calamari couldn't bring himself to say anything to the camera, the viewers, or his bosses back at the holo-station.
Then, one of the passengers hopped out directly between Dant and the camera, with his back facing to the world watching him.
Dant panicked. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" He screamed.
The man turned and looked over his shoulder, glaring into the camera and then back at the reporter.
He pulled out a cylinder from his belt, and flipped a switch that caused a ghastly black blade with a light glow around it to form.
"I'll make you famous." Trychon said before decapitating the Mon Calamari for the global city to see.
222. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Pablic was on a roll now. "Yeah dude! Then the po-po shows up and starts shooting at the cloaked dudes and chase em' down the alley and shit. Me and my boys thought is was all over, you know. We was all like, 'Yo! Did you just see that shit?' And next thing we know, here comes them dudes again, but real sneaky like, you know? I mean, those dudes must be some bad mo-fos. Took out two Jedi and must taken down all them g-men. There was like 30 of 'em! Then they go down into the station, yo, and me and my boys was all like, 'Yo, we ain't movin'. This shit is too hype!' So we stand around and we was just about to go into the club 'cuz we figured the shit was over, but then dudes just start comin' outta the station all screamin' like some demon was chasin them, and then here them dudes come again, all cuttin' people down like Mon Cals in a barrel. Sorry, dude, you know what I mean. An' they run over...... HOLY SHIT!!!!!" Pablic suddenly yelled and pointed at a speeder screaming full speed toward the news vehicle.
221. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Dant Rathel tried to avoid rolling his bulbous eyes at the unwitting man he'd stuck himself with, Joel Pablic.
"Things do seem to have gone awry here on this corner of the world. How did so many of the pedestrians here end up in danger, sir?"
"Things do seem to have gone awry here on this corner of the world. How did so many of the pedestrians here end up in danger, sir?"
220. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
"Yeah, man.... I'm Joel Pablic.. I saw all this shit go down man! Me and my boys was just standin here in line, waitin' to get in to the Night Ranger.
"We was gonna get our drink on, you know? Find us some honeys, maybe get a little action, you know what I'm sayin, right dawg?" the young man said, elbowing the Mon Cal.
"Anyway, we was just standin' here when these four dudes in cloaks come hoofin' outta that alley right there, and then this Jedi chica comes out behind them and they all pull out their laser swords and shit, and then some other freaky lookin' Jedi comes outta nowhere and they all start fightin'. It was tight, dawg.
"Yo, I wanna give a shout to my peeps," he said and looked into the camera. "Yo!! I'm on the holo, boyeez!!! Reppin' the Lower Kal Sec!!" he yelled as he made a hand gesture into the camera.
"We was gonna get our drink on, you know? Find us some honeys, maybe get a little action, you know what I'm sayin, right dawg?" the young man said, elbowing the Mon Cal.
"Anyway, we was just standin' here when these four dudes in cloaks come hoofin' outta that alley right there, and then this Jedi chica comes out behind them and they all pull out their laser swords and shit, and then some other freaky lookin' Jedi comes outta nowhere and they all start fightin'. It was tight, dawg.
"Yo, I wanna give a shout to my peeps," he said and looked into the camera. "Yo!! I'm on the holo, boyeez!!! Reppin' the Lower Kal Sec!!" he yelled as he made a hand gesture into the camera.
219. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Dant pointed to the street corner and his driver set the vehicle down.
The traffic had been a bit rough getting here, even from just a few kilometers away.
The Mon Calamari looked around and could see a lot of carnage in the street, with people running every way around. There were still just a few leaving the transport station where supposedly something had gone awry... although they hadn't told him much in the way of details.
He had moved to Coruscant to join the ever busy scene of holo-journalism. He had been successful to an extent, but his native drawl tone in basic led to get him stuck on some less interesting pieces than he'd liked. Still, he was living his dream.
He had been getting ready to cover how one apartment tower community had joined together to find ways to be more energy efficient when he'd gotten the call from the office to come to this transport center and find out what was going on.
His cameraman finished setting up his equipment, and was signaling that he was ready.
Dant grabbed a human standing in front of the nearest establishment. "We need your help. Just stand here and answer a few questions for us." Without waiting for the man's consent, he signaled to his partner and get started.
"Good evening, I'm Dant Rathel with Coruscant Action Five Evening News. We are currently at the location of quite a fascinating event that just took place. I'm with a witness of the action." He turned to the bystander "Good Evening sir. Could you please tell us your name and what you saw here this evening?"
The traffic had been a bit rough getting here, even from just a few kilometers away.
The Mon Calamari looked around and could see a lot of carnage in the street, with people running every way around. There were still just a few leaving the transport station where supposedly something had gone awry... although they hadn't told him much in the way of details.
He had moved to Coruscant to join the ever busy scene of holo-journalism. He had been successful to an extent, but his native drawl tone in basic led to get him stuck on some less interesting pieces than he'd liked. Still, he was living his dream.
He had been getting ready to cover how one apartment tower community had joined together to find ways to be more energy efficient when he'd gotten the call from the office to come to this transport center and find out what was going on.
His cameraman finished setting up his equipment, and was signaling that he was ready.
Dant grabbed a human standing in front of the nearest establishment. "We need your help. Just stand here and answer a few questions for us." Without waiting for the man's consent, he signaled to his partner and get started.
"Good evening, I'm Dant Rathel with Coruscant Action Five Evening News. We are currently at the location of quite a fascinating event that just took place. I'm with a witness of the action." He turned to the bystander "Good Evening sir. Could you please tell us your name and what you saw here this evening?"
218. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Trychon and Raezyr exited the holo-theater and looked around for Anya and Tyrrazapon. They spotted them almost immediately across the street, the lightsabers a dead giveaway to their location.
They had backed the Miralukan up against a brick wall, but still seemed hesitant to engage for some reason. They kept feinting and the Jedi kept retreating. For some reason the Jedi had yet to draw a weapon.
"What are they waiting for?" Trychon wondered aloud.
"I have no idea, but he must be fairly powerful if he doesn't need a lightsaber," Raezyr commented.
"I've got an idea," Trychon said as they began walking across the street. "This will take some coordination. We'll all push him at the same time. I'll let Tyr and Anya know, then on the count of three, we all do it as hard as we can."
He spoke to the other two through the Force, then began the countdown when he felt everyone gather the Force.
One.... Two.... Three.... NOW!
The Miralukan suddenly flew backward, hitting the bricks behind him with enough force to punch through the wall. Dust and rubble exploded in the impact.
Anya walked over to the hole that was created and peered through the dust to the pile of bricks inside."If he's not dead, he's certainly wishing he was," she chuckled.
"And THAT'S the way the cookie crumbles," Tyrrazapon said, chuckling at his bad pun. "We should head back and see if the Master needs help with the others."
"Master said to run, though," Anya countered.
"Yes, but I think he would have caught up with us by now," Trychon said.
Suddenly a speeder pulled up next to them. "Are you gonna stand there talking all night, or are you coming with me?" Raezyr said from the driver's seat.
They had backed the Miralukan up against a brick wall, but still seemed hesitant to engage for some reason. They kept feinting and the Jedi kept retreating. For some reason the Jedi had yet to draw a weapon.
"What are they waiting for?" Trychon wondered aloud.
"I have no idea, but he must be fairly powerful if he doesn't need a lightsaber," Raezyr commented.
"I've got an idea," Trychon said as they began walking across the street. "This will take some coordination. We'll all push him at the same time. I'll let Tyr and Anya know, then on the count of three, we all do it as hard as we can."
He spoke to the other two through the Force, then began the countdown when he felt everyone gather the Force.
One.... Two.... Three.... NOW!
The Miralukan suddenly flew backward, hitting the bricks behind him with enough force to punch through the wall. Dust and rubble exploded in the impact.
Anya walked over to the hole that was created and peered through the dust to the pile of bricks inside."If he's not dead, he's certainly wishing he was," she chuckled.
"And THAT'S the way the cookie crumbles," Tyrrazapon said, chuckling at his bad pun. "We should head back and see if the Master needs help with the others."
"Master said to run, though," Anya countered.
"Yes, but I think he would have caught up with us by now," Trychon said.
Suddenly a speeder pulled up next to them. "Are you gonna stand there talking all night, or are you coming with me?" Raezyr said from the driver's seat.
January 24, 2009
217. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
As the Dark Jedi sprinted away, Barbagar turned back to Keble, who was cradling the head of Master Treemba in her arms. The immediate threat was gone, but there was still much work to be done. He glanced in the direction that the Dark Jedi had disappeared to. A darkened tunnel.
"Barbagar to Republic Control. I need some backup, over."
"Roger that, preferred if you used callsigns, over."
Barbagar sighed. "Chalice here. Backup requested, Control."
"Understood, Chalice. Number?"
"A lot. A lot of soldiers. Law enforcement, too. I'm tracking down a hostile target. Threat level Omega."
There was a noticeable pause before Control responded, "Omega? Are you sure?"
"Positive. This guy is tough."
"Very well, Chalice. We'll send the necessary forces.""
Thank you. Over and out."
Barbagar shut down his comm and approached Keble, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's time to move, I'm afraid. We will mourn her death when we are able. There are soldiers coming. You'll go with them after the other Dark Jedi. Le-Ek and Kirean will need your help."
"Yes, Master Barbagar."
"Tracker, you'll be going with them."
"But, Master-"
"Quiet. I don't want you to get killed and this Sith has that sort of capability. I will handle him. I have served as Temple Blademaster for a reason.""
What if he beats you?"
"Then we'll hope we can bring the heroes of the Brethren Wars back from the dead. Go. I will find you."
Not waiting for a response, Barbagar sprinted off after Eiron.
"Barbagar to Republic Control. I need some backup, over."
"Roger that, preferred if you used callsigns, over."
Barbagar sighed. "Chalice here. Backup requested, Control."
"Understood, Chalice. Number?"
"A lot. A lot of soldiers. Law enforcement, too. I'm tracking down a hostile target. Threat level Omega."
There was a noticeable pause before Control responded, "Omega? Are you sure?"
"Positive. This guy is tough."
"Very well, Chalice. We'll send the necessary forces.""
Thank you. Over and out."
Barbagar shut down his comm and approached Keble, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's time to move, I'm afraid. We will mourn her death when we are able. There are soldiers coming. You'll go with them after the other Dark Jedi. Le-Ek and Kirean will need your help."
"Yes, Master Barbagar."
"Tracker, you'll be going with them."
"But, Master-"
"Quiet. I don't want you to get killed and this Sith has that sort of capability. I will handle him. I have served as Temple Blademaster for a reason.""
What if he beats you?"
"Then we'll hope we can bring the heroes of the Brethren Wars back from the dead. Go. I will find you."
Not waiting for a response, Barbagar sprinted off after Eiron.
216. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
The Jedi Auklar knew he had to change tactics as he did his best to deflect the storm of incoming blows from the two evil sith with his off hand. His time recovering with is one hand had made him a bit more ambidextrous, but he was not thrilled with being tested in this way so soon.
He was running out of room behind him. It seemed the Sith were pretty comfortable in their advancing rhythm... and as Auklar had been reminded the hard way, comfort was not a good thing in a saber fight.
He changed his movement, and when the unmasked one moved forward with a downward blow, Auklar stepped to his right and spun forward, using his handicapped hand as a bludgeon against the side of the head of the Sith as he passed. Good for something still...
He turned and looked at both of them, now from the other side, and took a leap backwards. He knew he couldn't escape them, and if he could he wouldn't be able to risk the innocent crowd in the area whom they'd already taken many from.
The space he'd created between them gave him enough time to gather the force around him and SHOVE.
---------------
Raezyr and Trychon flew back nearly ten meters through the air, but managed to retain their balance and their weapons on landing... barely. They started to advance again before being thrown back again. They were more prepared this time and went a bit less than half as far, but still lost ground.
Things looked less hopeful for the two sith, until Raezyr got an idea. I have an idea. Get in front of me. I'll be behind you.
If I'm going in front of you, you'd better watch how you hold those blades VERY carefully Trychon thought in return.
Trychon moved forward and got ahead of Raezyr, unsure of what was going through his head exactly. A second later, he felt much more reassured and his confidence was back. Then he felt the Nitko prepare to repel them again. He steeled himself against the incoming blow, and then he felt a surge of energy flow through him as his confidence had moments earlier. The force shielded him perfectly from the blow.
Raezyr's using our bond to reinforce my abilities! Trychon grinned largely. He felt the room slow down and become more active at the same time, seeing more eddies in the Force, but understanding them much quicker. He saw the Jedi's eyes widen just a bit before he launched himself forward with a quick jump, all but erasing the distance between himself and the reptile.
He flailed his black blade around endlessly, with more speed and more power than he had previously had in him. With each strike, the blocks became later and more clumsy than the last.
In a few moment's positioning, he had his enemy in the position he wanted. He brought about another blow. As the block came down slowly, he altered his saber's flight minutely, and took the Jedi's good wrist. He felt the pain emanating from the alien, but didn't hesitate to bring his blade back around to jab through his midsection and out his back.
Trychon turned his blade off and watched the body slump to the ground, and felt some of the energy leave him. He felt tired. He looked back at his comrade, and saw his shoulders drop a few centimeters as well.
Trychon walked over to the hilt on the ground, and called it to his hand. He flicked the blade on and looked the weapon over in it's entirety before shutting it off and clipping it onto his belt.
He was running out of room behind him. It seemed the Sith were pretty comfortable in their advancing rhythm... and as Auklar had been reminded the hard way, comfort was not a good thing in a saber fight.
He changed his movement, and when the unmasked one moved forward with a downward blow, Auklar stepped to his right and spun forward, using his handicapped hand as a bludgeon against the side of the head of the Sith as he passed. Good for something still...
He turned and looked at both of them, now from the other side, and took a leap backwards. He knew he couldn't escape them, and if he could he wouldn't be able to risk the innocent crowd in the area whom they'd already taken many from.
The space he'd created between them gave him enough time to gather the force around him and SHOVE.
---------------
Raezyr and Trychon flew back nearly ten meters through the air, but managed to retain their balance and their weapons on landing... barely. They started to advance again before being thrown back again. They were more prepared this time and went a bit less than half as far, but still lost ground.
Things looked less hopeful for the two sith, until Raezyr got an idea. I have an idea. Get in front of me. I'll be behind you.
If I'm going in front of you, you'd better watch how you hold those blades VERY carefully Trychon thought in return.
Trychon moved forward and got ahead of Raezyr, unsure of what was going through his head exactly. A second later, he felt much more reassured and his confidence was back. Then he felt the Nitko prepare to repel them again. He steeled himself against the incoming blow, and then he felt a surge of energy flow through him as his confidence had moments earlier. The force shielded him perfectly from the blow.
Raezyr's using our bond to reinforce my abilities! Trychon grinned largely. He felt the room slow down and become more active at the same time, seeing more eddies in the Force, but understanding them much quicker. He saw the Jedi's eyes widen just a bit before he launched himself forward with a quick jump, all but erasing the distance between himself and the reptile.
He flailed his black blade around endlessly, with more speed and more power than he had previously had in him. With each strike, the blocks became later and more clumsy than the last.
In a few moment's positioning, he had his enemy in the position he wanted. He brought about another blow. As the block came down slowly, he altered his saber's flight minutely, and took the Jedi's good wrist. He felt the pain emanating from the alien, but didn't hesitate to bring his blade back around to jab through his midsection and out his back.
Trychon turned his blade off and watched the body slump to the ground, and felt some of the energy leave him. He felt tired. He looked back at his comrade, and saw his shoulders drop a few centimeters as well.
Trychon walked over to the hilt on the ground, and called it to his hand. He flicked the blade on and looked the weapon over in it's entirety before shutting it off and clipping it onto his belt.
215. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Tyrrazapon and Anya flanked the "blind" Jedi and circled. He still hadn't drawn his lightsaber, which put both of them even more on edge.
"If its all the same to you two, I really don't feel like fighting. There's been enough death here already, don't you think? We can always simply wait here until our masters are through with their duel and catch up to us. Then either your Master kills me, or my Master captures you. Its not like our fighting will make any difference in either outcome," the Miralukan said.
Anya laughed. "Oh, there's no doubt as the the outcome of that duel, so why should we wait and let our Master kill you, when we can so easily do it ourselves. Besides, I've already killed one Jedi today, so why stop there?" She laughed when she spoke of killing Nylan, almost as if she were recalling a funny joke she had heard.
Anya, start herding him toward that alley so he has less chance of escape. It sounds crazy, but I think he may be unarmed, came Tyrrazapon's voice to her mind.
Tyrrazapon spoke out loud, "Come. Let's find out what the Miralukan look like on the inside, shall we?" He lunged forward as he finished his taunt, aiming his strike so that to retreat, the Jedi had to move closer to the alley.
"If its all the same to you two, I really don't feel like fighting. There's been enough death here already, don't you think? We can always simply wait here until our masters are through with their duel and catch up to us. Then either your Master kills me, or my Master captures you. Its not like our fighting will make any difference in either outcome," the Miralukan said.
Anya laughed. "Oh, there's no doubt as the the outcome of that duel, so why should we wait and let our Master kill you, when we can so easily do it ourselves. Besides, I've already killed one Jedi today, so why stop there?" She laughed when she spoke of killing Nylan, almost as if she were recalling a funny joke she had heard.
Anya, start herding him toward that alley so he has less chance of escape. It sounds crazy, but I think he may be unarmed, came Tyrrazapon's voice to her mind.
Tyrrazapon spoke out loud, "Come. Let's find out what the Miralukan look like on the inside, shall we?" He lunged forward as he finished his taunt, aiming his strike so that to retreat, the Jedi had to move closer to the alley.
214. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Kirean
Kirean had been terrified when the fifth Sith had appeared. It wasnt because he hadnt seen him coming at all, though that surprise was a part of it. It hadnt even been because of his skill with the Force and a lightsaber. No. What was absolutely monstrous was the way the Force reacted around him. Wracked, twisted, broken and screaming as if in agony. And as he watched the two innocents die he could see their life draining into that abyss surrounding the Sith lord. Because that was the only thing this...thing could be. He was a monster, an utter and complete monster. His blood ran cold even at this distance from him. It felt like just being in his presence would be enough to kill. How then, could those four even stand to be around this beast? Let alone become its apprentices.
It was with great relief then that he ran after the four. Anything to get away from the Sith lord. He had been barely keeping control of his emotions as it was just standing there, much less fighting. Master Le-Ek and he arrived just as the Sith had stolen a speeder, blasting into the crowd left and right as they made their escape. Kirean could see the voids where the Force had drained from the dead, surrounded by the maddened rush of the living. He could also see the emanations of so much death practically pulsing from the four Sith. There was no danger in loosing them at least.
"Unless we stop those Sith there will be more like these. Here!"
Master Le-Ek found an undamaged swoop bike, motioning for Kirean to get behind him as he started the machine up. Soon enough they were right behind the Sith's stolen vehicle, using the bike's superior maneuverability to weave around obstacles while using Kirean's sight to guide them. They didnt have to go far fortunately, as the speeder had taken too much damage from the Sith using it to ram things left and right. It was enough to make Kirean wonder if they wanted to be followed. They set down the swoop just as the four Sith lept from the speeder, sending it crashing into a storefront. As the dark siders cut their way towards them, Master Le-Ek moved to intercept one pair, or perhaps it was the other way around. Either way, the three were soon drawn off, leaving Kirean to deal with the other two.
He didnt bother turning his head as they circled him like predators, searching for an opening, or at least an opening they didnt think was a trap. They had the stain of so much death on them that he could probably see them through a hundred meters of solid durasteel. Kirean sighed, now that he was a good distance away from that complete monster of a Sith lord, his thoughts were recollecting themselves, noting that this wasn't a very advantageous position. Perhaps he shouldnt have been so quick to refuse a lightsaber.
"If its all the same to you two, I really don't feel like fighting. There's been enough death here already, don't you think? We can always simply wait here until our masters are through with their duel and catch up to us. Then either your Master kills me, or my Master captures you. Its not like our fighting will make any difference in either outcome."
His voice sounded more tired than anything. Keeping his cool around the Sith lord had been draining. And while he was almost certain this wouldn't work, there was no harm in trying at least.
It was with great relief then that he ran after the four. Anything to get away from the Sith lord. He had been barely keeping control of his emotions as it was just standing there, much less fighting. Master Le-Ek and he arrived just as the Sith had stolen a speeder, blasting into the crowd left and right as they made their escape. Kirean could see the voids where the Force had drained from the dead, surrounded by the maddened rush of the living. He could also see the emanations of so much death practically pulsing from the four Sith. There was no danger in loosing them at least.
"Unless we stop those Sith there will be more like these. Here!"
Master Le-Ek found an undamaged swoop bike, motioning for Kirean to get behind him as he started the machine up. Soon enough they were right behind the Sith's stolen vehicle, using the bike's superior maneuverability to weave around obstacles while using Kirean's sight to guide them. They didnt have to go far fortunately, as the speeder had taken too much damage from the Sith using it to ram things left and right. It was enough to make Kirean wonder if they wanted to be followed. They set down the swoop just as the four Sith lept from the speeder, sending it crashing into a storefront. As the dark siders cut their way towards them, Master Le-Ek moved to intercept one pair, or perhaps it was the other way around. Either way, the three were soon drawn off, leaving Kirean to deal with the other two.
He didnt bother turning his head as they circled him like predators, searching for an opening, or at least an opening they didnt think was a trap. They had the stain of so much death on them that he could probably see them through a hundred meters of solid durasteel. Kirean sighed, now that he was a good distance away from that complete monster of a Sith lord, his thoughts were recollecting themselves, noting that this wasn't a very advantageous position. Perhaps he shouldnt have been so quick to refuse a lightsaber.
"If its all the same to you two, I really don't feel like fighting. There's been enough death here already, don't you think? We can always simply wait here until our masters are through with their duel and catch up to us. Then either your Master kills me, or my Master captures you. Its not like our fighting will make any difference in either outcome."
His voice sounded more tired than anything. Keeping his cool around the Sith lord had been draining. And while he was almost certain this wouldn't work, there was no harm in trying at least.
January 23, 2009
213. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
They were still moving at a good clip when the engine died for good.
"Get ready to bail!" Tyrrazapon yelled as he aimed the speeder at a busy store front. The four of them lept from the vehicle and used the Force to land nimbly on their feet as speeder crashed into the front window and burst into flames.
The two Jedi shut down the swoop bike they had commandeered and lept from it as it stopped a hundred meters or so from the four Sith and the carnage at store. They watched as the fiends approached them, killing and maiming innocent civillians who made the mistake of getting to close.
"All right, let's split up... fight them 2 on one. We'll fare better if they can't cover each other. Anya, Tyr, draw the Miralukan. Trych, you're with me on lizard boy. Whomever dispatches theirs first comes to help the other two," Raezyr said, slicing the hamstring of a Gran who was scrambling to get out of his way.
Raezyr and Trychon moved to the Nikto's side of the street, while Anya and Tyrrazapon moved the other way, circling around the man with what appeared to be eye bandages.
"How come they get the blind guy?" Trychon asked Raezyr under his breath as they steadily closed the gap toward the Jedi.
"He's not blind. He's Miralukan. I don't exactly know how they do it, but he can probably see better than we can. Don't let the band over his eyes fool you," Raezyr returned, recalling an incident years ago on Arkania.
Trychon didn't comment on it further but instead said, "When we get over on that side, I'll slip into that holo theater and stir up some fun. When that thing starts coming toward us, follow me in."
"Gotcha. I'm sensing that Tyr and Anya are going to try something similar over there," Raezyr answered.
Raezyr moved more directly toward the Nikto Jedi as Trychon slipped into the theater. He could hear the screaming begin inside as he made a feint towared the Jedi.
"You're all monsters. Why are you doing this?" The Jedi spoke, easily deflecting Raezyr's feint.
"Why not?" Raezyr said as he chuckled. He continued to feint and back up, testing his opponent and drawing him toward the theater at the same time. "You Jedi like to think that everything happens by the will of the Force. Maybe it's just those people's time to die. Now you have something in common with all this rabble you Jedi look down on."
"What do you mean?" Auklar said, although he already knew the answer.
"It's your time to die, as well." Raezyr gave a sudden quick flurry of attacks then turned and ran into the theater.
People were screaming and trying to exit the theater, but Raezyr easily cut down those in his way as he moved through the lobby and into theater.
Le-Ek Auklar hesitated. I shouldn't leave Kiren, but these Sith have to be stopped, and right now, he thought and ran in to the building after the armored murderer.
He ran through the carnage in the lobby and entered the theater. The armored villian stood 20 meters away in the aisle, red and blue sabers ignited and held low at his sides.
"Let's do this lizard face," Raezyr said.
Auklar covered the distance quickly twirling his yellow blade and striking in a fury of blows, driving the Sith backward under his savage attack. He placed all his focus into the careful placement of his blows, trying to compensate for his lack of accuracy with his prosthetic arm.
Trychon waited for the right moment and dropped the 15 meters from the balcony, using the Force to land quietly. He took careful aim then swung his black blade at the Nikto's upraised saber arm, attempting to remove it.
Sparks and smoke flew from the arm as the blade struck, but didn't pass through though the saber hilt went flying out of his hand.
The cortosis in the arm prevented the amputation, but Auklar could no longer feel nor grip the hilt. He threw himself sideways in the direction that the hilt had gone just has Raezyr's red saber passed through the spot where his head was just a moment ago. He scooped up his weapon in his off hand as he rolled to his feet.
The two Sith circled around, flanking him again as he re-ignited his light saber.
He only hoped the Padawan was faring better than he was.
"Get ready to bail!" Tyrrazapon yelled as he aimed the speeder at a busy store front. The four of them lept from the vehicle and used the Force to land nimbly on their feet as speeder crashed into the front window and burst into flames.
The two Jedi shut down the swoop bike they had commandeered and lept from it as it stopped a hundred meters or so from the four Sith and the carnage at store. They watched as the fiends approached them, killing and maiming innocent civillians who made the mistake of getting to close.
"All right, let's split up... fight them 2 on one. We'll fare better if they can't cover each other. Anya, Tyr, draw the Miralukan. Trych, you're with me on lizard boy. Whomever dispatches theirs first comes to help the other two," Raezyr said, slicing the hamstring of a Gran who was scrambling to get out of his way.
Raezyr and Trychon moved to the Nikto's side of the street, while Anya and Tyrrazapon moved the other way, circling around the man with what appeared to be eye bandages.
"How come they get the blind guy?" Trychon asked Raezyr under his breath as they steadily closed the gap toward the Jedi.
"He's not blind. He's Miralukan. I don't exactly know how they do it, but he can probably see better than we can. Don't let the band over his eyes fool you," Raezyr returned, recalling an incident years ago on Arkania.
Trychon didn't comment on it further but instead said, "When we get over on that side, I'll slip into that holo theater and stir up some fun. When that thing starts coming toward us, follow me in."
"Gotcha. I'm sensing that Tyr and Anya are going to try something similar over there," Raezyr answered.
Raezyr moved more directly toward the Nikto Jedi as Trychon slipped into the theater. He could hear the screaming begin inside as he made a feint towared the Jedi.
"You're all monsters. Why are you doing this?" The Jedi spoke, easily deflecting Raezyr's feint.
"Why not?" Raezyr said as he chuckled. He continued to feint and back up, testing his opponent and drawing him toward the theater at the same time. "You Jedi like to think that everything happens by the will of the Force. Maybe it's just those people's time to die. Now you have something in common with all this rabble you Jedi look down on."
"What do you mean?" Auklar said, although he already knew the answer.
"It's your time to die, as well." Raezyr gave a sudden quick flurry of attacks then turned and ran into the theater.
People were screaming and trying to exit the theater, but Raezyr easily cut down those in his way as he moved through the lobby and into theater.
Le-Ek Auklar hesitated. I shouldn't leave Kiren, but these Sith have to be stopped, and right now, he thought and ran in to the building after the armored murderer.
He ran through the carnage in the lobby and entered the theater. The armored villian stood 20 meters away in the aisle, red and blue sabers ignited and held low at his sides.
"Let's do this lizard face," Raezyr said.
Auklar covered the distance quickly twirling his yellow blade and striking in a fury of blows, driving the Sith backward under his savage attack. He placed all his focus into the careful placement of his blows, trying to compensate for his lack of accuracy with his prosthetic arm.
Trychon waited for the right moment and dropped the 15 meters from the balcony, using the Force to land quietly. He took careful aim then swung his black blade at the Nikto's upraised saber arm, attempting to remove it.
Sparks and smoke flew from the arm as the blade struck, but didn't pass through though the saber hilt went flying out of his hand.
The cortosis in the arm prevented the amputation, but Auklar could no longer feel nor grip the hilt. He threw himself sideways in the direction that the hilt had gone just has Raezyr's red saber passed through the spot where his head was just a moment ago. He scooped up his weapon in his off hand as he rolled to his feet.
The two Sith circled around, flanking him again as he re-ignited his light saber.
He only hoped the Padawan was faring better than he was.
212. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Anya looked at Trychon for a second, taking in the comments he'd made. She turned to the mass of people and started pulling on the trigger at random.
Raezyr felt under his seat for a moment before finding a similar blaster. He was about to start firing at random as well, in a manner that would best serve chaos, when he noticed two of the Jedi emerging from the station to follow them. He turned the weapon and began firing at the people in their vicinity. He hoped to wound them only, garnering more attention from the Jedi to heal, and less determination to stop him.
Tyrrazapon got the speeder moving through the crowd, with similar disinterest as to who was in the way. People started to scramble away from them as much as they could, and Tyrrazapon adjusted by starting to veer to get some of them.
Trychon patted Tyrrazapon on the shoulder and pointed at a row of speeder bikes off to one side. Tyrrazapon understood and pulled the vehicle into them, sending parts flying. As they pulled away from the mess he'd made, they could feel the concussion from the explosion of a few of the speeders.
They got a few hundred more meters away before Tyrrazapon decided to smash into the rear end of a similar speeder. The headlights of their speeder broke away and mingled with the remnants of the tail lights of the speeder they'd smashed. The panic in the crowd around them was palpable to the entire group.
Then the engine began to falter...
Raezyr felt under his seat for a moment before finding a similar blaster. He was about to start firing at random as well, in a manner that would best serve chaos, when he noticed two of the Jedi emerging from the station to follow them. He turned the weapon and began firing at the people in their vicinity. He hoped to wound them only, garnering more attention from the Jedi to heal, and less determination to stop him.
Tyrrazapon got the speeder moving through the crowd, with similar disinterest as to who was in the way. People started to scramble away from them as much as they could, and Tyrrazapon adjusted by starting to veer to get some of them.
Trychon patted Tyrrazapon on the shoulder and pointed at a row of speeder bikes off to one side. Tyrrazapon understood and pulled the vehicle into them, sending parts flying. As they pulled away from the mess he'd made, they could feel the concussion from the explosion of a few of the speeders.
They got a few hundred more meters away before Tyrrazapon decided to smash into the rear end of a similar speeder. The headlights of their speeder broke away and mingled with the remnants of the tail lights of the speeder they'd smashed. The panic in the crowd around them was palpable to the entire group.
Then the engine began to falter...
211. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
"Stay back," Barbagar advised his team. "Be wary. Kirean, Le-Ek, you pursue those other presences. Use your sight. Go."
Barbagar powered up his green, curved-hilt lightsaber, one he'd modified countless times over the years but had, more or less, wielded since his early days as a Knight. Master Ullast Treemba, the Arcona woman, ignited a bright turquoise blade of her own. Tracker, the young human who had spoken up earlier and Keble, a short Chadra-Fan. Tracker and Keble hesitantly ignited their own weapons, blue and yellow, respectively.
"Stay back," Barbagar said again. "Don't give him an excuse."
Eiron grinned and sent his lightsaber hurtling through the heart of a man sprinting for the exit. He called the weapon back before the Jedi could rush him.
"We have no time for patience now," Ullast Treemba said. "We must act! Keble, take the right. Master Barbagar, you and Tracker stay to the left!"
"This is a poor idea," Barbagar said, but he followed Treemba's lead and made an attack on the Sith.
-----
Eiron's grin widened. He took two steps to the right and spun his blade around his wrist, deflecting Treemba's strike and maneuvering away from any follow-up blow Keble might launch. He batted another blow away and backpedaled. He was good enough to hold them off but not good enough to stand his ground.
Keble jumped into the air to attack him and Eiron took advantage of that, as he had when fighting Bogan's apprentices. He gripped the Chadra-Fan girl with the Force and threw her aside like a rag doll. The girl rolled to her feet, unharmed, shaken, and out of the fight.
Tracker and Barbagar tried to fill the gap, Treemba taking a few steps to the right and allowing them to move in. Eiron back-flipped and sent out a shockwave of Force energy, blocking the way. As the Master-and-Apprentice absorbed the energy of the attack, Treemba intensified her assault.
Eiron blocked two low strokes before countering at the middle and pushing her blade away from his body. In that instant, she left an opening and made the mistake of exposing her weapon arm. Eiron cut it off, ran his blade through her heart and kicked her down.
"Master!" Keble rushed to Treemba's side as Barbagar shouted something unintelligible and rushed Eiron. Instead of standing to fight, the Dark Lord ran. Barbagar was a test for another day. The apprentices were in need of him now.
Barbagar powered up his green, curved-hilt lightsaber, one he'd modified countless times over the years but had, more or less, wielded since his early days as a Knight. Master Ullast Treemba, the Arcona woman, ignited a bright turquoise blade of her own. Tracker, the young human who had spoken up earlier and Keble, a short Chadra-Fan. Tracker and Keble hesitantly ignited their own weapons, blue and yellow, respectively.
"Stay back," Barbagar said again. "Don't give him an excuse."
Eiron grinned and sent his lightsaber hurtling through the heart of a man sprinting for the exit. He called the weapon back before the Jedi could rush him.
"We have no time for patience now," Ullast Treemba said. "We must act! Keble, take the right. Master Barbagar, you and Tracker stay to the left!"
"This is a poor idea," Barbagar said, but he followed Treemba's lead and made an attack on the Sith.
-----
Eiron's grin widened. He took two steps to the right and spun his blade around his wrist, deflecting Treemba's strike and maneuvering away from any follow-up blow Keble might launch. He batted another blow away and backpedaled. He was good enough to hold them off but not good enough to stand his ground.
Keble jumped into the air to attack him and Eiron took advantage of that, as he had when fighting Bogan's apprentices. He gripped the Chadra-Fan girl with the Force and threw her aside like a rag doll. The girl rolled to her feet, unharmed, shaken, and out of the fight.
Tracker and Barbagar tried to fill the gap, Treemba taking a few steps to the right and allowing them to move in. Eiron back-flipped and sent out a shockwave of Force energy, blocking the way. As the Master-and-Apprentice absorbed the energy of the attack, Treemba intensified her assault.
Eiron blocked two low strokes before countering at the middle and pushing her blade away from his body. In that instant, she left an opening and made the mistake of exposing her weapon arm. Eiron cut it off, ran his blade through her heart and kicked her down.
"Master!" Keble rushed to Treemba's side as Barbagar shouted something unintelligible and rushed Eiron. Instead of standing to fight, the Dark Lord ran. Barbagar was a test for another day. The apprentices were in need of him now.
210. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Trychon decapitated a couple running down the street as he vaulted himself into the back of the speeder.
"Master said 'Run.' He didn't say 'Hide your escape.' Every civilian down is a distraction and a loss of life force for them to draw on... Meanwhile, Master and ourselves can be fueled by the mayhem, the chaos, the panic, the fear and the hate!" Trychon yelled over his back as he dug underneath the back seat of the speeder.
He grabbed the holdout blaster he found there, turned around, and handed it to Anya. Looking into her eyes, told her... 'Fire into the crowd.'
"Master said 'Run.' He didn't say 'Hide your escape.' Every civilian down is a distraction and a loss of life force for them to draw on... Meanwhile, Master and ourselves can be fueled by the mayhem, the chaos, the panic, the fear and the hate!" Trychon yelled over his back as he dug underneath the back seat of the speeder.
He grabbed the holdout blaster he found there, turned around, and handed it to Anya. Looking into her eyes, told her... 'Fire into the crowd.'
209. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Raezyr watched as his Master, Lord Eiron, stepped forth from seemingly nowhere to issue the challenge to the Jedi, and his feeling of impending doom vanished instantly. He felt a fleeting twinge of guilt at doubting the Sith Master, but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared, swallowed by the anticipation of sating his lust for Jedi death that had gone unquenched earlier.
He let the anger of that moment fill him, the anger at a helpless Jedi slipping away when his blade had been right at her throat. That little Chadra-fan would be his first target when the time came.
Eiron's voice spoke in his mind. Run. I will stall them. Get to safety; I will find you. Go.
He obeyed instantly, as did the other three, as they ran up the metal steps leading out of the monorail station and to the street. Unfortunately, Eiron's attack on the civillians had caused panic in the rest of the passengers as what at first had seemed like a spectacle to watch turned into something from which to flee, clogging the steps in the process.
Trychon and Raezyr copied their master and carved a path to the street through the mass of bodies trying to escape the mayhem and havoc below.
They paused when they reached the street and looked around.
"Where to?" Anya asked.
Trychon pointed across the street to a four-seat speeder that had just pulled up in front of the Night Ranger. "There," he said.
They reached the speeder in only a few strides, just as the party-goers were getting out of the vehicle.
Tyrrazapon cut down the vehicle owners as he approached the speeder.
As they pulled away, Anya turned spoke to the other three, "You guys do realize that if we're supposed to be getting away, we can't be leaving a trail of bodies, right?"
He let the anger of that moment fill him, the anger at a helpless Jedi slipping away when his blade had been right at her throat. That little Chadra-fan would be his first target when the time came.
Eiron's voice spoke in his mind. Run. I will stall them. Get to safety; I will find you. Go.
He obeyed instantly, as did the other three, as they ran up the metal steps leading out of the monorail station and to the street. Unfortunately, Eiron's attack on the civillians had caused panic in the rest of the passengers as what at first had seemed like a spectacle to watch turned into something from which to flee, clogging the steps in the process.
Trychon and Raezyr copied their master and carved a path to the street through the mass of bodies trying to escape the mayhem and havoc below.
They paused when they reached the street and looked around.
"Where to?" Anya asked.
Trychon pointed across the street to a four-seat speeder that had just pulled up in front of the Night Ranger. "There," he said.
They reached the speeder in only a few strides, just as the party-goers were getting out of the vehicle.
Tyrrazapon cut down the vehicle owners as he approached the speeder.
As they pulled away, Anya turned spoke to the other three, "You guys do realize that if we're supposed to be getting away, we can't be leaving a trail of bodies, right?"
208. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
A lightsaber ignited on the far end of the platform. Eiron was grinning, his arms spread. "Hello, hello," he said, taking a few steps towards the Jedi.
Run, he said in the Force. I will stall them. Get to safety; I will find you. Go.
He cut off the heads of two civilians who were not giving him enough room and threw out his hand towards the Jedi. A bench ripped free of the floor and hurtled towards them. Barbagar and the Arcona woman both worked in tandem and stopped its flight.
"Hello, Jedi," he said, twirling his lightsaber playfully in his left hand. "Hello. Come looking for the Sith? Well, here I am."
"By the authority of the Jedi Council-" The Arcona began, but she was cut off."You have no authority here. This is hardly Republic-controlled turf."
"Coruscant is the seat of the Republic!" A young human boy spoke up. "Our jurisdiction is limitless here."
"Argue with me if you will." Eiron fell into a fighting stance. "Come and play if you're done with that."
Run, he said in the Force. I will stall them. Get to safety; I will find you. Go.
He cut off the heads of two civilians who were not giving him enough room and threw out his hand towards the Jedi. A bench ripped free of the floor and hurtled towards them. Barbagar and the Arcona woman both worked in tandem and stopped its flight.
"Hello, Jedi," he said, twirling his lightsaber playfully in his left hand. "Hello. Come looking for the Sith? Well, here I am."
"By the authority of the Jedi Council-" The Arcona began, but she was cut off."You have no authority here. This is hardly Republic-controlled turf."
"Coruscant is the seat of the Republic!" A young human boy spoke up. "Our jurisdiction is limitless here."
"Argue with me if you will." Eiron fell into a fighting stance. "Come and play if you're done with that."
207. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Kirean
Editorial note: All posts with "Kirean" in the title were written by the user "Venant" from Star Wars: The Galaxy RP Forum, and are used on this blog with his/her permission.
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Coruscant was a paradox to Kirean in many ways. A world of metal and machines, yet it throbbed with life. The feelings and passions of billions of beings coursed through the streets, a whirling maelstrom with the Jedi Temple at the calm eye of the storm that had disoriented him greatly when he had first arrived. Even with the training he had, it sometimes still gave him headaches.
He had honestly been surprised when he had been assigned to assist in seeking out Nylan's murderers, though in retrospect it was likely because his sight could prove useful in spotting Force users. He looked out from the window of the monorail as they traveled over the skyline, letting his sight wander freely. The Force still throbbed strongly near where Nylan had been killed, but normality and what passed for calm in Coruscant were swiftly reasserting itself, at least from what he could see at this distance. He turned his sight into the monorail itself, the other Jedi with him shone brilliantly and he could almost see the whirling currents of the Force around Master Barbagar. The other beings on the train shone less so to his sight, not being sensitive to the Force around them but still being permeated by it. And when he concentrated hard enough he could even see a small nest of rodents sleeping among the machinery itself.
The miraluka brought his sight back when the train arrived at the station nearest to the site of Nylan's death. He was nervous. He had been constantly admonished against the Dark Side, against its addictive power. But he had never met any who truly wielded it, not just drawing upon anger in a fit of rage as he had done. But even that brief portion had been enough to frighten him. As they walked out of the train he noticed the aura of the Force around Master Barbagar.....sharpening was the best word for it. Becoming more defined as the Jedi Master focused on it. A chill ran down his spine. 'They are close.'
"Do you see anything out-of-place?"
Kirean was caught off-guard by the Master directing such a question at him. Or maybe he was simply thinking too much. Regardless, the Miraluka took a deep breath to calm himself and let his sight wander about the depot. What he found was disturbing. They were here. Unlike the Jedi beside him these beings seemed to shine "dark", for lack of a better word. And he could almost see blood on their hands.
He didn't turn his head in their direction, instead speaking softly. "Master, four humans have just entered with blood fresh on their hands."
Kirean saw as Anya reached for something that looked a lot like a lightsaber, coated in his sight with fresh blood. Instinctively he jerked his head to look directly at her, his sight focusing on the imminent danger. "One of them is reaching for a weapon."
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Coruscant was a paradox to Kirean in many ways. A world of metal and machines, yet it throbbed with life. The feelings and passions of billions of beings coursed through the streets, a whirling maelstrom with the Jedi Temple at the calm eye of the storm that had disoriented him greatly when he had first arrived. Even with the training he had, it sometimes still gave him headaches.
He had honestly been surprised when he had been assigned to assist in seeking out Nylan's murderers, though in retrospect it was likely because his sight could prove useful in spotting Force users. He looked out from the window of the monorail as they traveled over the skyline, letting his sight wander freely. The Force still throbbed strongly near where Nylan had been killed, but normality and what passed for calm in Coruscant were swiftly reasserting itself, at least from what he could see at this distance. He turned his sight into the monorail itself, the other Jedi with him shone brilliantly and he could almost see the whirling currents of the Force around Master Barbagar. The other beings on the train shone less so to his sight, not being sensitive to the Force around them but still being permeated by it. And when he concentrated hard enough he could even see a small nest of rodents sleeping among the machinery itself.
The miraluka brought his sight back when the train arrived at the station nearest to the site of Nylan's death. He was nervous. He had been constantly admonished against the Dark Side, against its addictive power. But he had never met any who truly wielded it, not just drawing upon anger in a fit of rage as he had done. But even that brief portion had been enough to frighten him. As they walked out of the train he noticed the aura of the Force around Master Barbagar.....sharpening was the best word for it. Becoming more defined as the Jedi Master focused on it. A chill ran down his spine. 'They are close.'
"Do you see anything out-of-place?"
Kirean was caught off-guard by the Master directing such a question at him. Or maybe he was simply thinking too much. Regardless, the Miraluka took a deep breath to calm himself and let his sight wander about the depot. What he found was disturbing. They were here. Unlike the Jedi beside him these beings seemed to shine "dark", for lack of a better word. And he could almost see blood on their hands.
He didn't turn his head in their direction, instead speaking softly. "Master, four humans have just entered with blood fresh on their hands."
Kirean saw as Anya reached for something that looked a lot like a lightsaber, coated in his sight with fresh blood. Instinctively he jerked his head to look directly at her, his sight focusing on the imminent danger. "One of them is reaching for a weapon."
206. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
II
Jedi Master Jame Barbagar, a tall human male with longer, shoulder-length hair and a black goatee, looked ahead, waiting for the rest of his team to join him. Nylan was dead: he had sensed that. Her life force had swelled and then diminished, as had the power of the Dark Side. The Sith, or at the very least Dark Jedi, were involved. The Council had been on-edge since Master Darson's death, so the appearance of the Darksiders was in every way a green light for them to dispatch a team and straighten things out. Not only would they catch Nylan's murderers, they also hoped they could learn more information as to why Master Darson as killed.
Not that anyone outside of the Jedi Council and Zatrian Lightker knew about Darson and the Sith he'd fought. That as highly classified.
Barbagar felt a meek spike in the Force, something on the edge of his perceptions that might not be anything, but might be something. He looked over to the Miraluka Jedi with them, Kirean Vale.
"Do you see anything out-of-place?"
Jedi Master Jame Barbagar, a tall human male with longer, shoulder-length hair and a black goatee, looked ahead, waiting for the rest of his team to join him. Nylan was dead: he had sensed that. Her life force had swelled and then diminished, as had the power of the Dark Side. The Sith, or at the very least Dark Jedi, were involved. The Council had been on-edge since Master Darson's death, so the appearance of the Darksiders was in every way a green light for them to dispatch a team and straighten things out. Not only would they catch Nylan's murderers, they also hoped they could learn more information as to why Master Darson as killed.
Not that anyone outside of the Jedi Council and Zatrian Lightker knew about Darson and the Sith he'd fought. That as highly classified.
Barbagar felt a meek spike in the Force, something on the edge of his perceptions that might not be anything, but might be something. He looked over to the Miraluka Jedi with them, Kirean Vale.
"Do you see anything out-of-place?"
205. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Raezyr stood watching the carnage. He couldn't stop thinking about the Jedi he had let live.
"I'm gonna kill her," he said aloud and began sprinting back toward the Night Ranger nightclub.
"What are you talking about?" Tyrrazapon asked.
Raezyr didn't answer, but kept moving.
"Shit!" Trychon said, guessing his intentions. "Raez is going back for that other Jedi," he said and started off after Raezyr at a dead run.
"Raezyr! No! We finished our part! That place is probably crawling with Jedi and Judicials by now," Anya called, following them.
Tyrrazapon just chuckled as he followed after the rest of them. "That guy is my kind of crazy."
Raezyr was standing several meters back from alley entrance by the Night Ranger when the other three caught up with him.
"She's gone already, damn it," he said, more to himself than to the others. He turned to the others. "I had to try," Raezyr said almost apologetically.
The scene outside the night club had already gone back to business as usual, the only sign that the battle had taken place was the broken club sign on the side of the building.
"The constables must have gotten the Jedi out of here," Trychon mused, surveying the street. "They must be patrolling the area looking for their men by now. We need to get off the street before we run into any more."
"There's a monorail station across the street," Anya pointed out. "Maybe we could take that," she suggested.
"Good idea. Let's go two by two. Act naturally," Raezyr said.
"C'mon, Anya, let's go," Tyrrazapon said and the two started across the street at a casual walk.
"Trych, something big is about to happen. I can feel it," Raezyr said to his friend."I can too," Trychon agreed. "Let's go, they're almost across the street."
As they strolled casually, Raezyr wondered about the bonds that had quickly formed between the four of them, but mostly about the connection with Trychon. It seemed stronger than with the other two, almost as if their destinies were intertwined. Then again, the Force was swirling so much right here and right now that anything was possible.
They met up with Anya and Tyrrazapon inside the station and made their way down to the monorail passenger platform as the train was just pulling out.
There were several dozen passengers who had disembarked from the train, but only of them drew the groups attention: two human males, a Nikto male, a Chadra-fan female, an Arcona female and a Miraluka male. Each one was dressed in Jedi robes.
Anya spoke as she reached for her light saber, "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"I'm gonna kill her," he said aloud and began sprinting back toward the Night Ranger nightclub.
"What are you talking about?" Tyrrazapon asked.
Raezyr didn't answer, but kept moving.
"Shit!" Trychon said, guessing his intentions. "Raez is going back for that other Jedi," he said and started off after Raezyr at a dead run.
"Raezyr! No! We finished our part! That place is probably crawling with Jedi and Judicials by now," Anya called, following them.
Tyrrazapon just chuckled as he followed after the rest of them. "That guy is my kind of crazy."
Raezyr was standing several meters back from alley entrance by the Night Ranger when the other three caught up with him.
"She's gone already, damn it," he said, more to himself than to the others. He turned to the others. "I had to try," Raezyr said almost apologetically.
The scene outside the night club had already gone back to business as usual, the only sign that the battle had taken place was the broken club sign on the side of the building.
"The constables must have gotten the Jedi out of here," Trychon mused, surveying the street. "They must be patrolling the area looking for their men by now. We need to get off the street before we run into any more."
"There's a monorail station across the street," Anya pointed out. "Maybe we could take that," she suggested.
"Good idea. Let's go two by two. Act naturally," Raezyr said.
"C'mon, Anya, let's go," Tyrrazapon said and the two started across the street at a casual walk.
"Trych, something big is about to happen. I can feel it," Raezyr said to his friend."I can too," Trychon agreed. "Let's go, they're almost across the street."
As they strolled casually, Raezyr wondered about the bonds that had quickly formed between the four of them, but mostly about the connection with Trychon. It seemed stronger than with the other two, almost as if their destinies were intertwined. Then again, the Force was swirling so much right here and right now that anything was possible.
They met up with Anya and Tyrrazapon inside the station and made their way down to the monorail passenger platform as the train was just pulling out.
There were several dozen passengers who had disembarked from the train, but only of them drew the groups attention: two human males, a Nikto male, a Chadra-fan female, an Arcona female and a Miraluka male. Each one was dressed in Jedi robes.
Anya spoke as she reached for her light saber, "I've got a bad feeling about this."
204. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Trychon walked up to the leader until he was practically bumping him backwards with his chest. He took on a military tone and stance and stared into his eyes.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Trychon yelled into the face of the commander, similarly trying to sound military.
This was clearly not what the man had expected. His face twisted a bit in confusion."We're uh... surrendering to you..."
"What is your name and rank?"
"Commander Zeke McDaris" he replied, although with a bit of unsureness to his voice.
"Commander, why would you open fire and give chase to four Sith?" Trychon asked, with the continued hostile tone.
"Uh... Sith? We got a call that..."
"How many of your men are you willing to risk based on some random call of a disturbance?" Trychon interrupted.
Tyrrazapon and Anya walked to positions near the other two judicials left standing. Raezyr just stood by the wall, watching.
"I..."
"Can you think of anything more absurd to do, Commander?"
"We..."
"I can only think of one thing that would be more absurd than chasing after four Sith, Commander McDaris... can you?"
"I'm... not sure?" McDaris responded... clearly lost as to what was happening.
Trychon lit his blade right in between their eyes... which were only inches apart to begin with.
"Never, EVER... Surrender to four sith."
Trychon just held his glare into the eyes of the man in front of him while Anya and Tyrrazapon cut down the two men still standing... and then making short work of the wounded. Raezyr watched on, seemingly bored... his mind still on the Jedi that eluded him.
When there was only the one man left, Trychon spoke again. "Never forget."
Trychon powered down his blade and turned and took a step away as though he were leaving.
Then he turned again with the black blade lit once more, and cleaved the man from hip to shoulder.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Trychon yelled into the face of the commander, similarly trying to sound military.
This was clearly not what the man had expected. His face twisted a bit in confusion."We're uh... surrendering to you..."
"What is your name and rank?"
"Commander Zeke McDaris" he replied, although with a bit of unsureness to his voice.
"Commander, why would you open fire and give chase to four Sith?" Trychon asked, with the continued hostile tone.
"Uh... Sith? We got a call that..."
"How many of your men are you willing to risk based on some random call of a disturbance?" Trychon interrupted.
Tyrrazapon and Anya walked to positions near the other two judicials left standing. Raezyr just stood by the wall, watching.
"I..."
"Can you think of anything more absurd to do, Commander?"
"We..."
"I can only think of one thing that would be more absurd than chasing after four Sith, Commander McDaris... can you?"
"I'm... not sure?" McDaris responded... clearly lost as to what was happening.
Trychon lit his blade right in between their eyes... which were only inches apart to begin with.
"Never, EVER... Surrender to four sith."
Trychon just held his glare into the eyes of the man in front of him while Anya and Tyrrazapon cut down the two men still standing... and then making short work of the wounded. Raezyr watched on, seemingly bored... his mind still on the Jedi that eluded him.
When there was only the one man left, Trychon spoke again. "Never forget."
Trychon powered down his blade and turned and took a step away as though he were leaving.
Then he turned again with the black blade lit once more, and cleaved the man from hip to shoulder.
203. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
As they re-directed, they backed into another alley.
"Alright, we'll take them here in the alley in a crossfire," Raezyr said. "Anya, Tyr, hide here behind these containers. Trych and I will draw them down the alley, when they pass you step out. Trych and I will redirect bolts, those that miss, you send back," Raezyr said and without waiting for an answer he and Trychon ran down the alley.
Anya and Tyrrazapon had barely slipped behind the plasteel bins when they heard the sounds of booted feet running by their hiding spot. They slipped out as the last constable ran past.
At the other end of the alley, Trychon and Raezyr came to a halt and turned around, snapping on their black, red and blue blades as they did so.
The Judicials took cover behind various bins and containers in the alley and open fired on the two Sith. Many of their own bolts were returned back down the alley.
The constables began to drop like flies. It took them a few moments to realize that bolts were coming at them from behind as well, but by then it was too late. At least six were dead and a dozen more were wounded or dying before they dropped their weapons.
"We surrender!" the commander yelled as the last echos of blaster fire died away. He stepped out and dropped his weapon.
The four Sith approached what was left of the Republic retinue, sabers still ignited.
"Alright, we'll take them here in the alley in a crossfire," Raezyr said. "Anya, Tyr, hide here behind these containers. Trych and I will draw them down the alley, when they pass you step out. Trych and I will redirect bolts, those that miss, you send back," Raezyr said and without waiting for an answer he and Trychon ran down the alley.
Anya and Tyrrazapon had barely slipped behind the plasteel bins when they heard the sounds of booted feet running by their hiding spot. They slipped out as the last constable ran past.
At the other end of the alley, Trychon and Raezyr came to a halt and turned around, snapping on their black, red and blue blades as they did so.
The Judicials took cover behind various bins and containers in the alley and open fired on the two Sith. Many of their own bolts were returned back down the alley.
The constables began to drop like flies. It took them a few moments to realize that bolts were coming at them from behind as well, but by then it was too late. At least six were dead and a dozen more were wounded or dying before they dropped their weapons.
"We surrender!" the commander yelled as the last echos of blaster fire died away. He stepped out and dropped his weapon.
The four Sith approached what was left of the Republic retinue, sabers still ignited.
202. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
The group turned a corner off the alleyway onto another street and Tyrrazapon stopped by a street light. The other three, sensing his lack of movement, turned around to see what he was up to.
He glanced around the corner and saw the Judicials closing in on them. A few hasty shots rung out as he ducked back around the corner. He jaunted back to the light, and ignighted his lightsaber, adding a small orange hue to the light. He waited just a moment before slicing through the pole next to him.
Sensing his intentions, Raezyr and Trychon gave a push to add to gravity's momentum, and to help guide it. Right on cue, the judicials came out of the alleyway. There were sparks and a bit of fire with the collision, then the street was a bit more dim... as was the life force of the first five to come from the alley.
The group ran a hundred meters down the street before feeling that others had gathered the courage to step past the carnage they'd just witnessed. Their blasters opened up again, and all four jedi began deflecting them and redirecting what they could.
In the distance, four more fell.
He glanced around the corner and saw the Judicials closing in on them. A few hasty shots rung out as he ducked back around the corner. He jaunted back to the light, and ignighted his lightsaber, adding a small orange hue to the light. He waited just a moment before slicing through the pole next to him.
Sensing his intentions, Raezyr and Trychon gave a push to add to gravity's momentum, and to help guide it. Right on cue, the judicials came out of the alleyway. There were sparks and a bit of fire with the collision, then the street was a bit more dim... as was the life force of the first five to come from the alley.
The group ran a hundred meters down the street before feeling that others had gathered the courage to step past the carnage they'd just witnessed. Their blasters opened up again, and all four jedi began deflecting them and redirecting what they could.
In the distance, four more fell.
201. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Nylan lay on the ground holding the wound in her chest. She coughed, and when she did, blood erupted from her mouth and ran down her pale cheek.
Anya wiped off her vibro blade with the padawan's robes and replaced it in her boot.
"I'm going to have to remember you have that," Tyrrazapon chuckled as he clasped his hand on Anya's shoulder in congratulations.
The twi'lek feebley reached over trying to grasp Tyrrazapon's cloak. He roughly kicked her hand away as he watched her attempting to take her last breaths. "Don't touch me, worm," he sneered.
Trychon walked over and looked down at the padawan. "Anya, get your blade and finish this. As much as we'd like to sit here and watch, I'm sure some sort of backup will be arriving soon."
Anya quickly jaunted to the alley and retrieved her hilt. She snapped it on as she returned. The girl looked up at Anya and tried to say something, but she only coughed more blood.
"Who's the weak one now, bitch?" she said and drove the red blade into the Padawan's forehead.
While that was taking place, Raezyr had walked over to the Nautolan who was holding the stump of her leg. He could sense her using the Force in an attempt to surpress the pain, as he lowered his red lightsaber to her chest. He could feel the pull of the new crystal, almost as if it longed to be sated by Jedi blood.
"She was my friend," the Jedi said, looking up at Raezyr's masked face.
"Then you will be pleased to know you shall be reunited with her soon," Raezyr retorted.
"I'll not be forgettin dis soon, Sidth," she said.
Raezyr could read the resolve behind her unblinking black eyes. Somewhere deep down inside, he admired the strength she was showing, despite her imminent death.
"Tell me you hate me. Make me believe it, and I shall let you live," Raezyr said.
"I do not hate you. I pity you," she said, but they both knew that it wasn't the complete truth.
"In that case, your life shall be snuffed out, just as your friend's was," he said and he raised the red blade over his head and prepared to bring it down and end the Jedi's life.
Suddenly a hail of blaster bolts came streaking at Raezyr and he just barely reacted in time to start deflecting them. He had been so focused on killing the Jedi that he haddn't even noticed the troop carrier speeder land until the 30 Republic Judicials opened fire.
Anya, Tyrrazapon and Trychon had ducked into the alley the moment the Judicials had landed. They stood there waiting for Raezyr now, but he stubbornly held his ground, deflecting bolts like he had never done before, hoping for one slight opening so he could kill this female Nautolan.
"Raezyr! C'mon, Let's get out of here!" Tyrrazapon yelled from the alley.
Knowing he was right, Raezyr started backing his way toward the alley. He wasn't even trying to redirect at this point. It was taking everything he had just to deflect. It helped that the blade seemed to move of it's own accord.
"We'll meet again Raezah, I can feel it," Talla said, still holding the stub of her right leg.
"Yes.... we will. And I will take another piece of you when we do," Raezyr said and ducked into the alley, running at full speed.
Why did I say that? he wondered, and yet, I somehow know it's true.
He was halfway down the alley when the blaster bolts started flying past him again. Clearly the Judicials didn't plan on letting them get away.
Anya wiped off her vibro blade with the padawan's robes and replaced it in her boot.
"I'm going to have to remember you have that," Tyrrazapon chuckled as he clasped his hand on Anya's shoulder in congratulations.
The twi'lek feebley reached over trying to grasp Tyrrazapon's cloak. He roughly kicked her hand away as he watched her attempting to take her last breaths. "Don't touch me, worm," he sneered.
Trychon walked over and looked down at the padawan. "Anya, get your blade and finish this. As much as we'd like to sit here and watch, I'm sure some sort of backup will be arriving soon."
Anya quickly jaunted to the alley and retrieved her hilt. She snapped it on as she returned. The girl looked up at Anya and tried to say something, but she only coughed more blood.
"Who's the weak one now, bitch?" she said and drove the red blade into the Padawan's forehead.
While that was taking place, Raezyr had walked over to the Nautolan who was holding the stump of her leg. He could sense her using the Force in an attempt to surpress the pain, as he lowered his red lightsaber to her chest. He could feel the pull of the new crystal, almost as if it longed to be sated by Jedi blood.
"She was my friend," the Jedi said, looking up at Raezyr's masked face.
"Then you will be pleased to know you shall be reunited with her soon," Raezyr retorted.
"I'll not be forgettin dis soon, Sidth," she said.
Raezyr could read the resolve behind her unblinking black eyes. Somewhere deep down inside, he admired the strength she was showing, despite her imminent death.
"Tell me you hate me. Make me believe it, and I shall let you live," Raezyr said.
"I do not hate you. I pity you," she said, but they both knew that it wasn't the complete truth.
"In that case, your life shall be snuffed out, just as your friend's was," he said and he raised the red blade over his head and prepared to bring it down and end the Jedi's life.
Suddenly a hail of blaster bolts came streaking at Raezyr and he just barely reacted in time to start deflecting them. He had been so focused on killing the Jedi that he haddn't even noticed the troop carrier speeder land until the 30 Republic Judicials opened fire.
Anya, Tyrrazapon and Trychon had ducked into the alley the moment the Judicials had landed. They stood there waiting for Raezyr now, but he stubbornly held his ground, deflecting bolts like he had never done before, hoping for one slight opening so he could kill this female Nautolan.
"Raezyr! C'mon, Let's get out of here!" Tyrrazapon yelled from the alley.
Knowing he was right, Raezyr started backing his way toward the alley. He wasn't even trying to redirect at this point. It was taking everything he had just to deflect. It helped that the blade seemed to move of it's own accord.
"We'll meet again Raezah, I can feel it," Talla said, still holding the stub of her right leg.
"Yes.... we will. And I will take another piece of you when we do," Raezyr said and ducked into the alley, running at full speed.
Why did I say that? he wondered, and yet, I somehow know it's true.
He was halfway down the alley when the blaster bolts started flying past him again. Clearly the Judicials didn't plan on letting them get away.
200. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
Eiron could sense the ripples in the Force as his apprentices clashed with the Jedi. Perhaps the members of the Jedi Council could sense these things as well; the Jedi Temple was about as close to the scene as he was, and neither their students nor his were really masking their presences anymore. He didn't think any of them were advanced enough to maintain an illusion and still utilize their Force abilities.
Then again, it would be best not to underestimate the Jedi or discount the skills of his students. They were growing quickly.
He activated the cloaking systems on Phobia and took the ship in towards where he suspected his students might be, judging by their Force auras. He couldn't be certain, as Coruscant was so teeming with life the Force was sometimes fickle, but he could say, with some accuracy...
"Ah, there they are." In the alley below he saw the gleam of lightsaber blades, bright flashes of light when the sabers met, sparks when they grazed the walls around them.
"Either that," Lys said. "Or a rave."
"Mmm." Eiron flipped on his scanning package and searched for anything of a Republic military make. They were clear for now. "Keep an eye out, Lys."
"The skies are mine."
Eiron lowered the ramp and dropped from the still-hovering craft to the roof below, where he could watch the fight. Phobia soared away, Lys trying to keep them from being harassed.
Eiron watched the fight below, tempted to intervene but knowing that would not help. He wished to project his will onto the fight, in Battle Meditation, but his apprentices would not need his aid. If they could not defeat the Jedi girl on their own...Oh. She is not alone. Another Jedi?
He squatted, toes jutting over the edge of the roof, wrists resting on his knees, precariously balanced. There were more lightsaber blades down there than there should be.
"Mmm," he said again. "Hmm." Should he intervene? No. They would handle things on their own. Still, if the scales became too tipped, it would be time to act. Promising students could not be dismissed because they were overwhelmed when in over their heads.
His left hand grasped the hilt of his lightsaber and he watched the fight with great interest.
Then again, it would be best not to underestimate the Jedi or discount the skills of his students. They were growing quickly.
He activated the cloaking systems on Phobia and took the ship in towards where he suspected his students might be, judging by their Force auras. He couldn't be certain, as Coruscant was so teeming with life the Force was sometimes fickle, but he could say, with some accuracy...
"Ah, there they are." In the alley below he saw the gleam of lightsaber blades, bright flashes of light when the sabers met, sparks when they grazed the walls around them.
"Either that," Lys said. "Or a rave."
"Mmm." Eiron flipped on his scanning package and searched for anything of a Republic military make. They were clear for now. "Keep an eye out, Lys."
"The skies are mine."
Eiron lowered the ramp and dropped from the still-hovering craft to the roof below, where he could watch the fight. Phobia soared away, Lys trying to keep them from being harassed.
Eiron watched the fight below, tempted to intervene but knowing that would not help. He wished to project his will onto the fight, in Battle Meditation, but his apprentices would not need his aid. If they could not defeat the Jedi girl on their own...Oh. She is not alone. Another Jedi?
He squatted, toes jutting over the edge of the roof, wrists resting on his knees, precariously balanced. There were more lightsaber blades down there than there should be.
"Mmm," he said again. "Hmm." Should he intervene? No. They would handle things on their own. Still, if the scales became too tipped, it would be time to act. Promising students could not be dismissed because they were overwhelmed when in over their heads.
His left hand grasped the hilt of his lightsaber and he watched the fight with great interest.
January 18, 2009
199. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
Raezyr wasted no time waiting for further banter between the disgusting jedi, spinning around and feinting a horizontal swipe at the new foe, then pulling it back in and lunging straight at her chest. Talla wasn't surprised at all, deftly stepping to one side and placing her blade between Raezyr's and herself, then deflecting the blow downwards. She raised her left hand towards the now advancing Tyrrazapon, and deflecting his force push.
Anya went straight forward and took a downward swipe at the younger female. Nylan quickly flipped backwards and out of the way of the blow. She landed on stacked boxes up against the wall of the club. Trychon reached out and force pulled the middle box from under her and she tumbled back, shattering a light display on her way to the ground.
From the ground, she picked up and threw one of the remaining boxes at Trychon's head. He cut it neatly in half and took a step forward.
Jedi Talla danced between the blades of Tyrrazapon and Raezyr, finding her way to the outside of the encounter so she could keep an eye on the entire group. Seeing her young friend backed into a corner, her blade turned aggressive, pushing the two sith closer towards the others. She swiped from their flanks, trying to herd them on the way back to keep them both in front of her.
Trychon watched Anya move in closer with him, and then jumped forward, swinging from his left at Nylan's head. Blocking it as he expected, he kept his forward momentum and threw his right leg out and found it nailing the wall where the Jedi had been, and Anya swiped her saber above the Jedi's back as she rolled forward. Trychon pushed off the wall and ended with his back to Raezyr and Tyrazzapon, with Nylan directly between himself and Anya.
Talla switched tactics, attacking at her opponents from in between them, starting to separate them and create a gap. Waiting for the right time, she spun inside their formation again swinging directly upward with her hilt to deflect nearly simultaneous blows. She followed her action though and straight at Trychon with a downward swing.
Raezyr managed to pull deep and found extra speed in his arms to place his weapon in the way of a near killing blow. Trychon ducked and turned at the sound of the sizzling interception behind him. He spun around with his blade and swung at Talla's midsection. She was not there when his blade passed.
Nylan pressed her attack on her lone foe in Anya. Their blades flew in mimicking flurries, neither gaining advantage. Nylan took a half step back and concentrated a push at Anya. Rather than aim at her body as a whole though, she aimed at her wrists and was rewarded with seeing the blade roll away down the alley.
Trychon, Tyrrazapon and Raezyr did their best to coordinate their attack. When they were somewhat successful, they were rewarded with the Jedi Knight retreating. When they were not, they were rewarded with gifted deflections of all three lightsabers in fluid motions.
"Your defenses are weak even in the dark side, girl." Nylan took two steps towards the retreating Anya.
Trychon wheeled around and pushed with all his might through the force, catching the young gloating Twi'lek off guard. Her chest flew forward and into the small vibroblade Anya pulled from her boot.
Feeling a wave through the force, Talla swung hard at each of the sabers of the three Sith around her and flipped up to get over them and to her friend's aid. All three were off guard for a second, their weapons pushed out of range of the Jedi as she leaped.
Talla glided through the air and flipped, and landed on the ground at the same time a short blue blade twirled just above the ground and through her right knee.
Anya went straight forward and took a downward swipe at the younger female. Nylan quickly flipped backwards and out of the way of the blow. She landed on stacked boxes up against the wall of the club. Trychon reached out and force pulled the middle box from under her and she tumbled back, shattering a light display on her way to the ground.
From the ground, she picked up and threw one of the remaining boxes at Trychon's head. He cut it neatly in half and took a step forward.
Jedi Talla danced between the blades of Tyrrazapon and Raezyr, finding her way to the outside of the encounter so she could keep an eye on the entire group. Seeing her young friend backed into a corner, her blade turned aggressive, pushing the two sith closer towards the others. She swiped from their flanks, trying to herd them on the way back to keep them both in front of her.
Trychon watched Anya move in closer with him, and then jumped forward, swinging from his left at Nylan's head. Blocking it as he expected, he kept his forward momentum and threw his right leg out and found it nailing the wall where the Jedi had been, and Anya swiped her saber above the Jedi's back as she rolled forward. Trychon pushed off the wall and ended with his back to Raezyr and Tyrazzapon, with Nylan directly between himself and Anya.
Talla switched tactics, attacking at her opponents from in between them, starting to separate them and create a gap. Waiting for the right time, she spun inside their formation again swinging directly upward with her hilt to deflect nearly simultaneous blows. She followed her action though and straight at Trychon with a downward swing.
Raezyr managed to pull deep and found extra speed in his arms to place his weapon in the way of a near killing blow. Trychon ducked and turned at the sound of the sizzling interception behind him. He spun around with his blade and swung at Talla's midsection. She was not there when his blade passed.
Nylan pressed her attack on her lone foe in Anya. Their blades flew in mimicking flurries, neither gaining advantage. Nylan took a half step back and concentrated a push at Anya. Rather than aim at her body as a whole though, she aimed at her wrists and was rewarded with seeing the blade roll away down the alley.
Trychon, Tyrrazapon and Raezyr did their best to coordinate their attack. When they were somewhat successful, they were rewarded with the Jedi Knight retreating. When they were not, they were rewarded with gifted deflections of all three lightsabers in fluid motions.
"Your defenses are weak even in the dark side, girl." Nylan took two steps towards the retreating Anya.
Trychon wheeled around and pushed with all his might through the force, catching the young gloating Twi'lek off guard. Her chest flew forward and into the small vibroblade Anya pulled from her boot.
Feeling a wave through the force, Talla swung hard at each of the sabers of the three Sith around her and flipped up to get over them and to her friend's aid. All three were off guard for a second, their weapons pushed out of range of the Jedi as she leaped.
Talla glided through the air and flipped, and landed on the ground at the same time a short blue blade twirled just above the ground and through her right knee.
198. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
They all tried to break off in different directions and in the confusion, Raezyr and Tyrrazapon ran smack into each other, knocking each to the ground.
Anya sprinted down between a row of stacked crates toward the back of the warehouse. Trychon began running after her, then thought better of it and turned around. He stopped dead watching the brown robed twi'lek sprinting toward their location, and then turned and continued following Anya again.
Raezyr and Tyrazzapon both scrambled to their feet and followed the same way Trychon and Anya had gone, the Jedi not far behind.
We wanted to keep her close, but this is too close, Raezyr thought. She's faster than we anticipated.
He could hear her footsteps right behind him, so close that he almost expected her to step on his heels. In the distance ahead, he saw Anya crash out of the doors and into the cool Coruscant night air.
As he neared the door he saw a small crate and pulled it down into the lane behind him, spinning around as he did so. The crate nearly landed on the girl chasing them down. It slowed her down a bit and he was able to increase his lead slightly.
He hit the door running. He could feel the cool air breezing under his helm as he burst into the alleyway and it felt good as he was already working up a sweat, his heart pounding in his chest with excitement.
Down the alley, he saw Anya running up a set of emergency escape stairs built into an abandoned office building with Trychon right on her heels. Tyrrazapon and Raezyr weren't far behind.
Suddenly he felt a familiar tug in the Force from behind him and readied himself for the push.
The blow nearly knocked the wind out of him as he flew forward through the air. Nudging himself with the Force, he angled his tragectory and hit the ground shoulder first and rolled. He let himself come to a stop before scrambling to his feet.
He barely had time to draw his lightsabers before she was on him. It wasn't part of the plan to fight her yet, but he couldn't let himself get captured.
Raezyr noticed the others stop at the sound of the snap-hiss of his red and blue blades."Run! Fools!," Raezyr yelled. He didn't really expect them to listen, so he was rather surprised when Trychon ran through the door into the office building.
The twi'lek Jedi pulled up in front of Raezyr. "So, you're Sith are you?" she said calmly.
"You'll soon find out, Jedi scum," Raezyr said and attacked.
He came across with the red blade, bringing it down with all his might. Light flashed and the blades crackled as the red and green blades collided.
The Jedi spun away from the blow just in time to meet Tyrrazapon's orange blade from behind.
Raezyr stepped in, taking advantage of the second attack's distraction and swept his blade low, but the twi'lek dove forward over the swing, rolled and came up ready.
Suddenly a large crate came crashing down from above. As the Jedi dove out of the way, both Raezyr and Tyrrazapon pushed with the Force, throwing her into a scap pile nearby.
Raezyr looked up as he and Tyrrazapon raced up the steps and noticed Anya and Trychon lookind down from the top, surveying their handiwork.
Looking back at the scrap heap, he saw that the pale-skinned girl had recovered quickly and was already back in pursuit.
Not long now, Jedi, Raezyr thought as he took the stairs two at a time.
He entered the building and ran down the corridor, following the people he had come to think of as his friends toward the stairwell at the end of the hall. He felt a little better about the distance between him and the Jedi, but looked over his shoulder anyway. Good, still coming.
They exited the building on the first floor and ran across the deserted street to the dark alley. The alley which came out near a popular night club called the Night Ranger. He was halfway across the street when he heard the door of the abandoned building open and close behind him.
Running down the dark alley, he dumped a few refuse filled plasteel bins, knowing that it wouldn't slow her down, but made their escape attempt look a bit more genuine.
There were many people standing in front of the Night Ranger, waiting to get in when he burst out of the alley. His companions were already set up on each side of the exit, pressed against the wall, waiting for the Jedi to emerge.
Raezyr stopped several meters into the street and drew his long saber hilt as he turned. He snapped on his red blade and crouched into a fighting stance as the Jedi exited the alley. Trychon stepped into the alley entrance behind her as Tyrrazapon and Anya took up positions on either side.
The Jedi and 3 other Sith all flicked on their blades at the same time, and realization started to sink in for the Jedi that maybe she had bitten off more than she could chew.
Suddenly the twi'lek smiled and Raezyr heard a slightly accented female voice behind him, "Now, you wouldn't be tinking of doing someting foolish, now would you?"
Raezyr spun around in time to see a blue skinned Nautolan woman, clad in Jedi robes, activate her emerald green blade.
"Nylan," she said, "I can't let you hog all da fun for yourself, now can I?"
"Jedi Knight Talla! Good to see you. There's more than enough to go around, I think," the twi'lek responded.
------------
Side note: Please think of Jedi Nal Talla's accent as having a hint of a 'Jamaican' type sound.
Anya sprinted down between a row of stacked crates toward the back of the warehouse. Trychon began running after her, then thought better of it and turned around. He stopped dead watching the brown robed twi'lek sprinting toward their location, and then turned and continued following Anya again.
Raezyr and Tyrazzapon both scrambled to their feet and followed the same way Trychon and Anya had gone, the Jedi not far behind.
We wanted to keep her close, but this is too close, Raezyr thought. She's faster than we anticipated.
He could hear her footsteps right behind him, so close that he almost expected her to step on his heels. In the distance ahead, he saw Anya crash out of the doors and into the cool Coruscant night air.
As he neared the door he saw a small crate and pulled it down into the lane behind him, spinning around as he did so. The crate nearly landed on the girl chasing them down. It slowed her down a bit and he was able to increase his lead slightly.
He hit the door running. He could feel the cool air breezing under his helm as he burst into the alleyway and it felt good as he was already working up a sweat, his heart pounding in his chest with excitement.
Down the alley, he saw Anya running up a set of emergency escape stairs built into an abandoned office building with Trychon right on her heels. Tyrrazapon and Raezyr weren't far behind.
Suddenly he felt a familiar tug in the Force from behind him and readied himself for the push.
The blow nearly knocked the wind out of him as he flew forward through the air. Nudging himself with the Force, he angled his tragectory and hit the ground shoulder first and rolled. He let himself come to a stop before scrambling to his feet.
He barely had time to draw his lightsabers before she was on him. It wasn't part of the plan to fight her yet, but he couldn't let himself get captured.
Raezyr noticed the others stop at the sound of the snap-hiss of his red and blue blades."Run! Fools!," Raezyr yelled. He didn't really expect them to listen, so he was rather surprised when Trychon ran through the door into the office building.
The twi'lek Jedi pulled up in front of Raezyr. "So, you're Sith are you?" she said calmly.
"You'll soon find out, Jedi scum," Raezyr said and attacked.
He came across with the red blade, bringing it down with all his might. Light flashed and the blades crackled as the red and green blades collided.
The Jedi spun away from the blow just in time to meet Tyrrazapon's orange blade from behind.
Raezyr stepped in, taking advantage of the second attack's distraction and swept his blade low, but the twi'lek dove forward over the swing, rolled and came up ready.
Suddenly a large crate came crashing down from above. As the Jedi dove out of the way, both Raezyr and Tyrrazapon pushed with the Force, throwing her into a scap pile nearby.
Raezyr looked up as he and Tyrrazapon raced up the steps and noticed Anya and Trychon lookind down from the top, surveying their handiwork.
Looking back at the scrap heap, he saw that the pale-skinned girl had recovered quickly and was already back in pursuit.
Not long now, Jedi, Raezyr thought as he took the stairs two at a time.
He entered the building and ran down the corridor, following the people he had come to think of as his friends toward the stairwell at the end of the hall. He felt a little better about the distance between him and the Jedi, but looked over his shoulder anyway. Good, still coming.
They exited the building on the first floor and ran across the deserted street to the dark alley. The alley which came out near a popular night club called the Night Ranger. He was halfway across the street when he heard the door of the abandoned building open and close behind him.
Running down the dark alley, he dumped a few refuse filled plasteel bins, knowing that it wouldn't slow her down, but made their escape attempt look a bit more genuine.
There were many people standing in front of the Night Ranger, waiting to get in when he burst out of the alley. His companions were already set up on each side of the exit, pressed against the wall, waiting for the Jedi to emerge.
Raezyr stopped several meters into the street and drew his long saber hilt as he turned. He snapped on his red blade and crouched into a fighting stance as the Jedi exited the alley. Trychon stepped into the alley entrance behind her as Tyrrazapon and Anya took up positions on either side.
The Jedi and 3 other Sith all flicked on their blades at the same time, and realization started to sink in for the Jedi that maybe she had bitten off more than she could chew.
Suddenly the twi'lek smiled and Raezyr heard a slightly accented female voice behind him, "Now, you wouldn't be tinking of doing someting foolish, now would you?"
Raezyr spun around in time to see a blue skinned Nautolan woman, clad in Jedi robes, activate her emerald green blade.
"Nylan," she said, "I can't let you hog all da fun for yourself, now can I?"
"Jedi Knight Talla! Good to see you. There's more than enough to go around, I think," the twi'lek responded.
------------
Side note: Please think of Jedi Nal Talla's accent as having a hint of a 'Jamaican' type sound.
197. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
"Dangit, be careful already!" Tyrrazapon said loudly, trying to be audible from a distance, but not unbelievably so.
They picked up a crate and moved it across the room, setting it down hard, hoping to make it sound heavier than it was.
"You men can never do things right... do I have to lift this myself? What good does it do to steal the weapons if you're just going to break them in the process?" Anya countered.
They threw another crate on top of the first. For the fifth time on this side of the warehouse.
"The boss won't be happy if we don't get him everything on the list. This is the final part to his plan!" Raezyr threw in for good measure.
Trychon wasn't sure how long they'd be able to keep this up. They had been making idle but suspicious conversation for an hour now.
Golar had come to them that afternoon, telling them about the pale skinned Twi'lek who had been seen haunting around his warehouses the past two nights. Anya seemed excited at first, but Tyrrazapon made sure to jump in and voice his disapproval of such a menial task, without saying that they wouldn't do it. He knew it was best to keep their enthusiasm hidden, so that Golar wouldn't interfere, and just assume they'd take care of the simple smuggler or spy. He couldn't guess that this was likely the apprentice they'd been looking for.
They'd spent that afternoon and evening discussing their basic plan to attract the attention of the young Jedi, and then also tactics to help them when they come against a few Masters hopefully later on. They practiced working in tandem, and taking turns using force push and pull to try and get each other off guard in two on one and two on two situations.
While they all were well skilled with their sabers (Raezyr and Trychon got some admiration for their newly fashioned blades from the other two), Raezyr and Tyrrazapon held a slight edge over Trychon in the force use. Anya was struggling mightily with that aspect of their work.
She was obviously frustrated over the ordeal. Raezyr was unusually kind in response to her failures in the aspect. He explained that when they could, they would work in pairs... Raezyr and Anya, Tyrrazapon and Trychon. One would press the attack heavily with aggressive lightsaber strikes, while the other would be a bit more passive, and look for opportunities where the Jedi seemed too centered on the frontal assault to press an attack through the force and get them off balance. The more important part of the attack was skillful advances with the saber, he explained.
They waited until nightfall and then began their facetious 'work' in one of the warehouses the Jedi had been spotted near. They didn't know what her intentions were in this area, but they hoped that she wouldn't be able to ignore such a potentially violent plan.
Now, they were struggling with things to say. They couldn't just start re-using some of their earlier comments from the night, if the Jedi had listened in all along... but they were running out of generic threatening conversations to have.
Finally, they were rewarded with a snap-hiss and a silhouette at the door.
"Stop... you're under arrest by the power of the Jedi Order." They heard a strikingly high pitched voice resound through the nearly empty room.
"RUN!" Tyrrazapon yelled, hiding his smirk and trying to replace it with a look of shock.
They picked up a crate and moved it across the room, setting it down hard, hoping to make it sound heavier than it was.
"You men can never do things right... do I have to lift this myself? What good does it do to steal the weapons if you're just going to break them in the process?" Anya countered.
They threw another crate on top of the first. For the fifth time on this side of the warehouse.
"The boss won't be happy if we don't get him everything on the list. This is the final part to his plan!" Raezyr threw in for good measure.
Trychon wasn't sure how long they'd be able to keep this up. They had been making idle but suspicious conversation for an hour now.
Golar had come to them that afternoon, telling them about the pale skinned Twi'lek who had been seen haunting around his warehouses the past two nights. Anya seemed excited at first, but Tyrrazapon made sure to jump in and voice his disapproval of such a menial task, without saying that they wouldn't do it. He knew it was best to keep their enthusiasm hidden, so that Golar wouldn't interfere, and just assume they'd take care of the simple smuggler or spy. He couldn't guess that this was likely the apprentice they'd been looking for.
They'd spent that afternoon and evening discussing their basic plan to attract the attention of the young Jedi, and then also tactics to help them when they come against a few Masters hopefully later on. They practiced working in tandem, and taking turns using force push and pull to try and get each other off guard in two on one and two on two situations.
While they all were well skilled with their sabers (Raezyr and Trychon got some admiration for their newly fashioned blades from the other two), Raezyr and Tyrrazapon held a slight edge over Trychon in the force use. Anya was struggling mightily with that aspect of their work.
She was obviously frustrated over the ordeal. Raezyr was unusually kind in response to her failures in the aspect. He explained that when they could, they would work in pairs... Raezyr and Anya, Tyrrazapon and Trychon. One would press the attack heavily with aggressive lightsaber strikes, while the other would be a bit more passive, and look for opportunities where the Jedi seemed too centered on the frontal assault to press an attack through the force and get them off balance. The more important part of the attack was skillful advances with the saber, he explained.
They waited until nightfall and then began their facetious 'work' in one of the warehouses the Jedi had been spotted near. They didn't know what her intentions were in this area, but they hoped that she wouldn't be able to ignore such a potentially violent plan.
Now, they were struggling with things to say. They couldn't just start re-using some of their earlier comments from the night, if the Jedi had listened in all along... but they were running out of generic threatening conversations to have.
Finally, they were rewarded with a snap-hiss and a silhouette at the door.
"Stop... you're under arrest by the power of the Jedi Order." They heard a strikingly high pitched voice resound through the nearly empty room.
"RUN!" Tyrrazapon yelled, hiding his smirk and trying to replace it with a look of shock.
January 17, 2009
196. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Raezyr awoke the next morning and began going through his things. He'd been shoving alot of odds and ends into his utility pouches over the last few weeks and wanted to get everything sorted out.
As he was re-organizing things, he came across a red crystal. It was the synth-crystal that he and Trychon had removed from the remains of Darth Vikon's light saber.
He studied it closely, both visually and with the Force, and it seemed to still be functional.
I could use the extra power from a synth-crystal if we're going up against the Jedi soon, he thought.
He pulled his tool kit out of his duffle, cleared off the desk in the room and sat down.
He began taking apart his main light saber, starting with the emitter shroud, working his way down to the crystal energy chamber, when there was a rap at the door.
Trychon entered, looking much less troubled than he had since leaving Korriban, as if some weight had been removed from his shoulders. He walked over and looked at Raezyr's lightsaber laying in pieces on the desktop.
"What are you doing? You having a problem with your blade?" he asked quizzically.
"No. No problem. Why?"
"Why are you taking it apart then?"
"Remember that synth-crystal we picked up on Nar Shaddaa? The one we think came from Vikon's blade?"
Trychon nodded.
"Well, it may be more powerful than the one I have now, so I'm going to replace mine with this one. If it turns out not to work, then I'll just put mine back the way it was," Raezyr explained. "I figure we'll need all the power we can get if we run into that Jedi soon."
Trychon looked on as Raezyr worked for a moment, then suddenly remembered the black crystal that Lord Eiron had given him for winning their mock combat. "Hey, what do you make of this?" he asked, digging the crystal out of his pocket.
Raezyr took it and looked at it for a moment. "Use the Force and concentrate on the crystal. Tell me what you sense."
Trychon focused for a moment before speaking, "I sense the dark side coming from it."
"Me too. It may be a power crystal as well, but I'm not sure. Let me get mine back together, then we'll put this one in your saber. I can teach you a bit about the construction while we do it."
After a couple of hours, Raezyr and Trychon grinned at each other while Trychon's blade hummed, emitting a black beam of energy that somehow gave off a ghostly white glow.
As he was re-organizing things, he came across a red crystal. It was the synth-crystal that he and Trychon had removed from the remains of Darth Vikon's light saber.
He studied it closely, both visually and with the Force, and it seemed to still be functional.
I could use the extra power from a synth-crystal if we're going up against the Jedi soon, he thought.
He pulled his tool kit out of his duffle, cleared off the desk in the room and sat down.
He began taking apart his main light saber, starting with the emitter shroud, working his way down to the crystal energy chamber, when there was a rap at the door.
Trychon entered, looking much less troubled than he had since leaving Korriban, as if some weight had been removed from his shoulders. He walked over and looked at Raezyr's lightsaber laying in pieces on the desktop.
"What are you doing? You having a problem with your blade?" he asked quizzically.
"No. No problem. Why?"
"Why are you taking it apart then?"
"Remember that synth-crystal we picked up on Nar Shaddaa? The one we think came from Vikon's blade?"
Trychon nodded.
"Well, it may be more powerful than the one I have now, so I'm going to replace mine with this one. If it turns out not to work, then I'll just put mine back the way it was," Raezyr explained. "I figure we'll need all the power we can get if we run into that Jedi soon."
Trychon looked on as Raezyr worked for a moment, then suddenly remembered the black crystal that Lord Eiron had given him for winning their mock combat. "Hey, what do you make of this?" he asked, digging the crystal out of his pocket.
Raezyr took it and looked at it for a moment. "Use the Force and concentrate on the crystal. Tell me what you sense."
Trychon focused for a moment before speaking, "I sense the dark side coming from it."
"Me too. It may be a power crystal as well, but I'm not sure. Let me get mine back together, then we'll put this one in your saber. I can teach you a bit about the construction while we do it."
After a couple of hours, Raezyr and Trychon grinned at each other while Trychon's blade hummed, emitting a black beam of energy that somehow gave off a ghostly white glow.
January 16, 2009
195. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Trychon
She smiled at him, clearly accepting the invitation.
They walked rather slowly towards her room, a mere 10 meters down the hall.
This wasn't a very good plan. A minute to talk, and no idea what to say. He thought to himself, cursing his lasting unease from their night out on Korriban. It was almost as if he had two people controlling his emotions and actions. Whichever part of me decided to act chivalrous without any good plan deserves to be shot. He frowned. He saw that they had stopped... probably a moment ago, actually. He also saw the recognition on Anya's stare that she had noticed his frown.
"What's wrong, Trych?" She asked.
"I, uh... Hey listen... about..."
She interrupted him, seeing the unease about the obvious subject matter. "Hey, Trych..."
He looked up and made eye contact, his voice trailing off.
"You know, I'm here for you any time you feel the need to talk. Really, about anything. On the other hand though, you don't need to force anything. We've got time to worry about things later.... well... later. One way or the other. All the time in the world." She winked at him.
She turned on her toes and went into her room without another glance at him.
Damn.
They walked rather slowly towards her room, a mere 10 meters down the hall.
This wasn't a very good plan. A minute to talk, and no idea what to say. He thought to himself, cursing his lasting unease from their night out on Korriban. It was almost as if he had two people controlling his emotions and actions. Whichever part of me decided to act chivalrous without any good plan deserves to be shot. He frowned. He saw that they had stopped... probably a moment ago, actually. He also saw the recognition on Anya's stare that she had noticed his frown.
"What's wrong, Trych?" She asked.
"I, uh... Hey listen... about..."
She interrupted him, seeing the unease about the obvious subject matter. "Hey, Trych..."
He looked up and made eye contact, his voice trailing off.
"You know, I'm here for you any time you feel the need to talk. Really, about anything. On the other hand though, you don't need to force anything. We've got time to worry about things later.... well... later. One way or the other. All the time in the world." She winked at him.
She turned on her toes and went into her room without another glance at him.
Damn.
January 14, 2009
194. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Anya spoke quickly, before the comm went dead, "We will not fail you, Master."
They all looked around the room at each other, waiting for someone else to speak first.
"Well, my fellow Sith," Raezyr started, "what do we do now? Any ideas?"
"Right now?" Tyrrazapon replied. "Right now, we go back to bed. Morning is soon enough to figure out our next move," he said as he exited the door.
"He's right, Raez," Trychon added. "Let's discuss this over breakfast." He turned and opened the door for Anya.
Raezyr didn't appear happy about it, but accepted the group's decision.
They stepped into the hall and let the door close behind them. Trychon watched Tyrrazapon walk down the hall and enter his quarters, then turned to Anya, "I'll walk you to your room."
They all looked around the room at each other, waiting for someone else to speak first.
"Well, my fellow Sith," Raezyr started, "what do we do now? Any ideas?"
"Right now?" Tyrrazapon replied. "Right now, we go back to bed. Morning is soon enough to figure out our next move," he said as he exited the door.
"He's right, Raez," Trychon added. "Let's discuss this over breakfast." He turned and opened the door for Anya.
Raezyr didn't appear happy about it, but accepted the group's decision.
They stepped into the hall and let the door close behind them. Trychon watched Tyrrazapon walk down the hall and enter his quarters, then turned to Anya, "I'll walk you to your room."
193. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
"The Jedi will find you, somehow, and it is to our advantage that she does not know that you know her identity. No doubt she will contact you somehow, either through the Revenants or otherwise. Take advantage of the first opportunity you have. I will watch over you to make sure that nothing goes awry."
"You are doing very well, my students. After we make our move, there will be no further need for this facade. Carry on, and may the Force serve you well."
"You are doing very well, my students. After we make our move, there will be no further need for this facade. Carry on, and may the Force serve you well."
January 13, 2009
192. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
"Master, we are, at this moment, trusted by the Revenants. We also terminated a Repulic Judicial who was investigating them. Our dual purpose was to win the Revenants trust, while at the same time pique the Jedi's interest in a mere organized crime ring," Raezyr informed him.
"Unfortunately, the Revenants immediately sent us off world on one of their hijacking schemes. We went along to ensure their trust, only to find out we were being tested.
"Originally we attempted a sloppy cover story about being a band of Jedi Hunters. Shado Golar thinks he was quite clever in uncovering the fact that we are Sith," Raezyr finished.
"Lord Eiron," Tyr began,"we have done our best to be sloppy, yet appear as if we are trying to be subtle. We hope that with the death of the Judicial and whatever move you have just made, that the Jedi will soon show herself."
"Whe she does, we will be ready, my Master," Trychon added. "We will ensure that her death is public enough to raise interest, but not so much that it appears intentional, as per your earlier instructions."
Barely able to conceal her eagerness, Anya spoke out, "My Lord, what would you have us do now?"
"Unfortunately, the Revenants immediately sent us off world on one of their hijacking schemes. We went along to ensure their trust, only to find out we were being tested.
"Originally we attempted a sloppy cover story about being a band of Jedi Hunters. Shado Golar thinks he was quite clever in uncovering the fact that we are Sith," Raezyr finished.
"Lord Eiron," Tyr began,"we have done our best to be sloppy, yet appear as if we are trying to be subtle. We hope that with the death of the Judicial and whatever move you have just made, that the Jedi will soon show herself."
"Whe she does, we will be ready, my Master," Trychon added. "We will ensure that her death is public enough to raise interest, but not so much that it appears intentional, as per your earlier instructions."
Barely able to conceal her eagerness, Anya spoke out, "My Lord, what would you have us do now?"
191. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
Eiron smiled. "Excellent. I assume your mission is going well. I have shattered the spine of the Revenants, financially. I have also found us an ally."
He glanced sideways to Sloan, sitting next to him nervously in the cockpit, entirely unsure whether his faked suicide would fool the Revenants or not.
"But that matters not. What progress have you made towards discovering Nylan, my students?"
He glanced sideways to Sloan, sitting next to him nervously in the cockpit, entirely unsure whether his faked suicide would fool the Revenants or not.
"But that matters not. What progress have you made towards discovering Nylan, my students?"
190. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Raezyr
Raezyr awoke from a dead sleep and sat upright in the hotel bed. The four had come to the conclusion that the Revenants apartment complex must be bugged.
He could still hear the voice that woke him, echoing through his mind.
Yes, Master, he tried to send back, although he had no way of knowing whether Eiron could hear him.
He slipped from beneath the covers and threw on his cloak as he was wearing nothing but his underclothes. He pulled up the hood, slipped quietly into the hall and padded down the carpeted corridor in his bare feet to Trychon's door.
He was about to knock when the door suddenly slid back. Trychon stood there in his night clothes, grinning from ear to ear.
"I know," he said before Raezyr could say a word, anticipating the news. "I heard it, too."
"Good," Raezyr smiled, which made for a strange sight. "Go wake Anya. I'll get Tyr and we'll meet back at my room."
When they had gathered, Raezyr flipped on his comm.
"Lord Eiron, we are all here. We eagerly await to serve out your will."
He could still hear the voice that woke him, echoing through his mind.
Yes, Master, he tried to send back, although he had no way of knowing whether Eiron could hear him.
He slipped from beneath the covers and threw on his cloak as he was wearing nothing but his underclothes. He pulled up the hood, slipped quietly into the hall and padded down the carpeted corridor in his bare feet to Trychon's door.
He was about to knock when the door suddenly slid back. Trychon stood there in his night clothes, grinning from ear to ear.
"I know," he said before Raezyr could say a word, anticipating the news. "I heard it, too."
"Good," Raezyr smiled, which made for a strange sight. "Go wake Anya. I'll get Tyr and we'll meet back at my room."
When they had gathered, Raezyr flipped on his comm.
"Lord Eiron, we are all here. We eagerly await to serve out your will."
189. Sith Saga: Proving Grounds - Eiron
Eiron approached GIAS with his hands folded in his robe. The doors were barred and, before easing them open with Telekinesis, he disabled the alarm with the Force. That done, he slipped inside, stealthy as the shadows themselves.
The turbolift was still active. He assumed that when he used it without the proper keycard, another alarm would sound, (it was after hours, after all) and he was right. Again, he disconnected the alarm with the Force.
There were no alarms after that, as Sloan's ID allowed him easy access to the vaults. He withdrew a scanner from his belt pouch and picked out his tracer coin.
He assessed the sheer amount of credits, gold and jewels around him and grinned. This would make a fine addition to his treasury. If only he could keep them.
"Lys, come in."
The AI responded immediately. "Yep. What's up?"
"Bring Phobia to my coordinates."
"You're inside a building."
"Blow a hole in the wall."
"The Republic will be on us in minutes."
"We don't need to get much."
"I'll trust you."
A minute later, the building shook as Lys hammered the side of the building with Phobia's laser cannons. Eiron had gathered up the boxes of jewels, the most valuable items in the vault, and loaded them on his ship.
"Release a proton torpedo."
"Fire it?"
"Release it."
Lys allowed one of the torpedoes to slip out of its launch bay. Eiron picked it up with the Force and placed it inside of the vault.
"All right, let's go."
Eiron boarded and took control of the ship, sending it streaking through the Coruscant night. They detonated the torpedo as they flew away. GIAS shook and then began to crumble.
"That'll perk the Revenants up," Eiron said, smiling and observing Lys's holographic shape. "You pilot us, and go pick up Sloan at the Woolyman Club. I'll contact the apprentices."
Eiron gathered the Force upon himself and then sent out a mental call, ordering his students to comm him as soon as they could. The plan was moving along smoothly; soon, they would take action.
The turbolift was still active. He assumed that when he used it without the proper keycard, another alarm would sound, (it was after hours, after all) and he was right. Again, he disconnected the alarm with the Force.
There were no alarms after that, as Sloan's ID allowed him easy access to the vaults. He withdrew a scanner from his belt pouch and picked out his tracer coin.
He assessed the sheer amount of credits, gold and jewels around him and grinned. This would make a fine addition to his treasury. If only he could keep them.
"Lys, come in."
The AI responded immediately. "Yep. What's up?"
"Bring Phobia to my coordinates."
"You're inside a building."
"Blow a hole in the wall."
"The Republic will be on us in minutes."
"We don't need to get much."
"I'll trust you."
A minute later, the building shook as Lys hammered the side of the building with Phobia's laser cannons. Eiron had gathered up the boxes of jewels, the most valuable items in the vault, and loaded them on his ship.
"Release a proton torpedo."
"Fire it?"
"Release it."
Lys allowed one of the torpedoes to slip out of its launch bay. Eiron picked it up with the Force and placed it inside of the vault.
"All right, let's go."
Eiron boarded and took control of the ship, sending it streaking through the Coruscant night. They detonated the torpedo as they flew away. GIAS shook and then began to crumble.
"That'll perk the Revenants up," Eiron said, smiling and observing Lys's holographic shape. "You pilot us, and go pick up Sloan at the Woolyman Club. I'll contact the apprentices."
Eiron gathered the Force upon himself and then sent out a mental call, ordering his students to comm him as soon as they could. The plan was moving along smoothly; soon, they would take action.
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