Etti IV's Terrain

"And where do you think YOU are going, exactly, Doctor Noble?" Adi hadn't even =tried= to keep up with Farris, but the order had been given, and the Arkanian had used force enhanced speed to propel himself so rapidly that he had passed the shapeshifter, and had time to turn around to face the man. Somewhere, deep in the recesses of Adieumus' psyche, he knew that what he was doing was wrong....but he truthfully could not stop his body from obeying every command that was handed down from the Array. Basically, who he was had been locked up tight in his mind, with someone else in the driver's seat. He could see, hear, and feel everything...but try as he might, he just couldn't stop his body from doing exactly what it wanted to do. His voice, even, was speaking for him....but he was most certainly not the one putting those words in his mouth. It was as if Adi were spectating in his own body. A strange version of Matango's voice began to now speak.

"The subject has been re-integrated into the Array, and is operating at one hundred percent. You need not worry yourself, Doctor. All is again well." As he spoke, he again began building up power...this time, in his right hand. He was actually screaming in his own mind, trying to will his body to listen to him...but it would not. He was now straining to fight the urge to drive his hand through yet another person's chest, and it was proving nearly impossible. However, even though every part of his mind was trying to kill Farris, Adi somehow managed to fight hard enough to cause his body to launch a hard force push at the other man's torso. Sure, it would probably do some damage....but it would surely beat getting a heart ripped out.

That was discovery number one. While he may not be able to completely control this berserker rage, Adi could at least push it in a less deadly direction. At least -something- was going right. As Farris sailed down the hallway in the complete opposite direction, Matango could feel Loki, and another man. At first, it almost appeared as if it were Antidar...but something was -really- off. The only time he had felt that power was when he had been sucked into his friend's mind on Yavin. If Loki was there, it was a pretty sure bet that it was also where Anna was as well. Luckily enough, the control on his mind thought the same thing....even if for a totally different purpose.

They were only a few corridors away, and it took Adi less than a minute to get there. He stayed back for now, all parts of him but the one locked away wanting to see the death of both of these men. Those parts knew that it would be far easier to take out one or both if they engaged one another. Again, Adi was trying his absolute hardest to get his body to move, to intervene before these guys killed each other, but it was all for naught...

He would just have to sit, and watch this unfold...for now.

Alora flourished her saber, about to lunge at the somewhat exposed Rodian as he reached out for his whip again. But something stopped her. A pin prick in the force, an alarm sounded in the back of her mind and she began to turn, just as she heard the chinging sound of blaster fire on metal. Her turning motion stopped as she heard a familiar voice- the one of E'yame Matango, Adieumus's daughter. Her mind rebounded to the flare of force energy and the Zabrak's message ringing in her ear. E'yame's father was alive- but, as Alora searched for him, she found a stabbing wall of protective code.

The Jedi Master jolted suddenly and blinked up at E'yame with a worried expression.
E'yame, your father's alive, but he needs your help, badly. Go find him- but use caution...he may not be the Adieumus you know. We'll join you shortly.

She turned away from the girl and eyed the Rodian, who now seemed in a stance once more. Raven narrowed her eyes, having missed her opening. She spoke once more to E'yame.
And- thanks... don't take any unnecessary risks ok?

As if to accent her point, the Jedi pushed off her foot and took off toward the Rodian. However, about three forths of the way there, she turned, using the force to guide her footsteps as they raced up the right wall, alongside her adversary. Reaching the top of the wall, she kicked off the ceiling and allowed her body to roll, falling behind the Rodian's back and slashing downward to drive her saber through him.

Once she hit the ground, she buckled her left leg and rolled to the side, pushing off the floor with her left hand to continue into a spin that would send her past the Rodian once again- and in her passing, she swept her saber toward him, attempting to catch him cleanly in the side.

She would- if not interrupted,- end up standing in front of the Knight, with her saber thrusting straight at the Rodian's center. Her eyes were alive with the same strange dancing fire burning in the other two's eyes. Her emotions danced in perfect time with theirs.
They wanted to dance.

So did she.

Noble paused as he saw the Arkanian suddenly before him. His eyes did not widen, and indeed, his expression did not change. Being the perfect shapeshifter that he was- his inner emotions could only interact with his external appearance, only if he wanted it to. So- while the Polydroxal was freaking out in his mind, his expression remained absolutely flat lined.

Adieumus. Listen, this is not who you are. THINK!

He shouted his absolutely compelling words just as the former Jedi thrust a huge amount of force at him. The polydroxol's body contorted and even flattened out a bit, as he bent backwards in the air and did an impossible back flip, landing cleanly on his feet. After a few breaths to fill his humanoid shape out again, he cast his eyes around quickly, seeing that Adieumus had gone. Gritting his teeth he turned and went the other direction.
Come on Anna- I thought we had a bond or something. Cut me some slack.
He muttered. He'd have to go around the back way, in order to get to the Array's core- if, he considered, she'd let him anywhere near her.




Adi....
For a brief moment, the voice had a very organic quality about it, as it echoed within Adieumus's mind. Though the next time it spoke to him- it was more mechanical, the lifelike quality still resonated within it, as if it's sentient mind had returned. The Array was alive again.

Do not engage them. Their own distracted struggles will be their undoing. Others are soon coming. You will defend me. They must not enter.

The demand in her tone was almost hateful, almost angry. Anna had been made extremely vulnerable, just a few minutes ago, and her confused agonized fear, once linked back into The Array, had drastically changed its programming. It now had evolved into an autonomous, paranoid, machine with the power of the force backing it.
And it could see the future again too....




::Outside (ATTON)


Well that's rather rude...

The Nagai grumbled. He shook his head and raised his eyebrows as the other spoke of him showing the way out of the goodness of his heart. The creature snickered.

I have no goodness in my heart. I don't give out information for free, but I will get you into the lab, if you help me out with something.
He smiled assuredly, but he wasn't very good at pulling off assurance very well. Don't worry. It's just a little something. I just need some extra hands to- procure something in the lab- so we're both headed to the same place anyway. His smile attempted to become more genuine, but it would probably fail. What do you say?





Lower level, (Dominic/ Kadish/ Thea)::

The knight was indeed, breathing just a bit heavier as he watched Dominic move and drop both Thea and his weapon. The man's comments only brought a thin smirk to Kadish' face and he nodded.
Oh- It hurts, believe me.
His eyes focused on Dominic for but a moment before drifting, first to Thea, then to the Agent's weapon.
But you know that darkside trick of using your pain to make you more powerful? I will not die today!
Two of his fingers flinched, and Thea's unconscious body was pulled toward him. Her body stopped, just before Kadish, and the Knight's blade hovered inches from the girl's chest.

But others will. I don't sense a lot of concern for her, in you. So- I'm curious.

His smile widened ever so slightly. Just how dark did the Sith make you?

This is becoming exhausting.

A push, the sound of feet sliding along metal and suddenly nothing was as it seemed. In the time he had taken to straighten himself and reclaim his composure, what he had expected to happen came to pass. Kanadeus watched with an almost sick glee as the black blade pierced up through the Zabrak's chest. Though the look on his face, and the end result were undesired, the vision of the Zabrak collapsing to his knees, and subsequently to the floor in a heap, was beyond comprehension. Though he had not been the one to deal the killing blow, there was a victory to be had in pushing the monster to his demise. The irony of the act was not lost on Kanadeus and, as he met the gaze of the silent Arkanian, he could feel a twinge of vigor that he had not felt in millennium. As a warrior he knew what came next, as a hunter he knew how to go about it and as a monster himself he knew he could handle whatever this slated man could bring to him across that metallic floor. But first, he would have to force his hand.

”It would seem my son was wrong about you. At least for now..." He breathed, chiding the man across from him as he lowered the blade he held in his hand, having freed his flesh hand from it, and moved in a curved trajectory to put himself between the man and the large door. Perhaps it was a gamble, and this was not the directive of the machine within, but as the so called 'Ariela' continued to chirp: The Array was the end game. Lifting his sword in front of him and then slashing it through the air, letting the shrill wail be heard until it came to rest near his side, he knew that it was only a matter of time before he would receive his just reward. He was a patient man, but not without limit. For all her intelligence and knowledge, the female voice in his ear was good at spewing gibberish as well. What little solace he found was her sudden silence. As deafening as the sound his sword made as it's tip slowly sank an inch into the ground.

”It's time to show me if you are the man my son believes you to be, boy.“ He hissed as he shifted his stance so he was turned with his left side forward. One motion after the other was all it took to bring his sword to bear in the direction of his opponent. He raised it, slowly at first and then with an almost inhumanly fast draw, towards the man's face though from a seemingly absurd distance. However as the blade rose halfway into it's trajectory, moving gracefully and weightlessly, the blade's tip shot out in extension until it was long enough that it could cleave Adieumus' head in two. Perhaps now, the man would show his talent. If he did not, his death would be another claimed.

Pathetic...

Kadish peered down at the unconscious girl for a moment before watching the Agent keenly. He listened to Dominic's words, and sighed slightly.

A compelling speech. but I do not fear death. The Array has told me, my death will not come on me here. You cannot end me.

His orange blade slipped with a hiss back into its hilt, and with a solemnity, the Knight dropped it on the ground. His eyes traveled to the remainder of his arm and narrowed. She didn't say anything about dismemberment though.
He muttered, before lifting his hand, as if in surrender. Perhaps the way I survive this unfortunate encounter is simply by yielding the fight to you, considering you have me at a very compelling, check mate.

His fingers splayed and he extended his hand toward Dominic with a sudden concentrated expression. Or maybe- I am victorious. He hissed. The force rippled through his arm but, rather than manifesting itself in the form of a push or pull, it shot sharply toward the Agent's mind. Long spears of dark unseen energy would assault Dominic's mind relentlessly, either attempting to force confusion, or out right paralysis. Kadish was absolutely no stranger to the telepathic arts. Indeed- he focused on them quite vigorously.
Dominic may be able to sense the force and predict what was happening around him- but could he combat an all out assault of a mental presence like the Knight's?



Noble's quick strides took him to his favored back door to the inner chamber. He hesitated there when the Array began speaking to him.

You cannot hope to reach me. All entry points are sealed by alternating lock sequences.

Yea- I know.
Noble said with a smug smile. That's why this door isn't hooked up to anything but a metal hinge and a locked door knob.
Opening his hand, a Key surfaced in his palm, and the Polydroxol began opening the door.

Every door is hooked up to the security matrix. The Array continued


Kids and their electronics...
Noble muttered as he opened the door and looked inside. fluid still puddled on the floor, but his eyes were drawn upward as every ceiling turret snapped to his position. The doctor lifted his hands and entered the room with a sigh.
Are you really going to kill me like this? Look at yourself. Your organic body is in horrible shape.
He said, motioning to the capsule Anna was hanging in. Each side of her head had been battered quite badly by her frantic thrashing, and blood had started to tent the white liquid a light crimson.
Will you at least allow me to treat you? Please? You're going to die like this if I can't stabilize your bleeding.
The ceiling turrets stopped their movements, retracting back into the ceiling. Noble sighed and walked over to the capsule, starting to punch commands into the system to filter the fluid and remove the contaminated fluid.


My injuries were sustained during your absence. The Array, almost chided. If you attempt to shut down any programs, I will stop you.


Yes, yes I know. I know, and I'm so sorry. I should never have left you- not with this facility in such danger..
Noble said with remorse. He signaled the mechanical arms to lower a tube down into the capsule, and then began administering antibiotics and bacta spores into the liquid to heal the injuries she had sustained. Placing his hand on the glass he shook his head with a sigh. Who did this to you? he whispered, almost darkly.


The entity is an anomaly, his identity cannot be confirmed at this time. The Array responded, seemingly off guard toward the Doctor, even though she had tried to kill him twice. He disconnected the biological component of The Array, without proper release protocols. This damaged the system significantly. It cannot be allowed again. The firm, almost monotone voice became strangely compelled as it finished. I will never be made that vulnerable again.


Argon Noble paused, considering for a moment before looking at Anna and shaking his head. Some of the wounds were already starting to heal, so he was thankful for that, but her logic was flawed. You do realize this facility will be destroyed in a matter of hours, right? He offered grimly. If you stay here, you'll end up flattened with everything else. Why don't you release the biological component- so at least that part of you can continue?

That is impossible. The Array can only operate on minimal capacity without the biological component. It responded quickly, almost defensibly. I am already preparing to start disabling the explosives before the allotted time of their detonation. Why do you think I directed Agent Dominic Bora, on where to place them? The Array almost sounded smug, if a computer could. You have completed your medical work. You must leave this facility before you become a security risk.


Noble ran a hand over his face and sighed. Can I stay here, with you? I promise I won't tamper with any systems unless necessary to keep you safe. I just- don't want to leave you again, in case...something else happens, like last time. He said, with deep conviction. If you say no- I'll still stand here, and you can shoot me to death. But I'm not leaving your side again. There's very powerful forces outside that door, and they will eventually get in here. They will eventually take down your bodyguard I know is posted there. Just consider me a second line of defense.

You may remain. The Array responded, and then fell silent.

Dr Noble sighed and leaned against the Capsule, closing his eyes and lowering his head. Don't worry Anna- I'm not going anywhere. You're not alone.





Within Adieumus' mind, the Array's voice spoke.This being is of little substance. Resist him. Do not let yourself falter. He will not be apart of this realm much longer.

Ah, the Rodian was so acrobatic! He would not let her get behind him. With a thin smile on her face at his proficiency, the Jedi leaped to the side in order to dodge his rippling light whip as its wave cast toward her. But as she began her last attack on the Knight, his quick horizontal sweep sent the red energy whip lashing toward her, carving an angry line in the middle of her shirt, and leaving a hot red slash across part of her chest, where the tip had made contact with her flesh.

Raven clinched her teeth as the sting lanced through her mind, but before she had a chance to really compensate, the force hit her- again, from an ally, and she was sent off toward Adieumus' daughter. She landed on her feet, poised, just in time to hear two explosions and see Sinina engaging a now, very angry Rodian- alone. Raven could feel the injured creature's rage building before her, but also a tumult of force energy raging just below her feet. This Rodian was a distraction and nothing more. They had other places to be.

Common Sinina- we've bothered him enough.

The Jedi master called, spinning her saber and ramming it into the floor below her feet. With little resistance, she carved a large circle in the floor and watched as the metal floor fell away, clashing on the surface beneath them.

It's time to go!

She called to both the Echani and Eya, as Raven Alora leaped down to the first level of the lab, landing in a crouch and moving swiftly to the side, in order to avoid anyone else from landing ontop of her. She stood, cautiously assessing her situation. She'd landed just in time to see the tall figure, practically oozing with darkside energy, shove Loki toward Adieumus. Perhaps the two were fighting this new- strangely dark presence. But that was odd. Raven had not felt such a nexus of dark energy upon arriving, so where had the being come from?

Regardless, she was now here to help, the previous wound of the lightwhip completely forgotten as she readied herself for yet another adversary. She cast her eyes over to the Zabrak, as if to tell him it would be alright. Others were falling from the sky soon, and this creature would be hopelessly outnumbered.

And then, the unthinkable happened.

The force spiked, and her empathy went haywire as it began picking up massive emotional anomalies. But it was far too late, as the current picture of current events was shattered in Raven's mind by a black blade shooting out from Loki's chest, and the strangely compliant form of Adieumus Matango standing behind his latest victim's sinking form.

Raven brought a hand to her chest and caught her breath as her eyes darted from Loki's body, to Adi's almost threatening countenance; then finally, to the malevolent being standing there, like a cold volcano just waiting to erupt and cover the place with dark ash. Blinking a few times, she centered herself again, pushing the feeling of yet another shattered life force out of her mind. She wasn't quite sure what emotion would visit her upon seeing Adieumus alive again, anger at being so careless- relief at his continued existence, but not utter disbelief and strange paranoia.

And this time- she felt a strange finality to Loki's spark, which had been so cruelly blown out, by a friend. Perhaps she had misjudged the Zabrak? Maybe he had become a danger to the mission? Adieumus had to have a reason for his actions, but she felt an inner struggle within the Arkanian. A battled waged there, between two desires, and the one familiar as Adieumus- was loosing.

This other- the dark presence- might have sway over him? But the battling presence within Adi's mind did not feel particularly dark- as much as it felt- clinical? with a very limited reach of emotions. Its main concern was its own safety. And it made sense.

The Array was protecting itself. Obviously it would see Loki as a threat.
But Raven's train of thought was shattered as the dark being made an attack- with a very unsettling weapon, at Adieumus, and whether or not he was himself- Raven would defend him.

She let the grief of what had happened to Anna wash over her, coupled with such a savage attack on Loki- by a trusted ally, and the desire to protect the rest of the crew from such an ill wanted fate. No one else would die here. Raven Alora would not allow it. The negative energy spiraled within the Jedi master until it became simple pure determination, and that caused a rather potent surge of light energy to ignite within Raven's diminutive frame. Her small brown eyes suddenly blazed with white gold light, and she extended her left hand toward the dark presence. Small bursts of radiant energy escaped from her fingertips as she spoke in a commanding tone.

Step away from my friend.