Etti IV's Terrain

::2ed floor, within the lab. Dominic, Kadish and Thea::

The knight smiled wickedly as Dominic clutched his head and fell to his knees. His fingers flexed slightly, quavering with the energy of the force he was ramming into his adversary's mental defenses. Kadish had to admit, the man had prior training, and while he did not have the force, Dominic's mind was very well guarded. But like all men- the agent had to fall.

Don't you see? HA! The Array is never mistaken. You cannot defy what Fate has dictated!

Kadish laughed drily, and sighed in satisfaction. His expression changed though when he heard a voice, deep within his mind, and he recognized it instantly as The Array.



You have become a hindrance. You were never to think I could grant you immortality. Good bye, Kadish Ren.


Suddenly- the Knight's eyes widened, almost in fear, but his base instinct kicked in and he refocused his efforts on the agent. Suddenly The Array's words did not mean so much anymore. Kadish would live! He would fight for his life no matter what the seer told him. He would defy her for this betrayal. When Dominic retrived his weapon, all Kadish saw was the man falling on his face. But when he pulled the trigger, the Knight jolted, each impact sending another shockwave through Kadish' body. His hand remained stretched out, as if grasping for life before his knees buckled and the last slug rammed into him with enough force to topple him onto his back.

You......... you lied to me..........

Kadish sputtered as his arm finally dropped beside him, splashing in the ever growing puddle of blood caressing his figure. Just before his vision faded completely and his grasp on life fell away, he heard her voice- so monotone and cold.



I did not lie. As I told you, the Zabrak did not kill you.......






::Outside the lab. Atton & Horatio::


Oh good! Now, you're going to have to stab some things with that lightsaber of yours, because as you can see...
The Nagai pulled opened his vest, revealing an impressive plethora of different sized knives, other assorted tools. I don't have one. Come on.

With a wave of his thin fingered hand, the Nagai slunk off, darting to the mound of earth which served as the Lab's wall, and slid around it, keeping a watchful eye for anyone who might spot them- and, to their luck, no one was around. They had come to the back side of the lab.
After a few seconds of pacing back and forth in various directions, the creature stopped, kicking a loos stone lodged in the grass. He looked over at Atton.

My name's Horatio, by the way- what may I call you, friend?

As he was speaking, the earth beside them slid away, revealing a staircase receding into the dark interior of the planet. Horatio's eyes widened and a rye smile came to his face.
Oh! And in case you thought I was being dishonest .... I introduce you to- the other way in.

Oh, ha ha, Me? A liar? That's funny.

Horatio looked a bit disappointed that he did not get a name to call the other person. Regardless, he shook his head with a light chuckle.

Just to show my good faith- and to give you more ease, I'll go first. This passageway leads to the second level, popping out in a cargo room.

He started down the steps calling back over his shoulder.

The controls are on .... a modulating frequency- and instantly lock tight if something happens to that frequency... Which is why I...we could use your lightsaber.

The Nagai eagerly beckoned for the other to follow him. motioning to the door at the bottom.





So, Dominic was technically home free. A few small robotic drones buzzed here and there overhead, obviously armed, but also, obviously paying no attention to Thea, or the Sith Agent. The hangar was very close by, and yet- that dormant earwick started to speak yet again.

Dominic. Can you still hear me?

It was odd because The Array sounded a lot more like the human Dominic heard when he stood just outside Anna's capsule. And- it asked a question... which was odd, considering it was suppose to know everything.

Dr. Noble moved slowly throughout the chamber, keeping an eye on the several cameras, keeping an eye on him. He checked Anna's vital signs, and seemed satisfied that the damage she sustained while he was away, had become almost unnoticeable. But suddenly her body stiffened, and The Array became active once more. Noble narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms and speaking out in exhausted aggravation.

Now what are you doing?

He chided, circling around to peer at the hanging figure in the capsule.



They are getting too close.

The Array responded quickly.

Their minds are settling on one target. And it is not the shifting creature standing at the door-


You sound like your grumbling.

Noble assessed with a small smirk.
Who are they focusing on now? Not you- that door's still standing. The Polydroxal snapped his fingers. Adieumus! That's who they're focusing on.....and that's a problem because?
I thought you wanted them to focus on him.



That would be ideal, if I weren't loosing control of him.

The Array responded almost crisply.

Once he is lost- they will only focus more strongly on this construct, and that cannot be allowed to happen.


So- what are you going to do about it?
Dr Noble asked, leaning against Anna's capsule and giving her a curious look- even though she technically couldn't see him, and The Array had little care about his facial expressions.


I will shatter them.

The Array responded before the screens behind Anna's capsule began displaying images rapidly.




~Within Adieumus' mind,

~The scene shifted becoming a dim haze before solidifying once more. The furious Echani was still trying to attack Adieumus' face for killing Loki, and his daughter, E'yame still held firmly to Sinina's flailing body. Which was a good thing, because the Arkanian's saber remained inactive, thanks to his clever disabling of the weapon.

Raven Alora stood poised as she had seconds before- but this time, her hand did not point at Kana's dark visage, but rather, at Adieumus Matango himself. And her hand no longer held radiant light energy within it, but the hilt of a golden bladed lightsaber now rested in her clinched fingers.

I'm so sorry Adi. But after this- what you've done, I don't know if you even have a chance for redemption.

Though her words fell like stones, the small woman looked very sympathetic, almost as if she were about to cry. I can't trust you anymore- No one can... There's no telling how much damage was done to you on Alderraan- or how much darkness you allowed to fester within yourself after leaving the Jedi. I should have listened. I should have known I couldn't help you.
She approached Adi, slowly, lifting a hand up to gently touch his arm. and that I certainly cannot love you.
The motion was quick. Her saber plunged forward, shooting into the Arkanian's torso as she looked up at him, her eyes full of regret.
The sad thing is- I once looked up to you...

The scene began to fade as the white hot energy blade carved upward, to surely end Adieumus' life.~



~Within the mind of Sinina:

~In her furry to get at Adieumus Matango, and through the weight of E'yame holding her back, the Echani's perception would fog over, just for an instant, just enough to perhaps make her think what was about to happen, was not reality.

Loki was dead, lying on the ground in a large heap. Adieumus stood over him with the black energy blade held at the ready. E'yame Matango's voice spoke sharply into the Echani's ear.

Sinina! SIN! Stop. You've done enough!

With her gauntlets, E'yame held Sinina fast, even as Raven Alora looked up from the prone body of Loki, and made eye contact with Sinina. The only thing within the small Jedi's eyes was absolute disappointment.


If only we could have gotten here sooner. The Jedi said, holding her saber at the ready as Adieumus and the dark presence of Kana began their fight behind her. She remained fixated on Sinina.
I thought you understood the lightwhip. I thought your mother used one. She sighed softly and shook her head., It's alright- It was my fault. I shouldn't have held so much faith in you. I'm sorry. Perhaps- perhaps you don't belong here, especially with Loki gone.
She motioned to the fallen Zabrak. He saved your life, yes? It's a shame you couldn't do the same for him.

Another fog rolled over Sinina's mind, and with a sudden snap, reality flooded back again. Alora stood poised, ready to shoot radiant energy at the dark nexus at the door- E'yame still held Sinina's figure. Adieumus was backing away from them with a deactivated saber, and Loki- he was still dead.




~Within the mind of E'yame Matango:

~The distortion plaguing everyone's minds in the hallway, would soon roll over E'yame's perception. When reality shifted into the vision- all was normal, until Sinina broke free of E'yame's grasp and charged her father. Adieumus wasted no time in cleaving the Echani girl in half with his black energy blade. The Arkanian's eyes then landed hard on his daughter, but they weren't crazed, or blurry- they were angry, and so was his voice.

you just had to come back into my life, didn't you?
He stalked toward her, his blade humming threateningly, a sneer forming on his face.
I was done- with the Jedi, with Honogor, with the responsibility of You and Ice. But you couldn't leave me alone, could you.
Stopping short, a flash of softness came to his eyes and he sighed with a shake of his head.
I'm sorry. I know I never should have left you. You're my daughter- So, I gave a reason for my abandonment- I said I wanted to keep you safe... but I realize now- you were just in my way.
His voice became dark, sinister even, as he flung out his empty hand, clinched his fist and yanked E'yame toward him- toward the waiting edge of his saber.

And the distortion snapped back into reality. Sinina still remained within E'yame's grasp, and all was as she had left it.



~Within the mind of Raven Alora:

~The stare down had begone. Raven Alora's eyes locked with the strange ones of Kana- her hand building light energy just behind its palm. She felt perfectly aligned, absolutely justified and very capable of defeating this adversary, or at least rendering it paralyzed for a while. This feeling must not be mistook for pride- only the drive to accomplish a needed task, and right now she needed to focus on Adieumus's altered state of mind- now this....who ever it was.

The subtle shift in Raven's perception almost made the presence of non-reality- unnoticeable.

But only within her mind, the dark figure looked down at her- and for a moment, its face became very familiar, just like the face of the darkside influence she'd encountered on Yavin, outside Adieumus' Bacta tank.
you....
She did not falter, but the look of surprise did come to her face.


"I don't know who you mean."
The being said, with a tilt of his head.
But if you're thinking that will work. It won't. You may not agree- but I'm about to shatter your confidence in defeating the darkness.
He seemed very disinterested in the Jedi's show of force, and he added, almost in a hiss.
I'm like nothing you've ever faced before.
And then- and explosion of darkness- a thick inky cloud that filled the hall in seconds. It almost seemed to suck the light of the force right out of Raven Alora's arm, leaving a savage burning sensation behind. Within the swirling chaos of darkness, the Jedi fell to the ground, gasping for air which would not come. She suddenly felt her chest light on fire and opened her eyes- expecting to find Legion's mark flaring, but it wasn't the mark. It was the blade of a black lightsaber, and above her were enraged eyes of an all too familiar Arkanian. His angered words boomed in her ears, just as the vision snapped her back to the present.

You can't save us all!





on the lift, with Dominic and Thea:
As the lift began to make its way to the top floor of the lab- away from the brunt of the fighting, The Array would speak to Dominic again.
I need you to do one more thing for me- please.
The Array hesitated- as if expecting Dominic to protest, but after a few seconds, and before the lift ended it's climb, The Array continued.
After you leave the lift, go toward the hanger, but take the first right you come to. At the end of the hall, is a storage closet. It will be unlocked upon your arrival. Inside are many things- but on the third shelf from the bottom, is brown leather box. Take it out of the lab with you. Do not let it be destroyed, and above all else- do not open it, no matter how much the object inside calls to you.
Keep it with you- keep it safe. This may not make any sense, but Someone will need it in the future.
This is my last request.
Farewell Dominic- and Thank you.

Without a doubt he is nothing like expected. Perhaps this one can be better than the others...

It was easy to read the movements of the former Jedi. While it had not been the most optimal motion in his game, it was one he could profit from none the less. As the Arkanian avoided his blade, pushing it away and sliding out from beneath it with an almost eerily crisp ease he made a quick readjustment. A readjustment that was met with a fairly swift rebuttal. The Arkanian had closed the gap between them swiftly, and almost too easily, and with a heavy swing of his arm come to collide his fist with Kanadeus' face. It was a blow that should have knocked blood into the mouth of the body he currently possessed, and yet the oozing darkness that formed his flesh continued to hold only a small ripple formed. Turning his head with the force of the strike, Kanadeus gave a cold and utterly bloodthirsty glare in the Arkanian's direction. It was easy to see where this would end, but not until the unexpected occurred.

Moving with his previous maneuver, the dark being made a few more quick motions as a small female dropped from the ceiling through a newly formed hole. And, while that would not have been an immediate problem, he could feel the aura about her as she closed in towards his combatant. She was here for the sake of the Arkanian and there was little he could do if she chose to step in the way. And thus he acted with a quick and deadly instinct. He thrust out his blade toward's the Arkanian's gut and was blinded by the light shone from the small girl's body. It was as vicious as it was serene. Enough to make him sick.

Blasted girl, such wasted potential! He breathed, a heavy echo of a sigh as his form recoiled, leaving most of his motions a blur. It was quick, painless and seemingly permeable as it receded from Antidar's body. Oozing off of the surface of his body as he pulled himself away from it before doubling forward. As quickly as the form had become clear from the darkness nothing remained of Kanadeus. And as the visions that had gripped the rest of the crew, save the lifeless Zabrak on the floor, all that remained of Kanadeu's assault was the residual ethereal form of his blade still lingering where it would have pierced through the body of Adieumus. Then, as quicky as it had become a noticeable reality, it dissipated into air like it's master before it. Leaving no damage in it's wake. Merely a cold, piercing marker of it's previous intent. It would rend no souls that day.

”Back where you belong...“ Were the only words that came from Antidar's mouth as he felt himself wholly again. His draw on the Force tapped to a strained thin as he pictured the room he had been in prior to the blackness. But he was no longer in the room. And as he looked up to see each of those who were in the room he knew there was only one explanation. But it was an explanation that would have to wait. Adeiumus was still not himself. That dilemma had not changed.

*So they needed to slice through a door. Honestly, Atton would have been disappointed if he couldn't have caused some internal property damage to this place before they left. Mostly he was just glad that Horatio was taking the lead. No way he wanted this guy walking behind him.*"Right. Let's not waste any time."

*He stopped when they reached the door at the bottom, and Atton wasted no time in getting his saber out.*"Stand back." *Igniting the cyan blade, he slowly began to cut a sizable hole through the door, large enough for the both of them to duck through.*"This isn't going to trigger any other alarms, is it?" *He wished he had asked before beginning to slice through the door...*

The dark presence looked at her- with such a familiar face, such a wicked visage. For a moment, it only made her determination grow, and in reality, the light pulsating from her frame only intensified. But then- as quickly as her composure formed- it began to falter as The jedi took a step back with widened eyes. Within her mind, darkness surrounded her, her right outstretched arm burned with scalding pain, and everything within her told her to fall to the ground, to tend to it. But she couldn't. She had to remain strong.
And then- another shooting stabbing sensation in her chest, and the voice of Adieumus Matango echo savagely in her ear- and then, everything was back to normal.
Had Kana stuck around- he might have seen the look of obvious distress on the Jedi's face, but thankfully, at least he wouldn't see something he could exploit. Everyone else? Raven was not sure.
She blinked rapidly, still feeling the tingling sensation in her arm, then realizing it was probably because of unused, pent up force light energy throbbing in it. With a clinched jaw, the Jedi focused on dispersing it back into her being. And then she felt the up-welling of darkness from Sinina and the unmistakable rage rippling off E'yame. Apparently she was not the only one to experience a- vision. Raven breathed out in understanding. This must be Anna's work. She looked at the other two quickly, and spoke as calmly as she could, keeping the shaking from her voice as she recovered from her own vision.

Sinina- E'yame. I have no idea what you just saw, but realize it isn't real. This- Right here is real. What ever you felt, what ever you heard- remember who you are. She's trying to shake you. Don't let her.

She allowed her light to stabilize into a simple calming aura which normally accompanied her- but now was somewhat amplified by the unused attack. She turned her eyes to Adieumus now- her saber still lit, she spoke slowly.

Adieumus! I know you're in there. This isn't you. Think!

Outside the lab, ATTON

Horatio stood away from Atton, with both his hands in plain view, almost desperately trying to make himself appear believable. It was a horrible disability, plaguing almost every member of his race, to either not be honest- or never to appear so. It wasn't fair!

After the door was opened- so to speak, the Nagai silently judged the sizeable hole before nodding with a thin smile and ducking inside.

Not with The Array so heavily damaged. Your friends are ... very destructive. Like you!

He called from within. If Atton also entered the lab, he'd find a storage room filled with crates and rolling racks of different sizes. On the other side of the room was a set of double doors- probably heading deeper into the actual lab complex.

What was really bothersome though, was that those doors were opening, and two straggling scientists in white lab cotes came through- controlling a hover cart, holding a solid metallic cylinder atop it, bolted down for added security. They seemed to be very careful with their cargo.


Hey- over here- they're headed out I'd assume, best to stay out of their way.
Horatio whispered to Atton (All of this assuming he came inside). The Nagai motioned behind some crates he was now crouching behind. Should Atton join him, he would speak very quietly.
Cutting through that door might not have set off any alarms- but when those two see that door's missing circle, they're sure to call reinforcements. We must take care of them. You- take the one on the right. I'll take the one on the left. Alright?
For an instant, the Nagai's gray dead eyes light up in anticipation, and one of his long fingered hands eagerly gripped the hilt of a long, angular blade.





Within the lab, near the hangar, THEA and DOMINIC

The box was roughly a foot long, by a half. It wasn't large, and it wasn't heavy in a physical sense. Though, just as The Array had warned, as soon as the Sith Agent began to walk away with the case, he would most likely become aware of the absolute darkness rippling from within the box, if he had, indeed spent so much time among the Sith. This was right up their ally- but it was more than that. This darkness was not just energy, it was breathing, living darkside energy.

And it was longing to break free, to torture and maim and slaughter. If the Agent allowed himself the briefest of moments to be still and silent- he might even hear whispers, begging to be unleashed- promising power- like most darkside things did. The lock on the case did not seem too difficult to open, especially with Dominic's equipment- Perhaps though, he might recall The Array's warning.
Perhaps not.