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Post by Whill Shaman Nyx on Apr 7, 2013 3:52:07 GMT -8
*Geonosis was a barren world, covered in rocky desert.*
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2013 14:57:56 GMT -8
The surface of the planet appears as calm as ever, hiding the chaos & destruction going on below. It was unlikely that the riots had any vehicles, let along attack craft or starfighters. From the few scattered reports still trickling in, the bulk of it seemed to be crowds armed mostly with improvised melee weapons, with a fair number of captured sonic weapons & makeshift explosives shattered within each group.
The twenty heavily loaded Acclamator-class Assault Ships (Transport Variant) settled down on one of the several 'super-heavy' landing pads scattered across the planet, their combined down thrust blasting the usually omnipresent red dust from the metal face of the massive plate. Even before the ships had fully settled, the dust had already begun creeping back across the plate, before nightfall, the plate would be completely hidden from view once more. The ships would sit on this one spot for the next five days as the clone legions finished decanting. Trusting their armour, size, & remote location to protect them from the roving riots that boiled in the planet's interior.
Already fully grown & trained, they had been stowed in cryogenic pods for the long trip to Geonosis. they have not, however, been tested under real life conditions. Yet. These were the members of the third generation of clone soldier employed by the Admiral. The First & Second generation had been grown using the standard growth acceleration, but the third generation were different. They had actually been programmed to age more slowly than base-line humans. At nearly thirty years old, they were just now reaching their peak, & they would remain at their peak for nearly 60 years before age started to effect their abilities. These clones were not your standard bulk infantry. Each one had thirty years of training from the most skill trainers that credits could buy, blackmail, kidnap or strong-arm into helping. One disadvantage these clones had was that few would be willing to wait thirty years for an army to assist them. Most that used clone armies did so because they could be grown at a fast rate than a 'wild' populace. The other major disadvantage to these specific troops was that they were far more independently minded & spirited that most would want in a rank & file trooper. But to the Admiral, both of these trains served as advantages. The Admiral tended to think in the long term frame, & an army that would last until they are killed is a great advantage compared to troops that wither & die before even reaching battle. The troopers high independence also made them most effective in small groups, useful due to the Admiral's distaste for protracted slugging fests between giant armies.
Slowly thawing in the cavernous bellies of the massive ships was the grand force that would soon be divided into the Geonosian Defense Force, the 1st Security, & the 2nd Security. All told, the combined force contained 900 LAAT/i gunships, 1,552 TX-130 tanks, 6,974 BARC speeders, 6,974 AT-RTs, & 5,500 Operatives (excluding vehicle pilots & gunners). It was a force designed for one task: defense against hostile infantry with light-to-no vehicle support. Any larger vehicle support would be targeted with a tactical strike beacon & obliterated from orbit.
While it would probably be a difficult & drawn out campaign, the ISF was expected to take minimal losses at worse. This would be a good proving ground for the MMC-SB.
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Non-Com Or'dinii
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Post by Non-Com Or'dinii on Apr 25, 2013 16:54:55 GMT -8
The rioters remembered the previous occupants of this world and many recognized, or thought they did anyway, the transports sitting on the Landing pad. The rioters initially gave the ships a wide berth, going out of their way to avoid the massive vessels, but with time a horde seemed to grow in the nearby tunnels, something wanted these ships gone, and that some thing held sway, albeit tentatively, over the local common drones and some of the weaker members of other castes. It knew it couldn't hurt the ships, not all of them anyway, one or two perhaps, but even that would be mostly superficial. A sense of watchful dread settled over the landing area as the horde receded into the tunnels once more, leaving only a few observant spies to warn the rest when the soldiers came.
A local swoop gang worked up the courage to race between the resting hulks, and began careening across the landing pad. A few of the braver souls fired wild shots from old sonic blasters towards the ships, but the majority simply stayed hunkered down on their bikes racing from one side of the pad to the other. Upon reaching the other side, they fled to a nearby ridge, where they stopped to argue over whether or not to risk a second trip. The groups was fairly evenly split between a second trip, and leaving to go loot an old warehouse, that had been forgotten and untouched by the early looters.
Nearby tunnel entrances are rigged with IEDs, hoping to bar passage to the invaders, should they seek to gain entry. The majority of the populace continued to riot and pillage deep beneath the surface, confident in their security, knowing that not even a turbolaser barrage could reach them that deep under the rock and sand of the surface. An old droid foundry is broken into, and an old weapons locker is found. It holds a few hundred antiquated blasters and a few frag grenades, but little else. A few of the droid units remain functional, but without the control codes they are useless to the rioters. They grab the weapons and whatever else they think they can use, before laying waste to the place, destroying the droid units, the assembly lines, control consoles, they even trash the smelters to the best of their ability.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2013 12:07:47 GMT -8
Within the massive ships, the last of the operatives were thawed & finished donning their armour & kit. There is a rush of energy & excitement on board the ships as the troops gather in the loading bays. The world of Geonosis is riddled with massive cavern systems, with the lowest reaching nearly to the molten core of the planet. While the many chambers, short dead-end passages, & 'short-cut' alleyways between the main lines can be small enough that a human would have difficultly in squeezing through, most of the main line tunnels are big enough that a pair of AT-ST walkers could stand upright on tow of each other. However, it would take great skill or a very slow pace to pilot a ship down the lines, as few were straight, & even fewer don't have random obstructions jutting through them. In peace, these lines are traversed by a network of mag-Lev guided trams, shuttling things & people across the entire planet. With the riots, however, the entire system was in operational.
The obvious route into the planet proper from the landing pad would be one of the two main trunk entrances that joined directly to it. The Admiral, however, did not live this long by following the obvious route. The first rule of war is that everything is based on knowledge. The more information you have, the more likely you are to succeed. The Admiral had access to a nearly endless number of MER-1 class droids, nearly everyone of which had been refitted as MER-1/s models either before or on the trip to Geonosis. He also had access to nearly a thousand ships capable of carrying great numbers of the droids, & nearly seven thousand flyers capable of carrying a single squad of the droids.
The LAAT/i gunships would be loaded with Operatives for the first strike, as gaining a foot-hold would either make or break the campaign to retake the planet. The BARC speeders on the other hand, would carry the MER-1/s droids to the most vital strike areas. The remaining MER-1/s droids would deploy directly from the cargo ships & spread outward, gathering data for the any strikes that would be aimed in that area & building a current map of the terrain that needed to be captured.
With a nearly thunderous roar, the twenty cargo ships opened their loading bay doors, & out poured the army that would retake the planet. The LAAT/i gunships, the MER-1/s loaded BARC speeders & the TX-130 tanks would head east forty clicks to a nearby, but not the closest Trunk Line entrance, there they would enter the tunnel complex & secure a beachhead into the planet. The AT-RT walkers, too slow to keep pace with the repulsor craft over the rough terrain, would stand by at the cargo ships to guard them & once the beach head was secure, & the local area scouted, launch a second strike in by the Trunk line tunnels that connect to the platform
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Post by Non-Com Or'dinii on Apr 30, 2013 10:53:54 GMT -8
The swoop gang was buzzed by a pair of X-83's, while they argued, the group scattered instantly. Those moving towards the landing pad again, soon swerved away again, as the troops began exiting the transports. It was one thing to race between silent, non-threatening hulks of steel, it was another thing entirely to charge well armed and armored troops. The X-83's returned to circling over the landing pad, with the rest of the squadron, while another squadron landed between the larger ships, towards the center of the field, to conserve fuel and provide a rapid response to any sudden, unexpected threats. The circling X-83's watched the ground around the advancing troops, ready to provide close air support as needed.
In the tunnels, some the gang members cursed and raced off to report to their bosses, while others wished they hadn't been so thorough while planting the mines and other IEDs. The enemy couldn't get in with out heavy losses, but nether could they leave, a thought which had not crossed their minds until this point. The mando'ade force marched towards a lightly guarded tunnel, that had only had a token force deployed to it as an after thought. The thwarted gangs began fighting each other, since they couldn't get to the enemy, and the enemy couldn't get to them. Each tried to elevate their status by taking out their rivals in a very bloody and inefficient manner. The few standing guard at the Mando's target, fled as soon as they realized the army was headed straight for them. Farther back in the tunnels, others gathered, in preparation to defend the tunnel. Their was even a single Geonosian artillery piece about 200 meters down the tunnel, partially protected by a low rock jutting from the floor of the tunnel. On either side of the artillery piece were tram cars that had been flipped on their sides, to offer serve as both barricade and bulwark against the enemy.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2013 11:22:04 GMT -8
The LAATs & their BARC escorts had no intention of stopping to engage the few gang members present at the entrance of the tunnel. Instead they few into the tunnel at nearly top speed, weaving in & out between the rock outcroppings with incredible precision. The first few LAATs noted & painted the various large targets in the tunnel, including the turret & any large groups of enemy 'infantry'. Farther down the line, other LAATs prepped missiles & laser pods to hit the painted targets as they swept by. By the time the TX-130s would reach the entrance, there shouldn't be too much of a concentrated resistance left, as nearly half of the LAATs would have swept through the area taking pot-shots as they passed. The 'infantry' would probably not have any heavy weapons, & the geonosian turret are designed more as anti-infantry. A lucky shot from the turret did manage to cause one of the LAATs to drift far enough to clip one of the rock outcroppings, forcing it to emergency land slightly further down the tunnel.
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Post by Non-Com Or'dinii on May 4, 2013 13:20:58 GMT -8
The infantry give it all their best, mostly small blasters and blaster pistols, until their overturned rail cars begin melting under the heavy return fire. The antique artillery piece get's only three shots off before being nailed by an enemy missile, scattering its shards all over the tunnel, wounding several of the defenders. The infantry, seeing how heavily out gunned they are flee into the depths of the planet, hoping the dark twisting side tunnels will be to narrow for the enemy vehicles to continue pursuit. All the gang forces withdrew from the main corridors, seeking to make defensive positions in the narrower tunnels, many going so far down that the swoop riders had to slow down for fear of crashing into a protruding obstacle. The gang leaders began sending runners back and forth, seeking to find some weakness in the enemy's forces that could be exploited. The fallen defenders lay where they fell, their numbers high where they had attempted to stand, but failed. Many more joined their fallen comrades when their panicked neighbors trampled them in their haste to escape the invaders. Hundreds died, but most were victims of fear and misfortune rather than any living enemy.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2013 10:59:27 GMT -8
Once the 'defenders' begin to break & run, the LAAT gunships halt their advance. Within a few minutes the TX-130T tanks reached the entrance to the trunk line. Contrasting the with nearly marbled walls & surfaces of most of the planet's tunnels, the trunk lines where meant more as service tunnels than as areas to be accessed by the drones & other inhabitants. Here, the wall appear rough-hewn at best & cave-like at their worse. Of course, with the current unrest many of the once beautiful arcades are covered in burn marks & pitted craters.
The Trunk Line that the MMC-ISF had secured wasn't too far from the Stalgasin Hive. Once the LAAT gunships had finished unloading the Operatives, they set up a perimeter around the foothold, including gunships floating further down the trunk line & patrols on the surface surrounding the entrance.
Making their was down one of the multitude of arcades that serve as the main road-lines on each level of the planet, The TX-130T slowly pick their way through the rubble & other debris that the riots have left scattered in the tunnel. Normally, the tanks would be able to proceed down the corridor at full speed or near to it, but the rubble means they much move at nearly a walking pace. The BARC speeders had been left behind at the foothold, as their light frame would make them more of a liability in these corridors. The Operatives either walk along beside the tanks or hitch a ride on their repulsor pads. They did not expect to hit any major resistance until they reached the hive.
The Stalgasin Hive has the distinction of being located on the highest level of the planet. Due to this, it is the first (& often only) hive that visitors see. It is, all things considered rather cramped & claustrophobic. Most of the hives are down several more levels. Each is a massive dome, nearly big enough to re-assemble a small Star Destroyer in, with multitudes of arcades & walkways studding it like the arches of a roman Colosseum. It would be there that most of the fighting would take place, but the first & bloodiest battle would be the one for control of Stalgasin.
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Post by Non-Com Or'dinii on May 7, 2013 9:40:33 GMT -8
As the army approached the Stalgasin hive, the side tunnels were all vacant, empty, and while the hive was full of life, nothing seemed to be living outside of the hive. Along the main entrance a few anti-vehicle mines, left over from a bygone era, sat in the floor of the shaft untouched by time. If these even went off, after so much it was very unlikely, it was unlikely to cause any real damage to the tanks, though an operative or two might be hurt if they were close enough to the blast. Inside the hive, tension flooded the air and soil, as those who had carved a small kingdom for themselves, fought fear, and determined to hold on to their meager foot holds with everything they had. Not that anyone really had anything that could be useful as a weapon, mostly just Static pikes and rocks. Some had blasters, three even had blaster rifles, but most were sorting blasters, not made to pierce armored infantry, much less vehicle armor, they would have difficulty cause any serious enemy casualties. The few grenades and explosives available to this gang were quickly placed at the mouth of the tunnel. They hoped to bring the tunnel down no the vanguard of the army and buy themselves some more time.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2013 13:38:11 GMT -8
Even in the turbulent time that Geonosis was facing, business still went on. Despite the closure of several prominent mines across the galaxy, new orders where still coming in. Now that the transition from only mineral wealth to a wide range of resources had been made, many planets that previously couldn't be used were now well within the profit margins of MMC.
One of the Cargo Ships closes its bays & slowly rises from the ground, stirring a wave of red dust in its wake. Rising from the planet, it heads out to plant its contents across the stars.
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Post by Non-Com Or'dinii on Jul 19, 2013 7:06:36 GMT -8
Stalgasin had fallen to the mandolorians, and the army now moved out, having fortified it's position to minimize the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare around the hive, it made it's way towards another hive, deeper and several miles north of Stalgasin. It's move was largely un-opposed, except by the occasional berserking horde of drones. The drones caused few casualties to the well trained soldiers, but the near constant wear on the soldiers was slowly taking it's tole. The next hive had little in the way of organized resistance, making it's capture very nearly a walk in park for the MMC operatives.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 8:54:21 GMT -8
The fight was not going well. While the Operatives had the advantage of much better training & equipment, the Geonosians had far greater numbers & greater mobility in the tunnels. Two full battalions had been completely wiped out, several more had suffered horrible losses, & smashed vehicles marked nearly every arcade in the battle zone. One of the massive transport ships had even been destroyed in one of the more vicious counter attacks. The campaign to retake the planet was lost. Someone had apparently managed to destroy the indoctrinated queen that the Admiral had put in place & the new queen wasn't about to let herself be taken.
The only thing left had been to fight down to the Deep Vault, empty it, trigger the self-destruct, & relocate to another world. It had taken a horrendous amount of effort, but eventually a safe corridor had been established, the the vault emptied of the treasures it held. As the defenders guarding the few uncollapsed tunnels connecting to it began to pull back, the Deep Vault closed one last time. Twenty hour later, the two hundred Ice Bombs built into the Deep Vault exploded. The resulting shock wave & cave in damaged twelve hives & left a crater big enough to park an Imperial Star Destroyer in on the surface. By that time, the remaining troops had been evacuated off the planet & the ships that brought them here had retreated back to the safety of orbit.
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Post by Kali Helaine on Oct 19, 2015 4:37:51 GMT -8
As his gaze fell upon her a chill began to seep down her spine. Mentally she braced herself for a potential beating as she was expecting more than a berating but was relieved and surprised when a physical punishment did not happen. Despite his anger and derogatory manner, she did not regret asking the questions she had. To some that may have seemed strange but if she did not ask the questions that played upon her mind then how was she to get the answers she felt she needed, and these were questions she felt she needed answering.
She brushed the insult away, it was a word spoken in anger. In her time with Hevn she had begun to learn a lot about herself, the fact that being insulted had no affect was one of those things. It was easy to brush off; she had no need to try and convince herself of it. It came easily and it came naturally. The question she did have was simple, was this a natural part of her personality or was it one that had been learned out of necessity and self preservation?
While the interaction continued between Master and apprentice, the ship began to carry them down to the planets surface. Kali did not see the ship dropping down and heading toward the hanger which was quickly coming into view.
She remained sitting back in her chair maintaining eye contact and remained silent as he spat his words at her in anger. He had obviously felt she was questioning his judgement and she could not blame him for interpreting it that way, perhaps her phrasing was to blame for that, this was not however her intention, her intention had been to gain understanding. She was trying to gain a deeper understanding of him; she wanted to get to know him as she felt, that this would put to rest any questions she had over her future to rest.
He had not invited her to ask any more questions so she asked none. It was not fear that prevented her from doing so, though she did fear him, it was common sense. She had greatly irritated him and felt that pursuing any further questioning would only serve to anger him more. It would not be productive so served no purpose.
She finished her smoke in silence and mulled over all he had said. She took a sip of her coffee whilst watching the storm disappear before turning her gaze toward him.
I apologise for angering you. I understand my questions were perhaps…She took another sip of her coffee…bold? Presumptuous maybe? They were certainly not intended to offend, they were asked solely for the purpose of gaining a deeper understanding of how this world works. To me this world and those, like you, which live in it, though in a sense feels familiar, it still feels very alien to me. I would understand if you wished me to leave you now?
She had tried to be very careful with how she had phrased her apology and perhaps this had been reckless, she was under no illusions that he would likely notice how she had apologised only for causing his reactions but not actually for the questions themselves, she did however mean to start as she meant to go on. She would not pretend to be someone she was not. Where her inner strength and resolve came from she had no idea. Maybe this would all be revealed in her memories? That was if she had not angered him to the point where he was not going to return the one promised.
Her nerves were displayed only in the act of her picking up the last of the smokes he had given her and lighting it. Her hand shook a small amount, whether it was noticeable to others she did not know. She was a little more rigid in her seat and the speed at which she was smoking the cigarette was quicker than normal.
The shipped docked in the hanger and Geonosians began settling down around the ship. They appeared to looking for repairs to make while others took about refuelling.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Oct 22, 2015 4:08:55 GMT -8
All he could aim for was the coordinates. They were far out into the sands now as Hevn maneuvers the ship toward the opening appearing before them. A few Geonosian's took to the air to signal him in. As soon as he was docked they set about routine maintenance. A bustle of wings and fury around the viewport as Bedrovelse turns to Kali.
A disgruntled sigh escapes his lips as she makes her apology.
"Presumptuous to be certain. Trust that if I ever see fit to wield them, it will be done so with caution."
Kali would learn in time that an apology was a hard earned thing from Bedrovelse. He realized now his severity and harshness on her, but he had always been a bitter and private man. She had seen his power and intelligence at work. A formidable thing. To have her desire and pursue in his shadow, and then question his aptitude was a surprise. He knew his pride had flared and it was just another example of poor control. To teach her, he had to better find the way again himself. A troubling revelation.
Hevn spoke as he did to Alkor. With respect and care for her opinion and concern. He nods to her in assurance.
"I promised you something, but I will understand if you wish to refrain. I gave you my warning, now I give you your choice."
Hevn reaches for the hilt of his sword. He pulls it only a bit from its sheath to reveal a sliver of blade. Hevn places his finger upon it. Coils of black wrap around his finger and then pool in his palm. Bedrovelse extends his hand to her. Closing his eyes he wanders the dream himself, this time through her perspective.
...
Opening his eyes he only found the blackness of Kali's cell. Kali is kneeling, the walls are close. Breathing comes in slow strained efforts. Wheezes nearly, as the straight jacket pulled her arms so tight around her chest. Hevn found there was no moving the girl's ankles either, bound by some force he could not see now, and could not then. The first light in many days pierced her eyes like fire. The ferocious burn prompting her to squeeze them shut, opening again in fight of whatever other than the blackness she could glimpse. It was not the helmet of a guard, but a man with white hair and distant blue eyes. Face pale as a ghosts. It was the first occurrence she could remember since being arrested that had not involved the lifeless visage of security officers.
Men shouted outside as thundering sounds clattered the walls. Fingers reached through the slit to her cell and as they squeezed the metal creaked and bent under their might. Taking a step back the stranger ripped the door clean off with one arm, holding it aloft for a moment before dropping it on a fallen guard at his feet. Blood races over the floor under his steps.
Kali was already small, but in this cruel and confined posture the man was a giant. With strength to match his size it appeared. Fear ripped through her in sudden waves of panic. Each step he took closer, an image formed in the blood running toward her.
It was this stranger, reflected, yet so very different. Before he stood strangely garbed in robes. His hair white and speckled with red from his recent disagreement with her captors. His arms were welcoming shadows extended in comfort to her. In the blood he was a monster. Teeth gleamed like daggers in a smile fixated on her. Eyes shined like a demons, red and yellow, not a fleeting blue to be found. His hair burned like fire, growing around him in the image until it consumed it. His clawed hand, armored in gauntlet, swiping the sword through the vision to shatter it. Vanishing into the black blood, the stranger knelt down before her, picking her chin up to meet his gaze.
They were not as his eyes are now. They were soft, and compassionate as he took his first look upon her. It was strange to see himself that way. Kali had to stare through headgear that confined her sight but to a slit and kept her mouth wired shut in case her "sorcery" required words. It was a tragedy to see a girl so mistaken kept in such conditions. All fear what they do not understand, but Hevn understood her.
Tears blurred out what came next. Hevn remembered her tilting her head to hear him better as she began to weep in terror, believing him her executioner.
"Did you mean to peel the flesh off of your owners like they were fresh picked fruit?" The man spoke loud and firm, grabbing her face to turn it to his.
Kali continued to cry so overwhelmed, but a fire began. A fire that Hevn knew was in her, and could taste for himself now. Every other person had gotten a fierce no, but this time she nodded. Over and over she nodded until the sobs came again, until he spoke again. His soft voice shocked her.
"Good. They deserved it. I would see your talents put to better use, young lady."
Eyes wide with awe fixated upon him. First the helmet unclipped itself, and fell from her face to the floor.
"I could teach you to use those powers to achieve greater means. Means that will give honor to yourself, and not others Kali. If you agree to serve me, I will release you, and see you to the potential for which you were destined. Will you?"
As Kali shook her head in affirmative this time the bonds on her feet and arms released. The jacket withered to ribbons and fell. With haste she bounded toward him, arms wrapped so tight around Hevn she could have tackled him. However, Hevn remembered, there was no time for thanks or embrace. He tucked the girl hugging him under his arm, and ran as fast as he could from the ward.
...
Opening his eyes again he stares at Kali, hand extended, letting the sword fall back to its sheath with a click. Hevn's face contorted with thought instantly. Brain churning behind his natural scowl. He stared through her in thought at what he saw in the blood.
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Post by Kali Helaine on Oct 23, 2015 1:33:22 GMT -8
Kali felt that, be it indirectly, he was asking for her trust, to her it felt as if he was assuring his use of the gauntlet and sword combined would be done so with caution, and though Kali remained silent for a moment for she was deep in thought, she was not dismissing his assurance. For as far back as her memory could take her, which admittedly was not far, she had known only Hevn and despite them having only spent a brief time together he had given her no reason to not trust his judgements. He had given her everything and had asked for nothing and though ‘trust’ was not a word he believed in, Kali did and for her it was something that held a value much more valuable than anything in existence, and this, her most valued asset she was giving to him.
She looked him in the eyes but said nothing giving him only a brief nod of the head. Words would not offer him any further clarity or explanation. She had a sense that Hevn knew her better than she knew herself, after all, he had memories of her that she currently did not share.
He was offering her the memory as promised. She was relieved that her boldness and presumption had not had him withdraw the offer but quickly the fear ebbed its way through her, the coldness was smothering the relief, was smothering the excitement and intrigue of finally regaining something she felt so vital and suddenly, she found herself wavering and on the verge of refusing that of which he offered.
She bit her lip and using both hands tucked her hair behind her ears. She watched his hand closely as he reached for the sword and then watched with a mixture of fear and awe as he preformed the sorcery that withdrew the coils of black from the blade.
Without conscious thought she nervously began to brush non existent dust and fluff from her trousers, as she looked upon him. In that moment she decided she had two options before her. She could either live her life in fear and ignorant of what had shaped her into who she was, and what life lessons she had learnt along the way, or, she could face her fears, conquer them and learn from them.
Some how this induced far more fear than the battle on Muunilinst.
Inhaling deeply Kali held her hand before her, palm down and moved it toward Hevns. Once her hand was above his she looked into his eyes and studied them, there was something there within them, within his thoughts that made her reluctant, and her hand remained hovering but did not lower to meet it. She felt sick to her stomach and was within moments of refusing the memory when something within her pushed her forward. There was a desire to learn and to fight and to defeat whatever demons she may face. She would not succeed and become strong from running.
She lowered her hand and placed her finger tips into his palm. She dropped her gaze and watched as the blackness began to coil around her fingers and began to crawl up and over her arm before resting upon her wrist. It continued to twist around while painlessly penetrating her wrist and entering her veins colouring them black as it continued to enter her system. Within seconds she was back within that memory, living it as if it were now.
She could feel the ache within her knees from having been kneeling for too long, She could hear her breathes that amplified from within the mask which were deafening. Her chest was aching from the constrictive nature of jacket; her shoulders ached from being pulled and held and in a un natural position. It was all so vivid and real. The cold of the floor, the smell of the dirt within the room she could feel it all as if she were there now.
Her eyes were now squeezed closed as the memory carried her back. She was contorting with fear, sadness and helplessness. The wall she had built up around her was blast apart in that one moment. There was no hiding it from Hevn, she couldn’t. As within the memory, tears were slowly falling from the eyes that were squeezed shut as she began to feel all she felt in that moment. They slowly fell down her cheeks and neck and dampened the seam of her vest.
As the stranger she now recognised as Hevn entered the room, she gasped. She felt the intense fear she felt then, she wanted to go back and tell her it was all going to be okay.
The emotions of it all seemed so raw and real that she was lost herself to the memory completely. It consumed her in its entirety. So much so she was mirroring the actions of herself then.
The Kali of now was nodding her head and then, as in the memory she launched at Hevn and attempted to wrap her arms around him tightly.
Thank you. Thank you.
Was all she could say between sobs.
She opened her eyes that were now stinging from the tears and took a deep breath. Realising her having forced herself upon him she stepped back and brushed herself down before wiping her face.
She sat herself back down in the chair and took the last smoke Hevn had given her and lit it before inhaling deeply.
She folded herself in half almost by leaning forward onto her lap and placed her head in her hands as she began to digest it all. After a moment she sat herself upright, took another pull on her smoke. As she inhaled, she lifted her legs onto the chair, pulled them tight to her chest as she crossed her ankles and wrapped her arms around them.
Slowly as it all began to digest the same words played over and over in her mind. It was the question asked by Hevn whilst in the cell. Did you mean to peel the flesh off of your owners like they were fresh picked fruit?
She began to look at him quizzically. How much about her past did he know? She wanted to know everything he knew. She did not ask, not immediately, she first needed a moment. She just sat silently for a moment looking at the floor as she finished her cigarette, but once she had finished, she extinguished it and looked up toward him.
How did y…Kali was struggling, it was no longer tears that were her obstacle it was more a feeling of being overwhelmed…How did you discover me and know about…discover what I had done? Was I a slave?
There were still more questions she wanted answering, an entire list in fact but she needed to be methodical. She needed to be patient and allow Hevn the time to answer her but more so she needed to listen and not focus on what she wanted to ask next.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Oct 23, 2015 4:33:23 GMT -8
'What are you, whom fears his own shadow Bedrovelse?' The sword whispers. 'It is all in our grasp. Take us to war.'
A sharp pain in the side of Hevn's head nearest the sword erupted violently. As Kali took the memory from his offering her eyes closed and she slipped into what appeared to be a lucid dream. Her face changed, and so did Hevn's. His head felt like it was cracking under the weight of a giant squeezing him.
'No...' Hevn thought as horror sheared his heart. 'Not here.' Bedrovelse begged for mercy. The realization struck him like a tree of Endor crashing down upon him. Their proximity was amplifying them. The sword's power was enough to match the steel will that a Jen'jidai was forged to wield.
'You are beneath me. Tools of CONQUEST!' Hevn's pride roars in response to the sword's mental attack. 'Not. This. Time!'
Hevn's practice of control had at last prevailed, if only having scraped by narrowly. It was his first successful resistance to the carnal abyss. Blood lust and loathing saturating his skin and driving him into madness.
Kali lunged forward at him. The dizziness of his inner battle clouded his reflexes and she managed to wrap her arms around him in embrace. Hevn's jaw drops for just a second. A brief shock, and then understanding. She realized now the miseries of before, and took a step closer to accepting the convictions he presented her. She backed away, and for a change his stare was quite plain and mild. As thought some hint of emotion had touched him. Her following procedure of acceptance and digestion gave him ample time to recover.
He lit his own smoke as she sat in silence, mirroring Hevn in their few brief encounters by keeping it that way. When she finally lifted her head his eyes were expectant of questions.
What he could tell her swam through his mind. What was necessary? What would motivate her during training? The memories would help her taste emotions and awaken the powers within her. Some context could be provided given the circumstances in which the two had actually, first met.
"Yes, you were a slave. Used as a device of intimidation for your ruthless owners. You will learn more about them as you train further."
Hevn smiles knowingly into her teary face. She had curled herself into a ball. Would that light a spark to drive her?
"I discovered what you had done by monitoring Corellian comm channels. I found a line between the state and Jedi of the planet. While investigating the strange murders of two high profile arms dealers, they noted the absence of the slave who went everywhere with them. As those they terrorized and bullied were no longer afraid to speak out, they spilled the strange events that transpired when they turned the girl against them. You made the news when you were caught. The jedi believed you a Sith assassin and took heavy measures to make you uncomfortable......as hell. That was enough to make me want to see for myself."
There was a note of sympathy in his voice. He had just experienced it for himself after all.
Alpha's voice barks up through the comm.
I have secured it in the location desired, boss!
Hevn thumbs the comm in reply.
Wake up Mad Claws. We have work to do.
Bedrovelse stood from his seat letting smoke roll from his nostrils before extinguishing it. His gaze lingers on the sword for a little longer than usual. This time not in fixation and desire, but with a disgusted wariness. Placing it at his belt he turns toward Kali.
"It is time to get settled. Follow."
Bedrovelse leads her down the ramp into the hangar. It was small and enclosed. They were underground. The maintenance had already been finished and the crew gone. Hevn leads her forward. The doors scan Hevn's eyes before opening. He strides through quickly ushering her to as well. The hallway is narrow. The first branch off to the left was the kitchen, where Mad Claws and Alpha were chowing down on what looked like raw meat.
Mad Claws is a Catharian. A lion like species. Being a male his mane wrapped around his neck, wild and unkempt from slumber. He stood much smaller than Alpha, at nearly 5 foot 8 inches. He had a broad chest and was packed to the bone with muscle. Despite his name, his claws did not show, they were hidden as was the natural state of feline claws. His title came from using them, an unforgivable sin in many cultures, particularly so in his own, exiling him forever in disgrace. He is of dark orange fur, and a lighter dark yellowish mane. Three scars lined deep marks on both sides of his face at the cheek. White and void of fur. He is clothed in a tunic and loose pants that got stuck on his massive calves. Alpha's dark brown, and Mad Claws bright yellow eyes both glance at her for only a moment, before they returned to devouring their lunch.
The first door to the right was the washroom and related facilities, including showers. The second door on the left was a room with four bunks. A few things from the other two were scattered about the bunks to the left. Alpha seemingly having bottom and MC top.
"I do not sleep. You will have your choice of the two."
You will ask why...and I could answer only by scarring you with the wound of my demons. My burden to bear.
Hevn continued on. The second right was the lab. Weapons lined service stations and a vast array of Hevn's toys for spells were collected on a single larger table with large overhead lights. There was a small furnace in the corner and the means to craft blades beside it. This room was the largest of the four.
The final room was the greatest of the five. There was no door but at the end of the narrow hallway opened into an enormous training room. Dummy droids, targets, fire arms, and miscellaneous other weapons lined racks near the door.
"The training room. We can project scenarios and environments, as well as virtual foes. I'll save that for homework. First we must build you a lightsaber. To the lab. If you have the crystal we can begin at once."
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Post by Kali Helaine on Oct 23, 2015 9:51:29 GMT -8
She had been a slave. Someone had owned her. This thought began to make her very angry. She could feel it down in the pit of her stomach, it was boiling within her. Her eyes, once soft now began to harden. Her chest was heaving in anger as she extinguished her smoke and lifted her hands to her head and grasped her hair. Her feet slipped off the chair and let out a long, slow and drew another breath deeply through her nose, again, releasing it slowly through her lips. She needed to try and calm herself, she needed that control, but still beneath the surface she was infuriated, more so as he explained she had been used as a tool for intimidation.
The tears she had shed were absent; the only reminder was the red hue that surrounded the whites of her eyes. Her eyes themselves had darkened and her face was now taught reflecting the tense nature of her muscles.
Her gratitude was beyond words. He had saved her from death and was giving her freedom and power. How could she ever repay him?
There was only one thing she was 100% positive of at the moment and that was she wanted to make every single one of them pay. She wanted to do to them exactly as they had done to her. She was, right at this very moment, full of hurt and anger.
Her train of thought was broken by the voice of Alpha over the comm system.
Mad Claws? That was a name she had not heard before. She could only assume that the name was earnt for perhaps a skill with his, claws, it was this that made her wonder if he too was a Shistavanen.
While Hevn rose from his chair, Kali followed suit and it was then she noticed his attention to the sword. She could not say what it was, but there was something curious about the motion itself, it was not even an expression or a look in the eye, but something had her curious as to his thought process in that one singular moment. She said nothing, nor did she give any indication that she had noticed anything. She followed his command and walked beside him. As they stepped out into the hanger she arched her head and looked around her carefully. It was not out of caution but out of curiosity for her surroundings. For Kali knowledge gave her security, so being knowledgeable of her new surroundings would mean she would feel settled.
Though Kali was not short, she was not what you would call tall either, standing at 5’9 she was more of an average height, at 6’4 Hevn was considerably taller, so as he began his stride Kali was having to almost jog to keep up.
As they strolled past the kitchen she saw Alpha and another, definitely not a Shistavanen, eating. Her stomach lurched as she saw their meal. Raw meat looked like something she could not stomach handling let alone eating. She gave a nod with a weak smile to Alpha and continued on her way behind Hevn.
As she looked into the room with the bunks and Hevn explained she would have a choice of the two bunks, questions ran through her mind. The first was “she was to share a room with the male folk?” And the second being “why did he not sleep? Was it his prosthetics?”
She did not have time to question for his was on the move again, she continued on behind him until she passed a room that caught her intrigue. It was the room with all the weaponry inside it. Here she stopped and stood at the door peering in. Her eyes fell onto a table that seemed to be lit more brightly than any other part of the room. The table was covered with a whole host of curious looking objects. She wanted to walk over and examine each and every object but Hevn’s footsteps now were moving further and further away, so taking one last look she turned and jogged to catch him up.
She caught him up just before he stopped at the training room, she stepped inside and walked in to it, turning slowly and looking at all the room encompassed. There was a glimmer of excitement within her, though it was mostly shrouded by the cloud that hung over her created by her memory.
It was beginning, finally her training was beginning. She fought hard to repress all that anger, hurt and betrayal, however she reasoned that she was indeed looking at it wrongly, she needed to focus on the now and view it from the perspective that here and now was the beginning of her becoming strong enough to destroy each and every person that had wronged her. Though this did not instantly work, it did make her feel a fraction better.
Her crystal? Yes! With all that had happened she had forgotten her gift, the reward as Hevn had called it. She reached into her bra as she continued to look around the room and then, once it was retrieved she held it in the palm of her hand and held it out toward him.
I have it. What was it called again?
She looked down at the crystal and marvelled, not only had she forgotten how beautiful it was, but there was also a level of excitement. She was going to have a lightsaber of her very own making!
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Oct 24, 2015 4:47:34 GMT -8
Hevn repressed a laugh as Kali retrieves her keepsake from its chosen place of hiding. This is what women passed for security. Radiant and blue it shined in her hand. He looked fondly upon it as she stared in awe.
"Permafrost. Created in the coldest regions of the galaxy by means unknown. A miracle of the force."
Hevn smiles down at it before leading her to the lab. Settling at the table he projects a blueprint in a hologram over it. It was the hilt of a lightsaber. The components were in drawers at Kali's waist level, each labeled. The hilt was curved, in the projection, as opposed to his straight ones.
"I think this will suit you. I designed a program to answer any questions you may have about changing the design. Simply press this button and inquire. I've covered most of the basics."
By that Bedrovelse Hevn meant that he uploaded nearly all of the crafting techniques he had learned from the legendary blademaster Xeroc Pyros. The most talented creator and wielder of the lightsaber he had ever known. Most of the Jen'jidai had their specialties, their tricks, but Pyros could best you with the dance of his hands and feet. Men of Hevn and Alkor's strength cut to pieces in nothing but a flash.
Hevn gestures toward the button on the table at the edge of the drawers. He then points toward a console across from the table.
"When you're finished, please use that terminal to order yourself some clothes. The Geonosians should have them here in a day or so. Get something to eat. I have some drills to run with the animals."
Hevn stepped into the hallway, and without so much as making a noise the other two were summoned to him immediately. They stepped into the training room to leave Kali to her tasks.
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Post by Kali Helaine on Oct 24, 2015 8:09:43 GMT -8
By means unknown meant to Kali that the crystal was all the more precious and she treasured all the more. She turned it over delicately in her hand bringing it closer to her face to examine it as she did so. There was not a single imperfection within the crystal, it was perfect.
As Hevn left for the lab, Kali slipped the crystal back within her bra, it was not that she really expected anyone to jump out and rob her of it, but she felt this overriding urge to protect it at all costs, leaving nothing to chance. It was her only possession and she was going to protect it at all costs. The strength of this feeling was strange to her, as if there were something at the back of her mind telling her to keep it as close as possible and never put it down, nor allow it to be seen. She could not understand why, but then, she had a thought, if she had been a slave, had she ever owned any possession before? If she were correct, this could possibly go some way as to why she felt so overprotective of it maybe.
She settled at the table alongside Hevn and watched as she set about setting up the blueprints, walking her through it all and where everything she could need was. Now despite all she felt in regards to all her memory had revealed, she was bursting at the seams with excitement. This did not mean to say all that she felt was no more, it simply meant she was able to compartmentalise. So for now all her feelings over her treatment at that time were stored to the side while she focused solely on the matters at hand. She was living in the now and not in the past. She needed to focus now on growing stronger in order to avenge all that had been done to her.
She watched and listened closely and silently as he explained and directed her to all she needed to know.
Her gaze follows the direction his hand was pointing and falls upon the console and her jaw drops as his instruction to order her clothing. She wanted to discuss his generosity, at least to insist that he allow her to repay him in time when she was able but it was too late, he had already left the room.
She made a mental note to discuss this with him when the time when was right to do so.
Kali turned her attention to the blueprints. As she studied them closely, she removed an elasticated hair band from her wrist and secured her hair loosely at the back of her head. Carefully, double checking and triple checking at times, she set about following the instructions that were laid out before her. She made a couple of adaptations such as a fingerprint activation pad, she tuned this to her react to hers only, the other adaptations were aesthetic only, instead of a chrome hilt, she mad hers Matt Black with etchings of the same colour. The etchings were symbols that Kali had seen and remembered from the case that held the staff Hevn had retrieved whilst raiding the bank. Kali had found them fascinating whilst also beautiful in their intricacy.
Several hours later she was done. She tightened up the last screw, removed the protective covering she had placed upon the hilt to prevent scratches and stepped back from the table. Once clear of obstacles she held the hilt with her right hand only and thumbed the activation pad. A grin spread from ear to ear as the purest of icy blue blades hissed to life and encompassed her within its glow. Her eyes danced with excitement as she made a few minor sweeps with the blade, careful not to allow it contact with anything within the room.
She did this several times in order to ensure there were no faults. She fit herself with the belt that held the clip to hold the saber and then secured the saber to her right hip. She cleared away all her mess and replaced everything to its resting place and then moved along to the console to place her order as instructed.
As she set about this task her urge to overspend was powerful. There was so much she liked, much of which was entirely impractical for training and or her needs. She managed to resist this urge and instead bought only what served her purpose whilst being the most pleasing to her eye. She ordered herself enough to allow herself 3 days of clothing only, as ever a practical mind. Once the order was placed she found herself surprisingly excited. She was going to be finally being able to take some pride in her appearance. She would have new clothes, with no holes, no wear, and it would all fit instead of being several sizes too big. She could not wait!
Sometime later
In the kitchen Kali cleared away her glass and plate and exited the door, Hevn had mentioned that he was running some drills with the animals, by this Kali assumed he meant Alpha and Mad Claws so she made her way to the training room, As she made her way past the lab and down the small corridor Alpha and Mad Claws left the room.
Nearing them both Alpha gave her a smile and a nod as he gave her a firm pat on the shoulder…
Alpha
Squirt
With a chuckle Kali gave a gentle shove with her elbow…
Dog…She turned with her back to the training room and looked after Alpha and wrinkled her nose…I think you need a shower, you stink, Wet dog is not attractive!
She turned back to the training and chuckled as he heard Alphas laugh; it was followed by something between him and Mad Claw that she could not quite hear.
Finally reaching the training room she stood at the door looking in.
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Post by Bedrovelse Hevn on Oct 27, 2015 15:04:29 GMT -8
As Kali would look inside, the training floor would be smeared with blood from all three parties. The worst of which was Hevn's. The animals hadn't looked so bad, but Hevn had sparred the pair until they beat him bloody. He was sitting now in a chair as a repair droid make work of patching him up. The needle positioning above his eye before dropping down to his brow and a shower of sparks spitting from his face. Bedrovelse did not make a sound, nor did he fret in the chair. His arms and legs do not stretch in pain. He is silent and patient as the droid continues to patch him. As the droid moves away from his face he could see her waiting.
"Ah."
Hevn's sighs as his bloodshot blue eyes find her beaming ones. Lightsaber in hand.
"I had hoped to be finished before you. Make haste droid."
Telling it to speed up was a mistake sorely made, though Hevn wouldn't let the pain show through his stubborn prideful glare. The droid spit out twice the sparks as it moved over his arms and ribs. Finally it flies away from him so he may rise. He pulls the robes up over his naked torso. His deathly pale flesh was marred heavily by scars. His muscles pushing tight against the skin stretched over his powerful body. Hevn strides toward Kali, examining the hilt in her hand.
"Very fine. A craft I am sure you are eager to exercise."
Bedrovelse taps a monitor near the doorway pulling up a series of training programs. A small ball looking droid flies to the center of the training room and projects the hologram of a droid down onto the floor. It stands with blaster raised, occasionally flickering in the projection.
"Hevn gestures toward it. Please, activate your lightsaber and step toward it."
Fragments of the droid begin to light up, a blaring red color to signal where to strike it. A hologram punching bag, so to speak. She would be able to strike repeatedly without retaliation, and get used to the nature of lightsabers. The weight was in the hilt alone, instead of dispersed throughout the blade as with swords and knives, blades of solid make. A lightsaber had no weight in the blade whatsoever. It was a fast, efficient, and powerful weapon. One that some getting used to as well.
Hevn moves toward it himself, standing in front of it to demonstrate for a moment. He stands with both hands on the hilt of his saber, activating it so the white blade of his own sprung to life with a hiss. His left foot sits in front of his right, body squared up to the droid, with the saber poised in a vertical guard before him. It was quite like a Samurai would stand, as Bedrovelse was demonstrating the Shii-Cho, or Form 1 stance. The simplest to learn.
"For starters, the target area will light up red. I want you to practice the stance I am demonstrating now. I would like you to use short chops, and quick stabs to touch the red areas before they disappear. If you do not strike in time, the droid will shock you. What this means is...."
This was the most hardcore game of BOP-IT ever devised.
As the hologram droid's head lights up, he plunges the tip of his blade through its face.
"Enough, is enough. I do not need to bury a lightsaber in a droid to defeat it, merely pass the blade through and return to the ready position as quickly as possible."
As the hologram's arm lights up Hevn pulls the blade to the arm, but does not carry through it as though to chop the hologram in half. His blade pausing as it would touch the arm before he pulls it back to the ready position again.
"There are often times where disarming an enemy is quaint to defeat them. Show me speed. Show me poise. Show me control. Begin when you are ready."
Bedrovelse steps back from the hologram, deactivating his lightsaber. He crosses his arms and gives her ample space to swing and practice. He begins to circle the room so as to observe her form and critique it.
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