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#CAN I PLEASE HAVE SOME UNDERSTANDMENT OF WHY THIS AND ALSO ZAKUUL
jb-nonsense · 11 months
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hmm, Imma be greedy, if I may. xD One 💬 for Bralov, 💬 for Razesha, and 💬 for Fadyl?
Send me a 💬 for me to ramble about a random SWTOR OC
Always be greedy.
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Bralov Itera is the second born of a set of twins, his identical brother being Jarkiv and having a younger sister, Solvi. His bio is here. Bralov has a strong sense of Mandalorian honor, viewing it vital for him to keep to the code and bring honor back to the Itera clan. This is why he connects well with Torian, viewing him as a brother more than anything else. But Bralov also refuses to be dishonored or mocked, as well as refuses to go after targets below his level. He doesn't find any honor in attacking those weaker than him, or in senseless violence. He's got a strong belief in honorable combat and respect, as well as just tired of Imperials treated Mandalorians like attack akk dogs instead of allies, causing him to be less agreeable to the Empire as time went on (he wasn't that agreeable at first due to what happened with his father, but his dealings with Tormen just made it worse).
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I did this for her before located here but I will find more to talk about her with.
As a healer, Razesha does not view it as her place to judge others or their choices. She has an open mind and understands not everyone can walk the same path she does. But she also knows sometimes people need just a gentle suggestion to get them on a better path.
She can be stern but gentle about it, often able to out debate someone to convince them to stay and heal. She understands the importance of pausing and reflecting, of resting and preparing for the next trial to come.
She's known to travel the galaxy setting up med clinics in areas with less resources or war torn areas, helping who she can when she's not being called for duty with the Jedi. In her absence, she makes sure her clinics remain open and cared for, so people are not lacking proper medical care.
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The pretty boy trooper then senator. Fadyl Urdasher is the son of a Mirialan Senator and a high ranking Republic General who was KIA during the war before the Treaty of Coruscant. He is also the adopted cousin of the Alliance Commander in my legacy set up. He joined the Republic military wanting to make a difference like his father did but found himself frustrated by how often, due to his family lineage, he was delegated to 'safe' jobs instead of being out on the front. A sharp mind with a good sense for both tactics and diplomacy, he knew he was being wasted by being coddled.
He forged some forms to enable him to be sent to the front, where he excelled and the brass eventually relented (it would be a scandal to have court martialed him and the soldiers he served with would have not been pleased) and allowed him to remain. He was a well respected officer and was able to out maneuver almost any enemy, but the brass still tried to be careful with where he went.
When his mother retired and the whole set up with Zakuul was done, Fadyl decided to run for office to try to have some influence on what was happening, since the military was stalled out. He easily won his mother's seat in the Senate and as served as Senator for Mirial ever since.
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meatbag-status · 4 years
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soo uhhhh certain dialogue options make vitiate just up and tell you what he’s planning to do. i do love the one option, “it’s not every day you get to kill the emperor!” BWAAM (lightsaber sound)! “i’m ready to be fucked up, wrath! fuck me the hell up, wrath!” lol and then at the end, wrath be like *pat pat* you ok bro?
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blueburds · 3 years
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Companion: Altrethir Valran - a continuation
First off i’m so glad yall have enjoyed that follower meme <3 second, i saw a few that had bonus details such as companion gifts and a character bio! figured that’d be fun to do for Altrethir. ALSO i included some random dialogue that i thought might be fun. implications of a random questline i made up are present throughout the dialogue.
original post is here. this will be an addition to that! i’ll be writing this as though he’s an Onslaught companion for a Republic character.
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NAME: Altrethir (full: Lord Altrethir Valran) GENDER: Male SPECIES: Twi’lek AGE: 36 OCCUPATION: Inquisitor (Force-user) AFFILIATION: The Galactic Republic LIKES: Luxury, justice, learning of ancient artifacts. DISLIKES: Recklessness, close-mindedness, cold weather. GIFTS: Luxury(Love), Cultural(Favorite), Delicacies(Favorite), Weapon(Like), Imperial (Like).
BIO: Since his late teenage years, Altrethir possessed a strong connection to the Force. He was recruited to the Korriban Academy and trained to become a Lord of the Sith. Altrethir wholly trusted in the Force; he always had faith in its guidance. And when the Force wanted to go down a different path, he listened.
The Sith Empire’s ideals didn’t align with his own whereas the Republic would have fought for them. He defected and began to seek balance in the Force. Not Jedi, nor Sith any longer, Altrethir simply adopted the title of “Inquisitor” to suit him.
DIALOGUE CONVERSATIONS:
(First meeting)
Altrethir: “Greetings, Commander. I have heard... phenomenal things concerning your work. It is an honor to meet you in-person.”
Good to meet you, too. -- “’Phenomenal’ is certainly a way of putting it. I trust we’ll work well together.”
Altrethir: “As do I. With pleasantries aside, let us brief you on the mission.”
[Flirt] The pleasure is mine. -- “I’d love to hear exactly what you’ve heard about me. But, I think I’d also love to hear more about you.”
Altrethir: “Of course--but perhaps once the issue at hand has been settled.”
You’re Imperial? -- (Force-users): “You’re Sith--I can sense the darkness of your aura.”    (Non-Force-users): “The Republic’s relying on defectors now? I don’t know if I can trust you.”
Altrethir: (To Force-users): “I have harnessed control of the Dark Side; never again shall it back me into a corner.”     (To non-Force-users): “The Republic fights for freedom and justice. I want nothing more than that for my people.”
(Post-mission conversation dialogue)
Altrethir: “Reports say that the Empire’s swollen pride has taken a hard blow.” “You’ve done incredibly well--better than I could have anticipated. I never had my doubts.”
It was a hard-won victory. -- “Many innocent lives were lost. The choice was a difficult one, and not one I made lightly.”
Altrethir: “I do not blame you. Civilian casualties are inevitable in war, but minimalizing them should be a priority.”
[Flirt] It was better in-person. -- “You should’ve been there. I would have loved to see you in action.”
Altrethir: “I am a man of many talents. In this particular scenario, my non-combatant skills were needed elsewhere.”
They had it coming. -- (Republic class PC’s) “I’ve fought the Empire for years. It always feels good to hit them where it hurts most.”     (Imperial class PC’s) “No one knows what it takes to wound the Empire more than I do. I hit them where it hurt most.”
Altrethir: “We mustn’t gloss over the amount of civilian damage caused by our mission. Imperial or Republic, civilians should never be caught in the cross-fire of military operations.”
(New mission dialogue)
Altrethir: “Commander.” “An opportunity to send a message to the Empire’s allies has arisen.” “Members of the Hutt Cartel have shifted their allegiance, abandoning their former Republic allies in favor of the Empire.” “Imperial-loyal Hutts have taken members who are still loyal to the Republic hostage. By launching a rescue mission, we will succeed in showing our allies that we don’t abandon our own, nor do we tolerate vicious threats the Empire makes.”
Let’s go. -- “The Hutts are powerful allies and none we can afford to lose. Where do we go from here?”
Altrethir: “Nar Shaddaa. A place you could’ve guessed yourself, hm?”
You don’t like Hutts? -- “Given what you’ve told me about your past, I don’t see you willingly putting yourself at risk to save Hutts.”
Altrethir: “This is a matter of saving useful allies of the Republic. Not about my own personal distaste.”
Leave them to rot. -- “Hutt business always goes sour. We wouldn’t lose much by letting them go.”
Altrethir: “If my calculations proved that to be the case, then I would never have brought this matter to your attention. But the Republic needs these Hutts.”
(continued) Altrethir: “I shall be joining you on this mission. I’ll present you with more details during the ride there.”
(First time on Odessen)
Altrethir: “Such a marvelous world; the Force is in balance.” “While its aura is not fiery like that of Korriban, nor is it soothing like Tython, it feels... neutral. I am content.”
Ideal for the Alliance. -- “The Eternal Alliance is made up of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Jedi, Sith, some in between--such as the defected Knights of Zakuul. Odessen’s neutrality probably helped everyone feel safer.”
Altrethir: “Indeed. The subject piques my interest. Perhaps I should do some independent research on the matter later.”
[Flirt] You want a tour? -- “The base is pretty big, but the wilds are where the real beauty and charm lie. I should show you around.”
Altrethir: “And I would not object. Your company has been ever pleasant.”
I don’t care. -- “There’s got to be something better on your mind than that.”
Altrethir: “Matters concerning the Force are always something worth thinking critically about.”
(continued) Altrethir: “I am inclined to speak to the leader of your Force Enclave: The Voss Mystic, Sana-Rae.” “If there is nothing else for now, Commander, I shall be heading on my way.”
Go ahead -- “I’ll see you around. You know the way?”
Altrethir: “I do. Farewell for now, Commander.”
[Flirt] I’d rather show you around. -- “My offer for a tour’s still open, Altrethir. You sure you don’t want just a quick look around?”
Altrethir: “Since you are quite insistent, it would be rude of me to decline. Shall I meet with you somewhere after I’ve concluded my business?”
PC: "My personal landing zone will do just fine.”
Altrethir: “Then I shall be no longer than twenty minutes.” “I will see you then.”
(Continued scene, prompted from flirting)
Altrethir: “You were right; the wilds are utterly gorgeous. While perhaps a bit warmer in temperature, I daresay they remind me of Alderaan.”
PC: “Have you been to many worlds?”
Altrethir: “I have, yes. Once my old Sith Master granted me the freedom to travel where I pleased, I abused that power.” “After being chained and enslaved for the first twenty or so years of my life, I wanted to see everything the Galaxy had to offer.”
You weren’t only a slave to the Hutts. -- “Knowing the Sith hierarchy, you traded one master for another.”
Altrethir: “I do not disagree. Still, Lord Sen’tulo--my late Sith Master--granted me a level of freedom I’d never experienced before. I was grateful for that much.”
You fought for the wrong side. -- “The Empire openly oppresses people--aliens especially. Why waste so much time with them? Why didn’t you defect sooner?”
Altrethir: “I wanted to prove that success could be achieved no matter one’s species. By becoming a Lord of the Sith, I spat in the face of those who tried to drag me down throughout my endeavor.”
Sith Master? -- “You haven’t mentioned this Master before. What were they like?”
Altrethir: “Lord Sen’tulo was an honorable woman. Rational, level-headed, logical. Stern, but held compassion. She broke several Sith stereotypes. Perhaps that was what lead to her ultimate downfall.”
(continued) Altrethir: “Freedom is important to me. I cannot bear to see innocent individuals shackled as slaves.” “I know what that cruel life is like first-hand. Initially, I sought to use my position of power in the Empire to find an end to slavery. My desire clouded my judgement.” “The only way to end the practice was to fight against it. Thus, I defected.”
A noble cause. -- “I can tell how important your ideals are to you. You did the right thing.”
Altrethir: “Who determines what is right or what is wrong is irrelevant. But--I understand your meaning. I did what I believe was right.”
Position of power? -- “Just how powerful of a Sith were you before turning to the Republic?”
Altrethir: “A Darth, but not on the Dark Council. I nearly reached the position when I had my revelation.”
The Republic’s wary. -- “The Sith are ancient enemies of the Republic and the Jedi. Do they wholly trust you?”
Altrethir: “I would imagine there are many who don’t. But the team I work with does--they are all I need to prove my loyalty.”
(continued) Altrethir: “Your hospitality has been greatly appreciated, Commander.” “Though we’ve known one another for a relatively short period of time, I speak truthfully when I say I’ve enjoyed every moment of your company. You are quite the inspiring leader.”
[Kiss] So have I. -- “And I’ve enjoyed your company.”
(post-kiss) Altrethir: “Commander, you are as charming as you are alluring.”
We should head back. -- “It’s been nice. We should be heading back, though.”
“I concur. Thank you for this time to speak with you; it has been a pleasure.”
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sith-shenanigans · 3 years
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Follower Meme - Ahene
Not exactly tagged by @ajoloart, but they put a universal tag into the universe and I picked it up and ran away with it. And oh boy, did I ever run away with it. Somehow this turned into a way-too-detailed attempt to fit Ahene into an Alliance run by one of the other seven classes. And also I invented an approval system?
Tagging: @elaphaemourra @sunsetofdoom @dragonheart-swtor @miss-spooky-eyes @cipherr @a-muirehen
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Class: Sith Assassin (Darkness)
Weapons: Saberstaff, lightning
Recruitable by: All but the Sith Inquisitor, though making particularly non-pragmatic DS choices during her recruitment quest results in her either joining at her lowest approval or (if you double down at the end) refusing to join entirely, professing doubt that you could ever resist Vitiate’s influence. (If you later take the LS ending at the end of KotET, she sends a letter admitting that she misjudged you, and there’s an option to start a conversation that recruits her. If you later take the DS ending, she doesn’t show up again. Attempting to attack her during her initial recruitment results in her turning invisible and leaving.)
Selection Lines:
“Let’s get to work, then.”
“What new crisis have you found for me?”
“We’ll take the quiet approach.”
(low approval) “I was busy.”
(high approval) “Stay behind me.”
Battle Lines:
*quietly* “Give up.”
“Do you think you’re the first to try that?”
“I’m getting tired of you.”
[sharp, derisive exhalation] “Ffh.”
“Oh, no you don’t.”
(player at low health, low approval) “Expected a sacrifice, ‘Commander?’”
(player at low health, medium approval) “Stay back—I can handle it.”
(player at low health, high approval) “I won’t allow this.”
Exiting Battle:
“Good work, Commander.”
“That’s over with. Shall we continue?”
“Let’s keep moving.”
“How can attempted murder be so tedious?”
“Next time, I’ll sneak us past.”
Low Health:
“Horak-Mul…?”
“This won’t kill me. I… won’t let it.”
“This—this isn’t how it ends. Is it?”
(low approval) “I’m done here.” *hp goes to 1, disappears until combat is over*
Resurrected:
“That… went poorly. Thank you.”
“Not the first time I’ve died.”
“Let’s forget that happened.”
(low approval) “I’m… surprised you came back for me.”
(high approval) *quiet laugh* “Glad to see you made it, Commander.”
Misc. Click Lines:
(Force Enclave influence < 10) “I’m afraid I’m busy. Is this important?”
(Force Enclave influence < 10) “Sana-Rae is a fascinating person. I’m glad to meet a Mystic who will actually speak with me.”
(Force Enclave influence < 10) “My resources are limited now, but I’ve been contacting some of my people. The reliable, trustworthy ones. I expect at least a few will agree to join.”
(Force Enclave influence < 10) “I don’t have time to talk right now, but do let me know if the eldritch abomination in your brain starts feeling peckish.”
(Force Enclave influence < 10) “We need more ritual space soon. I think the Jedi are getting nervous.”
(Force Enclave influence < 10) “We have a long way to go, I won’t lie. Shall we get to work?”
(Force Enclave influence < 10, LS Jedi pc) “I advise against evangelizing. To me or anyone else.” *pause* “No, that’s not a threat. Call it… leadership advice.”
(Force Enclave influence < 10, Sith Warrior pc) “You know what I’m watching for—Wrath. Understand that it’s nothing personal.”
(Force Enclave influence 10-19) “What do you need from me?”
(Force Enclave influence 10-19) “I admit, it’s gratifying to see Jedi and Sith having to work side-by-side. It gives one hope for pragmatism in the galaxy.”
(Force Enclave influence 10-19) “I have a few proper teams now. I wish it was more, but it will have to be enough.”
(Force Enclave influence 10-19) “Please tell Doctor Oggurobb that I will not, at any point, allow him to run experiments on me. I don’t think anything I say is going to dissuade him.”
(Force Enclave influence 10-19) “We’ve been setting up a facility for heavy-duty Force work half a kilometer from the base. It’s not an Ancient Knowledge laboratory—but it will do.”
(Force Enclave influence 10-19) “The work isn’t over, but you should be proud of what we’ve done.”
(Force Enclave influence maxed) “Hello, Commander. How can I help?”
(Force Enclave influence maxed) “Master Dorun and I have something to show you, when you have time.”
(Force Enclave influence maxed) “If Anathel paid better attention to his personnel, he would be fuming.”
(Force Enclave influence maxed) “Yesterday, a padawan asked me to teach her my cloaking. What’s more, her master knew—and agreed. Isn’t that just something?”
(Force Enclave influence maxed) “You should see what we’ve been working on, Commander. There are applications of the Force only the Alliance could have discovered—applications unbound from the constraints of Sith or Jedi philosophy. We will go down in history for more reasons than one, provided we ensure that there’s a history to go down in.”
(Force Enclave influence maxed) “This is a new order, I think. Jedi, Sith, or Mystic—we’re the Alliance first, now. I look forward to seeing what we do with it.”
(Force Enclave influence maxed, low approval) “I have never been shy in doubting your style of leadership, but I can’t argue with your results.”
(Force Enclave influence maxed, high approval) “I want to thank you, Commander. After all this time, I think I finally feel… free.”
(any influence, low approval) “I’m your ally, ‘Commander.’ Not your subordinate.”
(any influence, high approval) “I’ll see this through. Until the end.”
(Talos Drellik recruited) “Talos and I have been comparing notes. I’ll let you know when we have something worth mentioning.” *pause, more quietly* “I’m glad to see him again. Thank you.”
(Xalek recruited) “I see you met my former apprentice. He’s done well for himself—or as well as he could, under the circumstances. I’m very proud of him.”
(non-Smuggler pc, Sirue Parhen recruited) “The Voidhound sends her regards.” *pause* “…No, I’m not going to tell you what else she said.”
Gifts:
Courting | Cultural Artifact | Delicacies | Imperial Memorabilia | Luxury | Maintenance | Military Gear | Republic Memorabilia | Technology | Trophy | Underworld Good | Weapon
Loves:
“I… thank you. That’s very kind of you.”
“I lost most of my library when Zakuul invaded. This will help.”
“This is fascinating. Where did you acquire it?”
Favorite:
“A piece of history. Very nice.”
“Thank you.”
“In this one area, I suppose I’m fairly predictable.”
Likes:
“This will come in handy, I think.”
“You can never be too prepared.”
Indifferent:
“Do I… need this?”
“If you’re trying to win me over, at least give me something useful.”
(Courting/Delicacies/Luxury) “If I wanted that sort of thing, I would find a way to get it myself.”
(Courting/Delicacies/Luxury) “I am not desperate for the comforts of ‘home,’ Commander.”
(Courting/Delicacies/Luxury, non-Warrior pc) “You think all Sith are the same, don’t you?”
(Courting/Delicacies/Luxury, Sith Warrior pc) “You, of all people, should know why I can’t accept that.”
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sullustangin · 3 years
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Okay, strange question for Theron. I hat does he believe in. Beyond duty and doing things for the greater good.
That’s a good question! It’s going to get long, so some of this is beyond a cut. 
Theron was raised as a Jedi until adolescence - his belief system is rooted in the existence of the Force.  It exists in all living things, and some people can access and use it, while others cannot. The Jedi are the good guys.  He was also raised as a citizen of the Republic.  He believes in the Galactic Constitution, which bars slavery and grants all sentients certain rights.  The Republic is a representative government with elections and enfranchised people choosing their leaders. 
Duty and the Greater Good
“Duty” and "The Greater Good” concept have to be defined with Theron, because he is not a lawful character.  He’s a neutral, leaning chaotic character in D&D terms.  Lawful characters go by whatever society approves of; chaotic characters have their own internal compass.  Neutral considers both.  A great example of this is when Director Trant of SIS and Jace Malcom the Supreme Commander of Pub forces tell him to get the job done and basically ignore the fact that two planets full of people are going to be sacrificed to do it.  Lawful characters do as the authority says.....and Theron decides to go rogue and disobey with a Jedi in order to at least save the second planet. His “greater good” is a lower death count, rather than guaranteed Republic victory. I would argue that Theron interprets his duty as belonging to a larger galaxy rather than exclusively the Republic and its political/military objectives; he is pro-Republic, no doubt about it, but there are limits. He’s also pro-Jedi, but there are limits -- some of them can be real asses.   I discuss his alignment further here.
Going into Forged Alliances in SWTOR, we have a man who works for the Republic and endorses the ideals of the Galactic Constitution.  He knows the Republic is not perfect.  He does believe the Jedi are “right,” but he does have some issues with their attitudes toward non-Force users.  They are not perfect. We get some very vehement statements in Annihilation about Theron’s experience with the Jedi after he was found not to be Force sensitive:  the arrogance of the Jedi, how they looked down on non-Force users. He even applied this metric to Satele in their first real conversation with each other.  I discuss this more here.  This doesn’t make him anti-Jedi, but he doesn’t view them with the same rose-colored glasses he did as a youngling. Individuals aside, he follows the Light Side of the Force.  
The Dark Side decisions that a Pub can make to please Theron in Forged Alliances/Shadow of Revan involve deceiving the Empire -- first, by destroying the Revanite cyborgs on Rakata Prime; second, by setting up perimeters around the Yavin base that track Imp movements just a little bit closer.  The blowing up of cyborgs rather than fighting them is to prevent Lana and the Empire from scavenging them later.  It’s not about killing them -- they as individuals are already dead.  You have to kill them to get to the next room anyway.  It’s just a matter of whether you give the Republic an edge by not permitting the Empire the opportunity.  It’s a chess match.  On Yavin, it’s about the Republic having more information than the Empire here as well.  These aren’t traps or weapons that would hurt Imps -- it’s just about having more information.  That is his duty to the Republic as an SIS agent while still supporting a cross-factional alliance to defeat a shared “Greater Bad.”  So while dishonest and Dark Side and ‘anti-Jedi’, Theron still does things in support of a government that has the Galactic Constitution while doing no direct physical harm to the Sith Empire’s operatives (a rather Light Side-y solution).
What else does Theron believe in, besides all that?
Theron believes – most of all and with the most optimism --  in the future. We saw that at the end of Lost Suns.  We see that when he chooses to save civilians on a planet he’s never met.  We even see it in his Dark Side decisions in-game; he anticipates that the war will resume against the Empire, and he wants the Republic (and its Constitution) to have the best odds winning.  I believe that Theron would rather have a rough life himself and save others in the future from the same work and suffering he’s gone through.  Does he do it like a Jedi? Nope.  He isn’t honest or honorable all the time, but he draws the line of sacrificing innocents or excessive for a cause.  Does he do it like a traditional agent of the Republic, taking orders without question?  Good Lord, no.  Trant complains about that all the time in Lost Suns and Annihilation.  Theron is Trant’s best agent, but half the time, Trant wants to throw him out a window or down a trash compactor because he doesn’t do things by the book. 
I discuss in that alignment post how beat up Theron gets because he does things that are “right” in his mind, but not protocol. Theron fights for a brighter future.  Based upon what he’s willing to do personally to ensure that happens, his life comes second to those yet to be born and a better galaxy for them.  Call it Jedi virtue, call it a zealous belief in the Galactic Constitution -- Theron does it (and he meets his end that way in the Nathema Conspiracy, if the player chooses that path).  This is also partially why he doesn’t have an SIS partner. Theron might be assigned to another agent, but he wants to do all the work himself, his own way.  Trant has learned it is pointless to assign Theron a partner because the partner is left out and doesn’t even know when Theron gallivants off.  His risk, his way.  
So to be very specific, Theron believes in the future for others, not necessarily himself.  Theron has a certain lack of selfishness paired with stubbornness that makes him put himself in danger because he believes there is some greater cause; he, the individual, doesn’t matter as much.  We see this in other SIS agents -- they’d die in the line of duty without much of a second thought. I read about Lana’s early experience in the Talay initiative, and the SIS agents she encountered were particularly devout.  
For Theron, that duty isn’t just to Republic or SIS -- it’s for the better future of the galaxy as well.  We can also use this as part of an argument that suggests why Theron isn’t shown romantically involved with anyone unless he gets with the player.  Theron thinks it would be nice if he survived to see this great future he wants for the galaxy and the Republic, but he understands he may not live to see it. That’s not fatalism or pessimism however.  He knows what Jedi did during the Fall of Coruscant.  He was always told by Ngani Zho that he was so loved by his mother that she had to give him up, so she wouldn’t have divided loyalties when it came to the good of the Republic.  His personal happiness doesn’t rank very high here; it is virtuous and right for individuals to make choices that cost themselves something rather than others. Theron doesn’t like to be selfish.
During KotFE Theron leaves the Republic after they’ve accepted the political fiction that Saresh is out of office.  Everyone knows she’s pulling the strings and promoting constant warfare against the Sith Empire, while bending the knee to Zakuul the entire time.  They are oppressed, but she gets to have her little wars.  Theron joins the Alliance because it is resisting an oppressive power that the Saresh doesn’t seem interested in throwing off and that the Empire can’t seem to throw off.  In KotFE, you have Theron as a companion.  He does NOT accept Republic memorabilia in order to raise influence -- I don’t think that’s an oversight, since Lana takes Imp memorabilia with enthusiasm.  Theron believes in the Galactic Constitution and all of its principles – but the Republic is failing to do that right now by tolerating Zakuul and their systems of slavery. If you recruit Bowdaar, you do so by Fight Club or “Eternal Championship” or whatever, and it runs off slaves and people owned by others.  This was what Theron worked against during his career in SIS prior to the whole Korriban thing….and now the Republic tolerates Zakuul’s use of it, as long as Saresh has her little wars with the Empire.
By KotFE, Theron no longer believes in his duty to the Republic, but in the Galactic Constitution. Now that the Jedi are gone, he doesn’t believe in them as much as the broader, greater good that the Republic never fully reached for due to its conflict with the Sith Empire.
This also brings us to the idea that Theron believes in the player.  When all the things he valued in the Republic and SIS went to dust, he went to the Alliance, knowing that a key element was the rescue of the player from carbonite.  Somehow, he thought this person – this key figure that he had worked with previously – would be able to head an Alliance that would save the galaxy one last time from the Sith Emperor.  
With KotET, the player can decide whether they are a peacekeeper Alliance or a new Empire. Theron supports the player and doesn’t make any move to leave or go back to the Republic, regardless of the decision (a flaw in writing, in my personal opinion, but it is what it is).  This is the game’s mechanic, but we may also interpret this as Theron’s belief in truth:  we are what we say we are.  A benevolent empire may not have elections, but it has a greater good in mind.   The Republic claims to support all of these ideals in its constitution…but it doesn’t under Saresh.  Even with a more brutal Eternal Empire, there is truth in advertising.  We are doing this, that’s the way it is.  We’re not hiding behind some Constitution that’s pushed to the wayside in favor of continued war with the Sith Empire. I know this is spinning the wheels hard to try to make it work, but Theron has to have rationale for staying, and it’s not provided in game. In Onslaught, we see a return of Theron’s temper; players who permitted high casualties on Corellia had Theron stomp out on them in anger.  That is consistent with what we’ve seen previously, but the writing had made him somewhat of a sycophant to the player character for awhile; it was a good surprise for character development, bad if you were romancing Theron since you don’t get a smooch off him for that ending.  
Now, if you go all Light Side for Theron, then it’s more easily explicable as to why he stays with the player – the Alliance does what the Republic will not, and he rather be in a place that does what the Republic should be doing, rather than be in a Republic that’s all talk and no action. He’s happy to return home to the Republic, if you make that choice in Onslaught.  He’s also accepting of remaining independent.  He only expresses concern with an Imperial alliance because he doesn’t want his home ground to dust....and all the people in it.  All those little individual futures that we as Alliance commander can control -- and if we’re working to make them better, that coincides with Theron’s own beliefs.
Does Theron Shan believe in love?
The virtue of love, in the sense that one cares for the good of others and the galaxy, is approved of by Jedi.  The idea of having someone, of bonding to someone and wanting to maintain that relationship – and the associated fear of losing that relationship – can lead to the Dark Side.  Now, Theron may not buy into that as much as he did when he was a kid, but it might stick in the back of his mind, since unless the player romances him, he remains single.   He’s also devoted to his ideals and his work, his duties. He’s a self-admitted workaholic -- that sort of kicks romance and personal love down the ladder of priorities. 
On the other hand, Theron hasn’t been treated well by ‘love.’ Ngani Zho loved him… and left him without telling him the truth.  Zho also told Theron all the time that his mother Satele loved him so much that she had to give him up….and we have yet to see her ever admit that to him, face-to-face. We can argue that the latest patch, Echoes of Oblivion, points toward that happening, but even then, she only indicates that to player, not to Theron himself.  We saw Jace Malcom’s rejected paternal overtures in Annihilation and then alienation from Theron during Iokath.  Player choices decide whether that relationship is recoverable or not.
In an unromanced game, Theron is alone, but not necessarily lonely.  We can view this as sort of a holdover from his Jedi youth and as his adult life as a spy – love is a good thing in the galaxy but attachment is not, given the risks he takes.  There is no suggestion that he’s romantically involved with another NPC, unlike other games or even the Lana/Koth thing -- which is ultimately left up to player interpretation as to what exactly that was. 
This next bit is more subjective, because it’s how I’ve interpreted the Theron romance to this point on neutral/Light-leaning characters, specifically a smuggler.  I think prior to the playable character, Theron believes in love, but once again, not for him personally.  If the player romances him, it’s a whole different bantha wrangle.
Love is difficult. Being mutually attached is difficult for Theron, because most normal people want a certain back-and-forth, a certain amount of information sharing before they really commit.  Theron can’t give as much as they can.  Hook-ups are physically satisfying, but emotionally lacking.  
I know some authors have him as a someone who slept around a lot, while others have him as a serial monogamist.  Many just don’t discuss the idea of him being with anyone else besides their playable character.  I’ve written him as someone who can get hook-ups, can do a relationship or two seriously, but also has long spats of celibacy mixed in because he’s busy working. The greater good isn’t going to happen by itself, so Theron works at the cost of his personal relationships.  Because of being a spy and the issue of his parentage, he can’t disclose his work routine or why he’s come back with a new scar – it’s easier to let the relationship fall to the wayside than explain. Where are his parents? Who are his parents?  Easier to let the relationship go than explain.  
Theron is a consummate professional.  Even in the era of KotFE/KotET, Miot and Koth refer to him as ‘stiff’ or ‘stuffy’ and not knowing when to “not work.”  His duties come before his personal desires.  This is why we have to get through all of Rishi before we even get to kiss Theron, plus another few weeks/months on Yavin before they playable character and Theron hook up.  However, if we take a look at the player’s path from Korriban or Manaan (Pub and Imp side encounters with Theron), it’s a courtship over the course of a half-year or more.  There are a lot of headcanon explanations for this, ranging from playable character inexperience, demisexuality, “behind the scenes” action that emphatically states that they were hooking up long before we saw them, and so on.  
I took what I saw on screen to be a signal of Theron’s professionalism -- no time for lovin’ until the job is done -- but also his attachment issues. I’ll do another post on this later, but I’m writing him with the label “fearful avoidant attachment” in mind.  Basically, Theron wants to be attached to someone, desperately, but he is terrified of it.  I don’t blame Satele for this one – this is all about Theron not only being ditched by Ngani Zho, but also then being dismissed from the Jedi Order because he wasn’t even Force sensitive to begin with.  Suddenly, the father he knew and the way of life he thought he was going to follow til the day he died – gone.  Now he has to integrate with ‘normal people life’ where you’re supposed to do the personal life attachment stuff that Jedi frowned upon.  In my fan fic, Theron confesses that SIS and his duty to the Republic – more accurately, to the future – take the place of the Jedi order. He attaches himself to that more readily than individuals.  
The playable character changes Theron; he says that in his “I’m back at SIS” letter.  He’s more open to teamwork and reaching out to Satele.  Again, fans have run with this, including having Theron in a relationship with the player until the Eternal Fleet incident, having them just hook-up and leave it at that (particularly if Imperial), or something in between.  Ziost marks a time where Theron is both relieved and embarrassed the player is there to catch him when he falls.  The last we see of Theron in-game Pubside prior to Popsicle Time, he says he won’t hesitate to reach out (unlike what he did this time).  
Then we get the “For When You Wake Up” letter.  It reveals that Theron is in love, whether or not he wants to openly acknowledge it yet. He doesn’t send a letter to an unromanced player stating that the fact they’re still alive is “the thing that keeps [him] going.”  And he’s also worried, nervous, or even scared that the feelings are not mutual -- “I don’t want to presume.”  
The Theron romance starts in KotFE the night of his arrival. The kiss can be a tentative “let’s try this,” and then dating starts.  I took it as “let’s go back to my place” and a full-blown committed relationship starts between Theron and my smuggler.  There are other interpretation in between.  Any way a person shakes it,  Theron had been holding on to his Yavin hook-up for five years in his heart.  Based upon letters you get throughout these two expansion pacs, Theron still has workaholic tendencies.  He still struggles with the writing of words and expressing love publicly – but he is attached, and painfully so, as we see in Chapter 12, when the player goes on an impromptu camping trip with Marr and Satele.  In my interpretation of all of that, love is still difficult – but not because of the reasons Theron had prior to Eternal Fleet, when he was fully committed to SIS and the Republic.  It’s because in order to save the galaxy from the Sith Emperor, the player may have to be sacrificed for the greater good.  Theron can’t step into their shoes on this one; he can’t take their place.  
After the main KotET chapters, we see the Traitor arc and all of its flaws – but also the consistency of Theron’s character, if we remember how he believes in a better future, even if he doesn’t get to live to see it.  That does include potentially sacrificing his romantic relationship with the player and possibly his life as well.  If the player chooses to kick Theron out of the Alliance, the question of where he goes next is valid – he won’t go back to the Republic, and he’s not an Imperial. Where is Theron Shan, in those player universes?
If Theron (and his romance) survives to Echoes of Oblivion, we see a letter that is downright gleefully sweet.  His mother isn’t dead, and it’s because of you that he has a chance to try to make something of that relationship…again.  I’ve expressed my skepticism about this, since this is the exact set-up we had prior to Eternal Fleet, and then Satele ghosted Theron.  We’ll see; I may be a bit of a cynic or an angstmonger.  The point is, the way the romance is written to this point, Theron is happily in love with his partner/spouse. Love is for him, after all. 
Even without the romance, a living Theron in the Alliance (or whatever it is now) in Echoes of Oblivion is one that has attachments to friends and potentially family again.  There is a future -- and he’s in it.  That may have been more than what Theron was anticipating when we first met him at 23, nearly 17(!) years ago. 
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swtorramblings · 4 years
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That’s No Sun
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Vaylin attacking Odessen by @fleeting-sanity​. Thanks as always.
Koth, Theron, and Sana-Rae lead the forces of the Alliance against Empress Vaylin, unbound and with the extra power of a mysterious yellow ring. What can stop her now?
Part 7 of Knights of the Emotional Spectrum, taking place after the fight between Arcann and Thexan. 1,188 words. Chapter List
Koth sometimes got up before dawn to work on the Gravestone. The crew didn’t like early mornings, so it was quiet, and sometimes he wanted some time alone. He’d been in the military most of his adult life, so that was a bit of a luxury. This morning, he was giving the bridge a thorough inspection. He must have lost track of time. As he pulled himself from under the consoles, through the windows, he saw that the horizon was becoming tinged with yellow. He smiled and decided to take a break and greet the sun on the landing platform. He got to his feet, yawned, stretched, and began to head outside when he saw it. The chronometer on the wall. It was still at least an hour until dawn. He grabbed a pair of macrobinoculars as he raced outside. Looking into the light, he quickly found the source, and all the blood drained from his face. He hit his communicator. “Theron!” He came back quickly. Probably couldn’t sleep, either. “What is it, Koth?” “We’ve got a problem!”
She had flown from Nathema to Odessen faster than any hyperdrive, smashed orbital defenses, plummeted down through the atmosphere. She reached the base in moments, knowing there was nothing they could do to stop her. The defensive weaponry turned to try to fire on her, but she was too small and much too maneuverable, and she sliced it from the base and sent it crashing into the mountain. She came to a landing next to the Gravestone and was immediately confronted by troops. And Koth. She was going to enjoy this. He shouted, “All right, Vaylin, that’s enough. I don’t know how you did that but…” She smiled and held up the ring for all to see. “Oh, I’ve got a new pretty to make up for what you took from me.” “You expect me to believe that some cheap jewelry is letting you do all this?” “I was hoping for more of a challenge, with my unbound power and the ring, you are all nothing.” “Perhaps we will do, then, Empress.” Vaylin looked past the soldiers in front of her. Stepping from the Alliance base was a tall woman, a Voss. She seemed almost serene in the face of certain doom. Vaylin did not like that. “I know Koth, here, I hunted him long enough. Who are you?” “My name is Sana-Rae, but really, that is unimportant. I have foreseen your coming, and have prepared.” Vaylin’s eyebrow lifted. “Oh, a prophet. Arcann was right about one thing, anyway, the galaxy would be better off without you. How could you possibly prepare for me?” “I have my ways.” With that, lightsabers, dozens of them, burst to light in the dimness behind her. Red, blue, green, gold. More. Representing Sith, Jedi, Zakuul, smaller traditions from all over the galaxy. All bound together, learning from each other, and united solely against her. They surged forward with a shout. Simultaneously, the soldiers opened fire. Vaylin grinned. Finally, a challenge. She used her ring to conjure a pair of lightsabers of her own and also charged.
Theron had arrived as well, but held back. Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead as he concentrated. His own ring would not let him act openly, so all he could do was use its power in short bursts to protect the Alliance from the worst of her attacks. Sana-Rae had told him not to worry, but he didn’t know how long he could keep this up before Vaylin had killed them all. He had to wonder, was her ring really more powerful than his? It seemed to hear that and said, “No, Green Lantern of sector (error error error), she simply has more to fuel it.” An answer that was no answer at all, or at least not one that offered a solution. Still, he would push himself as long as he could. Then, suddenly, the tenor of the entire battle changed.
Senya emerged onto the platform to see the carnage, her only daughter in the center of it. She walked into the fray, avoiding lightsabers and lightning, having only one goal. Her own lightsaber remained at her waist. She knew that if she needed it now, it was over, anyway. When she was close enough, she filled her lungs and shouted, “Stop!” Amazingly, the combatants heard, and hesitated. She glimpsed Sana-Rae. She seemed to have smiled, just for a moment, and turned away. Vaylin turned to face her, panting, sweating, exhilarated. Senya saw the destroyed planetary defense weapon, the injured, or worse. She could have leveled the base, she was sure of it, though she wasn’t sure how she knew. Instead, she had wanted to test herself. Her pride was always a weakness. Now, though, Senya wondered if it was misplaced. “Mother, it is so good to see you. Are you here to sacrifice yourself for them? You know that won’t work.” “No, Daughter, but you have to stop. Please.” “And why would I do that?” “Because you are better than this, and if you aren’t, you still can be.” “This again? You have no right. If you had just stayed, perhaps. But you are wrong, just like always. And you will learn to fear me.” Another voice rumbled, “No, Sister. We aren’t afraid of you, only for you.” Where he had come from, no one could say, but if Vaylin was startled, it passed quickly. “Brother. Good, now I have almost a full set.” “Sister, please, we don’t want to fight you.” “Why not? Do you think it will make your execution painless?” “Don’t you understand? Can’t you feel it?” Vaylin rolled her eyes as the two stepped slowly closer. “Feel what?” Arcann replied, “We love you.” Senya continued, “And we won’t give up on you.” Vaylin sneered at them, backing away. “You already did. You will again.” “Never,” they said together. Senya reached for her daughter. “Please. Come back with us.” Vaylin hesitated, knowing not to believe this. Hadn’t they each betrayed her enough already? Or was there hope of something better? Suddenly, the Commander’s ship arrived, weapons ready. Koth had been gathering up the troops and students, getting the injured to safety, but now he gestured for the still able to prepare for another fight. Lord Bak’kus and Lana Beniko jumped down from the waiting ship and landed with lightsabers drawn. Bak’kus spoke first. “Senya?” “Please, Commander, it’s all right.” Vaylin laughed, and shouted, “No, Mother, it isn’t. It never will be. No matter what you do. No matter what any of us do!” “Please, Sister.” “No! You did something to me. I know it. I won’t let you change me!” Senya turned back, “We didn’t. We just told you how we feel.” “No. But we are done here for now.” Lana said, finally, “You don’t actually believe we’ll let you leave?” “As if you had a choice.” There was a dazzling burst of light, knocking them all off their feet and blinding them momentarily. All that was left of Vaylin was a slowly fading trail of yellow light.
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chubbyooo · 4 years
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The Road to Redemption - A Blurred Lines Spinoff Chapter 2: Blinded by Revenge
man this is a long chap XD some lines are lifted straight from the game but some aint hope yall enjoy a much darker Kyradia
Kavaraa tries her best to protect Arcann and Senya as Voss comes under attack but Kyradia has other ideas as the aliance races to Voss It had been a few weeks since Arcann arrived and the healing process was taking a little longer than expected, during that time Senya hadn’t left his side which had made it very difficult for Kavaraa to negotiate her promise with her. She’d made it kinda off impulse and now was petrified of how the alliance would react and more notably the commander, after a long strain of convincing Theron agreed to hold off until Arcann was at least healed but he was on his way to Voss nonetheless to investigate a ‘lead’.
Kavaraa had really put her foot in it this time but if it was a chance to save someone from the darkness she had to take it right? She sighed it was all getting so confusing at least she got Theron on her side about it it was good he trusted her judgement. 
She made her way into the healing chamber where Senya was at Arcanns side “How long until he’s healed I can’t stall forever” it was true once Theron was here he’d have a hard time arguing against capturing Arcann and she didn’t blame him.
Senya sighed “we are nearly there I promise but he’ll need a guiding hand when he wakes without it I worry he will not be able to come to terms with his actions” Kavaraa nodded she understood that and would do anything she could to help but they didn’t have time for that
Kavaraa held her forehead “I know Senya but we can’t hide forever, the alliance is already onto us and it won't be long before Vaylin is onto us too” Kavaraa didn’t know how she would deal with that Vaylin scared the life out of her
Senya nodded “if they come I will fight them off just make sure he gets healed” she paused taking a moment “I would gladly give my life for him” Kavaraa could see the motherly love wouldn’t deter her no matter what she said
She conceded “ok well I’ll make sure he has someone ok, I’m doing you a huge favour here I hope you understand that?” Kavaraa hated she was right she didn’t want to help Arcann particularly but knew it was her duty to at least try
Senya stood up looking to Kavaraa for the first time “I know Kavaraa and I greatly appreciate that, you will forever be in my debt, I would gladly repay it whenever you needed it” Kavaraa shook her head she didn’t need any payment that wasn’t the jedi way
Kavaraa sighed “well we best be careful then we’re surrounded from all sides” Kavaraa’s comm flashed “oh excuse me” she assumed it was Theron as she walked outside
Theron answered “hey Kavaraa are you there!” his tone was worried “I just arrived on Voss but I got some intel” Kavaraa’s eyes widened but before he could tell her she saw as the sky lit up with ships jumping out of hyperspace, it was the first time she’d seen the eternal fleet and it was truly terrifying
She stammered “I think I know what you’re talking about” the fleet began to fire on the surface of Voss as she began to hyperventilate
Theron responded “you better get Arcann healed quick the fleet is not the only thing on its way” Kavaraa could feel herself began to panic but knew she had to stay calm
Kavaraa took a deep breath “I’ll do everything I can Theron, make sure to be careful” she turned off the comm and dashed back into the chamber “Senya! The fleet are here we have to get him out of here” Senya’s eyes widened as the explosions rang out
Senya shook her head “no no no he’s not ready not yet it’s too soon” Arcann was beginning to stir but still wasn’t conscious 
Kavaraa held Senya’s hand “well we don’t have a choice Senya we have to get him out of here” they were going to be cutting this close…
Kyradia felt the rage building inside her as she looked out at the depths of hyperspace, Vaylin launching a sudden attack on Voss? Arcann was there for sure Theron’s intel had been right and where there was Arcann there was that traitor Senya. She would finish this war and get revenge for the five years she lost Valkorion be damned, she’d defeat him too the old fool had no idea what she was capable of
A transmission from Theron came through “commander, Vaylin launched her attack early we need you on the ground now!” of course she did the insolent child of Valkorion was too impulsive her her to predict but she wouldn’t hold the throne for long
She responded “I read you Theron hold your ground and defend the city, they’ll regret ever hiding from us” she smiled as they dropped out of hyperspace to the warzone Voss had become “all ships fire on the eternal fleet, draw their attention away from the surface” it was time to get even
She rushed to a shuttle as Lana followed “oh I’ve waited for this Lana for once Theron's intel has paid dividends” she was chomping at the bit and she knew it but she knew channeling this hatred would only make her stronger 
Lana followed behind her skeptically “I wouldn’t get your hopes up commander if Arcann isn’t there it would be a mistake to focus all our attention here” Kyradia shook her head she didn’t agree as she flew the ship down towards the surface
Kyradia smiled “Lana give me a status report” she chuckled even if it wasn’t it was an excuse to let out all this anger she’d built up over the last few weeks
Lana shook her head “three minutes to landfall commander ground troops stand ready to follow you into battle, we’ll touch down in the city and lead the liberation of Voss. But Vaylin won't make it easy for us, she’s hammering the planet with the full might of the eternal empire” Kyradia chuckled she wasn’t so worried
She smiled at Lana “with you here by my side Vaylin doesn’t stand a chance” she was much more worthy of holding such power but even so Lana would be a good second
Lana nodded “I hope you’re right, for Voss’ sake” Kyradia rolled her eyes who cares about Voss it’s just a bunch of stupid mystics.
Kyradia brought the ship in as it skidded across the surface of the planet “perfect now let’s not waste anymore time” she opened the doors of the shuttle “now let’s remind the Eternal Empire why you don’t mess with Nox” she ran forward instantly cutting through twenty skytroopers, she sprinted forwards with Lana as they made quick work of the empires droids
Lana shouted “Theron where are you?” Theron had arrived early to chase a lead but Kyradia had never had any intention of waiting 
Theron responded on the comms “I’m fighting off some Horizon guard I may need some assistance” Lana nodded to Kyradia as she fought off more skytroopers
Kyradia strode forward quickly moving through the shadows towards Theron’s position “on my way Theron” she was going to get to the bottom of this. Quickly she caught up to Theron striding towards the Horizon guard grabbing him from behind and slicing her saber across his throat 
Theron caught his breath “well that was certainly a ruthless entrance” Kyradia smiled at him flourishing her saber through the air 
She chuckled “I do my best, now w-” before she could finish everything froze causing her to sneer knowing the ass who was doing it
Valkrion’s ethereal form appeared “Voss burns and your friends suffer” she hadn’t heard his voice in quite a while but was no less angry to hear it again
She scowled “at last the immortal Emperor speaks” this was surely part of his plan and she had to outmaneuver it somehow
He nodded “such chaos demands my attention, in my absence you completed your training and dethroned my son. But also allowed my daughter to seize power” Kyradia’s anger was palpable every second this man was in her head was torture she knew what manipulation felt like and wasn’t going to fall for it “now witness the destructive might of the eternal throne”
Kyradia folded her arms “I assume you have been quite busy then, my decimation of your empire not interesting enough for you” Valkorion showed no reaction as usual
He continued “I walked among the stars saw the people of Zakuul suffer under my daughters barbaric rule” it certainly wasn’t a peaceful conquest he was right there “If Vaylin remains on the Throne Voss is only a taste of the carnage to come” Kyradia found it impossible to read him but she knew he was secretly enjoying this
She chuckled “I think deep down you’re proud of the monster you spawned, but then again a monster is easy to make a leader however is not” he considered it as he looked at the destruction
He walked forward “Vaylin is my most perfect creation, and most dangerous” Kyradia couldn’t stand his theatrical nature “but I sense your monstrous nature will be tested here too, I suppose forgotten advisories have a tendency to do that” he smirked at her “soon you will see” and just liked that everything continued a Skytrooper ran towards Kyradia but was eviscerated by a blaster bolt
She turned to face Theron “good shot Theron” she tried to hold her building anger what the hell had Valkorion meant
Theron chuckled “I aim to please” the skytrooper began to stir before a red saber was drove through it
Lana frowned “next time aim to kill” Kyradia smiled at Lana as she walked towards them
Theron smiled “show off” Lana raised her eyebrow “you two arrived just in time, the Voss are safe in the tower of Prophecy but we can’t hold out much longer” Kyradia scoffed who cares about that what about the intel
She shook her head “saving civilians isn’t a priority you were supposed to clear the city” Theron frowned at her clearly they were having a disagreement
Theron responded tersely “I can handle both” they continued to argue as they made their way to the command post...
Kavaraa was freaking out, she didn’t know what to do, they couldn’t hold off the eternal empire but the alliance would kill them both if they found them right, they couldn't hold out much longer she walked over to find Senya who had taken a moment. 
She found Senya with a comm link “Senya what are you doing???” if she was calling the alliance they were gonna die she didn’t know Nox like Kavaraa did
Senya put her hand up “don’t worry Kavaraa I’m willing to do this it’s either this or Arcann doesn’t get healed don’t worry I’ll leave you out of it” Kavaraa shuddered but reluctantly agreed stepping back so she wasn’t in the holo
The crackled voice of Nox came through “Senya?” Kavaraa could here the venom in her words she was out for blood “you look good for someone I almost blasted into one million pieces” Kavaraa shuddered what was she going to do
Senya continued “A turn of events I hope we won’t repeat, Arcann is here with me on Voss and Vaylin has left me no choice I need your help Outlander” Nox folded her arms clearly not convinced
She sneered “you want to help him drive a lightsaber through his chest” Kavaraa shuddered this was a bad bad bad idea she was just as spiteful as before
Senya continued despite the vitriol “my son deserves a second chance, I brought him here to mend his broken body and cure him of his hatred but the Vaylin found us” and explosion went off behind them and Kavaraa tried to stay calm “we don’t have much time help me fight off Vaylin's army and I’m sure Arcann will join your fight” she turned off the comm leaving them in the room 
Kavaraa shook her head “that was bad I don’t think she has any intention of helping us” Senya nodded surprisingly calm
Senya chuckled “as I expect but now they will be fighting each other to get to us hopefully giving us a little more time, we’re so close Kavaraa I promise it won’t be long now” Kavaraa had a huge sinking feeling this was getting so stressful…
Kyradia was furious as she ran into the temple now even Koth was undermining her today if she wasn’t on the tail of another traitor she would gut him so fast “Theron hurry we need to catch Arcann” Theron followed behind her a bit more hesitant
Theron spoke up “commander maybe we should just calm down Arcann could be a valuable ally against the Eternal Empire” Kyradia shook her head ignoring his argument she knew he had a point but she didn’t care he was going to pay
She growled “NO we are not saving Arcann end of story” she was not in the mood for this she’d been waiting for this day for so long
Theron argued “but against Vayli-” Kyradia swung around furious despite her smaller size seeming bigger than Theron
She walked straight up to Theron “NO THERON you don’t understand he took 5 years from me! I lost my friends, I lost my family and I even lost my mentor, he is not getting away with this!!!!” Theron shrunk back down as Kyradia charged forward 
They walked up to a shield separating the chamber surrounded by dead skytroopers Senya standing between them “I’m here” she hoped Senya could feel her anger she was this close to just attacking her
Kyradia took a second “where is Arcann” her words were laced with a hatred she hadn’t felt in a long long time
Senya responded “he is being looked after and the Voss are healing him deeper in the shrine” Kyradia sneered how long was she going to have to wait
A skytroopers comm flickered to life Vaylins form coming into view “sorry am I interrupting” Kyradia’s would choke that little welp out if she could
Senya turned to her “Vaylin-” she wouldn’t let her finish
Vaylin barked back “quiet mother, I wish I’d buried you with the last of your loyal knights on Ord Mantell” Kyradia was inclined to agree “but then I never would’ve tracked you back to Arcann now you can die in each others arms” Kyradia couldn’t help but smile
Senya pleaded with her “you’re better than this” Kyradia scoffed she’d been told that many times
Vaylin sneered “you always saying that and you’re always wrong” she turned to face Kyradia “Outlander why don’t you crack open that head so father can come out and play” Kyradia felt like she was ready to pounce
Valkrions voice echoed in her head “my child makes a mockery of herself” Kyradia thought it’d be fun to play with her
She laughed “Valkorion sends his regards” maybe that’d get her riled up
Vaylin frowned “that’s a first, sorry I have to miss the family reunion but I sent a gift, see you soon mother” she disappeared leaving Kyradia still scowling at Senya
Senya pleaded with her “we need to work together heal Arcann and then we’ll join your fight” Kyradia didn’t believe it for a second
Valkorion confirmed it “I know my son if he regains his strength he will annihilate you and Vaylin to take the throne” Kyradia wasn’t listening to either of them
Senya continued “please Kyradia if Arcann isn’t healed he’ll turn against us all you need to trust me” Kyradia was hardly listening to her pleas
She smiled “there can be no redemption for the emperor of Zakuul abandoned by his father and poisoned by his mother, you have failed him Senya and he will pay for what he’s done” 
Senya shook her head “not yet!” she would regret those words as the shields dropped and Lana’s forces breached the building…
Kavaraa was by Arcann side watching the conversation she had put on a Voss hood to hide her identity but didn’t think it was that convincing “take Arcann get out of here I’ll hold them off” Kavaraa’s eyes widened as she heard sabers clashing
She couldn’t leave Senya right? What would Arcann say? Suddenly Arcann screamed out “father!!!” he was so close just a little longer then she’d get him out of here...
https://open.spotify.com/track/79CATxWpb9uezVeOIazKgs?si=JG5cC3gpTeG8EIo25pG3vQ
Lana and Senya’s blades clashed as Kyradia strode forwards towards her “STAY BACK!” she pleaded, Kyradia saw Arcann and a Mystic were just past her but they had to remove the threat first
Kyradia let out a volley of lightning which struck Senya square in the chest knocking her back, she lunged forward, their sabers clashing as she tried to get past the old woman. It was less of a fight as it was so one sided in her favour she would show this traitor what happens when you underestimate her 
She sneered at Senya “you’ve failed Senya it’s too late” she elbowed her in the ribs and kicked her to the ground “now witness it” she went to stab Senya but she suddenly felt something holding her back was it Arcann? He was still unconscious, she looked at the mystic and frowned, she was holding her back with the force, how did she hold so much power?
She turned to face her, she was hooded, face covered and that was surely for a reason, she was ready to fight the figure but as she was about to a huge burst of energy emitted from Arcann blinding her. 
When she regained her sight she saw Arcann and the mystic running out of the chamber, Senya reached out “Arcann? Please keep him safe Jedi” Kyradia’s eyes widened WHAT! 
She had to stay focussed “and now I will destroy him” she walked towards Senya but to her surprise Senya was ready
She scowled at Kyradia “If i can’t save my son I can at least kill his father” Kyradia gritted her teeth how dare Senya reduce her to that
Their blades clashed once again this time she seemed renewed with a new strength, Kyradia was nearly overwhelmed but the barrage of strikes Senya threw at her. Senya was an expert duelist but so was Kyradia their strikes fast and effective as they fought in the room
But Kyradia didn’t have time for this, she phantom strode behind her but was held back by the force “get out of my way you can’t stop me!” Kyradia focussed her rage on the force holding her back turning it against Senya throwing her against the wall with such force the wall partially collapsed knocking her unconscious as she slumped to the ground. 
She’d deal with her later she sprinted forward towards where Arcann and the familiar mystic had run, soon they caught up with them as they ran towards a shuttle. 
Kyradia tried to pull them back with force lightning but the mystic blocked it with the earth around them, Kyradia was racked with shock “no” she knew that fighting style, they slid onto the shuttle and the mystic moved to the cockpit though Kyradia swore she saw a flash of blue.
She called out “Arcann stop right there I have your mother her life depends on you” Arcann scowled at her as the shuttle took off
He responded “don’t take me for a fool you will not catch me that easy” he reached out with the force collapsing the chamber in front of them
Kyradia felt the rage build up inside her “AGHHHHHHHH” she let out volley after volley of lightning at the chamber as Lana caught up to her 
Lana scowled too “Damn it! He got away” she immediately started to dictate “we’ll send out search parties and soon we’ll have him in our grasp” Kyradia was barely listening
Kyradia continued to scream “it’s not just him Lana that mystic was very familiar to me, if it’s who I think it is we have another problem!” Arcann would rue the day he allied himself with the Barsen’thor...
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anchanted-one · 5 years
Text
Eternal War. 26. Battle of Asylum II
Read on AO3
Lana watched Arro recuperating in his Kolto Tank. It was such a good thing that Koth had insisted on getting these installed first! The wound Arcann gave him would have been fatal under ordinary circumstances. Arro would have died right there if not for Valkorion.
That realization shattered Lana’s heart. She better than most had known that Arro was not the unstoppable whirlwind popular tales made him out to be; that behind his accomplishments, he was only mortal, that he could be beaten. Or she thought she had known. She should have known. Instead, she had so strongly believed in his strength to save them all— just as he had before, so many times— that she saddled him with the entire burden of fighting Arcann by himself, even though he had been so sick; so vulnerable. He ought to have been in bed for at least another three weeks and she’d had him running around meeting his new allies and attending meetings. If he had been better rested, just a little, then today would have turned out differently. Arcann might have even been defeated!
Instead, Arro was barely alive and only just hanging on. Seeing him like this made her— for what felt like the first time— see Arro not as a Jedi, not as a hero, but as Arro . A man. Her man. It made her sick to think that she might have failed to make that basic distinction. Of course he was just an ordinary man, still in recovery, and she had asked far too much of him. If not for the unknown whims of a ghost, Lana would have lost the Love of her life today.
“Valkorion,” Lana whispered. “I don’t know if you are listening, or if you will choose to respond, but thank you. If not for you—” She shuddered. “If not for you, my husband would be—he would be dead.” She swallowed. “But the destruction you caused today will haunt him, forever.”
She waited for a response. But none came. The Emperor only spoke to her that one time because He had deemed it necessary. She was nothing to Him. Arro was all that mattered for some reason.
“But I don’t understand; why Arro? Why have You chosen to take up residence in his mind? If You don’t need him to survive, why take such a direct role in keeping him alive? Aiding him the way You did is different from sitting back and enjoying the show.”
She fancied she heard mocking laughter in response. The hours ticked by in silence, and she was content to wait. To wait and watch. For once, she didn’t care about her responsibilities, even responsibilities on both hers and Arro’s behalf. She wanted to know that Arro was recovering, not just through their bond, or through the Force, or through reports, but by watching over him. When Senya had tried to take her to the bridge for a quick recap of events, she had given such a snarl a rancor would have shirked from, before apologizing for her response.
Arro stirred in his tank, and his eyes opened slightly. “Hey you!” She smiled, heart soaring. The breathing mask made it difficult to be sure, but the bond was more than enough for her to know that he had smiled back weakly in response. She felt a powerful and warm emotion flowing from his heart, and the words formed: I love you so much!
She laughed giddily. Seeing him open his eyes after such an injury made her feel so jubilant!
Don’t tell me it’s been another five years? “Two days, give or take. I wasn’t sure you’d ever wake up.”
She removed her gauntlets and placed a pale hand on the transparisteel. Arro reached out and placed his on the opposite side. Lana giggled uncontrollably—this was straight out of the cheesiest romance stories! But it certainly held such magnificent significance when living the scene. “Arro, my Heart: I am so sorry. I don’t know if we will have a moment to talk when we arrive, so I need to say this now. Seeing the damage you suffered at Arcann’s hand; it shook me to my very core. It should have killed you. I got you working as soon as you were out of Carbonite when I should have given you longer to recover. I told you about how bad things were before you had even been free a day. I forced you to start thinking like a warrior even though you needed to focus on recovery. When we reached Asylum I shouldn’t have made you run around and meet allies like we did. I shouldn’t have placed the burden of fighting Arcann on your shoulders alone. Please forgive me. I will never take you or your sacrifices for granted ever again.”
Arro blinked in his tank, and Lana felt his arms wrap around her. You did what you had to do, and none of this is your fault. If you hadn’t gotten me in the frame of mind in time, I’d never have been able to run from Vaylin, or I’d have had to face Arcann while in a recovery tank, and then where would I be? There were no right calls, but you made the best ones available to you. Thank you. She Felt his kiss on her cheek. You have no idea how amazed I am that someone as incredible as you loves me!
Sighing, Lana leaned against the glass, hand still opposite Arro’s, and settled in to just… be with him. This was a day for cliches!
*
“How many?”
“My Love—”
“Please?”
Lana swallowed hard, tears forming around the corners of her eyes. “We might never get an accurate count, it was that chaotic. But SCORPIO witnessed it, and she estimates anywhere between twelve and twenty standard capacity vessels being destroyed. That could mean as many as 50000 casualties. The Lightning also struck thirty two Eternal Warships, opening up a massive hole in the formation that allowed hundreds of other ships to escape.”
But it came as no surprise that her Jedi found that poor consolation. “I should never have believed Valkorion,” He whispered, his face contorted in horror.
“He saved your life,” Lana said, just as softly. “Even I couldn’t have done anything for you. Even I had lost hope when I saw Arcann strike you. You were fading fast, moments from death, until He intervened.”
His gaze still empty, he nodded.
He had been released from the tank an hour ago, and was in the Common Lounge, where he had requested to meet his friends. And Ranking Officers. That meant Lana, Koth, Senya, Lem, and the Zakuul Knights, but also included Theron and Major Jorgan of Havoc Squad. There was also a Rattataki woman who he recognized as one of Doctor Archibahn Kimble’s many exes, but one who thought him beneath her. She introduced herself as Kaliyo, and she made Koth and the Zakuulans bristle in barely contained anger.
“This is exactly how he killed Darth Prowle,” Theron said. “He got lucky, and he seized the moment. He got lucky with his Father too, when he captured you. And now he almost killed you the same way. He is an opportunist. But that gives us an opportunity too. Internal security captured your duel with Arcann and his Knights. Every last second. Just like with Prowle, we get to show the Galaxy that Arcann isn’t the implacable but honorable Conqueror he pretends to be. Every last bit of doubt we can throw at his image, the better it’ll be for us.”
“What happened?” Senya asked. “This all began when Heskal invited you over for Scion Tea.”
“Arcann said that he betrayed us,” Arro said. “That he was the one that told Arcann where to find us.”
“But that makes no sense!” Senya said. “He hated Arcann! Loathed him deeply! Do you think he was lying?”
“Well, you received a recorded message from him shortly after the battle,” Koth spoke up. “I haven’t seen it yet. I mean it wasn’t addressed to me.”
“TeeSeven, can you play it for us?” Arro asked, and the little Astromech complied.
A small blue hologram of Heskal appeared in the air. “And so it begins, just as I foresaw. You will regroup and your leg will heal. It is a wonder you escaped with something as simple as this. After that you will kill Arcann, and Vaylin, and her Dark Sith Shadow… many innocents will also die but this is what must be so. Know that this was necessary to hasten his fall. Without this you and your allies would have remained a small band of rebels rather than a determined army. Now you will seek battles and weapons capable of hurting him, rather than spending the next ten months debating. The Scions are still with you, and they will return when it is their turn to die.” And then it went blank.
*
Koth broke the silence that followed. “What did he mean about your injured leg?”
It was Farya who answered, with a look of profound shock. “He Saw it all wrong!” She looked at all of her fellow Knights in disbelief. “He thought that the Jedi would emerge with only an injured leg! He didn’t foresee the stab wound!”
“And what did he mean by ‘ Seeking ’ weapons?” Khoarad questioned, dark face uneasy. “We’ve already found the Gravestone! This alone is a gamechanger if we use it right. We don’t need to hide.”
“He didn’t know about the Gravestone either,” Senya guessed. “We didn’t tell them, we assumed we didn’t have to, they already knew! They certainly knew when to expect us.”
“Their spies on Zakuul would have told them when we had escaped,” Lana answered. “Though the spies probably didn’t hear anything about the Gravestone . Arcann has tried to keep it under wraps after all.”
“Spies?”
“Yes, a lot of the Scion’s knowledge came from spies, or bugs. I ran into some of them while I was on Zakuul. Having a listening device in the right place is far more valuable than relying on a power  we can barely control.”
“But…” Senya sputtered. “Spies? They relied on spies?”
“The Force is vast and vastly unknowable,” Arro said. “Even Master Zoran, or Darth Nox—both masters of lore and secrets—didn’t presume to understand it perfectly. The Voss don’t either—they acknowledge that even if visions are never wrong—and that’s a big if—interpreting them accurately is tricky.”
“The Scions relied on electronic and physical eavesdropping to get a hold of information they couldn’t divine through the Force.,” Lana continued. “They wanted to appear more all-knowing than they were. Their supposed clairvoyance is a sham.” Just like so many other things on Zakuul , she added to herself and to Arro. “With allies like them, we don’t need enemies.”
They stood around gloomily, except for Kaliyo who stood playing some holo game on her pad.
“If we’re done depressing each other, can we share the good news?” Jorgan grumbled. Yes, he looked brimming with optimism. “The Battle of Asylum showed the Galaxy that Arcann is invincible, and once Theron shows off the footage of you whooping his Guards’ collective asses they’ll be even more convinced.”
Lana nodded. “Every one of my contacts in the Core Worlds and Empire have thrown in their support behind us. We had some forces before, but now we can really call it an army. I am having them directed to a world named Odessen, which we have chosen as a base of operations. We should be landing soon, but this time I’m going to insist you get some proper rest between all meetings!” No one looked ready to argue.
“Let’s not keep them waiting.” Arro said.
“Here we go again,” Koth cheered.
*
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swtorpadawan · 5 years
Text
OC Question Blog
1. Choose an OC.
2. Answer them as that OC.
3. Tag 5 people to do the same.
Thanks for the tag, @cinlat !
Tagging @chubbyooo , @greyias , @hightail-it , @greencrusader13
Corellan Halcyon. Post-KOTET, pre-Kira returns.
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1. What is your name?
Corellan Halcyon.
2. Do you know why are you named that?
I was an orphan. For most of my life, I was told that this was merely the name some Republic soldiers put on my paperwork when i was rescued as an infant. No one knows what my "given" name was.
It wasn't until just recently I discovered that one of those soldiers was Rusk. He named me. He was part of my crew for four years, and he never told me what i owed him.  
3. Are you single or taken?
Don't record this. (Pauses) Taken.
4. Have any abilities or powers?
I'm a Force-sensitive ex-Jedi. I'm skilled in lightsaber combat. (Pauses) Okay, fine. I've been called the greatest warrior in the galaxy. I don't call myself that, but i've ultimately surpassed everyone who has made that claim.
5. Stop being a Mary Sue.
I assure you, i'm not perfect. I've made many mistakes along my road. But i've stuck to my principles as much as i could.
6. What’s your eye color?
Pale blue, almost gray.
7. How about your hair color?
Light Brown.
8. Have any family members?
9. Oh? How about pets?
By blood, none.
By choice... Kira and Tee-seven. Maybe Rusk? I've grown close to many of my friends in the Alliance, but... that's all for now.
10. That’s cool, I guess. Now, tell me something you don’t like?
Tee-seven is not a pet.
He is my emotional support droid.
Treachery. And the willingness to sacrifice the good of others to fuel one's ambitions.
11. Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?
When i have time, i have taken an interest in archealogy. This probably started on Voss, when i was able to learn about an ancient conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. I have a team here on Odessen headed by Talos Drellik exploring the old ruins here. I stop in on them when i can.
I also like fresh water fishing, but i rarely have the time.
12. Have you ever hurt anyone in any way before?
Much to my shame, yes.
13. Ever… killed anyone before?
Yes.
14. What kind of animal are you?
Most animals, regardless of nature, seem to live in a sustainable peace with their environment. I ... wish i could do that. But that's not me. I am all too human.
15. Name your worst habits?
There were things i kept from the council before my imprisonment. I've continued to keep things from those closest to me (Lana, Theron, Senya, Arcann) in the Alliance, and these people have earned more trust than that.
16. Do you look up to anyone at all?
Many people. I looked up to Orgus Din. I looked up to Satele Shan. I even looked up to each member of my crew for different reasons. Tee for his boundless optimism, Kira for her strength of will, Doc because he adheres to his principles as a physician, Rusk for his willingness to win at all cost and Scourge, who was strong enough to serve a being he hated for 300 years so he could help take him down to save the galaxy.
Since I was rescued, i've come to admire so many of the people who've joined the Alliance. Lana Beniko was the Minister of Sith Intelligence, but she resigned and spent years trying to find me because she believed that I was the one who would lead us to victory.
How should I even react to that?
17. Are you gay, straight or bisexual?
Those aren't labels used in my galaxy. I can tell you Kira was the only person i've ever thought about that way, for what that’s worth..
18. Do you go to school?
The Jedi well-educates its Padawans.
19. Ever want to marry and have kids one day?
Everyone has a dream.
20. Do you have any fangirls/fanboys?
Kira once told me what that meant. I don't understand it, but i guess?
21. What are you most afraid of?
I have spent my entire adult life opposing tyrants of one kind or another. They who believed that they had the right to bring suffering to others for their own personal gain. All of them believed that the people they were leading, the people who were depending on them to give them direction, were theirs to do with as they pleased, and that it didn’t matter who was hurt in the process as long as they got what they wanted. Because all of them believed the galaxy owed them something, and that they had the right to take it by force. Because in their own minds, they were the only ones who really mattered. And all of them, ultimately, were the same. Some may have been mad men, others may have obsessed with greed, or power or even immortality. It didn’t matter whether they were some back-alley gang leader, or a corrupt corporate executive, or a rogue Senator, or a Dark Councilor, or a Supreme Chancellor, or an Emperor, or a god.
My greatest fear is i will become one of them.
22. What do you usually wear?
I used to wear Jedi robes with adaptive armor underneath. These days, i usually wear Zakuulan armor fashioned after that of Arcann's brother, Thexan.
23. What’s one food that tempts you?
I don't think i desire any food excessively.
24. Am I annoying to you?
No. Though i will thank you to be discreet.
25. Well, it’s still not over!
My stamina is the stuff of legends. Go ahead.
26. What class are you (low/middle/high)?
I don't have one. I was an orphan, then a Jedi, then a revolutionary and now... this? The aristocrats on Zakuul curry my favor for whatever that's worth.
27. How many friends do you have?
Hundreds. Thousands, even. I count everyone who joined the Alliance as a friend to one extent or another.
28. What are your thoughts on pie?
There is this place on Coruscant that Kira liked that served a good pie.
29. Favorite drink?
Blue Milk, i suppose. (pause) OH, you mean alcohol. Ah. Well, Doc one served me this Corellian Reserve Brandy after the Drommund Kaas operation. It was good, though i'm told its very expensive.
30. What’s your favorite place?
Odessen. It feels like home.
31. Are you interested in anyone?
Yes.
32. That was a stupid question…
Don't worry about it.
33. Would you rather swim in a lake or the ocean?
A lake i suppose. You don't have to worry about the changing tides.
34. What’s your type?
Redheads, fair skin, deep blue eyes you can get lost in, distinct smirk.
35. Any fetishes?
What do you mean? (Pause) OH! Well, Kira was in to different things. (sighs) I miss her.
36. Camping or outdoors?
I'm good at camping. I rarely find the time.
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motheatenscarf · 5 years
Text
I didn’t get to answer all of the Tallia and Theron questions I wanted to so I’m gonna cheat and just answer them here BECAUSE I WANT TO. I never talk about them but they’re cute and I love the disaster bi masquerading as functional dating the functional ace desperately trying to keep up a distinguished facade.
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1. Who is the most affectionate?
I think they each are, in their own way? I mean, like.... everything I’ve described before this and after is them being affectionate in their own way? I don’t really know what else to say about it unprompted. I guess if you’re talking classical physical PDA, maybe Tallia? If your’e talking taking care of the other one and looking after them and cheering them up and trying to make them feel good or better, then... both of them?
3. Most common argument?
The endless argument on how many pets are considered to be too many and whether or not they should just retire and open a zoo
Arguing which animals could stay with them and which had to go to the zoo they opened and how big does an animal have to be before we legally have to stop calling it a pet
“A KELL DRAGON IS NOT A PET.”
“YES SHE IS BECAUSE I LOVE HER.”
The struggle of earning rights for Warbles, mainly the right for him and his swarm of babies to sleep on the bed
The inevitable and spirited debate of how MANY lizards could sleep on the bed with them at any given point
“SEVEN LIZARDS IS TOO MANY LIZARDS TO LET SLEEP ON THE BED AT ONCE.”
“BUT THEY’LL GET COLD AND LONELY IF WE LEAVE SOME OF THEM OFF :((( “
T H E     H A I R C U T
4. Favorite non-sexual activity?
They really don’t share any hobbies but MAN do they just.... shoot the shit a lot. Tallia will be dropping stitches in her latest attempt to learn space knitting, Theron will be scamming people in online pazaak out of boredom and they’ll both be talking to each other about  “When and why do you think it became evolutionary advantageous for monkey lizards to laugh like that and is it immoral to Just Kill Them All??”
5. Who is most likely to carry the other?
Tallia’s not very big but she can literally toss him around with her mind and also has a lot of core/back/thigh strength so she can and probably does carry him just for funzees. Theron can carry her, probably, he just tends not to because I don’t think Tallia would appreciate being manhandled. Unless of course Tallia got herself stabbed again (she gets stabbed a lot.... marauder problems, I guess) which is more just her leaning her weight on him than actually carrying. He probably wouldn’t have to carry her unless she was knocked the fuck out... which does tend to happen. And Tallia would of course carry him if he got injured.... shit which also happens a lot. God, this is why dps shouldn’t marry other dps. This is basically them:
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7. What’s the first thing that changes when they realize they have feelings for the other?
Other than getting bummed the fuck out (Tallia) and probably having a mild panic attack (Theron) they definitely get a lot less guarded with one another. They’ve both got kind of a lot of layers to them so it wasn’t like, complete vulnerability right off the bat but Tallia let Theron start seeing the more compassionate side of her, Theron let Tallia see some of the more uncertain side of him.
8. Nicknames? & if so, how did they originate?
They’re not big on nicknames, and since Tallia is a nickname for Eschatallia, technically, that’s all they really have. Theron tried to call her “Esch” exactly one time just to see if it could be their thing but the horrified look she gave him while just slowly shaking her head ‘No,’ was all he needed to know that it was A Bad One. Tallia found out about “Technoplague” after Theron hears she also had a run-in with the Shroud and uses it when she wants to win an argument, aka, this is how we wound up with seven lizards asleep on the bed with them.
10. Who remembers what the other one always orders at a restaurant?
They don’t get to go out that often but if it’s just something from the cantina, Tallia remembers what Theron orders because he’s a bit more a creature of habit and has kind of bland taste buds (modest Jedi upbringing, remember?) but Tallia usually tries to order something different every time unless there’s something she’s just absolutely craving (Vette opened her eyes to MANY new cultures of food from her transient years). So Theron can thankfully usually just point at something he’s pretty sure Tallia’s never had or whatever special they have that week from a new shipment and she’ll be happy with it, he knows she likes savory stuff with lots of spices. 
11. Who tops?
Honestly I think they’re both switches? Tallia’s more dom/top leaning and Theron more sub/bottom but it’s not strict, it’s more circumstantial/depending on who’s feeling what that day.
12. Who initiates kisses?
Depends, tbh? It’s probably 50/50? 
13. Who reaches for the other’s hand first?
Theron. Tallia’s more a “cuddler” in the sense that cats understand the term with like, “I’m just gonna lean my entire body weight on you for a while, if you wanna wrap an arm around me that’s cool but mostly I just wanna be a pancake and you can be the grill.” Theron’s definitely a “hold hands under the table” kind of PDA fan though.
14. Who kisses the hardest?
Tallia, definitely. Sith. Passion. It’s a thing.
19. Who tells their family/friends about their relationship first?
Friends goes to Tallia, Vette immediately knew because she Knows Tallia and can read her like a book and oh man of course Tallia had a crush on the ENEMY SPY, she’s combined her worst habits, terrible taste in dates and a death wish! Then Jaesa found out approximately 5 minutes later when Vette went running to her to tell her about it.
Family unfortunately went to Theron who eventually had to tell Jace about Tallia (like.... 4 years after the fact, but he told him all the same) when he went to go help start up the Alliance. It... did not go over well. I don’t think Satele ever heard from Theron herself that he and Tallia were a thing but probably figured it out because force sensitive, same as Echidna whom Tallia also never told. 
Man, these guys are bad at actually telling their family/friends anything... they probably haven’t even announced their engagement? Does anyone actually know for sure that Theron is Rowan’s father or do they just think the Commander must really trust him to let him walk around with her child in a papoose like that all day? 
God when they do get married they’re gonna invite like maybe 3 people, hand out earplugs, and exchange their vows by handing them over on paper for the other to read and then instructing them to eat the paper once it’s been read so no one will ever know except them.
21. Who is more likely to start dancing with the other?
Oh, Tallia, for sure. For Theron to dance of his own volition, he needs to already be too drunk to dance and it usually ends poorly. They don’t really dance that often because Tallia doesn’t want to make him uncomfortable but she can goad him into it sometimes.
22. Who cooks more/who is better at cooking?
Uhhh, the droid.
...
I’m not kidding.
Theron “Caf is a meal” Shan and Eschatallia “Just Put The Heat On Maximum So It Cooks Faster” Soranus are terrible cooks and should not be allowed to OWN a kitchen, much less set foot in one.
24. Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear during inappropriate times?
Mostly Tallia probably? They’re not TERRIBLE about this because they are fairly private people and both take their jobs pretty seriously but I can see either of them watching and waiting until no one’s paying attention to lean over to the other one to whisper sexy nothings. If they’re just out at some function neither of them wants to be at, tho, you can guarantee this happens. You know the party crashing chapter on Zakuul? Yeah, Tallia kept forgetting that Lana was patched into their comms. She paid for a vacation for Lana after that mission.
25. Who needs more assurance?
Both of them, god. Look at their fucked up families and all the emotional neglect and outright abuse inflicted on them as wee lil nubbins that permanently scarred their psyches. 
Tallia’s got a multi-layered personality, the outermost layer being the “I Am Your Nightmare, Grr” facade, the layer under that being “Oh no, I’m soft, please be nice to me,” and the layer under THAT which is “I’m feral and scared and full of hate.” So she’s worried that Theron fell for Personality Layer number 2 and will one day realize how pervasive and overbearing the deep layer 3 personality is and will be disgusted after realizing she’s a living horror of the dark side and he can’t love that because how could he? No one could.
Theron, however, is an amalgamation of abandonment issues wearing the skin of a man and is worried that something will go wrong, someday Tallia’s gonna realize he’s not that interesting, or funny, or kind, or something, anything. She’ll find him lacking, he won’t be enough somewhere in someway that she’ll realize she doesn’t need him at all and will cast him aside because everyone else has, why not her?
28. What do they do when they’re away from each other?
Well both of them have a criminal twi’lek bff so they can hang out with them and get into trouble, Theron’s always got a huge backlog of work he should be doing, Aerasuni likes to visit them both and hang out (she spars with Tallia and has tea and pleasant conversation LIKE A NORMAL PERSON with Theron), Jaesa’s back now and she’s trying to help Tallia figure out why she’s so bad at knitting, Koth is deeply worried about both of their eating habbits and keeps dragging one of them off to lunch without warning, Warbles always needs to go on walkies, Pargal drops by and likes to hand Theron his ass on a dejarik board, and now there’s like, A BABY who needs to be taken care of and nurtured so they’re not lacking for things to do out of necessity or for fun when the other’s busy. They’ve got surprisingly healthy social lives. 
29. one headcanon about this OTP that breaks your heart
Cross-faction ANGST and their deepest insecurities making it take so fucking long for them to just be honest and open with each other despite their emotional investment in one another being obvious. 
30. one headcanon about this OTP that mends it
They’re both desperately lonely people who come from deeply fucked up families/upbringings and have been forsaken by the people who were supposed to look out for them but they found each other and made their own dumb little family with all of their friends and now their surprisingly well adjusted child and it was hard but their earned their happy ending goddamit. 
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thievinghippo · 6 years
Text
Fic Update: Pragmatic Dreams (26/28)
Fandom: swtor
Chapter Title: A Plan Appears (Read on Ao3!)
Pairing: Lana Beniko/female Jedi Knight
Rating: Teen
Summary: When Darth Marr’s flagship is destroyed, the galaxy mourns the loss of a leader of the Jedi Order. And Lana Beniko mourns the loss of her lover. But when secrets are uncovered, Lana realizes that the only way to save the galaxy might just be to tear it apart, all for the woman she loves.
#
“So what if I said I had an idea?” Theron asked, leaning back in his chair at the conference table.
“It would truly depend on the sort of idea we’re talking about,” Lana said. Theron’s ideas tended to either be quite good or completely unfeasible. Somehow, after all of this time, he had yet to figure out how to find a balance of any sort.
“We talked about finding someone to bring on board to lead the tech division, right?”
Lana could hear the eagerness in his voice and hoped she wouldn’t have to dismiss his idea right away. “I do recall, yes,” she said. Ideally they would get someone in place as quickly as possible. She had tried a few contacts within the Empire, but none were willing to pick up and move to Odessen for the duration of the war, however long that lasted.
And that was part of the problem. Lana had absolutely no idea just how long this war could last. She had entered in scenario after scenario into her database, changing variables each time. Her results were laughable. One scenario showed the Alliance being crushed within a month after Maebry’s rescue. Another showed the downfall of the Zakuulan Empire within two years. The worst was the one predicted the war lasting forty years, with close to half the galaxy’s population being killed, before Zakuul triumphing in the end. Lana would do whatever she needed to do to make sure that specific scenario never came to light.
When her contacts asked how long Lana truly didn’t even know what to tell them any more. The base, at least, was specifically being planned with the long-term in mind. Plenty of space for ships and for soldiers and workers. Though those berths and bunks went empty for now. But only for now.
“Okay, just hear me out,” Theron said. “You heard about Makeb and some of the drama there, right?”
Lana nodded. “Of course. I might not have been Minister of Sith Intelligence back then, but what happened was well known. My personal shuttle is retro-fitted with an Isotope-5 engine.”
“Wait, I thought the Republic had all of the Isotope-5,” he said, looking somewhat offended. He glanced down at teeseven, who was right next to Lana. The astromech had become her shadow since its arrival on Odessen and she could admit she didn’t quite mind. Having a physical connection to Maebry again, strengthened her, she found. “Did Master Maebry-”
T7 = surprised as well // Lana = knew of supply?
“Oh don’t act so surprised that the Empire was able to get their hands on some of the Isotope,” Lana said, holding back an annoyed sigh. Why did they need to look so disappointed? They both understoodd how the Empire worked. “The Empire is usually quite good at what it does, you know.”
“I’ll give you that one,” Theron said. “So there was this scientist there, Doctor Oggurobb. He might be the guy we’re looking for.”
In her head, she flipped through her various contacts, but found she couldn’t place the name. “That name almost sounds Huttish,” Lana said.
“Because he is.”
Praven, also sitting at the table, cleared his throat. “I’m afraid we don’t have the proper facilities for a Hutt,” he said, sounding almost apologetic.
Lana reached out her hand to Theron, who handed over his holopad without a word. She quickly scrolled through his credentials, which she could admit were quite impressive. Theron did his homework, including testimonials from projects the Hutt had managed, and even some results from non-classified projects. Of course, there was the biggest selling point, that she didn’t have a candidate of her own.
“Praven,” Lana said. “If the Alliance considered bringing a Hutt to Odessen, how much additional work would need to be done?”
“A fair amount, to be perfectly blunt. It would have been a great deal easier if we had planned for a Hutt from the very beginning. We’ll have to widen hallways and change our service elevators,” Praven said as he picked up his holopad. As he started making notes, he added, “A challenge, certainly, but my team will be up to the task. It will however, set back the base’s completion date.”
“Sounds like an okay price to pay for the right guy,” Theron said, taking back his holopad. “Lana?”
Her mind wandered a bit as she worked out a decision. Strange to think that at this moment, Theron and Praven and all the other department heads looked to her as the defacto leader of the Alliance. If things went as planned and they finally had the chance to rescue Maebry from carbonite, Lana would place Maebry in that role. Lana liked to think she wasn’t a jealous or selfish person, but a very tiny part of her brain wondered if she would resent Maebry down the road. She couldn’t ever imagine actually being upset with her lover, especially over something like this, but stranger things have happened.
The feelings simply made no sense. Lana’s never sought the spotlight. Ever. She would be much more confident as Maebry’s advisor. Yet Lana had her pride, which had been one of her main faults since she discovered the Force. Would anyone currently in the Alliance think less of her if she stepped aside to make room for Maebry? In the end, it didn’t matter. Lana’s job was to have the foundation of the Alliance ready for Maebry. And truth be told, the galaxy wouldn’t unite to follow Lana Beniko. They would unite for Master Maebry of the Jedi Order.
“I agree,” Lana said, keeping her voice crisp. “Surely a bit of a setback won’t be too much of a hardship on the crew.”
“Indeed not,” Praven said, not looking up from his holopad. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”
Hylo Visz, Bey’wan Aygo, Sana Rae, and now Doctor Oggurobb. Lana and Theron would keep up with their own spy networks. Once the building was complete, Praven would act as quartermaster and facilities manager. And Maebry would lead them all.
Someday.
Soon.
#
Lana?
“I’m here, Senya,” Lana said, keeping her voice low.
Enough progress had been made on Odessen that she now had a room to herself, off of the barracks. It was small and cramped but it had a door that closed and when she ran her privacy programs, Lana actually felt secure. Her room was tiny, though, compared to the room that Praven wanted to build for the head of the Alliance. Which one day would hopefully be Maebry.
She still hadn’t told anyone about having Senya as a contact. Impractical, no doubt, but truth be told, Lana worried about the reception. Whenever the truth did come out, Koth would be undoubtedly upset. Knowing Koth as she did, if she let it drop that Senya actually had taken it easy on him and his crew over the past few months, he would be even more angry. Some people weren’t born to be practical and Koth was one of them.
Do remember last year, when there was to be a celebration of Arcann’s reign?
“I do, yes,” Lana said, thinking back to that first night she and Senya shared a bottle of wine. They’ve shared several bottles since, when meeting on Asylum. Senya was always discreet at those meetings, wearing down trodden clothes and a hood to obscure her face. It was practical. Asylum would be in chaos if they thought the Knights had found them. “Nothing ever came from that.”
 Disappointing, as it could have been an excellent cover to rescue Maebry. However, Lana knew they weren’t ready then. The work on Odessen’s base had hardly begun and she had been still feeling out potential allies.
Word’s been officially given. They’ve decided to celebrate the fifth year anniversary. About four months from now. Planning has already very much begun.
Lana still, folding her hands in her lap and forced herself to take even breaths. The Alliance wasn’t quite ready, but give them four months? They could have a plan. They could have a solid plan. Hylo already was starting to look for contacts in the Zakuulan underworld. With enough planning, she and a small strike team could get Maebry out of her carbonite prison and have her join the galaxy again.
And then…
Lana pushed that thought away, the thought of what might become of the two of them after Maebry had her freedom. That would be for the two of them to decide. After they were safe
“Please,” Lana said, hoping her voice didn’t sound too desperate. Just the fact that she said the word please should give Senya a clue at how badly Lana wanted the information. “Forward anything you can to me. Details, dates, plans. This could truly be our chance.”
I’ll send everything I can, Senya said with a curt nod. I’m trusting you, Lana. If this doesn’t work…
“It will,” Lana said at once. “I have the right people and the right resources. More importantly, we know what to do when the Outlander is free.”
Then the Alliance truly would begin. Lana closed her eyes, just for a moment, enough to remember that hint of a future the planet showed her the first time she stepped on Odessen. Maebry would walk in these halls. And hopefully Lana would walk right besides her.
Very well, Senya said. Expect the first data burst this evening, Spire time.
Lana checked her holopad. It was ten in the morning in the Spire. After all this time with Senya as a contact, Lana had learned that evening for the Knight was after nine at night. Potentially twelve hours from now, which would be in the middle of Lana’s sleep cycle. Well, she had been woken up for information far less important than this.
“Thank you, Senya. Truly,” Lana said, bowing her head slightly. She wondered if Senya would understand the meaning. A Sith bowed their head for no one. Though as Lana has told many people in her life, she was no typical Sith.
Thank me after you rescue the Outlander.
Senya disappeared from the comm and Lana deleted the record of the conversation. No doubt if they were actually able to pull this off and rescue Maebry? Lana would be happy to thank anyone willing to listen.
But first? They needed a plan.
#
At the incoming call, Lana sat up with a quick intake of breath. It was the middle of the night on Odessen and being woken up by a contact was not new to her. Still weary from sleep, she fumbled for her holocom and pressed a button, telling the caller that she would pick up in thirty seconds. If the call was important, the other party would wait. If not, they usually hung up, which wouldn’t bother her in the least.
Lana stood up and quickly put on her thick woolen robe, hoping the annoying chime counting down would end. It didn’t. Looking down at the holocom, she saw the ID, and tried not to go into an internal panic. Why, of all times, would they be calling now?
“Hello, Lana Beniko here,” she said, standing up as straight as possible, her hands behind her back. She had chosen a limited view, so Korin Zelka could only see her torso. There was no need for a member of the International Banking Clan to know that Lana choose to wearing fuzzy socks to bed. The floor was cold.
“I assume it’s the middle of the night?” Zelka asked, pushing her glasses up her nose.
“It is, yes,” Lana said. The clan had access to the star charts and knew exactly where Odessen was located. What they didn’t know was that the planet had a twenty-two hour day and thanks to the base’s position on the planet, they would have almost exactly eleven hours of day and eleven hours of night year round.
“Hmm. The damn droid told me I would be calling you in the middle of breakfast. I’ll get our conversions updated,” Zelka said. Lana had to hold back a smile. The Ugnaught sounded as if the droid had personally offended her. “Apologies.”
“None needed,” Lana said, holding back a yawn. Just when was the last night she had a full night sleep anyway? Some days it felt like she might never get one again. “Now that I’m up, I’ll be able to get an early start to my day.”
Zelka let out of huff of a laugh. “An optimist?”
Lana shook her head. Being an optimist is hardly something she was ever accused of. “Hardly. Pragmatist.”
“Well, then you’ll understand why I’m calling to check in on you. Some time has passed since our initial investment and we’ve yet to see any returns,” Zelka said. Any warmth from the earlier banter was gone, leaving a woman with only one thing on her mind. Credits.
“I did advise you, when this whole thing began that this would be a slow process in the beginning. We’ve made a great deal of prog-”
“And you just took out a great deal more credits,” Zelka said, holding up her hand. “Explain.”
Trying not to be too annoyed, Lana gave a brief rundown of the need for additional credits to make the base Hutt friendly. It’s something she should have considered from the beginning. What if funding from the Clan dried up and appealing to the Hutt Cartel their only option? Lana didn’t want to think that could actually happen, but better be prepared. If that day did come, they’d have a base they could actually show a Hutt, even lounge chairs in the cantina.
The pinched look on Zelka’s face told Lana the banker wasn’t impressed with the Alliance’s reasoning. Time, perhaps, to try a different tactic. “I can’t provide details at the moment,” she said, keeping her voice low. “But something big is going to happen. And the International Banking Clan will be rewarded for its patience.”
Zelka’s expression did not change one bit. Damnit. Why did warfare have to be so expensive?
“I’ll be expecting weekly reports until the Clan is satisfied with your progress,” she said, sounding sterner than Lana thought an Ugnaught could sound. “Weekly. Understood?”
Lana nodded, ignoring the pressure building up in her chest. The International Banking Clan sat safe in their offices while the rest of the galaxy fought and bled for their freedom. And they wanted to tell Lana, a lord of the Sith, how to do their job? The moment the connection to this holocall ended, she would be letting out a burst of lightning; already she could feel the electricity in the tips of her fingertips. Hopefully the walls Praven built would be up to the challenge.
“Understood,” Lana said, her voice clipped. What was one more report when she already was downing in them?
Zelka disappeared from the comm and without hesitating, Lana threw out her hand, and lightning shot out of her fingertips. She kept the stream going until she felt slightly weakened. Perhaps she was being paranoid, but she wanted to be at full strength whenever she walked around the base. More people knew about the base than she liked, at least at this stage. She wouldn’t be surprised if word had gotten out to Sith Intelligence and the SIS. No doubt they would be trying to place their own spies in the Alliance’s ranks. It was what Lana would have done as Minister.
Continued background checks would be essential. If anyone had a remotely suspicious story, they wouldn’t be given Odessen’s location, simple as that. Hopefully that would be enough to protect them. For now, at least.
#
Two months.
Each day, each hour even, brought Lana closer and closer to Maebry. It was maddening to be so close and yet so far. She found herself practically counting the hours until it was time.
“I’d like to go over the plan once more,” Lana said. She purposely made no reaction as the heads of the various departments all seemed to inwardly sigh. Everyone except Sana Rae, of course. The Mystic was damn near unflappable, seemingly settling into her life here on Odessen far better than Lana expected.  
Admiral Aygo spoke first. “Have we gotten any new intel?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. At her shake of the head, he added, “Then I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of our roles.”
“Eh, humor the Sith paying our stipends,” Hylo said with a wink towards Lana. She appreciated the gesture, knowing that she wasn’t completely annoying everyone at the table. Or if she was, Hylo had the good sense not to let her know. “Never hurts to go over a plan. Though you remember the old saying…”
“Plans never survive contact with the enemy, anyway,” Aygo said.
“Exactly,” Hylo said. “So we’ll work on those contingency plans.” She leaned back in her chair, hands behind her head. “I’ve got a forger, working on some new papers for the strike team. I’m not sure if they’ll be needed, but in case orbital security decides to actually do their job because of the celebration, you’ll be ready.”
As of now, the strike team consisted of Lana, teeseven, Theron, and two former imperial block ops agents, chosen because they wouldn’t stand out in the crowd. Senya had sent Zakuulan clothing, baggy enough that light armor could be worn underneath without looking too suspicious.
If everything went according to plan - and Lana hated to admit it, but Aygo was probably right, things never went according to plan - they would make their move the evening after the first day of the celebration. Arcann and his entourage would be in one of the smaller Zakuulan cities on the southern hemisphere. After dark, when there were few guards around, they would make their way to the small shuttle where Maebry would be.
Take out the guards. Steal the shuttle. Then once safely out of orbit and on the way back to Odessen, free Maebry from carbonite.
A simple plan, but simple plans generally worked best. So many things could go wrong, though. Arcann could decide to take Maebry’s carbonite form into the hotel where he would be staying. Or there could be far more guards than the strike team could overcome. But what choice did they have? Storm the facility where Maebry was kept now? That would be suicide.
“Thank you, Hylo,” Lana said. She needed to stop and remember that she hired competent people who could do their jobs. Micromanaging would get her no where. “And thank you, all. I know this has been a stressful time. But truly, we’re close.”
So very close.
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uldren-sov · 7 years
Text
trust
Some 5.2 for some of the most angst-y kind of combination I unwittingly chose
Have some LS SW - ex Quinnmance, current Theronmance, Empire-aligning
Just literally rip my heart out SWTOR, it would have hurt less
Edit: SLIGHT HINT AT 5.4 SPOILERS, NOTHING MAJOR. This was written before they were leaked. RIFP me.
Elora knew it was only a matter of time before politics caught up to them. All the Republic and Empire knew how to do, without a doubt, was fight each other. And while someone else might be trying to pull the strings, the fact that the Alliance was - bolstered by Zakuul - the third reigning galactic power it was inevitable that conflict broke out.
She just couldn’t anticipate the cost.
She helped Quinn get settled, acting as liaison to Iokath, to the Empire, and one of Aygo’s advisors. If she was perfectly honest it was a relief to have Quinn back, despite what happened between them. She could never deny his brilliance and capability as an officer. In every case and challenge they faced, he was the very picture of Imperial military excellence with a streak of rebelliousness that spoke to his strategic prowess and self-assurance. But for all the relief of raising a perfect soldier to command, the fall of another weighed on her far more heavily.
Supreme Commander Jace Malcom was an exceptional soldier, a diehard Republic citizen, and one of the greatest enemies of the Empire. As Wrath, Elora knew how exceptional a tactician Malcom was and to respect his abilities as one of her greatest adversaries. As Theron’s girlfriend, she knew how hard he had tried to be something of a father figure to Theron, and how much his love of the Republic poisoned any real chance they had. She had once entertained an idea that maybe, just maybe - with Satele to the wind - there could be a time that Malcom would overcome his hatred of the Empire and they could have their relationship blessed by the one semblance of a father Theron and her had between them. She thought she understood when Theron told her no, there’s no way that would ever happen.
She understood after Iokath.
She declined Quinn’s invitation to catch up and left him and Aygo to business as she stalked wearily to her room. With the HK droids opening the door for her she stopped and stood shocked in the doorway, spotting Theron in her seating area pouring over datapads as he usually did for the past couple of months - the one part of his schedule she could predict with certainty. There was a glass on the table with a finger left of whiskey in it, which was normal, but the bottle also accompanied it, which was not. If she was being honest, as she crossed the threshold, she didn’t think he’d be here tonight. She wanted to give him space to mourn, some parts of him were still private to him and him alone, his grief was most of the time. The fact he was here spoke volumes. The door hissed shut behind her and he still didn’t look up.
His jacket was strewn across the far end of the sofa while he was leaned over the table on the edge of his seat, arms resting on his knees and reading something intently even as she moved within the room. His whole body language told her to leave him alone. Yet, here he was, with her and not in his own room in the base.
“I’m surprised,” she finally spoke, taking a seat beside him but still leaving some space. At her voice he picked his head up and looked to her, “I thought you might have wanted to be alone.”
He straightened with a pull of his shoulders and slight toss of the datapad onto the table. He rolled his head and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, his face drawn and grim. His focus was back on the table as she dared to seat herself beside him.
“I’m here, “ he replied, “aren’t I?”
“I thought it might just be habit at this point,” she offered and he sighed softly.
“Maybe,” he scratched the back of his head. He squeezed his eyes shut and flicked his hands agitatedly, hopelessly, before crossing them back over his knees. The idea that he should be able to still function, to still work, despite anything bad that happened, and not be able to was something she knew too well. She’s had to harden her heart and soldier on countless times when her personal world crumbled around her, Quinn being a reminder as to one of the latest times she had to. Now, Theron had to do the same.
She leaned against him, holding him from behind around the shoulders and he squared himself, not quite accepting it not quite denying her until he hunched and reached up to hold her hand. They sat in silence, her fingertips brushing over his upper arm as she rested her head against him. He didn’t give an inch to her but he also didn’t retreat. Was he angry at her?
“I love you,” she spoke softly, “you know that right?”
“Mhmm.” “And you can talk to me.” “Mm,” he said before he just nodded, once, and with finality. “You know what, fine, let’s talk.” He straightened and as he reached up ostensibly to remove her arms from him. She did so before he got to the punch and sat back as he got to his feet. A muscle ticked in his jaw before he paced a few steps. “Back on Iokath? Do you even remember what happened?” he asked as she sat straighter. “Is this about Jace Malcom?” she questioned. As much as he’d like to ignore it, his family was still a sensitive spot and the easiest emotion to wield when it got personal for both of them was anger. “This isn’t-!” he raised his voice but he closed his eyes and made a small gesture just to wait. “It’s not about Jace, I hoped it would never have come to this but he and I chose our sides years ago. I knew he was capable of this and if I had to be the one to stop him. Fine.” He hadn’t looked at her until now, shining his sharp golden gaze upon her from on high. “The matter is that this happens and the first one you accuse as a traitor - in setting you up, is me?” the anger did subside as he regarded her, the furrow in his brow lessened, the grim line of his lips wasn’t quite so severe. “I know I’m a spy but stars, Elora, where did that even come from?” “It’s not what you think,” she admitted in a smaller voice than she would have liked. It gave him a pause though and he just did one of the things he did best: he listened. “I’m all ears,” there was still a bite to his tone but he sighed quickly and shook his head, “I know - I do know - that you wouldn’t have done it if you didn’t have some reason behind it,” he explained. The hot air had come out, now it was time for reason. He took a deep breath and sat back down closer than when they started. “It’s because of Quinn,” she started. Nerves set in the curl of her shoulders and the hunch of her back. Pursing her lips she wrung her hands. She once vowed so long ago to keep it a secret. It was to save his ability to command long ago, any secrecy past that was simply … habit. Maybe even an unwillingness to admit she had been so blind given the inherently manipulative nature that was the Empire. She looked to him and any of that anger seemed to have dissipated. That was quicker than she expected but maybe he was doing it for her sake? “Quinn was there throughout my dealings with Baras, with becoming Wrath. You might remember him on Yavin even if he wasn’t there on Rishi,” she started and he just shook his head with a shrug of one of his shoulders. “Can’t say I remember him, a lot of them look alike,” he narrowed his eyes a little and it got him at least some hint of a smile. “Quinn was … “ “Ah,” he said but after a beat there was a sudden, concerned, knit to his brow. “No, it’s not anything like that,” she shook her head, ”definitely not. But Quinn and I worked together for three years… It wasn’t just that we were in a relationship. That did happen. But we … he-” she ran a hand through her voluminous hair as an agitated tick. “He proposed.” “So, this is about the breakup, then?” “This is about how we were engaged and he still revealed to me that he had always been working for Baras, who wanted me dead, and he had turned from spy to assassin,” she confessed. The nervous energy that roiled in her stomach since she had started this started to abate and in it’s stead was something warm. Even if it was hard to say she couldn’t just stop now. “Before a campaign he lured me away with some mission and tried to kill me.“ There. It was finally said after years of not admitting it. There was relief, she recognized it now, but she was apprehensive as to his reaction to this. “El…” She finally took a chance to look up expecting to see him outraged, maybe, on her behalf, or more contemplative in just trying to understand why this could have been relevant. Instead she saw him looking devastated. She never expected his sympathy. He was the last person she expected sympathy from. “I’m sor-” “Please,” she interrupted him and held up a hand, “counting on his time it was close to eight years ago now. For me it’s been … four, I thought I was over it completely but the thought that someone close to me set me up again for murder, spied on me for so long, and with Quinn back in my life I-” she shrugged, focusing instead on the table. “I shouldn’t have accused you and I apologize. You’ve done so much for me, doing so much for me, and the Alliance. Especially on Iokath. I shouldn’t have doubted you,” she said and reached for his hand to which he just let her take it. “Forgive me. I was wrong.” The moment stretched on between them as she finally locked eyes with him. He was conflicted about something, no doubt about her confession, all of what that now entails, and just no doubt the lingering hurt of losing Jace on top of everything else. “Thanks for telling me, I can’t imagine -” he sighed, lacking the words for a moment “- I get it now. It’s fine. It will be.” For a long time they were quiet, together with the ache of opened wounds that had to heal and heal anew. He tried not to read any more alerts on the datapad and she tried not to encourage them both to work. After a while he spoke up. “You know, I think you win this one,” he suddenly spoke into the crown of her head as she leaned into him, already in the lee of his body. He drew his hand through her hair and rested it on her shoulder. She adjusted and drew herself closer, resting her head on his shoulder. “I win a lot of things, what is it this time?” she quipped and it earned her a small chuckle. “Jury’s still out on a lot of but … I think you did have more trust issues than I did,” he admitted and she just grinned to herself, laughing a little helplessly. “Mm. I guess, on top of your sparkling wit I’m so attracted to -” he gave an amused “hm” “misery loves company, darling.” She woke up in their bed hours later to see the outline of him hunched over on the edge of it, head in his hands. She sat up after a deep breath and that almost featureless outline turned to face her somewhat. “Hey.” “Hey…” she replied, waiting for an explanation if he wanted to give one. He didn’t seem to. “I love you, Elora,” was what he said as he reached back and she found his hand with hers. “I love you too, Theron,” she said gently, drowsily, squeezing his hand suddenly, “come back to bed.” “Yeah … All right.” As he settled back against her and she moved to get comfortable once again she couldn’t shake a bit of nerves at this exchange but they were gone by the morning. She didn’t pay it anymore thought.
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theemryslegacy · 7 years
Text
Adela: Goose and Gander (1/1)
Adela: Goose and Gander (1/1)
Summary: Olys suggests a plan where the best lie is closer to the truth than might be comfortable for Adela.
Notes: This continued alongside the guild plotline, investigating the rise of a criminal syndicate to intergalactic terror organization. Adela had been assigned as the intelligence liaison to CEDF intelligence on Hoth just prior to her promotion to Watcher and Director of Intelligence.
Ibiki written by my friend and former CO, @onerous-oneiric (who just kinda lurks around these parts).
Adela smoothed down the front of her white uniform tunic as she rounded the corner toward the watch desk, Olys a half step behind. He, also, had exchanged his usual attire for that of a Chiss Imperial officer -- only the bronze accents along his sleeve, at his neck, and along his belt marked him as anything other than an agent. The armored guard shifted his stance at their approach, offering a salute before speaking. “Aristocra; Watcher,” he said, voice modulated through the rebreather built into his helmet. “Keeper is expecting you.”
“Excellent, Sergeant,” Olys replied, straightening. The direct address caught him off guard. “We will proceed, then.”
“Of course, sir.” Reaching down, the guard tapped a command into the security console, and a small beep echoed in the silence. “The lift is ready for you. You will find Keeper in his office, on the Command Deck.”
“Thank you.” The Chiss paused, allowing Adela to take the lead. His hand hovered briefly at her lower back… until he spotted the numerous cameras along the bulkheads. Clearing his throat, he then followed her into the lift.
Keying the access code, the lift doors whispered closed, and the pod ascended. When the doors parted, they found themselves staring down a long corridor into a vast room. The two guards immediately came to attention, the scanners beside them humming to life. Adela and Olys offered a nod in response, making their way down the corridor and into the office.
Vast, Adela decided, was an understatement. Cavernous might have been a better description, especially now that Commander Needleman’s things had been packed and shipped to storage. Keeper had done what he could to furnish the room in his own style -- a comfortable sofa arrangement to one side; desk, computers, and other tech devices to the other.  The spartan nature of the space only served to make the diminutive Chiss appear even smaller.
“Good morning, Cousin,” Olys intoned, falling into step beside her.
Ibiki had finally finished up the mass amount of paperwork that he had inherited, a few minutes before his cousin walked in. He sipped his caf and looked up from his desk. “Good morning, both of you.” Setting his cup back down, he gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk. “Please, take a seat. I have been told that we had some important subjects to discuss?”
Olys nodded, watching as Adela seated herself, then followed suit. He then turned his attention to Ibiki. “I am afraid there is a… situation… that has come to light as a result of recent changes,” he replied. “You are aware that, despite my status, I still must answer to the Aristocra of House Nuruodo, yes?”
Ibiki nodded then leaned back in his chair and interlocked his hands in front of his chest. “Yes, I am aware.” He furrowed his brow slightly. “Situation...has me concerned, especially in the same sentence as House Nuruodo.”
“Aristocra Tabarin has taken notice of my recent support for your operations,” Olys explained. He paused, pursing his lips. “Given the organizational support for the Alliance against Zakuul, he expressed concern that the relationship between your organization and my station may be in... violation of the Ascendancy’s understanding with Imperial authorities.
“I have made it clear that, as former Imperial Intelligence operatives, your organization remains a valued ally. I believe continued support is a matter of honor,” he continued, passing a sidelong glance at Adela. “I have also clarified my own reasons are not the result of… undue outside influence.”
Ibiki brooded in silence for a moment. “Our organization is still technically part of the Empire, thus I would not see our relationship as a violation, that I know of.” He paused, thinking. “But I am still a bit rusty on some of the politics of the Ascendancy as only reinitializing myself back into House Nuruodo….five or six years ago now? Being out of the loop for years makes it a bit hard to catch up.”
The younger Chiss looked at Adela then back to his cousin, a worried look passed across his features. “I do hope that this is not due to us placing Adela as a liaison to you.”
“Her assignment was of slight concern,” Olys replied. “I explained our previous working relationship, however, and was able to allay his concerns… for the moment.”
Adela shifted slightly in her seat, sensing the discomfort radiating from him, as they both recalled the holocall with the Aristocra. The elder Chiss passed her a sidelong glance. “At the moment, regardless of the devastation wrought by Zakuulan forces, the Empire is still, technically, at war with the Republic. By working with Republic assets through the medium of the Alliance, we are, technically, sharing information with our enemies,” he said.
“While I do not agree with Tabarin,” he continued, “I do understand his perspective. In light of the continual political game we play among the Ruling Houses, it is natural for him to worry.” Olys paused, offering a rueful smile. “I am, for the moment, to continue to observe and report. It makes something of a liaison officer, myself.”
“Any time gained away from his direct attention is to our benefit.” Ibiki stated then couldn’t help but pinch the bridge of his nose. “Yes, the political games….that is one thing I did not miss.” He let out a sigh. “The Ascendancy should see the threat that Zakuul is still. It is something that we should be uniting to fight.”
Ibiki shifted slightly in his chair, having been sitting for hours now and set his hands in his lap. “I do also understand his concern regarding working together. It is not as though we are compromising House Nuruodo secrets -- or, for that matter, any Ascendancy secrets. As I am sure happens in the Ascendancy, full information is never shared -- simply bits and pieces to help a common goal, while also gaining more information from our current….allies.”
“I believe I can speak for everyone here when I say that we recognize the threat that Zakuul still represents, and that our resources are better spent facing such an enemy,” Adela interjected. “The Ascendancy, however, aside from its interaction within the Empire, remains isolated. It offers them greater opportunity to focus on internal targets, rather than external.” She levelled a gaze at Ibiki. “Which is why, my friend, you should be very cautious. Knowing now that you are Keeper, they will be watching.”
The Chiss gave a long sigh and quite possibly swore under his breath. “It seems I may have to have a talk with her on the importance of not flaunting our relationship.” He paused and looked at Adela. “To be honest I had not considered any complications that may arise from my new….affiliations with her, to my standing within the Ascendancy and my sudden promotion to Keeper; nor the political ramifications of all of those combined.”
Ibiki paused, a little at a loss of how to respond to this as he had never, until now, even thought about said complications for himself. He knew the complications between Adela and Olys but he, not being anywhere near head of house, did not know of how any romantic relationship would affect his political standing. He gave a small little smirk. “Well I do suppose she does have the advantage of being a Chiss, even if she is not very...Chiss-y.”
“It is an advantage, no doubt,” Olys replied, amusement flickering across his expression at the description. He drew in a deep breath. “She would be mostly welcomed… provided that she begins to understand a bit more regarding Ascendancy culture.”
“I suppose some lessons will have to be conducted.” Ibiki pauses and smirked slightly. “Not that she is going to enjoy that.” His smirk was replaced with a small frown and he placed one elbow against the arm of his chair. With a small sigh the Chiss leaned slightly to the left and interlocked his fingers.  
Ibiki’s red eyes flickered down to his desk for a moment then returned to Olys. The pause felt like a lifetime for him as he worked on formulating how to express how lost he truly was in this subject. “I...this is unfamiliar territory for me. ” He couldn’t help but pinch the bridge of his nose again and shut his eyes for a moment before leaning back in his chair again. “It just kind of happened. I usually think, well over think according to most, everything before coming to a decision on a choice but…”
“But sometimes the decision is made before we even realize there was a choice.” Olys regarded his cousin, brows raised in inquiry. Pausing a moment, his lips curved into a reserved, but understanding smile. “I am well acquainted with the phenomenon. When I first began my adventure with a young Imperial agent, I suspect neither of us believed it more than an indulgence to explore our curiosity, sparked in the line of duty.”
His gaze drifted to Adela and the silver-haired agent imperceptibly nodded. “Almost a decade has passed now, and she is still at my side.” Here, he paused, pursing his lips briefly as he considered his next words. “I had not expected to find the courage, discipline, and honor of our people in a human woman. Nor had I expected to chance the scandal and personal cost to make her my mate, my En’von’ot… and yet here we are. I cannot, for my life, imagine any alternative.”
Ibiki pondered over “mate” and En’von’ot in the same context for a second in his head. Then his eyes widened as he looked between Adela and Olys quickly. “Wait…” He raised his hand slightly to point first to his cousin then to the Watcher then back and forth again quickly. “I know the both of you have been together for some time, well not that amount, but I did not expect for you to officially….” The young Chiss leaned forward in his chair. “Can you officially?”
“I cannot - - officially,” Olys replied. “Unless, of course, I choose to step away from my work, from the Ascendancy.” He gave a taut, humorless smile. “It may well come to that, one day. But for now, it remains… a private affair.”
A smile crept up onto Ibiki’s face as he looked to Adela. “I suppose this makes us cousins now.” Then he looked to Olys. “I believe I now understand what you mean.” He paused for a moment, letting out a small sigh. “Why does the Ascendancy have to be so stubborn and xenocentric about everything.”
Ibiki took a moment to ponder, looking between Adela and Olys; to what they had. Their...situation was already difficult to keep under the ever watchful eye of the Ascendancy. With all of the help he received from Olys, mixed with Ibiki’s own unconventional relationship was not helping his cousin. He felt a bit guilty: Between the mountain of work remaining, hunting down the group that produced their messy situation, combined with his precious down time spent in his new relationship, he realized he had not actually taken the time to think everything through as thoroughly as he knew he should have.
“I do apologize that I have brought on more attention to your predicament, as it was not intended.” Ibiki rubbed the back of his neck with his hand for a second before returning it to his lap. “If the two of you ever need anything I would be happy to assist -- even if that is playing politics more carefully for the Ascendancy.”
To this, Olys nodded. “I do appreciate that, Cousin,” he replied evenly. “I will admit that I inadvertently may have directed their attention to you, as I sought to explain our current position. Tabarin was not yet aware of your promotion, it seems. For that, I must apologize.”
“There is no need for you to apologize.” Ibiki gave a soft smile to Olys. “It is actually for the best that you told him and informed me. Now I can be prepared.” He paused, thinking for a moment. “Even though I am back to being a standing member of House Nuruodo, I still do work for the Empire; my loyalties are still to Imperial Intelligence, first and foremost.”
Ibiki let out a small sigh. “I should set up a time to speak to Tabarin as the new Keeper to inform him officially; play my part of the politics as it were. Hopefully that can alleviate any concerns he may have.”
“He will likely be very receptive to the idea. I will forward the contact details for the syndic as soon as we return to Hoth,” Olys said. “There is one last detail we should address, however - - my own ‘temporary assignment’ with your organization.”
At this, Adela blinked. “I was not aware this was to be a topic of discussion.”
The Aristocra cleared his throat. “It is a logical consideration, beloved. My designation as intelligence personnel would allow an ease of travel, unimpeded and incognito.” He looked to Ibiki. “With your permission, of course, Cousin.”
Ibiki gave a small nod to Olys. “An excellent idea. Such an assignment might alleviate some of the tension, especially regarding the current affairs.” He then looked to Adela and gave a small reassuring smile. “With it, House Nuruodo might see their time is being wisely invested within our organization, while also making cooperation more secure for all involved. It would also reduce complications for us.”
Ibiki turned his attention back to his cousin. “Be sure to forward me all the necessary paperwork for me to sign.” He paused for a moment, pondering. “How do you wished to be attached to the agency? To my knowledge there are very few here that know of your position, making options a bit more open. That could prove beneficial.”
“It could, indeed,” the aristocra replied, nodding. “Some eight years ago, I chose a codename -- Olys Dul’skal -- for use in my travels, to and from Zeltros. With assistance from Tasconu, it would be simple enough to provide a background and personnel details. My alter ego could then be under orders simply as an Expansionary Defense Force intelligence liaison, and a distant cousin to Keeper.”
Adela regarded them with a frown. “That might call too much attention to our actual history… and appear as no small amount of favoritism to our officers because you are ‘sleeping with the boss.’”
“It could, for Tabarin, be attributed to the cover,” Olys began slowly, words carefully chosen. “In placing a liaison officer, the Ascendancy would exploit a past relationship to gain advantage, ostensibly to provide better access to potential assets and classified information. As to the agency personnel -- you know I am more than qualified for the position, and such ability can be proven, as necessary. It is not my intent, however, to undermine your authority.”
The Watcher pursed her lips as she considered his response. His sincerity was apparent in his expression, his body language, and in her Force perception. Yet the idea of public, personal interactions -- feeding the agency rumor mill -- with a man who was, essentially her husband in secret, set her off-balance. She could not, however, discern whether the foreboding she felt originated in the Force or her own doubts. Still, she implicitly trusted Olys. If this was a risk he was willing to take, then she would follow.
“It does make sense, for exactly the reasons stated,” she replied at length. “If needs be, alterations may be made at a later time.” A wry grin twitched at her lips. “Given that there has already been quite a bit of rumour associated with my personal life, why not fan the flames a bit?”
“I agree with you, Cousin.” Ibiki gave a small nod. “The ties associated with this cover are almost too perfect for the Ascendancy; prior relationship ties” -- he looked back and forth between the two with a smirk -- “and the ties to me as the new Keeper. They would feel as they would have two of the higher-ups under watch and have potential influence over us.”
Ibiki placed his red eyes on Olys. “In addition, I trust you and I know you have both organizations in mind vice if the Ascendancy sent someone else they would be more prone to bias, making them...complicated to work with.” He paused, shifted slightly in his seat. “I am almost certain that Tabarin would have asked or placed someone within Imperial Intelligence after we have had our meeting.” Ibiki then shifted his gaze to Adela. “As for the whispers within the agency...we will have to fabricate and solidify a more concrete ‘rumor’ -- as it were -- for them.”
His amusement was apparent, second only to his concern; Adela could almost see that he was thinking. She eyed him warily, wry smile sneaking across her lips as she found herself unable to remain entirely serious. “I am almost afraid to ask what you have in mind… Cousin.”
Ibiki leaned forward in his chair and gave his new cousin a mischievous smirk. “Well why have them start their own when we could just as easily place our own?” He gave a shrug. “Now this subject is not my strong suit, but I happen to know someone that likes to think herself an expert in this predicament we have.” He leaned back and looked at both of them. “And of course we will need to have our stories straight.” Then he rested his red eyes back to Adela with a hint of concern. “Still, I do not wish to do anything that would affect you without your permission.”
“I think,” Adela began slowly, “that decision should be made based on her suggestion.” She paused. “Though I do wonder if you mean Ibika or Kerinn?”
Ibiki couldn't help give a small chuckle then he shook his head with a slight smirk.“I was thinking my sister, but I do suppose I now have two individuals in my life with similar talents.” Ibiki paused as he got an idea. “I suppose that could come to our advantage as well...though with both of them together I think we may need some ground rules to not come to the same conclusion of your last meeting, cousin.”
“That would be appreciated,” Olys replied. A lopsided grin twitched across his lips before he regained his professional demeanor.  “I understand that the liquor responsible has been determined to be a useful tool during interrogation of Chiss informers.”
Adela nodded. “It has. And, as such, any found at headquarters has been placed under lock and key… or given back to Yawkar.” She looked back to Ibiki. “And, while it might be beneficial to building the story, I think I would prefer not to poison Ch'asercuvsici again.”
“That...liquid has its own set of problems I am still trying to clean up.” Ibiki rubbed the back of his neck quickly before catching himself and returned to sitting upright. “The drink’s effects could be used in rumor but I would prefer if it was not actually ingested.” He looked to Olys. “I have already inquired to my friend about synthesizing an antidote of sort to try to counter its effects.”  The younger Chiss let out a small sigh. “I will work on getting in contact with Ibika. She and Yawkar have been working together on one of the leads we acquired from Kaon.”
“A much needed innovation,” Olys replied. He shifted forward in the chair, looking to his En’von’ot and then to his cousin. “Then I believe we have discussed all we needed to address for the moment. Adela and I will await word on Cousin Ibika’s availability, and we can coordinate further at that time, yes?”
“Yes.” Ibiki nodded then stood up. “And while I do, if both of you could find the best angles that Ibika can use to find the best approach when we do meet with her.” He leaned down slightly to key in a few commands on his desk. “Now, I feel like I need a refill of caf.”
“That,” Adela said, rising, “is a brilliant idea.”
Olys rose as well, lopsided smile curling his lips as he regarded her. “I will ensure Toscanu has a fresh pot available when we arrive.” He nodded to his cousin. “Until later, Ibikinu.”
Ibiki gave the two of them a small smile and grabbed his datapad from his desk. “I shall follow both of you out.”
“Very well,” the Aristocra replied with a nod. He fell into step beside Adela, his hand at the small of her back. The trio then headed for the lift and their separate destinations.
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chubbyooo · 4 years
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Blurred Lines: Cursed Past Chapter 89 - The Pitch of Revolution
it took 89 chapters for Gacen to interact with the Alliance but he's finally here XD Gacen arrives on Odessent to pitch their revolution to Lana
Gacen sat in the cockpit looking at his datapad intently, the blue hum of hyperspace was the only sound as he tried to calm his nerves. He had to pitch the idea of helping Dubrillion to the Alliance, at first he thought it’d be easy but they were gearing up for a war he doubted they’d give their full support. Nonetheless they had contacted Lana and set up the meeting with the Voidhound with little detail about what it was just calling it a proposition, Gacen was glad they had met before otherwise this would’ve been a lot harder he didn’t know quite what Lana thought of him but clearly it wasn’t awful.
Risha came through in his ear “you got the pitch ready Gacen?” Gacen didn’t normally practice for things he was more someone who’d wing it but for this and for her he’d made sure to practice vigilantly
Gacen nodded “yep I got it all written down in a datapad I’m gonna blow them away I promise Rish” he sounded a lot more confident than he actually was, he took a swig of his flask to calm his nerves
Risha responded “thanks Gacen I know this is a big ask” Gacen smiled he never minded at least it was something to do, Risha had helped with his directionless feeling but he still felt as guilty as ever. He doubted that would ever change though there was nothing he could do about that except move forward and also the obligatory booze.
Gacen leant back “hey anything for you Rish you know I’m all in” Risha chuckled clearly a little embarrassed by the kind sentiment
Risha smiled “I know but still it means a lot after I trusted you with your past” Gacen felt a knot in his stomach knowing that trust is what had separated them for years “Besides I think it’ll be good for you to visit Odessen” Gacen frowned she was pretty adamant of that
He sat up “you keep saying that, what’s so special about Odessen?” he couldn’t tell if Risha was just messing with him or not
He heard Risha stifle a laugh “nothing much I just think you’ll prefer it to the republic and the empire, management is more your speed” Gacen nodded he guessed that made sense
Soon the ship dropped out of hyperspace and the lush green planet of Odessen came into view, it was surrounded by all manner of ships; this place surely looked like the heart of an organization capable of taking down the Eternal Empire. In a way he’d been glad to miss out on a lot of the danger of the Eternal Empire but the prison and separation from everyone he cared about rather overruled that sentiment.
After receiving a clearance to land he piloted the ship down and the Alliance base came into view, he smiled it certainly was impressive, it kinda reminded him of Gabredor and Risha’s base but if she’d had an army behind her. He had no idea where to park and just found the first place in a clearing near some form of Hanger, it looked like there had been a ship on it for a while with the grass marks where it once was. 
Once the ship was parked he strolled out of it and breathed in “wow Rish you were right this place is wild, it’s certainly nicer than Coruscant or Dromund Kass” he walked towards a bridge looking at the script on his datapad
Risha laughed “yes well it was built during the Eternal war so had to be discrete and hidden while also being close to Zakuul” Gacen had never been to Zakuul from what he heard after the fall of the Eternal Empire it was just full of snobs but that may just be rumours.
Gacen smiled strolling towards the entrance “well whoever designed it has style that’s all I can say” some style he was being polite it could be better, he made his way into the hanger and after a bit he saw a figure walking up to him.
As she got closer Gacen recognised the blonde hair in a bun and set of armour “Elara! Is that you?” Elara walked up to him seemingly unfazed by his surprise
She nodded “yes it is Gacen I believe you’re here to meet with Miss Beniko right?” Gacen was very surprised to see her here wait til Ash gets a load of this
Gacen smiled “still as monotone as ever I see Elara come on give me a hug” he outstretched his arms but Elara just gave him a look
She turned around leading him to the elevator “I see you haven’t changed much, Miss Beniko is a little busy right now but she should be able to fit you in” Gacen followed her into the elevator
He had a million questions “wait so what are you doing here” Elara turned to him clearly surprised he was asking
Elara answered “I was recruited by the Basen’thor after some business on Iokath she rather impressed me with her resolve” Gacen nodded that did add up Kavaraa had always been very convincing
Gacen cocked his head at her “aren’t you gonna ask me how I’m doing” Elara shook her head “really not even how Ash is doing?” her eyes went wide and she turned to him suddenly much more interested
Her stoney expression broke a little “you’ve seen Commander Ash?” Gacen nodded as the elevator stopped and they began walking through another hanger
Gacen answered her “yeah I mean we’ve lived together for two years, she’s on a mission right now for me” he may be sharing a bit much but he knew he could trust Elara
Elara nodded “I see I always assumed she’d come back to the republic if freed” Gacen realised that may be a little awkward
He reassured her “I think after everything that went down with the republic she wasn’t very enthused to go back, but she was enthused with the possibility of working with the Alliance I’ll tell you that” Elara’s expression brightened a little
She continued walking through the corridors “I suppose that makes sense that’s why I joined despite the cons it does house, well if your meeting works out I look forward to seeing her” Gacen smiled those two had always been close, the whole of Havoc had he wondered who else was here.
They arrived in what Gacen could only assume was the war room and his eyes widened, it was full of people coordinating things, displays and monitors he didn’t understand and in the middle Lana Beniko stood talking to a Voss woman.
Elara led Gacen to her “Gacen Zandar meet Lana Beniko advisor to the Commander” she moved back leaving them to talk
Lana didn’t turn around for a second finishing her conversation with the Voss, but soon she turned to face him looking tired “wow you’ve certainly got a lot on your plate Beniko” Lana rubbed her forehead looking at him
She gave a half smile “you don’t know the half of it but someones gotta keep this ship running” Gacen nodded looking around weren’t there supposed to be more leaders? “Most of our advisors and the Commander have found themselves busy with personal matters so the work has fallen to me and Theron Shan, although mostly to me” Gacen winced he could barely manage himself let alone an alliance
He gritted his teeth “yeesh my condolences to your spare time” Lana let out a half laugh rolling her eyes
She folded her arms “so what did you want Voidhound some kind of proposition, and please don’t waste my time” Gacen did his best to consult the script he wrote
Gacen held his neck “uh well I’m afraid we’re gonna have to speak about it in private some of these details need to be kept secret” Lana frowned at him her eyes narrowing
She walked up to him “if so I’m gonna need some kind of insurance policy to make sure this isn’t some kind of trap” Gacen’s eyes widened why would he do anything like that?
He gasped shocked “Lana come on you know me why would I do that” she raised her eyebrow “ok fair enough but here I’ll give you my blaster as insurance that’s plenty” he went to get his blaster but found his holster empty “ah shit I left it on the ship” he hadn’t been in a fight in while now he thought about it, he had no idea where it was.
Lana pinched the bridge of her nose and smiled “alright that proves to me I’m in no danger even if you are trying something come with me” Lana led him out of the war room to an empty chamber she pressed a button and a number of blast doors and soundproofing tiles came down from the ceiling “I had this installed after our last spy incident we should be fine to talk in here not even a Jedi could get through those walls” Gacen had a feeling he’d walked into a nest of paranoia
He laughed nervously “wow this is quite the setup” Lana tapped her foot impatiently “right yes well my proposition; as the Alliance I imagine you want capital and land with no allegiance to the republic or empire due to the coming war” he was reciting the script the best he could which was making him sound like a bad holonet salesman “but that’s pretty uncommon giving both their long histories but don’t worry I have such a planet for you with just a little investment on your part” Lana didn’t look impressed so far
Lana cut him off “Gacen I swear if you’re suggesting stealing a planet I’m going to throw you out of my base” Gacen was shocked he obviously wasn’t being clear, although that wasn’t a bad idea.
He shook his head “no no no don’t worry I’m getting there, the planet of Dubrillion is ruled by a paranoid King who’s making his whole planet contribute nothing to the galaxy at large annnd you see that’s not all, I have a rightful heir and replacement for that ruler” Lana nodded her expression changing from complete disinterest 
Lana questioned him “I assume that this heir is your wife Risha?” Gacen gasped he hadn’t said anything about her how had she known, Lana read what he was thinking “Gacen she’s the only noble person you know who else would it be?” Gacen nodded that was fair admittedly
Gacen continued “well yes it is she’s got a legit claim to the throne and more importantly the King is actually subjugating his people and being a huge tool, if we were to take control we would not only contribute Dubrillions sizeable industry and military to your cause officially joining your alliance but also stop the subjugation of innocents, all you have to do is give us some backup during our planned revolution” Lana seemed to be interested but she still looked skeptical
Lana held her chin “admittedly that could be very helpful but I have to know this is legitimate and you haven’t just come here with an idea” Gacen nodded that was absolutely fair
Gacen grinned “well that’s good then as Ash’shen’tor former Havoc Squad leader is currently on Dubrillion on a mission and Master Sumalee is on board to help us, I promise this is a legit operation Risha has been planning it for 5 years this isn’t an idea I came up with on a whim” Lana nodded she seemed to be coming around
She paced around the chamber “that does sound promising I have to admit but we’re stretched pretty thin at the moment I’m going to need some time to think over what we could supply and discuss with other advisors” she looked at him and smiled “how about you stay here until the end of the day and I’ll give you an answer then” Gacen nodded that was fair although he didn’t like waiting
Gacen shrugged “that makes sense I really hope you can supply us with some good help just from looking around it’s clear you have a great operatio-” Lana stopped him with a frown
She tutted “flattery will not get me to change my mind in fact it’ll do the opposite” Gacen nodded and rightfully shut up as Lana lowered the security
Gacen stammered “uh what should I do in the meantime” he didn’t like the idea of waiting around in his ship
Lana gave him a map “there’s a bar that I think should suffice your needs” Gacen smiled and chuckled
He took the map “this place is the best you have a bar in your secret base!” Lana grinned nodding as she walked back to the war room and Gacen made his way to the lift
Suddenly his comm cut back in “Gacen are you there is everything ok?!” Risha said seeming rather panicked
Gacen realised what had happened “Oh yeah right we were speaking in private so I guess it cut the signal don’t worry I’m ok” he heard a sigh of relief on the other end
Risha shot back “tell me next time ok Dumbass” Gacen walked to the elevator and headed up
Gacen defended himself “I didn’t know trust me I would have otherwise” that seemed to calm her down “hey do we have a bar in our secret base?” if not those droids had a new job
Risha nodded “yeah we like three, cocktail, regular and wine why do you want a new one?” Gacen cursed himself for not having seen them yet
He shook his head “no the Alliance just had one and I didn’t realise we had them, we have to go to them when I get back” Risha seemed very into that idea
The elevator arrived and he walked out  “ok but just don’t order that weird spicy cocktail you always get” Gacen gasped that was his favourite he knew everyone else hated it he had a very unique palette 
Gacen pouted “that drink is delicious and you know what I’m gonna order it just to spite you” Risha gave a over the top gasp
Gacen walked into the bar and sat down it seemed like a nice place “you wouldn’t dare you monster” Risha teased as he looked around
Gacen chuckled flirting back “oh just watch me Rish, one Spiced Rancor’s Toothpick please” the bartender nodded seemingly a little bemused by the zabrak talking to himself
Risha laughed “wow you betrayed me how could you” Gacen chuckled even though they had been back together for a bit now he still had missed it so much
The bartender passed him his drink and he sipped it the twinge of spice making him smile “sorry Risha you know you married a bad boy” there was a very condescending laugh in response
Risha then gasped “wait what are we talking about tell me how it went stop talking about drinks” Gacen’s eyes widened oh yeah he hadn’t told her 
Gacen rubbed his forehead “oh yeah sorry I got caught up in the flirting, Lana seemed enthused by the pitch but they’re ‘stretched thin right now’ so she’s gonna discuss it with people before she makes a decision on the degree of help we’ll get” Risha took in the information quietly
She sighed “well I suppose that’s better than nothing but being patient is a pain” see this girl just got him “was the Commander there? are they going to discuss it with Lana?” Gacen doubted the Commander would deal with this sort of business whoever she was
Gacen shrugged and sipped his drink “I dunno she’s not here right now ‘off on some personal mission’ or something like that” I doubt she’d concern herself with Dubrillion though, what with the war and such” he really had to educate himself on the Alliance a bit more if they’d be working together he hadn’t even known Elara was here.
He guessed that was the penalty of being drunk or in prison through the majority of their creation and rise, Risha tutted “don’t be so sure I think she would, either way let’s hope they agree to give us proper help this is going to take some doing” Gacen nodded as he sipped his drink he wondered who else was here that he’d met, Dzûsa and Lana had a thing right?
Gacen smiled “well I don’t mind waiting this place is quite nice” he certainly liked the bar it was pretty his speed
He was glad he hadn’t messed up the pitch “if you have the time then we should probably tell Sumalee” Gacen groaned he felt like he wouldn’t be able to drink while explaining it to her
He sighed “alright but afterwards I’m going right back to my drink” he walked out to the balcony to give Sumalee the sorta good news, she was about to ask a million questions he’d have to be careful weren’t overheard...
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chubbyooo · 5 years
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Blurred Lines Chapter 22 - Reunions
hey hey hey chapter 22 is out and we switching back to Kyradia this ones a doozy
Kyradia and Ashara wait for the possible arrival of the sith they encountered
The room was quiet, Kyradia could here the sound of her breath as they waited in silence, in then out in then out in then out.
“We have been sitting here for ages” it was true they had been here for what felt like years
Ashara scoffed “It’s only been like an hour Kyradia be patient” what but it felt like sooo much longer
“so what exactly is our plan here? I kinda forgot to ask” Kyradia was still feeling rather unsettled, ever since the encounter in the first temple something had felt off with this but she couldn’t place it
“uhhh well I thought we’d wait here and then we can watch them do whatever they were doing, maybe then ambush them i dunno” there was something to that but it seemed a little rough around the edges
“what if they sense us or have macrobinoculars like ours” sure Kyradia could hide through the force but Ashara not so much
Ashara frowned suddenly “uhhhh... um well” Ashara paused for a second “I uh didn’t think of that Mas- uh Kyradia��� wow maybe she shouldn’t trust Ashara’s judgement implicitly
“right well let’s come up with a new plan, cause I don’t think stealth is really an option” Ashara nodded quietly, she seemed a little embarrassed but Kyradia couldn’t place why “As much as I want to know what they are up to I think we should prioritise stopping them first before this gets out of hand” Kyradia was trying so hard to not make this a whole thing, she had a lot she wanted to do and this was an annoying obligation
“I see your point I guess we can find out the details afterwards, if we’re gonna fight them you need to stay with me. I don’t want a repeat of yesterday” Kyradia never meant to run off but sometimes it’s necessary
“I uh dunno I get into a kinda frenzy when i fight” it was true in most fights she only remembered what happened afterwards
Ashara looked at her in the eyes “just... please ok for me” Kyradia knew she was probably right
She let out a small smile “yeah... ok I’ll try” she couldn’t promise she would but she would defiantly try “so what we guard the entrance” they hadn’t scouted any other entrances but Ashara had a point they should stick together
“yeah but if we’re gonna we will need to close up the other way in to the main room, I don’t have the umm right composure to bring down a wall so if you don’t mind” wow way to dance around the fact Kyradia was a angry person
“sure no problem” Kyradia made her way to the corridor on the opposite side of the room. She closed her eyes and began to think back to her argument with Kavaraa, the self righteous hypocritical points and the fact she just ran. She quickly could feel the rocks come loose and as she opened her eyes the corridor was no more. 
“alright let’s go to the entrance” Ashara beckoned her over to the remaining way out. Kyradia grasped her hand tightly and cloaked their forms
Later...
The jungle was peaceful in it’s own way, from the vantage point on top of the temple Kyradia could see the trees rustling wildly in the wind. It felt like the tables had somewhat turned; now they were the ones guarding a temple from interlopers, that was assuming they even turned up. They were going out on a limb but this was the only lead they had so they had to at least follow it up, Kyradia had a pit in her stomach she wasn’t sure why but this whole situation just seemed odd. The Milirian seemed like she had good intentions but nothing about this seemed like it would turn out good. That usually meant someone was manipulating her and Kyradia knew all too well what that felt like, between Valkorion, Revan and Zash she wouldn’t ever wish that on someone. Her money was on the blonde one being the culprit, she seemed to be the smarter one and more in tune with the force, either way they needed to be stopped. Kyradia felt her hand get squeezed, Ashara couldn’t cloak herself so this was unfortunately necessary. Kyradia had never been one for physical acts of affection, she found them awkward and weird but she had a few people she didn’t mind it from. Ashara seemed really worried about her which was definitely surprising after everything that happened Kyradia was sure Ashara wouldn’t care about her wellbeing anymore. She still didn’t know everything though and when she did she probably would hate her again, maybe it was just better to get it out the way, that’s what Andronikos was saying right maybe she should.
“hey Asha-” Kyradia started
Ashara interrupted her suddenly calling out “look look down there” damn it maybe later
Kyradia was startled but tried to look “where?”
Ashara replied “where I’m pointing” she was shaking Kyradia’s arm now
“Ashara you’re invisible I can’t see your arm” Kyradia continued to search the trees for what she was pointing at
“oh right um yeah look by that ridge to the left” Kyradia scanned down and sure enough she could see the two interlopers from before, yes they came! the long blonde hair stuck out like a sore thumb. They were trying to travel through the bushes to sneak up, same as their strategy but a lot less well executed
“let’s get into position and surprise them” Kyradia began to lead Ashara over to the left. Ashara was having trouble walking while invisible which wasn’t surprising it takes some getting used to, after a little bit of guidance however they were in position and could see the two sith below.
“ready” Kyradia asked letting go of Ashara’s hand
“ready” Ashara said as they jumped
Kyradia landed with a resounding crack in front of the duo “well look who we found” both the Milirian and the Human were taken aback jumping back a few feet each
“h-how did y-you find us” the Milrian said clearly intimidated
“well Ashara found an ancient relation between the temples around that excess con temple, she’s smart like that” 
“Exar KUN” Ashara interrupted, dammit Ashara not in the middle of the monologue
 “yes, that guy and we thought weird ritual doers are bound to visit” Kyradia smiled “and I’m afraid we can’t let you past”
The blonde one spoke up “n-no we have to get past we have to you can’t just stop us” she clearly didn’t understand the magnitude of the situation
She ignited her lightsaber “oh I think we can”
https://open.spotify.com/track/1piChbCeKngXLmNBdB58Vt?si=kyNE38QUT7ip0sFBIjrXfg
the duo glanced at each other before igniting their lightsabers, the Milirian lunged at Ashara and the Blonde at Kyradia, Kyradia easily parried the simple move and went for a low slash. To her surprise she saw the form of the blonde disappear and reappear 10ft away, where did she learn that? no matter Kyradia could too, she quickly shifted next to her grabbing her by the throat.
“now now play nice” Kyradia sneered, the Blonde began to struggle as Kyradia kept her in place, this was a good intimidation tactic but also would allow her to further question the Blonde. The Blonde continued to struggle as Kyradia lifted her off the ground but it was no use she had her- suddenly she saw a fist career into her head knocking her to the ground. The bitch punched her what the hell, Kyradia wiped the blood out her eyes before looking to see where the Blonde was heading, to the temple big surprise, she could see Ashara was sparring with the Milirian and barely keeping up with her, she could handle it. Kyradia channeled the rage she felt after the bitch punched her and reached out with the force, suddenly the blonde stopped frozen in place, perfect. Kyradia could feel her begin to push against her force keeping the Blonde in place, she slowly moved towards the blonde keeping her steady
“stay still I don’t wanna hurt you” she paused “too badly” she could’ve broken her nose the blonde could do with some repercussions. The force was certainly strong in this one Kyradia could barely keep her still
She had just caught up to the blonde when she suddenly heard a voice “STOP INTERFERING” as she was pushed back onto the ground by a wave of force energy. She hit the ground with a thud but that voice it was weirdly familiar, who did that? no time Kyradia quickly sat up to see the blonde running into the temple, shit she had to catch up. She quickly stood up and concentrated, using the force she began to run after the Blonde but as she got to the door the Milirian stepped in front of her 
“STOP” she pointed her lightsaber at Kyradia threateningly. Kyradia sighed and threw her casually out the way with the force, she didn’t have time for that. She bolted down the corridors of the temple determined to stop this once and for all. As she skidded round to the main chamber she saw the blonde had set down a holocron and some ingredients
“you better stop right now or I’m gonna lose it” she began to stride forward but as she did she felt a strong force wind push her back, no way was the blonde this strong. 
Kyradia began struggling against the wind as that voice echoed throughout the chamber “ah Kyradia I’m afraid you wont be coming any closer” no what the hell was this? who was that? she struggled against the wind but couldn’t move any closer to the Blonde. 
The Blonde had started meditating as the voice continued “now I’m afraid you’re too late, I have regained the power to subdue you, you won’t come anywhere near this ritual” If this is some Zakuul person trying to get revenge on her AGAIN she was gonna freak out 
“I actually took a page out of your book, I gotta say the ghost method definatly has it’s drawbacks” the voice chuckled as Kyradia tried as hard as she could to overcome the force keeping her out of the room to no avail.
“WHO ARE YOU? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” it knew about her old life before she was the commander, who was she?
Suddenly the room began to light up and beams of light began to divert towards the holocron, WAIT THE HOLOCRON! “now now now apprentice you always were two steps behind, the information is all right in front of you, put it together”
That wasn’t possible, it couldn’t be she had been sealed away for good. “No it can’t be you! I trapped you away in the mind prison”
“well clearly it didn’t work, every prison has ways out my dear” the voice began to cackle as the blinding energy entered the holocron “you really need to learn the only way to put sith behind you is to kill them otherwise they always come back apprentice”
Kyradia began to push with all her might against the force “I am not your apprentice you bitch and I’m going to stop you” she began to move forward slowly the force was weakening, maybe she could get to them.
“oh my dear I cannot wait to see it with my own eyes but I’m afraid I have to run, Lusari time to go” suddenly the force stopping her from moving was gone and she stumbled onto the floor. When she looked up she saw no sign of the blonde. But... it didn’t matter none of it mattered Kyradia just sat there in silence for a minute, she was back, Zash was back...
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swtorramblings · 6 years
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I Shall Save Myself: We Know
Art by @fleeting-sanity of the family snow day. Something a bit more light-hearted, a chapter from I Shall Save Myself, where the family is somewhat together. Arcann and Senya meet with Vaylin to take her on a mission where her power might be useful, and the anarchy she brings with her won’t be a hindrance.
Out of order still, it’s the last thing I had notes for that included Arcann, which I wanted to get out this week. 
He still could not believe they were here. He could sense her from here, and she was not happy they were coming. He looked over and asked, “Why are we doing this again?” She looked back and said, “We’ve discussed this. You agreed. Her power will be helpful.” “Yes, as long as she doesn’t turn it on us.” “I thought you were getting along?” He let out a long sigh. “At times. But she still does not have pleasant thoughts about you. You at least contacted her first?” “Of course. Don’t worry. I’m told she likes a good fight.” “That, at least, is true.” “Then she should be interested.” “You’re assuming she will give you time to talk.” “Have you been told you worry too much?” “It has been mentioned. In any event, she’s seen us. It’s too late to run.”
She stood in the wilderness, several kilometers from her home, at the nearest clearing large enough to land the ship. They wanted to leave immediately after talking with her. They hadn’t told her what this was about, and she’d been getting impatient. She was punctual. She was also getting bored. Did they not know how little she liked being bored? Oh. Right. But that was then. She was trying. They had finished their landing. She could sense the team within, but only two emerged. She put on a crystalline smile and greeted them. “Mother. Brother. How are you?”
She was smiling at them. That was actually more disturbing than her usual expression of rage. You could count on that rage, trust it. “Daughter. We are well.” “I am so glad.” “Sister…” “No, Arcann, I know the Empress of the Eternal Empire would not drag her only daughter so far from home for no good reason.” Senya sighed. That was going to be the way of it, then. “Very well, Vaylin. The Empress of the Eternal Empire would request your assistance with a matter of some importance.” Vaylin looked at her quizzically. “You do know I hate you both, yes?” The question was directed at Senya, but Arcann answered. “We know.” Vaylin finally reverted to her customary scowl. “And that I am a fugitive from the Empire? Hated throughout the galaxy? An uncontrolled creature of anarchy and destruction?” Senya smiled at that. “Yes. All of that. It makes you perfect for the task.”
That got Vaylin’s attention, finally. She began to smile, as well. Arcann noted how much they looked alike when they smiled. Neither did so as often as he’d like. Of course, they had little reason to. He broke in. “Understand, the mission is dangerous.” “Where would be the fun if it wasn’t?” “And we are asking, you can refuse.” “No, no, why would I? It sounds like a wonderful family outing!” “If you are sure.” She looked very happy about it, indeed. Then, she asked the question he knew would ruin her mood. “So, where are we going?” He left that to their mother. “Hoth.” That downward turn to her expression almost made him laugh. He thought better of it. “Oh, I hate you both so much.”
“We know,” her mother told her. What, were they taking turns, now? “Fine,” she grumped. “I said I would go, I’ll go. I want something back for it, though.” “What would you like?” “I’ll let you know. You’re the Empress, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.” They walked on board the small ship and Senya ordered them to be on their way.
She looked at her daughter, seeing the missed chances. She wondered if there had ever been a way for the girl to be whole. Still, she was here, now, broken or not. Senya would take it. “You recall the Exarchs?” “Arcann’s little servants? Yes, I recall. Quite powerful, I’m sure.” “Don’t be overconfident, Sister. At least one survived the war.” “And he has access to the remains of a Star Fortress.” “What? On Hoth? You sent one of your great weapons to Hoth? Why?”
Arcann hesitated. So many crimes. “The ship’s graveyard. It is a treasury of weapons and technology I wished to add to Zakuul’s arsenal.” “You thought the Fleet and the Fortresses and all the rest weren’t enough? You really were trying to outdo Father, weren’t you?” Senya tried to intercede. “Vaylin, that is hardly…” “Do not get involved! You can get involved when you were there for us!” Arcann felt his mother’s pain, and surged to his feet. “Sister, enough!”
She looked up into her brother’s eyes. She felt her family’s guilt. She wondered if she should feel any. Probably. She felt Arcann’s anger. She felt the nervousness of the soldiers. She turned away. “Yes. I’m sorry.” She paused for a moment and looked back at them. “Still the surprise? I can’t survive by myself. I don’t want to any longer. I don’t forgive you, but you forgave me, I think. You’re all I have. If I have to say I’m sorry every now and then, I will.” “Thank you, Sister.” “Oh, and Mother? The fact that these soldiers just saw that means my price just went up. I’m sure none of them will speak of it. Ever.”
“Of course, Vaylin.” Oddly, even with the not so subtle threat, Senya sensed her soldiers relax. Not all of them, and only slightly, but it was there. They trusted her, but they had been wary about this mission, about even having her daughter on board. Perhaps they had begun to see her as human. They did not forget her crimes, nor Arcann’s. How could they? But the mood had shifted. If nothing else, it would make the mission easier. She would have to thank Koth. He had picked them, spoken with them. They had been skeptical, at first, but they trusted him even more than their “Empress”. The pilot, a young man named Lonn, broke in over the intercom. “We are making the jump to lightspeed, Empress.” “Very good, Captain, thank you.”
The battle had gone well. They had brought only two score troops, but they were very good, and with the support of his family, there had been some injuries, but no deaths. So far, at least. The Exarch had not made an appearance. That could change everything. He was just finishing yet another group of Skytroopers. He really had made too many of the things. It was just as well he had lost the production facility. Then, he saw with a touch of horror the reason the Exarch was not in the fight. He had been working to make the Star Fortress operational. He ran back to Senya’s side, but was too late. The Star Fortress, damaged as it was, began to rise from the snow. If he escaped with it, its main weapon alone would allow him to kill thousands, perhaps more. Probably starting with Arcann, his family, and the soldiers they had brought along. With a single blast. They looked up with some shock. They had come prepared to destroy the remains of this weapon, not to stop even a partially operational one. Then, Senya simply called out, “Vaylin! You have to stop him!” What? Vaylin appeared to agree with him. “What? Stop that? I could never stop that! Are you insane?” Senya answered first. “There’s no other way! If anyone can, it’s you!” Arcann did try to lend support, but he didn’t quite feel it. “Yes, you have the best chance. Please, try.” “Oh, I hate you! Both! So! Much!” He lifted his mechanical hand and did a quick count. It was his turn. “We know.” He leaped forward, making sure the field was clear to let his sister do whatever she was going to do.
Vaylin looked up at the Fortress. She knew that, even at the height of her power, she couldn’t have brought that thing down. Not Force against force, anyway. Instead, she stretched out with her senses, probing, considering, predicting. The way she had when she made her prison into her home. If it had been whole, she might not have found anything. As it was, it would still take considerable concentration. She raised an eyebrow, then a hand, then the lightning. She hoped the pirates could move fast. When she released her power, it was in a tight, brilliant blast. Not the wonderful chaos she was so fond of unleashing, but what was needed for the task. The power core of the central cannon was exposed. Her blast punched through its outer casing, ripped through the delicate crystals inside. Crystals like those she had retrieved from Odessan, but torn from their worlds, losing their songs. Dead already, their corpses being used to destroy other lives. The kind of weapon Valkorion was so fascinated by. It gave her great pleasure to destroy it, and not only because the explosion gave her the chaos she craved. She was about to smile at the falling debris. It really was a beautiful sight. Then, she felt it, and muttered, “This again? Now? In front of Mother?” She clenched her fists in rage.
Senya was leading her soldiers against the Exarch’s stragglers when she heard Vaylin calling out, “Arcann!” Something was wrong. Was she injured? She shouldn’t have come. There was no excuse for putting her in danger again. It was bad enough that her son was here, but he had the proper training and discipline. For all her power, Vaylin didn’t. He was at her daughter’s side. She began to head back, herself. “Yes, Sister? Are you well?” The only answer was Vaylin’s knees folding under her, as she sagged against him. Senya doubled her pace.
He caught his sister easily enough. Her head had dropped to her chest, there was no strength in her limbs. He lifted her, then noticed she was trying to say something. He craned  his head forward so he could hear her over the wind. “’M all right, just tired. Weak.” He looked at the flaming wreckage. “Yes, Sister. Weak.” “’M the sarcastic one.” Their mother reached them. “Arcann? Is she all right?” “Yes, Mother, she says she just exhausted herself.” Senya reached out, almost brushing the hair out of her daughter’s face, but then let her hand drop. “Thank goodness. I’m sorry, Vaylin.” She was speaking, and Arcann leaned down again to hear. He let out a short laugh. It was a kind of relief that she was still herself. Senya couldn’t have heard, but she still responded. “We know.”
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