Star Wars: "Begun The Clone War Has." IC

[Avellan13]

Alan Winters

Alan headed towards the Jedi Academy. The place he disliked. He knew he wasn't welcome there but they wouldn't force him out either they'd keep a close watch on him and make him feel unwelcome and uncomfortable.

He had put away his weapons, to show he was not here for any hostilities, all except for his lightsaber which he kept hidden.

He walked up the steps and entered the building. An old lady noticed him enter and approached, neither smiling nor frowning. "Can I help you sir?"

Alan nodded, "I need to speak to someone about a man named Ralph, who's headed here?"

The Lady looked at him with some suspicion, "I'll get someone to help you in a minute." Then she turned and walked away.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Ralph had kept walking and didn’t look back to see the Duros he knew as Baniss, but actually Aagh Koth in disguise, trying to keep up until he found a taxi waiting for passengers about five minutes later. When he did finally turn to look behind him, he seemed to be surprised by the Duros’ presence. Either that or the fact that the Duros was walking with a straight, even gait, with no evidence of the drunken sway from earlier.

“What the—“ began Ralph, before being cut off by Aagh grabbing him by the arm and pushing him into the waiting taxi.

“The Jedi Temple,” said Aagh to the driver, then looked at his chrono. “And there’s an extra twenty credits for you if you get us there in twenty minutes or less, starting now.”

“I thought you gave up on me!” said Ralph as the driver slammed the throttle and took off in an effort to get the offered extra twenty credits.

“That’s what it was supposed to look like,” explained Aagh. “I was actually positioning myself so I could intervene if that bounty hunter took aim at you.”

“But you’re drunk!”

“Watered down whiskey,” said Aagh, holding up the flask. “I’ve got a high tolerance for alcohol and this stuff does nothing to me except allow me to sell the drunken guard routine. It smells like whiskey, tastes like bad whiskey, but has about the same effect as water on my system.”

Ralph gaped at the Duros sitting next to him, trying to wrap his head around the fact that a second-rate bodyguard from a backwater world was using tricks that seemed to only work in the holo-dramas with spies and such, and the tricks had actually worked.

“So, why’d that bounty hunter let me go if he didn’t think you were a threat?” asked Ralph.

Aagh merely shrugged in response. He honestly didn’t know why. That bounty hunter could have gotten a shot off before Aagh could have disarmed him. The shot would have probably missed, but there was a chance that it wouldn’t have. There was also the chance that Aagh wouldn’t have been able to knock the bounty hunter out and thus would have had to fight him. If it had turned into a fight, there was a good chance that Aagh’s cover as a simple bodyguard would have been blown, revealing him to actually be a Jedi.

Anyways, the why of what happened back there didn’t matter anymore. What’s past is past, and no amount of contemplation on the why would ever reveal a definitive answer.

The taxi pulled up at the steps of the Jedi Temple. Aagh checked his chrono to see if he owed the driver the extra tip, and lo and behold, it had taken the driver only nineteen minutes and fifty-five seconds to get from the spaceport to the Temple, so Aagh paid him the extra twenty credits.

Ralph walked up the steps to the Temple doors with Aagh next to him, talked with the Jedi guard on duty, and when he turned around to thank Aagh for his help, he was alone except for the guard.

 

[DormantEvil]

Illiana Tarnac

Illiana stood against the smooth clean wall of the hallway outside of the Council's deliberation chambers. Her expression was one of interest, and worry, for her future within the academy was about to be judged. She held her hands together in the sleeves of her shirt, slowly circling her thumbs around each other in thought. Moments earlier she had been returning to her room when stopped by a messenger. The news had been what she was waiting for, and the days had not passed fast enough for her before that messenger told her of how the Council requested her presence immediately. But now, standing moments within grasp of hearing her fate, she wished she had spent those days more productively. Instead of simply meditating it away.

She had quickly made her way to the Council chambers, only to wait outside both from respect for her elders, and due to her own uncertainty. Apparently a decision about her predicament had been reached, and the question of if she was expelled, advanced to the standing of Jedi Knight early, or taken on by a new Master...awaited.

So she waited, her gaze lowered so that her face was shielded from view by the hood she wore. There was something more about the feelings she was getting from inside the Council chambers. A fleeting sense, almost as if there was nobody but the Council members present, but yet a very faint form appeared. Invisible for those who tried to sense him out using the Force, all but a very faint reading, almost like that of a heartbeat.

Should she alert the council?! Was this some sort of test. If she stood by, would some agent of the many enemies the Council had, work their magic. Did the Council already know of this 'hidden' one. Were they a friend, or foe. With unsure steps, she entered the Council chambers and bowed her head out of high respect. Before raising her gaze to scan the room.

"Please excuse my interruption. You are probably fully aware already, but I was unsure if my senses were deceiving me. Is there someone else present?"

 

[Avellan13]

Alan Winters

Aln waited impatiently. When would the lady return will someone? He needed information about Ralph. He notice several jedi walking around, looking through the archives or attending to various tasks, but few looked at him.

Grumbling, he had just decided to confront the lady when he saw Ralph enter the building. Smiling he walked over to him and stood there with his arms crossed, "Well well. What an unexpected twist in fate this is. Destiny has decided to deliver you to me." With a wave of his hand, Alan used the force, and sent Ralph into as deep sleep."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Aagh Koth wasn’t sure how, but every time he made his usual trip to report to the Council every five years, the Council was ready and waiting for him. And Aagh never sent them a memo saying that he was coming, let alone when to expect him. Old Jedi masters could be strange at times.

This trip to the Council wasn’t much different from all the others. Aagh gave a brief report on his actions across the galaxy and he got the customary lecture on the dangers of the Dark Side and Aagh’s recklessness. Of course, there wasn’t much the Council could do about Aagh or the way he did his job. Traditions that were as old as the one that existed between Aagh and the Council were hard to change, especially when they produced results.

Aagh was in the middle of giving a report about rising unrest and possible talks of splitting from the Republic when he sensed an agitated presence in the Force outside the Council chamber. He paused for a moment to get a better sense of the presence, determining that it belonged to a padawan learner before the door to the chamber opened and the padawan walked in. She was a young woman, almost of age to become a Knight, wearing the traditional robes of a Jedi Padawan with her hood raised to cover her eyes. Or what would have been her eyes, as Aagh realized that she didn’t have any after she raised her head from a respectful bow to look around the room.

"Please excuse my interruption. You are probably fully aware already, but I was unsure if my senses were deceiving me. Is there someone else present?"

Aagh was rather surprised by the padawan’s question, and judging from the reactions of the other master’s present, they were just as surprised as he was, all except for Yoda. All the masters present knew of Aagh’s remarkable ability to hide from even the masters’ keen senses, and to have this padawan even suspect Aagh was in the room while his presence was hidden was remarkable.

Aagh yielded the center of the chamber floor without a sound for the young padawan at a glance from Yoda, moving to stand outside the circle of chairs the masters sat in, opposite the young woman.

“What is it that you sense, Padawan Tarnac?” asked Master Mace Windu, taking on a tone of a teacher testing a student, rather than the tone one would expect from an uninvited entrance. “Where do you sense it?”

 

[DormantEvil]

Illiana Tarnac

She was 90% certain there was only the Council and herself present within the room, but found herself turning to follow the movement of Aagh as he moved behind the Council to stand in front of the big windows that looked out over the city. But she turned her attention not a split second later to the words of Master Windu.

"Ripples, Master Windu, distorting the force. I see each of you plain as day, but something else messes with the images. A disturbance of minute size. But I could also just sense the wind or something else. It was my own lack of confidence that caused me to question if someone was here. I do not mean to accuse anyone, especially the Council."

Taking a knee, she bowed her head again. Almost apologetically, considering her forwardness.

But soon her ears buzzed again. Another wave of ripples produced from across the room. Her eyes shot towards the windows again, and she pouted, before groaning silently to herself. Clearing her throat she stood again, and this time waved her hand in the direction of where Aagh stood. Did they know someone was there? Or were they somehow still unable to see him.

If only she had her eyesight.

"Somewhere over there...I think. Or..." she paused, scanning the room. But after a few seconds she returned to that point.

"Yes, behind you somewhere."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

"Ripples, Master Windu, distorting the force. I see each of you plain as day, but something else messes with the images. A disturbance of minute size. But I could also just sense the wind or something else. It was my own lack of confidence that caused me to question if someone was here. I do not mean to accuse anyone, especially the Council. Somewhere over there...I think. Or...Yes, behind you somewhere."

Master Windu looked over his shoulder at Aagh, gave a slight nod of his head, and then shared a look with the other members of the Council as if a decision they had made had been affirmed.

“The right choice we made it seems,” mused Master Yoda.

“Indeed,” replied Master Windu, turning his attention back to Illiana. “You’re correct in thinking that someone else is here with us, for there is someone standing behind me: your new master.”

Aagh glared at the back of Windu’s bald head, disliking the fact that he had not been told of this decision beforehand, not that he objected to it. It was not unusual for the Council to pick apprentices for those who traveled Aagh’s path, although it would have been preferred for Aagh to make the choice instead.

“I am Master Aagh Koth,” said Aagh, revealing himself in the Force while still keeping his presence from being detected by anyone outside the chamber. “And it seems I’m to be your new master.”

“However,” continued Aagh, still glaring at the back of Master Windu’s head. “Due to my unique position within the Order, I am allowed to pick my own apprentice, and I will not have an apprentice who has not been fully informed of the ramifications and/or has not made the decision of their own free will.”

“This will be your only chance to decide your own fate, Padawan Tarnac,” said Aagh, stepping towards Illiana, then slowly walking circles around her, his voice low and ominous in her ear.

“If you decide to become my apprentice, all records of your existence will be erased, and all ties to anyone whom you called friends or family will be severed; you will officially cease to exist. To be become my apprentice is to know the Dark Side of the Force; you will stare it in the face every day and you will not back down. Dark Jedi and the Sith allow the Dark Side to control them. Instead, you will control it. You will use the Dark Side to hide the Light within you from others like you use the hood of your cloak to hide your lack of eyes.”

“You will shake hands with the worst of the criminal underworld, and then you will be their executioner. Lies and deception will be your tools of the trade, often more useful than your lightsaber. You will be broken during your training, and you will know fear, pain, and suffering like no one else in the galaxy. Fear, pain, and suffering will become like pet gundarks. Nearly everything you do as my apprentice will contradict what you have been taught as a Jedi.”

Aagh paused in his speech as he stopped circling Illiana and moved to stand next to the panoramic windows once more. The members of the Council did not look pleased with the speech Aagh had given, and for the oldest among them, this was not the first time they had heard this exact same speech. These exact words had been spoken by Aagh’s master when Aagh had been picked as an apprentice, just as they had been spoken by the masters before him. Despite the Council’s displeasure, they knew that the words were truth and had to be spoken in order for Illiana to make an informed decision of her own free will, something that they supported wholeheartedly.

“You have now been informed of what it means to become my apprentice,” said Aagh, his back to Illiana. “Take all the time you need to decide, but the decision must be made before you leave this room. Once you leave this room, no matter what your decision, there will be no second chance.”

 

[Avellan13]

Alan Winters

Alan had contacted Borvo that he had Ralph and would soon have him delivered to Borvo. Ralph was already on his way to Borvo, several droids had been sent to escort Ralph to Borvo's Now that Ralph was dealt with, Alan no longer needed to be here. The Temple brought up a lot of old memories that he wish to keep in the back of his mind.

He was about to leave when a jed stepped in front of him. His clothing marked him as a newbie, and from his posture, Alan could tell that he was unhappy. "I've been watching you and saw what you did. You're not welcome here bounty hunter."

Alan sighed, "Nothing here has anything to do with you. I'm gald to leave this place. Was as annoying and blind as I remember."

The jedi adopted a confused look, "You've been here? Not many bounty hunters have been here, actually none have as I remember. The only possible...." Then recongnization dawned upon the jedi's face. "Your Alan.. Alan Winters... The jedi who was banished from here. The one who delved into the dark side of the force. The jedi who became a feared bounty hunter and who betrayed us."

Anger rose within Alan and he took a step forward, pointing at the jedi, "I didn't betray anyone, The council turned on me! Banished me becase I wanted to learn everything about the force! Don't you lie and cover up for the council!"

Maintaing the irritating calm expression that the jedi spoke, in an even tone, "I'm alerting Master Yoda and Master Windu of your presense. They'll deal with you."

 

[DormantEvil]

Illiana Tarnac

Illiana thought about their offer for many minutes. She had no family that would worry over her sudden death, and her friends didn't exist outside of a few other Padawans and Jedi Knights within the Academy. Disappearing for her, at least in the archives would be easier than for most. In fact, it was only her occasional expenditure and grades in the exams and trials that showed she existed.

For a moment it was saddening to think she had nobody that would miss her, beyond her teachers and the Jedi. But those that would miss her were more important than any other quantity outside of the Order, and since Aagh stood behind Master Windu now, she would still see those who she cared for, occasionally.

This was a more combat orientated path, less to do with that of a Consular or Sentinel, which she was most likely destined for if she remained on her current path. But it was working with the Darkside of the Force, an area of great seduction, great opportunity to partake in the more enjoyable and more addictive learnings. It was a great task to control it, and not let it control you.

Hadn't she only just finished saying that before getting summoned.

But her main concern was if she could do it. Already her race was well known for falling to the darker teachings. She was predisposed, if not raised to know the consequences of walking that path. So many thoughts ran through her mind, that she finally forced them to silence.

Taking a deep breath she looked at Aagh, who now appeared as clear as if she still had her eyes. He could be very mean with his skills, if she didn't concentrate on keeping track of him. He was turned away, and she felt it important to will him to face her.

"After as much consideration as can be taken, under the current conditions, and wit the information presented, I accept the new path that has opened in front of me." She spoke strongly, and calmly, and controlled her emotions during the moment well. He would see she could do this, that she was strong enough. But yet, she was not so young to think herself beyond faltering.

Looking over to Yoda, she knew he would feel the conflict within her. To risk controlling her racial attributes and controlling fear and lust and all the other addictive qualities of the force, in order to master this path and serve in this way. If she could do that, she would be powerful, above her own fears and weakness. She was determined, but was determination enough.

Do it, Illiana. Or don't bother trying.

"When do we leave? I have nobody to say goodbye to, and doubt I could, considering I'll be dying for this."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Aagh could feel Illiana battle with her emotions as she thought over the information Aagh had given her. He was glad that she was having an internal conflict with regards to this decision; those who were genuinely reluctant to face the Dark Side were often the best to control it, for they would always work to make sure it didn’t control them. If Illiana had made the decision too readily, without the conflict, Aagh would have turned her down right then and there. Instead, Illiana gained control of the conflict and made her decision.

"After as much consideration as can be taken, under the current conditions, and wit the information presented, I accept the new path that has opened in front of me. When do we leave? I have nobody to say goodbye to, and doubt I could, considering I'll be dying for this."

You have no idea how accurate that statement is, thought Aagh to himself, in response to Illiana’s last few words. He turned away from the window and fixed Illiana with a piercing stare that seemed to penetrate into her very soul. He held the stare until she became uncomfortable, then he stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Welcome to the path of the Shadow Knights,” said Aagh, a slight smile upon his face. “This will be a difficult path for you, but you have what it takes to persevere and carry on the heritage that you are now a part of. To tell you everything you need to know about the Shadow Knights would take too long at the moment, so it’ll have to wait till later. Right now, return to your quarters and pack what belongings you have to bring with you, and then follow me. If anyone asks, tell them the Council is sending you off somewhere; that much is at least true. Make no mention of me or of having a new master.”

With a gentle pat on the shoulder, Aagh gave Illiana a gentle indication that it was time to leave, but that he still had some business to finish with the Council before he joined her. He would wait until there was some distance between her and the Council chambers before he hid his Force presence again. With a bow of respect to the Masters, Aagh dismissed himself from the Council chambers and headed for the main entrance, where he would wait until he caught sight of Illiana.

Aagh had told her to follow him, but he hadn’t said how closely. He had every intention of testing Illiana’s ability to track him in the Force despite his ability to hide himself. Aagh would stay well ahead of Illiana, hiding himself both visually and in the Force, but he would always stay close enough that he could intervene if a situation should arise that required his attention.

Illiana may have been able to sense Aagh’s presence with those “ripples,” as she put it, in the Council chambers where there wasn’t a whole lot to mask them, but the streets of Coruscant were a different story. Across nearly deserted catwalks and through busy marketplaces, Aagh would lead Illiana to test her ability to track his movements, until finally he would stop quiet little deli around lunch time, waiting outside for her to catch up.

 

[DormantEvil]

Illiana Tarnac

With a quick smile, Illiana bowed down low. Her hand sweeping the lengths of her robes to the side as she honored the Council. She wanted to thank them all, for the guidance, for their actions in her past. For saving her from almost guarenteed harshities at the hands of those who would have abused her gifts. But instead she bowed as if it was her last, and looked up to glace at Master Yoda. She could tell he wasn't happy with this path, but he had been the one who had councilled her on the path of Seer. With a firm nod of her head, she turned and headed for the doors.

"I'll meet you outside when you are ready, Master."


Indeed, his signature was almost invisible on the streets outside the Academy. With her bag slung over one shoulder, it looked as though she was merely taking a stroll. However it contained all her belongings. It was obvious she required few items to survive. That objects meant little to her. What was wealth when you were content to serve others?

Moving down the steps, she placed her feet soundly, avoiding objects and people as if she was faking not having visual sight. But she could sense everything around her. But it was harder to distinguish smaller details unless she concentrated. So in a way she walked with a single clear view ahead of her and directly around her, but it blurred out the further away you got. It was for this reason that it took her a few minutes of walking the streets before she picked up a whisp of her new Master.

It was just enough to keep her going in her current direction, but soon she could tell that she had gone the wrong way and altered her course to find the stronger waves. It almost seemed as though the harder it was, the clearer the signature was when she finally found it. But she had always been a fast learner. And with time, his scent would be imprinted strongly.

For hours she avoided the bustling market stalls, and the people trying to stop her and sell her exotic items. Occasionally she would pause to listen, but eventually something would tell her to move on quickly. And sure enough after a few minutes of searching she would find his weakening trail again. Lucky to not have missed it alltogether.

Suddenly someone ran straight into her, coming from a sharp corner to her right. With a grunt she found herself on the ground, her bag no longer sitting on her shoulder. Spinning around, she watched someone running away quickly and was about to yell out. But she stopped. She was meant to be more than capable of catching a simple thief. If only she had known he wasn't such a simple thief.

Getting up, she took off after him. He had rounded a corner up ahead, using buildings to block her line of sight. With a sly grin she took off parallel to his current heading, through the middle of the market. Soon he seemed to slow down, apparently he could no longer see her. Of course he couldn't...he'd put himself in a darker, quieter part of the city.

With a leap, she cleared a wall that blocked her path between two buildings and landed in front of him. Giving him a fright.

"I believe you have something that belongs to me?" she said in a low voice. Her smile evident now as she watched his signature ripple and pulse with worry. But there was something else...coming from behind her.

You idiot! She scolded herself, drawing her lightsaber just in time to cut a chain in half, mid lasso throw. The man who had tried to capture her was startled for a moment, and she vaulted forwards to meet him. Another spark and his chain fell around his feet, followed by his blaster holster and its contents half cut through. Switching off the lightsaber, she turned around again and brought her foot down on the side of the thiefs head as he closed in. It knocked her off balance just enough to help her roll away from blaster fire. But the guy dropped to the concrete roughly, clutching at his now swollen ear.

She disappeared under a market stall as two remaining men moved in. People had started to scatter, and after a moments breath she could sense where the men were enough to spring up again with lightsaber ready.

One of them fired, and she deflected the shot straight into his accomplise. With a yell the man clutched at his shoulder, and joined the thief on the ground. Unfortunately the blaster wielder fired again, scorcing the back of her hand as she tried to move fast enough to stop it. But her lighsaber was sent clattering under the stalls, and she lost sight of it.

Holding up her hands, she looked around...in the confusion she couldn't sense if her Master was still nearby. He was probably miles away by now. Laughter reached her ears quickly as the remaining man approached her, and she acted submissive. Hanging her head down in shame. If only long enough for him to take his eyes off her to reach for magnetic restraints.

With a quick hand she found her second lightsaber, the other to the pair she always found her best weapon combination. And before he could fire, she turned it on just in time to watch his hand, and the blaster fall to the ground. Holding the lightsaber close to his throat, she wondered if she should follow through with a strike.

No...this would go through the proper channels. With a swift kick, she knocked him to the ground, and surveyed her surroundings. Her hand burning as she clenched her fist around her weapon. She hoped her Master hadn't seen that...surely he would notice how she had been disarmed so easily. Her cheeks were red from embaressment, and she pulled her hood down to hide them.

"Contact the police...let them deal with these men," she said quietly, as merchants started to haul the trouble makers up off the ground and hold them steady.

Looking around, she couldn't find her primary gray lightsaber....had it simply disappeared? She hoped not. Suddenly she picked her Masters signature up again.

This won't be good.

 

[Superman6352]

Kyle Macleod

Kyle stood on the landing pad, waiting for the ship to land. He had been asked to escort the senator from his home planet of Naboo. There had been rumors that a bounty had been placed on the senators head so MacLeod waited to escort her while she was on planet.

He looked up when he heard the rumble of a Nubian cruser flying across the Coruscant skyline. He opened his senses and smiled when he sensed her on the ship. It had been some time since he had seen her last and he was looking forward to seeing her again.

 

[Avellan13]

Alan Winters

Alan had left the Jedi Academy and was walking down the streets, thinking over what had recently happened. He was dismissed 'politely' and had decided to head back to Borvo's.

He was deep in thought when suddenly he heard the sounds of a fight off in the distance. Usually a random battle wouldn't concern him, but he could feel the Force being used, as well as a strong force user nearby. So his curiosity was increased.

Turning a corner he saw a hooded female jedi. He had just said something about contacting the police when he bumped something with his foot. Looking down, he saw that it was a lightsaber. It was definitely not his so it had to belong to the woman.

After a quick examination, learning that it was a grey colored lightsaber, he turned it off and walked over to the woman.

"Is this what you're looking for?" he said, holding it out to her.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Aagh had been standing outside the deli waiting for a few minutes when he picked up Illiana’s presence just a block away, and judging from the feel of her presence, she was dealing with something troublesome. Curious, Aagh gave chase so he could observe. When he arrived, he found Illiana in a fight, her lit lightsaber slicing through a chain that had been intended to catch her from behind.

The man with the chain registered surprise in the Force as his chain was cut, followed shortly by pieces of his holster and the blaster that was in it falling to the ground. It was a testament to Illiana’s previous training that she was able to cut the blaster and holster without her lightsaber contacting flesh. Very precise, great for ensuring the guy would be less of a threat for a while. Aagh would make sure to teach Illiana to follow through, making sure the guy would cease to be a threat.

From Aagh’s vantage point on a shadowy balcony just above the fight, he could see the entire fight. He winced in sympathy as Illiana took a blaster bolt to her hand, causing her to lose her lightsaber, but noted with interest how she didn’t hesitate for a moment as she feigned surrender to the remaining assailant long enough for him to let his guard down before she pulled out a second lightsaber and cleaning cut off his gun hand, with the blaster still in it. Instead of delivering a killing blow, Illiana decided to drop the man with a kick, and then apparently decided the fight was over.

"Contact the police...let them deal with these men."

Aagh frowned slightly at that. This would be the last time she would work with the law. As his apprentice, she would be working outside the law, and often against it, in order to do her job. However, before he made to go down to her, a new presence appeared in the alley, one that Aagh recognized. It was the bounty hunter from the spaceport who had tried to take Ralph. Aagh had to act fast.

When trying to go undetected, Jedi often used the technique known as Mind Trick to make themselves invisible to the minds of living beings. The problem with this method was that it was useless with regards to droids and cameras. Aagh used a different technique that worked regardless of whether the target was resistant to the Mind Trick, a droid, or a camera. And due to how much Aagh used the technique, it was like second nature to him, requiring very little effort in the Force and almost no conscious effort to maintain. What Aagh did was manipulate how the air molecules around him interacted with each other, allowing him to alter the course of light and sound at will.

When Aagh wished to be unseen, such as during his observation of Illiana’s fight, he caused the air molecules around him to bend light around him, thus making him invisible on the electromagnetic visual spectrum. As for his ability to hide in the Force so effectively, that was a matter of drawing his Force presence down to the atomic level, down to the point where his presence was indistinguishable from his surroundings. This variation of hiding in the Force had the benefit of allowing him to use the Force at will without revealing his presence unlike the more common method of hiding, which was to simply make one’s presence as small as possible.

Modifying his method of hiding visually, Aagh made himself to look like a fully armored Mandalorian, complete with helmet covering his head. It helped that Aagh already had a blaster on his hip, so he allowed that to show outside the armor.

Mandalorian warriors were the toughest and meanest soldiers in the galaxy, even to the point where if someone wanted a Jedi dead, they hired a Mando, mostly thanks to their legendary armor made from a metal alloy from their home world known as beskar.

"Is this what you're looking for?"

Aagh had just completed his disguise when the bounty hunter spoke up, holding out Illiana’s lightsaber to her. Aagh got an idea in his head that made him give an evil smirk under the Mando helmet, so he silently dropped to the ground while still in shadow, with Illiana and the bounty hunter in front of him in profile, then moved his lightsaber from its hiding spot under his jacket to a clip on his belt, allowing that to be visible outside the armor as well.

“I’ll take those,” said Aagh, his voice sounding as if he were speaking through the helmet’s speakers, letting his presence in the Force fill the alley as he pulled both of Illiana’s lightsabers into his hands with the Force.

Aagh had modified his Force presence so that it was unlike the time he revealed it to Illiana back in the Council chambers. This time, his presence was dark and foreboding, and quite obviously belonging to someone well trained in the Force. This dark presence, when combined with the Mandalorian armor and reputation, made for a very scary situation for anyone on the receiving end. However, since Aagh wasn’t projecting the Mando armor into the Force, someone like Illiana who saw only with the Force, wouldn’t see the armor, only Aagh dressed in common street clothes, not Jedi robes. So, Illiana was only getting half the intimidation factor while the bounty hunter was getting the full show.

Knowing that Illiana could see through the non-existent armor, Aagh would give her a stern glare that basically told her to not give away his identity.

“Thanks for taking out the competition girl, saves me a lot of trouble. Just wish those idiots hadn’t damaged the merchandise,” said Aagh, indicating Illiana’s damaged hand, in a menacing voice. He then turned his head towards the bounty hunter. “Get lost boy, if you know what’s good for you.”

Aagh had yet to draw either his lightsaber or blaster, but he didn’t feel like he needed to; his very presence would have been enough to make even Corellians, who were notorious for thumbing their noses at seemingly impossible odds, think twice about doing anything except walking away.

 

[DormantEvil]

Illiana Tarnac

The fight had been rather normal, and she had dealt with it how her training had prepared her to. And until she had been trained in a different way it was her road map to follow. Of course she could have killed the men easily, they had been only a mere inch away from death many times during the fight. But her previous Master had always instilled in her that some people were not worthy of dying, that they were below such a death. These men before her lacked the skill to give her trouble beyond a good fight.

And as she walked away from the fight, to look for her weapon, she left their fate in the hands of the locals who would have to deal with the blaster damage and the mess made from disturbed stalls.

The man that approached her seemed to know what he held, and from the impression he gave off, he also knew how to use it. Perhaps in a fight, he would be worthy of death by lightsaber. Too much of a risk to let walk the streets a petty thug. But she didn't let on that she knew him as more than the helpful person who helped a Padawan out.

"Thank you..." she had begun to say before an intimidating presence caught her attention. Without looking in more detail it was her Master, but there was more to it than that. He made the Force bend around him with such ease, he truly was well taught.

Without her weapons, either of them, she folded her hands into the sleeves of her robe and looked around. As if surveying the situation. Sighing she nodded to the man who had helped her. "I better be going, thank you for your assistance."

Turning to Aagh, she stepped forwards to show she would go with him of her own free will, without causing problems. There were too many people around to start more than a thug fight. Even if it meant going along with a Bounty Hunter.

"The Merchandise, as you call it, is fine...your Boss shouldn't be too disappointed."

 

[Avellan13]

Alan Winters

Alan glared at the man who had shown nothing but complete rudeness to him. Then he turned and nodded to the woman, "Your welcome."

Turning around, he left the mysterious pair behind as he headed out of the alley and into the crowded street. Alan thought to himself over what he should do next. He had money which he could spend on whatever necessities he needed. However, he also wanted to go back to Borvo's, both to collect the bounty and to relax.

After several moments of indecision, he decided to go with the second option and began to make his way towards his destination.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Aagh stared, dumbfounded, at the spot where the bounty hunter had turned out of sight. It wasn’t so much that the guy had left so quickly without so much as a thought, but that when he left, he was offended. Of all the reactions Aagh had expect the man to have when being told off by an armored Mandalorian that used the Dark Side of the Force, being offended was not one of them. Aagh had primarily expected a fearful reaction, but it was as if the guy had no clue that he had been threatened by someone that even a Jedi would fear.

"The Merchandise, as you call it, is fine...your Boss shouldn't be too disappointed."

“Er…what?” Aagh said, then cleared his throat. “Oh, right. Abduction. Let’s go.”

Aagh led Illiana away from the alley for a block or two, and then stopped outside a small medical clinic. He had dropped his Mandalorian disguise along the way, showing that he was wearing black trousers and a long sleeved, loose fitting leather jacket over a shirt. He took the lightsaber off his belt and stuck it in a holster under his jacket.

“Let’s get that hand taken care of,” said Aagh, gesturing for Illiana to go in first. “They won’t ask questions.”

 

[DirkPitt06]

Sorry, didn't see that there as an IC and OOC thread

 

[DormantEvil]

Illiana Tarnac

Entering the clinic without hesitation, Illiana approached the triage nurse who was on duty. Showing her the blaster wound on her hand. But she let Aagh do the talking, instead she turned her head away to examine her surroundings. For now she was more curious about the 'no questions asked' policy this establishment had. Her old training was telling her to be suspicious of all involved, and rightfully so. But it was also in her training to report this sort of clinic in the past. But in the past she would probably never have entered such a place.

"Should we go shopping after this?" she asked Aagh quietly. Not turning to look at him, but she assumed he would already have a plan for getting her clothing.

Her attire was obviously what a Jedi in training would wear, and she could walk this city and not have to worry too much about how she looked. But if she was no longer Illiana Tarnac, but some new shadow knight person, not looking so obvious would be advantageous.

Then a though popped into her mind, she had never been shopping for clothes before. Deep down some part of her wondered what it would be like, what sort of styles might be out, what the colors would look like. How she would conceal her eye bandaging and try to look normal.

She had never had a reason too, it was either the clothes the Jedi Academy gave her, or whatever her past 'supervisors' had.

"I just had a thought, its a good thing very few of my kind turn towards being good. Considering our disposition for the Dark Side, or at least getting captured and used by the Dark Side, by appearance shouldn't be a dead give away."

 

[CaramelLuv]

Astalaa Nil

Dropping lightly in a crouch, she slowly stood as she moved her way down the alley. She was finally here, on Corsucant, and it was only a matter of time before she could actually approach the Jedi. But in the mean time she had work to do, and she was supposed to be finding someone. Astalaa was someone who always honored her jobs. She supposed it was the decent person in her, but she suspected her need for credits to live and survive was probably a much better reason than the honor of going through with a job.

She had tracked her subject to the cantina just off this street, and she had seen no other way to get in than to just walk in. Granted it looked like it was in the seedy part of the city, but then lowlife scum did like the seedy underbelly and she could take care of herself.

Walking with her head held high, her lekku folded around her shoulders, she made her way inside, ignoring the whistles, leers and catcalls. It was rare for a female Twi'lek to travel alone, she knew, but she hoped that the appearance of confidence, and the feelings of disinterest she was trying to send through the Force would be enough to deter any unwanted attention.

Taking a seat at the bar, she idly ordered whiskey, not really paying attention, but needing the ruse of having a drink while she sought out her target.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Alrond Windstalker

He had no idea why he was here, in cantina, in the shadier part of the city, on a planet that would be under attack sooner than later. He found it strange, as Sith he should be part of that attack, but then again he was not a true Sith. Of course he had the training, in the code of the Sith he had seized power from his master, but he was not hailed or welcomed by the Sith. In fact the Sith was so busy preparing themselves for something very akin to a war that he slipped through their net and here he was now. Seated in a dark corner, listening to the creatures around him. He detected a glimmer in the Force, something was closing on his position, one hand slid under his robe to touch the hilt of his light saber, it was a hard and strenuous task to find the crystals he wanted, as his light sabers was black.

He lifted the hood of his robe and settled it over his head, giving him just enough to see and act quickly if needed. Then the little Twi'lek came walking in and he cocked his head to one side. She was tapping into the Force, but it was not a trained mind at work. He tried to probe her thoughts, but found that it was well-shielded, it would take a proper probe to see what she thought and that would of course alert her of his presence. Instead he leaned back into his chair and watched her carefully. This Twi'lek did not belong here, not even on an errand and her manner proved that she had chosen to come into this cantina.

One hand still on the hilt of his saber he reached out and picked up his glass, slowly sipping on the clear contents, glacier water. Something that was as expensive as it was rare, but then again, vices is a good thing, keeps you in tune with your greedier side. He grinned as he thought back to his master's teachings, the very teachings that killed him. When he finished his water, he placed the glass down and watched the Twi'lek intently.

 

[CaramelLuv]

Astalaa Nil

Astalaa glanced around, her red-hued irises barely glancing at any one person for too long. Where was he? She had been relegated to the role of courier for this particular assignment, and she had a message. She preferred not to take bounties, as she didn't particularly relish killing anyone, and the scent of blood unnerved her, but if she had to hurt or maim someone to get the answers she sought, the target she followed, she would do so.

Sipping on her whiskey, she glanced at the hooded figure further down the bar. Was that him? It was so hard to tell in this forsaken place with its dim shadows and dark corners. She stood and rolled her shoulders, her lekku twitching lightly before she motioned the bartender and nodded at the man's direction.

"Who's the stiff in the hood?" she asked quietly. The bartender looked her over with an obvious more-than-interested-look and she stifled the urge to groan. She really had to get herself a hood like that. Maybe then males wouldn't look at her like dogs in heat.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Alrond Windstalker

He noticed that the little Twi'lek was interested in him, but looking like that, she would get no answers out of the men at this bar. He toyed with the idea of answering the question, but decided against it. He focused his mind on the bartender and with a sharp yank, that made the man wince, he overrode the base instinct that was clearly in command.

The bartender blinked slowly and then leaned in closer to Astalaa Nil, much more focused on the question now than on the her body,

"I have no idea, he is not very talkative, pays well and tends to drink just glacier water."

He looked around carefully, leaning in even closer,

"I think he is Sith, no Jedi would be here drinking water and then leave after a few hours, he also carries a light saber. I once saw it glint under his cloak."

Alrond frowned, he did not expect the bartender to actually know so much and what was supposed to be a vague answered, now placed him on the spot. He should learn to let things be and not try to manipulate them to his needs. He shrugged slightly and watched the Twi'lek to gauge what this information meant to her.

 

[CaramelLuv]

Astalaa Nil

Nodding, she sat back and sipped her drink again pensively. Bugger it all no wonder she was asked to take on this assignment! He was a blasted Sith! Not even she with what little she knew about that extra power that she could tap into could be any use against a Sith.

"How often does he frequent this cantina?" she asked softly, then motioned that she'd pay for her drink adding extra credits for the information. All she had been tasked with was reconnaissance, and information gathering. Others did the actual fighting, capturing, whatever they called it.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Alrond Windstalker

He sensed that the information was not something that she had expected, he almost groaned as she kept asking questions, he really should learn to keep his nose in his own business. The bartender, now with the added bonus of payment, threw a glance towards the hulking figure of Alrond and then answered.

"Infrequent, sometimes he comes in everyday at the same time, other times he skips days and comes in at times that vary greatly with eachother."

The bartender slipped away to help patrons and Alrond got to his feet, his drinks was paid up front so he had to pay nothing. Gathering his cloak around him he looked down at the Twi'lek, his face shrouded in shadows, then he walked to the door.