Ask Tatooine In the Desert, You Can Remember Your Name

[Talak Rand]

Talak chewed on his lip before moving over to sit in the dead man's chair. It was the same chair the man had sat in before he electrocuted the two of them. He didn't seem particularly affected by the dead, drooling man. There were certain types of killing that he didn't lose any sleep over. The room was actually a decent enough place to talk as no one was going to be interrupting them.

How could he explain this? There was so much to it that caused Talak's mind to be split. He didn't want to become like his master. He didn't want to be rejected by those he cared about. He didn't want to kill innocent people. He wanted to be able to live with himself. He didn't want to lose what made Talak, Talak.

My master did things to me to turn me into a monster, he said. Ways to break the soul and spirit to turn you into a ruthless killer, he said. Perhaps he shouldn't have been telling her this, but he felt they'd been through enough together that she deserved some true answers. He hoped one day to be able to rely on her, but people didn't fight with and for people they didn't know or like.

I started doing some of those things to you on Kashyyyk and to others since, he said. The implication in his words was that he hadn't followed through on all the things that had been done to him. And I don't want to follow through. I don't want to become the person I hated and the person that changed me, he said. He didn't know if she hated him - he didn't think she did - but she wouldn't have been completely outside her rights if she had.

 

[Ana DAmico]

Ana mulled over Talak’s words as he spoke them. His master turned him into a monster, broke his mind, body, and spirit to forge a weapon for the Eternal Legions; a tool to be used to fulfill the needs of the cult of the Sith Eternal. She was surprised he was so forthcoming with his explanation, and she wondered what impelled him to do so. She appreciated his candor, no doubt, but every time they spoke, the more conflicted he seemed. Surely, he must know that the cult needed to harm the innocent just as much as the guilty if they wanted to effect change throughout the galaxy, yet his aversion to that seemed contradictory.

Her eyes wandered around the many devices in the room, most of which seemed like surveillance equipment of some kind. She thought, briefly, about how this man perceived the two cultists before unwittingly enslaving them and sealing his fate. Eventually, her wandering gaze – though one eye had begun to swell a bit more since the time she was punched – made its way to Talak, and she opened her mouth again to speak, choosing her words carefully.

”Your master did not do a very good job,” she noted, ”A monster would have left a ship of captive prisoners to die, not free them.” She shifted a bit more up onto the man’s desk, this time sitting on it more fully. Her legs began to swing idly as she thought on what he said and how she felt about it all. The same man that had - at the time - no qualms with torturing her now confessed that he didn’t want to become the very person that once did it to him. It was strange, and almost pitiful, in a way.

”What we’re doing,” she said, looking away now, ”The Sith Eternal as a whole. Is it the right thing? Who gave us the right to do what we do?” It was a philosophical question that had been on her mind ever since her induction to the cult; was it their duty to purge stagnation and force change? Were they, the ones who embraced corruption the most, the ones most fit to purge that same corruption from societies? She wondered what it was he thought, given his more martial leanings compared to her scholarly pursuits.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak knew that he was taking a risk in telling her this, but he was tired of pretending to be something he wasn't. And more than that, he had plans to start changing things. To do that, he needed people and a vague understanding if there were people in the Sith Eternal who believed the same he did.

He felt something from her, but he couldn't tell if it was disgust or pity or disdain or something else. Whatever it was, it didn't ring as a positive in the Force.

That's the question, isn't it? he asked, looking over to her. She would see a burning fire in his eyes. Despite being so uncertain, there were some things he felt incredibly strong about.

I don't believe in falling back and doing nothing. But what if we were to take over the governments of worlds to bring stability. Like your Sith Lords, he said.

If there are evil people that need killing and we can target them, why should we wipe out everyone? he asked. They knew where groups like the Syndicates were and could easily target them. As the Arcanist he had done just that. Wasn't that a better first step than wiping out entire planets just... because.

 

[Ana DAmico]

Ana swung her legs idly as Talak answered her question. He advocated for taking over planetary governments to bring about stability, to which she nodded her head in agreement. At least, they would guide favorable leaders from the shadows, using them as puppets to enforce their will. The Sith Eternal would know best how to prevent the stagnation and corruption that often ran rampant throughout the upper echelons of society, that much she agreed with. Not all of them, of course; there were some members of the cult who were better off swinging axes at trees rather than trying to govern a world.

What she disagreed with, though, was his presumption that the ancient Sith Lords did this out of a desire to ensure the natural order of things; it sounded like he believed they were benevolent beings – the kind that attacked only the wicked – when in reality they were consumed by their evil, turning them into the very monsters he was afraid of becoming. They sought power by any means, even if it meant the death of innocents. That was what differentiated the ancient Sith Lords and the current Sith Eternal. The Lords were never meant to rule indefinitely; the nature of the dark side prevented that.

But the Sith Eternal were Eternal for a reason. They need only avoid the mistakes their predecessors made.

Ana couldn’t help but snicker slightly when he had finished posing his counter-question. ”You’re so idealistic. Like a Jedi,” she teased with a smile, crossing her ankles and halting her leg swinging. ”Why not kill everyone?” she asked, ”If the dark side is the natural state, and it dictates we must purge societies of their corruption, who are we to resist it? Are we not evil for the methods we employ?” she gestured towards the man whose neck she had snapped as an example, ”The galaxy is afraid of what we can do; you’ve seen the HoloNet broadcasts. Who determines what is evil? You? Me? Some malevolent, masked being who keeps its followers in line through fear?”

She scoffed at her own words and shook her head, ”The Sith Lords sought power for the sake of it, and it brought them ruin. We seek power for the sake of preventing ruin, yet we’re forced to hide in the shadows like rats trying to play God. To the rest of the galaxy, we are evil,” she finished, canting her head to the side slightly as she looked at him.

”How do you reconcile that?”

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak sat back further in the chair, frowning and chewing on his lip. Still, he seemed almost more energized by the conversation. It was something he had considered extensively and felt strongly about even if he wasn't the best at explaining it. He realized that explaining it was precisely what he would have to practice if he wanted to gain any traction.

He smirked slightly as she said he was like a Jedi. It was a funny statement because the Jedi were... somewhat stupid it seemed, but not wholly wrong in Talak's mind.

The Jedi are just too timid. They won't make difficult decisions or do what's necessary, but not all of their goals are wrong, he said bluntly. Now there was a questionable view to hold. The Sith Eternal didn't hate Jedi like the ancient Sith had, but they weren't exactly friendly either.

As for why not kill everyone: because we don't have to, he said, learning forward. It's not like it's a big mystery where groups like the Syndicates are. So why start with purging corruption that's difficult to find and might cause mass death when we can start with the corruption that's staring us all in the face? he asked. Talak firmly believed that crime was a byproduct of the corruption they were intended to purge, and he didn't have delusions of wiping out crime completely, but simply saying you wouldn't try just because you couldn't ultimately meet the standard was a quitter's mentality. Shoot for the stars and end up in the clouds or however that dumb saying went.

And? he asked with a smirk as she finished her say. The Sith Lords - as you pointed out - sought power for the wrong reason. That's why the Force brought them down. We aren't seeking power for the same reason. But as you pointed out as well we're hiding like rats right now, he said. They couldn't do their jobs because they were too limited in the scope of their influence.

As for what's evil, that's a time old question for the philosophers, isn't it? But if you carry your logic to conclusion then there's no evil, no need to purge corruption, and therefore no need for us at all, he said, cocking his head to the side.

I don't think the Force would have us here if that were the case, he said. This would probably be the most animated she had ever seen him before about any topic. Almost like he was an entirely different person than she had known up until now.

Maybe we are evil or maybe you need something with a touch of darkness to hunt a monster, he said with a shrug. Something not bound by rules or procedure, he said, before looking at her with eyes burning with intensity.

What is it you think we should be doing? he asked. He was genuinely curious. In all his years in the Sith Eternal, he had very few opportunities to actually sit down and discuss philosophy with a Guardian. He understood the Legions quite well, but he had yet to surmise how the philosophies of the two groups fit together... and by extension what the real goals of the Eternal were.

 

[Ana DAmico]

Ana noted the change in Talak’s demeanor almost instantly. It was like she, with one question, sparked something wholly different in him. For once, he seemed truly stimulated, and not in the “slaughter everything in sight” sense, either. It was a stark change, but one she welcomed eagerly. It was rare that she had philosophical debates with someone from the Legions; rarer still that she did so after killing a man being sealed in what, ironically, became his new mausoleum. She pursed her lips and mulled over his words, nodding at times and quirking a brow at others. He had firm convictions, that was sure, but she welcomed the opposing views.

”The Jedi seek to preserve the status quo,” she mused, shrugging to herself, ”Timidity is their nature.” They were misguided, the whole lot, but not beyond reproach. Anyone could be corrupted and brought around to the right side, given enough time. She wondered how many Jedi roamed around the galaxy at present, and how many would be open to revelation.

”And when we have cleansed the galaxy of the Syndicates,” she posited, ”what then? We’ve rid ourselves of one troublesome byproduct of society, but what of the social hierarchy that promoted the crime in the first place? What of the ‘us versus them’ mentality between the poor and the wealthy?" It was the nature of society to breed stratification, to foster malcontent among those who perceive themselves as having been slighted by others with power or authority. "Left with nothing but a power vacuum, the survivors will, undoubtedly, turn to the same tools that kept them in shackles to rise to power.” It wasn’t unreasonable to want to destroy the Syndicates and other criminal organizations where they were able, but it was naïve to believe that would do anything but perpetuate the issue without a broader level of destruction.

”We’re the arbiters of the Force; we’re the ones who return things to balance. All society breeds the same problems of crime, stratification, stagnation, because it does not coincide with the natural state of things. Evil and corruption are not mutually dependent. That which strays from the natural order – be its intentions good or bad – is what we’re charged with cleansing. The crime you’re opposed to is merely a result of this deviation.” Theirs was a lofty goal – to maintain the natural order, they needed to inflict radical change among societies that might otherwise not be problematic. What is evil to the destitute might be the greatest good to those lording over them. They needed to purge and cleanse these societies until those very issues were no longer the case, so that civilization could advance beyond its agonizing crawl.

”We evolved our Force sensitivity to ensure that we could maintain this cycle of life and death,” she continued, looking into his eyes. What did she think they ought to be doing? Thus far, the mandates of the Eternal were to begin infiltrating societies so that they might begin affecting the change they deemed necessary, but it was a laborious process. ”We’re not monster hunters,” she said, ”We’re indiscriminate killers. The one who feeds the homeless, the one who ignores the homeless, and the one who punishes the homeless are all culpable. You’ve a noble goal – and I support it – but destroying the Syndicates is but a facet of what we’re charged with.”

She awaited his response, wondering what he might think of her view on the nature of the universe and their place within it. She believed all life needed to perish to maintain the cycle, he believed only key aspects of it deserved that fate. It was an interesting dichotomy between the Legions and the Guardians, and it was likely that these two shared dissimilar views with their counterparts, but her curiosity arose the further she discussed their differences.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak listened to what she had to say, picking pieces of it apart and noticing a single truth that couldn't be overlooked. There was a critical flaw in the thought process.

But see, that problem you bring up with destroying the Syndicates is the exact same one you have with wiping out a whole society, he said shaking his head.

Cut it down to its lowest dregs and it'll rebuild itself. For a time it might be better, and then it'll devolve again. It's why so many independent societies have evolved in the same way, he said. It was true. The cycles of Empires and governments wasn't unlike the cycle of the galaxy.

Yes, we do need death to feed new life, but the Force hasn't ever said that needs to be indiscriminate death, he said. Gardeners prune specific branches. Dead, unproductive ones to make way for new branches. They don't chop down the whole tree, he said. They were galactic gardeners. There was an analogy he didn't ever think he'd make for the Sith Eternal.

Even predators end up killing the weakest in the heard and it strengthens the heard. Wiping out the whole heard helps no one, he said.

 

[Ana DAmico]

Ana turned her gaze towards the ceiling, pursed her lips, and shrugged. ”Perhaps you’re right,” she conceded, ”Maybe we all ought to switch from genocide to gardening.” A smile crossed her lips as she looked back down at him, ”Or eating the homeless. They’re the bottom rung, after all.” She slid off the desk and onto the ground, her oversized boots making an awkward thump as they slapped on the floor. She ran a hand through her disgusting hair, then gingerly patted her swollen eye, before turning around to face Talak.

”I’m not sure about you,” she said, ”But I’m in dire need of a shower and a meal.” Before he said anything clever in response, she raised a finger, ”A good meal – not the homeless.” She flashed a grin, surprisingly enough, and turned around to head towards the door. Without warning, she grew lightheaded and collapsed to a knee the moment she took a step, and the exhaustion from constant Force usage and physical exertion for the past several hours finally caught up to her. Her legs buckled beneath her and she sat now on one foot with the other knee tucked to her chest, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.

”Oh- kriff,” she gasped, clutching her head. Sitting down and talking philosophy had been a nice respite, but since the last time she was in this room, she had been on constant high alert. From the canyon escape to the platform brawl to the compound massacre, she and Talak were going at a hundred percent to ensure their survival. It was fortunate that she hadn’t collapsed sooner, but now the wave of exhaustion swept through her like being ran over by a speeder truck.

”Maybe an energy drink, too…” she quietly groaned, breathing somewhat laboriously as she tried to force herself to inhale and exhale deeply.

 

[Talak Rand]

Talak laughed as she suggested they all switch to gardening or eating the homeless. He would have actually objected to the last part and even the classification of them as the bottom rung, but... it was a joke after all.

I think I'll stick to gardening in that case, he said as he stood up. Her smile was quite charming, and he wondered if that was something she would lose to the dark side. He hoped not.

She buckled over, and moved toward her and reached out a hand to see if she was okay. She was breathing deeply, and he was certainly feeling strain of his own. He reached into his belt - which he was sooo happy to have back - and pulled out a healing stim and was just about to jab it into her neck without asking when he pulled up short.

Here, he extended it. It'll at least be a tide-over, he said. He would offer her a hand when she was ready to get up, but he also wouldn't rush her. He was feeling the effects of their trip as well and was looking forward to getting back to the Nomad and simply passing out. He couldn't believe they'd brought some stupid shuttle instead of his own ship. It would take hours before they could get to a decent shower and bed.

Just give it a minute, he said, noticing how taxed she was. It was a lot both physically and mentally. Even more so knowing that this was her first time killing someone. Even if it was deserved it was... changing.

 

[Ana DAmico]

Ana felt her vision begin to swim, but she focused on her breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth, she mentally recited. She gracelessly took the stim and jabbed it into her neck, flinching a little from the prick. Almost immediately she felt a rush of adrenaline and her vision began to clear. She continued her rhythmic breathing until she felt fit enough to stand, at which point she gratefully took Talak’s hand and rose. The sudden exhaustion was an odd sensation, but one she knew she would eventually overcome with practice. The past 24 hours had been an extensive ordeal, and she was glad it was finally coming to a close.

”Thanks,” she sighed, rubbing her temple gently, ”I don’t… know what happened there.” She grinned sheepishly and looked away from him. She took a few moments to gather herself and, when she was ready, she turned back to face him. ”Let’s get going,” she said, beginning to head to the door, ”Every extra second spent on this planet is torture.” Her hand came up to shield her eyes when they left the scene of their revenge killing, blocking out the overbearing sunlight. How did these people live on this planet without going blind?

With a yawn, Ana shrugged her shoulders and leaned her head in the direction of where they left their shuttle, eager to find something to sleep on, even if it was just some shuttle’s seats. A few pedestrians passed them by, giving her odd looks. It wasn’t often that a grimy, bloody mechanic with a torn-up jumpsuit wandered around looking dazed and confused, so the two of them were certainly a sight to behold.

As they walked, Ana would look up at Talak and ask, ”It gets easier, right?” She was vague on purpose, wondering what aspect of their day or “job” he’d talk about. Embracing the corruption, fighting, killing, helping others… it was a lot, and if she had to deal with this kind of exhaustion daily, or even weekly, she wasn’t sure how long she’d last before losing it. He seemed tired, but not nearly as tired as she was. Taking lives today for the first time left her drained, physically and mentally, but the shock of it all hadn’t truly hit her yet. She performed some terrible acts under the influence of the dark side, and that was only out of self-defense. What feats were possible if she lost herself like the ancient Sith Lords had?

 

[Talak Rand]

They headed out into the daylight again shortly thereafter, and Talak decided he was eager to get off this world. It was just terrible in every way, and he realized that desert planets really just weren't for him. They started heading back to the ship, and Talak ignored the eyes that were on them. He didn't care about who was watching right now. On this world people knew better than to ask.

The silence and fatigue was pierced as she asked another question. Did "it" get easier? That could have meant many things. Killing criminals had gotten easier for him. Killing innocents hadn't, and he still avoided it like the plague, dreading an order that would eventually come to murder people senselessly. The dark side was another question entirely. In one sense it got easier, and in another sense it only got harder. He didn't know which one she was asking about, but there was really one answer to all of it.

No... but you get better at coping, he said. He really wasn't a very good master for not encouraging his students to completely lose themselves in the dark side, but it would be disingenuous to teach her anything else.

They made their way back to the ship shortly thereafter and Talak looked at her. Meditate on this. Search yourself, and find what the Force has to tell you, he said. But that could come after some rest. For now, they both needed a reset.

 

[Ana DAmico]

Ana found Talak’s answer to be broad and, strangely enough, fitting for any topic he might have been answering with regards to her question. She nodded her head a few times in acknowledgement, satisfied with his advice. Perhaps it would never get easier taking lives or bending the darkness to her will, but she would find ways that made it easier to deal with the effects afterwards.

Sure, there would be immense exertion – both physically and mentally – that she might grow accustomed to, but the sensation of ending a living being’s existence was… a lot to process at first. She found herself wondering what the lives of those hunters could have been if she’d left them alive but maimed or otherwise incapacitated, but the reminder that they were, at one point, hunting her like an animal made her rethink her mercy.

She boarded the shuttle with Talak and settled into a seat. At first, she watched to see what he would do, but then decided to reflect on his lessons from today. Her eyes drifted closed, and she slowed her breathing in order to focus on herself and the events of today. She rested her palms neatly on her lap, began to clear her mind, and-

Within moments she was snoring gently, head lolled to one side, with her mouth slightly agape. The Force could wait.

//thread