Ask Malevolent Persona

[Thel Xeros]

Zeltros

The cloaked figure stalked through the streets of Zeltros. He had been pursuing his target for some time.

He never thought he would resort to simple bounty hunting, but it gave him what he wanted. It wasn’t the credits that appealed to him. He had darker, more basic instincts to satisfy. The enjoyment of hunting someone down and snuffing them out. He had been a Sith Master once, and he had come to realise he could never shake off the darkness within him. It needed to be satiated.

It wasn’t difficult to get started in the profession. A false name, disguise and a low asking price. There were plenty of jobs.

This particular target was a Rodian called Jekoli, who dealt in various narcotics. He’d find him…soon enough.

A rundown cantina on a backstreet in the heart of the city. The Rodian had supposedly frequented it. Maybe someone would talk.

He stepped into the cantina. It wasn’t too busy. A Weequay was working behind the bar. Them first.

He placed a holoprojector on the bar, bringing up an image of target. The bartender looked up at the figure looming over him, two white eyes fixed on him.

“A Rodian called Jekoli. He frequents this establishment. What do you know about him?”

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai had not been to Zeltros before, heck he hadn't even been beyond Korriban until recently. And here he found himself, an Acolyte of the Order out on a errand after a unfortunate prank involving a professor went wrong resulting in them getting...dissolved. How was he to know that potion was actually corrosive? It had been mislabeled.

And now he found himself on 'detention' A Red Notice assignment.

He was dressed the part of a local enforcer. A mercenary attire fitted around him, with a cloak swaying behind. It served the purpose and projected his current perceived persona. Especially given his size and muscular frame. He felt right at home on these mean streets, in many ways they reminded him of the narrow alleys and spaces of the city of Ur. Places a man like him could easily hide and where lowlife could become god's in their own right given time.

As he entered he looked for his target. A Rodian called Jekoli, who had gotten into the radar of the Order in a bad way, by stealing from the Sith. Before they hadn't been a problem, just some unscrupulous drug dealer, but lately their ambition had outgrown them. They were stealing artefacts and selling them on to other organisations. Crimson Dawn and more, anyone who wanted them for a high price. The Sith could allow it no more and rather than waste a Champion or Master on him they opted to instead send the Acolyte. To see his worth.

A test.

Karai was just happy to be useful and learn more. He entered, took a seat and looked around. Noting nothing of interest until a hooded in red, strange man appeared. Something felt off about him and yet very familiar. A familiar darkness he knew in the Force. The Dark Side was apparently very strong with him, which peaked his interest slightly as he saw them question the bartender.

Apparently they were after the same guy.

"I don't know what your on about, can't say his a regular. Perhaps for some...tips I might know a guy who could point you the right way." the bartender said with a smirk. Implying they were after credits. Karai simply observed as he remained seated, this looked interesting. Maybe he didn't have to do all the work. In the Force it was obvious the weequay was lying.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Usually, he would’ve handed over some credits to obtain the information. However, when operating under this persona, he could satisfy his darker impulses.

“I asked you a simple question. But, it seems we must do things the difficult way.”

Without warning, the bartender would feel an invisible force wrap around their neck. It choked them as it lifted them from the floor.

“Help me.”

The bartender had barely been able to spit out the words, but it had the intended effect. A Nautolan at a nearby table pulled out a blaster. With a hand gesture, he pulled the blaster from their hand. A blast of telekinetic force sent them flying into the wall, leaving them unconscious.

The bartender was suddenly released, causing them to drop to the ground. They only had a brief reprieve to try and catch their breath, before the invisible force lifted them from the ground and slammed them onto the bar.

He ignited the crimson blade of his saber, and held it towards the Weequay bartender. “Answer the question. Or I will remove your head.”

“Ok! The last I heard, he was down at the old warehouses on the east side of town. It’s gang territory.”

He switched off the blade. “I will return, if I do not find him there.”

With that, he turned and left the cantina, stepping back into the night.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai looked with further interest as some sort of 'negotiation' was taking place from what he could gather and overhear. Things soon went sour as they do under such circumstances every now and then, with the cloaked one seemingly not satisfied with what was offered. It was then he felt it from the man. The Dark Side, as the atmosphere around changed. Growing noticeably colder in the Force at its use.

As the bartender called for help Karai did nothing. He had grown up in the streets, he knew to mind his own business. Besides he got what he deserved, by being snarky and arrogant. As the Nautalon slammed into the bar, and seeing a lightsaber, red crimson in colour, Karai figured he was likely another Sith. Yet which sect. He knew there were a few around.

Hearing where his intended target was, Karai stood up following, trying to catch up. It was time to see if he could be trusted or at very least was in interested in a temporary partnership. Two heads better than one and all that. Afterall it appeared they were after the same man. Although his own interest lay more in artefact he had stolen. So he spoke, attempting to catch the man's attention cautiously.

He had no intention of joining the bartender.

"Hello mister. Impressive display back there! Looks like you and I are in the same...business as it were." he said gesturing with the Force briefly to make the point. "I too am after the Weequay. He has something the associates I work with want back. We seem to have the same objective, how about we help each other out. Temporarily of course, I think you will find I am also quite useful."

Karai waited hoping he accepted and didn't just decide to kill him outright.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

He left the bar and began to walk down the dark alleyway, when a voice stopped him. He turned slowly to look at whoever had spoken. They were tall and garbed in silver-grey armour.

Business? A mercenary then. He sensed a familiar feeling as they spoke. They’re a force sensitive.

He considered their offer. Part of him was tempted to try and incapacitate them. Leave them unconscious in the alleyway and finish the hunt himself. On the other hand, dispatching of them would be an inconvenience. Easier to work with them. Splitting the credits didn’t bother him. It was the kill he wanted.

“Ok, I accept your offer. Just make sure you don’t make a mess of things. I’ve been tracking them for some time. Follow me.”

He knew where the warehouses were, that the bartender had mentioned. Whether the target would be there, was a different matter.

“So, tell me, what does Jekoli have that your associates want,” he asked, as they walked through the dark streets.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai waited with curiosity and caution, he knew he was taking a gamble. By working with a unknown, but if accepted chances were he would acquire what he was after far more efficiently and effectively. He hoped his instincts were right and he could be trusted for this temporary alliance. He hoped his straight forward approach won him over.

A smile far as the man accepted, his instincts had been right for now.

"I'll try. I'll follow your leave, you seem to know what your doing more than me. This is kind of my first solo rodeo, my associates want to see what I can do you could say."

With that he followed, still cautious but now more optimistic to success. He hoped Jekoli would be there, so he could find the artefact and teach him a lesson. Make them suffer as he had been told. As the man inquired he replied, offering only as much information as asked and not revealing who he worked for. That he was a Sith just yet. He wasn't sure how far to trust the man just yet.

"An item of value, some type of artefact of power. The Weequay stole it from my associates and they want it returned... and him to suffer if possible for taking it. They don't care how it's retrieved. And what's your interest? He piss off the wrong guy or something? I'm Karai by the way, if we are working together might be better to know each other's name. Just in case."

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

Their associates want to see what they can do? That seemed unusual.

It wasn’t the only thing they said that caught his attention. An artefact of power, was how they described what Jekoli stole. As far as he was aware, the Rodian only dealt in narcotics.

“My name is Gustav Varos. As for my interest in Jekoli, there is a bounty on his head. I want to collect it.”

Reaching the end of the street, he spotted a parked taxi. He signalled to the driver. “Should make things quicker.”

He dropped a few credits into the driver’s hand, before climbing into the back of the taxi. After instructing the driver, the taxi took off and began to fly through the night sky.

“What is this artefact of power that your associates want? If you don’t mind me asking.”

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai considered what the man said, somehow he doubted that's as his real name but he didn't care. It appeared he was Some type of bounty hunter, and only wanted Jekoli which worked for him. Sporting the taxi he entered, mumbling a little strange s he entered after bumping his head on the door. He didn't like these other planets so far...the landspeeders were not built for people his size and he kept constantly having to duck or bumped his head on door frames.

He did agree that it made it quicker but didn't like being so cramped up.

He wasn't sure if he should tell him what artefact it was, after all he was still a unknown factor. Instead he twisted things a bit as he spoke "From what I know some type of Wayfinder." which was a partial truth. He just didn't mention where it might lead too. "Apparently Jekoli, has been expanding his operations from narcotics into smuggling artefacts and auctioning to the highest bidder. I have been tasked with retrieving the Wayfinder and making sure his operation is history. As to Jekoli, his all yours. Something tells me you know the dark ways as much as I do and want the same thing."

He hoped his intuition and feeling was right.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

He listened as they explained what the artefact was. A Wayfinder? He wondered where it might lead.

So, this force sensitive was a practitioner of the dark side. Perhaps a Sith? He was interested to know more. In normal circumstances, he would’ve looked to have removed himself from such a situation. This persona gave him more leeway.

“Let’s talk, when the journey is over,” he answered, gesturing towards the driver. He’d rather they not be privy to a conversation about the Sith.

The taxi eventually landed at its destination, a few streets down from the warehouses. He exited the taxi and let it fly away, before answering the question.

“I have some familiarity with the dark side. So, are you a Sith?”

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai nodded, it was probably a good idea. Secrecy was the way of the Sith afterall, and he didn't really need everyone knowing his business. That got people killed, it was the law of the street as much as anywhere else. And so he remained silent for the rest of the journey, admiring the surroundings and taking in. A new world he knew little about. Taking every sight, smell and sound as if passed by.

Everything was so new and intriguing. He wondered how he had spent so long on Korriban with so much to explore.He

As the taxi left, and the two were now.alone, they and a better chance to see where they stood. The man revealed he knew the Dark Side which confirmed at least one thing he was certain about. Especially with the lightsaber as well. And yet he knew there were many cults and variations. He had to be sure what kind he was. If he was to reveal what he was, it needed to be a equal exchange.

Nothing was free.

"I thought so, the lightsaber gave it away almost as much as I felt it. I could say I am equally familiar, as for Sith. What gave the impression I was that? Would there be a problem if I were to say yes? Would you kill me? Hand me in? You tell me what you are and I will offer a equal exchange. Quid pro quo. Nothing is free in this galaxy."

He said, he wasn't about to to it give it up that freely. Not until he was sure where he stood, for.all he knew, the man before him could have been an imperial.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

He hadn’t expected them to say whether they had allegiance to the Sith Order. It was worth asking though. Their rather hostile response very much suggested they did. Taking the nature of their response into consideration, he didn’t feel the need to push the subject further.

“I am very much aware that nothing in this galaxy is free. I asked out of mere curiosity. What you are, is of no importance to me,” he stated. His voice remained perfectly calm, as he spoke.

If this one was a Sith, maybe they were enjoying the benefits of the assets he had once acquired for the order. Perhaps they were a student at the academy on Umbara. He had known Zorya, the Sith Master who founded the academy.

“We have a shared interest, which is Jekoli. So, let’s not delay,” he stated, gesturing to the street behind himself. It wouldn’t be too long a walk to reach the warehouses.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai listened carefully and nodded. He was equally curious and the other man, and so he decided to take a risk, he would soon see if that would bite him in the end. If it did he would deal with it as necessary. He did think though perhaps he had been a bit too hostile...It might not be more beneficial if they knew where they stood.

"Sorry if I appear hostile. I cannot let everyone know what is going on, I'm sure you understand. But your assumption is correct. I am Sith, not long with them actually. Could say this is close to my first outing alone, so a lot is expected of me. I'm just an Acolyte. Which is why I'm so cautious. So now you know what I am. Perhaps I may know what you are, it would be more beneficial for us both to know I think."

And so he followed, nodding at the shared interest. Walking to the warehouse, he was extra cautious. Just in case Jekoli had any goons stationed e vary watching, which as very likely. It's what he would of done in his position. In fact he had been before. Using their Force he attempted to perform a quick scan of the area. Anything he sensed out of the ordinary would be reported.

"It to quiet." He said "Almost like we are expected or it's a trap. I'm wagering one of the other."

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

He listened as Karai unexpectedly opened up and admitted they were a Sith. He hadn’t even tried to push the issue with them.

“So, you are a Sith. I was part of the Order, a long time ago. Draugr was still First Blade, at the time I left.”

He moved silently, following along the side of the warehouse.

“Jekoli knows there are bounty hunters after him. I doubt he is prepared for us though.”

Peering around the corner of the warehouse, he spotted three male Zeltrons. They were stood together talking, near to some cargo containers. He recognised the patches on their jackets. They were part of the Tunnel Snakes gang. Well, what was left of it. He remembered how he had helped wipe out most of the gang, alongside Cyutadakyr.

“Those are gang members. Tunnel Snakes, to be exact. Jekoli may be working with the gang.”

He noticed a large cargo container, stacked on top of the one that the gang members were stood by.

“Perhaps you could collapse that container down onto them. I’ll let you decide how we proceed.”

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai was somewhat surprised when the man mentioned he was a former Sith. He wasn't even aware there was a way out if at all...so it was interesting to consider. "You were? I wasn't even sure you were allowed to leave, isn't it a lifetime deal?" he wondered did that make him a traitor or not according to the doctrine and would it place him in jeopardy even knowing the man. There was so much to consider.

Karai kept his thoughts to himself as he also moved slowly, hearing the voices as he took a peak.

He wondered, could they draw one near as it was explained they were probably working with Jekoli. Perhaps he thought they could kill one of them and replace them with himself. Afterall they were very similar looking species and hardly anyone could tell them apart at a glance. He just needed to get one of their jackets with the patch and that might allow him more freedom to see if the target was even there. And the artefact itself.

"Perhaps. There might be another way, less messy and likely to get attention. Perhaps we can draw one of the behind here when the others are not looking. My species look almost alike to them, might be able to slip in unnoticed and do some investigating see if Jekoli and the artefact are even inside and arrange it so security is a bit lighter for you to get in. Just need a patched jacket."

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

“Only if you choose to view it that way,” he replied to Karai’s question, not elaborating beyond that for now.

Part of him was tempted to drop the cargo container on top of the Zeltrons. However, Karai’s suggestion seemed somewhat sensible.

“Ok, we’ll try things your way.”

Karai had mentioned they were only an acolyte. He had recently felt a desire to mentor someone again, for the first time since Param had been his apprentice. He thought he had an opportunity to do so with a Jedi padawan, but they had rather disappointingly changed their mind at the last minute.

He was no longer a member of the Sith Order, which meant he couldn’t take a Sith as an apprentice. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t offer some guidance to one.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai eyebrow stalk raised a little at the answer, it was a curious reply but he pushed no further. Instead focusing on the task ahead of him. He gave a nod as the other dark side acknowledged his idea and went along with it. Karai was surprised somewhat but happy, last thing they needed was to cause a big scene and get their presence known. There was no telling how many were inside.

And so he waited, using what he learnt on streets to avoid guards. He waited with the human, until a change in the patrol and they were done talking to each other. As they separated onto separate routes, Karai followed one behind a more secluded area. There he attempted to sneak up upon the guard, to put a hand around his mouth and neck to snap it. Hearing a satisfying crunch, he took the jacket with gang patch and put it on. Hiding the body inside a crate.

Hiding the lightsaber up his sleeve, he walked out like he belonged there. An air of confidence and false bravado, playing a part. Using his charm and wit.

With the dead gangsters blaster in hand, he walked a patrol, taking out some stragglers when he could to allow his ally to get closer and into the warehouse himself. Karai approached a guard, he got a slight look but was allowed in, Karai felt relieved. Moving in he saw several crates, with Jekoli heading to an office above. There are about a dozen other guards about patrolling other crates areas and rows of all kinds of items. But the one Karai wanted was with Jekoli. In a safe. He could feel it from here, any connected to the Dark Side nearby could.

When no-one saw, he opened the door for his ally to get in and hide himself...to do his own part in getting to Jekoli. Nodding, Karai went towards a more secluded area where they could discuss the next step.

"Looks like we need to get to that office. His in there, and I can feel the artefact. About a dozen guards about, two man patrols every half hour rotation. There was a emergency hatch I saw might lead to the roof and we can drop in on him. Jekoki wouldn't expect it."

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

He watched as Karai sneaked off in pursuit of a gang member. He decided to follow, wanting to keep an eye on them, and he observed them stalk the gang member into a secluded area. A while later he spotted a tall figure emerge, wearing a Tunnel Snakes’ jacket. He instantly recognised the species. So, they’re a pureblood. He had encountered purebloods before. His main experience came from interactions with Cyutadakyr. He did vaguely remember Param mentioning a pureblood Sith she had met, not that he could remember their name.

Shadowing them, he eventually found himself close to the warehouse entrance. He waited patiently until the door was opened for him.

“Let’s try the emergency hatch then. Where is it?”

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai gave a nod, before indicating it was to the left, down an aisle and right towards the back of the warehouse where a patrol passed before heading northwards. If they wanted to use it, they would be required to attempt to sneak past before the patrol returned and without making noise. Not unless they wanted to alert the whole warehouse to potential intruders.

Karai figured using the disguise he could probably get in the office a more traditional way, making a excuse about needing a word with the boss over a particular item. And perhaps create a distraction as the man came the other way through, blocking him in with no exit. Team work. It was time to see how trustworthy he was.

And so Karai spoke, almost whispering "Left, down and right. Towards the back, should have a handle you just press to open. I'll divert Jekoli attention, and you should be able to sneak in behind him while his back is turned. Simple but effective." or so he thought, they would soon see. Karai went up the stairs to the office shortly after and hoped the hooded man was in position as he knocked. A signal to act.

@DMCK

 

[Thel Xeros]

“Fine, I’ll do that.” He said nothing more and disappeared in the direction that he had been told to go in.

Ducking behind a crate, he waited for a gang member to pass, before swiftly approaching the door and pressing the handle to open it. Inside was a ladder leading all the way up to a hatch on the roof.

Scaling the ladder, he then opened the hatch and climbed up onto the roof.

There was a small skylight above the office room. Just about large enough for him to fit through. He could see Jekoli sat at a desk in the room. The Rodian appeared to be counting credits.

Hearing the knock at the door, he took action as soon as Jekoli had his back to him.

Dropping through the skylight, glass raining down on the floor below, he reached out with the force and began to choke Jekoli.

“I’ve been tracking you for some time,” he hissed. The Rodian had collapsed to the floor. He squirmed, unable to resist.

@Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

As Jekoli went for the door and as it started to open, Karai stood ready. As soon as the other dark side jumped through the skylight he entered as Jekoli got up to see what was going on, dropping the credits as he was caught by surprise. Karai opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind and checking to make sure no-one else came in.

Seeing Jekoli getting lifted and choked was a sight he had not seen before. And it drew Kara I curiosity briefly, before he set about trying to locate the Wayfinder. Seeing the safe had a cide, it appeared he needed the Rodian to talk. So as the other man was talking to him he turned to face them both and spoke.

"As have I. I need the code to that safe, you stole from us and we don't likely to that. We can do it the easy or the hard way, it makes no difference to me."

@DMCK