[DARKNET] Orientation Day: L.O.C.K.

[Flying Blind]

Kannick Stargrave awoke to a peaceful morning. The party had been an huge success, and he was positive they had melted and broken the ice that night. He smiled as he brushed his teeth, and even combed his bleach blonde hair, which he rarely did. He wasn't dressed formal like he was the night of the party. He was in his training attire: an old a-shirt and shorts. He had his belt on his hip, carrying his datapad, port jacks, and Lightsaber. All he would need to survive in life. He had sent a message to his division members, which were small compared to Jechtral and Astra's. There were three people he had sent messages to. Two of which he had met at the party the Trandoshan Nabassk and the attractive Bana. A last minute addition to DarkNet was Lanya, a man Kannick had met on his last trip before going to the party. He had sent a coded message to each of them, telling them to meet at the simulator room for Orientation Day.

He waited in the simulator room, already practicing his Vaapad. He relied on a quick fight due to his poor lung and subsequent endurance disability. His purple Lightsaber slashed at the virtual droids that attacked him. He had practiced the simulator many times and could predict the computer's movements, so he did it more as a workout than a skill builder. He finished level 5 and soon heard and sensed someone coming so he turned it off and looked in their direction, wondering how had shown up first.

 

[Sess]

Lanya walked through he underground facility's entrance hall to the north western corner and entered through the door to the room where Kannick would be. He'd met with some associates of his former buyers, who under the influence of a jovial atmosphere, and plenty of alcoholic drinks alluded to something of interest on this remote planet. He'd come through the night before to the relatively small and inconspicuous village to the cantina on what's know as "The Hill" by the residents.

There were a small number of interesting characters mingling with the locals in the cantina, he'd barely had to make an effort to be included in the merriment from last night. More importantly he'd been approached by a man named Kannick Stargrave, after a formal sort of introduction and some small talk he was asked somewhat shiftily in his opinion about his reasons for coming to the planet, and settlement. He portrayed himself as a wanderer, just stopping by on his way to the core coming back from some personal business.

He was however eventually informed that he was sensitive to the force. He wasn't initially accepting to the idea, thinking of the force as some sort of mythical anomaly. He wasn't quite sure where he stood in it actually, as the Jedi and Sith were forces to be reckoned with in the galaxy. Surely they had some sort of "power" right? Else they wouldn't be regarded as such. As he speculated he carried on with innocuous questions, eventually Kannick asked him to meet with him tomorrow (this) morning to explain things to him a bit more and show him what his organization was all about. Lanya had the impression that he couldn't back out after knowing as much as he'd been told and agreed nonchalantly, but with apparent interest. This man had no reason to lie to him did he?

Lanya had departed from his ship in full gear, blaster, blades, and his trusty air pistol all at the ready just in case. He'd locked his ship and told his astromech companion A-U to stay on board and be alert. The more he went down into the underground complex his suspicious intimations eased. By the time he'd gotten to the door he was dwelling on the idea of his "force sensitivity" would this change his life? It's a big deal right?

He opened door with a small self assured smile on his lips - the best way to enter a room he'd come to know, and met eyes with Kannick who seemed to expect him. 'There must be cameras all around here.' he thought. He nodded his head and raised a hand in greeting, looking around the room before settling his eyes back on Kannick. He sensed no sort of malicious intent from him, though something about his posturing suggested to Lanya he wasn't all right inside, perhaps some sort of major injury her suffered in the past, or terminal affliction. In any case he felt confident he could go toe to toe with him, and if not, at least escape.

"G'morning." He breathed hands on his hips, taking another glance around, and still smiling. "This place is no joke, you've got a whole army down here. So what's this operation all about?"

 

[QwibQwib]

Excitement was not a thing that Nabassk was used to, no not at all. But eitherway he was assaulted by it now, practically jumpy after the party, and the idea of sleep was thrown out the window. And then he waited, like a kid excited for life day, he waited, dressed, lightsaber on his back hip. But even then there was not much for him to do. He liked showers so he took two of those, separated by intervals of huttball, which he didn't find all that exciting. The gruesome elements did catch his eyes however, and brought an involuntary smile to his face every time it happened, that smile however scared him.

The huttball game dragged on, and it was because of this that he didn't even notice that it had long turned into day, and he was growing late. Eventually the game ended. And with a yawn, he turned. And if it was possible he was sure that he paled just then. "Kriff!" he yelped, hastily getting off of the couch and springing towards the door, it opened and he was then rushing through the streets.

I'm not going to make it, where the kriff is it? Damn it.. he kept thinking, he eventually stopped and asked for directions, and once being pointed to the place he continued getting to it. And eventually he burst through the doors, and with the idea that this was an orientation, he had his lightsaber not ignited in hand, "I am so so so sorry for being late, but I'm here now!"

 

[Flying Blind]

OOC Note: With skyggedal being the only other one, we'll continue for now and spin her absence ICly :)

IC: Kannick took a breath and went over to greet Lanya. "Hello friend, I'm glad you like the place. I'll explain it all soon, that's why we're meeting today anyways, but I believe we should wait until the others get here to begin." Almost on cue, Nabassk came in as well, just a minute off the mark, but Kannick had seen much later. He smiled at both of them, and was about to greet Nabassk when his Comlink vibrated. Be looked down at it and said aloud "I guess Ms. Cosun is running late, well let's not waste daylight shall we?, Kannick looked from Nabassk to Lanya then back to Nabassk. "You are both here because you have shown force sensitivity, probably the greatest gift someone can possess, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm not usually the one giving the speech, but try and not fall asleep, okay? Anyways, we will be the beginning of the L.O.C.K. Division. You both have a basic idea what it is by now. The acronym stands for Legion of Clairvoyants and Kvetching. Yes, kvetching is a real work, it means to crush. Moving on, you are both on entry level I guess, but trust me you will become elites some day."

As he talked he walked over to a table with several weapons layed out across it. "You will learn how to use a diverse amount of weapons. From staffs to sabers, knifes to shivs. Any weapon the Galaxy has to offer. We will try and cover how to use it. You will also learn to be masters of stealth, using your greatest ally, the Force, to guide your movements and keep your presence hidden. However, the most important thing, which one of you already has is..." As he spoke, he whipped out his own Lightsaber, and ignited the blade, simultaneously turning on a simulator droid. The droid had shields and Kannick's power on the Lightsaber was reduced to ensure the droids weren't destroyed. The droid leapt into the air, but Kannick got a lock on it with the Force and jumped straight up, slashing the droid in mid air and letting the stunned droid fall to the ground. "If you haven't figured it out, I'm referring to your Lightsaber." He said as a joke.

"You can use this room and it's droids whenever you wish to sharpen your skills and practice techniques and or weapons. For you Lanya, we can give you on of the vibroswords on hand, but Lightsaber parts are reserved for Advanced L.O.C.K. members, after all they are hard to find these days. Well, I'm eager to see what kind of talent I've got before me, so when either of you are ready..." Using the Force, he called out two training droids and threw a sword to Lanya. "You may begin."

 

[Sess]

'What is that... Some sort of plasma blade? Plasma is an ionized gas though, how does it stay in the shape of the blade? Is that the force? It looks dangerous enough, but how does he handle that, surely the blade has little to no weight, and the hilt looks light as well.'

Lanya thought this over the course of Kannick's introduction since he pulled his saber out, he looked to the Trandoshan's saber when it was pointed out, wondering where he'd acquired it.

By the time he'd drawn his attention fully back to the present he realize he was being asked to display his fighting style. 'So I'm signing up to be an assassin eh... I need to know a bit more about this place before I commit to anything, but there's no harm in playing along for now..' He thought. He kept in mind all the doors he'd passed along the way and sort of vaguely assumed he'd get out somehow if he needed to. It's not that he didn't trust Kannick or his organization, it was just that he was sure you could never be sure of anything.

He felt a familiar sense of 'switching gears' and eyed the vibrosword momentarily as it came closer to him. 'Flashy, or quick...?' He thought of the Trandoshan, and two droids. What did Kannick expect? What was the best course of action? His thoughts came a mile a millisecond, by the time he'd reached for the blade he had already started moving towards the droids.

As though it was in slow motion, he wasn't even sure what he was going to do, his eyes flitted to the various points of articulation on the droids as he built his momentum to a jump. He assumed he'd need to take down both droids. 'Assassin' the word popped into his head as he gripped the handle of the vibrosword in mid air, trying to gauge the weight and balance, twisting his legs and aiming his right foot for the left droids face and his left angling towards the right droids chest, vibrosword in his right hand tucked close to his body.

The left droid began to dodge a few moments too late to throw him off, and the right didn't dodge at all, his foot planted in the right droids face plus his momentum threw it off balance and the other tried turning sideways to avoid being thrown off balance. Lanya landed and struck the toppled droid in the chest with his vibrosword, and unsheathed his own shiv/dagger from his lower back, swiping at what would be the other droids Achilles' tendon. He swung his sword at the back the the droids knee closest to him, forcing it to buckle and then went to its neck with his shiv/dagger.

He felt exceptionally satisfied with his performance but wouldn't show it, only looking up at Kannick and the Trandoshan who he would now be facing, half-crouched moving to stand.

 

[QwibQwib]

Nabassk was.. impressed, quite a bit so, he imagined that if he had attacked the droids then his moves would be embarrassingly sloppy in comparison to his fellow recruit. All of his advantage was that he could actively lift things, and with Layna not having any defense he was sure he could do so to him as well.

Thinking of the force made something that he had not felt since leaving Nar Shaddaa come back however, hate. The deepest of it, Kannick called it the greatest gift, and the Trandoshan was sure that it was so for him, however if it wasn't for the force he'd..

He was frozen, hand clenched tightly around his lightsaber, red hot anger was now what he felt, and here was this man turning to face him. He didn't know if he was meant to attack this man, but he didn't care. As of right now all he saw in front of him was that.. that man, and he couldn't stand it, he was supposed to be dead but here he was, here to haunt him.

His lightsaber ignited and with a yell he charged.

 

[Flying Blind]

Kannick watched as Lanya took on both droids. Apparently he had misread the situation. He was supposed to take on one droid while Nabassk took on the other. Maybe he should've been clearer. He made a mental note to explain more to ensure teachings weren't jumbled up. He could tell with the Force that Lanya was pleased with himself. Lanya had yet to realize just how much the Force could reveal. The exact purpose of L.O.C.K. He was about to pay Lanya a compliment when he got a warning from the Force. Something felt out of place. It was Nabassk. He saw just in time as Naassk charged out of the blue. A thousand reasons for the attack flashed through his mind, up action came first. Using the Force, he got a hold on Nabask and held him in the air as he thrashed about probably more than a little surprised. The only one more surprised was Lanya. And understandably so.

"Are you kriffing mad?! What the kriff was that about Nabassk?" He dropped the lizard now, a safe distance away from Lanya yet gently as to not anger the Trandoshan any further. He had a concerned look on his face now, trying to deduce what had just happened. Calming himself first, he told Lanya "Sorry about that, I guess he's just as eager to show off his abilities." Crouching down and speaking in a whisper so Lanya wouldn't hear, he spoke to Nabassk who was still on the floor "Care to explain that little scene back there, Nabassk?"

 

[Sess]

(("The lizard" lmao you should attack him for that Nabassk!))

Lanya had seen the Trandoshan's reaction coming moments before it took place in his body language, and Kannick's counter as well. Kannick seemed to move with some sort of predetermined knowledge however, to Lanya that did not suggest it was planned. Lanya had not made any move to avoid the Trandoshan, confused as he was over Nabassk's motivations he felt as if it stemmed from something he couldn't glean from body language alone. However he was more confused as to how Kannick had known. Did he provoke him? Was Kannick also a Lorrdian who used Kinetic Communication.... or was this the Force?

Lanya decided he'd had enough questions for the moment and resolved to ignore them. He didn't want to give into his anxious overthinking habits so readily. He glanced at Kannick, and smiled softly at Nabassk. He began emitting pheromones, trying to play for guilt, or regret in Nabassk. Something this second nature to him wouldn't likely be detected by a force sensitive though it wasn't impossible by any means for one who would be proficient in that particular area of the force, reading emotions and thoughts that is.

He took a step towards the Trandoshan, "Explain? .... Yeah." Another step. "I was only doing my best." Step. Lanya wasn't really acting himself, he didn't know what was motivating this reaction in him. "Get a hold of yourself Trandoshan... You really think that sort of outburst is acceptable for an organization such as this?" He turned his back to him, careful to remain just barely out of reach by his estimation of the Trandoshan's temper flared again. Lanya truly could not intimate what about his performance had pissed the Trandoshan off, but if anything he'd come to learn that feeding a person's emotions could get them to explain themselves for you.

He did feel somewhat guilty for manipulating him not only through his understanding of people, body language, and his Zeltron physiology, but because he was trying to make this poor singular Trandoshan feel guilty about his outburst. Here it was again, he was overthinking things he couldn't change any more. Still... this Trandoshan had seemed so earnest from the moment he'd entered the room. This must be important to him. Lanya was starting to hate himself, he wanted nothing more than to go back to his ship, launch into orbit and sleep for the rest of his life.

He turned to look into the Trandoshan's Orange eyes for a response and felt a pang of regret he wouldn't show physically. Had he calmed down yet? Lanya decided not to push any further.

 

[QwibQwib]

Nabassk was shocked to say the least, he was in the air, but the man in front of him had done nothing, he wanted to scream to curse him for everything he had done. He was screaming, it was unintelligible gibberings, but the emotion was there, the deepest hate. Some words cut through, in the form of death threats towards the man. But in the middle of these words he stopped.

His vision contorted, where before he found himself in a warehouse he knew so well, now he found himself in the place that he had run into late. Where before he saw the man who's skin had developed deep creases after his departure from the guardians of peace now the form changed, the creases disappeared, the clothes changed, and Nabassk realized what he had done.

He didn't respond to the comments on his current mental state, and once he was put down, he sat there, staring at the man he so nearly tried to cut in half. And then emotion flared as that man smiled at him, guilt. Every step the man took caused him to wince. And the words were the worst, it didn't matter what he was saying, just that he had so nearly silenced that voice forever. He didn't know what to say, there was very little he could bring himself to say, but once the man looked back again it all came spilling out.

"I- I'm sorry.. so sorry..." There was nothing else really to say, but once he did say that, he found himself repositioning, in a way that his arms wrapped tightly around his legs, face down. "I'm sorry.."

 

[Flying Blind]

Kannick was dumbfounded by Nabassk's little episode, but caught on to what Lanya was doing. "Alright, cut it out both of you. Lanya, do not try and manipulate your allies. Use those strengths against enemies only. Nabassk, I do not understand completely why you attacked Lanya, but I trust you to ensure it will not happen again." Giving Nabassk a pat on the back and giving Lanya a warning glance, he returned to what he was going to say. "Okay, so obviously this day hasn't gotten off to the right start so we'll try something a little simpler. We'll start with a little Q&A session I guess. We're all getting used to this, so ask any question you like and I'll try my best to answer it."

He waited for each of the, to respond, taking a moment to search Nabassk's mind. Something was troubling the Trandoshan, but Kannick could only tell that it wasn't Lanya himself that Nabassk was angered by, but he let the Trandoshan be, not wanting to probe his agents. If they had something to say and or admit, they'd tell him on their own, for now, he was just there to ease any doubts they might have. Nabassk seemed loyal enough, however wasn't too keen on having someone over him. Jechtral had mentioned earlier Nabassk had come to Jechtral for freedom, so he would have to ensure Nabassk felt safe with the DarkNet, not imprisoned by them. Lanya seemed to be turning a corner in his life, and DarkNet would help him with it, so Kannick would have to find a way for Lanya to prove his loyalty to DarkNet. After all, the second rarest currency in the galaxy besides information was trust, both of which were essential to the DarkNet's existence.

 

[Sess]

Lanya was utterly surprised for a small time, unless he was Lorrdian, or learned from one, or could read Lanya's deepest thoughts he couldn't have known.. the information he could no doubt find about it on the DarkNet Lanya didn't think would be enough for him to know off hand perhaps it was something to do with the force...-- Kannick issued Lanya a semi-stern glance as he seemed to try and help the Trandoshan regain his resolve.

Lanya was cool again, his wasteful thoughts were somewhere behind him, still ticking, no doubt to go off and alarm him eventually, but not now. He had learned apathy was healthy for him sometimes, and overcome much of his fear of being accused of being caught doing what he was doing. Manipulating people. He felt it was his niche, where he could propagate his survival best, and over time evolve new habits or techniques to better himself in all facets. He was still working on it.

A question? For Kannick? Lanya had questions, too many to decide so soon, he didn't care to either. "I don't have one." He could play some part in making this innocent person (alien) go off the edge, and perhaps the opposite. With good intent in mind he let his body speak for itself. He came to rest on his haunches, a little less than eye level with Nabassk and intuitively let himself emulate sincerity friendliness, forgiveness, without pity. Part of which had come from his true feeling, if anything he felt shame, and the need to apologize, but wouldn't. "What about you?" He looked to Kannick.

((Lanya's attempt to reconcile w Nabassk may be partly force-influenced if anyone wants to play it that way, perhaps he can perform empathic communication w living beings through the light side, or dominate w opposite intent should he train himself???))

 

[QwibQwib]

Nabassk found it hard to look up at Kannick as he spoke. The Trandoshan didn't know if he'd be able to maintain himself next time something like this happened, after all the whole thing had felt so real, even while remembering the event that so mirrored what had just happened did not feel real. It did not stir feelings of resentment, vengeance, all of those in Nabassk. For some reason though Layna did? It.. made very little sense to him and as terrible as what he had almost did to the man had been, he hoped this thing only ever happened with him. If he tried to hurt another this way.. He couldn't think of it.

When Kannick brought up the idea of asking him.. questions, a single one popped up in his mind. And it momentarily brought what happened out of the center of his mind, but then Layna spoke and it came back, even worse he was approaching him. He didn't say anything but.. he felt something, he did not really know the source of it, how he spoke without words. He just knew that somehow this was better then words, true understanding on his meaning, very simply the man forgave Nabassk but this was not true for the Trandoshan, he doubted he'd ever forgive himself.

There was still the matter of his question however, which he remembered once he got up and looked at Kannick. ".. I have one, You trained with the Jedi at a time, correct? I'm wondering.. What was it like?"

 

[Flying Blind]

Kannick was glad they had settled down soon enough, and made a mental note to talk to Nabassk about it later on, maybe learn more about the trandoshan's past. He still wasn't sure about Lanya, but figured that the man would take some getting to know, after all he had missed the party so he wasn't like the others who had gotten to know one another and ease any tensions beforehand. The whole episode could've been avoided had Lanya attended, but he was a last minute addition, so Kannick let him off with a warning of not being late. Lanya didn't have any questions, which Kannick found a little odd, but Nabassk as he knew from previous experience was not shy to ask questions, which sometimes came off as pushy but really it was just his personality.

It was a tough question to answer, and it was a question that would normally make Kannick shut down, reject it completely and move on to a different subject. But he would lead them now, and he'd need to show he was also willing to go through with things. Starting slowly, he said "Well, my Trandoshan friend, my time with the Jedi was many things. To this day I still haven't exactly decided what to make of all of it. Jechtral would say they're the cause of both our problems and still doesn't believe in the Force. But I do. I guess I can't base the Jedi on my own experiences, but I'll try my best. To train with the Jedi is no doubt more fulfilling than joining the imperium. The Sith are cruel and those who fail often do so at the cost of their lives. But the Jedi are blind to the world around them. I was blind to the world around me. Jechtral says I still am. Truth is, the Jedicant do what they themselves teach. I became pretty good at hiding, but it's all they did. That's not what I will show you, either of you. We are the DarkNet, we may operate from the shadows but we do not cower in them. We will use the darkness as a cloak until we strike. To train with the Jedi is an experience, but to train here at DarkNet is. An opportunity to do what the Jedi will never allow you to do. I hope that answers your question. Well, since it seems you're all running low on questions today, I say we continue with our tour."

Kannick led them through the majority of the DarkNet base, save for the offices that the three Overseers used. That was for Overseers only. He showed them where the S.A.R.L.A.C.C. paddies operated from, even waving at Jechtral whose own group they passed along the way. He showed them the landing pad where an old corvette lay in need of repair for the past decade or so, and only getting one now since Kannick and Jechtral found this place. He showed them over to the Hill where the droid shack was and the Pazaak Hall and all the other neat stops that DarkNet had created to keep operatives entertained and in good moods. Something Kannick believed that the Jedi also needed. "Well, that's pretty much it, you guys. Feel free to explore on YPUR own later. Maybe mingle with the others you find around here. Now that I've shown you the majority of the base, are there any new questions or questions you've thought of during the tour?"

 

[Sess]

Lanya was led through the facility with Kannick as a guide, the more he was introduced to the staff who he'd be working with, the stations, and eccentricities he became very interested in how he would fit into DarkNet's plans. He still held some measure of set-preserving skepticism, but did not deign to show it openly.

As the introduction came to a conclusion he had two relevant questions on his mind
"How am I supposed to learn to use he force?" His question sounded almost skeptical, "and what are we supposed to do now that we've been mor rot less inducted, is there a ceremony or something?" He joked with a little smile, and tilted head. He was serious though. In spite of his abilities to influence others he operated best as a support to someone who could draw attention away from him, naturally delegating him to positions of vice-leadership, right hand man, and other similar roles where he could have freedom, but also a clear directive. Hey felt L.O.C.K. Could offer that to him.

He wanted to stick around and see what it was all about.

((Im so sorry I haven't posted, I've been checking back Alegre time I remember but I've been working a lot, tired, and unable to even form a coherent thought as far as RP goes. I should have told you guys sooner. Especially because I was bugging you to post, FlyingBlind. I hope you guys aren't too bothered by it. If anything like his happens again I'll make it a priority to let you know. Again, sorry.))

 

[QwibQwib]

The answer left Nabassk with yet another question, one that would probably eat at him and not allow him to have an easy sleep tonight, but it was a question that he wasn't sure he should bring up as to not cause much stress on Kannick's part. While they were lead through the base the Trandoshan didn't spend the time to look around, instead his eyes were set forward, not taking in even those sights as his thoughts circled. It was not until they stopped and Lanya made two questions known that Nabassk found that it might be appropriate to bring in his.

"What about instructors, will you be the only one of those for us..? There is of course no disrespect when I ask this, but will your experience be enough to guide us to our peak?"