Exodus

[Zay]

Two thousand, one hundred, and sixty hours had passed since Kael Prata's incarceration. He slowly released his breath as he completed his daily meditation. His steely blue eyes greeted the dim lit wall before him. The room was illuminated by a constant shining florescent light. The blueish hue of the weak light was a calming technique, but it's constant presence was maddening. The only darkness to be found was behind closed eyes. Sound seemed to be amplified in the tiny confined space. The skittering of a bug across the cold permacrete floor sounded like a screaming dewback stomping across Tatooine. The cot attached to the wall had a two inch pad on it that acted as the mattress. A meter and a half across from that sat the small metallic bucket that acted as his bathroom.

Kael's appearance had deteriorated appropriately for imprisonment. He was thin, but rather than making him look weak, it gave him the look of a starving wolf. Deep lines had worn into the skin of his forehead and between his brow giving his formally kind eyes a harsh feral appearance. His muscles were still tone, and he maintained a workout regimen in his cell, but the lack of nourishment weighed on his physicality. Luckily, in lieu of his stamina, he managed to retain the full breadth of his martial training. He'd been personally trained by Corvo Vis and he refused to be intimidated by any obstacle in his way. A strange ripple in the force caught his attention and Kael opened himself to the force. A familiar presence seemed to announce itself which brought a wry smile to Kael's lips. His mentor had arrived.

Kael could feel the force swell and shudder as his time here concluded. The former knight began to draw the omnipresent force into him. He opened his entire being to the power and allowed it to flow through him. He was searching for whispers, weaknesses, and escape routes. Outside of his cell he could feel multiple beings. Some paced back and forth, others remained still, and one slowly moved in an orbit around the cell block. Kael focused his attention on the orbiting being and recognized the being's darkly clouded mind. Despair, anxiety, and a budding seed of hatred colored this guards thoughts as he passed by Kael's cell. Kael's smile inverted as he sampled the torment of the passing guard.

Patience was tantamount in his current predicament. In the past three months Kael had honed his patience to a razor's edge as he bided his time. He meticulously learned the ebb and flow of the prison's ecosystem. What guards were lackadaisical, cruel, kind, or passive. He knew what prisoners were volatile, and who would be a threat if a riot broke out. The guard currently on patrol was a pale blue Duro named, Jax.

Jax is a seasoned guard who's been with the prison since he graduated the academy. His tenure in the establishment has been unremarkable and his lack of motivation and initiative have kept him in the same position nearly his entire career. Overall, Jax has been a fair guard who follows protocol and rarely relies on force to get his job done; However, in the past two weeks he's become far more aggressive. Any sign of disrespect is met with force. His personality has change so much that even the other guards have began to avoid him. Bags cling to his oversized, golden orb-like eyes and former worry lines have become deep wrinkles that parade his constant foul mood. The gossip on the cell block is that his wife of fifteen years has filed for divorce. Jax hasn't confirmed the gossip, but he hasn't denied it either. Kael felt for the man, but unfortunately for Jax, his luck was about to get worse.

Jax rounded the corner and his presence dimmed as as he moved further away from Kael. It would be close to twenty minutes before Jax would be back. A smile touched the corner of Kael's mouth as he prepared himself. It had been sometime since he'd been able to let loose a little.

@Phoenix @Cross

 

[Cross]

Mar Kesyk had always been something of an ascetic. Cultivated from an early age to play a role in the fields of battle, where loss comes swiftly and without warning, this individual was - like many others - raised on the premise that, often enough, what you own ends up owning you. And so for the most part he detached himself from things around him. Not simply from worldly possessions, but also people and bonds. Serenity was the goal, after all. And getting rid of life's low points unfortunately meant getting rid of its high ones as well. Regression to the mean, he called this process of the Jedi.

Not many events could move a man like this, one so prone to accepting everything that happened in life, so that these events could simply pass through his system, just as a grain of corn will pass undigested through the body of a bird. But no man is an island: Such a drive cannot exist without a purpose, and Mar's had always been with the Order. And this, is precisely what made this day different from all others. On this day, the would-be metaphysician had been tasked with escorting one of the most important people in his world. Corvo Vis's achievements were a thing of legend. Even to a thirty year-old man such as Kesyk, one who had put his childhood long past him and devoted himself to the pursuit of the Lightsider Nirvana, a host of complex emotions had begun to well up inside.

The Knight stood motionless atop the prison's drop-zone. His hands comfortably clasped together lightly pressed against his lower back, revealing the lightsaber strapped to his waist. The hubbub around him seemed to have reach a new level of entropy, as if his presence had somehow disturbed the ecosystem. Perhaps it had. People rushed around almost without aim and in apparent dazes. Like pendulums, dancing to and fro without ever really going anywhere. A child could tell most were simply curious as to why an armed Jedi had been standing there that long, and who he was awaiting. The non-Force-Sensitive male worker assigned to guide Kesyk stammered onwards, perhaps seeking to curry favour with the apparent VIP on their way to the prison. The Knight did not know, and it did not matter.

'A picturesque sight', Mar told himself. His self-awareness had flared up to notice the amusing situation he'd taken part in, where a single being remained peaceful amidst a sea of chaos raging around him. A moment of dissonant serenity, if you will. But, on this day there was work to do. And so, lest his inner monologue take him further away from the present, Mar would take a deep breath as he willed the Force to pass through his body, spreading his awareness to the world around him. As he exhaled, this ethereal state slowly dissipated, having allowed the distracting thoughts to drift away in the process.

As he finally turned to face the blabbermouth beside him, hoping to calm him before the arrival of the General, his focus was once again diverted. The Knight's head tilted slightly to the side and his blue eyes, covered by the helmet, darted to the right.

"Our guest has arrived." - he said, unhurriedly moving closer to the landing zone. Thrusters would be heard moments later, after which a vessel would descend from the clouds above and begin its landing process in the very area the Knight had approached.

@Phoenix @Zay

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[Phoenix]

This couldn't possibly go worse than the last time Corvo had visited a prison. Actually, one could argue that that didn't go all that poorly. Sure, there had been a lot of deaths and he'd been publicly reprimanded, but he'd been privately given the nod and it had resulted in the death of the Supreme Commander and a Grand Admiral. Overall, a good trade in Corvo's mind.

Still, he didn't want to have to kill anyone today. Today was a time for something far more subtle. He'd arrived early and set a small mouse droid with a datachip to scurry through the cells, conveniently chosen as it would blend in with the rest of the "prison staff." The datachip could receive transmissions of the prison's codes as well as instructions on escaping, where equipment had been stored, and new aliases. Inside job to escape, there was no doubt about that. The droid would also let Kael know - if the former-Jedi didn't already sense his presence - the time had come. No killing, but Corvo would do his best to run distractions for the chaos that was soon to unfold.

As soon as he arrived in the facility, things began to feel off to him, as if the entire place were about to erupt. Surely enough, everyone felt as tense as could be and Corvo couldn't tell if it was because he was here or if it was because of something else. Either way, it spelled potential trouble.

He made his way into the building and was immediately greeted by a Knight who would be guiding him through the facility - or so he'd been told. He extended a hand to the other man. Corvo, pleased to meet you, he introduced himself. It was that uncomfortable moment when he would quickly discover whether the person he was meeting hated his guts for the things he'd done as Venator or not. He'd become almost immune to the glares he received by this point.

 

[Zay]

Jax Calldro glowered at the monochromatic walls surrounding him. He hated this place and he hated every single being that called it home. The prison had seemed like a bristling opportunity for him as a youngling, but as time passed it became clear that doing what was "right" rarely ended in a reward. Of course in his heart of hearts he knew he was nothing but a hypocrite, just another cog in the machine who would amount to nothing.

This line of thinking darkened his already surly demeanor and set his blood boiling. This miserable existence was byproduct of a life spent always aiming for the status quo.

"Don't ever set your sights to high, boy. It's easier to recover from a trip than it is a fall." The mantra of his dead beat father replayed in his mind as Jax rounded the corner.

Life had not been kind to the Duro. His personal distress had finally bled over into his love life and Tisha wasn't having any of it. A six year courtship ruined by three months of emotional instability. Deep down Jax knew the relationship had been deteriorating for some time, and he knew the end was inevitable. It was his raw selfishness that forced him to stay with her, and in the end, it was that same selfishness that stung him when she left.

Rage brimmed at the edges of his consciousness and the desire for violence bubbled forth as a pressure crack in a collapsing damn. Any sort of indignation or slight would send him over the edge, and may mercy protect the being that ushers forth his wrath, for it shall be relentless in it's forthcoming.

Tap

The sound caught the agitated guards attention stopping him in his tracks as his senses went on alert.

Tap tap tap

Jax's teeth ground against one another as his temper flared. He whirled around and began stalking toward the sound. The taps increased in their intensity. A large vain adorned Jax's brow as he stared at the cell door where the sound emanated from. He smashed the com to the room and screamed into the microphone, "Enough! You make that tapping sound one more time and I'll come in there and MAKE you stop!"

The human figure didn't shudder or flinch from his threat. The man's eyes peered into the lens so intensely that it felt like he could actually see Jax. This gave the Duro pause, but his roiling emotions wouldn't allow him to back down. As his desire to hurt this worthless pile of trash wrestled with his sense of duty and it was winning. His eyes stared at the release lever to the cell. His hand hovered over the grip.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Jax's rage erupted in a reflexive jerk. The cell door's lock disengaged and it swung outward on it's hinges. Jax, unable to contain himself, rushed through the opening and as he did so, his jaw was introduced to the human's fist. The blow put out Jax's lights and sent him straight to the floor. Kael wasted no time he removed the guard's uniform and replaced it with his. The clothes didn't quite fit, but he hoped they'd be passable until he could find something else to use. He wrapped and fastened the guards gear belt around his waist. He took the utility tool from the guards belt and quickly cut a large portion of the new prisoner's pant leg. He then sliced it into strips and used two to secure the Duro's legs and arms, then rolled up a third and shoved it into his mouth. Finally he tied the last part around the beings mouth to stop them from spitting out the gag.

The entire process had taken three minutes and Kael knew he needed to get a move on before the alarm was sprung. He placed the guard on the bed in the room then exited the cell. He closed door and made a break for the end of the cell block. As he made his way toward the door Kael made sure to keep his head down. He just needed to get to the guard's locker room so he could change and he'd be set. Just as he was mere steps away from the door it's locks flashed green and it began to open. A stab of panic lanced up his spine as he prepared for the worst. In the opening a small prison mouse droid sat almost expectantly. It warbled as it saw Kael as if overjoyed and seemed to beckon him forward.

Kael proceeded with caution and as he passed through the door the droid's top hatch slid back and a data chip protruded from the top. Kael rose an inquisitive eyebrow at the little droid and then decided it was a gift from Corvo. He plucked the chip from the droid and slid it into the data pad he'd pilfered from the guard. Schimatics of the prison began to open and scroll across the screen. A smile spread across his face as he found the route he desired and began to make his escape.

@Cross @Phoenix

 

[Cross]

Corvo Vis. A peculiar creature. Stories had been told throughout the Galaxy of how this man, who had risen to providence in the deathly embrace of the Dark Side, had decided to turn the very brutality he'd cultivated onto his former Masters and joined the Light. Many believed - still do - that such a man did not belong with the Jedi. That not being Sith and being Jedi were light years apart. The latter part of this sentiment, Kesyk fully agreed with. Being a Jedi was about more than simply denying the Darkness and its whispers. However, the world was seldom black and white. At the very least, before him stood a man attempting to embark on a path of rehabilitation and really, that was the only thing even someone as untrusting of criminals as this particular Knight could ever hope to ask of someone.

As the man of the hour entered the proverbial stage and approached its centre, the air in the room had changed. No doubt, some had recognised him, including the chatterbox to Mar's side, who had finally taken the hint and shut up. '... If only for the right reasons', the Knight couldn't help but think as he glanced over at the bureaucrat's conflicted face. Alas, the time for considerations was truly over, for Vis had reached his position, offered a simple, casual greeting as well as a hand.

Kesyk, having half-prepared a few words to introduce himself and the facility, found himself stopped in his tracks by this simple but decisive action. After spending a beat or two to process the information and find the conductive thread that would lead him back into the real world and conversation - which, sadly, would've looked to the outside world as him staring awkwardly at the extended hand before him - the Knight would sketch a smile beneath his helmet and, looking his superior in the eyes through the lenses, accept the handshake and respond:

"The pleasure is mine, General. I trust you had a comfortable flight?" - the Knight inquired, leaving a beat open for a quick response, before continuing to say his piece - "My name is Mar Kesyk and, as I'm sure you're aware, I have been tasked with guiding you through the facility."

Taking a moment of time to glance at his left, Kesyk was once again faced with the still slack-jawed man whose continuous disappointing behaviour made his name increasingly harder to remember. The Knight would politely retrieve the data pad in the man's hands, before sending him off with a short Thank you for your assistance, not bothering to tend to or put up with lack of professionalism.

"Now then, Master Vis..." - Mar spoke, moving aside to allow the General to walk alongside him while politely motioning with his left arm - "Where would you like to begin?"

@Phoenix @Zay

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[Phoenix]

Corvo's arrival was greeted by a man who seemed pleasant enough. In his times since coming to the Jedi, he'd been met with all types of scorn and distaste from Jedi, Sith, and everything in between. He'd come to appreciate (or as much as Corvo ever appreciated people) anyone who didn't sneer at him from the start. This man - Mar Kesyk - didn't appear to do that, and Corvo was glad about that.

The Knight took the offered hand and even managed to ask about his flight. Corvo had always been terrible with small talk, but could at least bear down on basic formalities when necessary. It was fine, thank you, he said, his generally cold demeanor coming through and not meaning anything personal against the Knight. Corvo almost felt a little bit guilty for being here to break out a prisoner from the Knight's prison, but then, at least this time he wasn't here to massacre an entire horde of prisoners.

He watched as the other man who had failed to introduce himself scurried off, making vague mental notes of him and everyone else he came across. He glanced at the chrono, knowing the droid should be arriving at Kael's cell. Where to begin? Perhaps the solitary cells? he suggested. Thinking back to his last prison experience, the highest priority prisoners had been there and while he was here primarily to help with an escape, it didn't hurt to look at the facilities as well.

Have you had any attacks or escape attempts? he inquired. Perhaps a failed attempt would help him know what not to let happen, and hardening security was always a hobby of his. Odd small talk, but business enough as to not make Corvo have those awkward pauses in conversation that he detested. @Zay @Cross

 

[Zay]

"Blend in and get out," Kael murmured to himself as he ran through his quickly improvised escape plan for the hundredth time. The mouse droid zipped along beside him occasionally letting out a soft beep or chirp. Twice the little droid had shot out in from and startled guards stationed just out of sight, alerting Kael to their presence. He wondered if the droid was a test from Corvo. Maybe the spymaster was seeing how long Kael would rely on the little droid, but he shook the thoughts away. Corvo wasn't that lame. No, this droid had been sent as a gift, and it was doing just as it was instructed. When it completed it's task it would revert back to it's original programming.

Part of Kael envied the little droid. Once it's mission was done it could go back to it's normal life. It could return to the simplicity of... well, whatever it was mouse droids did. Kael didn't have that luxury. He'd infiltrated the Jedi Grandmaster's private quarter's, stolen from him, and then publicly attacked him. Even if he was able to complete his mission, any laurels won would be for nothing. If there was anything the Jedi could hold, it was a grudge.

"Stop." he said. The droid stopped then shifted back and forth, clearly confused.

Embarrassed by his sudden emotion Kael shook it off and kept walking. A few paces past the little droid Kael said, "I didn't mean you, c'mon little one." Content with the answer the droid resumed it's previous pace.

A moment later they duo stood just around the corner from the eastern locker room. Kael had chosen this location because of it's proximity to the hangar. Now, he just hoped there was a pilot his size in the refresher.

Kael glanced down at the little droid and said, "Stay out of sight. If I don't come out in ten minutes return to Corvo and tell him to abandon the mission." The droid chirped in agreement and Kael turned the corner.

The smell of mildew, cleaning chemicals, and human waste accompanied the thick humidity and dim lighting of the locker room. Lockers lined the perimeter and center of the room. Off to the right Kael could see restroom stalls, to the left showers. The room was empty, a quick scan with the force confirmed that. Knowing time was of the essence Kael wasted no time scanning lockers.

MSE-5 rocked back and forth on it's treads as it watched it's primary objective move toward the eastern locker room. An internal countdown started the moment the objective had issued it's command, but the little droid wasn't sure it should carry out it's new orders. Before it could deliberate any further the sound of two guards talking caught MSE-5's attention. Snapping to in the direction of the noise, the little droid watched as two male's entered the locker room. With a panicked whistle MSE-5 shot toward the entrance of the room. As it closed in sounds of struggle could be detected, adding to the little droid's anxiety. It tried to push the door open, but it couldn't. Something was baring the way.

The little droid backed up and then charged the door slamming it's little frame against the door, but it wouldn't budge. Determination took over as the droid backed up further and charged again. Nothing. This last attempt fractured the black casing protecting the droid's insides. Various internal alarms went off warning of possible damage, but the little droid ignored them. It backed up, further, and further, until it was positive it could obtain maximum velocity and then shot toward the door like a miniature pod racer.

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW

The droid let out a high-pitched warble as it rocketed toward the immovable door. Just as MSE-5 was about to collide with the door, the door vanished. MSE-5 scrambled to slow itself, but it was too late. The little droid passed through the opening and careened into a set of lockers and toppling over onto it's side. The little droid's treads spun helplessly as it attempted to right itself. A shadow fell over the droid, and MSE-5 froze. A chuckle was registered before the droid felt itself lifted up and put back on it's treads.

"Thought I told you to stay outta sight?" chuckled Kael. He hadn't been able to find a flight suit and that had been a little disheartening, but he was able to find a utility workers jump suit. The jump suit would allow him to move relatively unseen throughout the prison. A groan drew Kael's gaze to the pair of guards who'd literally caught him with his pants down. He'd easily dispatched of the bewildered duo as they attempted to comprehend what they were seeing. They'd been tied up and stuffed into one of the private shower stalls. Upon a quick double check it was apparent the two were completely out. Satisfied Kael, Kael addressed his facial hair and then snatched a worn trucker hat and tucked his hair into it.

With his disguise complete, Kael, made his way to the hanger. He needed a ship and a transponder. So far everything had been going to plan.

@Cross @Phoenix

 

[Cross]

Corvo Vis was a man of few words, it seemed. Kesyk could certainly relate, as his actions largely tipped towards the 'inner' side of things, as opposed to the outer but, alas, that did not lessen the awkward tension in the room.

The effect that the presence of a superior had in his mind was much greater than the Knight had given it credit for. The sad truth of it all was simply that, in Mar's quest for inner peace, the man had limited his interaction with those around him and, as such, his feelings of wanting to please those above him in the Order had been largely unexplored. This had caused the man some discomfort, for he had unwittingly crafted an idealised notion of what he should be feeling - which was a problem in and of itself - and that had differed greatly from his actual response, which raised the self-awareness flags that usually made for trouble in his mind. His own 'man of few words' mindset might do him some good in limiting how much of said awkwardness bled through to the outside world, but ultimately that would depend on how perceptive Vis was, and how much the General cared about such things to begin with.

Bravely stepping forward, the Knight would offer Vis a "Certainly." and access the pad he'd acquired from the now nameless bureaucrat, quickly locating the solitary confinement area before leading Corvo in the right direction.

The question regarding escape attempts rang no bells in Kesyk's head. The man found it neither hot nor cold. It was not his job to pry into the upper echelons' minds, and it was ultimately a harmless question. Though incredibly perceptive when on the job, it would take particularly drastic situations for any shred of doubt of other Jedi to creep up in the Knight's head. Whilst the Order was far from perfect in his eyes, he did have complete faith in the fact that its members meant well and, when it came to an accomplished General like Vis, second-guessing would not even be on the menu on a peaceful stroll like this.

Still, the Knight winced a little at the question. His brow - hidden by his helm - furrowed for a moment and his mood changed, but not for the reasons Vis might presume. Thankfully, this only lasted a quick moment, after which the Knight had decided to come clean about his own situation. "You see, General" - he spoke - "I am not one of this prison's workers. My assignment is precisely to capture escaped criminals and return them to the facilities tasked with their incarceration. I had finished a job in the vicinity and, having gotten wind that a Jedi would be getting a tour of the location, I called in a few favours to join in on the tour. Unfortunately, said Jedi was you, General, and my intentions were misconstrued. As such, instead of being given a spot as a visitor, I ended up with study materials and a crash course in how to best guide you through it. Forgive me."

The awkwardness had been kicked up a few notches, because the Jedi weren't typically the sort to favour string pulling, even though it genuinely had not been his fault. The prison's higher ups had assumed that Kesyk was interested in garnering favour with the other visitor (Vis) and decided to one-up his original wishes, hoping them going above and beyond would have the Jedi see them in a favourable light. This was the real reason why the irksome bureaucrat - clearly accustomed to this sort of thing - had tried to tag in at the beginning. It had been a harmless misunderstanding, and one Kesyk would have corrected but - by the time the Knight had realised what had happened - it had been too late. Vis had already been notified and Mar simply did not feel comfortable with dropping an assignment after seemingly having gone out of his way to get it.

"I have extensively studied this facility over the course of the past few days and, from what I've gathered, it does look more on the safer side. However, having spent years pursuing people who've fled from other facilities like this one, my personal opinion is that there is no such thing as an impenetrable wall. Everything's got cracks and only so much can be done to conceal them. Ultimately, it will be up to the people to stop these actions and, sadly, I cannot vouch for them because I simply do not know them well enough. My knowledge of this place's history is also lacking. I can only say that I have not had to retrieve any escapees from this particular facility."

Now feeling both awkward and apologetic, the man would follow the General's lead. Should Vis wish to continue the tour, he would gladly do so, otherwise the Knight would be more than ready to search for someone who might be of better assistance.

@Phoenix @Zay

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[Phoenix]

Corvo intentionally tried to maintain an intimidating demeanor in public. Not necessarily because he enjoyed being edgy around his fellow Jedi but because creating a reputation that the Sith feared was important to him. It made him seem far more intimidating than he was and in turn made it seem like he was more intimidating than just the single man that he was. As such, he had to bite back a laugh at the other man. Not because he thought him a fool or anything so demeaning, but because the man seemed to have been unintentionally caught up in escorting him. "The blind leading the blind" was the phrase that popped into his head and for some reason struck him as humorous.

Of course, none of these thoughts escaped his head or his helmet. Instead, he responded with something far more conservative. I see, that's fine. Yes, he was a man of few words indeed, and the fact that he was technically here to commit a crime was enough to banish any nicer thoughts from his head.

He glanced at the chrono from behind his helmet and saw that things should be underway. The area of prison they made it to first seemed to brighter lit than most of the rest, bright white lights and walls almost burned the eyes from the head. He wasn't sure why they felt the need to light it so much, but could take a few guesses. When they exposed the prisoners - who had been kept in the dark - to such extreme light it would be less pleasant or perhaps it was to make it harder to mount escape attempts. Whatever the reason, it only seemed to make Corvo irritable. Darkness had always been his friend.

I'll be candid with you, since you seem to know a great deal about hunting prisoners. I believe there's going to be an escape attempt of some sort here today, he began. It was a half-truth as these things tended to be. He knew there was going to be an attempt but he was going to make sure they were looking in the wrong direction.

In fact, there were going to be a couple of people breaking out today but all but one would be caught. Corvo's long-time friend Chaz was a wizard when it came to electronics and droids. He whipped up the mouse droid programs and had even pulled together an extra one on short notice. Second mouse droid would be heading to the control tower where it was going to open some cells at the other end of the facility right... about... now.

An alarm klaxon rang out throughout the prison as things began to lock down.

Kael's (@Zay) path to the ship would be locked off by a blast door, but that was planned for as well. If he followed his little droid, Kael would be led to a protocol droid that carried a very familiar lightsaber with it, hidden away. Ah, the wonders of reprogramming.

Where is that alarm coming from? Corvo asked quickly as the alarms blared, already walking toward where it sounded from... conveniently in the opposite direction from his Shadow. @Cross