Finding The Right Tool

[The Confessor]

[fancybox2]

RYLOTH
2200 Hours

The Confessor is looking for a Jedi to use in her experiments. Her dungeon ship is ready to handle such a prisoner and her test subjects up until now have proven effective in their obedience. The Sacellum sent out search parties and kept their ear to the ground for hopes of finding an unsuspecting Jedi. With their sights set on Ryloth, a raid party sets out to capture her....

Death Disabled*
@EmilyHuene ; @KinkyPrawn ; @Doomfingers ; @Cainhurst Crow ; @Raydo [/fancybox2]

Far above Ryloth's orbit would wait the blind Sith's Contemptuous-class dungeon ship known as The Gallows. It was a fearsome ship but not because of its might in power, but for its cells and terrors housed inside by The Confessor's sick experiments. The blind Sith had a way of breaking people's minds with mental manipulation rather than brute torture and her results were far better than she ever expected. Here, she would break the Jedi who was soon to be paying her a visit.

But Eriana could not go herself. After a journey to Coruscant, she returned a little worse for wear. She was currently nursing herself back to health in her private bunker on the ship and was not to be disturbed by anyone. Her hands had received several burns of frostbite, as well as some on her face and neck where her armor hadn't protected her. The pain was new to Eriana, but the loss she felt in her heart was worse. She felt like she'd lost everything lately and the Dark side was burrowing further and deeper into her soul, taking over and starting a drastic change within her body. How far would she succumb to that cold terror was still yet to be seen.

Instead of meeting her men, she sent them a hologram message that included the following speech. Her head would be covered by her normal faceless Sith helmet and she was holding her white cloak (though it was blue in the hologram) over her body so no one could see her hands. The rest of her normal Crusader armor could still be seen along with her two sabers ever present on her hips. She spoke simply, but there was an aura of chilling anger residing in her voice. Something that was not usually found in Eriana's tone.

"Members of the Sacellum. Today is a day you are called upon for action. To gain power, you must seek power. Today you will bring the fight to our enemies and bring them to me for Confession. Go and bring me my prize so that we may bring glory to the Sacellum."

Spoiler: OOC

This will be the only post from Eriana. Once all the Sith make their opening post, I will post as my Jedi from then on. Her Padawan will follow next and exit the thread. The purpose of this thread is to enact in capturing the Jedi (@Kae'Leigh Tameris ). Posting order will be followed according to first come first serve during the first round.

Spoiler: Edits v2

Apparently I didn't mention this thread is death disabled so I'm adding that in now.

 

[Mid Samekh]

Mid was in the hangar of the Confessor's dungeon ship, listening intently to her message. While his head was focused on the mission at hand, deep down he was worried about the High Priestess. First Arch Priestess Shikari disappears without any notice, then her relationship with the former crusader Milo Drast goes up in flames. She wasn't taking it well and he knew it. He would try and talk to her at a later date. As a priest it was his duty to see to the wellbeing of each member of the church, no matter who they are or what rank they are.

But that will have to wait. Right now they received a report of a Jedi hiding on Ryloth. He had a soft spot for the Twi'leks. The first non-Pureblood being he ever met was a Twi'lek slave, sparking his ever growing curiosity over what other wondrous secrets the galaxy held. It would be a shame if he had to hurt this one too badly, but he had no problem breaking her if the situation called for it. It was funny to the Pureblood. Under more pleasant circumstances he would have invited the Jedi to a drink, try and learn from their misguided religion and why they have such a firm belief in it. But now he only had 2 things to ask of the Jedi: 'Surrender' and 'Open the bloody holocron'.

He gave a light bow to the Confessor. "It will be done, High Priestess." he spoke firmly and with that the hologram cut out, ending the call. Mid slid his helmet on and made sure every other plate of his heavy duraplast armour was in place. He turned to a table next to him and geared up. His Sith Knife was sheathed horizontally on his belt behind his back. Both WESTAR-1 pistols were holstered along with 2 extra mags for each. His crossguard lightsabre was clipped onto his left hip and his polearm was collapsed and clipped onto his back. Finally, one of his most prized weapons was strapped on over his right arm's phrik gauntlet. The Sith Lanvarok would most probably seen as a simple barbaric weapon made by a barbaric race, but to him and the rest of his kind it was a badge of honour and tradition. He didn't like how it restricted movement of his right hand, but it seemed like a worthy sacrifice to be able to use such a dangerous weapon and most certainly a nice upgrade from the spear variant he was used to. He clipped 2 extra mags for the weapon to his belt as well, just in case he needed to reload.

When all of that was done he pulled his black cloak over his armour and rested its hood on top of his helmet. Varpa was begging him to come along but he had ordered the loyal Tuk'ata to watch over the High Priestess. Her safety was now Mid's concern as the new Arch Priest since Shikari's disappearance.

He boarded the shuttle that would carry him and his companion to the surface. "Remember, we need the Jedi alive. That doesn't mean we can't make her life a living hell if she doesn't yield. Only kill as the very, very last resort. Otherwise the High Priestess will have both our heads." he spoke sternly and firmly in a typical soldier fashion.

He settled in as the shuttle prepared for take-off.

@Doomfingers @EmilyHuene @Raydo

OOC: Gear same as in profile

 

[Taalong Vorr]

The Dark Nightsweeper Star Yacht entered into the system of Ryloth not long after the Contemptuous did. Though the vessel was much smaller and luxurious, the one within was not so soft an individual. His status hardly warranted the vessel and the great capabilities it possessed were not fully utilized by its pilot. It was simply a means of transport with a handful of additional features that were utilized as needed to the Kaleesh warrior that had won it through violent conquest.

It was his talent, it was his purpose. Born and bred for war and a living product of the warrior tradition that waged across Kalee, Taalong Vorr brought the ship to bear beside the large vessel. The docking ring bridged the two vessels in space, and he had boarded the ship.

He was not like the many that were on the ship, unyieldingly loyal to the Church of the Sith and its High Priestess. Though he did not follow the faith, he had a great respect for its High Priestess, whom he knew only by reputation as the Confessor. He had seen her in person, and stood with her on a mission prior to that day. She was not involved in the digging politics that eroded at the heart of the Empire. It was a refreshing change, and though he could not see the Force in the way that her followers did, he did have great respect for her role in the Empire and as a warrior.

Taalong Vorr had been asked to join the venture the Church embarked on. He had made his respect for her position known as she should across from the Drast poison that continued to afflict the Empire, in a public place. Vorr was a warrior of many battles, and also was among the few in the modern age that had stood against a Jedi.

Their mission called for the capture of a Jedi, and Vorr had been asked by the Confessor to accompany her disciples to the surface of Ryloth. The world was not one he'd been to but he was familiar with the Twi'leks. And though he may not have any truly better insight then her followers in the church that were there, he was certainly willing to lend his assistance to help find and destroy the enemies of the Empire.

He was directed to the shuttle which would take the party down to the surface, and looked at those with him.

He stood across from an Acolyte named Samekh. He did not know the Sith, but his weapons and armor appeared strong. But the blaster he holstered caused Vorr to narrow his eyes in judgement. So many Sith opted for the weapons of the weak, and denied their own natural talents. He hoped that one day the Sith would accept that.

"I come to aid the Confessor and her acolytes." Vorr noted to his compatriots. "We will find this Jedi." He nodded as the small shuttle prepared to descend.

@EmilyHuene @KinkyPrawn

 

[Thelemy Oronays]

Thelemy was smiling as he had been looking down on the world of Ryloth. The twi'lek had come from this place, raised himself from farmer and duct cleaner to what he was today. The arid world had a soft spot for him, and he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps on this journey, he would be able to stop by his old home town. It'd been 8 months since he'd been back to visit his parents for Life Day. Perhaps he could pop in unannounced and surprise them a little.

The blue colored man drapped one of his Lekku's across his shoulder like a scarf when the High Priestess began to speak. New knowledge was on the cusp of their grasp, and all they had to do was find a way to get it. He was not happy with the arrangement however, knowing they'd need to take the Jedi alive. It bothered him, but he kept silent on it, knowing the greater stakes at hand for their specific task.

He stood in the hanger and went to get his things. He only had a few select items, a set of Sith marauder Robes, forearm and helmet designed to protect the users main weak spots. He picked up and holstered his Chanti Blaster Pistol, making sure he had the magazines to use it. And finally, his weapon of choice, the long handled hilt of his Double-Bladed Lightsaber. He holstered it behind his back, hooking it to his armors belt as he made his way to rejoin his fellow church member.

When Mid spoke up, Thelemy finally could bite his tongue no longer, "They're Jedi...Heretics who mock the balance of the force with their beliefs. We should be ending them rightly...and yet, we are forced to take them alive instead..." The twi'lek gave a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head, "What the High Priestess desires, I will work to provide. The jedi will be delivered alive, But I won't be very happy about it." he said, feeling honesty was the best approach in this situation.

@EmilyHuene @KinkyPrawn

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

Spoiler: CHANGES

Due to Lore issues, this is no longer a plot. I have removed the previous mentions of the holocron from Eriana's post. This is now changed to a simple snatch and grab for Eriana's personal desires. PVP rules have been deleted as well; this is now just for fun and for story's sake.

Not all of Ryloth is barren wastelands and flat rock. There are forests here, only not as many as other systems. These natural preserves here are full of wildlife and exquisite plants that smell of heavenly scents and bear fruit so sweet it is often preferred to than candy. This is where Jedi Knight Kae'Leigh Tameris was taking her Padawan. This was her home that had been her birth planet, though up until now she'd only come here once before. Her Padawan, @Firen , had been a patient learner, and was due for a reward. The blue skinned Twi'lek promised him she would teach him in the ways of the Force and how to be a better Jedi, and up until now she had fallen short on that promise. The Jedi Knight did what she could for him on their missions together, and on their journeys to and from those systems aboard her ship, but it wasn't the same because her mind was always needed elsewhere.

Today would be different. Today would be all about Firen's training. She would allow him to practice whatever he wished to learn, whether that was Force abilities or lightsaber combat. He was still using her old master's saber as he'd yet to make his own. A feat which seemed less and less likely to happen due to Ilum being closed off to them now that the Empire had claimed it. They'd even built a church of all things there. Though who'd choose to live in that frozen wilderness was beyond her.

After landing their mynock-series freigher, the two Jedi would depart and make their way into the treeline of the forest. The tall standing forest stood like a green skirt to the mountain towering above it. It was a site to see for sure, but it was not where they would actually be staying; just training for the day. For several miles to the East of them would lie a farm land with a log cabin that her master had taken her to when she first came to Ryloth. This is where they would sleep after a day well spent.

Kae'Leigh had decided to wear something different on her journey today, something that fit more to her ancestry and race. Her chest was covered up in an asymmetrical wrap that wound up her left shoulder and down her sleeve. Her lekku on her head were kept in place by a similar leather headdress that coiled down her head tails like ribbons. Around her waist was a simple belt with a buckle in the front that draped a silk cloth down between her legs that were dressed in the same material. Hung from the belt was her blue and brown Brylark lightsaber hilt cut from The Life Tree on Kashyyyk.

But as the two walked through the forest, something cold and spine-tingling would hit the two Jedi -at least Kae'Leigh if Firen wasn't too focused on his surroundings. Kae'Leigh stopped for a moment, holding her hand to her chest. Something was very wrong. She wasn't sure what, but she could feel the Dark side. It was so powerful. With fear in her eyes she looked around, but didn't notice anything. And then she looked up. She saw high up in orbit a large ship had entered. Kae'Leigh could feel them: Sith. The Empire had come to Ryloth.

Turning to Firen, she would crouch down as she often did when speaking with him in a serious tone, "Firen! My Padawan. The Empire...they've found us. Quickly. Run back to the ship. You're faster than me. Have Johnny take off and get it to a safe location. I'll try to draw their attention and you can swing by to pick me up when it's safe. Go! Now!"

Her tone was full of worry, but also authority. She would not allow him to back talk her, or suggest otherwise. Time was of the essence. No doubt the Sith had already scanned the system and found The Silver Bullet just waiting around like a shining target. If the Sith got to it first, they'd blow it to pieces and then they'd both be stuck there. Her little astromech would know how to evade them and throw them off the trail, but he wouldn't know to come get them this far out. Their rescue, relied on Firen's obedience to his master.

@Raydo ​

 

[Firen]

He wasn't really paying attention to anything except the butterfly that danced along the treeline they were walking by. It was purple, he liked purple.

He saw his master looking around which caused him to look up at her. She was obviously worried, but what about? They were out in the middle of the woods. She quickly pointed out the approaching ships and then told him to run ahead to the ship.

He wrinkled his nose at her. He could fight, he had been training and was ready. It would be better if they stayed together. "But...." he said prompting her to cut him off. He scowled before taking off towards their ship, bounding on all fours around trees.

He was fast, it didn't take him long to reach the ship. He jumped at slapped the comm panel as he entered the ship, commanded the droid to get the ship off of the ground. Luckily the droid complied, sometimes it didn't when Firen told it to do stuff.

The engines roared to life as he ran up to the cockpit. as the ship began to lift off. "We need to go rescue, Kae'Leigh." he said as he worriedly tapped on the command console.

 

[Mid Samekh]

The shuttle rose and flew out of the Gallows, down towards Ryloth. Mid sat relaxed, prepared for what lies ahead. The Jedi would be too strong for him to handle, potentially even too strong for his allies as well. But he had a fall back plan no one else knew about.

Until now.

He lifted his commlink to his mouth and spoke up. "Gallows this is Undertaker. The Jedi might prove to be troublesome in capturing, so I'll need some more backup to soften her up. Prep a squadron of bombers and fighters and have them ready to attack. If she refuses, you guys take off and carpet bomb the nearest neutral villages to our position. Make sure to record and broadcast as well. Might need some visual evidence. If you don't hear back from me in 5 minutes after contact, bomb the Jedi's position and take her out. There's no room for playing games here. Undertaker team out." he spoke with authority. When he was done and got confirmation from the dungeon ship, he looked at his allies with a smirk. "She tries to bluff or put up a fight, we'll use her compassion against her." and with that he sat back and made himself comfortable.

The shuttle circled and landed close to the Jedi's location. Mid jumped out of the shuttle and sprinted to where the Jedi was seen. The Gallows radioed in that a silver Mynock-series freighter was landed close by as well. "Keep sights trained on that ship. It tries to interfere, you bring it down. She could have valuable intel on it so don't destroy it!" he shouted back as he drew the force and pulled his polearm from his back. Things were about to get interesting.

She was close. His eyes were open for any ambushes and his senses would alert him to any surprises. No trick this time. When he got to her position he slowed down and got ready to fight. "Jedi! Surrender now! I know you're here, show yourself!"

@Raydo @EmilyHuene

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

"Be swift, Firen," she would say to herself as the little Kushiban made for the ship. With a heavy heart, she tried not to think about the approaching danger. She had a sinking feeling she was never going to see him again. But that was just her anxiety talking. Kae'Leigh had never actually gone toe to toe with the Empire. She'd tussled with pirates, she fought thugs, but never hardened battle troops. Not to mention, a Sith. The fight of her life was looming over head and Kae'Leigh had just sent her only backup away. But at least he would be safe. That's what mattered most to the blue skinned Twi'lek.

He would make it to the ship with no issue and approach her handy little KLT-series astromech droid named Johhny. The droid had plenty of programs written into it thanks to Kae'Leigh's slicing skills and data mining. When he told the droid to take off, it would beep at him in binary and rush to a port to plug in. The ship would roar to life and The Silver Bullet would begin to ascend. But while the droid had plenty of operating commands, 'rescue Kae'Leigh' wasn't exactly one of them. Firen would have to pilot the vessel; or, he'd have to explain to Johhny exactly what he wanted him to do.

Meanwhile, Kae'Leigh herself would turn away from where The Silver Bullet was waiting and make her way further into the forest. Hopefully, she could get the Sith and his/her troops to approach on foot. Either that...or raze the forest trying to get to her. She really hoped things wouldn't come to that. But she prepared for both options. Finding a good place to stake out her position, Kae'Leigh would wait for them to come to her. She knelt down and would hold her saber gently in her lap.

"Patience. Strength. Control your emotions." These were the things she said to herself in her head while she waited. She let the energy from her crystal flow through her which helped keep her mind and her fears at bay. That crystal meant everything to her. It was a promise she made to herself, and to someone very important to her. Someone she hadn't even met yet...

Even as the forest shook with vibrations from the shuttle, Kae'Leigh did not budge. She refused to let fear control her. Kae'Leigh was a Jedi Knight. She was a peacekeeper. She was strong. She would handle these Emperial agents with grace and dignity. Such was her mission and task as a protector of the people. It wasn't until she felt the Dark side user sprinting toward her location would she finally open her eyes.

The Sith was a beast. He towered over her by a good six inches. But his muscles and savage nature was what really put her off. This red skinned pureblood looked like he'd been bread for war. While Kae'Leigh hadn't started training until a year ago. But she would not let the Dark win. Standing up, she gripped her saber firmly in her right hand; like her master had taught her, she fought with a back hand saber so her hilt was shaped backwards to allow her better swordsmanship in defense. Her master had taught her plenty in defending against one blade, as well as fighting two. But the polearm in that Sith's hands looked deadly. Did she have any chance?

While walking down from the hill she'd found herself she would call out to the pureblood, "I am here, red one. Why have you come all the way out here?" Her tone was calm, and gentle. And she was allowing the Force to continue flowing through her with a calming aura hoping it might sate some of the Sith's rage and eagerness to draw blades.

 

[Mid Samekh]

Mid's gaze snapped up at the Jedi as she spoke. He raised his polearm and ignited both blades, holding it diagonally in front of him. He took slow steps around her as she reached the base of the hill. "I came here for you, Jedi. The Sacellum has caught up with your heretical ways and I've been sent to take you back to Ilum to atone for your sins." he spoke loud and clear, his voice almost a direct contrast to hers.

They were less than 10 metres apart when he came to a standstill, staring down the Jedi through his visor. "I will only tell you this once. Surrender now, or both your Mynock freighter and every village this side of the hemisphere will be blown to kingdom come." his tone grew more threatening as he watched her. Merely a few seconds later the familiar piercing howls of imperial fighters could be heard from high above, topped off by the whistling of bombers following in attack formation. Mid's eyes were locked onto the Jedi, a cold face hidden behind his helmet. "Your choice, Jedi. You can try and kill me or call my bluff, risking hundreds if not thousands of innocent lives...or you can come willingly and everyone else lives. Including your Padawan."

He could feel the second presence. It was anxious, distressed. Most likely wanting to come help its master. The starships were closing in, ready to bomb everything in sight. "Surrender, or watch others die on your behalf."

@EmilyHuene @Raydo

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

Her enemy would approach and ignite the duel blades of his weapon which made Kae'Leigh jump back a little. The sound still scared her every time she heard it. Even from her own blade. He would explain that he had come for her, and then something about a sacellum. What the kriif was a sacellum? Not important. The message was clear. They'd come not for the riches of Ryloth, or anything else they could place value upon. The Sith had come directly for her. She'd have to fight every single one of them to get away.

Tightening her grip on the saber in her hands Kae'Leigh would hold her head up high, "You are the one who believes in a false power, Sith. You are the one who feeds on darkness and prays on the weak. You are the heretic here."

The armored tank ahead of her would not hear her plea. He instead only threatened her, his true intentions all along. Just like a Sith. A coward. His bluff, as he called it, was to blow everything to smithereens. And Kae'Leigh knew he possessed every possibility to do that with the power at his disposal. At first the Twi'lke figured he was merely giving her an empty threat until she heard the sounds of the fighters in the atmosphere. She wasn't sure what it was at first, as she'd never been in a full scale attack, or rather on the verge of one. She'd heard bombs going off, blasters and the like, but never been about to witness something as truly awful as an aerial raid.

A gasp came to her as she realized what was happened was already in motion. The Sith had already called in his troops. With the sounds of bombers tailing behind the fighters it was only a matter of time before they began their attack. The Sith would insist she then surrender, or else hundreds would die. And it would all be her fault.

With a look of disgust she shook her head, "You coward! Holding innocent people hostage? For what? To bring down one enemy? Now I know for sure what side I stand on." Kae'Leigh would then raise her left hand and with her thumb activate her commlink before screaming into it. "Johhny! Code RT. Initiate code RT!"

It was a simple code, standing basically for retreat. But the astromech would know exactly what to do: get the hell out of dodge. All systems on the ship instantly closed off from any interference as The Silver Bullet began to make a beeline for anywhere but here. Those fighters would be more than capable of catching up to it, but if the engines could get them to orbit fast enough then the jump to lightspeed would be their best chance of escape.

Tearing into the sky the engines were on full blast boosting Firen inside the ship into his seat -assuming he wasn't standing up. Johhny would pilot the ship away from the fighters as its scans knew they were coming for it. But it wouldn't matter. For Kae'Leigh's emergency plan came with one lovely little icon she liked to call "the crybaby." As if ejecting last weeks garbage out the airlock, a small device (in terms of the ship) relative to the size of a person would fall out the bottom of the ship. The device which mimicked the call sign of The Silver Bullet would confuse the fighters' radar for a quick minute making them think instead of rising, she was diving. It wouldn't work on a seasoned pilot, but to a nameless troop or droid? They'd never see the slicer coming.

It would still be several minutes before The Silver Bullet and thus Firen would make their escape, but for now, Kae'Leigh was still in danger. No doubt that the moment she reached for that commlink her opponent would launch. Kae'Leigh -the second after pressing the transmitter- would press her thumb to the ignition plate of her weapon. The same sound emitted from the hilt and a blue beam extended from the hilt down the length of her arm to which she'd raise it to block the first of the Sith's attacks. If none came, she'd bring herself to a defensive stance until such an attack came.

 

[Thelemy Oronays]

The sound of an engine screeching closer cut through the tense silence. Riding up from the direction that Mid Samekh had walked from, came the dusty trail of a single swoop bike, a locust which crested into view. The rider came to a stop next to Mid, the bike hovering in place as a Twi'lek stepped off of it, walking slowly to join the sith's side. His blue skin was lit by ryloth's light, and his simple attire of tan and dark brown robes, sleeveless except for some armored gauntlets and leg greaves, blended well with Ryloth;s earthen tones.

He bore tattoos along his face, 2 black lines which snaked down the left side from a bandana he sported. And his black eyes looked out towards the Jedi before him, a fellow twi'lek as he gave a bow to the woman. At his belt, a double bladed lightsaber which he reached behind to draw, giving it a casual twirl in his hands. His dark eyes were dull, like 2 black pits within his head, as he stared at her with serious gaze, before looking to Mid.

"I take it she did not surrender..." Thelemy said to his fellow sith as he looked back towards the Twi'lek, speaking again, this time in Twi'leki as he addressed Kae'leigh, "You should really consider surrendering...While the force welcomes the dead into it's fold, you could postpone their deaths by simply giving up..." His face began to change, a small smile playing on his lips as he continued, "Is that not what you Jedi like to do? Keeping others alive, even if it hurts the force in the long run?"

@EmilyHuene @KinkyPrawn

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

But no attack came. Instead, it was another Sith. Kae'Leigh clenched her teeth together knowing this battle just got twice as hard. He came up on a swoop bike and parked it next to his friend who was not surprised to see him. But it wasn't until the man stepped down did Kae'Leigh realize she was staring at another Twi'lek. She gasped, not expecting to see one of her own on the opposite side of the war. It wasn't the first time, as she'd met someone on Coruscant just recently who had climbed the ranks of the Sith. It didn't make it any easier though. The Twi'lek would pull his double edged saber out and twirled it in his hands threateningly. She gulped, knowing this fight was one she probably could not win.

At first, he would talk to his peer, assuming correctly that she did not surrnder. Then, he turned to look at Kae'Leigh and spoke to her in Ryl. Her eyes opened for a second in confusion, but then returned to her poker face of the strong warrior she was supposed to be. It would surprise this man to know Kae'Leigh was not actually fluent in her people's language. She knew a few words and was able to pick them out, but as a whole he spoke too fast and the message was completely lost on her.

"Leave," she would say to them. "Leave this planet and her people alone. They have done nothing to you."

Her eyes continued to scan them. Only one had drawn his blades but the Twi'lek could easily do the same. Could she fight them both off? Her best chance was to run. She hoped she knew the forest better than these two warriors, but since he'd brought the swoop bike she would have no chance of outrunning them. Perhaps she could distract them long enough to get to the bike and use it to return to Firen?

 

[Mid Samekh]

Her first instinct was for her to order her pilot to do something. From the radio chatter in his ears it seemed that her ship was escaping. He was fine with that. In retaliation to her yelling into her commlink Mid force-pulled it towards him and crushed it in his off hand. He stood ready as she ignited her lightsabre. He could smell the fear. Deep down she was terrified, but she kept it well hidden. Mid had to commend her for that. He heard a swoop getting closer and he could feel the familiar presence approaching.

Mid had hoped Thelemy would accompany him. It made things all the easier. "No. She didn't." he said flatly, staring at the Jedi. Thelemy spoke in Ryl with her and he could partially follow. But he still had a lot to learn. He did get the basic idea at least. The Jedi then told them to leave, but Mid didn't budge. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. But you leave me no choice." his commlink opened in his helmet and he spoke loud and clear. "Gallows, this is Undertaker. Commence Gomorrah." he spoke swiftly and sternly.

A hologram appeared on his right hand and he held it out for all 3 of them to see. It was a first person view from a bomber's cockpit. It flew in formation with others and a village not far from the 3 force users came into the picture. The bombs released and the entire village went up in flames. It could have been a fake...but the earth shaking and couple hundred souls falling silent in the force all at once was more than enough evidence to prove to the both of them that Mid was not bluffing. He drew a deep breath in and let the loss of life empower him with the Dark Side. "Surrender." he spoke finally.

Out of the corner of his eye he was keeping an eye on Thelemy the whole time. While the Twi'lek was loyal, Mid couldn't be sure how he would react to this action against his own people. He was ready for an attack either from the Jedi or the fellow Acolyte. Though he hoped it wouldn't come to that. Their fight was with the Jedi, not each other.

@EmilyHuene @Cainhurst Crow

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

She should have just surrendered. She should have just given up her life so that someone else could survive. But how could she? She had to make an effort to stand her ground and try to reason with these men. She couldn't just take their word that they'd leave the planet alone just like that; bad guys never stuck to their word. Kae'Leigh watched in horror as the holoprojector showed a first person view of a fighter jet and thus of a village in its sights. The bombs were dropped and Kae'Leigh felt the ground shake.

Falling to her knees she grabbed at her heart with one hand while disengaging her saber in her other. Pain. So much pain. Kae'Leigh could feel the death and the screams of the people just miles away. They were too far buried in the forest to see the flames, but the Twi'lek didn't need any visual confirmation. She could feel it. She was in shock. They'd done it. They were doing it. The Empire was bombing that helpless village.

"Please stop," Kae'Leigh gasped while trying to speak. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. She was just feeling all of that loss. For no reason. They'd died...because of her. "Please....spare them. Please. Make it stop."

 

[Thelemy Oronays]

Thelemy looked between Mid and Kae'Leigh, the standoff evident as the Twi'lek let out a sigh. "Why does it always come to this?" The sith questioned, not liking what was to come next. A disappointed expression crossed his face as he watched the view of the bombers. Thelemy closed his eyes as the bombs landed, opening himself to the force as he felt the sudden wave of the village dying, the pain and fear before being extinguished, and sighed.

He brought his hands together, saber held between them, and began to slowly mutter to himself. A prayer passing through his lips for the departed to make their way through to the force again. He stopped as he heard Kae'Leigh's words as he turned his head slowly to look at her. His eyes opening, two glowing golden orange orbs of hate and evil as he spoke.

"Are you....begging?" He brought his hands apart, moving them along the lengths of his saberstaff as he walked towards her slowly, his voice a quiet whisper as he spoke, "You choose to stand your ground...to face our fury. Those people are now with the Force, and their charred remains will fertilize new life to grow in their place...So do not spoil their departure by trying to take it back now...Jedi Heretic!" He spat the last words as he ignited both of his sabers, stalking towards her as murderous intent began to pour from him and into the force, like a miasma of malice. He stopped his advance however, looking to the sky as he held his arms open, as if ushering someone for a hug.

"O' great power of the force. Grant this humble servant strength, so that I may strike down those who deny you tribute...May death come to us all, and may we all return to your embrace!!" Themely was looking to the sky as he spoke, and his anger had turned to reverent jubilation as he looked down towards Kae'Leigh with a crazed look, and a wicked smile, "Try and pray to the force. It won't answer...It knows which one of us walks its true path."

 

[Mid Samekh]

The Jedi felt it. Like a tidal wave it hit her. Mid also noticed Thelemy's mood drop as well, but he remained loyal. He might make one hell of a sith one day with unwavering loyalty like that. The Jedi begged them to stop, but Thelemy took the chance to break her down even further, challenging her. His devotion was commendable but inappropriate in this position. Mid lightly shook his head and as Thelemy spoke a prayer out loud Mid spoke up to a different force in the sky. "All bombers, return to mother ship for refit and refuel. Fighters break off from engagement but stay up there. You're our eyes in the sky." Mid spoke clearly for them both to hear.

The hologram cut off and the bombers flew back to the Gallows. Mid extended his polearm as Thelemy ignited his saberstaff and pressed his blade against the Twi'lek's to halt his advance, not even moving an inch off his spot. "The high priestess wants her alive, speaker Oronays. Don't let your hatred cloud your judgement. Stand down." he spoke sternly. He collapsed the weapon and walked forward, pulling the Jedi's lightsabre to his right hand to accept her surrender. "Besides, if anyone's going to have this heretic's head it will be me." His eyes were locked on the Jedi who was on her knees in front of him.

Without further warning he extinguished his polearm's blades and swung the hilt down. The top emitter would collide with the Jedi's head and knock her out cold. He doubted that she would resist in any way, not with the power Mid had at his disposal for this mission. After cuffing her with force-negating cuffs, her knocked out form would be thrown over Mid's shoulder and the shuttle would circle around to come pick them up.

The high priestess had plans for her and so did Mid. He would break her down and reshape her into a powerful agent for the Dark Side. "Job well done, speaker Oronays. The high priestess will be most pleased." He spoke as he waited for the shuttle to arrive.

@EmilyHuene @Cainhurst Crow

 

[Kae'Leigh Tameris]

The bombing continued to wreak havoc making the Twi'lek Jedi weaker and weaker as the lives around her were cut short. She dropped her saber to instead hold herself up. The pain was so unbearable. How could they do this? How could they just end all of those innocent lives? No mercy. No warning. Just death. In front of her, the other Twi'lek started toward her muttering to herself; she couldn't focus on what he was saying from the sounds of screaming agony in her mind. But as he got closer he directed his words to her and ask if she was begging. What a foolish question. She was pleading! She was helpless to stop this chaos and they knew it. All she could do was beg.

The man continued to belittle her by pinning this blame on her for the actions she caused. She wanted to argue that point, and spit his words back in his face because it was their choice to send the bombers in the first place. This whole thing could have been much different. Instead, tragedy. That was all this was. Continuing to threaten her, he then ignited his blades making Kae'Leigh look up at him with a scared expression. He was going to kill her. After all that talk about taking her alive? It was all some ruse in the first place, wasn't it?

Behind him, the red Sith would then call the bombers off so that they might return to the ship. Kae'Leigh let out a soft gasp of relief and lowered her head. The damage was done, and so many lives had ended, but maybe now with their retreat a few more lives could be spared. Tears were still not coming to the poor girl for the shock was still hitting her. But she wanted to cry for them. She felt cold inside. Lost. Confused. And this is how she was going to die.

At least the first Sith remembered the mission. With a flash of his own blade he trapped it in place so that the man could not raise his own any further. The man then reminded the blue Twi'lek that someone with the title of priestess wanted Kae'Leigh alive. It was enough to stall the man's hand for now. Her saber was then pulled from her feet where she'd dropped it. Kae'Leigh looked up helplessly as the red villain came closer to her. Her eyes now full of loss.

"Why...?" she would ask without getting an answer. The man replied by swinging his blade after first releasing the switch on his blades so the brunt of the hilt collided with her head. She hit the ground and that was the last thing she remembered.

While she slept, the tanky Sith would cuff her and carry her over his shoulder like a bagged prize. One might say they'd gone hunting and found their mark, a doe fit for sport and trapped in a cage she didn't even know she had fallen into. Kae'Leigh had expected to put up some sort of fight, but what could she do against men who were willing to burn the world down? She was alone, save for her Padawan up in the sky who was desperately trying to fight the controls of The Silver Bullet which was dead locked to get @Firen to safety.

But out of all this chaos, something good would come out of it. For Firen was alone now on her ship. And something would start to call to him. After hours of waiting for Kae'Leigh to make contact he'd find solace in something else. It came from her personal bedroom, and had in it a holocron locked away under her bed. The locked box easily enough to break should he chose, but the holocron itself would take a true Jedi to open it. Kae'Leigh Tameris knew beyond any doubt that Firen would one day make a powerful Jedi. And his reward for opening that device would be one green Kyber crystal. A gift she'd picked up on Jedha, for him. And on her ship he'd have all the tools he needed to make himself a saber. What he did with that, would be entirely up to him....

~END THREAD~
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