Ask [Shili] Out Of The Shadows

Zactar Hakka

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The images and words continued to flash through Zactar's mind as he lowered his ship through the Shili atmosphere, distracting him from the beautiful plains and grasslands through the viewport in front of him. "Is this your Empire?" played again, accompanied by another flash of destruction of the embers that were once jungle trees of Kashyyyk. Since the footage found him, he hadn't been able to escape the consuming feeling of guilt that was slowly eating away at his mind. What was once confliction had now hardened into resolve after a meaningful conversation with another deeply conflicted Sith and friend. Knowing he was not alone in his internal disgust with the Empire helped Zack make the dangerous decision that had brought him to Shili: to meet the Jedi Grandmaster.

Zack tried to be careful in tracking her down, despite the inherent danger in his mission. Having no affinity for computers but enough credits to splurge now and again, he'd hired an independent slicer to deal with the HoloNet in his stead; using a multitude of personas, proxies, and trackers to make contact with who was assumed to be the Jedi herself. There was no guarantee that the information the slicer had collected was accurate, but at this point Zack had to assume some risks if he truly wanted the redemption he sought. Through brief private messages, the supposed Alexandria agreed to meet with one of the HoloNet personas used in the slicer's social engineering: a Nautolan man named "Wod Ichmo" who claimed to have information regarding a hidden Sith shipyard. The deception would be obvious immediately upon their meeting, but Zack hoped to offer something more to the Jedi if she had the patience to hear him out.

As his BNG Y-Wing touched down on the soft red grasses of Shili, Zactar exhaled deeply in attempt to steady his nerves for what could potentially be coming. He had no expectations for the Jedi's reaction; only the deepest hope that they would believe in his sincerity. Ship powering down, Zack unclipped the lightsaber hilt from his belt and set it on top of the cot in the quarters behind his cockpit. He wouldn't need a weapon for such a meeting. If the Jedi decided to cut him down, she would do so to an unarmed man with no will to defend himself, and he will have deserved it. Climbing out of his ship, he made his way into the center of the plain he'd landed in, simple tunic billowing in the wind around him. Here he would lie in wait, his Force signature apparent, away from any armor or weapon to defend himself. Away from a ship to flee with, submitting himself fully to whatever results would come of this foolish endeavor.


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Alexandria Voran

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Alex watched the ship descended. She was waiting for the Sith. Her Force signature a pinprick of nothingness. Her face obscured by the shadows of her hood. The Council, the Order, did not know she was here. Alex had undertaken this trek alone. The messages had reached her through old and forgotten channels. They spoke of a desire to change. A disenchantment with a growing Empire. A chance for something better. Alex still believed in redemption. Despite everything, she felt in her soul some Sith could be saved. That number was small but not zero. She doubted this man was one of those few, but Alex would see every tool available to her. She was desperate and desperation bred action.

Her eyes followed the simply glad figure till he stood in the middle of the plains. Alex jumped. The Force roared around her. The wind racing through her hair. Wind pushed at her body, her mind molding the Force. She soared a good hundred yard before landing with a thump before the Sith. She was equally plainly dressed. Her robes ruffling as the ground cracked slightly. She was not dramatic by nature but sometimes appearance was important.

“You know me…” Her voice cut through the silence. “But I don’t know you.” Alex ran a hand through her hair. “Tell me, what is it you seek?” She had an understanding from the messages. She saw the paths in the Force laying out before them. She needed to hear it. She needed to hear the words form him, taste them on the wind, and feel the truth of them. That was the only way she could be for sure. The only way to know if she would take this chance. For that is what it was, a chance.

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Drow Venn

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It probably shouldn't have mattered but Drow started feeling better about this would-be Sith defector the moment he saw that they piloted a Y-Wing. A fellow fan of the old-school bomber, Drow figured anyone that shared his tastes in starcraft couldn't be all bad. If this little chat went well, Drow made a mental note to ask about how they dealt with the coupling issue that he'd been running into.

But, right now, he couldn't focus too heavily on ships. He was here supporting Alex. Defecting Sith definitely felt like Shadow business and the old Ishi Tib was certainly glad that Alex had given the okay for his presence on this mission. For one, he knew that the two of them together could probably handle whatever Sith double-cross that might be thrown their way. Plus, having a Sitho n the inside would be of amazing use for the Jedi Shadows. And the other thing was that being First Shadow was lonely work a lot of the time and he was happy to see his friend again after so long.

"You have time for a drink after to catch up?" Drow asked Alex before the Sith ship touched down. It had been too long since he snagged a casual drink with someone that wasn't tied to Shadow business. Once the ship landed and Zactar began walking forward, Drow stopped talking and stood up straight, doing his best to look intimidating, letting Alex serve as the Order's mouthpiece while he was its muscle.

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Zactar Hakka

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Just as Zactar began to ease his mind for a meditation, he felt a nearby pulse in the Force and turned his head to witness the humanoid figure soaring towards him on the wind, their cloak dancing through the breeze like a ballet of autumn leaves. As the woman landed before him, Zack stumbled back two steps before regaining his posture and bowing deeply with eyes to the ground. He sustained the bow for several possibly-awkward seconds before righting himself and fixing his amber eyes upon the Jedi's piercing green ones, also offering a nod to the Ishi Tib with her.

"I seek redemption..." he stated with a shaky voice, trying his best to maintain eye contact. If the eyes were windows to the soul, he wanted Alex to be able to peer into him; see him for what he was. "And I seek the end of the Empire. You've shown me their true face through your broadcasts. It's madness...and it needs to end. I want to help you end it." Zactar exhaled nervously. This was his crossroads. The Jedi would have every reason to turn away from him - leave him to roam without purpose - but if he were to throw his life away, he wanted to do it with glorious purpose.

"I thought I was working for something greater for the rest of the galaxy, but you've shown me the reality of the Empire's impact. They aren't trying to help anyone; only control them. It has taken me twenty years to understand how the Dark Side is destroying my body, and rotting my mind. I...fear I am beyond redemption...beyond saving..." Zack turned his head away and took a deep breath, closing his eyes tightly as a tear streamed down each of his pale cheeks. "If I am doomed to this fate, I want to do what I can with my apparent position. I am...was a Champion." he continued more quietly. "If it would help you destroy the Empire, I could leverage my position to get information for you...possibly reroute forces at opportune times...or maybe carry out more direct sabotage from within."

That was it, his idea laid bare between them. If the Sith so enjoyed subterfuge and deception, let them have a taste for it themselves. They'd trained him in the art of lying. If he were damned to the Empire, at least it would give him the opportunity to work against them; to dismantle what he had previously helped build.


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Alexandria Voran

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Alex cocked her head and smiled at Drow. “Always.” The First Shadow had been deeply immersed in her responsibilities. Very little free time existed for either of them. The Morellian Jedi returned her attention to the Sith before her. His mind was laid open. She did not hesitate to investigate those depth. The truth would not be hidden from her. Alex’s brow furrowed while the words washed over her.

He appeared to be telling the truth…such that it was. “I believe you.” And she did. “The Darkside corrupts absolutely and without exception.” Alex shook her head slowly. “It is better to know it now than never at all…” She raised a hand. “But…I do not know if it can be undone.” The Force continued to flow around her.

“I will not promise you a magical cure. I cannot. We can offer you a chance to fix what you have done. To fight to corruption within.” Her eyes shot briefly to Drow. “And perhaps we can find a way to draw your poison out.” She was still suspicious. You could never trust the Darkness. “How can we know the Darkness will not take you again? That you will not end up offering the Empire this same betrayal?” The question was sincere. She had her concerns. Trusting one who had severed the Empire so long was a risk. A risk she was willing to take for the right outcome.

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Drow Venn

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Drow felt a twinge of hope as Zactar revealed he'd heard Alex's broadcast and had actually been swayed by it. Sometimes, it was hard to remember that all the great sacrifices and tremendous efforts the Jedi took actually meant something to people, even if that impact was hard to see immediately.

"No one's beyond saving, my friend." Drow rebuked the Champion, though with a touch of gentleness in his voice. He, of all beings in the galaxy, understood that. Straying from the righteous path did not mean you were lost forever. Sometimes, you just need help finding the way again.

"But Alex is right. A double agent is a tricky bit of business, even with someone you trust. And we just met. So how about a test of your loyalty? A small one so as not to arouse suspicion but something that would assure us you're in this for the long haul." Drow offered.

"Leak some faulty intelligence to the Imperial Army, maybe? Or give us some Imperial security codes?" Drow suggested, looking to Alex for her input. As First Shadow, he had some ideas about espionage but he also realized that this was a delicate situation and the more minds that thought on it, the higher a chance the plan would succeed.

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Zactar Hakka

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Zactar waited anxiously for his words to be received and to receive his judgment. His nerves told him to prepare to be cut down - told him to unleash a Force push and run for his saber hilt - but his sincerity kept him firmly planted in front of the two Jedi, unarmed. As the Morellian grandmaster voiced some confidence in his admissions, Zack breathed a deep sigh of relief. "No...I expect nothing so simple as a magical cure. I am the one who forged these connections in the Force, and if it is possible to unbind them, I assume I will have to do it. But I know you all possess wisdom I do not and would be indebted for your guidance and knowledge." He bowed again and shrunk a little with those words. Zack never expected a magical cure from this disease, but hearing the grandmaster tell him she knew of no such thing disheartened him a little. It would be work. A lot of work, if possible at all.

Zack smiled appreciatively at the Ishi Tib's comment since that was exactly his concern: that he was beyond saving. He wasn't surprised to hear the concern from Alex. Truthfully, he didn't have a good answer. If they were to work together, they would both have to trust one another. "I suppose you won't know...can't know, unless you can see the future. But if it would easier, I can cut all ties with the Empire." His posture relaxed a little bit as he spoke from his heart. "Trust me, I want nothing to do with the Sith. I would just walk away if it was that simple, but they've done their damage." He paused momentarily, thinking of his disgust the last time he looked into a mirror and saw amber eyes peering back at him instead of the ocean blue that he was born with, but shook the thought out of his mind to refocus on the present. "I know it might sound extreme, but...I am a tool of the Jedi. Whether that means sustaining this darkness and using it for your benefit, or turning away from the darkness all together, I will do whatever you need to put an end to the Empire."

That said, Zack turned to address the Ishi Tib directly, a serious look on his face. "Whatever you ask." he repeated intently. "The security codes change often and their use could be tracked. I can give you the codes I have, but they will only work for so long. Information I can definitely plant. I'll make sure the report comes from an ISB officer so as to not arouse suspicion." He pondered on the suggestion for a while, thinking of the little that his position within the Sith afforded him. Thinking back to one of his most recent operations for the Empire, Zack smiled and offered another idea. "I don't know what use it could be to you, but I helped take the Arda system for the Empire. One of the three planets has been charged to me, but I don't believe the two other Champions I worked with have laid claim to either of the others. If its positioning on the border of Sith space could be of any benefit, I would be happy to establish an underground Jedi presence there; keep the Empire's eyes off the system. I've been in talks with mining prospectors so much of the traffic in and out of the system is already being dismissed."


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Alexandria Voran

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Her mind drifted. “I can see the future.” A small smile played on her face. Alex’s eyes shifting to Drow. “But war clouds my vision. I see blood and bone strew across the galaxy.” She shook her head slowly. “This can’t continue.” Her gaze returned to the Sith. “If it does, we will all be consumed.” Her voice grew distant as she spoke. “I don’t trust you…not yet…but circumstance has forced my hand. We have few tools, and I must use what the Force provides.” Alex felt that weight settled on her shoulders again. Duty.

“I do want peace. Despite what some may think. I do not believe the Empire wants the same and they will do anything to maintain power. You have seen that now.” Deals with Devils. That was all she had left to her. Of course, Drow would be here. “I want two things from you.” Was she sure of this? Yes…yes she was. “Maps of the Imperial Palace and the ground work you have suggested.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Facilitate and support the establishment of our hidden forces on those worlds. That will be a start.” Alex’s eyes hardened. “Do this and we will decide what comes next.” The Force rang with finality. She could only hope it was the finality of a proper choice.

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Drow Venn

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Drow adjusted his stance and nodded, showing support for the Grandmaster's decision. He also ripped a piece of paper from a notebook in his utility belt and scrawled out a comm number and an email. Having acquired the services of a crew of pirates, it was the contact information for one of the first mates aboard the fleet. Drow used them for various Shadow activities as privateers attacking the Sith fleet and trusted them enough to relay any information they received to him without it being compromised. That being said, if something were to be compromised, Drow would rather it be his makeshift fleet versus the Shadow base on Ifrane or, even worse, Yavin itself.

"Send those maps here. Don't use your name and, by the Force, send it securely. I'll be sure to pass anything you send along to whoever needs it." Drow said, one hand on his lightsaber as he handed the paper over. It was both a measure of protection as he got near the Sith and a warning to the Champion that he was playing a dangerous game and that, if he were to double-cross them, he would have some very dangerous enemies.


"About that thing we discussed earlier?" Drow asked Alex, once the Sith had made his way, referring to their plans for coffee afterwards.

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Zactar Hakka

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Zactar's eyes quirked with curiosity as the grandmaster admitted to some precognition. That was not a skill he'd seen taught in the Sith Academy. As much as he liked the idea of being able to see the future, he almost preferred to keep it a secret; keep his mind here and now, where it belongs. Her agreement felt indeed weighty, the force woven into her words with a feeling of finality. Establishing hidden Jedi within Arda was a difficult task and one he was ready to undertake, but the Imperial Palace? He didn't know where to start. There was no way he would have the clearance to obtain such blueprints, but failure wasn't an option. If this would be instrumental in dissipating the dark shroud of the Empire, he would have to do whatever it took.

When the grandmaster's companion stepped forward with a piece of paper and hand on lightsaber, Zack reached out slowly and deliberately to take the paper from the Jedi without making skin contact. He understood the threat he posed as a former Sith loyalist and took no offense to the Ishi Tib's precaution. He would do the same given his position. Zack nodded his agreement. "Very well. I will find those maps and get them to you, and I will help bring Jedi to the Arda system and keep them hidden." Looking over to the Morellian, he added, "You know how to get in touch with me if there is anything else I can do in the meantime."

He turned to begin walking back toward his ship before pausing for a moment and turning back to the pair of Jedi. "I...I want to thank you for the opportunity." he said, followed with a warm smile. "I know I'll prove it in time but...I'll do whatever I can. Until next time." That said, he made his way through the tall, red grasses back to his ship. Tucking the slip of paper into a pocket of the console, Zack fell heavily into the pilot's seat before falling forward and catching his face in his hands and allowing more of the tears he'd held back to wet his hands; the product of a mix of emotions and anxieties, but largely culminating in a feeling of success. This trip could and should have ended very differently, but perhaps there was light at the end of the tunnel after all. With the flips of switches and his new course charted, his Y-Wing's engines roared to life and thrusted him through the Shili atmosphere and into the stars.

/Exit Thread

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Alexandria Voran

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Alex inclined her head toward Zactar. “I do not trust easily, and I do not do this without reservation.” But war forced them all to do uncomfortable things. “I hope you find the right path. I hope you prove me wrong, and that the Darkness can be cleansed from your soul.” Alex’s eyes fell on the Sith one last time. “May the Force be with you.” She watched him trudge off. Alone with Drow she dropped the air of authority that so often clung to her.

She leaned over to put her hands on her knees, a heaving out a sigh. She straightened to run a hand through her hair. “I’ve bet our future on a Sith…this is how desperate we’ve become.” The Morellian Jedi continued to shake her head.

“I can only hope we are right.” Alex turned to look at the First Shadow. “My time here is near an end Drow. I can feel it. The Order must be safe when the Force calls me away.” The future had a weight she had never felt before. An impending sense of finality. “We’ll talk soon. You know how to find me.” With that the Grandmaster was gone. She trudged her way quickly back to her ship to make her way from the shadows of Shili into the light of Yavin.

OOC: Alex Exit.

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Drow Venn

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Drow couldn't help but laugh when Alex so bluntly laid out the Jedi's tenuous position. He'd learned from his merc days that you could either find the humor in horrible situations or you could be driven insane by them. He chose the former.


"Almost makes consorting with Sullustan terrorists not seem as bad, eh?" Drow joked, referencing the very event that had got him kicked out of the Order proper.

"Kidding." he said quickly. "And I hope you are as well. I trust your instincts but I also trust your leadership. I don't know what the Order would do without you."

"We'll talk." he assured her before he too went to his ship to head off world back to Ifrane. @Valen Pelora

Ooc: Exit Thread
 
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