Taming the Beast

[Carden Mannux]

*The Crimson Lettow soared through space towards the barren world of Barab I. His task seemed simple enough. Conquer the primitive, yet deadly, Barabels to gain access to their armor facilities that Darth Dire so desperately wanted. A plan had been forged between himself and the three Dark Lords for taking over these primitives and he was honored to be the one selected to command this mission. Though, there was much tension between Lord Dire and his apprentice, Lord Ruinus, lately. For all he knew, there could be a new Dark Lord of the Sith waiting for him when he returned. You just never know...

The ship reached orbit and he told his droid pilot to set the ship, and the other capitol ship he brought with him...just in case..., in orbit around Barab I. He sent an order to the droid commander of a small fleet he brought with him to dispose of, just to make himself look good for the inhabitants. Getting into contact with all of the major Barabel Chiefs would be difficult, though he was sure he would have no major problems unless suprises were thrown at him. He doubted it, but you still had to be prepared for anything and everything.

He injected himself with a potent substance that would protect him from the dangerous ultraviolet and gamma waves that bared down on the planet throughout the day. Hooking a few more onto his belt, he headed to the docking bay and stepped into his ship. The hate and anger swelled through him at the thought of failure, though in order to gain all you must risk all. That is the way of the Order of the Sith. The strong prevail and the weak fall. Much like the Sith Order and the Jedi Order. The Jedi Order would die and the Galatic Republic would crumble before the Sith Lords and Arch Duke Lettow as they rule the galaxy with an iron fist. One more the Sith will rule the galaxy...once more there will be peace.*

"Soon we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. Soon we will have revenge..."

*The small craft roared to life and blasted towards Barab I, ready to gain the next footing in the coming of The Great Sovereign Crusade.*

 

[Epic]

*A small table had been set up in the largest cave in the largest mountain on the largest piece of land on the planet. It was here that The more important Barabel leaders would meet with a diplomat. They only did it to make themselves look good, of course. They weren't much of a diplomatic species. He would have to prove himself to them before they even considered forming an alliance.

Slowly, one by one, the leaders began to enter the room from various entrances that led to other caverns and caves. It was noon, and not even a Barabel could last too long in the sun. It's heat and radiation pummeled the planet as they sat in the cool, dark tunnels and caves, lit only by torch. It was here that something of great importance would happen to the Barabel Population. Whether it would be good or bad was yet to be seen.

Among the leaders was a large male who was accompanied by an even larger male. The smaller was obviously the companion of the Alpha Male next to him. The smaller, seemingly weaker, Barabel snarled, knowing something was awry. Something wasn't right. He could nearly taste and smell the foreboding feeling in the air*

"Thiz one doez not think that it iz a wise move to meet with thiz offworlder. I can sense something iz wrong....", the smaller said to his leader.

"Tsar, you have alwayz been Thiz one's friend, and I trust you, but thiz iz not the time for your Jedi talk. Thiz one respectz the Jedi az doez the rest of the Barabels here, but at the moment our Mindz must be here.", The Alpha Male said to the smaller Barabel, known as Tsar.

Tsar looked away from his companion and raised his head to the ceiling of the Cave, knowing something Dark was approaching...He didn't know what or who it was, but it was heading their way...And nothing could stop it until it got there.

 

[Carden Mannux]

*He set his shuttle down where requested and stepped out, the Dark Side of the Force swelling towards him. Though, he masked his Dark Side presence from other Force users, as he sensed a Light Sider nearby. He had longed to fight one ever since his embarassing defeat at Yavin IV at the hands of High Priest Bac. This Light Sider would soon learn the price of siding agains the darkness as the last thing he would see was a crimson blade swinging in a fury of hatred and anger towards his neck. He stepped from his shuttle, looking around. He injected himself with the antidote again, for added protection and began to walk towards the coordinates given to him.*

"Here's where the fun begins..."

*As he arrived, he noticed one man that looked to be dressed as a Jedi. The presence of the Light Side of the Force swelled around the Barabel Jedi. The rage swelled through the Arch Duke as he spotted the lightsaber hanging from the belt of the Barabel. How he wanted to kill him, but he couldn't. At least...not yet. That would not be the best way to recieve a warm welcome. His presence in the Dark Side was still masked, hoping to ward off the Jedi from any suspicious behavior on his part.*

"Greetings, my honorable friends. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Carden Mannux, freelancer in the Corporate Sector of the Galactic Republic. I have come here to form an alliance with you, honorable chiefs, in order to gain more market bases throughout the galaxy as well as create new jobs in my company in an attempt to end poverty in certain sectors of the galaxy and push for peace and prosperity throughout this vast universe."

*It was hard not to cringe, or even laugh, at what he was saying, but if he played his cards right he would have a new alliance before the red dwarf set below the horizon. He looked over to the Jedi Knight, smiled and bowed in respect....the Arch Duke would have rather ripped his eye out with a fork.*

 

[Epic]

*The Barabel in the Center of the group spoke first. It was obvious that he was probably the spokesman for the Barabels until the actual talks began*

"Thiz one welcomez you on behalf of our people. Pleaz, sit down so that we may begin." The Barabel indicated to a seat nearby that had already been pulled out for him by a young Child of one of the Leaders in the Room.

"Thiz one welcomez you, azwell, offworlder.", This time, the greeting came from the Scarred Barabel, Tsar. It was obvious that the Darkness hadn't escaped the Jedi Master's knowledge and caution. His voice not only told that story, but also the way he looked at Mannux.

His face wasn't one of hatred, nor did it hold any bitterness towards the newcomer. But it was his eyes. The Eyes behind that scar that had the truth in them. And he made no attempt to hide his feelings, either. It was better if the Dark One knew that he'd been found out rather than to let him go on as he would've normally done so. If a fight were to break out, not only would he have to deal with Tsar, but also the 5 Barabel Guards armed with spears in the entrances to the room.

 

[Carden Mannux]

*He had been found out, though he hadn't the slightest care in the world. If the Jedi attempted to tell the others, he would know and he would literally gut the Jedi like a mynock on the asteriods of Hoth. He replied only with a faint grin and a nod of the head. He sat in the chair as indicated by the Barabel and nodded.*

"Thank you, my friend. Let us begin, I suppose."

*He handed the Barabel a datapad containing the treaty he had written up and had been approved by the Sith Lords. That Barabel began to look it over.*

"As you can see, our alliance would permit me access to your armor factories which would power the weaker Republic Military officers that are serving to protect our galaxy as we speak. In return, I assure you that my men would continue to see that Barab I live in peace and freedom as well as gain our justice and security. Please, take as long as you need to look it over."

*He stood up and moved for the Barabel Jedi and extended his hand. He looked into the Jedi's eyes, sensing something familiar.*

"Have we met before?"

 

[Epic]

*The leaders of the Barabels began to look over the agreement, not caring for it in the slightest. The offworlder had yet to prove himself to them. Meanwhile, Tsar hadn't taken his eyes off of the Dark One save to take a bite out of a small mammal that was next to him as a Snack*

"Thiz one, does not believe so, Offworlder...", He said, never looking away. He too felt something oddly familiar about the stranger who called himself Carden. It was a presence he hadn't felt since....

But that couldn't be the answer. Tsar thought his friend had won the day then! He put the feeling aside, concentrating on the here and now, rather than the Past. He needed to be fully aware if he was to protect the Barabel People from becoming this Dark One's tools.

 

[Carden Mannux]

*Shaking his hand, he still felt the familiar presence. It felt like a presence from Yavin IV, though the Sith Lords said they finished the job! He was sure they had killed all but High Priest Bac! If this Jedi was from Yavin IV then Lord Dire failed.*

"Yes...perhaps I was mistaken."

*He noticed the Barabel taking no interest in his agreement. No matter, he had assumed as much. He would just need more leverage. He hit a small signal on the side of his belt as a small fleet of starships began to move in towards the planet and bombard the surface from just above them. He turned and smiled to the Jedi Master before moving back to the table.

 

[Epic]

*The group of Barabels looked up to the unseen skies in slight shock. Their people had no sensors that could reach farther than a few hundred yards, afterall. Tsar was startled by the attack, but wasn't surprised entirely. People who had the Darkness About them would resort to any means necessary to attain what they wanted. He could sense that behind their Guest's shocked and slightly scared face, there was no such feelings present. He was calm, cool, and collected. This seemed all too convienient*

"Mannux, you came with shipz, didn't you? Sssend them after our attackerz if ssso! Your time to prove yoursself to us iz at hand!", the largest of the Barabels said. His Shock had lessened and he now assumed the role of a Military Leader, giving orders to the Offworlder.

Tsar, however, remained calm after a short time of meditation.

"Yesz, Carden...Sshow usss that you can be truzted."

*Meanwhile, the Droid Commander of the expendible ships was relaying orders*

"Attack the areas surrounding the Caves. Points 189.2 and 113.8"

 

[Carden Mannux]

*To the Barabels, he seemed shocked and confused as to why anyone would attack Barab I. Funny, considering he was essentially attacking the very heart of the primitive planet in a less obvious way. Though, on the inside, he was jumping for joy at the idea of them gaining his...trust. Trust, a fools emotion that led anyone down the wrong road. Trust had taught the galaxy very important lessons. They trusted Supreme Chancellor Stavan Jetzt only be slapped in the face. They trusted Adena Qel-Droma, Kyra Maans, Kit Rendar, Ussej Padric Bac....only to be slapped in the face by them all. He basked in his glory as he turned to the chiefs, a spurious look of fear crossing over his face.*

"Y...yes...I'll have my crews do what they can."

*Pulling out a comlink, he turned away and faced the Jedi Master, smiling in his face. Though the Barabels were ubeknownst to his true intentions, the Jedi Master caught on fast, though the Arch Duke Lettow did not strain at the thought for even a single moment. The hate swelled through his scarred face as the Jedi stood there...watching. Soon, the Barabel Jedi would be dead and the planet would belong to the Sith, as would the rest of the vast galaxy.*

"Droid commander, form your fighters into attack pattern Alpha Diamond. Have the Crimson...

*He thought for a moment. The Barabels obviously had no clue as to what the Lettow were, though it would tip off the Jedi. Perhaps it would be better, perhaps it would be worse. No matter. Even if the Barabels do not meet his demands now he can still threaten to bombard the surface from above.*

"Have the Crimson Lettow attack their heavier vessels in attack pattern Whisky Tengo Foxtrot."

 

[Epic]

*The Droids had their orders and carried them out, Raining Hell from Above onto the Surface and also being decimated by other ships attacking them*

*That single word was all it took to get Tsar's attention. Now that his suspicions had been confirmed, he could take action. However, to alert the leaders would cause a panic in the Room and probably cost more lives that didn't need to be wasted*

"You are a good Perzon, Offworlder....", Tsar mumbled, still looking at the Lettow, sizing him up, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Just like the Hunt.

 

[Carden Mannux]

"I thank you, Master Jedi."

*He reached into the Jedi's mind and called to him. One word and you will die sooner than you need to... He turned back to the chiefs and smiled.*

"So, you were saying?"

 

[Epic]

*The Largest male spoke yet again*

"Patiensssse, Offwolder. The Barage ssstil Continuez."

 

[Carden Mannux]

"They have moved far to the west. Besides, my men are taking care of them. I assure you there is nothing to worry about when you have my....protection."

 

[Epic]

ooc: I forgot about this thing.....

*The leaders, obviously impressed, started to nod to each other*

"Then let uz get down to bussinesz."

*Tsar looked on, knowing things wouldn't go very well for the Barabels if his "leaders" went through with this*

 

[Carden Mannux]

"Yes...business. It's very simple really. As I said, our alliance would permit me access to your armor factories which would power the weaker Republic Military officers that are serving to protect our galaxy as we speak. In return, I assure you that my men would continue to see that Barab I live in peace and freedom as well as gain our justice and security."

 

[Epic]

*They all had to admit, it sounded like a Reasonable offer. And one that could provide useful for the Barabels in the Future. However, Tsar knew better. He knew that the Barabels would only become slaves if they went through with this. He wouldn't help them if they did do it. He couldn't. He was just one Jedi. He knew his limitations. Perhaps, if he could get back to Coruscant, back to the Rest of the Jedi, he could alert them to what happened if something really did*

 

[Carden Mannux]

*He noticed the Jedi Master slowly backing away from the table, though the Arch Duke would never let him leave alive. There was too much at stake to allow him to escape. Stepping to the side, he placed his arm on the shoulder of the Barabel Jedi.*

"Please, Master Jedi. We are about to make a breakthrough! You can't possibly be leaving...or escaping..."

 

[Epic]

"Escaping? No one iz eszcaping. I merely go to warn...To warn the Jedi of what iz going on here. You will not get away with taking my home eazily, Dark One."

*He knew he was safe with saying these things. He could feel the Darkness Surrounding his leaders' minds. He knew that the fighting had begun, whether it was physical or not*

 

[Carden Mannux]

"Taking your home? Dark One? What are you saying, Master Jedi?"

 

[Epic]

"You know what Thiz one iz Saying...Now let me Go."