Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Darkest Before Dawn

On Geonosis, in the heart of the Research and Development labs, there was the Monster Factory. Inside were the youngest, but brightest, and most prolific researchers known to the CIS. The building was drab, nothing about it stood out. The walls were reinforced, with a great many internal security measures to keep out unwanted people. Inside this place of research and imagination, several young scientists were bustling around.

“GEORGE?! Where is the Princess? I need her help on the micro-reactors again.” The one who called out was a young twi'lek woman. She stood outside a clean room, and had pushed the intercom button to call inside it. The woman was dressed cleanly, in sterilized white clothing.

The man called George looked up from the microscope, where he had been analyzing a new strain of helpful bacteria. Hopefully it would be able to convert garbage into usable energy better.

“She is in D-Lot, prototype fabrication. Don't disturb her. She is liable to tear your head off. She is working on a project for the Knights Obsidian.”

Twilek eyes went wide. “Erm, okay, maybe later!”



Allya sat in a massive holo room. All the controls where ran by holographic panels in front of her, they just floated in the room, and the computer system picked out where her hands were, what they were doing, and reacted to it. It was a brilliant system. A lot of manufacturing equipment was in the background. It was here, that most of the Monster Factory prototype weapons, armor, and devices first came into being.

She was being methodical, and rechecked every equation, every detail. The legs were tricky. Where Damsy had put functionality above aesthetics, this project required both. Above all else, they were to be braces, made of light, and fairly thin, but strong hardened polymer straps that would go around the leg at various points, and up the hip. To help ease of motion, there were gentle servo-motors placed inside that would help the leg move along, rather than do all the work for it. This would allow the legs to continue to get stronger, but not have to fear being unable to have enough force to do the job.

A small, high capacity, high efficiency power cell was added to allow the servo motors to work for several days without a recharge, as well as a manual mode, so that if the cells did die, while it would be harder to move, the brace would still do it's job while allowing movement. It was specifically designed for a female that was about 1.83 meters tall. She made them slightly adjustable in height and width if anything in the legs were off from the measurements. It would be able to hold and help with a person of up to 136 kilograms. Always best to over compensate when dealing with weight stress, you never could tell what exactly would happen.

Soon the manufacturing systems began to create the pair of legs. It was simple, but effective. Able to hide under moderately tight clothing without even being noticed. Little metal to avoid any uncomfortable sensors and the like. It should help. Now in a combat situation it would allow for escape, nothing more and would provide very little defense, and would break under blaster fire, or an explosion and the like. But she was told to not worry about that part. Focus on Aesthetics and functionality, that was it.



It wasn't long before it was done, she put them through the paces, tested this particular one, in so many ways, eventually finding where it failed. It was everything she had hoped. One more prototype was created and she packaged them up in a long crate. Hand lifted and the force carried it next to her. The teen hummed to herself, and loaded into a speeder at the dock, and was soon underway to the hospital. The one she was to deliver this to was important, and needed help.

In the speeder, she removed the overcoat, revealing a simple outfit, pants, a long sleeved shirt, basic shoes. It wasn't anything special. The girl was soon at the hospital, and brought the crate with her once more, floating it along behind her. At the right room, where Madalena was at (For the moment, she had been seeking physical therapy and all, but she needed a lot of care still) Allya knocked and awaited entry....for all of ten seconds. After that, she opened the door and barged in. “I AM HERE! I bring presents!” She grinned and sought out her uncle's woman.
 
Madalena was so ready to be done with this phase of her new life. Every single way, the woman physically trained in what capacity her body would allow her. The first few weeks, she'd been working solely with her sister, Scherezade deWinter, who managed to pull information from all the smallest books and placed into how the best way to get Madalena accustomed to her new body. It included a series of yoga movements, stretches, muscle strengthens, and there was that one time where Scherezade simply attempted to electrocute Madalena to see how her muscles responded. That had been the breaking point for Madalena. While she knew her sister was not in any way attempting to harm her, the chaotic line that ruled her had to be somewhat subdued, and Madalena had demanded they turn to the professionals.

With the help of both Cardinal and Scherezade, many of the appointments had been re-scheduled, now moving to the Geonosis hospital. Professionals were helping her this time, helping her body go through the motions, get stronger. In truth, it had the same speed of effect as her work with her sister had, but Madalena was not going to complain. If nothing else, it had given her an excuse to get off her ship more often. While she already knew that she was no longer a Warrior in the same sense of the word, being seated and cooped up in the same place for too long was getting to her. She still needed her freedom, still needed the ability to go where she pleased and when she pleased.

Madalena had just finished the work out regime for that day, aided by professional physiotherapists, and had gotten back into her regular clothing. She was tired. She wanted to eat. But above all, she wanted to not need the crutches that were waiting next to the chair she was sitting on. She always needed them after that, the muscles of her legs, back, and core, unable to help keep her up after a certain point had been reached. And while she knew she shouldn't have been feeling that way, she couldn't deny that it made her feel almost invalid. She was used to moving, running, tumbling, all of that. She was used to spending hours in the Citadel's training hall playing with all the weapons like they were toys, deciding when she was done because she'd grown bored and not because her body couldn't handle anymore. This… Was a near unbearable exercise in patience. She'd been promised it would only take a few weeks, but those few weeks had already passed and now it felt like they were looking more into months before she was herself again.

Such were the thoughts that were running through her mind when the knock on the door was heard. Madalena looked up, not quite understanding why anyone would known on the door to the room she was in. Medical professionals usually just barged in and out unannounced, and she wasn't expecting any visitors.

And then the door burst open and in came [member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]. Madalena blinked. She had not seen the lovely teenager since the war on Eshan, where the both have them had touted over Cardinal and the choices he'd done that had almost gotten him killed. Madalena still expected to be able to scent what species and blood lines people belonged to when she saw them, yet with the new body, her Blood Hound abilities were gone. It still left a pang of pain within her chest every time she realized that.

She also then remembered that Cardinal had mentioned something about turning to Allya for help with the muscle situation. Madalena hadn't thought about it in a bit, hadn't known when it was going to happen, yet as the girl barged in with that big proud smile on her face, Madalena could not keep herself from smiling back. At least her facial muscles had learned to cooperate with her quickly enough.

"Allya!" she said, her voice giving away the relief and joy in seeing the girl for the first time in so long. Reaching for her crutches, Madalena pushed herself up to stand with visible effort. Would it be weird? Allya had met Madalena when she was in Scherezade's body. Now… She was not. "No one told me you'd be coming here today." Holding one armed out, Madalena signaled that she would be happy if Allya came in for a greeting hug, though she would not make the girl do that if she was uncomfortable with it. "Are you talking about the presents Cardinal spoke with you about?"
 
Allya grinned wide and hopped over to the bed where she reached out to boop Madalena's nose a bit, before she hopped fully inside with the case. “Yes! Though, honestly, I just like making things. I think it's why he asked me. It was pretty similar to something I had made for my sister once. So.” Allya took the new body in stride. If it unnerved her, or in any other way confused her, she didn't show it. The girl had gotten used to people dying, coming back in new bodies, or looking completely different a long time ago. It was just part of life for her. She leaned over, and kissed Madalena's cheek, “It has to be hard for you. I got sent the medical files so I could do my work. See, I'm...um...how to explain this.” The girl blushed a bit and steepled her fingers, before taking them apart and pressing them together in rapid succession.

“I am one of the chief researchers for the Dauntless Commandos. I'm also its active second in command. I'm young, I know, but I love designing fun things. All of our armor, weapons and ships? I designed them! And.” The girl opened up the crate and took out the leg braces. They were light, perfectly designed for her. “I also designed these. They are designed to go under the clothing, and barely be noticeable. They will brace the leg, and the knee, to stabilize it, and allow you to focus on moving, rather than balancing, or keeping your knee in position. However, they also have micro-servomotors, it will make moving easier. But, it won't do it for you, you still have to train, and work to get there, but it will help. I love technology. When something seems impossible, I create something new to overcome it.” The affectionate teen reached out, and ran her fingers through Madalena's hair. She brushed it out for the woman.

“It's going to be hard. But, I can help with the recovery too. I've helped several of my troops who went paralyzed in battle be able to move and live normal lives again. Hard work, but it was worth it.” Once more, she just kept talking. The excitement in her voice, and on her face was so clear. “SO!” The girl set the braces next to the bed and twirled around, before she clapped her hands. “Let's do this! We can get you walking again. And we can get you through physical therapy!”

[member="Madalena Antares"]
 
Madalena blinked in surprise. Allya was a touchy person; as in, she liked to touch. First it was the booping on the nose, then the kiss on her cheek, and then playing with her hair. Madalena had been mostly secluded since being placed in her new body, and had had no contact with anyone aside for her sister and Cardinal, both of whom were people who prided their personal space and could get violent when it was breached. Surprisingly, Madalena had no issues with how Allya chose to show her affections towards her. In fact, she found herself happy and welcoming it, which earned Allya herself a kiss on the top of the head as well as a small ruffling of the hair, just careful enough to not undo her 'do.

"Hey girl," Madalena said as she realized something, staring up and looking directly into Allya's eyes, "never apologize for being young and full of ideas. My sister has only had a year and some to be alive and she's created amazing things. With your background and enthusiasm? Your age doesn't matter. Never start explaining yourself with I'm young, I know. It doesn't matter. You're you."

Looking at the braces though, Madalena could not help but frown. They were much less cumbersome than the crutches she'd been using, that much was true. But the way Allya described them made them almost seem too good to be true.

"Do you suppose they can hold up in combat?" she found herself asking as she began to fold her pants upwards a moment before realizing that to get the bracers on, she'd have to remove them. Not feeling shy in any way in front of the younger woman, she did just that, eying the braces again as she wondered how the right way to put them on was, "not that I'm planning on hitting the field yet. But uh. If I'm anything like my sister, fields will start forming around me as soon as I get more off my ship. And I'm still trying to figure out just how much I resemble her on the inside. Y'know, where the whole, her fake memories inside me stop and where I begin and all of that."

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]
 
Allya was a talkative, hyper affectionate sort, she loved to touch and be touched. The moment Madalena kissed the top of her head, her eyes sparkled so brightly, and happily. “Hahaha!” Lips pursed though, as she listened carefully. It didn't make much sense, but she grasped the idea of what the woman had told her. Then came the question she knew would come. The girl leaned on the wall and sighed. “I made it so that they can withstand a lot more pressure than just walking. They can run, side step, go backwards, and even help you to jump. Movement wise, they are one of the more advanced pairs I've made. Only Damsy's was better, but that is because she wanted to be a commando.” A hand reached up, and she ran fingers through her hair deep in thought.

“The materials are light. They are made from carbon-based polymers, tightly wound and placed in a type of light plastoid as a bonding agent. They will help you run away in combat. However, it can't withstand blaster bolts, explosions and the like. I chose practicality and aesthetics over combat ability when I designed It. It can go under skin tight pants like you are wearing, and look fantastic in, and barely be noticeable beyond a slight snaking bump that goes up your legs. However, they are not designed for combat as in actively engaging in it. But it will not give way as you attempt to get away. And it could resist a lot of the pressures of combat, such as kicks and the like. But, it will break if its more than just a few. So, it gives you options, but its not designed for a battle.”

When she finished speaking, the small Mandalorian pushed off from the wall and moved over to her. She leaned down, to look Madalena in the eyes, deep into them. Allya explored them, and smiled. “They are works of art, but have limits. It's supposed to help you heal, and battle, kicking, and punching won't help with that. However, try and run a marathon with them, and they will be ready for another. Water proof too, if you want to go swimming. Which I recommend, actually, because swimming is amazing for the muscular system, due to its low impact.”

[member="Madalena Antares"]
 
"I think it's too soon to be running," Madalena smiled, taking in all the rest of the information that Allya had unloaded onto her. They still sounded too good to be true, but Allya's words tasted true and she had no doubt that all that was promised, would also be delivered. "But I suppose it's a good thing Cardinal taught me how to swim," she laughed. So swimming was going to be good. Was there a pool in the Citadel or near it? There should be.

Wiggling her long legs into the bracers, Madalena paused a moment, wondering if she'd even gotten them on right.

"How have you been doing, Allya?" she asked as she moved her legs around, testing the bracers while still sitting, "I haven't seen you since that day on Eshan and I've been pretty much gone for months since then." And there was a lot of catching up with to do. Scherezade and Cardinal had made sure everything would go smoothly, but they couldn't compensate for the loss of being there that Madalena had not been.

"Are you still with…" she tried to remember his name. Allya had mentioned someone loving the way she talked, but Madalena could not remember what his name had been, or whether or not she'd ever seen him at all. "I'm sorry," she apologized, "I remember you spoke of someone you loved and loved you, but I don't remember his name."

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]
 
Allya's eyes look over the beautiful woman, and she purses her lips. “Just take it gently. But yes, it's a good thing he did! You are a member of the Knights Obsidian right? There are pools for training and recreation in the citadel, a good idea would be to get him to go with you! Fun times.” She giggled softly and leaned back.

As the conversation traveled back to her, she laughed and nodded. “Jerek, Jerek Zenduu. He is a Padawan Jedi. So sweet, so cute, strong, protective, smart. Gah I can't get enough of him! Nor can I ever seem to get close enough for my liking. It's like, no matter how close I am, I want to be closer, even when were are pressed together in a kiss or something.” She shook her head and shrugged. “But yeah! We've been together for awhile, actually. I'm pretty surprised. He is my first love, my first boyfriend.”

She moved over to the bed and sat down, to brush the woman's hair out with her fingers. “When we can we live together onboard my ship. But we both work hard. We talk every night, and see each other as often as time allows. I'm proud of him. He just got a master. It's really cool!” Her brown eyes grew wide and love struck as she talked about him. “We've been together for what? Five...six months now? It's so much fun. He has taught me so much. So very much.” Her voice went soft, wistful, and far away for a moment. Soon she blinked and returned to reality!

“Ahhh! Sorry! I just never really had anyone ask about him before, so I just kind of went off about it! Haha! Almost everyone else just doesn't...well they don't ask much about my private life. I'm not sure why, it's just never talked about. I think they suspect I have to much of my father in me or something." She paused a moment, and looked at the woman in earnest. “Honestly though. I'm good. I have a Master finally, Lord Voph. He is a very unusual dark sider, follows the Sith code, but I'm not sure he knows exactly what he is. He is a good man. I'm pretty happy. I wish dad would grow up. And I wish Uncle Adron would stop being so full of himself, and that Uncle Tacitus would stop being so closed off. He does evil things, but he isn't a bad man when you understand why. And I think Auntie Srina needs to smile more. Beyond that....I don't think I've been more content in my life than I am now."


[member="Madalena Antares"]
 
A member of the Knights Obsidian. Was she? Madalena had given it much thought, but… But she wasn't sure. The Knights were the natural place for those who used the Force to filter into, and still. "I need to decide if I am," she said, admitting it out loud. There was no reason to keep it from the girl; if Allya was old enough to be trusted with helping her, then Allya was obviously old enough to be trusted with the very same things Madalena would have trusted an adult that would have helped her. "I mean, I was with the Pathfinders, back when I was in Scherezade's body. But I'm not entirely sure that's the right place for me right now. But yes, you are correct; there are pools in the Citadel. I'll ask Cardinal to grant me clearance for them, at least for a little while."

Jerek. Right! That was his name. Jerek Zenduu. Madalena vaguely remembered something about him training with Josh as well, but she wasn't certain if that were true. Either way though, it had little to do with the conversation. To listen to Allya go on and on about him, there was something so charming in its nativity. First love. First boyfriend. Things Madalena… Had no clue if she'd ever experienced, honestly. She still held the fake memories inside her head; the Gerry that had broken her heart when she was sixteen, the lack of interest in men in the years that followed her parents' death… And none of it was real.

"Oh, Allya," Madalena said, taking the girl's hand, "you're always welcome to come talk about him. Or anything, really. I don't really know your father but whatever parts of him that you inherited, whether they're the good parts or the bad ones, you're making it work. Just look at yourself! You're beautiful, you're full of life, you're incredibly smart and talented, you know how to sit on your butt when it's needed, and you both love and are loved. People have killed to have much less than all of that."

For the rest of the people Allya had mentioned, Madalena didn't care too much about. She did not know this Voph person, had a strong desire to light a cigarette up just to turn it off inside of Exarch Malvern's wet part of the eyeball, loathed Darth Tacitus, and about Exarch Talon… Mostly a snob, but of that entire list, Madalena had the least anti'ism about her. It seemed that every time she found herself with the higher ups of the Confederacy, she found herself questioning the Confederacy's ability to resume its existence over the long term. The people worth their dime, Madalena firmly believed, were in the bottom and the middle.

"If there was one thing I could have that I currently don't and cannot have," she said, deep in thought, "it'd be a way to record all the things I went through before coming here. Have some log or documentation of any of it." But those things didn't deal well with interdimensional travel, even if said travel had been unwanted. Or at least, Madalena had to assume it was unwanted.

Grabbing onto Allya's shoulder now, Madalena pushed herself off the bed, her bracers on her legs. Her legs felt like shaky noodles; but the bracers held true. She did not fall. And yet a few moments later, she let herself sink back to the chair, utterly exhausted. More rest was needed.

"Tell me something," she said, looking at her again, "anything. I've been cut off from people for so long… It's strange and exciting to finally be able to talk to someone who's neither my sister nor Cardinal, even though I love them both deeply."

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]
 

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