Destiny: Final Days of a Jedi Master

[Mother Askani]

"There is no decision in life that doesn't come with some sort of balance...or sacrifice."​

Her vision was clouded, smoke filled the room. She took her steps very lightly; cautiously. From her perspective, her head turned from left to right almost as if she was searching. The onyx in her eyes found nothing, but scattered flames. Suddenly, a pulse from pain resonated from her lower side. Cringing at the pain, and quickly responding by placing her hand over the area, she noticed the area had become soaked. Bringing her hand up to see, she saw...blood; it shivered in weakness. Feeling the faint sense from deep within that told her to turn around, she did. But while in motion she felt something pierce her back, and in one swift motion it came through her chest. There was a gasp, and then silence only accompanied but things falling apart in the distance. She fell to the ground, knees first. Her vision faded in and out, and there was just nothing she could do to help herself... Darkness soon followed, and thus marked the end.

Her eyes opened quickly, her breathing was quick and her chest hurt from the sheer beating of her heart. She gripped it, held it tightly. The togruta felt...pain in her head. She calmed herself down only to examine things further. Looking around the room she saw only familiar symbols, her meditation chamber.

This...this was the future she witnessed? Her eyes closed so she could zero in on exactly what she had just said. No, this was one of many futures. "Is my life...to be put to the test?" her facial expression hadn't changed, perhaps it was her time. What she was scared to admit was that she felt only a pinch of fear...her psyche had been damaged a little, watching...and feeling her death...scarred her. However, this is why she was skilled in Farsight to examine the ripples of time in the Force.

Time however was in a constant state of change, so thus everything could've been on schedule to change...possibly. Nevertheless she had other matters to attend to.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

6 years, and then...nothing.

The events of the recent nightmare would stay with Connor for a long time to come. People avoided talking about it; many didn't understand what had happened or why. The galaxy had changed forever. Friends had died; enemies grown stronger. The Force had been manipulated and twisted to serve that of the demonic Akala, the known Destroyer of Worlds. Connor Harrison had managed to survive the nightmare and emerge a different person from the one who woke in the Netherworld. No-one asked him what had happened yet, and he didn't expect them too. Maybe they were disappointed he didn't die and be rid of.

Wearing his new armor, hand crafted with the Antarian Rangers, it hugged his body with a feeling of great power and purpose. He walked through the Silver Jedi Temple on Voss and nodded curtly at the Padawans, Knights and Masters before him and also the Rangers on guard. His black cowl hung behind him and his cortosis plates gleamed in the soft lighting. Flexing his hands and moving the deadly looking gauntlets on his wrists, Connor held himself a changed man.

Slight wisps of silver, apt for a Silver Jedi, were starting to appear on the side of his dark hair. With the amount of stress and un-natural portals he had been through, who knew how his body had reacted. His face was more defined and his gaze confident.

Turning right, and then left and moving down a passageway, he came to the chamber of one Master he wanted to start making more time for. One who had helped train him and give his perception of the Force a good workout. He cleared his throat and palmed the lock on the door, thankfully finding it open. As the door slid back gently, he casually leaned into the room, placing his hands on the frame and looking around.

"I know you're in here Sochi. Got time for an old Rogue?"

It was quiet, but she was here...he could just about feel her in deep meditation.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]

So much power.

It was beautiful.

It was something she had never had before. It was something she had always craved. Power.

She could still not use Sith Magic, could still not manipulate the more base elements of the Force, but she could feel the Darkside coursing through her like she had never before. Her death had done things, wondrous things, and now that she was returned she could feel strength inside herself like never before. It was beautiful, it was wondrous.

The Darkside flowed through her like a deliciously tainted river, pouring into every part of her and spreading its filth. Her eyes slowly fluttered closed, her focus narrowing as she began to concentrate on the corruption deep within her. It surged to new heights and she gasped for breath as she felt a pulse run through her chest.

A flash burned into her skull, an image, and she let out a scream.

 

[Mother Askani]

While surprised she hadn't sensed the presence of her visitor before, she turned her head slightly to peer at the entrance of the meditation chamber from a side view. The voice sounded familiar and so she ended up not so surprised after all. She made her way to great her visitor, turning right once she exited through the entrance of the chamber. Walking down a small passageway she could see a familiar face from a distance, and it has truly been a long time since she saw this particular face.

"Yes, i'm here. Connor, its good to see you dear." she would say with a warm smile, that was followed by an exotic accent to compliment her pigmentation. "My have you grown into your own. It makes me proud."

The young man in front of her came to the Silver Jedi, scarred. Emotionally that was, she remembers training him briefly during his padawan days. Now look, he's become a powerful Master in his own right; does that mean she's old? Turning around slowly she gracefully moved over to a window that shone in colors of orange and yellow and reflected off of her skin. Thus was the natural beauty of Voss, oh how she loved it here...one of her favorite places to frequent.

For a moment she said nothing, she stood there only to allow the sunlight to beam off of her onyx eyes. Then she stated a question, perhaps she already knew the answer..."So, what brings you here Connor?" a question asked, and then she followed that with a swift motion of her turning to face the young man.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor smiled, and it was an honest smile. He knew that Sochi was fully aware of his journey, but also knew that she gave him no prejudice and no hardship. She just seemed to care, and it came over in her peaceful words, her soft accent and welcoming posture.

"You're too kind, Master."

Walking slowly close to her, the warm light of Voss seemed only to highlight her natural beauty. Licking his lips slightly and feeling genuinely at peace with her welcome, he linked his hands together as she turned.

"Can an old friend not pop by just to say hello? If you need a reason...um...let's just say," he waved his hands flippantly, "I want to know how you are after recent events, because I sure feel rubbish and I've seen most others except you. That good enough for a reason?"

Connor smiled softly, but noticed a flicker of something behind those exotic eyes. Something was on her mind and she wasn't totally at peace.

"Have I come at a bad time?"

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]

Her breath caught for a moment more, and then she seemed to relax.

Air entered her lungs, her thoughts returned to her, and everything came crashing down. The images, the ideals, the thoughts, they twirled around her mind. Then suddenly Nemene understood. The darkside bubbled within her, and slowly she rose to her feet.

Deep black veins coursed through her entire body. The corruption showing through the pale white skin of the Echani. She concentrated for a moment, letting out a deep breath that seemed to course through her entire form. For a brief moment her bright orange eyes seemed to flash, then the black veins retreated back into her skin, disappearing very slowly.

A smirk drew upon her lips.

She understood.

The Force had shown her a new path. A path of vengeance.

 

[Mother Askani]

She nodded her head slowly, "No, no. Of course you can. I appreciate your visit...especially at a time like this." she said with a smirk on her face, the latter part of her sentence however, was...said under her breath and wasn't necessarily meant for others to hear. She took a sigh and then looked the young man in the eyes, as one was supposed to when holding conversation. Other than that, she really didn't want Connor to catch on, she knew him to be just as much as intuitive as she had ever been, if not twice as much.

"Im fine...as you know a while ago I went into a self imposed exile. I was searching for something, while I thought it was another part of myself that I had been missing this entire time...truly it was the evil that sprouted up recently. I knew I had been called to do something, i'm just glad my mind...can be...can be at peace now." she said not even fully believing the end of her statement. There was a noticeable stutter there.

She quickly looked away, because as far as she could tell. Connor had possibly seen in her eyes what she saw in her vision. She took a couple of steps towards the center of the room, and it was timed so that she softly walked away from his question.

In a rush of words she spoke,"No, everything is fine dear..." and now she was more sure of what she was to talk about next. In truth Her former student had come at the perfect time. "Actually Connor, i'm so appreciative that you've come to check on me. I could use your help with something...I've been working on an assignment." she said. She pulled out a mini holo projector and it sprung to life before them both.

"As you know because of recent events, the galaxy has been in a state of rebooting itself...this...albeit a good thing...comes with so many dangers." the blue images before them displayed the galaxy as it is now, or at least an example.

"There has been numerous reports of slaving activity in the Chorlian Sector....this specific place was once under the control of the Silver Jedi...it had been monitored continuously. While slavers aren't a surprise, this particular case proves other wise. Before the Silver Jedi...there was the Zygerrian Slave Empire. They are plotting to reemerge anew and take advantage of the lack of authorities to stop them..." she said worried, with images showing the planets and the numerous locations at which slaving activity had been reported.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

If there was one thing he was good at, not just as a Jedi but as a person, it was to know when others were lying, or hiding something, because he had done it so much in the past. Connor just kept a placid face, watching and waiting for Sochi to crack. She repeated words, paused to think what to say, and avoided looking in directly in the eyes when has pressed questions.

She was in trouble, and it wasn’t fair to shoulder anything herself after all she had been through.

As she moved into the room, Connor kept two paces behind as a supportive figure; evidently he wasn’t going to let it go, but she would feel his presence as one who…understood.

When Sochi turned to him and the final barrier came down, Connor blinked slowly and the corners of his lips curled. He nodded softly to show he was listening as she spoke. The blue holo-image flickered to life in between them from her palm projector. Folding his arms and tapping his bottom lip with his left thumb, Connor rolled his mouth left and right, thinking about what action was to follow; there could be only one.

"Sounds like you know just what we have to do then, Sochi, am I right?"

Connor moved around the image and pointed with his finger just under the projection where Voss would have been on the map.

"We are here," he drew his finger up into the blue image of the system. "We can either hit the Malachor system, or move right on to the head of the snake with Zygerria and see if we can put our presence back on the map and remind them we are still here."

He hadn’t been a great tactician, but he was always willing to try, and in this case show Sochi he was by her 100%. For too long he had been affected by lack of evident trust in him, even when working on gut instinct, so if there was a problem they could assist with, best to act now and rationalise later.

"Or did you have something else in mind – something more diplomatic."

Connor flicked his eyes up to her.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]

She knew now.

It was so simple. The path that had been laid out before her, the way that she would find satisfaction, the way that she would be able to fill the void. It was so simple, so easy. She had no idea why she hadn't thought about it before, why she hadn't come to this idea.

All those that had wronged her.

All those that had hurt her and harmed her. They would be the ones to pay, they would be the ones who were ended. She knew that now, she knew what to do. Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes shifting slightly towards the direction of her guard.

She had no massive fleet yet, but she had an idea.

“Contact Zai.” An old friend would help here, and she knew that by the end she would be more than appreciative of Nemenes efforts. The former Queen of Rattatak grinned, the Lady of Pain grinned. There was an image in her head of a woman, a woman who had once treated her like a rat in a cage.

A woman that would die.

 

[Mother Askani]

She nodded, and followed along as his finger drew across the miniature holo-images displayed before them. She had been working in this assignment since...the Galaxy reset itself. For some time she had been using intuition and intelligence to piece things together. There was more she had to share.

"I believe the people of Zygerria are in trouble, and not only them but others throughout the galaxy as well. Sometime ago, we received a distress call. Thats how all of this began, a representative that had been appointed to Zygerria had managed to make contact with us and reported that while in the midst of trying to update the planets security measures to monitor incoming tourist and freighters, that the datacron that stored the encrypted information was stolen. Its assumed it was the ban of slavers trying to make it easier to transport slaves on and off planet." she said bringing up her left index finger and placing it gently on her chin.

"i've been tracking these pirates, and I think it best if we start in the Malachor system..." she said switching the image. Numerous dots could be seen in the sector marking the reports of activity. "Seems they frequent this area, so yes, your suggestion I feel is the best start. We must go to the Malachor system." she said eerily, she slowly looked up at Connor, and the hologram shut off.


Hours later on the Venator-class Star Destroyer: Providence approaching the Malachor System

Ru stood on the bridge of the cruiser, with her eyes closed for a brief moment. She experienced brief flashes if what she saw in her vision. Believe it or not, she was nervous to enter a state of meditation again for the moment. Though even if she wanted...she wasn't sure she would be able to because her abilities were out of flux; she had no idea as to why.

She opened her eyes and saw only empty space, for the moment however. She though back to Iella's death, she left the universe too soon. As a Jedi, its her responsibility to live a life of servitude. That means sacrificing ones self for the greater good, she wondered if Iella saw it all coming, yet went anyway to serve a higher purpose.

Seems like she will never know the answer...

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

A knowing look said it all where words weren’t needed between the two Masters. From a firm plan of action, hours later the two allies were en-route up towards the Malachor System in the mighty Venator-class ship, cutting steadily through the dark of space and piloted by the crew of Rangers and Silver Jedi technicians that made navigating the ship look easy.

Connor finished talking with Foe, one of the tecchies who worked with Connor on his personal E-Wing modifications, now plotting the course around the Outer Rim that the Venator class ship would take whilst the Silver Jedi took care of business. Discussing the call sign for their return and eventual pick-up, Connor and Foe agreed a plan and with a pat on the back, the Master moved away form the monitor on the lower deck of the bridge.

Looking out into the void of space from the bridge, he glanced up to see Sochi stood at the helm, a single Master leading the crew to liberate innocent beings from the grip of slavery. Always thinking of helping others and never herself.

He brushed his hand over his jaw as he made his way up the dark black staircase leading to the top of the bridge and walked casually forward to stand just off-side to her.

”You seem a little distant, Sochi. Not your usual self – is everything ok?”

While he knew it was annoying to have people push you to explain how you felt if you weren’t at your best, Sochi was, as stated, one who never thought of herself before others, and it was about time someone did.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]

(Wow. I'm totally sorry I never got the tag!)

A hulk.

A wreck.

A worthless pile of space junk.

Thats what it would appear to be anyway. Scorch marks and missing hull pieces dotted the freighter. Massive missing spots. Surrounding it were more than half a dozen vessels, all smaller, all bearing the mark of the Zygerrian Slave Empire. Aboard one of those ships, one of the largest, a single cruiser only one hundred and twenty meters long, was Nemene.

She stood in the cockpit, smiling slightly. “The freighter is empty?”

“Yes my lady. The slave have all been brought on board.”

“You are clear to your purpose?” The man nodded in response. The plan was simple. When the object of her vengeance arrived, when the ship came for them the Slaver fleet was to flee...all but this vessel. This vessel would be “caught”, and then the fun would begin.

 

[Mother Askani]

She felt the presence of another approach from behind her. She didn't deter from looking forward, at least not initially. For a moment she needed to wrap her thoughts around everything. For a minute there was nothing but silence, and she could feel Connor looking among her. Then it was his soothing voice that broke the silence. Distant? Was it obvious, though noticing wouldn't be hard. When Ru contemplated things she...immersed herself in her work. Obvious to Connor...only three others were ever able to see through her guise...

She turned to view him, strong in his presence. She stared at him for a minute, and then she spoke up. "Connor...there's one thing I wish I could've taught you." she said turning towards him, her arms were behind her back.

"Life is pleasant. Death...is peaceful. Its the transition thats extremely troublesome." she hoped those words would touch him, and he would see through the cryptic message that was within...if not how...hopefully later. "I want you to kno..." before she could finish, before she could place her hand upon his shoulder they would be interrupted, not rudely, by one of the members working for them.

"Sorry, generals but...we've come across the slavers. We've begun to prepare to open fire, but they don't seem to be hostile." he said to them both, now standing in his own silence to see what his next orders were.

The Togruta Master looked to Connor and then rushed over to one of the Windows..."Yes, they bear the insignia of the Empire...But why aren't they attacking us?" her abilities were off...and she was thrust into using her natural intuition to analyze the situation clearly. She looked to Connor.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

When Sochi turned to face him on the bridge of the mighty ship carrying them to their goal, Connor felt like the student again to her teachings. A calmness in her voice, laced with great knowledge and passion about everything she spoke about. The Master waited patiently for her explanation of the thoughts about life and death. It was known to the Jedi, and all those serving the Force, that death only presented another passageway to the Force itself where one could only dream of what it was like to become one with it.

There were many times Connor had thought that death would be the most dignified way out of his troubles. The Taung incident, the battles with his demons after encounters with the Sith...if it was so peaceful after all. Connor listened, but never got to hear everything before the call came that hostiles were near.

He turned his head to look at the officer, and then followed Sochi to the window, leaning past her to see the vessels in space; all present and correct, bearing the insignia they expected but hanging almost lifeless. A dozen thoughts raced through his mind, and at once his Master head came back on, looking back to Sochi when she met his gaze. Connor then turned to the officer behind them.

”First things first - try and make contact, identify us and request they do the same. Keep it peaceful and to the point.”

He turned back to look out of the window, his voice lower to just let Sochi hear.

”Do you think it is rash we attempt to board them if they don't play ball? No point letting this stand-off get out of hand if we can nip it in the behind quickly. I would have thought this vessel would make mincemeat of those few smaller craft. I'm picking up life-forms, but I don't know where.”

His blue eyes fixed on the ships, his senses bristling with the strong aura of the Togruta beside him.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]

It was as soon as the Ships contacted the smaller vessels that they began to scatter.

It happened so fast, so quickly, that ti caused Nemene to nearly fall off her feet. She let out a curse, but then nodded her head towards one of the slavers approaching her. They well understood what was happening, they well understood what the plan was. The man walked up to her, stood there for a moment more, then awkwardly raised his fist.

Nemene looked at him. “Do it.”

The Slaver struck her.

The Fleet began to move away and on some of the ships the Republic fleet would spot slaver tags, acknowledging that they had encountered a Slave fleet. They were obviously no interested in fighting, but clearly had boarded the larger vessel and had taken it over.

The larger vessel began to move as well, but more sluggishly and slowly.

While the fleet moved Nemene began to feel the bite of the beating, bruising and cutting her to the point that she fit the part of a slave, not the Sith Lord that she was.

 

[Mother Askani]

She slowly brought her left hand up. Gently, it caressed the sharp edge of her chin. Looking down, breaking the gaze for a moments time to think about everything. The muscles in her face twitched, and her lips retreated and then came back into the line of sight. It was rather strange, from reports these slavers weren't oblivious...

She looked back at Connor, "No, I think acting swiftly and apprehending them before anymore lives are put at stake seems the logical choice...but..." she was cut off by one if the crew members raising his voice to alert that they had action, though not of the hostile kind.

"They are moving...not towards us but away! We can't let them escape!" her eyes became more serious, seems like her focus was split only slightly. Normally she would be able to predict such an outcome, but...it was obvious why she couldn't. What they lacked in gun power they made up for in speed. They were obviously going to escape the clutches of the Silvers, but one seemed to be moving slower than the rest...

Their commander initiated fire upon the ship, thinking that perhaps they would be forced into confrontation. Ru watched on, deep in thought...They weren't trying to engage them at all...something wasn't right.

Watching the ship move slower and slower and catch flames, she spoke. "No, stop! They aren't going to fight back. At this point we can catch them, we need to inspect that ship. We might be able to find our next clue as to where they have disappeared to. We have to move fast." she said looking over to Connor and nodding.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor’s body was turning away faster than his head, as he was fascinated to watch the chaos erupting before him outside the viewport of the bridge. Voices communicated over the tannoy and rumble of the turrets was felt below as the slavers were shown the effective warning shots of a Silver Jedi defence unit.

Tearing himself away as the ships began to break up, he nodded and started off down the centre of the bridge to the turbolift at the far side.

”Captain, lock the tractor beam on that crippled ship. Bring it in to…Docking Bay 4, east side.”

Connor turned to Sochi.

”There is life on that ship, I can feel it – we get them out, apprehend the scum on board and find out what they know.”

He turned again to the Captain, looking eager to prove his worth to the Jedi.

”Send a small welcome party to the bay, Master Ru and myself will deal with the slavers however. Ready the medical team and keep an eye for their back-up.”

The Captain nodded, and Connor returned the gesture. He made it to the turbolift and it was there ready. Stepping inside, he held out his hand to bring Sochi in as the doors shut in front of them and the lift took them down into the lower depths of the ship, where they would be able to move across to the docking bays that would receive the crippled ship.

”Pardon me Sochi, taking over your operation. The ship is all yours if you want it, you don’t want me getting all the credit as the Silver Jedi poster boy do you?”

Connor gave a gentle smile.

”When we get back you have to tell me what’s on your mind. I know something is – you need to let it out, and I think we’re overdue a catch up. I’m glad you brought me along.”

The turbo lift gave a low-pitched whine as it came to a steady stop, a number of floors below the bridge and opened to face the gleaming corridors of a ship well worthy to police the galaxy.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]

The crippled slaver vessel sat still, though an air of panic ran throughout it.

Nemene lay within one of the corridors. The skin on her face was bruised and broken, her eye was nearly swelled shut and blood dripped from her lips. Stark white hair was ruined by trails of dried crimson, her clothes were torn and she looked as though she had been beaten for days on end.

The man who had done the beating stood over her, his face stoic and unmoving. A slight hint of blood sat on his knuckles.

Nemene looked up at him, bright orange eyes shifting slightly. She nodded to him and gave him an appreciative smile. He had done well after all, followed instructions to the letter. It had hurt, but the pain would be well worth the effect. She smiled, and then spoke, her voice soothing honey. “Go. Defend the ship.”

The slavers would want to save their home after all.

With a grin the man departed, leaving Nemene to close her eyes and curl up on the floor, a beaten and broken slave.

 

[Mother Askani]

She simultaneously looked over to Connor when he turned to view her. Having a feeling to what he was already going ti say, she nodded in agreement with him. Then she turned around and began to walk herself to the turbolift. She reached out with her hand and gracefully laid upon his, accepting the help. She scurried over after taking a step, and hearing the doors clamp shut behind her. Maneuvering her body so that she was now facing the exit, and when she heard the voice of her contemporary she looked over him, as his figure would reflect within her eyes.

"No, your doing fine. I think things are flowing nicely, we work well together. I prefer company on assignments such as this" and then she gave him one of her smiles, most genuine. She really hadn't an issue, this was to truly prove Connor had developed all the qualities if a Master during his career. Means she didn't have to worry about his well-being.

All she could do was nod in response to what he said next. She would've wanted to tell him, but things were transpiring that she just didn't understand herself yet. She didn't want Connor to lose focus of the task at hand, she figured he would attempt to save her...but the lives of others were just...much more important. All she could say, "Yes..." In the most soft tone of voice, and with that the lift stopped and the doors opened.

She stepped off, looked to both sides, and made her way to Docking Bay 4. Her pace was way faster than any other time today. She heard Connor beside her, his shoes clicking against the metallic hull of the ship. The area however had a ominous presence about it. From a distance she heard blaster fire, it wasn't consistent but it was there. She looked over at Connor and sped up.

[member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nemene"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

He stopped for a second at the sound of blaster fire, his head rising to look like a hawk across the hangar. The welcoming committee must have been early.

”Well that's a nice sound to arrive at. Why can't anything be simple nowadays. Everyone has to fight back..”

Pulling the lightsaber hilt in his hand, he gave it a subconscious spin and flexed his fingers around the metallic shaft and hurried beside Sochi. Turning the corner, it was a perfect stand-off; the smouldering transport at one end with the welcoming party at the other; good and evil.

Connor ignited his saber with a sharp snap-hiss and the blue blade came to life. He pointed to the transport.

”Sochi, can you get out any prisoners? I'll cover you - I'll take care of that mess.”

He already was moving across the large hangar, the metallic cavern filling with blaster fire and chaos. The Force was nothing but bristling with fear, anger and desperation.

[member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Nemene"]