Eight-Six-Seven Five-Three-Oh-Nine

[Corvetta Salvo]

"Creepy," she mumbled, listening to his tale with one ear and paying attention to the alerts from the heat sensors with the other. She flicked life support into a more strenuous state and increased the allocation of energy to the shields. "Guess ya like to see the sights while you're at your tricks. But it's all cool. We'll be the only ones to make it back here, if your story's all it's cracked up to be.

"Makes me wonder, though," she continued to ramble, brow furrowing as she found herself needing to concentrate much harder on flying as the twisting tunnels became trickier to navigate. "How'd the Jedi get out her in the first place? This ain't dusting crops..."

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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"The Sith carved it with the force. They rode warbeasts, or so I'm told." Graxin said simply. Krag's Priests had done the deed sixteen years ago, and the path had certainly decayed. It had been a straight flight before, but the shifting of the planet had made flying through it an absolute mess. Graxin settled into the co-pilot's seat aand folded his arms over his chest. He had full confidence in Corvetta's abilities, it was the planet itself that he was worried about. He threw his hands up behind his back, and sighed with relative relief. It had been some time since he was truly at peace, those times tending to be during the flights when Corvetta had the control. They were the only times he didn't have to really do anything. "Ah, missed this. Everything has been so busy lately."

He tilted his head toward her; his force awareness pressing outward to make sure they weren't crashing into anything. "How you been? Get married yet?"

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Warbeasts. Whatever those were. "Yeah, sounds like something I like to call... fairytales." She did not want to burst his bubble, but she felt like, at this moment, she was for once the realist in the room. She was also the one doing all the work, which was causing her to sweat under that maroon pilot's coat of hers a lot more than she cared to admit. "Take it easy," she said, drily.

Married. "Okay, now that's a funny one there, Grax-man!" Corvetta sputtered with laughter, though she tried to restrain it to avoid jerking the controls. "You know I'm not civilized 'nuff to get there. And I'm too--you know--flat for the other types." She smiled when she said it, but she was pretty sure it was true.

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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Graxin closed his eyes as he tried to concentrated. His abilities with pyromancy were substantial, and that helped here. When they grew too close to a spout of flame, he would douse it. When lava threatened to drip over the shuttle, he would divert its course. These actions were taking a bit of a toll on the man, and it took him a moment to answer. "People thought the Graug were a fairytale too when they came about." He said, one eye opening to drift over her form. He raised a brow in mired confusion.

"Flat? I think you're kind of spontaneous actually. Don't have to be civilized for that sort of thing either." He paused and stared out at the winding tunnel. Yep, it just flew right over his head. "Unless you meant something else?"

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Fire stuff was weird. As they were nearing the end of the chain of lava chambers, volcanic activity seemed to increase, yet either by her expert piloting or by some sort of uncanny luck, they were making it through unscathed. For a moment, she was convinced it was time to turn back, but the shields were staying healthy and she supposed they could only keep chugging along. Hopefully it would not be much further.

Corvetta chuckled at his innocent thinking and teased him. "Yeah, you sure you're into girls?" Feeling a little guilty for making fun of him like that, she tried to rephrase. "I meant about my chassis... But I appreciate the compliments. Keep 'em coming, Cap." She briefly turned to face her old captain and beamed at him.

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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It took Graxin a moment to catch her meaning. He glanced at her sidelong before speaking. "Pretty positive." He replied with a small slip of a smile. Suddenly, the tunnel would open wide into a huge circular cavern. The ground was completely even and ebony in color. In the center of the cavern lay a long case of what looked to be glass that ran from wall to wall. A number of objects were shrouded within the case. Other than that, the cavern was empty save for three massive torches that glowed with intense red flames.

"Oh, you meant....you're curvy enough Corvetta." He said simply as he eyed the room.

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta turned away from Graxin and bit at a fingernail, pretending she had not heard his last comment. It was just something she was not used to being told and had no idea how to acknowledge.

And what could draw her mind from the fantastic sight before her, illuminated by the curling licks of flames rising from a few torches anchored to the walls. Those were obviously not natural. She switched on the floodlights to check the darker corners of the cavern, but otherwise, it was not difficult to see the chamber's contents.

Most surreal was the rectangular case in the middle of the room. What was this place? Carefully easing the spacecraft onto its landing gear on the suspiciously level ground, Corvetta began to wonder if her drinking had brought about a rare dream. "You were saying, about fairytales..."

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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"The Priests always were showy." Graxin murmured. He pushed up from his chair, and made sure the charge on his sidearm was set. Satisfied that the weapon was ready to fire, he leaned down and poked Corvetta on the shoulder. "I can go alone if you want. The Graug made this...they have a thing for traps. It's your call."

He went silent and gazed out longingly at the case in the center of the room. It was calling to him. Not even the unnatural flames of the torches could steal his attention away. "That's definitely it..."

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta nodded solemnly at him, understanding about the traps thing. "I'll come out with you, but..." She paused and simpered apologetically. "Don't mean to conk out on ya. But I think I'm gonna just hang out for moral support. You know..." She did not bother finishing.

Hopping up from her position at the helm, the flygirl swept up to the boarding ramp, all traces of intoxication seeming to have worn off at this point. Unlocking the hatch and lowering the gangplank, the girl gestured down and bade him step off. "Don't know if I score as a lady," she stated with a slight smirk, "so you can go first."

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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Graxin was a bit surprised by her answer. He hadn't expected her to come along with him. The apprentice gave a silent, thankful nod and followed her toward the gangplank. His boots slid against the ebony floor and he almost slipped. Luckily, there was a Corvetta nearby. He latched onto her shoulder and steadied himself; a slight grin on his face. "Lady points for that." He chided. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, and began to march out for the case.

The room was much bigger than it had seemed at first glance. Graxin was walking for a full three minutes before he reached the case. There didn't seem to be anything special about it, but within, he could see that familiar glimmer. The flash of red light reflecting off the silver gilt caught his eye. The weapon was of standard Jedi make, positioned on a glass pedestal. Other items were within the case, but they were all shrouded in black cloth. He was only meant to have this, for now. "Just how I remember it..."

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

"Spacer boots, buddy. Never take 'em off." She laughed at his near-accident and kicked her feet about to show him the friction grip soles of her footwear. She really never did take them off--save when she bathed, of course.

Corvetta feigned a sort of coyness when he complimented her on her ability to act as a human buoy. Sometimes she wondered if he was this way around other people. She could not forget that first awkward meeting on Kashyyyk, having to press him for conversation initially until he gradually became comfortable with her odd personality. And she knew she was odd.

But so was he. She was reminded of this truth as she tip-toed behind him at about a ten-meter distance. She wanted to be there for Graxin, but she considered this to be rather unnecessarily risky business and was not going to suffer the consequences of a misstep for his sake. Looking back, the pilot realized they had covered a lot of ground as the ship looked only a fraction of its size from here. She was sweltering, as well. Should have shed her coat before heading out here.

Just how I remember it... Corvetta halted upon that comment, puzzled. "Wait... You mean you've been here before?"

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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"Yes." He said in almost a whisper. He tilted his head back toward Corvetta, and cracked the faintest of grins. "I was a child. I suppose I haven't been entirely truthful with you, Corvetta." The infiltrator held up his right hand. With a bit of focus; he brought the hand down open palm on the glass. It shattered inward, the pressure aided by Graxin's budding skills in telekinesis. "The Jedi was my mother. She had relations with an Imperial. Myself, and my siblings were the result. The Graug weren't very tolerant of their union."

He doubled over and gingerly felt around for the familiar hilt. He had held it as a child, and when his fingers wrapped around the familiar curves of the metal, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. Graxin thumbed the matrix, and the characteristic whoosh sound filled the cavern. The blade glowed a bright cyan light, and he span it to gather its weight. "So in a way, I'm reclaiming an old heirloom." The blade suddenly died, and the light went with it. Graxin pulled at the hilt, and a small compartment opened. He gently pried into it with two fingers, and pulled free a small sliver of a crystal. It was a deep shade of orange, and reflected the flames emanating from the torches. "The Dark Lord has my siblings jailed. He has since we were children, and as far as he knows--" Graxin strolled up toward Corvetta, the lightsaber now hanging from his belt. "--I am his apprentice, and what he would call his son."

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta cupped her nose in her hands, taking everything in; analyzing it deeply. Some old mysteries were beginning to become clear--yet, still she was confused. If she had not been sobered up yet, she was now. Her blinks were the only response she had.

So they had been invading his mother's grave. What a trip--and superb timing to make this revelation. She had never before felt uncomfortable around her friend, bust as he strode closer to her, she began to feel uneasy about all this. After a few moments that seemed like months, the pilot finally attempted to speak up in her roundabout way of approaching these types of insane topics. "So..."

She stopped. Suddenly, she was fearful about the truth. Not because she was disappointed in him, but because she was not sure how much she wanted to know about this 'other' Graxin. Gathering a courageous breath, she took the dive. "Didn't know you were in the Jedi biz, Grax. I suppose we might've been able to do some... spiffier things if we'd known that..." Her lips pressed tightly together in a repressed smile.

Oh frak.

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

[Placeholder 0123]

Graxin was no telepath. His talents within the force centered around destruction. Of course, he would never admit that to Corvetta. In a way, the flygirl brought out normalcy; something that he dare not show in the presence of the Sith. Now, though he could see just how uneasy she was. It was in the subtle hesitation and the way she brought her hands up to his face. Perhaps he had said to much. "I didn't want you to know." He said simply; arms falling weakly to his sides. "But if you never knew, then eventually, I would have to lie, and that would hurt things."

As if they aren't already.

"I'm no Sith, and I don't serve them willingly...people's lives depend on what I do. If I don't listen, they die. If I don't comply, they die. If I speak out of turn, they're beaten." He felt the need to explain himself. Corvetta had asked for none, of course, but Graxin was compelled. "It wasn't my intention to decieve you. I just didn't want to run you off. Not now." He folded his arms tightly over his chest and shifted his amber gaze toward the gulley jumper. By the force was it hot in this cavern.

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

She had never been one to dwell too long on things. It was possibly a shortcoming of hers, but having fewer worries on her mind never truly bothered her. And why should it when such extreme dissection was invariably associated with circumstances like this one?

If what he was now telling her was the complete and honest truth, Corvetta could feel a strong sympathy for his position. And he had never lied to her about being what he was. Mislead, or simply choosing not to correct her assumptions--certainly. But there was nothing contradictory about what he had spilled to her in this moment, yet she was overcome with a form of fear she had never known before. The Sith. How long had they had him? What deeds had he done?

Why now?

Nodding absently as if to say she understood his reasoning, Corvetta turned about and began treading towards their ship, the skirt of her coat ruffling behind her. For once, she remained silent.

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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Graxin settled his fingers around the sliver of a crystal in his coat pocket. All this for such a little thing. The lightsaber pieces were with him already; ready to be built and used as he saw fit. The issue was Corvetta now. He felt as if he had driven a wedge between them. Her silence only served to enforce that thought, and it hurt.

Now really wasn't the place to have an emotional moment, but Graxin had little experience with such things. Good timing just wasn't on his mind. He rushed after her, and clamped a firm hand on her shoulder as they made it to the landing ramp. "Help me. I can get you credits, we'll travel." He leaned down partway to her height, and stared at the back of her head. "We're a good team, and I know you want to keep it that way as much as I do."

He paid little attention to the heat now. Corvetta was the center of his attention, and nothing else was really registering. [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

She removed her pilot's coat and draped it over the back of a seat, biting her lip as all the thoughts swirled within her head. "Look, Grax," she finally spoke, followed by a deep breath. Her fists were clenched as she strained to get a grasp on the situation. "I don't care about the money. I've never cared. I just need a home." About a month ago, she had admitted that to a complete stranger. So why was it so difficult now, with someone she was familiar with--or had thought she was familiar with?

"Swear," she suddenly demanded. The room's temperature would not recede, and she could feel herself quivering. "Swear to me there's no blood on my hands."

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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"None. It's why I never asked you to come with me into battle. You aren't like them." His grip slackened, and oddly enough--scarily enough, he felt the desire to envelop her in his arms and hold her tight. It was reflexive, and he had to mentally stop himself, though it was clear what thought had come across his mind with the look that he gave her. "And I don't want you to be...I can try to give you a bit of a home. The best I can do at least. You uh...you won't be alone."

Idiot.

He reached up to scratch the back of his neck and winced. Oh, what in Corellia's Nine Hells was he doing. "I need my pilot back."

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

It appeared as if Graxin was suddenly being rather forward about things. He wanted her to believe he had always been looking out for her. And maybe he had been. But was it for the best? And what kind of home was he offering, exactly? Room and board? A place to stay with his Graug creeps? A... home?

"No, I guess I'm not like them..." she mumbled, plopping into the pilot's chair and pretending to distract herself with the controls. "Pilot--right here."

[member="Graxin Rade"]

 

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Graxin stood silently as she sat down. He felt like he had done something wrong, but at the same time, relief washed over him. The would-be-Sith-Lord leaned down, and laced his arms around the slight woman. It was rather uncalled for, but he simply had no experience in these matters. he said nothing as he gave her an awkward attempt at an embrace. Perhaps it was his attempt at getting her comfortable with the idea of joining his crew, so-to-speak. Perhaps it was for himself. either way, it happened.

[member="Corvetta Salvo"]