Episode IV: No Hope

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen gave a solemn nod to Gherron's words. "I really hope you're right." As the jedi blinked out, Vulpesen heard another beep, the call from [member="Jentara Vel"]. He wasn't sure what she was calling him for, but there was no time at all to deal with it. Once he had reached the temple's main entrance, he moved his hands outward, causing them to swing open with the force. Before him was a crown of zorrens, terror etched on their faces. They had just returned home and now their family and loved ones were being spirited away by some unknown force.

"PEOPLE OF VERADUNE!" His voice boomed over the crowd, making sure that every person heard him loud and clear. "Yes, this is among our darkest hours! People have disappeared, but know this, that we are not alone. No one has kidnapped our loved ones. For I have found that this is happening across the Galaxy!" He felt the cameras on him, sending his message to the entire planet. "I admit, I do not know why this is happening, or even what it is that is happening. But I do know this, I and others all across the galaxy know what is at stake and we will do whatever we can to find those that are lost! Have faith and quell your fear. We have been through harder times. And I assure you that I will not rest until i have fond the cause of this!"

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Location: Voss
Allies: ?
Objective: Find anyone

Serena finally able to find enough stamina crawled to her feet. Through swollen blinking eyes she looked around trying to remember the ruins, The ruins will be the death of me I know they will. Her stomach did a flip it seemed for a moment she could feel the force again and the voices and screams died away. Slowly she began to focus around her she was alone.

It was so eerie, so quiet. Was there no one here? With careful steps she moved up the path towards the temple where were [member="Hawk Solo"], [member="Emma Prinn"], [member="Coci Sinopi"], [member="Maxi"], [member="Nima Tann"] and [member="Connor Harrison"] .

"HELLO!" she yelled as she got closer someone should hear her, someone should answer. Life sense told her there were few and if there were only a few then where was everyone.

She tried to control the panic that was creeping up from the pit of her stomach but this was not possible. So many could not be gone. The path into the temple the sounds of her boots echoed against the walls and then the silence. The horrible sad sounding emptiness Serena was alone.

 

[Owain]

Immeria

Urgh...he was no good at this. "Come on," Owain said quietly, embracing the girl and guiding her towards the courtyard. He hoped that she saw what she needed to see once they got there. And even if she didn't, then they would simply hit up the communications room and try to find out where anyone who was missing was. Just because they weren't in the castle didn't mean they had been disappeared.

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Imerria

As she followed him, she wiped her eyes. She couldn't stop it. Her eyes were already misting, because she knew when she got there, someone would not be. The moment they stepped into view, she let out a weak cry and buried her face in Owains shoulder.
She counted two. Only two. Celeste's pretty dark head cocked to the side. Uncle B, arms crossed, looking concerned. Daddy was missing. Daddy was gone.
She didn't care anymore that she was supposed to hide her relationship with @Owain. She didn't care that she looked insane, crying over seemingly nothing. She was scared. She was so scared.

 

[Owain]

Immeria

Owain looked at the pair who had arrived at the courtyard, the girl in his arms crying, already fearing the worst. "Uncle...where's Keter?" he asked nervously, the castle droid coming into the courtyard and approaching the old commando.

"Master Keter is gone," it reported stoically, making Elliot sigh and rub his eyes before moving over to Celeste. Which left Owain with Felicity.

Uhm...how the heck do you comfort someone in this situation?!

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

Imerria
[member="Owain"]


Gone. She heard the word. She processed it. She understood. But she couldn't accept it. The girl pressed herself into Owains arms, seeking comfort from the only source she knew now. Gone. Just gone. Just like the others. If he had just left, K would have known. K always knew. But the word 'gone' meant it knew of the reports as well. It had come to the most logical conclusion. The logic of a droid was infallible. It was why Mother had liked them so much.

"H-have you heard from Naboo?" she asked slowly, sniffling, "Have you heard from mom?"

 

[Owain]

Immeria
[member="Felicity Mason"]

The droid shook it's head.

Owain thought rapidly before chuckling. It was stupid, it was the wrong thing to do, but he couldn't help it. "They took KETER? Seriously?" he asked, unable to contian his mirth. Elliot shot him a warning look, but the youth just couldn't stop himself. "How long do you think before they regret THAT choice?" They being whoever was responsible for this. Elliot opened his mouth, then actually thought about what his nephew said. Then the old commando snorted.

Alright, the boy had a point. Keter had a...way...of surviving strnage occurences like this.

 

[Felicity Mason]

Imerria
[member="Owain"]

He was.... laughing. She couldn't believe it. He was laughing at this situation? She jerked away from him, only debating how hard she should slap him. And slap him she did. Hard. She couldn't not. How dare he laugh while she was in this pain. How could he be so cruel?

Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off. She was going. She didn't know where, but she was going. She'd find him. She'd find all of them. But first she needed a ship, and she knew just where to find one.

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Gherron Vael"]
[member="Darth Valtryx"]

Location: Coruscant Hangar

Krest had finally made it to the hangar. Staring about the room where his little friend had cleared, he'd only frown. There was something off about the moving done, but he would get his Droid to land. Stepping down the off ramp on the back, the red man would call out to the Darth hopefully close by, he already moving to reach for one of his sabers.

"Yo?" He couldn't exactly feel where she was, there was something seriously off with the force after all.

 

[Darth Vazela]

| [member="Anja Aj'Rou"] |

Vilox Pazela turned his gaze from the bridge that he and the Host Lord stood upon, to the dying star in the view panel and the Libertas, now abandoned, drifting and lost in this galactic incident. "Did you know few years ago, myself and several Sith Lords, with an assortment of other individuals, were pulled back in time? It's an incident that people like to forget, but..."

He trailed off, as he thought about the Mask of Madness event. His gaze turned back to Anja. "There are several reasons why I come to the Unknown Regions and discovered you, your loyalists and the Primeval. I am on a mission of discovery. There are some enigmas out there one would like to discover."

"I will accompany you to Bastion. I will have to abandon the Libertas and return for it at a later point. Suffice to say, now our time has come." The Dark Jedi turned back to looking at space. An eerie look had come across his unnatural youthful features. Time travel, people disappearing all over the galaxy. He was reminded of the Chaos incident. Of Darth Serpen, the Moris and what they had done.

"Ironic..." He said almost to himself. "That Bastion would come into our hands, in this time..."

 

[Marek S'hadar]

Location: Voss

People were gone and only one name came to mind. "Allana!" He called out for his daughter, his eyes wide in panic as he rushed through his house. So many were gone, he couldn't sense them anymore, not dead, just gone. He rushed through the courtyards of the temples towards the only person he could sense, [member="Serena Bouie"]. He didn't know the Padawan, but she likely knew his wife, and possibly daughter. Rasu had been gone for so long, but Allana had been home with him, safe. He hadn't bothered to grab any of his armor, just a saber after he'd thrown on some robes, hopefully he wouldn't need the former.

 

[Boethiah]

Anja didn't heed much into the irony; of course it may be something to him and not her. Nonetheless, having his help would secure things.

"I'm glad to have you on my side, then.", she replied. Truthfully she didn't think much of them but then again he gave little about himself. That didn't mean he wasn't useful or valued by The Primeval, it was the contrary. He was valued and useful, and that made things a bit more complicated.

Neither asked or even bothered to know why they needed each other just that their paths did align.

"Well set course.", she announced to the ship's captain who without word activated the ship's hyperdrive.

There was a battle ahead of them, what role they played in it would be left to the future's grace.

[member="Vilox Pazela"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Location: Coruscant hangar

Gherron flew his ship into the hangar, immediately spotting the red man from inside. At this point, he didn't care about relations. Just seeing a familiar face was good enough from him. Grabbing his robe, he walked out onto the exit ramp, searching for the zabrak momentarily before finding him again. Once he was about five feet away, he stopped, eyeing him warily. They might have been in the same predicament, but that didn't make him trust the man any better. "Alright, Krest. Spill. I know you've probably gotten an idea of what's going on, and I wanna hear it." It was a long shot, but any information he could get, he would gladly take. Anything that got him closer to finding Nefertari again.

[member="Krest"] [member="Darth Valtryx"]

 

[Emperor Xhinx]

Destruction... This lingered inside Xhinx's mind. It embodied him.

Xhinx awoke, laying down in the unknown, he had not knew what happened, or where he was. He wondered endlessly, trying to find something, someone, that could tell him what had happened, he still feared that others might take advantage of this event and assault him. Though Xhinx also felt the urge to kill...

Xhinx continued wandering, feeling welcome in this unknown world. Trying to find solace in the place he sat and meditated on the Dark Side, awaiting anything to happen.

(Anyone can reply to me, pretty late joining in, feel free to join me.)

[member="Xaryus"]

EDIT: Xhinx started to hear his holocommunicator go off "How could someone contact my holo?" Xhinx thought. Xhinx lifted his communicator to his metal encased head, and answer this mystery caller. "Who is this?" Xhinx spoke, awaited an answer, and an answer to his previous inquiries.

[member="Jentara Vel"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Jentara Vel"] |

Alicia Drey was still ruing over her failed bid to buy into Kuat Drive Yards. @Lorelei Drake had done an excellent job of ensuring KDY didn't collapse, even during the toughest of times. She would have to think of another way of getting the conglomerate on side. Owning part of the corporation would have done just fine. But for what she wanted to use KDY for didn't necessarily need her to become a share holder. She would have to rethink her strategy.

The communique on her hip activated. Disturbed, Alicia lowered her gaze scowling at the device. Lifting it to her ear, accepting the transmission, she asked. "Who is it?"

 

[Onrai]

[member="Alicia Drey"]

"Who do you think, sweet thing?" The voice would instantly be recognizable. to a truly extreme level. "Something big's come up as I'm sure you're already aware. There's chaos breaking out all over the galaxy - my staff have all disappeared as well. I need you to meet me at the following coordinates I've just now sent to your datapad. We have a shift in plans, and I will need your assistance to ensure that they go through with few if any difficulties."

She awaited Alicia's response - also sending something via text to [member="Ven'Rain Sekairo"]:

Ven,

There's a transport located at the local spaceport. The pilot's been informed of the destination, and your ticket's already been prepaid. Get to the ship known as the Demetrius as soon as you can so we can best rendezvous.

Regards,
You-know-who

In concert, she also responded to [member="Xhinx"]'s picking up the Emeritus message. "This is Jentara Vel, Emeritus Industries. I sent you a message on your datapad regarding where you need to go in order to find stability. Take whatever you can with you. Should you choose to send a message to us on the datapad, we'll pay for a ticket for you to get off wherever you are so you can rendezvous with us."

 

[Vulpesen]

It felt as if it was an eternity, but after question after question from the news crews on Veradune, Vulpesen somehow managed to calm the storm of people, sending them away to their homes. "This is bad. This is really bad." Turning around, the Valde made is way back into the temple. "Alex, I will find you!"

Once he was inside, Vulpesen made his way into the very center of the temple, looking at the large golden star pattern on the floor. Centuries and millenia of masters had stood in this room, focusing on the mysteries of the Galaxy. Now, it was his turn. Folding his legs under him, Vulpesen placed his hands on his knees and took a deep breath. A moment later and he did something he hadn't truly done in years. He meditated.

His mind Focused on one light, invisible but he knew it existed. [member="Alexandra Lianne Feanor"]. His mind delved into the force, and while Ace wasn't there to magnify his focus, there was the the vast wildlife of his home. Veradune was no Coruscant. The city was large but lived harmoniously with nature. With this, Vulpesen strengthened his connection to the living force. He stared at the flowing rivers of energy as they moved around him, seeming more and more visible. Alexandra had been there. He'd seen her. Held her in this very building.No one could truly disappear without a trace. A memory always remained and even the force moved to accommodate them, leaving its paths forever changed in at least some small way.

Farther. His mind delved farther into the force as he left his body behind. He had to keep moving. He had to find her. He HAD to see her. Around him he could sense the life of Veradune, expanding farther and farther as he lost himself in the force. Find her. Search for her. Gather the energy to run to her! He felt every mind on the planet and each one returned his touch. Some might have recoiled at first but as they discovered his presence's purpose they were quick to aid. All the remaining zorrens, they shared a kinship unlike most other species. Almost extinct they needed every man and for this reason no one would give up. Even those who couldn't use the force extended their power and will to bolster Vulpesen. Brothers and sisters. Now we must rally together!

Deeper. He increased his connection, his body now all but forgotten as he crossed the planes of that unifying entity known as the force. It surrounded him and penetrated him like it had only once before. Alexandra had been there. She had taught him to commune with the force. He didn't know how she did it. But he now felt a very similar connection. Something was different to be sure but without his guide, he had to forge his own path. He felt the current of life swirl around him. It penetrated every centimeter of his being he had the power. He felt as though he were one with every living creature int he galaxy. Trillions of voices called into his mind. There was pain, suffering, grief, despair, confusion, life, happiness, death, sadness, joy, glee, love, charity, faith, hope. All of it swirled in his mind and he struggled to cling to reality. His soul was burning, as if everything he was experiencing would tear him to shreds. I HAVE TO MOVE ON!

A light in his head. One more. He focused everything, all the power he had into that room. The room he had last seen Alex. Just before he fell asleep. Before everything that was normal went wrong. He focused onto it and searched for her. Any trace. ANYTHING! He had to find her. Something had to be done. Pure energy of the galaxy would be channeled into that one spot as Vulpesen tried to sniff out what had taken his love and daughter. Even if he had to burn away half his mind, soul, and body, he'd find them. He swore he'd find them.

[member="Akala"]

 

[Onrai]

Alex's still-remaining datapad would ding again, reminding [member="Vulpesen"] that she had a message that, apparently, she had never received. While it might not provide clues to her direct disappearance, perhaps it could still provide help in a more circumstantial manner. While Jentara managed to help the droids load whatever was left onto the corvette, leaving the location with little to nothing worthwhile left over, the corvette began to lift off of the dock it had been resting in.

She also had received the notice that a Jedi named [member="Aria Xius"] was on her way to rendezvous with the ship. With that, the Cyracuse-class Drone Carrier would, running on a skeleton crew of nonsentient droids and herself alone, leave, along with whatever valuables she had.

The hunt was on to find more people.

 

[Bol-Jahir]

425 ABY: ZERO HOUR​

​

Fires erupted throughout the facility on Csilla. Laboratory equipment crashed and burned, exploding in violent green hues. Footsteps hastened. Yelling was deafened by the roar of the flames. Men and women in lab coats rushed to evacuate the premises.​

​

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" Bollie yelled out. That was his nickname from grade-school... it kinda stuck. "We NEED to LEAVE... NOW."​

​

"My work... years of my work..." The voice of Bollie's brother in the distance echoed back.​

​

"FOOLS. You don't understand the potential you've squandered here. The power you're wasting!" Fires roared again as yet another voice was heard. "With this, we could end war! End suffering! Pestilence and disease!"​

​

"Your madness will undo everything we've worked towards! Your delusions of peace... SHADOWED by your greed!"​

​

The two men fought on the ground as Bol-Jahir rushed to get between them amidst the flames. He dove to grab his brother as the other man attempted to choke him.​

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A mechanized alarm drowned out all other sound, if only for a minute, and the three men stopped.​

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THREAT IDENTIFIED. THREAT IDENTIFIED. THREAT IDENTIFIED.​

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Bollie looked up, terrified by the alarm.​

​

"What... did you DO?!" He yelled, wind gushing throughout the facility as another explosion erupted.​

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THREAT IDENTIFIED. THREAT IDENTIFIED. THREAT IDENTIFIED.​

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"What you weren't prepared to," the man answered, standing up from his scuffle with the second stranger.​

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Bollie looked at the man, uttering one last growl before grabbing the other man off the ground and leaving the facility.​

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"You've killed us, Zero."​

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"You've killed all of us."​

​

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844 ABY: Not long after billions of people disappear from the Galaxy...​

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​

A man in a mask sat in the hangar on Coruscant, flipping a coin up and down. Up and down. Up and down. Nobody seemed to pay him much mind, and he seemed quite satisfied to just keep flipping the coin until he saw three rather interesting people meet up in the hangar.​

​

He stopped flipping the coin and stood up straight, approaching the three whimsically. It would seem he was smiling, if not for the Kabuki mask he wore to cover his face.​

​

"Stop me if you've heard this one before... So a Sith, a Jedi, and a Mandalorian walk into a bar..."​

​

[member="Gherron Vael"] [member="Krest"] [member="Darth Valtryx"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

There was sound on the wind not the sound of animals or insects but of a voice calling. Serena moved outside the temple and began looking around, were they a friend? Or were they the enemy responsible for everyone missing?

As she turned a corner she ran right into [member="Marek S'hadar"]. Unfortunately Serena would not know Rasu but she could remember a child running around the temple. Had she seen her before this?

Serena tried to contain her surprise. “Are you real?” it slipped out. Her mind, was her mind making it up? Or was he really here shouting for the child?