Private Fire and Ruin — Scars of Keshi

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery rolled her eyes dramatically, her lips twitching into a teasing smirk as she echoed Kahlil's words in an exaggerated tone. "FOr mE, iT iS eAsY," she said, her voice raised just enough to mock him playfully. She glanced over her shoulder at him, her grin betraying the mischief in her words.

Shaking her head with a soft chuckle, Valery moved into the turret, settling in with practiced ease. Her fiery gaze scanned the display, taking in the landscape as the Bastion lifted into the air under Kahlil's control. As she adjusted the turret's controls, a grin spread across her face when a thought drifted through her connection with him.

Leave it to her to look for something to shoot.

"I can hear your thoughts, you know!" she shouted down, her voice carrying the lighthearted amusement of someone who very much enjoyed the idea of shooting something.

The Bastion soared over the landscape, approaching a small Keshian town nestled among rolling hills. From her vantage point in the turret, Valery could see flashes of blaster fire lighting up the dusk as the town's villagers fought valiantly against the invading pirates. Makeshift barricades lined the outskirts of the settlement, where a mix of armed villagers and a few Keshi warriors held their ground.

Amid the chaos, several pirate speeders zipped through the narrow streets, their blaster cannons targeting anything in their path. One had already set a small shop ablaze, its black smoke rising into the evening sky. Other pirates on foot advanced, firing into the defenders' lines with ruthless precision.

Valery's fiery eyes narrowed, her focus sharpening. These pirates were relentless, and the villagers wouldn't hold out forever without help.

"Kahlil!" she called, her voice carrying the sharp edge of determination. "Got some good targets down there — speeders and some pirate positions. Let's show them what the Bastion can do!"

Her hands gripped the turret's controls, her smirk fierce as she aimed the cannons at the closest pirate speeder. She was ready to make her presence known.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Oh I'm aware."

Kahlil snickered mostly to himself, but again, he knew she could hear him. There was a threat, though, so he didn't linger long on teasing too much. The Bastion would soar low in an instant, taking advantage of surprise to give Valery clear shots before the soldiers below would likely turn their guns up at them. Not that they'd hit. Kahlil was too quick at the controls.

And Valery was just as quick with her guns.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

"You know, you're going to be in trouble~," she called back in a sing-song voice, the teasing lilt in her tone unmistakable even over the chaos outside. She knew he could hear every word — and every ounce of mischief behind them.

The turret's targeting system lit up as Valery scanned for high-value targets. The pirates' speeders zipped through the streets, but their surprise at the Bastion's appearance left them exposed. Her first salvo hit true, a streak of cannon fire exploding against the nearest vehicle. The speeder careened into a barricade, bursting into flames and sending pirates scattering.

Blaster fire erupted from below as the pirates realized the threat overhead, but Kahlil's quick, evasive maneuvers ensured the Bastion stayed untouched. Valery laughed softly, her voice carrying through the comms. "They can't hit us if they can't catch us."

Another speeder came into her sights, and with a precise burst of cannon fire, she sent it spiraling into the side of a building. The resulting explosion lit up the street, and Valery's focus shifted to the next target without missing a beat. Each strike she delivered was deliberate, dismantling the pirates' mobility and weakening their lines.

"Love?" Valery called, her tone sharpening slightly as the last of the pirate vehicles fell under her fire. "Let's do one more fly-by, then bring us down. We'll clean up the rest on foot."

Her fiery gaze swept over the streets below, where the villagers were already starting to regroup and push back against the disoriented pirates. The sight brought a flicker of pride to her expression, and she gripped the turret controls tightly, ready to finish the job alongside her partner.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

One last flyby before they landed. Well, they didn't actually land. Kahlil made sure Valery could get the suppressing fire they needed before he set the autopilot on and made his way to the ramp in the back. His plan was clear as day to her as he clicked it down, smiling as he looked to the town beneath them. Then he jumped. Dove straight for the main road. Valery wasn't the only daredevil in the family, after all.

Not that he'd admit as much.

He didn't really land at that. Once he was close enough, he was just suddenly on the ground. A short ranged teleport, having him standing calmly as he brought a hand up towards some of the re-emerging pirates. They dropped instantly before Kahlil glanced up with a smirk. Valery was either following him, or was about to.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery stood at the open ramp, her fiery gaze following Kahlil as he dove straight for the main road. Her grip on the side of the ramp tightened instinctively, but when he blinked into place with that calm, casual stance, she rolled her eyes with a smirk, her voice brushing against his mind through their bond.

"Showing off for me, babe?"

Her teasing tone was thick with amusement, but she couldn't deny the pride she felt seeing him handle himself with such ease. Still, Valery Noble wasn't one to be outdone. She set the turret controls to standby and stepped to the edge of the ramp, her fiery eyes glinting with a competitive spark.

"Alright, my turn," she muttered, mostly to herself.

Without hesitation, Valery leaped from the ramp, twisting into a series of aerial flips as she descended gracefully toward the street below. Her landing was flawless — feet planted firmly, her hair sweeping around her as she straightened. The slight grin on her lips carried a silent, playful challenge.

Blaster fire erupted from a group of pirates down the street, breaking the moment. Valery's violet blade ignited with a snap-hiss, the brilliant light casting sharp shadows as she deflected the bolts with precision. One, two, three of them dropped in quick succession, their weapons rendered useless by her expert strikes.

The remaining pirates hesitated, unsure whether to flee or keep fighting, but Valery's attention shifted. A ripple of dark energy pulsed through the Force, sharp and cold like a knife against her senses. Her fiery gaze narrowed as she turned toward the source, her body tensing instinctively.

"Love!" she called out, her voice firm but edged with urgency. "Something's not right. I feel... a presence. We need to move up."

Without waiting for confirmation, Valery began to advance, her lightsaber ready, her senses honed. Whatever was waiting for them ahead, it wasn't going to be easy — but she trusted Kahlil would be right there with her.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

A power in the Force?

Kahlil glanced over to Valery for a brief moment before he nodded his head and moved with her. Pirates were one thing, but if there was something that could manipulate the Force it changed the level of threat. "Don't rush in. We just need to figure out who it is, and where they are before they strike out against us." The last thing they needed was an unknown threat getting the drop on them. Especially while they were trying to get people evacuated.

The Bastion landed in the middle of town, here he'd start to wave people towards it as he kept up with Valery.

"Keep moving! Get on the Bastion, find other ships. We're regrouping with the Faedra. Everyone is going. We'll hold the pirates off!"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery nodded at Kahlil's words, her grip tightening on her lightsaber hilt. "You're right. Let's keep this controlled," she replied, her tone calm but focused. Her fiery gaze swept over the chaos as villagers sprinted toward the Bastion, many clutching their children or helping the injured. Kahlil's commanding voice urged them onward, his presence keeping the evacuation organized even amidst the chaos.

Once the immediate path was clear, Valery glanced back at Kahlil, her expression set with determination. Together, they moved further into the town, their pace quick but deliberate. The streets narrowed, and the buildings became more weathered and industrial as they pressed forward. The dark presence in the Force grew stronger with every step, a suffocating wave of malice that seemed to seep into the very air around them.

They stopped in front of a large building in disrepair — an old factory or workshop, its metal doors rusted and weather-beaten. The aura of darkness was concentrated here, heavy and oppressive, like the calm before a storm. Valery's fiery eyes narrowed as she exchanged a glance with Kahlil.

"It's here," she said softly, her voice tinged with steel. Without waiting for a response, she stepped forward and planted her boot firmly against the door. The metal groaned under the force of her kick, the hinges screeching as the doors swung open with a crash.

Inside, the air was cold and still, but the darkness was palpable. The large, open space of the factory was bathed in dim, flickering light from a few failing overhead fixtures. Machinery lay dormant, its edges casting long shadows across the floor. But what caught Valery's attention was the figure in the center of the room.

A crimson-skinned Twi'lek stood with both of her double-bladed red lightsabers ignited, their blood-red glow reflecting off her dark armor. Her posture was commanding, and her sharp, predatory eyes locked onto Valery and Kahlil as they entered. Hovering just in front of her, suspended by an invisible grip, was a trembling civilian, their fear radiating through the Force like a beacon.

"Well, well," the woman purred, her voice smooth but dripping with venom. "The famous Jedi have come to play." Her grip on the civilian tightened, and the person let out a strangled cry.

Valery's blade ignited with a sharp snap-hiss, its brilliant violet light cutting through the gloom. Her stance shifted, her fiery eyes blazing as they locked onto the woman. "Let them go," she commanded, her voice unwavering, though every muscle in her body coiled, ready to strike.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

A Sith.

Kahlil's expression stilled once Valery had kicked down the door and the Twi'lek was in plain view. A Sith, in league with pirates? It very much reminded him of his sister. Pirates were just the type easily taken advantage of for a Sith's goals, whatever they might be. His eyes shifted to the person held before he reached a hand up. The Force swelled under his guidance.

The civilian flew to land beside the Jedi as the Sith yelped in pain. Their fingers twisted under the sudden yank Kahlil had brought, overpowering them with the surprise of it all. It might have been foolish, though, for a Jedi to pull someone past a Sith intent on harm. But Kahlil wasn't alone, and Valery knew what he was doing. They wouldn't be able to bring any of them harm with both the Shield and Sword together.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery moved the moment Kahlil's hand extended, the Force pulsing in tandem with his movements to yank the civilian from the Sith's grasp. As the Twi'lek snarled in pain, her control momentarily broken, Valery surged forward. Her violet blade ignited the dim factory with its brilliant light, slicing through the gloom as she closed the distance.

The Sith barely had time to recover before Valery was upon her, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. The Twi'lek hissed, her two lightsabers spinning through a flurry of strikes meant to overwhelm. But Valery's movements were sharp and deliberate, each parry and counter executed with precision born of years of experience.

The hum of their lightsabers filled the air, punctuated by the sharp crack of each collision. Valery ducked gracefully beneath a wide swing, her blade cutting an elegant arc toward her opponent's flank. The Twi'lek leapt back, avoiding the strike, but it left her momentarily unbalanced.

Valery smirked faintly, her fiery eyes locking onto her foe. She could feel the Sith's malice bubbling beneath the surface, but it was reckless, unfocused. Valery was in control, her presence in the Force steady and commanding.

The Twi'lek lunged forward again, attempting to drive Valery back with a furious onslaught of strikes. But the Jedi Grandmaster held her ground, her violet blade a blur as she deflected and redirected each attack with ease. Despite the Sith's strength, Valery remained unshaken, her movements almost serene in their fluidity.

Her connection to Kahlil flickered in her mind, a silent signal that she was ready for his support. She didn't need it to win a fight against this Sith Lord, but together, they could end this faster and without unnecessary risks. Valery shifted her stance subtly, preparing to press the advantage as soon as Kahlil joined the fray.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Fighting both Jedi had already sealed the Sith's fate. They fought tooth and nail against Valery while Kahlil looked over the civilian, making sure they were alright and safe before he looked back towards the ongoing bout. He closed his eyes as he raised a hand, letting his mind focus once more on the Force. Another rune formed, but Valery would understand the intent.

Fire. Valery could easily go through the flame without fear of ignition. The same couldn't be said for the Sith as he brought the flame all around them, engulfing them in an instant. They really stood no chance like this.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The Sith's twin sabers clashed against Valery's violet blade in a flurry of relentless strikes, each one meant to overwhelm and outpace her. She held her ground, her precision unmatched, but the Sith's wild aggression finally found a moment of purchase. One blade swept too close, and a sharp sting flared across Valery's cheek. A thin line of crimson appeared, a single drop of blood tracing its path downward.

Her fiery eyes narrowed.

The sting was nothing compared to the fire of her determination. She stepped back, adjusting her stance as her grip tightened on her hilt. The Sith sneered, sensing an advantage, but the glimmer of confidence in Valery's gaze told a different story.

Suddenly, the air around them ignited, flames roaring to life in a circle that consumed them both. The heat was blistering, the inferno casting wild shadows that danced across the factory walls. Valery felt the power of Kahlil's rune through their bond, the Force wrapping around her like a shield. She moved without hesitation, stepping forward through the fire.

Her figure emerged unscathed, a luminous beacon in the inferno, her violet blade casting an ethereal glow. The Sith's sneer faltered, replaced with wide-eyed panic. Before she could adjust, Valery surged forward, her blade striking true.

The violet blade pierced through the Sith's heart, extinguishing the malice that radiated from her. The Twi'lek gasped, her crimson eyes widening in disbelief as her sabers slipped from her grip and clattered to the ground. Valery held her gaze, unflinching, as the Sith crumpled to her knees and fell lifelessly to the floor.

The fire subsided, leaving the room in heavy silence. Valery extinguished her blade with a sharp hiss and turned toward Kahlil, her expression softening into a warm smile. A single drop of blood ran down her cheek, a stark reminder of the battle they had just fought.

"Still got it," she said lightly, her voice carrying a teasing edge as she brushed a lock of hair back into place. Her fiery eyes locked onto his, and she added with a smirk, "But thanks for the assist. I clearly still need to get back into the swing of things after giving birth."

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"That suggests you were ever out of the swing of things."

Kahlil chuckled lightly as he stepped over beside her, smiling warm. He hadn't thought for a second she needed help. Why would she? He leaned over, gently kissing her forehead before he looked to the body of the Sith. It was never a good sign to see a Sith outside of their normal space. Was she part of the Order, trying to take advantage of the Grandmaster's homeworld? A solo act, taking their shot?

This wasn't even the main force of the pirates.

"Let's keep rounding up the others, get them off world. We'll bring the main forces back of the Epicanthix with the Keshain and take out not just this fleet but the main group too."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery eyes softened as Kahlil stepped closer, his warm smile meeting hers as the tension of the fight dissipated. When he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Hmm," she mused, tilting her head and smirking up at him. "Maybe I was out of the swing of things when I was pregnant."

"Just a little."

Her hand moved to rest lightly against his chest, her gaze locking with his as she let the moment linger. The warmth of his presence grounded her, even in the aftermath of battle.

"But I like the sound of that plan," she added, her tone both serious and affectionate. "Clearing out these pirates and their allies once and for all feels like the right move. I won't let them keep threatening—"

A chime from her comm interrupted her words, and Valery stepped back slightly to pull it from her belt. Eleya's voice crackled through the device, the urgency in her tone cutting through the still air.

<Masters Noble — one town is secure. We've pushed the pirates out, but they're regrouping at another settlement. It's atop a hill — strong defensible position. If we're going to move on them, we'll need to do it quickly before they fortify.>

Valery's expression shifted, her fiery determination returning as she glanced back at Kahlil. "A hilltop position," she murmured. "Smart, but it won't save them."

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Then we'll move on their quick. No drive by, though. There's no telling where the civilians are going to be midscramble." Kahlil nodded his head once, glancing to the holodevice in Valery's hand. The pirates were aware, so they were going to start taking hostages when and where they could. "Get a squad, we'll hit them hard and fast while you gather the other settlements. We can't let them take people hostage, yeah?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's gaze met Kahlil's as he spoke, and she nodded in agreement. She lifted her comm again to reply to Eleya, her voice sharp and steady.

"Understood, Eleya. Coordinate with your squads to secure the other settlements and protect any civilians left behind. Kahlil and I will move on the hilltop position."

The response crackled back almost immediately. "Copy that, Master Noble. We'll handle it. Good luck out there."

With that, Valery clipped the comm back to her belt and turned toward Kahlil, her expression hardened with determination. "Let's move quickly before they have time to dig in."

---

As the squad of Faedra descended toward the settlement, the Nobles stood at the ready, the tension between them tangible. The shimmering blue hues of the surrounding Keshian hills came into view, stark against the growing darkness. But as they approached, a sight stole their attention — a shuttle rising from within the village, its engines roaring as it gained altitude.

Valery's eyes narrowed as a wave of despair washed over her through the Force. From within the shuttle, she could feel the panic and fear of captives — Keshian civilians, likely being taken up to join the pirate fleet.

"They're taking hostages," she said, her voice low but edged with urgency. "We can't let them get away." Her gaze shifted to Kahlil, her determination blazing. "And we need to keep them from taking more."

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stared after the ship as it started to lift off. There wasn't long at all before it was gone completely. "You got the town." He flashed her a wide grin this time as he reached a hand out. There was no hiding what he was planning to do, not from Valery. Separating wasn't the most ideal change, but any hostages the pirates got would make all of this moot. Their plan, their organizing with the native Keshain.

He pulled the Force, creating another door that he immediately slipped through. Valery could and would take the town itself. He'd make sure the civilians on the ship weren't actually taken. Surprise was what he was met by as he stepped into the cargo hold of the shuttle, from prisoner and pirate alike. Guns raised shortly after, but Kahlil's smile was as calm as ever.

He lowered a hand, and the guns followed suit, alongside their wielders. "Take their weapons, we're turning the ship around back to town."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery flashed Kahlil a grin as his plan became clear. Her fiery eyes softened for just a moment, the faintest flicker of concern crossing her expression before she quickly masked it with determination. She never liked it when they had to separate, but this time, it was necessary. They had a chance to save the hostages, and there was no one she trusted more than him to get it done.

"Be careful," she said simply, her voice carrying both affection and resolve.

As Kahlil reached into the Force, the shimmering portal opened, and with a calm yet confident stride, he stepped through. Valery watched him disappear, then turned toward the village, her smirk returning. "My husband is a pirate," she muttered to herself, amused at the irony before the fire in her gaze ignited fully.

Her presence flared in the Force like a storm as she strode into the village, her violet blade igniting with a snap-hiss. The pirates scattered, but Valery moved with precision and unrelenting focus, dismantling their defenses with every sweep of her blade. Her fiery eyes glowed, casting a haunting light in the dim streets as she freed the villagers one by one, urging them to flee to safety.

"Stay together!" she called to them, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Head toward the Faedra — they'll protect you there and get you off-world!"

---

On the shuttle...

Kahlil stood in the center of the cargo hold, surrounded by disarmed pirates and trembling hostages. His calm smile reassured the Keshians, and their fear began to ebb away. Among them, a raven-haired woman with striking purple eyes stepped forward, her bearing dignified even in captivity. Her tone was steady despite the ordeal.

"You're Jedi," she said, her words carrying both relief and curiosity. "Can you... teleport us back to the village? If we don't need this shuttle, we can prime its systems for self-destruct. It might give their fleet a surprise they won't forget."

Her sharp gaze met his, determination mirrored in her expression. "I know how to rig it." The other freed Keshians nodded in agreement, clearly eager for some payback.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Yarr it was.

Kahlil chuckled at Valery's passing thought about him being a pirate before he glanced around the civilians on the ship. Teleport them back? His expression blanked for a moment before his head tilted to the side. "Jedi can't teleport like that. Or in general." It wasn't because Kahlil was a Jedi that he could. It was his blood, the Sorcery he could use as a Sith translated to what he could do as a Jedi. Best not to let people think Jedi can teleport around less people start to rely on it.

"We're not here to fight, though. We're here to get everyone off world so we can counter attack without thee risk of hostages being taken. Like you just were, for example."

They were far too eager to fight. Not that Kahlil blamed them. They were a warrior species through and through. "Bring us back to the others. We'll off load the pirates and get more people on to regroup. No one is being left behind, or put in danger."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The Keshian warrior's purple eyes narrowed slightly as Kahlil explained. Her jaw tightened in frustration, and for a moment, it seemed like she might argue. The Keshians were a proud, battle-hardened people, and retreating without delivering some kind of blow to their enemies didn't sit well with her. And just like his wife, they were quite stubborn, too.

But Kahlil's calm, steady demeanor and his clear reasoning cut through her desire for vengeance.

"Fine," she said finally, her tone clipped but not defiant. "We live to fight another day." Her gaze softened slightly as she added, "I'll help you get us back down to the others. These people need their strength for what comes next."

As the group began working on the shuttle's systems to plot a return course, Kahlil felt the faintest flicker of Valery's presence through their bond. It started as a gentle pulse, like the warm glow of a fire on a cold night, but it carried her unmistakable teasing edge.

<Already got the town under control, love,> her voice chimed in his mind, laced with humor despite the tension of their mission. <What's taking you so long? Running into trouble up there, Captain?>

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

<Just making sure people aren't trying to make more bombs.>

Stubbornness had to be a Keshian trait, that much was clear now. Kahlil just chuckled aloud, much to the other woman's surprise as the shuttle returned back to the town. There, he did start to remove the bodies on board to replace with civilians, so they could gather everyone up. So they could continue the evacuation and get everyone to safety.

So they could gather up allies to take the world back. Her world back.

Valery Noble