If Two Can Do It... (ASA Dominion of Olvan)

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"Mister Conclave? We're here to escort you." The leader stated. He had a patch on the side of his armor that indicated his superiority over the others. It was a bright blue, and words that made absolutely no sense to someone who spoke basic were scribbled on the side. He stared at the duo expectantly.

Gravesen felt the slightest pang of guilt at Una's words. She did not seem to outright disapprove of his actions, but she was certainly skeptical. Truly, this was no work for any Jedi. She had come for him, not the ASA, and that was both touching and unsettling at the same time. He strode forward, pulled his dark cowl over his head, and nodded at the soldiers. "We'll be flying over the white mountain. Once there, my friend and I will charge through the ranks for the doors, and activate the weapons system."

The Rattataki pulled himself into the open side doors of the shuttle, as did the soldiers. He held out a glove-laden hand for Una to take. "We'll rely on you to hold the doors for us."

The lead man said nothing for a long moment. He looked down at his weapon, breathed a quiet sigh, and nodded. "Aye, we can do that. Just don't take too long, or the Imps will gain the upper hand."

 

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"Ready weapons."

The Monitor's words echoed in every Architect's mind. They shared a central communications unit built into each of their chassis. Some complained about the constant voices of their counterparts, but in situations such as this, it more than made up for it. The soldiers below had not heard the ships' engines over the roaring storm, nor had they seen the ships' gray hulls through the flurry of snow. The Architects had arrived completely unnoticed.

The first wing of dropships slipped forward. Their guns began to glow as power cells were activated, and they drew in slowly. When the battle began, they would decimate the Army below.

 

[Una Gal]

Once the little man began to talk Una struggled to keep her poker face the way it was supposed to be. For such a small man his voice was so deep and certain that it didn't seem to quite fit his body. Completely focused on the cute little warriors she was about to go into battle with was more than enough to distract her from the darker side of the mission. Hanging behind as Gravy gave them the instructions was probably her safest bet. From back there none of them could see her slightly bemused smile.

Of course she was focusing on the actual plan. Storm the doors, they hold them, the pair go and get these lost Architects. Moving with Gravy, she took his hand and slipped into the shuttle beside him. At the word imp her face pulled a funny look and she shot it toward Gravy. "What's an imp?" Una almost strapped herself tightly into the seat. But she recalled the Naboo landing and decided to undo them a little as she waited for his reply. After all, they had survived that crash. The only thing to actually hurt her was something made to keep her safe in the first place. It was all a little confusing.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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The shuttle lifted loudly from the snowy ground. The engines were just as archaic as the weapons the soldiers carried, and Gravesen highly doubted it had any form of shielding. If that was correct...well, this was going to be a lovely ride. He reached up and grabbed a hold of the handhold as snowy hills and small settlements passed below. The side doors hissed closed as the ship grew in speed, and the soldiers began to converse with one another. Most of it was banter, and small tidbits were tactically important.

"It means Imperial Una." Gravesen answered. He flashed her a warm smile from under the hood, as if he were trying to defrost the frozen planet itself.
The ship rumbled in transit, and soon, they would arrive at the mountain. The lead soldier spoke.

"Aye, an Imp. A dirty, Commie Imp. They want to enslave everyone, the nasties."

[member="Una Gal"]

 

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"Begin second movement."

The second flight of shuttles dipped low behind the first. Their cannons lit up like lifeday trees as they charged. In pairs, the veered off around either side of the mountain range. Slowly but surely, they would come around the other side of the military below. Then, they would completely circle the Imperialist creatures of this world. They would have no escape, and any reinforcements the soldiers at the White Mountain might have had would cease to exist. Though the Monitor often berated soldiers for the primitive nature of war, he had to admit, he loved tactics.

"Steady."

 

[Una Gal]

A heavy groan escaped her lips as the shuttle protested to the sudden movement. Turning to Gravy, she gave him an unpleasant look and hung her head, already regretting the journey that was about to come. It seemed that every time she got into a ship with Gravy she ended up bruised and bumped in some way but she always made it out alive. But maybe that's what she liked about him. There was an aspect of danger everywhere they went, but he always managed to keep her going. In a way he already gave her a confidence booster, just by being sat in the seat next to her. But the smile that followed sealed the deal. She settled back in her seat with an infatuated smile on her face.

Behind her the leader boomed something. Una chuckled lightly and turned to Gravy, putting on a deep voice as the shuttle began to shake with their ascent. "Yeah. The nasties."

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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"It's always the nasties." Gravesen snarked right back. Yes, he snarked.

The soldiers paid them little further heed as the ship continued its transit. Gravesen occasionally gave Una a wary look--he was worried. She had been wounded rather badly in the battle of Naboo. He had as well, though not as brutally. The Rattataki was hoping something like that could be avoided this time around. He held on tight to the handhold, breathing deeply as he tried to center himself. He had read many of the Jedi teachings, and calm, apparently, helped with control of the force.

"Descending now." The pilot stated over intercom.

Gravesen tensed up, and reached for the hilt of his lightsaber. He had constructed it back on Naboo, and the purple crystal had seemingly called to him. He trusted the weapon.

"Una, you stay close to me. Keep me safe, and I'll do the same for you." He assured.

 

[Una Gal]

They journey was short and interesting enough for Una not to get bored. The soldiers talked loudly enough for her to understand almost everything they were saying. Sometimes they spoke in a gibberish language that she couldn't even work out. She tried to guess some words, dubbing her own commentary over their voices. In her head most of them had families and homes and lives to go back to once they were done here. That's if they ever got done here of course. Her brows furrowed as she continued to listen on. There were occasional hints and tips from a few of the more focused soldiers. But overall, most were jesting and poking around at each other.

As they began their decent to the earth she caught eye of Gravy's new saber. She was glad he finally decided to arm himself with one. She had been working hard on her own saber skills and was dying for the chance to show them off. Flipping her robe away from her belt, she curled her fingers around the silver hilt. It had protected her more times than she could count already. Una was counting on it to do the same today. But this time she was counting on a little more than just her own protection. Her fingers found Gravy's and gave them a gentle squeeze.

"We'll be fine..."

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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This'll be bloody.

The ship rumbled as it set upon the pillowy snow. The pilot had chosen an embankment to the east of the underground temple, giving the soldiers a straight shot for its frozen doors. Gravesen leaned forward; ready to bolt out of the doors when Una's fingers laced with his. he breathed a surprised sigh, and tilted his head down toward her. No words were spoken, but the calm assuredness she carried washed over him like a tidal wave.

The Rattataki nodded.

The doors opened.

The soldiers charged out into the snow.
...and nothing fired back. All that could be seen was white nothingness, and black steel nestled into the side of the mountain. That had to be the doorway. Gravesen stepped forward, his violet blade rumbling to life like a beacon. "Odd."

[member="Una Gal"]

 

[Una Gal]

Her heart pumped adrenaline through her body as the shuttle jolted, hitting the soft snow floor beneath them. The break of light through the opening ramp filled the inside of the shuttle and light up their waiting bodies. She was prepared for the bloody mess she was about to enter, only sure of two lives that would make it past the next few minutes. It felt like forever as the ramp slowly lowered and sunk into the white blanket. Una charged out after Gravy, igniting her saber as she stepped out of the shuttle. The blade caught the blank slate and bounced colors everywhere.

But there was nothing there. No blaster bolts zipping past her head, no enemies screaming as they ran at her with oddly shaped weapons. It was strangely empty. Something felt wrong, she could sense it as Gravy stepped forward. In a panicked moment she reached out and clung to his arm. "Where is everyone..."

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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The soldiers fanned out one by one. Gravesen slowly trudged through the snow toward the frozen doorway, only to be stopped by Una's arm. He hesitated for only the slightest fraction of the moment, and shook his head. "I really have no idea." He mumbled. It was eerily silent. The soldiers set up their weapons to point out away from the entrance.

The shuttle itself lifted up from the snow, and disappeared in the white drift within a moment of its leaving. Gravesen marched on toward the door, not minding if Una stayed latched to him or not. His feet scuffed against durasteel as he drew close to the door. Metal statues jutted up from the snow, bearing markings from Jedi, Sith, Architects, and another culture Gravesen couldn't identify. He frowned, and stepped up to the door.

Without a moment's hesitation, he thrust his blade through the metal, and began cutting open his own doorway. The soldiers said nothing, and continued to keep watch.

"Just...need to get through here."

[member="Una Gal"]

 

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The line of infantrymen were bloody splatters on the snow. Smoke rose from the destroyed armor units the Imperial side of the planet had employed. The dropships had done their job perfectly, and that was to be expected. The Architects never did anything halfway. The convoy of ships regrouped over the large mountains, and circled the sight of the dead warriors. They would wait if any further help was needed, per the Monitor's orders.

In the meantime, their leader watched his Harbinger's progress with the long range scanners.

"Move quickly...deploy one of the Dreadguard units for assistance."

 

[Una Gal]

She was frightened by his uncertainty. He had never seemed completely uncertain before. For a moment she stayed latched around his arm, but realizing his destination she released her grip. Standing in the white snow, she turned her head to look around the surrounding area. Nothing but white.

The soldiers seemed to know their way around as they fanned out and covered the small area. They were on high alert and it wasn't hard to tell. Bright sparks came from behind her and she spun around to face Gravy. His saber was knee deep in the door way and it wasn't exactly the quietest of things. Una hurried over, preferring to be near him should anything come out of the door way all of a sudden. She was on high alert as well now, as the metal began to peel away from the entrance to reveal its secrets within. Hopefully this is what they came for. Una didn't want to be on this planet for too much longer.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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Sparks flew from the doorway as metal melted and morphed inward. It fell forward with little resistance, curling in on itself in a fiery display. Hot magma sparked from the burnt edges and seeped out over the floor. Gravesen carefully stepped through the twisted doorway, and drew in a deep breath at what lay before him.

A massive corridor leading deep into an even larger open room. The walkway was solid ebony, and lit up by bright amber lights jutting from the walls. Statues of Architects, and men in heavy robes lined the walls. The smell of old oak pervaded through the air, and as Gravesen stepped through, he was taken back to his home on Nidak, with his primitive tribal family as a child. That was not a welcome memory.

"It's beautiful." He stated aloud.

 

[Una Gal]

The metal hissed as it hit the melting snow, turning it into pools of cold water around her feet. She thanked the gods for her boots as she shook them, stepping onto the door that now acted as a walk way. She was hesitant to go in and stayed outside till she was confident nothing was going to jump out at them. The orange glow of the lights already hit her face and stepping through the threshold she was greeted with much more.

It's decoration, though simple, told a thousand stories all in one. She had seen architects before and thus recognized the statues carved in stone. But the men that stood next to them, proudly immortalized in the stone, Una had no idea of. Gravy seemed to be pleased with it though and she nodded her head in agreement. "It is. Who are these men?" With her back to the door she began to walk down the room, her boots clacking against the floor with each step, in search of some kind of description or plaque that might have stated it. The soldiers outside where none the wiser, and Una wondered if they knew this was what they were coming for all along.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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Gravesen doused his blade as Una went on in. she was his charge right now, and the soldiers had been presented no threat to fight against. Oddly enough, as the sun dipped below the mountains, things were peaceful. The further the duo strode within, the quieter things seemed to become. Gravesen clipped his weapon to his belt, and watched Una sidelong. He did that more than he liked to admit lately.

"I suppose we'll have to go further in to find out, won't we?" he teased. The Rattataki flashed her a broad smile, and strolled on down the corridor. When they came upon the massive room, a massive holoemitter came to life. The image of an old woman with red skin, yellow eyes, short black hair, and heads prongs coming from his chin and cheeks stood four meters tall in the center of the decorated room.

Her arms were folded behind her back, and her lips had been pulled into a small smile. "Visitors! We haven't had any in...oh, a few centuries! Not since the Sith left....my name is Darth Pallathus, this temple is mine, along with the Architects I worked with. Welcome!"

 

[Una Gal]

Engrossed in a statue that depicted a man covered in furs of all kinds, Una caught the last of Gravy's sentence. She pivoted on her heal and flashed him a toothy grin. She loved it when he spoke that way. It sent a tingle of desire down her spine. With her best explorers face on she began to march down the length of the room.

The holomitter burst into life and blared out its message. Una screamed and stumbled backward, landing on her back and quickly scrambling away from the projection. It took her a few moments to realize that it was fabricated, but she could feel her heart beating out of her chest. Her guard had been let down in that few moments of Gravy's comforting smile. Scanning the holomitter quickly with her eyes she raised a brow and turned to Gravy from her place on the floor. No words came from her throat, though she tried to speak. Una could still feel the effects of almost losing her life. That close call sensation when you know you're in trouble but you can do nothing about it. Her chest pumped up and down heavily as she returned her gaze to the decrepit woman.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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"Your apprentice is a spindly little one, isn't she?" The Darth asked. She raised a red eyeridge, and huffed a quiet chuckle. "It is of no matter. I knew the Architects would return eventually. I was a Darth within the old Sith Empire during its fall. I met with the Monitor of that time, and aligned with the Architects. I built their fleet here."

Gravesen paid it half attention. He turned toward Una, and offered a steady hand. He hadn't so much been astonished by the hologram as he was intrigued. He tilted his head toward it, and spoke. "What do we have to do to activate the fleet, exactly?" He asked, not bothering to correct her on the issue of Una being his apprentice.

The Darth folded her arms under her chest, and smiled. "You must be the newest Harbinger. The Monitor informed me from space...if you were not force sensitive, I would have a puzzle, but considering you are, I must teach you. You, and your apprentice if you wish to access my fleet." She paused to stare directly at [member="Una Gal"]. "The Jedi will lead you to ruin. Peace is a lie, there is only passion child...You must learn to send your enemies fleeing in terror before they raise a blade, and your male must master the art of stealing the life essence of another being. These are skills you both must know, if you wish to succeed."

 

[Una Gal]

Grasping at his hand, Una pulled herself up off the floor. For the fifth time today she adjusted the armor that protected her skin. Cursing the size of women now a days she lifted her head to respond to the rude projection in front of her. "I'm not spindly.. and I'm not his apprentice." For some reason she had kept hold of Gravy's hand in her own. Her fingers had entwined through his own. It felt like safety for her. Especially faced with the Sith woman who stood in front of her. She had never come into contact with one before, even if this one was just a figment of someone's creativity. "And I don't exactly follow the code."

She glanced down and quickly pulled her hand away, popping the collar of her robes as she stood there. Una was prepared for all the mental manipulation this sith woman had to offer. She had been told countless times that if she ever met one they would do their best to change her ways. Though she wasn't openly arguing with her, Una refused to accept anything she was saying either.

[member="Gravesen Conclave"]

 

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The doors connecting the hallway to the main room suddenly shut. Four layers of solid durasteel slammed closed in an instant. Gravesen turned, and held out his hand to try and stop the doors from closing, but only succeeded in stopping them for a moment before the weight became too much. He winced, and brought a hand up to his head.

"Right now, your soldiers are being assaulted by the other government's men. They won't last very long. You can either waste precious hours cutting through those doors, or do as I say." The Darth chided. She motioned toward two separate doors. "Within those doors are the soldiers that defended this place. If you wish to access the fleet, then you will have to go through them. Once you make it through, you will be reunited for your final test. The first door will be a gas chamber. The Harbinger will absorb the life of those within to survive as he walks through. The other will feature a special field that keeps lightsabers from activating. The girl will have to terrify these men into a stupor if she wishes to pass unmolested."

Gravesen just blinked up at her. He opened his mouth to protest, but the connection cut off. The two doors opened.

"....Should we go through, or turn back Una?" He mumbled, turning to look at his companion. His expression could only be described as distraught.