It Offers So Much More

[Ardana 'nilim]

Same old cycle. Rinse and repeat. Or at least it felt that way to the young Twi’lek safely stowed away on board a freighter ship, deep within the cargo hold. It had now become routine for Ardana to move swiftly from ship to ship, planet to planet, without any clear plan in mind. Although the circumstances never appeared ideal, a more permanent solution was still yet to be found.

Of course, finding odd jobs here and there in the local markets never proved difficult, whether they be found around desolate wastelands or deep within the heart of sprawling cities. Introductions would become the most dreaded part of any new beginning, as the countless questions of her past and origins only seemed to strengthen her walls. She attempted to remain a woman of few words, to say the least.

Now laying with her head against the wall, levitating a small metal container in her hands, she nearly fell asleep from the sheer silence of the area. It allowed her a chance to prepare for and anticipate the next arrival, escape route and anything more. Perhaps she really was no longer on the run, but instead continuing a long awaited search. Long awaited and newly revived.

Such thoughts could only be slightly touched upon before ‘nilim rose from the starting sound of two crates falling beside her and an ear-deafening alarm pounding throughout. Although listening intently, she failed to make out many of the remarks of the now frightened crew members. Yet there was one phrase, yes…”Boarding Party.”

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Scum of the galaxy; they crawled through every crevice and clung to every credit in a pathetic attempt to give meaning to their lives. Among them were dissidents, rebels, people with the wrong knowledge and dangerous intent. Every regime had such opposition, and every regime had their counter. At most times, they would simply have blown the ship out of space, picked up its wares and left the crew to the cold embrace of the void. However, this time, the cargo had something precious, something they needed intact. Hence the presence of Darth Ophida, one of the Dark Lord's assassins.

After a quick exchange of blaster-fire, the One Sith boarding-party tore their way into the hull of the cargo-ship, sending tremors through the structure. Troops funnelled inside, with brutal efficiency and blasters primed to take out all non-vital personell. It did not take long before streaks of superheated plasma were exchanged between the boarding party and the defenders of the ship.

Amidst this chaos, the Sith Assassin strode upright through the ranks. Her torso, lower arms, and head were all encased in armour, and on the front of her hip she carried a pair of curved hilts. She did not seem to sense the fight going on around her. The plasma streaked past her had as she continued her leisurely stride, missing only by the width of a finger every time. Her senses spread out into the ship, probing it with invisible tentacles of her will as she searched for her target. Something was off, amiss, if you will. Perhaps she was walking into a trap? They must be truly desperate.

[member="Ardana 'nilim"]

 

[Ardana 'nilim]

It took almost no time at all for Ardana to realize the gravity of the situation...but why here? What possible reason or value could such an inconspicuous freighter hold? Even while looking back to the supplies around her temporary resting point, she saw nothing out of the ordinary. Not even the behavior of the ship's now frantic team appeared unusual. However, the clear, more immediate threat of a foreign squadron of soldiers pouring in proved more important to deal with. Her head now pushed against the wall beside the door, 'nilim quickly fastened a second finger-less black glove to a hand and prepared to intervene in whatever skirmish occurred outside this cold, dark room.

The sounds of the blasters, of those struggling to act quickly in an effort to recover, as well as the screams and shouts of several men unprepared for such a fight filled her ears. Although not a new scene for the girl, much time had in fact passed since she'd taken action in a battle of this caliber, even in such a small area. As the metal door slid open, Ardana approached the fight with nothing more than death set on her mind. To the front, two, rather fierce troopers from a squadron unrecognizable to her eyes stood, appearing ready to possibly push further at any moment. From her peripheral vision, more of the unworthy crew could be seen fighting back...or being slaughtered, really. Swift shots were taken by both sides, yet it was quite clear who the victor would soon be.

A quick, powerful, and sizzling sound of a saber igniting would be heard by the troopers, who soon turned to the new, unexpected enemy. Lunging at the two, Ardana managed to forcefully cut one down diagonally through the chest as well block an incoming bolt from the survivor. After igniting the second end of the saberstaff and swiftly turning it on its side, the remaining soldier was soon dealt a fatal blow to the side as well. She twirled her weapon for a mere moment, admiring the red light, before running to turn the corner and continue defending the assault.

It was here that, through the utter turmoil the ship now experienced, and through the number of troops continually rushing in, a figure could be seen. A mysterious, armored figure walking steadily out of the crowds.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The sound of a lightsabre was one that instilled more terror than hope in this age of Sith Dominance. Unless, of course, you were the Sith. In which case the sound of a lightsabre was the sound of a challenge. The Sith thrived on challenge; it was their lot in life to strive and climb to the pinnacle of personal perfection and galactic dominance. Sure, the Jedi had mowed them down in the past, but each time they rose anew, they stood stronger than ever before.

The sound of [member="Ardana 'nilim"]'s sabrestaff igniting caught the attention of the mysterious figure stepping through the crowd. Her helmeted face turned sharply in the direction of the sound and her pace quickened. A hand travelled to one of the two curved hilts attached to her form, the other twitched as the Force surged within her. She felt, probed, sensed her way towards the presence she had felt and the sounds she had heard.

Darth Ophidia turned her walk into a run, darting down the hallway as her fist clenched around her lightsabre. The thumb of her right hand caressed the activation button of the hilt in her fist. Her speed increased to the seemingly impossible as she funnelled the Force through her body and exceeded her limits. The wind caught her robes and made her advancing form a shifting blur of fabrics and beskar.

Suddenly, she was upon the saberstaff-wielding female. She feinted a step to the left before gliding to the right and activated the bloodshine blade in her hand. The scarlet blade erupted from the hilt and was immediately directed to a thrusting attack. This Sith Lord would not waste a single moment.

 

[Ardana 'nilim]

Suspicion had filled her thoughts concerning the attack since the initial boarding. And after seeing another, clearly powerful force user, it was no secret that this wasn't a typical, spontaneous raid. For if one held the will and capacity to employ a trained sith in the mission, an agenda must have been formed early on. However, what had once been a simple battle for a mode of transport had soon turned into a fight for her own life, one Ardana did not intend to lose.

Much like the scenery, the presence of a sith lord was no surprise to the young Twi'lek, having fought multiple skirmishes with the distinct enemy before. Although ideologies differed between the ranks, their character remained, at times, quite similar. The undying thirst for power; to unlock the secrets deep within the force that the rest of the galaxy seemed to fear. An interest prevalent in several of the sith clans. Yet this would be the first encounter alone. Nothing but her own training to secure victory, or lead to demise.

The figure became much more clear now. Even more so as it was now upon her, moments away from landing the savage strike. Having just enough time, the right side of 'nilim's blade would be swiftly brought up, clashing with the sabre of the masked assassin. The sheer might of her attacker was enough to end Ardana in an instant, were proper timing not utilized. Now staggering a couple steps back, she was forced to be put on the defensive. With a single, loud grunt, she would push the attacking blade back, while twirling her own in front, allowing the girl to block minor strikes and somewhat regained her footing. Now bringing the left side of the blade down to defend, Ardana would struggle to retain her stance.

It now became clear that this masked assailant was in fact superior. Yet, now focusing her gleaming eyes on the target, channeling all of her energy to hold the clashing blade, and struggling to catch her own breath, Ardana wondered just how long she might hold out.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

As blade clashed upon blade, Darth Ophidia did indeed find her opponent to be of a lesser calibre than anticipated. Surely, this was not the one she was sent to exterminate. So, what was this cretin doing here? A body-guard? A stowaway? Perhaps she was a runaway or a traitor? It did not matter much, but the Sith Lord desired answers. She could not afford wild-cards. Especially not one so armed. Or, perhaps it was a ruse? She could not be too careful.

Flowing from one movement to another, Ophidia's style of lightsabre combat was that of Makashi. Unlike many practitioners, she had devoted her life to the form since she was first given a sabre. She did not want her form diluted, but had studied how to defeat the other forms within the confines of her own.. While each of movement was not terribly swift, it was the fluidity of transition between them that made her attacks seem so quick. She made no pause and never broke momentum as her blade flowed back and forth. Cut, parry, riposte, advance, she put pressure on Ardana.

Then suddenly, she telegraphed an overhand cut, but never carried it through; she motioned with her feet as though she was advancing, but never moved forward. It was a feint. Instead, her left hand clenched and thrust a few inches forward. The purpose of the prior pressure had been to make [member="Ardana 'nilim"] focus on Ophidia's blade, while the intended technique would be through the Force. She lashed out with a grip, attempting to not only push her opponent back, but also pin her against the wall.

The Assassin desired answers, and the dead did not speak.

 

[Ardana 'nilim]

She had spent too much time watching the flurry of movements her opponent displayed and the power within each strike before her to even notice such a swift use of the force. The might of the blow was enough to push her body back forcefully against the wall, as she let out a loud, muffled grunt. Unaware and unprepared, she felt the saber leave her hand and fly to the right on impact some feet away, as the metal could be heard audibly clinking on the ground.

With her weapon away from arm's reach, she would resign to her fate, whatever that may be. Turning her head slightly to the armored figure, she would speak in a defiant tone. "Do you wish to kill me?"

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Ardana 'nilim"]

"In due time."

Darth Ophidia's sabre turned from its overhead strike to something more akin to a hanging thrust pointed at the young woman's throat. She took that step closer, then another, until the blade hovered mere centimetres from Ardana's throat. The bloodshine blade hummed furiously as the tip swayed back and forth like a serpent preparing to strike.

" I will give you an opportunity to be useful to me."

With a swift flick of her sword-arm, the blade was removed and kept pointed diagonally down behind her. The armoured head leaned in; the viewports functioned like little, distorted mirrors, showing Ardana her situation. The grey surface was detailed with etched, vine-like scrollwork that had since been scarred in combat.

"The ship's captain and first mate, where are they?"

Could she find them herself? Certainly. But the capture of a forceful being and its potential utility was paramount to the continuation of the Sith. Should the pathetic creature in her talons provide useful or promising, then it would be given all chances to flourish. Should she prove herself to be resistant or useless, then at least she could function as a scapegoat. The opportunities were endless.

[member="Ardana 'nilim"]

 

[Ardana 'nilim]

Ardana did not take restrictions of any form too kindly. She wanted to attack the being in front of her. To kill her. Yet she was no fool, and would soon remember the circumstances. Turning her head for only a moment, she would realize her options and soon return her gaze towards the figure, gleaming and staring for only a few seconds before replying. Speaking in a lower, muffled grunt of sorts, she would inform the woman.

"They said something...something about a blockade. In the lower decks, near the crew quarters." She then laughed to herself for only a moment. "Though I'm sure for your men it will only prove a minor setback of about a few minutes."

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

A blockade in the lower decks. The troops could most certainly deal with it, but it would be a costly victory in truth. Blockades were not set up to make last stands, not in ships like these. No, they were stalling for time. She needed to bypass them and get to her target before they could escape.

"Lieutenant! Signal our ship, if any pods are launched, I want them blasted. There is a defensive line by the crew quarters. I want you to draw their fire, but remain on the periphery."

She talked over her shoulder, and one of the troopers, marked differently than the others, begun redistributing the orders she had just given.

"Now, you have been here a while, haven't you?"

Behind the matted beskar faceplate, one could almost sense her face twisting in the mockery of a smile as she leaned closer. The narrow windows of her helm were like tiny mirrors, allowing whoever she stared at to see themselves in what was most likely their last moments.

"You could show me how to bypass them."

[member="Ardana 'nilim"]

 

[Ardana 'nilim]

She would slowly rise from her position on the ground, all while training her eyes on the dark lord before her. Her breath slightly recovered , she spoke confidently.

"There's a vent leading up directly from the main corridor of the ship into a storage closet behind the crew quarters."

She began to formulate a plan, simple but effective enough to take down the Lord's desired enemy.

"One could...infiltrate this vent, then land in the closet and be placed directly behind the enemy without them even knowing of their whereabouts."

Her assailant's intentions were unclear. She thought them quite uncanny for a person with such forces.

"You're a long way from whatever palace you belong in...taken to destroying small freighters for credits, huh?"

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Darth Ophidia listened intently to what her captive had to say. A vent, a closet, an ambush. It was not the worst plan. Ventilation shafts were flimsy and prone to making more sound than one wished. If this girl could move through them silently, then perhaps she was more worthwhile than Ophidia had anticipated.

"Show me where."

She did not deem it necessary to warn Ardana about the consequences of crossing her. Ophidia was never the great monologist. She only gestured for Ardana to stand. The blade extinguished.

She threw a second glance at her captive when Ardana off-handedly inquired about her purpose and motivation.

"You will see, soon enough."

Another gesture, urging the girl to move along with the plan she had so swiftly formulated.

[member="Ardana 'nilim"]

 

[Ardana 'nilim]

She would turn towards the lost sabre as it levitated back into her hand. Ardana knew the lord did not think much of her presence, only adding to her frustrations. She could feel a sense of obligation, almost wishing to prove her might, to prove she was capable of utterly destroying a couple of blaster wielding deckhands. Then, turning to face the Sith lord, she remained silent, her eyes fixated in a piercing stare towards the figure before her.

Utilizing the force, a grate was pulled off the vent and Ardana had swiftly entered the shaft in one quick motion. The crawl towards the targets proved no major difficulty, with blaster fire coming from either side of the ship, and voices shouting about. However, any other fool easily could have miscalculated a step, alerted one beneath, and botched the plan altogether. She found herself in an intense mode of concentration, focused only on the goal of annihilating the unsuspecting crew members below and wrecking havoc upon their so-called safe zone.

Eventually coming towards the correct position behind her enemies, she would jump down to a storage space behind the carnage. She would relish in the opportunity to disrupt their fight, to destroy any hopeful thought of safety or security in this battle. Slowly pulling the sabre from her belt, the targets remained oblivious as the door slid open.

Finally, some would turn to face her, questioning her presence, in annoyance or utter confusion.
An ignition could be heard, as the red hue shined in her eyes. A smile could even be seen forming between her lips. One world could be thought in her head. 'Eliminate'.

Confusion became fear and panic as chaos ensued, while Ardana proceeded to block incoming blaster shots and tear down the men one at a time. It had been much time since she had felt such rage and fury from within. And she would savor every second of it.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Darth Ophidia followed her guide through the vent and down into the ship's bowels. She made sure to never let her out of her sight, but also remain at a certain distance to give herself more time to react if Ardana made a mistake and triggered some sort of trap. This new person was interesting, with her defiant stare and casual questions, but not so valuable to her yet that she would try to save her.

One had to prove ones usefulness.

Whereas Ardana entered a mode of heightened concentration, Ophidia followed with something more akin to nonchalance. Her steps did not make sounds, but her motions were practised to the point of second nature. She followed the Twi'lek down into the storage space, hiding the deactivated hilt of her sabre behind her hip. She waited a second, letting Ardana draw the first attention as she rushed in to eliminate the crew one by one.

Then, Ophidia vanished. There was a rush of air, and a flash of red coming into being further down. She used speed to keep from being overrun, the tip of her blade flashing in swift cuts as she disarmed, dismembered, and disembowelled. Fighting multiple opponents was never her strong suite, but this was not a fight: This was slaughter. They were taken unawares, outflanked, and outgunned.

[member="Ardana 'nilim"]