Just the Two of us

[Judas Zambrano]

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

Spending so much time taking care of the dirt deeds that needed to be done for The Shadow Dynasty took up most of Judas' time leaving him little for his own explorations into doing things of his own. Such as the hunt for his father even though he had a good suspicion at where the no good Sith was hiding at. Yet Judas didn't have the power to straight up challenge his father yet, it would take time. It would take practice, and probably more patience then anything Judas had ever been known to have. Yet it was a necessity, plus he couldn't keep going out into the open and risking his life without being able to utilize the same powers that some of his enemies could possibly wield which is what brought him here today.

Judas stood in one of the empty warehouses that he had first bought on his trip to Eclipstica for the first time. All around tools, and broken down speeders littered a good portion of the area but in the center of the room there was a large bloodstain that had seemed to have only been painted across the ground only minutes prior. Judas really did have to take care of quite unsavory jobs. Wearing a black button down and matching pants Judas wiped his arms of the blood that painted them. He had needed something to do while he waited for Salvor Arnex so he had taken care of some necessary business.

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

Salvor had been given much by The Shadow Dynasty and today he would give back. A high ranking member of the Dynasty required his aid, sought out the knowledge the golden Zabrak held so he may use it for his own gains

The man held high station amongst the Dynasty, and his stock rose high with each passing hour it seemed. Salvor did not know what Romeo saw in the man, but he was curious. Ever more so after hearing his name. Zambrano. It was a name that meant many things to many people, a name that carried weight in even the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

He had chosen an interesting place for a meeting. An old warehouse in one of Eclipstica’s industrial districts. Dressed in all black, he silently slunk past scraps of discarded speeders and long forgotten work benches, the stink of rusting metal, recently spilled blood and secrets filled the air and in the center of it, a dark presence. One like his own but not exact, blood, battle and fury were his allies, this presence was something else. Blood yes, but there was also a hunger, deep rooted and alive, it surround the man Salvor was to meet. It dictated many of his choices, whether he saw it or didn’t.

He appeared behind the man, as if from no where. Silence was one of his many gifts, one he could pass to this, Judas Zambrano. He stank of death. It made Salvor smile.

“I received your call, Crimson Agent.” he was not sure how he felt of the title. But Romeo did love to give things names. He could not help but wonder how the man had taken to the title, the knowledge would go a long way to determining the kind of man he truly was.

 

[Judas Zambrano]

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

The blood upon Judas' arm couldn't look more appealing even if it tried as the Garhoon hybrid licked his lips letting the smell float up to him. His eyes wide he tried to fight the urge that begged for him to drink the blood. The sweet succulent nutrient that he needed to survive. Even being a half breed Judas' craving for blood seemed to be more of an addiction. Leaning down he gave in licking his fingers before slowly working his way down his arms. Soon enough the blood was cleaned off and he stared absently into space as though he were lost. The urge to feed was overpowering him as he could still smell the blood of his last victim. His body stiff and right eye twitching Judas went about calming himself preparing himself for the encounter with Salvor. He didn't want to appear as some wild animal. Smoothing down his hair he heard the voice from behind him but took a little while to respond pushing his urges down.

Turning Judas spread his arms in greeting towards Salvor but his face didn't have that same emotion as it stayed dull as though he were a statue that had no emotions. "Welcome to where the magic happens. This is where I conduct some of the business that keeps this planet safe." Judas said before offering his hand to the Zabrak allowing a small smirk to touch his lips but not his eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you Arnex... If I may call you that. First off I have to thank you for taking the time out to come help me with this endeavor. I'm sure you had plenty of other things to do."

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

Salvor did not take the proffered hand, nor did he return the smirk. He could feel the hunger in Judas, the barely contained animal urge to feast. A feeling Salvor has known from time to time, though not all feasts were of food, a fact Judas could attest to. Hunger was powerful force, primal and foreboding, it was more than mere emotion, it was life or death made manifest, pulling at you, stabbing you, until you gave in to its call or drove yourself to madness and death. It could be a powerful tool for Judas if he learned to use it correctly.

“Some things, yes. But they can wait. What do you need from me?” Salvor questioned.

 

[Judas Zambrano]

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

Looking down at his hand then back up at Salvor, Judas simply raised a eyebrow liking the mans manners. This was someone Judas could respect because he was honest, and didn't hide his contempt for others. Pulling his hand back and tucking both of them away into his pockets Judas examined the Zabrak once more thinking of the best way to answer his question. "You see dear Arnex what I need from you." Judas said steepling his fingers and taking a step closer to the man pointing his index fingers at him. "What I need from you is your knowledge. You are a Force User, and this galaxy is filled with them. Many hate us. Though that is due to one certain person and his knack for constantly causing trouble. Though that is not the point. I need what you know so I can combat any threats that pop up. Such as Sith or Jedi." Judas answered but not completely truthfully. He'd never admit his true intentions for learning force powers but what he had said did hold some truth. He was intending to use it to help out the Shadow Dynasty and thats all he would tell Salvor for the time being.

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

“You hold back from me. Your true intention lay hidden.”

he looked at the man, gauging his intent. There was no outright disloyalty that he could sense and his words did have a ring of truth to them. It seemed a daily occurrence that Romeo, brought another enemy to their door, and it would be advantageous to have another stand with them to combat Romeo’s folly. Another point that would go a long way with Salvor, would be to know what this Judas thought of their king.

“Do not fear. Your secrets are your own. For now. Tell me, what do you know of the force?”

 

[Judas Zambrano]

"If my true intentions weren't hidden I wouldn't be so good at my job." Judas said letting the words sink in that he had his reasons for everything. If he was good enough to not be questioned by Romeo then no one should question his motivations. As long as he did his job, and did it well everything should be permitted. This Zabrak was brave. Judas may have asked for his help but he was still a Zambrano and wouldn't hesitate to kill at the drop of a pen. Though Judas calmed himself this was no time to make enemies, there was a bigger goal in sight that he had to reach first. "What I know of the force is what most should know. I mean the Jedi and Sith have been at each others throats for years. The force is a manifestation that these chosen beings can wield, and its supposed to run through every living thing." Judas said giving the explanation of what he knew but it was obvious that it was mere academic knowledge. Not something he explored personally.

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

“Words regurgitated from texts.” he sneered at the man with the prestigious name. “Jedi. Sith. Neither are of import. The force is no mere thing, it is more than life, it is greater than death. It is the power to create or destroy on a whim. It makes mortal men, gods and it turns gods to ash.” his voice rose along with his conviction. Before him stood a man with name synonymous the dark side of the force and he prattled on like a first year history student reciting yesterday’s lesson.

“the power you hold is greater than, you or I. your blood and your name, grant you a glorious burden.”

There was little chance Judas did not understand what it meant to be a Zambrano.

“Have you received any training before?”

 

[Judas Zambrano]

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

Judas had to hold back a scoff as the Zabrak went into a rage about the Force. Judas loved doing things such as this, he loved getting beneath someones skin and getting them to diverge information about themselves whether they realized it or not. This Zabrak put the force on such a high pedestal as though it was something that could change the galaxy as a whole. But from what Judas had seen it was nothing more than a tool to be used by whoever had the power to wield it. People with power changed the galaxy, they didn't let the power change them or rule them. "I have received no formal training on the Force no. That's why I called you, if I had I would've just did everything else myself." Judas said simply cocking his head to the side and looking at the Zabrak. "If this power is so great I can't wait to learn it then. "

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

Disrespectful. Disingenuous. Dismissive. Weak. Salvor stepped closer to Judas, so close they were almost touching. Personal space was not something the Zabrak paid attention to.

“You disagree.” it was not a question, it was clear that Judas did not have the same thoughts as Salvor when it came to the force. “Speak your mind.”

 

[Judas Zambrano]

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

Judas didn't budge as the Zabrak invaded his personal but what he did do was look down shaking his head a chuckle leaving his mouth before he looked up into the Zabrak's eyes with his own bright blue ones before simply wagging his finger at the Zabrak. "Whatever happened to respecting my secrets? How quick that promise seemed to have been broken." Judas said smiling. I simply disagree, nothing to concern yourself with. Just simply my own thoughts on the matter. It won't have any impact on the lesson." Lifting one of his arms as though in invitation. "Now how about we get this over with before we both end up at each others throats."

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

Judas did not back down from Salvor. That was a good sign, Salvor could not respect let alone teach one who would cower.

“Your views on the force and what you plan to use the training toward, are not one in the same. If our views conflict, and I’m sure they do, training may be complicated.”

Salvor could deal with complicated. His entire relationship with Romeo was complicated, but it did not impede things…much, and as far as the two ending up at each other’s throats, in Salvor’s mind, that was inevitable and welcome. Strength was born of conflict, no one who rose to greatness ever had an easy road.

“I want to know, how much we agree on and how much your train of thought or mine, must change.” he continued, never leaving Judas’ personal space. The young man was confident, almost arrogant, soon Salvor would show him where his place was, and teach him how to ascend beyond that.

 

[Judas Zambrano]

Leaning forward Judas simply looked at the Zabrak enjoying the tension that was slowly building between the two. He had heard about this beings reputation of butting heads with Romeo. He was quite strong willed. "Fine if you truly want to know I shall enlighten you, but do not complain. You're the one who wanted to know the truth... I see The Force as nothing but something for me to use. I shall never bow down to it. Power does not change the individual. The individual makes changes with that power." Judas said speaking his words eyes not leaving Salvor's. "You speak of the force as this power as though it were an entity, but to me it will never be more then a beast of burden."

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

His way of thinking was not uncommon. It was down right pedestrian if truth were told. There were millions of beings with his train of thought, were they right? Salvor did not think so, but time would tell.

“ Thank you for your honesty.” Salvor replied after Judas revelation. “I, will not try and dissuade your thinking. Not yet, anyway. There will come a day where you will see how that frame of mind will limit your power.” his eyes stayed locked on Judas’ as he spoke, not with anger or as a threat but with soft confidence.

“Now,” he said finally taking his eyes from Judas, and looking around the room. “Shall we begin?” as he looked around he found a large rusted out speeder and walked over to it.

“Lift this.” he commanded simply.

 

[Judas Zambrano]

Wanting to roll his eyes at Salvor, Judas held back the action and instead smiled at the man. "It's not a problem. If we are to have a working relationship we must be able to be honest with each other. However I don't think my way of thinking will limit me at all. If I'm wrong I'll admit to it." Judas said to the man absolutely sure in himself that what he thought to be true. Even if he was wrong he would do everything in his power to change it. Giving a look of confusion to Salvor, Judas raised an eyebrow at the speeder that the Zabrak stood next to. "How am I ever going to do such a thing? Isn't there like this whole... I don't know teaching thing you're supposed to be doing for me?" Judas asked as he walked up to the speeder his hand grazing across it. The rust was so thick that Judas felt as though his hand would be cut if he kept his hand on it for to long.

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

Salvor closed his eyes, fighting off the urge to give a snippy comment to Judas. Patience was something the young Zabrak was still learning, but surely the man in front of him, had some idea how to use his gift, how else would he even know he was connected to the force? A question that maybe Judas could answer.

“How did you find out about your force connection?”

 

[Judas Zambrano]

"I... Found out about mines when I was younger, but never used it on purpose. There was no concentration involved or any training in my youth. I simply had certain moments where I would know what someone I was fighting would do before they did it. Or I would have sudden moments of doing things impossible for a hybrid garhoon." Judas said finally taking his hand off the speeder and looking at the aggravated Zabrak and smiling. "Plus I am a Zambrano, after gathering my family history and connecting the dots it wasn't to hard to figure out. What you're here for is to teach me to harness these talents and use them."

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

“Think back. Find a memory of your youth using the force. Focus on the feeling you had just before.” he paused a moment to allow Judas to do as he had instructed before continuing. “Now go deeper, find how it felt to use your gift and hold on to it, focus, become that feeling, pull it from the past, from your memory and bring it here and now and lift that fucking speeder.”

 

[Judas Zambrano]

Listening to Salvor, Judas thought the Zabrak had lost his mind. Those were memories that Judas had buried for a reason. It was not something he wanted to do, but if he truly must he would. Closing his eyes Judas delved into his memory, almost like diving into a pool of water. There were so many times during his school days where he wished he could escape it all. The rumors about him being a bastard child. About how he was a useless Garhoon. Before his blood addiction. All things that he had buried both internally and externally. Taking the time after killing his parents Judas had erased just about everything having to do with his past.

When Judas was younger he was in and out of trouble constantly at school. Usually due to fights. One of these times he had been trying to get to class before any of the other students saw him or tried to stop him. But three of the other students that just so happened to be full blooded Garhoons cornered him and tried to bully him. Despite his pleas to be left alone, no such gift was given to Judas. This started him down his dark path, as the first punched him Judas felt a force overcome his body so he would know what to do next. Rolling with the punch he spun grabbing the garhoons arm and yanking upward breaking the kids arm at the elbow. This force guided his body as Judas enjoyed the pain he caused them. The second and third rushed him in a attempt to take him down together but Judas knew what they would do before they could lay a hand upon him. Leaning back he dodged one punch and then ducking he dodged the second before raising his leg and striking one of the boys beneath the chin and forcing them to bite off a piece of their tongue. The final one Judas had something special planned for. Giving into his Garhoon nature completely he grabbed the final ones arm before spinning him and biting into the boys neck. Judas didn't kill him though. He wanted them to live with their pain and suffering. Dropping the almost drained boy to the ground Judas towered above them a look of joy on his face.

Rising from his pool of memories Judas' eyed the speeder feeling that same connection he had so long ago. The cool feeling of the force flowing into his body, IT energized him, and those emotions of how he enjoyed suffering became even more powerful. Raising one arm at first he bent the power to his will and tried to lift the speeder free of the ground only being granted by a slight rumble. Not willing to take that as a answer Judas turned all of his hate, anger, and pain on the speeder and bent the force to his will. Making it a beast of burden. He reached out with both arms now focusing on the speeder. Sweat dotted his brow, but the speeder began to slowly lift a few inches off the ground. Then a foot, before falling back to the ground with a loud clang. Judas breathed heavily after his effort and sweat had stained his shirt.

[member="Salvor Arnex"]

 

[Salvor Arnex]

[member="Judas Zambrano"]

“Excellent.” said Salvor as the speeder rose from the ground and came crashing back down. “that is the basics of telekinesis, a power which when used properly can crush the life from an enemy, topple buildings or more.”

The power and ability to learn quickly that Judas showed was extremely promising. It seemed Romeo may have made the right choice, when appointing the man to a position of power.