On the Eve of Revelations

[Jake Daniels]

In The Eve Foundation’s Headquarters Jake stood in a sea of people. The main conference hall was packed. Hundreds of people stood and chatted, while waiters walked around with trays of small glasses of wine, others with small hors d'oeuvres. Surrounded and uncomfortable, the man hugged a wall. The first lesson Jake had learned from his Master. Blend in. Never stand out. Be present but not seen. Jake did just that. He wore the formal attire appropriate to today's event. The only difference between Jake and the other men was the aged lightsaber that was clipped to his belt in a horizontal manner on the backside of his pants. So long as Jakes suit jacket remained unbuttoned, unless someone truly eyed Daniels, they wouldn’t have noticed the small bulge as he walked. Today seemed to be a gathering of representatives from various world’s and civilizations that had been helped by The Even Foundation. Daniels held a glass of wine, yet he didn’t drink. His remained in his hand but his lips never pressed the glass. He wasn’t a drinker. He never would be.

The organization that brought hope to the hopeless. It was an interesting concept. Give the people of the galaxy the care that warring governments did not. Brilliant when it came to public relations; horrible when it came to financial investment. Jake had learned they were subsidized. Larges donations were given to them by Corporations. Even at times the planets they aided whom had successfully rebounded offered their assistance as gratitude when possible. Jake didn’t care about The Eve Foundation nor what they stood for. No organization had helped spare the galaxy from the plague. No organization had helped to save his family. Everyone had been on their own. Jake had little doubt the concept of self-preservation was still much stronger than any desire to help a stranger. He didn’t care about the good The Eve Foundation did. He didn’t care about their fiscal reports. None of that mattered. For Jake the only thing that mattered was the woman at the center of it all; Amorella Darke.

“Woah, looks like someones had a hell of a time.” A man joked as he came to stand directly in front of Jake.

Daniels simply perked a brow.

“Zach Foster.” He said extending a hand.

Jake shook it but did not return the friendly smile.

“Sorry about the comment. Just noticed that it looks like you’ve been through hell and back.” Zach said using a finger to point to the remnants of scratches on his face and the still visible burn near Jakes right eye. “What planet?”

“Excuse me?” Jake asked.

“What planet are you from? I’m curious to meet other people EVE has helped and see where they hail from.”

“Dantella.” Jake lied.

Zach was befuddled, “I’ve never heard of this ‘Dantella’, where is it located?”

“In the core worlds.” Jake continued his fib of his made up planet. He wasn’t going to tell anyone he was from Honoghr. He wasn’t as stupid as many Sith thought him to be. “So damaged the planet might as well not exist. I’m here to ask when will be be receiving the aid we were told we’d get weeks ago.”

It came off more combative than even Jake intended. It got the job done though. Zach didn’t know what to say. There was a moment of awkwardness before the man turned his attention elsewhere and wandered to another person. Jake felt his presence on the force pulsate. He was getting angry. He had to compose himself. Since he had returned his Masters dagger to the Noghri, Daniels hold on the force once more was sporadic.Even as he tried his best to dim it, the man could never quite remove it. He also had trouble feeling out for other people. He would need to be in relatively close proximity to his target to sense their own presence on the force. This was a dangerous situation. People could feel him before he even knew they were around. He tapped the wine glass he held with his wedding band. The sound of metal to glass helping to calm his nerves while he scanned the conference room.

At what was supposed to be front of the conference hall, there was a small podium set up with a microphone. Some basic security was present. Some Eve Foundation Officials chatted with some of the guests nearby. Yet there was no sign of the woman Jake sought. The game plan was simple for today. He was going to wait for this Amorella Darke to make her appearance here, hopefully. Once Amorella was distracted in this sea of grateful butt kissers, Jake would make his way towards her hopefully unoccupied office.

She was apparently an heiress that turned her back on a claim to the Kuatian Throne. She was royalty. If this woman was truly a descendant of his Master, how had the Shamalains positioned themselves in such a way to make a play and become rulers of one of the galaxy’s most important planets? Why would any girl turn her back on such an honor? The Throne of Kuat? There had to be more to this. Much more. Jake had so many questions. The first and most important of which being, if this woman truly was a Shamalain heir. Daniels had his suspicions. He just needed to confirm them. After all, looks could be deceiving. There was a sudden hush to the room as a tapping on a microphone was heard coming from the front.

Daniels didn’t hear the mans personal introduction of himself but as Jake found a better angle to view the podium from the side wall, he listened in more clearly, “…and on behalf of The EVE Foundation I want to thank you all for joining us here today. Each and every person here, myself included, has been touched by The EVE Foundation in some way. Clothing the bare. Filling empty stomachs. Healing the sick, assisting in the recovery and relief from both natural and unnatural disasters and so much more. We are not here to beat our chests and celebrate what we have done at The EVE Foundation. We are here to celebrate with you and your people what we all have done together.”

There was a polite room full applause. Jake didn’t partake in it. Instead he continued to tap his glass with his wedding band, his mind struggling to control his presence on the force.

The man finished, “I know you all want to hear me ramble on some more,” there was some laughter at the self aimed joke, “but I think you all wish to see the woman that has really been at the forefront of making this all possible. The Galaxy may know her as the Chief Executive Officer of The EVE Foundation but we all know her as our friend.”

‘Oh bloody hell. Could anyone lay it on any thicker?’ Jake thought.

“Miss Amorella Darke.” The man stepped aside as the conference room doors behind him opened.

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

There was no missing the arrival of Amorella on the floor of the conference hall. If not for the brilliant mane of hellfire hair then certainly for the powerful aura of purifying energy she seemed to exude. Years ago this same energy had allowed her to play God in what had once been called the Moross Crusade. This mystical power that calmed, that healed, that lightened the darkness was nothing more than the presence of the woman within the Force - and what a presence it was.

She strode in through a throng of her friends and employees, smiling warmly and exchanging greetings with those lining her path to the podium. The murmur of talk interrupted only by the deft clicking of S.I.N. Maw Pump heels heralded her ascent up the stairs of the stage and across the wooden platform to the podium at the center. Her dress was haute couture business formal and her mood gracefully elated.

"Thank you, Yoreph, and good afternoon everyone," a voice like satin over sand filled the hall with a warmth that seemed to reverberate with the faint echo, permeating the crowd and hushing it with no further effort of her own, "thank you all for coming to celebrate the Eve Foundation's 1 year anniversary of operations."

There came a chorus of applause from the people, drawing the brilliant blue gaze of the woman over their faces with a look of quiet gratitude.

"It's hard to believe it's been a year. A year since I attended the wedding of [member="Alric Kuhn"] to [member="Danger Arceneau"] and watched them vow into a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment. A year since Mr. Kuhn and his wife approached me at their beautiful home to speak about an idea, a dream they had to give back to the galaxy after all their years of entrepreneurial success. A year since I gave up my claim to the Kuatian throne in the hopes of using my knowledge and power to effect a greater, better change across the stars in a way that spanned much more than just ships. A year since the Eve Foundation was brought to light and I was requested to head the charge for a project that would seek out the darkness and pain in all the unknown and forgotten places and attempt to bring relief and healing."

She took a slow, deep breath and gave a moment's pause as her gaze continued to draw across the sea of faces, "In that time the Eve Foundation has visited 375 planets, issued over 200,000 relief state packages, and tended to over 400,000,000 patients."

A new chorus of applause, stronger and livelier than the last. Amore smiled to this but the expression did not seem to reach her eyes, of which they settled on a man off to the side whose own gaze she felt with great intensity upon herself.

"It sounds phenomenal, doesn't it?" she began, "But it's not enough. While I share with you a great joy of accomplishment for all we've done, I feel the overwhelming weight of all those we have yet to help, which is why I am pleased to announce the construction of three more major Relief centers at key galactic points, including the plans for the new Headquarters of the Circle of Healers made possible by the gracious support of our founding companies Vanir Technologies and Arceneau Trade Company. I present to you our newest projects and the next step of forward motion for the greater good, and for all those in need across the galaxy."

[member="Jake Daniels"]

 

[Jake Daniels]

Power. His Lady Silencia had been renowned for the vastness of her abilities. Her presence was unlike anything Jake had ever felt before. The sheer force of it upon those that could sense it. The way it muscled over Jake whenever he was in his Masters presence, it was unique. The Knight had never felt anything like it. Not until this moment. It was frightening. It was alluring. It was intoxicating. It was what one would expect a Shamalain to be. As Amorella Darke made her appearance for all too see, there was no mistaking her lineage. There was no questioning genetic chances. She was who Jake had been searching the galaxy for during the past three months.

She was dressed to impress. Daniels then noticed something. Some of the men around seemed to eye her. Among them was Zach Foster. Why was this important? Because it was about to help give Jake keep Amorella Darke busy. As the woman began to make her speech, people applauded but the Knight was not one of them. Instead he focused completely only the woman. Her powerful gaze, her gleeful expression, her demeanor. He read them all. This was a woman whom was in complete control. In pack terms; she was the Alpha. If these men could feel her power, her dominance on the force there was little doubt there would be more than a few wet pants. Jake knew weak constitutions when he saw them.

"A year since the Eve Foundation was brought to light and I was requested to head the charge for a project that would seek out the darkness and pain in all the unknown and forgotten places and attempt to bring relief and healing." Amorella spoke. Those words brought Jakes gaze right back on her. The remembrance of a galaxy in chaos. The agony of trillions suffering. Of planet after planet falling. After entire family lines being wiped out. He was angry. She spoke of darkness? What did anyone here truly know of it? Bring relief to the forgotten places? To bring healing? Had anyone in this room actually, truly, opened their eyes to the galaxy they lived in? In many ways it never changed. Governments still fought over useless pieces of land. People still died. For everyone they helped, another suffered.

It was here that Jake could feel his grip on his force presence, the vibrations it gave off, slipping. His eyes had momentarily gone from icy blue to yellow with shades of orange. Shutting them tight, Jake gulped hard, focused on the image of his tranquil family and reopened them. A quick glance into the wine glass reflection showed that his icy blue iris's returned. There was another chorus of applause as people celebrated some arbitrary numbers this woman spoke of. She was good at this. Very good. She'd have made a perfect politician.

Then they locked eyes.

His icy iris's met her brilliant blues.

It didn't matter how she wanted to portray herself; Amorella Darke was everything Jake expected a Shamalain to be; pure and unadulterated predator. Her speech seemed to be winding down and though their gaze remained locked, Jake was the first to waver. He disappeared silently and without causing a scene behind two larger men he avoided earlier. In this cover he came next to Zach. Jake reached out, feeling into the mans mind. Weak. Pathetic. Perfect.

"She's amazing." Zach whispered.

"That she is." Jake replied. He wasn't lying. He was impressed but probably not for the same reasons. "I need you to do something." Zach glanced at Jake. Reaching into the mans mind, Daniels planted a simple command, "When she is finished you are to go to her and proclaim your admiration."

Zach nodded and stared at Amorella with a twinkle in his eye. Jake wasn't always the fist clenching bar brawling war monger people assumed. He knew how to play games. How does one handle another predator? You keep them distracted. Daniels did what he could to remain hidden behind people, casually strolling towards the rear entrance. He couldn't just give commands to everyone; there were strong-minded individuals around.

When he found another target, he gave another command, "When Amorella is free of that man," Jake pointed to Zach, "go proclaim a greater admiration than he." The man nodded. Two men whom Jake had noticed checking Amorella out. Two layers of distraction. He would try and play it safe. He'd buy as much time as he could for what he wanted.

Just as Jake was about to disappear out of the back doors, he came to a woman who appeared to be a delegate. With his back to the stage, Daniels whispered another command. "Your peoples aid packages never arrived. Demand to know where it is when Miss Darke is available."

Just as she finished her last line, Daniels vanished out of the conference hall and headed towards the main security desk. The Eve Foundation was more tightly guarded than the Knight anticipated. He knew, just by looking around that this wasn't going to be a quick smash and grab.

"Can I help you Sir?" The receptionist asked.

"Yes," Jake reached into the womans mind and gave a simple order, "I just spoke to Yoreph in the conference hall and he asked me to meet him in his office. I need you to get me access."

"Yes sir." The woman said. She handed Jake a notebook, "Sign here while I get your pass ready." Daniels signed the book in his normal, elegant fashion, then handed it back. The receptionist handed Jake a badge that he clipped to his jackets breast pocket, "Simply head down that pathway. Security will let you through. Once you get there, take the escalators to the fourth floor. The office will be the eighth door on your right. You can't miss it."

"Well thank you." Jake said as pleasantly as he could force himself.

"You are most welcome. Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asked.

"Not at all. You've been wonderful." He faked a smile and confidently walked towards the first security checkpoint. Once through Daniels began the trek towards the escalators. All he needed was his three stooges to keep Amorella busy long enough for him to find her office.

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

This night, as Amorella had planned, was a night of social gathering and connection making. It was not one she had intended to skip out on or hurry along - she purposefully kept a clear schedule in order to see to the attentions of the people in attendance. To celebrate the great accomplishments and to revel in the continued growth of the Foundation's reach were but secondary to the true meaning of the night: to tightly weave a web of influence throughout the stars far beyond her immediate sphere.

Appearance was everything and the Eve Foundation could not afford to lose momentum. As such, [member="Jake Daniels"] would have plenty of uninterrupted time to find her office. All night, even.

So when the first man moved to proclaim his adoration for Miss Darke she smiled warmly and thanked him quietly for his affections. When the second man arrived to denote his greater adoration her smile broadened but her calm nature remained unwavering.

"I'm sure my husband will be pleased to know so many men across the galaxy hold me in such high regard."

The night wore on, she mingled and conversed, listened to stories and heart-wrenching tales of loss only to be thanked for the hope delivered by the hands of the Eve Foundation employ. While making her way towards the buffet tables she was stopped by a woman who insisted that Eve had no delivered on the help it had promised. Amore frowned and inquired to her home planet.

"Aopi," said the woman tersely, "we never received your care packages! I demand to know when they will arrive!"

Without missing a single beat Amore moved forward to place a hand on the woman's arm, "Aopi received 300 packages from us nearly a month ago," and with her touch came a calming clarity, inundating the woman's mind, "if Aopi has need of further aid I will personally go with you to make the request and see that it is taken care of."

"Oh..." breathed the woman, blinking with a look of dawning confusion, "no dear, we were well taken care of, I merely came to thank you for everything you've done."

Amore gave a frowning smile, nodding gently in reply, concern etched into a fine line across her brow, "That is good to hear. Please spread the word to your neighboring sectors that we are here to help."

As the evening slowly drew to a close the CEO of the Eve Foundation slipped away from the thinning crowds, joined by a shadow that had lurked not far from her for her entire life: Kefka the Noghri Bodyguard, and made her way through the levels of the building to her office.

 

[Jake Daniels]

Jake strolled at a semi-leisurely pace. He did nothing to draw attention to himself, though people eyed the wine glass he still held; the same glass that Daniels continued to tap his wedding band against. The sound kept his mind clear. Jake problem. He stressed easily. When he stressed his mind often over thought. When his mind over thought it often played games on him. This was why people didn't think much of Jake. He wasn't much of a thinker. To many he was just a blunt object his Master could use to beat down opposition to her plans. They were often right. What good was Jake for any other purpose than muscle? Yet here he was, fighting against heaven and hell to return things as to what they once were. The question was; would anything ever be the same for him again?

He went up the first set of escalators, got off on the second floor, then hopped onto another set. He did this once more going from the third to the fourth floor before getting off. Jake then came face to face with another guard. This was where another security checkpoint had been set up. It was apparent Jake was in the right spot. There were several hallways and several different doors. Each with a different name plate on it. The Guard was Jakes height, suited, but slightly larger. He smiled to Jake who returned the unspoken pleasantry. The Guard checked the identification that the receptionist had given him before allowing the Knight to pass.

It was here that Jake encountered his first issue. The receptionist said the eight door on the right. Which right? There were several hallways that seemed to branch off from one another. The Guard noticed Jakes befuddled expression.

"Sir?" The Guard said drawing Jakes attention.

"I'm lost." Daniels said with an uneasy chuckle.

"Not a problem." The Guard replied. "Yorephs office is on the executive hallway just down that way. Eight door on the right."

Jake nodded and slowly wandered off. Executive hallway most probably meant Amorella's office was there as well. When Jake turned down the hall the man ran right into a cleaning cart. The small cart holding dusters, a small vacuum, trash bin, and several bottles of solutions and towels hit Daniels in his hip. The mans glass of wine fell right to the floor. Though this drew a gaze from the Guard, Daniels saw this as an opportunity.

As the apologetic older gentleman began picking up several of the fallen bottles and towels, Jake noticed each door had an i.d. scanner. This meant that Jakes guest i.d. probably only worked for Yorephs door. If he just broke into Amorella's office, an alarm might sound. He needed a different way in. The cleaning personnel gave him that way. Coming to his knees to help pick up, Jake brushed past the older gentleman and swiped his i.d. card from his hip. Once it seemed the right moment, Daniels rose and walked down the hall. He first tested his guest i.d. card. Jakes suspicions were spot on. The guest i.d. card turned a little red light on Yorephs door scanner to green. Jake glanced back down the hall and saw the cleaning crew member checking around his cart. He knew his i.d. badge was missing. Daniels went to Amorellas door, swiped the stolen badge and watched as that red light turned green. He propped the door open, stuck the guest i.d. card in it, then rushed back down the hall.

"I think this fell when we collided. Seemed to have slid down the hall some ways." Daniels said as he handed the i.d. card back to the cleaning crew member. The older gentleman thanked Daniels, as did the Guard who came to investigate, before both wandered off.

Jake made his way back down the hall. Amorella's office had fortunately been one door down from Yorephs. Yet unlike Yorephs, this hallway ended at her doorstep. There was no mistaking this. Amorella was the top dog in this building. Jake opened the door, grabbed the guest i.d., and disappeared inside. What greeted him was a whole lot of... nothing. The office was bloody huge. Yet, it was surprisingly plain. This wasn't what Jake wanted. This wasn't what he needed. There was a wooden desk with chairs, shelving behind it, along with the predictable pieces of leisurely furniture. A computer on her desk, a couple of potted planets, but nothing else.

'Damn it.' Jake thought again. He glanced around. His first instinct. Look for photos. There wasn't any. No family tributes. No family tokens. Nothing. Hell there weren't even the expected professional degrees or assortment of awards on the walls that one would expect a Chief Executive Officer to have. The damn office wasn't personalized. Was Jake even in the right place?

As the time passed, Jake had gone through a few of the folders on the shelves behind the desk. They were nothing but reports on planetary donations and economic responses. What a damn bore. Even the locked drawers on the desk that Daniels had forced open with a letter knife on the desk revealed nothing. Just business correspondence and schedules for upcoming meetings. Jake knew Amorella was a Shamalain. He felt her raw familiar power. Yet there was nothing here to confirm it. There was nothing here showing whom her parents were. Whom her grandparents were. Brothers. Sisters. Nothing. It was frankly pissing Jake off. Behind the paintings, in the soil of the potted plants, under the seat cushions, Jake checked everywhere. He searched for anything hidden or visible that would give detail on this woman; this powerhouse of the force.

The man, for the remainder of his time in her office, after having violated nearly every aspect of her professional working space, sat in her own chair. His lightsaber was placed on the desk, as when he leaned into the chair it dug into his lower back painfully. His fingers tried and failed to continually input a password it would accept. Each and every time; he failed. This was where Jake decided to gamble on a new game plan. He'd wait for her. Wait he did.

The Knight felt her approach as she wandered past the security guard near the escalators. He felt her presence as she came down the hall. Leaning back in the chair, his hands neatly clasped in front of him, Jake watched the office door. The moment it opened Daniels made sure he didn't make any sudden movements; especially towards the aged lightsaber that remained as it was. He didn't come to fight. He came to learn.

"Amorella Darke." Jake made damn sure he spoke first. His tone was with it's own sense of authority, a display he had been taught by his Master to show when encountering those visibly stronger than he. "My name is Jake Daniels. Please, come in and have a seat." The man motioned to the pair of chairs in front of him. "We have a lot we need to talk about."

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

She felt the presence before even setting foot into the office and, judging by the prickling of Kefka and his forward movement to intercept her before she did so, the Noghri did as well. Amore stood back and gave a gentle nod, allowing her guard to enter first and noting how his clawed hands slid around the hilt of his own lightsaber hidden beneath his robes.

The woman strode in quietly, calmly, exuding a presence of a peaceful mountain, mighty and unwilling to budge under the turbulent nature of chaotic winds. Blue eyes did not immediately look to the man seated in her own chair but watched the darkened cityscape of Byblos through the glasteel wall at the far end of her office.

Kefka maintained his stance between the man and his charge, beady eyes honed in on [member="Jake Daniels"] in a manner that spoke of certain familiarity. Kefka was the son of Mahet, the once Noghri Ambassador long ago under the shadow of the Dark Sith Order. Kefka had been only a child then, vastly unexposed to the inner workings of the ruling system of Honoghr, but there was no mistaking that scent, not even after 400+ years of cryostasis sleep. It put him at a strange impasse but his duty to the protection of Amorella won out.

"I would have taken a request for a private audience for the asking, Mr. Daniels," Amore said gently, "there was no need to spend the evening mind-tricking my clientele."

 

[Jake Daniels]

Daniels was a stubborn old man. Set in his ways. Set in his mentality. Even if the man had ignored his natural instinct, the abnormal and phenomenal sense he had to instinctively know a Shamalain, there was no way he could have ignored the Noghri Guard. That in itself screamed certainty of his suspicions. Her gorgeous appearance. The intensity of her presence. The Noghri Guard. It was all like his Lady Silencia. Even her mannerisms, the subtle way she seemed to outright ignore the man whom intruded on her personal quarters were so much like his Master. The one difference though was the presence itself. It was tranquil in its own way. That wasn’t like his Masters. Hers was more… exhilarating.

His gaze fell back to the Noghri Guard whom had positioned himself between Jake and Amorella. The sentient being kept his own focus on Jake. Should Jake make any movement of hostility, the Noghri would act. That was his duty after all. The Knight had come to understand and respect that loyalty. Sure Jake had, at one time, been the Guard to his Master then later the Guard to his future Wife, but the Noghri were always there. Jake knew full well what they were capable of then. That gave him a sense of what this guard was capable of now. So Daniels simply remained seated, his hands for the moment clasped together in front of him. His lightsaber remained on the desk and in full view of both the Noghri and Amorella.

’Crud.’ Daniels thought internally when she finally spoke. Her statement was like a dagger that had been shoved into his chest. Amorella would have taken a request to meet with him privately? Daniels truly had been forgotten by the Shamalain family. That in itself caused a shudder with his force presence as his mind momentarily weakened. He must not have even been a damn cliff note in their history. Had she any clue as to whom he actually was, Amorella would have known Jake didn’t ask to meet with anyone. He didn’t make requests. He just kinda showed up when he wanted. It’s how he and his Master operated. It’s how he and his Wife operated. They both learned that when Jake wanted to talk, he’d be there. There was no asking required. No meetings. No scheduling.

The Knight took a hand and simply rubbed his eyes at the moment of silent frustration. Jake realized something. He was a man renowned for his mouth. He would say anything and everything that popped into his head. Yet in this moment he was truly at a loss for words. What was he supposed to say? How should he act? “Forgive me,” Jake seemed to slightly stumble over his words as the sheer weight of this moment was starting to hit him, “for months I have searched for any signs of her lineage. Now that I’ve found you… I… don’t know what to do now.”

He really didn’t. Confidence? Gone. Swagger? Extinct.

Both hands rubbed his face as he tried his best to collect his thoughts. The emotions. They were starting to get the better of him. Daniels simply couldn’t have that. He had to keep his composure. He needed to focus his mind on something. Her computer. That would be his focus. Jake moved his lightsaber to the side of the desk, then shoved the keyboard forward. He turned her computer monitor so she could see it, “Log in for me.”

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

"No," came the immediate response, a quiet tone over the strength of certainty. Amorella looked from the keyboard to the Lightsaber to the man and there her blue gaze settled, studying him. Blue, not green. Blue like the crystalline seas of Spira - deep and resolute. Her mother's eyes were green.

She felt a brief touch on her mind, the darker shadow of [member="Cameron Centurion"] lingering over their bond, ever watchful of her when the distance between them spanned across the stars. In that moment she found that she missed him terribly.

"There is nothing for you on that database, Mr. Daniels," her brow knit faintly as she pressed a reassuring notion back to the shadow and took several steps towards her desk and the stranger sitting at it, "why don't you start with why you're here..." her eyes narrowed as she watched him, "what lineage?"

[member="Jake Daniels"]

 

[Jake Daniels]

'How low have I fallen? To be told no? My Master never told me no.' Daniels rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration again. He didn't like being denied. The man was a hunter. He needed to follow his nose. If his nose wanted to look at a god damn computer then he'd look at a god damn computer. If all that was on this device and its servers were boring financial reports, then so be it. The point was, he at least saw it for himself. Being denied was a red flag. If she had nothing to hide, then why deny him? Oh no. That wasn't going to fly.

Daniels snorted in frustration as he struggled to collect his thoughts. He rubbed the bridge of his nose again before shutting his eyes. Quietly he tapped his forehead, desperate to control his emotions. He needed to find some trick to keep things in check. "You want to know the lineage? I want to know whats on this computer." The smart arse remark probably wasn't going to get him anywhere. He had to look at the big picture. If she was going to be the one to help him resurrect his wife and sons, then he needed to play this game her way. "For three months I have been searching for my Masters family; my family. I have wept more in these three months than I had in my forty two years prior. I have rebuilt my family home on Honoghr. I have had to go to hell and back to try and keep my body from falling apart since being woken. I have had to fight daily to keep my mind from completely losing it simply because I didn't have my Master nor my Wife and Sons!"

Jake checked himself real quick when he heard his voice rising. With a hard gulp and another several quick taps to his forehead, the Knight continued, "All I will say is its one of your ancestors. I was, am, and forever will be her apprentice. Now that I have given you plenty of my god damn personal information," Jake couldn't hold the tears anymore. His eyes grew watery. "Maybe you can shed light on how it is a obviously powerful Shamalain," Daniels finally used the name only a handful knew, "someone whom looks so much like my Master, goes by another surname?"

He didn't like giving information about himself. Jake lost control of this conversation the moment it began. That was unacceptable.

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

"And I am not your Master," Amorella replied shortly, pointedly. Despite the near mirror-image of the woman who had once trained the man before her, it was true, she was not her and in more ways than simply identity, "the answer is still no."

It was not within Amore to be cruel to people, but it was not within her to allow them boundless freedom where they did not require it. Having stood as a False-God to a massive empire of peoples, limitations and boundaries were a very important thing. It was what kept their Empire afloat in spite of all the challenges presented within a collective of multi-alignments. She listened with rapt attention as his words devolved into one long, emotional outburst. Seemed the man had needed an outlet for some time, but his words were walking him towards a subject of thin ice.

Amore took a deep breath, breathing in the chaotic waves of the man's energy, siphoning them from the room, and breathing out a renewed sense of calm and placidity. Like a cool water it permeated every inch of the room and she mentally willed the man to drink from it. To see reason. To center himself.

"Darke is my father's name. It is the name I received upon birth and the name I grew up with. It is representative of one of the oldest and longest lasting lineages of the original Ten of Kuat and stands for the present Monarchy of which I no longer am an heiress to. This other name is not one we use or go by, not for many decades. Its significance died along with my many ancestors..."

A narrowed glance took in the man, suspicion curbed by the want to help someone who very obviously suffered from deeply-set wounds, "But if you are in need of help, Mr. Daniels, you only have to ask."

[member="Jake Daniels"]

 

[Jake Daniels]

Daniels felt the manipulation in the air. The attempts by this woman to try and calm his mind. This was a neat ability that his Lady Silencia had helped to develop in him. He wasn't overly strong in the force. It didn't mean he didn't have alarm systems. Should a Sith Lord attempt to mess with Jakes head, it would alert both Jake and his Master. Yet what she was trying to do wasn't a negative mental manipulation. It was as though she was trying to will him to calm himself. As though she was draining out the negative and bringing in the positive. Jake didn't want to feel any of it; nothing good. Nothing happy. Nothing calm. He wanted to feel the raw pained hurt he had felt when he first went into cryostasis and the same hurt he felt when he woke up. Her raw power though; the will she exerted was simply too strong and even Daniels could feel the sharp edge of his emotions begin to dull. Another confirmation of her Shamalain roots.

"No. You're not my Master. My Master would have caused you to soil yourself by her mere presence." Daniels replied. He then addressed another issue. The concept of the surname. "Your surname is also an issue. Since you might not know a lot about your family history, let me shed some light on this. Women rule it. They had in the past, the should now. If the names influence has waned then that is a complete failure on my Masters descendants. A failure that must be rectified. I'd be interested to know what moron decided to abandon the Shamalain name to take up an inferior one."

Jake wasn't being diplomatic. He wasn't being polite. He was insulting. Through and through. Sense when did a Shamalain not use the name Shamalain? Holy hell. Jake thought he had fallen far. Royalty or not, the Shamalains seemed to be in the crapper at the moment themselves. He mulled for a moment when she stated that all he had to do was ask if he wanted help. Jake could have laughed; Daniels never asked for help. He simply took it. If this woman didn't want to give him her help, then he'd track down another. Since finding out about Amorella Darke, Jake had discovered several other leads.

"I plan to resurrect four Shamalains. My wife. My two boys. Then my Master, Lady Silencia. Seems this family needs a true Matriarch once more and I need my Master. I came into recent acquisition of an Archive on Ambria that holds the necessary knowledge to pull this off. As you can probably see; I'm not nearly strong enough in the force to perform any spells." He paused as he leaned quietly forward in Amorella's chair. He set both of his arms on the desk and locked a fearless gaze with the woman, "And you're going to help me. Any questions?"

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

"You seem terribly sure of your assumptions."

Assumptions were dirty things that stood on pillars of sand. Amorella did not flinch and barely blinked. She'd looked into the faces of men far darker, far more powerful than he, and lived time and again to see them change their songs.

"But I'm afraid that is not something I can help you with, Mr. Daniels. No one possesses the power to bring back those who have passed beyond the realm of the living in their true, original flesh, soul and mind. There may be those that claim they can, but the things they bring back will not be true - only a mockery, a mere shadow of what once was. Could you live with yourself after raising a twisted, corrupted version of your sons and wife?"

[member="Jake Daniels"]

 

[Jake Daniels]

Jake took a single hand and rubbed his eyes in visible frustration. He already didn’t like this woman. Why in all of the galaxy had he ended up here? Why had the force brought him to a woman whom obviously was dismissive of him? How could someone so strong in the force be so naïve? Since when did a Shamalain say something couldn’t be done? Anything a Shamalain sought to do, they did; even the impossible. Yet the words that slipped from Amorella Darke’s mouth were borderline heresy.

“You will learn with time that nothing I say or do is based on assumptions. When I say something will happen.” He had to clear that point right up. He wasn’t just some push over. He was his Lady Silencia’s Apprentice. The only one truly worthy of calling her Master. He had been through hell and back. He wasn’t just going to walk away because some Shamalain descendant simply said something was impossible. Her later question should have caused him to stall in his response. Jake was resolute in his resolve.

“That is exactly why I searched out one of the strongest family lines in the galaxy. You claim no one possesses that ability, which I will counter is a partial truth and a partial lie. The knowledge is there to perform such a task. Think of it. You say that those who can bring back the dead bring back a twisted and corrupted version of what once was. Sith can clone bodies and put partial, splintered spirits from a holocron into them, can’t they? Yet that isn’t the original person. It never will be. That makes them a twisted and corrupted version of what was. I want to blend those two practices, to perfect the imperfect.” Daniels paused as he truly analyzed his situation here. “My Master would have at least humored my attempts; if for no other reason then out of pity. The worst thing for anyone to tell me is what you just did. It can’t be done. If it can’t, well, at least I tried.”

Jake came to a quiet stand and cautiously clipped his lightsaber to his belt. He still wasn’t going to make any sudden movements with the Noghri around. “What’s it say about you though, Amorella. Least your family should know you wouldn’t bend over backwards to try and save them. I can see based on your stonewalling that you are not going to be the Shamalain to help me.”

The Knight moved towards the door and turned the handle before glancing back at Amorella, “I have loyally served this family for decades. I have done what was asked of me, when it was asked of me. If this family refuses to help me now,” he glanced around the office, “I will burn this all down. Everything the Shamalain’s, or Darke’s, hold dear. Everything. I am not making a threat. I am not posturing. Should this family fail me in my time of need; all of this will go the way of a tumbleweed in the wind.”

The man opened the door and turned his gaze from her, “If for a second you don’t think I am capable of doing anything I have just said; then I very strongly suggest you dig up whatever information about me that you can because sweet cheeks, its apparent you really underestimate me. That’s a shame. If you can’t help me then perhaps there is another Shamalain you can point me too. Take some time to think on that. I’ll be in the hotel across the street until morning. After I’ll be back on Honoghr planning my next course of action. What action that happens to be is entirely dependent on you.”

With that, Jake Daniels made his leave from Amorella Darke’s office.​

[member="Amorella Mae"]​

 

[Ereza]

"Was that him?"

A nod.

"You're absolutely sure?"

"A Noghri does not forget a scent, Gahiji."

"Mother's mentioned nothing of him. Ever. Why he would show up now looking for me? Doesn't he know...?"

"A man has been in stasis for hundreds of years, Gahiji. He knows only the last life he lived."

A dismal life, from what Amore gathered. She felt pain, remorse, deep sadness - all manner of emotions left unknowingly behind by Jake. There was a piece of her, too, that felt a failure at not being able to provide some kind of help. Yet everything she'd said she knew to be true if only for the failures of her own mother in the very thing Jake was seeking to do. With a heavy hearted sigh the woman departed from her office and made way to her private ship. There would be no return to Jake's aide as there was nothing more she could do for him that he would actually accept.

Several hours later, en route to the far reaches of space, Amore placed a holo-call to the Sovereign of Kuat. After a long wait she finally made contact and did her best to keep her heart from skipping at the sight of the woman she'd left behind to start her life anew.

"Mother."
"Esmae..." the glimmering blue bust of her mother tilted just slightly, silently postulating the subject of the call, "what's happened."
"A man visited me today by the name of Jake Daniels," she paused to await the reaction but as she knew there was nothing visible to discern. Her mother had centuries of Mastered practice at concealing all thoughts and internal emotions. "Kefka has confirmed his identity."
"Took him long enough. How disappointing, but extended cryostasis does tend to addle the mind..."
"You knew?"
The woman's stoic veneer never faltered, "What did he want."
Amore frowned, of course she knew, "He demanded I help him bring his wife and sons back from the dead. Claims he's found an artifact...some knowledge on how to achieve complete reincarnation. His wife...that was Cerusia, wasn't it?"
"...and what did you tell him?"
"I refused," Amore shook her head, "I am not capable nor wanting of such powers or things. The fact that you do it at all disturbs me on a level I struggled to describe. Doesn't he realize the horrific effects of it?"
"He is but a child where the Force is concerned. He cannot understand the implications of the rituals or the sacrifices required."
"He threatened me."
"Pay no mind."
"How can I not? You understand that Cameron knows - innocent lives may be at stake."
"He will be too preoccupied soon enough. Cerusia arrives at Kuat within a month."
"I wish you would stop. Why must you insist on torturing her soul?"
"You need not be concerned about her soul. It is well taken care of. If there is nothing else..."
Amore sighed, eyes falling for a moment, "No, mother, there is nothing else..."
"Perhaps you might reconsider your stance on the throne if you are so concerned about her soul."
"I am happy here, at the Eve Foundation, helping all those left in the wreckage of the mechanical beasts you provide to the One Sith."
"Balances and measures, child, be ready to weight your side down lest it flip over."

The transmission cut and Amore felt a deep frown settling into the corners of her lips.

[member="Jake Daniels"]

 

[Jake Daniels]

.::.Honoghr - Daniels Residence.::.
.::.The Next Day.::.

Rania approached Jake quietly. She stopped to obersve the Knight, whom simply lifted a cup he held in his left hand and took a sip of what appeared to be black coffee. One of Gravis’ quirks was his coffee. If the man drank coffee with any additions, such as cream and sugar then he was relaxed. If he had black coffee, he either was truly upset or about to do something incredibly dangerous. After yesterday it seemed a combination of both. He stood in silence, his eyes staring out of the window. The Twi’lek knew what he was staring at; the trio of graves close by. There was a change, something so unexpected to see that her jaw dropped.

A low cough from Cody, whom sat at the dining table caught her attention. When Rania glanced, the man shook his head. He quietly warned his companion not to broach the subject, yet her gaze went back to what she saw. Jakes ring finger was bare. The wedding band he had kept on was missing. In its place was a patch of untanned skin.

Jake could feel her stares. Honestly he didn’t care. His gaze remained locked not on the tombstones themselves but a small patch of disturbed earth over Cerusia Shamalain’s grave. Jake had remained in the hotel he said he would be until morning. He returned to Honoghr as promised. He had given Amorella Darke a chance. A chance was more than his own Master had ever allowed him. It became apparent that this generation of Shamalain’s were a failure. This family had failed him and they’re failure caused him to break a promise to his wife.

Upon arriving home, Jake had gone directly to their graves. Without a word, the man had come to a conclusion. He’d never succeed in his quest to bring them back. So he did what he had never done since it had been placed upon his finger; Jake finally removed his wedding band. The man buried it into the earth of Cerusia’s grave. He now understood something new. The man Cerusia had married died with her. No matter how much Jake fought against it, that was the truth. Yet this was a failure not because of anything Jake did; he did what was expected of a faithful husband and loving father. He found what was needed. Amorella Darke… she turned her back on him. The one time Jake Daniels needed the Shamalain family, they cast him aside. Because of them, Cerusia, Lysander, and Romano would never feel the rays of a morning sun on Honoghr. That portion of his quest had ended. He now had a new purpose.

Vengeance. Vengeance for his fallen family.

“What is it, Rania?” Jake asked.

“Umako told me what is being planned.” Rania replied. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Gravis didn’t bother looking at her. His eyes remained locked on the disturbed patch of earth, “Absolutely.”

“I’ve never suffered a loss like what you’ve gone through but…” Her voice trailed off when Gravis finally glanced at her.

“But what?” Jake asked.

“The Eve Foundation really helps the galaxy. You’re going to hurt a lot of people.” Rania protested. “There are so many that are in desperate need of the aid they give.”

“I’ve been down this road with him.” Cody interjected.

“Well he needs to hear it again.” Rania snapped back.

“Do you know what happens when an earthquake occurs in an ocean?” Jake asked.

“Yeah, a tsunami can happen.” Rania replied. “What’s that got to do with any of this.”

“If the tsunami kills even a few, people will blame it for the deaths. In actuality, the only reason the tsunami happened was because of that initial earthquake.” Jake explained. “I gave Amorella Darke an opportunity to help me. She refused. That was the earthquake. Everything I do now is the tsunami. People might blame me for what is about to happen but Amorella, she'll know it happened because of her inaction.”

Rania came right up to Jakes face, “Think about her, Gravis. What would your wife want you to do? What would she think of what you’re planning?”

Jake’s face remained emotionless, “What does it matter? She’s dead.” Cody gulped. Rania was stunned. Even for Jake that was a bit… cold. It was the truth however.

“You’re planningto attack a shipping facility for one of the companies that helps the Eve Foundation on Nar Shadaa?” Rania then turned towards Cody, “And you’re helping him?”

“I’d be doing the same thing if I was in his shoes.” Cody replied.

“Am I the only one who sees the insanity of this? Even if you succeed, then what? Its just Nar Shadaa, I’m sure they have other processing facilities or distribution centers.” Rania replied.

“They do but that’s not the point. This isn’t about bringing down the entire operation. It’s to send a very clear message to Amorella Darke; she royally pissed off the wrong person. This is all on her. She had her chance.” Jake replied. "It might not even be Nar Shadaa. I'm still weighing my options."

"And if this plan kills you?" Rania shouted.

"Then I die on my own terms."

[member="Amorella Mae"]​