Private Pulse of the Unknown

[Gil Horn]

Location: Aboard the Vibrant Dawn
Tags: Valery Noble

The soft hum of the ship's engines reverberated through the cockpit, a steady rhythm that matched the even breaths of the Jedi Knight seated cross-legged in the pilot's chair. Gil Horn kept his eyes closed, his mind reaching for the calm at the center of the Force. Yet, no matter how deeply he focused, the sensation in his new mechanical hand refused to fade. Phantom pain clawed at his concentration—a tingling burn that seemed to crawl up his arm and into his thoughts.

He flexed the mechanical fingers instinctively, the quiet hiss of servos breaking the silence. The pain wasn't real, but the distraction was. Gil's eyes snapped open, frustration flickering across his face. He glanced down at his gloved hand, the black fabric hiding the cold metal beneath. He sighed. Patience, Gil. That's what Master Ohognh would say. Let the discomfort flow past you. But the wisdom of his former master was harder to embrace than usual.

His thoughts drifted briefly to Naboo, where he and other Jedi had recently convened to discuss the Order's growing role in the galaxy, and its cooperation with other Jedi organizations. The discussions had been fruitful—insightful even—but Gil couldn't shake the sense of unease that had lingered over their gathering. Not all the Jedi saw eye to eye on how best to balance the Order's involvement in galactic affairs. Some, like Valery Noble, advocated a measured approach, while others pushed for more aggressive intervention.

Gil's own contributions had been quiet, his usual confidence tempered by the shadow of his recent failures. He had shared insights when asked but spent much of the time listening, reflecting. Perhaps too much—several Jedi had noticed his preoccupation, though no one pressed him about it. The Force moves as it wills, he reminded himself, though his faith felt thin in moments like these.

His memories were interrupted by the faint chirp of an alert. A faint red light blinked on a nearby terminal, drawing his attention.

Gil straightened, his moment of meditation forgotten. The small warning indicator pulsed steadily, accompanied by the same soft chirp. His brow furrowed, and he slid into the pilot's seat, his fingers deftly dancing over the console. A few adjustments later, the display confirmed it—a distress signal.

He inhaled sharply. "What now?"

Gil toggled the comm system, his voice steady but urgent. "Valery, I need you on the bridge. We've picked up a distress signal. Could use your input."

He cut the transmission and leaned back in the seat, his green eyes fixed on the coordinates displayed on the screen. The origin of the signal wasn't far, and the Force whispered faint notes of tension in the air. Something about this felt… off.

His gloved fingers tightened on the ship's controls. Naboo's lessons were still fresh, and perhaps the Force had a new challenge for him to meet. There wasn't time to second-guess. Gil adjusted their trajectory toward the signal's source, a quiet determination settling over him. Whatever awaited them out there, Gil would face it head-on—pain and all.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery entered the cockpit with a measured pace, her amber eyes immediately scanning the displays and reading the tension in the room like a second language. She'd felt the subtle shift in Gil's presence through the Force even before his comm had reached her — an edge of focus and unease. It wasn't unlike the man she had come to know, but today, there was something sharper beneath it.

"What's the situation?" Valery asked, her tone steady but clipped. Her fiery gaze settled on the blinking distress signal, her mind already calculating possible scenarios.

She moved closer, stepped to the co-pilot's station and leaned over the console. With a few deft taps, the display shifted to provide a more detailed readout of the signal. Her brows furrowed as she studied it. "Short-range transmission. The signal's weak — either it's coming from a damaged system or whoever sent it doesn't want it noticed by just anyone."

Valery straightened and turned to Gil, her sharp gaze softening slightly as she noted the way his mechanical hand rested against the controls. It was a subtle detail, but one that told her more than words might.

"We're close enough to investigate without putting ourselves in a corner," she continued, her voice calm but decisive. "Let's proceed with caution, but not delay — whoever sent this may not have much time."

There was no need for more words. The distress signal demanded action, and Valery's trust in Gil's ability to navigate both the ship and whatever challenge awaited them was clear in her voice and demeanor. She shifted to the co-pilot seat a moment later, to steady herself and prepare for the unknown, her focus unwavering.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil's gloved hand hovered over the controls as the ship dropped out of hyperspace with a subtle lurch. His eyes locked onto the massive object filling the viewport, and his breath caught for a moment.

"Stars above…" he muttered, leaning forward instinctively. "That's not just a ship—it's a damn city."

The vessel drifted silently against the backdrop of the stars, its colossal frame stretching nearly ten kilometers from bow to stern. Lights flickered sporadically along its surface, though much of it was shrouded in shadow. The distress signal had been weak, but there was nothing subtle about the size of the ship. It was a relic of some kind, its hull pockmarked with scars of age and battle.

Gil forced himself to exhale, his fingers moving quickly across the console to scan the vessel. "No active weapons systems that I can see, but the power readings are erratic—like it's on emergency reserves." He paused, his voice quieting as if speaking too loudly might disturb the ominous silence. "Whoever built this thing, they weren't messing around."

Behind him, Valery's measured steps brought her to the co-pilot's station. He didn't need to look back to feel her presence—her calm focus rippled through the Force like a steadying hand on his shoulder.

Her analysis came quick, sharp as always. Gil nodded along, his attention flicking between the readouts and the ship outside the viewport. "Weak signal, damaged systems... or they're hiding something," he echoed, his tone uneasy. "Let's hope it's the first."

As Valery settled into the co-pilot's seat, Gil adjusted their trajectory, guiding the transport closer to the drifting behemoth. Every instinct told him to keep his distance, but he pushed the thought aside. The Jedi couldn't ignore a call for help, no matter how unsettling the circumstances.

"Bringing us alongside the starboard hull," he said, his voice steadier now as he focused on the task at hand. "If we're lucky, we'll find a docking port—or at least an airlock we can breach. If not…" He let the sentence hang, his grip tightening slightly on the controls.

As they closed in, the details of the ship grew clearer: ancient symbols etched into the metal, scorch marks from old battles, and massive sections that looked eerily intact despite the vessel's obvious age. Gil's unease deepened, but he kept his focus forward, casting a quick glance at Valery.

"This feels off," he admitted, the honesty unfiltered. "But I'm guessing you're feeling that too."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery leaned forward in her seat, her fiery amber eyes narrowing as the colossal ship filled their viewport. The sheer scale of it was staggering — a silent, drifting behemoth that spoke of an age long past. Her gaze flicked over the faint flickers of light along its surface, the worn scars etched into its hull, and the ancient symbols that seemed to whisper of forgotten purpose.

"Off is an understatement," Valery murmured, her tone calm but laced with tension. She stretched out with the Force, her senses brushing against the void that surrounded the vessel. What she felt wasn't just the eerie emptiness of space — it was a lingering darkness, a sense of something waiting, dormant but far from harmless.

She glanced at Gil, catching the tension in his jaw, the slight strain in his voice. His unease mirrored her own, and while his admission was unfiltered, it was also entirely valid. "You're not wrong to feel that way," she said, her voice steady. "There's something here. Something more than just an old, derelict ship."

Her fingers moved deftly across the co-pilot's console, bringing up a secondary scan of the vessel. The erratic power readings were troubling, and the faint echo of the distress signal only deepened her concern. It was like approaching the edge of a storm — quiet, still, but with a charge in the air that warned of chaos beneath the surface.

"We'll proceed cautiously," Valery continued, her tone firmer now, a decisive edge cutting through the unease. "We dock, secure the ship, and move methodically. If this is a trap or trouble of any kind, we'll be ready for it."

She paused, her gaze shifting to the etched symbols visible on the hull as they drifted closer. The shapes were unfamiliar, but their deliberate design and weathered intricacy spoke of purpose — perhaps even warning. A faint unease curled in her stomach, but she let it settle, anchoring herself in the Force.

"Have you ever seen markings like these before?" Valery asked, her tone thoughtful as she nodded toward the viewport. "They could give us a clue about what this ship was, or who built it."

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil adjusted their approach as the ancient ship loomed larger in the viewport, its shadow stretching endlessly against the starlit void. The tension in the cockpit thickened, but he held his focus, drawing on the Force to steady himself as the unsettling presence of the vessel seemed to press against his senses.

He caught Valery's murmured words, her unease resonating with his own. His green eyes flicked briefly toward her before returning to the ship's ominous form. "Yeah, 'off' doesn't quite cover it," he replied, his voice low. "This thing feels... wrong. Not alive, but not dead either. Like it's waiting for something—or someone."

Her calm confidence helped ground him as she laid out their plan with practiced precision. He nodded, grateful for her presence and leadership. "Methodical sounds good. Something tells me running headlong into this isn't the right call."

At her question, Gil leaned forward, narrowing his eyes at the intricate symbols etched into the hull. The ship's battered surface told a story of war and decay, but the markings felt deliberate, almost unnaturally so. His mechanical hand rested on the controls as he studied them, the intricate patterns drawing his gaze.

"I've never seen markings like this before," he said, his voice thoughtful but tinged with unease. "But... look at them. They're almost too perfect. The lines are sharp, the curves exact. Like they weren't made by people at all." He shook his head slightly, his expression tightening. "I don't know if it's machines, the Force, or something else entirely, but whoever—or whatever—made this... it wasn't careless."

He exhaled, lips pressing into a thin line as the ship drifted closer. "Whatever those symbols mean, they weren't carved into the hull for decoration."

As the docking alignment system began its slow, mechanical countdown, Gil felt a shiver run through him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. "I'll set us down at the nearest airlock. From there, we move carefully. Let's hope this thing is just a ghost ship and not something worse."

He glanced at Valery, offering a faint smile that carried more determination than reassurance. "And if it is a trap, at least whoever's behind it is about to learn just how stubborn Jedi can be."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's gaze remained fixed on the massive ship as Gil spoke, his words echoing her own unease. The intricacy of the markings, the oppressive aura of the vessel, and the eerie stillness that enveloped it all combined to create a tension she couldn't shake. Yet, she drew strength from Gil's resolve, his determination grounding her as much as her own connection to the Force.

"You make a good point," Valery replied, her voice calm but carrying a weight that matched the gravity of the situation. "Those markings weren't made carelessly. I've no idea what they are, but let's be careful." Her fiery amber eyes flicked to him briefly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "And you're right about another thing — whoever's behind this won't be ready for us."

As the docking alignment system continued its countdown, Valery shifted in her seat, her hand brushing over the lightsaber clipped to her belt. The familiar weight was a reminder of her readiness, a reassurance that no matter what lay ahead, she was prepared to face it.

She turned back to Gil, her expression softening slightly. "You've got a good head for this kind of thing, Gil," she said, her tone warm despite the tension in the air.

The ship hummed as it aligned with the nearest airlock, the faint clunk of the docking clamps engaging reverberating through the ship. Valery rose from her seat with practiced grace, her movements deliberate and calm despite the unease prickling at the edges of her mind.

She glanced over her shoulder at Gil, her expression sharpening once more. "Alright, let's move in." Her tone left little room for debate, but there was no arrogance in her words, only the quiet confidence of someone who had faced the unknown many times before. She paused at the hatch, waiting for Gil to join her, her hand hovering near her lightsaber as the airlock doors began to cycle open. The faint hiss of pressurization filled the silence, and beyond it, the shadowed corridors of the ancient ship awaited, their secrets veiled in darkness.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Echo of Eternity Airlock
Tags: Valery Noble

The stale air hit Gil like a physical wall as he stepped into the massive vessel. He grimaced, raising a gloved hand instinctively to his face. "That's... unpleasant," he muttered, the musty, metallic tang clinging to the back of his throat. "Guessing they haven't had the luxury of fresh air in a while."

The corridor stretched ahead, dimly lit by flickering panels embedded into the walls. Dust swirled faintly in the weak light, and the oppressive silence was broken only by the faint hum of systems that still clung to life. Gil's eyes scanned the shadows warily before settling on a terminal nearby, its screen blinking intermittently with static-laden text.

"Let's see what we're dealing with," he said, moving toward the terminal. His mechanical fingers danced over the cracked keys, pulling up the ship's systems log. The screen flickered as data scrolled across it, fragmented but still legible. He frowned as he pieced it together.

"Manifest says the ship launched from the Deep Core," he said, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Crew and population of two thousand. But now..." His tone trailed off as he read the updated readings. He straightened, glancing at Valery. "Less than fifty life signs remaining. That's... not encouraging."

He tapped a few more keys, trying to bring up additional data, but much of the information was corrupted. "A ship this size, running on that few people? It either has extensive automation or a droid crew big enough to make even the Trade Federation jealous." His words were light, but the tension in his voice was unmistakable.

Gil stepped back from the terminal, his gaze moving toward the deeper corridors ahead. The weight of the ship's emptiness pressed on him, but there was something else—a faint ripple in the Force, like the first drop of rain before a storm. He opened his mouth to comment to Valery when a new sound pierced the silence.

The unmistakable clang of metal footsteps echoed through the corridor, growing steadily louder.

Gil's mechanical hand drifted to his saberstaff, his thumb brushing the activation switch, though he did not ignite the weapon yet. He turned toward Valery, his expression sharp but calm. "Looks like we've got company," he said quietly, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Let's hope it's the helpful kind."

His gaze returned to the shadows ahead, every sense primed as the footsteps drew closer.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery stepped into the corridor behind Gil, her fiery amber eyes scanning their surroundings with an intensity that suggested she was ready for anything. The air was stale, thick with the scent of decay and time, but the oppressive atmosphere didn't slow her focus. She had stepped into far darker places before, and this ship, unsettling as it was, would not break her resolve.

As Gil worked the terminal, Valery's hand hovered near her lightsaber, her senses stretching out through the Force. The faint ripples of life within the vessel flickered like distant candles in a storm, their weak presence leaving an uneasy feeling in her chest.

When Gil spoke, sharing the grim details of the crew and remaining life signs, Valery's expression tightened slightly, but she nodded. "Two thousand down to fifty..." she murmured, her voice low and thoughtful. "That's more than just a catastrophic failure. Something happened here — something deliberate."

Her gaze drifted to the corridor ahead, where the flickering lights and faint shadows seemed to shift unnaturally. She felt it too — the subtle ripple in the Force, the faint echoes of something more.

Then came the clang of footsteps.

The sound snapped her attention back, and her lightsaber hilt was in her hand in an instant, though the blade remained unlit. She exchanged a glance with Gil, her expression sharp but calm, and allowed herself the faintest smirk at his comment. "Helpful company hasn't exactly been our luck so far," she said dryly.

The footsteps grew louder, more defined, until the hulking silhouette of a droid stepped into view. Its frame was massive, humanoid in shape but with jagged edges and a design that seemed more functional than sleek. Its glowing red photoreceptors locked onto the two Jedi, and its mechanical voice crackled to life.

"Intruders detected. Access unauthorized. Protocols engaged."

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil took a measured step forward, his saberstaff still unignited but held firmly in his mechanical hand. The red glow of the droid's photoreceptors painted faint lines across the dim corridor, casting an ominous light on its jagged form. His smirk didn't falter, even as the machine's voice echoed with cold, calculated menace.

"Well," he said, his tone light despite the tension. "I was hoping for a maintenance droid with a bad attitude, but I guess we're skipping straight to the heavy hitters."

He glanced at Valery, her amber eyes blazing with focus, her lightsaber ready in her hand. He knew she'd follow his lead or take point without hesitation, depending on what came next. Trust was implicit between them—a bond forged in fire and combat.

The droid's servos whined as it shifted its weight, and Gil could feel the mounting aggression in the Force, a storm building just beyond the veil of the physical. He tilted his head slightly, his green eyes narrowing as he spoke directly to the machine.

"Look, I get it. Unauthorized access, trespassing—bad behavior all around. But if you're about to start swinging, maybe we can save us all some trouble and have a conversation instead?" His voice carried an easy confidence, but his body remained taut, ready to act.

The droid didn't respond verbally, but a series of panels along its arms hissed open, revealing what looked like built-in blaster arrays.

Gil exhaled sharply through his nose. "Guess that's a no."

In one fluid motion, he thumbed the activation switch on his saberstaff. The twin green blades sprang to life with a sharp snap-hiss, bathing the corridor in emerald light. The hum of the weapon filled the stale air, and Gil spun the staff in a precise arc, its glow reflecting off the droid's armored chassis as he deflected the first volley of blaster bolts into the walls around the.

"Valery, I just want you to know, I hate droids," he said quickly, his voice steady despite the rising tension. His mechanical hand adjusted its grip on the saberstaff, the whir of servos almost imperceptible as he prepared to move.

The droid surged forward, its steps heavy and deliberate. Gil leapt to meet it, his saberstaff slicing through the air in a blur of green light.

The game had begun.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery moved in tandem with Gil, her fiery amber eyes focused on the hulking droid as it surged forward. The corridor filled with the crackling hum of their lightsabers and the sharp hiss of blaster fire deflected against the walls. Gil's twin green blades struck first, a precise thrust that pierced through the droid's torso, causing it to stagger under the force of his strike.

Without missing a beat, Valery propelled herself into the air, flipping gracefully over the droid. Her violet blade arced in a fluid motion as she landed behind it, her boots touching the floor with barely a sound. In one seamless strike, her lightsaber cleaved through the droid's neck joint, severing its head cleanly from its chassis. The red glow of its photoreceptors flickered out as its body collapsed to the ground with a resounding crash.

Valery straightened, her lightsaber still humming as she turned to Gil with a faint smirk. "Remind me to keep my astromechs at a safe distance from you," she teased, her tone light and playful despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

She extinguished her blade, the corridor momentarily falling into a tense silence. Her gaze flicked briefly to the fallen droid before returning to Gil, her expression shifting to a more serious demeanor. "If this is their standard greeting, I don't think we're dealing with just an abandoned ship. Someone — or something — is still in control here."

Her voice carried an undercurrent of resolve as she stepped up beside him, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her lightsaber. "Let's keep moving. If this was the first test, I'm sure they have more surprises waiting for us."

The faintest flicker of a smile returned to her lips as she glanced at him. "And Gil? Nice work back there. Maybe I'll let you handle the next one alone since you love droids so much." The teasing tone was back, though her words carried a genuine respect for how seamlessly they'd worked together to take down their first obstacle.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil stood amidst the wreckage of the droid, the hum of his saberstaff fading as he deactivated it and gave Valery a wry grin. His green eyes caught the faint flicker of amusement in hers, and he couldn't help but chuckle at her teasing.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Valery," he replied, giving the downed droid a nudge with his boot. "But if it's all the same to you, I'll stick to sharing the workload. You're much better at the dramatic flips and decapitations anyway."

He hooked his saberstaff onto his belt, the faint sound of the weapon locking into place breaking the tense silence that hung over the corridor. The stale air seemed heavier now, almost as if the ship itself was watching their every move. Gil's gaze shifted briefly to the shadows ahead before landing back on Valery.

"You're right, though," he said, his voice more serious. "This isn't just a derelict ship. That droid wasn't running on some old defense program—it felt… directed. Controlled." He paused, letting the implications hang in the air. The ripple in the Force he'd felt earlier was still there, stronger now, and it set his nerves on edge.

He stepped up beside Valery, brushing dust from his glove with a casual motion that belied the tension simmering beneath the surface. "Let's hope their surprises are more interesting than deadly. Though knowing our luck, it'll be a healthy mix of both."

Her faint smile caught his eye, and he returned it with a lopsided grin. "And hey, if they do send more droids, maybe we'll give them a chance to introduce themselves before you go for the head next time. Who knows, they might actually want to talk."

With that, he nodded toward the corridor ahead, the flickering lights casting long shadows on the walls. "Lead the way, partner. Let's see what else this haunted tin can has in store for us."

As they moved deeper into the ship, Gil's hand hovered near his saberstaff, ready for whatever lay ahead.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery chuckled softly at Gil's remark, her fiery amber eyes sparking with amusement as she fell into step beside him. "Oh, so now you're suggesting diplomacy with murderous droids? That's a bold strategy," she teased, her tone light. "But if one of them starts monologuing, I'll let you handle the negotiations. I'm sure you'll have it eating out of your hand in no time."

The corridor stretched ahead, its flickering lights creating a disorienting dance of shadows against the metal walls. The hum of the ship's systems, faint but persistent, served as a constant reminder of its artificial heartbeat. Valery's senses extended outward, brushing against the currents of the Force that swirled uneasily around them. The presence she'd felt earlier had sharpened—stronger, darker, and far from passive.

"Directed is right," Valery murmured, her playful demeanor slipping into something more focused as she kept her lightsaber ready. "Whatever's controlling this ship doesn't want us here, and I'm not convinced it's just automated systems. There's intent behind these defenses."

As they moved deeper into the ship, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air almost stifling. The corridor opened into a larger chamber, dimly lit by a pulsing red light that emanated from panels embedded in the walls. The hum of machinery grew louder, interspersed with sharp clicks and whirs that echoed like whispers in the darkness.

Valery paused at the threshold, her hand rising to signal a halt. Her amber eyes scanned the room, taking in the rows of deactivated droids lining the walls. "Looks like we've found the family reunion," she said quietly, her voice laced with dry humor. "I don't suppose you'd like to handle introductions?"

Her tone was light, but her stance was anything but relaxed. Every nerve in her body was on edge as she extended her senses, searching for the faintest flicker of movement or surge of hostility. The droids were still — for now — but the heavy presence in the Force suggested that wasn't going to last.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil let out a low whistle as his gaze swept over the rows of deactivated droids, their hulking forms casting eerie shadows in the pulsing red light. "Family reunion, huh?" he said, his tone half amused, half wary. "Great. I didn't bring a gift."

He stepped into the chamber cautiously, his mechanical hand resting on his saberstaff but not yet drawing it. The air felt electric, charged with the potential for danger. Gil's eyes scanned the room, his instincts prickling as if the dormant machines were watching them, even without power.

"Maybe they're just decorations," he joked, though his voice lacked its usual confidence. Spotting a nearby console on the wall, he made his way over to it, his gloved fingers brushing dust off the cracked screen. "Let's see if we can learn something before they decide to wake up."

The console flickered weakly as he keyed it on, the screen lighting up with a garbled mess of text and static. He frowned, adjusting the settings. In the process, his elbow bumped a small panel on the nearest droid's chest.

The effect was immediate. With a sharp hiss, the droid powered up, its photoreceptors glowing a neutral white as it straightened from its dormant posture. Gil froze, turning slowly toward the droid with an apologetic grin.

"Uh… hi there," he said, raising his hands defensively. "Didn't mean to wake you. Just passing through."

The droid tilted its head, its servos whirring softly as it stepped away from the wall. For a moment, it did nothing but walk in aimless circles, its movements unnervingly fluid for something so massive. Gil's gaze flicked to Valery, his grin becoming sheepish. "I think I broke it."

Then the droid spoke. Its voice was calm, neutral, and unnervingly precise. "Connecting to central server. Stand by."

Gil's grin vanished. "That doesn't sound good."

The droid froze mid-step, its photoreceptors flickering before turning a deep, ominous red. Without warning, it lunged at him, its heavy arm swinging with a speed that belied its bulk. Gil barely had time to leap back, the blow whistling past him and slamming into the console with a deafening crash.

"Yeah, definitely broke it!" he shouted, igniting his saberstaff in a flash of green light. The twin blades hummed to life as he shifted into a defensive stance, his mechanical hand gripping the staff tightly.

The droid's next move was faster, its massive form charging toward him with relentless precision. Gil parried its strikes with quick, precise movements, the clash of saber against metal filling the chamber with sharp bursts of light and sound.

Gil twisted his saberstaff in a defensive arc, the green blades slicing through the air as he parried another heavy strike from the droid. The hulking machine's relentless attacks kept him moving, each blow powerful enough to shatter metal—and him, if he wasn't careful.

"Okay, buddy," he muttered, ducking under a wide swing and stepping to the side. "You've had your fun. My turn."

With a quick feint to the left, Gil shifted his weight and spun his saberstaff in a blur of green light. The twin blades carved through the droid's shoulder joint, severing its massive arm with a sharp clang. The dismembered limb flew through the air like a missile, slamming into a row of dormant droids with a sickening crunch. Sparks erupted as the limb struck control panels embedded in their chests, and a low hum began to rise in the chamber.

Gil froze, his saberstaff still humming, as the deactivated droids around him began to stir. One by one, their photoreceptors flickered to life, glowing an ominous red. A dozen hulking forms shifted and straightened, their servos whining as they powered up. The sound was like thunder rolling through the chamber.

Gil took a slow step back, his gaze darting from one activating droid to another. "Well," he said, exhaling sharply. "That's just fantastic."

He extinguished his saberstaff with a snap-hiss and turned to Valery, his expression caught somewhere between exasperation and urgency. "You know," he said, his voice light but edged with tension, "I think they've got this room covered. No need to overstay our welcome."

One of the newly activated droids took a lumbering step forward, its gaze locking onto Gil. Without waiting for it to make the first move, he nodded toward the corridor they'd come from. "Time to go!" he called, already moving toward the exit. As he ran, he couldn't resist throwing one last quip over his shoulder. "For the record, I'll gladly handle the next round of negotiations… somewhere else!"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's eyes widened slightly as the deactivated droids began to stir, their ominous red photoreceptors flickering to life one by one. The air in the chamber grew heavier, charged with the oppressive hum of servos and the faint hiss of activating weapons. Her lightsaber hissed to life, casting a violet glow across the room as she stepped closer to Gil.

"Yep, time to go," she said, her voice tight but laced with a faint undercurrent of dry humor. "Remind me to let you handle the next console. You've got a real gift for diplomacy."

As they moved toward the corridor, one of the droids leapt with unnerving speed, landing heavily in their path. The impact reverberated through the floor, and its glowing red gaze locked onto them, arms raising in a threatening stance.

Valery didn't hesitate. She extended her free hand, her fingers outstretched as she reached into the Force. The droid lurched to a halt, struggling against an invisible grip that tightened like a vice. Slowly, Valery balled her hand into a fist, the screech of metal protesting against the immense pressure of her power. With a final, decisive motion, the droid crumpled inward, its limbs twisting and snapping like brittle twigs.

With a flick of her wrist, she hurled the mangled machine aside, its shattered form crashing into a wall with a deafening clang. "Keep moving!" she shouted, gesturing for Gil to follow as she turned and darted into the corridor.

The two moved quickly, Valery's lightsaber casting shifting shadows against the walls. Behind them, the low hum of activating droids rose into a cacophony of metallic chaos, but they didn't stop. As they reached the doorway leading out of the chamber, Valery turned back, her focus sharpening.

She extended both hands, palms facing the doorway, and channeled her power. The heavy doors groaned and began to close, their mechanisms fighting against her will but ultimately yielding. With one final push, the doors slammed shut, sealing the chamber and the advancing droids behind them.

Valery exhaled sharply, deactivating her lightsaber and pressing her back against the wall to catch her breath. "Okay," she said, glancing at Gil with a faint, wry smile. "That was… a bit more excitement than I needed today."

Her tone shifted to something more serious as she scanned the corridor ahead. "We need to figure out what's controlling them before this ship throws something worse at us. Let's keep moving." She gestured forward, her fiery gaze locking with his for a brief moment.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil slowed his pace just enough to glance back at Valery as the doors slammed shut, her mastery of the Force sealing the chaos behind them. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his saberstaff still gripped tightly in his mechanical hand.

"Remind me not to argue with you when you get that look," he said, a hint of his usual humor slipping through as he nodded toward the crushed droid she'd hurled into the wall. "You've definitely got the whole 'unstoppable Jedi' thing down."

He leaned briefly against the opposite wall, rolling his shoulder to work out the tension from the fight. "Though next time, maybe we let them close the door behind us instead of turning their friends into a demolition crew. Just a thought."

Despite his words, there was an edge to his voice, the faint buzz of adrenaline still coursing through him. He glanced at the door, now groaning faintly under the strain of whatever mechanisms still powered it, and then forward to the dim corridor ahead.

"You're right, though," he said, straightening and falling into step beside her. "Something's pulling the strings, and I doubt it's doing it out of the goodness of its droid-loving heart. Whatever's running this show, it's playing for keeps."

As they moved forward, his gaze flicked between the shifting shadows and the faint lights embedded in the walls, his senses extending into the Force. The oppressive weight he'd felt earlier had only deepened, like a storm building in the distance.

"Gotta admit," he added after a beat, "I didn't think a salvage run would turn into this much fun. Makes me wonder what they're guarding—or trying to cover up."

He glanced at Valery, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Think we'll get through this without breaking anything else? Or should I start planning my apology to whatever central server decides to yell at us next?"

His tone was light, but his grip on his saberstaff remained firm, his mechanical fingers brushing the activation switch as he prepared for whatever lay ahead. "Lead the way, partner. Let's see if we can keep the excitement to a minimum… for at least five minutes. If I was a betting man, which I am not anymore, I would say the treasure we seek is gonna be near the center of the ship."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery smirked at Gil's comment about arguing with her, a mischievous glint sparking in her fiery amber eyes. With a dramatic flick of her hair over her shoulder, she let out a soft chuckle, her tone teasing. "Arguing with me is never a good idea, Gil," she said, a playful edge to her words. "I'm stubborn, remember? And I've been told I fight dirty when I need to."

She shot him a wink before stepping ahead, her boots echoing softly in the dim corridor as her lightsaber remained unlit but firmly in her hand. Despite the light banter, her senses were sharp, every step measured as she kept her focus on the oppressive presence looming deeper within the ship.

"Though, to be fair," she added over her shoulder, "I think you enjoy this chaos a little too much to really complain. Admit it — you're having fun."

Her grin widened as she caught his faint smirk, but it faded slightly as they turned a corner and entered another stretch of shadowed corridor. The air grew heavier, the hum of machinery growing louder, interspersed with faint clanks and whirs that seemed to echo from all directions. The deeper they went, the more the ship felt alive — not in a natural way, but as if something was twisting its essence, directing its every function.

"Center of the ship makes sense," Valery said, her tone shifting to something more serious as her gaze scanned their surroundings. "Whatever's controlling these droids won't just be sitting out in the open. If we can find the core or some kind of command hub, we'll have a chance to stop this before it gets worse."

She paused, her senses brushing against something faint but distinct — a ripple in the Force that carried with it the unmistakable tinge of danger. Her grip on her lightsaber tightened as she turned to Gil, her voice lowering. "Feel that? Something's ahead."

She paused again, and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, "I also still wonder what happened to the crew. Or why it had so few to begin with if they haven't been killed by these destructive toasters."

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil followed Valery through the dim corridor, the air growing heavier with every step. Her teasing still echoed faintly in his mind, and despite the tension of the moment, he let a small grin slip. "Stubborn and dirty fighter—yeah, I got that memo loud and clear," he muttered, his mechanical fingers brushing his saberstaff. "And as for fun? Let's just say it's somewhere between 'fighting off droids' and 'not dying horribly.'"

The humor drained from his face as they rounded another corner and came upon the scene. The corridor ahead bore the unmistakable signs of a brutal fight. Burn marks from blasters scorched the walls, deep gouges were carved into the metal floor, and the lifeless remains of crew members and droids were scattered like broken toys.

Gil knelt beside a fallen crewman, his gloved fingers brushing over a blaster still clutched in the man's hand. "They fought back," he murmured, his voice low and heavy. "But it looks like the odds weren't in their favor."

His green eyes scanned the carnage, catching a faint glint further down the hall. He straightened, his instincts sharpening as he noticed the smear of blood trailing away from the battle site. Without waiting for Valery's comment, he gestured toward the trail. "I'll check this out—stay close."

The trail led to a small side alcove, where Gil stopped abruptly. His saberstaff remained unlit in his hand as he crouched down, his heart tightening at the sight before him. A young man, barely old enough to be called an adult, was slumped against the wall, his breathing shallow and labored. He had positioned himself protectively in front of a vent, his arms and body forming a makeshift barrier. Blood seeped from a wound in his side, staining his clothes and the floor beneath him.

"Hey," Gil said gently, his voice softening. He knelt beside the young man, careful not to startle him. "Easy there, you're safe now."

The young man's eyes fluttered open, glassy and filled with pain. He didn't speak but shifted slightly, revealing the vent behind him. Gil frowned, sensing something—or someone—inside. He reached forward, carefully moving the man just enough to peer into the small opening.

Inside the vent, huddled in the shadows, was a child. Wide eyes stared back at him, filled with fear and exhaustion. Gil exhaled slowly, his expression softening.

"Valery!" he called over his shoulder, his voice urgent but calm. "Get over here."

He turned his attention back to the child, offering a reassuring smile as he extended his gloved hand. "Hey there, it's okay," he said gently. "We're here to help. You don't have to be afraid."

As Valery approached, he glanced at her briefly, his green eyes filled with unspoken resolve. "Looks like we've got survivors. That one," Gil gestured with a feint nod at the wounded youth, "is too scared to talk. I probed his mind and its all a jumble of words and images, but mostly just...screaming." Gil shook his head.

"I will talk to him and get him to move, feel like talking with the kid? Kids are tough, she might be able to give us some answers. Use all that motherly charm the Noble clan is famed for," Gil said, a smirk on his face as he quickly stepped away to help the youth move.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery amber eyes softened as she approached the alcove where Gil knelt. The tension in the air shifted when she saw the wounded young man slumped against the wall and the small child huddled within the vent. Her heart ached at the sight, the fierce warrior in her momentarily eclipsed by the motherly instincts that surged to the forefront.

She crouched beside the vent, her movements slow and deliberate to avoid startling the child. A warm smile touched her lips, and her voice softened to a gentle, soothing tone. "Hey there," she said, her eyes meeting the child's with unyielding warmth. "It's okay now. We're here to help, and I promise you're safe with us."

The child hesitated, their wide eyes darting between Valery and Gil, then back to Valery. Their tiny frame trembled, and they pressed further into the shadows of the vent as if to disappear entirely.

Valery extended her hand, palm up, leaving plenty of space between them. "My name is Valery. What's your name?" she asked, her voice calm and inviting.

For a moment, there was only silence, punctuated by the shallow breaths of the child and the labored ones of the young man beside them. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, the child murmured, "L-Lena"

Valery's smile widened, though it remained gentle. "That's a beautiful name, Lena. You're very brave to stay so quiet and hidden. But you don't have to hide anymore. Would it be alright if I helped you out of there?"

The child's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and after a long pause, she nodded hesitantly.

"Alright, Lena. I'm going to move very slowly, and if you ever feel scared, you just let me know, okay?" Valery said, her hand remaining steady and patient.

As she extended her arm further, the child shifted slightly, her tiny fingers tentatively brushing against Valery's hand. That small touch seemed to break the barrier, and in a sudden surge of trust, Lena crawled out of the vent and into Valery's arms, clinging tightly to her as if she were a lifeline.

Valery cradled the girl gently, one hand resting protectively on her back. "I've got you," she whispered, her tone carrying the unshakable promise of safety. She glanced briefly at Gil, her expression softening further as she held the child close. "You're safe now. No one will hurt you."

The child buried her face in Valery's shoulder, her small body shaking with quiet sobs. Valery rocked her slightly, her voice soothing and calm. "It's okay. Everything will be okay."

Turning her attention back to Gil, she murmured, "We need to find other survivors and get them out of here." Clearly, most of all, she was worried they'd find more children.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Valery Noble

Gil remained kneeling by the wounded young man, his gloved hand resting lightly on the edge of the vent as Valery coaxed the child to safety. He watched her with a mixture of admiration and relief, her calm demeanor bringing a fragile moment of peace to the chaos around them. But as the little girl, Lena, clung tightly to Valery, her sobs muffled against her shoulder, Gil's expression darkened.

His jaw tightened, and his mechanical fingers curled into a fist, the faint whir of servos betraying the tension in his body. He turned his gaze toward the bloodstains smeared across the floor, the lifeless bodies scattered in the distance, and the ruined remnants of the ship's crew. A storm brewed within him, his thoughts burning with the weight of what they'd seen—and what they hadn't yet found.

"Yes," he said finally, his voice low but steady. "We'll find the others. If there's anyone left alive, we'll get them out of here. All of them." His green eyes, usually sharp with humor, were cold now, fixed on some distant point beyond the carnage.

He exhaled sharply, trying to steady himself, but the words spilled out before he could stop them. "And whoever did this…" His voice dropped, edged with steel. "Whoever's behind this mess, hurting innocent people—children—they're going to answer for it. I'll make sure of it."

For a moment, the air around him seemed to shift, a faint ripple in the Force that carried a tinge of something darker. The anger he felt—controlled, but barely—was tangible, enough to send a shiver through the room. Gil closed his eyes and drew in a long breath, his mechanical hand unclenching with deliberate effort.

When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Valery. Her fiery amber gaze met his, and he knew she'd felt it too. The faint edge of the Dark Side, like a whisper in the back of his mind. He forced a small, strained smile onto his face, the flicker of regret already surfacing.

"Sorry," he said quietly, his voice softening. "Just… seeing all this, it gets to you, you know?" He gestured vaguely at the wreckage, the bloodied trail, the haunted child now clinging to Valery. "I'll keep it together. I promise."

He rose to his feet, offering a hand to the young man who was still slumped against the wall. "Come on," he said, his tone gentler now. "We'll get you both out of here. You'll be safe."

Turning back to Valery, he nodded, his expression firm but a shadow of guilt lingering behind his eyes. "Let's move. The sooner we find the others, the better." His grip on his saberstaff tightened, but this time, it was for resolve—not revenge.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery gaze lingered on Gil for a moment, her expression soft yet searching. She had felt the ripple in the Force, the faint whisper of anger that brushed against the edges of her senses. It was a reaction she understood all too well — the anger, the helplessness that threatened to boil over in the face of such senseless violence.

"It's okay, Gil," she said softly, her voice carrying both reassurance and a quiet firmness. "What we're seeing here… it would get to anyone. But we can't let it control us." Her gaze shifted to the young man now supported by Gil and then to the little girl in her arms, her small form still trembling against her shoulder.

"These people need us to be strong, focused," Valery continued, her tone steady. "And when the time comes, the ones behind this will answer for what they've done. But on our terms, not theirs."

Her words were deliberate, meant to anchor both of them in the moment. She could sense the guilt lingering in him, but there was no judgment in her eyes — only understanding and resolve.

Adjusting her hold on Lena, who had begun to calm slightly, Valery rose to her feet. The girl clung tightly to her, but Valery's steady presence seemed to soothe her. She turned her attention back to Gil, her expression sharpening as her focus shifted to the task at hand.

"We need to move quickly," she said, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. "There might be more danger, and there could be more survivors. Every second counts."

With a small nod, Valery began to lead the way deeper into the wreckage, her senses reaching out through the Force like an invisible net. Each step was deliberate, her fiery eyes scanning for any signs of life amidst the carnage. Behind her, Lena's quiet breaths and the young man's shuffling steps were the only sounds, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the ship.

Turning her attention forward, Valery pressed on, the weight of their mission settling over her shoulders like a heavy cloak. They had lives to save and a darkness to confront — and they would face it, side by side.

Gil Horn ​