Show 'Em the Ropes (Linx Darlko)

[Keira Priest]

It had only been a few days since Keira was promoted to her new position as Secretary within the Red Ravens, and she was still adjusting to the idea of it all. But she hadn't been allotted much time to really get used to things, as she was arranged to meet a new recruit, [member="Linx Darlko"], in just a few minutes. That was one aspect she had a feeling she would never fully adjust to, the more or less diplomatic side. Being one accustomed to fighting her way through any problems, her social skills in a formal situation were in need of refining, something she was perfectly aware of.

Her lightsaber was currently on the desk between this or that pile of books that she'd been sifting through earlier, being set aside due to posing no real use to her. Besides, it was something she didn't feel necessary to hide from the new member of the criminal syndicate, as they'd likely be working together eventually somewhere along the line. Besides, she was already well aware of a few key points about him, so she figured it was only fair.

To pass the time she was currently attempting to reorganize her desk, a few of the stacks of books having reached precarious height and in need of being returned to their spot on the shelf. And the way she saw it, there was a hard and an easy way to do things. She was always one to go about things the easier way, so that was what she chose. So she sat at her desk, reshelving the books via aid of the Force, keeping those she deemed necessary and doing away with the others. It was an unorthodox tactic, but one that sufficed.

Glancing to the chrono that hung on her wall she sent another four books to their spot before leaning back in her chair, waiting for the most recent addition to their ranks to step through the door.

 

[Linx Darlko]

"Pat pat pat" each soft step taken reverberated throughout the hallway relayed back to Linxs' mind a quick sketch of every nook and cranny that the sound had touched. "The Red Ravens" where the only words that clearly echoed through his racing mind as he neared a office door. He outstretched his blood stained fingers towards the door knob and then paused, the warm aura on the other side of the door seemed inviting but why? The ravens were well known for their cunning and deadly tatics, so was this a trap just to get him here? Linx shuck his head in disapproval of his last thought, the ravens where composed of several high powered bounty hunters, Jedi, and siths that could have effortlessly defeat, captured, or killed him so what would be the need for a trap? Besides, it was him that had sought them out for a chance!

Linx grabbed the knob, opened the door, and a step into the office. The wind from the door seemed to have taken a life of its own and blew a few of loose binds onto the floor and against the various books that sat on the desk. Using force sight linx checked his surroundings; the office seemed normal, well normal for a Jedi secretary at least, there were books scattered around in no particular order, now newly placed papers on the floor, the quiet hum of the lightsaber laying unattended on the table, and then her.... "You must be [member="Keira Ticon"]." Linx said with an outstretched hand.

Linx lifted his mask and revealed his empty eye sockets "Sorry for my tardiness, I ran into a problem with your vision recognition system" then he opened his other hand and dropped two freshly removed eyeballs into her palm, "Can you make sure your guard gets these back?"

 

[Keira Priest]

Well, he certainly knew how to make an entrance, she would give him that. It wasn't often that the new recruits took their own initiative if they ran into problems within the system, even if their methods were more than a little unorthodox. While most others would have shied away from just that, not to mention how he unceremoniously deposited two eyeballs that had been recently relieved of their sockets into her left hand, the cybernetic one. Making a mental note to take care of that business later she stood and shook his hand without any further hesitation, flashing a half-smile. Even if he wasn't able to see it, it was a habit, and one that wouldn't be so easily broken. "The one and only."

Moving past him she poked her head out into the hall and hailed one of the droids that was meandering past on its regular patrol, passing the eyeballs with a quiet command to bring them to the medbay along with an assurance that everything would be explained to the necessary parties when everyone had the time to do so. There was no doubt in her mind that Cryax would want to hear about things if he hadn't already gotten the entire ordeal on camera, and then there would be settling repercussions with the guard to handle as well. It hadn't been but a few minutes, and already things were moving right along.

Once that was taken care of she ducked back into the room and closed the door behind her, hooking a chair with the Force and pulling it closer so [member="Linx Darlko"] could sit if he so wished. Studying him for another moment before sitting herself Keira offered another smile. This being her first real dealing in her new position she was unsure of how to proceed, so it would be a learning experience for the both of them. At the very least it would be beneficial for both of the parties involved. "Not a bad job at all. Do you mind if I ask you what brings you to the Red Ravens today?" Well, it was a start, and not too bad of one at that.

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

 

[Linx Darlko]

Linx rejected the beverage but took a seat in the chair that had been offered, "I'm here for power!" He confidently replied with a smirk of his own. Linx was well aware that there would most certainly be a bounty placed on his head for the crimes he had committed against his family, he was actually sort of proud of his accomplishments, but he dreamed of much bigger feats than that. He visioned himself with absolute rule and sought after the power needed to achieve it, he craved destruction, and pain, he wanted the mere mentioning of his name to strike fear in the hearts of others, he thrived off the thought of becoming legendary and the red ravens were his ticket there.

"The Ravens are feared throughout the galaxies and within your rankings lies a particular person with the key to the power I seek!" In his mind he wondered if [member="Keira Ticon"] knew who he was talking about, he had sensed already that she was extremely intelligent and doubted that much got past her. As his voice traveled through the room linx took the time to actually focus on the woman that stood before him. He admired her trim shape and flowing hair, he watched her lips as she smiled and wondered the thoughts that were processing behind her mesmerizing eyes, her movements were as graceful as a flower blowing in the breeze but her aura showed that she was as strong as iron "Such a dangerous mix" he pondered and just as fast as his words had left his lips the visions were gone.

"I'm sure that we can be of assistance to each other" linx lifted his pointer finger and all eight of the books that laid on the floor found their way to their categorized spots on the shelves!

 

[Keira Priest]

Self-confidence, that was always a good value to have. In overabundance perhaps, but she wouldn't be one to correct him. All the same, she wouldn't pretend to be overly impressed with all that he had to say either. Quiet appreciation was the way to go about things. And so she would. "You're here for training, then. I think I know who it is you have in mind." Although she hadn't spoken much to Daxton personally all that much about it, she knew that it was he Linx was eager to meet. So eventually their meeting would take them to the Void Temple where all Force users within the Red Ravens sought out any and all training. It was then up to the both of them how things continued afterwards.

"If you want to get right to the heart of things I can take you to the Temple now. It’s not too long of a walk from here, and I think the one you're eager to meet is ready to talk to you once we get there." As she spoke she stood from her chair, calling her lightsaber into her palm and clipping it at her belt before she continued. "We don't have much in the way of Force users here like you'd typically find in the Jedi or the Sith, but those that we do have know what they're doing, and they do it well." She wasn't referring to herself so much as she was the few Masters and Knights the Ravens had in their ranks.

The words he spoke quietly in referring to her didn't go unnoticed, but she merely smiled and shrugged them off for the time being. He wouldn't be the first one to try anything in her office, though he seemed to be very kind and aware of his boundaries so far, unlike the previous visitor she'd had just a few weeks ago. It was about time someone knew their common courtesy and followed through with it. So far it seemed that Linx would find himself a profitable and welcoming home among the Red Ravens.

"Would you like to see the Temple now, or have a walk around the Casino first?"

[member="Linx Darlko"]

 

[Linx Darlko]

Linx could barely contain himself, keira had just offered him the first step in obtaining his lifelong dream, becoming a sith. He stood to his feet as if he had been summoned and used the force to carefully place the chair he had been sitting in back to its original spot, "As much as I've enjoyed our time spent together" he gave keira a faint smile and lowered his mask back into place "I have a date with destiny and it awaits for me at the temple!"

Linx made his way to the door, all the while his mind was racing frantically, he was second guessing his self "Draxton Bane granted me an audience, am I really worthy of become his apprentice? Were my deeds enough to prove my dedication to the dark side? What will he think of my abilities?" The questions continued to cycle for a bit as he walked until a single thought roared through, "That's complete none sense, You are LINX, someday you will rule supreme, you will be a Sith Lord!"

Linx smiled to himself and as he reached the door he turned to keira, "I'm going to hold you to that tour of the casino on a later date ma'am, but for now... After you" as he opened the door and held it open waiting on keira's next move

[member="Keira Ticon"]

 

[Keira Priest]

It seemed that he'd been anticipating his apprenticeship more than Keira had realized. That wasn't a bad thing by any means. It was always refreshing to have those who wanted to learn to better themselves, even if his ultimate goal might have been different than what her idea of such was. Determination was something that would get anyone far, provided they knew their own limits. "Daxton's one of the best that I've seen. I think you'll move along quickly." Those weren't empty words by any means. She was never one to say something without meaning it, and that went doubly for when she was speaking praise of anyone or anything.

Stepping outside of the door and flashing a smile in thanks, it was hard not to sense his apprehension, though he quickly wrested it under some semblance of control. "You don't have to be nervous about anything. We might be criminals, but we're not all that bad." Another smile at this, and she led him downstairs to the main floor of the Casino, where the various game tables were crowded with men and women of every species with credits clutched in their fist. The bar was just as busy despite it only being fairly early in the afternoon, but none of it was really an unusual sight. This was Antecedent, after all, and the city never slept.

After casting a cursory glance around the area she led him out of the building itself and down the street. This would only be her second or third time at the Temple itself, as she'd never really had reason to travel there. Having no formal master herself, experience was her only teacher.

Soon enough they reached the building, a commanding presence seeming to exude from the stone monolith in front of them. With no hesitation she stepped inside, stopping at the branch where three halls led off into the separate areas of the Temple. "There's a Code separate from those the Jedi or Sith follow that most abide by here. That isn't to say you can't follow your own, but it exists nonetheless." Pausing for a moment, she recited it from memory, "Peace and passion are relative, survival is all that matters. By surviving I gain longevity, through longevity I gain influence. Through influence I can be free, through freedom I can thrive. Only I can determine my destiny. I am equal with the Force."

Giving no further explanation of her speaking of the doctrine most Raven Force users followed she led him down one of the halls. "The other two house the rogues or dark Jedi, and the final those that follow the light. If you haven't guessed by now, this is the what the Sith call their home." Stopping in front of another set of doors, she finally turned to address him formally with another smile. "This is where we part ways." She reached out to knock lightly on the door. "Daxton, he's here."

[member="Linx Darlko"], [member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Linx Darlko"], [member="Keira Ticon"]

The doors slid open to reveal two assassin droids, their dark metal carapices shining with barely hinted malice. Scanning the two organics briefly, they turned as one to address the young male. "The Master is expecting you, he is currently in his Garden of Tranquilty. We will bring you there. Please follow us and try to keep up,"

Turning in perfect synchronicity, the duo led the man past hallways filled with dark forboding scenes of battle and natures wrath. Servants quickly got out of the way at their passage, carful not to raise their eyes or catch their gaze until they were far from ear shot. Climbing a long twisted connected passages they finally emerged into an area where a young man dressed in the black robes of apprentice was standing with the a figure that seemed to radiate a dark aura of menace and mayhem.

There were no trees in this Garden, much less any sort of visible foliage. The ground was made of fine powdered sand that crunched beneath their passage. At their arrival the pair ceased their discussion as they evaluated the new arrivals. The Sith Lord's gaze was one of curiousity while the apprentices human eyes held nothing but distrust and hatred.

"I see we have a guest. Who might you be and why have you come to grace our hallowed halls?"

 

[Linx Darlko]

Linx was frozen in the entryway. He wanted to answer the question he had been asked so badly, but it was taking every fiber of his concentration to keep him from blacking out. The immense dark energy that was pouring out of Daxton was intoxicating, it swirled around in his mind, it probed him, he could feel his neurons exploding, his brain felt as if it was being torn in half. Linx felt his self loosing control, banes' aura was like the embodiment of pain itself, he could taste death in his mouth, hear the cries of sorrow from what seemed like thousands of beings, this power was freighting, this was the power of a sith!

Blood started to trickle out of linx's nose as he continued to struggle to remain upright. This was completely new, he had never been in the presence of such power, it sent chills to his bones, Linx knew that if he didn't disconnect from the force fast that it Bane's aura would kill him. "He's a monster!" He whispered as he disconnected and fell into the darkness of being blind, "This is the power I want." He pondered as he cleaned the dripping blood from his face and straightened his posture. Linx snickered then his snickering became a uncontrollable laugh, Bane's power was light years beyond his own and even scarier than he had ever imagined, [member="Daxton Bane"] had to be his master and if it meant the lives of millions Linx would make it happen.

"My name is Linx Darlko and I wish to follow you Lord Bane, I wish to learn the ways of the dark side, let me become your blade" Linx smiled under his mask, he bowed to one knee and grinded a fistful of the power like sand in his hand "I am at your disposal!" His voice traveled and relayed back a brief frame of the surrounding area. The area was somewhat desolate but seemingly adapt for Bane, his accomplice on the other hand look out of place. Linx could distinctly hear the separate beat of three heart's between the two figures, which told him that one of them was Zabrakian, but without using his force sight he couldn't decipher which one of the two figures it was and reconnecting back to the force was completely out of the question!

 

[Daxton Bane]

"Master, let me destroy the intruder. He is beneath your notice, a worm to be crushed under foot who dares to dream of walking among the stars. I will teach him a lesson for his I pertinence," The apprentice hissed in anger, throwing a baleful glare in the direction of the guest.

Daxton silenced him with a mere wave of one finger. "Many seek to be my blade, just as a any wish to learn from me. The ways of the Dark Side are strong and mysterious, not for the weak or immature. Tell me why should I take you as a student? What does your heart seek in this dark cruel universe, [member="Linx Darlko"] ?"

 

[Linx Darlko]

Linx stood to his feet "I'm here for.. For.." , he dusted the sand off his robes and then continued "I'm here to become legendary! I want my name to touch the far corners of the universe, to be all powerful" Linx took a few steps towards Daxton but turned his attention towards the smug apprentice, "I'm here for RESPECT and anyone that stands in the way of my achieving of this will curse the day that they tried!"

As Linx spoke he received relayed images back from the two figures he was now walking towards, carefully he planned his next move "It wouldn't be prime to attack a student of banes while he stood there and surely Bane would see it as a form of disrespect and kill me. I'm unable to use my lightsaber right now since I'm not connected to the force and if I connect to use my abilities Banes' aura could possibly kill me" Linx stopped about 10 yards or so away from the duo "Master Bane, I'm far from weak but I still have lots of room to improve, I beg of you sir, don't waste anymore of your valuable time with the dog that stands at your side now" Linx continued to look in the apprentices' direction as he spoke, "No matter how great the master some still lack the discipline and skill to become great!"

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

"Why you little worthless piece of sh....." The force of his anger backed by the blazing fury in his eyes, the human apprentice took a step towards [member="Linx Darlko"], his hand reaching for his weapon to cut him down where he stood. Suddenly he stood shock still as Daxton suddenly said with cold menacing voice.

"Respect is not something given, one needs to earn it by ones deeds. Nothing in this universe is given, you must take or else some one will take from you. I can sense much potential in you, so we shall put it to the test. You wish to study under me then you must duel my apprentice until one of you can no longer fight. Zojin, show me why you deserve to continue under my tutelage."

"The rules are simple, use all your skill and knowledge to defeat your enemy until they can no longer fight." Pausing to instruct his droids, "Summon the med droids, we begin as soon as they arrive."

 

[Linx Darlko]

Linx nodded in agreement and retreated backwards a few steps to put some space between Zojin and himself. "This is what you wanted, this is why you are here" the words looped in Linx mind as he moved back to a desired spot about 20 yards away from his opponent. "This should be more than enough space to sense any on coming attacks." Linx weighted his options, "I can connect to the force but with Daxton being near I'm not sure how much of the strain my body can withstand plus I can sense that I'm nearing my recharge limit or I can take my chances with just my Vibro swords and rely on my cunning and swordsmanship?" neither option being particularly better than the other, "Looks like you've stepped deep in it this time" Linx snickered at his last thought, it was compromising positions like this that drove him. "This should be fun!"

Linx turned his attention once more to Zojin, "I'm going to enjoy killing you! Maybe later I'll find a few members of your worthless family and kill them too, just for fun!" Linx knew that zojin had to be well trained to even have been considered to become an apprentice of Banes' let along become one and he himself was already at a disadvantage due to the force circumstances so mental warfare was his only way to level the playing field. Zojin had already shown his short temper and it was a known fact that a warrior that fights with a clouded mind doesn't live to fight long, in most cases at least. "I'm already blind, maybe I should fight with one hand behind my back also to at least give you a chance?" taunted Linx lifting his mask and showing his empty eye sockets.

The tension in the room was as thick as wookie fur and Linx could almost taste the rage pouring out of zojin, maybe his tactics had worked but he couldn't be sure because at that very moment the med droids entered from the condor behind him and took their positions. Linx lowered his mask and unholstered the hilt of his lightsaber, "Here we go!" beads of blood started to fall from his nose as he connected to the force and the red blade of his lightsaber revealed itself! "100% it is" he whispered.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Zojin gave no indication that the [member="Linx Darlko"] 's taunting got to him, save for the deepening of his dark scowl his ruined his rather handsome human face. From his waist he drew his weapons, a short hooked ebony blade that seemed to gleam like polished obsidian and his force whip. Activating the deadly weapon it buzzed to life with an angry purple light, humming with sound dozens of bees.

Cracking the whip several times with a resounding crack, he launched his attack as soon as the med droids entered the garden. The long lashing light whip snaking or to strike at his opponents shoulders and legs.

 

[Linx Darlko]

In the split second that Linx had turned his attention to the med droids that had entered behind him Zojin launched his attack, "Sh..." Linx instinctively flipped backwards to avoid the whips crack across his legs but the snake like whip still managed direct contact with his left shoulder blade. Linx landed a few yards back and quickly reassessed the situation "Adding distance between us actually was a bad idea, I never anticipated a light whip" Linx had underestimated zojin, a mistake that he wouldn't make twice!

Using shatterpoint he assessed his bloody wound. The lash was a clean and precise cut, there was obvious nerve damage, his left arm throbbed in pain and he was sure that lifting it to any degree in this state would be out of the question. "He's good, I have to get close to minimize his whips effectiveness" Linx thought to himself as he rushed zojin using his force speed, once close enough he jumped into a roundhouse kick aimed for the hand zojin that was holding the whips handle with he followed with a downward slash towards zojins' chest from his own lightsaber.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Linx Darlko"] closed the gap quickly using Force Speed, kicking his assailants hand sidewise as he thrust forward with his own blade into his opponent chest, but his weapon was parried by the hooked obsidian dagger before the human delivered a power spinning kick aimed at his torso. The force augmented strike would break ribs and bruise organs unless it was somehow blocked or deflected.

After delivering the strike, Zojin flips backward away from his foe while summoning his light whip back to his hand. Cracking the whip, he makes a series of short stinging attacks to his enemies legs and thighs.

 

[Linx Darlko]

Zojins' parry came as a surprise and before Linx could follow through with another attack the sith apprentice launch an counter spinning kick of his own. Linx (still suspended in the air from his attack) was completely defenseless and open to the menacing kick, he knew that if the kick landed it would surely break his rib cage, thinking quickly he aimed a force push at the ground using its recoil to push him out of the way of danger.

Linx landed on his feet only to take two stinging lashings from zojins whip across his right thigh. "I have to stay close!" Linx knew he would continue to be at a disadvantage if he stayed a far, he glanced at his thigh, the wounds weren't deep enough to restricted his movements, he force pushed a huge amount of sand into his opponents direction hoping to cloud his visibility as he launched his second attack, Linx quickly threw one of his vibro blades through the wall of sand aimed at Zojins left side of his chest while he slashed his lightsaber viciously at the wrist and then midsection. "If I cant disarm him, I'll just take the whole arm!"

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

The sand flying through the air obscured both [member="Linx Darlko"] and Zojin from each other during the critical moments of combat. There was a sound of metal hitting something solid, before lightsaber made contact with his opponents arm, severing it completely as the stump still holding the light whip fell to the ground.

Before the killing blow could be delivered Daxton gave a simple command that seemed to echo in their heads. "Stop." Any thoughts to continue fighting were immediately quelled by the aura of the Dark Master.

"This duel is over." He declared with finality before addressing the mec droids, "Take Zojin away and see to his wounds, replace what was lost if you can. " The droids hurried to take the still moaning apprentice away along with his severed limb to the med bay for emergency bacta treatment. Near fatal injuries were common here in the Sith Academy, which is why they had the top of the line mec ram on standby, just to deal with such emergencies.

"Congratulations, young one. You have earned the right to apprentice under me and you have gained a very powerful and influential foe. but that is for another time and place. Henceforth, you will address me as Master. Do you swear to obey without question, without doubt? Are you prepared to learn the true power of the Dark Side? Are you willing to risk everything to gain beyond the ken of mere mortal men? If so then kneel and pledge yourself to my service. "

 

[Linx Darlko]

Linx watched as Zojin was carried away by the med droids and knew that he too would had to go to the medical bay for his own injuries, but for the moment he would rather momentarily bask in the glory of his victory. He had achieved what many had feel short trying to, Zojin was a remarkable warrior and had proven himself to [member="Daxton Bane"] himself, Linx was lucky to have an rival that would certainly push him beyond his limits and to higher feats.

Linx dropped down to one knee and bowed his head. Still breathing slightly erratically from the hard fought battle with zojin he managed to speak "I swear to obey your every command master, Your will is my only spoken law. I will become your sword as I evolve and mature in the ways of the dark side. As your apprentice there is no limit to my dedication to you master, I pledge my allegiance to you"

Linx awaited his first orders from his master, he knew the road would be hard but eventually he would become a sith lord, he disconnected from the force inviting the darkness of blindness he knew so well, the darkness that the entire universe would soon fear. "Your command, master?"

 

[Daxton Bane]

"Words are but an empty investment, my apprentice. I expect you to back them with action." Daxton addressed [member="Linx Darlko"] with some amusement, "The first lesson is nothing in this universe is given for free. You want something, you must obtain power to obtain it. If you possess something someone else wants, they will move to take it from you. Never let down your guard. Attack can come from any direction or any source. Henceforth, your first task is to strengthen your ties to the dark side. You are to constantly touch the Force at all times. Learn to master it and not let it master you."

IF the Sith knew that this would cause a problem to his new apprentice, he gave no indication of such concern or care if he did. An apprentice was expected to obey, not to be coddled. "Seek out Elder Harrigan, my majordomo. He will probably be somewhere on the temple grounds. Tell him that Zojin has stepped down as my premtie and you have taken his place. He will assign you your new quarters and supplies to start your training. "

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the apprentice from his presence as prepared to ponder on how this new apprentice would play into his plans.