Private Split decision

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Darth Pacigul…

A powerful Sith Lord who helped Darth Decimus lead an invasion on the Core World of Corellia several millennia ago was a collector. He collected the lightsabers of the Jedi whom he had a hand in either falling to the Dark Side, or falling to their death. According to Kuker Creysin back on Bastion there is a vault here, a hidden one in the old tunnels underneath the city. Connel was surprised that he was indeed telling the truth. In fact the vault was underneath the old “Corsec” building (or at least where it once was).

He found the entrance he wanted to use, but it was guarded, and not by military, or even local constables. It was guarded by mercenaries.

One of the aspects of a Shadow’s path that he was having trouble with was with the “black and white” morality of the work. He knew what he had to do and was going to execute his plan silently, quickly and efficiently. The “Guardian” training in him though made him wonder if this was the way. He debated with himself, but ultimately decided that it was the only way to ensure the safety of everyone involved. He was determined to see his plan through no matter what.

Pulling the mask back over his head, and checking his gear, Connel traversed the rafters, pillars, planks and everything he could jump to in order to keep over those he was about to take down. He took a deep breath and began his task, knowing that his actions could have consequences. He was prepared to accept whatever came his way. He was determined to succeed.

 

[Ala Quin]

She would never say no to Caltin when he asked her to tag along. Connel didn't seem to mind, and it gave Ala the chance to do something she didn't very often get to do. She got to be the 'guy in the chair'.

"So you seeing anyone, Connell?" Ala asked. It had been a while since she had spoken, and frankly she was kind of getting a tad bored. This might be her first and last run at being the 'guy in the chair'.

The question was just to break the silence. Get Connel out of his shell a bit. Sure, it was not a good time. He could hear him saying it in a way that was eerily similar to that of his father. And like Caltin, Connel could do with chilling out...just a tad. Their high intensity didn't stop her from loving her brother and nephew though. She just tried to ease their self-imposed burden a bit.

"I know a few Jedi...nice girls...so if you need some help...there is no shame in asking," she said, knowing that this was neither time nor place, and extremely embarrassing for him to have to answer.

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Aunt Ala?

Apparently Father either did not completely trust him yet, or did not trust himself to just come out and say what was bothering him. Not that he minded the curly haired Elfin Defender coming along at all, just that Connel could have been told of this ahead of time. Sensing her approach already threw him off his game, sure, she could more than defend herself, but he usually worked alone.

Then she asked him if he was seeing someone…

What?

WHAT?

Pulling his mask up to his forehead so that she could see how rapidly his eyes were uncontrollably blinking. Though he looked furious, she would know him more than well enough that he was anything but. In fact Ala had him so embarrassed that he quickly looked away, his cheeks turning a deep red. He stammered, trying to come up with an excuse, but nothing came to mind.

No… I’m too busy right now… sorry…

He missed his chance to slip in unnoticed and move through to the next area and into the tunnels. Ala no doubt knew that he would never admit it, but he was clearly embarrassed by the situation. I’m sorry… I was… I wasn’t expecting any help on this… not that you’re not welcome of course… you are… there is someone… we’re not seeing each other… but I thought something could have happened… but… but it didn’t… Connel was still watching the guards at the entry and waiting for an opportunity to move, but this was going to have to be a different move because he had someone to worry about.

 

[Ala Quin]

"Ooooh, what's. her name?" Ala said, prying.

She glanced at her nephew again, and got the point of his awkwardness. Now was not the best time. She was glad that the embarrassment had granted him an emotion other than stoic though. It was good to see him blush.

"I will be here as back up, Connel...don't let me get in your way again."

It wasn't like he asked for her to get in the way the last time.

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Now I feel like a heel.

About to pull the mask over his head, Connel dropped his chin in embarrassment. She wanted to know more about him and that did not come every day from others. So he had to tell her, he had to.

I blew it. Her name is Ryiah.. We got along great and I started acting all paranoid… He didn’t tell her about his whole “Split personality” thing… We get along now, but…

It’s just as well… she’s a Master, I’m a Knight… it wouldn’t be right.

He found another opening as he looked on and pulled the mask back over his head, nodding as she asked to tag along, the Shadow moved to a position over the guards and leaped down onto them, knocking them both out.

Let’s move… it’s a trek to get there… please… Master… Moving the two unconscious guards into an area that they would not be noticed, Connel slipped inside close enough for Ala to follow. He knew he did not have to call her “Master”, but it was Caltin’s traditional training that was instilled into him.

 

[Ala Quin]

"Absolutely nothing wrong with that disparity in rank," Ala blurted without thinking. Perhaps it was a little of her own struggle in the relationship department coming to the fore. She regretted her response immediately and expressed it with a pained wince.

She then did a double take.

Wait. Katarine?

Focus on the mission, Ala.

She almost missed him calling her master. That got a punch on his shoulder as he passed. However, Ala did dutifully follow. Connel was certainly the lead on this mission and far more experienced with this manner of activity. She was curious to see signs of exactly what Caltin was concerned about. Dating problems were common at this age. Or at her age. So it certainly wasn't that which Caltin was concerned about.

Ala simply determined to pay attention.

"Alright. I am right behind you...Knight," she said with a wrinkled up nose.

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Now I feel even more like a heel.

Stang it! When Connel goes out on assignment, he puts himself in a mindset of “work time” to where he does not have to think or worry about who he ticks off, who is with him. Aunt Ala has him completely off his game right now but it’s not her fault, so why was he taking it out on her?

Maybe, I’m just not comfortable with it… I might be down the line… I just feel “weird”... I don’t know. Crouching around a corner to see what was in front of them, he quietly pointed to the War droid holding guard in the middle first tunnel. Considering the tunnels were 60-80 feet wide, that was saying something. Thank you, I know you’re looking out for me… but I can’t think about that right now…

Pulling one of the Throwing Lightknives out of one of his slings and throwing it HARD at the droids head, and watching with a satisfied smirk as the knife penetrated the droid’s head and the mechanized beast crackled and sparkled to a complete shutdown and fell face first to the ground.
Also, sorry about the “Master” bit… you know I love the frell out of you… I just… when I have the mask on I am “working”.... As a patrol moved to check on the droid, and were immediately put “on their guard” Connel moved swiftly through the Force, taking each of them down.

They would each survive as he “choked them out” but they were each unconscious as he pulled them to the corner he and Ala were hiding at. The droid? Well, he could do nothing about that, he just pulled the knife and waved for her to follow. C’mon… Running up the side of the tunnel and grabbing a ledge, he found another way to move around without “them” knowing.

 

[Ala Quin]

She watched him work with precision. As Caltin was a one man wrecking crew, able to ward off entire waves of enemy combatants, Connel was like a scalpel. His incisive actions were just as skilled, but his approach was far more subtle.

Ala followed after Connel, keeping her mouth shut regarding the whole 'issue' she brought up. Where Connel made a jump for the ledge, Ala jumped up all the way, landing on her haunches on the edge of the ledge.

"I am with you, Connel," she whispered.

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Running down a side access hall, knowing Ala was with him, Connel kept low to the ground as he could see through his mask that there were sentries at the end of the hallway. Stopping for a second, and pointing to himself, then the one on the left and her then the one on the right (“I take the left, you take the right.”) he zipped forward and choked out the one on the left. The sentry would survive, and if Ala could not get to the one on the right, he would handle them as well, but there was a heavy weapons nest in front of him.

Pulling his Combat Shield, Connel slung the defensive weapon at the cannon, which knocked it sideways, ricocheted off the weapon, hit one gunner, and then another. There was still the third though.

 

[Ala Quin]

It took Ala a few seconds to understand what the gestures meant. When it dawned on her, she just nodded. Connel was already gone when Ala snuck towards the other sentinel.

She was in no way comparable with her speed in the plan's execution, but as always she was inventive. She didn't even move. Instead, she extended both hands, her mind forming translucent, shimmering blue orbs to form before them. They were smaller versions of the Force Barrier she had nearly perfected. Secondary implementations of the technique had been her training as of late.

The orbs slowly moved down the hallway. One went to the left and the other to the right of the guard. The moment they got to head height and on level with the guard, Ala moved her hands together. The orbs crashed into either side of the sentinel's head and it crumpled to the ground.

She looked more than pleased with how that had gone. She cast a glance and Connel and waggled her eyebrows. "Not too bad for an old lady, huh?"

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

(OOC- Have no idea how I missed this! My bad!)

Connel was not aware of her creation of orbs, he was too busy taking out the other two guards. However he was able to watch as they crashed into the head of the guard who was still around (and beginning to level a rifle on his head). He watched in astonishment and then waggled his own finger and nodded. Now that was cool!

It was an out of ordinary lapse in judgment on his part, and it would bite them in the but as two “roving” individuals stumbled on them.

“Jedi?”

“Quick! Call it in!”

Waving his hand. You don’t want to call it in!

“I don’t want to call it in!”

... and you agree!

“... and I agree!”

Your friend is a spy for the Sith.

“You are a spy for the Sith!”
Your friend is a spy for the Empire.

“You’re a spy for the Empire!”

As the two rovers began fighting amongst themselves, they seemed to forget that they ran into two Jedi. Connel looked back at Ala and shrugged as he expanded his left hand out. The two fighters would soon believe that they were no longer in tunnels but having fun on the Gold beaches, or the resorts of Hesperidium, or even skiing on Hoth, whatever enjoyable place they would rather be. Not orbs, but effective.

Gesturing that the way was clear, he moved around the corner again to another stop. They were within eyesight of the vault.

 

[Ala Quin]

Ala's head tilted. She was capable but not super willing to use mind trick style Force abilities. It always felt too intrusive. She saw the inherent hypocrisy in using the Force to hit someone over the head. It was just, the mind tricks felt different. Still, it was a standard Jedi technique and not something she could fault Connel for making use of.

"Very impressive," she said with an expression that said, 'You are way better at it than me'.

She pulled up beside Connel as he looked around at the vault. "I hope whatever is in there is worth all this," she said in a whisper.

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

He just smiled at the comment, but it was somewhat awkward. Connel was never one to able to take a compliment well, Ala would know this because his father was the same way, not that she could tell with the mask on.

As they eyed the vault, her comment was cute and actually made him laugh for a moment. Then the “crap” happened.

Blaster barrels pressed against the backs of both of their heads.

“Whatever it is, it’s ours and not yours… in fa*””

The pirate could not finish his sentence, Connel took him and his comrade down, choking one of them out, and the other with a hard strike to the forehead. Getting up and brushing himself off, he looked Ala’s way. Holocrons, datacrons and lightsabers, all stolen from the Jedi thousands of years ago.

 

[Ala Quin]

It was all a blur. Connel's swift dispatch of the would be attackers left her stunned. So stunned that she forgot to question just how easy it was for them to sneak up on them. She had been distracted. She had distracted Connel. She felt the annoyance at herself fizzle over. But there was also concern.

"You are....really good at this, Connel," she said, perhaps too good.

She left the comment there without pressing any further. Instead, she turned her attention to the safe. If there were Jedi artefacts over there, then it was certainly something that they should recover.

"How do we get this thing open?"

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Standing up and straightening himself up, brushing himself off, Connel caught his breath as she seemed rather concerned about him. What was it? Is there something in my teeth?

He of course joked, knowing full well the mask was on.

Looking at the vault, he scanned the area for any guards, there were none, so he slinked up there. Then two went around the the corner and were met with exploding weapons in their hands thanks to lightknives being thrown into their barrels and overloading their powercells. Needless to say, they went running.

Without missing a step, he hooked up his gauntlet to the digital lock and after a couple of moments…Tada… combination finder... it opened…

 

[Ala Quin]

How many times had he broken into places? The likely frequency didn't sit super well with Ala. There was a reason she was not a Shadow. There was clearly a reason that Connel was. That line the Shadows constantly straddled was rather fine. Ala wondered how many times Connell crossed that line.

"I can't tell," she said, answering her question rather than his joke.

With the door opening, Ala pushed her way inside and looked about. It was a series of crates, a charcoal black colour. There was a lot.

She wandered from crate to crate looking at each of the designations. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Something...doesn't feel right here..."

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

He didn’t think much about Ala’s attitude (for lack of a better term) at the moment, he was busy looking through the crates, until he saw the one she was eyeing. That’s because something is wrong!

In another blur, he charged up to that same crate, grabbed the cylinder that was glowing and quickly threw it outside, pulling his lightblaster and shooting it to pieces.

The destruction of the cylinder seemed to be of little point at the moment, but eventually the energy that was clouding the immediate vicinity froze a pirate (who was coming to) in place. Taking a deep breath, he looked around.

That was a Dark Energy trap. I’ve experienced them before. He shrugged, and patted her on the shoulder. No harm, no foul.

 

[Ala Quin]

It was a flurry of activity. Ala just stepped back and let Connel do his thing. Her eyes watching the young Vanagor in his element. A Dark Energy trap? That certain could have explained the feeling. But the feeling had not abated.

She eyed the affected pirate. The man's fate was a horrid one. Something that chilled Ala to the core. She glanced back at Connel.

"Don't you feel it? Someone is coming...someone...cold...dark..."

Connel Vanagor

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Coronet City - Corellia | OBJECTIVE : Retrieval | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Efret Farr | Ala Quin | TAG (FOE) : @

Connel was not enjoying the view of the “piratesicle” but there was no point in worrying about it now. He had to figure out what to bring with them and what to leave or destroy. I feel it, yes, but I do not want it to feel us preparing for it coming.

This was “Aunt Ala”, just like “Uncle @Thurion Heavenshield”, he would not show any disrespect, but he needed to keep his mind on task right now. Connel was not his father, he could not let someone else slow him down right now.

No, that’s just cold.

As she stood there, Connel stopped himself, turned around, and then outwards towards the general direction of that “feeling”.

I’m trying to get us out of here before anyone important really knows we were here in the first place. Maybe Syn was right… connections were really hard to have out in the field already. This only made it worse.