The Inquisition of Sekalus (part 1 of 3)

[Darth Veles]

The Togruta’s touch worked wonders, as if taking away the Mon Cal’s hate that burned within his heart – while in reality the woman’s touch combined with her wise words spoken in her beautiful voice merely opened the blind anger’s eyes, made it a focused and patient hatred instead of the self-destructive fuel it was. Darth Veles had been separated from the red-skinned Sith Lady for too long, forced to watch the atrocities committed by the One Sith, having to face the cold fact they could not be reformed. And if a slow, subtle change did not work, the Mon Calamari logically wished for an immediate one, a radical change that would ruthlessly carve the One Sith into a perfect being or a rotting corpse.

Anything to stop them and their madness, anything to stop their existence, the major insult to all actual Sith! Only with Zarrah’s help he spotted the ways in between, various paths with balanced subtlety and efficiency. The aging Togruta was right, of course, and Avreet felt more grateful than ever for her guidance, maybe even a bit ashamed for letting his growing frustration narrow his view into one direct tunnel with no other routes to choose from.

“Yes… yes. We must explain to those following the path of the One Sith that their ways are wrong and why. They have to be allowed a chance of seeing their mistakes, correcting themselves before we drive blades through their corrupt hearts in case the infidels fail to see our wisdom. You are right, lady Zarrah, the Covenant has a chance of becoming a bastion of true Sith. Like all good teachers, we need to guide it in the right direction.”

The amphibious Sith Lord nodded a few times with a relieved sigh, a heavy weight’s been lifted from his heart. Calmness and patience ruled over his body and mind once more, suppressing the thoughts of weeding out those undeserving Zarrah’s wisdom. If any of the false Sith forced his hand though, there would be no hesitation from Avreet in ending the weakling’s life. Such was the way of Sith.

“And Grima,” the man started, webbed hands gently took the Togruta’s hand touching his face and brought it close to his lips, delivering another kiss before letting go, “Thank you.”

With that said and done, the amphibian embarked to find his apprentice, wondering what she’s been doing on the ship. Causing mischief, practicing the arts of stealth, both of the activities combined? Following her signature, marching past the crew members who often stopped and saluted the two Sith walking by, Darth Veles strolled through the warship like a silent apparition, his step completely silent, heavy cloak flowing behind as it struggled to follow, gaze hardened and cold. One might occasionally spot the twin curved hilts dangling on his belt, his badge of office. What ordinary men and women serving on the ship did not see was the Sith Lord’s own signature, somewhat darker than usual. Whether the master of stealth and infiltration did this on purpose or not would not be answered, not even after another hallway’s been crossed and his large eyes finally settled on [member="Kendrix"], briefly passing over the others present as well. His long strides stopped and he smiled at the group, [member="Ciara Jevnaker"], [member="Zaria"], [member="Darth Timoris"]. All now had the chance to bask in [member="Darth Zarrah"]'s presence, her perfect signature radiating utter control over the power of the Dark Side.

“Greetings, ladies. Did I interrupt something...?”

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori’s words had the desired effect. Or at least partially so. Clearly the young woman made the connection – but Melori was slightly affronted that her middle sister hadn’t mentioned her. The fact she told no-one of her older sibling was irrelevant of course.

But then a smile formed on her lips. Clearly she was an embarrassment to Corvus. That made her feel much better.

Had the Force played a hand? Melori didn’t care. Why should she. She had in front of her a means to punish her sister, to show her how the Dark-side had won…again.

Melori smirked now. “No coincidence. Well, beyond the fact you’re here at all. My presence was because I was told that a potential Apprenitce was here. One that was strong in the Dark-side, and a former Jedi. That piqued my interest. Once I heard who your former Master was? That sealed the deal.”

“I am in need of a second Acolyte. Zaria here is one. You will become the other.” There was no debate, discussion or even contemplation that CJ would say no. “Tell me…what do you already know?”

[member="Ciara Jevnaker"]

 

[Grima Volitu]

Zarrah allowed Avreet to continue the journey through the ship in silence. The words he had spoken proved that even old dogs could learn new tricks. Zarrah - on the other hand - was more interested in learning more about this Covenant. She walked in silence basking in the Dark Side energy that clung to this ship like a mynock. Feasting and growing fat. After some time the duo came to a group already engaged in conversation.

Zarrah looked at the faces of each one. She saw something in each of their eyes. Pride. Joy. A sense of belonging. Friendship. What she saw more than anything else that pleased her was unity. Each person on this ship had come here not because they had been ordered to but of their own free will. In the early days of the One Sith - she recalled - when they were in the stages of rebuilding themselves after the collapse of the Empire there was no unity. Only personal goals and agendas that at most times conflicted with each other. According to Avreet the One Sith had managed to pull the pieces together. Pieces he was trying to pull apart.

Where Avreet was quick to speak she was quick to remain in silence. She was unknown to everyone here with the exception of Avreet. Zarrah would allow them time to adjust to her. She was not their enemy and never will be.


[member="Darth Timoris"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Kendrix"] [member="Zaria"] [member="Ciara Jevnaker"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

CJ had been hand chosen to become her former Master's sister's Apprentice. Mind blowing. CJ was stunned that she had been chosen by the Sith Lady as her Apprentice, mainly because she was not very good at being a Jedi or Dark Jedi. Both she excelled at failing in her short time in the galaxy. However, CJ saw the opportunity for what is was. The chance to finally become something, even if she had to embrace the teachings of the Sith. Now, as she stood looking at the sister of Jedi Master Raaf, she felt relaxed.

"I...I have a mixture of abilities. The basics such as telekinesis and telepathy," the young Vahla said.

"Force persuasion. Force choke....oh....a weak version of Force lightening but that is more dangerous to me than anyone else right now."

CJ had tried to use Force lightening twice. And twice she seemed to hurt herself. Those burns still haven't healed. CJ, for a lack of a better word, was thickheaded. Even if she failed at something she still tried to do it; even if it meant dipping her hand in cold water to ease the burning sensation afterwards.

"Let's see. Ah! I know Force Barrier thanks to your sister," CJ said with a wink.

"I started to learn both Life and Truth sense but the teacher, well, he kinda of never really showed up."

She was still angry about that. She had traveled to a distant planet, traversed through a jungle, swatted away blood sucking insects, and carefully tip-toed through water only to find she had been stood up. Like a blind date.

"My best ability is Force Sight. Only because I'm a Vahla."

CJ looked around at the others, sensing her friend Zaria feeling a bit outclassed. CJ flashed the Chiss a wink to put her mind at ease. Zaria was her friend, but there was something attractive about her. CJ shook mind a bit to refocus on the now; not the potential future.

"I'm willing to go the distance as your Apprentice."


[member="Darth Timoris"] / [member="Zaria"] / [member="Darth Zarrah"] / [member="Kendrix"] / [member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Darth Praelior"] @Santa Val Lerium

Well, the Rendili woman certainly wasn't going to turn down the prospect of being a Queen, especially alongside her fellow Croa and intimate person of interest. "Well moving between worlds may be hard, but if worse comes to worse the Croa can always hide here if the rest of the galaxy shuns us should the Republic overcome the Sith." Of course first they had to take over whatever planet this was before they got started on planning on counting on it as a safe haven. Which was easier said than done considering that as they approached the spire they began to encounter the beginnings of resistance. It wasn't too surprising since this was where the Sith and Sanya seemed to believe the government leaders were holing up, but all the same it was a bit strange there wasn't much organized retaliation for the initial landing.

When the blasterfire finally started though, Camellia had to put such thoughts aside as she drew her own blaster and returned fire. With the weapon on stun of course, she didn't want to kill the future Croa they just had to infect. As the assault began in earnest though, the Rendili woman was quick to put the former Jedi she was together with to good once as she continously did her best to utilize Sanya's defensive ability with her lightsaber so that the Croa Commandos and herself could work around her. Constantly using Sanya as a distraction to position themselves for stun shots, moving up to better positions, getting closer and closer to their opponents until they could at last leap upon the defenders, sinking their claws and teeth into their bodies, making the men and women alike gasp and falter as they fell to the ground when the virus entered their bodies.

For now they would leave them behind as they moved ahead, performing the same chores as before, circumventing choke points where they could and moving around hallways to get behind engaged defenders to leap amidst them and bite and infect them as well. It seemed everyone aboard their group was reveling in their task too, since many were grinning whenever they overwhelmed a defensive position of their enemy, the knowledge that they would all become gorgeous Croa women when the virus did its work. Of course they were going to incur some casualties and have to resort to lethal fire to protect themselves in some cases, but the goal was to come out positive. "We're doing good progress so far Sanya. Mmm yes we turn the leaders though maybe we can just get the rest to submit or be tricked into getting infected. I can see it now, we'll have everyone go in for Vaccine Shots in case the *repelled invaders* accidentally brought a sickness, and in every medical center we station a first or second generation Croa to bite everyone who goes through. Sounds efficient and clean to me."

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

[member="Camellia Swift"] Ξ [member="Seras Goto"] Ξ [member="Darth Venefica"] Ξ [member="Ciara Jevnaker"] Ξ [member="Darth Timoris"] Ξ [member="Darth Veles"] Ξ [member="Sierra Momoa"] Ξ [member="Azlyn Ike"] Ξ [member="Bundori "]Ξ [member="Sawa Ike"] Ξ [member="Kerstas"] Ξ [member="Remy Singh"] Ξ [member="Darth Praelior"] Ξ [member="Lady Exedō"] Ξ [member="Darth Zarrah"] Ξ [member="Zaria"]

Sanya giggled for a moment while she continued to protect camellia. "Thats actually a good idea, give everyone the viruses via shot. Although the city would probably take a day or so and with our kind growing by the second here it will make things faster." They soon closed the gap to the spire and croa had already swarmed the front in preparation for their arrival. At least the two that would be left down here wouldn't be alone to defend anyone from going up the spire. As they walked towards the main entered scattered all across the floor was men, women and children taking to their new lives as croa. It was an amazing sight although as much as Sanya wished she could watch them all turn into the beautiful beings they'd become, she simply didn't have time.

Their goal was so close to completion. They entered inside the building Sanya looked around. Red banners hung from the ceiling, old armor in glass cases and status of a various people covered this floor. As they reached the elevator door Sanya nodded towards two of the croa signaling for them to wait here. She stepped into the lift, it was quite spacious inside and it had glass walls with a view of the place although made Sanya feel less uneasy as it would normally. She held camellias hand standing close to the woman. "At least if the lift gets stuck we can always brake the glass." She said even if the words where more ment for her own ease. "Well we will have done what we need to soon."

The lift had reached half way and Sanya tried to distract herself with the view. Looking out of the lift somehow made her feel less closed in like she had room to breath and move about even if the other two croa didn't help. Sanya eyes moved away from the view from outside the lift to camellia. It was every time Sanya was with her she could help but look at her and feel so lucky to be with such an amazing, wonderful and beautiful she was. Sanya smiled for a second gazing into her eyes. "I love you." The lift soon came to a stop with the doors whooshing open. It was time to finish this, and begin something much bigger than these people cold have ever have expected.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori listened. She grimaced when Corvus was mentioned and frowned when Ciara seemed pleased to have learned from her.

“You know how to access the Dark-side, which is good. You have potential, which is better. You have failed, which concerns me. I sense it in you. I shall not accept such things. My other Apprentice will no doubt confirm this. I shall give you all you need to succeed, but only you can truly demonstrate you are worthy. I am not a Jedi and I am certainly not my sister.”

“There will be no hand-holding, no molly-coddling. You will be tested and I demand exact obedience. One day you will step from my shadow but for now? You are nothing, merely a project. Work with Zaria, learn from each other. But be wary. As I followed my Master, I learned from her and respected her and even trusted her. But I was always wary. This is the only time I shall say this.”

“We shall be busy and you will be worked harder than the Jedi ever pushed you. For the most valuable training occurs when you are tired, sleep deprived and injured. There is no pain where strength lies…you will do well to remember this.”

“Now, see what Zaria is up to. I need to speak to my Master.” And with that, Melori turned and left the young woman to fend for herself.

[member="Ciara Jevnaker"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The words stung. Ouch! But she needed to hear them. She knew she was a failure but to know that someone else saw it to, well, that made her angry. Not at the woman that spoke the words but at herself. But the Force, it seemed, was giving her a second chance. Third? CJ would reach out, like she has never reached out before, and take her destiny in both hands; shaking it violently until she got it right. One day, yes, one day she would become all powerful and those Jedi that mocked her would pay. Each and every last one of them. But first, she needed this woman to train here.

CJ began to reply when her Master simply walked away from her. Not rude, testing. She did mention she had to find her own Master and that she should hang out with Zaria. Zaria, was like her; a rogue and a wanderer. I think. Zaria was a far better darkside user than her and she would observe her; learn from her where not to make mistakes. I will be perfect!

CJ looked down at her weapon. Redemption. She would need to find a different name for lightsaber, she no longer wanted to be redeemed; she wanted to fall far into the depths of the darkside of the Force. Further than Vahla ever did in history. At that moment something inside her mind clicked. Yes, I am ready to enter the journey that will take this failed, broken girl and transform her into a powerful Dark Jedi. Or Sith.

"Zaria," CJ said to her rival.

"Let's go for a walk."


[member="Darth Timoris"] / [member="Zaria"]

 

[Zaria]

It seemed she would not be punished afterall. Instead she would be playing host to CJ - who now shared the same Master as her - by going for a walk. There was much more to the ship she had not yet seen and she suspected this walk was not intended to be a tour. Zaria could sense a stirring in her friend. What it was Zaria could not tell for she was never good at reading the emotions of others. Body language yes but never emotions.​

​

"Congratulations on finding a Master," Zaria praised CJ. When CJ remained quiet Zaria absolutely knew something was wrong. Zaria was not good with moral support either. She had spent most of her time living a life of isolation and her social skills left nothing up to interpretation. She basically had none. Since her time with the Covenant she began to feel more and more sociable. Mainly toward CJ and a couple of others.​

​

"You should be happy to have found a Master but I suspect something is bothering you." Zaria searched desperately for the right words to say. She was not good at this. Finally she added, "Ok what gives? You are never this quiet?"​

​

​

[member="Darth Timoris"] [member="Ciara Jevnaker"]​

 

[Sierra Momoa]

The city was theirs and getting the message to converge on the capital had Sierra flying higher into the air with her crystal and the gun while her wings extended fully outwards. Wicked thoughts of the things they could do coming to her before she was seeing the city in the distance. Ones marching to try and help retake it got a slash from her above them while she was moving and letting her blade bite into the head of one of them to scatter before she was souring back up into the air. The fighting style of her people was still an important thing to note

 

[Seras Goto]

Her search was bringing her more and more through the world, sensing and searching until finally they found it. A ruined section of a city where the injured were being brought. Seras could see more of it and motioned her soldiers forward while the croa were being readied to go in and she was looking at what they had. A black crystal with almost a fiery core. "Preserve that crystal, if anyone destroys it there is not a name for the things that I shall do to you." There were nods of understanding as the order was passed and they assaulted the building with Seras stunning and tossing aside what looked like healers before moving in to grab the crystal as she felt the power of it. The dark crystal was ancient and powered from somewhere else but the corruption of the world had infused it and tainted it making it something for the dark instead.

 

[Azlyn Ike]

The message to converge on the city and spread them out for Sanya and her army was there as she ran. The blade humming and she slashed a tree bringing it down to route some of the ones running away. They were going towards the city as she threw the blade on its cord and swung it around swiping buildings and defenses. "Press forward and clear the way for lady Sanya."

 

[Bundori]

Riding mister bubbles was great and now they were charging into the city to get the bad men... even better while she let her attention go forward and towards soem of the different things they had defending the main tower thingy. The leviathan roared as she was riding up the one street with a tail swiping and sending several of them flying back. "WOOOO lets have some fun Mister Bubbles."

 

[Sawa Ike]

"Attack the city defenders." Ahh tht made her sad as she sat there waiting but brought up the palm holo speaking. "Commander move your troops to back up and support the others. We will help them and defend here with whichever ones we can spare." There was a nod and movements from the soldiers as only the bare needed to keep a city stayed put with the others moving to the transports to reinforce and attack where Sanya directed them to.

 

[Remy Singh]

She couldn't hear the message but running through the caves of the world were bringing her into contact with many of the things. Remy thought for a moment she had gotten lost but no she was just feeling the force energies around herself as she ran through into an open chamber searching around. Her attention going to the crystals as she picked one up and it resonated with the darkside almost getting her attention and making her feel warm and happy. Like small prickling shocks long her arms and skin to go with the twin crystals she got on Dagobah with her master and the blades she was planning on constructing.

 

[Isis Varida]

The construction efforts in orbit were going well and standing there now as she rubbed her hands together searching for different things... Well the other sides of her came out. A business woman sure, an engineer but there was medical benefits to being on a world like this and here in secret she could work with other liran's to make a hospital for their people. Or work with the sisterhood who seemed to enjoy the company of well anyone who wanted to help compared to some of the other groups she had seen. At least they weren't expecting her to be sorely evil or wicked... or good.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

She decided to leave the bridge, allowing the others to work freely, and headed out to explore the ship further. Well, not explore really, but more like take a casual stroll in hopes of finding something productive to do. Since the expedition kicked off, she hadn't really done anything important, minus check her emails and scan through test results.​

​

She entered the cafeteria area and changed her mind, she wasn't hungry but feeling anxiety about hearing what those that went down to the planet had discovered. To keep from enemy ears picking up on what they were doing, all chatter between the warship and those below would be kept to a minimum. If, and only if, reinforcements where needed or a grand discovery was made would they break silence. In the hanger bay, several battle groups stood poised and ready if the call was given. And that's where she would go, to check on their status.​

​

Darth Venefica entered the warship's bay and looked at all the troops gathered about. She was surprised to see them either standing in formation still or checking their equipment. There was no signs of any of them just lazying around. The sight she was witnessing was a testament to both their training and focus. They, like everyone aboard the warship, knew the importance of this.​

​

One after another she inspected the troops, asked questions about their protocols, and had some cheerful conversations. She didn't need to chide or reprimand them for anything. Quite impressive for rank and file troops.​

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori had no intention of seeking out her Master. It was - essentially - a lie. But a necessary one.

She'd been a Youngling and spent enough time around Padawans to know the difference between the Jedi and the Sith. The former nurture and the latter expect. It was as simple to that in Melori's eyes. Her new charge was most likely cossetted by her older sister. Supported and understood. It was the way of the Jedi.

But she was no longer a follower of the Light-side. She was in a world where the worthy lived and the remainder died. It was no more complicated than that. She would be worked harder than she wanted or expected and as much as Melori decided was necessary. The Jedi wanted you to be the best you could be. Melori had a standard for Ciara in mind and refused to compromise. She could exceed the benchmark but to fall short was unacceptable. Not that she expected the latter.

But the training had started. Self-reliance and obedience were the first two lessons. And she would have to learn them quickly.

[member="Zaria"] | [member="Ciara Jevnaker"]

 

[Shinju]

"Ah now is the time to sit back and relax children... mommy has to go to work." There were sounds of sadness as Shinju was walking towards the large tower and army with her saber blade coming off her hip. The dark red and black hair offset by her pale skin. Her saber blade coming up as she held with with a small grin on her face letting the snap hiss resound between the buildings with the build up of wailing from the saber crystals. The Banshee's wail piercing to the ones who heard it and distracting while they held their heads in the force before she was feeding at them. Red tendrils of drain and blue ones linking each to her as Shinju consumed their essence and life force leaving them on the ground for the croa.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

"Nothing really. Just replaying the words over from my....our Master. She is right," CJ confessed.

"I have held myself back for to long. My former Master pointed that out once and now my new Master has too."

CJ would not get into it again, her life was broken and everytime she talked about it sounded like a broken holodisk, even to her. No, she would forget her past and all the mistakes she had made. She wouldn't be a failure no more. I'm doing it again. CJ pushed every single thought out of her mind, leaving it an empty blank of nothingness.

"Our Master, you've worked with her before. What's she like," CJ asked then shook her head.

"Don't answer that. I want to find that out on my own."

And she did, too. Whatever Zaria knew of their Master could or would be something entirely different for her when they worked one-on-one training sessions together. CJ looked over at her friend, rival, and knew that this blue-skinned beauty would be her ultimate obstacle. CJ knew how the Sith worked even if Zaria did not. Both girls where in the Black Rose, both girls had a Sith Master, and if CJ was to become powerful; then she might have to kill Zaria.


[member="Darth Timoris"] / [member="Zaria"]