The Long Way Around

[Akio Diachi]

Location: Middle of nowhere, Ilum
Time: Dusk

The ship had landed far beyond the outskirts of any nearby towns or villages. They thought that this would make it hard to find, and it was. However, Akio was highly motivated. Highly motivated by the promise of over one hundred thousand credits for the murder of a few smugglers. Apparently the crew of pirates had been involved in the assault of a high ranking Core World noble's daughter--the Chiss had no qualms with taking their retribution into his own hands.

Akio pulled himself over the frozen cliffside. The wind had made it harder than it should have been, but he had somehow made it. The flurying of the wind whipped around the YVY-949 light freighter that had parked on it. Akio didn't know much about ships but he could tell this one had seen better days. Doesn't matter too much, the crew will be dead soon anyway.

The Chiss trundled to the hatch. He plugged his datapad into its dataport. A few minutes later the over-ride code he had paid a small fortune for beeped on the pad and the hatch opened. Akio drew his knives as his booted feet softly walked across the bulkhead. He heard the sound of Aqualish snoring in the next room. With careful steps Akio crept in his room. When Akio stepped out, the snoring alien had stopped--and never would again. He crept down the hall where a Rodien was sprawled across his bunk. Akio's dagger pierced the back of his skull. The alien quivered a moment, then went limp.

With one more to go, Akio followed the sound of breathing to the captain's quarters. The walls were stowed with treasures, maps, spice, and empty bottles of alcohol. Laying across the bed was a well-muscled human with a scar across his face and a reeking of poor hygiene. The Chiss twirled his knife across his fingers and tossed it through the human's windpipe into his spinal column. Blood bubbled out, soaking the sheets. The entire encounter had taken less than five minutes.

Satisfied, he turned to go. Another set of justice served. I pray I am making you proud, Dryzl. Akio started walking down the hall when his ears pricked. A droid. Akio moaned inside as he crept back to find it. He climbed down a set of steps to the engineering bay. A stiff looking, scuffed green-painted droid had its back to him, looking over the data readout. Ugh, a protocol droid.

Akio climbed down the stairs, it turned around and saw him, "Oh my goodness, what are you doing here?"

The Chiss had always found the synthetic voices of droids annoying at best. This one was no exception. "I killed your crew. Justice has been served. You shall now be destroyed."

"Well thank heavens, it was about time," the fussy robot exclaimed. "The number of Galactic laws that that crew has committed it was nearing time for them to be shut down!"

Akio blinked twice in surprise. He couldn't believe what he just heard, "Come again?"

"Sir, the number of violent assaults they committed has reached an unparalleled level," the droid gushed, "with the continual smuggling of contraband items and the murder of several officials it was only time before they received justice." he paused and tilted his head, "I suppose you are going to requisition myself and this ship now? Do you intend to claim the mission?"

Akio scratched his chin. He had expected shock. Surprise. Disdain. Outrage even. But this..... This was strange. Curiosity was getting the best of him, "What is the mission?"

"A prize has been offered by the Hutts to whoever can find a new hyperspace route for them will be give a substantial reward."

Ah, that. Akio had heard of it, but he had no plans of partaking. He had no ship, no crew, no data--until now. He shrugged. Not exactly like I have any other plans. And with the money I could give Dryzl--he shook it off. "Can you fly this thing?"

The droid paused, seeming surprised, "Why of course."

"Good, get it moving." He had some bodies to dispose of. I will make you proud, Dryzl. I will. I promise. The engines began to rumble as Akio finished his quiet vow. Confident, he walked down the corridor to the first body.

 

[Akio Diachi]

Location: Orbiting Ilum

Akio shoved the last body out the trash-chute and pressed the eject button. He wiped the sweat off his foreahead. For most other beings it would have been no problem, however, as a teenager Akio had suffered an accident when training with poison that made building muscle almost impossible for him. Tired, he slammed the eject button and the bodies were flung into space with a woosh. The Chiss made his way to the cockpit. This place is disgusting. I will have to clean and organize it.

The protocol droid was sitting at the controls quietly and content, "Sir, we are in orbit and ready, what is your plan from here?"

Akio collapsed in the worn leather chair not far from his metal counterpart. Sighing he rubbed his temples. I don't know. I don't have a plan. I am already regretting this. He looked at the droid, "What is your name?"

The droid paused and looked at the Chiss for a moment, seeming a combination of shocked and startled that he would as, "I a RQ-OQ, sir, however my former owners often adressed me as shutta."

The Chiss shot the rusting companion a look and snapped, "Watch your mouth!"

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

Akio blinked, "Don't you speak Huttese?"

"No, sir, I am afraid extensive damage had been committed upon my hardware, affecting the linguistics portions of my matrix. However--"

"Alright, alright!" Akio snapped. Why did I not destroy this thing? Its not alive. Sighing, he sat up, "Set the course for Iridionia. Roaq, that’s your new name. Stick with it" Akio knew it would be some time before they reached their destination, "And deactivate when your done to save power."

"Won't you desire me to cleaning the ship in transit?"

"I'll clean," Akio muttered, "please, for the love of the dead gods obey."

The trip there was gratefully silent. He cleaned the ship thoroughly, scrubbing it from years of grime and disrepair, organizing many of the left over crates. Some had doses of spice still in them or restricted weaponry. He sighed as they found their way out the garbage chute. When that was done, he searched the cabin. Aside from several catches of more spice, adult holomagizines, and alcohol, which was tossed out as well with the rest of the garbage, he salvaged their clothing. You never know when you need a good disguise.

After the long blissful silence, they touched down on Iridionia in the far outskirts of a small town. Dressed as a common smuggler over his armor, Akio walked across it. He knew where he was going, there was no need for directions, however his paranoia quickly kicked in. This place was small, a perfect place to hide vagabonds and criminals. Or those who were running. He knew of one such person.

Not long after Akio had been present at Crystophosis, he was sent on a mission to exact vengeance for the Hutts. The Duro, Jasco Wandrif, was a navigator on a Sith Command ship. For years he helped the Hutts smuggle contraband into Sith space--only to develop a massive glimerstick habit supplied by the Hutts. Owing several million in debts, he was quickly flagged and Akio was sent to send a message.

But I didn't. In one way. The Chiss thought as he crossed the street. The Duro had pleaded for his life and promised in-kind favors. He was good at what he did; navigate space vessels and slice into mainframes. An in-kind favor and the thought of keeping his favorable relations with the Sith was enough to convince Akio to keep him alive--as a recourse for later. With the massive destruction of a Corvette-sized vessel the Duro had been on in orbit, Akio sealed the alien's fate. And in one way, he was as dead as they came. Jaso doesn’t even wipe his dewflaps without me knowing in a town like this.

The small condo on the fridges of urban town was secluded but still sociable enough to not raise suspicions. Akio had a key to the front door, but he still chose to circle around the back. It never hurts to be too careful, even in a quiet town like this. The door slid open and Akio’s ears were immediately assaulted with the sounds off Huttball. Akio stepped in, Jaso was sitting on a bantha leather couch with is back to the Chiss, watching the violent sport in play. Such a waste of time, credits, and energy.
Akio cleared his throat, “Its time to pay your debts, Jaso.”

 

[Akio Diachi]

Location: Corosant
Time: noon

Convincing Jaso the need for him to come along without struggle was incredibly easy. The Duro knew of Akio’s martial abilities and he didn’t know quite yet of the Chiss’ change of heart. Akio’s YVY-949 light freighter which Roaq had told him was named Diana’s Dance cut into Corosaunt’s atmosphere and landed in a tucked away, small port. Due to the Chiss’ connections, landing was not a problem, despite the ship’s history.

“You sure are getting along in the world,” Jaso muttered as they walked down the street.

“You don’t kill for a living without making allies,” Akio said flatly.

“And enemies,” Jaso murmured under his breath.

Akio decided to side step the statement, “What exactly are we looking for here?”

“We need to get to the Central Navigations Department,” Jaso said, “We will download a conclusive map of all the known planets and celestial bodies in the galaxy. From there, I can plug the data into a set of super computers to chart a new lane.”

“Why won’t the Navi on the ship work?”

“Every navi is good for following charts that are already set up,” Jaso explained, “but the amount of data they have isn’t enough to map a new lane. They rarely have the sort of stuff needed like obscure supernovas, black stars, quazars, asteroid belts—you get the point.” He sighed as they came upon the massive building, “The data of things like this is scouted and kept up-to-date here, at the CND, with most all of the hyperspace lanes. It’s a massive undertaking, a lot of it can be done by droids and computers, but some parts require the finer points of living touch.”

Akio nodded, he didn’t have to be reminded in the need for organic abilities, especially in his trade. “Considering the fact that your dead, we should take the back door.”

“Then what are the ID’s for?” Jaso asked confused.

Akio smiled, “In case they stop us. I try to not make many waves, Jaso. It makes getting around easier.”

The pair followed a long way around to the back lower level entrance of the squat domed building. It was very old but well maintained, almost harkening back the earliest days of the Republic. So infinitely long ago. I wonder if they ever thought this galaxy would end up like this?.

The pair went along the aged but maintained access halls to the main data room. Dozens and dozens of super computers the height of trees on Endor filled the massive dark room. Small blinking lights from the humming machines gave minor illumination, along with the photoceptors of the occasional droning repair droid. Akio took a moment to marvel in the machinery as Jaso hooked his datapad up to one of the terminals, “Going to stream as much intel as we can into the ship. Its going to take some time.”

Akio nodded and began waiting. His skin pricked a moment later. Jaso’s eyes narrowed, “Feth, I have a feeling we are not alone.”

Akio uncoiled the nine-section whip from his belt and nodded, motioning for the Duro to be silent. Stalking down the aisles, Akio’s eyes darted, looking for the perpetrator. His eyes drown out the sounds of the machines and the droids. He could hear two other breaths, one was clearly Jaso’s but the other he had never heard before. He craned his ears. If it wasn’t for the echoes of the supercomputers he could have located the person already. Despite that Akio could hear two distinct sets of steps. He furrowed his brows. Echo perhaps? He listened a few more minutes. No, certainly not, one had metal soles the other had leather. The metal ones were much closer. Akio stopped and listened. They were—in the other aisle. Akio jumped back just in time.

A massive blaster bolt tore through the supercomputer where Akio had been standing a millisecond earlier. Molten silicone and metal flew through the air with smoke. He heard servos again. A droid, of course. Akio twisted up to his feet, and saw the silhouette of an IG-series assassin droid. A heavy blaster cannon was strapped to one of its shoulders, but in its hands a heavy repeating rifle was angling in on the Chiss. “Target acquired.”

Akio barely managed to twist out of the line of fire. Leaping he twisted onto a row of super computers, the trail of blaster fire was not far behind him. Sprinting, Akio felt the hot trail of the blasters on his heels. He twisted around, barely dodging a shot that would have hit him. “Target evasive maneuvers calculated. Re-calibrating assault systems.”

Akio leaped into the air, to the ground for cover. He knew where one was, now he had to find the other assassin. With his heart pounding in his ears, Akio couldn’t hear the footsteps.

“Target taken cover. Taking appropriate action.”

Jaso, they are going for Jaso. Akio sprinted towards the end of the chambers. His whip slashed down one of the droids in his way. The Duro’s body fell to the ground, the middle spinal column severed wide open with a hand ax’s chop. Standing where he had, a shadowy figure with a hood glared at Akio. He raised his ax and sliced at where Akio’s throat had been. Akio flipped backwards barely. He landed crouched. Anger ripped through his body, bringing life to his discipline. I am sorry, Dryzl. But this must be done.

Akio whipped his chain around, building momentum before snapping his wrist. The figure deftly recoiled, striking back with a downward slash. Akio’s foot instinctively arced up in a hard kick, snapping the man’s hand back, he countered by grabbing Akio’s ankle and tossing him across the room. The Chiss spun around, landing on his feet and sliding several inches. Impressive. The IG droid came around the corner a second later, blaster firing. Akio arced out of the fire, his chain snapping the droid’s weapon free. With a step he planted a flying kick in its chest, knocking it back. That should keep you busy until I find—

The hooded man’s elbow smacked Akio between the shoulder blades. Akio twisted around on the floor, barely dodging the axe’s blade. Odd, no one has ever managed to do that to me before. Pressing off the floor, Akio planted both of his feet into the man’s chest in a powerful two-legged kick. He went twisting away across the room. That was when security arrived.

As the teams began running through the doors and scaffolding the IG droid rose to his feet and met them with a volley of blaster fire. But Akio was running in the opposite direction. He grabbed Jaso’s body.

“Its—too late for me kid,” the Duro coughed. “Get out of here.”

Akio shook his head, “I don’t work like that anymore.”
Jaso grabbed Akio’s lapel, “Listen, its over.” He grimaced in pain, “You know—that. There’s nothing—“ he grimaced again. “Finish this. Don't--let--me die--for--nothing.”

As the navigator’s hand slackened, Akio knew it was over. He grabbed the datapad and scampered out the exit. That was no ordinary assassin. No one has ever fought that skilled against me before. No one has ever snuck up on me before. Akio tried to shake it off, but he felt like he couldn’t. Things just became too difficult for him to understand.

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio went to his ship and washed the blood from his hands. He steadied himself against the counter as his knees began to shake. The face of Jaso floated in front of him like a phantom of the past. The Duro had died in his arms, and it was his fault, it was his fault. He couldn’t handle it. If I had let him stay on Iridonia, he would still be alive right now. The Chiss slammed his fists on the counter. “Feth it!”

Roaq came tottering ito the doorway of the refresher, “Are you—“

Akio grabbed a nearby towel and threw it at the rusting droid, “Get the feth out of here! Did I call you?”

“No—“

“Then leave,” Akio roared taking a threatening step forward. The blood was pounding in his head, making his self-control wear more than thin. “I didn’t ask for you! I didn’t ask for you to come into my life! You don’t know what its like you, di’kut, to lose someone. You don’t know what it feels like to hurt, to love to feel pain. You are nothing but scrap and metal. Why do you even exist?”

“Sir—“

Akio reached back, grabbing a razor blade from the counter, “Get out!”

The droid didn’t dare disobey. Akio hurled the blade into the wall and swept the contents of the counter onto the floor, shattering glass and spilling the contents of many containers. He looked in the mirror. The faces of countless victims stared back at him. Many deaths; various species of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters looking back at him with ghoulish eyes from the grave. “Leave me alone!”

He lurched forward, pounding the polished durasteel plate with his fists. He let out a feral roar as his rage was unleashed without mercy on his own reflection. Rage. Pure rage. Blind rage. At last collapsing on the floor, Akio curled up in a ball crying. He hated himself. He felt pure remorse. Squeezing his eyes shut, the Chiss tried to block out the visions of the dead in his eyes, however they still greeted him with their final looks and gaping wounds.

“Leave me alone!” Akio shouted again, this time begging between sobs.

Akio felt a calm settle over him. Dryzl. He needed help. He knew he could count on her. He had grown more able to contain his emotions during their time together, regaining much of his composure and he missed her. He missed that she could get him peaceful just by standing by. His peaceful night sleeps had gotten progressively worse over the month she had been gone. The flashbacks were getting worse. The fits of anger were getting harder to cope with. Standing uneasily, Akio stumbled forward into the captain’s quarters where he had his comm unit. He punched in a text based message to her, underwritten by thirty layers of encryption:

“veo vatt'ah. Hsin'b csact'i csirvaci, morco sir hzebi. Visci hauhsikeo ch'a nuz hyperspace rcsicat. Vah sirim sir to bobav? Ch'un cart nah g'enmavci. Mah Trip Zero ch'acan'b ch'at veb vah. –veo ebeucot ”

Tossing the comm on a nightstand the Chiss collapsed on the bed. He had the old ones with the blood-stains replaced on Iridonia. These were of much higher quality and didn’t smell of body odor and alcohol. Akio ran his fingers through his hair and began thinking of the time he had with Dryzl. It calmed his nerves and quieted the flashbacks. His sweat-soaked body began to relax and his mind drifted to every lost moment when she had taught him about what it meant to be a Chiss. She had taught him their mother tongue and some of the customs and culture. Doing his best to integrate them, Akio had changed in some ways, and it had helped him to overcome his past in part. However, now he knew he knew that it had been her that had helped him the most. She was there to bring him back to life, to redeem him from the monster he had become and now he realized that he couldn’t be anything without her. Not now. Not ever.

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

He better not be late again. This thought, a reference to when they'd first began working together, passed through Dryzl's mind as she sat in the darkened cantina. It had been almost a month since she and Akio had parted ways, so it came almost as a surprise when he messaged her with a heavily encrypted note, asking her to come to Coruscant. She didn't even bother this time to look like a spacer, though. There was no need to go undercover -- though Coruscant was still under Sith control, Chiss were rather prolific throughout the OS military and whatnot. Thus, she was in no immediate danger.

Even so, her armour was in a suitcase next to her, just in case.

Anyway, despite Akio asking her to meet him on the planet, Dryzl was not familiar enough with it to simply go gallivanting around looking for his meeting place. Instead, she chose a cantina she'd visited enough to be able to reasonably recall its location.

Taking a sip of water, she again read the message sent to her. Why would he think that I would require money? Despite the six months she'd spent nursing Akio back to health, Dryzl had not once demanded payment, nor would she ever. After all, what was the point of doing your duty if you had to be paid to do it? She sighed, shaking her head slightly. Some things still puzzled her, even after spending a few years in the broad galaxy.

At least his Cheunh is not as painful to deal with as it first was. He must be practicing. The Chiss shuddered slightly as she recalled the first few lessons conducted. By the gods, if she'd been blind she would have never been able to tell that Akio was Chiss. Even with the advantage of the language literally being designed for their vocal chords, the former assassin's attempts had almost made her ears bleed. Fortunately, that was the only thing that bled during those months. Akio's wounds closed quickly, and his recuperation went smoothly.

The emotions, on the other hand... It befuddled Dryzl, why he was so attracted to her. The woman had done her best to keep herself emotionally distant, hoping that this phase he was going through would fade away and he would, at best, simply want to be friends; at worst, forget her. But whatever affliction he was suffering through remained, and the Chiss began to wonder if, perhaps, he'd almost imprinted on her. After all, Dryzl had been there during the worst moments of emotional and physical trauma, and as far as things went she was, essentially, the only thing for him to hold on to. The only relatable constant in that time period.

Which was all well and good, except for the fact that some of Akio's emotionality had begun to rub off on her -- prompting her to leave as soon as she was able, lest they do something both would come to regret.

Dryzl rubbed her forehead and resumed her watch. Damn you Akio, you ebeucot.

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio stepped out of the speeder and smoothed his dark clansman robes out. A bundle of nerves had rushed over him on his way there, and it had been a serious inner debate along the way to arrive or not. Will she still see me the same? Have I been honorable enough yet? Why did she lie to me and leave? Was I not good enough? He knew she was giving excuses when she told him "urgent business" called her away. Dryzl was too good and honest to lie effectively. He stared at the door and finally forced himself to slip in behind a small party of humans.

He spotted Dryzl instantly and felt a wave of calm assurance wash over him. For a few minutes he stood there, drinking in her beauty so she wouldn't have to watch awkwardly as he did it directly to her face. I am a better man now, Dryzl. I have worked hard to earn your respect. Is that why you left me alone? Is that why you abandoned me?

Clearing his throat at last, Akio took a seat at their booth, right on time. He looked in her eyes and smiled. Genuinely smiled. For the first time since they had parted ways. "Its good to see you Dryzl. Vah ch'ean'i ch'esahehn." <<You look amazing>>

He took a moment to let his eyes take in her face. It had been too long. By far too long. He suppressed the urge to ask what was on his mind the most. Did you miss me too? He wanted to hold her hand. He wanted to take her far away from where anyone could hurt her. He wanted her to never leave again. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to cry. He didn't know what he wanted to do. Relax. Calm. Control. You've come a long way since that injury, don't lose it now. "I know how you like to get to business so I will go ahead and get to it," he said sliding a datapad towards Dryzl. "I have been hired by a third party as a contractor to help chart a new hyperspace lane. Money is no object here. I didn't exactly ask what for and they aren't too picky where it goes. I acquired a ship that we can use, YV-929 Light freighter. The problem is I can't operate something that big and my navigator," Akio's voice trailed off. He stemmed off a wave of emotion. Not here. Not now. Later. "My navigator didn't make it. I have all the data, we just need to chart it," Akio leaned forward slightly, "I need you. Money is no object, and if you want, you can even have the ship when we are done."

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

"Cseo k'ir vah," she replied. So do you. "I see your wounds have left little scarring. That is...good." By the gods, she was feeling much more awkward than she should have. But it was his smile, Dryzl suspected. His smile, which was as contagious as his attraction.

Did you hurt, Akio? When I left. Did I do more damage than good by leaving? The woman tried very hard not to return his grin, not to stoke the ember that she sensed still smouldered in him. And she almost succeeded -- almost. A tiny smile formed on Dryzl's lips, lingering for several stubborn seconds before she finally banished it. I hope he did not notice. Or did she?

Dryzl did not know why her thoughts had begun to tumble and turn, but she knew very well who caused it. She just did not know why.

"I know how you like to get to business so I will go ahead and get to it." Thankful for the distraction, she picked up the datapad that Akio had given her, perusing its contents while he talked. Once he was done, she set it down, and sighed.

"Ebeucot. I do not want your money. Nor do I want a second ship -- I can barely stay on top of the upkeep for my current one." She did not add that the Icy Horizon also had a strong sentimental tie to her. It was an unimportant detail. "I am sorry to hear about your navigator, though." Dryzl propped her chin up with her fist, studying the other Chiss. It did not take an expert to read that something unpleasant had happened to his navigator, though Dryzl didn't plan on pushing him for details. If Akio wanted to tell her, he'd tell her.

She was, however, curious as to what he'd been up to -- but she would wait until they were in the privacy of the ship before asking. That way, Dryzl couldn't back out if she didn't like the answer. The former bodyguard had, after all, agreed to his job. My word is worth nothing if I don't hold myself to it.

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio saw her smile. She smiled. She smiled at me. He felt bubbles of happiness rise up inside him. It was hard to hold them down. In fact it only made his smile stronger. His hand, with a mind of its own, grabbed hers gently. She was as stunning as she had ever been and he knew nothing would ever change that. He felt the doubt and pain drifting away. She what she thought was right. She always does. How could I have ever thought otherwise.

"I am not going to take your time for nothing, ch'eo k'ta," unconsiously slipping in what he had always thought of her as; his flower. "I know you have your honor and I know you don't need my help. But I have mine too. And I hold it an insult to not repay someone who helps me, and if anyone has helped me," he gave her a lingering look, "its you." He gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. She was the kindest person he had ever met. And for once he could repay it. "I shall go ahead and lead you to my ship, if all is the same with you."

He carefully led her to his new air speeder parked out front. For once he didn't steal it, he obtained it new, legally. Taking off into the airlane, Akio watched her from the corner of his eye. It was a genuine struggle to keep his eyes on where he was driving. "I've done a lot of good since we parted ways," he began. "I started three orphanages. I am using my own money to run them. They are on Outer Rim worlds; one on Nal Hutta, one on Nar Shadaar, one on Dantoowine," he paused, "I bought a slaver to justice. And I took down four men who were serial rapists," He swallowed hard. Every fiber of his being was crying out for her approval. And he knew it. He was sure it was obvious. He snuck a glance at Dryzl. "I know its not much to repay what I have done. But it is a start, isn't it?" Are you proud of me, ch'eo k'ta? Am I worthy yet? Are you going to leave me again?

Inside he felt like a nervous school boy, vying for the approval of his crush instead of a hardened assassin who was trained to fight and kill without mercy.

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

Dryzl did not understand why she provoked such a reaction out of Akio. She did not miss the little slip up, nor did she miss his smile getting bigger. His feelings are contagious. He is rubbing off on me, preventing me from thinking clearly. Even the touch of his hand, which she thought she had numbed herself to, sent a little tingle.

This needs to stop. But did it, really?

"Fine, then. But I will not accept anything outrageous," she consented, forcing her attention back to the conversation. Dryzl understood the necessity of money, but she did not want money. Especially from Akio, whom she considered her...what? Friend? Acquaintance? Partner? Ch'eo ebeucot. My idiot.

They finally left the cantina, and Dryzl carefully placed her case of armour down by her feet before sitting in the passenger seat. Though she tried to ignore it, the Chiss noticed Akio trying not to look at her; at least, until they started moving at a speed which would cause slight concern.

"I know its not much to repay what I have done. But it is a start, isn't it?"

Without looking, she reached over and gently pushed on his face with one hand, attempting to position his head forward. On the road. Where obstacles awaited.

"It would be a start if you kept your eyes ahead of you instead of looking at me." Dryzl's voice had that tone where only those who knew her very well would know she was joking. Her hand then squeezed Akio's shoulder before returning to her lap. In a kinder tone, she added, "But yes, Akio, it is. It is a very good start, and I am proud of you for it." And she was, too; she was genuinely pleased that Akio had begun to change for the better.

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio's skin tingled at her touch. That felt nice. Her comment made him laugh, an uncontrollable laugh. The speeder swerved into the oncoming traffic and Akio barely swerved back, missing a massive airspeeder, still laughing. "I missed you too."

He obeyed her request and settled down, keeping his eyes more on the road and less on her. For now at least. It gave him a shiver of excitement; that means she is looking at me too. His spirits were rising. She was proud of him. Yes, yes, yes thank the dead gods yes! Akio wanted to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her, it took everything in his power not to. Besides, he remembered what happened the last time. He didn't need to freak her out like that again.

She was certainly what he needed. And especially now. The death of Jaso had been truamatizing to him, causing the worst flash-back episode he had in a while. He remembered when he would wake up screaming an Dryzl would come and help to comfort him. Part of him knew that was the real reason he had called her--and he knew she knew as well. She had always looked out for him and apparently now was on exception.

At last they reached the ship. "Here it is, the Dianna's Dance," Akio said unloading Dryzl's armor. "Feel free to rename it."

Roaq, the protocol droid began waddling down the loading ramp, "Oh, I say, a vistor, I hoped that Master Akio would find a lady friend. And now he has. I am RQ-OQ, but master has started calling me Roaq--"

Akio felt a wave of disappointment come crashing down on him as the droid started babbling and getting closer.

"What the feth are you doing here?" he snapped.

"Well, I just--"

"Did I ask you to come down?"

"No--"

Akio pointed angrily back to the ship, "Get the feth back up there and do as your told, not a word out of you, di'kut!"

The rusting green protocol droid did as he was told.

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

"I missed you too."

"I know, ebeucot. Eyes on the road!"

****************************​

She resisted the urge to take her armour back from Akio. Like Icy Horizon, she'd become attached to her armour. It, and her gun (which was also stashed in her suit) were all that she had left from her stint in the Grey Watch. Just like her only suit was left from her days in the Red Ravens.

"While I think the name is rather silly, I believe it's you who should rename it, ebeucot." Dryzl turned her head slightly, opening her mouth slightly to make a suggestion, when a green protocol droid came walking down the ramp.

Now, Dryzl had no particular love for droids (you wouldn't see her participating in a "Droid Freedom" rally), but overall she didn't mind them. Akio's reaction, however, was completely unnecessary and utterly unexpected.

"Roaq, negate that order. Please come back, and it is a pleasure to meet you."

The protocol droid paused, its photoreceptors watching Akio in what could have been described in hesitancy, before it obeyed the woman's commands. It did not, however, make any noise.

But Dryzl was no longer concerned with the droid. Her piercing red gaze was on Akio.

"I do not know why you dislike droids so much, Mr. Diachi, but I would like to make a suggestion." The Chiss's voice wasn't raised -- if anything, it had lowered a bit and was deadly calm; a sure sign that she wasn't pleased by any means. "But while I am around, you will not treat that droid as such without any further provocation. Do you understand?"

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The subtle whine they made hurt almost all of his sense; vibrating in his nasal membranes, making his ears ache, his gums hurt and his ocular passage buzz irritably. Then there was also something else. Something that he could not define that bothered him about droids that was always in the back of his mind. Something that always hurt and sent him into a borderline rage. Even before his brain injury. The Chiss looked at Dryzl. It was clear she was displeased. He wanted nothing more than to please her. For her, he would willing swallow all of that down. I'll have to start taking pain relievers on the regular.

Akio nodded, "Understood, sorry ch'eo k'ta. I'll put these in your cabin." He moved passed the droid and up the walkway to the captain's quarters. Before he had slept there but now he was more than willing to surrender it to her. Its the gentleman thing to do.

"Oh there is no need for trouble to be caused on my account," Roaq began babbling to Dryzl. "Before Master Akio took over the Dianna's Dance the masters before treated me quite worse. It was appalling. They were pirates, don't you know. Then Akio killed them. He killed them just like that. He is quite strong, I am sure you have a dazzling affection for you, he is not very sociable after all. I do worry for him, however he is prone to many nightmares. He often wakes up screaming. Quite dangerous, not healthy at all," the droid continued his unending babble and began discussing reasons he could believe for the nightmares and why he thought it odd, including several stories of it happening.

Akio felt his comm unit buzz as he gulped down a pair of pain relievers in the hall. "Hello? Yes.... I see. Did you uncover what I asked you to?...... Good.... Give me the details...................... Your sure?..... I don't pay you for 79% sure, I pay you for absolutes......... Yes, I hope so for your sake. Did they track you?..... Make sure its them, if it isn't I will be very displeased. And I am sure I don't have to remind you of what that entails.... Yes you do owe me, but considering I gave you a new life you should be grateful and less picky.... Well maybe I should tell the Hutts that I did find you after all and just finish things..... That's what I thought. What? No, you do what your told and find more data on the subject, I will start going to where you told me. When we talk next in 12 hours I expect more conclusive data and details...." Akio paused and added as a secondary thought, "Also start cross referencing that with droids and see if you can find a relation.... Well, you better find a way to make it enough time. Out." He hung the comm up and grit his teeth. Just when things were getting better, this had to happen to me.

The assassin sighed and went to the small med bay. He had a feeling he was going to need to keep a supply of pain relievers on hand for the next few days.

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

Dryzl stifled a sigh. She couldn't tell if she'd offended Akio by snapping at him, but still. There was no need for such behaviour, and she would make sure it would not happen without provocation again.

As he took her armour away, the Chiss turned her attention to the droid.

"Oh there is no need for trouble to be caused on my account," Roaq began babbling to Dryzl. "Before Master Akio took over the Dianna's Dance the masters before treated me quite worse. It was appalling. They were pirates, don't you know. Then Akio killed them. He killed them just like that. He is quite strong, I am sure you have a dazzling affection for you, he is not very sociable after all. I do worry for him, however he is prone to many nightmares. He often wakes up screaming. Quite dangerous, not healthy at all," the droid continued his unending babble and began discussing reasons he could believe for the nightmares and why he thought it odd, including several stories of it happening.

"Hang on, Roaq." She cut him off before the droid could start another story. "When, exactly, did these nightmares begin?"

The droid cocked his head for a moment, his processors at work. "Why, I believe it has been happening since Master Akio took over the ship. Of course, it was not too long ago that he did, so they could have very well been occurring before then."

Dryzl pursed her lips together. Part of her decision to leave when she did was influenced by the fact that Akio's nightmares had ceased to occur, almost to the point of being completely gone. What if my departure re-triggered those nightmares? She remembered well how his screams would echo in her ears, and there were many nights that she feared she would not be able to pull him out of the dreamworld.

"Is there a cot somewhere in the ship, Roaq?"

"Why, yes, of course. It is located in the storage room. Shall I lead you to it?"

"Please." Dryzl didn't know where Akio had placed her, but with news of his nightmares recurring -- and, it seemed, with greater ferocity -- there was no way she was going to let him sleep alone.

"If you'd just follow me, then..."

In a matter of minutes, the Chiss and the droid had the cot and were in the process of setting it up in the captain's quarters (which, she'd noticed, was where Akio had put her armour, though she highly doubted it was because he knew she'd be putting a cot in there). Well, Dryzl was setting it up. Roaq stood to the side, offering up what he no doubt interpreted as useful bits of instruction.

By the gods, he is annoying.

"Roaq," she said, cutting the droid off once again. "Please, be silent. I can do this much easier without you distracting me. Perhaps you could go charge up your power? We will need you fully operational in the coming days."

"Oh. Oh, of course. Apologies, Mistress."

 

[Akio Diachi]

The Chiss sighed as he grit his teeth. There would be a slight change of plans, but that wouldn't hurt too much. He went to the ship's second level where a commons area was located. He wasn't sure what would be needed to chart this lane but he would do anything he could to make it easier. He set up the super computer he had procured, the datapad of intel, and a few blue print pages for Dryzl. That should help. If she needed anything else he wouldn't have a problem getting it for the lady. He let himself lean back against the wall and sigh in a reviere. Just having her back was soothing his nerves more than the painkillers.

Akio came in the room as Roaq was leaving. He smirked. She fell to his annoyance too. "Set a course to Dantoowine, Roaq. Thank you."

"Yes, sir, though I might--"

Akio waved his hand in front of the droid, "Just do it."

The droid dutifully set about his business. Akio turned his attention to Dryzl setting the cot up and raised an eyebrow. A guest sleeping on the cot while I sleep in a bed? No, never. He stopped Drzyl, placing a gentle hand on hers, "First things first, we are experiencing a slight detour. Something came up, but it won't take long or affect the work. Also, I was going to move my things, this is your room now, if you want it." His eyes flickered, "There is no way I will sleep on a bed while you sleep on a cot. I refuse to take no for an answer. You know I can be stubborn." He gave her a soft, playful shove, "so don't be this time. If you want I'll sleep on this thing. Deal?"

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

Instead of retaliating against the shove, Dryzl merely shot Akio an amused look. She squeezed his hand for a brief moment, then resumed her work. It was almost done, anyway.

"As appealing as a real bed would be--" The last time she slept in a real bed was before she left. "--there is a method to my madness." The Chiss straightened up, placing her hands on her hips. "It is unlikely that I will require a blanket, since the air is comfortable enough. And I don't need much room, anyway." It was then that Dryzl looked at the other Chiss, her face losing its humour. "If I sleep on the cot, I would be able to get up quicker. And the bed, it is big enough that you won't roll off, no matter how much thrashing you do." Her voice lowered a pitch, its tone soft.

"Why didn't you tell me your nightmares had returned? If I'd known..." If she'd known, she would have never left him.

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio sighed and brushed the hair from his eye.

"That droid talks too much," he muttered. He tried to look in Dryzl's eyes. He wanted to be good enough and he was ashamed that he wasn't. The dreams were a sign he wasn't good enough. He wanted more than anything to be rid of them and to be perfect for her, a good man. A strong man. But he wasn't. He was a broken assassin at best, at worst, a monster who killed without remorse.

The Chiss looked at her face for several moments more as he felt the ship moving, up into orbit. At last he relented, turning and retreating to the bed. It would be easier to say if he didn't have to look at her when he said it.

"They started after you left, not long after," he confessed before turning and sitting on the bed and lowering his gaze to the floor, "They were infrequent. Now they are every night," he ran his hand through his hair before the words started flowing too fast for him to realize it, "its the past, always the past. What I have done. The people I have killed. I wish they were just the clean ones, or the combat I have faced, but its not. Every night its a new horror--no just an old horror I thought I forgot." he looked up at her, tears in his eyes, "but you never forget. Never. Its not possible, the Umbarians never prepared me for this, they never--they never," Akio was cut off by his own sobs. He buried his head in his hands and let his quiet sobs free. He had failed. Again. He would never be strong enough for someone as good as Dryzl. And he knew it. Of course she left. He was weak, and she was not going to be held back by someone like him. She had better things to do than be chained to him.

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

Dryzl was not the type to be overly emotional-- but her heart, nonetheless, twisted in sympathy for Akio.

But what could she say? What could she do? The Chiss never suffered from nightmares, particularly of the variety that the other Chiss was suffering from. And when she would come to Akio in the night, during those 6 months, she would never inquire about the nightmares, believing it to be none of her business.

And now, here she was, with Akio confessing what his night terrors held.

So what could she do?

Well, one thing Dryzl believed in was that actions always spoke louder than words.

In less than two seconds, the woman had crossed the room and awkwardly wrapped her arms around Akio in an attempt at a hug. They were the same height, so it was not difficult for her to rest her chin on his shoulder. But her grip was strong, and she hoped it conveyed her wish to help the former assassin through whatever trials he may face, no matter what else happened.

"Cant vah cart nah rot'up ch'at k'usharah," she whispered. Perhaps you are not supposed to forget.

 

[Akio Diachi]

Akio felt her arms wrap around him. She had never hugged him before, she had never displayed much affection at all, and it felt so gentle. So good, it was a balm on his soul. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face on her shoulder. He was falling apart, he was broken, he was a man who wanted to die more than anything else but couldn't. But for now, in this moment, even his brokenness would suffice. He drank in her warm, gentle touch, letting it bring him comfort and safety. Even though he was unwell, he would manage, as long as she was there for him. As long as she is with me, I will find a way. I will. I have to. For her. For Dryzl.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Akio lay in bed, his mind and body thousands of miles from there. The Drunken Dancer was hurling through hyperspace, halfway to Dantoowine.

<<<<Kill them kill them now. The man screamed. Then another shouted, artillery, in coming!

Akio, on the world of memories and dreams leaped into the trench, behind him a massive explosion tore several beings into nothing more than flesh-shrapnel. Disoriented, he sat up, trying to get his bearings, to no avail. Other soldiers were running across the deathscape, hurrling their bodies to their doom, to agony and pain. They were the regulars, he was not made for this kind of job, he was just an assassin.

You, said a Sargent grabbing his shirt, move across the field and take down that fething machine gun's nest. We are sitting ducks till it gets out.

Akio scrambled up, fleeing across the battle field. The bodies of the once living fell all around him. Blaster bolts and slug thrower rounds flew by as he deftly dodged them, spinning, ducking, twisting around to safety. Unlike these cannon fodder troops, he was a well-trained weapon. Scaling the wall, Akio flipped over the barbwire edge cleanly as his katana flashed into action. Landing on his feet, the Chiss' red eyes saw his targets and began to steal their lives away.>>>>


"No, no, no," he murmured, his body twitching as he relived the moment, "No, stop, stop it, stop." his voice turned to begging as it grew louder, into screams, "stop, no I don't want to kill them! Stop it, please!"

His body began to soak the bed in sweat, his hands gripped the sheets, trying to pull their way out of the hell.

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]

 

[Erud'ryz'ladre]

[member="Akio Diachi "]

Deep, dead sleep, sleep that blocked out dreams and nightmares alike, was no match for hearing the man Dryzl was bent on healing in pain.

With a start, the Chiss threw off her blanket and stood up, fully alert and ready -- though she needed a second to figure out what was going on.

Akio!

He was screaming, sweating, and writhing, apparently caught in the tendrils of one of his nightmares. Before, Dryzl had had very little ideas as to how to calm him, aside from waking the Chiss up fully. But now that she knew what the nightmares were -- that they were memories, pushing through the assassin's damaged psyche and forcing him to relive moments that had to be horrific -- she had an idea.

Without hesitation, the woman sat down beside the other Chiss, her hands gripping his in an effort to both constrain and comfort him (as contradicting as it sounded). "I don't know who you are talking to, and I do not know who you might kill, but listen--" Dryzl wasn't sure if he would hear her, if he would even be able to make sense of what she was saying-- "You are in control. If you do not want to kill them, then don't."

She leaned in as close as she could, her voice urgent. "Do you hear me?" Akio was in a dream world, she didn't even know if this would work. "If you do not want to kill them, don't. You are the one in control." Even though she was the one constraining him, preventing his body from thrashing about.

I sincerely hope this works.

 

[Akio Diachi]

The voice came from across the dream world, You can make it stop. His voice shouted back between sobs, "I can't they are killing us, I can't." He sobbed, then it came back. You are the one in control. He was in control. He was........

<<<The dark armored guard raised his rifle at Akio and the man pulled his sword back to destroy him. Then he realized, I don't want this.

The dark demonic form melted like a sand sculpture. Then the blade in the assassin's hands, followed by the dismal world of war. It was all gone, evaporating behind the words she spoke. He was back, back on the blissfully peaceful world of Chroma Zed, the world of peace the world of luxury. They were standing on the beach, the water washed on the sandy shore, lovingly patting it. The Chiss looked into Dryzl's eyes. This was familiar. He remembered this. Of course. He had been here. They were here. They were safe, they were unhurt. It was where she helped him learn to run again. But this time, this time he wouldn't run. No, this time he would do what he had always wanted to do. Since she saved his soul, there was one thing he had been suppressing, there was one thing he had wanted to do and he had refused because the rejection would be more than he could bare. No, now he would do it.

Taking her in his arms, Akio gave her a soft kiss on the lips, "Dryzl, ch'ah ch'acah vah" «i love you» he held her close, feeling the warmth and release that came from expressing his affection, "ch'ah ch'acah vah" >>>

Akio's arms were irresistibly drawn to do the same, holding the woman in a tender embrace, like a balm to his soul. He murmured distinctly, "Drzyl.... I..... love....... you." He lovingly ran a few fingers through her hair tenderly, "love.... you."

[member="Erud'ryz'ladre"]