The Possible End of Imagination

[Kay-Larr]

Kay had to go back there. And secretly. She didn't want her brother [member="James Justice"] or her friend [member="Gray Raxis"] to know. She left her datapad in her ship, The Free Lady, leaving a message that stated where she was going and why. A recorded message to them was also on board, set to be released in a couple of days. They would probably be angry and think that she was stupid for going. But at least this way she'd have a couple of days head start.

She had the pilot land The Free Lady a few kilometres away from the Hutts Home for Imaginary Lives. It was a place of her nightmares. And getting there the first time was also a nightmare of which she wasn't sure that she'd wake up from. Even now, though she had been free of the place for a couple of years, it still haunted her at times. She couldn't face being around doctors, or places where the walls were all white. Hospitals were also a no go zone for her. They gave her chills and made her question if they were real or not.

And then there was [member="Thraxis"] . The torturer created the place and put her there in an attempt to tear hope away from her. Hope was something that she clung to. There was always a chance that she could break free. Yet even during the times that he had let her go, there was always a sinister reason for it. Maybe it was to instill false hope? She wasn't quite sure.

But one thing was for certain. She had to destroy this place once and for all. Sure it would be easy to bring in a warship with heavy artillery and bomb the place to oblivion. Yet that would be difficult. She would first have to get the ship safely through Hutt Space. The Free Lady was small enough and not yet known, to help her to slip through the cracks easier. But then again she could have just been 'let through'. It was difficult to predict this game.

As she walked towards the mental institution in the dark of night, she rechecked her inventory. She had four thermal detonators, as well as her blaster. It was her guess that the place would be abandoned and lacking guards of any kind. She walked through the desert with her face covered, wearing an outfit of a scavenger, the materials capable of protecting her from the sun and making her less visible as they were more or less the same colours as the desert sands.

Kay crested one of the dunes, crawling on her hands and knees as she neared the top and held her breath for a moment as she saw the sprawling wall of the institution in the near distance. Now she waited for any sign of movement or light. Darkness was her friend right now.

 

[Thraxis]

Thraxis lazed in his Ceiling Chair, back on Sriluur in the Pitt of the White Palace, his fingers twiddling against each other as he listened to the screams of the people. It was time for a change of noises, he looked around as he slowly pulled himself out, his body limp as he fell to the ground with a hard thud, only to rise back up and look around.

He started to stroll down to the cells, pulling out his keys with a nod to the Gammoreans as they all stopped there enjoyment with an ecstatic expression lacing their faces. The change of guards as Thraxis liked to call it was no different then normal, they would stay in their cells, normally hunched in the corner trying to force out any leftover tears they had remaining. He looked to the Gammoreans, they knew what to do. Comfort their victims. It was all part of the game, to mentally scar them he made it look like it was everyday business for the Gammoreans, which is exactly what it was. They turned from bloodthirsty monsters to everyday people, trying to act as if they were comforters, asking if they would like to get coffee later or shaking their hands and ending with a hug. It was all, a big twisted game of psychology and Thraxis loved every minute of it.

After a few hours of the Gammoreans reveling in what they had done they began to board some ships, each one flying to a different planet. They targeted the weak, they went dressed in fancy clothing and left to go and give someone a fighting chance, only to be pulled into the Pitt kicking and screaming, simply wanting to go back to living their mediocre lives.

The whole plan brought a tear to his eye, the Gammoreans were like his children, they learned from him and Thraxis guarded them with a passion. They were the closest thing he could find to being anything like himself, rabid monsters that had been tamed and taught the ropes of torture, they new how to break bodies, they knew how to assault minds. He was willing to put them up against the Sith in a Torture competition if one ever existed.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Nothing. There was no movement. She didn't see any lights turning on or off either. That was good. Kay waited though, waited for what felt like a couple of hours, yet really was only about forty-five minutes. At least she was mostly patient.

With only the stars to light her way, she got to her feet and walked down the other side of the dune. When she neared the wall, she brought out one of the thermal detonators from her satchel, set the timer on it and then threw it low on the wall. Then quickly Kay high tailed it and ran along the wall until she was at a safe distance, all the while counting down the seconds in her head. When she figured that she was safe, she turned around to watch. Three...Two...One...BOOM!!!

Brick and other debris scattered in the wake of the explosion. Kay brought out her blaster and waited for fifteen minutes or so. Nothing. Still no movement. Perfect. She made her way to the hole that she made in the wall and climbed through it. At least she had her escape route if she needed it.

Even in the dark it wasn't hard to spot the huge building that housed her and other patients. But how many of them were real patients? Some of them could have been. While others seemed to have just been actors, or rather members of the Cartel that were told to play a part. It was a horrible trick.

Three detonators. That was all that she had left and she wondered now if they were enough. Maybe if they were placed in the right positions...hmm. Kay grabbed one of the bricks and then crossed the field towards the building. As she neared one of the windows, she threw the brick at it, wincing a little as the glass broke. She remained perfectly still as she watched and listened. No alarms, no one running out to see what had happened. Good.

Kay removed her scarf that covered her face and folded it along the window sill to protect herself against broken glass, before climbing inside. The building looked even more nightmarish in the dark. She took the scarf from the sill and shook it, letting any pieces of glass fall to the floor. She then wrapped it around her waist and tied it before proceeding towards the stairs. If she had remembered correctly, her padded cell was on the third floor. That one needed to be destroyed first. Then she would try to find the support beams for the building and destroy those too. In her mind it would work perfectly. However the actual execution of it might not go as well as planned.

This was a crazy idea, but it seemed to be the fitting place for crazy ideas.

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

As Thraxis sat in ecstatic stillness a noise rung in his ear, an old camera that he had set up picked up movement and unwarranted destruction. He looked at it for a few seconds, he knew exactly what it was for. As well as knew there was only one person who would do such a thing. He walked over to it, setting it up so he could watch through all the cameras in the building.

His hand rushed past his upper lip back and fourth as his eyes narrowed with memories. Such fond, beautiful memories. He saw the hole of an explosion and catched but a fading glimpse in the darkness. Another chance... another chance, he could go and take her prisoner, but he had better plans. Far more cunning plans. James said he was not allowed to torture her... but taunting was a different story.

He accessed the speaker system. Every single one to make sure his voice echoed properly. "I knew you would return. Have you come back for an appointment? This place fell in disrepair once you escaped. The Galactic Republic stopped funding it. Left me a shriveled man with no place to call my own." his voice rung, echoing through its walls as his voice changed. Back to that long past voice, it was comforting to him, its monotone and almost on caring voice was one he would never forget.

"And now here you are. You destroyed my life and now you want to destroy my home. Fine. My life would become forfeit anyway." he uttered as his voice remained old, a man with hope to live would be begging, but he knew a few things. His characters life was over, but a faded dream of better times. And maybe this place would serve its purpose one last time before its premature death.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

That voice. The moment that it came through the speakers and seemed to resonate through the entire building, she stopped in her tracks. Her breathing came in short breaths and her heart seemed to almost leap up to her throat. Was he really here? How did [member="Thraxis"] know that she would be here?

She listened to the guilt being laid onto her by the Doctor. His behaviour was always different than Thraxis'. He seemed to have always felt sorry for her as if he really wanted to help her. But to help her with what? She didn't do anything wrong and everytime she had asked, she never got a straight answer.

Would he be able to hear her? She didn't know, but she had to try anyways. "The Republic didn't fund this place. You did! They didn't send me here either. I was kidnapped and you know it." Kay had to stop herself. She felt as though she was back into their counceling sessions. How many times did she ask to go home? She lost count. "This place isn't real. It's a nightmare and it has to be destroyed."

She continued on, heading to the stairwell. Oh why did she have to come here at night? Kay looked up the steps before beginning her ascent. Third floor. That's where her cell was. Not too far. As she climbed up the steps slowly, she listened for any other signs of life besides the voice of the Doctor.

 

[Thraxis]

"How could I fund this place." he forced a shiver through his breath, misery coming clearly through the speakers, "I'm only a doctor. Just look around you. If I could fund this place why is it so..." he paused as he bit his lip, trying to not engulf himself completely in the act, "So devoid. All the patients are gone. My staff abandoned me." he forced another shiver through his voice, a pause every here and now. "Look at all that remains. An empty building. Yet here you are. Trying to destroy everything." he cut the speakers, leaving an audible pause for a time, all the while Thraxis clutched his sides, it was a good thing the Gammoreans were gone, otherwise the sound of screaming would have become problematic.

His voice rung again, another crack as the speakers sighed to life, "Sorry. I can't afford electricity. Been running on the backup supply." he said with a depressing chuckle, "If this place is not real Kay. Then why did you come back? Because I am real? Because I wanted to help. You never did like help. You refused to let others get close to you." he asked with a quizzical tone, he pulled out a book titled Psychology for dummies. His hand flicking through its pages absorbing fractions of knowledge to give him the slight edge. It was war again.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She found herself stopping partway up the steps. The voice was not unlike that of a ghost in a haunted dream, a nightmare that was only beginning. Kay placed a hand on the guard rail and gripped it, feeling the cold of the metal. She was awake. That was for sure.

Kay continued up the steps. It was clear now that her voice could be heard by him. Was the electricity failing? She wasn't entirely sure.

"This place is falling apart. When I destroy it, you could collect on the insurance and retire." She turned the corner. The second floor was reached, now onwards to the third. "I can't let others get close to me and you know it. They'll just be used against me like my late husband was. I am being watched, I can't allow him to take anything else from me....Now just save your energy and let me finish, please."

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

He paused for a second, he had to calculate his next action, what she said was not entirely untrue, but she couldn't know that. It seemed another thread had to be made in this beautiful web. "What insurance? I do not own the place. I work at this place. This is all I have left and the GR. They abandoned me." he said his finger ringing against his desk in an audible fashion.

He took the time to record that sentence. It was perfect, another crack to keep close. If all else fails, he could show it to those that are trying to get close to her. "I see now the error I have made. Trying to reason with a madwoman." he paused, it was time to tweak the voice, after a few seconds he waited. "I tried to help you. So you pushed me away. I tried to keep you safe. So you left. I try to live in peace. So you destroy my home." he cut out the audio again, taking in a deep breath, this would truly be a golden moment to remember. "Do you recall what you use to call me. A monster. A devil from hell. It now seems like you were projecting." he took the time to force out a tear, his voice cracking with misery with every letter uttered.

"Do you recall how you said. You would never kill anyone. Well it is time to put your words to the test." he stopped for a second, cutting the audio out again, this was becoming quite the jubilant moment. "Destroy my home. And you can consider me, the first person you killed directly." he let the speakers ring with an empty breath, his eyes filling with joy as he looked down on the camera that was following her. It was time to see how much her word meant.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Another pause in her steps as he spoke of the Republic abandoning him. She swallowed. Her throat was getting dry. Kay dug into her satchel and took out her water bladder, giving herself a couple of mouthfuls, before sealing it and replacing it. "...Maybe they didn't abandon you. Maybe you just abandoned them...But I wouldn't know. I don't work for them anymore."

She continued up the steps until she reached the top, gliding her hand along the wall for support. The words that [member="Thraxis"] spoke started to weigh heavy on her. She felt as though gravity was increasing with each sentence that he uttered. "...I am not a monster. This is not your home. This is your playground!..."

And then he said it. He gave her the options in his game. Destroy the building and she kills the doctor. But wasn't he just a persona? He wasn't real. People and now even droids have died around her, but she knew why their lives had ended. It was punishment, for the joys of the Sith to watch her suffer. The Jedi Master Mantic Dorn told her to stop punishing herself. This was not helping. Maybe she shouldn't of come.

Kay frowned and continued on ahead. "I'm not a killer. Yet I can destroy my cell. I don't need it. No one deserves to be trapped here."

 

[Thraxis]

He had to take a serious moment to pause, he had given her the option. It seemed her words actually meant something, he pulled out a pencil scribbling down onto a notebook, the same he had to get information on her. The scratching of pencil to paper was audible through the mic, "Heh. Even now. I still write down everything about my patients." he said as he almost became uplifted.

"If this was my playground I would have gone home long ago." he retorted, putting down the pencil and paper as his digits tented against each other, he paused for a second, preparing himself for whatever curve ball Kay was about to say next. His eye moved about the other monitors, he had been so focused on Kay that he didn't take the time to reminisce about all the other fond memories he had in the place. All of which were directly tied to Kay.

"No one is trapped here Kay. Except me. I have been trapped here wallowing." he said as a single forced tear splashed against the Microphone, causing a brief distortion through the Mic for a few seconds, "Hell... even though you done this to me. I still went through the trouble to help you. After you left I learned something that you may want to know." he stopped for a second, for a brief second, he almost felt bad for what he was going to do. Though he brushed it aside, this was too golden, this was the most perfect opportunity he had ever had fall into his lap.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She stopped walking again. It was starting to become a habit. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. It was as though he didn't want her to reach her destination. "Everyone deserves to be free. You shouldn't be trapped here."

Why was he saying this? Kay furrowed her brows and shook her head. It was a trick. Just some nasty trick. But....Was he crying? Being the compassionate person that she was, hearing him cry tugged at her heart strings.

She raised a brow as he baited her. The curiosity in her wanted to know what he found out. It gave her a bad feeling however. She probably wouldn't like it. "I haven't done anything to you. It was you that drugged and hurt me.....What was it that you learned after I left?..."

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

"I shouldn't but I couldn't leave. I have no home. I finished my doctorate in Psychology then was sent here. The GR told me." he paused for a second, taking in a deep breath as his eyes sharpened with malice "They told me if I fail here then they would ruin me." he decided to try and shift some blame, villanize her once loved republic. Though now that is but a fleeting dream.

"But I digress. I am meant to carry your burdens. Not the other way round." his head fell back as he breathed deeply in, he intended for but a single thread to be added, but it seemed he was about to turn this Doctor into quite the persona, one he simply would have to revisit. "Something you and your Husband would enjoy knowing. I know about your children. More importantly. I know where one of them is." he had to cut out the speaker, bursting into a scream of laughter that managed to pierce throughout the Pitt, a maniacal laughter that echoed with a sinister undertone. As if the devil itself had found something new to indulge himself in.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay furrowed her brows as he spoke of the GR threatening to ruin him. That might of occurred with the old administration. Afterall, she was blackmailed and almost enslaved to the old Supreme Chancellor. But..that was over with now. She shook her head a bit. What was she thinking? This wasn't real. [member="Thraxis"] never worked for the GR.

She started to walk towards where her cell was, listening as he spoke of carrying her burdens. How could he carry them for her? He wasn't out there doing the work that she was doing. He wasn't out there bringing more worlds into the Free Colonies.

But then he said it. He spoke of her husband, her adopted children and said that he knew where one of them was. This caused Kay to stop in the hallway. Her body just froze in place. Bradshaw. Rae Anna. It had been just over ten years since she had seen them. Brad would be 22 now, and Rae Anna 19. Both of them were taken away for their safety. Neither Kay nor her husband were told where, that way if they were ever questioned or had their minds invaded by powerful Sith Lords, there would be no information to give. It was meant to be foolproof.

Kay just stood there for what felt like a long time as she weighed her options. "How did you...? Are they okay?..I can't know where they are.."

 

[Thraxis]

He watched, as she slowly made her way to the cell. The empty halls breezed with almost silent winds as the windows had been left opened to allow air to flow through. It seemed she had learnt how to ignore him, though for how long was the question. He had a limitless supply of bluffs and stories to make up.

Then he heard it, she answered back. It was as if he was finally given a blessing. She now asked the questions. No longer did she idly sit there with her retorts, trying to find cracks in his armor. "I know because they came. Asking questions... it seems that one of them is looking for you. Searching the Galaxy. Looked so very similar too. That relentless need for freedom. To break free from the shackles of the government." he paused again, pouring a small amount of alcohol into a cup that read #1 Doucebag this side of the Galaxy.

"She told me a few things too... how her name was forced to be changed so 'people'." as he said it he bunny eared the word People, though Kay would never be able to see it. "Wouldn't be able to find her. But the darnest thing was told to me..." he had no idea who her connections were with other then the Justice Family and the Galactic Republic and since things had turned sour with them, he thought he might as well make it bitter. "How the GR didn't want you to find her. I don't know why. But it seems that the veil of good that they so loved... well like everything has a seedy underbelly they don't want people to know off." he whispered as his face twisting into a content look of pleasure. If she bought it, she would go on a wild goose chase. If she didn't. Well the hospital seemed to make her doubt herself, this way she would always doubt whether or not the truth was told in a place of nightmares.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She. [member="Thraxis"] said she. It was Rae Anna. Kay thought back to her memories of her little girl, bright, cheerful, but a touch of sadness and determination in her eyes. It was almost as though she knew what would happen.

Kay reached her hand out to the wall for support. This was not what she had expected. It was as if the building was alive and was giving her information so that she wouldn't destroy it. She closed her eyes for a moment and then pressed on, albeit at a much slower pace, speaking quietly as if to herself. "The GR didn't hide them, our friends did, and for good reason. Their safety was paramount and this was the only way to ensure it, the only way to keep them safe. If bounty hunters or any of my enemies got a hold of them, one can only imagine what they would do out of revenge..."

She stopped as she finally reached her cell. The door was left open, so she could just look in. How long did she reside here? Weeks? Months? It was hard to say. "I hope that they know that they are loved..."

 

[Thraxis]

"Really Kay? Do you believe that." he said as he paused, letting her take some more time to soak in what she had just heard, "Look at the past Kay. They discriminated against you already. They removed you from office all because you are force sensitive." he said as he realized what his next words weer, they would limit her own capabilities, "They removed me because I could not... help you so to say." he said as he smacked his lips, "But there is a real kicker in all this story." he said as it was time, if this did not plant the seeds, then it would seem he is growing in a barren wasteland.

"They got rid of her Force Powers. I don't know how. I don't know when. But she said." he stopped as he took a sip from his cup looking down with a streak of nastiness. "The minute that she could use the force. They zapped her. Then they took her away from her brother." he fell a little into his chair, he had no idea how the story for this magnificent building would end but it seemed like he may reach his satisfying end after all. "She said she doesn't know where he is, it has been at least four years since she last saw him." his voice changed again, he had realized his persona was not human enough, he added sorrow, tears and misery flooding his voice as his eyes remained cold and his words shivered as his lips moved like jagged edges. ""Now all she wants. Is too see her mommy." He grabbed a tear, letting it hang on the edge of a digit before letting it fall atop the Microphone.
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay leaned against the door frame, hiding her face as [member="Thraxis"] spoke of her getting fired from the Senate. It was a dark time for her that threw her into days of despair. She felt lost and without purpose. Mantic said that she was just punishing herself. "...But things are different now. The laws have changed. Force sensitives are allowed to be in Government."

And then he told her of Rae Anna being stripped of her Force powers. Kay nearly fell over, but had the doorway to support her. She had been offered the same, to have her powers taken, but she chose to keep them. If only her daughter was given the choice. She wanted to be a healer, she was really good at it at such a young age. It wasn't fair.

Kay leaned her forehead against the doorway, tears falling down her cheeks as she was told of her adopted children's fates. Why were the two separated? How could Brad let that happen? He was always very protective, like Shaw was.

Wait a minute. Four years? The timing doesn't add up. It had been at least ten. Could he be lying about it all? Yes, he must be. But in case he wasn't, she decided to test him. "Poor Rae Anna, being separated from her little brother. He must have been so scared to be away from his older sister. I don't know who thought that it was wise to split them up."

 

[Thraxis]

"Yes. Times do change don't they." he said with an almost chocked voice, he had to keep forcing misery through his lips though it was becoming a minor annoyance. But the thought of breaking her was something to push him through, even if a pool of lava stood in his way he would dig this nail in, with his bare hands if he had to he was going to make her crack.

"But the underbelly, the rotton core can never go away. It will always be a blemish and one day. I imagine it will consume the entire fruit." he said as he brushed beneath his eye, brushing some strained tears and pouring them into the drink, tears always added that extra punch.

"I wouldn't know. I never lost a sibling before. I never had one to begin with." he said as he slowly took the time to change back to the mono toned voice, he had never lost a sibling. He never wanted to find his ever again. he had heard rumors about them but hadn't the time nor the reason to care for their livelihoods. "But my condolences are with you Madam Kay, truly they are."
[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her baiting didn't work. Why was it that she always seemed to fail whenever she tried to get the upper hand? Maybe it was her methods or ideas. Blowing up a building wasn't exactly what a good person would do. So maybe that was why. She sought revenge and it failed. Perhaps she shouldn't of sought it to begin with.

I never had a sibling either, until James adopted me." Kay got to her feet and dusted herself off a little, before turning to make her way back down the dark hallway. "I'm sorry Doctor. I shouldn't of come back here and certainly shouldn't of tried to blow it up. I'll get the wall fixed, pay for it out of my salary."

With each step she felt a little better about herself. Maybe this was what she needed afterall, just to talk. Therapy sure had it's uses.

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

Thraxis looked down almost dissapointed. Huh. She played me like a fool. I thought I was getting close to cracking her. But it seemed she came to her senses. He thought to himself as he talked into the Microphone one last time. "Thank you. But please don't worry about the wall. This place would fall to ruin eventually." he said with a remorseful tone, it was true, the passing of time was one no being could stop. It had infinity on its side, while all others had limited chances.

He pulled out his pencil, scrawling in the paper a large name, tearing it out and putting it on his wall. Rae Anna. He knew that Kay cared for James, but was wary if she would ever get close enough to use him properly. But this new person, it was the first time he saw Kay weep in such a heartfelt manner. This was the next step, he needed to catch Rae Anna. If she was broken. Hell, if she was turned against Kay, then that nail, that one nail that refuses to get in place would finally fit.

"Goodbye Kay. I wish you luck in your future endeavors." he uttered through the mic, its voice resonating throughout the halls before cutting of the Microphone. All contact to the place was severed for now. He had just been overloaded with information. That one name had just given him a new goal, though now he had to put the Gammoreans on high alert. If they ever located Rae Anna. It was the number one priority. No matter the risk. Thraxis will catch the mamma birds baby.
[member="Lady Kay"]