Private The Surrender of Ran

[Ran Serys]

Coruscant - Dawn - A Galactic Alliance Interrogation Room​

The room had no chronometer, although there were other ways of keeping time. Ran used the sound of boots patrolling the halls. The patrols were approximately five minutes apart, every time. This was the one-hundred and ninety-second time the sound of boots had come and gone which meant Ran had spent sixteen standard hours in this interrogation room. The only break she had came at the eight hour mark with some food and a visit to the restroom. She was due for another one.

Ran bounced her cuffed hands off her knee. She was getting restless. She had been without sleep for the last forty-eight hours. She spent a bulk of that time traveling and contemplating her unique situation which came to light on Denon. With the help of a shadow she reclaimed the memories that mind-control had locked away, both the wanted and unwanted. Then she met a Jedi Knight that showed her the force and the potential she held inside her. There was a path there but not one she could embrace in good conscience. Not after all she had done on behalf of the Sith. While she had no control then, she held regret now. This feeling was why she came to Coruscant. This feeling was why she turned herself in.

Whoosh

The door slid itself open again. The first eight times it was for a variety of different Galactic Alliance Officers. Each one had a different purpose, but most asked the same questions. Ran gave them the same answers, the honest answers. She did not mind doing it again, but something told her this wouldn't be a replay of the last eight visits, as the person who entered was not simply another Galactic Alliance officer.

Ran drew a deep breath in before letting it out. "Hello, Master Jedi."

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Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys ​

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It wasn't every day that she received a call from Coruscant about someone turning themselves in for past war crimes. Normally, those cases were handled by trained investigators from the Alliance but this situation was a bit more special. The woman had supposedly worked alongside the Sith, albeit under strange circumstances, and was looking to change her life around?​

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There was a reason to worry there or to at least be cautious. So when the Alliance requested an experienced Jedi, Valery didn't hesitate a moment and offered to take care of this case herself.​

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Stepping into the interrogation room, Valery carried herself with her usual confidence — her posture was straight and she didn't shy away from looking for eye contact. But where some may enter a place like this with an overly stern or stoic appearance, Valery offered the woman a gentle smile.​

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"Ran, was it?" Valery asked as she moved over to the table.​

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"I hope you've been treated well thus far but do let me know if there's anything you need." Whether this kindness was an interrogation tactic or genuine, Valery didn't make it overly clear. Most likely it was a combination of both because she wanted answers but she was highly against the mistreatment of people who were being questioned as well.​

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"As I'm sure you know, I do have some questions for you. But before I ask any, I'd like to give you a moment to tell me anything you believe is important." Again a typical interrogation tactic — allowing people to give their story could reveal inconsistencies with known facts. However, Valery was mostly curious to feel the woman's emotions while she spoke. Through her Force Empathy, she hoped to pick up on lies, if there were any, or to test how genuine she is about changing her future in a better direction.​

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[Ran Serys]

"It is." She confirmed. She chose the name. It was hers.

"I have not been treated unfairly, and thank you. There is nothing I need at this moment." An honest answer. As honest as she could be considering what she needed most was to figure out what was next for her. Was it a Galactic Alliance prison or something else entirely? It could not be known until it was.

"Anything I believe is important?" She parroted and thought for a moment before answering. She had been asked to volunteer important information eight other times in the last sixteen hours. This time felt different. It was the force. Since gaining her freedom, Ran had become sensitive to its touch. She felt it before on Denon and in the interrogation room on Coruscant. She had a feeling that it was pushing her in the direction she needed to go. So she spoke, this time giving more than just facts.

"Promises," She said as she sat up tall, locking eyes with the Jedi. "I made a promise to myself, to free my fellow mind-controlled experiments. I cannot do that in a Galactic Alliance prison. Nor can I do it alone. So I am not just here to turn myself in. I am also here to offer myself up in exchange for help. Many believe the Alliance is now beyond the threat of the Sith Empire. That its forces are fractured, gone, and will never recover. Maybe they are right. Maybe they are wrong. I would like to help figure that out, and at the same time fulfill the promise I made after my mind was freed." She was impassioned. Although, one could never tell by her voice. Emotion and inflection were new to Ran's life. Others would often compare her to a droid, but those who probed into her heart and mind would find her alight with fire, violent and wild like a tempest. Lusting to make up for twenty-nine years of a stolen life in every way. Redemption. Adventure. Love. She wanted it all.

"I want to make up for all the death and destruction I have caused. I do not care that it was not of my own volition, that I was controlled by someone else. It was my finger that pulled the trigger. I can never fix that, but I have to try." She said evenly as tears tumbled down her cheeks. "Do you think there is a way for me to get that chance?" She asked. She desperately wanted to know.

"Please, proceed with your questions." She used her sleeves to wipe the wetness from her cheeks.

_______________________
Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys ​

​

Valery had slowly lowered herself into a seat while she listened to the other woman speak. Her demeanor was rather neutral and betrayed very little about what she was thinking or feeling. But deep down, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Ran. A process like this required facts but through the Force, she could already sense the underlying emotions and intentions of the woman.​

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Unless she was a master of controlling them and hiding her true nature in the Force, it seemed that her strong desire to make up for something that supposedly wasn't her fault was genuine.​

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When tears began to then flow down Ran's cheeks, Valery's expression finally softened somewhat, the neutral look brightened up by a comforting smile. She could hear the desperation in Ran's voice, and nodded.​

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"If you were under the influence of Sith or mind controlled in some other way, then I can guarantee that you will not end up in a prison facility. You'll be able to control your own future, and do what you believe is right." Valery began but the important thing about what she said was the 'if' at the start.​

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"But that brings me to an important question — is there any evidence that you were not acting of your own free will? Perhaps whoever or whatever freed you of the Sith's control is able to confirm your story? Or maybe they have already?"​

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[Ran Serys]

The Jedi's words were comforting until they weren't. Evidence, or the lack thereof, made Ran nervous. Tension built in her shoulders. She had no such evidence to excuse her of her crimes but there was also no evidence against her, save for her honest and detailed, but albeit unverifiable confession. The justice system seemed confusing at that moment.

"I have no evidence, but I know of several ways to acquire it. The liberation of a fellow experiment will confirm my story. I would also be willing to go back to the lab where I was experimented on. I have already killed the Sith Lord in charge of it. It might be easier to infiltrate now that he is gone. I understand letting me undertake these tasks would require a large sum of trust on the behalf of the Galactic Alliance. For that reason, I am willing to offer the information freely and wait for results to be delivered by more trusted hands. You may take that information to those in charge."

There was a lot at stake here for Ran. When the head injury she sustained freed her from the mental grip of the Sith, she promised herself she would free her fellow experiments. She'd need allies to do it and there was no bigger ally in the fight against sith tyranny than the alliance. She had put herself between a rock and a hard place but the payoff for maneuvering it correctly would make a massive difference when it came to delivering on her promise.

"As for my liberation, I believe it was purely coincidental. If you can find information to the contrary, I would welcome it. Although, I will tell you what I remember from the experience. I was on a battlefield months ago. The war between the Alliance and the Sith Empire was still ongoing. I was hit by a concussion grenade and sent flying into the wreckage of a ruined armory. My head made first contact. The impact must have scrambled something because after that I was free. I was like an amnesiac. I operated off of instinct and the desires of my unconscious mind. That is when I killed Jagos, my subjugator. A portion of my memory came back in waves, confirming my instincts and subconscious." Ran paused her story.

"I know this all sounds far fetched but I promise this is the truth. I only hope that you can believe me."

_______________________
Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys ​

​

Again, Valery remained quiet while she listened, showing very little signs of emotions that could betray her thoughts prematurely. But when Ran finished, and especially with what Valery felt from the woman, a gentle smile began to slip through. She briefly glanced around the room and finally offered a nod.​

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"It's going to be for the best if someone can confirm your story, so there is something I would like to propose." Valery began. "If you can bring me to the facility to free the other subject, and find the location where they experimented on you, then I will make sure you don't end up in a prison facility." Valery promised the woman.​

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"I have a lot of experience dealing with Sith and their experiments, and I'd like this to be an opportunity for you to show your willingness to help. If all goes well, you'll be a free woman and anything you do afterwards to make up for how you feel about your past will be entirely on your initiative."​

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Valery stood up from her seat and rolled her shoulders.​

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"What do you say?"​

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[Ran Serys]

An interesting proposition to say the least. One that came as a surprise, but one that Ran could get behind. The moment she was pointed to was in front of her. Her feelings hadn't failed her. She was right to follow them to Coruscant, and equally so in turning herself in. Now she would have the help she needed.

"I say yes and that I am grateful. But you should know that my goals are not simple. I can bring you to the facility but you would find no experiments. We were scattered across the galaxy, sold to the highest bidder. I was the only one Jagos kept there past maturity. What we would find is information on the whereabouts of all the others. So far, I only know where to find one and that is because I was present for their sale."

Ran stood up to meet the eyes of the Jedi Knight. "So we have two choices. One - The infiltration and extraction of data from the Laboratory of Jagos on Cadomai Prime, or Two - The extraction of Subject 12 from House Zapal of Serenno." She wondered which the Jedi would choose, but it didn't matter. As long as Ran kept her freedom, subjects one through twenty-one would all be free in due time.

Ran raised her arms in front of her with her restraints still on. "Your ship or mine?"

_______________________
Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys ​

​

Valery offered the woman a bright smile when she accepted, and then took a moment to consider the options they had. But rather quickly, she met Ran's gaze again, confident in her choice. "Let's go and free subject 12. It proves the same thing as extracting data from the laboratory, but we also rescue someone in the process." ​

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She then stepped closer to the woman and removed the restraints to physically set her free already. The first step to Ran never having to worry about her past again.​

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"Once we get subject 12 freed, I'll make sure you no longer have to worry about your freedom. From there, the others can all be rescued as well." Valery went on to explain as she turned and gestured for Ran to follow her. "We'll take your ship so you can get us there in a ship familiar to you. But just to be safe, you do have weapons on board, right? Something you can use to defend yourself with if necessary."​

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She then stepped past the guards, who made no move to stop Valery and Ran. They trusted that Valery knew what she was doing and that she could handle herself.​

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[Ran Serys]

As they made their way down the hall, Ran could see a few of the Alliance investigators she had previously spoken with. She expected some would take umbrage at seeing her free and walking alongside the Jedi. Her expectation was wrong. The investigators just returned her glance and went back to business as usual. It made sense. The Jedi were the sword of the Galactic Alliance. They had influence. They were leaders and heroes, and because of that the Alliance would defer to them in times of uncertainty. In this case, they deferred to the Jedi Knight before her.

"I do," She replied to the Jedi's question. "I have a few personal arms and the ship itself is outfitted with two laser cannons." She explained. "It does not… pack a huge punch," She said, copying the Atzerrian man she won the ship from. "But it makes up for it in maneuverability." She finished.

"Come, Master Jedi. I will lead the way." Ran stepped in front of the Jedi Knight and made tracks for the starport she'd docked at. It wasn't far, so they wouldn't be walking long, but as they did Ran studied the Jedi alongside her. There was more to the woman than the mystique of her religion. Ran could see it. She could feel it. The hard edge of a warrior. If Ran was a blaster primed to fire, this woman was a lightsaber ready to be ignited. Either one of them could accomplish what was needed alone. For that reason, Ran liked their chances and their chances would only get better.

They boarded Ran's PGEM/S-02, more commonly called a "Starpeddler", and powered it on. As the starship hummed to life, an alert for a missed call came from its Sub-space Image Transmitter. It was from Dagon Kaze, a Jedi Knight Ran had met on Denon. The man who had nudged her in the direction of Coruscant.

Ran looked at the female Jedi Knight sitting co-pilot. "He is a friend to both me and you. I am calling him back. He could help us."

It wasn't very far from Coruscant to Denon. The holographic image of the women in the starship would come up crystal clear for Dagon Kaze and vice-versa. "Nightsh… Dagon," She corrected herself. "You said if I needed help, I could rely on you," She looked at the Jedi to her right. "We may need that help. We are freeing the others. Will you rendezvous with us in the Serenno System? We can send you the coordinates"

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Valery Noble & Dagon Kaze​

 

[Dagon Kaze]

Sat on the trapeze platform with feet hanging in the air, Dagon mulled over the track of obstacles he was preparing for next week's acrobatics class. It sought to emulate what he remembered of his very first course in the Art of Movement; years ago as a starry-eyed apprentice in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Whatever his memory couldn't recall, his remote access to the Jedi database helped fill the gaps.

Lost in thought, the beep of his comms device startled him. He tapped open the link on his wristpad and the holoprojector revealed two familiar faces on a starship given the background behind them. Valery Noble, Jedi Master and a close friend of his, and Ran, the Mirialan-turned-weapon by the Sith. The fact her case was taken up by Val eased the tension in his shoulders.

"You said if I needed help, I could rely on you," She looked at the Jedi to her right. "We may need that help. We are freeing the others. Will you rendezvous with us in the Serenno System? We can send you the coordinates"

"Serenno?" he arched an eyebrow. That deep inside Imperial space? "And, yeah, of course. Just send where and when, Ran - I'll be there."

From what Dagon had been hearing Serenno was one of the worlds within the Empire where the Curtain had not fallen over as strongly, mainly due to Lucien Dooku's control over the royal planet. The Jedi's inconspicious passage to the planet would not be much of an obstacle. It had been some years since he last stepped foot on an Imperial planet - that being Bastion during the victory celebration over the defeat of the Sith Empire. It was then in a soldiers' watering hole when Auteme had knighted him under the jubilations of Allies and Imperials. Unorthodox as everything always was with the New Jedi.

Returning to that part of the Outer Rim to liberate prisoners of the Sith's evil machinations seemed fit, even if it brought ghosts of the past.

Ran Serys Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys Dagon Kaze ​

​

"Good." Valery said after Ran answered her question about weapons. As much as she hoped that they weren't going to be necessary, they were both in Imperial space, and on a mission to rescue one of the subjects the Mirialan had referred to. At the very least, they would have to be prepared to draw them.​

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Walking through the hall, Valery glanced in the direction of the other investigators as well, but none made a move to even inquire what she was doing. The case had been handed over to the Jedi Master, so they trusted her to handle it properly. But in the eyes of most, she was likely taking a lot of risk with this, even though she was fully convinced of her decision.​

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Valery then followed Ran into the ship and lowered herself into the co-pilot seat, which is where she noticed the missing call from... Dagon Kaze. Of course, it hardly surprised her at this point. Somehow, their paths always crossed even if they seemed to be in entirely different parts of the Galaxy. Not that she'd complain though, he was one of her most trusted friends, and she enjoyed working with him.​

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"Oh I'm quite confident he can help us. I've worked with him many times before." she smiled and remained quiet while Ran sent out the transmission and coordinates to Dagon.​

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"To Serenno we go."​

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[Ran Serys]

The Coruscant Sky & System

"Sending coordinates now, Dagon. Thank you." The man was more than true to his word, but she already knew that. The jedi crimefighter she'd met on Denon was selfless and understanding, at least enough to let a wanted woman go and clear her name. Ran was in his debt, even if he refused it. He took a chance on her, as Valery had, and he had also opened Ran's eyes to the connection she had to the force. Ran was grateful for it, even if her knowledge on the mystical and fantastical energy field was limited. She wondered if that connection had played a role in his support of her mission.

"Indeed." Ran agreed with Valery as she powered off the sub-space transmitter, and pulled the "Starpeddler" up and into the sky. The Coruscant traffic, although present, was like clockwork. They made their way out of the planet's atmosphere speedily, and then flew into hyperspace. The course was set. They'd make it to Serenno promptly, given established hyperspace lanes were clear and her ship's alliance and imperial codes were all above board. Ran finished a small diagnostics check to make sure the ship was functioning well through hyperspace, turned on the autopilot, and then turned once again to Valery.

"While we travel, my ship is your ship. Feel free to use the facilities. There is fresh food and ingredients in storage, and the cargo bay walls fold down to make bunks. Make yourself comfortable. I will be back in the pilot's seat shortly," Ran would head down to the ship's lavatory to wash up, but she needed one more thing. She paused in the doorway of the cabin for a moment and wondered the best way to phrase her question. "Before I leave, I was wondering if I may ask you a question," She wouldn't wait for a confirmation or declination before asking. "The force. What does one do to control it?"

The question had been on her mind for a while. It took valuable space in her head that could be set to more fruitful plans. She needed it out, but when she asked, it was just replaced by another. Over the course of their travel, if Valery consented, Ran would ask many questions about the force and the Jedi, and maybe regrettably the Sith, until they arrived at Serenno. She would also volunteer what she knew of her own connection, which wasn't much at all, nothing even. The only thing she could mention was her sensitivity and the pain she felt when her mind was touched by others. No doubt a side effect of a life of the Sith's sorcerous manipulations.

The Serenno System

The pair of powerful women arrived at their meeting point in the Serenno system early. Their path was unimpeded and the travel was painless. They could only hope that Dagon would manage just as much. There was an idea of what awaited them on Serenno but it was just that, an idea, and not the facts. Some planning and a few contingencies would be required.

"The scanners are not picking anything up, but we are a bit early. Dagon may be a bit behind. Wait. I have got something. Can you see it?" She directed at Valery.

_______________________
Valery Noble & Dagon Kaze​

 

[Dagon Kaze]

Dagon spent the voyage catching up on news both within the Empire and the campaign against the Maw in the Unknown Regions. The rising tensions between the Alliance and the Empire culminating in a conflict over Kuat were troubling, whilst the war against the Sith and their cultist puppets was in no way drawing nearer than yesterday. Somewhere in the shroud of the unknown stars, his padawan walked the path of the Sith under the guidance of her father the Sith'ari Darth Solipsis. If he could've cloned an army of himself - he would've.

But in the present, his sole self was dedicated to helping Ran with her own trials which weren't any less important than the other issues. Someone -- or rather a number of someones -- had often remarked his overprotective affinity towards strays. Kai, Damsy, and now Ran. Yula had mentioned numerous times that his savior complex always sharpened when it came to those who seemed lost.

She wasn't wrong.

"You set those old Dooku codes, right?"

"I have, Sir." Arthur confirmed back through the speaker system of the small freighter.

"Good."

The vessel reverted to real space at the edge of Serenno's gravity well. Numerous ships dotted both the view screen and the scanners. The royal world after all was well known for its traffic. From trade ships entering and leaving to the Imperial Navy's fleet patrolling the area. It was no Coruscant, nor Denon certainly but it was no Tatooine either. Thankfully, there was no immediate Imperial traffic controller pinging his comms threateningly. The Emperor's influence seemed to have not reached Serenno yet.

"Are we late? Early?"

"We are exactly on time, Master Kaze. I have pinpointed Miss Noble and Miss Ran's vessel."

"Thanks." the raven-haired Jedi nodded, then opened a line to the two women's ship, :: You guys got a specific location we wanna land at? ::

Valery Noble Ran Serys

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys Dagon Kaze ​

​

On-board the Starpeddler​

With the course set and the ship in Hyperspace, Valery removed the straps of her seat and turned around to face Ran, who offered great hospitality. It was met with a smile and while Ran was making her way down to the lavatory, she was going to remain in the cockpit. She didn't need any food or drinks and felt it was best that at least one of them was near the cockpit in case of emergencies.​

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But right before the woman left, she stopped to ask one question that caused Valery to blink, "Well, that's quite the topic you're asking about. To use the Force like a Jedi, you must not view it as a tool you control for anything you desire. It's an ally that guides us and helps us in the duties we commit to as a Jedi. Our use of it should be selfless." Valery explained, and in doing so also touched on the big difference between the Jedi and Sith.​

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"If you need help connecting and using it that way, I can help with some exercises. I can teach you how to shield your mind as well, so you hopefully never feel manipulated again." For the remainder of the trip, Valery would answer any question or help guide the woman with anything she wished, but they would likely only have time to scratch the surface. Jedi training or just use of the Force, in general, took many years to progress in.​

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Serenno​

Valery nodded to Ran after they had finished their conversation, and narrowed her fiery gaze out into space. One benefit of her Keshian eyes was that she could spot other ships much easier against the dark background of space, "I think I do, but-" she was interrupted as Dagon's call came through.​

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Looking at Ran again, Valery smirked and tapped the button to open up the comm frequency.​

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<Transmission>​

"Good to see you again, Dag. We'll transmit coordinates for the landing zone — follow us."​

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She then strapped in to be safe for landing and ran a hand up through her long hair, "You're going to be our guide down there so please do be careful if we run into trouble. I know you're likely more than capable of handling yourself, but I will still do what I can to keep the group safe." Valery said with a soft smile.​

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[Ran Serys]

"I will do the same. Thank you." Ran echoed Valery's sentiment as she dipped the Starpeddler down and toward the planet below. The ship followed it's trajectory to the outskirts of Saffia, one of the great cities of Serenno, for an illegal landing in a lush forest clearing. It was night on their side of the planet and Ran flew through cloud cover anytime she could. Traveling with two Jedi so deep in Imperial territory was likely more than a little frowned upon. Better to be safe than sorry.

With Dagon following in the ship behind, Ran pointed out their target over the private comms channel they were using. "There it is. Eleven O'clock. Just across the plains. The Estate of House Zapal, where we will find Subject Twelve."

As they made their landing beyond the plains, in a clearing at the forest's edge, Ran thought about the time she spent with Valery leading up to their arrival at Serenno. She thought about being selfless. She thought about the idea of the force as an ally, as opposed to a tool. She was used to tools. If one could call a blaster a tool. All the same, she had taken Valery up on the offer of some training. It all intrigued her, and the possibility of learning to shield her mind was something she jumped at. So she let Valery show her what she could in that small amount of time. Ran hoped it would provide some insight on setting the other Subjects free, because as it stood Ran's newfound freedom was either a happy accident or the will of the force.

Ran was out of the Starpeddler quickly after landing. She made sure to grab her LD-58, her datapad, and a slicer kit. She opened up the datapad to display all the information she had on Subject Twelve and the House of Zapal to her traveling companions.

"Subject Twelve, a Devaronian Female, and approximately thirty galactic standard years old. She is a mutative experiment like me. That means if she is still under the influence of mind control, she is a threat. She is capable of the following; enhanced vision, both infrared and night, as well as other heightened senses, an enhanced level of strength and agility, and preternatural regenerative capabilities. An encounter with her should be considered lethal, even for a Jedi, so be careful," She paused to look at the others. They inspired confidence, and to her seemed much more capable than the Jedi she'd met on the battlefields of her past. She wondered if they viewed themselves as she had.

"Moving on, there is Count Lorza of House Zapal, a Human Male, and approximately sixty galactic standard years old. He is a man of industry. His portfolio is diverse, but his main source of revenue are his endeavors in the manufacturing of security droids. Security droids his estate will be crawling with," She pulled up a few images of the droids. There were a variety but the most numerous would be a standard security droid armed with a standard issue Serennian blaster rifle.

"I have been to the estate once for the sale of Subject Twelve alongside my former controller, Jagos. There are many droids, but the standard is not of a sophisticated design. They are controlled by Count Lorza via a neural link. Save for him and Subject Twelve there are few organic beings on the property. He has only one surviving family member in his niece, Lady Zora. Subject Twelve was purchased as private security for Lady Zora. Where we find one of them, the other is sure to be close by. The last time I was here I was escorted into the Estate through the front gate. I am not sure that will be an option this time around. Any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas before we get closer to the Estate to establish a true plan?"

_______________________

Valery Noble & Dagon Kaze​

 

[Dagon Kaze]

When Ran began her intel brief on the situation, Dagon couldn't help but find parallels between her and Valery. And, he guessed, somewhat himself and Jedi as a whole. It was the focus, the Knight assumed, the unhindered focus driven by an unwavering, incorruptible noble intent. Ran could've carried a rifle, a slicer kit and the burdened past of a Sith weapon but her purpose here elevated her to the same sacred duty both Valery and Dagon, as Jedi, held.

It was a life's purpose.

Meaning.

Today only strengthened his conviction from their last meeting -- to help her in her quest for redemption, and even nudge her in the path of the Jedi should she find faith in it.

"That neural link -- it by any chance linked up to the rest of his security systems? Alarms and the like." he inquired as his mind shifted into overdrive doing what it did best - deduct, plan and solve. If there was a way to disable, even temporarily, the security of the Count and his estate then all they'd be left with was Subject Twelve.

And that, by Ran's assertion, was already a large obstacle on its own.

Valery Noble Ran Serys ​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys Dagon Kaze ​

​

Stepping out of Ran's ship, Valery waited for Dagon's arrival and greeted him with the usual bow of her head. Even though they were hardly ever formal with each other in speech, this was a habit she likely wasn't ever going to get rid of. It was drilled into her as much as being focused and determined for missions, which she now recognized in Ran as well, as the woman went through her briefing.​

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Valery meanwhile made sure her weapons were secured on her belt and took mental note of the various obstacles Ran covered. Between subject 12 and the supposed army of droids, there was a lot one could be worried about, but it definitely didn't shake Valery's resolve. She took it all seriously but confrontations like this were unavoidable for Jedi, and she had been in tough encounters more times than she could ever hope to count.​

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When the briefing finished moments later, she was already thinking about plans as well. As a former Jedi Shadow, she had a lot of experience with infiltration to get to mission objectives, and it's why she nodded in agreement with Dagon's words.​

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"I like that way of thinking," she smirked. "I can quite easily bypass a lot of security with some of my skills, but if we are to take someone back out with us, we need to take into account that they could get hurt or be unconscious. So disabling security entirely is preferred."​

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"If we can get that done by first reaching the Count, then he should be our first target."​

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[Ran Serys]

With the mention of security systems, Ran flashed her slicer kit. "Your thoughts echo my own, and that is why I brought this." It was a custom rig, really custom. A one time use, in fact. Denon-built and Darkwire programmed. It only cost her a stolen starfighter. Which seemed a paltry sum for what the slicer kit was programmed to do.

"This datapad contains a program that will shut down all motion based sensors and proximity alarms. It will also cut these systems off from the neural link and hide their offline status. If Lorza finds any evidence of our infiltration, it will be too late." She paused, thinking of the best way to word what she said next. "But full disclosure, I do not know if it will work. I have not tested it, nor can I. It is a one time use." She looked at the others. She was willing to trust the tech, but if it failed she had the least to lose.

"As for the Count, I am not sure we should engage unless we have to. He is smart, and influential, if not with the New Imperial Order, at least on Serenno. Should he see me, there would be little at stake, but you are Jedi. Representatives of the Galactic Alliance. Unless I am mistaken, it might be better if you both keep off of his radar." Ran hid the datapad in her jacket and threw her rifle over her shoulder on a sling.

"We can talk more about this, but first we should get clo-" Ran paused as an intense feeling washed over her. Her eyes darted from Dagon to Valery and back. She wondered if they felt it as well. The feeling, the anticipation of what was to come.

PTEW! PTEW!

Two high impact blaster bolts flew through the air. Ran tried to react but wasn't fast enough. The one meant for her head hit the tip of her rifle. The second grazed her shoulder, burning it and sending her spinning to the ground.

"Get down!" Ran warned, pushing herself into the shadow of the Starpeddler's ramp.

PTEW! PTEW!

Another two shots flew through the air. These headed straight for the Jedi. Ran pulled her rifle. Its barrel melted, she tossed it to the side and grabbed the pistol from her thigh holster. "Those shots came from the estate, and the Serenninan security droids are not that accurate!" She called out. Twelve! It has to be! She thought.

_______________________
Valery Noble & Dagon Kaze​

 

[Dagon Kaze]

He faintly arched an eyebrow at the slicer's rig Ran produced as the two women shared their thoughts on the plan of action. The kit looked incredibly familiar to Yula's works. Lacked the aesthetic but packed the functionality. Revered by Darkwire and seedy fellas alike. He'd come to appreciate these gadgets' use but their users -- less so.

Ran had a point on Valery and Dag's affiliations. The Crisis on Kuat had already left both the Empire and Alliance staring over the precipice of galactic doom. Last thing they needed was Jedi pushing one side over the edge.

Whatever political discourse crowded his mind was quickly scattered at the first sounds of blaster fire in the air. Scattered just like their plan. They say plans never survive first contact with the enemy.

It's true.

Dagon just didn't expect first contact this soon.

The raven-haired Knight pushed himself away from their immediate area, tumbling into the confines of a nearby bush. "Val -- no sabers!!" he sharply warned over the sound of fire, hand gesturing at her to halt. To the side he noticed Ran scurrying to cover beneath the vessel's ramp; plasma smoke drifting into the night air from a blaster wound on her shoulder.

His voice seemingly served as a bull's eye for the assailant as two highly-accurate shots scorched the earth just an inch away from his face. Even the GADF's marksmen weren't that precise. "You're, uh... sister, I guess?" the Jedi sarcastically remarked at Ran.

"I'll run diversion -- don't slack!" he picked himself up and dashed to the assailant's flank seeking to take their attention being wide in the open. He could run unscathed through a flurry of blaster fire in an enviable demonstration of acrobatic prowess. Up, down, tumble, cartwheel, handspring. A mesmerizing show indeed, but its lifeline was far shorter than usual given the enemy's own capacity of a born-and-bred killer.

Without his saber, Valery and Ran had a short window of opportunity to act.

Valery Noble Ran Serys ​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Location: Coruscant​

Valery: Appearance​

Outfit: Factory Link​

Lightsabers: Link!​

Tag: Ran Serys Dagon Kaze ​

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"Val -- no sabers!!"​

​

That was all Valery heard after shots rang out and Ran was sent spinning down to the ground by one of the sniper bolts. She just shot him a look in response but said nothing — she wasn't the reckless one! But setting aside those thoughts, Valery quickly focused and did agree with him. Drawing a lightsaber would not only reveal their positions but potentially compromise the already fragile relationship between the NIO and Alliance.​

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She wasn't here today to start a war, so she didn't draw her lightsaber and focused on finding cover first.​

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When the three settled behind some decent protection, Dagon decided to draw the woman's fire by sprinting down her flank. It wasn't a bad idea, but she worried about it as well — a trained sniper like the one they were dealing with could likely hit moving targets well enough, and she wasn't exactly looking forward to dragging Dagon's body out. But somehow, he managed to bob and weave his way through the incoming storm, and thus gave the two women a window of opportunity.​

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"I don't have blasters and I couldn't hit a Bantha at point-blank range, so you take the shot," she said, hoping Ran's weapons could be set to stun. Then, much like Dagon, she began to sprint down the other flank, showing off her own agility through acrobatics and Force-augmented movements.​

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Sometimes it was nice to be flexible, especially when hot plasma was hitting the ground all around you.​

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"Now, Ran!"​

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