Private Treachery At Home [Valery Noble]

[Bambrat Vaskos]

Valery Noble

Skako Minor had consistently remained under the control of the Trade Federation of Planets, notwithstanding the Denon Act, which limits corporate ownership of planets within the Galactic Alliance. Though there had been motions in the Federal Assembly for an investigation into the situation in order to liberate its citizens from corporate dominance.

However, these efforts have yet to secure the required votes, primarily due to the obstruction posed by Senator Monaray Dod , whose unwavering commitment to the conglomerate became clear.

Its thick, hazy atmosphere was not the only danger one could encounter on the planet for D1 Battle Droids patrolled the skies around Purkoll, the capital of Skako Minor.

One notable resident was Doctor Bambrat Vaskos, a distinguished scientist recognized for his contributions to the development of cybernetic enhancement systems and sophisticated quantum computing technologies.

Alliance Strategic Intelligence had implied that he might be an operative for the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders; however, the lack of concrete evidence and the support from the Trade Federation rendered any prosecution unfeasible.

Today, however, the usual hum of excitement that filled his laboratory was overshadowed by a sense of urgency.

Rumors of increased scrutiny from the Galactic Alliance made him uneasy, and he sensed that the machinations of war loomed ever closer. His latest batch of combat adrenals was ready for shipment, designed to amplify reflexes and strength, perfect for the hardened warriors of Mandalore.

Though he was unaware of the dangers that were posed by Valery Noble , the Grandmaster of the NJO and a close friend to Chancellor Organa who was sent to investigate the increased security on a world untouched by the war with the Sith Empire.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The void of space rippled as a sleek, black starfighter emerged from hyperspace, its approach silent, undetectable by conventional sensors. A Stealth-X, a modified variant of the classic X-Wing, designed for infiltration and reconnaissance. No astromech. No unnecessary broadcasts. Just a whisper against the cosmic backdrop. And inside, Valerys at in absolute stillness, her fiery eyes locked onto the planet below.

Even from orbit, Skako Minor was a choking world of thick smog and industrial expansion, a planet wrapped in metal and the will of the Trade Federation. Despite being within Galactic Alliance space, it had remained almost untouched, and certainly too unchecked — a blind spot the Senate had failed to correct. But Valery had no interest in the politics of it. Not tonight.

Tonight, she was here for something else. Recent movements had raised alarms. Increased planetary security. Unmarked shipments. Rumors of combat-enhancing adrenals designed for Neo-Crusaders. Something was happening here.

And it was her job to find out what.

Fingers danced over the controls, adjusting power levels to keep the Stealth-X's presence minimal. The capital city of Purkoll loomed ahead, an urban sprawl of high-rise foundries, research centers, and endless trade hubs. The skies were patrolled by D1 Battle Droids, their rigid flight paths designed to sweep for intruders, but none would see her approach. Not yet.

She set the coordinates for her landing zone — an abandoned maintenance yard nestled between two massive factory districts. Out of sight. Out of mind. A breath. Then the Stealth-X dipped lower, breaking through the smog, disappearing into the shadows of Skako Minor.

The hunt had begun.

Bambrat Vaskos ​

 

[Bambrat Vaskos]

Valery Noble

" AWEOROROROR....Be careful with my equipment. Its value alone exceeds even a third-generation battle droid" Bambrat addressed the L2 Base Labor Droids in a monotone voice while they transported various components essential for the production of combat-adrenal to unmarked shipping containers which would then be smuggled out of Alliance Space towards Mandalore.

He adjusted the suit's vocabulator to enhance communication clarity, expressing frustration at the fact that he was confined to this pressure suit. It was rumored that this design had existed for centuries, predating the Gulag Plague that devastated the galaxy and obliterated numerous records, yet it still could not avert malfunctions.

Bambrat looked down at the datapad in his hand before addressing the Cicero Quantum, the artificial intelligence that managed the majority of the laboratory's systems, designed to emulate the voice of Chancellor Aerarii Tithe.

"Cicero Tithe, please provide me with an update on our evacuation from this facility," he requested.

The Skakoan received a response in the characteristic style of Tithe. "Ah... The facility is currently operating within acceptable parameters for a complete evacuation. Progress is presently at 43 percent. And do keep in mind, Credits... find a way to escape any situation."

He found himself pondering how that individual had ascended to the position of Vice-Chancellor of the Alliance and subsequently Chancellor, a feat that surpassed even his scientific understanding. Dismissing the thought for the time being, he picked up a vial of Battle Simulant from the table and scrutinized it briefly, aware that it would not meet the Field Marshal's expectations.

----------- Maintenance Yard -----------​

As Valery Noble ventured toward the abandoned maintenance yard on Skako Minor, she could see through the cracked glass of a nearby window, a sight that would tell her that this became alot more complicated.

The vibrant green and blue banners of the Rodian Salvager's Cartel billowed in the breeze, a flagrant testament to their presence.

It was no secret that the Trade Federation had called upon them to scavenge the remnants of machinery and technology, turning the forsaken yard into a treasure trove for the black market in exchange for a hefty kickback fee.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery crouched low behind a stack of rusted durasteel plating, her fiery eyes narrowing as she observed the scene unfolding beyond the cracked window. Rodian Salvager's Cartel.

That complicated things.

It was no secret that the Trade Federation's hands were far from clean, but to openly work with salvagers known for smuggling weapons, tech, and worse? That meant there was more at play here than a simple shipment of combat adrenals. What else are they hiding?

Her breath was slow, measured. The shadows of the yard stretched long in the dim industrial glow, flickering with the movement of patrolling figures. Even from here, she could hear the faint, guttural exchanges of Rodian traders haggling over scrap — no doubt taking more than their agreed share and lining their pockets with stolen goods.

Focus.

She exhaled, her body relaxing as she reached into the Force. A subtle shift, a bending of perception, and the world around her rippled. The light no longer touched her, sound no longer clung to her movements — she was gone. A shadow unseen.

Silence wrapped around her as she moved, slipping through the yard like a phantom. Every step was careful, deliberate, weaving through the maze of half-dismantled droids and abandoned machinery. She could see the Cartel's workers methodically stripping parts, loading crates onto repulsor lifts, and exchanging whispered conversations she couldn't quite make out.

But she wasn't here for them.

Her focus was on the facility beyond, the one she had tracked down before she'd even set foot on this planet. The lab. The place where the real danger lurked. The path ahead was littered with sentries — Rodian mercs carrying outdated but reliable blaster rifles, battle droids humming as they scanned the perimeter, a couple of overseers barking orders into comlinks.

Nothing I can't handle.

Slipping past the last set of guards, Valery pressed herself against the cool, durasteel frame of a loading dock, eyes flicking to the partially opened doors ahead. A faint mechanical voice carried through the air — filtered, clipped, too precise to be anything but artificial.

She wasn't alone inside.

Carefully, she moved forward, unseen, unheard.

The hunt continued.

Bambrat Vaskos ​

 

[Bambrat Vaskos]

Valery Noble

"Master Vaskos....you have an incoming transmissions from Rodian Underboss Rolo." the Cicero Quantum remarked, having thoroughly examined the message for any indications of malware or interference from intelligence agents dispatched by the Alliance, who were obligated to conduct an investigation.

The Skakoan exhaled deeply, realizing that frequent disruptions of this nature would hinder his ability to synthesize a new batch of combat adrenals. He coolly gestured dismissively before ultimately consenting to accept the message from the Rodian Salvager's Cartel. "Patch them through on Monitor 8 and encrypt the message using Neimoidian pak-pak." Bambrat issued the command as the holographic image of the Rodian leader appeared clearly on the screen.

"We have taken apart the frame of an old communication station, It contains numerous old wires and several missing components; however, it should remain operational if you wish for us to transport it back to your laboratory for further analysis." Underboss Rolo remarked, displaying a rather indifferent demeanor, fully aware that he would receive payment regardless of whether the Salvagers found anything of particular value for the Trade Federation.

"AWEROROROROR....You may take it with you and sell it on the Black Market if you so wish. The Trade Federation has changed its communication numbers so this station would cost us extra to bring up to standard. Now do not call me again with fruitless information." The Skakoan remarked, lightly tapping the datapad after the Rodian Leader performed a gentle bow, thereby concluding their communications.

Carefully picked up the vial of Battle Simulant from before, and with a steady hand they took a sample to inject its potent contents into a vial of refined Cyclone, a substance known for its remarkable ability to increased strength and stamina but notorious for its lethal side effects.

This was an attempt to combine the two substances in order to create a hybrid that would harness the strength of both while eliminating the danger for the Mandalorians.

As Valery Noble sneaked through the laboratory's first entrance, she would discover two Neimoidian Brutes standing guard at the turbolift. These were hulking brute guards which were physically larger, more furious, and unstable combatants.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The laboratory was colder than she expected.

Valery moved with silent precision, her presence nonexistent to any scanning devices or organic eyes. The walls hummed faintly with the sterile artificiality of a place meant for cold calculations, for unfeeling experimentation. Every inch of it reeked of secrecy, of something just beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered.

Then she saw them.

Two Neimoidian Brutes stood like sentinels in front of the turbolift, their hulking frames nearly blocking the entire entrance. They were larger than any standard Neimoidian she had encountered before — unnaturally so. Their muscles bulged beneath reinforced armor, veins pulsing thick and dark against their skin. Yet for all their imposing size, something was… off. The way they stood. The way their hands twitched sporadically, fingers flexing and curling as if caught in an unseen spasm. Their chests rose and fell too quickly, breathing erratic, their gazes flickering with something unhinged.

What the hell did they do to them?

The answer didn't matter right now. Valery exhaled slowly, centering herself, feeling the storm that churned beneath the surface. No way around them. No way through without a fight. She had to be quick. Efficient. Silent was no longer an option. In a blink, she dropped the cloak.

One moment, she was nothing. The next? Fire.

Her presence in the Force exploded outward, her violet blade igniting with a sudden snap-hiss as she raised a single hand. Before the Brutes could even register what had happened — before their sluggish minds could process the woman who had just materialized before them — Valery unleashed a powerful, concussive blast.

The Force howled.

The shockwave hit them like a landspeeder at full throttle, sending both massive figures hurtling backward. Their armored bodies slammed into the durasteel walls with a deafening crash, the impact rattling the reinforced metal and sending loose debris clattering to the floor.

Valery didn't hesitate, and closed the distance, ready to either follow-up on her attack if they were still able to fight, or head into the turbolift for a quick path up.

Bambrat Vaskos ​

 

[Bambrat Vaskos]

Valery Noble

The Neimoidian Brutes were briefly taken aback by the sudden surge of energy, their surroundings spinning as their enhanced physiques collided with the cold, unyielding wall of the laboratory. Gritting their teeth, they fought to regain their balance while their minds raced to grasp the unexpected threat now confronting them.

Through the haze of pain, the first brute managed to rise, his muscles twitching from residual energy, his gaze sharpening as he focused on the source of the disturbance: Valery Noble , a woman surrounded by a fierce and radiant light.

"Intruder!" the Brute growled, his voice a low rumble that reverberated through the corridor, a primal instinct surfacing amid the chaos of his altered state. They had been conditioned for this moment, trained to protect, yet the fog of their volatile enhancements obscured their judgment.

With a guttural roar, the first Brute charged forward, reckless and driven by an instinct to dominate. He swung a massive Vibro-mace, each motion a testament to his brute strength, aiming to obliterate anything that stood in his path.

The air was charged with tension as they pushed through the fog of their instability, fueled by remnants of rage and confusion. Their eyes glinted with a feral intensity, raw energy coursing through them as they prepared to engage.

"Die... just die and get out of our way!" the second Brute snarled, joining the charge, their combined ferocity more than a match for even the most stalwart of attackers.

---------------------- Inner Laboratory --------------------------------​

"Ah - Master, there is a slight how we say complication at the entrance to the laboratory" the Cicero Tithe said, observeing the security camera footage.

Noting the altercation between the Neimoidian Brutes and an unidentified adversary, who seemed to be a Jedi Master, given the substantial energy required to repel two genetically modified organisms possessing increased strength and body mass.

Bambrat exclaimed in utter astonishment, "What? Display it on the central monitor and improve the clarity of the footage." He had not anticipated any intrusion into the laboratory, not one owned by the Trade Federation.

Skako Minor attracted little attention from the Federal Assembly or the broader Galactic Alliance, making it an ideal location for various types of experimentation. As the clarity of the footage improved, it became apparent that his operation had, indeed, attracted public attention and not the good kind as this individual was probably with the New Jedi Order.

He remained oblivious to any potential leaks, as the majority of his personnel consisted of mechanical entities, including droids and various cybernetically enhanced organisms specifically engineered for calculations and mathematical tasks.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The moment the first brute swung, Valery was already moving.

The vibro-mace came down with the force of a wrecking ball, the sheer impact sending a shockwave through the floor, splintering the durasteel plating beneath it. But Valery was no longer there. A blur of motion, she pivoted sharply, waiting until the last possible second before springing to the side. The ground where she had stood just a breath ago exploded into twisted metal and dust.

Using the momentum, she planted a foot against the wall and launched herself back toward the brute. Her violet blade ignited with a sharp snap-hiss, the searing plasma casting eerie shadows across the dimly lit corridor. In a single, fluid motion, she spun midair, bringing the saber in a clean arc toward the beast's thick, armored neck as she shot past him. The enhanced brute barely had time to react — if at all.

But there was no time to confirm the kill.

The second brute was already upon her, his charge a thunderous, unhinged rush. The sheer force behind it was enough to shake the walls, his movements erratic, uncoordinated, yet terrifyingly fast for his massive frame.

Valery landed lightly, immediately ducking under a wild swipe aimed to take her head clean off. Her body twisted, her feet barely touching the floor before she flipped backward, using the Force to propel herself just out of reach. His swing missed, but only barely, the displaced air alone strong enough to send a gust whipping through her hair.

Fast. Strong. But predictable.

She exhaled, her stance shifting as she let the Force sharpen her instincts. If they wanted to crush her, they were going to have to catch her first.

Bambrat Vaskos ​

 

[Bambrat Vaskos]

Valery Noble

The massive Vibro-mace struck the ground with devastating force, as Valery maneuvered gracefully around the blow, her agility unmatched in the enegagement.

The Brute would not have the opportunity to attack once more, as he emitted a fearsome roar "AUAAHGHG!" before his headless form collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud after a quick strike of her lightsaber.

"I'll smash you for this...smash until dead!" the second Neimoidian Brute bellowed, voice echoing through the corridor. The loss of his companion only fueled his reckless abandon as he barreled toward her, muscles straining, his own massive Vibro-mace swinging wildly.

The walls trembled with every resounding step he made, as he unleashed a barrage of strikes with little attention to technique, battering the laboratory walls with wild disregard in attempt to squash her.

---------------------- Inner Laboratory --------------------------------​

Bambrat armored googles shifted ever so slighty as Valery Noble dispatched one of the Neimoidian brutes with an effortless strike of her lightsaber.

"That brute was Trade Federation property...and she murdered it in cold blood. I will urge the senate to hold the New Jedi Order accountable for the damages" He leaned over the desk with datapad in hand, attempting to monitor her movements, which proved to be quite challenging as she seemed to dart like fleeting shadows from one corner of the room to another.

The Skakoan was able to gather some information though the lacked a complete understanding of this adversary, which reduced his survival probability from 57% to a mere 39%.

Such a drastic decline was attributed to the fact that he was not skilled in combat but rather scientific pursuits which might be able to provide him some much needed leverage.

"Master - I have done my own assessment of their abilities from the footage provided. And agree that you are outclassed in nearly every aspect. It would be....wise for us to relocate this operation to Mandalorian space where the Alliance cannot spare the manpower to go. " The Cicero Tithe expressed with a characteristic smoothness, the intention was not to be overtly blunt but to provide a reasonable recommendation.

Bambrat commanded with a resolute tone directed at a nearby laborer droid, "What are you waiting for? Issue an evacuation order for the laboratory and prepare my transport for immediate departure." The droid, visibly startled, hurriedly moved down the corridor to the left of the main laboratory to activate the alarm.