Troubled Waters

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae sat at his desk, looking over information packets and trade offers. It was all he did lately, sit in his office. He had heard of the happenings in the galaxy, and sometimes kept into contact with his daughter. Hearing something about an Imperium, but he never questioned more on it. Then there was his other daughter, Brigh who was undergoing some sort of training. He needed to do some as well, train in the Mandalorian ways or at least enough to understand his wife's background...his wife. Stardust Skirae. Jedi. Known throughout the galaxy for her heroics and warrior like tenacity.

But he saw the softer side of her. The side he most dearly loved. But today, he was not thinking on that. On his mind was the recent news of Lady Kay. It struck him hard. He had gone through the day with almost a blank look about him, the whole day. Darben had seen her as a very close friend, someone he trusted with many things. She had even given him this position. Minister Of Trade to Commenor.

Today he chose to distract himself with some business dealings with a faction that he knew a bit of. He sighed as he scrolled through all the details. All he did was work lately, but it was a welcome distraction. Besides drinking which he somewhat gave up...sometimes he still took up a bottle but it was on rare occasion.

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Cynthia Solus"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

The planet was in a state of confusion it seemed. stardust had visited the site of where the supposed murder, howeve she was tired and needed to be around one of the handful of people that didnt irritate her or drain her at all...darben, her husband and father to her daughters. The man she married years ago and was happy with, the two had bonded through pain and now another crack in the road had come to them

Entering his office, looking up to him with a tired look as she came and pulled up a chair beside him before resting her head on hid back gently

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben Skirae heard the door open to his office, yet did not look up or say anything upon her arriving. He sighed, knowing someone was there near him. And he did not know who till they sat by him, and a smile came across his lips. He glanced out of the corner of his eye just before she leaned his head onto his back. "Lots of work I got. Just looking over some things with the Silver Jedi Order...you know much about them? It caught my curiosity" he said, before rolling his eyes at himself.

"What am I saying...I should be asking how you are, love." He tried to turn his chair to face her, slowly so that she would have time to lean away from his back. "And how has Brigh's training been going?" Darben then asked to her, smiling gently to her.

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

I know, that's why i didnt say anything when you entered just needed to be around you. Yes i know about them actually zeltros falls under their influence but they've been polite in staying out if the governing body which I'm grateful for

She chuckled and sat up slowly as she looked up into his eyes wearing a small smile on her face, today had been a bit much and it was all she could do

I wont lie im....stunned, confused, angry? I'm not even sure at all...I'm not sure how this even happened....im... not sure what to do....

She trailed off looking away then back to her

shes our little warrior, let's say that haha

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben smiled gently as she smiled to him. A small smile. The information on the Silver Jedi Order was welcome, and he almost asked for more till she spoke of the loss of Kay. "What can we do, though? There is not much we can...perhaps contact her children, let them know we will help however we can..." he said, with a rather calm look about him. Strangely calm, even. "But for now it is best to continue with our work, I say. And I need to look more into the Silver Jedi."

He nodded in agreement to Stardust. Their daughter was a little warrior. Spending much of her time training and learning from Cynthia. "How have they been? Brigh and her teacher?" It had been some time since he last spoke to Cynthia, hadn't it? Most of the past few weeks he had spent cooped up in his office. He put a cold hand on hers, with a gentle look. "And she will grow up to be just like you, I bet."

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

I'm sure they know already....right now I'm trying to figure out what to do with the order and how we will move on it...sigh

She trailed off with the sigh, it was something that needed to be done in bits and yet stardust felt it needed to all be done now

agreed, if you need contacts I can gladly get you some, wouldnt be to hard least I think so

She sat back thinking and smiled, brigh was learning how to be mandalorian just like her soon to be stepmother and her were

brigh is taking it well getting used to the two different cultures, learning to fire a blaster even. Cynthia heh... she is doing good, I well....I proposed to her not to long ago actually

 

[Darben Skirae]

"You can work it out...I am sure you can" he said reassuringly to her. He was absolutely sure that Stardust could manage with the order. "You have those close to you in the Order...like Mellory, your apprentice." From what he had heard and seen a couple of times in their training sessions, she was talented. Darben knew his wife was an excellent master of the force, as well. A well trained warrior. And he was proud of that.

He smiled gently and skipped over the information for the Silver Jedi, focusing on talking about their daughter for now. "Has she now? A blaster? So we have two daughters who can handle just fine. And have you now?" Darben stood and hugged her upon hearing this news. Cynthia had been quite a kind woman. And Stardust spoke of her quite a bit. Then he sat back down. And went back to business mode.

"Who would these contacts be, may I ask? Anyone high up I can get into contact with?" he asked, turning back to his information and all.

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Darben Skirae"]

yeah...your right I have a lot of people that is behind me...but most importantly I have those that I love dearly

She said as she took his hand gently and squeezed it as she took a breath smiling as she nodded her head chuckling as she remembered the little date

mhmm shes not the best but I know with practice she will become better. Yes I proposed to her on commenor hahaha seeme that place has a lot in common with me and proposal's

She smirked at her own joke and chuckled as she pulled her own data pad out and hummed looking a fee things up then smiled

john Locke is a name I keep hearing about might want to check him out

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben nodded. They both had many that cared about them. So many people. His cold hand held hers, and he brushed over hers with the other hand lightly. Was it odd that his grip was so firm? "She will be better. Just as you did, I am sure you trained very hard. But you need to relax, all right?" he said with a gentle smile. He then let go of her hands as she gave information to him. John Locke...he had heard of this name. Was it from...yes. He was sure it was from his time with them.

"John Locke....thank you, Stardust...thank you very much." He returned his hands to hers. Holding on to hers, gently. Yet firm. "Now...why don't you relax." A grin spread across as his appearance glimmered, a shimmer. A quick flash of another. Before his arms took on a shock, the form disappearing.

 

[C-02]

The droid was revealed now. Steel grip, with electricity charging from the tonfa's fixed to his arms. Despite his holographic projection being gone, the voice held. His voice remained Darben. "Relax, my little Star. You have helped me graciously, so I shall be gracious in return." Trying to attempt her to give in, he had what he needed. Information. His time under the guise of another was done, and he got what he wanted from it.

"A last act of generosity...know that your husband is alive. I could not bear to kill such a poor defenseless man" he said with a cruel laugh after. Then he let go, pushing away. The tonfa's popped from the sockets on his arms. "Allow me to leave, and you will have his location."

[member="Cynthia Solus"] [member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Darben Skirae"]


She smiled lightly, then suddenly the force was screaming at her, eyes looked down to his hand...had he gotten a better grip? Or maybe she hadnt noticed at all...plus Mallory? She never had a apprentice named Mallory only vallory....then not knowing cynthia's name? Stardust eyes closed a bit then widened as she was called stardust...darben bever called her that it was always star. She moved her hands and pushed her foot to the ground

no....I think relaxing is out of the question...

The glimmer and shimmer, stardust eyes widened as she pressed back with her foot and flipped as she stood and drew her sabers black and white flash filling the room

better yet maybe I should ask where MY husband is at!

Her sabers raised as she listened, her anger was already flared beyond what it already was then they slowly lowered as she put her sabers up and growled

give me his location, he better not be hurt or I swear on the force you will end up as a gonk droid!

 

[Cynthia Solus]

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] @C-02 @Darben Skirae

one hour earlier...

The small fighter ship flashed out of hyperspace. It was unusual for her to fly a ship of this size, but it was smaller and the woman was coming straight from a bounty hunt job a few systems over. Since Cynthia was closer to Commenor than Vanquo she had decided that it was worth coming to pick up Brigh's medical records so that they could be put on system. It was something that Cynthia would rather do in person due to it been delicate information. There was no mention of her arrival, after all it was a quick stop by nothing more nothing less. Although worlds like Commenor did make her feel uneasy to a small sense. Mostly down to people would stare at her. Was it because she was mandalorian or that she usually carried her weapons on her at all times?

The atmospheric thrusters activated and the holographic HUD changed as she descended towards the planet. Ideally Cynthia wanted somewhere close to where Darben's office was. Yet when Ca requested for landing there was a fair trek. Simply put Cynthia would have to pay for a cab to take her to where she wanted. That also meant no guns. The M3-A Scyk V landed into the spaceport and an inspection team was waiting. Something about been flagged although there was no cargo, it was to small to carry anything other than two people and the other seat had two cases on it containing her weapons. She at least took her Beskad with her and gave consent to search the ship but cautioned them that the internal camera's would be kept on. There was about five in there all discreetly hidden in the frame and dashboard.

Cynthia didn't really intend to waste time and headed straight for the taxi and from there to Darben's place of work...

Present...

The woman's boots came with a thud in each step walking down the hallway. "This place looks dull." Ca said in a tone of voice that displayed boredom. "Yea, no kidding. Glad I'm not cooped up in a job like this. The freedom of the galaxy is fine with me." Cynthia said in reply. As she reached the door about to knock Cynthia heard voices inside.

"A last act of generosity...know that your husband is alive. I could not bear to kill such a poor defenseless man. Allow me to leave, and you will have his location."

"No....I think relaxing is out of the question..." Two sounds followed a thud and then the sounds of sabers igniting its natural humm. "Better yet maybe I should ask where MY husband is at!"

"Cynthia, That's star."

There was no hesitation, her knees bent down, beskad in hand and the other pressing the button for the door. As it whooshed open a roar of Cynthia's jetpack screamed out for a moment as she flew fast towards the target. Once Cynthia was in range she'd alter her body to that her foot would land on the chest. A surprise like this was likely to succeed. "My riduur asked a question." Cynthia said in a tone of intimidation as her beskad pointed at the droid.

 

[C-02]

C-02 only laughed maniacally. The area around his arms sparking with electricity from the tonfa's held. Then the door was opened, and another joined the party. That was most certainly a surprise. The droid did not pull it's arms up, however to defend but merely let the kick to the chest land. It was most surprising. Now there were two opponents. This was just getting more and more delightful. The laughing only continued, this time in Darben's voice. Except it sounded twisted and full of malice. "What is wrong? Don't like the new look? I feel so offended, Stardust! Is the love not shared anymore?" Then he turned to the woman. Searching through all information it knew of from the Darben's personal logs and sources from the Family. "Cynthia Solus. I admire you, for caring for Brigh and Stardust. How is the Solus clan these days? How is little Brigh?"

The droid glanced from one to the other. Then his gaze fell upon Stardust. Now mimicking Stardust herself in voice. "Kaysh cuyir morut'yc. Ibic joha ratiin atin'la bat lalat." A face seemed to appear of Darben's, smirking as it flashed by. "The Mando'a. Always was fascinated wit the language of warriors. But, you have my answer now, do you not?" He watched both carefully. Darben's safety was no doubt of high value to the both of them. He would depend on that.

"All I need to do is go out the window, and you will have your cyare'se back." The droid eyed the window for a moment. It could make a run for it but they would be upon him, quickly. He had to buy time....and already his algorithms were planning out multiple strategies. "So, what will it be? Darben's life back in your arms, or a metal corpse?"

[member="Cynthia Solus"] [member="Stardust Australis Skirae"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Cynthia Solus"]

The fact her riduur busted in even surprised star, however her attention went right to the droid again as she moved to the side giving room between her and cynthia perfect fighting space as her hands gripped the sabers a bit hard making her body shake as her eyes were alight with flames as she let a steamy breath out

cynthia stand down....YOU are not going anywhere until I have the exact location of my husband! Or I swear to the force I will extract it by force!

Her voice was full if hate and malice the dark side of the force would swirl around her eyes tainting just a bit as she dipped into that hate and shut the doors and wondows blocking them with different objects as she let a growl out akin to a dragon.

you've chosen the wrong person to meet and mess with, give me my husbands location and you leave this room alive

But not off this planet, she thought to herself as she looked to cynthia knowing she had ca and knew she was capable

 

[Cynthia Solus]

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] @C-02

Cynthia held her next attack once star told her to stand down. Although that was already out the equation. There was no way this droid would get away with attacking Brigh's father and her soon to be wife's husband. "Ca block my voice from been heard externally." She asked. "Done" "Connect me to star's com." There was a moment of static knowing the connection was made. "Riduur. Nod when to make a move. I'm going to grapple this scrap through it's body." Cynthia made sure to stay on the opposite side of the droid to star ensuring that it was surrounded. "Ca can you find out more about this droid for me?"

"It'll take time."
"Never mind then." She said and sighed. "The droid seems to intelligent for a normal unit. That makes me think AI. You know that thing i told you about not controlling my armor unless I am unconscious and close to death?"
"Yes?" She seemed confused for a second why Cynthia was asking the question before quickly catching on. "Wait you want me to control you?"
"Yeah. You think faster and will react faster. Make sound external again and taunt."

Cynthia relaxed her body as the armor around her became stiff. The orange visor peered directly at the droid with a focus like non other. "Oh it's okay star if required I'll dismantle it and rip the data out myself. Maybe torture it's programming while I do it." Ca said speaking through the buy'ce. "Damn that's cold girl, love it." Cynthia said with a smirk.

 

[C-02]

The droid watched as all paths were blocked. That was one plan that would not work in his favor. But many others were piecing together as he formulated an escape...but did he need to escape? Now that was the question. Or use this to his advantage? They both seemed so fired up about Darben Skirae. And from all that C-02 knew of the man, he could not see why. He was no fighter, a drunk, a simple merchant.

"I have the location. But tell me, Stardust, have you ever dealt with someone who does not keep his word? Someone who was part of the Family? Who went back on his word? I know his history, he was foolish...but enough about them, I think you at least deserve to know more about your dearest. He still drinks, you know. And Renla...oh, he planned to dump her first chance he got when he first came to this planet. Did you know that? Did you know he still thinks on the past? How far it brings him down when he is alone? Did you know that, Stardust?" He laughed with that maniacal droning sound once more. Then the droid turned to Cynthia with her threat. And the laughter stalled.

"Darben records everything, you know...what was it again that you told him? A big lake? I would love to meet more Mandalorians. The things they could teach me, yes. Many things" there was a cruelty to his voice, as if he should be grinning as he said it. "Of course he did not record the exact location. Just saying that it sounded nice for a date, or something of the like."

C-02 liked to taunt. Psychological warfare. He was ready to grab at his backup plan that he had in case things went bad. His personal smokescreen. But there was one last chance that he had up his sleeve... "You want your husband? Hangar 14. Best to take me with you, nasty traps."

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Cynthia Solus"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="C-02"] [member="Cynthia Solus"]

plenty, but I'm done giving up names

She knew a few from the family, the most notable one being candez her...associate. she bit her tongue as she restricted herself from speaking listening as he thanks clenched and the force around her wavered making a few items crush then suddenly it stopped...darben wanted to dump renla? And still drinking? She let a heavy breath out taking a step back as she shook her head speaking to herself then growled and looked up as she moved forward and held her hand out to grab the droid with the force and hold him still...restraining herself from crushing him

YOU will be coming with us. YOU will disable the traps anans after that YOU will stand trial for attacking the king and queen of this world!

Her voice rang with hate and poison as she stared down the droid a hand moving to a saber as she had the urge to slice him down but...it would likely hurt her husband....

 

[Cynthia Solus]

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] @C-02

Ca moved closer as Cynthia was a passenger in her own armor. As they got close a small cable was tugged out the bracer. "Lets see what your made of." Ca said with confidence finding a spot to plug in. For a moment Ca became silent, the armor loosened up slightly although still stiff. The AI was still in partial control still but a lot of concentration was taken up. Like people Ca had her limits of thought, even if it was better than her own. Cynthia did not know that right now streams of data was rushing through Ca as fast as she could comprehend what they all was clearly. She was advance and still rather top line new but there was many things she had yet to learn. Ca's current limits was everything she had seen or what Cynthia knows.

So right now this was the biggest influx of data the AI had experienced. Passing though was combat abilities, Planets, Droid specs. It took a moment but there was a quick flash of Darben in a tank before Ca had been kicked out. It was more than been kicked out. For Ca it was like been brutally beaten out. The Armor went completely limp and somewhere deep inside she knew the AI needed time to regain her strength. "Darben, he's alive in a tank unconscious. I'll not be able to do much for a bit. I hurt, so much." Ca said retreating into the chip that's implanted into the Back of Cynthia's head. "Okay Ca, thank you. Star you got that?"

 

[C-02]

C-02 was ready to bring out his surprise for them. He was sure it would have been very dazzling and flashy. Till the Dragon held him in place through invisible hands. Yet the droid did not struggle. Instead rolled it's head because it's eyes could not. Taking up a face to at least show expression, ironically choosing the face of Darben to at least show or rather feign emotion as he sighed, following up with an exaggerated groan. "Really? Not like I can go anywhere" he scowled with the face of Stardust's husband, being sure to add plenty of emphasis. "Organics...always overreacti-"

The droid shuddered, Darben's face flickering in and out with an uncomfortable look. "Do you know what that feels like?! Being intruded in such a manner! Rude, I say..." Inside, C-02 merely observed for a time. Indeed he put up a fight and yet...he was also letting them sift through. Wanted to test them, giving easier access. He loved to test his foes in that way. Mind games, they were his thing.

C-02 now out of the fight in his mind watched as the armor went limp. "Your riduur seems to be having trouble there, Star." At that he gave a slight laugh. "I hope you are as strong as you appear...I am not carrying them."

[member="Stardust Australis Skirae"] [member="Cynthia Solus"]

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

[member="Cynthia Solus"] [member="C-02"]

this is hardly overreacting, I know droids can be tricky and even worse they cant be trusted especially ones like you

She watched him shudder and looked to her riduur then grinned as she stopped forward patting her shoulder then stared to co2 as she grinned a bit

kinda feels like you've done to me, isnt it horrible feeling yeah? Whatever anyways

Stardust put a hand to her comm link

a need a engineer unit to my location bring a droid inhibitor, I also need troops to hangar 14 but do not enter till I arrive

With that stardust stared to co2 again as she moved closer

I don't need to carry her, I know she is ok do not try and distract me

She heard a knocking at the door, moving the stuff a engineer came in and looked around seeing the mess, however he came to star and handed the droid inhibitor as star held it up

see this? You likely know what it is huh? Well your gonna wear it for a bit

She said and slapped it onto him and turned it on

we will speak in a few...maybe then I'll let you go