IC Chapter 1: An Unexpected Meeting

[Anas]

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

STAR
WARS

Echoes of the Past

The Second Imperial Civil War has been over for a hundred years, and the One Sith rule the galaxy unquestioned. The citizens of the Empire are experiencing a peace not seen since the days of the Old Republic.

Negative sentiments towards the Jedi and Yuuzhan Vong have driven the two factions from the galaxy. The greater majority of galactic citizenry is glad to be rid of them.

Emperor Darth Wyyrlok III has offered a substantial bounty for live Jedi. In addition he has issued a call to all citizens of the Empire to join a massive expedition to hunt them down in the satellite galaxies of Aurek and Besh…

==

In the Outer Rim the stars shine down on the planet Lianna, a heavily urbanized world covered with vast rolling plains and a few moderate oceans. Near the center of the main continent lies Lianna City. The large conical rounded buildings are stark white and filled with windows, and the streets are wide and paved with gray marble.

Shops are bustling with activity on this local holiday, and a few blue-clad city guards wander among the multiracial crowds, keeping their eyes open for any sign of disturbance. The skies are clear and a light breeze drifts along quietly, though a subtle hint of approaching chaos reaches those receptive to it…

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn wanders the streets of the crowded city making himself as low key as possible and trying to get as much information as he can. He is wearing normal civilian clothes and has his lightsaber well hidden. He takes the appearance of a very old Twi'lek, hunched over and walking with a cane, though he does not need it. His pale green skin and scars from the force would turn most people away.

He finds a group of people having a conversation and decides to pry a little. Walking up to them he puts on his best face and in a bright cheerful voice says, "Greetings. I am Ool'yn. I'm quite new here and was wondering if you could tell me what was going on."

[Anas]

The two men and their female rodian companion eye Ool'yn cautiously as he approaches, their smiles and laughter wavering ever so slightly as they gaze upon his scarred face. When Ool'yn speaks, though, his tone seems to wipe away any fear and doubt in their minds.

The man with scruffy brown hair smiles at Ool'yn warmly and pats him on the back, "Hey Ool'yn, nice to meet ya. The name's Doron, and this here," indicating his black haired friend, "is Brax. Our lovely rodian lady here is Lira."

"I'll show you lovely lady," threatens Lira, laughing and raising her fist. The others burst into laughter. You can tell that they have had a little bit to drink.

Trying to calm down a bit and assume a serious face Doron continues, "Today, Ool'yn... Today is the day we here on Lianna celebrate the liberation of our planet from an oppressive kingdom some four hundred years ago." He pauses for a moment as if lost in deep thought. "Can't right remember the name of the kingdom, but it was the Lady Santhe who led us through it. Today we pay homage to her by frivolously spending money on trinkets, food, and most importantly of all...ale!" The three of them burst into laughter again. Tonight there will be all manner of festivities, and even a grand fireworks display. Best to keep a cool head, though. The city guards are keepin' an eye out for any rabble-rousers, and they'll throw ya in the lockup without a second thought."

Brax whines impatiently, "Come on guys, Freelo's is havin' one bugger of a party. I don't want to miss out, and it's clear on the o'er side o' the city."

"Alright, alright Brax. Come on Lira. Hey Ool'yn, enjoy yourself today! Maybe we'll see you around!" The trio links arms and lightly skips down the street, somewhat haphazardly weaving in between the less inebriated masses. As the crowds swallow them up you can see the sun is low in the sky. Nightfall can only be a few hours away.

[embo33]

Glas Aon is quite excited by the busyness of the city. With such crowding it will surely be easy to pull off some mischief. She is sure Je’Koth will not miss her while she has some fun for a few hours. She is a Sullustan and is wearing clothes that would not attract much attention beyond the fact they are gaining a much worn look.

Glas Aon roams about the city and downs some liquor as she stops at different places looking for inspiration on how to entertain her self. At one place she sees a character with an arrogant aura that she feels needs some humility. He is leaning on a chair, and as he goes to take a swig of his drink Glas Aon casually moves the chair with her foot causing him to lose balance. Then with the same casualness she orders another drink.

[Anas]

The Queen's Pourhouse is filled with loud music, boisterous laughter, and the stench of alcohol. The evening festivities are still a few hours away, but that hasn't stopped the dozens of patrons here from getting started a little early.

In the center of the cantina is a crowd gathered around a sabacc table. On one side is a Xexto dressed in a baggy, oil-stained mechanic's jumpsuit. His stack of credits looks to be alarmingly small, and it's obvious that he has become very worried. Two of his hands shuffle through his cards while he takes a drink and rubs his face with the others. His opponent, a rough faced man, grins proudly as he takes another swig of juri juice and lightly touches his enormous pile of credits, no doubt the source of the Xexto's discomfort.

"What's the matter Zoda?" the man chuckles, "I'd think for a runt with six arms you'd be able to hold on to your credits a little better than this. Maybe you're in over your pea-sized head?" The people gathered around him cheer and laugh uproariously.

"Well I'll need those six arms to carry all those credits out of here when I win them back," replies Zoda, "Drunk brutes never were too good at playing probabilities, Gordo." Zoda's supporters in the crowd cheer at the dry humor and boo Gordo.

Gordo leans back in his chair and makes a taunting gesture at Zoda, but then all of a sudden he loses his balance and crashes to the floor, spilling his drink all over himself and sending his cards flying. The entire crowd roars with laughter, but Gordo looks infuriated. He stumbles to his feet, and brushes himself off.

"Alright, what the hell? Who's the wise ass?!" He looks around for the culprit seeing all his friends, but failing to spot the short sullustan casually snaking back through the crowd. Zoda is all but dying with laughter, and his friends are pointing and joking at Gordo.

"This ain't funny you motherless sons of banthas," he threatens, "Stop laughing!" Then with no further warning he punches the Gran next to him, sending him flailing into a nearby table. The table collapses while drinks, cards, and credits fly in every direction. Within seconds the place is engulfed in a brawl, and chairs and tables are flying everywhere along with the people who occupied them. The bartender screams for everyone to calm down, but ducks for cover as a barstool smashes into the shelves behind him.

Before too long the fight spills into the streets when a burly gammorean bouncer hurls Gordo down the front steps. The drunk man rolls and tries to stumble to his feet, but he tumbles into the crowd and knocks Ool'yn to the ground. Others from inside the bar rush out still shouting and throwing punches.

Two city guards notice the commotion and hurriedly weave through the crowd to address the situation. One guard levels his blaster at the brawlers and shouts, "All of you! Knock it off! What's going on here?" He busies himself with corralling the belligerents while the other guard carefully helps Ool'yn to his feet, and then aggressively yanks Gordo off the ground. Soon, another pair of guards arrives on the scene.

The guard not dealing with the bar crowd turns to Ool'yn and Gordo and asks, "Do either of you know what happened here?" Gordo glares at the man and spits in his face. In retaliation the guard pistol whips him across the face, knocking him unconscious. "Drunk bastard. Now then, old Twi'lek, did you see anything?"

The other three guards busy themselves with questioning the bar crowd, both those still inside and those out on the curb. Eventually one approaches Glas Aon and asks her, "You were inside when all this started, yes? Any idea what happened?"

[dabocim]

Walking down the street Je'Koth ducks down an alley to double check to make sure that his lightsaber is well hidden. Deciding that no one, apart from another Sith Knight well trained in the force, could detect that he, too, was a Sith he begins to walk through the shops. Then, seeing a shop that looks kind of suspicious he goes to see what is in the stock. Je'Koth adjusts his clothes and straightens the scarf covering his face as he opens the door and steps inside. He does not wish to be remembered, but to remain as a ghost so he can dig for his answers.

[Anas]

A quiet bell sounds as Je'Koth enters the dark shop. From the outside it looked much the same as all the others along the street, but inside the lighting is poor and the air is filled with dust. Relics of ages past line the shelves along the walls, and from this collection something is pulling at Je'Koth. Faintly it echoes in the Force and tugs at the back of the Zabrak's mind.

From deeper within the shop an old man says, "I'll be right with you, just a moment." Suddenly a violent burst of coughing fills the air as a withered old man with thick spectacles emerges from the back room. "Hmm, don't reckon I've seen you around before, but that don't bother me none. I'm always open to new business. Now, what can I do for you?"

[embo33]

Glas Aon responds to the guard, "It was hard for me to see much of what was going on. However, based on the amount of yelling and the fight that quickly occured afterwards, some drunk probably did something that another drunkard did not appreciate."

[dabocim]

"I was just curious as to what you had. Furthermore I was wondering what you knew about the Force. I had a friend who would be rather interested to know."

[Anas]

The guard looks around at the wrecked cantina and takes special note of the amount of alcohol spilt everywhere. "Yeah, you're probably right. Well, if you do happen to remember anything please stop by our offices in Central Square. Oh, and uh, you might want to find another place to celebrate tonight. I think the Pourhouse is going to be closed for a while." The guard thanks Glas Aon for her time and moves on to another group of patrons to continue his investigation.

[Anas]

"Hmm, the Force eh? Don't know much about it myself," says the old man as he steps out from behind his counter and moves to the shelves. "But... oh, now where is it? Ah! Your friend might be interested in this little trinket," he says as he turns around holding a faintly glowing violet crystal no longer than his pinky and twice as wide. The gentle ripples in the Force intensify as Je'Koth views the crystal; the suspicious feeling that drew him into the shop must have been caused by it.

"Some fool adventurer said he picked this up from some Jedi ruins or something. Couldn't remember the name of the planet, or if it even had one. He said it was deserted, as if every living creature had just up and left." He holds the crystal in the air and switches on a light attached to his spectacles, examining it closely. Its color appears to swirl and shift in the direct light. "He claimed this is a Force crystal, but neither of us could prove it one way or the other. Sure is strange, though," he mutters to himself. "Tell ya what. I had it at five hundred creds, but for you, one hundred and it's yours. In all of fifty years not one person has even looked at it. What do you say?"

[dabocim]

"I'll take it, but I want to know just one thing. Is there anyway I might be able to contact this adventurer; do you have any idea where he might be? He may be able to provide some insight to my friend... even if he needs a little prodding."

[Anas]

The old man smiles apologetically, "I'm afraid I don't know how to get in touch with him. Fifty years is a long time, and I was old as dirt back then. Just look at me now!" He laughs and shakes his head. "I'd never seen him before that day he walked into my shop, and I haven't seen him since. Before he left he said he was planning an expedition to Ossus. He said something about more Jedi ruins. I don't know, never been off Lianna myself."

The old man hands Je'Koth the crystal, and then shuffles over to the register to deposit the credits. "Well, I hope that little gem helps your friend. Anything else I can do-" Angry shouting and sounds of fighting interrupt the shopkeeper as a pair of city guards run by outside the door. "Bah! It's those damned hooligans over at the Pourhouse again. Can't ever play nice with each other." He chuckles as he turns back to Je'Koth and says, "If you're interested in a little excitement, maybe you should go see what's happening out there. Never a dull moment on this street I tell ya."

The shopkeeper bids Je'Koth farewell and returns to the back room, muttering to himself about how best to restore ancient Liannan furniture. Je'Koth looks at the crystal in his palm, and its glow begins to intensify and the swirling colors move more rapidly. Suddenly a bright flash causes Je'Koth to flinch. When he opens his eyes the crystal is calm again.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks at the local in disgust. "Pudu," he says under his breath. "I will never understand this desire to drink mindlessly". He turns to walk away when he is suddenly knocked to the ground.

Before he can gather what is going on he is lifted to his feet. Next to him stands a guard with a rifle. In a fit of rage over what just happened Ool'yn looks at the guard with fury and yells at him in Ryl. Ool'yn, apppearing to grow in size, blazes with a fury as hot as Ryloth. The guard shrinks back, cowering from the mighty Twi'lek before him.

Pausing for a moment Ool'yn controls himself. He sets aside his rage and appears to shrink back down to his frail old self. He takes a moment then looks at the guard and smiles revealing a row of jagged yellow teeth.

"Oh, i do so apologize my dear friend. You see in the hustle and bustle I seem to have lost my cool." Ool'yn discreetly waves his hand in front of the guard "I'm afraid I know very little, but I did hear this man," indicating Gordo, "mentioning something about killing some of the guards here. Something about them being brutes and peons." With another small wave of his hand, Ool'yn adds, "For the safety of us all he should be taken away and...punished for his crimes..."

[Anas]

The guard composes himself and cautiously eyes Ool'yn. "So you say this man here is responsible for the deaths of guardsmen?" he asks rhetorically as he kneels down beside Gordo. He slaps him across the face and brings him out of his stupor. "Citizen, you are under arrest for the murder of Liannan guardsmen, he says loudly as he hoists Gordo to his feet, "You will be held indefinitely until a trial date can be set."

Gordo opens his mouth to protest, but the guard slams the butt of his rifle into Gordo's stomach, sending him into a coughing fit. Thanking Ool'yn for his assistance, the guard slaps some wrist bindings over Gordo's hands and marches him off down the street.

[dabocim]

Je'Koth heads out of the shop and over to The Queen's Pourhouse. Upon reaching it he notices a guard talking to the mischevious Glas Aon. He sits down in a patio chair to wait for the investigation to be finished. Afterwards he goes to Glas Aon and says, "You need to be more careful. One of these times either I'm not going to be around, or I'm not going to like it. We're not here one full day and you already started a bar fight. I actually think that is hilarious," he says, laughing.

[jujusauce]

"Weak minded fools. If only they were all like that, this galaxy would be mine already."

As Ool'yn dusts himself off and picks up his cane he turns to the Pourhouse. Closing his eyes and taking a long, deep breath he looks to his left to see a Sullustan talking to a Zabrak. His eyes focus on the Zabrak and with an unnatural speed he moves to the table they are sitting at. Completely ignoring the Sullustan, Ool'yn looks at the Zabrak and says, "Hmm, you're smaller than I thought."

[dabocim]

"Who the hell are you old man?" Je'Koth stands up to his full height of 6'2" trying to intimidate the elderly Twi'lek. "You'd better explain yourself, or you'll be wishing you never opened your mouth."

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks at Je'Koth and laughs.

"As brash and ignorant as I would have expected. I may have use for your emotional instability. Parhaps I wil see fit to enlighten you, but not in the presence of this...thing." Ool'yn looks at Glas Aon and scoffs.

Ool'yn drops his casual smile and stands up straight, and appearing to grow larger he seemingly dwarfs the tall Zabrak. In a powerful, commanding voice he says "I serve no one. Those who stand in my way fall as pawns in dejarik. As for you," Ool'yn pauses and looks the Zabrak up and down. "Why should I waste my precious time following around yet another small, weak fool such as yourself?"

[embo33]

Glas Aon has no problems sensing the tension between Je'Koth and Ool'yn and so decides to keep her mouth shut in this instance. However, she rolls her eyes and gives her head a little shake while Ool'yn is focused on Je'Koth. Her happiness from the chaos she had caused at the The Queen's Pourhouse has faded as she now tries to analyze the current situation.

[dabocim]

"I'm stronger than you could possibly imagine old fool. I wield a power so great that your withered mind would collapse if you tried to understand it. Perhaps I should ask you the same question; Why should we waste our time with some crazy Twi'lek having delusions of grandeur?" Je' Koth says with an arrogant grin on his face.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn lets out a sinister laugh.

"You amuse me young fool." Ool'yn says mockingly, "I am interested in the "great power" you wield that I could not understand." Ool'yn takes a step forward, lifting his hand in the air, and begins to choke Je'Koth. The young Zabrak rises nearly a foot off the ground.
"This idle banter is over weakling." Ool'yn squeezes a litte tighter on Je'Koth's neck, "My "delusions" have made me far more powerful than you, and you would be wise to remember that. You will submit to my will and do as I say," Ool'yn slows his speech and in a dark, evil voice he continues, "Or I will break you."

With that Ool'yn throws Je'koth into a passing guard.

[Anas]

Je'Koth slams into the city guard, and they both fall to the ground in a heap while taking several passersby with them. The guard quickly scrambles to his feet and levels his blaster at Je'Koth. The guard's partner stops conversing with the civilian he was engaged with and quickly makes his way to the scene, pointing his own blaster at Ool'yn and Glas Aon. Two of the guards who had just finished clearing away the rabble from the Pourhouse incident run back up the street drawing their blasters and cautiously study the quarreling aliens.

The guard in front of Je'Koth shouts, "Alright! What's going on here?! We just settled all this business, and now you're starting up again! You can explain yourselves in the detention cells! Arrest the lot of them."

The other guards reply with varying utterances of "Yes captain," and pull out their wrist binders, moving in on the three suspects.

[embo33]

As a guard heads towards Glas Aon she raises her hands behind her head as if in submission. Then suddenly, as the guard comes within range, she brings her left hand down on the side of his neck while bringing her right foot behind his knee.

The guard trips and falls to the ground choking and gasping for air as he fumbles for his blaster.

[dabocim]

As Je'Koth rights himself from being flung into the street he turns around casually towards Oo'lyn. Suddenly he brings his hand up and down bludgeoning everyone in front of him with the Force as he says in a menacing voice, "You contemptible old wretch! The only thing that stops me from slaughtering you where you stand is the fact that you may be able to help me achieve my goals!"

Much to Je'Koth's surprise, Ool'yn casually flicks his hand up and turns the Force against the young Sith. Je'Koth flinches as he's hit by his own power, and the guards flanking him hunch over coughing and wheezing, having just had the wind knocked out of them.

[jujusauce]

"Fool, did you really think you could contend with my mastery of the Force?" Ool'yn mocks Je'Koth.

Turning his attention to the guard closest to him. An evil smile crosses his face, "You would fight a Sith? Ignorant whelp, this will only bring you death."

With that he reveals his lightsaber from its hiding place. Into his hand Ool'yn pulls a obsidian black hilt laced in blood red trim. Its smooth surface it just that, smooth. There is nothing on the hilt, except for red lines forming and intricate pattern. The emitter end is surrounded by the upper jaws of 4 small rancor heads leading into a vivid blade that seems to swirl with orange and red as if were made of fire.

The guard's eyes widen at the sight of Ool'yn's lightsaber, and he nervously steadies his blaster.

[dabocim]

Je' Koth takes a minute to concentrate and loses his focus. Then he rushes at the nearest guard with a murderous look on his face. He whips out his lightsaber which has an onyx pyramid with a golden tip on the bottom of it. Further up there is a spiraling image of a dragon which the head becomes the emitter letting the mouth breathe the plasma of the white hot crimson blade. Feinting a blow to the head Je'Koth slices at the gaurd's foot and says, "Why bother to teach you a lesson? That would waste my time, so I will destroy you instead."

Je'Koth's saber severs the guard's foot just above the ankle sending him sprawling to the ground screaming in pain. He drops his blaster and clutches his leg as he writhes in agony. Civilians have been giving the disturbance a wide berth for a few minutes now, but with the appearance of lightsabers and Je'Koth's attack the masses begin running screaming in every direction to get away. Within moments the street is all but cleared.

[embo33]

As the guard starts to grab for his blaster, Glas Aon continues to stay in motion as she steps on the arm that is going for the blaster, and kicks the guard swiftly in the head, knocking him out cold. Through this, she states to the guard "Sorry, but today you tried to break up the wrong fight." She then goes for her own blaster.

[Anas]

The guard captain's jaw drops as Je'Koth slices off his partner's foot, but a burning anger quickly washes over him. He draws his blaster and points it at Je'Koth while his back is turned, firing a single shot. "I don't care who you think you are! You're not going to get away with this!"

Meanwhile the terrified guard in front of Ool'yn clumsily fires a shot at the Twi'lek, but misses by several inches. He almost looks as if he is going to break down and cry, or at the very least run away, but upon hearing the captain's enraged statement he decides to stand his ground for now.

[jujusauce]

"Look around you," Ool'yn says to the cowering guard, his voice low and sinister, "Your friends are down and your captain is unable to help you. You are alone. The only thing that can save you now is death. The death that I will grant you."

Ool'yn takes a few steps toward the guard as he speaks, assuming a threatening stance. The guard shrinks back, letting out a small whimper and nearly dropping his blaster in the process.

[dabocim]

As the blaster bolt shrieks towards Je'Koth he spins around and deflects it harmlessly to the ground. He says, "You incompetent fool. Even when my back is turned I can still see you." Je'Koth advances on the guard captain and drives his saber through his leg, causing the captain to scream as the white hot plasma sears his flesh. As Je'Koth withdraws his lightsaber the captain falls to the ground whimpering and clutching his wounded leg.

[Anas]

After seeing his captain fall, the remaining guard drops his blaster and runs off down the street shouting, "It's not worth it! Please don't kill me! I give up!"

As you all turn to watch him flee, you hear a slow mocking applause from behind you. Quickly turning around you see standing before you a middle aged man with a dignified face clad in the black robes of a Sith Lord. Traced in thin lines across his skin are red and black tattoos marking him as a servant of the Empire. Next to him, also in black robes, is a much younger man, not more than twenty, whose face is contorted in a permanent expression of malice and hatred. His eyes burn yellow in their sockets, and the flesh surrounding them is beginning to turn gray and crack as though it were stone.

"Bravo, bravo," says the older man. "For a pair of fugitives you don't seem to be taking care to hide who you are. We were here merely to keep the peace, but then suddenly young... Je'Koth is it? Well, let's just say he was rather careless in lashing out at you," he says turning to Ool'yn. "The years have not been kind to you Ool'yn. The last time I saw you the council masters were hauling you off to carry out your sentence. They've had the peacekeepers hunting you for sixteen years, and we had thought you dead, but how ironic that I find you here so close to Korriban," he chuckles as he turns back to Je'Koth. "And you. The masters have nothing against you, Je'Koth, and they feel your actions were driven by your master." Addressing both of you now, completely ignoring Glas Aon, he says, "I request that both of you come peaceably with us back to Coruscant to stand before the council and face your judgement. Should you resist we will take you by force."

His apprentice remains silent, but casually walks over to the guard captain and his partner, who has since died from shock. Still whimpering the captain reaches up to the young Sith for assistance. He kneels down and grips the captain by the throat and crushes his windpipe, muttering to himself, "Pathetic..." The Sith rises to his feet again and takes his place by his master's side, studying the three of you, focusing primarily on Je'Koth.

[dabocim]

"Why should I bother to come with you?" Je' Koth says defiantly. "You've given me no reason why I should bend to the council's will. And besides, as you said, the masters have nothing against me, so I ask you again, why should I go back with you?"

[Anas]

The younger Sith's face contorts as he sneers, "That the council has asked for you should be reason enough, weak one. Or have you forgotten our way? We all answer to the council, and they to Emperor Wyyrlok. To disregard the teachings is to invite death."

The older man raises his hand to silence his apprentice. "Tichon is right, young Je'Koth. True, the council does not hold you at fault for the trespasses of your master, but they would like to be sure. They mean only to question you to determine that you are still one of us. Should they find in your favor you will be assigned a new master who will complete your training. Please, do not resist," he says, holding out his hand as an extension of peaceful resolution.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn observes the two Sith as they converse. For the most part he really has no interest at all, but as the apprentice speaks Ool'yn feels the desire to interject. Stepping forward and pushing the older Sith's hand away with his body he gets into the apprentice's face. "You answer to weak willed fools who would blindly follow an old man into nothingness. The teachings of the council have diluted and weakend the Sith. The galaxy used to fear the very mention of the order. Now we walk among them as if we are nothing, and you are weak for following them." He steps back and adresses the older Sith, "The years will be much less kind to you, schuta. You want me to face judgment? Since when did the mighty Sith become Jedi? Je'koth, do not not listen to him. All they wish to do is break you like a trained dog." Sneering he continues, "The council could not hold back my wrath. I will warn you now, if you wish to keep your lives you will continue on your way."

[Anas]

Finding Ool'yn's words strangely believable, Tichon's face shifts from an expression of contempt to a blend of confusion and anger as he looks to his master. "What is he talking about, Master? The One Sith is the only Sith order. There has never been another, has there?"

The master sighs, "No, Tichon, the One Sith is not the first order, but merely the most recent incarnation of the Sith. That is neither here nor there, Tichon, focus on the present. We can discuss it another time if you'd like." Turning back to Ool'yn, the master's eyes narrow, "Very well, Ool'yn, we will not fight you now, but rest assured that we will come for you again and in greater numbers. Every Peacekeeper in the galaxy will be after you, and you shall have a bounty on your head so high you will no longer be able to hide in plain sight. Je'Koth, I hope you have more sense than this withered old Twi'lek. Should you choose to follow his path you will suffer the same fate. Come Tichon, we are leaving."

Tichon opens his mouth to protest, but his master cuts him off, "Now!" Tichon snaps his mouth shut and skulks off behind his master as the two of them return up the street and round a corner, disappearing from sight.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks and the sulking aprentice and calls after him "Like a dog!"

After the two Sith are gone Ool'yn turns to Je'koth "I think now is a good time to dissapear. Bring your...friend with you if you please, but we should get out of the open. I also think we need to learn a bit about each others pasts..." Ool'yn pauses and seems to look far into the distance as if he were in a completely different world. After a few seonds he snaps back to himself. "It's time to go," he says in a stern, grim voice.

[dabocim]

Je' Koth asks, "Do you know somewhere safe? It would be prudent for us to know the history of the people who we may decide to trust in the future."

[embo33]

After standing silently in shock as the quartet had a battle of words, Glas Aon gives Ool'yn a wry look as he hesitates with his title of her. She contemplates shooting him with her blaster because she is tired of being put off as a nothing and is frustrated at not knowing what is going on. However, Je'Koth's agreement to go with him cools off her temper. She keeps her mouth shut because she has started enough fights for the day and likes the idea avoiding another gathering of angry sith.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks at Je'Koth with a blank stare. After a few blinks he states "You need to return to grammar school, I think. Your last sentence made no sense at all. As for where to go, we should head toward people, anywhere where we can try to blend in. We should also look into getting different clothes." Ool'yn looks around for anyone, but sees that the streets are still quite empty. In a rush he decides to go in the opposite direction of the two Sith. "This way," he motionts for Je'Koth and Glas Aon to follow him.

[Anas]

The three of you walk up the street in the opposite direction of the two Sith, and then turn down a side street. You are still unsure of each other, so you remain silent as you continue to turn this way and that in a general westward direction. By now the crowds have reformed, and you're weaving your way through the masses.

Suddenly Je'Koth cries out in pain and falls onto all fours. People around you give him a wide berth, but otherwise ignore you. He seems to be in incredible distress, but you cannot see anything physically wrong with him. He remains there for almost a minute before just as suddenly snapping out of it. His eyes open, and he groans as he clutches his head.

[embo33]

Glas Aon runs over to Je'Koth and crouches down beside him and in a tense lowered tone askes him, "What has happened?"

[dabocim]

"Ool'yn, we need to trust each other. I just had a vision, and I can't explain why, but we do need to trust one another. I can feel it. Also, I need to find a holocron, and I need your help to find it," Je'Koth says through the haze of his pain.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks at Je'Koth with a very distrusting gaze. Though he felt the surge of Force he doubts that there was a vision involved. "I wll trust whom I please, and until I see otherwise you are not to be trusted." Ool'yn scoffs a little. "While I am not closed to this idea it will take some convincing. As for finding this Holocron...well that is no easy task. They are not common place and most are well hidden. Your "vision" didnt tell you where to look for this, did it?" Ool'yn finishes in a very mocking tone.

[dabocim]

"No it did not. However, it made me feel as if I need to trust you. I am fairly certain that there are holocrons in the archives on Coruscant and Korriban, and I heard from a shopkeeper that there may be ancient Jedi ruins on Ossus. A holocron might be hidden there, too. I am not sure yet why I need one, but it has something to do with the quest my master set me upon. Je'Koth climbs to his feet and turns to Ool'yn. "I have a question for you, since you seem to know so much. Have you ever heard of a Sith or Jedi who wears a Mandalorian style mask?"

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn gives Je'Koth a puzzled look. Unsure of exactly what to think of the Mandalorian quesetion Ool'yn scratches his head. "The Mandalorians are extinct. At least the true descendants of Mandalore are. The last known Mandalorin was killed over 200 years ago, and with their fall the relics of their empire have been scattered across the galaxy. It would be my guess that there have been several Force users throughout the years that have donned the armor of a Mandalorian, though probably most, if not all, were Sith. Why do you ask?" Ool'yn finishes with a sneer as his thoughts move to Coruscant.

"As for the holocron, digging through the archives of Coruscant is not the wisest of ideas, especially seeing as how much the Empire seems to like us... Korriban is all but stripped dry of its relics. Power hungry fools plundered the tombs of the Sith lords years ago. Those that did not find what they were looking for were either killed by the laigreks or the tombs themselves." Ool'yn pauses as if trying to remember something long forgotten. "I have never been to Ossus, and my knolwedge of the planet is about as extensive as yours. This shopkeeper...what did he tell you of Ossus?"

[dabocim]

"I do not believe that this holocron will be on Corusacant," says Je'Koth. "However, of Ossus, the shopkeeper told me that he knew an adventurer who claimed that there were some Jedi ruins on that planet. Anyway, I had another vision the first time I held this crystal," continues Je'Koth as he pulls a softly glowing violet gem out of his pocket, "And then it pulsed right before the vision I just witnessed. It reminds me of what I intend to do, and of the fact that we should trust each other, so I ask you one more time will you help me seek out a holocron?"

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn gazes intently at the crystal. He stands looking at it, as if in a trance, not speaking. Then suddenly he grabs it out of Je'Koth's hand and holds it up to his face. "Oh you are a marvelous one," Ool'yn says as if no one else was around. Turing the crystal in his hands, examining it closely for several minutes he finally answers Je'Koth. "A shopkeeper had this? This is very interesting. I sense... a presence within it, something dark... and powerful." A wicked flash crosses Ool'yn's eyes. "Powerful indeed. And if this crystal came from Ossus then I have much interest in going there. It seems, then, that we are headed in the same direction, for I would be very interested to see what happens when you bring this crystal into close proximity with a holocron, should we find one." Ool'yn hands the crystal back to Je'Koth slowly, as if he was reluctant to release the power to a lesser Sith. "I will travel with you, for now, on one condition. You will not refute my power; you will not question me; and you will not get in my way." A dark cloud seems to gather as Ool'yn finishes. "Come now, we must find a ship. We can talk more then."

Ool'tn looks throughthe crowd of people around him. For the most part they are all normal civillians enjoying the holiday. However a small wiry guard catches his eye. Thinking this could be most oppertune Ool'yn approches the guard "Hello there my friend. Im sorry to bother you but my companions are new here and have ended up a little lost. Is there a spaceport or some other meanst of getting off planet around here?"

[Anas]

The slim guard turns to Ool'yn, and looks visibly disturbed by his appearance, though he quickly regains his composure. Clearing his throat, he says, "Yes, of course, sir. If you just follow this street west and turn right at the first intersection you can follow the main street along the river north to our local spaceport." The guard pauses and looks at Je'Koth. "Is your friend alright? He looks sick."

[embo33]

As Glas Aon tries to digest what is happening, she is momentarily distracted by a rather appealing Rodian whom she gives a quick wink and then returns her attention to the situation at hand.

[jujusauce]

"Pay no mind to him. It is not your concern." Ool'yn turns his back to the guard as if he were not there. "Let's go," he says to the others and begins walking down the street.

[Anas]

The three of you follow the guard's instructions, weaving your way through the crowds. About fifteen minutes later you find yourselves at the Lianna Spaceport. Conveniently, there are banks of turbolifts to take people to the upper platform, and you pile into one along with half a dozen others. After a short ride to the top you file out onto the open platform. The main area is fairly clean, composed mostly of gray and white tiling with artistically placed areas of vegetation. The docking bays themselves are lined out around the perimeter of the large platform, at least fifty you can see at first glance. From the street below the spaceport looked like just another large building, but with your new perspective you can see that the size is actually much larger than it appeared.

The other occupants of the turbolift quickly scatter and head off on matters of their own, leaving you wondering what to do next. As you ponder the question, you are approached by a portly dock official. "Hello there, citizens. You look as though you're not quite sure where to go. You might want to make a decision soon, though," the plump man says, indicating the now-setting sun. "It'll be dark soon, and the festivities will be kicking off. At that point all ships will be grounded until morning. Can I help you with anything?"

His mannerisms are rather rushed, as though he has plans of his own for later in the evening, but his offer of assistance is genuine.

[dabocim]

"No need to rush my friend, I'm sure you'll be able help us quickly enough. We are looking for a transport to Ossus. Do you know anyone who could get us there quickly?"

[Anas]

The rotund man's cheeks turn a little red at Je'Koth's comment, and he glances at the setting sun one more time before centering himself. "Why certainly!" He turns and points to the east. "In the northeast corner over there you'll find the Novastar Cantina. I don't go in there very often myself unless someone's causing problems, but most of the transport pilots that pass through Lianna congregate there during their layovers. I think it's your best bet," says the man, nodding to himself pridefully as if he just passed along the most important information he's ever known. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

[IG44]

Xann Urdo-Ryd sits in the Novastar Cantina, absent mindedly staring at other people in the bar. What strange creatures doddled in places like this. And yet, in lieu of staring at all of the different creatures, he can't help but be overwhelmed by boredom. So instead, he gets up and heads toward the door. Certainly his ship is ready to go by now, and besides, there don't appear to be any worthwhile bounties on this planet. He gives his chin a slight scratch, staring at a strange creature that vaguely resembles a young bith, though he can't be sure, and leaves the cantina, wondering if he will have to pay anyone to leave the planet due to all of the festivities.

[dabocim]

Seeing a rather interesting looking cerean coming out of the Novastar Cantina, Je'Koth walks up to him and abruptly asks, "You there. You are a pilot, are you not? My companions and I are in urgent need of someone to transport us to Ossus." He continues, "We need to leave now before all the ships are grounded for the night. Can you help us?"

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks over at Je'Koth, and quietly keeps his thoughts to himself.

[IG44]

Xann stares at the zabrak with much interest. "Tell me, young zabrak, what makes you conclude that I am a pilot?" he says, with a look on his face that might suggest that he is trying to read the alien's mind.

[jujusauce]

Standing in the back, immensly bored with the current state of things, Ool'yn's eyes begin to wander. Noticing a strange looking bith walking out of the Novastar, he decides to have a little fun. Leaving his companions to work things out he approches the bith.

"Greetings," Ool'yn starts with a smile. "You dont know me, but I recently overheard a conversation. Something about a bartender wanting to kill a certain "ugly" bith. Now I'm pretty sure he was talking about you. I also believe that he means to do it tonight during the festivities." Oolyn pauses and subtly wave his hand in front of the bith. "I suggest you get what ever weapon you can and strike him first. Don't hold back, and show him no mercy. In fact, you should do it now while he is not prepared."

The bith's unreadable facial expression seems to convey a sense of dread and panic as he hurries over to a tool kit, carelessly left unattended, and selects a plasma torch from it before retreating back into the Novastar. Ool'yn returns to the conversing duo and interrupts. "Hate to rush things, Ool'yn says, his face beaming with a strange, evil smile, "But I believe we should get going."

[dabocim]

"An official at the gate to the starport said all the pilots hang out at the Novastar Cantina. So, chances are that you are a pilot even if you deny it. Now, would you mind telling me which ship is yours?" asks Je'Koth.

[IG44]

Xann gives a slight grin as he watches the bith charge into the Novastar with the torch. "Very well," He says and starts to move towards a nearby hangar door. "Now if you'll just follow me, I do belive we can get off of this rock before their festivities begin."

[dabocim]

"Lead the way, my cerean friend," Je'Koth says absent-mindedly as though plotting something.

[Anas]

As you all head towards the hangar bay where Xann's ship is waiting, screams and the sounds of many things breaking comes from within the Novastar. A few blaster shots ring out and light the dark windows from within. Nearby guards leave their posts, drawing their blasters and stun batons, to attempt to control the situation.

[dabocim]

"I believe we best leave otherwise they may attempt to interrogate us," Je' Koth says, and then continues walking quickly towards the ship.

[IG44]

"Indeed," Xann says, smirking and quickening his pace as well. He stops only briefly and turns around, looking at the remaining two members of this strange group. "Come along friends, you wouldn't want to be left behind, would you?" He turns back around and follows the young zabrak, eager to reach his ship before any type of festivities or "interrogation" takes place.

[Anas]

The four of you quickly head to hangar 7283 on the north side of the spaceport. Glancing back you see that the guards have apparently gained control of the situation at the Novastar, and they have begun hauling patrons out into the street in binder cuffs including the bith sent in by Ool'yn, though he is a bit more bloodied than when he entered. The cerean enters his code, and the door slides open. Sitting in the bay is a moderately sized warship (http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/e/e2/Vt49.jpg) that, by all appearances, seems to be many decades old. The cockpit dome and observation window look like the old Sienar TIE series, and the metal comprising the hull is in fairly good condition, though rust is beginning to show on some of the plates that are obviously patches used to repair damage sustained in battle. You can almost certainly assume that the ship is heavily armed judging by the pair of quad-lasers mounted on the top and bottom of the ship, though any other armaments must be well hidden. A few mechanics move quickly about, finishing some minor repairs and gathering up the fuel lines. It would appear that the ship is ready to go.

As you are assessing the ship an alarm sounds once and is followed by a voice over the loudspeakers. "Attention all pilots. In five minutes all ships will be grounded until 0600 tomorrow morning. Please finish making any necessary arrangements, and enjoy your evening. Thank you."

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn looks at the curious duo as they walk off. "Friends?" he says aloud in a questioning and offended tone. "You are mighty presumptuous my...friend," he finishes with a sneer, quickening his pace. He approaches Je'Koth and quietly says, "You and I will need to have a nice long talk." Saying nothing more, and not allowing Je'Koth to respond, Ool'yn heads to the ship.

[IG44]

Xann lowers the ramp to the ship, not glancing back to see if any of the rather suspicious aliens had followed him. Before the ramp is even fully lowered, he hurries onboard and briskly runs to the cockpit. He fires up the takeoff sequence, staring out the window down at the guards at the cantina barely visible beyond the wall of the hangar. "Curse this old ship!" he says, jamming a few buttons to hurry along the startup.

[embo33]

Glas Aon does not fully trust the ship, but hurries aboard with a quick glare at Ool'yn and makes her way to the engine room, just in case the ship starts to break down...

[Anas]

A few minutes pass as everyone takes their seats and strap in, and soon the engines roar to life. Xann deftly guides the freighter out of the hangar and turns skyward, jokingly telling the rest of you to mind the furniture and enjoy your stay aboard The Legacy. The blue sky and white clouds of Lianna give way to black space as you watch from the octagonal observation window, but you are interrupted as the ship lurches, and you see a few green streaks of laser cannon fire shoot by overhead.

Xann's voice crackles over the intercom, "We've got company! Look alive, and get on the quads! And if one of you could keep an eye on the engine room, that'd be wonderful!" The com crackles, and The Legacy dips and swerves as Xann avoids more incoming fire.

As you all begin to move you see a pair of TIE Predators (http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/c/cb/Predator-class_fighter_SotG.jpg) fly over and circle around The Legacy, firing again when they complete their maneuver.

[dabocim]

Je'Koth dashes to the quad cannon, the whole time thinking that those annoying pests will fall in a fiery explosion. He straps himself into the gunner's seat and says, "We're good to go down here, hope you know some maneuvers, Xann." He starts looking for the TIE Predators anxious to get to Ossus, wondering if the answers he seeks could be there.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn, leaning back in his chair, looks at Je'Koth as he runs past him. Letting out a heavy sigh, he slowly stands up. "I hate flying."
He makes his way to the turret seat and straps himself in. Looking around at the archaic controls Ool'yn yells out, "Chuba chuba, kava does ka karking bata mulia!" Pushing everything at random Ool'yn eventually figures out how to work the controls. "Dumpa pankpa."

[Anas]

Xann pulls The Legacy in a tight half loop, putting one of the Predators in his sights, and locks on. Without hesitation he fires a concussion missile at the enemy ship.

Unfortunately, the pilot of the Predator sends the ship into a blindingly fast barrel roll just before the missile would have hit, and as it flies past he fires a couple shots at the missile, destroying it before it has the chance to circle back on him.

[jujusauce]

Ool'yn, still trying to figure out the controls, pulls the trigger and lets a spray of laser bolts fly wildly into space. No sure how to use the targeting controls he starts randomly aiming at whatever looks hostile.

Be it luck or the Force, or simply the virtues of his unpredictable firing pattern, a string of Ool'yn's cannon fire cuts accross the path of one of the TIE Predators and shreds it to pieces before it explodes into a fiery green ball of gas and debris.

[Anas]

Rather than risk as equally violent a destruction as his counterpart, the other TIE pilot spins his craft in an overhead loop and disappears; he must have jumped into hyperspace. Considering that most Imperial troops are commanded to "do or die" in all their missions, it is likely that these pilots were not standard troops. In any event, damage to The Legacy is negligible, and it appears that your little escapade has gone unnoticed by the Lianna Security Forces patrolling the skies and space around the planet, though it may not be wise to stick around and find out for sure.

[dabocim]

"Well done, Ool'yn," says Je'Koth, "Now, if nobody minds, I think we should continue on to Ossus."

[IG44]

Xann throws his fist into the air and lets out a yell of triumph. Though only a small victory, it was a victory none the less. "Good shooting! Can't say that I could have done better myself." He makes a slight note to himself that the strange passenger on his ship had done better than him, but he chooses to ignore that small fact. "Now," He says into the intercom while moving to his computer, getting ready to punch in any necessary coordinates, "Where would you fine individuals be heading on this delightful evening?"

[dabocim]

Je'Koth says, "Enough of the small talk. Focus on making the jump Xann, we need to get to Ossus as soon as possible."