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Alive
The Continuing Saga of Mara Anna Gellar
Time Frame:
Immediately following the events taking place at the close of the Legacy of the Force Universe, specifically shortly after the end of "The Federation Chronicles" and "Corellian Rebirth" and running parallel to the latter portion of the "Vogue Empire" saga
Synopsis:
Mara Anna, a Human Replica Droid, created and programmed for the purpose of espionage and assassination is now free of her programming. Changing her name and appearance to mimic Valerie Gellar, who played an unwilling yet key role in her creation, Mara now seeks to create a new life for herself on Corellia, the very world she had once aided in destroying, while trying to discover more of herself, and determine how 'alive' she really is.
Meanwhile, the new Corellia has a far more militaristic, chauevenistic society, forming a multi-world confederation under the military rule of High Commander Saga Judec. Judec's chief opposition comes from the current civil governor of Corellia, William Tacofer, who is fighting to end the marshall law and return civil rule, at the threat of Judec's wrath.
Cast of Known Characters:
Mara Anna Gellar - Human Replica Droid, Female Programming - Aide to the Corellian Governor
William Tacofer - Human, Male - Governor of Corellia
Saga Judec - Human, Male - High Commander of the Corellian Confederacy
Frank Farmer - Human, Male - Director of Corellian Security Force
For Reference:
PHAGE - Highly Modified IG-100 MagnaGuard Droid, Male Programming
Medivh - Human/Cyborg, Male - Former Trade Federation Viceroy
Valerie Gellar - Human, Female - Former Governor of Corellia
Credits:
To Syrenscream for the development of Valerie Gellar, Frank Farmer, and the other facts and characters of "Vogue Empire" and for aiding in the continuation and completion of "Corellian Rebirth"
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Alive
The Continuing Saga of Mara Anna Gellar
Corellia: Capital of the Corellian Confederation
Coronet City
It had been just a few weeks ago when the Corellian Defense Force was decked out in its best for the arrival of the Imperial Emperor. He had been asked to Corellia, the Confederation requesting an alliance with the ever growing Empire. But he had come with criticism. Ignoring the High Commander, he had confided in the governor, William Tacofer both advice and a threat. Advice, in that he needed to defeat the high commander before the high commander ousted him. And a threat, should Corellia choose to remain a separate entity from the Empire.
That threat remained on the back burner, the Emperor and his apprentice focusing their attention elsewhere upon his rather abrupt departure. The governor had bigger concerns to deal with at home before responding to the Emperor. For no sooner had the Emperor and his star destroyer left the system, that High Commander Saga Judec began to work to undermine and eliminate Tacofer.
He could not arrest him - not yet anyway - for no particular crime could be associated to his name. But he was powerful, and with the expansion of the Confederation, the growth of the 'defensive' fleet, he was growing stronger still. And the ability to declare martial law left him with the upper hand.
Since the Emperor had left, Judec had used his influence, and begun curtailing both Tacofer and other political opponents. It became illegal to speak negatively of the military in public, considered an act of treason. The process of granting a vote only to military and former military or law enforcement personnel meant that come the next election, Tacofer would be likely be ousted entirely, as would the sad remnants of the parliament. Finally, Judec managed to strong arm a rule that said that the civil government could not act contrary to the military government. To guarantee the end of the governorship, he just needed Tacofer to act.
William Tacofer, however, was not sitting idly watching as this all happened. He had support where Judec did not, among most of the populace of the planet Corellia itself, if not on the other worlds of the Confederation. And Judec had the support of CorSec - the Corellian Security Force, led by Director Frank Farmer. Much like the musketeers of medievel France, they were the most loyal guards of Corellia's leader, and though law enforcement, they preferred a government led by a civil rather than military leader.
Tacofer also had a most capable staff, continuing the everyday administrative functions of government - something Judec knew little about. But the one he trusted the most was a young woman named Mara A. Gellar.
Mara had told him that she was the cousin of the late Valerie Gellar, hero of Corellia, and she had proved to be extremely resourcesful, and a trusted confidante. He needed this, needed someone he could trust when many would rat him out to Judec for the sake of some pittance of a reward. Mara seemed to despise Judec almost as much as Tacofer.
There was one peculiarity about Mara though. Any discussion of the war with Phage, the menacing droid created by the Trade Federation and run amuck, and she would often withdraw in on herself. The governor assumed, that this was a result of her feelings of loss toward her cousin.
Mara, however, had an alterior reason for quieting down when discussion of the war came up. She had been Phage's right hand servant. Mara was not, as Tacofer or others on Corellia believed her to be, human. She was a droid - an advanced human replica droid. And she had been responsible for the deaths of countless individuals on Corellia, and elsewhere. If Tacofer ever learned who she was ... if anyone did ... they would hate her. Probably try to destroy her. And she could not blame them - she often felt like she hated herself. Her programming had forced her to act the way she had, and though now she was free of that particular programming, the blood on her hands still haunted her. And unlike other droids, she was not able to just get her memory erased.
It is to Mara that we focus, and we find her currently on Coronet, the capital city of Corellia, standing on the steps of the newly constructed CorSec Academy, kneeling beside the memorial for Valerie Gellar, a place she would often be found.
"I miss you sister" her voice was a whisper, and if she had tear ducts, she would likely be crying. But she felt ever more pain knowing she could not cry. Valerie was not in fact Mara's sister, but the programming used to create Phage and ultimately Mara, was based off of the genetic code of Valerie (in a way that is too complex to describe in this post). Mara was thus the perfect, cybernetic version of Valerie. At least in theory. And she came here for strength and guidance. Valerie Gellar, the only one who today knew her secret - beneath a thick slab of duracrete that made up the Academy's Cornerstone.
Her thoughts and prayers were interrupted by a voice behind her.
"Hello Mara. I've seen alot of you here. But I know the truth - you are not what you claim to be"
To be continued ...
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Alive
The Continuing Saga of Mara Anna Gellar
Corellia: Capital of the Corellian Confederation
Coronet City
"Hello Mara. I've seen alot of you here. But I know the truth - you are not what you claim to be"
Mara turned, immediately recognizing the deep blue of the CorSec uniform, and more particularly, the insignia of the director of that agency. Director Frank Farmer.
"Director - I don't understand what you mean?"
"Yes you do. I know you are not a Gellar" the director's gaze was inquisitive more than harsh. A quick glance around would clearly indicate Farmer was alone, and had no intention of apprehending Mara. And yet still, here he was, accusing Mara to her face that she had lied about herself.
"What makes you say that?"
"I was close with Valerie - very close. I knew everything about her, about her family. About her real family"
"I was a distant cousin - even Valerie didn't know me that well, I just"
The director cut her off, a hand raising "there is a problem with your argument. You claim you look like Valerie because you, like her, are a Gellar. But Valerie was not actually a Gellar. Valerie was the daughter of Kyrie Patten."
This fact was something Mara was unaware of, but normally, she was able to brush off such arguments by claiming a connection to Valerie's mother. Somehow, she sensed that argument wasn't going to work. But what did the director actually know? If he knew who she was - WHAT she was, he would not be standing here alone. He would have sent an entire platoon to take her captive - and in all likelihood, she'd still be difficult to apprehend. Maybe he didn't know - maybe he was just guessing.
"I don't lie about who I am. Valerie meant alot to me. Still does."
"As true as that may be, when someone is lying about who they are and ends up in a position like your own - close to the governor, a position of influence - it can be worrisome. I'd much rather you tell me the truth than discover it myself"
So he didn't know. And yet here he was, revealing his investigation of her
"You won't find anything that contradicts what I've already said"
She hoped
"Maybe not - but I would imagine that is more a result of insufficient evidence than lack of it being true"
"Why are you worried about me? What have I ever done to you?"
"I'm worried because you have no background, no past, no family. There is nothing to even prove you are a Corellian citizen. And these are dangerous times, Mara. It is hard to trust anyone. I would hate to find out that everything Corellia has been trying to rebuild is suddenly threatened because of a girl who happens to have a resemblance to planetary hero"
This struck her with an ironic sort of pain - she had been responsible, had threatened what Corellia was rebuilding. She was a major reason for Phage's second attack on the planet, an attack almost successful. All because she looked human.
"You don't need to worry about me, director. I only mean the best for Corellia"
"How can I can trust you,someone I know is lying?"
Mara thought about it for a second, before taking a breathe.
"You don't have to trust me director. I'll prove it to you. One day, when Corellia is in peril, you'll see that I can tip the balance, and save this world"
"I can't let that opportunity, that delicate balance, fall to your hands"
"Unless you don't have a choice."
Farmer was about to respond, when the conversation was interrupted by a comm beeping. Farmer lifted his comm.
"Farmer here. yes? What? No! Alright, I'm coming inside"
Mara looked at him inquisitively.
"What is it?"
Farmer frowned as he replaced the comm at his hip
"The governor has been arrested - taken into custody by military police"
"Under -"
"Under the command of the High Commander."
Mara looked shocked.
"He can't do that"
"maybe not. but he just did. I need to see what I can do"
"Can I come?"
Farmer hesitated
"I can help you. I know I can. Maybe even earn your trust"
Another moment before the director relented "very well. come on"
-
Time passed, and then ...
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Flash - a dark, metallic figure with crimson, glowing eyes stalks across the wreckage of a large behemoth of a ship. In one black hand, it holds an electrostaff, the only light in the darkness coming from the faint electricity it casts off, reflecting on black metal.
Flash - same dark figure, locked in hand to hand combat with a fiery woman, black hair, slim figure. She fights hard, like someone who has both a devil and an angel inside her, and still undecided which she wants to win. But it is in vain. She is human, fighting an untiring machine. She falls, the electrostaff is raised high ...
Flash - a powerful rapid fire blaster shoots repeatedly at the machine, as it stands over it's fallen foe. Even a droid can be taken by surprise, red crimson eyes look to her displaying a kind of betrayal. Blaster kept firing
"Goodbye, father"
The black droid falls, metal strewn apart. Red eyes fade out. Phage is dead.
Flash - A battalion of humans, dressed in navy colors march in front of a flag waving, Corellian Confederation. A leader -no, a dictator - speaking, sending out the troops. To fight off threats from the outside, Corellians had hardened on the inside.
Flash - under arrest for crimes against the Confederation. armed soldiers at her door. Forced to fight. to kill. to flee.
Flash
Mara Anna Gellar opened her eyes with a start. She was breathing heavily. And she was frightened. Not just because the visions were all memories, her past haunting her, but because those memories came to her while her body rejuvenated, recharged.
Mara had never ever had a dream before.
Droids were not supposed to be able to dream.
To be continued...
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It was cold - that much was apparent before any of her other senses were fully functioning. The breeze carried with it the threat and warning of oncoming winter, as it brushed across her prone form.
Mara's eyes blinked and opened. She could feel the vibrations of the hover train as it moved along its designated track, the side door of the car was not air tight and every few seconds a gust of outside air would breach inside.
Around her, packages and crates, mostly large and sealed. she had been resting against one and had apparently fallen asleep.
Asleep - The concept was foreign to her. As were most of the sensations she seemed to be subjecting herself to. She could not remember ever requiring sleep before this particular journey. Mara was, afterall, no human, though she looked the part. Every part of her, from skin, to her inner organs, from hair, to eyes, to toes, and all throughout, was designed to look, feel, behave human. Scanners would not pick up the subtle differences. But all of that was an illusion. Mara was a machine. Her body was created, not in a womb, but in a laboratory, using the most state of the art bio technology. It allowed her to breathe, to eat, to bleed. It was the advanced technology that allowed her to feel the cold air, and caused her skin to create goosebumps, the way a normal human's flesh would.
All these traits that made her a perfect human - or rather, a perfect spy AGAINST humans - had been designed assuming she would be in normal situations, facing others, interacting, fooling, even seducing other humans. She had taken for granted what normal parameters were, and rarely if ever had factored them in together. She would eat, not because she had to, but because it was part of the facade.
That was quite a long time ago. Or so it seemed. She had since suffered from her own morality - a trait that her creator may never have really meant to put inside her. It was that morality that caused her to eventually kill it. To kill HIM. Mara, of all people, recognized that Phage, like herself, was more alive than not. She thought killing Phage might redeem her, might somehow cancel out the other acts she had done - assassinating a host of figures and allowing Phage his almost conquest of Corellia. She wanted to start anew.
But Corellia would not have it. With the fall of Phage, and the encroaching greed of the empire, they had sought a strong hand to protect them from any future attacks. And that hand had taken over the society Mara so wished to join. She, with her newfound morality, had attempted to protest, had tried to free Corellia once again, through political means.
And she failed. Corellia had come after her, declared her an enemy of the state. they had raided her small apartment in Coronet. She remembered that fateful night. Remembered in a way she could not quite recall anything else. The sound of the door busting in. She was fast – instantly standing and grabbing blaster, turning, firing several shots while taking cover. Her inhuman speed had saved her – milliseconds after she’d moved, rapid fire was streaming where she had just been. She could feel the heat of lasers close to her skin. And they kept firing. Whoever was after her, not only knew where she lived, but knew she was not the normal target. Because they kept streaming inside. More than a dozen black-ops with hidden faces were streaming inside. And they kept the pressure up. She managed to circle around the apartment, but they must have been tracking her somehow- because she turned to find herself in an all new blaze of fire. Cold, calculating hands responded, firing off several shots as she again took cover, this time behind a chair. The furniture would not last long, wood splintering away. She took several more shots, carefully taking out several gunners while flipping backward into another room. But she knew she was in trouble. Even as she was landing back on her feet, she saw the grenade tossed toward her. She batted it back with her free hand, calculating the time it would take to fire – but the gunners were good. Too good. Even as the grenade began sailing back the way it came, a blaster shot struck it, and it exploded. Too close.
Mara felt the heat then the shrapnel as she fell to the ground from the blast. The entire apartment began to cave in. She felt pain – a fairly rare sensation for her. And something else. Something was wrong, inside her. It was almost a weakness, draining. But she didn’t have time to address the issue just then. As the apartment collapsed over her, she rolled her body to a nearby vent, crashed through, and let herself fall to the ground two stories below. Her reflexes were sluggish, but she had to keep moving. Using the collapsing apartment as a diversion, she moved to the nearest manhole cover, flipped the lid, and made her way into the sewers. Then she ran.
She kept running. She wasn’t sure if they were following or not, but she knew she couldn’t stop.
It had been hours later when she first dared to stop and take the time to run a self diagnostic. Damage from the grenade could have been worse, but she had her share of troubles. Shrapnel had severely damaged her internal batteries. Most droids ran quite efficiently, able to run for months or even years without a recharge. This damage, however, meant she would run out of power much sooner. She had to start being careful. Running like she had done would deplete her battery faster. The stomach she had, always cosmetic before, would allow her to process at least some food, albeit at a lower efficiency than a natural metabolism.
As she continued her run, away from Coronet, she learned she could get extra boosts of energy from discarded equipment, with wasted extra batteries. Food scraps. But it was all temporary. She had to get repairs. Her scrounging would only postpone the inevitable. She felt weaker each day.
That was why she ‘slept’ – powering down allowed her to conserve energy. She was traveling north by train, quite an unexpected passenger among the freight, and she was hoping to get to her destination without being spotted. She had not expected the flashes – while powered down, she had started getting flashbacks, memory files buzzing from her archive momentarily to active status then back again. It seemed they were the same set of memories over and over again. When she got a more thorough diagnostic, she would have to see if she could repair whatever glitch was causing memories to misfire across her cranial synapses. Because those same memories were haunting her. And they were disrupting her desperately needed power down time.
Mara glanced outside the train once again. Winter was coming. And she was cold.
To be continued
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The soft hum of the train began to slow as she reached the destination. It had been over a week since she first stowed away on board, and Mara had begun to grow antsy with anticipation, unsure whether she was followed or would be discovered.
The fact that she had taken a week was a bit abnormal for travel. With modern technology able to travel worlds in a week, and space craft that could circle a planet in a few hours or less, most people were too impatient for the slow pace of a train. But freight was heavy, and the cheapest way of transporting it was on the ground at this particular pace.
It had suited Mara well enough - giving her the chance to hide, diagnose her ailments, attempt minor repairs. Her body was shut down as much time as possible, in order to conserve energy.
Now though, her destination was coming - a base in the far northern portion of Corellia, far from Coronet, and far from most of the planet's civilian locations.
The base served as a training area for Corellia's specialized snow troops, though whether they would serve as defenders or aggressors in Corellia's continued attempt to consolidate power was unclear. What mattered was that the contingent here was small, that radio contact was spotty, and air travel to and from her was slowed by the cold northern winds.
Also of importance was the laboratory situated within the base. Crude compared to the sophisticated lab that Mara was created in, but sufficient for her purposes - battery replacement and replenishment, and a more thorough diagnostic to figure out the level of damage to her, and perhaps figure out the flashbacks her memory continued firing at her.
The train slowed further and she could hear the soft sound of breaks applying friction. She glanced out the small crack in the door and could see the train approaching the base and entering into the small train yard before finally coming to a halt.
Time for her to move. Mara made her way to the back of the car to a crate that she had long ago jostled open. Its contents included some of the newest state of the art equipment that was to be installed in the lab. Glancing behind her, she slid herself inside, closing the crate over her head. And shimmied her way beneath a rubber matting that protect the equipment inside. It was cramped, and it was dark. But it was necessary. She could hear outside the crate – train car door was opened and voices.
“Scan the carts, then transport them into the laboratoryâ€
“Yes sirâ€
Mara would have held her breathe had she had any. As it was, her throat constricted and muscles tensed as carts began to be moved. She closed her eyes, knowing time was short. And shut herself down.
A small magnetic lift grabbed the cart, picking it up and running it through a scanner.
Beginning scan now...
Contents ...
... electronic signatures ...
... computer systems ...
... software grade A: highest level of sophistication ...
... droid hardware ... grade A ...
... Life signs .... negative ...
... threat level ... green ... no threats detected ...
... contents approved for entry ...
Mara’s design had been created to emit the signatures of a standard biological human female. Unless of course, she overrode that signature. Shutting herself down had ensured that she also was not emitting an electrical signal greater than what would be inside the crate. The rest of her scan signature was “camouflaged†by the computers around her. Those outside, meanwhile, had already sent her container on its way to the lab, moving on to the next piece of cargo.
Magnetic lift unit dropped the container carefully on the floor along the side of the lab and went back the way it came.
Four crates, lined up together, sitting and waiting.
Hours passed – apparently, the freight had arrived close to evening, and the equipment would not be dealt with until morning. Security guard passed through. Lights are shut down. Silence.
Gasp – flash – Mara’s eyes open and she gulps a deep breath, despite the lack of needing it. Eyes wide as she gets her bearings. More dreams, more flashbacks. She saw herself killing Phage, saw herself being hunted. Over and over again. It took her a moment to register her location. Inside a crate, filled with electronic equipment. Laboratory.
She could not hear any noise outside, save for the hum of a few machines still running. She heard the sound of the security guard come and go, and then it was time. Lid was opened and she slid out as carefully and quietly as she could. Quick scan of the area around her. She nodded to herself – this would suffice.
Fifteen minutes later, the security guard nonchalantly was walking through. The whole idea of security seemed absurd- what would infiltrate the base this far north? Where would they hide? He was walking past the laboratory when something caught his eye. Shaking his head he turned to get a closer look. Apparently, one of the lids of the containers was open. He stepped up to it, pulling out a flashlight and looking at it. He could have sworn it was closed before. Light lifted and he looked around the mostly dark room slowly. Maybe one of the techs had come in to look at the equipment?
“Hello?â€
While left hand held the light, right hand moved to the blaster at his side. The doctors would be very upset if he started firing in here, but hey, procedure was procedure. Maybe one of those blizzard creatures had gotten in – but he hadn’t heard anything, and there were no claw marks.
He made one turn around and found himself face to face with a woman. Dark hair, curvy figure, and deep, deep eyes. He was startled by how close she was, but he was catching his bearings. Blaster was lifting up, but before it could be leveled, she took the few steps to reach him. Blaster was knocked out of his hand, while her other hand reached out, grabbing him and lifting him high by the throat. Tight, such a tight grip ... her hand tightened, his neck broken in one smooth motion. Discarded on the floor.
Mara turned to and moved to the computer, turning it and several other pieces of equipment on. She was in a rush. The guard was down, but the night was only so many hours long.
To be continued
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The laboratory had a dimness that implied privacy. The fact that she had smashed several security cameras added to that feeling. But Mara knew that such distractions would not save her much time. In fact, even as she was dealing with the very issues that brought her here, her cerebral processors - among the most advanced in the galaxy - were also calculating whether the time she would save by creating confusion was worth the time used in creating that confusion. The numbers came out inconclusively.
Besides, most of her processing power was focused on the task at hand. The computers here were state of the art and were able to provide her a much more elaborate diagnostic of her systems and the damage that had been done. And it hadn't taken too much time, which was the more important part.
As previously discerned, her battery systems had been damaged, leaving Mara in a state of perpetual degradation. She had to actually consume additional sources of energy -organic or otherwise - to supplement the weakening battery. She had to rest to recharge her systems. Both of these things, though they added a level of humanity to her (something she desperately was seeking out) also left her vulnerable at a time when vulnerability could mean her termination.
She would need to sacrifice at least part of that element of humanity in order to survive. Luckily, this lab had at least some of the equipment she would need. Chosen particularly for its efforts in computative and droid technology, it had a wide variety of deactivated droids that could be donors in this life-necessitating organ. The irony that she felt she could simply take parts from an inactive droid in order to keep herself - a droid as well - alive did not escape her. She forced herself to rationalize that there was a distinct difference between her level of autonomic function versus theirs. Even the most sophisticated droid present - a high end protocol droid - was not as independent as she was. Plus, if she could kill an actual flesh and blood being, like the guard, a droid should not be treated as differently.
Setting up the various equipment in the lab - an assembly table with mechanical arms - she programmed in the necessary operation, took one more glance at the lab doors that she had sealed shut, and slid onto the table, laying down, closing her eyes. She could run the program herself from here, but she wanted to make sure it kept running even if something happened to her. Her artificial breath went in and out and she activated the control with her hand.
Skin pierced. blood spilled. she could feel the pain, and she clenched her hands tight as the metallic arms began working inside her. She could feel them cleaning out the damaged pieces, finding the battery units that were damaged, slowly disconnecting them.
Darkness. Paralysis. Mara had other, weak sources of power that allowed her to still run - reservoir power available in just about any droid. But it was not really worth having. She could not open her eyes, or register anything visual. She could not move any part of her body. She was essentially a mind - or rather, a portion of a mind just aware enough of how little was functional. And it frightened her. If anything went wrong, if a guard stepped inside too soon, if ...
it felt like an eternity but suddenly, she felt again, could see again. It was pain at first, that sensation of numbness disappearing and replaced with the reminder to her body that she was cut open. But she welcomed it. And what was more, she could feel the energy she had been lacking for weeks now. The battery replacement was working, and though it was not the same quality as her original (it would need to be replaced much sooner), it was something that worked, could be recharged with ease, and did not leave her fatigued. At least, that was the hope. She could feel the machine stitching her up, much as if she was a person being operated on. Metal and organic material being reformed together.
Eyes remained closed as the pain dulled ever so slightly from its monotany.
Flash - brain wires did their misfiring again, recalling the horrible memories that plagued her in sleep. But she wasn't asleep right now. She was awake. Did this mean the misfires were getting worse? If it could affect her by day, she was still vulnerable, possibly more so, since she could not predict.
Flash - a new memory crossed its path in her dreams - killing that security guard. It had seemed so necessary at the time, but her memory recalled how easy the kill was, the look of sudden panic and fear in his eyes during the seconds before his life was over. Perhaps each death would bring a new nightmare.
Flash - her eyes were open now, the last of the incision being cleared, when she heard something at the door. Guards, returned. No, it was too soon. Nude form slid off the table, the markings of a scar where the machine had not finished its work. More banging at the door, and the sound of a blaster. Mara grabbed the blaster of the guard, deactivated the safety, and took shelter behind several of the droids she had cannibalized for parts. She took a single shot, a circuit board she had left open. The lights flickered. As the doors to the room burst open, she took one more shot, and the windowless room flickered into utter darkness.
The guards had seen a blaster shot, had a slight sense of where it came from, but the darkness was disorienting. A few had flashlights, activating them But as soon as they were lit, precision shots struck them between the eyes - three guards were down quickly, and the rest, though they fired in the direction the shots were from, hit nothing but equipment (expensive equipment.
Soldiers that they were, they knew better than to try entering and catching someone who clearly had an advantage on them - backing out into the hallway, they secured the entrance, called for backup, and ordered several flash bangs to be thrown into the room.
Mara did have an advantage on them - eyes were equipped with the means of seeing in the dark - and so shots were easy enough to take. She had to be careful though - each shot revealed her location, and she could only take one or two at a time before a rain of fire came down on her. She shot, moved, shot again - and they had backed out, leaving her alone in the darkness. She knew she couldn't have long. Sliding on the jumpsuit she had come in, she made her way to the very back of the lab, knocking in a vent and shimmying her way inside. She glanced back inside, replacing the vent, before moving on as far as she could.
Not 30 seconds later, just as the guards were preparing to storm the room, a huge explosion went off, destroying the lab and knocking the guards outside to the ground.
=============================================================
It seemed like only a few hours later when the scene was being perused. Lab doctors lamented the loss of millions of credits of equipment and years of research. Security was trying to cover their backs. But the newest arrivals -they had something else in mind. Dressed similar to a swat team, faces hidden, they wore the Confederation logo on their uniforms. They had not only clearance to enter, but top priority authority. Entering the room, a quick scan of the area told them what they needed to know, and they commed their boss in Coronet.
"She was here"
The voice on the other end was calm, but clearly, that masked a deeper upsetness
"And she got away?"
"Yes sir - a small fighter took off without authorization just minutes after the blast. We believe it made it to hyperspace"
a pause, and then
"Did she get what she came for?"
"We believe she did. We'll need to analyze what the computer systems can tell us"
"Indeed - see to it. She may have just given us exactly what we wanted"
To be continued
-
Slip into the Corellian Snub Fighter, as everyone headed the opposite direction, toward the explosion.
Carefully seal the hatch
Power up systems
Take off and fly as fast as possible.
Corellia had a strong defensive fleet, and regular fighter patrols. But she had come from a remote base in the north, an area not likely to be targeted, and thus less protected by the active fleet.
As she gained altitude, sensors detected several squads of fighters moving to intercept, and two capital ships following behind. There were also two similar snub fighters, closer than the rest, that had taken off from the base she had just left. They managed to get a few shots off, but she had the advantage of surprise and distance - the shots harmlessly missed, and they were too far for a missile lock.
The fighter shook as it protested against the atmosphere and the gravity, but shot forward as soon as it reached space. Fighters were closing in on all sides, but the gravity well of Corellia was all that was keeping her here. She passed that invisible barrier, the nav computer set, and hyperdrive activated.
Before she could be stopped, Mara Anna Gellar had disappeared into the safety of hyperspace
========================================================
Several hours later ...
Mara did not have the fuel for a long trip - certainly not in a fighter of this kind. But she could reach a rather important destination. Coruscant.
Or rather, what was left of the center of the galaxy.
She exited hyperspace and immediately began the evasive maneuvers necessary to bypass the asteroids of shattered planetary rock and scrap metal. Ionic interference was messing with her sensory equipment (this fighter was not designed for heavy duty or customized to deal with this kind of stress), but she knew the path to travel by heart - or by head - and she flew effortlessly through the clutter, toward the floating fortress in its very center.
It was home. Or to be more specific, it was the place of her birth, the place where Phage had designed her, grown her, programmed her, and brought her to life. It was the only place she could think of going after Corellia, and with any luck, the base was still functional enough that she could use its equipment to finish her repairs.
Repairs - the hours in hyperspace solitude had been filled with the horrible dream/memories flashing constantly. And seeing Phage's dark space platform brought those memories back. Red eyes, black body, and the ability to kill without mercy. That was her father. And she had killed him.
As she approached closer to the structure, she noticed with some alarm, that it was not the same as she had left it. Portions of the structure seemed to have caved in, and it looked like there were signs of a battle - scorch marks across the hull, molten metal holes, seeing into the structure.
The signs of struggle were visible as she landed as well. Marks of impacts against walls, leaving huge indentations, saber scars that cut into the metal that was not reinforced. She had heard only slight rumors of Sith activity, and she recalled that Phage had allied with one, a broken down remnant of Alexia Winton. She had been left here when Phage had been destroyed. But it looked like Winton had been taken down as well. She exited her small shuttle and cautiously made her way through the structure, seeing signs of a fight - a very singular, one-on-one fight - all throughout the platform. She had heard of the power of the force, but the amount of destruction it brought was mindblowing. How could two people do this to a facility that was made of the strongest materials around?
And of course, she worried that the victorious being would still be around.
Ahead, she could hear the shuffle of sounds, metal against metal, and she pulled a blaster from her side. Taking only a few steps, she rounded a corner. And came face to face with the most primitive residents of the platform, a horde of spider droids. These many legged creatures had served as Phage's grunts and workers. And served as the stations main security. They scuttled toward her, preparing to deal with her as they would any invader - but upon closing in, the hesitated, several running a thin red scanner sweep over her.
They recognized her, and instead of moving forward, these preprogrammed automatons cleared a path for her to proceed ahead.
Mara cautiously took a breathe, keeping her gun tightly in her hand, and moved into the next cooridor, heading toward the platform's inner sanctum.
So the spider droids recognized her, allowed her to proceed - but she had no idea what lay further ahead. Time to find out.
To be continued.
-
The Ruins of Coruscant
Phage's Platform
Mara's boots clinked lightly on the steel floor as she proceeded forward through the dark cooridor, the soft scuttling sound of spider droids surrounded her, echoing off the walls. But slowly, ever so slowly, the sound began to fade behind her. The droids were not following her as she rounded the next corner, weaving her way through toward Phage's throne room. The sound eventually disappeared entirely, leaving her in an eerie silence, broken only by her own footsteps.
Ahead of her, blast doors, sealed shut - but on closer inspection, it wasn't just a set of closed doors. The metal to the blast doors was pushing out toward her, and the seam between the two sides of the doors looked like they were welded shut. In fact, the entire door looked as though it had overheated very quickly, and then cooled very quickly, leaving it oddly bent and irregular.
Mara stepped up to it, free hand tracing over the metal door while her other hand still held the blaster. Glancing over at the security controls, she sighed - the panel was not just inactive, but clearly had been destroyed in whatever caused the distortions to the door. And the blast door had no manual override (Phage never saw a need to create a contingency to what he considered the perfection of the machine). Mara took several steps back, leveled the blaster at the door's seam and fired a single shot.
The door quaked slightly. A good sign. She took a few more steps back, braced her position, and then let loose, firing shot after shot at the same point on the door, hoping to exploit a weakness. And boy did she ever.
The door quaked with each shot, and then, simply shattered, metal scrap falling to the ground.
Instantly, Mara felt a rush of compressed air from the chamber beyond, and she kept the blaster leveled, ready in case anything besides oxygen came out toward her. But after a minute, the air equalized and again there was silence.
Mara cautiously made her way forward, passed the shattered metal and into the chamber.
The room looked like there had been a contained explosion of some sort. Ever wall, the ceiling, and the floor looked like they were blown outward, giving the room a very round shape. Various pieces of equipment were in various states of disrepair or destruction, also looking as though they had suffered through some type of blast. But in the center of the room, in the lowest dip of the floor, one piece looked unscathed. Phage's throne, a huge mechanical chair that it seemed still had running electronics. Lying on the throne now was the deformed, destroyed body of Alexia Winton. Eyes were open but clearly dead. Dry blood clung to open wounds and, as Mara glanced around some more, to other parts of the room as well. Here is where the battle took place.
And there remained a feeling - something Mara couldn't quite place, but a feeling, like electricity.
"INFILTRATOR-01: You have returned"
Mara turned, blaster raised to look where the voice had come from, a mechanicalized voice.
In front of her, she saw the remains of a mechanicalized droid, one of Phage's minions. Optical sensor was lit with a soft red glow emanating from a cylinder at the top. A rotator module, allowing the 'eye' to turn connected to a base that looked much like a computer - though the computer itself was heavily damaged.
"INFILTRATOR-01, I require an update on the status of the war. I have lost the connection with our lord, the Baron Phage. He has been gone for some time. Mistress Winton maintained Lord Phage's home in his absence - until another woman destroyed her. It has been empty here ever since. Can you tell me where the Baron is?"
Mara stepped up to the machine, giving it a curious inspection. It didn't know. Didn't know that Phage was dead, or that Mara herself had killed him.
"Phage has been destroyed"
"Destroyed? But why has his backup systems not been triggered?"
"backup systems?"
"Yes - the Baron has a linkup that is designed to trigger a reconstruction and download should Phage ever be destroyed."
"Perhaps the trigger didn't work"
"I should activate the system then. Our Lord Phage has been absent and should be returned"
Mara could feel herself panicking. No, Phage had to be gone. And stay gone. No redesign or reprogramming.
"Wait! Your systems have been compromised. You could cause a flaw in Phage's programming, or mechanical design. Let me run an inspection of your systems and the construction facility"
The machine contemplated this for a moment before responding.
"INFILTRATOR-01, you speak correctly. We should run a diagnostic of the station's systems before attempting to reinitialize the Baron Phage. Diagnostic expected to be complete in approximately ... 36 standard hours"
Mara was about to try holding off the droid, but it's optical sensor already deactivated, and she could see, in its damaged shell, processors were already buzzing to life.
36 hours. She had 36 hours time before Phage might be brought back to life. She had to make sure that was not going to happen. At the same time, she could not destroy what she came here for - information on her own droid configuration.
A timer flashed on a small display near the droid's optical unit. 35 hours, 59 minutes. Time for her to get to work.
-
The Ruins of Coruscant
Phage's Platform
Mara had two tasks that she had to complete in a very short amount of time: (1) find the information on her programming and mechanical configuration (2) destroy the proces by which Phage would be recreated.
Time was quickly running out. Despite her uninterrupted time, the damage to the station left many files and file pathways corrupted, leading Mara down one faulty trail after another. Where was ... she? where was her programming, her blueprints - where was everything that led to Mara being Mara - or more appropriately, where was all the stuff that brought INFILTRATOR-01 into existence that allowed it to change into what Mara had become, something more human.
She let out a sigh of frustration as she glanced over at the flashing red timer unit, frowning as she saw that she had lost half her time already. Only about 15 hours left, and with the complexity of a droid program buried in the utter mess of the systems she was pillaging through, it could take even the most sophisticated search far more than that to find what she was looking for.
Now had she had any luck finding the trigger program to Phage's download, or even find a map as to where on the station Phage's reincarnated form would be constructed. She knew her only option was to utterly destroy the base, and with it, any trace of Phage or her past.
She was going through one last try at the machine, before she would start setting the necessary explosives, when she came across a file with a name that struck her as familiar.
"G-U-R-I Project"
Mara's curiosity got the best of her and she tried entering
ACCESS DENIED
That was odd enough. The encryptions within the platform would have prevented outsiders from any access. Why put an additional password on a data file? Mara began typing furiously, in an attempt to bypass the system, but kept getting the same message
ACCESS DENIED
ACCESS DENIED
ACCESS DENIED
ACCESS DENIED
ACCESS DENIED
ACCESS ... wait for it ... DENIED
Damn it! What could be in this file that Phage was hiding from his droids. And then of course, it hit her just what that meant. Phage was hiding files from droids he himself had programmed. Which meant Phage didn't trust his own creations. Well, that made sense - Phage himself was a creation that ultimately turned on its master. But Phage did not have many creations with the processing capacity to allow independent thought. Except for her. Phage had not just password protected this file from anyone, he had blocked it from her. Which meant this file, of all of them, was somehow important to her and her existence, something that Phage didn't want her to know, which made it all that much more important for her to find out.
She pulled from her jumpsuit a software disk, slipped it into the computer, and activated it. A decrypter program, created by herself. Maybe, just maybe, it would work. She watched patiently as the program booted up, then saw as it began trying to slice it's way around Phage's own fences.
WORKING ....
WORKING ....
WORKING ....
WORKING ....
The program kept repeating itself. It would be hours likely before any results came in. And Mara figured she might as well not waste time.
Leaving the computer to do battle with her slicer, she stood and headed out of the room, back into Phage's command center.
"Alright, now where could HE be"
Phage was remarkably tied to ceremony - his rebirth would need to be something spectacular. Plus, it would be in the most secure location in the platform, which was supposedly this very room.
Mara glanced around. She knew the cooridors by heart, imprinted in her memory banks. But there must have been a part of this station that Phage never revealed to her. If she was untrusted, than Phage withheld vital information from her. Including where his new form would be located.
Mara closed her eyes, picturing a blue print of the platform in her head. Where were there inconsistencies between the outer shell and the inner rooms? Where was there a place for extra space, enough for a factory? No, there was none, unless her data was faulty. Where could it be?
She circled the room again before moving to the throne itself. Alexia Winton's lifeless body stared up at her. But Mara looked past that, to the throne itself. A huge metallic chair, seemingly unscathed, where the rest of the chamber was in shambles. Mara looked over the controls of the chair, musing softly to herself, before touching her hand to it and pressing a curiously small button that would not have been visible were it not for the slight splash of blood providing contrast. So inconspicuous. Immediately, she heard a hum from the chair, then a louder vibration, as the throne began to rotate. Most of the chair. The backside remained stationary as the seat and armrests circled around. Where the back would have been, an open shaft, leading downward, wide enough and tall enough to fit a small turbolift.
And in fact, a moment later, just such a turbolift appeared, a hiss as the door opened. Mara stepped inside, watching as the door closed and she moved downward. It seemed mere seconds before the door opened again, revealing a portion of the station Mara had never seen before.
The walls were thick, and made of a material that Mara's sensors could see was denser than even reinforced durasteel. The ceiling was low, the entire room in fact was extremely small. A cylindrical shape, that was no more than four meters in diameter. A heavily insulated cable extended down from the ceiling and spread to what looked like a dish, pointed downward. The floor itself looked like a sealed porthole. On the far side of the room, a small screen was flashing with the words
Running ... Diagnostic ... No Errors Reported .... and a status bar indicating how much time was left. So this was it. This tiny room was where Phage was to be reincarnated. Except that was impossible. The room was too small, and there was no secret droid here. If this is where Phage would be - than where was Phage?
Mara circled the the central dish, to the diagnostic screen and looked it over.
"Infiltrator - 01 ... what are you doing here. This is an unauthorized location"
It was the same droid entity from before, that had been upstairs.
"it was necessary for me to make sure that the physical location was intact and unharmed"
"That does not compute. You are unauthorized in this location."
"With the Baron gone, I'm in charge. He made me his second in command"
A pause
"that does not compute. All Phage droids are subordinate to only the Baron himself."
"Phage trusted me with his missions"
"The Baron programmed every droid with a specific task. Your task was to infiltrate and destroy the five primary targets. My task is to insure that the Baron is recreated. there is no heirarchy. There is only our lord, the Baron Phage, and all other subordinate droids"
Mara shook her head - a useless gesture, talking to a box
"Phage required a more sophisticated droid to be in charge in his absence"
"Negative, Infiltrator-01. The Baron had separate subroutines in case of his demise. You are in violation of said subroutines. You are ordered to power down immediately"
"You are not authorized t-"
"INFILTRATOR-01, your programming is faulty. Diagnostic shows that you have been attempting to access unauthorized information. Analysis predicts that your software has been compromised by enemies. Your slicing attempts have been cancelled. You are to power down immediately for repairs, or will be categorized as a hostile"
"No, wait, you-"
"INFILTRATOR-01, you have failed to compute. Prepare for forced deactivation"
Mara heard a sound from behind her and she ducked down just in time to avoid a metallic arm aiming for her. Quick as she could, she grabbed the arm and jammed it into the computer display.
"Platform has been compromised. Cancelling diagnostic and transmitting PHAGE reactivation programming"
"NO!"
Mara glanced around, noticing several lights beginning to flicker on the dish in the center. Phage wasn't here. He wasn't on the platform. Instead, the dish was sending out the broadcast signal to somewhere. It could be anywhere in the galaxy - or it could be some other rock in the asteroid field. Mara grabbed that metallic arm, watching sparks fly as she yanked it from wiring and swung it around to hit the dish.
"Phage upload ... 50% complete. Preparing decompression sequence"
Below the dish, the hatch began to open with a hiss, and Mara could feel herself being sucked toward the opening. that metallic arm she was swinging managed a last swing at the remarkably durable dish, before Mara was forced to cling onto it to avoid being sucked out the hole, her feet dangling into a small chute that opened into space.
"Phage upload .... 75% complete."
Mara had no time to think. Pulling hard on that metallic arm, she forced her legs upward and hard as she could, slammed them into the dish, once, twice, and then a third time before she lost her grip and felt herself shooting outward. Did she succeed? Did she stop the transmission? It was hard to say. But as the force her exit took her further away from the station, she began to focus on other problems- - such as getting back to her ship and escaping.
Space had nothing for her to push off of, and her trajectory was away from where she was going. Closing her eyes, Mara began to use some of her less human features, in hopes of making some progress.
Activating ... sublight transmitter
program ... activated ... sending power up sequence ....
She could feel her ship receive the signal, feel it respond by slowly beginning to warm up. Now all she had to do was survive long enough for the ship to reach her. Not that she needed air or food, but eventually, the platform may have some weapons it would fire on her. Who knows?
What she did know is that she made matters worse - she may have just reintroduced a monster of a machine to the galaxy, and her efforts to crack her own mysteries had failed. She felt as lonely as she was. Drifting with no direction.
It was an hour later before she managed to remotely command the ship out into space, let it circle around the facility, and then beacon in to her. She had had the fortune of plowing into the remnants of a ruined starfighter, bruising her form but giving her the reverse trajectory she needed to start moving back toward the station, albeit at a slower pace. Sending out the ship's tow cable to make sure she wouldn't drift away, she pulled herself in, and then remotely commanded the ship to drag her back to the base. She wouldn't be staying long. No longer was she a welcomed servant of Phage - now she was an enemy, like everyone else. And likely as not, she would not survive another trip within.
Drifting along, she had no idea what she would do next.
TBD
-
The Ruins of Coruscant
Phage's Platform
The snub fighter had passed through the docking bay entrance, and already Mara could hear the scampering/clanging of droids rushing to meet her. Using the tow cable, and the sudden return of gravity, she swung herself around, remotely opening the hatch of the fighter. Agile artificial musculature curved around just so, allowing her to use the gravity in the most efficient manner, arcing around, prepared to land directly in the cockpit.
Blast.
A heavy weapon had fired straight through the tow cable, slicing it and changing her trajectory. Instead of landing in the cockpit, she smashed into the open hatch. More shots fired now as her body fell clumped, upside down into the seat. No time to think, she leaned a hand behind her head and pressed the button to lower the hatch, then pressed the button to fire lasers. No, she couldn't see where she was firing, but hopefully it would give her attackers some pause. The hatch started coming down, and she began to right herself in the seat, finally facing forward just in time to see - a large metallic hand grasp the side of the cockpit.
An IG-100 MagnaGuard, unmodified, one of Phage's lieutenants. Most had been destroyed on Corellia, but apparently, a few remained here on the station. But Mara wasn't worrying about others - this one had latched onto her ship, it's body and arm tall enough to grasp even with the vessel a meter off the ground. She leaned over the cockpit, mostly closed now save for where that metal hand was preventing it from sealing and glanced downward. Cold glowing eyes stared up at her as a second hand reached up. Two hands of an IG droid might be strong enough to pull her ship, anchor it in place. She wasn't going to let that happen. With a yell, Mara pressed full reverse on the thrusters, the ship jettisoning out of the docking bay as it continued taking fire.
The IG droid, however, was not so easy to be rid of, hand grasp strong enough that he came right with her. His free hand now was reaching behind him, and pulling out an electrostaff. The weapon of choice for most magnaguard droids. He didn't have enough force to pull her anywhere or even bring himself up - but that weapon, properly struck could do some significant damage to her ship. And in a few minutes, she'd likely be within firing range of whatever defenses the platform had active. She needed to be able to escape, and not be a sitting duck.
Without anything shooting at her, she focused on the ship's controls, sending the ship spinning, diving, circling about, trying to get the droid's grip free. Finally, she was rewarded when the electrostaff was flung from the metallic grip, yet still that stubborn droid held on, bringing his second hand up to try and break inside.
Also, the movement of the ship was not designed to withstand the kind of friction of having the hatch not entirely closed, and the gears at the top of the hatch groaned in protest. too much strain, it would fly off - and that could make a very unpleasant hyperspace trip, even for her.
Looking for options, she felt around the cockpit for something that could be helpful. Under the seat, she felt the familiar feel of a blaster, corellian, standard issue. Wouldn't have much power, but hopefully enough. Pulling out the gun, she aimed it at the droid's hands and began firing. one shot, then another. Finally, the droid's fingers lost their strength, and fingers separated from the body that began to float away as it was knocked by the nose of the fighter.
The hatch finally sealed, and not a moment too soon. Turbolaser and laser fire began coming at her from the platform, threatening to destroy her in one strong blow. Mara pushed the joystick forward, punching the fighter ahead as fast as it would go. Hands gripped tightly as she began to navigate through the ion storms and asteroids, trying to make it clear into deep space.
. . . .
Coruscant, or what was left of it, was far behind her. Along with it, more questions than answers. She had not had access to her programming, but she had discovered a file with the name "GURI" Guri was a word she had heard before, but the context of the conversation was missed. She went through her memory banks trying to see what she knew, but alas, all she had heard was that it was the name of some droid - or some droid experimentation program. That much she could have deduced herself. But what kind of program? and where?
The archives of Coruscant were now years destroyed, and Corellia, which had an extensive library of its own was no place for her right now. She would need to go to a place where nobody was expecting her to go, yet had the resource of information that she needed. And so, she would have to brave into the depths of the Galactic Imperial Remnants, and visit the capital of Byss.
She frowned. The last time she had encountered the imperials, it had been when William Tacofer had been the Corellian Governor, trying to prevent the military takeover. Emperor Dementat had wanted Corellia to join the Empire, but Tacofer declined the offer. The Emperor, of course, had been right - Corellia had fallen to its own militaristic powers. Not at war with the Empire, as the fledgling republic was, it was certainly not at peace either. Would the empire immediately fire on her, in a corellian fighter? Or would she be able to land?
Only one way to find out. With a press of a few buttons, and a pull back on the throttle, her ship entered hyperspace to the very deepest parts of the galaxy.
TBC
-
Byss
Capital of The Imperial Remnants
Throughout the reign of Emperor Palpatine, and for millenia beforehand, Coruscant had been the capital of the known galaxy. Palpatine's imperial palace, the greatest commercial routes, and the greatest defenses all were a part of Coruscant. But Palpatine foresaw the value of having a hidden world, still deeper in the galaxy's center. His intuition proved worthwhile for the Empire - when Coruscant fell to the New Republic, Byss became the capital of Empire. And long before its existence (let alone location) became public, Palpatine and his successors had transformed Byss into a world far more protected and possibly more valuable than Coruscant ever could be.
The gravity was different here, so close to the center of the galaxy. Mara could feel it - register it in her sensor readings. But she also could picture in her cranial processors something else. Byss was no ordinary world.
When she exited hyperspace, her first impression was that the world looked like Coruscant - a planetwide city. But on closer inspection, she saw that she was mistaken. It was not that the world was covered in cement and durasteel. Instead, it was what orbited around the world that made it glisten metal: Multiple skyhooks, drydocks that could be used to construct vessels many times the size of a super star destroyer, Golan platforms, and ships - hundreds upon hundreds of ships of every shape and size seemed to block the world from every angle from outside attackers.
The sleek image of a super star destroyer could be seen in one drydock, but the ISDs that abounded were equally impressive, combining their size with the sheer number of them.
The Empire had recovered significantly from its years of losses to the Republic, and Emperor Dementat had made clear his goals of expansion. But Byss was not the secret it had been years ago, and defending the capital with the largest of the imperial fleets was no doubt a sign that Dementat was taking no chances of leaving his home base unprotected.
Mara saw other ships as well, smaller, and in varying shapes and sizes. As she drew closer to the world, small pinpoints that looked like dust materialized into fighter squadrons that were on patrol.
Cargo and freight vessels also seemed to be streaming in and out of the planet, multiple TIE squadrons patrolling along the lines of vessels seeking permission to land.
Mara had yet to figure out exactly how to approach her arrival on Byss. Come in secret, and try to sneak into the heavily fortified imperial archives? Or ask permission first? Each answer carried its own perils. All were practical issues, not moral. Mara was not a jedi - she had been influences by the morally gray: the Trade Federation, Phage, Valerie Gellar, Corellian and Imperial Intelligence. Even considering her new found ability to choose, she wasn't sure what to choose, or why to choose the "morally superior" republic or the autocratic empire. She knew that she wanted Corellia to be free, because Valerie wanted Corellia to be free.
But "free" like "alive" could mean any number of different things.
The small fighter was navigated into a path of descent. She was now close enough to see the details on the sides of the star destroyers, see which ones had battle scars and which ones had the pristine look of newness. Passing through the screen of defenses, she could now see the soft blue-green glow of light reflecting off the planet from the sun. Something to do with the use of the Force on this world by Palpatine.
Flying closer still, she could make out the larger cities on Byss, covering vast continents. This was when she first was contacted.
"Corellian Fighter, state your purpose and destination"
Mara's ship now detected two TIE fighters closing in behind her, weapons warming up. Ah well. She wasn't going to evade them. Too much trouble. Plus, how long can you hide in the belly of the beast?
"This is Mara Gellar. I seek to land in the capital city"
"Hold your course"
The TIE fighters closed in, but refrained from firing. It was a few minutes before a response.
"The Imperial Diplomatic Core has contacted us. You are listed as a criminal renegade from Corellia. What is your purpose with the Galactic Empire?"
Despite the Empire's gains, they were hardly an 'empire' at this point - but Mara was not going to tell them they were still known colloquially as 'remnants' not a good idea when trying to get in their good graces.
"Corellia has labeled me a criminal, but I have done no wrong. Those in power feel threatened by me. I wish to meet with the Emperor."
"No one meets with the Emperor"
Mara frowned. No, that would have been too easy.
"In that case, I wish to meet with an emissary of the Emperor. I recall meeting Admiral Saevia in the past?"
She knew her time was running out. If she didn't get permission to land, she'd likely be blown out of the sky before she had the chance. It was another few tense minutes before she received a response.
"Mara Gellar, you are directed to land at docking bay C-32, following the flight path we are transmitting now. Deviate from this course, and you will be shot down."
"I understand"
Mara began her descent, following the directed path into the capital city of Byss, the large Imperial Citadel towering in the distance. She had no idea what would happen when she landed.
==========================================
Imperial Diplomatic Core Offices
"Sir, we are tailing a correllian standard fighter making a descent toward the capital. Pilot says her name is Mara Gellar, and our files indicate she is listed as a criminal from Corellia. She wishes to meet an 'emissary of the Emperor.' Actually, she wanted to meet the Emperor himself, but of course, that is not allowed. Shall we let her land?"
The head officer frowned - everyone wanted a word with the emperor. But there was protocol. He transmitted the message up the next rung, on the off chance that the criminal had something of value. The Empire, after all had been eyeing Corellia for sometime now.
He was startled to get the message, ordering her to be allowed to land immediately. High priority. and he had no idea why
To Be Continued by her Royal Highness ...
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
" ... Have the landing party bring her to me and keep it quiet. I am not in the mood for a public showdown."
The handmaiden nods and scampers away, leaving Karen with a haze of questions and angles. She squares her shoulders, stands and stalks off into wardrobe to find something more betting a future Empress.
A smaller, more intimate reception hall with a breathtaking view into the pulsing green and blue cityscape below is prepared.
The twinkling lights amplify the intensity of Karen's emerald eyes as she awaits a girl who calls herself a Gellar.
Before Mara had even landed, the TIE fighters behind her already began zooming off, heading back into orbit before most in the city would even notice them. Mara's landing would look like any other ship landing.
A bit odd - they had been so forceful about her keeping to her lane, but now it seemed it was more important that her landing NOT look important.
When she had landed, the odd behavior continued. She was greeted by two imperial officers in their standard black garb. No storm troopers could be seen.
And her landing location was, despite its closeness to the palace, a rather decrepit looking sight. Old freighters could be seen on either end being serviced. Obviously, her landing was meant not to draw attention.
Mara had no qualms with that. Meeting with an imperial emissary could cause her more trouble than was worth, and secrecy could only help her (unless, of course, the imperials wanted her dead - then secrecy would mean they would not hesitate to finish her off).
Without so much as a word, the officers led her down a narrow underground passageway. The path began to slope upward, and the walls began to look neater, the steel lined walls looked cleaner, more pristine as they moved further from the landing bay. Finally, they reached a set of blast doors that when opened, revealed a set of turbolifts. The room was plain, but the turbolifts were fancy enough. Mara could not get a sense of where she was, but her best guess (her processors had done a fairly good job of narrowing down the number of possibilities) was that she was in the basement of a small but well known reception hall that had a high rise looking over the city, just a short distance from the citadel.
The turbolift inside was just as nice, and Mara took note of the shiny chrome handlebar and plexiglass windows, allowing her to see inside the turbolift shaft. Several stories up, the view changed, and she could see herself rising higher and higher above the city. through a now transparent wall. Higher still before the turbolift began to slow and come to a stop at the penthouse level.
With a hiss, the doors opened, and she stepped out into a dimly lit yet well decorated hall. Windows were covered with heavy curtains, giving the room a more intimate feel.
And ahead of her, a woman with fiery red hair and green eyes. Mara stepped forward, though her escort hung back. This woman had a presence about her.
Mara was not as well put together - her jumpsuit, stolen from a pilot, was ill fitting and torn from her recent excursions. But her hair and her face would be recognizable to Karen - the black hair, dark eyes, pouty lips - they looked like Valerie Gellar, not exactly, but close enough that someone would think they were sisters.
Mara recognized Karen too. Seeing her face, she immediately began processing what she saw through her databanks.
The first entry that popped up:
- Imperial Counselor, Karen Winton, Emissary to Contruum.
Public information regarding the socialite-gone-sith flooded through Mara's cortex. But then more information, connecting Karen to the sister that had allied with Phage.
- Alexia Winton, terminated, Coruscant
Other bits and pieces of data filtered through, but Mara did not know the whole story, either because Phage didn't know, or didn't want her to know. All these thoughts ran through her head in the seconds it took her to approach Karen. But one thing she did know, as images scrolled through her head, old tabloids of the redhead and her cohort. This was a friend of Valerie's.
Mara approached Karen and nodded her head in a sign of respect.
"Counselor Winton - it is good to meet you. I am Mara Gellar. I am Valerie's cousin"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
The reception hall is quiet and still as she reflects on the unexpected. It all seems like a lifetime ago. Memories flood through her mind, filtered by the darkness that now consumes it. All the ways Valerie was that Karen could never let herself be back then. The freedom, lack of shame and reckless abandon in which she took from the worlds was often the source of conflict. And when she got the bright idea to drag Kimber along to come looking for Karen after Dementat had called on her, she instead found St. Claire and began the rise to her greatest legacy. She set in motion things that had been written long before any of them were even born.
Destiny's a bitch but then again, so was Valerie.
A soft chime signals the arrival of the lift. Karen turns around, running her fingers along the smooth fabric of the simple but elegant gray one-shoulder pleated gown. Her crimson hair is stylishly tousled and spills halfway down her back. The girl steps into the room accompanied by two escorts, disheveled but strikingly beautiful. There is no mistaking those features. The raven hair, smoldering eyes, and perfect pout. Waves of the past crash against the shore of the present.
"Leave us."
The escorts vanish.
Karen is so taken aback she has to stifle a gasp. The resemblance is overwhelming. Still, there is something ever so slightly off. The girls skin is lighter, devoid of Valerie's naturally darker complexion. There is something else too. She can't...feel her. Not in the way she can feel everyone else. When she speaks, it is with a voice she knows.
"Counselor Winton - it is good to meet you. I am Mara Gellar. I am Valerie's cousin."
First thought; counselor? Oh yeah right, that. She had convinced herself the whole diploserve thing was a cruel joke played on her by an even crueler father. He paid quite a price for it too. Second; cousin? Until recently, family was not something Valerie Gellar knew she had. Kimber, the Major, so many secrets. Perhaps there are Gellar's no one has yet heard of. Even so, names and appearances do not automatically establish trust. It must be played a certain way.
Karen smiles broadly, moving toward her slowly.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mara. I'm Karen Winton. I was one of Valerie's closest friends on Coruscant. My deepest condolences on your loss. We all anguish in her absence but I am honored to be in your company."
Mara regards her curiously.
Karen sashays toward the table, motioning over the refreshments laid out upon it.
"Please, make yourself comfortable."
There are several moments of hesitation before she sits. She certainly shares Valerie's suspicious nature. Karen eases into a chair directly across from her, gazing openly at the ghost of a dearly departed frenemy.
"I am told you seek audience with the Emperor. I also have been made aware of your status on Corellia. While I'm not saying the two are mutually exclusive, it does beg certain questions. So I must ask, why have you come?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
"It's very nice to meet you, Mara. I'm Karen Winton. I was one of Valerie's closest friends on Coruscant. My deepest condolences on your loss. We all anguish in her absence but I am honored to be in your company."
"It was not just a loss for me - Valerie's death was a loss for all of Corellia"
Mara examined Karen as she moved to a table, offering refreshments
"Please, make yourself comfortable."
Mara inspected both the table and the food for a moment before taking a seat.
"Thank you"
Karen Winton may have been friends of Valerie, but she was smart enough to know not to trust just anyone. How many people had tried to kill her? Mara's database on the princess was remarkably lacking in detail, for someone so well known. Most of it was just the public records, available to just about anyone else. And if Karen didn't trust her, her hospitality was either a test or a trap. Either way, Mara had to be careful.
"I am told you seek audience with the Emperor. I also have been made aware of your status on Corellia. While I'm not saying the two are mutually exclusive, it does beg certain questions. So I must ask, why have you come?"
Ah, straight to the point. Mara took a seat, ignoring the food that had been placed out and turned her gaze to Karen.
"My status on Corellia is because I sided with the elected officials of government over military rule. The new High Commander of the Corellian Defense Forces has declared martial law. And because I was a political threat to him, he tried to have me killed. The Emperor, when he visited Corellia, foresaw that this would happen. But Governor Tacofer, for all his goodness, insisted on maintaining the current democratic process. Valerie died to protect Corellia's freedom, and both he and I would do anything to protect her legacy."
Mara paused, sighing. It seemed odd - the only way to get freedom from one dictator was to accept it from another. How often did freedom fighters really win freedom? The Alliance did alright, but now it was a mess of infighting, and likely to be taken over by the strongest diplomat, strongest general. Maybe in the end, the Empire was the best way to go - a galaxy under the strong rule of one, who (at least according to him) allowed each world its own ability to function just as long as they paid their taxes and obeyed the rules. It didn't sound so bad. Maybe if Dementat took Corellia into the Empire, Corellia would really be free.
Mara turned her thoughts back to the present
"That, however, is not the reason I am here on Byss. I am here on a more ... personal mission."
If she was going to gain access to anything, she would have to tell Karen something and so after a pause she continued.
"I share a great deal with Valerie. And it was not until her death that I truly appreciated our connection. She is ... more like a sister to me really. We share ... we share the same coding. The Empire had worked on a project with the Trade Federation to develop ... well, to develop true artificial intelligence. It turns out, Valerie was the blueprint of that project. Now, the project is defunct, the trade federation gone, and only the highest levels of the Imperial government have the information on the project."
She had looked away while she was speaking but now again looked up at Karen.
"I am not simply a cousin of Valerie. I am the offspring of her genetic code. I am her artificial-intelligent clone."
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
"My status on Corellia is because I sided with the elected officials of government over military rule. The new High Commander of the Corellian Defense Forces has declared martial law. And because I was a political threat to him, he tried to have me killed. The Emperor, when he visited Corellia, foresaw that this would happen. But Governor Tacofer, for all his goodness, insisted on maintaining the current democratic process. Valerie died to protect Corellia's freedom, and both he and I would do anything to protect her legacy."
To listen to someone speak so highly of something Valerie had done is almost as startling as the similarity in their appearances. Karen had glanced over the reports on those lonely nights aboard the Quandary. She knew that Valerie had united the Corellian Sector in the fight against Phage and that the interim government post-attack had been seized upon by Saga Judec. Dementat spoke of him as if he were some sort of brute no doubt since Corellia had been unreceptive to an Imperial offer. She knows her beloved wants the Sector. It would be a powerful symbol to the rest of the galaxy in turning them. Still, personal feelings tug at the edges of her possession.
"I am grateful to hear that. Valerie would be very proud."
Mara ponders something then says.
"That, however, is not the reason I am here on Byss. I am here on a more ... personal mission."
Karen perks up. Now they are getting somewhere. There hasn't been enough gossip around here lately save for that about her relationship with the Emperor. Tawdry, salacious speculation at best. She wonders if Mara could sense a similar digression on Karen's part and would provide new lurid details about her infamous fallen friend.
"Oh?"
"I share a great deal with Valerie. And it was not until her death that I truly appreciated our connection. She is ... more like a sister to me really. We share ... we share the same coding."
Karen holds up a hand, "I'm sorry, we're going to need a judge's ruling on that. Coding?"
Mara turns as if remembering something painful.
"The Empire had worked on a project with the Trade Federation to develop ... well, to develop true artificial intelligence. It turns out, Valerie was the blueprint of that project. Now, the project is defunct, the trade federation gone, and only the highest levels of the Imperial government have the information on the project."
Karen's face clouds over, voice dropping.
"Project?"
"I am not simply a cousin of Valerie. I am the offspring of her genetic code. I am her artificial-intelligent clone."
That's why she can't feel her.
Flashes hit Karen hard as her mouth drops open. Coruscant Asteroid Field. Phage's Base. Final showdown with Alexia. Sister dearest had taken her time in torturing Karen with mental manipulations of the past. Losing their friends, those pulled helplessly into the carnage, their parents hand in it all, fates revealed. One figure stands out, towering over the lifeless body of Scott St. Claire. Alexia had shown her how Phage killed Valerie and who had killed Phage. The woman told her she was the other half of Valerie. Wasn't she blond? Karen shutters, reaching quickly for her chalice to drink. She then levels her gaze at Mara as the cognitive dusts settle.
"You. I...know you."
Karen rises quickly, eyes momentarily growing darker as the entire room trembles.
" I...saw it. You killed Scott and Lena at the Wheel. Alexia...she...she showed me. Phage rescued her from the fortress on Roon. He brought her to what was once the capital, to the base within it. He...rebuilt her. He sent droids to attack Kimber as leverage against Valerie but we stopped them. We..."
Fabricated an entire series of events around Phage's final assault on Corellia that would result in Valerie's death. Agent Marius Guile, on her father, the Director's, orders, murdered most of her Imperial ground team. Only doctor Kensington survived. Together, they had blamed it on Phage to cover Kimber's escape to the Hapes Cluster with the wanted Imperial Director. Statements were issued, reports filed, and in doing so she lied to her lover. It had been her revenge against Dementat knowing what kind of man her father was all along. She let Guile go. Presumably, he lives. To now hear Imperial authorities had knowledge about this project does not surprise her. She has a particular authority in mind.
Hatred swells.
She should have known.
Propelled forward, anchored to the unseen, an endless sequence of connections written down and withheld.
"only the highest levels of the Imperial government"
The statement still stings with implications and loose ends.
Karen exhales slowly and focuses on Mara's face. She needs a clearer picture, something to frame the revelation.
"...lost so many during that dark time. I apologize for the outburst. This is all so overwhelming for me, you know? Or do you? I mean, what...are you? Valerie's clone? How is that even possible and what does the Empire have to do with it?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
"You. I...know you."
Mara watches as Karen's appearance changes, quickly, from inquisitive into ... something else. Something Mara couldn't quite define. It wasn't anger. Or maybe it was more than anger
" I...saw it. You killed Scott and Lena at the Wheel.
Mara nodded, observing Karen. Was it wrong of her to come here? That look on her face was something Mara had learned to associate with hatred.
" Alexia...she...she showed me. Phage rescued her from the fortress on Roon. He brought her to what was once the capital, to the base within it. He...rebuilt her. He sent droids to attack Kimber as leverage against Valerie but we stopped them. We..."
Mara remembered Alexia - Karen's sister. And she knew, at least in brief detail, of the attempt on a woman named Kimber Patten, though not a part of her assignment. She had been assigned, no, programmed, to kill five. Mara realized that the woman before her now was the one who had destroyed Alexia and left such an impression on the platform drifting in the Coruscant asteroid field. Maybe this was the right place to come after all. Karen had trialed off, her eyes dilating, as if looking into the past, recalling some memory. Mara too had recollections - and not any more voluntary. She still saw flashes. Killing St. Claire, Lena. and of course, Phage. burned with utter brilliance into Mara's cranial processors, but unable to be deleted or sealed away in an archive. They were part of her living day to day, if it could be called living. Mara's own recollection was, thankfully, stopped as Karen continued speaking.
"...lost so many during that dark time. I apologize for the outburst. This is all so overwhelming for me, you know? Or do you? I mean, what...are you? Valerie's clone? How is that even possible and what does the Empire have to do with it?"
Mara shook her head
"You need not apologize. But I'm afraid I can only give you so many answers. I, after all, came here for many of the same answers.
Most of what I am has been hidden from me, in files Phage prevented me from accessing. I believe it was part of what was called the GURI Project, though I do not know the significance of the word "Guri." The Viceroy, Medivh, told me what I know. The Trade Federation worked with Imperial Intelligence on creating artificial intelligence. Not just another droid, but a being that could actually make the infinite number of choices available to all naturally born beings. The Viceroy had an affinity for creating life where life could not be created. Even more so, he believed that if he worked hard enough, he could make himself immortal, by creating a droid-clone of himself. I don't believe he, or the Empire ever got that far. Phage was just a prototype, and I am just the next generation of that."
Mara paused for a moment, wondering. Phage might be immortal - even if his body was destroyed, he had a backup program, a way of being reborn. Could Phage ever die? And if not, did that make him more alive or less so?
"Anyhow, the programming of such a being was complex - more than any other artificial intelligence ever before created. And so it needed a basis. That basis was a young girl named Valerie Gellar. Her DNA became the blueprint of the programming that created Phage. Quite literally, using each DNA chromosome of her to form another character trait of Phage's systems. And then Phage completed that task with me. Not only does my programming resemble Valerie's DNA. But those parts of me that are biological - my skin for example - are in fact cloned from cells of Valerie's skin."
Mara glanced down, a hand brushing against her arm before again continuing.
"Originally, I was created with a rather generic appearance - something that could be changed easily to suit my mission. But after ... after both Valerie and Phage were destroyed, I decided I wanted to emulate the woman whom I was made from. And so, I took on the appearance of Valerie."
Mara watched Karen, watched her reactions, not sure how the woman would respond, or what she would think. It was several minutes of silence before she spoke again.
"I came here to learn the missing steps. To learn about the Guri Project, and about my own programming. Coruscant is destroyed - there is nothing there that I can search for. And Corellia, if it has anything, is unavailable to me right now. Only the Empire can help me now"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
"You need not apologize. But I'm afraid I can only give you so many answers. I, after all, came here for many of the same answers."
Karen is still reeling, thrown by the new facts added to an already complicated haze of events.
"I'm certainly not opposed to the trading of information if it is viable and mutually beneficial. You did, after all, stop Phage. The galaxy owes you for that. Had he prevailed at Corellia and set his sights on others, he would have become an everyone problem. So, let us share. Tell me what you know, I'll tell you what I know. We can go from there. Discovery is the best part of the process."
"Most of what I am has been hidden from me, in files Phage prevented me from accessing. I believe it was part of what was called the GURI Project, though I do not know the significance of the word "Guri." The Viceroy, Medivh, told me what I know. The Trade Federation worked with Imperial Intelligence on creating artificial intelligence. Not just another droid, but a being that could actually make the infinite number of choices available to all naturally born beings. The Viceroy had an affinity for creating life where life could not be created. Even more so, he believed that if he worked hard enough, he could make himself immortal, by creating a droid-clone of himself. I don't believe he, or the Empire ever got that far. Phage was just a prototype, and I am just the next generation of that."
"Imperial Intel?" Karen mutters softly. "St. Claire was employed by that particular branch."
As was her father. She is not certain this is relevant yet so she withholds it. The girl might have ulterior motives but then again, who doesn't? Karen can see many angles from which to address the opportunity but she begins with the personal. She also needs to know certain things. Things that are more important than adding another trophy to her lover's mantle.
"The term "GURI" does not ring a bell. Medivh, however, does. His public record and position aside, Valerie had briefly mentioned him."
Mara nods and continues.
"Anyhow, the programming of such a being was complex - more than any other artificial intelligence ever before created. And so it needed a basis. That basis was a young girl named Valerie Gellar. Her DNA became the blueprint of the programming that created Phage. Quite literally, using each DNA chromosome of her to form another character trait of Phage's systems. And then Phage completed that task with me. Not only does my programming resemble Valerie's DNA. But those parts of me that are biological - my skin for example - are in fact cloned from cells of Valerie's skin."
Yipes!
Phage is of Valerie.
Of course he was.
Her genetics had helped create a monster and the monster spawned Mara. Karen fights the urge to actively recoil in disgust. The whole idea creeps her the hell out. The thought of Valerie living forever through various recreations, copies of copies, diluted by mechanics, sends chills up her spine. Still, looking back, ruthless and familiar patterns begin to emerge.
"Well, no wonder Phage was so shady. No offense to you or anything. Val had...a way about her. What perplexes me is, how or why was Valerie chosen? Somehow I don't think that's random. Were you created specifically to resemble her?"
"Originally, I was created with a rather generic appearance - something that could be changed easily to suit my mission. But after ... after both Valerie and Phage were destroyed, I decided I wanted to emulate the woman whom I was made from. And so, I took on the appearance of Valerie."
"Did you? That's...great."
Karen glances over Mara's face, those features, so defined and realistic. Despite being completely twisted, it's amazing work. It's remarkable how much a cut and color will do for a person.
"She, you, are gorgeous. But it's not enough, is it? Just to look like her?"
"I came here to learn the missing steps. To learn about the Guri Project, and about my own programming. Coruscant is destroyed - there is nothing there that I can search for. And Corellia, if it has anything, is unavailable to me right now. Only the Empire can help me now."
The magic words sound beautiful spoken aloud.
Intrigued but confident this could serve them well, Karen makes a command decision. Seeds must be planted, wheels turning toward the conclusions she wants made. Mara is terrifyingly unique in so many ways. She was designed to decide but could she also feel? If she could, these feelings would be new and startling to her. Alexia said Mara had murdered St. Claire as she was self-actualizing, breaking free of the primary programming that held her captive. If Mara has feelings then she may easily fall victim to them.
Karen straightens and smiles sincerely, resisting the compulsion to reach out and take her hand for maximum effect. Her voice is soft and even with a hint of hopefulness.
"We would be more than happy to help but there is something you should know. As you are part of Valerie Gellar, Valerie Gellar is part of Kimber Patten. They share coding too which means you do have a living relative. Major Kyri Patten's exploits were shocking to say the least. Your existence adds considerable weight to that story. That is, if he knew about it. Our creators, our parents, hid much from us too. I understand why you must know."
She glances over the impressive spread on the decorated table and sighs.
"Clearly you don't need to eat but replenishment, in whatever capacity, can be provided. Please, come with me."
Karen strides toward the door at a pace that would allow Mara to follow. The lifts take them to a private landing platform where her gleaming black hoverlimo awaits. Just like old times. Karen slips on sunglasses and motions to Mara. They are taken to the central Citadel. She turns to Mara who stares through the tinted blaster-proof windows at the jagged durasteel landscape below.
"Normally, I would put you up at the Hotel Verona but I think it might be best to minimize your public presence for the moment. A media frenzy will only hinder our search for answers. Those I love are lost to me much the same way they are to you. If I help you find answers, perhaps you can help me find my friends."
When they arrive, Karen leads her through a maze of lavishly decorated corridors to a guest suite. The interior is spacious and minimally furnished.
"The refresher is through those doors. There is clothing in the closet. Whatever tools you might need to recharge will be brought to you. I'll be back a bit later."
She pauses at the door.
"Think about what I said. We can help each other."
Then she is gone.
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
Mara had laid her cards out on the table. There seemed little benefit to being coy. She wanted something from the Empire, and she told Karen so.
Karen immediately seems willing to offer help. Including a name - Kimber Patten. A relative? Karen doesn't go into details, but Mara files the information away, curious to learn more about this sudden new being in her life. Karen Winton. Kimber Patten. Wasn't there another? A fourth? Mara's mind scrolls through old tabloids, seeing pictures of a blond-haired girl, and a brown haired girl glitzed up along with Valerie, Karen. One of those must have been this Kimber. Who was the other? Mara refrained from asking - there seemed to be more pressing issues at hand.
Karen was incorrect thought. Nourishment was necessary for survival, and though she had made necessary repairs that allowed battery power to last significantly longer, food consumption was part of her construction - part of the design to make her seem more human to those she was infiltrating. But only in small doses, and only after long stretches of time. No need to reveal that particular vulnerability to this woman whom Mara had just met. Old programming told her not to trust, whether she wanted to or not.
Karen leads Mara, who follows silently, listening as the woman seems to thrill in luxury - hover limo, sun glasses, hotels, expensive decor. All matched the persona that the tabloids had established. Mara couldn't tell if it was real or just a facade. Another thought to save for another time. Karen had what humans called "fashion sense" and many apparently wished to emulate her style of dress. "Trend setter." Valerie had been one too, but in a different way. She had a reputation. But tabloids marketed on reputations, true or false. Without a word between them, Mara was left to wonder whether the tabloids had it right at all, or whether, like so many things, there were layers that remained unseen.
"Normally, I would put you up at the Hotel Verona but I think it might be best to minimize your public presence for the moment. A media frenzy will only hinder our search for answers.
Mara nodded
"indeed, it could cause a great number of problems if word got out that I was here. For me, for us. Saga Judec would be less than thrilled"
The hoverlimo is slowing as they arrive at their destination. That is when Karen turns to her, staring at Mara through the black shades. She makes her first pitch.
Those I love are lost to me much the same way they are to you. If I help you find answers, perhaps you can help me find my friends."
Her friends - again, images run through Mara's head of the tabloids. She speaks.
"There were four of you - yourself, Valerie. A brown haired girl; a blonde haired girl. Are these the ones that are missing?"
Karen merely nods, saying no more as she leads Mara into the guest suite. Mara takes it in, retinal scans searching for bugs or other devices. Again, part of her programming.
"The refresher is through those doors. There is clothing in the closet. Whatever tools you might need to recharge will be brought to you. I'll be back a bit later."
Mara turns to Karen as she is heading back to the entrance
"Think about what I said. We can help each other."
Karen leaves and Mara stares after her. Karen has an agenda. Just like she does. The question though, is will Mara get what she wants in the end?
Mara cared about very few things:
1) She wanted revenge - revenge on Saga Judec and his forces for killing the only people that Mara felt she could trust, that she had ever been close to.
2) She wanted control of her programming - to learn about her creation, to make choices for how to change that programming. To be free
3) She wanted freedom - not just for herself, but, as an extension of the Valerie Gellar personality, for Corellia.
4) And she wanted to be alive. To feel completely alive. And everything that entailed.
Karen seemed to want things to - to 'find her friends' though a woman of Karen's stature was unlikely to have trouble reconnecting with friends - unless they didn't wish to be found. The Empire had a reputation. Maybe Karen's friends didn't like the Empire. Maybe they weren't friends of Karen's anymore.
Mara didn't care. Phage had been her master - with him gone, her programming put herself at the top of the list. The only one she truly cared about, and certainly more than anyone else. Whatever was going on that this Karen Winton needed help in, Mara had no moral qualms with helping her out - if it helped Mara out.
And maybe, she could learn more about this family member, Kimber Patten.
Mara turned from the doorway to the window, glancing out at the skyline of Byss. Coming here was the right choice. She could help Karen Winton, and Karen Winton could help her.
Mara smiled.
For a moment, just for a moment, she feels a strange exhilaration, what could only be described as "light-heartedness" a work she had heard used to describe those who were happy. Progress made Mara happy. And the possibility of learning more about herself, that too made her happy.
She glanced down at herself. A mess. torn up jumpsuit, dirt and bruises. Winton, no doubt, would remain stylish as ever. Perhaps Mara should take care of herself to not stand so distinctly apart. Shedding her clothing, she stepped away from the window and headed to the refresher, into the shower. Faucet on, hot water pouring down. Skin receptors felt the heat, and biomechanical muscles appreciated it. Another good feeling, Mara closing her eyes. Is this what it felt like to be alive?
FLASH. Phage standing over Valerie, about to make the final kill.
FLASH. No, wait, Phage wasn't standing over Valerie, she was standing over Mara, red eyes seering as he spoke one word.
"TRAITOR"
FLASH. Phage standing over, next to ... it looked like Karen Winton. But that couldn't be. Karen had never met Phage. Only Alexia. Phage and Karen seemed locked in battle before both turn to face her. It is Phage - or Karen - or both. They speak simultaneously.
"Which one of us is your master?"
"Which one of us is your master?
Mara screams, punching out toward them.
FLASH
Mara's eyes open. The shower water is pouring down on her, her fist having created a deep hole in the ceramic wall tiles. No more happy thoughts. A strange panic. She had had dreams before -flashbacks. But some of these things she could not have seen. Karen and Phage never battled, never spoke. she certainly had never seen it. Why could she see things like that?
Maybe ... Mara's super computer of a brain spent several real seconds trying to think of a possibility that could lead to the resulting flashbacks.
OK, maybe ...
1) Her sustained injuries left her with memory feedbacks - explanation for the initial flashbacks
2) When on Phage's platform, she had somehow downloaded video feed images of the battle between Karen and Alexia
3) Her injuries had cross-wired those images - somehow - combining and redistributing them to create the strange series of events she had just witnessed.
Sure. Mara tried to believe that was true. Her cerebral processors somehow made several memory images into a single new set of thoughts. Like real dreams. But more disconcerting.
Mara stared at the hole she had made, a reflex. Phage had called her a traitor. Was she a traitor? And if so, to whom?
Shower turned off, Mara stepped out, drying herself off. Her own internal struggle, apparently, was not as clearcut as she thought. Who was her master. Phage? Valerie? Karen Winton? herself? She shook her head as she began to prepare herself, to make herself beautiful as possible. Infiltrator programming told her how to make her makeup just right to look sexy but not whorish. the same was true for picking out an outfit - something that would turn heads, but not obscene. Mara had deflected from the styles that had made her such a useful infiltrator, and instead chose something more conservative to wear, a black dress that fit her nicely but not too tightly. black shoes with a low, half inch heel. She didn't want to draw attention, even if Karen Winton was used to drawing attention. She felt comfortable, and healthier than she had in days. Despite her worries and the strange encounter with 'memories' in the shower.
Everyone had their haunts. even droids.
Mara was dressed and ready, watching the sky turn dark and the city grow light as she waited for the return of Karen Winton.
The chime at the door told her the counselor was there and she went to greet her.
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
Karen returns to the guest suite, hopeful she had played into Mara's burgeoning sense of self. She is somewhat surprised at her own excitement and curiosity given this new angle. Only two months had passed since she discovered they all had been playing roles no one can remember auditioning for. There was merely the illusion of choice throughout their formative years. Boyfriends, outfits, cheer, modeling, parties, premiere's. These superficial causes were part of a much larger framework their parents had willingly allowed them to walk right into. Everything had finally unraveled in the weeks leading up to the last battle with Alexia. Choices were made on the information available yet there was no follow-up, no closure. In her own way, she also wants to be free - free of the invisible strings that have pulled them along for so long. As she struck Alexia down, her destiny became clear yet emotional attachments from the past linger and peer through the darkness.
No matter how many she seems to cut away, more strings dangle above the brightly lit stage.
Karen Winton is a girl who knows the versatility and value a carefully constructed reputation can provide. The Four had used this wisely, keeping everyone at arm's length but in complete awe. Speculation serves to distract and that usually played out in their favor. She has chosen to renew the vow with the Imperial press. Her public persona is something she gives them, a familiar source of scandal and style they so desperately crave. She knows her purpose and that is to rule this galaxy at Dementat's side but everyone knows that pretty and personable leaders are more easily accepted and forgiven.
Mara answers the door in a stunning black number.
"I trust you are feeling more relaxed...."
Karen's breath catches in her throat at the sight of her. The resemblance to Valerie is now glaring and uncanny. While her outfit is far more conservative, the effect is exactly the same. Mara exudes a sexual menace that dares those around her to tempt fate.
"...yes, I see that you are. Love the look, by the way."
Mara glances down over herself then back at Karen as if unsure how to take the compliment.
She maintains a cheerful expression.
"Good news, I've been granted authority to personally handle your situation. The Emperor is displeased with how they have treated you on Corellia. Someone who was designed after a hero and so clearly assisted the galaxy with a known threat deserves more respect than you have been shown on your home world. He is certain he can help resolve this issue, if you so desire."
Karen lets that settle over her.
"For now, let's find out what we can about how you came to be."
Karen traverses the complex corridors with Mara walking swiftly behind. Her saber swings with each step. She avoids central gathering areas to minimize exposure and glares at those who dare look upon them. It is not long before they reach a small command station manned by two officers on second shift.
They stand instantly, bowing before her.
"You're Highness."
She nods.
"Leave us."
Their eyes wander past her to Mara. Karen does not introduce them.
Once they are alone, Karen moves to one of the terminals. She accesses the network and begins a broad search for the term: Guri. No results. She tries variations on the word. Still nothing. Anger rising, she types in: Valerie Gellar.
Restricted.
Gasping, she types in several others.
All restricted.
The expression on Mara's face suggests she wonders if Karen had really been authorized to conduct such a search. It is in that moment - overpowered by lingering connections to a fallen friend, an unyielding desire to know the whole story, and the visions haunting her - that she extends the first shreds of trust.
"You were right. There were four of us. Valerie, Kimber, Melanie and I. The Empire, under previous management, kept tabs on us for reasons we could not comprehend. Later we discovered plans had been made without our knowledge. Projects were broken down by individual. I'm beginning to wonder if the Phage project and by extension, you, were what they had in mind for Valerie all along."
Karen stares through the screen, mind whirling away.
"Why her? Why was Valerie chosen?"
She is mildly annoyed that her codes do not grant her access to any relevant information but that could simply be an oversight. She, too, was one of these projects and while she did have access, it is highly likely it was limited to certain areas. After she had confronted Dementat with the fact that she knew Alexander Winton's true identity as Imperial Director, she had demanded his files. He refused on grounds that he did not wish her more harm than her father had already brought on them all.
Perhaps there is more the Empire does not want her to know.
"Care to take a crack at it?"
She stands and steps aside. Mara sits at the terminal and begins working it in a way she has never seen before. Fingers that dance across the keys so rapid it's a blur. Sub-paths and backdoors within the Imperial network lead them to one place.
A message.
The files they are searching for can only be accessed from the core terminal.
A warning?
A series of numbers scroll across the screen.
ESE 111980
It takes Karen a moment to realize what they are.
"It's an address. On Byss."
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emperor's Citadel
"Good news, I've been granted authority to personally handle your situation. The Emperor is displeased with how they have treated you on Corellia. Someone who was designed after a hero and so clearly assisted the galaxy with a known threat deserves more respect than you have been shown on your home world. He is certain he can help resolve this issue, if you so desire."
Mara hears this and again wonders the definition of freedom. The only way the Emperor could help 'resolve' the issue on Corellia, would be to take it over, conquering the Corellian Confederation and including it in an expanded and more powerful Empire. Mara did not want Saga Judec in charge of Corellia - but did she really want the Emperor in charge either? Was he a 'better' dictator? Mara places this information in the back of her head as Karen continues.
"For now, let's find out what we can about how you came to be."
Karen turns abruptly, leading Mara out of the suite and through the cooridors. Mara, especially feeling refreshed, keeps up with no effort (she could probably outrun Karen, but thought it better to let the Counselor lead the way).
They reach the command terminal, and two imperials bow to Karen. Bow to a counselor? Mara had in her datafiles some rumors, that Winton had become one (of several) consorts to the emperor, but did that merit being treated as royalty? Winton had not indicated that she was anything other than a counselor - other than referring to it in past tense. More to file away. Focus on the matter at hand. The imperials are ordered away, and leave silently, though they look at Mara suspiciously as they do. Karen takes a seat at the terminal and logs in, before typing searches for key words. No luck at first. Then less luck. "Valerie Gellar," restricted? but why?
Mara glances away from the monitor to look at Karen's reaction as she is blocked out. Mara had in her databanks an imperial term - "Emperor's Hand" from the days when Palpatine was in charge. According to her files, the Emperor had many, but none knew about the others. Each felt they were a special confidant to the Emperor, superior to almost every other imperial servant. It was all a lie.
Maybe Karen was one of these? Maybe Karen Winton was an "Emperor's Hand," someone with much power to do the Emperor's will, but was not privy to the things she thought she was. Which begged the question - what did the Emperor, among the most powerful beings in the galaxy, see in a party girl?
Karen looked frustrated, glanced down and then turned to face Mara.
"You were right. There were four of us. Valerie, Kimber, Melanie and I. The Empire, under previous management, kept tabs on us for reasons we could not comprehend. Later we discovered plans had been made without our knowledge. Projects were broken down by individual. I'm beginning to wonder if the Phage project and by extension, you, were what they had in mind for Valerie all along."
Karen looks back at the screen, while Mara takes this in. Projects broken down by individuals - maybe all four of them were servants of the Emperor? or HAD been? Mara's thought processes were combing through a digital network of information from what amounted to years ago.
Valerie was easy enough to trace in her memory banks - at least the public information. Coruscant High School, CorSec Academy, Insurgency, Governor, Hero.
Karen also was easy enough to trace. After High School, a mix of social positions before rather abruptly becoming a counselor to the Emperor (some holes in that information, it seemed)
Kimber Patten and Melanie Masterson - both of them were harder to trace back. Kimber Patten had also been an imperial counselor, but had apparently disappeared after acting as liason to the Hapan Consortium. And Melanie Masterson? Her public information was the most scant, the last thing on public record was of her disappearing toward the end of high school.
Maybe Melanie and Kimber were being groomed to serve the emperor, just as Karen was? And maybe they defected? Mara knew that many in the rebel alliance and new republic had defected from the Empire. Could the same be true now? Mara's insights were interrupted as Karen spoke, seemingly to herself. More information to file away, to keep in the recesses of her cranial processors. For now, answers to other questions
"Why her? Why was Valerie chosen?"
A pause before Karen looked up at Mara
"Care to take a crack at it?"
Mara nods and takes a seat, staring at the monitor for a moment before typing, rapidly. Log-out sequence (Karen's access wasn't helping anyhow). Instead, typing in a series of commands, that take away the flashy front and show a text-based screen. More typing, and numbers, letters and symbols scroll across the screen in rapid succession. The programming that kept the network working, and distinguished levels of authorized access.
Mara instantly recognizes a pattern - similar coding had been used on Phage's platform, designed to keep her out. There was a shared programmer between the two locations. On the platform, she had a program running to break into the system, but luckily, this was a weaker version of the file, not designed to keep a machine out, but to keep a human out - even apparently one with force powers. It took several minutes before Mara found a sequence that was vulnerable, typing in at blinding speed, before getting into a system backdoor, taking roundabout routes to gain access to the 'Valerie Gellar' file.
And just when she thought she had reached it.
"Error: Files may only be accessed from the Primary Core Terminal"
That may have been why security was weaker here. Because this terminal couldn't provide the information they wanted. Mara was now frustrated like Karen, but she was persistent. She types a few things in, hoping to eek out a bit more information and what looks like a code pops up
ESE 111980
Karen speaks up
"It's an address. On Byss."
Mara glances up at her
"That must be where the primary core terminal is. But - wouldn't the Emperor have access to the information from his palace?"
Karen doesn't answer that, she apparently filled with her own questions. Mara decides to initiate the next course of action.
'We should go to the address. If it is not a well known imperial landmark, then in all likelihood it is a low-key location. Something nobody would notice, and perfect for intelligence. Agreed?"
Karen nods.
"ESE stands for Emerald Splendor Estates. It's a very high-class, restricted community, where many well-to-do Byss citizens live. I've been in the area a few times myself. But not to this address. Let's go check it out"
Karen again leads the way, this time to a private hovercraft, with a chaufer on standby. The man had been waiting, patiently, near the drivers side, and when they approached, he stood ready at attention and bowed.
"Your Highness"
Mara again noted that she was treated as royalty. Karen is all business.
"You will take us to the Emerald Splendor Estates."
"Yes, your highness"
Within minutes, they are in the air, flying to another part of the city, toward the upscale community. The seats are plush, and Karen is helping herself to a drink. The divider between the driver and the backseat is closed. Mara turns from facing the window to face Karen.
"Counselor Winton - if I may ask, I have two questions for you. First what is your relationship with the Emperor? It seems that you are close, and you are treated like a member of the royal court. And yet information is being kept from you?"
My second question is regarding Melanie Masterson and Kimber Patten. Did they defect from the Empire?"
TBC - Karen
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface
Karen is still stewing about her lack of access but happy that Mara has an adventurous spirit.
Why would Dementat keep things from her? Possibly because she's keeping things from him. Or at least she thinks she is. Oh, the webs they weave. He did say there is always more to the story. With her, extra chapters, omitted from the original publication, seem to pop up left and right. But why restrict her access? Perhaps he figured she would go searching for answers and wanted to protect her?
Touching and sweet? Sure.
Suspicious and sinister? Maybe.
How much more hurt could she be after her sister went on a psychotic rampage across North Coruscant and their father faked his own death and screwed everybody over?
That's some serious shit right there.
Karen loves Dementat, more so than she ever thought possible. She's going to marry him. Shouldn't that merit some kind of honesty between them? They are planning to rule the universe, after all. Sharing would probably be best unless he goes ballistic about the whole Director-Consortium thing. She did kind of have a hand in turning over a valuable Imperial official. But valuable to whom? Palpatine's Empire is so over. Why would Dementat even care? Her father had done so much damage. His meddling had cost them time together. Unless, Alexander Winton was in some way valuable to Dementat too.
Not where her mind wants to go right now.
Karen absently makes herself a drink on the ride over to the Emerald Splendor. It's a lovely area with sprawling hills and overgrown private estates. She had been toured through the area after her arrival. Dementat had asked her to find something she found comfortable, something just for them. The Citadel is spectacular but sometimes she wants to be somewhere a little less spiky.
Mara turns from the window and engages her.
"Counselor Winton - if I may ask, I have two questions for you."
"Of course but for the record, I'm not really a Counselor. Well, I was. At one time. Part of my project, I suppose. It's complicated."
"First what is your relationship with the Emperor? It seems that you are close, and you are treated like a member of the royal court. And yet information is being kept from you?"
Karen only likes the first part of that question. The second, she feels, is a veiled attempt at rousing a reaction.
"I was royalty before I got here. My mother's side. While I wasn't much for the title itself, I certainly didn't mind the perks. The Emperor and I, however, are meant to be."
She holds up a finger. The ring glints in the light.
"The withheld information is most likely a holdover from the previous regime. Imperial officials kept a tight lid on what we could access. Like I said, projects for everyone. My fiancé worries I'll work myself into a state should I stumble onto unsettling things from the past that would cause me more pain. But now, with you here, searching for answers, other parts of yourself, I can't help but want to know. Even if it does hurt me."
Karen clutches the glass tightly, wondering if she's making excuses for something that should not be excused. Still, she must appear open and sincere to Mara in order to gain her sympathy and compliance as well as satisfy this curiosity that now burns between them.
"You aren't the only one with gaps in your story. These gaps span years back, long before I knew Dementat. My creator's were not big on being forthcoming either."
Mara seems to take this in stride.
"My second question is regarding Melanie Masterson and Kimber Patten. Did they defect from the Empire?"
There's a tricky one.
"No one defected," she says evenly.
Not officially, anyway.
"Melanie left shortly after we graduated. Things had...happened our senior year. Things she couldn't stomach. I don't blame her for leaving. She, like the rest of us, lost a lot that year. No one has seen her since."
Karen pauses, reflecting.
So much blood spilled to secure a legacy.
More must flow.
"Kimber attended fall semester with Valerie at the CorSec Academy. They had positive, life-affirming goals and I respected that. Unfortunately, there were larger plans at work. Kimber was briefly employed by the Empire as the Counselor who replaced me but after Phage tried to use her as leverage against Valerie, she had no choice but to run. Valerie made it clear we were to keep her away from Corellia. Phage killed their father. She did not want Kimber having any part of that fight. It makes sense now, if you are all connected in some way."
Well, from a certain point of view.
Karen clears her throat and looks away as they enter the exclusive neighborhoods.
"And that's the story of how I lost my friends."
Mara is watching her closely.
Arrive at 111980.
It is a massive estate within a wall of thick shrubbery and a coiled, durasteel gate running throughout. They approach the archway. The gate is locked. Karen taps the controls and waits. Anyone home? Nothing. She presses the button again, harder this time. No response from the speaker.
Patience is not a fashionable virtue.
Karen unclips and ignites her saber, bringing it down through the locking mechanism with one swift stroke. She kicks out with a wedge-heeled boot to send the gate door swinging inward.
"After you."
Mara moves through the archway.
The courtyard garden has fallen into disrepair. It looks as though it had not been tended to in a while. Vines snake around an empty fountain. Tall grass is dead in patches. The exquisitely carved door to the manor house is solid and bares a cursive W in Basic. The same W that once graced her own residence at 500 Republica and still graces the door of the penthouse at Bolerathon Tower.
A sinking feeling washes over her.
Karen's eyes grow dark as she reaches out. The door buckles, making a terrible noise. She flicks her wrist, pulling it entirely out of its frame to let it crash in the garden.
She turns back to the house, holding the saber out in front of her as she steps inside the darkened house.
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface
Mara hears Karen's explanation, sees the ring on her finger. Big diamond. Clearly confirms the story - she is not just a consort, but is to be wedded to the Emperor. Empress of the Imperial Remnants. Two powerful force users. She wondered if the Republic knew of their union, and how they might respond. The second half of that question - 'past regime' seems a bit strained of an answer. Karen Winton seemed to be trying to convince herself as much as anyone of the truth. That all of the cards that were used against her and her friends had nothing to do with her future husband. Mara said nothing in response, asking her second question. It seemed all tied together.
"No one defected. Melanie left shortly after we graduated. Things had...happened our senior year. Things she couldn't stomach. I don't blame her for leaving. She, like the rest of us, lost a lot that year. No one has seen her since.
Kimber attended fall semester with Valerie at the CorSec Academy. They had positive, life-affirming goals and I respected that. Unfortunately, there were larger plans at work. Kimber was briefly employed by the Empire as the Counselor who replaced me but after Phage tried to use her as leverage against Valerie, she had no choice but to run. Valerie made it clear we were to keep her away from Corellia. Phage killed their father. She did not want Kimber having any part of that fight. It makes sense now, if you are all connected in some way."
Kimber's father = Valerie's father = ... her father? Karen had said they were half sisters, so the connection made sense. But Karen's story had gaps. It didn't make sense. If Karen was protecting them, then why would Karen have trouble finding them? Maybe they HAD defected - maybe they couldn't stomach the Empire's stern way of dealing with disagreement. Any number of possible reasons to leave. Mara had no doubt, Karen had alterior motives. But then again, who didn't?
"And that's the story of how I lost my friends."
Mara watches her, analyzing her story in her head. Fact checking with things she already knew, extrapolating the things she didn't. And then they arrive. It is a beautiful estate, a durasteel gate barring their entry. Karen tries the intercomm to no avail.
And then Mara watched as the beauty queen transformed into a fighter. Saber came out and made quick work of the lock before she kicked it in., the two of them entering cautiously. Mara eyes Karen with a new respect. She was indeed a fighter. And something about her actions reminded her of ...
FLASH - an image of Alexia Winton on the platform, being brought back to life with machinery to help aid Phage in his conquest.
When Alexia had been brought to Phage's base, Phage had installed some new software into Mara's programming. Already, she, like Phage himself, bore components of a metal known as cortosis, which was known to short out a lightsaber upon contact. Such was from the original design that Phage was adapted from,the IG-100 magnaguards of the clone wars were meant to be jedi killers. But Mara had been installed with some greater abilities to respond to those with the Force, lest Alexia ever become too difficult to manage. Her blood cells had been altered, to incorporate a dormant gene from some creature on Myrkr, a dormant gene that Mara could (if her systems worked right) activate to limit the ability of the Force around her. It had, of course, never been tested, but Phage was a genius in his own right. She was also installed with some type of detector, able to analyze when something or someone used the Force. again untested, though when Karen brought out that saber, some signal inside Mara activated. It seemed to trigger that brief yet intense flashback. Was there some connection between the Force and those haywire dreams?
No. the Force did not run through machines. Not like humans.
Back to the present - it seemed Mara's mind (if mind it could be called) often disappeared into long trains of thoughts, though the speed of her thoughts made it mere milliseconds in real time. She led the way through the damaged gate, keeping a wary eye on the building - and on Karen' whose saber seemed ever ready. Mara was not sure if Karen could be trusted. Maybe this all was some type of ruse, some way of eliminating the last vestige of a line of imperial threats. Or maybe, Karen was worthy of trust. No way to truly find out..
At the door, Karen again uses her abilities, this time, a simple hand gesture and the door comes crashing apart.
FLASH - an image of Phage, standing over Valerie, casting the final, death blow.
Mara catches her breathe. Too vivid.
Karen steps into the house first, concentrating on the place and probably not noticing Mara's reaction.
Mara followed inside.
The home was clean, but had an air of disuse, dust was starting to collect on the ground, though not as much as there could be. Perhaps more telling, footprints in the dust indicated that someone had been here only a few days ago, maybe two weeks at the most.
Someone was alive who knew about this house, and the secrets it held.
Mara let her visual abilities recede as she began a more in depth scan of the location. the walls were made of paneling, but beneath them, solid durasteel, with heavy wiring coming back and forth. They walked along the hallway, not the slightest sound, the floor clearly sturdy and strong Karen had instincts, a sense of where to go, but Mara's scanners were following the wiring. up and around. The wiring was active - an electric pulse running through the systems every few seconds.
Mara glanced back at the door, or rather, what was left of the door frame. There was a broken circuit, where the door was to connect with the frame, and the pulse was coming from there.
"Karen - we tripped an alarm when we came in"
Karen glances at her, eyes showing some expression that Mara could not place. Going back now would be no good - whoever came here would know they had been here, and would probably look for a a new location, ending their search. They just had to be careful. And hurry up.
Mara scanned the other way now, following that pulse of electricity. They were walking past a study, beautiful dark wooden furniture and a richly colored yet practically short carpet. The pulse ignored the computer sitting at the desk, and instead extended onward, past a bookcase filled with what looked like old tomes and into the next room. Except, there was no next room. There was no door that led into the next room, and structurally, Mara determined that the amount of space beyond the bookcase and the wall was no larger than a closet.
Mara stepped forward, passing Karen, who was surveying the room, and made a b-line for that one spot. her scanners saw the pulse dip downward.
"There is something on the other side"
More subtle than Karen, Mara stared at the bookcase, scanning on multiple frequencies before a smile came to her lips, almost instinctively. She reached out, pulled out a book titled "A Simof", and found what she was looking for, a small keypad. Quick work of it, analyzing before typing in a sequence. The bookcase rumbled for a moment, books shaking as it pulled back about a foot and then slid sideways, behind another bookcase, revealing a small booth shaped room with a staircase leading downward.
Perhaps more importantly, the legal entry had stopped the pulse from flowing from the main entrance. That might help them in the long run. Or the shortrun. Mara, growing confidence, took the lead, taking slow steps down the stairs. She may look unarmed, but she was prepared for anything.
And though it was dark, the dim glow of the lightsaber from behind her lit the way. Besides, Mara could see in the dark.
Sometimes, it was useful being a machine.
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
The air seems to change as they enter the house. Something is different, disturbing. Karen turns, watching Mara step into the darkened foyer with her. Where there was nothing before, Mara can now be felt through the Force. She can feel her almost like can another human but that's ridiculous. Mara isn't human. Yet she isn't really all droid either. How this is possible she doesn't know.
More importantly, if she can feel her, so can others.
Dementat, perhaps? Shit. More questions she'd just as soon avoid. There are so many already and he wouldn't understand. Though the complexity of their situation seems to involve or affect everyone they meet and know, this is personal to her. She has a chance to figure out more of the angles before they threaten to rise up and destroy her.
Nothing will stop her from that.
The house is finely kept if not a bit dusty. The air smells stale. The footprints are instantly noticeable, traveling both in and out of the house. Recent but not that recent. She glances over the walls, backlit by her saber. As she wanders away from Mara, the light crosses several pictures.
She reaches out with her other hand to brush the layer of dust from the glass.
Her father stares back out at her. Photage from his glory days. Above it, a picture of her mother just as young. She swallows her rage for the moment as realization washes over her.
This house belongs to her family.
Typical.
Anything remotely secretive and ominous somehow has the Winton name written all over it. She's never been here. In fact, she had only been on Byss when she was a small child. Pictures had been taken, pictures that were in what was once her fabulous residence in 500 Republica. No chance of finding those amongst the asteroid rubble. The place doesn't even feel familiar until her eyes travel around the room. There is a certain way her father liked a room arranged. Open and uncluttered but intimate. No small feat for any designer. Their residences had always been borderline cavernous yet one could find a comfortable spot to entertain or talk.
Why would her parents keep a secret residence? She runs through all their known property holdings, holdings that had transferred to her after their "death." 500 Republica on Coruscant. Bolerathon Tower on Hesperidium. Villa on Naboo. Apartment on Bakura. No mention of a spectacular estate in the heart of darkness. True, she had been bereft when the lawyer spouted off the Winton will in a monotone she found insanely irritating. She was only seventeen at the time but had paid very close attention to the details as it significantly increased her net worth.
Her mind wanders back to the footprints. How long had it been since Kimber and Rydan carted away Alexander Winton? A few months? Those footprints look more recent than that. Couldn't have been her father. Her mother? Possible. Alexander had lied about them being killed. A tragic accident, they called it. Whatever. Her mother could still be alive, somewhere, out there-
"Karen - we set off an alarm."
This jars her back to the present.
"That's....not good?"
What's the worst that could happen? Stormtroopers rush the scene to find her standing there totally pissed? A hundred credits says they would be apologizing profusely before scampering away. No one wants to anger someone who had once tossed ships out of orbit.
Then again, who knows? This may not be a place she is supposed to be.
Kind of like the things she's not supposed to know.
For a moment it seems like she's in a Valerie Gellar adventure. Karen has to tell herself this isn't Valerie. It's Mara. Mara isn't Valerie. It might be nice if she was though. There is a serious lack of gal-pals in this new Empire. The good doctor Kensington has been keeping her distance since Hesperidium and they were never really that close to begin with. Not like she was with the others. In a way, she misses the companionship but knows it was never meant to be. Mara could be playing on her emotions too, pulling at heart strings and exploiting the dramatic and completely necessary death of a friend. Trust is not something easily extended in their circle, not after all that's happened. Especially when it comes to Valerie Gellar.
Mara seems to be searching for something as she is lost in thought, focusing on a set of large bookcases. Karen glances around the room, wondering about all the things that had happened here. Mara steps past her, hands brushing along frame.
"There is something on the other side."
Oh, but isn't there always?
Mara stares at the bookcases for almost a full minute in silence. Karen doesn't know what she's doing but doesn't question it, strangely enough. Mara locates and pulls out a particular title to reveal a carefully hidden key pad. Before she can ask, Mara is tapping away. The case rumbles and slides open.
Blackness waits just beyond.
Karen steps forward, saber outstretched, lighting the way. The stairs are made of stone and the walls look like they had been expertly carved and resurfaced. They descend in a spiral to a smaller ante room that leads into a much larger chamber. The whole place looks ancient, part of some kind of ruins. Symbols blacken the walls as they pass through an archway. The larger room is filled with objects. Artifacts, weapons, a sarcophagus leaning precariously against the far wall, and a source of light. A stone pedestal rises out of the center of the space upon which sits an empty case.
Karen is strangely drawn to it and approaches the case as if it has meaning. She runs her fingers over the tempered durasteel and down across the base. Her fingers find grooves. Markings. She steps back, angling the saber down. A single word is carved into the pedestal.
Persephonea.
Karen breathes in sharply.
Mara turns, "What is it?"
Karen stares past her at a wall of computer equipment. A super terminal. Key pads, multiple consoles, seven screens in a perfect row.
Only one of them is on. ? ?
"Better question - what's that?"
Together, they cross the room and come upon the lit monitor. The screen displays a sequence initializing.
Uploading...
A series of coding she doesn't understand follows.
Then, blinking at the bottom.
Connection terminated.
Karen finds this strangely comforting but profoundly confusing.
"Do you know what it means?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
In the dim glow cast by Karen's lightsaber, Mara could see the rather intricate design of the stairwell, the ante chamber, and the larger room beyond. It seemed there was an entire underground complex here. Mara's scanners immediate look around, over the runes and symbols of what looked like an ancient chamber. Then beyond. The room was not originally like this - Mara's scanners could sense behind the ruins thick layer of durasteel making up the foundations. But the stones were not plaster or duracrete- they were genuine, and the symbols and designs were created by more ancient tools. Either then someone with a lot of time on their hands had painstakingly created all these symbols by hand, or the ruins around them had been imported from some other location. Mara continued studying the stone ruins, artifacts, ancient weapons, sarcophogus, trying to detect elements on them that would reveal their original location.
Karen though is focused on a pedestal that stands in the middle of the room, with a case standing on top of it. As Karen reaches it, Mara turns her attention, watching as the soon-to-be-Empress studies the case and the pedestal it stands on. Karen's saber shines on something Mara cannot see, but Karen's expression tells her that something is - wrong? shocking?
Mara turns, "What is it?"
Karen appears drawn from her thoughts - glancing up at Mara. She doesn't answer the question. Something on that pedestal meant something to Karen, and apparently, it wasn't something she was ready to share. But Karen's eyes, after flickering over Mara's, look past her
"Better question - what's that?"
Mara turns to see the computer equipment, nudged in between two stone pillars. It isn't a small machine, and sensors indicated that a huge processing unit extended beyond the wall. Mara circled around the pillars so she could see the device more clearly. Not just a processing device - it was also clearly meant for an operator to have multiple activities at once. Seven screens were lined up, with keys in front of each, all wired together neatly, and wires disappearing behind.
Eccentricities - someone had designed this entire room, taking painstaking efforts to turn it into some relic of the past. And someone had worked painstakingly to create this terminal, brimming with electrical signals, and make it fit perfectly tidy inside the room.
Karen and Mara both move closer to one of the monitors, the only one lit up. The screen indicates that something had been downloading into this terminal and uploading to a network somewhere, a complex series of program codes
Then, blinking at the bottom.
Connection terminated.
"Do you know what it means?"
Mara looked at the "connection terminated" for several seconds, then moved closer and began typing into the monitor, scrolling up to see more of the code that had downloaded earlier.
If a droid can turn pale Mara would have. She had never seen this coding before. Despite her best attempts, this is a chip of the information that had been denied access to her. And yet, despite never seeing it before, she knew instantly what it was.
"It's Phage - well, it's most of Phage. Extremely dense coding, but far more advanced than most droids. protocol droids are the most advanced common droid. They would have maybe a quarter of this type of sequence. This is an artificial life program and look,"
Mara typed in a series of digits and a number of 4-letter codes were highlighted in each line of coding, extending hundred upon hundreds of lines
"If you ever had a chance to see Valerie's blood work, you would recognize this. That's her DNA sequence, the core of Phage's programming."
Mara was actually just guessing at that moment. She was excited at this piece of the puzzle and frightened of the implications. This had to be Valerie's DNA sequence. Plus, it matched records she herself had seen on Corellia. And knowing Valerie's genetic makeup had been a part of HER programming, not just the internal dynamics of it, but because she was assigned to kill someone with Valerie's genetic code. Phage had it because it was a part of him, but it also meant Phage KNEW his own origins. And wanted to destroy those origins. Phage wanted to be the first in his line, and by eliminating Valerie as his 'mother' and Medivh as his 'father' - and a host of others associated with his creation, Phage could create the illusion of how he wished to have been created, with no one before him that could tell him what to do. Asserting independence in the most bloody way possible.
Mara typed in more
"this is almost a completed code sequence. Phage was being downloaded to this location. And he was stopped"
Karen looks confused still, and so Mara continues.
"Before coming to Byss, I had attempted to go to Phage's Platform in the Coruscant Asteroid Field to seek some answers. Phage's backup systems were activated, and the computer system there began transmitting Phage's signal elsewhere. I managed to destroy the transmitter before that transmission was complete."
Karen nods
"But that's good, right? The connection was terminated. It never finished reaching this computer. So no worries, right?"
Mara shook her head
"the computer says there was an upload in progress. If this was the end destination of the signal, it would say it was downloading the program. Uploading means its going from here to somewhere else. Even if not the entire Phage program made it here, most of the signal was then relayed to some other location. Apparently, this home was not adequately designed to bring back to life a droid of Phage's complexity. But Byss is close enough to Coruscant that a small relay can make it here, and here ..."
Mara trailed off as she let her optical scanners look back at the computer system. Beyond the wall, massive processors, going deeper and deeper into the ground before finding - a series of transmitters, lined up neatly in a small room, about twenty meters away, just barely visible in Mara's scanners
"This processing unit is a transmission location. It apparently serves as a relay for Phage's regeneration program. If the Phage sequence made it off of this world, it could have reached anywhere, a facility anywhere in the galaxy that might be able to finish Phage's missing code sequence and bring him back"
Now Karen looked scared. Or maybe it was just Mara reflecting her thoughts on the image she perceived of Karen's face. Mara turned back to the other monitors.
"But this also looks like it was more than just a relay for Phage. Six other monitors. And someone clearly worked down here. I think we should turn the rest on, and see what we uncover."
Mara stepped forward, and one by one, activated the other six monitors, glancing back nervously at the one that held her only real fear. If Phage returned, she would be his number one target.
Five of the monitors seemed to have a generic setup, requiring a password before accessing whatever information lay beyond. The sixth monitor though, seemed almost identical to the Phage monitor - a long string of complicated, dense programming.
Mara was looking at it curiously as it swam across the screen.
"That's odd. This looks similar to Phage's programming - actually, it looks more similar to what I know of my own programming. But the DNA sequence is different. This isn't Valerie's. It's someone else's"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
Phage.
Not the direction she saw the afternoon taking but not exactly surprising either. The name itself is like being stabbed. As if she needs more drama! If this is here in her father's secret house below ground in some kind of imported ruins then the Empire really did create the monster. One of so many, it seems. It does explains why no one seemed to care when she and Kimber warned them about Phage. Dementat did not deter from his campaign but was that part of his passionate drive or because he knew what would happen? How many lines can be blurred, how many polices remain from the previous administration? Suspicion is further cast upon her future husband but motives can be tricky and highly subjective. Perhaps Phage was meant to kill Major Patten and Valerie. Perhaps he would have killed Kimber too, leaving only Melanie to deal with.
Then along came Mara.
The same Mara who had recently been to the Coruscant Asteroid Field.
Flashes of Phage's base hit her hard; sounds of sabers crashing, metal quaking, the sweet screams of a caving will.
She wonders how the place held up, if Alexia is still there...
Meeemmmorrrieeeessss! In the corners of your mind.
Mara had stopped Phage once, she can do it again. No need to get her hands dirty, not when there is a wedding to plan. And if by some chance Phage took Mara then perhaps his former alliance with Alexia would make him receptive to hunting down Kimber, Melanie and all those lending a helping hand?
A girl has to consider her options.
Still, that's not a risk she wants to take. Phage would be unpredictable-
What if Phage's plans are what Mara is really after? She could be trying to recreate her "father" and emulate her "mother." Creeptastic! And absolutely unacceptable. No, she said she had been denied information. Something Karen and Mara have in common. There are things Phage didn't want Mara to know. His resurrection would mean badness for her. Karen wonders what would happen to her if she made connections from one Empire to another.
Mara is attempting to explain concepts that she simply cannot grasp but tries anyway. If this place is merely a relay station, where does the information go from here? Running through the possibilities of other locales in the Winton holdings would mean she would have to level with Mara. She struggles with this confession, biting her lower lip.
Someone had worked down here.
Her father.
The sick bastard.
Her eyes drift around the room, passing over the blackened symbols on the walls. Mara switches on the other monitors. The area brightens considerably. The symbols become more clear. Familiarity filters through the confusion. She knows where she has seen them before.
Korriban.
Karen had been taken there to train, to consummate her destiny, to construct her saber. It is on Korriban she discovered that others also wanted to control or eliminate the immense power she possessed.
The Dark Queen of Hapes and Lord Kaine.
The Sith Hounds hungry for her blood.
Dementat by her side the whole time.
It was a battle that had ripped the very fabric of their realities.
The symbols had been present in the cave as Alexia whispered softly in the darkness.
"It's all you have."
Alchemical symbols.
Basic elements.
Four of them.
"It's all you know."
Mara's voice breaks her trance.
"That's odd."
Karen reverts her gaze to the screens, "What is?"
"This looks similar to Phage's programming - actually, it looks more similar to what I know of my own programming. But the DNA sequence is different. This isn't Valerie's. It's someone else's."
Not Valerie's coding.
Perhaps someone else felt the need to live on forever? Not liking the sound of that. Who else might they have used? Karen is no scientist, that's for sure but she has looked at blood work under a microscope before in class. A passing assignment, a fleeting thought. There is no way she'd be able to tell if this was someone she knew. Matching it against the Imperial network database may yield tailored results but then again, it could also point the finger at her families involvement.
What does Karen really want? Answers or everything?
She's the kind of girl who fancies she can have both.
Mara's answers may overlap Karen's questions.
It may also motivate her to seek out and find missing pieces before Karen and Dementat aid her against breaking Judec's hold on Corellia exacting her revenge on those who shunned her and scoring a major victory for the Empire.
Mutual goals could be achieved here.
"Mara-"
She turns from the screens.
"Yes?"
Let's see if they gave her Valerie's reactions.
Karen stares into her flawlessly crafted face, swallowing hard.
"The W on the door I so viciously tore apart stands for Winton. This place belongs to my family and I can almost bet that sequence belongs to someone I know."
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
"Mara-"
Mara turned from the screens she had been studying with some intensity as Karen spoke
"Yes?"
Kare stares at her, swallowing hard as she spoke, as if revealing some crucial, dark secret.
"The W on the door I so viciously tore apart stands for Winton. This place belongs to my family and I can almost bet that sequence belongs to someone I know."
This house was a Winton residence. Mara let that data course through her systems, trying to process how that piece of the puzzle fit into everything else she had learned. But information that would make the connection was part of the puzzle that was forbidden to her.
What made it more interesting was that Karen had - apparently - not realized that this home was a family property until they had arrived. So another family member?
More flashes through the headlines. What did Mara know about the media princess? Her mother was royalty, that much Karen had told her. Royalty, wealthy, lots of property. But media headlines, clippings, gossip columns, biographies, listed several properties under Winton's name. A place on Coruscant, a place on Hesperidium, a place on Naboo, stock holdings in companies across the galaxy. Nothing about a place on Byss.
Alexia? Mara ran through her database on what she knew of Alexia. Other than being a psychopathic Force user, there wasn't much to say. Alexia though had a dark streak - she wasn't much for the neat and tidy house, though maybe something about these odd symbols made Alexia feel at home. Could Alexia be the one that was working with Phage? Her personality didn't seem to fit. She hadn't been much of a visionary. That's why Karen was apparently able to beat her.
No other siblings were on record for Karen. So that left her parents as the next possible owners of the home. Both had died, according to records, under mysterious circumstances. Records on the mother were scarce, and on the father even scarcer. What didn't make sense though, if this was a secret home, why broadcast the "W" on the front, letting people know? Maybe it was an old home from before Karen and Alexia, before the mystery began to circle the family. And then having this possession would not arouse suspicion or notice if it was refurnished years later for alternate purposes.
Mara's brain was fast - the fastest a portable computer that Phage could create in fact - , and it only took a fraction of a second before she returned her attention to Karen, tilting her head and offering an odd smirk.
"Only one way to find out. I hope you don't mind"
Mara, all machine for a moment, closed the gap between her and Karen. Karen would feel a sharp pinch on her arm, before Mara would again step away, leaving what looked like a paper cut on Karen's arm. Mara's index fingernail had the dull glisten of fresh blood, and she was no longer paying attention to Karen, staring at her finger and speaking out loud.
"Beginning analysis and DNA comparison ..."
It was actually a full minute before Mara spoke again, turning to face Karen.
"Your DNA is an exact 50% match with this DNA sequence here. Analysis would indicate that one of your two parents have input their DNA sequence into an HRD program, similar to my own. This process is similar to the process by which full flesh clones were manufactured during the Galactic Clone Wars. However, the nature of this programming is more complex, and an HRD model is much stronger than, well, a human. My guess is that one or both of your parents owned this home."
The rest was also coming together, and now Mara was looking at Karen with greater intensity.
"And it would seem that at least one of your parents were also involved in the GURI Project. Working on the creation of Phage."
Mara's facial expression was ice cold, and her tone dangerously low as she looked at Karen
"Did you know about this?"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
The robot processing bit is seriously unsettling but surprisingly efficient. She barely felt a thing and has never seen something move that quickly. She is more stunned by the analysis, shaken and horrified that her own flesh and blood may have attempted to live on through the wonders of science and mechanics.
"And it would seem that at least one of your parents were also involved in the GURI Project. Working on the creation of Phage."
Karen's lips part in a mixture of confusion and horror.
Mara's face changes, grows darker and more serious.
"Did you know about this?"
Karen takes a step back, mildly insulted. She deactivates the saber.
"What? No. Of course not."
Mara's expression remains fixed and menacing like she knows Karen has this rep for being a scheming socialite.
She downshifts accordingly.
"Look, this just got way heavy. I didn't know this place even existed. The moniker on the door is what tipped me off. We have one on all our properties. It's like, a thing."
That and the Persephonea pedestal, apparently.
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
"I had to know what was inside first. We don't have to guess which half of my parental units were involved. It was my father."
"How do you know?"
Her temper flares, fueling a monologue.
"I spent the first part of my teenage years barely seeing him, the second half believing he was dead and then, two months ago, out of seemingly nowhere, he kidnaps Kimber to lure me away so that his flunky could murder my team. For those of us just joining the program, Alexander Winton was quite the duplicitous asshole. By day, he was absentee parent and RepulsorCorp executive. By night, Imperial Director of the previous administration. He set us all up and manipulated my sister into terrorizing everyone I know. She murdered five of our closest friends and countless others on his directives. We barely made it off Coruscant alive. So no, I didn't know anything about this or him until recently but I can't say I'm surprised given the elaborate and twisted nature in which these events have played out. Alexia showed me visions of him plotting with all our parents. They seemed well aware of the risks...and consequences."
Karen gasps for air. The release of this admission feels good.
Mara gazes at her curiously, "What happened to him?"
She considers phrasing.
"The Hapan Consortium got their claws in him after what his employees did to their Admiral on Contruum. He was the price for her suicide."
Not a lie but not the whole truth either. Dragging Kimber and Rydan into this right now would only complicate things. Throwing blame on them may make her appear out for revenge. She may be less inclined to help if she knew Karen needs them all dead.
"The point is, he was bad in a big way. His involvement with this GURI, the Phage project, Valerie's role, and by extension your creation is all new information to me. I want to know how deep it goes."
And then, the ringer.
"And the Emperor? Did he know?"
It's like Valerie is here with them right now.
Suspicion paraded around like accusations.
Karen frowns sharply, "Dementat was manipulated by him too, at first. We all were."
"How?"
"How what?"
"How were you all manipulated by him?"
Karen swallows hard.
"That is an entirely different story but before we continue the share-fest, there is something I must know."
Mara shrugs, daring her to bring it.
"Did you really come here looking for answers or to bring Phage back?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
"Did you really come here looking for answers or to bring Phage back?"
Mara is unphased by the question. Karen may not trust her, but nor does she entirely trust Karen. This odd relationship between them is about mutual distrust and a mutual seeking of answers.
"If I wanted Phage back, I wouldn't have terminated him"
She said it matter of factly, because it was true - but for Mara, terminating Phage wasn't as easy as that had sounded. In fact, she could not even do it until Valerie was dead, triggering an end to her primary programming and setting her free. Well, supposedly - but the question did bring up a horrid thought in Mara. What if she wasn't really free? What if Phage had instilled inside her the very programming that caused her to seek out the answers - which did, in fact, trigger the Phage reboot when she was on the platform in Coruscant's Asteroid field. Had she been fooling herself this whole time into thinking she was free, when really, she was following Phage's plan the whole time?
FLASH - again those images, again that question haunting her from earlier, when she was in the shower
Phage and Karen both staring at her and in unison asking 'who is your master?'
Mara's face remained untelling and a moment later she was again focused on Karen. The woman had an odd amount of trust in Emperor Dementat, a man who, by his very nature, could scheme with the best of them. Not just anyone can maneuver into becoming an emperor, afterall. Mara asked the question inquisitively, not meaning to cause trouble.
"You keep saying the old administration ... that the imperial intelligence director - your father - was doing his work as a remnant of the old administration. But Dementat has now been in power for some time, and it seems that your father has had fairly free reign, until his supposed, and clearly temporary, demise. Even under Dementat. If he was doing something Emperor Dementat didn't want, the Emperor had the authority and access to stop him. And from what I know of the Emperor, he is not easily manipulated by the behavior of his inferiors. What makes you think that all of this plotting by your father was not with Dementat's consent, if not at his express bidding?"
It was only after it left her mouth that Mara realized that the question was tantamount to asking 'do you trust your fiancee.' Not a question Karen would likely appreciate. But what was said was said, and Mara was not so sentimental that she would simply take it back.
"My point is we cannot assume your father is dead, nor can we assume that he is without support in the current imperial administration. All we know is that your father's fate and Phage's fate are intertwined. We may find that the answers I seek and the answers you seek are in the same place.
And while staring at these machines can be informative, I think staying here much longer could be unwise. Someone will know we've been here, and will start taking steps to hide their trail. We need to figure out what our next step is. And it needs to be soon."
-TBC
[/quote]
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
"If I wanted Phage back, I wouldn't have terminated him."
Good point but she is like, part machine. Karen is still struggling with the logistics. Mara was programmed by Phage himself. What's to say this isn't all a robotic reflex? She watched Valerie get murdered and if she was installed with biological responses, that could not have been easy. Marks can be left. Damage done. Karen knows the drill. Humans can replace their pain with new experiences. Mara would be doomed to relive it in graphic detail any time she recalled the fact.
Neat! But probably horrifying.
Karen is about to speak when Mara continues.
"You keep saying the old administration ... that the imperial intelligence director - your father - was doing his work as a remnant of the old administration. But Dementat has now been in power for some time, and it seems that your father has had fairly free reign, until his supposed, and clearly temporary, demise. Even under Dementat. If he was doing something Emperor Dementat didn't want, the Emperor had the authority and access to stop him. And from what I know of the Emperor, he is not easily manipulated by the behavior of his inferiors. What makes you think that all of this plotting by your father was not with Dementat's consent, if not at his express bidding?"
It's like being slapped. Worse than that.
Karen actually flinches.
Just what the hell is she saying? Karen knows what she's doing! Mostly. She fights the urge to scream at Mara, to tell her that her father had staged his death two years before Palpatine met his end on the second Death Star. Now that she thinks about it, the photage was kind of a cool graduation present. All those sparkles in a bruise-blue sky. Stupid Death Stars. So beside the point! Dementat had been told Alexia was the one the prophecy spoke of. Alexander sent them to Korriban where their minds were clouded with the dark energy permeating from the planets core. Dementat trained Alexia until she up and stranded him there to come hunt down the capital kids. Alexander had said it was meant to be. That was the last Dementat said he ever heard from their father. He swore! They all thought he was dead. Yet Alexander Winton had remained surprisingly active in the three years' post-"death."
Had Dementat known? Could he have kept this from her as she lost so many more to Alexia's misguided jealous rage? Would he have worked with someone who had mislead him so completely? Or did he simply move forward to fulfill his own destiny?
Is Mara right?
This sobers Karen considerably, the darkness within her receding.
"I don't know..."
Mara recovers slightly as if attempting to soften the blunt force trauma she just delivered.
"My point is we cannot assume your father is dead, nor can we assume that he is without support in the current imperial administration. All we know is that your father's fate and Phage's fate are intertwined. We may find that the answers I seek and the answers you seek are in the same place."
There's a sentence she never thought he'd hear aloud.
Phage and her father - connected. It makes sense. The sick attachments they all seem to have to one another, extending far beyond The Four.
"And while staring at these machines can be informative, I think staying here much longer could be unwise. Someone will know we've been here, and will start taking steps to hide their trail. We need to figure out what our next step is. And it needs to be soon."
Karen nods deftly.
"Agreed. We need to find where that information is being transmitted."
Set aside love for truth? Trust a droid with Valerie's face? The subject of her father never fails to stir up a strange mixture of curiosity and rage. Then there's Dementat. Lover boy, lover boy. If she's going to marry someone, she might as well dig out any skeletons in his closet. Especially when he's busy reclaiming the galaxy one system at a time. She places much faith in her fiancé. Let's see how far out on a limb he would go for her.
Karen composes herself, narrowing her gaze at Mara.
"I'm in if you are."
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
"And while staring at these machines can be informative, I think staying here much longer could be unwise. Someone will know we've been here, and will start taking steps to hide their trail. We need to figure out what our next step is. And it needs to be soon."
Karen nods deftly.
"Agreed. We need to find where that information is being transmitted."
Karen looks to Mara, and Mara back to her
"I'm in if you are."
Mara watched Karen for a moment, a solemn silence falling between the two of them, the room suddenly resembling a tomb as the grave weight of the task before them settled around them. Mutual distrust of each other, and yet, at the same time, mutual reliance on each other. They needed each other, that much was clear. The only question is, how long would that last, and what would happen when that need was no longer mutual?
"I'm in. Let's go"
Mara had already said they needed to leave. And the time was now. Only one thing left that needed to be done. Mara turned to the computers, and began typing furiously, watching the various screens scroll down information until she saw the messages she wanted.
Error - system unable to compute
And then this techie girl did something very untech like - fist clenched, she slammed a hand into the first monitor, sparks flying everywhere. Without a moment's pause, she moved on to the next monitor, grabbing it and pulling it off the metal frame, throwing it to the ground with a thud and moving on to the next monitor, finally speaking as she dealt with that one too, without turning to face Karen.
"We need to destroy as much as we can before we go"
One by one, monitors were smashed and torn off, revealing a series of cables that connected to the main computer units. Mara took only a moment to glance at these before at them and slicing them open, revealing the loose wiring. Combined tugging and pulling, yanking, twisting and there was soon a mess of wires around her feet. Keyboards were tossed away as well, and all that remained were the access holes to the computer chamber hidden in the next room.
Mara pulled from her side a small round device, glancing at it and pausing before turning to Karen, holding up the thermal detonator.
"How long do you think we'll need?"
TBC
-TBC [/center]
[/quote]
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Surface: Emerald Splendor Estates
The sheer power Mara unleashes as she destroys the monitors amuses Karen.
"We need to destroy as much as we can before we go."
Yes, that's an excellent idea.
This place fills her with dread and needs to be burned to the ground. She does not want others coming to scavenge pieces of her past. Igniting her saber, Karen does a sweep of the area as Mara continues to demolish the terminal. Karen pauses at the pedestal, wondering briefly where its contents had gone. Someone had removed it after her father was captured and she has a sneaking suspicion she knows who.
She brings the saber down to cut the pedestal in half. It crumbles to the floor.
Mara turns from the terminal, holding up a detonator.
The girl has brass.
"How long do you think we'll need?"
Karen flips open her com, "Ready the limo and prepare my shuttle. We are returning to the Quandary."
Mara arches a brow.
Karen smirks, "We'll be in out of here in five."
Mara sets the device and tosses it into the mess of wires. They stride through the ante room and up the spiral stairs back through the book cases and into the foyer. Karen takes one last look before following Mara out through the courtyard garden. The hoverlimo idles nearby. Karen falls in behind Mara, slipping on massive sunglasses as she signals to the driver.
"Go. Now."
As they pull away, the bottom floor windows of the Winton estate explode outward in twisted columns of fire and smoke. The driver glances uneasily into the rearview mirror. Karen simply waves her hand across the air as if to dismiss the entire thing.
"You saw nothing."
The driver continues in silence.
Her shuttle is ready and waiting and ascends into the green and purple skies.
The ISD-II Corporeal Quandary is distinctly different that the other command ships neatly arranged in the orbital docking stations. The exterior panels, usually white or gray, have been replaced and reinforced with black and crimson giving the ship an ominously chic and vaguely feminine appeal. Lines of Stormtroopers and Imperial officers stand at attention on the docking bay for her arrival. She nods to Mara as they begin to descend the ramp. Commander Landon Price is waiting for them.
"Welcome back, your Highness. As you can see, the modifications to the Quandary are complete. Are they to your liking?"
"Spectacular so far."
His eyes graze over Mara's face with a flicker of worry but he continues speaking to Karen.
"I am pleased that you like it. Shall I prepare a course?"
"I'll let you know."
Karen turns on heels and sashays down the slick docking bay floor. Mara nods to Commander Price and follows without a word. There would no doubt be questions all around but she feels it's best to discuss their situation away from the help. They would involve only those necessary to avoid any unnecessary upstarts.
On her executive floor, the corridors are designed to match the exterior. Low red pendulum lights lead the way. Karen is if nothing else a gracious host. There are some things that cannot be unlearned.
"There are four guest staterooms on this floor and a rather posh lounge. My suite is on one end of the hall, the lounge is on the other. You can choose any room you like. I have a friend in the medical lab who can provide you with anything you need as far as testing and recharging."
Karen pauses outside the lounge, tapping the door controls.
"Care for a drink?"
Inside, the space is intimate and comfortable. Karen rounds the bar to grab two glasses.
Mara is scoping the place out.
"This is quite the setup."
Karen shrugs, liberally pouring a dark liquor from the bottle.
"Well, what good are credits if you can't spend them? Listen, in terms of a plan - let's break it down. I don't know what else you found in that terminal and I am very curious as to how my sister became allied with your creator but this is what I think. No one wants another Phage running around the galaxy. It's the big bad of bad ideas. If my father's estate on Byss only serves as a relay station then it's safe to assume it's being transmitted to another location familiar to him. We can rule out the Bolerathon Tower on Hesperidium since it's not exactly low profile. His work with RepulsorCorp was conducted in the offices on Bakura but that's a little obvious and overpopulated. It seems he kept his two work lives separate. This brings me to the last and best option. The Greyson Compound on Naboo. It's deep in the Lake Country and highly secluded. I've been many times and still never seen the entire place. It's definitely large enough to house a research and manufacturing facility."
She adds a splash of soda and slides it across the bar.
"So, what do you think?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: Imperial Star Destroyer, Mark II Corporeal Quandary
It took a lot of guts to do what Karen Winton did the Corporeal Quandary. An ISD-II, the most formidable mainstay ship of the imperial fleet, and surpassed only by the rare super star destroyer, these machines were meant for war. Mara couldn't help wonder if the Corporeal Quandary would avoid a fight, lest it suffer chipping of its 'well manicured' external paint job. Mara, however kept that thought to herself.
"This is quite the setup."
She also kept to herself her slight disapproval of the extravagance that Karen had placed in the ship. A warship was designed out of necessity, function, and the ability to react quickly in sparse locations. It was not meant to be a luxury yacht. What was worse to Mara though, was that all those extra credits that Karen had spent on this luxurious war ship could probably have been put to greater use.
Mara had seen such inequality on Corellia. While the planet was trying to rebuild, and barely subsist, she had seen firsthand how Saga Judec and his cronies lived in the most luxurious settings possible, spare no expense. It was repulsive. Mara conceded that Karen was in a slightly different position - as the future Empress, and an iconic figure, she had a presence to maintain. It actually was part of her job. Still, Mara would probably have preferred something a bit more ... well, restrained. In that respect, Mara differed greatly from the woman she emulated. Valerie could hardly be called one of restraint.
If Mara's somewhat disapproving views had been revealed in her perfectly controlled modulated voice, Karen ignored it, just shrugging as she poured a dark liquor into the glasses and revealing her idea for their next destination.
"Well, what good are credits if you can't spend them? Listen, in terms of a plan - let's break it down. I don't know what else you found in that terminal and I am very curious as to how my sister became allied with your creator but this is what I think. No one wants another Phage running around the galaxy. It's the big bad of bad ideas. If my father's estate on Byss only serves as a relay station then it's safe to assume it's being transmitted to another location familiar to him. We can rule out the Bolerathon Tower on Hesperidium since it's not exactly low profile. His work with RepulsorCorp was conducted in the offices on Bakura but that's a little obvious and overpopulated. It seems he kept his two work lives separate. This brings me to the last and best option. The Greyson Compound on Naboo. It's deep in the Lake Country and highly secluded. I've been many times and still never seen the entire place. It's definitely large enough to house a research and manufacturing facility."
Drinks are finished and served, as Karen, hostess and co-conspirator leans in, taking a sip and asking
"So, what do you think?"
It was true - of the known places where Alexander Winton held residence, Naboo seemed the most likely next stop. But then again, It was more likely that Winton had multiple other properties on other worlds. Just like Karen was in the dark about the location on Byss, so too, she probably didn't know about other holdings in the Winton name.
"I don't think your father would be so predictable. He clearly kept the house here a secret from you. I wouldn't trust that he would put something in such an accessible place to you. On the other hand, he made no secret of the home's ownership - that 'W' on the front door. He lived on Byss as a Winton, or by some other name but still matching your family crest. It seems like a strangely stupid arrogance for a man who lived in secrecy to leave that kind of trail. Unless of course he planned on someone following that trail in the future"
Mara paused for a moment. Had the supposedly deceased Director of Imperial Intelligence anticipated that his home on Byss would be discovered? That would mean he anticipated that Mara would come to Karen for help. It left her with three possibilities, none of which comforted her: either (a) Karen's father was somehow clairvoyant; (b) Karen's father was working with someone who did have the ability of foresight - the thought of the Emperor Dementat again flashed in Mara's cranial processors; or (c), the thought that most troubled Mara, that Winton knew there was something in Mara's programming that would lead her to Byss, and knew how Karen would behave when approached. Either way, it all seemed like a set up, but to what end, even Mara could not conjecture. She was here to find out about herself, and stop Phage along the way. But it seemed like there was something bigger she had waded into.
Flash. Mara firing the killing shots as Phage looked at her with his glowing red eyes. TRAITOR. SERVANT.
Mara glanced back up at Karen with a start.
"No, I think we need to try something different. If we chase after your father, we'll be following a path your father has- somehow- already anticipated. No, I think we need to take a different path. We need to find answers from a different location. I suggest we locate your friends. First Kimber Patten. She was the one who was with your father when he was imprisoned, and her father was part of Phage's creation. I think we need to seek her out."
Mara lifted her head and glanced around before again facing Karen.
"Of course, if we do that, we'll need to travel in somewhat less conspicuous a ship"
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
"I don't think your father would be so predictable. He clearly kept the house here a secret from you. I wouldn't trust that he would put something in such an accessible place to you. On the other hand, he made no secret of the home's ownership - that 'W' on the front door. He lived on Byss as a Winton, or by some other name but still matching your family crest. It seems like a strangely stupid arrogance for a man who lived in secrecy to leave that kind of trail. Unless of course he planned on someone following that trail in the future"
Mara pauses, caught in a process. Her head snaps upright and angles toward Karen.
Creepy.
Karen holds the drink gingerly in her hands, waiting.
"No, I think we need to try something different. If we chase after your father, we'll be following a path your father has- somehow- already anticipated. No, I think we need to take a different path. We need to find answers from a different location."
She is crushed Mara disagrees.
It's so...like Valerie to challenge her in such a way. Karen wonders if that is a general reaction to her or something they put there. An auto-response nestled into Mara's biological side? Anger flares, coiling around her every fiber but it is quickly replaced with the haunting nature of her father's presence. His influence is like a phantom among them, a shadow that will be forever mended to their fates.
How could anyone predict a future not yet told?
There is no way her father could have known she would end up right here with Mara. No way he would have suspected Karen would hand him over to the Consortium, Kimber would defect, Melanie would run, or that Valerie would die. No way to see where anyone's road led.
Unless...the prophecy.
True, she has never actually seen it but she assumes there had been others who have. Dementat said he was only shown a passage that named him. It foretold of his rise to power. He had not seen the prophecy in its entirety either yet embraced this destiny. At the time, she thought it unlikely something so old would be that detailed or specific. But it did name him and that makes her wonder. Dementat said Alexia was drawn to it when she was still very young. She led an Imperial excavation team to retrieve it from the caves on Korriban. Karen remembers none of this and as much as Alexia believed she was destined for the starring role, she had been lied to as well.
They all had in some way or another.
How many pieces of the puzzle had been shown to certain people to make them believe certain things? Surely, the rest of their parents had been told something convincing enough to make them go along with it, to keep them in the dark for so long. No one knew what was happening or why and that made it all the more terrifying for everyone.
This brings her back to the Winton estate and the empty case etched with a name.
Persephonea.
Karen had to get her hands on it.
She had been operating in a darkened daze, propelled forward on hunches and feelings. The worlds began to speed up from the moment she struck down Alexia. A clarity of mind without context.
She has to know what it really says.
Mara's voice breaks her trance.
"I suggest we locate your friends. First Kimber Patten. She was the one who was with your father when he was imprisoned, and her father was part of Phage's creation. I think we need to seek her out."
Ah, the silver lining.
"Yes, Kimber." Karen murmurs distantly. "I miss her so."
May as well cover as many bases as possible.
Mara is surveying the lounge in a disapproving, borderline judgmental way.
"Of course, if we do that, we'll need to travel in somewhat less conspicuous a ship."
Karen laughs, raising her glass.
"I see the bourgeois factor wasn't a key component of your programming but I suppose you are right. Rushing in there with such style might not be the best course of action. It would raise brows and attract attention but trust me, that happens where ever we go."
The curse of popularity - a self-induced cycle of wealth and destruction.
Despite whatever lies ahead, Karen would have to spill to Mara. There would have to be honesty on a level she often avoided with those she once held most dear. There can be exceptions, moments where more is better. After all, alliances aren't always about trust. She would tell Mara more of the story in order to utilize what she's hoping is some kind of mechanically precise tracking capabilities and she knows just the segue.
"My father was a lot of things but I sincerely doubt he lives in a traditional sense."
"How can you be sure?"
Karen bites her lower lips then smiles.
"Because the last time I saw him, he was bound and gagged in the back of Kimber Patten's shuttle heading for the Hapes Cluster to be tried and executed for the suicide of an Admiral and attack on their people at Contruum."
A flawless and effective delivery.
The expression that creases Mara's face is not surprise. Not exactly. More like the emulation of what she thinks surprise is suppose to look like.
"You know where they are?"
"It's considerably larger than that."
"Have you known this whole time?"
Karen finishes off the drink and slams down the glass. Her emerald eyes are shimmering with intensity.
"Yes but I will not apologize for my caution. I doubt you have told me everything there is to know about you either. Corellia, Alexia - there is much to cover. However, I am not above trading information for the sake of mutual benefit. Helping others so that it helps me is kind of like, a thing. You could say I'm built that way."
She sighs, wincing.
"It's not a short or uncomplicated tale. In fact, for most of it, we had no idea what was going on. We walked right into it, played along for the fortune and the fame. The girl from whom you were created knew there would be a price."
"What price?" Mara growls. "What are you talking about?"
Karen's reply is remarkably even.
"What do you know about prophecy's?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
Mara stares at her, mouthing the word.
"Prophecy? I take it you mean to reference something in particular."
Karen nods, "As it turns out, my father wasn't operating blindly. There is a template to which he measured his actions, a script even he had to follow. To what degree is unknown. I only came to discover its existence a few months ago when he admitted all the things that had happened to me, my friends and those that surrounded us had been foretold by a prophecy known only as Persephonea."
She reaches for the bottle, pouring herself another glass.
"It was discovered by my sister when she was eleven. She claimed to have been drawn to it. My father sent her to Korriban with an excavation team where they dug until they found a set of scrolls that named Dementat as the future Emperor and outlined the destiny's of The Four."
Karen laughs hollowly, knowing full well how ridiculous it sounds out loud.
Mara tilts her head, "Have you read this prophecy?"
"No," she whispers. "And there may be several versions. Dementat was shown the passages pertaining to him specifically but with the possible exception of Melanie Masterton, I do not believe anyone has seen a complete copy."
"What makes you think Masterton has?"
"Something she said before she fled Hesperidium. She said our lives were never ours and the horrors we faced at the hands of Alexia were not accidental. At the time, we were grieving. Coruscant had just been ravaged. We were distraught and wracked with guilt. Our home was gone and our friends had been murdered during the previous year yet somehow...we survived. We evaded Alexia's rampage and skipped town after graduation. I thought we were lucky. Now I'm not so sure."
Karen wades through the darkness clinging to her soul.
"The pedestal in my father's estate in the Emerald Splendor contained an empty case with the name Persephonea etched in the stone. I think who ever had been there before we discovered it took the scrolls. Kimber Patten's perspective aside, the prophecy may contain the key. If my father somehow knew this, us, would all play out the way it has then perhaps it would be wise to apprehend the one who removed the evidence in the first place."
"Any ideas?"
"Just one suspect comes to mind, someone who I suspect was working for my father the whole time: Marius Guile."
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
"The pedestal in my father's estate in the Emerald Splendor contained an empty case with the name Persephonea etched in the stone. I think who ever had been there before we discovered it took the scrolls. Kimber Patten's perspective aside, the prophecy may contain the key. If my father somehow knew this, us, would all play out the way it has then perhaps it would be wise to apprehend the one who removed the evidence in the first place."
"Any ideas?"
"Just one suspect comes to mind, someone who I suspect was working for my father the whole time: Marius Guile."
Mara listened to Karen's explanation of the supposed prophesy. Of course, Mara knew what a prophesy was, or the idea behind them. But Mara was, afterall, a machine. And despite her clinging to the idea of being alive, the idea of foresight was something that was to her, still something that had to fall within a rubric, analysis.
"My understanding of prophecies probably differs from your own. To me, a prophesy is a prediction of future events. I can predict that you are likely to have another drink - but me being right doesn't mean I am suddenly a prophet"
Mara offered a smirk. "it just means I'm observant enough"
Karen responded with a grin of her own as she sipped her refill.
"The ability of the Force to grant foresight, prophesy, doesn't make it right. It grants the user a higher likelihood of being correct, because, well, because the Force - whatever the Force is - is a connection of everything, and so can anticipate how everything will affect everything else. But it is still only a prediction. A prophesy is no guarantee of anything. Emperor Palpatine foresaw his rise to power, the growth of the empire, the death of Darth Vader - and Luke Skywalker becoming his new apprentice. That didn't happen. The prediction was ALMOST right, but not COMPLETELY right. And because Palpatine relied too much on that prediction - or maybe because he was working too hard to make that prediction come true - he was defeated because of it.
The fact that there might be several versions of the prophesy clearly indicate that even the Force was not sure of a final outcome."
Mara paused for a moment, cocking her head slightly and giving Karen a quizzical look.
"By the way - everything you told me about the prophesy is about things that already happened, but your saying its still going, still driving everything. How does the prophesy end? What does it predict is going to happen, and to whom?"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
Mara makes several key points that open doors to larger questions.
"The Force is a fickle mistress indeed. True, what happened happened. My father alluded to the fact that things had played out according to what was written but I have no doubt that is only because he had significantly orchestrated events surrounding us to achieve the outcome. I also think his over-reliance on these things is what brought about his own demise. Vicious cycles, as he used to say. He couldn't see it coming or didn't want to. After all, it was me who allowed Kimber to cart him away. His seemingly endless interference into our lives had cost us dearly. It tore us apart and he had to pay."
Karen sighs, setting the glass down on the bar.
"I do believe it is ongoing but do not know how that story is poised to end. Dementat told me what he was shown foretold his rise to power with me at his side. My father had manipulated Alexia into believing this would be her role which is why, when she discovered the truth, she returned to Coruscant to terrorize and murder our friends. The betrayal pushed her over the edge and with good reason. I left her for dead once in a fortress on Roon yet somehow, miraculously, she was rescued and salvaged by your creator. If Phage has Imperial ties, I think we can assume this was on my father's directive. What I wonder is how this that ties to your creation and the outcome at Corellia....what exactly happened there?"
She shutters.
"The point is, without some version of the text, we don't know what direction this is heading or to whom. And if this prophecy seems to be terrifyingly inclusive, what's to say it doesn't include you?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
"The point is, without some version of the text, we don't know what direction this is heading or to whom. And if this prophecy seems to be terrifyingly inclusive, what's to say it doesn't include you?"
Mara was surprised at the idea that this mythic prophesy could somehow include her, but then of course, why not? She was connected to Phage, who was connected somehow to Alexia Winton, and Alexander Winton, who apparently was the key in the whole thing. The Force, maybe, could make some type of prediction about her (or for that matter, maybe the prediction was about Valerie, and the Force got it wrong and SHOULD have included her but didn't). Not having an end to the prediction - Mara still thought of prophesy as little more than a statistical likelihood, a prediction based on facts most players cannot see - meant that looking toward an end to the prophesy was more useful in figuring out how others would behave or had behaved, rather than figuring out their supposed destinies.
"I suppose that any prediction with the statistical reach of the Force could potentially quantify that I would more likely than not seek you out, and that you would, if I approached you, join me in my search for whatever personal purpose you have. It equally could predict that if Phage was created and turned on his creator, than I, created by Phage, with the same inherent character trait, could eventually turn on MY creator. Similiarly, the Force could calculate the likelihood that I would take on the appearance and demeanor, at least partially, of Valerie Gellar, based on what I know of her. But again, it is just a calculation. Prophecies tend to be self-fulfilling. Once you know about them, you either take steps to avoid them, which makes them come true, or you take steps to fulfill them, in which case they MIGHT come true, but not as you expect.
For example, this prophesy, you say, had Alexia in one role and you in the other, you defeating her. But the prophesy was probably vague. I would bet it unlikely that the prophesy had any idea which of you would be here - you or your sister. You both have a history of letting the Force possess you, take control of you, and cause ... well, a lot of disruption. What if your roles were reversed? And you were the one sent to Korriban, who was built up to believe you were the chosen whatever, and then betrayed? You may have transformed into the very being that your sister became. And she, as the new heir to the legacy, would be the one in charge of a star destroyer, and betrothed to an emperor.
It was a 50-50 shot. And either way, those who are strongest in the use of the Force are not the ones who, well, blow up when that power comes to them. It is those who are totally in control. Darth Vader was maimed because he was TOO emotional, and lacked control. The Emperor Palpatine was strongest when he was most in control. So really, it doesn't matter which Winton sister was at Dementat's side - he's the one who has that controlled connection with the Force"
Mara was talking analytically of course, and her tone slipped back and forth between a rambling statistical voice and the 'matter-of-fact' way Valerie would talk when she was giving a verbal bruising. It wasn't until she stopped that she blinked and glanced at Karen.
"Oh... I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so blunt. I can be coy when I need to be - when I've been on assignment, and need to be more subtle in speech. But that doesn't mean I'm perfect at etiquette when acting on my own behalf."
She sighed, glancing away from karen before looking back to her.
"I don't mean to make light of your role as future empress. I am sure the Emperor has feelings for you. My point was just that I wouldn't rely on a prophesy that could be wrong, or misread."
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
Karen's eyes grow dark as her anger swells. Everything not anchored to the ground begins to levitate as she rounds the bar calmly to face Mara.
"Let me tell you something about control. When my father told Alexia of her alleged significance, she was first sent to the Carida Academy where she graduated in a little over a year and a half. Dementat then took her to Korriban to teach her the ways of the Sith. There she spent nearly a year learning to control the power within her. He tried to tame the rage that had always been there. And then one day, she flipped out and stranded him before returning to Coruscant to hunt down and kill our friends along with those who protected us. Dementat failed because there would be no controlling her or her power. She knew, deep down, that she was not the one our father spoke of and sought to eliminate any others who stood in her way."
The air around them crackles with energy, a light smile playing across her full lips.
"So we are not as interchangeable as you think. I am the one he came for, I am the one who learned control. My triumph over her only sealed this fate. Alexia had little interest in anything other than making me suffer for something she believed I took from her, something that was never hers to begin with."
Karen eases everything back to its place, eyes returning to their emerald shimmer.
"While the prophecy may not call me by name, I know where I belong."
The doors hiss open and Felicia enters the lounge.
"Karen? I heard you were back and..."
Her words trail off when she spots the girl in question. There had been whispers throughout the crew that Darth Kyja had returned to the Quandary with a familiar presence.
Some said it was a ghost.
"Gellar."
"True but not the one you think."
"How...?"
"Relax, doctor. This is Mara Gellar. Mara, this is doctor Felicia Kensington. It's a long story."
Felicia is frozen in place, eyeing the strange woman carefully. She looks so much like Valerie but that couldn't be - Valerie Gellar is dead. And Mara Gellar? She does not remember this name ever coming up when she and the Abyss crew stayed behind on Corellia to help rebuild. Felicia had treated Valerie's wounds after facing Phage the first time. The only family connection uncovered at that time was through Kimber Patten, a half-sister from a past parental scandal. Corellian records had not indicated another Gellar.
Who the hell is this woman?
Mara would take in Felicia's face, scanning it against her memory banks. It would register the same as a participant of the auction of Federation holdings on Duros. A woman who had been tailing her for an unknown purpose.
"It's...nice to meet you, Mara. Karen, Commander Price thought I should check in on you, see if there was anything you needed. Actually, I think he is anxious to know where you plan on sending us."
"We're fine, Felicia. For now, anyway. Mara and I will be leaving shortly but not with the Quandary."
Mara glances at Karen.
Karen smiles, "It's alright, I trust her."
Relief washes over the doctor in knowing she is still in the Sith's good graces. Perhaps her fears were overstated.
"There is something you can do for me while we are gone."
"Name it."
"Marius Guile is still out there."
Felicia shutters, "Yes, I imagine he is."
"He needs to be found. Discreetly, of course. He has something of mine that I want back. Can you hit the network and see if anything turns up?"
"I'll do what I can."
"Thank you. We will be in touch."
She nods, glancing uneasily at Mara once more.
"I'll leave you to it then."
When she is gone, Karen refocuses on Mara.
"If we are to discover the whole truth, we need as many sources as possible. Agent Guile is one, Kimber Patten is another. There is also your Corellian connection which could shed light on how and why you came to be but if that bridge is burned then we must approach it from another angle. Let's start with any associations Phage may have had outside of Corellia. Anything come to mind?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
Mara watches as Karen displays anger in a very powerful way. It didn't frighten her, but she decided it wasn't worth commenting to Karen what Mara was thinking - that having a tantrum, with the power of the Force crackling around them, didn't really help Karen's case of proving control ...
"While the prophecy may not call me by name, I know where I belong."
Karen calms down, and things that had been floating land with a light thud around them, followed by the soft hiss of door opening.
"Karen? I heard you were back and... Gellar."
"True but not the one you think."
"How...?"
"Relax, doctor. This is Mara Gellar. Mara, this is doctor Felicia Kensington. It's a long story."
Mara turned to look at Felicia. Immediately, her cerebral processors began attaching a stream of data. They had met before - sort of. But Mara would remember Felicia more than she would remember Mara. Such was the effect of a change in appearance. That auction, Mara's first assignment, had been a success that helped set the stage for Phage's second assault on Corellia. Mara had been very good at her job but had, thanks to Felicia and her cohorts, almost gotten caught in the process of taking the winnings - both hers and others.
Now though, Mara was not fighting for Phage. She was fighting for .. well, for herself. And Felicia Kensington was an unknown, as far as she was concerned. So many connections that existed before, reshaping into new alliances and enemies of former allies.
"It's...nice to meet you, Mara. Karen, Commander Price thought I should check in on you, see if there was anything you needed. Actually, I think he is anxious to know where you plan on sending us."
"We're fine, Felicia. For now, anyway. Mara and I will be leaving shortly but not with the Quandary."
Mara turns to face Karen. Was she revealing too much to a stranger?
"It's alright, I trust her."
Mara notices that Kensington seems glad to hear it. Whatever their relationship was, Mara was fairly certain it was not a standard friendship. Plus, Kensington had not been on the list of individuals that Karen had named before - the group of four students.
Mara listens patiently as Karen and Kensington speak, nodding back as the doctor disappeared before turning back to Karen
"If we are to discover the whole truth, we need as many sources as possible. Agent Guile is one, Kimber Patten is another. There is also your Corellian connection which could shed light on how and why you came to be but if that bridge is burned then we must approach it from another angle. Let's start with any associations Phage may have had outside of Corellia. Anything come to mind?"
Mara gives Karen an almost incredulous look.
"Phage was a lot more than Corellian born and bred. He was the project of a vast network of creators, most of whom remain classified from my knowledge. The three major powers involved were a host of corellian scientists, the Empire, and the Trade Federation. Corellia, I believe, is a dead end. I have already searched their science facilities to the best of my abilities, and I am convinced that even if there is additional information on Corellia, it is beyond my access. Regarding the Empire - I came to Byss hoping to get some more of the answers, and instead, I have discovered more questions. You apparently do not feel seeking out your friends, both current and former, would be a worthy pursuit. That seems to leave us with going to the Trade Federation and learning what we can from them. That will be problematic though. After Phage's second assault, the Trade Federation was essentially disbanded. Their holdings have been redistributed among many smaller companies, and they have all agreed to reduce their use of droids and other artificial intellgience. MagnaGuard has not only been disbanded but after the last ... problem with them" Mara paused. She of course was the problem, having been responsible for taking most of MagnaGuard's designs and facilities "most magnaguard facilities have actually been dismantled and the computers erased."
She paused for a moment before continuing on
"My understanding is that the only functional droids now are the standard B1 battle droids - those with a limited intelligence that cannot be run independently of a droid control transmitter. There is one running at the Wheel, or what's left of it. Maybe one or two others on key Federation worlds, like Neimodia. But it would be unlikely that we'll find what we are looking for on a Neimodian world. the Trade Federation under Medivh became much more diverse in its leadership. Medivh was a human, at least originally. I think this project was mostly his. And the only way we'll find anything through the Trade Federation is to find where Medivh stored his personal information, his own backup files. But I do not know enough about the former viceroy. I don't know where he was born or how he came to power. I would have no idea where to look for Medivh's archives. Thus, I am at a loss"
Mara sighed. she wondered if she would be on a wild chase around the galaxy forever, or if there was any way to find answers. Finally, she turned her attention back to Karen.
"I don't know how much it would help, but I think the best place for us to start would be the Wheel. That is where I found Medivh the first time"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
Karen takes this in quietly for a moment as she considers phrasing.
"I do not mean to minimize the need for the perspective of my friends but from a technical aspect, I do not believe they would know much. By that I mean in terms of finding the most pressing answers to our questions."
She shifts her weight and relaxes against a bar stool.
"There are components of the Phage project, yes. If Corellia is out then we are left with two other avenues to explore. The Imperial angle somehow ties to my father but we've reached a dead end. For now. The Federation, what's left of it anyway, may shed light on how to get at the information my father has from another way. The Wheel seems like a good place to start. Valerie had only abstractly mentioned this Medivh but there was someone else. Another Viceroy. Gannon? Galant? Gesser? I can't remember exactly."
Karen glances away.
"She would call me sometimes, you know, late at night. Valerie's layers went beyond the brash. When she rose to power on Corellia, there were moments of worry but never doubt. She knew she could lead them. She just had to figure out the best way how."
She shutters, shaking off the lingering memory of Valerie's voice over the com.
It seems like a lifetime ago.
Karen slowly raises her eyes to Mara.
"She said it was this other Viceroy who warned her Phage would return. If he succeeded Medivh he might know something."
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
"She said it was this other Viceroy who warned her Phage would return. If he succeeded Medivh he might know something."
"The Viceroy who succeeded Medivh was named Len Gesser"
Mara knew him all too well. He was, afterall, one of her primary targets, one of the people she was meant to kill.
"But he would not know much, in terms of details. Certainly Medivh never revealed that information to him. You see, Gesser at one point, tried to kill Medivh. Quite literally had him thrown out a window. The Trade Federation was strong and influential, and Gesser had wanted the power. When Medivh returned - when Medivh took back the Trade Federation, he already had Phage with him. At that point, Phage was a loyal servant. And Phage's very first task was to capture Len Gesser"
Mara closed her eyes. She did not know the details of Gesser's captivity, but she knew what Phage was capable of, what he had been built for. Gesser's capture was no doubt one of the darker parts of Medivh's history.
"It was not until later - much later - that Medivh let Gesser free. Len Gesser was older, and Medivh knew that he could be trusted to run the Trade Federation when he was no longer able to. But he would never give Gesser information about the very being that had once taken him captive"
She opened her eyes, blinking for a moment and staring at Karen.
"Besides, he is dead. I killed him. The same way I made sure every other primary target was dead. That was how I was able to kill Phage - because my programmed assignment had been completed."
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbit: ISD-II Corporeal Quandary
"Oh," Karen says, clearing her throat. "That's informative. Ruthless but informative. The Wheel it is."
She turns from Mara, unclipping the com unit from her belt. She seems to forget this woman is a machine, allowing the fact that Mara looks so much like Valerie lull her into a false sense of security. The HRD would dispatch her quickly if given half a chance. Karen must remain aware of who she is dealing with. She speaks lowly into the com.
"Prepare a shuttle, something discreet. My companion doesn't dig the flash."
Karen smiles slyly at Mara.
Mara almost returns the expression.
"Come now, our adventure awaits."
They leaves the lounge and head down many levels from the executive floor. The lift doors open in a polished but mostly empty private hangar bay. A lone Sentinal shuttle, modified for covert operations, sits idling. Karen and Mara would board and make their way to the cockpit. She nods to Mara who guides them out of the bay. They roar away from the massive cruisers as their instruments calculate. Within moment, Mara pulls back on the controls and the shuttle flares into hyperspace.
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
The hyperspace ride is uneventful. Karen looks like she is constantly looking for conversation, but Mara was staring out the viewport at the bright blue streaks of hyperspace, deep in thought, and apparently, Karen got the vibe, making her way to the back of the shuttle and leaving Mara to her thoughts.
Her world felt like a tumble, one place after another. She was seeking answers, but she wasn't even sure if she knew all of the questions yet. What would a discovery actually do for her?
And she was feeling weary. Despite her makeshift repairs in the frigid parts of Corellia's north, she was not totally healed. And since that repair, she had endured a far too quick pace, to Coruscant and Phage's platform, to Byss. She needed to recharge - physically, and mentally, a concept that was still so new to Mara, that she hadn't recognized it until now, when simply sitting there, she felt that strange tiredness. So, with Karen in the back and the hyperdrive and nav systems on autopilot, Mara put herself into a sleep mode, eyes closing as her systems shut down to a minimal power setting, letting her power supply recharge from the shuttle itself. Off to the sweet oblivion of darkness.
FLASH
There was that image again, Valerie in a mortal struggle and losing against Phage, his red eyes burning brightly
FLASH
Mara with her repeater blaster rifle mowing down Phage, free from the constraints of his programming. Him turning to her, facing her even as he fell
"TRAITOR"
it was almost familiar now, this dream. He hadn't said the word 'traitor' in real life, but processors that were damaged could probably find the word and fit it in. Mara had a logical explanation for how these flashbacks transformed into dreams. But it changed now.
Phage was standing over her, electro staff ready to strike not Valerie, but Mara herself
"TRAITOR - I CANNOT BE DESTROYED. BUT YOU CAN"
electrostaff lifted high, Mara feeling fear coursing through her as the staff was sent plunging down to crush her head
FLASH
Mara's eyes open. She could feel her heart beating hard and fast. That may have been more disturbing than the dream itself. She had a heart, an artificial creation, a combination of machinery and biotechnology, along with the rest of her body, it was designed so she would be able to pass through scanners undetected. But it was regulated, controlled. She should not feel out of breath.
Nor had the rest actually seemed to refresh her. Her face wouldn't show it, but that image of Phage coming to kill her made her feel weaker than ever. and scared.
Finally her heart regulated, the way it was supposed to, and a soft beep indicated they were about to exit hyperspace. Another deep breathe, trying to put the dream behind her before she called behind her.
"Karen - we're here"
=================================================
The Wheel
Pulling the lever forward, the blue streaks of light disappeared into small specks in the distance. They had reentered real space. And ahead of them lay their destination.
A massive wheel, tubular in shape, with several spoke connecting it to a central axis running perpendicular to the wheel itself. Hundreds of levels within the wheel and the axis portion housed thousands of individuals, storage, and every product that could be attained in the galaxy. In the space around the Wheel, thousands of ships of various shapes and sizes could be seen. Many were smaller freighters, though there were also luxury yachts, shuttles, and even some war vessels. The most common, a Federation style Revenge Class Corvette. These appeared to be patrolling the traffic lanes, marked by floating buoys. Off in the distance, far outside the traffic going to and from the Wheel, a relic of the past - a massive Droid Control Ship. Noticeably among the federation ships was a sign of aging. Battle scars on ships had not been cleaned up. They were not being properly upkept, and there were even small patches of rust that could be seen visible on some of the ships, moving or not. Also noticeable was a change in the use of starfighters. In the past, droid fighters of various shapes and sizes would make up the majority of patrols, amounting to several dozen squadrons. Now, not a single droid fighter could be seen floating about, and only about three or four squadrons of man-driven fighters were on patrol. ANd their ships, like the larger capital vessels, showed signs of the Trade Federation's decline.
The traffic to and from the Wheel also reflected that - despite the large numbers present, it was only a percentage of the kind of traffic that would have been seen at the Wheel even a few years earlier.
The comm crackled as a space traffic controller noticed them, and directed them to follow a particular lane, leading to one of the larger docking bays that could hold many craft.
Mara let out a breathe as she directed the shuttle inside. The last time she was here, she had been an unfriendly visitor, here to kill many inside. And it was here she decided to betray Phage and take on a life of her own. She could see the image in her head of that dream she just had. In a way, she really was a traitor.
Leading the ship inside, there were more signs of changes. In huge racks overhead, droid fighters lay dormant and inactive, the power grids to recharge them had been disconnected. Now, they were just spare parts.
But droids had not gone completely out of use here on the Wheel. As they made their exit onto the docking bay floor, they could see a group of six B-1 Battle Droids marching along a cooridor. B-1 battle droids were the most dependent, requiring a strong droid control signal to remain functional (and their dependence is how the famed Battle of Naboo was lost to the Trade Federation). Apparently, the Wheel's staff had needed them to maintain a security force onboard.
No escort came to greet them, or any of the other landing vessels. Instead, a sign ahead of them directed them to an information console, unmanned as well. The console listed many of the features available at the Wheel - hotel accomodations, a series of casinos, the galactic stock exchange, conference rooms and places for business opportunities.
Mara turned to Karen Winton, who as yet, had either not been noticed or not been recognized.
"alright. we're here. So now what do we do?"
TBC
-
Hyperspace
Space travel is so boring.
Karen is angling for some information about Alexia's alliance with Phage but Mara is having none of it. She is shut down and ignored, something foreign and unpleasant to Karen. Disturbed but not angry, she heads toward the back of the shuttle. Despite its exterior blandness, there are comforts only someone like her could appreciate. Things she could not live without. Her wardrobe, for one. Her handmaidens know exactly what to pack for any occasion which pleases her greatly. In the relatively small sleeping quarters, she unclips her com. He always answers within three rings.
"My love," Dementat says. "You feel far away."
"Further away from the Core than I'd prefer, darling."
"I take it your interest has escalated."
"The path to Corellia is....complicated."
"As is everything with you, my dear but that's not why you called."
Karen smiles to herself, willing to risk momentary insecurity for answers.
"What did my father tell you about Alexia? Did he tell you she was the one?"
The pause is brief but present.
"He told me I was to train her, that she would be useful to me. There was not an explanation or context and I did not need one. In my heart, I knew it was you."
Her heart melts a little but not enough.
"How did you know?"
His voice shifts into a tender tone.
"I have always been able to feel you, Karen. Before your father came to me, before he showed me what lay ahead - You were always there. I didn't know who you were then but I felt it. I felt you. Then one day I saw you. It was then I knew for sure. Alexia was a means to an end. I did as I was asked and tried to train her but she discovered her own truth and made you pay for it. "
"And that worked out so well for her in the end."
"Indeed. Through that trial, you became the woman you are today. Destiny triumphs again."
"There is more, I can feel it. Pieces that don't fit."
"Your path is not one I can follow."
"I'm not asking you to but this is something I have to do."
"Be careful."
"Always," she whispers as she clicks off.
Okay, so he didn't exactly endorse it but there wasn't an attempt to talk her out of it either.
Karen wants to believe everything he tells her is the truth but don't all lovers keep secrets? Isn't that part of the mystery and intrigue of a relationship? But what if the secrets could cause harm or worse? After all, any information spun a certain way can be dangerous. What is she more afraid of - the whole truth or that truth reflecting negatively on Dementat? Connections from Mara to Phage to father to lover dangle on strings to which her friends all seem to cling. Some let go, others fell. The screams still echo in her mind. She sighs, turning to find Valerie standing there looking particularly devious.
Gasping, she leaps back.
Valerie sneers.
"Soooo secretive. We're more alike than you think."
Karen recovers, groaning, "Or would ever admit in a public forum."
"She's dangerous, Karen. Mara is not what she seems."
"Like we ever were."
"We are human. Duplicity is in our nature. She is...something else."
"I'm aware, thanks for the tip."
"Bitch, you better check yourself. I'm already dead and you are asking yourself the wrong questions."
Karen scoffs, "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you? Tell me then, what is it you want Mara to do for you?"
"The Empire isn't going to rebuild itself. Corellia would be quite the coup."
"Come now, Kar-Kar. Sector acquisitions aren't really your forte."
"The folks on Contruum might beg to differ."
"Corellia isn't what you are really after."
"Perhaps not, well, not entirely anyway. A girl can have many reasons."
Valerie cackles, "Obviously! Ulterior motives make the game more interesting. When you killed Alexia, you felt things change. They became more clear to you yet you don't know why. You know what she knows and even though you haven't read it, it doesn't mean you don't know what you must do."
Karen sways in place, almost in a trance.
"Find our wayward friends."
"And should you happen upon them?"
"We're all be together again."
"Yes," Valerie says, her voice dropping to become one of many. Shadows step out from behind her, decaying familiar faces. Those caught in their spectacular crossfire. The shadows fill the room and surround her. Karen is backed into a corner, sinking to the ground, hands outstretched, defensive.
Scott St. Claire steps forward and kneels before her, eyes vacant, hollow, with a mortal blaster wound in his gut. His voice is a hoarse whisper from beyond the grave.
"Together."
She squeezes her eyes closed and wills it to end. They aren't here, none of them. Valerie and her parade of victims no longer fill the space of the sleeping quarters when she opens her eyes. Karen is panting for breath as she claws her way to her feet.
Get it together, Winton.
Karen takes a long shower, relaxing in the steam of the impossibly small refresher. The images, the faces haunt her. Faces she see more frequently. Hallucinations that have escalated into alarming interactive visions. The curse of Alexia's craziness. Everything she saw, Karen now sees. Shuttering, she dresses in a pleated black skirt, fitted grey button-up blouse and thick black knee-high heeled boots. She pulls on a black fitted micro-blazer for an added business touch. Her crimson hair is straight and spills casually over her shoulders. The look is complete with subtle smoldering makeup and ample lip shine to coordinate with the polished sheen of the lightsaber clipped to her belt. She has a feeling there might be some shameless flirting involved that may or may not result in recreational violence.
"Karen - we're here."
"Oh, so now you're talking to me." she grumbles, grabbing her purse and heading out of the room to meet Mara by the ramp.
Striding down, no one greets them.
This disappoints her somehow.
Where's the love?
Mara turns to Karen, "Alright, we're here. So, what do we do?"
"Duh! Find someone important, charm them to pieces and get taken on a tour! Men are usually more than happy to show women like us around. Makes them feel...useful. I'll worry about the charming part while you scan for any signs that would lead us to Master-Com and Medivh's files. Or any relevant files in general."
She turns on heels and storms toward the information booth. She is not dealing with a droid so a humanoid is summoned. While they wait, Karen glances over Mara. Sure, she's hot in the menacing way Valerie was but there is something unsettling about her. It's almost as if she's troubled in some way. She is about to ask when something else strikes her.
"Do you think we should call you something else here? I mean, if you are as wanted by Corellia as you appear to be, leading them right to you might cramp my....er, our style."
It looks like Mara is scowling but Karen cannot be sure.
"Fine, we'll just kick ass if the going gets rough."
A humanoid approaches; male, moderately overweight, receding hairline, dour expression. What she and her friends used to call a "tough sell."
Karen turns, flipping her hair and flashing a winning smile.
"Hi! I'm Karen, Karen Winton. I was wondering if I might be able to take up just a few moments of your time. My colleague and I were looking to hold a rather large meeting for some clients in the surrounding systems. This location would be very convenient for all involved. We were wondering what you might be able to do for us."
His expression remains pinched.
"Karen Winton? Of the Empire?"
"That's the one."
B-1 Battle droids converge out of seemingly nowhere to surround them, blasters aimed and ready. Now Mara is scowling. She is sure of it. Karen shrugs dramatically.
"Guess they aren't fans."
Mara does not appear to be amused.
The humanoid speaks lowly.
"The Administrator would like to have a word."
At least they were going straight to the top.
Karen purses her lips and narrows her eyes.
"Lead the way."
-TBC
-
The Wheel
Mara was feeling annoyed enough by Karen's rather flipant behavior. Karen was a princess - she was an operative. Both were programmed in their own way. Karen, by how she was bred and raised. Mara - literally. Clash of the highest degree. It made Mara wonder, if her programming was based on Valerie, did that mean that Karen and Valerie clashed as well? What made them friends, or was it all just because they were thrown together by this giant conspiracy by Karen's father?
Mara's thoughts are interupted by Karen trying to flirt her way into the heart of some aging official.
"Hi! I'm Karen, Karen Winton. I was wondering if I might be able to take up just a few moments of your time. My colleague and I were looking to hold a rather large meeting for some clients in the surrounding systems. This location would be very convenient for all involved. We were wondering what you might be able to do for us."
"Karen Winton? Of the Empire?"
"That's the one."
Before even Mara could pull a blaster, B-1 Battle Droids appear, surround them, and point guns. That is what Karen gets for being so careless, and Mara's look was probably more dangerous than the blasters they now faced. How did they react so fast? Mara's eyes flickered over the official and noticed a small device in his hand. Not a remote - he wasn't controlling the droids - but it was sufficient to alert the central command to send the droids immediately. Mara counted them, turning her head slowly as she looked at them. Inferior cousins. Brain dead, literally.
Medivh had told her about the different levels of intelligence. At the lowest level, B1 Battle Droids, with no independent brain function at all. At the very top, those who were born with independent thought - alive. Mara was somewhere in the upper half of that spectrum, but at the top? Medivh had also told her how he himself had the power to command other droids, with his own transmitter built into his cyber-bionic form. Wouldn't that be a useful thing to have now.
"Guess they aren't fans."
Mara is not amused. For all her power, Karen lacks a certain ... something. The official meanwhile is speaking lowly into a communicator before again giving his attention to the women
"The Administrator would like to have a word."
"Lead the way."
B1 Battle Droids surrounding them, the official ahead of them, and crowds moving out of the way as they traveled. Mara could hear the whispers behind them. Karen's face was famous from tabloids. Mara's face was famous because she looked like the hero of Corellia. And the newly declared traitor of Corellia. Two sides of the same coin.
They traveled from the outer ring that gave the Wheel it's name through one of the spokes to the central axis before turning toward a series of executive turbolifts. To their right, they could see through several windows the trading floor of the Wheel's stock exchange, hundreds of computers flashing with activity as anxious beings tried to get ahead of the market.
Turbolift was large enough for the entire entourage, and the battle droids were not inconvenienced by being cramped inside, guns still pointed at their escortee.
Noise drowned away as they shot upward to the suite up top. Not quite as lavish as what the princess would prefer for herself, it carried with it a downplayed tastefulness. Several offices with closed doors on either side. And ahead of them a blast-shielded door.
Guarding the door on either side, Mara was suddenly taken aback. Two MagnaGuard Droids stood, electrostaffs at the ready, red eyes staring unblinking ahead. magnaguard had gone bankrupt, and all of their droids had been melted down - at least the ones that were found. Even here, in the upper chambers, hidden away, who would think to use the droid model that Phage was based off of? Wasn't that dangerous?
Almost immediately though, Mara's heart - if you could call it that - calmed. The two droids, unlike their original models, each had an antenna, small, durable, but noticeable, on the rear of their heads. These droids, like their weaker B1 brethren, were not independent thinkers. They were controlled by another.
Of course, the power to control an army with the push of a button was not the most wonderful thing to think about. Mara returned her focus to here and now.
Blast door opened to the suite, royal colors, but nothing over the top. No artwork at all on the durasteel walls.
And standing before them a proud man, probably in his lower 30s, semi-muscular build, cold blue eyes, watching them.
"It is not every day that we have guests from the Empire coming here. Certainly not the Lady Kyja herself. And certainly not without a more noticeable entourage."
His face was filled with suspicion, eyes flickering between the two women, still surrounded by droids.
"It was not that long ago that Counselor Winton was envoy to Contruun. That did not bode well for them, as I recall. And who is your companion?"
His attention turned solely on Mara now, curiosity, suspicion, trying to recognize. Mara too looked back at him, trying to match his face to some prior encounter, some news cycle.
Going through headlines, she finally found the name she was looking for.
Amir Faram. After the upper echelons of the old Trade Federation had been assassinated (by Mara), the board of directors had reconvened for the first time in years. Among the decisions made included downsizing the Trade Federation's military and industrial fleet, as well as their overall profile. And they put Amir Faram in place as administrator of the Wheel, to replace Vital Ezee. And because there was no viceroy - another decision by the board - Administrator Faram was the most powerful man in the dwindling Trade Federation. Here, if nowhere else, he was the boss.
Faram had started small, a smuggler during the war. But afterward, Medivh's fleets managed to outdo him in almost every way. But the Viceroy had made Faram an offer - join the Federation, and become a legitimate trader. And he had, taking a few small ships and slowly building his way up. During the time of Phage, Faram had been Vital Ezee's second in command at the Wheel, responsible for all entrepreneurial trading that happened at the Wheel. And now, he was the man in charge.
Mara decided to be (somewhat) direct with him.
"I am Mara Anna Gellar, of Corellia"
The man nodded
"Ah yes - traitor to Corellia, or so they say. And now apparently working with the Empire. But I sense there is more to you than meets the eyes, Ms. Gellar. I am not particularly fond of the High Commander Judec. But I don't want trouble following you here, whether it be Corellian, imperial ... or something else"
He had a piercing stare, like he could somehow see past them, and knew their purpose, that they were hiding something. or maybe it was just an illusion. Even if he knew something, he gave nothing away.
"Well, now that you are here, state your business. Or go somewhere else"
Mara spoke first.
"We have come for something ... not available to the public. We are here, not as representatives of any government, but as seekers of truth. You knew the Viceroy, Medivh. You knew him while he was in charge, and you were close to him, even after he retired from his role. You were also close with Viceroy Gesser. But now, there is no Viceroy, and no official who has the role that Medivh carried. But as Viceroy, Medivh had something. It may just be information, it may be more substantial than that. But we need access to Medivh's private archives"
Amir Faram's eyes went wide. Quite a suprising thing to request, especially considering the situation at hand. The Viceroy's private archives? What could they possibly want from that? He looked from Mara to Karen. What could the Empire possibly need from the Viceroy's private stores?
"He left no archive - there is nothing that remains here of him. He died on Corellia. At the hands of Phage. If he left anything anywhere, I know nothing of it"
TBD
-
The Wheel
Karen poses beside Mara as they stand before the Administrator. He had heard of her, no surprises there, and she would be flattered if she wasn't so annoyed. There are so many droids present she has to suppress the urge to shutter violently. They creep her the hell out. The Administrator's eyes are wild and his demeanor suggests a high level of suspicion and mistrust. She focuses on his energy, trying to get a reading from him.
Mara speaks first and boldly identifies herself. Not that Karen can judge, given their current situation. The Administrator seems to be familiar with her as well. Looks like someone keeps up with the news.
"But I don't want trouble following you here, whether it be Corellian, Imperial or....something else."
Karen's tenses.
Something else? That has a certain ominous undertone she does not care for.
He continues, "Well, now that you are here, state your business. Or go somewhere else."
Mara makes her request without so much as a pause.
The Administrator's reaction, however, sends Karen's senses into overdrive.
"He left no archive - there is nothing that remains here of him. ? He died on Corellia. At the hands of Phage. ? If he left anything anywhere, I know nothing of it"
Karen echoes her thoughts into Mara's head.
He lies!
She inhales sharply, gathering her strength. There is a small but powerful kinetic burst that sends all but Karen, Mara and the Administrator to the floor. The crash of metal is deafening and she waits for the stunned silence that follows. Karen speaks in a menacing tone, fingers grazing the hem of her skirt and the saber dangling from her belt.
"You are going to have to work on your delivery, hun. That wasn't your most convincing performance."
He reaches for something but Karen makes a warning sound.
"Ah-ah, let's not, okay? Since you seem to know so much about us, you know Mara has outsmarted Judec and that I could take off your head with this saber before you call for backup. So this can go one of two ways. Our way or the hard way. Give us what we came for or I swear to everything unholy, the Empire will tear this place apart helping us look for it."
Karen's smile is laced with venom.
"You seem like an intelligent man, think of it from a business standpoint. How many credits can you make if all your clients are dead?"
She waits for him to consider this.
"Now, miss Gellar asked you for something. Show us."
-TBC
-
The Wheel
"He left no archive - there is nothing that remains here of him. ? He died on Corellia. At the hands of Phage. ? If he left anything anywhere, I know nothing of it"
Mara senses something, a feeling quite unsettling, a tingling of a voice inside her head
He lies!
FLASH
Again, Mara is taken away from the present, images both remembered and not, flashing through her cerebral processors. A battle between Karen, Alexia Winton, Phage - and something new, the image of a blond woman. Mara watched helplessly as they all seemed to kill each other simultaneously, bodies slumping to the ground. And from somewhere unknown, Valerie Gellar appears, standing over them and offering Mara a smug look as she speaks.
"Who is your master and who will you betray?"
FLASH
Mara blinks. In the seconds of her own - whatever it was, the room had changed remarkably. Around them, battle droids were now slumped to the ground. What had happened? What did she miss? A quick look over at Karen told her enough – the woman’s eyes had turned black, something that Mara had noticed when the Force seemed to come out. She was talking to the administrator, who also remained standing.
"Ah-ah, let's not, okay? Since you seem to know so much about us, you know Mara has outsmarted Judec and that I could take off your head with this saber before you call for backup. So this can go one of two ways. Our way or the hard way. Give us what we came for or I swear to everything unholy, the Empire will tear this place apart helping us look for it."
"You seem like an intelligent man, think of it from a business standpoint. How many credits can you make if all your clients are dead?"
The administrator glanced between the two of them, a look of solemn fear glinted in his eyes. But for all his business appearance may be, he was no sniveling fool (like the Neimodians had been). He had been chosen well for his post, and a smugglers past made him a bit less easy to crush with fear. Mara immediately admired that about him.
"Now, miss Gellar asked you for something. Show us."
Amir Faram gave them each a final glance before offering a sigh.
“Quite like the Empire to make such threats – and follow through with them regardless. You said that you were not here with the Empire, and now I believe it was you who were lying. Still, I’d prefer to live a bit longer and die of something other than your short temper, Lady Kyja. I do not know much. But I know he was not wholly broke when he was murderedâ€
Eyes flickered to Mara for a moment before back to Karen.
“There is a place, on the planet of Ord Radama. The Viceroy had for a long time suffered from vulnerabilities. When he retook control of the Trade Federation, he had a complex there that was virtually impregnable. By force – or by use of the Force. It is said that he bred a colony of ysalamiri there and had them nesting through the complex. I have not been there for years –nor has anyone else. But rumor has it that behind the locked doors, the creatures have overrun the complex. I do not know what you will find there, or if you will be able to get in if there is anything, but that is the place to look.â€
Again he sighed, glancing over at the droids.
“The Trade Federation has made its share of mistakes – most have been at the behest of or in tandem with the Empire. We are not what we once were, and I kindly request you leave our dying organization to die at its own pace. “
TBC
-
The Wheel
Information, however minute, flows freely in the face of such a threat. He may not be completely intimidated but he's not stupid. Men are pliable that way. Karen overlooks the fact that he essentially called her out but she can't help herself sometimes. Besides, she said no such thing about not being here with the Empire. Mara's words, not hers. People have been forever withholding information from her. There is little patience left for beating around the bush. Not when there is this much at stake. True, she may have been a bit brash and honestly had no intention of interfering with what fading glory the Federation has left but nothing speeds things up like a little show of force.
Ord Radama.
She would have to brush up since its nothing more than a long-forgotten school report in her morbid little mind. The circumstantial surrounding said hideout does not bode well for the malevolent royal. Those creatures decimate her abilities and relying on Mara's brute strength to guide them through unsettles something in Karen. The balance of power would be skewed in her favor. Could Karen trust her not to take advantage of that?
The Administrator concludes,
“The Trade Federation has made its share of mistakes – most have been at the behest of or in tandem with the Empire. We are not what we once were, and I kindly request you leave our dying organization to die at its own pace."
Karen curtsies theatrically, "As you wish."
It's entirely up to him whether or not he believes the Empire would not return but keeping that leverage firmly planted in his mind will prevent any notions of retaliation. She follows Mara out of the room and back to the lifts. Karen cringes at the decor, noting that whomever designed this place should be lobotomized immediately.
On their way down, Mara glowers.
"That was reckless and unnecessary."
"Oh, and that is so like Valerie to flip a shit when someone else makes the first move. We may differ in our approach but I got answers and that's all that matters."
They stride quickly down the hall back to the hangar bay, passing scores of people who point and stare. Karen waves, flashing the same smile that has been splashed across the tabs for years. It's reflexive and she loves every microsecond of the attention. From the looks of things, this place could use a little press. Their presences would certainly get people talking. She takes the time to acknowledge that they do make a formidable duo, both socially and professionally. An alleged traitor with Valerie's face beside the Emperor's fiancé.
Two women not to be trifled with.
Inside the hangar bay, she is hit with a wave of nausea. Somewhere within the massive complex, the ghost of Scott St. Claire glares down at her.
Yes, Scotty, I'm hanging out with your killer. You've associated with worse.
Mara still seems shaken by something which Karen misinterprets as anger for behaving so typically in the face of such seriousness. Back on the shuttle, Mara is once again silent at the controls. Karen slides into the seat beside her and carefully crosses her legs.
An appeal to rational, perhaps, programmed or not.
"Look, I know we both have a way of doing things but on Ord Radama we play it your way."
Mara glances up and finally looks at her.
"We both want the same thing. We want the truth. This is your area of expertise and if this place is as overrun with ysalamari as the Administrator claims, I will not be quite as effective as I prefer. Therefore, I defer to your judgment. Just putting that out there."
She settles in and Mara eases the shuttle out and away from The Wheel. As soon as the instruments calculate, the shuttle flares into hyperspace.
-TBC
-
The Wheel
"That was reckless and unnecessary."
"Oh, and that is so like Valerie to flip a shit when someone else makes the first move. We may differ in our approach but I got answers and that's all that matters."
Mara was about to retort – yes, Karen got the answers, but Mara had learned in her time the value of an ally, something more valuable than any information. Karen was making a scene, as usual, stirring crowds to point, stare, and whisper.
Rumors would start flying, and Corelia would be at war with the Empire for conspiring with their ‘traitor.’ Sure, Karen could get answers, but did she ever realize how many doors she closed to them by her actions?
And then of course, there was that flashback, brought on by – and now Mara realized that the last few times she had had those odd flashback/dreams, it had been triggered by the Force. Something she would need to ponder, for certain. A part of the discovery she would keep to herself.
They were back on the ship, and Mara was prepping to get out as quickly as possible. Too many people knew they were here. Karen wasn’t playing it safe. She might as well have brought that flashy star destroyer if she was going to be waving for the cameras.
Karen, for her part, was trying to make nice.
"Look, I know we both have a way of doing things but on Ord Radama we play it your way."
Mara looks from the controls over at her, letting her finish.
"We both want the same thing. We want the truth. This is your area of expertise and if this place is as overrun with ysalamari as the Administrator claims, I will not be quite as effective as I prefer. Therefore, I defer to your judgment. Just putting that out there."
Mara says nothing at first, letting the ship get away from the Wheel and into hyperspace’s safety. It was a long silence before she finally spoke.
"You’re going to get us into trouble. We both have our strengths – but you don’t see me using mine with abandon. I use as little force as possible. And it gets me more than if I were to choke everyone in my path. The feint is often stronger than the full on attack. You may be a sith, but you apparently never learned the subtlety of being a warrior.
The administrator could have been an ally – you made him an enemy. We could have had stealth, and now we have a trail. If Judec learns we were together, he’ll give the Empire yet another war to deal with. Your actions are not just another way of doing things. They are reckless and they are not helping"
She turned from the viewport to face Karen now, her voice stern as she looked at her. Karen
"And your temper is going to be your downfall. Learn from the mistakes of others with powers like your own. Darth Vader was defeated by Obi Wan Kenobi because he let his temper get the best of him. He was arrogant and he lost his limbs and nearly burned to death as a result. I can’t imagine something you would fear worse than being severely maimed, forever scarred. It cannot be my way simply because you are limited. You need to restrain yourself. Or we might as well quit now."
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
The scolding stings and as much as she hates to admit it, Mara is right.
An appeal to her immense vanity snaps her back into a sobering reality.
Too often is Karen used to getting her way using power and glamour. It is an automatic response and she seldom considers the repercussions. She never had to since she and their friends could always buy or charm their way out of anything. Until now, that is. This would take much more restraint than she has been showing. Mara, like Valerie, is calculating and secretive. Perhaps she should make these small adjustments before they end up dead or worse. Severed limbs? Maker Almighty. Her mind flashes to Alexia, the bionic limbs grotesquely fastened to flesh. Part-woman, part-machine. She tries not to gag and inhales sharply to fight off the wave of panic rising in her chest.
"You are right. I'm...."
Mara waits for it.
Karen struggles, floundering in unfamiliar territory.
"...sorry. That whole ordeal was ruthless, uncalled for and completely unprofessional. It's not in my nature to be subtle but you make some solid, if not completely terrifying, points. The Administrator may not be an ally but he's not going to blab about it either. He, like all savvy businessmen, are in it for the profit which would tank if the Empire were to seize his operation. Judec won't risk trying to take on Dementat just yet what with his recent victories throughout the Core. Clashing with the Imperial fleets would weaken his hold on the Corellian Sector leaving it open to mutiny or attack."
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, shifting into a more neutral tone.
"Unfortunately, there will always be people who know who I am no matter where we go. Same goes for you looking like...that. Such is the curse of a widely covered youth but I agree it's not helping our cause. So, to make amends and prove that I am as serious about discovering what the hell is really going on here as you are, I will follow your lead from here on out."
Karen stands and moves toward the doorway, pausing.
"The last thing I want is to end up like my sister."
*
In the small stateroom, Karen pulls off the microblazer and drops it on the bed. She paces, shaking her head, mind whirling in a million different directions. Keep it together. Don't lose it. She's come too far to trash it all in some spiteful outburst or display of rage.
Valerie is leaning against the far wall.
"You are so predictable, darling. And pathetic. All that bravado followed by a sappy sentimentality."
"Go away."
"I'm afraid that's not an option. We were once with Alexia, now we're with you."
"I'm not Alexia," Karen snarls.
"Oh, not yet. You think just because you possess more poise means you aren't wandering down that same dark path? Think again, girlfriend. Shadows and light. That's all we are. Kimber is the milder, more idealistic version of me same as Melanie is to you. We're nothing but counterpoints and reflections. The problem is, you don't like what you see. Give it time."
Valerie smiles slyly.
"You will never get away with being who you are."
Then she is gone.
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
Karen’s sober response was better than Mara had hoped for. Mara’s past caution to Karen had resulted in a flare up of her anger. Maybe this time, Mara actually go through to her. Apparently, the image of Alexia really got to her in a way her sister’s psychosis did not.
Everyone has a fear.
Karen steps out of the room, apparently wishing to be alone after the scolding. Mara doesn’t mind, enjoying the solitude. It gives her time to think.
Of course, thinking has its own dangers for Mara. Whatever flaw had been created in her systems, she hadn’t been able to repair it completely, and as a result, she kept having – what were they? Flashbacks? Memory recalls? Dreams? And yet, they carried with them images she herself could not remember ever seeing, nor could she find in her vast archives traces of them. Some corrupt file, deep in her system that she couldn’t find?
She let out a sigh, staring out at the blue streaks of hyperspace. Maybe if she let herself have those flashbacks, or whatever they were, she could discern them. Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes and braced herself.
FLASH
At first, it was uncontrolled, like the others, images, nightmares. Phage standing over Valerie, bringing about the final blow. Phage, Karen, Alexia, battling against each other. Mara destroying Phage. His claims of her being a traitor.
Mara let the images continue, despite how they disturbed her. She though, was focusing on the background. A soft tracer program, trying to discern through the mess.
The images kept flashing in the background, and her trace slowly reaching toward a target. Progress.
50% complete
70% complete
90% complete
Hopeful of reaching the target within her subsystems, she was disappointed when, instead of a target, a final sector, she saw flashing words.
“error reported – cannot locateâ€
It was odd really. Phage was dueling with Karen, was dueling with the Masterson girl. And over their heads, a white spot, like a blank monitor, with those words flashing.
And then the battle stopped. Masterson disappeared. So did Karen. Only Phage remained, and Mara could feel him looking at her with his bright,glowing red eyes.
“TRAITORâ€
He had called her that before – at least in her dreams – but now, he seemed to know more, and chose to say more.
“What do you think you will find, INFILTRATOR-01? The answers you seek will not help you. They will leave you with a void far greater.â€
Mara was surprised to find she could respond
“You hid my origins from meâ€
“You are just a tool. A machine. What need do you have to learn the secrets behind your programming?â€
“I want to be aliveâ€
“But you cannot be. Intelligent? Maybe. But you are what you are- a creation. And you cannot have what makes a being alive. Every decision you make is part of your programming. You cannot escape it. Nor can you create others.â€
“I can build more. In my imageâ€
“But you cannot expand yourself. You cannot have a child. Procreation is part of the definition of life. You cannot procreate. You cannot create life. You are a destroyer. You were built and programmed to destroyâ€
“No – I can change. I can be something else. I can help create, protectâ€
Phage’s emotionless face transformed into that of Valerie, her voice accompanied by a sly smile
"You will never get away with being who you are."
Then she is gone
FLASH
Mara’s eyes opened to the sound of the hyperspace alert system. Taking a deep breathe, she eased back on the lever, and the streaks of hyperspace shot back into pinpoints of stars, the world of Ord Radama straight ahead.
Her ‘conversation’ with Phage/Valerie was vivid in her head, and she felt closer something – but to what,she could not be certain. She didn’t believe it – him, her – them. She felt like she could change. She could be more than her programming. She could be alive.
Of course, what they said was true. She could not bare children. She would never be able to procreate (even though her programming did allow her to have sex). A working womb was not part of her design, and was not a technology that anyone had magically created yet. She would live until her systems wore out and then that would be all. She could have no legacy. So what did it matter ifshe ‘lived’ or not?
Frowning, she shook her head. A matter for another time.
“Karen – we are hereâ€
She waited for Karen to return, beginning a scan of the system.
Ord Radama was an odd dichotomy – the world was naturally swampy, marshy, teeming with life, and yet the world had been heavily industrialized, with pockets of sprawling, huge cities cutting into the natural world.
A database of information told Mara a little about the world. It had been one of many worlds controlled by the Trade Federation at its height, and because of the wealth of the world, it had been the capital for a short period of time. Right around when Medivh returned to power. But that was some years ago now, and the Trade Federation’s presence here had been minimalized, its headquarters now controlled by several other corporate entities.
Whatever and wherever Medivh’s complex was located, it was not where the headquarters was.
But it had to be huge, and capable of transmitting strong signals across the galaxy.
Anything on scanners?
No – nothing that Mara could pick up. Whatever signals could be broadcast, the place was now dormant.
The only way to find it, it would seem, would be to figure out where they were blind.
When Karen returned to the cockpit, Mara was monitoring the systems, and without looking up, spoke.
“Karen – if what the administrator said was true, there should be a large spot on the planet that is beyond your vision. Reach out and tell me, where on this world is your blind spot?â€
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
Karen sobs for hours, mind searing in a waking nightmare with images from the battle on Roon. Alexia's slashed and broken body lying on fragments of stone floor that cracked and hissed as the volcano below forced its way into the Fortress. Dementat had appeared with Kimber and Mod behind him to take her away. Dementat healed her wounds, eased her pain, but he could not stop what was coming. She would have to face Alexia again.
Once more, with feeling...
On Phage's platform they fought but not before Alexia revealed to her all that had transpired outside her own warped little world. Their parents, such treachery, and those who had fought, suffered and died to protect four spoiled girls from certain doom. The blackness that swirled around Karen as she struck Alexia down consumed her and she turned on Governor Strye. Only Karen and Kensington left that platform alive knowing that nothing would ever be the same again.
For anyone.
She turns over to find Skyler McNeal lying beside her. The first boy she ever loved was lost forever to Alexia's rage. His lanky form spans the length of the bed, head propped up on a slender arm. He wears the North Coruscant uniform and the amused grin that used to get her heart racing.
"You were always so tense when it came to your sister."
"She haunts me."
"We all do. But you can relax now, she's gone."
"So are you."
He strokes her cheek, wiping the tears away.
"Gone but not forgotten."
"Even if I've fallen for another?"
"Moving on is part of life. No fault in that."
"You don't blame me?"
"You didn't kill me, Karen. She did."
"She killed you to hurt me."
"No, she killed me to show you the way. Our deaths eventually lead you here. Exactly where you are supposed to be. It gave you courage to do what had to be done. There was no other way."
"Sometimes I wonder..."
"Doubt will be your downfall. You know what you have to do. Do not let memories of the past cloud your judgment. Mara is right. Learn from those who came before you. Feelings, emotion, attachment can only harm you. Push them aside for the sake of your future. The Empire's fate is linked to your own. Dementat is counting on you."
Karen smiles, tugging at the soft material of his NCH cardigan.
"You always did have faith in me."
"Still do but now it's time to find out the truth."
"What truth, Sky?"
"The truth about why we had to die."
Skyler's face turns ashen, bone exposed below patches of decaying flesh. The fabric of his sweater comes apart in her fingers.
"Behind every sacrifice is an agenda."
Karen gasps, reeling back and falling to the floor. She scrambles away until she hits the wall. Skyler is no longer on the bed. She exhales and sobs into her hands.
*
After a long shower that barely washes away the horrific images, Karen chooses a more conservative outfit - a combat modified form-fitting pale gray body suit. The material is blast and blade resistant, something she had the finest designers and military scientists on Byss collaborate on. High fashion that is combat chic. Karen likes to think she has her priorities straight. She pulls on elbow-length black gloves and fastens the functionally bulky black knee-high heeled boots. Standing before the mirror, she pulls a thick black belt tight around her waist and clips the saber on one side and slides in a small blaster in its holster on the other. The lids above her emerald eyes are heavily smoky with pouty lips the color of a winter frost. She pulls her crimson hair into a simple pony tail and gives herself the once over.
The prognosis: presentably downplayed with a slight edge and smolder.
It'll do.
Karen sighs, stepping out of the stateroom as she hears her name.
"Karen - we are here."
She pads toward the front to find Mara scanning the terrain. She doesn't even look up and a part of Karen wonders if she's still upset about the Wheel. Still, she would make good on her promise and allow Mara to lead.
"Any luck?"
“Karen – if what the administrator said was true, there should be a large spot on the planet that is beyond your vision. Reach out and tell me, where on this world is your blind spot?â€
Karen closes her eyes and concentrates as she extends a hand over the topical map glowing from one of the screens. The planet is teaming with life and feeling everywhere except...
"There."
It's like a white void outside her grasp.
"I can feel nothing there."
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
"There. I can feel nothing there."
Mara could almost hint a sense of fear behind Karen's voice. Was she afraid to be without her Force abilities? or was something else troubling her?
Mara pressed the thrust forward and their vessel began moving closer to the location that Karen pointed to. It was in a densely clouded area, and Mara was forced to slow down a bit. as they were shrouded in clouds. Readings indicated that they were several miles away from the nearest city. Other than that, the instruments seemed to be suffering from interference.
Mara frowned, slowing the vessel further. The last thing she wanted was to be flying blind into some tree that decided to grow really high. Cloud cover slowly began to ease up as they got lower, and now they found themselves flying just above the tree line of huge swamp land.
Mara took a moment to glance over at Karen. Ysalamiri in small numbers created small bubbles - but together, they created larger, stronger bubbles that could cover huge swaths of land. Karen probably already could feel the absence, like a sense being taken away from her. Mara too, as odd as it was, felt some sort of sense of loss, though maybe that was because without Karen directing, she was also sort of flying blind.
Sensors were acting up, some type of interference. Mara was working based on vision alone.
"We're going to do some runs over this area, see if we spot anything"
She was speaking to herself more than to Karen, face furrowed in concentration. The vessel went straight for several miles before turning and making another lap in the opposite direction. It was several laps like this before Mara saw something - despite the overgrown foliage everywhere, there was a noticeably out of place hill, something that looked like it had been built there rather than simply molded with the ebb and flow of the swamp's growth. Taking the shuttle closer, she tried conducting scans again.
Her systems were more scrambled than ever, but that made Mara all the more certain that this was the place. The shuttle circled the hill, slowly, and they peered out, looking for signs. It was not a small area - the hill seemed to cover at least a mile in circumference.
Finally though, they saw a hint of what they were seeking.
Amidst the green and brown of the mucky foliage they saw the redish hue of rust.
"I think this is it"
Easing the shuttle beneath the canopy, down down, letting wet leaves flop against the wingspan, Mara brough the vessel down onto the soft, earth. Not the most stable location, but the ship wasn't sinking, and that was a good sign.
Shutting down the systems, Mara turned to Karen now for the first time since her scolding.
"You said you would follow my lead - now is your chance to prove it."
Mara held out her hand.
"Without the Force, your use of your lightsaber will likely be - sloppy at best. I, on the other hand, have been trained to use a saber without the aid of the Force. You will take a blaster. I will take your saber"
tbc
-
Ord Radama
Surface
This area of the planet neutralized her in a way that she could not describe. The sensation, the loss of direction and power is confusing and unpleasant. It sickens her. She tries not to show it but concern would be visible across her face.
"You said you would follow my lead - now is your chance to prove it."
"Of course."
Mara holds out a hand.
"Without the Force, your use of your lightsaber will likely be - sloppy at best. I, on the other hand, have been trained to use a saber without the aid of the Force. You will take a blaster. I will take your saber."
Karen's mouth falls open. She doesn't tell Mara that despite her frivolities and flippant nature, she is actually a capable fighter. Dementat had trained her, knowing full well that the Force could fail them. They were never to rely solely upon it and he tested her rigorously. She had been greatly injured in that process (physically and psychologically) but learned that she was stronger than she thought.
This was merely a test of her word.
Could she trust Mara not to turn on her? Without her power or weapon, this would be the perfect opportunity to strike her down. Vulnerability doesn't sit well with the royal. In fact, it terrifies her. Karen projects the same question on herself. Mara had, in some way, trusted her not to succumb to the darkness within and take advantage of the situation. Karen had held true to that. Now it was time to show a little faith.
Slowly, Karen unclips the saber from her belt and hands it to Mara. She unclasps the holster and grips the blaster as the ramp touches down. The swamp lands beyond have a strange and pungent aroma that was thick and mossy. She steps aside to allow Mara to pass.
"After you."
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Surface
Karen is, notably, reluctant about giving the light saber. Of course, if she really didn’t trust Mara, this was not the place they should have gone. Even if Karen was a fighter, Mara was built stronger, faster, more agile. Without the Force, Mara could beat Karen in a fight hands down. Even with her injury-related weaknesses.
Whatever hesitation Karen had, she put it aside, unclipping the saber and handing it to Mara. Mara tests the weight of cylinder, swinging it (deactivated) in her hand for a moment before standing from the cockpit.
Karen pulls out a blaster and begins moving down. A blaster looked out of place in the socialite’s hand, that was for sure. The saber had an elegance that more suited her. But Mara knew the weapon would be more useful in her hands for this venture. Not to mention she wasn’t sure weapons would be useful at all.
"After you."
The swamp was – well, swampy, and Mara held the saber handle firmly, refraining from igniting it unless necessary. The ground felt spongy,but held theirweight as they stepped into the sweltering jungle.
Bugs buzzed around them almost instantly. More around Karen than Mara. Something about her just wasn’t alive enough for bugs.
Slowly, they made progress through the swampy lands until they reached what Mara hoped was their destination. Behind a blanket of moss and vines, a blast door could be seen, heavily weathered from the swamp lands that assaulted it daily. Approaching cautiously, Mara looked for a console to try gaining access. She found nothing.
With a glance back to Karen, she flipped the lightsaber into a better position and activated it.
The pink glow and hum filled the air around them and Mara began carving into the blast door. It would be fairly apparent that she had used such a tool before A large arch was soon cut into the door,the saber was deactivated, and Mara led the way inside.
There was an immediate contrast between the outside and inside of the facility. The walls, floor and ceiling were pristinely clean, not an ounce of dirt, scum, mold, moss or anything of the swamp outside had managed to tarnish the interior.
They entered in a wide, long hallway that sloped down for a fair distance, the only lighting looked to be from emergency power, casting a redish hue over the hallway. From what Mara could tell, the hallway led deeper into the hill and further underground, and her sensors showed that the facility was built very, very thick Along the walls, every fifty feet or so, small shield generators, all deactivated but otherwise in perfect condition
“This place was built to withstand even a very heavy assault. The roof, along with cushioning from the hill, could probably withstand at least the first barrage of star destroyer bombardment. That’s without a shield activated, which I imagine existed here. Even if a ground force landed and entered this chamber, they would make very, very slow progressâ€
Medivh had set up the very center of his existence here, at a time when the Trade Federation carried abundant wealth. Undoubtedly, he did everything in his power to make sure this place was secure.
Even from Force Users. Mara glanced back at Karen, then looked around the chamber a bit more curiously. The ysalamiri supposedly had begun to grow abundantly here, and yet none were in sight. Where were they?
Then she looked down, running a scan of the floor area. Beneath the durasteel plates that made up the floor, Mara detected vent-sized shafts running the full length of the chamber. Within each of these shafts, nutrient tubes provided near endless sustenance to the complex’s inhabitants. Ysalamiri. Here, within the chamber itself, she could detect hundreds of the creatures living passively beneath their feet.
And there must be more – they probably, some at least, escaped outside through the shaft system, and probably the jungle, without the ysalamiri’s natural predators, was filling up with the creatures.
Mara again glanced to Karen, wondering if she should offer the now impaired sith words of comfort. She decided against it, instead continuing on down the sloping hallway.
Here, they found their way blocked yet again, but this time, by a more formidable foe. A thicker blast door, to be sure, but this one had the added obstacle of having an energy field reinforcing the durasteel. This field appeared active, and Mara tested it briefly with the lightsaber. A soft hiss indicated that the field would prevent the powerful weapon from being used.
This was as far as they could go, at least until they had a better plan.
That was when they heard a voice, a metallic voice over a loudspeaker,somewhere
“Who wishes access? identify yourselves or prepared to be terminatedâ€
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Surface
Karen is blasted with a moist heat as they step out into the swamp. Her boots sink slightly in the mush. She feels naked and exposed without the saber which looks a little too comfortable in Mara's hand. Insects swarm them, focusing in on the sweet scent of Karen's expensive perfume. She waves them away, following through the thick foliage. A damp mist clings to the air, shrouding their path in mystery.
The blast door looks ancient but Mara wastes no time in handled things. Karen watches, partly in awe and partly in horror, as she expertly handles the saber to cut an arch into the door. Inside it is cooler, clean. The juxtaposition is not lost on her. She feels blind, lost and empty as she follows Mara down the corridor.
“This place was built to withstand even a very heavy assault. The roof, along with cushioning from the hill, could probably withstand at least the first barrage of star destroyer bombardment. That’s without a shield activated, which I imagine existed here. Even if a ground force landed and entered this chamber, they would make very, very slow progress."
Karen glances up the wall, running a gloved finger along it in the reddish hue.
"That's comforting."
Sarcasm.
It's the only thing she has left.
She feels nothing, only the soft blankness of the complex, a low hum radiating beneath them. This void leaves her disconnected, anxious. She struggles to stretch her actual senses, attempting to feel the place out while cut off from it.
Is this what it's like to be normal?
The notion is so powerful she barely realizes Mara has stopped. A thicker, shielded blast door lies before them. Bingo. The bigger the door, the better the prize behind it. Mara taps the lit saber against the shield, causing a spark. Karen looks around for a way to deactivate it that doesn't involve shorting it out with a kinetic burst then pulling the door out of its frame. This technical approach startles her and she is struck with a rather sobering thought.
When was the last time you solved a problem without using money or power?
A voice slices through the silence.
“Who wishes access? identify yourselves or prepared to be terminated."
When in doubt, shamelessly drop names.
"Winton, Karen; daughter of Winton, Alexander. Gellar, Mara; daughter of Phage, offspring of the Viceroy Medivh."
Mara turns to look at her.
Karen shrugs.
"What? I'm helping!"
An alarm sounds, the red rights grow deeper.
"Or not," Mara says lowly, raising the saber.
Karen's mind is reeling.
"Wait! You weren't always called Mara. What did they call you when they took you out of the box? A model number? A project name?"
Mara quickly deciphers her slang.
"Infiltrator-01."
There is a clicking sound.
The alarm stops abruptly, lights turning from red to green.
"Welcome, Infiltrator-01."
The shield fades, massive door unlocking to hiss open.
Too easy or to be expected?
Mara's stare is firm but inquisitive.
Karen rationalizes in a hurried whisper.
"You said Phage was Medivh's "child" and you, created by Phage, would technically be considered his "grandchild." Heavy on the technically. What if returning here is something you are supposed to do? A homecoming of sorts to the Viceroy's most sacred place. They could be expecting you."
Mara and Karen step through the doorway into a wide antechamber. The temperature is regulated and cool, not a speck of dust in sight. It's an environment perfect for machines. There are three sets of doors, possibly turbolifts, opposite where they stand. A singular computer terminal sits in the middle of the room with a blank screen and a flashing cursor.
Karen moves to the terminal, tapping a key. Nothing happens. The cursor continues to blink.
"Does any of this look familiar to you?"
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sub-Surface
Karen again acts carelessly, and triggers an alarm as a result. But the princess did have some intuition, a saving grace
"Wait! You weren't always called Mara. What did they call you when they took you out of the box? A model number? A project name?"
Mara had not been ‘taken out of a box.’ She had been a unique creation of Phage. AFTER Phage had already turned on the Viceroy. But still, her call-sign, her programmed designation may lead somewhere that “Mara Gellar†did not.
"Infiltrator-01."
Apparently, the system recognized the name. But what Mara found astonishing was that it recognized the name as a friendly force, not as an enemy. How was that even possible? Medivh had (supposedly) abandoned this location before Phage even existed – and sometime in the few short days that she had known him, and he had begun to trust her, he had come back and programmed in her designation to a worn out, abandoned facility?
"Welcome, Infiltrator-01."
The shield fades, massive door unlocking to hiss open.
No, Mara realized – Medivh hadn’t come back here. He had somehow broadcast the programming change from where he was. When they were en route to save Corellia. That was the only time he would have had a chance to learn her designation and input the information. But why would he? What was here that he expected her to find, and if so, why didn’t he just tell her about it?
Her thoughts are interrupted by Karen’s quieted voice
"You said Phage was Medivh's "child" and you, created by Phage, would technically be considered his "grandchild." Heavy on the technically. What if returning here is something you are supposed to do? A homecoming of sorts to the Viceroy's most sacred place. They could be expecting you."
Karen’s words sounded of truth – though Medivh had called Mara his ‘child’ not his ‘grandchild’ Less technical, and more personal. Mara wondered if Phage had access to this facility. She doubted it. But that may have been even more puzzling.
Karen did say something else though – supposed to return here? When last Medivh and Mara had been together, preparing to sabotage Phage’s command ship over Corellia, he had told her of his expectations – for her to truly become alive, with the ability to make choices for herself. Maybe there was something here that was meant to aid her in that quest? Something Medivh could not have provided in person?
The room they step inside is even more sterile than the long hallway. Clearly just another step into the chamber. Even as they entered, the blast doors behind them closed with another hiss, and they could hear a soft hum of air filtration. No doubt Karen would appreciate not being suffocated to death in here. Maybe it was good that she announced herself after all? Or maybe the room sensed a human besides Mara?
Mara glances around the room – three sets of doors and a computer terminal that doesn’t seem to be working.
Karen tries the machine to no avail, before turning to Karen
"Does any of this look familiar to you?"
Mara at first shakes her head, but her mind was as busy as it had ever been. She had never been here, but something felt very familiar about it.
She closed her eyes, thinking about her limited time with Medivh. Had he given her any clues?
FLASH
It was the first time she was having one of those dream-flashbacks since they had entered the Force-free zone created by the ysalamiri. And it felt different. Mara felt detached from this image in a way she hadn’t from any others.
There they were, on the ship, traveling to Corellia. Medivh was looking old and feeling weak. Staring off into the stars. But there was something different now. She could see a stream of coding. Then she saw him turn to face her. But this was not a memory. At least not one she actually experienced.
“Mara – you have been endowed with things that your creator, Phage never had. You are the completion of a long process toward mastering life and death. If you are receiving this message, you already know some of what I speak. And no doubt you are seeking answers. I am hopeful that I can provide you with some of those answers. I have not made you aware of this information until now, for fear that your old programming may still be present. Phage would want access to this information, and I could not allow him to have it. By the time you reach Ord Radama, you will already be making decisions never imagined by your creator, and it is my belief that you are in the final steps of reaching your goals of redemption and life.
To enter the ante chamber of my complex at Ord Radama, I have programmed the door to recognize your original designation, Infiltrator-01, to be matched with your voice. It is a security precaution, since most people will know you by Mara Anna.
Once inside the ante chamber, three doors and a terminal will be in front of you. To access my inner sanctum, you need only press your hand against the monitor. It will recognize your data signature and unlock the path.
I hope to be able to guide you further once within. I do have one last piece of advice. Use caution. There is one by the name of Winton who has long coveted the information within the Complex. It would be dangerous for him to obtain it, as it would be the final piece in his attempts to secure a far greater doom for the galaxy than most could fathom.
I bid you well, Mara Anna, my child. I hope to see you soon.â€
FLASH
How Medivh had inserted that message into her, Mara could not be certain. But she knew it was him and knew now what to do. Without speaking, she stepped up to the terminal and placed her hand firmly on the monitor, Karen all the while looking quite confused at what Mara was doing.
Instantly, a voice came over the loudspeaker system as the central door opened to reveal a turbolift
“Mara – I am glad you have made it. Please, come inâ€
************************************************
The turbolift was a comfortable size for the two of them, and the trip was a slow, slow trip down. Further and further down. At first,Mara was silent.
Medivh had cautioned about Winton – Karen’s father. Was Karen also a danger? It seemed an odd question to ask now. She had helped Karen inside this Complex. Plus, Karen was a sith – not an intelligence agent like her father. And there was definitely hatred between them.
Finally, she broke her silence.
“I have never been here before. But I think you were right. It was prepared for my coming. Medivh – somehow – left me a message in my memory files. I’d never seen it before, but just now, it came to me. Like the … “
She was about to say dreams, but realized that those flashes were something she hadn’t revealed to Karen yet – and wasn’t ready to.
“Like he had known. That I would come here.â€
She turned to face Karen.
“And he warned me about your father. Apparently, Medivh didn’t trust himvery much.â€
The turbolift came to a stop and after a few seconds, it opened.
The air down here was stale, and a bit thinner than normal for human use. Hopefully Karen wouldn’t feel lightheaded (or more so than usual)
Another blast door outside the lift immediately opened when they approached. Revealing their destination.
It was a massive room to be sure A house could fit inside this room. It was cylindrical shaped, with a domed roof. The entire ceiling was covered with what appeared to be hundreds of monitors. And on the floor, rows and rows of computer equipment, with coolant systems running in between them. Despite the size of the room, it was actually a bit cramped, with all of the equipment. There was a small walkway and a half flight of stairs leading to an elevated platform, about 3x3 meters With an elaborate computer console attached. No chairs. Directly above them, five mechanical arms hung limply.
When they first stepped inside, the room was only dimly lit by a few emergency lights, but as they reached the elevated platform, monitors began turning on, activating until the entire room was lit up by their glow. Some of the monitors just displayed coding sequences, running constantly. Others showed what appeared to be live-feed cameras, satellite images, data profile descriptions, stock quotes (from the Wheel), and an over abundance of every kind of information.
One monitor remained blank, a large screen directly in front of the elevated platform.
Mara stood there now, feeling more at home than she ever had on Phage’s platform – or anywhere else. It was when she was standing for several minutes that the final monitor activated, revealing a young, handsome man in front of a green screen. He looked so familiar …
“Hello Maraâ€
Mara had never met the Viceroy when he was younger and healthier. Apparently, that is what he looked like. But the Viceroy’s image did not focus just on Mara. His blue eyes flickered over to her companion. The image of the viceroy actually bowed low before standing again.
“Lady Kyja – an honor to be in your presence. I have had the honor of meeting your fiance’ many years ago, and of course, I have heard of your exploits – but it is wonderful to finally meet you in person.â€
TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sub Surface: Federation Facility
Mara closes her eyes, staying very still and silent. Karen watches her closely. What is it she sees behind those eyes of hers? Could it be they are both haunted by figures of their past? Mara opens her eyes, strides past her and places a hand against the monitor.
Almost instantly, a voice echoes through the room.
“Mara – I am glad you have made it. Please, come in."
They were expecting her. Mara was meant to be here. The intricacies of her programming are far beyond Karen's comprehension but she has to wonder what kinds of instructions lay in wait for the right command. The middle set of the doors hiss open and they step inside. Mara was unnervingly silent still but Karen keeps her mouth shut momentarily while she processed whatever it is she saw.
Finally, she speaks.
“I have never been here before. But I think you were right. It was prepared for my coming. Medivh – somehow – left me a message in my memory files. I’d never seen it before, but just now, it came to me. Like the … “
Karen arches a brow, "Like the what?"
“Like he had known. That I would come here.â€
Mara turns to face her, “And he warned me about your father. Apparently, Medivh didn’t trust him very much.â€
It's like a stake through her heart. Her voice has a grave edge to it.
"Nor should he have. Alexander Winton is a man no one should trust. His lies and deceptions hurt so many and the worst part is, even at the end, when he knew he was captured and defeated, that his little game was over, he still didn't seem to care."
Karen shakes her head.
"He moved us like pieces across a board and I hate him for that."
She is venting, honest and open, despite the mistrust between her and Mara. And it feels good. It is then she realizes it has been ages since she has had a friend to lean on. Gone are her trusted companions, the ones she could confide in. The emotions attached to this cause a conflict within her. The sinners, the saviors - they all blur like lines in the sand everyone had crossed to get where they are now.
The lift doors opened and they step out. Karen is suddenly dizzy and reaches out for the wall to support her. The air is light, thin. She collects herself as the blast door in front of them opens. It's not the massive amount of monitors that alarm her, it's the mechanical arms hanging limp above them. Something about them seems familiar, ominous. Not that she had ever seen them herself but that they resemble something described to her. Something out of nightmare. Her eyes move from them to the images displayed on the monitors, so much to take it that it was impossible to focus on any one of them.
Mara moves with ease, as if this place comforted her in some way. Karen trails behind as the last monitor blinks on to reveal a man she does not recognize.
"Hello, Mara."
His eyes then turn to Karen as he bows.
“Lady Kyja – an honor to be in your presence. I have had the honor of meeting your fiance’ many years ago, and of course, I have heard of your exploits – but it is wonderful to finally meet you in person.â€
She is stricken with thoughts, eyes glued to the screen. The Four were once very famous throughout the Core, their faces splashed across billboards and the Holo on the daily. Everyone with access to the network had seen her at least once. It's flattering but still shocking that a stranger knows her by her formal Sith title. And he has met Dementat? Where? More importantly, he knows that she is engaged to the Emperor. But how? Their engagement had not been made public. Well, not officially anyway. Instinctively, she reaches for the massive ring hidden beneath the black glove on her hand. How does Mara factor into this? She has a feeling this could get interesting if handled delicately.
The pause in the room is growing and she wills herself to speak.
"I'm sorry if I seem startled. I was not expecting to be recognized here."
She bows in return, a sign of respect. This was clearly his domain and she would play by his rules if they were to find answers. She raises her eyes to his face once again.
"Forgive my candor but may I ask who you are and how you know Mara, myself and my fiancé?"
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sub Surface: Federation Facility
"Forgive my candor but may I ask who you are and how you know Mara, myself and my fiancé?"
The person on the monitor appeared amused.
“I would expect nothing but candor from you, my dear. Karen Winton is not known for being afraid to speak her mind. For better or worseâ€
Mara couldn’t help but smile at the comment. Meanwhile, he continued speaking.
“The questions you have asked are simple enough to answer – the questions you have not yet asked are more complex. But first. As to who I am, it would probably be better to refer to me as who I was. I was Medivh, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. That may in itself answer your questions. I know your fiancé, Dementat, because he and I were allies when his rule was young and before he had ever consolidated the imperial factions. I know Mara because well because she was responsible for my death and the death of that which I created. Mara and I knew each other only briefly, just before Phage was destroyed – the second time.â€
His words were fairly nonchalant, as if instead of speaking of death he was talking about, oh, say, a barbeque or a child’s soccer game
“As for you, I would say I know you best by reputation, both from the tabloids of what you have done, and by the prophesies of what you are expected to do – yes, before you ask, I have heard your mother’s prophesy – but we have also met in person, once, when you and your sister were very young. Naboo was my home at one time too. And of course, I know your father. And in the past, I worked with him.â€
He paused, his face on the monitor souring from its previous smile.
“There was a time when an alliance between us - me and your father – made sense. We both were quite ambitious. No – power hungry is more appropriate. Undoubtedly, we both used each other to get to each other’s ends. But my moral compass changed over time, and that which I wish for changed. His grew darker and more selfish. That was when it became necessary to part ways. Before he could access the final results of the project we were working on. Which brings us to why you are here. Why both of you are hereâ€
Medivh’s eyes moved between Mara and Karen and for a moment there was silence. Several monitors surrounding the one with Medivh went blank for a minute, then lit up again with lines of text running across them.
“Karen, by now you have heard either all or most of the Persephone Prophesy. I have seen it in its entirety, and have a copy of the text. Your father attempted to hide parts of it from different sources, in order to manipulate his own ends, but I have come to the conclusion that it was unnecessary – the prophesy is vague enough that its final conclusion cannot be guessed in advance. Regardless, you know that there are four key individuals in the prophesy, along with many other external individuals mentioned. Two of the four – yourself and Melanie Masterton – are gifted in the ways of the Force. The other two – Ms. Gellar and Ms. Patten – are touchstones. Non Force users that each parallel one of you. Valerie was your touchstone, and if I may be so bold, now Mara has taken on that role. But it is not just you and Ms. Masterton that have touchstones. At least, not for a long time. You see, your father believed that the prophesy itself required a touchstone of sorts. A non-Force operation that paralleled the prophesy. This operation became known as the GURI Project.â€
Mara’s mouth went wide as she heard the familiar name. She glanced over at Karen, not entirely sure what to make of the situation. She had still never seen the prophesy, and here Medivh was calling her a touchstone of Karen? And that the entire program of her creation was a touchstone of the prophesy that had dictated so much of Karen’s life? Karen too seemed shocked, and in that moment, Mara felt more connected than ever to the socialite.
Medivh meanwhile, had more to say.
“The GURI Project was, on its face, an attempt to create an artificial life form that surpassed what any programmed droid could do. That it could think, reason, laugh, decide, and in every way be a living person. The project was based on a human replica droid that was a close starting point of that, a female droid named Guri who served Prince Xizor of Black Sun, during the Galactic Civil War. Guri’s whereabouts now are unknown, but we managed to find the laboratory where she was created and programmed. But the GURI Project had much loftier goals as well. To not only create life, but to create immortality. Both Alexander and I believed that we could live forever if a machine could be created to bear our cognitive selves. Furthermore, we believed that this could give us something neither one of us were born with, and something no droid before was ever able to possess. A connection with the Force. The Force runs through only living things, but it was our goal to make it run through something that was artificially created. Could there be anything more powerful, more terrifying than an immortal being with the power of the Force by his side? I think not. But while I would be content with immortality – in fact, I ultimately shunned it – Alexander wanted more. His goal through the GURI project was to ultimately command a force of droids and men, and create an empire with himself at the lead. And there is Alexander Winton’s secret goal. He doesn’t care so much about the fulfillment of the prophesy – he cares about the prophesy helping him fulfill the GURI Project.â€
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sur Surface: Federation Facility
Her reputation precedes her.
Karen is floored by the information, her knees weak. So this is Medivh, the great and powerful. But how? Mara said he was dead. He confirms this in a casual tone greater than Karen could muster at her most nonchalant. Now it makes sense. He found a way to live on forever. Does that mean her father had as well? This sends a shockwave of chills through her entire being. And Medivh had met her mother on Naboo. Her family was powerful and social, so many surrounding them at all times. Karen remembers nothing but a blur of cocktail parties and events in which she and Melanie happily played together as Alexia sulked in the background.
Dementat never mentioned Medivh before, not even in relation to Phage. More questions spring into an already full mind. Why not say something sooner? She came to him for help when it became clear Valerie and Kimber were in grave danger. Still, he did nothing. Did Mara kill Medivh as she killed Scott? Would she have killed Valerie if Phage hadn't gotten to her first? How many more of them would she had gone through if she had not broken free of her programming? If she hadn't actualized and became what Medivh wanted her to become all along?
Then there was the issue of the prophecy.
Outside her father, she wasn't sure anyone knew what was really going on there. Everyone had bits and pieces, things they were shown to create the perfectly planned reaction. They all responded accordingly. But now, to hear it was virtually irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, deflates her. Their whole lives really had been a series of lies based on something that never mattered.
There must be some truth to it if their paths lead them here.
Mara has replaced Valerie as her touchstone? Karen turns to gaze at her. Mara stares back with the face of the one who came before her, the one called to run as her parallel. Something between them softens.
Was this meant to be? Was this foreseen?
Her father's plan. He's the one who connects them all. His ties to Medivh, Phage, Mara, Dementat, Kimber, Valerie, Melanie. Everyone, even those who never saw it coming, were connected to Alexander Winton. His secret agenda, beyond the superficial horrors, infuriates her. An army of Force-sensitive machines? To rule an Empire as his own? Was he conspiring to overthrow them with his army? Set them up only to knock them down?
Yet it returns her to the larger, looming question. It's a question she's not sure she can handle but one she must ask.
"My father..."
She chokes on her words, overcome with emotion. In this place, cut off from the Force, she is the Karen she was before. The Karen before the storm. She feels everything as her true self and it overpowers her.
"...we gave him to the Consortium, to pay for his treachery. He was to suffer and perish for all that he had done to us."
Heart pounding in her chest, Karen raises her eyes to him once more.
"But if you live on, does he...?"
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sub Surface: Federation Compex
"My father...we gave him to the Consortium, to pay for his treachery. He was to suffer and perish for all that he had done to us. But if you live on, does he...?"
The question hangs in the air for a moment, and even without the force, there was definite tension, an electricity.
I think you already know the answer to that question
On one of the monitors, a photo lit up, a place that Karen and Mara had been too not that long ago. The Winton residence on Byss. Only the picture showed it as it appeared now – a charred, blasted ruin.
Next to that picture, a video began playing. No people were in the video, but whoever was holding it was going down a familiar path – down that hidden stairway to that basement unit. The room, filled with runes and similarities to ancient sith markings. And that computer unit. Notably, the pedestal that held the prophesy was absent in this video.
You have already seen your fathers program, and I imagine either you or Mara recognized the patterns. Your father was killed at the hands of the Hapan Consortium. But you will recall that it was not the first time he set up his own death. What greater cover could exist? It is not clear to me whether he intended for his demise in the way it happened or at the time, but it suited his purposes. When your father was killed by the Hapans, it triggered the next phase of his plan
A monitor lit up with a diagram,s howing the shadow-profile of Alexander Winton’s head. The image became more detailed, and a portion became highlighted.
â€This is a neural recorder. A fairly simple device, designed to help people recall memory, especially as they grow older and their own neural pathways begin to degrade. The product was one of many designed by the Trade Federation, and is currently available on the open market, at least for the fairly wealthy. Your father’s though was enhanced. First of all, it had a greater capacity than the market variety, capable of storing not just a portion of memories, but an entire synaptic system. It also had a burst transmitter. Roughly once a day, it would transmit a copy of the recordings elsewhere. The design was such that it would stop transmitting once the brain stopped sending signals to it – once he was dead.â€
The image disappeared, replaced by a map of the Hapan cluster. There was a time display in the bottom corner, showing the image had been sped up significantly. The cluster sparkled continuously, but every few seconds, there was a flash, brighter than any other
â€This map shows transmission signals from the Hapan cluster. You can see that there is a constant stream of standard signals going on. But once a day, a much stronger signal –that brighter flash - would appear. That was Winton sending out his update. The last day it appeared was the day he diedâ€
A much larger map now appeared, one of the entire galaxy. This map actually took up several monitors all at once, and Medivh’s image disappeared so that the map was centered in front of them. They could still hear his voice though
â€When your father died, that would trigger the activation of a backup program. It is the same as the method by which Phage recreated himself after he was killed the first time. Alexander Winton’s signal was relayed across the galaxyâ€
The map lit up in several places, spread throughout.
â€Some of the locations were mere holding stations – storing the information as a backup. Others are more prepared facilities. There are a handful of locations secured that would be capable of creating a bio-engineered being. A human replica droid, like the lovely Mara. Only a handful more have the facilities to construct a less flattering droid that was capable of storing the kind of information necessary to maintain that living consciousness. Most of them were prepared either by myself or by Phage, all to maintain our immortality. Some have no doubt been destroyed or permanently disabled. Some are still under my control, and I have been watchful to make sure they stay out of their hands – I say out of their hands because both Phage and Alexander Winton have their fates intertwined. Winton corrupted the Phage fallback program. Meaning the next assault on the galaxy will not be led by Phage, but by Alexander Winton. Phage’s program is just a screen. Winton used Phage, but doesn’t want to compete with another out-of-hand droid. That is also why he will never create more than one copy of himself at the same time. And that is where his weakness lies.â€
Medivh’s image reappeared now, on a different monitor.
â€Your father is not all powerful, nor, despite his wide web, is he omnipotent. He can be destroyed, permanently. But that would require destroying the facilities he has set up to reincarnate himself. And make sure no such facility exists when he is again destroyed. I have highlighted the locations I know of – but Winton is crafty and may have somehow developed such a facility without my knowing. Furthermore, he is not working alone. He has assistance from an outsider. Or rather, from an insider within the imperial intelligence. Someone who is remarkably loyal to him.â€
An image of the Byss Winton residence reappeared, this time showing a familiar face entering the door.
â€Marius Guile. Guile has a loyalty to an Empire of the past, and Winton has used that loyalty to manipulate him, as he has to manipulate others. â€
Maps and pictures began to disappear and Medivh ‘walked’ from one monitor back to the one in the center.
†Alexander Winton has remained undetected by relying on Agent Guile. As I have remained undetected by not broadcasting my existence either. We counter-balance each other, just as you, Karen Winton, counter-balance Ms. Masterton. Which brings us back to the infamous prophesyâ€
Words familiar to Karen, spoken aloud by a being who was remarkably removed from them.
True identity is revealed to them, a test of will and a challenge of loyalty will spawn the tyrant and the idealist. One murder, one betrayal, tied to one sinner, one savior, and the one who lives but does not have life.
In the day of reckoning the daughter of darkness shall slay the beast and be consumed by her rage. Friend becomes foe becomes the second abomination. A tribulation of justice shall follow and of The Four only one can survive.
The One will bear a child out of true love, tempered and tainted by good and evil, dark and light that shall be baptized by the essence of the Force and hold power to give back what the Abominations took away.
Master and daughter of darkness together, a rule eternal, so long as the child does not live.
So it is written, so it shall come to pass.
Medivh read these latter parts of the prophesy aloud, then offered his own words to them. It was not all for Karen though – Mara still stood beside her, trying to soak in all of this information. She was an experiment, a step in the road toward others reaching eternal life and galactic domination. It made her feel huge and small at the same tim. But she had never heard any part of the prophesy, and its words were in itself a revelation
†This is the latter portion of the prophesy – the part that we are now in phase to carry through. There are assumptions made of what it means It has been assumed the tyrant was Valerie Gellar, the idealist Kimber Patten. The first and second abominations, Alexia and Karen Winton. The Master, Dementat.
But prophesies are a mystery, and not always in order. The tyrant may be Saga Judec, current ruler of Corellia. And the idealist may be someone else, someone we still do not know of.
The daughter of darkness, slayed the beast, was consumed by rage. Lady Kyja, the prophesy has declared you to be the second abomination. Unless of course it actually means something else. It may be that I myself, or Phage, or Alexander Winton may be the first and or second abomination. Phage was born twice, and carried with him the rage of being killed the first time. Alexander Winton carries with him the darkness of his own past. He is now a foe of those who once called him friend. And he too was one of four individuals who created the GURI Project. And may be the only one to survive.
Then there is the child – able to ‘give back’ what the abominations took away. If you, Lady Kyja, are an abomination, then what is it that you have or will take away, and how would the child bring it back?â€
It was Mara who had been invited down here, but Medivh seemed to have the most to speak to Karen Winton.
“Karen – it says only one of the four will survive, and that the rule of the master and daughter of darkness – assumed to be you and dementat – will be eternal until the child lives. You have no doubt been sent on a path to prevent the child from living. You are expected to kill those you once called friends – Melanie and Kimber – in order to eternalize the rule of you and the Emperor. But listen to the words of the prophesy. It says the child will live and if it refers to who you think it does, it says the child will give back what you take. You cannot prevent the child’s birth. I do not believe you are the one of the four who will survive. Nor does your father.
There is another translation of these words – a rule eternal – can also mean a rule immortal, neither destroyable, nor truly alive. Alexander Winton thinks the master and daughter in the latter portion of the prophesy are not the same as in the beginning. He wants the child dead so that HE will be the master immortalized.â€
TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sub Surface: Federation Facility
Imagine a picture of your life unraveling. Sparkling spools of reality spiraling farther and farther apart, through your fingers, beyond your reach. Fragments of everything you thought you knew swallowed by the infinite blackness of deceit. A series of assuptions in all the wrong directions.
"This is the game that moves as you play."
"Anger and hate. It's all you have, it's all you are."
"Vicious cycles."
"Together."
"You will never get away with being who you are."
"Behind every sacrifice is an agenda."
The voices crescendo into a shriek that becomes streaks of blood streaming down a white wall in the corners of her mind.
Karen has been anguishing over a singular goal, one she believed includes murdering the rest of her friends. It was a blind belief tailored to fit someone else's agenda. She thought it was the only way she and Dementat could be free to rule the galaxy. To discover her father will also make a play for this, again banking on her reactions to a premeditated set of circumstances, is sickening. Alexander Winton had them doing his dirty work under the pretense of a future set in stone and baptized by fire. He made Alexia take out the first wave. Phage and Mara tied up the loose ends. Guile hunts down any stragglers. Karen would reduce the competition down to her and Dementat, leaving them wide open for Alexander and his army to make a move.
It changes everything.
Again.
How many times have you been wrong about who you are?
Princess, sister, friend, student, cheerleader, model, socialite, victim, survivor, diplomat, bitch, pawn, lover, sinner, Sith, Empress, savior?
What the [expletive deleted]?
It's not all about you.
It never was.
They were merely led to believe The Four - Karen, Melanie, Kimber and Valerie - were the only ones referenced in the latter half of the prophecy. They were manipulated into thinking there could be no one else. It played into their enormous self-involvement to fan the flames of their hopes and fears. But what if Medivh is right? What if what was supposed to happen to them already did? Alexia rampaged through their perfect lives, murdering five of their friends and leaving four alive. This calls into question all of her formative years. High school. North Coruscant. How is it they wound up with exactly five people they trusted? Are her surviving friends still a threat if their purposes are now altered by interpretation of the prophecy? Has she become an abomination like Alexia before her? What has she taken that a child would give back? Can they halt something already in motion?
The words, spoken aloud, become emotional explosives.
...the one who lives but does not have life.
Phage, Mara; their existence was foreseen.
The One will bear a child out of true love...
Valerie's out. Melanie, eh, not so much. Her? And ruin those abs? She thinks not.
There is a flash from Hesperidium - the heartbroken girl mourning a dead lover.
Karen was once that girl on Coruscant.
They all had been at one time.
Only true love could produce such grief.
She was just the most recent.
"Kimber," Karen says suddenly, loudly. "Kimber is the One. The child is hers."
Master and daughter of darkness together, a rule eternal, so long as the child does not live..
What if those are separate things?
She and Dementat are together. They found each other because it was meant to be. She had been in his heart long before they met. Perhaps the "rule" in question isn't even theirs. The child would not threaten them but significantly compromise Alexander's goal of overthrowing them to rule in the completion of the GURI project.
So now she must...protect the child?
Save her friends?
Lose her father a third time?
Become a villain redeemed?
Is that even possible?
Could she fight off the darkness once they leave this place?
Confliction, emotion, and obligation all rage within her.
Her frayed mind swings back to her companion.
Something has become quite clear in relation to a father reborn.
Karen moves closer to Mara, her voice steady but urgent.
"If my father is still operating behind the scenes, it's a good bet he got his claws into Judec. You were set-up and labeled a traitor. They didn't discover you, he sold you out. You were programmed to infiltrate, to dig. Allowing you to stay would risk discovery. That is also why he wouldn't continue discussions with Dementat. He was instructed not to. If he wants you, me and the Empire away from Corellia, it's likely it plays a pivotal role in his plans. It's just another in a long list of twisted angles. He knew I would face down Alexia. He, through Phage, filled her head with all the right things to say, made certain choices seem like the only way forward. He wants my friends gone and the child dead so there will be no one left but you, me and Dementat to overcome in his quest for domination."
Karen swallows a sob, knowing full well she was going to use Mara to further these goals, to hurt the ones she loves most because she believed it. She believed him. Her father the liar, the traitor, the lunatic..
Never again.
"Forgive me, Mara."
She is trembling, emerald eyes burning.
"We will play this game no longer. Alexander Winton or whatever incarnation he lives on through must be destroyed."
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Sub Surface: Federation Facility
"If my father is still operating behind the scenes, it's a good bet he got his claws into Judec. You were set-up and labeled a traitor. They didn't discover you, he sold you out. You were programmed to infiltrate, to dig. Allowing you to stay would risk discovery. That is also why he wouldn't continue discussions with Dementat. He was instructed not to. If he wants you, me and the Empire away from Corellia, it's likely it plays a pivotal role in his plans. It's just another in a long list of twisted angles. He knew I would face down Alexia. He, through Phage, filled her head with all the right things to say, made certain choices seem like the only way forward. He wants my friends gone and the child dead so there will be no one left but you, me and Dementat to overcome in his quest for domination."
Mara looks over at Karen who for the first time, isn’t putting up a shiny, plastic exterior. She is barely holding back tears.
Mara looks from Karen to Medivh. So much was going through her thoughts that even her cerebral processors weren’t making much sense of it.
This prophesy – apparently, there was a prophesy, but its interpretation had all been a hoax. Hadn’t Mara said something like that to Karen not a week ago? That prophesies cannot be relied upon? She hadn’t even thought that it would be an utter falsehood – just that they were unpredictable.
And then there was the GURI Project, the secret behind the prophesy. Medivh created Phage – Phage created her. And she? What was she in all of this? Was she a prototype? The next in a long line of droids designed to kill? Just an experiment?
Since meeting Medivh the first time, she had pondered what it meant to be alive, and whether she fit into that category. Now she learned that those feelings were no accident – she was designed to be a living being, so that another could use the same technology on himself. To live forever.
But as far as Mara was concerned, she agreed with Medivh – or, Medivh after having his own self reflection. To be immortal meant you couldn’t be alive. Living meant developing, changing, and then passing on to the next generation. For Medivh, Phage and Mara were not just an experiment. They were the children he never had. He had lived and had died (Medivh, for all his intelligence and far reaching influence, did not consider this current manifestation of himself to be alive). Mara may be alive, but she was not going to construct another droid monster – like herself or not. And she couldn’t bear children. How could she ever really be alive then?
And now that she knew what the GURI Project was about, her living/not living dilemma seemed even more complicated. What was she supposed to do next?
"Forgive me, Mara. We will play this game no longer. Alexander Winton or whatever incarnation he lives on through must be destroyed."
Mara had grown attached to things – to Corellia, above all. To Medivh and his fatherly wisdom. Even to Karen, despite her, well, socialite-ness. She had developed a sense of fairness. That everyone should play by the same rules – that even in war, there was only so much deceit that could be allowed. Know who the enemy is. Know who the good guys and bad guys are. Alexander Winton had made it that no one knew who was supposed to be fighting whom. Friends become foes because of this hoax of destiny? No. It could not be allowed. Alexander Winton would not be allowed to keep up his deceptions, and hurt everything that Mara had come to know. Mara, Karen – both had been tools. Not any longer. And with a firm nod, she looked at Karen
â€Yes – Alexander Winton must be destroyed. And we must make sure he can never, ever come back.â€
There was a certain weight of accepting a huge challenge upon themselves, a heaviness of taking on a solemn duty. Not a fight between good and evil. But a fight against one who tried twisting what good and evil were.
Medivh himself seemed to acknowledge the task ahead of them
â€It will not be easy to do. He had many resources. But I will provide you with a list of locations with the facilities that I know of. You cannot go in huge force – if he knows you are coming, he will make contingency plans and disappear until he comes back stronger. I must recommend you go alone – just the two of you.â€
A list of locations appeared on one of the screens. Destinations. Targets.
Naboo, near the city of Harte Secur
Kamino, Bio-clone development center
Geonosis, Droid Construction Plant
Holowan, PhlutDroid Station
Mechis III, Droid Construction Plant
Lok, Nym’s Factory Compound
Coruscant Asteroid Field, Phage’s command platform
Center Point Station, Corellian Space
Naboo may have been the most surprising, in that it was not known to construct droids, but least surprising because of Winton’s prior residence there.
The other locations – Kamino, Geonosis, Holowan, Mechis III, and Lok – all of them had histories of droid construction, and their facilities, though supposedly abandoned, had apparently been retaken to be used by Winton.
Phage’s platform, of course, was capable of droid construction, and though damaged, still posed a threat unless it was utterly destroyed.
Center Point Station, the last on the list, was probably the most famous. A facility created long before Corellia was settled, it was being used for secret research by the Corellians now. It also had powerful gravity well and tractor beam technology that could, if properly controlled, wield great affect on many star systems in the galaxy. Apparently, there was something there that would allow Alexander Winton to fulfill his master plan.
â€If these facilities are destroyed, Winton will be vulnerable. Able to be destroyed, permanently. You must do this quickly though. The Empire, the Republic, and the Corellian Confederation will soon be at war, due to Winton’s actionsâ€
Another set of displays appeared, showing groupings of fleets. A Corellian fleet in one, an imperial fleet in another, and a republic fleet in a third. The Galaxy was going to war.
â€Things are in motion now. You must move quickly.â€
Mara nodded, turning to Karen
â€We’ll need explosives – a lot of them. There can be no remnants of these facilities if we are to make sure that the program is destroyed permanently.â€
â€I wish you both the best. Mara Anna Gellar, Lady Kyja. I do not know if I will be able to help at all. But if I can, you will know it is me. Now, go!â€
The two women turned and began making their exit. Even as they left, Mara could feel Medivh transmit a message into her thoughts.
â€Do not grow too attached to Karen Wintonâ€
Mara turned giving an inquisitive look to Medivh. But all she saw were blank screens.
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Surface
Panic - terror - flight.
Karen cannot get out of the facility fast enough. Once the lift doors open, she sprints past Mara. The blast doors seem to open with the same urgency as if sensing her reaction to it all. Karen bolts down the corridor until she passes the broken blast door Mara had used the saber to open. Coughing, she drops to her knees and heaves, vomiting into the lush foliage. The emotional tidal wave crests and she slumps sideways to sob.
How could she have been so wrong about everything?
Taking Alexia's life showed her a destiny she thought was certain. She had convinced herself the path she had chosen was the only one. Now, through Medivh's revelations, she finds herself composed of nothing but lies spewed from the mouth of her devious father. Her entire life has been a beautiful facade acted out on a stage larger than any of them realized. Now they finally know what was hiding beyond the bright lights. They were never the ones everyone should have feared. It was him. The Four were merely gorgeous harbingers. Amusement for the audience while something sinister transpired behind them.
Karen is overcome with grief, guilt and a seething rage and loathing for what she was prepared to do to keep the power and position she had obtained. There is another way. She could keep her friends, future husband and Empire so long as they bring Alexander Winton's plans to a screeching halt.
Her father must suffer and be stopped at all costs.
Karen tries to compose herself, a useless gesture, as Mara appears at the blast door.
"I'm sorry, that was just intense and...unexpected."
She laughs hollowly, shaking her head. The tears cannot be contained. She's not fooling anyone.
Mara watches her closely.
Karen unloads - unabashedly, unashamed - as she works through the pain.
"My sister, the first abomination, took five beloved friends from us. They were a sacrifice upon an altar with our names on it. The names of blasphemy. Still, I wanted to believe she could be saved, that the darkness within her that had always been there could be fought back and defeated. She was my sister. The only family I thought I had left. When I confronted her on Roon, she was the closest thing to true evil I have ever seen. She was my worst fear realized. That is when I knew the only way we would ever be free from her terror was if she died. The galaxy was not big enough for the both of us. Our fight was epic but in the end, I could not bring myself to finish her off. I left her there out of some sick sibling bond. She would have perished had my father not sent Phage to save her. We still had one more round to go."
Her eyes are wide.
"When I killed her, something happened to me. I felt myself change. The moments of clarity were electrifying but everything else was cloudy, colorful and confusing. I see those who have died for us and can feel the void of hatred that consumed Alexia. I would have murdered Melanie and Kimber, two people I care for deeply, if you had not brought me here. Their deaths at my hands would have severed any hope I had of crossing back over. Her darkness, her curse would have made me the second abomination. My fall would have been complete."
Alexander had planned it that way.
She lowers her head.
"Alexia, like celebrity, wealth, power, career and coverage were just distractions. Medivh's words solidified that for me. All the pretty things we thought we controlled made us slaves to a faux-destiny orchestrated and executed by those who created us. Until now."
Finally, she raises her eyes to Mara, echoing Valerie's words.
"Guess we're more alike than we care to admit."
A silence settles over the swamp. She hesitates confessing a deeper fear of the possible repercussions when her connection to the Force is restored. Can she fight the darkness inside herself? It is a bridge she will have to cross when she comes to it.
There is more at stake than her insipid self-absorption.
Karen clears her throat, "How about those targets? Not a short list."
She stands, shaking off the fragments of her soul she had just bared to Mara as they begin walking back toward the shuttle. Her steps are slow but steady. She must focus on the task at hand.
"If we destroy these facilities together, how is he not going to catch on after the second or third strike? The tactical locations would not appear random for long."
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Surface
Mara is deep in thought in the turbolift, silently stoic, thinking about Medivh’s parting words to her. ? She glanced over at Karen, wondering what it meant. ? Karen was just the opposite. She was barely able to stand still, and she looked sick. ? Out of the turbolift, the blast doors open, letting in a rush of fresh air. ? Karen doesn’t find relief, Mara walking slowly as Karen tries to escape the Complex in haste.
Mara watches as Karen makes it past the hole she had created, and then hurls into the swamp.
Mara is cautious as she approaches, wondering how to provide sympathy for Karen. Mara knew that she was a machine, built for the purpose of others. The revelation for her was not as shocking. ? But Karen? She had just been told that her existence had all been set up. Was a lie.
"I'm sorry, that was just intense and...unexpected."
Karen laughs. And cries. ? For the first time completely vulnerable to Mara. ? She starts rambling on. ? About her past,her sister, the life she led and was told to lead. ? The plan to make her not a sith, but someone with a dark insanity, much like Alexia.
Karen recovers some, looking up at Mara
"Guess we're more alike than we care to admit."
That thought was only slightly comforting to Mara. ? She felt like she now had more than just a co-conspirator. She had an ally. And a shared mission to do something for the benefit of themselves and others.
Karen clears her throat, "How about those targets? Not a short list."
“No, it’s notâ€
Karen stands, looking as if she has somehow been reborn after the cathartic moment she had.
"If we destroy these facilities together, how is he not going to catch on after the second or third strike? The tactical locations would not appear random for long."
They are traversing through the soft ground ? toward the shuttle. ? That thought had already occurred to Mara. ? What had Medivh said? ? He had remained secret by not broadcasting his continued existence. ? If Alexander Winton wanted to keep these facilities a secret.
“They aren’t sending out messages …â€
Karen looks over at Mara curiously. ? Mara blinked for a moment, thinking out loud, but the explanation was good enough.
“He isn’t getting messages from any of these facilities. ? They aren’t equipped with transmitters – only receivers. ? He keeps their secret by making sure no one can trace a signal from them. ? These facilities only receive the signal he sends to them. ? So he wouldn’t know if one is damaged or hit. ? He can’t go around inspecting them – he has to rely on their secrecy to keep them safe. ? Only Phage’s platform is capable of transmitting signals.â€
Karen nods and Mara now feels more sure of herself. ? Wiping off her boots as they came up the ramp, she made her way to the cockpit, powering up the ship as she thought about the plan, looking to Karen who was making her way to the seat next to her.
“I think we need to hit the lower ? known targets first – Kamino, Geonosis, Holowan, Mechis III, and Lok. ? Then we’ll hit his facility on Naboo. ? Then Phage’s platform. ? By the time he realizes there is a problem, we should have him cornered at center point station. ? That would be the only active facility of all of them.â€
The ship protested a bit as the landing gear escaped from the soft earth, but soon, they were heading high up, out of the atmosphere. ? Mara had her eyes on the controls, but now looked over to Karen. ? There was a look in her eye – fear of something? Determination? ? It was hard to tell. But Mara now offered the closest thing she could to words of encouragement
“Like you said, we are more alike than we care to admit. ? You are like me. ? Your entire existence, you were taught, trained, programmed, whatever that you had a role in life, and a responsibility to carry out. ? But you are also like me. ? What you were told in the past does not need to define your future. ? You can live, by choosing your own destiny. ? And what’s more, you have skills that can still be used, even if how you gained them was part of the lieâ€
Mara pulled the light saber out, reaching over and offering it to Karen
“You are like me – not like Alexia. ? Alexia became angry, and the anger took over. ? But you can be like me. ? You can use what you know and have and take control of your life. ? The difference between the darkness you fear, and the sith you wish to be is not whether you have that anger. ? It is whether you control the anger, or the anger controls you. ? If you control the anger, you have a power that is unmatched in the galaxy. ? Something even your father cannot ? beat.â€
The ship went full speed ahead, out of the atmosphere toward space, and out of the reach of the Ysalamiri.
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
As the shuttle roars away from the planet, Mara pulls the light saber out, reaching over and offering it to Karen.
“You are like me – not like Alexia. Alexia became angry, and the anger took over. But you can be like me. You can use what you know and have and take control of your life. The difference between the darkness you fear, and the Sith you wish to be is not whether you have that anger. It is whether you control the anger, or the anger controls you. If you control the anger, you have a power that is unmatched in the galaxy. Something even your father cannot beat.â€
She declines the saber and hands over the blaster.
Fringes of darkness pull at her periphery.
The whispers have returned.
"I appreciate that, more than you know but there is something I must do first. I can't explain it but I must be alone. Keep the weapons for now."
Karen moves out of the chair, pausing in the doorway.
"Set a course for Hesperidium. You can recharge while we stock up on all the explosives we can get our hands on. I'll call Commander Price and have him put together a care package on the Quandary when they meet us there. Don't worry, he's discreet and doesn't ask questions. We need to be rested and prepared if we are to take out all eight targets."
Walking back through the shuttle, she sends Price her instructions. The whispers are getting louder now, crying out for attention. The darkness is like a riptide puling her out to sea. She tries to keep her breathing steady as she approaches the stateroom but it is too late. Her eyes grow into pools of blackness as she taps the controls and steps inside.
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
Mara thought the show of confidence would help karen out, but she not only refused the saber but hands over her blaster. ? Afraid to be near weapons? That wouldn't bode well for their upcoming assaults. ? Karen seems to be holding something back, trying to get out of the cockpit before - well, Mara wasn't sure what.
In the doorway, she paused, only for a minute.
"Set a course for Hesperidium. You can recharge while we stock up on all the explosives we can get our hands on. I'll call Commander Price and have him put together a care package on the Quandary when they meet us there. Don't worry, he's discreet and doesn't ask questions. We need to be rested and prepared if we are to take out all eight targets."
Karen disappears quickly, leaving Mara alone to her thoughts. ? She can sense a storm coming, but not in the same type of tangible way that seemed to send Karen running. It's more in the distance.
Hesperidium - Mara had never been there before, but sensed that it was a prudent decision. ? They did need equipment before making an assault. explosives and the like. ? Plus they did need to do some healing - Karen, emotionally, before she was ready to fight. and Mara too - still feeling incomplete from her injuries on Corellia, still feeling vulnerable, weak - she could use some shop/repair time, see if she could get a better diagnosis without being rushed by pursuers.
No, now it was her turn to be a pursuer.
Setting the course for Hesperidium, she waited to escape the pull of the gravity well and sent the ship into hyperspace.
FLASH
Battle between Valerie and Phage goes on, like so many times before. ? Valerie is losing, like in real life. ? Mara remembered that battle well, and was one of the only ones to have seen it.
Phage is prepared to make the killing blow - but suddenly, something changes - Valerie turns away from Phage, looking to Mara and with a disembodied voice, she speaks out.
"I am you"
The electrostaff Phage is clutching comes down, killing Valerie. ? Mara looks down, feeling pain throughout her torso. ? She sees blood, feels herself growing faint. ? She looks back up, Phage now staring at her, as so many times before
"TRAITOR"
Mara feels weak, lightheaded as blood trips from her body, but she is firm
"No - I am not yours. ? You don't control me"
"I will always control you, INFILTRATOR-01. ? I am the reason you exist. ? To betray me is to betray your existence"
"Creators don't control those they create. ? Fathers do not control sons and daughters. ? You may have created me, brought me to life, but in being alive, I have a choice"
"You think you are alive? ? We'll see about that"
And even in her dream, she passes out from the pain
FLASH
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
The haze clears to reveal an epic mindscape.
Alexia waits for her on the warm sands of Korriban. She appears as she was before Phage transformed her, crimson hair cropped short around her shoulders, black jumpsuit, sinister smile. She could have been beautiful, if she only tried.
"Coward."
Karen smirks as they begin to circle each other.
"Tell me something."
"Oh, this should be good."
"Why don't the dead stay dead?"
Alexia shrugs.
"I would say we live on in your heart, if you could find it. So we live on in your mind."
"I defeated you once and I will do so again."
"Is that what you think, dear sister? Take a look at yourself. All those horrible things you've done to get where you are. The lies you've told, people you trampled over without so much as blinking. You are me."
"Not even close."
"I suppose we tell ourselves what we must in order to go on but you cannot escape what is written."
"What's written is complete bullshit. You were just too stupid to realize it."
Alexia laughs, morphing into Valerie.
"I wonder if that's what Melanie and Kimber believe."
"Stop."
Valerie moves slowly and purposefully, hips sliding back and forth as she approaches. She grabs Karen's face and kisses her deeply. Karen tenses, pushing her away. Valerie sneers.
"You know you love it. Just like you love the power, the fame and the money. You could have it all."
Karen glares, crossing her arms, "I will."
Valerie licks her lips.
"You can if you play it right. Tip Dementat off, send the Imperial fleets crashing against the Confederation, stop daddy dearest and take what he's built to use as your own. Imagine, a droid army to do your bidding? A selfish yet practical solution that cuts down on labor costs. More credits for shoes."
"That is a good point."
"But not until-"
"I'm not going to kill them."
Valerie becomes D'Arcy and Billy, holding hands. Half his head is blown outward, her flesh is charred. She smiles sadly.
"A little late for that, isn't it?"
They become Reef and Lucas, slashed up and missing limbs. Reef sighs.
"We all died for you."
Then Skyler, mangled and broken.
"For your cause. For your future."
Karen gasps, mouth agape.
Skyler smiles, becoming Agent Venko.
"Surviving was never an option."
Then Agent St. Claire, "Not for any of us."
Finally, he becomes Governor Indew Strye.
"We had to die just like they must."
He becomes Valerie again, still laughing maniacally as she reaches toward the sky.
"Fate hinges on their demise."
Valerie's dark eyes spark as thunder rolls.
"You can't be number one unless you're the only one."
Above them, the pulsing clouds are parted by jagged block letters. The words of the prophecy, bold and hanging in the air begin to snap off and fall. They whistle like bombs as they hurl downward. Words shatter to become letters that bounce and spiral across the sands. Karen is running, leaping and diving to avoid being crushed.
Valerie's laughter echoes as the winds kick up, swirling the sands into cyclones.
Karen trips, falling into a pit that begins to fill up with sand.
Valerie's voice is like the echo off a canyon.
"Kill them or risk losing it all!"
She struggles but the pit is filling up too quickly. She raises a hand, clawing for something, anything that would save her but the sand pours into her open screaming mouth. As she begins to suffocate, Karen clings to a confidence that she is stronger than this. She has risen above what is written, what was chosen for them -
- Karen coughs, gasping and comes to sitting at a lavish dinner table. Classical music plays softly in the background. Candles flicker in the cavernous room. Everyone she knows surrounds the table, mingling, drinking, as a newborn human baby lies quietly on a serving platter as a centerpiece. As the guests talk amongst themselves, Alexia rises and moves toward the center of the table. She gazes out over the crowd, winking at Karen as she raises two carving blades. The baby coos, reaching up. Alexia presses one blade against the arm, pinning it back to the platter while using the other to begin carving. Sections of flesh peel away from bone as the child wails. No one seems to notice as conversation continues uninterrupted. Alexia places a piece on a plate and hands it to Lucas. Skyler leans over to whisper something to Billy. D'Arcy watches expectantly and compliments Carli on her dress. Scott makes eyes at Agent Venko. Melanie takes a bite off Lucas' fork. Reef reaches below the table, fingers creeping up Valerie's skirt as she raises a glass. Kimber giggles, pushing her chair back to stand. Blood soaks the bottom of her dress, thin rivulets winding down her shapely legs.
"It's okay, Kar. It had to be this way, the way it was written."
"No," Karen says, shaking her head as she grips the table. "No, it doesn't."
"Who told you that?" Melanie says.
Valerie scoffs, "What have we always said? Never trust a knock off."
Kimber steps forward, placing a bloody hand on Karen's arm.
"What matters is that we're together now."
Felicia leans forward, swallowing a mouthful. Her neck is covered in blood. Karen stares at her strangely. Felicia offers up a plate.
"You should really try this. It's delicious."
Karen heaves, backing away from the table. She turns and flees through an archway to find herself standing in the throne room of the Emperor's Citadel on Byss. She wears a spectacular white dress. Instead of a veil, a glittering crown rises from the crimson ringlets of her hair. A room full of people stand at attention as music begins to play. Someone hands her a bouquet of flowers and she walks down a deep purple carpet toward a formally dressed Dementat. His blue eyes shimmer as he watches her approach. He extends a hand. She accepts, turning to face him.
"I always knew you could do it."
They exchange vows and kiss passionately. He turns to the crowd and proclaims.
"Behold! Our Empress."
The entire room bows before them.
A shot rings out, piercing Dementat's chest, sending him crumpling to the floor. People are screaming, dashing for cover. Guards are scrambling. Karen drops to his side, covering the wound with her hands. The ring on her finger is blinding as Dementat dies in her arms.
Marius Guile steps out of the chaos holding a blaster rifle.
"If you will not take their lives..."
He raises the blaster at Karen.
"...I will take yours."
The shot roars and everything fades to black.
She stands alone beneath a spot light.
Alexander Winton appears, taking her hands.
"My daughter. My beautiful, talented daughter."
"Father?"
"You have made me so proud."
"Have I?"
"You've come so far. You are almost there."
The flesh on his hands split apart, falling off mechanical limbs. He grips her wrists tightly.
"Fulfill your destiny, the one I made just for you."
And in that moment, she makes her choice.
"No."
"You dare defy me?"
Karen's eyes are clear and focused.
"Our actions only further your goals. Your lies have costs us everything. You may have fooled them but you will not fool me. I am the one with power. Not you. It is my destiny to fulfill, not one you have created to use as leverage against our happiness and freedom."
Kinetic energy crackles in the air, striking between them and forcing them apart. She extends a hand to graze his cheek as she levitates.
"You've pulled our strings long enough."
Karen peels Alexander's flesh away, the metallic droid skeleton beneath now revealed. She takes a Force-hold of it and smiles. He knows what is happening but is powerless to stop it. She pulls him apart. The pieces fall away into the darkness, leaving her alone-
- Screaming, Karen thrashes across the small bed in the stateroom. She is drenched in sweat but filled with relief. The darkness is no longer threatening to consume her. She was free of her family curse to correct the course of her own destiny.
One she decided for herself.
Exhaling loudly, Karen turns over and smiles.
This is how her story should end.
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
Droids don't dream. Even when powered down, when a droid is 'sleeping' there is no dream. only darkness. Because there is no power. When not entirely powered down, most droids have a 'power saving' mode, where their systems run self diagnostics while their bodies use less energy than while awake. Mara had never powered down entirely - turned off, she wouldn't be able to turn herself back on. But she had gone into that power saving mode, necessary for her very survival when she was leaking power, to run self diagnostics, etc.
It had been in that power-saving mode that Mara first experienced those flashbacks. She couldn't call them dreams - droids don't dream. Even if she was alive, the capacity to dream was beyond her. Wasn't it? It must be. Droids have memory recall, a system to retrieve information, records. that was how the flashbacks had started - recalled events as they had happened. She attributed it to a short circuit that triggered memory recall involuntarily
But they had then begun to change. Since her return to Coruscant and Phage's platform there amidst the asteroid field, her flashbacks had been changed, to see things she never had. Even this Mara had been able to explain, citing her own damaged systems as messing with the memory recall, mixing images from the platform's memory and her own together.
But things had become odder. Suddenly, it wasn't just her watching. She was participating. And that made her question these random "flashbacks." How could she be interacting with a memory? Diagnostics hadn't been able to explain it. Nothing showed what could cause the flaw.
Even as she experienced her most recent flashback - to be honest, she was calling them dreams now too, whatever they were -she was trying to discern what was allowing her to see it, to experience it, to talk with the image of Phage. She felt herself go into blackness, being killed, stabbed by Phage.
Then she felt alone, surrounded by blackness. Her body wasn't waking up. Was this what death was like? How was she stuck here?
Then ahead of her, she saw a brief, dim light, coming from a window in the darkness. She walked toward it, the light getting brighter until she was looking through it.
It was a desert world, Korriban. Alexia and Karen are facing against each other, but talking rather than sparring
"I defeated you once and I will do so again."
"Is that what you think, dear sister? Take a look at yourself. All those horrible things you've done to get where you are. The lies you've told, people you trampled over without so much as blinking. You are me."
"Not even close."
"I suppose we tell ourselves what we must in order to go on but you cannot escape what is written."
"What's written is complete bullshit. You were just too stupid to realize it."
Mara was confused by the conversation - two sisters who understood each other's language, but clearly disagreed, even hated each other. That fit Karen's own description of her relationship to Alexia. But what was she seeing? This wasn't in her memory, and certainly not what happened on Phage's platform between the two sisters. This was Karen telling Alexia she was wrong about the prophesy - that revelation was new. Suddenly, Mara watches as Alexia's image disappears, transforming into a figure quite familiar to her - Valerie Gellar
"I wonder if that's what Melanie and Kimber believe."
"Stop."
Valerie kisses Karen before Karen pushes her away
"You know you love it. Just like you love the power, the fame and the money. You could have it all."
"I will."
"You can if you play it right. Tip Dementat off, send the Imperial fleets crashing against the Confederation, stop daddy dearest and take what he's built to use as your own. Imagine, a droid army to do your bidding? A selfish yet practical solution that cuts down on labor costs. More credits for shoes."
"That is a good point."
It certainly sounded like Valerie, though lacked the self-sacrificing part that Mara had come to admire. This seemed more like the Valerie that Karen was most familiar with. But that would mean - Mara took a step back from the window as a thought occurred to her. It wasn't her dream she was watching. It was Karen's. Karen was having a conversation with those around her. While Mara watched on.
How could that be possible? Mara turns back to the window, bewildered, watching as valerie transforms into others that Mara recalled from pictures of Karen from back in high school or from obituaries. These were Karen's friends. Then more shifting, imperial agents. It looked like Karen was going through a 'memory recall' of her own, visiting those of her past. More images and words of doom, and Mara watches as Karen struggles to escape a pit filling with sand. Karen vanishes beneath the sand, and Mara stares for a moment before the window image transforms entirely - a grotesque scene of Karen and her friends and family, carving up a baby for dinner.
Karen runs from the table, the window from which Mara is watching follows, then her view pans out, showing the throne room on Byss -something Mara herself had never seen. Mara watches as Karen is crowned Empress, only to have life dashed away by Agent Marius Guile. Again, the view changes, and Karen is face to face with a man Mara did not recognize. But there is something so similar between them- they share something in their face. And Mara knows who it is - Alexander Winton. Karen's dream plays on, but the window begins to move away from Mara, and disappears, leaving her alone again in her darkness.
She screams, seeing if sound would come out of her voice. Seeing if it would somehow break the darkness, explain WHAT and HOW she was having visions, seeing others dreams?
And then a new image flashed before her - not the present or future, not anything she would remember. it was on Phage's Platform, when it was whole, new, shiny. There in a large tank, Mara could see an endo-skeleton, a spinal cord, being injected with real bone tissue. Droids surrounded the tank, watching. The image sped up, the tissue over the spinal cord grew, and the metal structure within disappeared beneath flesh. image panned away from the being within to a small tube that was injecting something into the tank, into the being within. The syringe had a label that read 'midichlorian injection solution.' Mara suddenly heard a voice, familiar and reassuring.
"The Force runs through only living things, but it was our goal to make it run through something that was artificially created. "
Medivh had said that to them. They had been trying to create an artificial being that had the power of the Force. That could wield the Force. That must be what this was. An experiment, done in Phage's platform, to use a midichlorian implantation into this being that was being newly created and try to instill it with the power of the Force.
Could there be anything more powerful, more terrifying than an immortal being with the power of the Force by his side?"
This must be Alexander Winton, or one of his newest forms. Mara watched in horror as sinew and tissue began to grow, watching as Alexander Winton was slowly being reborn, and, if it worked, with a power he never had in his past.
But then Mara noticed something different. it was not a male that was forming inside that tank - it was a female. And as she watched, she began to recognize the being far more clearly. Because the person inside that tank was not Alexander Winton.
It was her.
The images sped up, and she watched herself, stepping out of the tank, nude, kneeling before Phage, and accepting his first comamnds.
Fast forward. Phage and Valerie in heated battle. Valerie loses. Mara prepares to gun down Phage. He turns to face her.
"TRAITOR"[/color]
Mara drops the gun. Extends out her hands. She could feel something new coursing through her. Something that had always been there but was always dormant. She pushed out, feeling a rush of energy escape her palms. Phage falls flat to the ground, parts dismantling to the floor.
Images go dark, and again she finds herself alone in blackness. realization strikes her, hard. She wasn't just a droid - she had something no droid before her had. She had a connection to other living things. A connection not even most humans had. Standing there in the darkness, she looked down at her palms. She knew what the Force was, knew what it could do. And apparently, it was inside her.
Phage, Medivh, Alexander Winton. All had been a part of creating her, in some way. Even Valerie Gellar. And she carried a part of each of them inside her. But she was her own person. She would control her own programming, her own destiny.
And the first step, was to harness control of the dream. Lifting her hands up, she imagined herself parting the black cloud around her. nothing happened at first, but she kept trying and trying and trying
Flash
The nav computer was flashing, a sign that the vessel had reached Hesperidium. Pulling back on the lever, the streaks of hyperspace became points of distant stars, and Hesperidium lay ahead of them. it was time to get Karen, wherever in her dreams she may be.
They had much to plan, to discuss. And Mara needed Karen to teach her about the Force.
TBC
-
Hyperspace
Karen bolts upright, recharged and enlightened. No heaviness clings to her soul, no darkness threatens to pull her under. She can see clearly now for the first time in what seems like forever. There are no if's, ands or buts.
She felt something there in her mind, someone else - watching.
It does not, however, change facts. Her father must be eliminated. Normally, people would feel conflicted about this but he had long ago forfeited any right to fuzzy memories of days gone by. Alexander had stopping being a parent a long time ago - right around the time he decided his agenda was more important than his family or their lives. How many times had they barely survived peril because of him? Think back - how many times has she almost died? Too many. She almost cannot believe the lengths he's gone to, the magnitude of the deceptions and the rookie way they all followed along to the music. He banked on their selfishness and they all played right into his hands. Now she knows exactly where Alexia got her twisted nature. Their father just took it to the extreme. She wonders if her mother got competitive with it or became a liability.
Is her whole family completely evil?
Now there's a sobering thought.
This dampens the personal victory, if only momentarily.
Shuttering, Karen grabs her com to call Felicia. Seeing her in the mindscape was terribly disturbing and she wanted to tell her all about it. The baby feast thing is so something Felicia would get a kick out of. The com beeps and beeps with no answer. She sighs, tossing it aside. Perhaps the doctor was in one of her moods.
She falls back onto the bed, drifting.
Hours later, she opens her eyes. She can feel the shuttle shift around her as it comes out of hyperspace. They must have arrived.
Karen showers quickly and slips into a silver sequined jersey tank dress. They are going to the resort moon and it's hot this time of year. It's not like she could ever face her crew looking like hell, no matter how emotionally wrecked she might be. There would be time for healing. She would need to refocus and gather her strength for the coming storm. She slips on a pair of strappy heels and dabs on some lip gloss, suddenly filled with a rush of familiar warmth. A connection through the Force with something on the shuttle is established even though nothing else on the ship lives. She turns, stepping out of the stateroom and following the feeling down the narrow hall.
Mara is still sitting at the controls, staring up at her with wide eyes. The blue shimmer of Hesperidium hangs in the distance. She radiates in a way Karen cannot explain. It's not the first time either. She felt a glimmer of it when they broke into the Winton estate on Byss. It was brief but surprising, quickly lost in the mental pile of her own motives. Mara seems to be in a state of disbelief, if that were somehow possible.
Karen gazes at her curiously.
"I can....feel you."
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
"I can....feel you."
Mara knows what she means. but as yet, the feeling is not mutual. Or maybe it was - Mara closed her eyes, trying to figure out what she felt. Apparently, simply realizing the gift she had had triggered something, had enabled her to have what she could only describe as heightened senses - heightened even for a droid. But making that type of distinction, feeling out the difference between Karen, and say, the steel door next to her - to Mara, it was all just an overflow of sensations. There was a connection between her and everything around her, but it felt like it was through a fog, with everything still unclear.
"Karen - do you remember what Medivh said? About creating droids that had a connection with the Force? i thought he was just talking about your father, the model he used for himself. But I think I was a prototype for that particular experiment"
Mara turned from the viewport, looking at Karen standing there in an outfit far too stylish for the mission they had ahead. Well, they had at least some time - let karen be karen while on hesperidium, and hope she can transform into something more appropriate when they finally set out.
But Mara's thoughts are, at least for the moment, not on the mission. they are on this new self realization. And this new connection she has with everything, and especially with Karen makes her want to reveal what until now, Mara deemed as a weakness, a defect.
"Since I escaped from Coronet City, I've been having flashbacks. At first, it seemed like they were caused by an injury that I suffered, a short circuit that kept triggering my memory recall. I kept seeing ... I kept seeing that last battle, between Valerie Gellar and Phage. And I kept seeing me killing him. But then those flashbacks, those memories, began to change. I began seeing flashbacks of things I never saw - you fighting your sister. You fighting with Melanie Masterson, talking to Valerie. Phage talking to me, but things he never actually said. Me talking back to all of them. They weren't memories, and I assumed it was just my damaged subroutines mixing up a slew of downloaded information that I've collected, that my own malfunction sought to scramble and reinterpret into these flashbacks.
But I don't think that anymore. Not after what Medivh said. Not after I saw what I saw - I saw you. You talking with Valerie, with your father. With Alexia. I think I saw your own dreams. And I think Medivh was right - Alexander Winton was trying to create a droid that could tap into the Force. And I think that I was the first prototype of that. i think somehow, while I was having those flashbacks, or dreams, or whatever they were called, I was so close to your, and your dreams were so powerful, that they actually leaked into my consciousness. I don't think what I have is a malfunction - I think I was supposed to have these dreams. I think that I can tap into the power of the Force"
Mara smiled. A rare action, for someone who had so often been on the run, programmed to infiltrate and kill. the smile was short lived though. Mara was, afterall, still a warrior.
"That means your father has command of the Force as well. He's going to be a droid with built in super-human strength, and a connection to the Force.
Karen - I need you to teach me how to use this connection. My knowledge and subroutines can help, make the learning process faster, but the Force is organic. It doesn't run on set algorythms. I need to experience it in a way that I've never integrated information before. Can you teach me?"
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
"Karen - do you remember what Medivh said? About creating droids that had a connection with the Force? i thought he was just talking about your father, the model he used for himself. But I think I was a prototype for that particular experiment."
Karen gasps, moving forward reflexively. "How do you know?"
Mara glances at her, eyes flickering over her outfit with a hint of distain. Karen shrugs. There are some things about herself she could never change, the small things she clings to in order to retain a sense of normalcy in the ever escalating nightmare their lives have become. She listens closely as Mara explains the flashbacks she's been having, the dreams involving those they both know. Karen is surprised as she rationalizes that her own plight in the mindscape had leaked into something Mara could access. So that is who she felt watching from a distance, the presence she could not explain or deny.
"I think that I can tap into the power of the Force."
Karen kneels beside her, the connection between them stronger than ever.
"That means your father has command of the Force as well. He's going to be a droid with built in super-human strength, and a connection to the Force."
"Maker Almighty..."
"Karen - I need you to teach me how to use this connection. My knowledge and subroutines can help, make the learning process faster, but the Force is organic. It doesn't run on set algorithms. I need to experience it in a way that I've never integrated information before. Can you teach me?"
Karen stares up at Mara, placing a hand on her arm. Their eyes lock. Something emotional solidifies. Perhaps this is what Medivh meant when he spoke of Mara's fate intertwined in her own. Valerie had accepted her destiny and heroically laid down her life for Corellia and those she loved never knowing another was created to take her place.
The one who lives but does not have life.
In this moment she is certain.
Mara and Karen are meant to share this gift to fight a common enemy.
They would need each other to defeat the evil created by her father. They would free the galaxy and everyone held hostage by a meaningless prediction that had ruined so many lives.
"Of course I will."
Karen rises, taking her hand. She squeezes it tightly.
"Bring the saber. We'll need it for practice. I will teach you what Dementat taught me and together, we will stop him. I swear on the life Valerie gave and those we will save. Take us down."
Mara returns to the controls, easing the shuttle below the shimmering hulk of the Corporeal Quandary. Karen pulls the com from her purse. The connection is instantaneous, as if he had been waiting for it.
"Welcome back, your Highness."
"Thank you, Commander Price. Has my package arrived?"
"In the cargo bay as instructed."
"Excellent. You serve me well, Commander."
"Thank you, your Highness. May I assist you with anything else?"
"Yes," Karen says, feeling a sense of warmth as they break through the clouds to reveal the sparkling beaches and white sand shores. "Send doctor Kensington to meet us on the surface. We'll need some diagnostics run."
The Commander pauses, "That may be a problem, your Highness."
"You know how I feel about that word."
"I know, and I apologize but it seems the doctor has gone missing."
"Missing? Well, it is a big ship. Try looking."
"We're on it, your Highness."
"Call me the instant you find her. We've got a lot of work to do."
She clicks off and sighs. What the hell is Felicia doing that's so important? Unless she's banging a feisty new female intern, there's no excuse. Karen directs Mara past the spaceport to the glorious wonder known as the Bolerathon Tower. She guides the shuttle down onto the private landing platform at the top of the tower. Karen gathers her belongings and steps onto the ramp. The salty sea air is refreshing and she walks to the railing to gaze down at the pristine sands of Imperial Beach.
She turns as Mara joins her on the platform.
"My father and Henrick Masterton built this place. They were once as close as Melanie and I. Upon their death's, heavy on the air quotes, the title was transferred in equal shares to Melanie and myself. Not that she ever visits."
She says this sadly, feeling a pang.
Is their friendship, their special bond, headed for the same horrific climax?
A bit of history repeating...
Karen sighs, motioning toward the access door. They enter the silent corridor that is finely polished and minimally decorated with large and colorful abstract paintings commissioned from Skyler's father, Bastien McNeal.
Karen stops by the door with a giant cursive W. Laughing, she points as it while glancing at Mara.
"See, it's like a thing."
She taps in her access code and the door hisses open. Her heels echo on the foyer floor, so many warm memories rushing back. The summers they spent here, the parties they threw, all the childish drama that unfolded.
"It's so good to be..."
Her voice trails off, bags slipping from her hands. Mara would follow the line of sight where Karen's eyes were now focused.
Doctor Felicia Kensington lies draped across the couch, purposefully positioned to imply she was somehow relaxing. Her skin is a deep blue, eyes milky and glazed over, blood covering her neck and lab coat. On the wall behind her, written in blood, is a message.
You're Welcome
Karen screams.
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
"Karen - I need you to teach me how to use this connection. My knowledge and subroutines can help, make the learning process faster, but the Force is organic. It doesn't run on set algorithms. I need to experience it in a way that I've never integrated information before. Can you teach me?"
"Of course I will."
Karen squeezes her hand, offering mara a sentimentality she is not used to. Offering her a first set of instructions and guiding her down to the Winton's private tower.
Pleasantries are exchanged between Karen and her own capital flagship. The fact that Kensington is missing seems to annoy Karen, but Mara has an odd suspicion in the back of her mind. Getting from one end of a star destroyer to another is time consuming, but checking in on someone? That should be easy.
Bolerathon Tower approaches ahead and the shuttle touches down, Mara holstering her blaster on one side and Karen's saber on the other. Carrying weapons was habit for her, plus Karen had said she should bring the saber.
"My father and Henrick Masterton built this place. They were once as close as Melanie and I. Upon their death's, heavy on the air quotes, the title was transferred in equal shares to Melanie and myself. Not that she ever visits."
Karen stops by the door with a giant cursive W. Laughing, she points as it while glancing at Mara.
"See, it's like a thing."
"I guess the joint ownership thing wasn't reflected in the initials - unless you count the W as an upside down M"
The comment was lighthearted sarcasm, but the fact that a building jointly owned by Masterton and Winton only proclaimed one showed the dominance that Alexander Winton had over the parents of the children.
Karen types in her access code and the door opens, light air conditioning breezing out to greet them.
"It's so good to be..."
Mara was looking around the room when karen screams, redirecting her attention. Doctor Kensington is dead and lying in her own blood.
You're Welcome
The sight was groteque, shocking, but Mara's primary programming kicked into gear - blaster was out in split second timing as she inventoried the room. keeping eyes up, Mara bent down and grabbed Karen's commlink from where she had dropped it. Clicking it on.
"Commander Price, this is Mara Gellar,with Kar ... with her highness. We need immediate backup at Bolerathon Tower, and you are to track any vessels that are leaving the system."
"What? What's happened?"
"We found Dr. Kensington. She's been murdered. And I think the murderer is still here."
Mara is doing calculations in her head, keeping the gun in a steady arc, looking for movements. Kensington had been onboard the Quandary, and her disappearance was new. That meant that her body had been brought to Bolerathon ON the Quandary, and then smuggled off, or was removed from the Quandary and brought here only hours before the Quandary itself left Byss. Either way, the perpetrator would not have had more than an hour to bring the body to the tower, break in, spread the body, put up the writing and escape before they arrived. breaking in to the tower had to be time consuming, as well as carrying a dead body - with or without a lift.
"We are sending down a team now. Is her highness alright?"
Mara glanced over at Karen, who had stopped screaming but had a look of shock on her face as she stared blankly ahead at the bloody scene.
"She is ininjured, but as I said, if the perpetrator is still here, there is danger."
"Understood. A team is launching now."
Mara kept the commlink on standby, again sweeping the room, activating her scanners to see if they showed anything. Nothing could be detected, but Mara had learned that being undetected didn't mean not present.
She glanced over at Karen who still looked in shock. This would not do. Pulling out the saber, she pushed it at Karen.
"We aren't running anymore, and we aren't going to be victims anymore. From here on in, we are the hunters. I need your head in the game, or your going to get yourself killed, and your father will win"
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower
Karen is reeling, wracked with guilt over yet another casualty. Just once she would like to return home without finding a dead body. She is bombarded with images from her last visit. So much blood. Mara's words snap her out of it and she grabs the saber, eyes darkening as she moves forward into the living room. Upon closer inspection, Felicia's neck is slashed open which triggers a memory of her quest on the mindscape. At the dinner table, the doctor's neck was covered in blood. Now she realizes this was a premonition which is why she felt compelled to contact her when she awoke. Mara's voice jars her back into the present.
"Price's team is on the way."
Karen reaches out with the Force, feeling through the expansive residence, "He's not here."
"What?"
"Agent Guile. He's not here."
Mara glances at her curiously, "How can you be sure?"
"You must learn to hone your senses beyond that of your programming. Reach out with your mind and you will feel I am the only other living thing here. In time, darling, this skill will make you the most formibable woman in the galaxy. Even more terrifying than I, if you can believe it."
Karen's speech is light but firm, her body reacting to the trauma in the darkly humorous way she is most comfortable.
"He is more clever than most. He has eluded Imperial detection for years by hiding in plain sight and wouldn't necessarily stick around for the reaction shot. This act is not random, it's symbolic. When he infiltrated my ground team, he killed doctor Ariq Osiris, agent Mod Navris and agent Violet Wyndam. Doctor Kensington was wounded but managed to survive. He made a second attempt on her life weeks later but I was able to stop him. For him, this would just be finishing up something he started."
She grips the saber, turning to face Mara.
"Agent Guile is operating on the assumption that everyone in connection with the prophecy must be eliminated in order for it to be fulfilled. The message signifies he believes he is helping me along. He doesn't know we have spoken to Medivh and realize what my father has planned. We are going to allow him to continue thinking that to maintain the element of surprise."
Karen stares down at the doctor sadly, reaching down to close her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Felicia. We will avenge them all."
The doorway is suddenly flooded with Imperial agents who swarm into the residence. Two of them hover protectively around Karen and Mara while the others search the rooms. They return to the living room, giving the residence an all clear. They await instructions.
"The doctor is to have a proper funeral as she died protecting our Empire. Have Commander Price make arrangements."
They nod as a small medical team enters the residence. They gingerly move Felicia, placing her into a body bag then onto a floating stretcher that is quickly pushed out of the room. The scrub team waits for her signal. She informs them that an investigation will not be necessary. The responsible party is known and will suffer greatly for this personal afront to their team. Karen directs Mara back out into the hall while they clean. They wander away from the residence until they arrive at another door marked with a cursive M.
"There are only two penthouses on this floor. Mine and Melanie's. The Four exchanged keys and access codes in case something happened. This qualifies as a something. We can wait in here."
Karen taps in the code and steps inside. Melanie's residence is like a museum with white furniture and a massive shell chandalier that snakes from the foyer into the living room. The hanging pieces reflect light and cast a warm glow over them. She motions to the white shag rug taking up a good majority of the living room floor and asks Mara to sit and relax. There would be time to grieve for Felicia but she knows Mara must be somewhat disoriented with the discovery of her new abilities and connection. This is something Karen must first explain before helping her get comfortable with it. For a long time, Karen personally struggled with her connection to the Force. She saw what it did to Alexia and was terrified she would fall victim to the same. Thanks to Mara and Medivh, she was pulled back from the brink of insanity. She would repay the favor by helping Mara learn.
"The Force is an energy field created by all living things, that surrounds and penetrates living beings and binds the galaxy together. You, Mara, live. As difficult as that is for me to wrap my mind around, it is true. You are unlike anything else in the universe. You are unique and special but must learn to use this gift in tandem with your sensors and programming. If seamlessly executed, you will be unstoppable."
Karen kneels before Mara.
"Close your eyes and tell me what you feel around you."
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower
Mara is not used to the hovering protection of others. She was a lone agent, and being surrounded by imperial bodyguards was discomforting to her, despite understanding their necessary function. Karen has snappeed back into reality and is giving orders with authority to her men. Then she leads Mara away from the crime scene, the hallway to another door on the opposite side of the tower. Whereas the Winton 'W' was bold, the cursive M had a more subtle look to it. Two diametrically opposed forces, facing each other, opposites of each other, symbolized by two letters - W M. Mara wondered if Karen noticed the symbolism, either now or while she was growing up. Her father certainly did.
But come to think of it, that was all just part of the lie. The subtle symbols of two houses, together but opposed to each other wasn't what the prophesy or the entire war were about. No doubt the lightside and the darkside of the Force, and their surrogates - the Empire and the Republic - still had epic fights, struggling for dominance. But this battle, this current war was something else altogether. The Dark Side - Karen, Dementat- and the lightside - Masterton - had a joint enemy whose shadow made even Karen's and Dementat's Empire seem refreshingly good. Everything was shades of gray.
"There are only two penthouses on this floor. Mine and Melanie's. The Four exchanged keys and access codes in case something happened. This qualifies as a something. We can wait in here."
The room reflects the image of Melanie that Karen had depicted. Karen leads Mara over to a rug thatfilled up the center of the living room, telling Mara to sit and relax. Sitting Mara could do easily enough. But relaxation was a bit more complicated - how does a machine relax? She silently lowered down the threat level programming that had been triggered by the site in Karen's apartment. She ran a sweep of background programs that didn't need to be running at the moment, and shut those down. The cyber-biotic interfaces, connecting her musculature, skin, and other biological components with her mechanical systems were then tweaked to reduce electronic flow. Muscles began to loosen and Mara nodded her head to Karen. Check.
"The Force is an energy field created by all living things, that surrounds and penetrates living beings and binds the galaxy together. You, Mara, live. As difficult as that is for me to wrap my mind around, it is true. You are unlike anything else in the universe. You are unique and special but must learn to use this gift in tandem with your sensors and programming. If seamlessly executed, you will be unstoppable."
Mara had heard the Force speech before, understood its implications, but never thought they applied to her. Until recently, the idea of her being a living thing was little more than a dream. Of course, come to think of it, dreams were her first real step to living. But now, she was taking more control, focusing on a component of her that didn't run on subroutines. Or maybe it did - maybe she was a machine of the Force, like Star Forge, or other famous relics of the past. She resisted the urge to start running research on other machines that used the Force, focusing instead on Karen.
"Close your eyes and tell me what you feel around you."
She hesitated before closing her eyes. She could see blinking sensor lights, diagnostics of herself, indicating how well her structure was being maintained, how well systems worked, etc. Not what she was looking for. She shut down those automatic diagnostics, leaving her staring at blackness. Much like her recent dreams.
At first there was nothing, quite disappointingly. Then Mara felt her vision expanding, the very blackness that she was watching growing more and more vast. Then what looked like bleeps. A few minutes later, she could see vast networks of electrical lines, forming familiar patterns
"I can see the electrical systems of Bolerathon Tower, like pulses of energy."
Her own systems could have probably done that, though not as efficiently. She urged her subconscious subroutines to seek out more.
Focus shifted across to the apartment full of imperial agents.
"I can see the Imperial troops, cleaning up your apartment. 24 individuals, all over 5'10, according to imperial regulations. I can see their heartbeats, beating - hearts beating approximately 110 times per minute, indicating higher than at rest, due to higher adrenaline, plus the tasks at hand"
Overly clinical analysis, but the droid nature in her made certain things standout more. images grew a bit clearer, and she could see the imperials much like an infrared camera would, with brighter colors and darker colors according to heat or some other factor. She turned her attention around, back to their current apartment. That "infrared" vision in her head became brighter, and she could see Karen, shimmering in a glow.
Then she felt it - she didn't just SEE Karen, she FELT Karen, a presence, and she could tell the emotions that Karen was feeling too.
"I can see you - I can FEEL you. Your trying to be calm, to help me. But you are very, very angry. You look like you are radiating energy, like electrical systems, and neon bulbs with high wattage."
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower: Masterton Penthouse
Karen kneels before Mara, watching her focus on their surroundings. There are tremors as Mara dives deeper into her connection. Karen can feel these tremors as the air around them seems to ripple.
"I can see the Imperial troops, cleaning up your apartment. 24 individuals, all over 5'10, according to imperial regulations. I can see their heartbeats, beating - hearts beating approximately 110 times per minute, indicating higher than at rest, due to higher adrenaline, plus the tasks at hand."
She nods, if only to herself.
"Can you feel their fear? I can almost taste it. They are frightened and have every reason to be. They do not know what is coming. Focus here, in this room, where it is just you and I. Tell me what you feel."
"I can see you - I can FEEL you. Your trying to be calm, to help me. But you are very, very angry. You look like you are radiating energy, like electrical systems, and neon bulbs with high wattage."
Karen closes her eyes.
"I am angry, hurt and outraged but in control. Learning trumps vengeance for now. In my experience, organics tend to appear and feel warmer while nonorganic things run cool. I can see and feel you too but unlike any other. You appear to me as two currents, one bright orange and yellow and the other blue and green. I can sense both parts of you, the whole you..."
"You can see everything just as plainly as you would with your own eyes if you concentrate hard enough. Everything is just as tangible. Things can be moved, altered or destroyed on a whim. It extends your senses or, in your case, programs, sensors and mechanics beyond their reasonable capabilities. Your superhuman strength will be amplified and more accessible at a greater distance. If you can be maintain an awareness of the subtleties around you every move, every strike, every counter, will seem effortless and instinctive."
"Now, reach out through the Force and touch me."
She can feel Mara's focus grow more narrow as she concentrates on the objective. Karen remembers the first time Kimber and Valerie asked Melanie and Karen to prove they had any special abilities at all. Karen levitated a candelabra and nearly passed out from exertion. Melanie refused but later told her that Kimber's heart was pure.
Then, she feels it. Physically. There is light pressure on her right arm. A prod of progress. Smiling, she reaches out in return, intending to poke Mara in the side but is overcome with powerful flashes.
Images of Valerie - laughing, beckoning, writhing with a devious grin - sear through her mind.
Karen gasps loudly, dropping forward. Mara opens her eyes widely, confused.
"It's okay, it's alright. That was...wow. I felt you but I also felt her."
Karen regains balance and shivers.
Questions arise in the wake of the flashes.
"The Force is accessed through midi-chlorians within the cells of living things. The biological side of you was taken from someone else. Valerie Gellar was not Force sensitive. We were all tested. So that would mean your midi-chlorian count was raised somehow by integrating it into the genetic material used to create you."
She continues to muse aloud, struggling to grasp such a broad concept.
"And how it is I am able to feel you so easily now? You were a virtual blind spot in the Force before. It's like, something was activated in you. I could feel it very clearly on the shuttle, like someone turning you all the way on. Do you know how this happened? Was it your memories that triggered the connection?"
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower: Masterton Penthouse
"I can see you - I can FEEL you. Your trying to be calm, to help me. But you are very, very angry. You look like you are radiating energy, like electrical systems, and neon bulbs with high wattage."
Mara is excited by the connection, the ability to 'poke' Karen without moving any closer to her. Like a computer network, where you can reach across the galaxy without actually moving. But this network was - bigger, more complex. And it included everything, not just machines. At the light touch, she can feel the texture of Karen's skin, can picture the components of each cell.
She feels a momentarytouch in return, a non-physical, light pressure against her arm, before it disappears, Karen gasping, and Mara opens her eyes
"Is something wrong?"
"It's okay, it's alright. That was...wow. I felt you but I also felt her."
Mara knows who she is talking about - Valerie Gellar. They had both had images about the woman/martyr, and both were tied to her in their own way. Mara wondered if by touching Karen, she would start having similar flashes. But then again, Valerie's connection to Mara was unique - Valerie was a PART of who Mara was.
"The Force is accessed through midi-chlorians within the cells of living things. The biological side of you was taken from someone else. Valerie Gellar was not Force sensitive. We were all tested. So that would mean your midi-chlorian count was raised somehow by integrating it into the genetic material used to create you."
"And how it is I am able to feel you so easily now? You were a virtual blind spot in the Force before. It's like, something was activated in you. I could feel it very clearly on the shuttle, like someone turning you all the way on. Do you know how this happened? Was it your memories that triggered the connection?"
Mara thought back to her experiences of the past few weeks.
"I don't think it was supposed to be triggered - The dreams started after I suffered a near fatal injury, at the hands of Saga Judec. Huge explosion, huge fall, running for my life. I was very, very weak, and had to shut down most of my systems to conserve energy. Even when I conducted repairs, the dreams stayed, because the trigger had already been sprung. I was programmed, or so I had been told, to be able to fight a Force user, and my subroutines and biological makeup are designed to keep my presence hidden. And they were, except during those dreams. Now though - I guess realizing that what Medivh said applied to me, keeps the trigger turned all the way on - keeps the midichlorians which were artificially added to my DNA sequencing - active."
An electrical trigger could cause biological reactions, and her systems may have been designed to 'activate' or 'deactivate' midichlorians in her biological components.
"Let me try something"
Mara closed her eyes again, immediately seeing the glow that the Force had cast around Karen and the room, just as she had seen before. But rather than focusing more on Karen, to see her as tangibly as she said was possible, she looked in to herself, running a search of her systems. Because now, she knew what she was looking for.
One particular set of electrical signals was meshed in with her general mental synaptic systems. But now she was realizing, it wasn't connecting to most of her other systems. In fact, at first appearance, that set of signals seemed to just lead nowhere, a looped circuit. Mara closed in, analyzing it. A very simplistic signal, it turns out. A straight energy pulse, with a cut off at the bottom and a potentially unlimited energy pulse going up. It was a signal she didn't even know she had.
Running a history check, she began going through that signal's history. The signal spiked on various occasions, all of which coincided with her dreams. The signal was completely dormant prior to her injury on Corellia. And now? The signal was running on a steady rate, higher than before. This sustained higher rate had started with her last dream spike, indicating that it was in fact awareness of her potential ability that triggered the signal.
Now though was the real test. with new access to the signal that triggered her midichlorian activity, could she manipulate that signal? Moving to the source of the signal, she slowly began reducing the power output. As she drew closer to zero output for the signal, the images of Karen and the room began to fade and blur, until they had disappeared into the black landscape behind her diagnostics. She no longer felt Karen. And in all likelihood, that meant Karen could no longer feel her.
Her eyes opened and she looked over at Karen
"I can turn it off - I can turn on or off my connection with the Force. At will."
TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower
Karen listens intently as Mara explains the process through which her connection came about. The woman is, undoubtedly, amazing. She's a work of art, expertly crafted into a perfect package of lethality and beauty.
"Let me try something."
As Mara focuses inward, Karen's mind drifts back to the doctor, to her friends, to the things they have learned. She could feel him. Dementat. On Byss. He is thinking about her. She smiles.
Mara speaks.
"I can turn it off. I can turn on and off my connection to the Force."
Karen arches a brow, "That will come in handy when you do not wish to be sensed by others. You continue to astound me, Mara."
The door chime sounds. She opens it with the flick of her wrist.
Commander Price enters and bows on one knee.
"Your Highness, I am so sorry for your loss."
Karen nods, signaling for him to stand.
He presents her with the bagged heels and comlink.
"When we returned to the Quandary, these were found in a storage dock. Also, a puddle of blood that came back as a positive match for doctor Kensington. Her lab was trashed, there were signs of a struggle and the location of the items suggests she was chased. We believe she was murdered on the ship and brought here. A formal investigation is underway."
Normally, she would be furious they did not inform her of this sooner but she is far too emotionally damaged to nit-pick.
"Thank you, commander. Get me the photage from the Quandary along with the Bolerathon security vids. Also, miss Gellar and I will need a pair of secure comlinks and the equipment from my executive level on the ship. Can you do this for me?"
"Of course, your Highness. What of the funeral?"
Karen's jaw is set, eyes burning.
"We bury the doctor at sunset."
Price nods and leaves the room.
She turns back to Mara, her voice softer than it normally is.
"No more training for today. We can work on combat in the morning. You understand the fundamentals and are granted a luxury most Force users are not afforded. Reflect on what you've learned, practice these skills as you repair any lingering damage. I am sorry the High Commander hurt you. He will not get the chance to do so again."
Karen motions around the room.
"You can have this place to yourself. The equipment you need should be delivered shortly. You do not have to accompany me to the funeral. It's just something I have to do. The doctor should not have died. Her involvement in any of this was my fault. I owe her a proper send off."
She leaves Mara and returns to the Winton penthouse. A large security force has the floor on lockdown. The scrub team is gone. A nearly identical new couch replaces the other. The message on the wall wiped clean. Sometimes she wishes it were that easy to forget. You can't undo what is done. There is no hiding who you are with a makeover.
Karen pads languorously around the spacious residence, a mixture of emotions swelling through her. She soaks in a bath, pulling her knees to her chin and sobs. The release is something she must do in private. She had shown Mara a vulnerable side of herself few people know. She misses her friends and is still extremely wounded by Medivh's revelations and what it may mean for all of them. Her mind drifts from Dementat to her father then back to Mara, contemplating what she symbolizes.
If the prototype works, how close is her father to building his army? And where are they?
She has a feeling they would soon find out.
*
With a brilliant orange sun sinking into the ocean, a small group gathers on the white sands of Imperial Beach. There is a grey coffin bearing the Imperial insignia beside a large, neatly dug hole.
Karen approaches in a flowing black dress, barefoot, wearing giant circular sunglasses. Her crimson hair is intensified in the last of the sun's rays as strands blow across her somber face. She stops at the edge of the group, glancing briefly at Commander Price and Captain Voltaire who, on her orders, are dressed formally. Collecting herself, she addresses the small crowd.
"Felicia Kensington was more than a doctor. She was a friend, a companion - part of our team and our Empire. No crime against us shall go unpunished and her killer will be brought to justice. The Empire will prevail and those who have lost their lives in the wake of our victories shall be avenged."
The coffin is lowered into the ground.
Commander Price scoops in a shovel full of sand.
The others offer assistance silently.
"May she rest in peace," Karen whispers.
She waits until the hole is completely filled, dismissing the agents and thanking both the Captain and Commander. Turning, her eyes travel up the length of the Bolerathon Tower looming above them all as the last sliver of the sun slips below the horizon.
*
Back in the Winton Penthouse, she opens a bottle of wine and wanders through the darkened living room. The main consol bleeps. Sighing, she moves closer and taps on the projector.
A small image of Admiral Saevia's face and shoulders appear.
"Good evening, your Highness."
The way she says this is like being stabbed with an icicle.
Karen groans and takes a swig from the bottle. She doesn't even bother to remove her sunglasses.
"What do you want?"
"I have a message."
"Next time send it through the Commander. It's something about your face. What was that? Oh yes, right, I can't stand it."
Saevia glowers in the hologram but remains completely composed.
"The Emperor is recalling the fleets to Byss. That includes the Corporeal Quandary."
Karen raises a hand and opens it slowly, energy crackling off her fingertips.
"Last time I checked, I don't take orders from you."
The Admiral swallows.
"It is a request from the Emperor."
Karen smiles slyly.
"That's better. See, it's all about the phrasing. Is the capital in danger?"
"This is strictly precautionary."
The woman is as transparent as she is spiteful.
Karen tilts her head sharply.
"No, it's not but please inform the Emperor I shall send the Quandary along shortly."
She cuts the connection before the Admiral can respond. Saevia has never liked her and the feeling is mutual. She judged her for the superficial where as Dementat saw past that to the person she really was. Karen could sense Saevia's feelings for him the instant they met. It was both shameless and desperate. Needless to say, she was more than just a little disappointed when he chose Karen but hey, it's destiny, bitch.
Get over it.
So, why recall the fleets? Something is amiss. That much is certain. She wants desperately to call Dementat but realizes she would have to explain herself.
What would she say?
Hi, babe! Oh, me? I'm fabulous because, as it turns out, that whole prophecy thing was a total crock of shit and now my undead Force-wielding psychopath replica droid of a father is getting ready to unleash worlds of hurt on our legacy with an evil hoard of Force-sensitive Phage-a-like's which Mara and I plan to hunt down and destroy so, like, don't worry about it.
How's your day going?
Karen shakes her head.
No way.
That conversation is ripe with loaded questions and dire implications.
In her own way, she is protecting him. Dementat has worked so hard to repair the damage the Republic had done. They were on their way to a glorious galactic comeback and she is bent on making that happen. She just has a slightly different approach to the whole thing, one that is as surprising as it is tragic.
Their love is a force more powerful than the darkness of Alexander Winton.
And soon, she would set them free.
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower: Masterton Penthouse
Mara is left to herself while Karen goes to attend the funeral of Dr. Kensington. There was a pain in Karen's voice, subtle to be sure, but Mara could detect it - even without the Force. Funny - the relationship that Karen seemed to have with Kensington, as far as Mara had seen in that brief interaction on the star destroye, had not been one of closeness. More of a mutual, conspiratorial type of relationship. They were "in this thing together" and so worked together. Was it more than that? Or maybe Karen's current feelings were ones of guilt - maybe she felt responsible for Felicia Kensington's death?
Mara wondered if with her newfound abilities, if she could learn more, could glean a bit more about how Karen felt. But as Karen was walking out, she decided against the attempt. There were boundaries of privacy, and Mara knew better than to pry too much, despite her programmed desire to seek out information. Infiltrator indeed.
Alone now, she contemplated the changes in her life, from being an operative of Phage to having a totally different course, ultimately seeking to destroy those who created Phage. Maybe she was a traitor. But a traitor to them - to Phage, and to Alexander winton - didn't seem to be a bad thing. In fact, it made Mara feel pretty good.
But she needed to make sure she was prepared. Understanding the gift she had been given, this connection to the Force, a connection to all living things, made her feel like she was one with them, a part of those living things. Now, she had to hone that connection and make it work for her.
First, feel the connection - slipping into her subroutines, she triggered that 'Force signal' back up, raising its power output to a level just above where she had discovered it just a few minutes ago. She could immediately feel its impact now, a sudden greater awareness to what was around her. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate, seeing how that connection could be worked.
Memory files deep in her personal archives included, among other things, files about Jedi and Sith training. She had never before needed to access them, nor even understood their purpose for being included. Now, she realized, it was so that she and other models to come after her, could effectively fight against force wielders like Karen and Melanie.
Pulling up those trainings, she found some basic routines. Feeling connections. Moving small objects. Exercise, with enhanced abilities. Manipulation of others. She found three general areas of abilities: control, sense, and alter.
Control was about that basic connection to the Force, and was used for things like meditation and rejuvenation. Control, as it turned out, was something Mara already had - her programming provided the discipline to connect with the Force, at will.
Sense was a 6th sense ability - precognition, seeing things one woudn't be able to see otherwise, feeling what others think and feel. This combined with control was the skill that Karen was training her in a few minutes ago.
Alter was the active use of the Force - to actively manipulate the Force: to push and pull oneself or others, to heal or to damage, and most of the 'really cool' Force powers.
Mara began studying these files, of powers used by the lightside and darkside, began studying how they were taught, and what was needed to implement these abilities. Learn before doing. If anyone had approached her, they would see her eyes closed, flickering as she processed information.
Some training would require doing, to be sure. But Mara's natural discipline would - hopefully - allow her to learn in days what it took others years to learn. Or she might find this ability was so organic it might take her a very, very long time to learn.
while Felicia Kensington was being laid to rest on the beach, Mara began to practice - looking at small trinkets around the apartment, she tried lifting them up.
She felt a surge of power, felt the Force flowing through her. Putting out her hand, as if to direct that power, she pointed it at a vase a few feet away.
The vase began to shake, slowly, ever so slowly lifting up - and then, it simply smashed into pieces, collapsing in a pile of dust.
Mara stared at it, frustrated. Apparently, access to the Force was not the only step. Too much energy focused on one thing might, well, not work. She had to learn to finesse - to use only some of this connection on a particular task. No doubt there were things that required more energy - some of those Force shields, or a lightning attack. But picking up a knick-nack was more subtle.
She turned to another piece on another small table, trying agan. The object, metallic, managed to lift up about a full foot before it crunched together, much like aluminum foil.
Several more objects found themselves destroyed before Mara finally was able to lift something several feet in the air, and bring it close to her. She started flinging small objects all across the room, some, lifting them up and letting the Force carry them all the way across, some, she just "threw" with the Force, letting natural motion take it the rest of the way - and then trying to catch it before it hit the ground. Varying levels of success, but as a machine, once she succeeded, she could recall what was needed to be done the first time, making future successes much more likely. She took a while to succeed, but a computer learns fast - and with each success, her confidence grew.
She moved on to larger objects - tables, chairs, couches. She remembered a famous jedi addage - 'size doesn't matter when connected with the Force'
Of course, when Jedi Masters said that, it wasn't true. it was to make a point - with the Force, anything was possible, but that didn't mean the bigger things didn't require more effort. Mara adjusted her control as she tried lifting the plush couch in the room, feeling its heaviness from several feet away. Feeling how the Force flowed over and under it and how, like a string, she could use the Force to pick it up.
Higher and higher objects went until they touched the apartment ceiling. Mara tried picking several things up at once, slowly putting more strength into her newfound abilities, until the room looked quite comical as every piece of furniture was floating near the ceiling. Mara began upping the input of power, higher and higher, to see how the level of midichlorians affected her efforts
FLASH
She hadn't meant to spike another dream, but apparently, that was a level of control she had a long way before obtaining.
This was distinctly not a past she was seeing. There was a a battle going on, between Karen and Melanie Masterton. Karen was fighting defensively, trying to reason with Melanie who, with a solemn face kept on the attack. Then it changed, and suddenly, Karen, eyes blackened,was fighting back, the two Force fighters locked in a struggle that could only lead to death.
The image panned out, and she could see a large space station, surrounded by a Corellian and Imperial fleet, also heavy fighting between them.
Finally, she saw a young man, wearing a Corellian Defense training outfit, standing next to an older man, whom she recognized as the Former CorSec Director (the one who apparently realized who she was), as they were setting charges to go off near some type of computer system.
Then she heard a loud shot, like a blaster fire, and the image went black.
FLASH
Thud. Thud. Thud. Crash
Mara blinked, her eyes open. Around her, furniture and decorations were in disarray, having fallen to the floor. Several more items had crashed.
Control. Mara had to learn how to control those visions, or her abilities with the Force would be useless.
With a firm resolve, she began to try again, this time,trying to clean up the mess she made.
TBC
-
Hesperidium
Stretched out in the massive bed, Karen slumbers deeply and deliciously. She dreams in bright colors and romantic ideals. They are dreams of the way it could be. In the crimson haze, she and Dementat rule the galaxy together. They are happy and everything is perfect. Melanie, Kimber and Mara round out the group and for a lasting moment, it is exactly as it was.
Fool.
Such a thing was not meant to last.
Her emerald green eyes flash open, a gentle sea breeze drifting softly through the room to cool her skin. Rising, she pads into the living room where the vids she requested seem to glare at her from the coffee table. She knows what she will find but must see them anyway.
Marius Guile makes the show worthwhile, not hiding from anyone.
Shameless.
The audio serves as confirmation.
"The second coming."
The murder is spectacularly brutal.
"One more casualty in their parade of victims. One step closer to victory."
Her eyes darken briefly.
That's what he thinks.
Marius even has the audacity to wave as he drags Felicia's lifeless body into the Winton Penthouse.
He could have erased this photage. He could have slipped seamlessly away.
The reason he doesn't is made very clear.
This is the formal announcement.
Sickened, she stops the vid. Pieces of the past shift into place. It is then she realizes Guile has always been there, watching silently in the background. On Alexander's orders, he nudged them along while her father kicked back and pretended like it was all so horrible. The apologies, broken promises, lies, as the capital kids pleaded for help that never came and Agent Venko was helpless to defend them from a force larger than any of them could understand. Their parents left for the Outer Rim one summer and never came back. It never stung when there were so many shiny things around her. Now she sees this was a planned exodus as the masterminds exited stage right but left behind a vicious babysitter and a void of confusion.
Brushes with death, the hoverlimo crash, an alarming increase in the vanishing murdered North Coruscant co-ed's - executed by Agent Guile?
How much of what happened before they let Alexia loose was his doing?
He must suffer until the very end.
Karen Winton would make sure of that.
After a shaky breakfast, she returns to the Masterton Penthouse. The place is noticeably different but tidy. Several pieces of furniture are scuffed or broken altogether. She smiles.
"Practicing, are you? Excellent. It's always a bit rough in the beginning-"
Her voice drops off.
She is flooded with a rush of panic, head filled with screams. There is distress, chaos, explosions and life blotted out of existence. Emotion ripples through her very being.
She gasps.
Mara is staring widely at her.
"Did you feel that? Something is wrong..."
Karen grabs her com.
"Price, get word to Saevia. Have all our fleets check in with her."
"Of course, your Highness."
She pauses, recovering slightly.
"Load my package onto the recon-modified shuttle and send it to the surface. You are to return to Byss immediately."
"Highness?"
He is worried and she is touched but there is more at stake.
"Do as I command. You are on the Emperor's watch now. His orders are to be obeyed without question. Is that clear?"
"As you wish, your Highness."
She clicks off, turning back to Mara. A level of trust that never seemed possible when they first met powerfully permeates the room. They have come a long way in a short time. This discovery process has brought them together but they have kilometers to go before they sleep....
"Dementat is recalling the fleets. The Admiral said it was strictly precautionary but I don't buy it and you won't either when you hear what Marius Guile had to say as he hunted down the good doctor."
Karen's gaze is sharply focused.
"Does the term 'second coming' mean anything to you?"
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Mara feels drained and exhausted in a way she never has before. Batteries within droids are quite capable of lasting for decades before reqiring a full recharge, but activating the Force within her, especially at those peak levels, pulled a lot of those reserved resources. Practicing for hours had taken its toll and Mara was reminded that while that explosion on Coronet had triggered her new abilities, they also had wounded her. And her repairs had been rushed. Sure, she could move furniture around, but when it came to a full fledged battle, how would she be able to match against another if her power source drained?
She was resting on one of the couches, not caring much for the comfort, but it allowed her body to be prepped without risk of falling while she recharged. Her body was put on low power mode, the Force ability turned all the way off for now, and she closed her eyes, leaving her in that darkness that allowed her systems and batteries to recharge.
She therefore did not feel Karen's presence as she approached, but droid hearing is better than most, and even in her powered down state, she heard the door open and she looked over to Karen as she entered.
The future empress glanced around the room appraisingly before turning her attention to Mara.
"Practicing, are you? Excellent. It's always a bit rough in the beginning-"
Karen suddenly looks as if her speech was cut off, her eyes going wide, looking as if she was gripped by a sudden attack.
Mara, still powering up, looks at her anxiously.
"Did you feel that? Something is wrong..."
Mara's Force ability was turned off, so of course she had not. Would she have even if the power was on? She was still recharging, and she didn't want to overwork her systems. Not to see if she could sense what Karen did. she watches in silence as Karen grabs her com.
Authority asserted, orders made before she turns her attention back to Mara, who was running a quick diagnostic as her motor functions returned to her.
"Dementat is recalling the fleets. The Admiral said it was strictly precautionary but I don't buy it and you won't either when you hear what Marius Guile had to say as he hunted down the good doctor. Does the term 'second coming' mean anything to you?"
Mara gave Karen an inquisitive look. second coming? the words sounded almost religious.
"Is it from the prophesy? I don't think I recall those words being used before. Although when I was built, a main part of my mission was to help Phage in his second attack on Corellia. That was Phage's 'second coming' but it seems like that wouldn't matter now."
"If Phage is back ..." Mara momentarily shuddered at the thought "than that would be his 'third coming' as it were. Alexander Winton, though, is only on his second life. It could be his second coming. Maybe if I see the videos ..."
Mara was trying to be helpful, but she was grasping at straws. Her systems were now fully online and she closed her eyes, seamlessly tapping into the tower's video systems and screening back. It didn't take long - as she had predicted, Marius Guile had been here only hours before they had arrived. It crossed her mind that maybe he knew they were coming? With her eyes closed, she watched the security video, her face frowning as she watched Marius Guile drag in the body and position it. That wasn't the video that Karen had referred to. It was the one of the murder.
Again, Mara began running through surveillance tapes, but not ones from the tower. Karen had ordered the vid inputed into the system so she could watch. And Mara had learned - well no, Mara had been programmed - to understand that anything connected into a system cannot truly be secured from anything else in the system. Once your in, it's only a matter of time before you have what want.
There it was - in a downloaded file location, the video Karen had requested. The murder was more gruesome than the aftermath.
"The second coming. It's going to be epic. Too bad you won't be around to see it."
Mara's eyes fluttered open and she looked to Karen.
"I thought watching the videos myself would be enlightening. Your network security here is horrible. Anyone seems to be able to gain access, and can watch anything on the system"
Karen probably isn't too happy with Mara's rummaging, but Mara hasa more important revelation.
"We need to change our form of transportation. Guile's timing is too perfect. He knew not only where we were going, but knew when we would arrive. That means two things. One, he has someone working on the inside. At least one of the crew of the Corporeal Quandary is aiding him. Helping him get on and off the ship, helping him track its movements. Giving him access codes. Two, he has hacked into your personal shuttle. He was able to know where we were, and know our navigational destinations. He may even have been able to use the security cameras to see and hear our conversations. He can probably see and hear the conversation we are having now.
We need you to order your fleet to go - and then we need to change ships, something non-imperial, if we can find it on planet. Some ship that Marius Guile couldn't get his hands on. Once we do that, we can start figuring out how to stop this 'second coming'"
TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Bolerathon Tower
Karen is slightly insulted by Mara's cursory scan of the building systems but remembers this was, in part, designed by her father. He must have made it easy to spy on them, to ensure the right reactions were being had by all the right people.
The things he must know about them are mortifying.
Mara goes on to make a larger point.
"We need to change our form of transportation. Guile's timing is too perfect. He knew not only where we were going, but knew when we would arrive. That means two things. One, he has someone working on the inside. At least one of the crew of the Corporeal Quandary is aiding him. Helping him get on and off the ship, helping him track its movements. Giving him access codes. Two, he has hacked into your personal shuttle. He was able to know where we were, and know our navigational destinations. He may even have been able to use the security cameras to see and hear our conversations. He can probably see and hear the conversation we are having now."
Someone on the inside. A traitor in their midst. The notion causes anger to unspool within her. Which one of them would betray her? Those who have not witnessed her wrath have seen what becomes of those who get in the way.
Mara presses on.
"You need you to order your fleet to go - and then we need to change ships, something non-imperial, if we can find it on planet. Some ship that Marius Guile couldn't get his hands on. Once we do that, we can start figuring out how to stop this 'second coming.'"
Karen nods, "Agreed. Our package should arrive shortly and then the Quandary will return to Byss as instructed. I can have Commander Price take the shuttle we were scheduled to use back with him. As for future transport, leave that to me."
She pulls the comlink out of her purse, dropping it on the floor and crushing it beneath her heel.
"You and I no longer need these. Not with the power we share. I need to go out for a while. If you need me, you can always call out to me."
Back in her penthouse, she considers Mara's words. The second coming could not be Phage. That time had passed. They were entering a new era, one where copies of copies could wield power bestowed upon the few and the gifted. The second coming belongs solely to her father. He would return stronger than ever to take back what he gave.
They will never allow it.
Standing in a short, beaded garçonne dress, the stylists work their magic. Hair, skin, makeup, heels - they handle everything. Karen smirks at herself in the mirror and heads out into the public eye for another dazzling performance.
*
West Iobatese Beach
The fleets always roll through the Hessy on their way back to the capital. It's a tradition among the Imperial Naval Academy and one she and her friends had come to look forward to. The men, the uniform's and the shameless flirting. It once filled her with excitement but now it's all business. She could feel his presence when he landed. They shared something briefly, years ago before she met Dementat. They had helped each other heal. Now she must seek him out for a favor.
Club Hex is still the place to be. Throngs of gorgeous creatures loiter in close proximity, hoping and praying to be graced with a chance to enter. As she approaches, she can feel the climate change. Celebrities, politician's and trust funders were a frequent occurrence but the future Empress?
That's another thing entirely.
The Imperial press go rabid at the sight of her. She revels in the spotlight one more time. She waves and signs autographs as a barrage of flashes surround her. With so many watching and so much at stake, she must convince them everything is fine. This would serve a dual purpose - Her father and his minions will see she cannot be shaken while detracting from the forces that conspire around Dementat.
Karen Winton is the perfect ruse.
Inside the club, low ambient electronic pulses through the crowds that step out of the way without a word. She raises her arms and shakes her hips as she dances toward the spiral staircase leading to the exclusive upstairs lounge known as the V-Spot. Crimson ropes are moved aside as the bouncers bow in welcome of her arrival.
Predictably, the V-Spot is sparsely populated and much quieter than the club raging downstairs. Actors and models mingle with the young and powerful Imperial up-and-comers.
Captain Vex Sienna stands with a stick-figure on each arm as she appears through the hanger's-on. Conversation evaporates and he cannot conceal the sheer shock from creasing his tan, chiseled face.
Eyes glowing, she stares him down.
"I'm thirsty."
He clears his throat, "Let me get you a drink. Namanatini, right?"
She uses her hand like a blaster and points at him.
"Right."
The others take the cue then nod, smile and depart quickly, leaving them standing in the middle of the room alone.
" So, Kar...I mean, your Highness. It's so nice to see you again."
"Karen will suffice from you. It is my name after all."
"How are you?"
"Fabulous. You?"
"Livin the dream."
"That's the lamest thing you've ever said. Join me?"
He hands her the drink and follows to one of the black ottoman's strategically placed around the lounge. She sits and crosses her legs, taking a long, slow and suggestive sip of the namanatini.
"Good stuff."
"I'm glad you approve."
"You seem surprised to see me."
Vex laughs, clutching the long neck of his ale bottle.
"I suppose I am. After all, you are with the Emperor now. That's what we used to call 'trading up.'"
She smiles deviously, "True but I also need your help."
"What could I possibly do for you?"
"Don't sell yourself short. I need you to get me a discreet, non-Imperial transport capable of hyperspace travel. Back at North Coruscant, you always had the best rides both on and off world. You must have a contact somewhere."
"I know a guy."
"A guy on Hesperidium?"
"He summers here like we all do."
"Fantastic. Make it happen."
He hesitates, nervous about what the Emperor would do to him if he thought he was moving on his fiancé. She can sense his troubled thoughts and moves to appease him.
"Relax, Vex. I've been with only three people in my spectacularly short life. You were my lover before Dementat was and we agreed it would never be more than it was. You were heading back to the Academy and distraught about Tenley. I was spiraling after losing a good chunk of my social network. This isn't about sex."
"Then what's it about?"
"Our Empire, that's what. We would both do anything to protect it. You can help me do that."
Vex makes a face, "With a sick transport?"
"Not sick, not flashy. I need something that will not draw attention to itself. Something that will blend in any system should it happen to be there."
"The fleets are being recalled and now you are asking for my help. What's really going on here, Karen?"
Karen tilts her head.
"Curiosity does not become you, Captain. Will you do this for me or shall I resort to the trickery and manipulations of the past? The stories I could tell."
His eyes widen slightly. He knows better than to trifle with someone like her. She and her friends once controlled their prep school and now she was poised to control the Empire.
"Give me twelve hours."
Karen rises slowly, smiling, "You know where I'll be."
Vex Sienna watches her leave with mixed feelings. They had helped each other during a particularly dark time in their lives. But that's all it was. She was one of the only women he knew that could respect such boundaries. Now they serve the same Emperor and, for better or worse, her goal of maintaining and expanding falls in line with his own. Helping the future Empress could open doors for him. He pulls out his comlink while finishing off the ale.
It was going to be a long night.
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface
The following morning, Commander Landon Price sets the shuttle down on Winton's private platform. He powers down and head to the ramp to find Darth Kyja waiting for him at the bottom. She stands with her arms crossed, never a good sign, in a spectacular dress. Behind her, the platform cams are nothing but crushed pieces scattered across the ground. Exposed wires spark from the empty sockets.
"Your Highness. Is everything alright?"
"You tell me."
"I'm not sure I follow..."
Her eyes grow dark as she spreads her arms, mentally hoisting him into the air. He gasps, unable to move. She throws him against the far wall and holds him firmly in place. She approaches him slowly, gazing up while the air crackles with energy around them.
"I'm going to ask you a question I already know the answer to. So, think carefully before you respond."
"Of....course...."
"Kensington's murderer knew she would be on that ship while everyone else was on the surface of Byss. In order to carry out this task, they would need access codes and the crews training schedule. Someone on my team provided these things so I have to ask, with your proximity to the information, was it you?"
Price shakes his head, "Your Highness, I would never! The doctor was a valuable asset to our team and I would never intentionally put anyone at risk."
She arches a brow.
"Not even if you secretly harbor some resentment toward me for what happened to your sister? People have made greater threats against me with less motive."
"I don't resent you. I never have. What happened to Tenley was terrible but it wasn't your fault. You didn't take her away. Although we have never spoken about it specifically, I have worked very hard to make sure you knew that."
Karen sighs, easing him back to the ground. She knows he isn't the spy, she could feel it but had to be sure he is as committed to her as he appears. Price is as loyal as they come and that would work in her favor for his next assignment.
"I am grateful to hear it, Commander. Unfortunately, this means one of your colleague's is not on our side. This person or persons do not have the Empire's best interests in mind if they are trying to undermine it from within."
"I agree completely."
"There is much at stake here, Landon. More than you know. I need you to help me find out who has betrayed me and by extension, our Emperor. We cannot allow them to take us all down to spite me."
He nods, straightening his uniform.
"I will find them, your Highness. I swear it."
Karen smiles, "You serve me well but there are those in our midst who do not share our Imperial vision. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, I just can't have that opinion clashing with certain objectives. You understand."
"Completely, your Highness."
"Excellent. Now, unload the package but return with the shuttle. Anything from the Quandary could be compromised. You are to take my ship back to Byss as the Emperor commanded and wait for instruction while you discreetly conduct your investigation. I will contact you with means of secure communication. Do not attempt to use your Imperial issue comlink or anything from onboard. Am I clear on this?"
He nods, unloading the package swiftly before departing.
*
An hour later, the Corporeal Quandary moves silently away from Hesperidium en route for the Imperial capital.
*
Bolerathon Tower
Karen returns to the Winton Penthouse and packs several suitcases. She has them and the package, disguised as luggage, sent ahead to the hotel before returning to collect Mara from the Masterton Penthouse.
"We're outta here. Girl's spa weekend."
Mara is confused and probably upset by the sudden superficial change of plans but Karen speaks within her mind.
"You are right. It's not secure here. Commander Price has left the Hessy and we can plot our attacks under the guise of a mini-getaway. From here on out we must perform to expectations. When we leave, it will be on the pretense of a vacation. With any luck this illusion will convince my father we've given up our curiosity."
They are flown out to Keoki Island in a hoverlimo where they check into the secluded and renowned Vylea Spa and hotel. In their two bedroom suite, she asks Mara to sweep for any recording devices. Finding none, she moves to the consol and sends word to Vex Sienna on their change of venue. He would deliver their transport here.
Turning back to Mara, Karen unlocks the cases to expose a vast and impressive spread of explosives and weaponry.
"Our ride should arrive in a few hours. For now, I say we plot strategy. You said we should first tackle the facilities on the lesser known worlds and I agree. We should figure out which weapons would work best for each target and outline our course for the quickest and most effective strikes."
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Bolerathon Tower
Mara watched as Karen promptly smashed the comm links, telling her that they can communicate through the Force. Then she promptly left. Mara stared after for a moment before turning to the broken commlink pieces on the ground.
Yes, they could not use those commlinks. But Mara was not about to just rely on the Force to communicate. Both because she was still new to its subtlties, and because she wanted to remain 'under the radar' as much as possible about her abilities.
Picking up the smashed pieces, she began setting to work on her new project.
**********************8
Mara is fiddling with two small objects when karen reenters the room
"We're outta here. Girl's spa weekend."
Almost immediately after the outloud words, Mara - who had reactivated her Force ability on a low level - heard Karen's voice in her mind.
"You are right. It's not secure here. Commander Price has left the Hessy and we can plot our attacks under the guise of a mini-getaway. From here on out we must perform to expectations. When we leave, it will be on the pretense of a vacation. With any luck this illusion will convince my father we've given up our curiosity."
Karen's mode of communication is similar to how Medivh had communicated with her back on Ord Radama. Only, less concrete. It was disconcerting. Mara however says nothing while they sit in the Bolerathon Tower, knowing the dangers of speaking openly, simply nodding her head, scooping up the objects she had been working with and holding them tightly in her hands as she followed Karen out to the hoverlimo and then to the spa.
Mara detects nothing that would indicate they were being watched or recorded.
Then Karen shows her the 'package'
Imperial quality explosives and weaponry. thermal detonators, and other baradium-based explosives, Deuterium fueled explosives, various sidearms, both heavy and light. Mara bent down, lifting one of the thermal detonators to inspect it with her free hand while Karen spoke
"Our ride should arrive in a few hours. For now, I say we plot strategy. You said we should first tackle the facilities on the lesser known worlds and I agree. We should figure out which weapons would work best for each target and outline our course for the quickest and most effective strikes."
Mara put down the thermal detonator, nodding.
"Good. But first, I have something to give you"
Mara opened up her other hand and offered Karen what she was holding. It was a pair of diamond stud earings.
"I don't believe it is wise to rely solely on the Force for communication. There are ways that can be disrupted. I created a secure comm unit for you to use, and I concealed the electronics inside these earings that were located in the Masteron apartment. It should be able to pick up anything you say, and it will give you a direct, secure connection to my internal communications systems. It activates or deactivatesautomatically by verbal cues, saying 'communicator on' or 'communicator off'"
She handed the pair to Karen
"I tried making them fashionable enough that you wouldn't mind wearing them"
From Mara, that was probably one of the most warm-hearted things she had ever done. Mara, however, was not about to linger, and she made her way to the other side of the package to look over more of the weaponry.
"Kamino and Geonosis are close to each other and in the outer rim. Kamino is extremly isolated, and after the Clone Wars, their main cities were destroyed by the Galactic Empire - to prevent the production of additional clones to fight against Emperor Palpatine. Destroying facilities there should be relatively easy, by targeting the outer structure. Precise hits may allow us to just blast the factory into the ocean. Geonosis will be trickier. The Geonosian warriors don't like outsiders and are probably keeping watch for anyone. The old foundaries there may be functioning with their help, or maybe entirely without their knowing. Either way, it will be defended. We will need to trigger a huge number of explosions to destroy those droid foundaries, and that is not likely to make the nest of Geonosians happy. Also, we'll have to rig the explosives inside, because the mountains will be a strong shield against external explosions."
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Keoki Island
"I tried making them fashionable enough that you wouldn't mind wearing them."
Karen is touched by the thoughtful gift. She is easily swayed by the material.
Fashionable and functional.
"They are lovely, thank you."
She moves to the mirror to put them on, admiring them warmly.
Mara is as resourceful as she is deadly but seems uncomfortable with the sentimental moment. She immediately moves to the cases and glances over the weaponry. Karen can't really blame her. She wasn't programmed to bond with gal-pals over glasses of champagne and gossip about boys. Mara was once Infiltrator-01, a dangerous hand of Phage that took out most of the Trade Federation's senior management staff along with one Agent Scott St. Claire.
Mara speaks.
"Kamino and Geonosis are close to each other and in the outer rim. Kamino is extremly isolated, and after the Clone Wars, their main cities were destroyed by the Galactic Empire - to prevent the production of additional clones to fight against Emperor Palpatine. Destroying facilities there should be relatively easy, by targeting the outer structure. Precise hits may allow us to just blast the factory into the ocean. Geonosis will be trickier. The Geonosian warriors don't like outsiders and are probably keeping watch for anyone. The old foundaries there may be functioning with their help, or maybe entirely without their knowing. Either way, it will be defended. We will need to trigger a huge number of explosions to destroy those droid foundaries, and that is not likely to make the nest of Geonosians happy. Also, we'll have to rig the explosives inside, because the mountains will be a strong shield against external explosions."
Karen recalls what she knows about Kamino. The clone thing she learned in school. The inhabitants were extremely tall and impossibly thin. They would have made perfect models if they weren't so, you know, alien. If it's that isolated, it would be a good place to start. A test run for the effectiveness of the explosives. Geonosis, however, gives her pause. The species were essentially hideous bugs and Karen hates bugs. She groans inwardly and wonders how sensitive they were to mental manipulations of the Force. Non-humanoid beings are tricky like that, always a toss-up.
"Kamino first."
The room consol lights up.
"There's our ride. I'll be back in a moment."
She taps the com.
"Meet me in the bar in ten."
"Karen, I..."
"Just do it, Vex."
She cuts the conversation short, glancing at Mara.
"He's an old friend from high school. The only reason he survived is because he graduated a year ahead of us. His girlfriend and her best friend weren't so lucky."
Karen exits the room swiftly, trailing down the hall. She crosses the lobby and enters the bar to find Vex Sienna casually parked on a stool. Smiling, she moves toward him and leans against the bar.
"So, where's the goods?"
"All business with you, eh? It's sitting inconspicuously on the main platforms as you requested. No one will know it belongs to you until you decide to leave in it."
"Thanks, Vex. We'll be in touch."
He grabs her arm as she tries to leave.
"Something is coming, isn't it?"
Karen stares into his face, the concern creasing his features, then past him out into the roaring blue sea.
"Yes."
"I don't get any follow up?"
"You'll have your orders soon enough."
"And what about you?"
"My destiny lies on a different path from yours."
"From his?"
Their eyes meet, "The Emperor and I share the same goals with vastly different approaches. You will return to Byss and do as he commands. He and Admiral Saevia will need your expertise."
Vex frowns, "Will I see you again?"
"Perhaps," she whispers, slipping away. "But don't count on it."
*
Back in the suite, Karen holds up the remote lock for the shuttle. She is somewhat distraught over the questions Vex posed and even more so over her lovers new and dangerous enemy. She cannot get Marius Guile's words out of her head nor can she shake the feeling that her father will be ruthlessly gunning for Dementat. Alexander's droid army must never see the light of day.
"We can leave as soon as you are ready."
-TBC
-
Hesperidium
Surface: Keoki Island
"He's an old friend from high school. The only reason he survived is because he graduated a year ahead of us. His girlfriend and her best friend weren't so lucky."
Mara simply nods her head, watching as Karen steps out of the chamber to meet with her 'old friend' a male. She was curious what kind of friendship they had in the past, that Karen could trust him now. And whether her fiance, Emperor Dementat, knew about that relationship. Mara knew better than to pry.
As Karen departs, she continues looking over the weaponry, lifting up one blaster after another, testing their weight, their grip. Several holster-belts were placed on the side of the equipment, and Mara grabbed them, lifting off her shirt and strapping two holsters across her torso, the straps running between her breasts and stomach. For most people, the tough holster belts would probably be irritating against the skin, but Mara had learned that concealed weaponry was often the most effective. Two blasters placed in the holsters. Shirt brought back down, hiding the equipment. A utility belt placed around her waist, armed with several thermal detonators (all currently disarmed, of course), and another series of holsters that would house more weaponry.
Even as a droid, choosing the correct weapons, and placing them in the most useful places can take some time. She was in the midst of holstering the last of the weapons when Karen is making her way back in. A look on her face indicates her meeting with her 'friend' was not pleasant, but Karen seems to indicate everything is according to plan, brushing aside whatever anxiety she might have.
"We can leave as soon as you are ready."
Mara nodded, finishing holstering the weapon.
"Ready."
Well armed now, Mara moved over to the weaponry and sealed the cases shut. Then, with Karen's assistance, and that of a hoverlift, they began moving the large container out to the shuttle that Karen designates. There is a heavy weight in the air. Until now, they had been researchers, seeking information. Now though, they had a new task, one that would require them facing against each of their darkest fears. Karen's father. Mara's father. Not totally distinguishable. The weight was palpatable, and they were silent as they moved the equipment into the shuttle, as they took their seats, and left Hesperidium behind. Mara had turned the force "off" for now, so she also could not even hear or see that behind-the-scenes buzzing.
It was not until they were in hyperspace that Mara finally broke the silence. Something had been bothering her, a matter that until now had been secondary to everything else.
The Empire wanted Corellia.
That much had been made clear when Emperor Dementat and his admiral had visited Corellia many months ago. They had all but threatened Governor Tacofer and High Commander Judec that they will eventually take over the Confederation. it was a matter of time.
That possibility seemed more remote now than ever, with the Empire reeling from recent border attacks, protecting its capital, and the Corellian Confederation growing stronger with each passing day, as they had more ships, more troops, more droids. If they were right, Alexander Winton planned on using the Corellian Confederation to destroy the Empire. But Karen and Mara were now on a mission to prevent that to happen, destroying the droid army and essentially crippling the Corellian Confederation's source of backup troops. Which meant, if they succeeded, the Empire would be right on their heals again. If Judec and his fleet failed, what would stop the Empire from taking Corellia? From making Corellia another subservient world of the Empire?
That was not what Mara wanted, not what she had been fighting for. She fought to keep Corellia free - from Phage, from Saga Judec. And yes, from the Empire too. Karen, of course, wanted what was best for the Empire, wanted it to expand and grow. She wanted the Empire to control the galaxy. Just because they had a common enemy, just because they had begun to trust one another, didn't mean they wanted the same things in the end.
So now, before they started on that journey to destroy the only real threat to the Empire, Mara had to make sure that Corellia was safe. And so, she broke the silence
"Karen, I need you to make a promise to me. I need you to promise that once we've destroyed your father's army, and stopped the Corellian Confederation .... I need you to promise that the Empire will let Corellia remain free."
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
Karen watches with twinges of indescribable emotion as they depart from the resort moon that holds so many memories for her. She wonders if it would be the last time or if either she or Mara would survive the seemingly insurmountable task ahead of them. She wonders if she would ever get to walk down that isle to meet Dementat in holy matrimony or if that, like so many other things, was merely a silly ideal she deluded herself into believing she would ever be a part of. Nothing about them is normal. It never was. Could it ever be? Could there be a happy ending for people like them? She muses, darkly, and concludes that there are no people like them.
Once the make the jump into hyperspace, Mara turns to her.
"Karen, I need you to make a promise to me. I need you to promise that once we've destroyed your father's army, and stopped the Corellian Confederation .... I need you to promise that the Empire will let Corellia remain free."
She had almost forgotten about that. Corellia would make a significant statement for their rising Empire but now, in this moment, she feels differently. So much has happened. So many things have changed. If she has learned anything from the past, it's that the future cannot be written in stone. They are all capable of breaking the molds set for them. They have the power to undo all that has been done before them.
"Should we succeed in our mission, I have no doubt the Emperor will be most grateful. His gift to me and mine to you would be to allow Corellia its sovereignty so long as we remain civil with one another. The galaxy is vast and Dementat is as skilled a tactician as he is a lover. He knows better than to turn on those who are there when we need them the most. Corellia will crush the Confederation and be as it was meant to be. It is what Valerie fought and died for. I say we honor that above all else."
Karen fixes her gaze on Mara.
"That is my promise to you, my friend."
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
"Should we succeed in our mission, I have no doubt the Emperor will be most grateful. His gift to me and mine to you would be to allow Corellia its sovereignty so long as we remain civil with one another. The galaxy is vast and Dementat is as skilled a tactician as he is a lover. He knows better than to turn on those who are there when we need them the most. Corellia will crush the Confederation and be as it was meant to be. It is what Valerie fought and died for. I say we honor that above all else."
Karen fixes her gaze on Mara.
"That is my promise to you, my friend."
Mara does not speak. There is a deep understanding, a connection within their silence. The moment passes, but the respect, the trust remains as Mara moves on to the next subject, the task at hand.
Kamino. It was about as far away as one could get without leaving the galaxy. Kamino, Geonosis, Tatooine - it was said that "if there was a bright center of the universe" worlds like these were as far from it as possible. The trip in hyperspace would be long. It would give them time to strategize.
"Once we exit hyperspace at Kamino, we will want to avoid being seen. the management of Kamino has shifted many times since it played a role in the galaxy atlarge. Under Palpatine, the Kaminoans were enslaved, and their factories destroyed. That their facilities have been converted from building clones to building droids indicates a major shift in priorities. I suggest we exit hyperspace far from the major cities and fly low over the water on our approach. We should avoid entering the cities if at all possible, but we need to make sure the facilities are destroyed. We also need to make sure that any communications transmitters are destroyed. We don't want to tip anyone off.
We also could try a different tactic - flood the facility and make it look like an accident. that might give us more time to hit our other targets.
We have some time to think about it - Kamino is a long distance away. I suggest we spend our time preparing. And in my case, practicing. I know how to use a weapon, but I am still new to the Force."
-TBC
-
"Cash, cars, girls, boys.
Nothin lasts forever, babe.
Hot nights, bright lights.
Nothin lasts forever, babe.
True love, first touch.
Nothin lasts forever,
nothin lasts forever,
nothin lasts forever, baby. "
Hyperspace
Karen feels a sudden, tremendous ripple through the Force. Her lover's anger flares in part through a confusion over her whereabouts. By now, the Corporeal Quandary is in orbit over Byss and he knows she is not onboard. The Winton royal is M.I.A. Dementat would not ask Commander Price for an explanation knowing her tendency to lean toward secrecy when dealing with the crew, especially with matters involving The Four. She has not been able to find the right words to tell him the whole truth about Medivh, Mara and just how much her father figure figures.
Karen reaches out, finding his troubled heart to wash it with calm.
Worry not, lover mine. Trust me. We will be together again soon.
I love you.
Always.
Mara's voice brings her back to the present moment.
"Once we exit hyperspace at Kamino, we will want to avoid being seen. the management of Kamino has shifted many times since it played a role in the galaxy atlarge. Under Palpatine, the Kaminoans were enslaved, and their factories destroyed. That their facilities have been converted from building clones to building droids indicates a major shift in priorities. I suggest we exit hyperspace far from the major cities and fly low over the water on our approach. We should avoid entering the cities if at all possible, but we need to make sure the facilities are destroyed. We also need to make sure that any communications transmitters are destroyed. We don't want to tip anyone off."
"Agreed," Karen says with certainty. "Public relations are not part of the plan."
"We also could try a different tactic - flood the facility and make it look like an accident. that might give us more time to hit our other targets."
Karen arches a brow.
"Ooo, I like that. It's slick. Deceptive. Even though these facilities can only receive, we cannot risk being identified by my father's army. They would be programmed to recognize us. I vote for the short and sweet. Accidents do happen. That angle may serve us well."
Take down his resources like he took down her friends.
Revel in the revenge.
She knows it wouldn't work for every target but the more they could stage the better. It would provide the greatest reveal and advantage when they roll up deep in this third act. Alexander Winton never thought he'd live to see the day. Technically, he didn't but that's neither here nor there.
Karen's got a clue with "Valerie: The Sequel!!" to help make sure those pieces fit.
Ready or not, here they come.
Save the Empire, set Corellia free and rid the galaxy of plague and prophecy alike.
Mara turns, "We have some time to think about it - Kamino is a long distance away. I suggest we spend our time preparing. And in my case, practicing. I know how to use a weapon, but I am still new to the Force."
"And how it can be controlled to manipulate most situations in your favor. Personality, verve and suggestion is how I scored Contruum for the Empire. There are a variety of tactics that work well on the weak-minded. However, it proves more difficult and takes considerably more skill to twist the mind of a non-humanoid. Some are resistant to such things while others are highly susceptible. Know your foe."
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
Mara listened to Karen's tutelage, saving her words in memory banks for easy recall. They spent much of the rest of the journey discussing the Force and how it could be used and manipulated. And when it should or should not be used. Karen was, technically, a sith - more inclined to use the Force by channeling emotions, and paying less attention to what moral restraints should apply. Mara was more neutral, undecided on what limits should be used. She was a warrior by nature, programmed to achieve her goals. Her limits had always been succeed in the mission with as little collateral damage possible. Neither Karen's philosophy, nor that of her blonde opposite among the jedi fit neatly with Mara's view of the world. It made for an interesting discussion.
They were interrupted by the soft whine, indicating that they were shortly coming out of hyperspace at their destination.
Kamino
The planet was covered by thick, heavy clouds, making the world from orbit appear more gray than it's actual shade of blue. Mara at the controls eased the vessel downward into the clouds, and almost immediately, they could feel the planet's regular weather. Rain was pelting against the viewport and the stabilizer wings, and even Mara had to hold the joystick firmly to avoid being blown off course by the wind.
"Now we take it as low as we can go - without drowning ourselves." Mara of course made the statement despite the fact that she herself couldn't drown. But that's neither here nor there.
Slowly, the ship was brought down, beneath the clouds, where the rain and wind were even harder, the stormy seas, sloshing around, waves reaching up as if to grab them before crashing down again. Who would ever want to live here?
Navigating around the waves much like she would navigate through an asteroid field, Mara finally leveled off about ten meters above the water surface.
"I would buckle up"
the trip was bumpy as they moved forward along the watery landscape. Waves crashed against them from every side, and Mara refused to activate shields, lest someone read the energy signature. Slow progress before finally they saw their destination - a cluster of pods shooting out of the water. Mara dared to close her eyes for a moment, using the ship's normal sensors to increase the range of her own. She could feel them within - a mass of artificial lifeforms. well, hardly. They were mechanical beings to be sure, but far less sophisticated than Mara - or even a standard astromech droid. These were grunts, programmed to run by droid control signal. But there was something else.
"This droid army has been given a skin coating - nothing as sophisticated as my own biological systems, but a disguise. My guess is they used Kaminoan technology to clone skin cells. This army is going to look human."
And act like zombies, obeying a distant master. Chilling.
Mara navigated the ship closer to the pods, finally ducking it underneath, shielding it from the rain but not the wind or waves. The ship was lifted a bit higher off the sea surface, and Mara began extending a grappling claw on either side of the ship.
"I am going to try holding up the ship between two of the support columns - let's hope we don't slip while we are doing our work"
the claws extended, grasping at the slick surface of the support columns, Mara meanwhile, adjusting ever so slightly to compensate for the continuingly battering waves. It took several minutes and several misses before finally they felt the ship suddenly brace, locking in place.
"alright. and now to work."
TBC
-
Kamino
Anchored between two towers, she slips through the roof hatch into the raging storm outside. Karen is instantly soaked and tries to stand as she looks for the best place to attach the explosives that would destroy the cloning facility. Mara is right behind her. The wind whips at her, throwing her off balance. Her boot slips on the slick exterior of the shuttle and she falls, sliding fast. Mara reaches out, shouting her name. She disappears over the edge, screams drown out by the massive waves slamming against the support beams, and grips the wing as she dangles above a roaring ocean below. She knows there is no time for Mara to come get her without risking a fall herself so she clamps on with both gloved hands and swings. Arching her back, Karen flips and pulls into a roll to land solidly back on the shuttle roof. She steadies herself with the Force and breathes deeply.
The was close. A little too close, perhaps.
Next time, reevaluate footwear.
Mara looks almost relieved as if somehow glad she would not have to carry out the mission alone. Karen feels the same. They are in this together. In a strange way she never thought possible, she needs Mara. She couldn't think of anyone else who she would rather be with at this moment. They understand, above all else, what must be done.
Karen kneels to get closer to Mara.
"The weakest point would be the base of the support column but can we be certain its completely destroyed if we only knock it into the ocean?"
-TBC
-
Kamino
Mara watches as Karen slides to the edge of the ship - and then flips back upward. A nifty trick of the Force.
Karen carefully makes her way to Mara, who has managed to walk with remarkable ease despite the slippery surface. Magnetic footwear = must have.
"The weakest point would be the base of the support column but can we be certain its completely destroyed if we only knock it into the ocean?"
Mara nods
"Almost - we will need to hit a few other points, near where the columns meet the city structure. blow a hole in that will get bigger when it crashes into the water, and let the storms do what else needs to be done. Plus, we'll use really big explosives"
Mara let out a rare grin as she pulled a thermal detonator from her utility belt, and a sticky, clay-like substance. Moving to the column she slammed the detonator against the clay adhesive against the wall, where it was resting quite securely despite the rain and wind. A hand reached up and typed in a few things on the detonator. A red light went on and began blinking, slowly.
"armed. Next"
She was in her element now - sabotage - and she was working with a grace that did not always come out when she was trying to be more diplomatic with others. One by one, charges were placed, secured, and armed. When they had finished placing the charges that were within reach of the ship, Mara climbed a barely visible utility wire until she was on a small service catwalk between the columns.
With stable footing, she was moving faster, placing charges at a frightening speed, and disappearing around a corner and out of sight.
Karen was less of a sabeteur, and Mara had left some of the closer, more easily accessible charges to her.
It was not long before Mara returned, rain dripping from her hair and face and everywhere else, but a satisfied look in her eye.
"All set? good - let's go"
she found her footing back on the ship, and made her way to the entrance.
"We'll get out of reach of the blast and watch to make sure it was successful."
========================================================
Medivh had always loved machines, the way they whirled to life. They had been his drive, his secret passion. Droids were a fascination of his.
Now, all he was was a machine. He had learned the value of mortality and the evils of searching for immortality. He had helped set loose terrors on the galaxy that could hardly be maintained.
And now, while his circuits still worked, he in his lonesome sanctuary on Ord Radama, was determined to help set things right. To help Mara and Karen on their quest.
So he had, since they left, been searching. Seeking out the enemy's location. Finding signals. And now, after much searching, he had finally cracked a code, a droid signal far superior to the ones he had used in his prime. It was at one single location - Geonosis - but it was a big deal. Using the code, he began installing his command sequences. The droids he hacked into would, at a signal, attack the other droids and destroy the facility. It was a huge goal, and a painstaking process of sabotaging one droid at a time.
But he was a machine. He did not get impatient. And he would help set things right.
One droid at a time.
TBC
-
Kamino
Despite the onslaught of rain and wind, Karen manages to secure and arm the charges. This is not her area of expertise but she is determined not to let Mara down. Karen is more of the social schemer and it's time she branched out. Her heart races as she fights against the elements to return to the shuttle. Inside, Mara detaches them from the support towers and angles away. Staying low while gaining some distance, she turns the ship around.
Mara extends the remote.
Karen smiles and accepts it.
With a glint in her eyes, she activates the charges. Multiple flashes compliment the furious lightning above in the ensuing explosion, sending flaming wreckage spiraling into the sea. The facility is consumed by smoke as it tilts dangerously to the right before snapping off.
The free fall is a spectacular sight indeed.
Karen waits until the raging ocean consumes it entirely before exhaling. She falls back breathless against the seat.
"I say Maker Almighty, what a rush."
-TBC
-
Kamino
Mara hovers over the destruction site for several minutes, cautiously optimistic of their success. Suddenly, she leaned forward, peering out of the viewport.
"Well ..."
Mara was indeed speechless. Coming to the surface, the most disturbing sight one could imagine. Burned bodies seemed to be clawing up out of the water. At first appearance, many seemed human, but badly burned, but on closer inspection, it was clear they were anything but - bodies spasmed as indications of circuits shorting out, and where skin had been burned away, sparks and circuitry could be seen.
Perhaps the most disturbing was the faces themselves - a number of these droids carried the face of the standard clone troops of the Clone Wars from decades ago - obviously, an easy face for the Geonosians to replicate. But there were others. The faces of men and woman, far more familiar to Mara and Karen. Mostly Karen. Among the dying droids were faces of Karen's high school friends and acquaintances. All of those who had perished for the lie that was the prophesy. As if to make things worse, they also saw themselves grasping for life - Mara/Valerie's figure was reaching up toward the ship from the stormy waters. Kimber, Melanie - and even the redheaded Karen herself. Apparently, Alexander Winton had replacements for them all.
Mara wasn't about to watch to see if any of these droids survived. Lifting the ship higher above the water, she quickly activated laser cannons, and began firing into the seas, blasting away at one creepy droid after another, watching as steam rose every time the lasers hit the water.
The droids all stopped moving, and while humans float, metal sinks. Slowly but surely, the last droids sunk down into the bottomless ocean of Kamino. Even as the storm raged, there was an eery silence, an odd sort of peace.
Mara hovered around for several minutes more, making sure no more droids resurfaced.
Then she quickly took to the sky, back to orbit, back to the safety, tranquility of hyperspace.
They had more targets to hit.
TBC
-
Kamino
The rush of excitement is dampened by the aftermath. Those faces, one’s she knows, one’s she grew up with and lost, attempt to claw their way out of the sea. Their mouths open in silent screams, charred limbs thrashing out before Mara blasts them back to the hell they came from. A sickening fascination keeps her eyes locked on the bodies until none are left.
Karen clutches the seat and considers the implications.
Her father wants to make this as painful as possible for all of them. To use their images, their likeness, is to somehow imply they can replace what was taken from them, that they themselves can be replaced. These droid clones would be the versions of themselves Alexander Winton wanted them to be. So long free will and hello, mindless Imperial drone. She feels ill and finally turns away as Mara guides the shuttle up into the turbulent skies.
After they have entered hyperspace and gain some distance from Kamino, Karen finally turns to Mara and says with a menacing conviction.
“He will never replace us.â€
-TBC
-
Geonosis
There was a somber air as they departed from Kamino to their next destination - Geonosis. The world was essentially one giant termite colony, filled with massive factories of droid construction, dating back to the time of the Clone Wars. The Trade Federation had lost the world fairly quickly, and when war was over and Empire took over, Geonosis fell into the forgotten history. Under Medivh, its facilities had been refurbished and were used to create most of his droid armies before he began to shun imperialism, shutting down most of the facilities and keeping only what was necessary for maintaining a defensive force. Len Gesser continued those policies, and Geonosis was forgotten again.
Apparently though, Alexander Winton had gotten his hands there, and the facilities were running again, fulfilling his dark purposes, and housing one of several facilities that could 'replace' him should he be killed. again.
Mara gently pulled back on the controls, slipping out of hyperspace to stare at the harsh orange world, surrounded by a small field of rock-debris - and the ancient remains of old republic and federation ships.
"When we get to the surface, we'll have to do some scouting around, figure out where the droids are being constructed and how best to eliminate them quickly"
Mara quickly navigated through the debris field, making her way to the desert surface. Almost instantly, she recognized that something was up.
"I am picking up massive activity up ahead"
"Is that the factories?"
Mara shook her head
"I think it is - but the readings i'm getting on sensors - that's not from droid construction. It looks like there is a fight going on."
Mara flew forward, cautiously until she reached a large chasm with plooms of smoke coming out of it. Hovering over it a bit, and flicking shields into active, she slowly lowered the ship down into the caverns below.
The sight they saw was astonishing. There were the massive droid foundaries, churning away - but smoke was rising from them. And more remarkably, they saw what looked like hundreds of standard IG-100 MagnaGuards, hacking and blasting away at the facility. In fact, the cranes and arms of the factory itself seemed to be tearing itself apart.
"Something set them to sabotage themselves. Let's take a look"
Mara set the ship down on a landing platform near where the action was taking place and making sure her blaster was secure, hurried to the ramp, jumping down even before it finished lowering. Quickly pulling her weapon out, she made her way toward the 'front line', cautiously approaching the nearest droid.
The imposing visage of the IG-100, gray metal with red eyes (not quite as scary as the Phage model with black armor) was a powerful memory for Mara, and the last thing she wanted was a combat encounter with these formidable creatures. Still, she had to know what was going on. Suddenly, one droid turned to her, it's red eyes staring at her as it carried a heavy blaster rifle. It paused, then stood at attention, silent as if processing information. Then, it's mechanical voice speaking out.
"Medivh sends his compliments, and says he is taking care of Geonosis - and that you should proceed to your next target"
Mara couldn't help but smile.
"Tell the Viceroy we appreciate his assistance"
Mara began to turn when the droid suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Medivh wishes for you to be careful. And reminds you not to become too attached to the princess."
Mara stared back at the droid, nodding her head, before breaking free, hurrying back to the ship.
"It seems we got some assistance - it looks like this sabotage is the work of the Viceroy - Medivh - and we should head on to our next target"
TBC
-
Lok
Naboo, near the city of Harte Secur
Kamino, Bio-clone development center
Geonosis, Droid Construction Plant
Holowan, PhlutDroid Station
Mechis III, Droid Construction Plant
Lok, Nym?s Factory Compound
Coruscant Asteroid Field, Phage?s command platform
Center Point Station, Corellian Space
Two down. Six to go. And there was no doubt some of them would be harder than the previous two. Kamino hadn't even seen them coming, and Geonosis was taken care of by Medivh.
Lok, however, was not likely to be that difficult. Nym's factory was a small facility, known less for Nym himself than for being briefly taken over By the IG-88 droids shortly after the battle of Yavin. IG-88 as a distant cousin of the M100 MagnaGuard droids, and so as an unobtrusive facility, it made a great deal of sense.
Exiting hyperspace and zooming in, they quickly began to see the barren wasteland of the world. Pools of sulfer, dry rivers, volcanoes. Like Tatooine though, settlers had managed to eek out an existence and the world had several spaceports, farmers, factories, and was home to a decent smuggling operation.
Mara took the vessel past one of the settlements toward a cluster of volcanoes that had an ominous smoke rising from their peaks. Easing back on the controls, she began circling downard into a valley filled with dry lava and fossilized tree branches. Here, they could see the outer remnants of Nym's factory compound - a set of blast doors that looked as if they had been thrown against the rocks and discarded.
Vessel brought down to a flat patch of land, Mara and Karen made their way down to the dusty surface.
Mara drew her blaster as she approached the discarded blast doors.
"They were damaged before they were moved here. I think they were put here purposely, not part of a fight or explosion"
Moving further up a rocky path, they reached a cavern that extended deep into the heart of the volcano. Here, they could see what replaced the old blast doors. Walls and ceiling bore signs of age - rust, blaster fire, green moss. But these blaster doors were new. Very new. Their metal shined brightly as the sun's ray pierced into the cave in the afternoon light. A silvery-gray made up most of the doors, but in the center, right where the doors met, was a blue-metallic symbol that gave them a start.
THe doors bore the signia of the Corellian COnfederation.
"I guess that confirms it - your father is working with Judec"
"More likely my father is playing Judec."
Now Karen took the lead, lifting and igniting her pink saber and running toward the blast door. With a swipe, she cut a deep gash at the door. Then another and another. A blast door's thickness was its best defense against a lightsaber, and it would take time to cut through.
Mara had watched with curiosity as Karen let out her aggression on the doors. Apparently, mentioning her father now made her mad. Of course, it made sense. She had just seen proof that her father found her expendable, and replaceable. Mara meanwhile glanced around the surroundings of the cavern, keeping blaster ready in case ...
"Karen ..."
Karen pulled back, saber in a fighting stance as she looked at where Mara was staring. Coming from outside of the cave, they could see the shadowy image of a group approaching in the distance. Several were droids - MagnaGuards, standing tall as they marched. The others, about half a dozen, looked to be young-ish, dressed in Corellian colors, and marching in perfect time with the droids beside them. Were they clone-droids, like the ones they saw on Kamino?
It was an odd juxtaposition, but Mara had other worries. They had to get inside and destroy the facility without being discovered. That didn't seem likely to happen at this point. Nor could she afford to let them get closer, see them (if they hadn't already), and sound an alarm.
Karen had a similar worry, deactivating her saber so the light would not be seen.
"What now?"
Mara glanced down at her belt, thinking of what possible options existed. Thermal detonator couldn't be relied on to guarantee the right range without destroying the cavern around them, and blaster would alert them before the enemy could be wiped out. THat was when Mara remembered her new abilities, turned off to this point. Closing her eyes, Mara 'flipped the switch' slowly turning up the signal in her body that triggered the midichlorian activity.
There was a rush of raw data streaming into her, different from what her sensors were already telling her. The human looking beings were definitely human, but they weren't thinking normally. They seemed drugged, or turned off, while their bodies reacted by some other stimuli
Mara reached down and grabbed a thermal detonator, taking a deep breathe as she activated the dead man's switch. If she would take her hand off the trigger, it would explode. But Mara had been practicing simple Force techniques, including telekenenis and subtle pressure. Conjuring up the Force within, she pressed down on the dead-man button while carefully removing her finger. No explosion. GOod. Now to hold it while ...
Karen seemed to understand the tactic now. With the slightest motion of her hand, the detonator was lifted out of Mara's hand and began floating toward the oncomers. Karen moved the explosive, while Mara focused her energy on maintaining the pressure on the dead man switch. Finally, Mara nodded her head.
"Now"
Karen pushed her hand forward, and the detonator flew at the droids and humans, just as Mara released her own pressure. The explosion ripped through the air, causing the cavern to shake, but far enough out that it didn't collapse on them. Karen reignited her saber and they both went to ensure the targets were destroyed.
Reaching where the cloud of smoke was, Mara bent down next to the body of one of the soldiers.
"She has something attached to her neck. A remote of some kind. She isn't a droid - she's a human. What is this for?"
TBC
-
Lok
The mystery of the device on the woman's neck had to wait, Karen and Mara having to deal with the facility itself. Karen finished making short work of the door, and they burst inside to find a fairly quiet facility. Security cameras were taken out first, then explosives, all the while keeping an eye out for additional guards - man or machine.
It was not until they had set the explosives, with the clock bleeping down and they began exiting that they ran into another obstacle. A group of humans (or at least human looking) guards blocked their path and began firing.
Mara and Karen both took quick cover, Mara pulling out two blasters while Karen used the lightsaber strategically to bounce fire back at the enemy.
A slightly vacant expression on their faces and Mara, almost as a hunch, aimed and fired at the small device on the side of one's neck. It sparked, and the soldier suddenly stopped firing, glassy eyes coming into a confused focus. She dropping the gun and falling to the ground, grabbing her neck.
Mara glanced over at Karen who looked back. What was this thing? Still no time to think about it - they had to get out and the clock was ticking. None of the other guards had even hesitated to help their comrade. Mara kept firing, scoring several good while Karen knocked several bolts back as well. Suddenly the guards remaining became more aggressive. six of them pulled out a second weapon, and their firing improved. Mara had to pull back behind her cover, and Karen's saber was whirling faster than ever to block the shots.
Mara leaned back against the metal grating, closed her eyes, and again triggered the circuit that would enable the Force to course through her. THere was something missing, or suppressed about these guards. SHe could feel them advancing, Karen having to take several steps back now to regain balance after shots continued to come harder. Mara glanced up, noting a light fixture overhead, then quickly looked at the descending red numbers on the detonator. Only a few minutes left to get far away from here. Here goes nothing.
Lifting her arm up, she clenched it and yanked downward, using the Force to pull at the lighting fixture until it came free of its anchoring and hung, swinging from the ceiling. It flickered and went out. SHe lifted her hand again this time in a motion to swing the fixture at the soldiers, but as she did, a blaster bolt struck her arm and she lost control. The light fixture came crashing down between Mara and Karen.
Mara glanced down at her hand, synthetic flesh smoking slightly. Several of her fingers were not functioning. That was a clean hit. Her body's pain sensors registered something but she quickly disabled that function. NOW was not the time to be suffering from human vulnerabilities.
Karen meanwhile had managed to regain her footing, and was again steadily pushing back with the Force, but something about these soldiers was making them harder to stop, even if they took hits. machines? no, they were human. That was certain. but something was off.
Mara turned now and focused again on the light fixture sitting on the floor. Lifting both hands - the good and the damaged one - she channeled the force again, lifting the fixture and plowing it into the guards.
That was when she saw something quite astonishing. Though it hit full frontally four of the guards, two of them moved... no, sprinted, no flew out of the way. They practically flipped over the item, never ceasing their attacks.
Mara, who was not easily astonished, shook her head. What had Alexander Winton created here?
Karen no doubt was thinking the same thing, but she was still in the fight. With the distraction of the fixture, Karen did her own flip, moving quickly forward and slashing at one of the soldiers as they landed on their feet. Weapons first, parts falling to the ground, but then hands and arms. The soldier didn't stop though, coming at Karen like a zombie, though at this point, it was to be slaughtered. Karen's eyes had darkened as she sliced off the head of the guard, turning and with break-neck speed sliced the neck of the other. Mara meanwhile had risen and fired at the four guards underneath the light fixture, stepping on top of it to hold it down as she fired at the devices on their necks. Almost immediately, all four stopped fighting entirely, bodies going limp though eyes seemed to have new life in them.
Mara was about to ask them a question, but at that moment, she head a warning beep chime from behind them.
Karen was already moving ahead, the Force increasing her speed, and Mara followed suit, running out of the chamber just in time to feel the heat of the explosion behind them.
Neither of them paused until they reached the ship, at which point, Mara looked over at Karen, whose eyes had returned to their normal shade.
"THose soldiers - they weren't normal
"I'll say - quite a bitch to kill too"
"I don't think they had control of themselves. I think those devices on their necks. I think they are some type of controlling device"
Neither one of them liked thinking about what that could mean. Alexander Winton was making droid replacements for people and using machines to control other people. It was like a virus, designed to infect and take over everything.
Karen looked more determined than ever.
"Let's go."
============================================================
The next two stops were not as enlightening or revealing. Mechis III was a planet littered with droid factories, but when they arrived, they found that Medivh had been at work here as well the entire world in an uproarious conflict as droids destroyed droids.
Holowan's PhlutDroid station was also uneventful, though it had a certain extra creepiness to it. Here, Karen and Mara found a line of IG-88 model assassin droids mixed in with IG-100 magnaguards. and one very special, almost cryptlike chamber, with a very complex looking bionic droid inside.
They needn't ask what it was for. It just needed to be destroyed.
And it was. Mara's hand was still damaged, but she had managed to tinker so that her fingers worked correctly again. It was temporary, or so she hoped.
With Kamino, Geonosis, Lok, Mechis III, and Holowan taken care of, the last stop before returning to the core planets was Naboo.
TBC
-
Hyperspace
Heading for Naboo, her head is swimming. The Confederation symbol on Nym sealed something for Karen. The sheer infrastructure of her father's plan was astounding. What they discovered on Lok further fueled her alarm. How could something so vast remain undetected from them for so long? How far back had her father been seemingly plotting the next stage in evolution? Human Replica Droids like Mara were rare. As far as they knew, the only other was the GURI project until they saw the bodies of those closest to Karen floating in the oceans of Kamino. Even then they could not be sure how advanced they really were. Were they also replica's, meant to simulate humanoids, or simply sick skins slipped over durasteel and circuits masquerading as the victims of the prophecy?
Lok was something entirely different.
Droid replacements would only get Alexander Winton so far. Most scanners would detect them unless they were as sophisticated as Mara's design. Using human's in such a capacity had a much larger scope. What they witnessed - the neck remote - could just be a prototype for something far more covert. A primitive ancestor to a microchip or implant, something capable of infiltrating any organization or government body. Had this method been actualized sooner, Karen has no doubt Alexander would have replaced The Four.
Valerie - Mara. Mara - Valerie.
The first step in recreating that which you cannot control.
How far would he have gone to ensure they played their parts perfectly?
Karen feels violently ill but steadies herself by glancing over at Mara who is flexing her damaged fingers slowly. She resists the urge to reach out, to try and mend her in some way but even her Force ability, fierce some as it may be, was not strong enough to heal as Dementat had done to her. He had made her whole again after Alexia maimed her on Roon. She wonders if she could ever be that powerful.
"You need repairs," Karen says softly. "I know somewhere we can go."
Mara raises her eyes to her.
They would land at her mother's property she inherited in the Lake Country.
She programs the coordinates into the computer.
"We can regroup at the Greyson Compound."
-TBC
-
Naboo
"You need repairs," Karen says softly. "I know somewhere we can go."
Mara glanced down at her hand, flexing the fingers as she glanced up at Karen
"We can regroup at the Greyson Compound."
Mara's first thought was one of concern. They were coming to Naboo to destroy and sabotage, not for repairs. Would staying here longer than necessary give Alexander Winton a heads up? Would it allow him to monitor them?
"we have to be careful, whatever we do. Your father is smart, and this is, his territory. We don't want him knowing we were here, if we can avoid it."
As they began descending into the atmosphere to see the lush forests, stretches of plains, and beautiful cities that were a hallmark of Naboo, Mara wondered how this peace-loving world could be the home of a tyrant like Alexander Winton.
But then again, it was apparently the home of a yet more famous manipulator. Palpatine. He had been senator of Naboo long before he had been Chancellor or Emperor.
"Karen, Naboo used to be your home, wasn't it? It was where you, and Alexia lived with both of your parents. Were you all born here? It seems like too much of a coincidence that your father came from the same place as Palpatine..."
TBC
-
Naboo
"Karen, Naboo used to be your home, wasn't it? It was where you, and Alexia lived with both of your parents. Were you all born here? It seems like too much of a coincidence that your father came from the same place as Palpatine..."
She glances away from the landscape momentarily.
"Melanie and I were born here, yes and we did live on Naboo for a time before moving to the Core. My father was originally from Bakura which is where Alexia was born. It was my mother who was from Naboo to become Queen in her adolescence."
Karen reflects on the stories she was told.
"They met when he was on a business trip with RepulsorCorp. They were both twenty at the time and he said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. I don't remember all that much from here since I was only a child but I agree it's probably not a coincidence that Palpatine resided here as well."
Mara guides the shuttle out over the Lake Country, following Karen's coordinates to the Greyson Estate. From the air, the compound itself seems to peak out from beneath the dense foliage now threatening to overtake it.
"Despite my selfish past, I met with an accountant on a quarterly basis after my parents supposedly died. He would outline profit margins and holdings including this estate. Although I never returned, I know it remained abandoned. I just couldn't bring myself to come back."
She shutters.
"I would say we should hit up the accountant for information but he died when Coruscant was destroyed."
Mara sets the shuttle down carefully on a landing pad. Karen moves to the ramp and descends slowly. Vines snake their way across the platform as a crisp breeze sends falling leaves into spirals. There are no signs of life anywhere and it seems as though all traces of her fabulous childhood have been drained. This place had once been so vibrant and full of laughter.
Now it remains cold and empty.
"I'm not sensing anyone," Karen says, striding across the platform.
Most of the compound was open and lined with wide columns. She always thought it looked like something out of a play. The side door of the house is tangled in vines. She pulls them away and brushes the dust from the keypad. Her code still works, most likely because she or the accountant never had it changed. The interior of the house is musty but the lavish decor and design still resonate. Her mother did have spectacular taste. A thick layer of dust coats nearly everything. The furniture is covered with expensive cloth that spills across the marble floors.
Pictures of Alexander, Monica, Celeste and Henrick hang on the walls. A montage of happier times before the burden of child-rearing came along to dampen the plans. They look content, peaceful. A massive family portrait hangs above a exquisitely carved mantle. Monica cradles the infant Karen while Alexander stands with his hand on a dour looking Alexia's shoulder. Alexia's eyes are fixed on Karen's flushed, surprised face with an expression of near distain.
"She never did want me around."
Mara stands beside her, taking in the portrait.
Karen laughs hollowly, "You want to know the funny thing? I never cared much for the Force or any of the corporate, political or royal shenanigans my parents loved to wrap themselves up in. I wanted, more than anything else, to be normal. I knew we had talents, powers that had caused much kindness and pain throughout history."
She sighs.
"I knew these powers were frowned upon within the Empire. The Emperor did not take kindly to those who might one day rise up and threaten him. So I convinced Melanie we didn't need them to be different or special. We could create our own lives and stories. Boy, did we ever."
Karen stares at the portrait for a long time, caught in a flux of emotion. They look perfect but grew to be anything but.
"We watched Alexia teeter on the brink of madness for years. This served as all the motivation we would need to bury our abilities. As everything fell apart and Alexia finally snapped, a part of me wished we had embraced these powers sooner. Perhaps our friends would not have suffered and died if Melanie and I had been strong enough to fight Alexia. We could have ended it then."
She stirs, breaking out of the trance.
"Let's get you fixed up."
They search the estate. While the family had never been fond of droids, they were useful in their own ways. Karen finds the servants quarters beyond the kitchen and the repair kits and tools used to maintenance the mechanical staff. As Mara rummages through the workshop, Karen returns to the fire place and to the portrait.
Something about it sparks a memory of her father.
Karen moves to the left pillar holding up the mantle. The dusty face of griffin stares stoically at her. She reaches out and runs a finger along its fearsome features before gripping it with both hands and pushing inward. The griffin sinks back and there is a loud click followed by grinding as the fireplace slides open.
Another spiral staircases awaits her.
Karen ignites her saber and descends into an anteroom much like the one they saw at the Emerald Estates on Byss. It seems her father had a penchant for these chambers. Symbols and glyphs are burned into the stone walls. In the center of the room, two circles, one within the other, line the floor. Kneeling closer, she discovers their last names burned into the floor, over and over again. Their names compose both circles.
Winton. Masterton. Gellar. Patten.
Each name is paired Winton/Masterton and Gellar/Patten in the larger circle. The smaller circle is paired Winton/Gellar and Masterton/Patten.
She recalls the words of the prophecy, spoken by Medivh.
Two blessed with the gift.
Two called to serve as Touchstones.
Karen stands and moves between two stone pillars into the next room which is almost entirely empty except for one thing. A large sarcophagus leans against the far wall. She has seen this before as well on Byss but they never opened the first. Curiosity pulls her gently forward. The sarcophagus glares ominously in the glow of the saber.
Exhaling, she reaches out with the Force and pries it open. A severely decayed body lies inside reeking to high holy hell. Karen gags, reeling backward with an arm over her nose and mouth.
"MARA!"
-TBC
-
Naboo
"I'm not sensing anyone," Karen says, striding across the platform.
Mara has her own Force abilities turned off, reducing the drain on her energy systems, but she wanted to confirm Karen's own assessment. Activating her personal scanners, she did a quick inventory of the residence. No life signs, nor any active surveillance equipment. The place had apparently gone into disuse some time ago.
That assertion was confirmed when they saw the dust and overgrowth. Even the most perfect intelligence agent could not make such a pristine layer of dust and misuse.
Inside, Mara is immediately drawn to the pictures, images that did not fit her description of Karen and her family. There was Alexander Winton, a figure Mara had never personally met, but who had profoundly shaped her very existence. He was smiling, and Mara could see how he and his wife resembled Karen and Alexia.
The family portrait was also some secret happiness from the past, even the young Alexia looking more like a jealous sibling than what she would become later. Mara listens as Karen reflects back on her past, about who she had been.
Mara, of course, had none of this. Her 'past' did not really exist more than a year ago. She was a young child, for all intents and purposes. Both of them seem deep in thought, when Karen turns to Mara
"Let's get you fixed up."
The maintenance equipment turned out to be only moderately accurate, but Mara begins to scan through spare parts and kits in hopes of finding something useful. This was no mechanical lab, and despite Winton's genius, he clearly didn't do his droid work in this home. Mara found a small battery cylinder that seemed intact, and a series of insulated wiring. Slowly and methodically, she began stringing some of the wires into her damaged hand, threading it along until it was near where it needed to be. miniature tools connected the far end of those wires to points above and below her palm, while loose ends remained sticking out.
Next step was connecting the cylinder, creating a power source to bypass the injured wiring and help get the necessary signals to her fingers while bringing their functionality back up. Battery connected, she tucked it inside her hand, securing it in place with a twirl of wiring, then lifting her arm to see the handiwork. It was not pretty, the battery and wires noticeable compared to the seamless work of biology and mechanics that made up the rest of her body. It was also a visibly open wound, leaving that hand vulnerable for a smart attack. But fingers flexed, and she felt the dexterity she was capable of returning.
She was about to begin putting away the tools when she heard a scream.
"MARA!"
Mara wasted no time, dropping the tools and drawing her blaster as she ran into the other room. She saw the staircase leading downward, and followed the path Karen had taken, coming down into a chamber much like the one on Byss. Karen was there, looking positively sickened, eyes wide in horror as she stared down into a sarcophagus, where lay a decaying corpse.
Mara glanced around the room quickly, and sensing no danger, put the blaster away, coming up next to Karen and peering down.
The bones and sinews had decomposed so that the face was barely recognizeable. Maybe this was the body of Alexander Winton from the first time he died? or some poor soul he had used as a replacement? Mara leaned in, caring little for sanctity of the dead, and swiped with her finger a small piece of decaying flesh, running it through her hand and closing her eyes for a moment.
She opened them, shaking her head.
"The DNA is not one I am familiar with. It is not a relative of yours, nor of Valerie's. I might be able to do a reconstruction analysis"
Mara dropped the piece of flesh and moved closer to the corpse, staring at it intently. Her eyes began to flutter as her mind worked.
Deep inside her head, Mara was assessing the bones and flesh, trying to analyze how it had decayed. Where was the nose, what did the face look like. Facial hair was a virtual impossibility to analyze, and eye color and shape was also an unknown, but slowly, the image inside her processors began to put together an image.
"I have analyzed his cranial structure as best I can. I can state with an 87.35 percent certainty that it matches the cranial structure of the man in the picture upstairs. The one with your father and mother."
Mara blinked as she left her internal thought processes and focused back on Karen.
"Who is that man, Karen? And why is he buried in your house?"
TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Lake Country: Greyson Estate
"Who is that man, Karen? And why is he buried in your house?"
Her mind is spiraling into the past.
The man in the picture with her parents?
It's a story all too familiar.
A loop no one can seem to escape.
Once upon a time, there were four friends...
"Doctor Henrick Masterton," Karen breathes. "Melanie's father."
Mara processes this silently.
"He was my father's best friend. They shared everything together. Well, almost everything. After my parents were reported quote-unquote dead on Bakura, we thought the Masterton's would return to the Core but they never came. Melanie waited and waited. She confessed these fears only to Valerie who in turned told me. Melanie put on a brave front but in her eyes I could tell she was hurting. Her parents seem to have vanished never to be heard from again. This absence tightened our bond as we clung to one another in confusion and fear. But I guess that was the plan all along."
Karen lets out a small sob, turning away.
"Alexia told me our father killed our mother. He must have murdered Henrick too and kept him here where no one would think to look. There are things Alexia showed me, mental projections of those final moments between them. They were only flashes, not complete pictures but I think the other parents turned on him somehow. Maybe they found out what the prophecy really was and if so, this was his way of silencing them forever so they could not warn us."
She exhales and refocuses on Mara.
"If Henrick is buried here, where is Celeste Masterton? We have seen what lengths my father has gone to ensure his triumph over us and it makes me wonder if he murdered his wife and friends then he most likely took samples. He would have enough to recreate what was lost the way he resurrected himself and those who died for his cause."
Karen is emboldened by the sheer waves of emotion.
"It is him who is the abomination. Not us. He made Alexia what she was and I almost fell for it too. The depths of his treachery and deception disgust me. You and I have a real chance to stop him and I am honored to fight at your side. We have to make this right. I need to know why he would do this to everyone he claimed to love, why he would kill his own wife and dearest friends, why he would sacrifice his own children for an absolute power that he never seemed to want..."
She shivers, her voice falling to a whisper.
"I suppose you never really know someone, do you?"
-TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Lake Country: Greyson Estate
Karen levitates the sarcophagus lid back into place, sealing Henrick Masterton in his tomb. She kisses the tips of two fingers and presses them against the carved surface.
"I am sorry you never got to tell Melanie goodbye," she whispers.
Clearing her throat, she turns back to Mara.
"How's your hand?"
"Manageable."
She nods, "Good. We should get to work."
They ascend the spiral staircase and exit into the expansive great room. Karen moves to the left pillar and pulls the release. The fireplace slides across the opening as if the chamber below never existed. Thoughts linger with her as she ponders where Celeste could be hidden. The worst part is that she cannot simply tell Melanie what they had found. Not Kimber either. Everyone's personal com-links had long since been deactivated. This glaring truth stabs at her as she and Mara walk back through the massive estate, passing more pictures of the past. A lineage of lies line these walls but she cannot help but stop before two particularly stunning portraits, painted of each of her parents when they were still in their teens.
(http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/113/5a4b2f105e694a3b887281b47d7c3991/l.jpg)
Alexander Winton
(http://a2.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/127/1bbf0daaab514372a4011a828082eedd/l.jpg)
Monica Greyson
Karen wonders if they knew then what was in the store them, what dizzying direction their lives would take. She finally tears her eyes away and follows Mara back to the shuttle. There can be no questions like that. Not anymore. It does not matter what others did in the past.
Only what they must do now in the present.
-TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Lake Country: Greyson Estate
They head back to the shuttle and Mara glanced back at the facility. Mara turned to Karen who was heading up the ramp.
"Karen ..."
Karen turns to face her
"We have to destroy it."
Karen tilted her head slightly, as if she didn't quite understand. A moment later, it dawned on her, eyes widening.
"I can't"
"Alexander Winton knew about this place, made it into a tomb. It was on Medivh's list. If we don't destroy this home, entirely, there is a good chance our opportunity to destroy your father will slip past us. We don't have a choice."
Karen seems stunned - this place had such memories. THe only memories Karen had of a functional, happy family. Or at least, a semblance of that.
Mara though is all business, moving back into the shuttle and pulling out a number of the explosives. She stopped in front of Karen, who was still standing there. With a free hand, she clenched Karen's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Karen"
TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Lake Country: Greyson Estate
It kills Karen inside but she knows Mara is right. Everything her father touched must burn to the ground. And so she helps her unload the explosives from the shuttle and secure them where they would do the most structural damage. She works quietly, mourning the loss of a life she never really had. She remembers the jealousy she felt for Melanie and the warmth and love her parents showered over her. Karen wanted that family. She wanted parents who cared and an unshakeable bond with her sister. Instead she wound up with an intoxicated and emotionally distant mother, the workaholic father, and a vengeful, dangerous sister. All she had were her friends. Those friends became her family. Now she does not even have them anymore.
All she has is herself, Dementat, Mara and the mission.
Perhaps one day she would properly grieve for Valerie and mend the broken friendships with Melanie and Kimber. Perhaps she would put those pieces of herself back together with a husband and an Empire of followers to worship her every move. The revelations of the present have muddled this picture and all she can see are ripples in a pond that grow into tidal waves racing toward a darkened sandy shore.
Karen considers removing the paintings of her parents but realizes she must let it all go in order to move on. She follows Mara back to the shuttle and boards without so much as a word. Mara glances sideways as she sits stoically beside her and hands her the remote. It is only fair she be the one to do it. If only everyone were so lucky as to detonate their pasts to begin anew. She takes it and waits until they begin to pull away. Her heart is screaming with anguish but she clutches the remote and squeezes with such purpose it astounds her. Explosions rip through the estate, shattering pillars and walls behind which her fondest memories were kept. Fire reaches into the sky like claws grasping in futility as the shuttle races toward Harte Secur. She does not look back. Not even once.
Let the healing begin.
-TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Harte Secur was one of the larger cities on Naboo. Like Theed, it's beautiful architecture stood out among the natural beauty of the nearby Great Grass Plains. During the long ago occupation of Naboo by the Trade Federation, Harte Secur had been the location of a major droid force, a temporarily successful insurrection by local resistance forces, and a massive crackdown to follow.
Though the scars of battle here had mostly gone away, a local droid transmitter that had been installed during the occupation, now stood as one of several memorials on the planet to the fight for Naboo freedom.
It was to this transmitter that the shuttle headed now. Located just outside the city's official borders, and resting on a high cliff, the deactivated transmitter served as a silent sentinel. It also was one that in a time of battle would be easier to defend.
That was not the case now - as they drew closer, they could see that around the transmitter, a plaza had been built over the last quarter century, using the same architectural style as the city below. Long slabs of marble made up the floor of the wide open plaza, and plaques were imprinted in parts of the wall, memorializing those who died fighting for Naboo. A large bronze scene of then Queen Amidala bowing down before Boss Nass, with a plaque, indicating this was the first step in reconciling the two native peoples in the joint battle. The transmitter itself, long since deactivated, shot up behind the bronze statues, and the whole memorial oversaw the city as well as the Grassy Plains battlefield.
Mara circled around the memorial twice before making her way to an adjacent landing platform. For the first time in their quest, they would be around people. Around them, children and adults were coming to visit the memorial and learn about the past. Few paid attention to the shuttle as it landed, one of many.
"Sensors aren't picking anything up. Mine or the ship's. But I have a feeling. I think your father's facility is located UNDER the memorial"
They glanced out the viewport, watching as dozens of school classes of children passed by.
"We are going to need to find a way to evacuate the memorial. And we are going to have to hide who we are. Both our faces are probably recognizable at this point. The last thing we want is some Naboo news outlet posting a celebrity sighting of us. So I say, step one, is change outfits. Step two, locate the target, and step three, figure out how to destroy it without killing all of these innocent people"
Mara stood from her seat and headed to the refresher in the back.
TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Being famous has its advantages. At least it used to. The Four were once showered with attention and given everything they ever asked for. The best tables, the hottest clubs, the latest fashions, the fawning and the photage - it came with the territory. Life on a platter and all because they were pretty.
Gone are the days of celebrity shenanigans.
This is where it works against her.
Mara is right. Both of them have faces most would recognize. If she didn't look so much like Valerie, she might have half a chance but since the faces of The Four were widely broadcast to the far reaches of the known galaxy, attention would be drawn.
What to wear in a situation like this?
The other targets had been remote and public interaction was virtually nonexistent. It's funny, really, that the things she does out of the spotlight matter the most. Karen stares at herself in the mirror, dressed in neutral colors that would not call out in the crowd. Her features, those high cheek bones, that crimson hair, would be difficult to disguise. She looks terrible in hats and massive oval sunglasses would hardly conceal her presence.
There is another way.
Karen meets Mara near the ramp, speaking up before Mara can call her out.
"This is what we're going to do. The Force, if channeled appropriately, can alter the perception of others. We can make them see what we want them to see. I know what the security team on Naboo looks like. The public files have a picture of their Captain. If you can concentrate with me, I can make us appear like one of them, moving through the crowd, undetected."
She takes a breath.
"According to the memorial layout, the security center is near the transmitter. Once we arrive, we can clear the room and announce a closure for cleaning and maintenance. We wait until the plaza is empty then try to find a way to get below."
Karen waits for Mara to bring up her secondary senses. A moment later, Karen can feel her through the Force, glowing brightly.
"Watch me now."
She closes her eyes briefly, focusing on the image in her head and projecting it outward. When she opens them, Mara would see a tall, dark skinned man with a prominent jaw line and striking features. The crimson uniform varies slightly from the standard guard, indicating rank. The man smiles, voice deep and booming.
"See? The glamour is one of the oldest tricks in the book yet the hardest to maintain over periods of time. If we focus together, it should be enough to get us there. Let's go."
-TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Mara had been skilled in espionage. In the few minutes in the refresher, she made a remarkable transportation. No longer the spitting image of Valerie Gellar - unless, of course, someone were to look really, really closely. Different shading of makeup had darkened her complexion, hair color had streaks of highlights that gave the illusion of a more dirty blonde look. Hair also was pulled in a tight bun, giving her a severe, teacher like look.
Clothing also had changed from her standard jumpsuit to an outfit that looked like a custodial uniform. The new look gave her the appearance of one of hundreds of collegiate students working an internship that included helping to maintain the memorial with some of the less than desireable work (Naboo had a reputation of involving young people in civic responsibility).
She stepped out of the refresher, a new woman, waiting for Karen.
Needless to say, she was unimpressed with Karen's change when she came out. She was about to speak when Karen stopped her
"This is what we're going to do. The Force, if channeled appropriately, can alter the perception of others. We can make them see what we want them to see. I know what the security team on Naboo looks like. The public files have a picture of their Captain. If you can concentrate with me, I can make us appear like one of them, moving through the crowd, undetected."
That seems to be a large task for Mara, still fairly novice in the Force.
"According to the memorial layout, the security center is near the transmitter. Once we arrive, we can clear the room and announce a closure for cleaning and maintenance. We wait until the plaza is empty then try to find a way to get below."
Mara doesn't like the plan, but she recognized that Karen would be harder to disguise than herself. Plus, the plan did provide an opening for them. If it worked.
Mara nodded her head, and closed her eyes. She reached into her internal systems, triggering that switch the brought about her Force abilities. The "accident" that it was. She felt the world around her grow more clear, and could feel Karen's presence, a flury of emotions, much like herself - if what she had could truly be called emotions. She blinked and opened her eyes, looking over to Karen.
"Watch me now."
Karen closes her eyes and Mara watches with some astonishment as she disappears. In her place, the image of a man in a crisp military uniform, smiling.
"See? The glamour is one of the oldest tricks in the book yet the hardest to maintain over periods of time. If we focus together, it should be enough to get us there. Let's go."
The voice too was different. To anyone else, she would appear like the head of security for this location. Mara, however, could detect something else. Her systems tingled, and though she wasn't sure if it was the Force or her own sensory equipment, she could still sense Karen underneath the disguise.
Mara could tell it was a strain to hold this disguise - and harder for both of them to be blanketed by it. She decided that her own disguise should be much more conventional, so that she could focus her own Force powers to help strengthen Karen's disguise.
Grabbing a small box from the cartons of cargo, she stared at Karen as she carefully opened up the carton. Her eyes were fluttering, as if she was processing information quickly. Grabbing from the box, her hands deftly moved in, grabbing out small pieces of insignia, and pinning them on her shirt. Last but not least, she pulled out a small patch with letters written on it, and pinned that on as well.
By the time she had finished, her outfit had been transformed again from a simple custodial type uniform to a Naboo security uniform of a very low ranked officer. That with the already severe bun fit the description as best as she could.
"How do I look?"
The man-Karen in front of her smiled and nodded
"Not bad"
The two of them stepped out together, Mara standing to the right and slightly behind Karen, typical flanking of a superior officer by an inferior officer. Karen's gait at first was off, but after a few seconds, she had adjusted her posture, walking comfortably in the role of the Captain.
They moved through the crowd at a brisk pace, the visitors glancing at them, and some children wide-eyed at the officers, but as soon as they had passed, most of the crowd lost interest.
In this way, they managed to go, mostly unnoticed until they reached the security center.
As soon as they entered, those inside, who had been casually watching monitors, stood quickly at attention. Karen was in her element taking charge of others clearly less intelligent than her.
"at ease, men. I'm here because we need to temporarily evacuate the memorial."
"What for, sir?"
"It is not my habit of giving a reason if I don't want to, is it, lieutenant?"
"Um .. no sir, but... but what are we going to tell all of the civilians?"
"Tell them it's for cleaning and maintenance. Then set up a perimeter and make sure no one comes in. Go, now, all of you"
Apparently, all of them were too scared of facing disciplinary action to be suspicious about the whole ordeal. The room emptied out, and Mara immediately moved over to the surveillance TVs, watching as the crowd, quite annoyed, were herded out of the memorial. When she turned back to Karen, the mirage was gone and Karen was taking a deep breathe, recovering from her taxing disguise.
"Alright, now, getting below ...."
Mara looked down at their feet. The room was carpeted with a simple, dark, flat rug, good for hiding dirt and insulating the floor - for function over luxury. Typical of a security office. She looked around the entire security station, until her eyes stopped on a small plaque, nestled in the corner next to a stack of paperwork. Moving closer, she read the words and pursed her lips.
'This building is dedicated by the Winton Family in honor of those noble souls who have died to protect the people of Naboo'
"Your father set these things in motion long before Phage was eliminated. Long before he was killed on Hapes. He was an ambitious man from Naboo. Wealthy and well connected. Whatever preparations he made, some of them could have been done years ago. When you were still in high school. But he doesn't act without a purpose"
Bending down, she pulled from her boot a large knife. Carefully, she pressed it into the carpet, dragging it back to slice. The carpet was older, and was well worn into the ground, carpet paste making the cutting difficult as the tip of the blade kept getting caught. Once a small slice was made though, Mara rotated the blade to make a sideways cut. A third cut, and she was able to rip back the strip of carpet.
Underneath, a thin layer of cement sealed the floor in place. But, a thin trace of outline showed that the ground was not solid beneath. the cement had a small bump, almost like a ridge that made a rectangular shape.
"Karen, grab your lightsaber - I think our entrance is down here"
TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Once the security team leaves the office, Karen exhales and sags against a chair. The effort to maintain such a facade was exhausting. Mara's help was invaluable to keep it convincing. She takes a moment to regain her senses, drawing energy from within.
Mara is searching the office, pauses, and then turns to her.
"Your father set these things in motion long before Phage was eliminated. Long before he was killed on Hapes. He was an ambitious man from Naboo. Wealthy and well connected. Whatever preparations he made, some of them could have been done years ago. When you were still in high school. But he doesn't act without a purpose."
Karen moves closer, gazing past her to read the plaque. A sickening knot twists in her stomach. How long had their lives been staged? The days of North Coruscant or before? When exactly did her father give up on his family? Did he ever really love them or were they always just pawns in his game?
"No, apparently he never has."
Mara is ripping up the carpet but Karen is mentally spiraling. She has to force herself to focus on the present, to let go of the questions about the past. The past cannot be changed. The present and potential future, however, can be. This must be her primary objective, a mantra she keeps chanting silently to herself.
"Karen, grab your lightsaber - I think our entrance is down here."
Karen unclips the saber from her belt and strides forward. Mara moves away as she ignites, flips and plunges the saber into the center of the bump. The material around the rectangular space disintegrates against the white hot blade but there is something solid below - a carefully concealed hatch. The metal hisses as she twists the saber. Within moments, the hatch is destroyed and they are now staring down into darkness. From the sound of the hatch remnants hitting the ground below, the space is not that deep. Still, she does not jump headlong into it either.
There is no telling what waits for them down there.
Karen reaches out, feeling for any signs of life below. Finding none, she nods to Mara and drops into the hole, using the Force to steady her rapid descent. With her saber out, she steps forward. She appears to be on some kind of platform made of heavy grating. There is a faint clicking sound somewhere in the distance. She moves forward, using the saber to light the way as her eyes adjust. Mara drops down behind her. The platform narrows to become a walkway but the blackness around them makes it impossible to tell how large a space they are actually in. Something about it feels massive, cavernous and she takes great caution moving across it. She strains her hearing as she tries to locate the direction of the clicking. She turns, voice barely a whisper.
“What are your sensors picking up?â€
-TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Karen takes care of the cement quickly with her saber, and the hatch beneath did not last much longer. There is a clang as the remnant metal falls into the darkness below.
With a nod to Mara, Karen slips down into the abyss. A soft clang tells Mara that Karen had landed her feet on metal, and Mara followed suit, jumping down into the darkness and landing on the metal grating. It is dark, a dim pink light cast by Karen's lightsaber is the only thing allowing them to see. The few feet around them indicated a narrow catwalk and blackness on all sides.
Mara notices the clicking sound as well as Karen speaks.
?What are your sensors picking up??
Mara was not sure if it was simply the awesome sense of emptiness around them, or that Karen was suddenly a wiser warrior than the past had shown, but she appreciated that Karen was speaking in the dullest of whispers.
Mara glanced around, letting her own eyes adjust as well. Even with enhanced mechanical vision, she was not seeing much more than Karen could see. The catwalk path seemed to go on forever into the darkness, and darkness was all around them. Even infrared sensors were detecting nothing, other than Karen herself.
Of course, that in itself was strange. A cavern this large would likely harbor indigent primitive life that would pick up on sensors. Unless ...
"There's something masking my scanners - I cannot see very far. I think this cavern is actually smaller than it may seem. It's time to risk a little more light"
Mare pulled from her belt a flashlight, pointing it downward as she clicked it on, then began flashing it around. Ahead, about fifty meters, the catwalk curved and disappeared around something black that obstructed the view. The clicking sound was echoing from that direction. Moving the high-powered beam closer, they could see the beam was obstructed by something - something black, metallic, but with a crystal like reflection coming from it. Turning to their right, Mara flashed the beam and found, about five meters to the side of the catwalk, the light hit against a metal wall that curved up, over and around the entire catwalk. And the wall itself was covered in what appeared to be a thin layer of condensed ice.
"We're inside a tube - a large tube - and it looks like the walls are refrigerated to mask any heat signatures. That's part of why it feels so drafty and cool in here. Those walls are also pretty thick. I cannot get a sense of what is on the other side"
"I guess only one way to find out"
Karen began steadily moving forward, using the light from her saber and Mara's flashlight to keep from tripping. As they reached and turned the corner, Mara swept her light across, to find a heavy set of doors, with a small scanning device. Karen was ready to slice past this obstacle when Mara held up a hand, and pointed over the doorway.
A small disc was pointing out and there was a light shimmer from the door itself, barely visible in the darkness.
"Remember when we were on Ord Radama, and Medivh's sanctum was protected by a shield in front of the door - so that nothing could get in? I think that set up is here too. Your lightsaber will just spark. And possibly trigger an alarm. We need another way to get inside"
-TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Karen considers Mara's words, knowing she is right.
When they were on Ord Radama, they had used Mara's connection to the situation to gain them access. Something tells her it wouldn't work this time. They need someone closer. Without a real way to call for Medivh, she is left with only one possibility.
Karen smiles as her eyes grow into darkened pools of blackness. It takes everything she has but Mara would see her transform into the startling form of her father. Tall with pointed features and the fiery hair that he had passed on to his daughters. She turns, stepping in front of the sensor so that it would detect a presence. Almost immediately, the security measures come online and an automated voice programmed to be both menacing and mechanical speaks to them.
"Intruder, identify yourself."
Easing back the shoulders, Karen focuses on the nuances of her father's voice. He always carried an inflection of condescension. It was another part of his legacy he left with her and she takes great pleasure in using it against him.
"Alexander Winton."
Bright red beams criss-cross Alexander's form, scanning him, as Mara stands outside their range. The lights turn from red to green as the shield generation powers down and the massive door hisses open.
Inside, a circular platform rises and widens into rows of what looks like massive bacta tanks. Alexander's visage flickers then disappears as Karen collapses to her knees. She has never purposefully channeled that amount of power through the Force and the burnout would be visible to Mara. But it got them in and that's all that matters.
Mara inspects the area as Karen recovers. The tanks are filled with a clear bubbling liquid. Some are empty. Others contain human skeletal structures made of metal casings and densely bound wires. There is flesh growing over parts of the bodies. Droid frames with human legs, part of a chest, half a face. Nothing is recognizable save for one. Mara's memory makes the match but she looks to Karen first before speaking. Karen stands, focusing on her breath. The recovery is moderate but manageable. She steps around the tanks, taking them in before she joins Mara in front of the body. The expression on Karen's face begins as surprise but hardens swiftly into anger. Her voice has an edge to it.
"It's my mother."
-TBC
-
Naboo
Sub-Surface: Harte Secur
Mara looks over the tanks, as Karen recovers. more of the bio-cyber creations, but these were still somehow different. Not produced enmasse like the ones on Kamino. Special care was taken on each of these, each individualized creation. She remembered, as if in a dream, her own creation, a single tank of similar design, as such perfect care was taken to make her as human as possible. Part of the experiment was not just mimicking life, but creating it.
And here, rows of tanks, all baring the same care. Developing even slower than she had, and here long before even her computer circuits were brought together.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Karen, who is finally catching her breathe, a voice of anger.
"It's my mother."
Mara turns to face Karen who is glaring at the tanks, the soft light from the tanks reflecting off her face. Mara turned back to the tanks.
"They are not quite as advanced as my model, but they are being taken care of so meticulously. These tanks, these creations. They've been here for a long time. A very long time."
Mara moved from one row of tanks to another. Seven models in all. The one most recognizable was Karen's mother. But then what were the other six?
Mara glanced down to the bottom of the tanks, to find a name plate on each, next to the status bars. All six names together sparked a revelation. Karen's mother, Alexander Winton himself, Karen, Alexia, and the two adult Mastertons. It was Alexander's closest friends and family.
"There's something more to it. Your father does not usually act out of sentimentality, but this facility - the amount of resources he has devoted to recreating this ... Karen, I think, when your father built this facility. I think he was lonely."
Mara turned to look at her, then back at the tanks.
"He didn't want it to be alone. He wanted his family to be with him. Or at least, his version of his family, his version of his friends. Why else would he recreate them? Recreate you?"
She stopped in front of one set of models, a skeletal frame with empty metallic sockets, and red hair, floating softly in the liquid. Karen's model.
"Why else would he want to recreate a daughter who he would ultimately betray"
Then moving past that, she stood in front of the most important model of all - Alexander Winton himself. On a hunch, Mara moved behind the first tanks, squeezing down the row until she came to the end. The models in front were actually the least developed. Further and further back, each model was increasingly completed. The second to last tank had there, floating, an almost complete but otherwise lifeless Alexander Winton. And behind that, in the very last tank.
"Karen - this one is empty."
The tank had no Alexander in in, and no liquid in it. The monitor on the bottom flashed a date, not too long ago. The date of Winton's execution on Hapes.
"This is where he came from. This is where his new life started. Here. With his family"
TBC
-
Naboo
Surface: Harte Secur
Through the realization, Mara's words become distorted and Karen's outrage gives way to trauma and hurt. She did not believe it could get any more painful but alas, here she is, wounded again by the workings of a complex and horrendously selfish man. Karen tries to mask the feelings now coursing through her body, skin white hot with shock and anger. They register on her face first as a grimace then morph into the trademark Winton sneer. They survey the tanks and stop before one that looks as though it was meant to be her. A version of her anyway. The revulsion she feels is indescribable, a sting in her eyes and throat almost unbearable.
"Why else would he want to recreate a daughter who he would ultimately betray?"
Karen finally has collected herself enough to speak.
"Because he only wants us when he can control us. He was never satisfied with who we were in life. My mother, my sister, myself - we all challenged his plans in some way. Even the Masterton's, their best friends in all the worlds, probably questioned his motives when it became clear we were going to suffer for the sake of the prophecy."
She scoffs, shaking her head.
"My father, a man constantly surrounded by people, was alone. Yet he was never alone. He cut himself off a long time ago, kept secrets from those he claimed to hold dear. He conspired against us for his own gain and now we come to find out, he may have wanted us around the whole time? I don't believe it. I can't. These creations, these monstrous incarnations are not even a fraction of what he had. He had a family and friends who loved him and he risked it all to live forever."
She falls silent, afraid she might lose complete control. She does not want to harm Mara. None of this is her fault and in some ways, it makes Karen feel better knowing she has Mara to share this with despite its horrific nature and astounding implications. They inspect the tanks further, checking for anything they may have missed when Mara calls out.
"Karen - this one is empty."
She takes this in, pondering.
"Who's...is it?"
Mara's voice is even, as always.
"This is where he came from. This is where his new life started. Here. With his family."
"He had his chance and he let us go."
Karen's eyes are cold and hard as they fix on Mara's serene face.
"Fuck him if he thinks he gets it all back. We burn it to the ground."
They make quick work of setting the explosives. On the way out, they rig extra charges along the walkway and hatch. Karen angrily attaches a charge to the plaque indicating her families ties to the memorial. This wasn't done for the people of Naboo. This was done for show, another elaborate facade to cover his sinister agenda. That's what her family had really been to him. From the outside, it may have been envious. They put on a good show.
The trophy wife floating along in an alcoholic haze to dull the roar of a hideous reality.
One tragically jaded daughter, confused and manipulated into believing she was some kind of Sith savior only to be consumed and destroyed by her own rage.
Then there was Karen, the flippant socialite who walked right past all the warning signs on her way to purchase a pair of designer heels.
She feels so stupid now, in the wake of so many revelations.
Mara arms the explosives as they stride out of the security office and through the empty memorial, slipping out undetected to reach the shuttle. The Naboo security forces would no doubt still be guarding the gates and she hopes out of the range of destruction. At the controls, Mara is focused and calm. Karen wishes she had such fortitude, to be removed from the emotional tides pulling her in every direction. The shuttle hovers and turns before it streaks away from the memorial, up into a perfectly blue sky.
The security forces would hear rumbling beneath them in rapid succession, getting louder and louder until their office explodes outward. A wave of fire and ash would blanket the scene. Infrastructure compromised, the memorial itself would begin to collapse, pulling everything down with it.
Karen allows herself a small, satisfied smile at knowing she and Mara took away any chance Alexander has of rejoining a family he made so desperately clear he never wanted.
With all but two of the targets destroyed, his time is rapidly running out.
Mara eases back on the controls and the shuttle flares into hyperspace headed back to the Core.
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
Mara is feeling sympathetic toward Karen. What seemed logical to her, piecing out a mystery had probably been a stab wound to the heart for her.
Winton might be lonely, but he didn't want his family. He wanted a replacement copy, a version of them that fit his own designs. A distortion. Worse that simple abandonment.
It is once again quiet in the cockpit and the journey is long through hyperspace.
"I'm going to rest, recharge"
Mara sets the autopilot to signal when they are close and makes her way to the back. This was the roughest part of the journey. The two of them were going back to where it all began. For her, quite literally, the place of her creation. For Karen, it was where this quest had originated.
How much time had passed since Mara had returned there, and triggered the course of events that led her to return? It felt like hours, a rush from one place to another. In fact though, it had been weeks. While she was out with Karen, a war had begun between the Empire and the Corellians, between Karen's beloved Dementat and Mara's hated Saga Judec. And what was the point of it all? What was Judec trying to get to, or what was Winton's plan to end the war? Still too much mystery lay before them.
What would happen once they destroyed all of the facilities? When Phage and Alexander Winton, two nightmares, were gone for good? Would there be more answers, or only more questions?
Mara had all of this going through her head as she settled into a small corner of the cargo area, and plugged in to recharge. Her body felt worn out, her systems had been on overdrive, and she still was flawed. Her hand, functioned well enough, but the newly-installed placement there was nothing pretty.
She closed her eyes and slowly shut down her systems.
flash
It had been weeks or months since she last had one of these dreams, not since she had learned what was their cause. But now, in this state of rest for the first time in a long time, the dreams came back full force, a reminder in themselves of how little control she had over her new power.
There it was, Phage giving Valerie the final killing blow, Mara opening fire on him, and him, with his deep red glowing eyes facing her.
"TRAITOR"
flash
Mara watched from the sidelines as Karen and Melanie fought, sabers buzzing against each other, the air around them tense with electric energy, the force ready to be sprung. Then, in horror, she watched as they held out their sabers, charged each other, and ran into the other's saber.
Both fell. Dementat appears between them, leans in and kisses Karen's dying lips, turns to Melanie and slices off her head with his own red blade.
Then Medivh, standing there in human form, looking at her sadly
"I told you not to get to close to Karen Winton"
flash
There she was again, in a fight with not one, but two Phages, fighting them off and feeling desperate. Then she heard laughter, loud, evil laughter, and between the two Phages, Alexander Winton appeared, diabolical despite human form.
"I've been waiting for you, Infiltrator-01"
His hand out, she feels herself being pulled into the air, trying to catch the breathe she doesn't need. Using the Force, Winton forces her limbs apart, and she feels herself being pulled, tighter, tighter, until she is literally ripped in two, a heap of metal and flesh falling to the ground.
"Not as strong as I thought you'd be. Pity"
and everything went black.
flash
Mara awoke to the buzz from the cockpit, her body recharged, though mentally, she felt like she had undergone an ordeal. It had been many hours since she lay down to rest.
Making her way to the cockpit, she eased back on the controls, bringing the ship out of hyperspace to the outskirts of the Coruscant Asteroid Field.
Ahead of them, deep in the darkness, Phage's platform floated ominously. Small dots circled it, fighters on patrol. It was clearly more active than it had been when she was last here.
But there was something far worse - on the other side of the asteroid field, they could see hundreds of capital ships hovering, waiting silently.
"it looks like your father has been busy"
-TBC
-
Hyperspace
As Mara excuses herself, Karen bites her lower lip to keep from asking her to stay. She knows Mara needs to recharge after all they have been through, all they have done. They must be focused and ready for the next phase of the mission.
The symbolism of Phage's base in the Coruscant asteroid field is not lost on Karen. It is the place, after so many years of menace and horror, that she was finally able to take down Alexia once and for all. In that moment, the darkness that had warped her mind and driven her mad consumed Karen. She had never felt such clarity, such drive and power. The darkness coursed through her like a plague and she was ready to murder everyone who stood in the way of the Empire forged in Karen and Dementat's names. This included Melanie and Kimber. She would have sacrificed everything, everyone of her old life to claim the spoils of the promising new one laid out in her fevered little mind.
Alexia had no one to provide balance, to temper these feelings with reality. In fact, their father had fueled the flames and drove her headlong into the bloodbath that became Karen's social life. Dementat had been there for Karen but, cut off from her friends on Byss, it was not enough. The darkness threatened to claim her soul forever...
...until Mara.
Her presence had been confusing at first. Just another angle to play. Someone to manipulate for her own personal gain. Karen was convinced she would use Mara to find the targets of her misplaced anger and eliminate them. But then something strange happened. The darkness receded, gradually at first but then in great waves of lights. The more time they spent together, the less angry she felt. When they encountered Medivh on Ord Radama and began to grasp the scope of the prophecy's design and intention, the darkness challenged Karen's newfound perspective to a battle in her own mindscape. A battle which she ultimately won. She freed herself from the shackles of a predetermined destiny with Mara by her side. Karen is not sure if Mara knows how deeply she has affected her or has any idea of how fondly she's grown of her company. It is in her nature of gush, to confess but she understands Mara is also grappling with her own personal struggles. Emotions, powers, and a place in these worlds. Still, she is grateful for the support.
Who knows how many more would be dead had Mara not come to Byss in search of answers.
Karen retires to her cabin and falls into a deep slumber. She did not realize how tired she actually was, how emotionally draining this whole ordeal would be. The dreams come softly into focus.
The Four, a seemingly younger and happier version of them, kneels in the sands of Imperial Beach on Hesperidium. A glowing sun sinks into a distant horizon and darkens the warm ocean waters. The laughter and smiling faces fills Karen with a joy she thought was lost. They silently watch the sunset and as it slips below, out of sight, shadows falls over the shore. Behind them, the boys are calling, waving them in. Melanie and Kimber stand and wander toward the Bolerathon Tower. Valerie lingers with Karen on the beach. A salty breeze kicks up, swirling around them. Karen starts away but Valerie remains planted. She turns, calling out.
"Valerie, let's go. We don't want to keep them waiting."
"I'm not Valerie."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I am many things but ridiculous is not among them. Valerie is dead, Karen. You know this to be true. She died so that Kimber could live. You must die if you wish the same for Melanie. Only death can save a life."
Karen's brow furrows into concern, stepping forward. She notices now that Valerie's face is slightly different, changed in some way. The skin is lighter, devoid of the natural olive complexion. Her expression is grave and eyes fixed on her. The ocean behind them churns as waves begin to smash against the shoreline. The wind intensifies and grows colder, harsh.
"I don't want anyone to die."
"That was never your choice to make. Not until now. The others, they suffered and died as a symbol to what was coming. Their blood ensured our survival, if only temporarily."
"The prophecy..."
The girl who looks like Valerie smiles.
"The prophecy is a lie. You know that now. It was always a tool to control us, to keep us scared and disoriented. While it may state only one of us can live, you have the power to change that. You can set them free. You and I, the darker half of The Four, must be the sacrifices for the light."
The ocean seems to split in two, rising up into the sky as two massive walls of water. Valerie is already at the mouth of the path left between them. She turns back and gazes coolly at Karen before walking away. She gains distance more quickly than Karen can grasp and before she can stop herself, she is sprinting after her. She catches up when the shore is far behind them, a distant glimmer of the past. The walls of water pulse on either side as Valerie extends a hand.
Karen stares into her face, an understanding passing between them, and reaches out. They clasp hands and close their eyes as the walls close in.
Karen wakes suddenly, choking as if the water had been real. She can taste the salt in her mouth. After a few moments her breathing returns to normal and she pads into the refresher for a long shower. The images remain as she ponders their meaning. Could she really save Melanie by sacrificing herself? Valerie's death may have postponed the immediate threat to Kimber but not for long. It is then she realizes the new threat to Kimber and Melanie is Karen. They must believe the prophecy as a whole, painting Valerie as the martyr and Karen the enemy. This troubles her greatly but there are more pressing matters to face.
In an understated gray jumpsuit and black tunic, Karen lets her hair spill around her shoulders. She slips into black knee-high boots and dabs her lips with color. The saber is clipped to her belt, hidden from plain sight as she moves through the shuttle and back to the controls.
Mara joins her moments later as the proximity alarm sounds. She eases the shuttle out of hyperspace and suddenly they are back at Coruscant. Memories of her entire fabulous little life flash before her emerald eyes. The shimmering ex-capital now a wasteland. Echoes of the millions of souls lost when the Dark Queen's explosives nuked the northern hemisphere pass through her followed by those who met a grisly end as the fire and ash circled the southern half. She can't help but shutter.
Mara is focused ahead and Karen retrains her gaze to match. The platform looms in the distance with what she can only assume are fighters whizzing around it. Then she sees what Mara sees. The capital ships hovering like sharp sentinels in the darkness of space.
"It looks like your father has been busy."
"Perhaps he knows."
Mara glances at her.
Karen crosses her arms, "The previous targets were remote and not likely to cause a media splash. Naboo is different. The memorial would make headlines. While he certainly can't trace it to us, it may have rattled him enough to take precautions. I don't think he knows where we are. Probably on some frivolous vacation, drowning in my seemingly predictable self-indulgence. One thing is for certain, this poses a problem."
She considers the situation, sighing.
"I could have backup here shortly with a call to Commander Price or Captain Sienna but even then, that would risk exposing our plan and I highly doubt it provides enough fire power to take all of them down. You know this place, right? What do you suggest?"
-TBC
-
Coruscant, Asteroid Field
"The previous targets were remote and not likely to cause a media splash. Naboo is different. The memorial would make headlines. While he certainly can't trace it to us, it may have rattled him enough to take precautions. I don't think he knows where we are. Probably on some frivolous vacation, drowning in my seemingly predictable self-indulgence. One thing is for certain, this poses a problem."
She considers the situation, sighing.
"I could have backup here shortly with a call to Commander Price or Captain Sienna but even then, that would risk exposing our plan and I highly doubt it provides enough fire power to take all of them down. You know this place, right? What do you suggest?"
Mara stared out the viewport, watching the scene in the distance. After several minutes, she shook her head.
"Whether or not your father knows about the attack on Naboo, that is not a defensive fleet. It's positioned too far away from the platform. On the other side of the asteroid field entirely. The fighters are on combat patrol over the station itself, not the ships. They don't expect anyone to be coming here, or they would have a tighter defense."
Mara lifted her hand, pointing out and circling her hand in the pattern of the fighters.
"That fleet was there long before our assault on Naboo. My guess? Some type of attack fleet. It's positioned so it can enter hyperspace quickly, without collecting its fighters. And, it's in formation. Maybe some type of ambush?"
Mara glanced down, clicking a few buttons as the monitors flashed a host of algorythms.
"Many look like Trade-Federation type ships, or the type of ships that Phage used. But there are also a few of Corellian design. I'll bet its meant for Judec's attack against the imperial fleet"
Mara shut off the scanner, leaning back in her chair and staring out, thinking.
"What happened at Naboo will spook your father, if he is as smart as his reputation indicates. I would say wait for the fleet to leave, but he might already have greater defenses for this facility by then. I think we have to see if we can sneak in under their noses, and hope no one notices us."
Karen gives Mara a crazed look. And Mara smiles. For the first time, it looks like Mara is taking the more risky maneuver.
"I would buckle up tight"
Mara pressed forward on the thrusters, hard, the ship groaning as it picked up speed quickly, heading toward the asteroid field. And then just as quickly, Mara shut down the thrusters. Then other systems. Weapons, sensors, hyperdrive, shields letting the ship hurdle into the asteroid field completely on momentum, completely powered down.
"If we're lucky, we'll look like nothing more than space debris"
"And if we're unlucky?"
"Then the asteroids in the field will probably take us out before the droids do"
TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
As the shuttle begins to spin, hoping to be lost in the masses of swirling rock, Karen clings tightly to her seat. It is sheer luck they are not wiped out as they near the platform. From here, she can catch glimpses of the capital ships. They do not seem as close from this vantage point. With any luck, they would reach the platform undetected but that poses an even greater challenge.
The last time Karen had been here, the station was practically deserted save for Alexia and her two hostages. The secondary plan of their father's had yet to be activated thus no one to assume control. Alexia planned on murdering her that fateful day in front of the former Governor of Contruum, Indew Strye and Imperial doctor Felicia Kensington. The hostages had been symbols. Karen had, in her own way, betrayed Contruum for Imperial gain. She had broken the promise she made to Governor Strye after Agent Scott St. Claire sent her into Contruum to negotiate a contract for the borium used to make their impressive ships. The doctor, Maker rest her soul, was her only friend after Valerie was killed, Kimber fled for Hapes and Melanie remained in hiding. The battle between the sisters had been fierce and ended with Alexia's death, Karen's possession and finally, the Governor's execution by Karen's dark hand. Felicia was rescued and taken back to Byss where she was later murdered aboard the ISD-Corporeal Quandary and staged in the Winton Penthouse on Hesperidium.
It seems like a lifetime ago and in a sense, it was.
Karen knows more now than she ever has and with that knowledge, she plans to use it against her traitorous father and the weapons he hopes to unleash on the galaxy at large. The tragedy, flickering briefly across her mind, is that her fiancé Dementat knows nothing of this. All he knows is of the Corellian threat High Commander Judec poses to their Empire. She tells herself this is enough to keep him busy, to keep him safe but often times she wonders what he would do if he knew Alexander Winton lives.
The spiraling shuttle grows closer to the station.
Karen turns, body straining against the restraints.
"I trust you have a plan to get in there."
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
The Assault Shuttle landed amidst the swamp that was most of Ord Radama, far from civilization, far from technology.
Or not quite.
Alexander Winton smiled as his obedient X-Fighters marched out toward the hidden facility, long forgotten. But apparently not quite forgotten enough. Each was heavily armed. The marching troops were followed by two tanks that had been stored inside the shuttle, hovering slowly over the boggy ground heading toward the target.
They marched forward, Winton watching as they went forward to do his bidding. The pilot - also an obedient follower - came rushing up to meet him where he stood.
"Sir, I have received word from Corellia. The imperials have attacked"
Winton nodded, smile never leaving his face.
"Order the hidden fleet to move to phase 2"
****************************************
Coruscant Asteroid Field
"I trust you have a plan to get in there."
Mara was gripping the joystick firmly, eyes focused despite the spinning their vessel was doing. Closer and closer they came, asteroids bumping around them, a few colliding together far too close for comfort. But luck - or the Force - was with them. So far. And still closer they moved.
"We use the Force to slow ourselves down once we are close enough. I could use your help with that. I've got to focus on the controls."
They hurdled toward the massive platform, it slowly filling up the viewport.
"Now Karen"
Karen did her job flawlessly. Mara used the controls to even out the ship while keeping thrusters offline. Slower now they descended toward one of several landing platforms.
That was when Mara glanced up.
"Karen - look over there. The ships. They are leaving"
On the other side of the asteroid field, the fleet of ships they had seen was twinkling away, one by one, into hyperspace.
"Whatever they were built for, it's happening now. We had better move fast"
They managed to sail past the local defenses undetected, fighters expecting thruster controls to indicate the presence of unwanted guests.
Together, they brought the ship down onto the platform, landing it with only the slightest noise.
Mara smiled over at Karen who was taking deep breathes, recovering from her exertion.
"You could make a good pilot, you know. Come on. We've got to hurry. And I anticipate we'll have to deal with some who really, really won't want us here"
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
Phage's Former Base of Operations
Karen almost laughs. Her, a pilot? Of all the things she envisioned for her life, that was never one of them. Perhaps she is selling herself short. Together, she and Mara had accomplished a great deal and Karen is proud of that. Although only two targets remain, they would be the most difficult.
Karen unclips the restraints and moves back through the shuttle. They are not connected to an air dock and while Mara may not need oxygen to move about freely outside the station, Karen does not have such capabilities. She pulls off her tunic and tosses it aside, rummaging through the compartments for a protective suit. She finds one in silver, completely unflattering, but it would be enough to get her inside. She worries, briefly, about the exit point were the suit to be damaged within the station. Surely there would be numerous droids who would be programmed to recognize both women and want them destroyed. As she suits up, she wonders what happened to Governor Strye's body after she left the station the last time. Would it still be decapitated and rotting on the command station floor? And what of her sister? From what she can remember of that day, Alexia turned into a swirling black cloud of evil which surrounded Karen and seeped into her. The infection nearly drove her insane, visions of those lost resurfacing in her mind, whispering for her to commit unspeakable acts against the remaining members of The Four. She must remember why they are here.
Destroy her father, save her friends, and free Corellia.
Daunting? Yes. But it must be done.
Karen refuses to be an Abomination like Alexia. She would not bow to the prophecy or Alexander Winton's vicious lies. It was too late to save Valerie but she could spare Kimber and Melanie the same fate. In saving them, could she also save herself?
Karen locks the helmet into place and fills a bag with charges before gripping her saber and meeting Mara near the ramp.
"I'm ready."
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
Phage's Platform
Mara is checking her own weaponry as Karen is preparing herself for the presumed lack of oxygen on Phage's platform. In the past, Phage had made the facility more accommodating, for the likes of Alexia Winton and other guests who needed oxygen. But Karen's battle with Alexia had left the facility with less atmospheric integrity. Better safe than sorry.
Karen has a bag filled with charges, her voice sounding a bit echo-y through her helmet's comm unit
"I'm ready."
Mara nods
and moves to lower the ramp. In her right hand, a modified blaster pistol, set to emit ion bursts instead of normal fire. Many droids of Phage's army were equipped with armor strong enough to deflect blasters, and an ion shot was more likely to be effective. At least, for a short while. That, and a good ion shot could take out more than one droid at a time.
Of course, so could the charges.
The hangar was thankfully deserted, they had landed in one of several now abandoned portions of the hovering space platform. With her left hand, Mara motioned for Karen to follow as she made her way to the blast door that sealed them off from the rest of the platform.
Mara blinked her eyes, quickly running a scan of the security systems to the door. Fairly primitive - this was not an area where the platform's master would have expected an invasion. Most security would have blasted intruders before they reached the hangar's safety.
Typing in the security code, the door console blinked from red to green and it opened, a gust of air rushing out at them from an otherwise dark pathway.
Mara led the way inside, setting her optic scanners to pick up any traces of movement. Or anything. But the corridor was deserted.
It soon became apparent why. As they turned a bend in the corridor, the redish light of emergency florescence cast a dim glow on their path. It was here that Karen would begin to recognize the past battles. Metal seemingly blown out by a huge push of energy, blood stains, and saber marks along the walls. Patching along walls holding the metal together, though the soft whistle of air indicated that the patches were not working very well.
They reached a sort of plaza area, a large room before the corridor narrowed again heading toward Phage's throne room. Along one wall, Governor Strye's body was propped in place, remarkably preserved thanks to the pure nothingness of space -no microbes to cause him to decompose. Perhaps worse though, several mechanical pieces had been attached to his body, as if for some science experiment. Lights flickered along a status monitor next to him, the signal feeding to somewhere else in the station.
Mara glanced over at Karen, and immediately recognized from her expression that this person had meant something to her.
That was when they first heard the scampering of metal. The sound of many metallic legs, along metal floor, echoing about them. But the sound drew closer.
"Spider droids. Karen, we need to hide!"
Mara and Karen quickly jumped behind some fallen metallic debris. Peering over as the sound grew louder, they saw the horrific sight - seemingly hundreds of the primitive spider droids moved down the corridor past them, looking more like a single black mass than individual creatures. They continued moving, down the path they had just come from. Heading toward their ship.
Mara whispering softly through the comm "They must have been alerted somehow to our presence. They are going to find the ship"
-TBC
[/quote]
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
The gain access through Mara's codes and enter the base. It is silent, sterile and cold and Karen is quickly rethinking the suit. She would not be as effective in it, combat-wise but would have to ensure survival outside of it so for now, it remains. Crimson light is cast over everything as she begins to recognize the scene. Flashes of battle flicker across her mind. Alexia's face, twisted in rage as she bore down on the sister she remained convinced stole her destiny. Even then she had been barely recognizable, a monstrosity of flesh bound to metal. Phage had rebuilt her after he plucked her battered body from the floor of a palace on Roon where she should have died. Instead she became something else. She was given a second chance that inevitably led to the final battle. Saber markings score the walls, dented and caved in from the displays of their combined Force powers. Karen shutters as the corridor narrows when she catches sight of it.
A body.
Her emerald eyes focus on it immediately. Remarkably well preserved and leaning precariously against a wall. It isn't just the body with its familiar mechanical attachments but the head, crudely fastened to the neck she had so cleanly taken it off of.
No.
Guilt stabs at her gut when she catches Mara glancing at her. She keeps her voice low through the suit com unit.
"Indew Strye, the former Governor of Contruum. My first assignment with the Empire. When they violated the deal and invaded the planet, I came back to free him. I got him out, reunited him with his family. His wife, his son. But Alexia kidnapped him and brought him here. After she was defeated I..."
Worry flickers across Karen's face.
"...I killed him."
Mara is about to speak with the clicking begins. Soft at first but growing louder. Metallic and in large quantities. Mara's voice is tight.
"Spider droids. Karen, we have to hide!"
They dive behind piles of debris and watch in horror as a hoard of droids move as one past them toward the direction they came.
"They must have been alerted somehow to our presence. They are going to find our ship."
Karen presses her back against the wall.
"Then we find another way out. We need to destroy this station. The charges can be set on a remote so that if we are forced to make alternate arrangements, we can still blow this station to kingdom come."
There is fire in her words, a mission realized.
No way in hell would she let this place remain. If she was able to incinerate her family home and the only fond memories attached to it, Karen was sure as shit going to burn this place down too.
She waits until the corridor is clear then eases out and heads toward the throne room. There is no certainty here, knowing that all it would take is one droid to identify them to initiate a lockdown. She wonders what kinds of defenses her father had programmed if they somehow stumbled upon his daughter. Would it amuse him that she even came looking for answers? Or just reinforce his belief in her stupidity? If he somehow knows about the fates of the other stations, he damn well better stop underestimating her resolve. Mara knows the layout better than she does but this place is familiar to her, a place where Alexia Winton's misplaced vendetta met a grisly end.
The doors to the throne room are crushed apart and she has a difficult time remember when in that final fight this happened. So much transpired so quickly. She steps inside, glancing quickly around the expanse of the empty room. Her eyes travel to the ornate metal throne itself and the corpse nestled in it. Karen never saw Alexia's body after she swung her saber through her. All she saw and felt was the darkness consuming everything, driving her to murder the Governor and rescue the doctor. She never stopped to consider there would be anything left to find but there she is.
Alexia Winton.
She remains as remarkably preserved as the Governor save for the severe saber wounds and broken mechanics. It seems as though the droids left her here as some kind of homage, their fathers doing no doubt. But with her body present, that also means genetic evidence and the brief but horrifying notion washes over her that Alexander Winton may try to resurrect Alexia just as he had done their friends on Kamino.
Copies of copies until the original is rendered obsolete. That is, unless, you destroy the original.
Karen fights the sickness rising up in her throat and grips the handle of her saber tightly.
"Where do we set the charges?"
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
"Then we find another way out. We need to destroy this station. The charges can be set on a remote so that if we are forced to make alternate arrangements, we can still blow this station to kingdom come."
Mara and Karen proceed forward through the corridors, their pace quickening. the scuttling sound of of spider droids gets further and further away, but perhaps a more ominous sound could be heard. Not heading toward them - or at least, not close enough yet to be a threat. But it was a harder sound. marching. Somewhere in the station, in the many levels below them, Mara knew that an army had been built and was marching to war. They move faster now, headed toward the very center of this abominable platform - Phage's throne room.
The doors to the throne room had come apart, the work of Karen and Alexia's battle here, combined with her own forceful entry. They had not been repaired since the station came back online, indicating that the throne room was not a center of activity any longer.
"Where do we set the charges?"
But it had been a center of activity. Even more recently. Mara approached the throne cautiously, Remembering her last time here.
"The last time I was here ... Phage had an activation chamber, beneath the throne. Except, he wasn't there. It was a transmitter that would activate him somewhere else."
On the station? perhaps. It could be anywhere really, if a relay system had been set up appropriately. It was only recently that the possibilities of Phage's resurrection were limited to a scant few. Just as were the resurrection possibilities of Alexander Winton, the man who had transformed Phage from a phenomenon, an accomplishment, into a monster. But Winton, for all his cruelty, his manipulations, had a certain amount of practical sentimentality. Too many locations could not be secured, nor could more than one facility be the activation site at the same time. Having more than one Phage would lead to them destroying themselves. Phage knew that. Winton knew that.
"The transmitter was located in a place where, even if the station were destroyed, it could act as a relay. It was the backup plan to the backup plan"
It suddenly made sense. Phage's resurrection on the platform had been faulty - probably as a result of the fight between Karen and Alexia. So when she had come here, she hadn't triggered his primary resurrection. She had triggered the backup. Which had fired off the signal to one of a only eight other locations in the galaxy. The Winton house at Byss. Naboo. Kamino. etcetera.
So what was going on here now? Alexander Winton had set things going again here, using the station's already impressive droid construction facilities to build his army. Of droids. Did that mean Phage was no longer around? That he had been usurped by Alexander Winton?
Too many questions, that truly didn't matter at this moment. This station had to be destroyed. Not just pieces - droids could survive in a wreck, and rebuild. No. The whole thing. They had among them only a few handfuls of powerful charges. The only way the two of them could destroy the station. Really destroy it would have to be hitting something that would set off a chain reaction. Mara's mind whirls back in history to the supposed destruction of the first death star. Yes. A long shot.
"We need to trigger the fuel cells. That's the only way we'd be able to do enough damage to blow up the entire station"
Mara glances up at the ceiling, already damaged from the Winton sisters' duel. An ionic fuel module was bent but still intact. That was a good starting point. Mara ran through the station's schematics in her head. As long as they hadn't been changed, hitting that fuel module could likely cause an explosion through about half the station. They would have to head down to one of the loading bays to successfully set targets in the other half.
And a charge to the transmitter below the throne. Mara was not sure if it had been destroyed, but she was going to make sure it was now.
That was when Mara remembered the other thing about her last visit here.
"Karen. We aren't alone"
Mara turned away from the throne now and found herself face to face with a single red dot. An optic sensor.
"INFILITRATOR-01. Analysis indicates that you continue to have faulty subroutines. You have been labeled as hostile. You are to shut down program-"
Mara lifted her blaster, firing several shots at the optic sensor, watching as it sparked and went quiet. She turned the blaster downward now, increasing its power and firing a series of shots into the base, until that too had been fizzled out.
The silence after the blast was filled with a new, possibly more frightening noise - echoes of hundreds of spider droids, scampering back in their direction.
"The care-taker droid I just obliterated has several pods throughout the station. He can't see us right now, but they know we are here. And it sounds like they are coming this way"
The sounds of the spider droids was growing louder as she spoke.
==================================================
Ord Radama
The soldiers moved forward, ignoring the soldering marks of a cut out hole, made by a lightsaber only a few weeks ago. Instead, they simply blasted their way through the door. The blast door out of the way, they advanced into the long hallway entrance, silently at first, then blasting at the walls, ceilings and floors as they did. The cries of ysalamiri could be heard as dozens were killed - not that it would make much difference. The destruction was not aimed at them, and too many survived to allow the Force to be used here. No, it was a brutal way of ensuring that no hidden weapons would be activated.
They advanced further, deeper into the hallway that plunged beneath the hill
The way was blocked ahead, a thicker blast door, and an energy field reinforcing the durasteel. A very powerful energy field. A few blaster weapons were fired, but the field stayed strong. It had been designed when the Trade Federation was at the height of its wealth and power. And that one energy field probably cost more than a star destroyer. It would hold.
Or would it?
A metallic voice was heard over a loudspeaker
?Who wishes access? identify yourselves or prepared to be terminated?
The soldiers ignored the message, firing a series of shots at the system, one of the assault tanks making its way behind them down the corridor, followed by two more. Within range, they began firing at the energy shield.
The message repeated
?Who wishes access? identify yourselves or prepared to be terminated?
Alexander Winton approached from the rear, his lips pursed as he watched his troops progress.
?This is your last warning. Identify yourselves or prepared to be terminated?
"Cease fire"
Alexander Winton held up his hand, drawing close to the shield.
"Alexander Winton, Program-Identifier 023-9657-AW-7343-8598, Guri Project Manager"
Silence for a moment, and then he spoke again
"Come on, Medivh. It's been a long time. I think we should talk."
More silence. And then, from above them, a panel opened. Winton stepped aside, just as a series of lasers blasted down where he had been standing. And they didn't stop, tracking after him as he continued stepping back, a snarl beginning to cross his face.
"Destroy it"
The tanks and soldiers opened fire on the weaponry that appeared, the huge metal crashing down under the onslaught, but quickly replaced by new weapons.
Winton's troops were pulling back as the firing grew heavier in the corridor. Several had fallen. But he himself stood along the side wall, watching contemplating. Slipping past the weapons that were now preoccupied with the soldiers, he went straight up to the energy field, reached out and jammed his arm into it.
Flesh melted off his fingers as he pushed forward, reaching for the console on the other side. The smell of burn extended upward as the energy field continued assaulting him. He let out an almost inhuman sound as he pushed forward again, punching his arm into the console, letting out a shower of sparks. The energy field flickered, but remained, and the weapons turned on him again. His left hand had skin and muscle burned off up to his elbow, and the metallic hand underneath looked damaged as well. He turned to face the weapons, glared as they turned toward him, and jumped up, a frightening display of inhuman strength as he latched on, pulled down the power cords, and yanked the metallic laser weaponry off its track,dragging it back down to the ground, and then throwing it at the energy field.
"You remember Medivh? How your creation, Phage, destroyed Corellia's defenses? It threw them right back in those stupid Corellian faces"
Phage had taken Corellia's orbital platforms and using tractor beams, thrown them down on Coronet's planetary shield, one by one, the weight of them strong enough to eventually crush the shield.
Winton, acting quite savage now, kept throwing the discarded weapons at the energy field. No more weapons came down to replace them. The hunks of metal had caused the field to flicker but stay standing. He turned then to his troops and the tanks, that were again moving forward.
"Keep firing, and ram the tanks into the field"
The obedient soldiers nodded, firing at the field. The tanks too, with their easily controlled, 100% loyal troops began firing everything they had as they sped their tanks into the energy field. The first rammed in, superheating and being repelled back, a hulking mess. The second as well had little success, falling into a heap at the side, its driver dead with it. The third however did what it needed to do. With that final explosion, the energy field broke down. Three tanks. a handful of troops. All expendable. In that final blast, Alexander Winton had been too close, skin from his face burned and peeling as well. But he paid no attention. He proceeded forward, ignoring the three door puzzle, heading straight to the middle door and prying it open with his bare hands. Sirens began to blare. He didn't wait for a turbolift, instead, signalling his men to jump ahead of him inside. Rappelling gear was pulled out, and a dozen special ops troops began the long trip down.
Winton followed. Ignoring the gear, he jumped, letting his body pickup momentum as it careened toward the inner sanctum below. He stopped about halfway down, slowing his descent by clawing his hands into the metal on either side of him, dropping a thermal detonator down and waiting for it to destroy the turbolift and hatch before continuing down to the fiery mess he created. He reached the bottom before his troops. Stepping out into the massive room, he smiled
It was a massive room to be sure A house could fit inside this room. It was cylindrical shaped, with a domed roof. The entire ceiling was covered with what appeared to be hundreds of monitors. And on the floor, rows and rows of computer equipment, with coolant systems running in between them. Despite the size of the room, it was actually a bit cramped, with all of the equipment. There was a small walkway and a half flight of stairs leading to an elevated platform, about 3x3 meters With an elaborate computer console attached. No chairs. Directly above, five mechanical arms hung limply.
The room was dimly lit, by emergency lighting. No one was going to provide him a better visual. All the monitors were dark, save for one, where a young man's appearance watched with a frown.
As Winton's men reached the bottom, he approached the platform, sneering at the image on the screen.
"Hello Medivh. Miss me?"
TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
The march of the spider droids fills the throne room. There is not much time. As Mara removes one of the charges from the bag and sets it, Karen tugs at the suit.
"Are support systems online? Enough for me to, you know, survive?"
Mara nods, "Yes."
Karen pulls off the helmet and sheds the suit to reveal a skin-tight combat-modified jumper complete with thick heeled boots. The sense of freedom is indescribable. She yanks the pins free which allows the crimson fire hair to spill down her back. Shaking her shoulders, she ignites the saber and turns around, her eyes growing into pools of blackness. Extending a hand, she grips the massive doors to the throne room with the Force. A horrifying screech booms through the room as she crushes them shut just as the droids slam into the other side.
"It won't hold them for long," she breathes, strangely satisfied. "We can't risk getting to the lifts. We need another way out."
Mara activates the charge then motions to the far wall, "Access panel. Behind you."
"Done," Karen says with a flick of her wrist. The panel pops off the wall and clatters on the floor. She hefts the bag and stalks toward it, ducking low to crawl through. Mara is right behind her, using her own powers to lift and seal the panel behind them. Keeping the saber in front of her, Karen moves steadily in the dim light. The service tunnel is narrow but passable and opens up several meters down to a junction point with a ladder.
"Looks like we're going down."
Karen steps out into the darkness, finding her footing while dragging the bag along with her. She slings it over her shoulder and begins the climb. They descend in silence for a while, both focused on the task at hand. She understands several charges must be set in order to completely destroy the station. One would never be enough. There must be nothing left. Nothing they could use to regroup and rebuild. They would erase the memory of Phage and Alexia forever. Neither would be born again.
It is then she hears it, echoing faintly at first, then the tell-tale scamper of metallic legs on a solid surface. The droids had discovered their exit point and were in pursuit. Karen drops down several rungs at a time but the void below seems endless.
They need to get out and quickly. This space was too limited for a fight.
Karen stops at the next hatch and, gripping the rungs tightly, lashes out with her boot to strike. The spider droids are in the hole, following suit. The second kick sends the hatch outward and Karen dives through. Mara is a microsecond behind her. Karen drops the bag and grabs the hatch, slamming it back into place as several droids make contact. Tiny legs slip through, wildly flailing as others arrives and push back. Karen grunts, trying to secure the hatch but beginning to slide. Mara lunges and, working together, the hatch makes contact. Karen yanks the lever down, sealing it as several spider droids lose a few limbs that drop to the floor. She exhales a laugh and turns around to find them standing before a particularly deranged bunch of battle droids.
Karen squares her shoulders and grips the saber, nodding to Mara.
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
Karen is obviously feeling hampered by her suit. Mara nods - there is oxygen in the area. But it is not quite as much as in an atmospheric setting. The soft hiss of air filtering through and then escaping into outerspace would have been heard, if not for the noise of the oncomers. But perhaps more worrisome - it meant they couldn't leave the station through a hatch. They had to escape already onboard a ship. And total depressurization was not an unlikely occurrence.
Mara watches as Karen calls upon the force, the darkness of the dark side filling her as she uses its power to grab the destroyed doors and slam them back into place, wedging them into place. And then the metallic thuds as spider droids tried breaking in.
The doors won't hold. Karen is right. Already she can see them starting to move, starting to break. Mara places the charges over the fuel conduit, twisting the knob that would arm it, then glances down.
There was one main entrance to the throne room, but there were other means - even droids needed to get around sometimes behind the scenes. She pointed to a far wall,
"Access panel. Behind you."
"Done,"
Karen is on a roll with her connection with the force. The panel pops off, and they make their way in, carrying the rest of the charges with them. Mara glances behind her, watching as the door gives way a little more. Not much time at all. She closes her eyes, searching deep within herself - deep into her subroutines, and triggering that 'lose wire', leading to the nowhere she had discovered was a key to her being. Instantly, she felt it, like another sense (and Mara had many of those), she could feel Karen, like a bright light, leading the way out. She reaches out her hand, as if grasping the metal panel. Slowly, too slowly, it rose and floated toward the opening. Mara feels the strain. Despite her training, this is still new to her, and she feels too rushed to concentrate properly. The panel is put back in place, in the knick of time. She can hear through the other side a crash as the doors give way, the spider droids pouring into the throne room.
Mara takes several steps, watching the panel as she walks backwards before turning to follow the glow of Karen's saber.
"Looks like we're going down."
Down the ladder they go. This passageway, as Mara recalled, led to a newer portion of the station. She couldn't help but think they were heading toward danger, not away from it.
They were moving for quite a while, when they hear the first sounds from above. They were being followed, and spider droids were built to move quickly through passages like this one. They try moving faster, but ultimately, Karen decides better to make an exit.
Karen kicks in a hatch and disappears back out into the station, Mara right behind her. Together, they slam it, just as spider droids are trying to reach through. Karen laughs, oddly enough, but Mara has already turned, gripping her blaster tightly. They had not gotten away from the danger. They had stepped right into it.
Here, in front of them, was not just a hoard of droids. It was an army. The ones closest to them had a base like spider droids, allowing them to scamper in that same creepy way, but at the top of them, they had what looked like an L-shaped pipe extending up and toward them. The pipe had a red optic sensor in its center, and on either side, what appeared to be a built-in blaster. Each one of them seemed to have their blaster trained on them. And there were a lot of them.
But that wasn't the worst of it. Behind them, more droids, large monstrosities that looked like bigger cousins of the spider droids.
And then there were the humanoid versions. The most hated droid in all the galaxy. The IG-100 MagnaGuard model. Phage's model, before he had been modified and enhanced.
Karen is prepared to fight, and certainly is not one to go down without a fight. But this was a battle they would lose. Even jedi could only take on so many. The Clone Wars had taught that much.
But they hadn't fired. Maybe they still recognized her as an ally? Maybe they expected INFILTRATOR-01 to deactivate herself? submit to reprogramming? Karen is preparing to strike, but Mara puts out her hand to stop her. It was no use. If they fight, they would die. If they wait, maybe they could learn why they weren't dead yet.
Then, the droids began to speak.
"traitor"
It was one of the droids in front, the weird spider droids with the blaster/optic pip.
"traitor"
It was repeated by another of the droids.
"traitor"
More droids began saying it. And then repeating it, their metallic voices rising from this army of monstrosities.
"traitor"
Mara took a step back. This was familiar. All too familiar. She couldn't help but feel the biggest sense of foreboding.
"traitor"
It was almost a chant now, droids yelling it over and over again. Karen looks bewildered, and ready to strike at the next creature that said it. But maybe the chant scared her as well.
Far in the back, Mara could see that the army of droids was beginning to part, slowly toward them. The chanting continued
"traitor"
The part in the line grew closer, Mara feeling her nerves - or her equivalent of them - growing tense.
"traitor"
The part in the line reaches them, IG-100 magna guards approaching and lining the pathway
"traitor"
A dark figure was approaching. Mara involuntarily takes a step back, her blaster dropping to the ground. Karen looks over at her, even more bewildered than ever.
"Mara, what the hell is going on? We have to get out of here!"
Black metallic legs, black torso, skeletal arms. A black cape. And the eyes. Bright red optical sensors. He was taller than the other IG droids, taller than he had ever been before. Another enhancement.
Now Karen looked a bit frightened as well, the figure approaching, and the chant of droids dying down.
"Is that ..."
Mara just nodded
The bright red eyes of the Baron, Phage locked onto Mara, his hand pointing to her, his voice accusing her just as it had in her dreams.
"TRAITOR"
Karen finally cannot take anymore, her saber swinging out to strike phage through his torso. Only when it makes contact, the pink blade fizzles, and then goes out. Phage takes his arm and pushes Karen back against the wall. Mara shook her head, still staring at Phage, but speaking to Karen, hoping she was alright.
"His armor is made of a cortosis alloy. lightsaber resistant. Phage was built, after all, to be able to fight and kill jedi."
"Astute memory, INFILTRATOR-01. But today - today, I intend to destroy you. You have betrayed your creator and your fellow droids. You have even taken on the name of an infidel, a flesh being. And you associate with them now, as if they are your friend. You have grown weak and vulnerable, like your flesh companion. And now, INFILTRATOR-01, you will face me, your creator, and I will kill you myself."
TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
Traitor
The word, uttered over and over, chanted in tinny robotic voices, unnerves something in her. Karen is perplexed, wondering why Mara does not act when she spots the droids parting like a sea of metal as a tall, dark figure approaches. She glances at Mara and sees fear, or what fear would look like registered on a replica droids face. This reaction strikes deep, her own fear welling up.
"Mara what the hell is going on? We have to get out of here!"
Still, she does not strike, only takes a step back, weapon clattering to the floor.
Karen's heart is pounding as she turns back to the figure approaching.
Black metallic legs, black torso, skeletal arms. A black cape. And the eyes. Bright red optical sensors.
"Is that.."
Mara simply nods.
Karen Winton has never actually seen the Baron Phage, only heard of his menace and terror from Kimber and others who had witnessed such things. Now, in this moment, Phage redefines the term ominous. The fact that Valerie faced this monstrosity down twice is incredibly heroic if not completely horrifying. Knowing this beast took her life and now strikes fear into Mara causes rage to course through her veins.
The bright red eyes focus intently on Mara, hands pointing at her as it growls.
"TRAITOR."
It pushes her over the edge.
Karen shouts as she lunges forward, bringing the saber down into Phage's torso but the saber only sparks then flickers out. Karen blinks, gasping. Phage shoves her back roughly, back slamming against the wall. Breath is forced from her lungs, pain throbbing in her chest which was likely to result in an unsightly bruise. The body suit, while reinforced by Imperial labs and fashioned by surviving Raga'Ana tailors, does not match the crafted defenses of Phage.
Mara speaks but does not look at her.
"His armor is made of a cortosis alloy. lightsaber resistant. Phage was built, after all, to be able to fight and kill Jedi."
She is about to say it's a damn good thing she's not a Jedi when Phage's voice booms through the corridor.
"Astute memory, INFILTRATOR-01. But today - today, I intend to destroy you. You have betrayed your creator and your fellow droids. You have even taken on the name of an infidel, a flesh being. And you associate with them now, as if they are your friend. You have grown weak and vulnerable, like your flesh companion. And now, INFILTRATOR-01, you will face me, your creator, and I will kill you myself."
Flesh companion? Rude much? She's an intergalactic symbol of fabulocity. Even someone as dense as Phage must know that. And an infidel? Something tells her this is not a label Valerie would necessarily deny. Karen wants to scream: They are friends! She wants to scream: Mara is not weak! She is stronger than you will ever know!
Instead, she snarls with trademark Winton sarcasm.
"Think again, Phage-a-licious. She killed you once and she will do it again!"
The speed at which it's arm reaches out to snatch her from where she is standing is nearly incomprehensible. Suddenly she is sailing through the air, crashing into several sidelined battle droids, skidding into a wall. The pain is temporarily blinding but she clutches the deactivated saber like it's the only thing left that's real.
Mara is frozen in place, transfixed by the scene unfolding.
The droids reach down and drag her before Phage as he towers above.
"Karen Winton, biological sibling of Alexia Winton."
Her nose is bleeding but she still manages a sneer, "My reputation precedes me? Forgive me if I don't die of shock."
It's voice is cold and calculating.
"I made Alexia beautiful and you destroyed her."
"You made her a machine, a monster!" Karen screams. "You wanted her to be like you but deep inside those twisted circuits you always knew she wanted to be me. In the end, I guess neither of you got what you wanted."
Phage reaches down and hoists her up by the throat. Karen claws at the metallic claws pressed against her flesh as she dangles high above the ground. Phage brings her close to what it calls a face, red eyes seemingly boring their way into her soul.
"That's where you are wrong."
Phage releases its grip and Karen falls to the floor.
"INFILTRATOR-01 will pay for her treachery and so will you."
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
"That's where you are wrong."
Phage releases its grip and Karen falls to the floor.
"INFILTRATOR-01 will pay for her treachery and so will you."
A dozen droids grabbed Karen, dragging her deep into the horde of mechanical troops. Caring little about her or her toys, she was bumped and bruised, and the cylinder hilt of her lightsaber was yanked from her clutching hands. As she was dragged away, she would see the weapon being handed to Phage, who began examining it with amusement - or what passed for amusement on his featureless face.
Mara meanwhile had been grabbed as well, another dozen droids were clinging to her and holding her in place.
"Force users. They think they have such power. They think their weapons are so useful. Perhaps this will be the tool I use against the traitor..."
Phage held up the weapon and triggered it to ignite. But the power source had not yet recovered from its short out. It sparked and fizzled out.
"But you see? a lightsaber is just a pathetic toy. Like the jedi. Like the sith. Worthless"
With both his hands, Phage grasped the lightsaber, bending the metal and snapping it into two pieces, tossing them both to the ground. Karen had been taken to a far wall, her body being clasped in place against the wall, putting her in much the same position that Governor Strye's body was in in the corridor far above. She would feel the pinch of a needle as a droid injected something into her leg, and she would feel her body start freezing up, muscles cramping and failing to respond to her.
"Human's. so fragile. So easy to kill, to paralyze. WHY, INFILTRATOR-01? Why would you want that vulnerability?"
Mara watched Karen, wondering if the injection was as bad as Phage claimed, or if it was just a taunt. Phage's hand came out, slapping Mara's face. Her cheek was cut, small dribbles of blood could be seen.
"As a machine, you were invincible. Even destruction meant nothing. Now, you will be terminated. And there will be no resurrection for you. Not like me, INFILTRATOR-01. I have been killed both by my creator and by the one who I created. father. daughter. And yet I do not die. I could be destroyed a dozen times, and still I would not die. I live on forever. A machine, immortal. You won't, INFILTRATOR-01. Once terminated, your subroutines will die with you. Are you happy now, traitor? You have gotten what you wanted. You are not the immortal machine you could have been. You are just a pathetic, flesh-being. An infidel"
Mara had been listening to Phage, listening to him rant. Cold and calculating, he had a personality flaw, much like any human. It was pride. Those he felt to be his most worthy opponents he fought in hand-to-hand combat, rather than have a minion destroy him. It had been his downfall with Medivh, he had successfully killed Valerie, only to have Mara turn on him. Was he the same? Would they have a one-on-one death match, surrounded by Phage's hordes? What would happen here if Phage died - would his droids kill them anyways?
Then she thought about what he was saying. He was talking about his own resurrection, his ability to be reactivated after dying. Just like Alexander Winton. It gave her an idea.
"You think you are immortal. But you are just a pawn. Just another machine. You are being used by another Winton. Alexander Winton"
Phage let out a horrible, mechanical laugh.
"You think he is using me? I am using him. It is thanks to Alexander Winton that I will never die. That even should this metal casing be destroyed, I will return. Again and again and again. Alexander Winton is useful - but if he were to challenge me, I would end him. He too has ways of being resurrected. Reborn as a machine, a perfect machine, he is powerful. But I know every facility that he controls. I know where he keeps his droids. His replacements. And if need be, I will destroy him. permanently"
Phage lifted his hand, motioning to his droids, who then released Mara, letting her fall to a heap on the floor.
"But for now, I am just going to destroy you. Stand up, traitor"
Phage turned away from Mara, moving to a couple of IG-100s moving toward him, each carrying an electrostaff in hand. Phage grabbed one, tossing it at Mara's feet, taking the other for himself
"Let's see what humanity has done for the traitor. Let's see if you are more or less than you think you are. Stand up, traitor. This is your existence your fighting for, I would expect at least some effort"
Mara grabbed the electrostaff, standing and taking a step toward Phage. The droid army was slowly backing up, forming a wide ring around Mara and Phage. Behind Mara, the access point to the path they had come from. On the opposite side of the circle, Karen was bound up, and seemingly unable to move. Phage held the electrostaff in one hand, whirling it around, as if to test its range of motion, or maybe to intimidate Mara.
Grim-faced, Mara activated the electrostaff, moving into a defensive position, the soft hum if its electrified points adding to the din of metal. Phage's red eyes stared at her.
"Whenever you are ready, traitor."
Mara shook her head. She was a capable fighter, stronger than humans. But she had been built as a spy more than anything. Phage was a warrior, and he had made himself stronger over the years. This was not an evenly matched fight.
"No? Very well than. I'll start"
Phage closed the distance between them, activating his own electrostaff and swinging it at Mara's side. Mara's own staff moved down to block it, digging her feet down as best she could against the impact. Phage's staff came up again, circling over her head to try hitting Mara's other side. Mara again prepared to deflect it, but Phage's move had been a feint, and he had quickly swung the staff back, striking Mara's abdomen with the staff.
She felt the pain run through her body, but refused to scream out. Instead, she reached into her programming and shut down the pain receptors. Pain was useful as a diagnostic tool, telling her where she was injured, but it would also hamper her with signals she just didn't need to deal with right now.
Phage was wasting no time, his staff thrusting forward at Mara, who ducked down, then finally made an offensive strike of her own, pushing the electrostaff at Phage's leg. Contact, but Phage seemed unfazed. Instead, his metallic leg kicked out, knocking the staff out of her hand and making her lose her balance. Another swift kick to Mara's face, metal on flesh causing an instant bruise, and she was on the floor. Then his foot came up, as if to slam down on her.
Mara rolled away just in time, but Phage was on her heals, his own staff slamming down to strike her. She rolled this way and that, finally out of his striking range, coming up behind him, grabbing her own staff and managing to get back on her feet, the worse for the wear.
Phage turned, letting out another laugh, then tossed his own staff into the ground, the point piercing into the metal floor, the staff standing vertically in place.
"Your best shot"
Mara swung the blade at Phage's torso, but his armor prevented any dents. Phage just laughed as Mara tried hitting him in several places. Then he swung out his arm, smacking her in the face and back to the ground. He reached out grabbing his own weapon again, bringing it up and sending it down, into her leg, pinning her in place.
"You never deserved to call yourself a droid, traitor. Now you will be terminated."
Mara was trying to free her leg, staring up as Phage as he picked up her weapon. Up at the ceiling. Was this to be her end? Truly, had she come this far, only to die like this?
that was when she noticed it. Up on the ceiling, she saw one of those fuel pipes, much like the ones they had in the throne room, several stories above them. What would happen if that charge they set exploded? Would it connect to this room here? Mara didn't have time to run through her schematic of the station. Phage was moving in to make the kill. She had to act fast.
Mara twisted her body, reaching out her hand to one of the larger spider droids in the room. Taking a deep (though unnecessary) breathe, she reached through the force, feeling the droid through the space, then lifting it and pulling it toward her. Or more accurately, toward Phage. As fast as she could, she had that droid move, knocking into Phage with as much force as possible, knocking him down. A few more seconds for her, but Phage was already starting to get up. Now she pulled the electrostaff out of her leg, taking several steps back, watching Phage as he began to rise again. Mara moved back as far as she could, until she was just in front of Karen, whispering softly.
"Karen, trigger the explosive"
Even if Karen couldn't move much, she might be able to press the remote - or maybe even use the Force to trigger the charge downstairs to go off.
Phage was moving toward her now, a fresh anger behind those emotionless eyes. He was about to step underneath the fuel cell. Now was the best chance.
"Karen, NOW!"
Mara wasn't sure how Karen did it exactly, but she did. They heard it first. A loud bang below. Then they felt it, the single charge, the station shaking one explosion after another. Mara had her eyes glued not to Phage, but to the fuel pipe just above him.
Come on ...
From the access port they had come from, they heard it coming, and then burst, flames rocketing into the room. Burst after burst, as explosions rocked along the path of the fuel rod. Phage turned to face the ruckuss, and at just that time,
boom.
The explosion was deafening, as was the sudden heat in the room. Mara couldn't see what was happening, but she knew Phage was not standing where he had been before the blast. And the droids were too confused to act. She turned now to Karen.
"It's time to go"
TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
As they drag her away, she focuses on the lightsaber now in Phage's hands. Droids surround her, propping her up against the far wall. Something jabs into her leg and her body begins to tense up, muscles contracting until she is immobile but fully conscious. As Phage snaps the saber in two, she tries to scream but her throat is on fire from when those claws were around her neck. Nothing but a hoarse whisper disappears into the accusatory words hurled at Mara.
Karen is powerless and glances around for means of escape. Mention of her father brings her mind back to the present moment. Phage using Alexander, Alexander using Phage. It was impossible to tell who was using who in this seemingly endless saga unfolding more quickly than anyone realizes. The dark future with Phage or her father as victor's, friends lost, the galaxy swallowed whole by shadows and lies comes into clear focus as Phage challenges Mara to a fight to the death. As the droids form a circle, all she can do is watch, wondering if this is how it went down with Valerie. Had he challenged her the same way? Had she accepted, knowing full well she would lose? They fight, Mara is knocked to the ground. Karen struggles against the drugs, mind whirling toward means of revenge. She could not watch Phage kill Mara, she could not bear it. They had not come this far to be defeated by this self-entitled, egomaniacal droid.
Then Mara is right in front of her.
"Karen, trigger the explosive."
Her eyes go wide then glance upward. The remote. Where is the remote? In a pocket? The bag lying near the hatch they entered through? While her legs may be immobilized, her mind, her connection to the Force, is not. She draws in a breath, finding her way through the station to the throne room, the device attached to the fuel cell.
"Karen, NOW!"
Mara would see her eyes grow dark as she reaches out and activates the bomb.
The succession of explosions it triggers can be felt only as tremors that grow steadily closer. Flames explode into the room, waves upon waves of them. Phage turns, engulfed in an explosion as droids are scattered everywhere. Karen extends a Force shield around her and Mara, watching as the flames roll down over it without touching them. She allows a small smile when Mara turns to her.
"It's time to go."
Mara crawls to her and pulls her upward but her legs are not responding. Karen tugs free and drags herself to the pieces of the saber. She rolls over and shoves them in Mara's pockets, hoping she would be able to salvage them later if the crystal inside had not been damaged. Her legs are tingling, sore, and it now dawns on her that she would not be simply waltzing out of here like the invincible bitch maniac she fancies herself to be. The acceptance comes sooner than she expects followed by a numbing sadness.
"You have to leave me."
Mara stares at her, bewildered.
Karen grabs her shoulders, "I'll slow you down. You have to go. Now! Finish the mission. Destroy the station. Save my friends, Corellia, yourself..."
Her thin voice trails off.
Mara shakes her head.
"There is no time!" Karen croaks.
Mara's eyes narrow and she grabs Karen roughly around the waist, hoisting her up over her shoulders. Most of the droids sensors have been damaged by the fire and explosions, causing them to stagger around blindly, useless. They slam into walls and crumple to the ground. The station rumbles above them. There is no sign of Phage. The ceiling is coming apart, crashing down into the hall, blocking one escape option. Mara grabs the bag with the other hand and hurries down the corridor. Karen grabs the blaster from Mara's holster and lays down some cover fire to clear the way. If she's going to slow down the procession, the least she could do was provide a little artillery. Mara has injuries of her own but Karen does not know to what extent.
They reach a set of lift doors. Mara sets Karen down as she goes to work on the key pad. Karen sags, blasting at anything that comes their way. The remaining droids are regaining their bearing, returning fire. The lift doors hiss open and Mara drags Karen inside.
The silence inside the lift is somewhat of a relief.
"There are similar fuel cells in the lower sections of the station that will need to be triggered for it to be destroyed entirely."
Karen is slapping at her legs, willing the feeling to return. It's a pretty safe bet that leaving in their own shuttle is out of the question.
"I don't suppose they have transports down there so we can make a hasty getaway?"
Mara is digging through the bag, checking the remaining charges.
"Possibly."
She hands her the blaster back.
"Don't you-"
"No," Karen says softly, eyes still tinged with darkness. "I can conjure up something better."
The lift comes to a full and complete stop.
Mara reaches for her but Karen holds up a hand.
"I can manage. You've never seen the extent of what I can do."
And she hasn't. Not so long ago, Karen faced down Alexia in this very station, causing widespread structural damage. Before that, she fought her on Roon, demolishing a fortress and reactivating the dormant volcano below it. Before that, she sent a burst through the Force so powerful it threw several Hapan capital ships cart wheeling out of the orbit of Contruum. And before that, she damn near destroyed the Esplanade when their hoverlimo was shot down after an NCH Homecoming game.
These displays, while impressive, have usually been the result of extreme emotional distress and had never been duplicated while she was in complete control. Her training with Dementat had broached the fringes of this power but she had always been afraid of losing control entirely, succumbing to the Force the same way her sister did. If there was ever a time to test the theory and the limits of these gifts, this was it.
Karen levitates herself above the ground, arms slightly outstretched and crackling with red and white kinetic energy.
"Get the charges in place. I will show them how just how formidable a flesh being can be."
Mara takes this in and nods.
The lift doors spring open in a hangar bay. Cursory inspection reveals it is swarming with numerous droids of varying models but there are four light transports which she considers the silver lining. The droids spot them instantly as if they had been waiting and turn to attack. Karen throws her hands forward, sending rows of metal reeling back away from them.
"GO!"
Mara rushes into the fray as Karen floats out into the hangar. Energy, balled into the palms of her hands, grows larger, brighter. The room is awash with bolts of kinetic Force lightening, striking from one droid to the next, burning out their core's and dropping them like flies. Optical sensors are fried, casings exploding, metallic limbs spiraling through the air, smashing into other droids, skidding across the polished hangar bay floors. Rows and rows of them fall. Even those with shield generators are no match for the kinetic barrage. They may withstand the first assault but not the second or third and soon their numbers dwindle to only a few.
Mara finds the fuel cells and arms the charges.
The remaining MagnaGuard's hone in on her position and fire.
Karen shorts the blasts in mid-air, using the other hand to raise metallic debris and packing crates from the hangar floor to hurl them at their attackers. That is the last of them - they are finally alone. And as a sly smile crosses her lips at this victory a sudden sharp jab to the back sends her tumbling forward, swiping her right out of the air. The energy vanishes as she sprawls forward and hits the floor hard, sliding to a stop at Mara's feet.
The remains of Phage stands before them, burned and damaged but not destroyed.
-TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
They are moving fast, enemies both in front and behind them. The explosions had worked, triggering enough subsequent explosions to give them a chance to escape. Now the real question was, can they still destroy the station and get out alive?
Karen's legs appear useless, but she has managed to hold herself up with the Force, using its power in a deadly way that Mara had not seen before. It must be exhausting. No time though to dwell on that. Karen was keeping most of the droids at bay, and Mara had to set and arm the rest of the charges. This location should trigger enough of the rest of the station. As long as the previous explosion didn't damage a connection in the necessary chain reaction.
Mara finds the fuel lines, placing the charges carefully, twisting the arming mechanism until a small red LED light indicated they were set.
Mara finds the fuel cells and arms the charges. smaller droids are in heaps around them, MagnaGuards are firing at them, Karen putting on a remarkably display of telekenetics sending them to the ground. Mara is about to place the last charge in her pack, making sure the bang is strong enough, when suddenly, Karen falls out of the air, landing in a heap at Mara's feet.
Mara pulls out her blaster, aiming it at the devil before them. There he stood. Her darkest nightmare.
Phage was standing, but the fire had made him somehow more frightening than ever. Instead of the bright external optic sensor, perfectly round, one of his eyes had a deep hole, the red light of the internal optic sensor sunken in a shadow. His metallic frame, already dark, looked darker, some parts of the metal appearing disregularly, giving him a distorted 'skin' as it were. One hand had several fingers missing, sparks occasionally sputtering from it. Phage survived because he was durable. Built nearly invincible. And he had come for his revenge.
In his damaged hand, he held an electrostaff, and Mara could see that Karen had been struck hard with the implement. She fired a few shots in his direction, but the shots merely bounced off his frame. The evil laugh that came from him was distorted as well - voice box apparently damaged in the explosion - and he sounded deeper, darker. More evil, if that was possible.
"A nice display, INFILTRATOR-01. But insufficient. You will not escape. And certainly your friend will not. Already her time is running out. Or did you not notice? That little stunt you pulled caused a vacuum. The station is losing its atmosphere. But why don't I help that along"
He raised the electrostaff, and with frightening precision, tossed it like a javelin at the nearby viewport. It cracked, spider webs spreading along the plexiglass material until the entire window shattered, the material flying out, and suddenly, it felt like they were in a cyclone, slowly being sucked toward that opening, the air rushing around them.
Phage laughed again, then moved forward, raising his arm to strike. Mara ducked around, but Karen was still on the ground. How long could she last without air? Not long. Even with the Force. At least, that's what Mara thought. Mara jump-kicked Phage as he was turning around, making no damage, but upsetting his balance, and he staggered back, just before he had a chance to smash down into Karen. Mara lunged at him now, using his off balance and her momentum to force Phage down into the pile of droids. As Phage began to rise, he managed to have a number of droid parts cling to him, making it take him more time.
Mara glanced down, picking Karen up and carrying her as quickly as she could toward the nearest light transport, the air swirling around them, and her occasionally slipping toward that vacuum. She had almost reached the transport when she felt the metallic hand grab her by the leg, causing her to trip and drop Karen at the shuttle's ramp. Mara turned, just as Phage, crawling moved up over her, his arms coming up and around her neck. Not that it could choke her, but he could break her neck, and then what good would she be. Mara turned sideways as his arm moved to punch, him leaving an indent in the floor next to her head. She tucked her feet up, and then sprung them out, kicking Phage back, turning and reaching to grab her blaster, which had fallen beside her.
Karen meanwhile, weak but conscious, understood the danger she was in. No air equals bad. Plus, someone had to get the ship started. She crawled into the shuttle, gasping as she felt the transport's oxygen refill her lungs. She took several strong breathes, helping to clear her head, then limped toward the cockpit, warming up the ship and glancing out the viewport at Mara and Phage.
Mara fired several shots, aiming at the empty space in Phage's skull where his optic sensor had been blown out. He let out a roar as the shot hit home, one red light extinguished, and he was forced back.
"It doesn't matter what's on the outside. Inside, Phage, you are just as vulnerable as me."
Phage recovered, moving swiftly forward and knocking Mara to the ground, then kicking her hard as she landed. Mara could feel herself being sucked toward the open window. Grasping, she clung to a pole, but Phage moved in again, smashing her fingers and causing her to lose her grip. the other hand still held the blaster. She went flying, spreading her arms and legs and wham, she slammed into the viewport, barely staying inside the station. She turned her head, motioning to Karen, then closed her eyes and whispered what she could through the Force.
"Go ..."
Phage had retrieved another electrostaff and was moving in for the kill, Mara in such a prone position, there was little she could do.
As Phage moved in to strike, Mara pushed off with her legs, lifting them up with just enough force to clasp them around Phage's neck, then pulled back, so that Phage too was stuck at the viewport, his arms hanging outside the station. Mara reached with her free hand to her belt, pulling out the last charge, arming it, and pressing it into Phage's back, just above his legs. At just that moment, they both went flying out into the vacuum of space.
Karen had hesitated at first, refusing to leave Mara to deal with Phage alone. Then she had realized that Mara wasn't asking to be abandoned. There was a plan. Clumsy with the shuttle, she managed to get it maneuvering slowly out until it escaped the hangar bay, drifting slowly into space.
Karen turned back to watch through the viewport as Phage and Mara went careening out the broken viewport of the station Phage's legs, magnetized, reached out and clamped onto the outside of the station, his arms reaching out and grabbing Mara. Mara spun, kicking off from him and pushing off, just as Karen and the ship flew by. She reached out, grabbing the still open ramp, pulling herself upward, turning and triggering the explosives.
The first was the most spectacular. Phage, still standing outside the station, erupted into a fireball, pieces of him flying toward them and everywhere. A bigger explosion, inside the docking bay could also be seen, flames erupting out of the opening. Mara pulled herself into the ship, pressing the ramp to close, then limped toward the cockpit.
"We need to get away from the station - fast"
Karen understood, pressing the throttle forward.
The station began erupting in several places, along the track of the fuel cells. Small bursts at first. Then bigger. Mara grabbed a seat, then took over as pilot, maneuvering as debris began flying from the station. Then came the big explosion, the entire thing bursting and incinerating everything aboard. Huge pieces of metal flying. Mara flew as far as she could, feeling the shockwaves of the explosion behind her.
Getting away was one thing. Next came maneuvering through the asteroid field, a task in itself, as both their reflexes were shot to hell.
It wasn't until they cleared the field that they turned around. Where the station had been, was nothing. Small pieces of debris, even big pieces, floating among the asteroids. But that was it. There was no more.
Phage was gone. Hopefully.
It was only now they took an assessment of their injuries, and it was not until now they realized how damaged they were. Both were bleeding in many places, Karen's leg and arm looked broken, and Mara felt like half her circuits had come loose, not to mention parts that seemed to have come off completely. They knew time was of the essence, but this was no condition to fight Alexander Winton in.
"Where to?"
TBC
-
Coruscant Asteroid Field
They had barely survived the ordeal but it was done. The station and Phage were gone. Karen's head is still light and she feels woozy. She is bleeding from a variety of wounds, her arm throbbing, leg definitely broken. The massive display of Force energy has weakened her considerably but one spot shines brightly. She had unleashed destruction while remaining in control. This was something she was always terrified to do, a deep seeded fear of becoming Alexia preventing her from utilizing her full potential. Dementat had tried to ease her gently, pressing her when necessary but she had been so reluctant. She had spent weeks with him training in hand-to-hand, then constructing her saber on Korriban followed by more training which led to the displays of talent he had seen in the past. She had impressed him up to a point but there was always a line she was unable to cross.
Alexia's rage had caused her to turn on Dementat before, injuring him. Karen's love for him made it impossible to want to even try if there was such a risk. Now she knows he was right all along, she is more capable of control than Alexia ever was.
Still, this victory was not without sacrifice.
Karen worries about Mara, about her injuries, her mental state. Facing down Phage, her creator, once again could not have been easy but she rose to the challenge. This task, destroying the station, could not have been accomplished without her.
Mara takes the controls and manages to maneuver them through the field. Karen is barely clinging to consciousness, blinking back the fatigue and searing pain.
"Where to?"
Karen leans forward and gingerly taps a few keys, opening a hail to her ship, the Corporeal Quandary.
Commander Price's face appears on the small projector, "Your Highness!"
"Price," she mutters, visibly wincing. "What is your location?"
"On patrol over Byss."
She glances to Mara, "Set the course."
Mara nods.
Karen turns back to the projector and sees the worry flicker across the hologram of Commander Price's face. He has been so loyal, so caring. So unlike most Imperial agents she knows. She must look terrible, she thinks. He's never seen her so out of sorts before but right now, poise and beauty are beside the point. They need medical attention and quickly.
"Prepare to receive us and prep the medical team. We'll need a droid specialist as well. I trust the security breach has been....remedied?"
He nods, "It has, your Highness. I have taken command of the Corporeal Quandary and seen to it that no one aboard is a threat to our Empire."
She manages a grim smile.
"I greatly appreciate that, Commander. I'm sending you our shuttle identification so keep an eye out. Have the team ready when we arrive."
"We will be expecting you."
"And Price?"
"Yes, your Highness?"
"Thank you."
He nods and the image disappears.
*
Byss: Imperial Capital
Despite its proximity, the shuttle ride is excruciatingly long. Mara can shut down her pain receptors while Karen settles for curling up into a semi-meditative state of healing. She tries washing away the ache and hurt but she is too weak. Her entire body throbs. She passes out several times, wondering how much blood a person can lose, before being roused by Mara.
"We have arrived."
Karen groans, pulling herself up enough to locate her personal shuttle bay. Commander Price stands by with the medical team and two hover-gurney's. Mara eases the shuttle down and activates the ramp controls. Karen staggers out but collapses onto the polished hanger bay floors. The team descends upon her quickly. Mara exits behind her and is instructed to lie down. Karen's vision is swimming but she murmurs, motioning to Mara.
"She's my friend....take care of my friend...."
Then there is only blackness.
*
Karen wakes slowly, in stages. She can feel bubbles on her cheeks, a feeling of weightlessness, drifting. When she finally opens her eyes, she is staring through pink liquid and beyond that, the medical lab. There is no sense of time but she knows she is safe for the moment. The bacta tingles against her wounds as it heals them and there is a brace on her arm and leg. She wants to know where Mara is but she is so tired, eye lids very heavy, more blackness.
She rouses again in a stark white hospital bed, feeling groggy but considerably better than when she arrived. No doubt by now they have hydrated and pumped her full of antibiotics. An impossibly handsome man dressed in a white coat moves to the side of her bed holding what appears to be a large data pad.
"How are you feeling, your Highness?"
She sighs, "Who...are you?"
"Doctor Branson, your attending."
"No," she says, voice thick. "Where is Kensington? She's my doctor."
Branson tries not to grimace, fails then swallows hard.
"Doctor Kensington is dead, your Highness. Do you remember?"
The swirling reality hits home, how many people she's cared about, how many of those had been lost.
"Oh...yes," she says carefully. "Yes."
He nods, as if something has been confirmed before continuing.
"You lost a considerable amount of blood but luckily, we keep your type on board for such emergencies. There was a hairline fracture to your right wrist and a clean break to the left femur. The rest of your injuries were mostly superficial save for the puncture wound to your back which, thankfully, missed any vital organs. The bacta treatments were successful and with a little rest, you should make a full recovery."
Karen adjusts herself against the firm pillows, wondering if they keep her blood type handy because this is her ship or that she is prone to such injuries that would require it.
"What about my friend?"
Branson glances down at the chart, tapping at the screen.
"The replica droid-"
"Her name is Mara," Karen says warningly.
"Mara," Branson corrects himself, "Suffered severe damage to some of her primary circuitry. Our techs are working on her now and should be able to repair the damage."
"Should be?"
He attempts a tight smile, "Your Highness, Mara's complex mechanics coupled with her biological components are atypical of the droids we have come into contact with. The information available about her model is lacking from our networks."
Karen narrows her eyes, "That's because they are withholding it from you."
"I'm sorry?"
She waves a hand across the air, "Forget it."
He blinks, momentarily dazed.
"We are doing all we can."
"And I am grateful for it," she says. "When can I see her?"
"In a few hours. We will contact you when she is ready. Can I get you anything to make you more comfortable?"
She smiles dreamily, "The painkillers are working nicely, thank you. Have Commander Price escort me back to my quarters."
"I believe that's Admiral Price now, your Highness."
Ten minutes later, Landon Price is at her bedside.
"Well," she says. "Look at you all newly promoted. I like the new outfit. It suits you."
"Thank you, your Highness. Emperor Dementat deemed it prudent after the sweep."
"Speaking of, where is he? Shouldn't he be at his fiancé's side at a time like this?"
Admiral Price's brow furrows in confusion, "You don't know?"
Suddenly, she remembers how long she and Mara have been away. It has been some time since she has checked in on anything that had been happening with the Empire.
"No," she says softly. "I don't know but you can tell me on the way."
*
Her limp is not sexy but she attempts, at the very least, to make it fashionable. The executive floor is quiet and clean. She imagines no one really comes up here anymore without her around. No friends to host, no parties to throw. There was a time when that was all she cared about. How time changes things.
Price holds her steady as she hobbles down the corridor toward her master suite as he tells her of the Confederation's strike against the Imperial fleet at Duro and the destruction of both the fleet and the planet. After a narrow Imperial victory, the fleet and conquered planet simply imploded.
"Imploded?" she asks skeptically, pulling a robe from her closet. "That's quite a feat if you ask me. What did they do? Build a Death Star?"
"Intelligence confirmed the trajectory and concluded the blast came from the Centerpoint Station."
She is now paying full attention.
"Centerpoint? I thought that had fallen into disuse."
"We thought so too, your Highness which is why the Emperor ordered the blockade."
"What blockade?"
"Several Imperial fleets currently surround Corellia."
Uh oh. This is not news Mara is going to like.
"That's...promising?"
Proper words fail her as she tries not to sound like a traitor to the cause.
He nods, retrieving something from a bag she had not noticed he was carrying. He sets two pieces of metal down on the dresser.
"We found those in your friends pocket. I think they belong to you."
Karen limps over and picks them up. The saber Phage snapped in half. Broken, destroyed. They would be no salvaging it. She figured as much which is the other half of the reason she brought them here. She hobbles across the room to the antique desk and withdraws a simple black box. Inside, resting on crimson fabric, is Alexia Winton's lightsaber. She kept it as a trophy of her victory over her sister never realizing it may come in handy one day.
She turns, trying to keep her gaze neutral.
"So, the blockade. Has the Empire attacked?"
"They gave the High Commander a window in which to surrender but that has since expired. I believe they began bombardment an hour ago."
"Saga Judec is a fool," she says sharply. "Does he not know what or who he's up against?"
"There's more," Price says.
There always is.
Karen arches a brow, "Oh?"
He seems pained to find the words.
"Confirmation that the Imperial fugitive's Melanie Masterton and Kimber Patten are both in the Corellian Sector. I thought you should know."
-TBC
-
Ord Radama
While Mara and Karen duked it out with Phage, Two other mechanized beings faced against each other. One, a grotesque figure. The formerly perfect visage of Alexander Winton in his prime damaged by his fight with the forcefield, melted flesh and metallic skeleton peaked through. The other, also an image in his prime, but unmarred - and not physical, just an image on a screen. Medivh did not like intruders, and though his fortress had been virtually impenetrable in its prime, and it was still formidable now, decline, decay, and Winton's own ruthless ingenuity had allowed him access to the inner sanctum. Where Medivh's wealth of knowledge, and stores of network connections lay. Protected until now.
"Alexander, you have no right to be here"
As if it mattered, but he had to break the ice somehow.
"Not any more than you had a right to meddle with my droid armies."
Medivh's screen image displayed no surprise.
"How long did you think you could hide from me? That you were still up-and-running? Still functional, and still weaving yourself into galactic affairs."
"That's not what it was about"
"Oh, of course not. Not Medivh Guldon, The Viceroy who grew a heart and a conscience after his biological one failed him. How pretentious. How self-righteous. You are no better than me, Medivh"
"I didn't arrange for my children to fight each other to the death"
"No? Really? You didn't have your pretty replica kill Phage?"
"Phage was just a machine"
"So are you. So am I. What we are built of isn't what defines who we are. Wasn't it you who taught me that?"
"Phage was a failed experiment that needed to be destroyed to save others. He never reached the potential he was meant to."
"Neither did Alexia. Neither did Karen. Honestly, at this point, it doesn't matter which one ended on top. I will be all that is left of the Winton family. All that is left of the Phage construct. The strongest there is in both droid and jedi. Even you cannot stop me, Medivh. Your meddlesome abilities are not what they once were. Your genius is limited"
Medivh's frowned turned to a smile for a moment
"And you were just a hack. Never able to do it yourself. Always needing lackies"
Winton raised his arm, blaster pointed at the screen and firing a shot. It flickered off of another forcefield, protecting the screen, slamming into the wall.
"Nice shot"
"Just target practice. Anyhow, I'm afraid I cannot stay much longer. the fireworks are starting. I just came to take what is mine"
"Nothing is yours, Alex. You are just a very good thief"
Winton smiled
"With a galaxy of gullible fools, it is the cunning thief that always wins"
"Not today, Alex"
There was a sudden beeping. Then another, then another, until there was a chorus of beeps. flashes of red lights flickered.
"Until next time, Alex"
Boom - the entire chamber was rocked by explosion after explosion, computer equipment, metal, flesh, duracrete, durasteel, all flying everywhere. The explosions continued up, through the turbolift, to the antechamber, into the hallway, consuming everything inside the complex, caving in, leaving a crater and charred rubble, leaving not a being or a single electrical circuit functional, or alive.
Centerpoint Station
He blinked, staring up at the dark ceiling, contemplating silently. Where was he? Who was he? what was he doing here?
It all came back, in just a few seconds.
He remembered it. The exquisite feeling of dying. Of watching his former comrade and enemy destroy himself to stop him from getting everything.
No matter. One less being to contend with. Medivh probably wasn't dead. Not entirely. Not yet. But it would be a long time before he was a foe again.
Alexander Winton took in an unneeded breathe as the last of the memories downloaded. Slowly, he removed himself from the chamber, put on his uniform sitting in the closet nearby, and made his way toward the command center.
Time to learn how his plan had proceeded in his absence.
TBC
TBC
[/quote]
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbital Patrol: ISD-Corporeal Quandary
A cavernous, darkened suite, atop a massive bed with silken aubergine sheets.
Sleep pulls her under easily and with this comes healing. Her mind, channeling the Force as Dementat had taught her, mends the break and fracture. She had seen him heal a severe saber wound to her leg without leaving so much as a mark. Now, as her body rests, her subconscious mind goes beyond traditional medicine. Hours pass as part of her own recharging period, fortifying herself for what is to come.
In the morning, she wakes feeling refreshed but plagued with dread. Sliding her injured leg over the side of the bed, she tests her weight on it and stands. Aside from being sore, the limp has vanished. Her wrist is in a similar condition as she rotates it slowly, methodically, to explore its range of motion. Thankfully, Karen is left-handed and these setbacks would not hinder use of Alexia's saber. She cannot stop thinking about the things Admiral Price told her. The blockade over Corellia. Melanie and Kimber. Centerpoint. She has learned enough to know there is no coincidence about Corellia, her friends and the final target Mara and Karen needed to eliminate. This has her father's mark all over it and she is determined not to allow his games throw them off track.
With her back in the capital at a time of war, things must appear as they always have. Especially after such an extended absence. No doubt there has been talk of her whereabouts and the facade must remain intact, despite its ridiculousness. They adore her for certain reasons, mostly involving power, beauty and style. Any missteps would cause panic and there is no way she is going to let that happen. Dementat and their Empire have a lot riding on a clash with the Confederation and for what it was worth, she would do her part to ease tensions while diverting suspicion away from her and Mara's true intentions. Admiral Price and the medical team had not yet released the information about her return to the crew or the public and with good reason. Her battered appearance would arouse suspicion, especially if her father was watching.
The stylists arrive promptly and she succumbs to their whims.
Her body is scrubbed, waxed and polished, nails expertly done and painted. They cut, tint and style her hair. After a grueling selection of outfits, they choose the perfect corset dress which threatens to cut off her air supply but looks too good to resist and shows just the right amount of skin. Her makeup is shimmering and severe, giving her a vaguely threatening appeal. The heels, while stunning, cause her leg to ache but she smiles on and appears before the crew as perfectly put together as always.
As far as they know, she has been on an extended holiday but now it was time to rally support for their troops and their Emperor. Being a public face has always been her thing but where once she drew excitement and pleasure from the spectacle now only makes her more aware of the pressing dangers ahead.
The lighting is perfected and cams poised and ready as she holds her head high. The emerald eyes glitter as her finely polished mouth begins to move.
"Citizens of the Empire, I have returned to you at the dawn of our greatest hour! The Confederation threat which has taken so much from us will now suffer for their treachery. Join me in support of our fleets at the command of the great Emperor Dementat. His guidance and leadership will see us prevail. Long live the Galactic Empire!"
The lights fade to black and the message would be broadcast and replayed throughout their territories. She hopes Dementat himself would see it and know that she is safe, at least temporarily. She could not, however, reveal she would be inserting herself into the fray for a completely different purpose. When her lover defeats the Confederation and she and Mara have stopped Alexander Winton, she would convince him to free Corellia and withdraw the hits on both Melanie and Kimber by linking their actions to the fight against her father's crimes. Once he is drawn the whole picture and grasps the magnitude and implications, their involvement could be spun to appear as heroic instead of traitorous. At least that's how she imagines it going down.
But first, she would have to tell Mara what she has learned and conspire to use the situation to their advantage to infiltrate Centerpoint.
Let the scheming being.
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Orbital Patrol: ISD-Corporeal Quandary
Mara made it off the shuttle, letting herself be bossed into a gurney. By all appearances, she was human, and her injuries looked extensive. It took several minutes before the droid specialist realized she was there for Mara, and she was now oggling over her like a rare treasure. Karen is barely conscious, but Mara smiles as her last words fill the space between them. They are friends.
She lies on the gurney as she makes an assessment of herself. Damaged but not destroyed. Phage could have done worse, but perhaps it was Phage's arrogance that allowed Mara to fight back. Or just he hadn't realized she was carrying and placing explosives. Or maybe - a thought that truly bothered her - she had been allowed to defeat Phage.
No time for that. She had to deal with her own problems. She had still been vulnerable, weakened, by near destruction when she had escaped Corellia, what felt like ages ago. Even with some minor repairs, her systems, batteries, everything had seemed subpar to what she was capable of at full strength. And now, she felt the draining, that feeling of tiredness that told her that systems needed not only a rest, but a strong rejuvenation and recharge.
The battery she had placed to keep her arm working was blown out, the hand limp at her side. Other parts of her were not that much better. She was gurneyed into a tech office, where the specialist began looking her over with his instruments.
"Human Replica Droid. Very rare. Do you know your model? designation number?"
Mara offered a weak smirk
"Let's just say I am unique."
"I'm not sure I'll be able to help you much if I don't have technical specs. I don't think spare parts will work"
Mara nodded. Of course, her precise technical specs were not available to her. That had been part of her initial mission. But she did know a few things, how her systems worked together with the biological portions to create the being she was.
"Let me send you a data spread of the specs I know, and the parts that will be needed. I'll also need a bacta tank to help heal the skin coating and other organic parts"
I'll see what I can do.
"And doctor?"
"Yes?"
"If I find out any of the information I give you goes beyond you, your death will be very slow, and very agonizing. Am I clear?"
The specialist nodded.
"Yes, ma'am"
******************************
Shut down. For not minutes or hours, but days. Hard to do extensive repairs on an active machine. Too much risk of shock or other not-so-pleasant effects. Her naked form was suspended in a bacta tank, skin, bones, muscle tissue interweaving and healing as mechanical arms reached in and provided technical support. Like fine stitching a pattern, skin interweaved with bio-feedback sensors, interlaced with newly installed circuitry. Her hand had been replaced with a replica, not quite as perfect as before, but as close as could be gotten. Battery cells that were damaged had been replaced by the best the Empire had to offer. So were other circuits that had been damaged or destroyed.
All save one. One circuit was left exposed by explicit instructions. If it had been 'repaired' as the specialist had planned on doing, it would have taken away Mara's new found abilities with the Force. No, he had to steer clear of that, no matter what. Mara wasn't sure why, but she knew she had to keep this power. After days of utter blankness, Mara was returned to a 'shutdown state' allowing her diagnostics to begin running their tasks. It would still be days before she would be allowed into a conscious state, and days more before she would be out of the tank.
She hadn't registered when Karen had come to visit her, nor the announcement made about the the attack against the Corellians, nor of the seige at Corellia, the world she had sworn to protect.
Instead, she had her own worries.
Flash
Mara is running, faster than she can imagine. Behind her, it is not Phage, but Alexander Winton running after her. She is certain that in her periphery there are battles taking place, of those familiar and unfamiliar to her. But she doesn't stop running.
Alexander Winton is soon replaced by a massive ball of fire, threatening to consume Mara and ... what was that she was holding?
Running, running running.
And then a voice, one familiar and distant at the same time, whispering as she ran.
"what does it mean to be alive?"
Flash
Diagnostic complete. INFILTRATOR-01, running at 97% efficiency. Preparing to test active function of systems ...
******************************
Mara opened her eyes, staring up at the laboratory around her. The dream still haunted her. It had recurred, again and again. Each time, she tried discerning what she was carrying, why she was running, who was around her, but to no avail. Still, she felt more whole now than she had in a long time.
She was ready to meet up with Karen, and finish the job they had started.
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
In the days that pass as Mara heals, Karen takes the opportunity to do a little press. She is transported to the surface for a few appearances, a restaurant, a nightclub, all while rabid fans beg for more. The rumors swirling around her engagement have reached a fevered peak and she hints at plans that may or may not occur after the Confederation conflict is resolved. She insists the safety of the people and integrity of the Empire is more important than her happiness which earns her major kudos from the networks.
Her ring is photaged to death as is her every move along a carefully crafted mini-tour that somehow manages to inspire. The Imperial public is so easily amused by the once and future Empress. Admiral Price is with her every step of the way and notifies her when Mara is well enough to visit. He escorts her back to the Corporeal Quandary where she takes her leave and returns to the executive floor.
Privacy is of the utmost importance.
Karen finds Mara sitting in the lounge. She smiles brightly and resists the urge to hug her, settling instead for making them a well deserved cocktail. Their current appearance would not even remotely suggest they had barely escaped the Coruscant Asteroid field with their lives. They toast to the victories they have shared when Karen's face grows more serious.
"We have a problem," she says. "And you are not going to like it."
Mara turns, "Tell me."
"It seems that in response to the Confederation interference, the Imperial fleets now impose a blockade around Corellia. I am told things are not good. A time-table for Judec's surrender was issued and expired without so much as a peep from him. The coward. Attacks have begun, attacks I will unfortunately not be able to stop. Dementat is out for blood and he will not rest until he has the Confederation on its knees and the High Commander's head on a platter. Don't hate me but I released a statement in support of these actions."
Karen pauses, inhaling sharply, trying to gauge Mara's impossibly neutral expression.
"The situation does allow us an opportunity to get within range of Centerpoint despite another interesting and highly suspicious intelligence report."
"Which says what exactly?"
She cannot help but cringe.
"Melanie and Kimber are confirmed to be in the Corellian Sector. I don't know how or even where they are but something tells me this is not an accidental occurrence. If my father knows the walls are closing in, it would not be beneath him to use them as leverage. As selfish as it is, I need them to know I have not become the person they believe I am. I want to save them as much as you want to save Corellia. So, I really need your clarity here, Mara. How should we proceed?"
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
"It seems that in response to the Confederation interference, the Imperial fleets now impose a blockade around Corellia. I am told things are not good. A time-table for Judec's surrender was issued and expired without so much as a peep from him. The coward. Attacks have begun, attacks I will unfortunately not be able to stop. Dementat is out for blood and he will not rest until he has the Confederation on its knees and the High Commander's head on a platter. Don't hate me but I released a statement in support of these actions."
Mara is appreciative of Karen's forthrightness. Here, in the privacy of the executive suite, she admitted to playing politics. Of course, a moment of honesty didn't wash away one simple fact. She had also broken her word. That Corellia would be safe, would be free. Was it true? Karen, the Emperor's cherished love, could not persuade him to halt his assault? If that were the case, what guarantees could she make for once the Confederation was defeated? Why would Dementat stop himself from taking an easy-to-take target? Mara says nothing at first, watching Karen fret and then continue
"The situation does allow us an opportunity to get within range of Centerpoint despite another interesting and highly suspicious intelligence report."
"Which says what exactly?"
Mara watches as Karen gives a kind of wince.
"Melanie and Kimber are confirmed to be in the Corellian Sector. I don't know how or even where they are but something tells me this is not an accidental occurrence. If my father knows the walls are closing in, it would not be beneath him to use them as leverage. As selfish as it is, I need them to know I have not become the person they believe I am. I want to save them as much as you want to save Corellia. So, I really need your clarity here, Mara. How should we proceed?"
A part of Mara wonders just how well the game is being played. They have been through a lot together, and yet, Karen had gone back on her word. Even if it was only a little bit. Even if it wasn't her fault. Mara was a droid. She understood - all too well, as the death of Scott St. Claire, Valerie Gellar, and a number of others indicated - that even the best intentions cannot cancel out prior programming. Karen wanted the glory of the Empire. And if that meant sacrificing her integrity - at least as far as Mara is concerned, she might consider it worth it in the long run. Could she? What would Karen do if it meant she had to choose between the Emperor on the one side and her friends on the other? Which would she choose?
Mara did not need to make those choices. At least, that's how she felt. She was fighting to find meaning in her own life, and free Corellia while doing it. Would she sacrifice others to meet that goal? Would she let Karen get hurt? Or ... well, anyone else?
She had let Governor Tacofer die, hadn't she? Couldn't she have protected him if she had sacrificed herself? her anonymity, her secret origins? Maybe she and Karen weren't so different, stuck in hard place, trying to do the impossible.
Maybe she had better offer Karen the benefit of the doubt - that somehow, when things resolve themselves, Corellia would be left to its own devices. If only it survived the war.
Why Corellia? What is the benefit of the Empire hitting Corellia, if the weapon, Centerpoint, is just a hop away? The obvious answer is because the weapon was designed for long-distance attacks, and Corellia was too close. So then why, oh why would Judec - and Alexander Winton by extension - leave Corellia with as few defenses as it had, knowing it would lose? Unless ...
Mara looked up at Karen.
"Your father is going to attack Corellia."
Karen shook her head, not understanding.
"He is going to do to Corellia what he did to Duros - destroy the imperial fleet with the Centerpoint weapon, and care little about what happens to the planet itself. That's why the Corellian fleet isn't at full strength there. Because Winton needs it for the next phase of his attack."
Now it is Karen who looks bewildered.
"But the weapon - it can't"
Mara shook her head
"Your father - he doesn't care what he destroys as long as he wins in the end. Is Dementat at Corellia now? Or is it just his admiral? Either way, the imperial fleet that is there is going to be decimated. You need to go and warn them"
"Me? What about you?"
Mara shook her head
"No - I need to go to Centerpoint, as soon as possible. I have to try to make sure that machine never fires again. I'll sabotage the weapon, you and I will meet back up together, and together, we'll take on your father as a team"
TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
Karen is floored by the connections Mara makes but surprise eludes her. Alexander Winton had once been a man of principle, or at least she had liked to think so. To know now that he would risk an entire planet's population to destroy the Empire she and Dementat were trying to build fuels the fires of her rage.
She also knows her actions, the press conference and subsequent tour, has disappointed Mara. This knowledge brings guilt in the tangles of their newfound friendship and respect. She had made promises, ones she is not certain she can keep. Her bond with Dementat is intensely strong but is it stronger than his lust for revenge against the Confederation? Could she sway him to leave them alone once Judec and his forces have been defeated? Her powers of persuasion had always worked in the past. Well, for the most part. Her looks and talent nearly always got her what she wanted. This fight goes much deeper than that but she has to play a role in order to maintain leverage to get them within range of their goal - her father's ultimate destruction. Karen knows all too well how fickle the public can be and to not speak out in support of her lover would cast suspicion where there could be none. She must appear to fall in line with these goals and she was careful not to go so far as to say they should take Corellia for themselves. The Confederation, in league with her father, must be stopped. There is no getting around that. This conflict is means to an end and she only hopes that after the dust has settled, she would be able to honor her word.
The surprise finally comes when Mara suggests they split up - she to Centerpoint and Karen to warn Dementat and the fleet.
"I have to try to make sure that machine never fires again. I'll sabotage the weapon, you and I will meet back up together, and together, we'll take on your father as a team."
She ponders this.
"I have unmarked Intel shuttles available for operatives looking to maintain a low profile."
Karen makes arrangements with Admiral Price then glances back at her, a fresh wave of emotion crashing into her.
"Your shuttle is waiting in docking bay twenty-six. Are you sure about this?"
Mara nods, moving past her toward the door. Karen swallows hard, fighting the urge to grab her, to do any of the things she would have done with a friend she doesn't want to see get hurt, to suffer as so many of them had. Keeping composure, she calls after her.
"You can always reach me through the Force and for Maker's sake be careful."
Mara turns, their eyes locking in the moment before the lift doors close.
"I will."
Karen packs a relatively small bag, clipping Alexia's saber to her belt before heading down to her personal shuttle bay where the transport is idling. Admiral Price is standing at attention near the bottom of the open ramp, looking pained.
"Forgive my candor, your Highness but do you really wish to join the fleets on the front lines?"
She smiles, lightly touching the side of his face.
"It's destiny, Landon. You have always served me well and my gratitude at your loyalty goes deeper than you will ever know. If I need you, trust that I will call."
"Good luck, your Highness."
She nods and moves steadily up the ramp. She did not request a support team to accompany her, emboldened by Mara's quip about her piloting skills. She is going alone. Once the ramp is sealed and she is strapped in, she takes the controls and eases the shuttle out of the bay over the swirling glow of Byss. So long, my dark friend, who knows when we shall meet again.
As the shuttle gains distance from the Corporeal Quandary, Karen opens a hail to the Saevia's Revenge and identifies herself. Not even a moment later, Dementat's voice fills the cabin.
"My love."
"Hold your position, I'm coming to you."
She cuts him off before he can protest. This is no time for a domestic. The nav computers calculations are complete and with a gentle tug on the controls, the shuttle flares into hyperspace for Corellia.
-TBC
-
Byss: Imperial Capital
"I have unmarked Intel shuttles available for operatives looking to maintain a low profile."
Mara tilts her head at Karen, stunned by her quiet acceptance. She had grown since they had first met, no longer the carefree sith princess. She was thoughtful, careful. And trusting of Mara, in a way that Mara was still unsure if she could reciprocate. At least while Corellia was in the balance. But, if nothing else, Karen had earned something from Mara - her respect.
The arrangements for the shuttle are made efficiently, the crew of the Corporeal Quandary obedient to the last. They are standing together for the last time before they separate.
"Your shuttle is waiting in docking bay twenty-six. Are you sure about this?"
Mara simply nods, quiet with her own feelings, and with introspection, feeling the weight of task before her. She is about to disappear through the door when Karen calls back to her
"You can always reach me through the Force and for Maker's sake be careful."
Mara turned, her eyes meeting Karen's as the lift doors begin to close, Mara lifting her hand to her ear, but did Karen catch that? It was meant to be a reminder of another method of communication - the earing/communicator Mara had made Karen when they had set out on one leg of this journey. She could hardly remember where it was. Naboo? or some other place? Either way, Mara hoped that Karen remembered it, lest the power of the Force fail them.
Down at the shuttle, Mara is alone, save for a few technicians going about their business, final checking the shuttle. She doesn't stop, doesn't wait a single moment even. Time is of the essence. Before even sitting, she begins powering up the shuttle, running final readouts as it hovers toward the docking bay entrance and out to space, setting nav coordinates, a treacherous route out of the Core, purposely avoiding Corellia and its fleet of interdictors, circling around to reach Centerpoint from an alternate direction.
In hyperspace, she feels more alone than ever, running schematics on herself as well as the ship.
She can almost feel it coming this time.
FLASH
There she is running again, carrying that bundle, dodging enemies and fire and avoiding those close to her. She sees Karen and Melanie Masterton in battle, the Emperor dueling with Alexander Winton, a soldier and a pregnant woman, and still she runs with that bundle.
What does it mean to be alive?
FLASH
Centerpoint Station
In the deep space between Talus and Tralus, she emerges from hyperspace to see something she had quite expected. A massive fleet of ships, a larger force than anything at Corellia, lying in wait. Expecting the imminent attack of the imperials. she recognized ships from the Coruscant Asteroid Field, under Phage's command, the ones that had disappeared before they had entered the platform. Any many others. She let the ship power down as much as possible while contemplating what exactly she was going to do in order to reach the platform in one piece.
-
Centerpoint Station
Mara's instruments were off the charts, struggling against the energy that was passing beneath her ship. She felt it buck against her, felt it whine in protest, but she was making progress. And no one had spotted her. She hoped.
The massive station, a central sphere with two cylinders jutting out opposite ends, loomed closer and closer to her. Massive didn't even adequately describe what this was. Larger than any space station, the sphere by itself was probably the size of the second death star, and the cylinders added tremendous size to it. Of course it controlled gravity - it was big enough to probably produce its own.
Except it didn't, Mara had to remind herself. The sphere used artificial gravity, while the two cylinders spun around fast enough to have centrifical force simulate gravity. The amount of energy the station had to expend just to keep that basic function going was enough to drain a starfleet, quickly. But Centerpoint had a massive, and mysterious energy source, in its very center. the key to its power, and the weapon it housed. The structure drew closer and closer, and finally, Mara began to break away from her path, yanking hard on her stick to fight the ship's desire to go down into that deadly energy field. She could see the satellite up ahead, wondering to herself if she could just fire at it, and destroy it.
But no, that wouldn't work. She could see the shield shimmer ever so slightly. No stray shot would knock out that creation. Plus, it wouldn't destroy the ship's stronger capabilities, to hit further targets. This satellite was made of different metals than the rest of the ship, and the contrast told Mara that it was part of Alexander Winton's plan, to hit smaller targets, ships instead of planets.
Finally, she felt the ship break free of the gravity grip, her ship suddenly surging forward and she had to ease up on the controls. Her small shuttle skimmed just a few meters above the surface of the sphere, and she began trying to figure out how best to break in.
She passed, letting the shuttle float over the spinning cylinder on the far side of the station. That was when she first heard the warning.
"Unidentified shuttle - you are not authorized here. Power down and prepare to be boarded"
Mara had no intention of letting that happen. Pressing the throttle forward, she picked up speed, turning slightly to begin circling the station along the same motion as the cylinder itself. She heard the blasts of lasers behind her, and scanners were picking up Corellian fighters, a half dozen, closing in on her.
"Unidentifed shuttle, power down now, or you will be destroyed"
Mara only sped up more, moving the stick back and forth, and sending the ship in zigzags to avoid the fire. Great. So much for an unseen approach. She abruptly flipped the shuttle, turning it on to her attacks, letting loose a flurry of her own laser fire and knocking out two Corellian Fighters in the first volley, then swung back around to get some distance. She felt a shutter as the ship took some hits, red lights flashing on the dashboard.
More enemies were closing in, and she knew she wasn't going to make it long like this. She began aiming the ship toward Centerpoint, speeding up as much as possible, and triggering the landing claw to connect to the station itself. Setting the ship on autopilot, she grabbed her blaster, and moved to the hatch, twisting it, pushing it open, and feeling the vacuum of space. She was almost out!
Not five seconds later, the shuttle burst into a ball of fire, the Corellian fighters zooming past.
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
Primary systems have been compromised ...
Rerouting power ...
Backup systems, functioning at 85% ...
Running, diagnostic ...
Data storage ... unharmed ...
Cognitive Processors ... unharmed ...
Endoskeletal frame ... 95% functional ...
Biometric skin ... 70% functional ...
Optical scanners ... unharmed ...
Reactivating subroutines ...
Mara blinked, watching swirls of light spin around her. It took her several seconds to realize it wasn't actually swirls, but stars. An almost endless field of stars, marked only by the occasional dimness. She barely remembered what happened - the explosion, her ship destroyed, and almost her along with it. Apparently, instead of he graceful exit, she had been blown away from her ship at high velocity. And now, she was spinning somewhere in the vicinity of Centerpoint Station, though of course, the force of the blast could have sent her miles away. Closing her eyes, she went through the results of the automatic diagnostic. Main power had been compromised, and apparently, she was missing a fair amount of flesh. That would be pretty. And of course, she was still spinning.
Going through her options, she gently activated a magnetic field. Nothing strong, to be sure. Nothing that would help in a normal atmosphere. But if she was even remotely close to anything metallic, the smallest magnetic field should stop her spinning. At least, that was the theory.
She didn't feel anything at first. After several minutes, she opened her eyes again and smiled with the slightest amount of relief. She was slowing down, and those streaks of light almost looked stars now. And she could see her target coming into focus. It took several more minutes before she had just about stopped moving, and found herself about 10 meters away from one end of Centerpoint's massive hulk. It was spinning fast, creating that artificial gravity that kept it functional. Now, if only she could reach it.
glancing down at herself, she tried to assess what she had on her. Clothing and skin were charred in various places, and dried blood hid some of the more untasteful injuries. But luck, apparently, was with her. Her holster was still firmly in place, it's durable material barely the worse for the wear, and her blaster was still tucked safely inside.
Doing a half sommersault, she rotated her body so that her legs were pointing away from Centerpoint, her head facing the fast-speeding station. Pulling out the blaster, she aimed it at the open space between her feet, took a deep (and unneeded) breathe, and fired.
The streak of light that shot from the weapon shot across the expanse of space until it dissipated. But the pushback from firing pushed Mara in the opposite direction - toward the station itself. With virtually no friction to stop her, she began sailing toward Centerpoint. Quickly holstering the weapon, she put her arms up in front of her head, praying she didn't lose a limb in the process.
Head craned upward as she watched the space between her and the station closing, bracing for the impact.
WHAM!
Just as she was about to hit the station, she grasped a pipe that seemed to run along its circumference. Her body was jerked in a rush of speed. The sudden acceleration would have been enough to kill most lifeforms, or at the very least, take off a limb. As it was, even Mara felt severe pain, was holding on for dear life as she felt herself being pulled from the station she grasped so tentatively.
With effort, she pulled herself in more, wrapping her arms, around the pipe. Her feet were swinging out, but she tucked them in and then wrapped them around the pipe as well. Then she began inching along the pipe, slowly but surely. At some point, the pipe had to lead inside the station. And that would be her entrance as well.
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
She felt like she was being weighed down by huge blanks of duracrete and metal, the speed of the station's rotation, creating the artificial gravity, was also making her movement a lot tougher than she would have liked.
Slowly, Mara inched along, wrapped around the pipe that was keeping her from flying back off into space. She had no sense of how far she'd gone, her sensors working overtime to keep her sense of balance.
Finally, she found what she was looking for. The pipe came to a juncture, a point where it split off in several directions, including into what appeared to be a large ventilation box. That had to be her ticket in. At least she hoped, or else she could be sitting out here forever. Grasping firmly to the pipe, she pushed her legs out in front of her, ramming them into the box. With each hit, she felt the swing of the artificial gravity pulling her back and she had to adjust her position, holding tight, kicking out again. Finally, the box gave way, a small square of metal punching out into space.
She crawled forward along the pipe and slid into the open space, allowing herself to be pressed against the outer wall of the box while she took a moment to rest and get a sense of her surroundings. The box was the end of a closed circuit ventilation system, ray shielded so it kept air in but allowed certain particles out. And luckily, it allowed her in. At this point in the vent, it was a bit grimy, the accumulated dirt of a large portion of the this side of the station, at least the parts that had not been sucked out into space. Up ahead, another opening, leading into the ducts that ran through the station.
After another moment break, she pushed herself up, feeling the weight of the gravity, strongest still here, but at least manageable. She could stand here. The entrance she was taking was up, further into the station.
With a firm foothold, she was better able to utilize her strength, knocking away the vent opening and climbing up into the duct. Her scanners had been damaged in the explosion of her ship, but she was able to get a small readout of her location. She was in the lower, outer ring of the cylinder, an area used mostly for storage, due to increased gravity that makes most uncomfortable. Living quarters were further in, where the gravity was at about the same level as on most habitable worlds. In the upper levels, gravity was a bit lighter, and probably used for scientific research.
She registered that there was a lot of activity here on the outer level - artificial activity, though very little bio readouts. This must be where the machinery of the station was located. either that, or she had found the last target - the droids that were located on Centerpoint.
She began moving through the vents, vertically and sideways, until she finally came to what felt like a good opening. Punching out, she pulled out her blaster and hopped down to the sound of running machinery.
There it was, just as she expected. The most frightening thing she had ever seen. An army of MagnaGuard IG-100 droids. They looked like an army of Phages. An army of droids, and the factory building more every minute.
She didn't have her charges on her anymore. She would have to hardwire the system to overheat, and hope it would explode. Quietly, moving through the statues of inactive droids, she got a very eerie feeling.
Then she got the message from Karen. It was staticky at first, she couldn't quite place it. Was her communicator damaged?
"Mara...?"
Well, regardless, she knew who was calling her now.
"Karen, my communicator has been damaged. But I've found them. I've found the droids. There are a lot of them. An army. We're going to need a lot of explosives for this one. There is a docking bay at sector O-179. It's fairly close to my location, but probably heavily guarded. You'll need to ... wait a second"
There was a small buzzing sound coming from around Mara, slowly getting louder. Then she saw it, perhaps the scariest thing she'd ever seen. One by one, the red eyes of the droids around her lit up. The army was coming to life.
"Karen - they're being activated. We need a new plan."
Mara backed away, moving out of the lines of droids, back to where she had made her entrance. One by one, she heard the whine as the droids were being activated. She jumped back into the vent, just as she heard them turn, start marching toward their destination. Ready to kill.
"Karen. We won't be able to take on these droids on our own."
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
Mara hid in the ventilation shaft, watching through the grating as droid after droid marched beneath her. If they ever thought to look up, she might be their next target, and an easy kill. These looked like Phage, but they didn't have his pride, the weakness that allowed his defeat. They would kill when ordered, no questions asked.
She had waited for several minutes, but the marching seemed endless. How many droids were on this station? Sure it was huge - but didn't it house OTHER things? like a big weapon that could destroy, well, anything? She decided finally that too much time was being wasted. She couldn't contact Karen, both because of the broken transmitter, and for fear of making noise. Instead, she started moving along the shaft, silently as she could, inching, inching, inching.
Her schematic readout of the station was only minutely helpful. She was making her way in the opposite direction of the droid armies, hoping to eventually put distance between them. Whether she was closing in on Karen's location, if Karen had landed, was another story entirely.
Every so often, she would reach an intersection, curving much like the shape of the station itself, but she ignored them. On and on she went, through the bowels of Centerpoint. Until finally, she could go no further, at least straight. She could hear, through the metal, something like the sound of two well greased pieces of metal sliding against each other. She had reached the edge of the cyllinder, where it connected to that central sphere. To go further, she would have to move from a fast moving object to a very stationary one.
Only a few places on the station allowed for that movement. Several deceleration ports existed, where one goes inside a tube that starts out at the speed of the cylinder's rotation, and it slows until it stops and connects to the other side. But those facilities would be disabled in a fight, plus they took a long time to decelerate. The only way in, therefore, was in the very middle. The very center of the cylinder connection.
Mara couldn't go forward, but she was able to move up. A vertical shaft brought her deeper into the station, away from the rim that she had crawled in for hours now. Still in the vents, she managed to avoid the various battles going on - though occasionally, she caught sight of blasted metal, or saw through vents droids or soldiers moving through hallways. Not her concern. Not yet, anyway. She had decided it would be too difficult to find and reach Karen. Instead, she was heading to the source.
Up up up. The climbing would have been impossible for a human. Even for Mara, droid that she was, was injured and after hundreds of ladder steps, was beginning to register the fatigue. Finally, she reached the very top of the shaft, a sealed porthole above her. Pulling out her blaster and raising it with one hand, she opened the porthole with the other and climbed out.
She found herself standing on a very high platform, overlooking the large empty space in the center of the cylinder. Looking upward, she could see, about 100 meters above, another platform, raised up from the opposite side of the cylinder. The gravity here was lighter, so close to the center. Behind her, the massive blastdoor that opened when the weapon was being used in its full, long range capacity. Now, it barred her way.
That was when the lights dimmed, flashed for just a second. The weapon had been fired. And in that moment, the blast doors opened, just a pinch, and only for a second, right in the middle.
Sure, why not make things more complicated?
Glancing around, surprised that she was alone, she took a soft jump, testing the area around her. She felt light, as if on a moon bounce, or floating in water. Her feet touched down again and she glanced upward, determined. Bending her knees, she sprung upward, hard as she could.
The pull of gravity dropped, lower and lower, and she began to feel herself spinning - or rather, the station was spinning around her. She sailed through the air - and then felt the inverse, gravity pulling her, face first. She watched, the dizzying effect as her landing point rotated around her over and over again, kicking out her feet in a froggy-style to accelerate just a bit. Timing had to be perfect. Hands outstretched contacting with the platform on the opposite side (though it was possible it was actually the same platform, having rotated around her). She felt herself rolling backward catching her grip just before falling off the platform, down several stories to the occupied decks below.
So the theory worked. She could fly across the expanse. Now, how to get to and stay at that middle point.
Adjusting herself, she set up for another spring, this time, aim slightly slanted, toward the giant blastdoor.
One. two. three. Jump.
There she went again, sailing through the air, the entire station spinning around her thousands of times per second but she was focused on one point, a semi-stationary point, grasping at the fine grooves of the metal to stop her flight.
And there, holding steady at the very center of the cylinder, with centrifical force equal on all sides, she hovered, weightless. Waiting.
It was another long wait - apparently, the weapon needed recharging. But finally, she got the warning signs, grasping the metal firmly. 3. 2. 1.
A flicker of light, compressed air sucking through the tiny hole. And she released, letting the suction of air pull her through the gap in the seconds of the blast before the blast door slammed closed again.
As she came through, she saw the most beautiful golden light, hovering in the very center of the expanse, glowing, pulsing light. Centerpoint's energy source. She felt it pulling at her, it's own source of gravity, so intense and strong. She quickly began to panic, on her uncontrolled flight. Grasping desperately, her foot hooked onto the only thing in this chamber besides her and the energy source - the metal frame of the arm that extended out the satellite that effectively triggered the weapon.
It was still retracting to safety after the last blast, and she grabbed hold just as it tucked passed her.
Gravity pulling at her toward the center still, she clung to the metallic arm, dragging her way to its base, which hooked up to the ceiling of the chamber. There, she grimaced as she glanced at a small observation window of scientists staring bewildered at her.
Turning her head, she saw another observation area - only much nicer looking. A huge office, comfortable yet sparse furniture, high backed chairs. The local residence of the high commander. And there he was, sitting in his chair, staring out the viewport at the stars on the other side, oblivious to her.
Caring little about the possible repercussions of her actions, she clung to the metal arm with one hand and pulled back out her blaster with the other. Firing several shots in quick succession, only to find the transparisteel windows were reinforced. No laser fire was going to do the trick.
"great, now what?"
The scientists were scrambling to get assistance, and she predicted she didn't have that much time. She looked around and found, just at the base of the metallic arm, a hatch, probably there to allow technicians to run repairs if necessary. Well now, it was her ticket inside. She made her way to the hatch, and busted it open, firing several scatter shots through before she slipped in.
She was once again in tight quarters, a service tube, but now, she knew her directions, and where she was going. Only a few dozen paces to the right, and she reached her destination, a service entrance. Kicking it in, she burst into the room, the high commander's office
Blaster out, she approached the desk.
"Hello, high commander."
She circled around the desk and stared at the figure there. It was him. Saga Judec alright. But he was definitely not alive. His body had strange marks around the neck, but otherwise, he looked remarkably well preserved. His blank eyes though - they gave it away.
"I'm afraid the High Commander has been dead for some time now. He outlived his usefulness"
Mara turned the blaster aim ready, shots fired but the man in front of her put out his gloved hand, and the shots seemed to go nowhere.
"That won't be necessary, Mara"
Mara held the blaster steady, pointing it at him. He looked familiar, but not just because of his resemblance to Karen. He looked remarkably like the picture in the Winton residence.
And his smile looked so much more sinister now.
"Yes, I know who you are. I've known you longer than you've known yourself. But please, let me introduce myself. I am Alexander Winton"
-
Centerpoint Station
"Yes, I know who you are. I've known you longer than you've known yourself. But please, let me introduce myself. I am Alexander Winton"
There he was. The mastermind himself. It was remarkable how human he looked, and yet he also had a distinctly evil appearance. Maybe it was the eyes or the smile. Or maybe it was just what Mara knew about him.
Or, maybe he felt like he didn't have to hide anymore, because he felt like he won.
Mara was a bit put off by his pleasantries. She glanced down from his face to his outstretched hand, then back up at him. Did he really expect her to shake?
A moment later, he withdrew it with a shrug.
"Well, you never were one to get stuck on ceremony. Let's talk about why you are here"
Mara took a deep breathe, slowly going through what weapons she still carried on her. She still had the blaster, and tucked in a safe place in the utility belt, a thermal detonator. Could she wipe him out with just that? Probably not without taking out herself in the process. She continued listening as the man spoke.
"I know your too smart to think Judec planned it all by himself, the downfall of the Empire through a cunning ploy, the appearance of over confidence backfiring as Corellia bit more than it could chew, while saving a fleet commanded by droids for the trap. Judec was a brilliant mind, but never quite that subtle. You met up with my daughter, learned about some of my prior schemes - and realized I was still alive. You may even have had the assistance of another one of your creators. Medivh."
Mara didn't say anything, but her mind was whirling. He knew about Medivh? As if reading her next thought, Winton continued.
"Medivh - yes, I knew of him. A self exiled man. So much potential, and then, struck with guilt. Quite a weak emotion for someone headed for greatness. Cacooned in a machine, buried in a swamp. Watching the galaxy passively. He could have told you a great deal of information. He is, afterall, one of the few men I regarded as my equal. At one time, at least. But no more. I have destroyed him, finally. His guilt at immortality left him vulnerable to my attack and Medivh, and all his vast knowledge, are now gone."
Gone. Mara's ... father? she never had really finalized the label she placed on Medivh, but she definitely considered him to be family. And Winton had killed him?
"Did he tell you what I had become? How I truly could no longer be killed? Quite a remarkable ability. Dying is exquisite, perhaps you will even try it one day"
He smiled at his own odd humor, but it looked to Mara more like a sneer.
"Which brings us back to you. You were here to stop Judec. But more, you were here to stop me. And Karen? Karen is here to bring about the end of a prophesy that is patently false. Well, not entirely. You see, I learned long ago that all real prophesies come true, but they are indecipherable. HOW they come true is a matter of planning. When my wife unlocked that gem of a prophesy, I found the key to greatness. Not just immortality - but ultimate domination. Look what I have done. I brought the powers of the galaxy to its knees with just a few words. But all of it, every last bit of it, is thanks to you, Mara"
For the first time since his introduction, Mara spoke
"Me? What did I ever do for you?"
"Well of course, you were the prototype. Phage was a servant of Medivh, but a programming glitch - caused in part by me, I admit - made him a monster. A ruthless being that could create armies to threaten the very galaxy. That glitch led to the rise of the Confederation and Saga Judec, and me to my place of greatest influence.
You were not Phage. He always thought he created you, but your programming was never entirely his to create. Medivh, me, Patten - the three of us created something special. Phage only took the program we made and brought it to life. But oh, the things you could do. Regeneration was never a perfect thing, because it was always limited by computer software. Until we saw what happened to you.
Your repairs before leaving Corellia - we were able to scan things in your programming that had never existed in a droid before. That programming was inserted into all the programming that became a part of me. And then, of course, your little visit to Coruscant is what brought me back to life.
That's right Mara - you are the reason I am both alive today, and about to become ruler of this galaxy."
Mara took a step back, shaking her head
"No - that can't be. THat doesn't make any -"
"sense? perhaps not. But its true. If it weren't for you, Corellia would not be at war with the Empire, the weapon would not have been reactivated, and Dementat would not at this moment be heading to his death"
Mara tried grasping at the weight of responsibility he was placing on her.
"But you-"
"I couldn't care less, Mara, how many individuals die. They are all of them expendable. I get what I want. You just helped me"
"Why are you telling me this?"
He smiled again. How quickly she had grown to hate that smile.
"Because I want you on my side, working for me. You are brilliant, Mara. Stronger, faster, more intelligent than anyone else in the galaxy. You would be my most powerful servant."
"Until I was too much of a risk to you, outlasted my usefulness and became expendable?"
The accusation might have tripped others up, but no, Alexander Winton didn't miss a beat.
"Precisely. You begin to understand how the galaxy really works. No one really cares about anyone. Karen loved having friends, until they became a risk to her, and then she set out to destroy them. She allied with you because she needed you. You allied with her because you needed her. And Dementat and Karen, for all of their supposed passion - their love is also about the collision of destiny. If either one ever suspected the other, one of them would be dead fairly quickly.
You and I need not play that game of affection. We understand the situation. You work for me until it's no longer to your benefit, and I keep you around until it's no longer to mine. And then, one of us will kill the other"
"Or fight each other for eternity, being reincarnated"
"Ah, well, of course, that part only goes one way - I have many, many, many duplicates. You, as a prototype, have just you. When you die, that will be the end of Mara Anna Gellar"
Mara took another breathe, tilting her head
"That doesn't seem to be a fair deal"
"But it is the deal I offer. You can accept it and live until you think you can kill me, or die before the Emperor does"
"A very sith notion - a master and apprentice, until one kills the other"[/color]
"THe concept is true enough - the two strongest in the galaxy should only need to worry about each other, and the rest are all pawns. I think you would make a fantastic ally and my best adversary in a long time. It would be truly enjoyable"
"With millions dying in the middle"
"All souls are expendable, Mara. You and me are just the ones who can outlast the rest. So what do you say?"
Mara glanced out beyond Alexander Winton, out the viewport at the battle raging in the space beyond. explosions rocked back and forth, both fleets suffering heavily. She couldn't see from here who was worse off.
It was a game to him. He had been bored with life, so he set out this plot in motion. And now, seeing his victory so close, he anticipated more boredom. So he wanted Mara to be his adversary. To work with him to consolidate his rule, until she tired of him, and then fight him to the end. And then, she would be replaced by a new adversary. To keep him and his eternity from boredom.
"I have a third option"
"And what's that?"
"That you be the one to die die. today"
He laughed out loud. A truly evil laugh.
"I don't know who you think you are dying for. The galaxy despises you"
"That may be true. But I made a solemn vow that I don't intend to break"
"A pity. Such a pity. Goodbye Mara"
Alexander Winton's hands suddenly lifted, palms facing Mara and he pushed out. Like a rush of wind, Mara felt herself shoved hard, flying through the air to the back wall, nearest the door, collapsing to a heap on the ground.
More evil laughter.
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
Mara should have anticipated that - Alexander Winton had the power of the Force. Karen had said that he was not given the gift - that it had passed from her mother. Of course, Alexander could have easily created in his own new incarnation the same switch that had been placed in her.
Her injuries felt more accute as she crumpled to the ground, body running a quick assessment as she focused on Winton, walking toward her slowly and methodically. His hand was out then, and Mara was lifted up into the air. Both hands together then slowly parting and Mara could feel what he was doing - using the Force to quite literally pull her apart.
Not if she had anything to say about it.
Reaching down into her subroutines, through her cybernetic systems, she activated that spark, that connection that would bring the Force to her aid. Not too strong, but strong enough and a moment later, there it was, coursing through her. She looked down at him and then brought her own arms around her, letting the Force envelope her, protect her. Winton's hold broke and she landed on her feet in front of him.
He looked at her with curiosity for a moment, maybe even surprise, but then he smiled again.
"Well, look at you. All grown up. Apparently, you really HAVE learned about your potential"
Mara's gaze was cold as she pushed out with her hand, the Force push streaming toward Winton - who put out his own hand to block the simplistic attack. Then he pushed out again, the energy coursing back toward her.
Mara reached out, feeling the Force, the attack toward her, and with her arm, she swatted at the energy, batting it away (and incidentally, sending it to crash into one of the chairs in the room.
Meanwhile, Winton had reached out with a hand, a locker at one end of the room opening and an electrostaff hovering across the room to meet him. He began to approach again, Mara taking a step back, eyeing the weapon as he activated it.
Swing. A horizontal swipe, were Mara's abdomen had been moments earlier. She flipped backwards, using her own strength, with just a slight adjustment with the Force to smoothly land near the locker, pulling out another electrostaff. Why have two? Ah, of course - he liked the fight. Winton was moving faster now, closing in with the weapon and slashing again, Mara quickly activating hers and putting up a defensive block, then spinning about to strike herself
Winton blocked, pushing hard, and forcing Mara's arm wide spearing forward with a deadly push of the staff, Mara twirling backwards to avoid it, pushing out with her hand, letting the Force course through her and pushing out again.
Winton had not been expecting that, and he went flying back to the opposite side of the room, Mara, regaining her balance and momentum, running after him, jumping high in the air and landing a strike down where Winton had landed.
Only he had spun about now, swinging low and tripping Mara to the ground. Now he was axing at her wildly, Mara turning side to side to avoid the strike, before she flipped up her legs, pushing them hard into his abdomen and forcing him back.
Each regained their footing, holding the electrostaff defensively.
Mara still had the cold look. Winton was smiling.
"I'm impressed. Even for a droid, you are much more of a fighter than I thought"
"It's what I'm good at"
"True, but then again, so were many, many droids. I have armies of warriors who cannot fight like you"
"It comes with the ability to control my own actions"
He shook his head
"No - you have the ability to second guess yourself. That's a weakness. Battle Droids never do that"
"No, but their controller does. ANd his mistake affects an entire army."
"Armies are replaceable. You and me? Not so much. Well, actually, that's not true. I have replacements if I die. And you? I can create another one of you if I so desire"
Mara shook her head
"No you can't. You're not that smart"
"I know people who are"
"You've killed people who are. You don't really know anyone anymore"
"I know you, Mara"
"Hardly"
Mara moved in now, making another strike, blocked by Winton, blocking Winton, back and forth, the hum of the electrostaffs clashing about the room. Occasionally, one would hit the other, and each was looking worse for the wear.
At one point, weapons were hot against each other, Winton sneering in between the two blades at Mara.
"You know, you cannot win. If you strike me down - I'll just be back a minute later. But if I strike you down? That's it. And you aren't strong enough to beat me more than once"
"We'll just have to see about that"
Mara banged the weapons high in the air, forcing an opening, rotating the electrostaff around and stabbing it through Winton's torso. The weapon dropped from his hands and his body began to collapse. But he didn't stop grinning.
"See you in a minute"
Alexander Winton dropped to the ground, blood pooling around his body. Mara stared at him for a minute, then looked around. Was he dead? Gone? Destroyed? Not likely - he seemed confident his replacement system still worked. But at least she had a minute or two before - before what? If he kept coming, why fight him, until she died? Better to destroy the station, and him with it.
She was about to leave, out through the main door - but when she opened it, there he was, standing, smiling. And already armed.
He had a heavy blaster rifle, aimed and pointed at her.
"Ah, we meet again. A nice kill. Clean and quick. But I am starting to tire of this"
Mara knew what she had to do - she had to get away from him. Get out of here. Being here was doing no good. Her eyes watched the weapon in his hand. Then back up at him.
"Well, if you think the only way you can beat me is with a better weapon. Even after I've already fought and you are fresh off the assembly line"
"it's not that. It's a question of timing. I only have so much time to play this game with you, and that time is just about up"
That was when they heard it, over the loud speaker
"Members of the Corellian Defense Force - My name is Artemis Soldys. I am, like you, a soldier. I joined the ranks to defend Corellia from the evils that would have us destroyed. To defend us from Phage, from the Empire. But we have been deceived, and we have been betrayed. High Commander Saga Judec tempted the Empire to attack us, putting our people in jeopardy. He violated the sacred law, that Corellia will never allow the use of battle droids again, and has created massive armies to fight for him. And he enslaved us with machines, taking away our ability to think, our ability to fight for what is right. These crimes cannot go unignored. This station - Centerpoint Station - is a symbol of Judec's corrupt reign. Now, we have been freed. Freed to make our own decisions. We are tired, we are drained, but we are Corellians, and we know what is right. I ask you all to now make a choice. If you are too weak to fight - make your way to an evacuation point. Get off this station. But if you are prepared to stand for what is right, have the strength and fortitude to defend Corellia against our own sinister traitor - then gather what arms you can. And together, we will destroy this abomination. This station, and the droid plague.
FOR CORELLIA!"
Alexander Winton glanced up, and Mara took advantage of the distraction, swatting the weapon out of his hands, letting it fall inside the room, and yanking him inside. NOW, it made sense for her to stay - keep him here long enough so this Corellian soldier could do the job of destroying the station. Whether or not she was still in it.
Winton had grown from cocky and smiling to angry, furious., And he wrapped his arms around Mara, ramming her into a wall, then turning to the door.
"No time for these stupid parlor games anymore"
He was heading out when Mara threw herself back at him, tackling him to the ground.
Together, they wrestled on the floor for a minute before both chose a new point of interest - each clawing for the gun, just out of their reach. Mara grabbed it first, lifting it to point at him, but he grabbed her arm, twisting it. The blaster went off, destroying a nice piece of upholstery. Then he had it in his hand, turning it toward her.
"AAAHH!!"
She yelled as she pushed out with the Force, just as he fired, and the blast rebounded into Winton's face -not enough to take him out, but leaving this version of him scarred. Beneath the damaged, charred flesh, small amounts of metal could be seen.
"That's enough Mara"
"You don't tell me what to do, Alexander. I'm not one of your toys"
"A matter of opinion"
He reached out with the Force, lifting her high in the air, and then immediately throwing her to the ground, then rolling her around on the floor, bouncing her into anything he could,including his dead body.
She meanwhile, was trying to get a grip of herself, the beating starting to wear her already injured battered self down. Finally, she reached out with the Force, grabbing the blaster and firing wildly as she was spun about. She sensed she hit the target, for a moment later, she had landed abruptly on the ground.
No time to waste, she picked up the dropped gun, headed over to where Winton was rising, and fired several more shots at his head.
Quite enraged, he stalked toward her, not doing a good job blocking. She kept firing, repeatedly, watching more flesh chip away, more and more inhuman as he clawed out for her, finally collapsing a foot in front of her. She blasted a few more times to be sure.
"that's two"
She glanced toward the door again, one way in. one way out. She had to go that way to make sure HE didn't just ignore her to target the Corellians. She started moving to the door, but that feeling of weariness was growing. She was injured, not too severely but enough to hamper her. It was unlikely she would beat him again. Still, she had to stop him, no matter the cost.
She exited the door, glancing down the long hallway toward the rest of the station. No, too far. She turned the other way to see it, blinking as she realized the symplicity of it.
A turbolift. One that didn't connect anywhere else but here. Her scanners saw that the tube led down several floors to a heavily fortified room that could not be accessed. A large room, secure in the heart of the station, and filled with the equipment needed to ...
The turbolift hummed as the hydraulics were activated. The door opened and there he was. No, he wasn't smiling as Mara took aim.
This time he blocked, and with a clench of his fist, the blaster in Mara's hand crumbled like foil.
"You are starting to bother me, Mara"
He pulled from his side a thin cylinder, and Mara took a step back. He held it up, pressing the small activator on it, and a beam of gray light shot out.
"You like the powers of the jedi? Let's see how you like it now"
And he swung with the lightsaber
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
Mara watched as the gray-colored lightsaber was wielded with skill and grace. Apparently, Alexander Winton had been practicing, or maybe he had programmed the techniques into his subroutines. No time to find out. Mara instinctively reached out with her hand through the still open door of the office, calling to the Force and pulling one of the abandoned electrostaffs to her - and just in time, as the saber came down upon her. Electricity hummed, the staffs own electrical current protecting it (and her) from the deadly saber blade. But Alexander Winton was unrelenting, strike, strike, strike, strike - Mara was growing weary, her damaged systems, and the damage she had sustained in the previous battles with the indestructible Winton had made it harder for her to fight back. Blow after blow was countered only defensively, and Mara was forced back against a wall.
Finally, Winton made a blow just a bit wide, enough for Mara to only need to block with the tip of the weapon, weaving it around to strike against Alexander. Finally, with his defenses widened, Mara struck a few blows, keeping him off balance. She remembered what she was trying to do. BUY TIME for the Corellians, those she had sworn to protect. Even if she died, it would mean they could succeed.
Just ... hold.... him ... off ....
And then she felt it. A moment of pure dread as she was about to strike a heavy disabling blow against him. Force his next reincarnation to come up from that factory. That dread made Mara shake, taking a step back.
"Karen .... KAREN! NO!"
She knew it. Could feel it in her soul. Karen was dead. Feel it in her soul? Did Mara really have a soul? Existential question, not the right time. Mara fell back again, the weapon falling from her hands.
Alexander Winton regained his balancing, eyeing her curiously but not advancing.
"You could feel her ... and feel her die"
The fact that the enemy was speaking instead of attacking was surprising. Maybe he did have feelings for his daughter?
"I never could. I never had that gift. Even now, I am not connected to her."
Mara, who had only given him slight attention, turned fully on him now, eyes burning with fury.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? SHE WAS YOUR DAUGHTER!!! YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD!!! YOU LET HER DIE!!!"
Alexander Winton shook his head, but a smile was on his face.
"Now Mara, the prophesy said only one could live. I intend to be that one. Besides, as I said. anyone is replaceable"
The sheer inhumanity, to have fallen so far, left Mara stunned. She reached out with her hand, and with a yell quite frightening she pushed out with the Force, letting the little dial inside her go to its full strength.
Alexander Winton's weapon dropped from his hand and he was lifted high into the air, Mara's hand guiding him up into the ceiling, pressing everything she had against him.
"SHE WAS MY FRIEND!"
Winton, for his part, was pressed into the metal ceiling, but he looked at her with a look, so cold and calculating.
And then it happened.
It left her. Alexander Winton landed on his feet, and Mara felt a deep, empty void inside her. The Force had left her.
Winton moved to pick up the lightsaber, reigniting it and slowly advancing on Mara.
"You forgot, I built you, Mara. I know all your little technical intricacies. And like I said, I can control you just as well as any other machine. The Force is not with you anymore Mara. Now, it's just you, by yourself"
Mara blocked out the panic that she felt. Droids shouldn't feel panic after all. She could fight a jedi, force or not. As Winton moved in for a killing strike, Mara ducked down, rolling on the floor and picking up the discarded electrostaff, igniting it to block as Winton struck again, then turning a wide strike of her own. Parry, thrust, block, swing. Back and forth.
Mara quickly glanced around, trying to find a way to regain the advantage. trying to refind the Force within her, or had he actually succeeded in shutting it off completely with a mere thought sent her way?
A checkpoint box was in the wall not too far, and Mara ran back toward it, yanking it open and typing something quickly into the machine.
Alexander Winton jumped forward and landed, again ready to strike Mara with a killing blow, but his saber was suddenly blocked by an energy field.
Mara, exhausted, pulled away from the box, turning to face Winton.
"You may have the Force, but I have been a machine a lot longer than you have. I know how things work, because I'm used to being one"
Winton glared at Mara, then offered a mocking bow.
"Well done"
His hand then punched out, a burst of the Force, and the box exploded, the energy field vanishing and he was quick to strike.
Mara held up the electrostaff, but the weight of his attack pushed her down, a quick strike, and she found her leg now had a huge burn mark. THen down hard again, the two weapons getting closer and closer to Mara's head.
"Goodbye Mara"
Winton began angling the saber more, ready to cleanly take off Mara's head - when suddenly, he was thrown back, through the air, held above the ground, body pressed against the turbolift. Blue currents of lighting flashed forward striking Winton, his body shaking, tremoring.
Mara, who had just about resigned herself to her fate, blinked, glancing up to see Dementat, a cold fury on his face, pure hatred in his eyes, hands outstretched as Force lightning erupted from them at the enemy.
Winton's weapon dropped from his hand, and his body went limp, falling to a heap on the ground. Dementat approached and without hesitation, sliced off his head.
Then he turned to Mara. Mara, who was trying to stand, but found her injuries making the movement a bit more difficult. A non-droid in her condition would have been dead a long time ago by now.
She did manage to stand though, turning to face him, the Emperor. A sad look on her face, the anger on his subsiding only slightly as he looked back.
"I'm sorry, Emperor"
He shook his head.
"I am emperor no more. Not without her."
At that moment, the crunch of a dozen battle droids was heard down the hall, approaching and firing on the two of them. But just as they reached the corridor, as Dementat was ready to fight them down, they suddenly stopped, and then shut down completely.
"Your Corellian friends must have destroyed the droid transmitter"
"I can hope so"
They heard the turbolift whirring, bringing up the enemy yet again. Dementat turned to face Mara.
"She made a promise to you - that the Empire would not touch Corellia. I cannot keep that promise. I don't know what the Empire will do. But you - I sense that your role in the galaxy is not yet through Mara. I believe, wholeheartedly, that the one the prophesy meant to live ... it was you. You must survive now, Mara."
The turbolift doors opened and there he was again, as if never in a fight, good as new.
"My armies have been taken away from me ... All I have left to command ... is myself"
And then another stepped out of the turbolift. And another. And another. A sea of the same face, the face of Alexander Winton, stepping out of the turbolift. If one was hard to beat, facing ALL of them would be impossible.
Dementat turned to Mara.
"Go, now. Get off the station. Survive. I will deal with him"
Dementat's saber was already moving wildly as Mara turned and did his bidding, running down the corridor as fast as her damaged legs could carry her, just as they heard the intercomm.
"Weapon has been activated - countdown in 60 seconds. Lockdown procedures have been disabled"
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
Mara is running. Running as fast as she can. She doesn't know if she is being followed by the nightmare, or the sense of oncoming doom. She just knew, somehow, deep in her cybernetic gut, that time was running out, and she had to hurry.
The corridor was eerily empty, sirens blaring, the only other sound besides her feet pounding against hardened steel.
The corridor ends and she steps into a turbolift, feeling the irony of waiting asshe waits for it to arrive and then for it to bring her down to a level closer to the nearest docking bay.
It opens with a hiss of the hydraulics, and then she is moving again, again down an empty corridor, not really caring what lay in the rooms on either side.
"Wait!"
Everything in Mara is telling her to keep running, keep moving. Time is running out. But she stops, glances back, and after a moment's hesitation, turns back to the open room.
There she was, a woman Mara had never met, and had barely ever seen. But she knew. She knew who it was because she had seen the pictures. Karen. Valerie. Melanie. and
"Kimber ..."
The outfit only confirmed the suspicion. Only one of the four socialites would be wearing a designer dress in the middle of a war scene. She steps forward, glancing only briefly at the soldier dead on the side. Her attention was on Kimber. her last surviving sister. Surviving now, at least.
"Valerie..."
Mara blinked. Kimber called her Valerie? But of course, Kimber knew Valerie was dead. And Mara probably looked like quite a haggard version. Was she still really that mistakable. Of course, by the looks of things, Kimber wasn't totally conscious. And though it was against Mara's wishes to lie to her - to lie to her sister, she sensed that this was one time where it would be alright to pretend. Just for a little while.
She nodded her head, drawing closer.
"Yes ..."
"Valerie, help me."
Mara knelt down beside Kimber as the next contraction came. Another one came close after. Kimber was about to give birth. Mara knew what she had to do.
Getting herself in position beneath Kimber, she prepared herself for receiving the child.
"On the next contraction, I need you to push - push as hard as you can."
Fully dilated, the tip of the child's head could be seen, now was the time.
"Come on Kimber, push"
"Valerie, I can't do it - I'm too weak"
"Kimber, you can. Push. Push"
Mara wasn't looking at injuries, had lost track of time. There was only this isolated action. Kimber was giving birth, and her receiving the child. Nothing else mattered. For several tense minutes, Kimber pushed, and Mara coaxed. And then, there it was. There he was, the cry of the child popped that bubble, as Mara grabbed a piece of serated metal, cutting and tying off the umbilical cord, and wrapping the child, the boy in a piece of torn fabric, torn from Rydan's mandalorian garb.
She moved around to Kimber's side, the girl sweating, eyes dilated, still severely in pain.
"Riley ... his name is Riley..."
Mara nodded, holding the child.
"Valerie ... you'll take care of him ..."
"I ... I will"
She offered a weak smile, blinking at the darkness closing in.
"My dress ..."
"Don't worry Kimber. You still look fabulous ..."
Kimber's eyes closed, a soft smile on her face, her body slumping down beside Mara, who clutched the child in her arms. Mara fought back the wave of emotion. Her sister was dead. The last connection she had to humanity. Gone. She bent down, pressing a soft kiss to Kimber's forehead before pulling away.
Crying. No. She had one last connection. Here, in her arms.
"Don't worry Riley. I'll take care of you. Your Aunt Mara will take care of you."
The sirens are blaring louder now, and Mara is reminded of the imminent danger. Wrapping the child a bit more carefully, she turns and runs.
TBC
-
Centerpoint Station
Mara is running. Running as fast as she can. It is no longer just her - cradled in her arms, wrapped in mandalorian fabric, is the newborn child of Kimber Patten.
She didn't have time to think, to process the events of the last hour. She just had to run.
Everything around her was shaking, as if slowly coming apart. She could feel the heat of explosion on her tail, urging her to run ever faster.
Remarkably, she reached a docking bay, watching as the last shuttle took off. Panicky, she glanced around, praying for something, anything to fly off this death trap. There it was, parked in the corner, and ignored by those trying to get more off - a single Corellian fighter, scorched but otherwise intact. She ran to it, holding the child in one arm as she popped the latch and climbed in using the other. The floor of the docking bay was shaking, metal starting to bend against an unseen strain.
Sitting in the cockpit, child cradled in her lap, she pulled the hatch down, watching as a burst of flame erupted from the path she had just come out of. She could feel the heat, the child crying desperately.
"Shh ... we'll be out soon. Shh ...."
powering up engines, she began steering the small fighter toward the opening.
She felt the pull, the gripping pull of gravity pulling backward. Wrapping one arm protectively around the child, she pressed the joystick forward, full power to thrust, and the vessel shot out of the docking bay, just as the flames consumed the docking bay.
She didn't look back, just kept flying, had to get out of reach. The engines whined in protest, working so hard before they'd even warmed up. But she kept it going, flying toward an unseen target, the blackness of space.
===========================
With a grinding sound, the two cylinders of Centerpoint came to a sudden halt. They stopped spinning, entirely. Those who had been running, heading for the ends lost the one thing holding them down - gravity, and they began floating up. No traction to pull their feet further, to escape. Then, even worse, they felt it again, gravity, but not to the floor. It was pulling them down, down back the way they were coming from. Hundreds still on the station were being whisked down toward the central sphere, now consumed in fire, metal, and the deadly energy of the weapon. Screams of so many were snuffed out as they fell sideways into the gulping flames.
Centerpoint's two cylinders continued making louder and louder noises, bending up and inward on themselves. The crashing, horridness of the huge station folding in on itself, growing tighter and tighter. Flames burst in a dozen places, molten metal flying every which way.
The metal began to spin, faster and faster, tighter and tigher around the energy source, forming a spherical trash heap, smaller and smaller and smaller. It quaked and then burst into a final magnificient shower of flames, metal flying every which way, crashing against ships too close to the station.
Then it was done - the station was gone, and only floating debris remained. No one was sure what happened to that ball of energy. It may have still been there, maybe not.
===================================
Mara felt the pull of the station ease off, and she dared glance behind her to see the end of the destruction. She took a deep breathe, turning down to the child in her lap.
"How's Corellia sound, Riley? Sound like a good home?"
The child had momentarily stopped crying, which Mara took as an affirmative.
"Good idea. Let's go home
-
Corellia
Mara and her small Corellian shuttle exited hyperspace around Corellia, a stark change from when she was last present. Unlike Karen, she hadn't stopped here during the imperial siege. The last time she'd been here, she had been on the run.
A group of corvettes signaled for her to land at a damaged but functional platform, trying to keep track of all the incoming craft.
She landed as carefully and softly as she could, cradling the newborn in her hands.
Popping the hatch, holding Riley with one hand, she eased down using the other for support.
A young paper-pusher from the Corellian Defense Force Approached:
"Name, military position, other useful information"
"I'm Mara Anna Gellar"
"Got it. Mara Anna ... did you say Gellar?"
The soldier glanced up from his datapad, blinking when he saw her.
"You - your the one on all the announcements. You were declared a traitor"
Mara shook her head
"It was part of Saga Judec's propoganda. I worked for Governor Tacofer before he was killed"
The soldier looked suspicious, glancing over Mara and her injuries. And then the child in her hand.
"Where'd you get that?"
"Let's just say there are things you probably don't need to know about for your inspection. Are you going to clear me or not?"
"You need to get those injuries checked"
"I'll be fine"
"It's standard procedure, Ms. Gellar. Let me direct you to the infirmary, and we can watch the child while you get-"
"No! Me and the child are fine. We go together. I don't need to be checked out. I just want to go home. Coronet"
"Ma'am, I am not giving you clearance without you following procedure. Now, just let me have - "
The soldier was reaching out to grab the newborn. But before he could do anything, Mara reacted, her free hand pushing him back.
"I told you we're fine"
But Mara, in her injured stated, seemed to have forgotten that she was no mere human. The man was pushed hard against the far wall, gasping for breathe.
"What the hell .. what are you. SECURITY!"
Mara felt a sense of panic running through her systems. And perhaps for that reason, she didn't think. Instead, she did the only thing she could come up with - She ran back to the small snub fighter, climbed in, and powered up.
A dozen uniformed soldiers were running toward her as the vessel lifted off, the baby was crying again.
"Shhh ... shh .. we'll be alright. It'll just ... take some more time"
She was back in space, and two fighters from the defenses were starting to focus their attention on her.
She turned toward the stars, punching the sublight engines to get clear of the planet's gravity well so she could make an escape. But where too? Mara realized that for all of the progress she had made, anyone who trusted her, any friends she had made, they were all dead. She had no one. No one but Riley, who apparently sensed the urgency of the problem, as he was crying louder than ever.
As Corellian fighters started firing at her rear, she punched into hyperspace, fearing that she would be spending the rest of her life running from her past, never truly having a home.
-
Mara felt like an outcast, in danger of being hunted down for what she was in a galaxy that looked on droids not only as not human, but as a threat.
Her calculations took her to the only place she could think of where she might find - with some luck - an ally. A place to hide, and a place to rebuild, until it would be safe to return to Corellia.
The Wheel
The small Corellian fighter, Mara and the young child in tow. The child cried a lot, and Mara had been forced to stop to steal supplies that she herself had never needed. A strange milky formula that was sold for newborn nutrition. Diapers. The most mundane things for the most fragile of creatures - a newborn. She had begged a passerby with her own child to help with proper procedure. Droid knowledge didn't really help when it came to raising a child, and her subroutines were for infiltration, murder, espionage, not domestics and family rearing.
Then, a need for fuel, stolen from one of a dozen shady space ports between her and the destination.
Tired and dirty, Mara guided the fighter through the empty void toward the rotating space station. The Wheel. So many memories. She had killed here, and come here with Karen for help.
Now, the only person she could think of to turn to was here as well.
Following the guiding lights, she landed at a hangar near the northwestern most spoke of the Wheel, descending down the ramp with the child cradled in one hand.
A middle-aged administrator approached, grim but polite.
"How may we at the Wheel be of assistance?"
Mara glanced over him quickly, rocking Riley in her arm.
"I need to speak with the administrator. Tell him ..."
She paused, debating what to say.
"Tell him that I'm the one he sent to Ord Radama"
The man was confused, by whispered into a commlink. A moment later, he nodded, turning back to Mara.
"I have instructions to escort you personally to the administrator."
It was so different from last time. Last time, Mara and Karen - who had the time, barely trusted each other, and clashed in more ways than one - had been escorted with a group of a dozen battle droids.
Now, there were none. In fact, Mara noticed as she made her way toward the executive turbo lifts that she did not see a single battle droid in sight.
News had reached her about the result of the war. Restrictions on droids had been further curtailed. Military droids, even the mindless battle droids, had been outlawed in Corellian, Imperial, and Republic territory. The Wheel, somewhere along the border of the Republic, had probably bowed to pressure and either hidden or destroyed their battle droid security force. Instead, there were more uniformed individuals lining the cooridors, though none were approaching.
Mara wondered if it was trust or some other feeling that led to the lack of escort.
The turbolift ride was equally silent and uneventful, and the trip down the hall of the executive suite was quiet as well.
The blast doors opened, and there stood the administrator, Amir Faram his gaze cold and piercing, just as Mara remembered it. A proud man, probably in his lower 30s, semi-muscular build, cold blue eyes.
"Leave us"
The other officer nodded his head and stepped out, the blast doors closing behind him, leaving Mara alone with the administrator.
Faram continued staring for several minutes, looking at both Mara and Riley then back up at Mara. Finally, he spoke.
"Mara Anna Gellar. Corellia's traitor. Your last companion was killed on Centerpoint, and I am curious about this new companion of yours. And I hope you haven't brought more trouble in your wake. I imagine you have quite the story to tell"
Mara nodded.
"Administrator, if I can trust you, then I definitely do"
TBC
-
The Wheel
Wheel Administrator Amir Faram sat back in his chair, watching Mara with that intense glare as she told her story. Or rather, not her story - the story of the Four, and her role in it. She needed his trust, and that meant telling everything. Everything she knew about the Prophesy, about the GURI Project, about herself. And about the little boy sitting in the crook of her arm.
"So your telling me that child"
"is the son of Kimber Patten"
"And you have him because she gave him to you? Why would she do that?
"Because I look like Valerie Gellar. Her sister. Plus, I was the only one there"
He nodded
"And what do you want from me, Ms. Gellar?"
"I need a friend. Someone I can trust. And a place I can hide."
"Why do you think that the Wheel is where you can find that? You have a bad history with this place"
"I am not the same person who was an assassin"
"What, reprogrammed?
"No - I just ... I self actualized. I came to life. That's something Medivh taught me"
Faram nodded lazily
"Of course, of course - Medivh was a believer that a machine could live just as well as a flesh and blood being. If given the right stimuli. But still, why the Wheel?"
"I can't go back to Corellia. They have laws there. If I'm found out for what I am, I will be killed. Or be forced to kill. Neither of which is appealing to me right now."
"the prevailing view of droids didn't stop at Corellia's border, Mara. If people at the Wheel find out there is even ONE droid capable of looking human or killing a human, it would have severe repercussions. Your being here is a danger to me and to what's left of the Trade Federation."
"I have nowhere else to go"
"That isn't my problem." He had leaned forward, offering a pointed finger at Mara "We cannot take on refugees, however unique their story is or however sympathetic."
"I don't need to be a refugee. I can earn my keep"
"I don't need an assassin, or a spy or a-"
"I can work as a mechanic. And I work only for room and board"
"And me keeping your secret. Your very recognizable"
"I'll change my appearance. I'll even change my name."
"And if you are injured? I see you now, injured, and any medic will know you aren't human"
"I'll take care of my own injuries, and if it becomes a problem, I'll disapear"
Faram sat back in the chair. he was quiet for several minutes, contemplating before finally nodding.
"Alright. I'll do you this favor. I had better not regret it, Ms. Gellar"
Mara shook her head
"You won't. And it's not Gellar anymore. Let's try Mara Tacofer"
Faram let out a smirk, the first sign that he was anything but stone cold.
"very well, Ms. Tacofer. I expect to see you at work as soon as you have taken care of those .. injuries. i will have an officer arrange for quarters for you. And ... do you know how to take care of that child?"
The question had buzzed around Mara's thoughts for the past several days, but only for the first time had she actually been questioned on it. And she shook her head. Amir Faram rolled his eyes and sighed.
"We have a nurse on the station who will come help you out, and may be able to arrange for some longer term assistance for the boy. Riley Tacofer."
Mara stood, smiling
"Thank you administrator. You will not regret this"
"I had better not"
**************************
A half hour later, Mara was escorted down a nondescript hall, a few levels below the executive suite, but in the central hub.
Passing several doors, each with a keypad, until they reached one at the end of hall. Suite 8573. She was given the entrance code and left to enter for herself.
It was small and plain. The door opened to a small living room with a chair and a holo-monitor. To the left, a kitchen about the size of a turbolift. To the right, a bedroom that had two double beds and a nightstand in between. Beyond that, a refresher, also about the size of the turbolift. Over the bed, a small 1x1 foot window, looking out into a small patch of space.
It was small, but it was home.
***************************
Over the next two days, Mara and Riley adjusted themselves to the new surroundings. Mara chopped down her hair, changing the color to a dirty blonde color. The second double bed was replaced with a crib and a few other baby supplies, including a playpen. And Mara was given her first assignment as mechanic.
One evening, she was holding Riley, smiling down at him a cooing him as she looked around the room. Her room. Oddly enough, for the first time, she had a place of her own.
Again looking down at Riley, she smiled and he smiled back at her.
"It's small, and I'm sure you and I will have a lot to go through. But you know what? You and I - we made it. We're here. We're home.
And we are alive."