A Knight who draws breath breathes for us all.

[Jaqen H'ghar]

Merlin stood in the abandoned warehouse on a distant planet from where they had met in the back of that bar. He had sent out offers to train, four at a time in things he felt were relevant to all in the order in these days. What was once a proud bastion of paladins, justly crusading against darkness in defense of the Empire was now vastly different. The monolithic order it once was now reduced to something less. It seemed almost fitting to merlin that they were training in a crumbling warehouse. The place was vast, old metalic boxes long forgotten lay out in various heights, from one single container here and there, to towering stacks reaching up into the darkened ceiling.

Amongst them stood a bald man in a grey cloak and unremarkable clothes, he cloaked his presence in the force with ease, and carried an air of the utmost focus and attention. He stood quietly amongst the boxes, planning, albeit nervously, the first official class the Imperial Knights had in many years. Many terrible things had happened since then, and it was definitely time to make sure things progressed in the right direction now, more than ever.

 

[©razy Man]

Shenzai had been given and offer to train in the ways of the Imperial Knights by the leading Imperial Knight, Merlin. He knew little of the man besides he was bald and he was their leader. And how could you say know to a man of such power? So, he stood in frot of the doors of the abandoned warehouse they were training in.

Due to the previous attacks against the Imperial Knights they were forced into hiding. This was before his fine and was only the history he learned from the others.

He walked through the doors of the warehouse. He saw Merlin and went and bowed to him. He wasn't sure what he was suppose to do but the Jedi and Sith did this to thir superiors and others. Hello Knight Commander Merlin. He felt a little awkward as the other's came in and didn't bow. Woops.

 

[Darkwasp]

Illiana sighed, as she reached the rusted door of an old abandoned warehouse. It was bad enough that she was back on Kalee, amongst the unimaginably repugnant Kaleesh, but now she had to meet Merlin and the others inside this broken down shack. She couldn’t wait until a more suitable facility could be acquired, so they wouldn’t have to meet in these disgusting places; on these disgusting planets.

Her gloved hand reached, retreated, and then reached again, as she pondered her black leather glove’s ability to keep the disease and dirt from her delicate skin. The corroded door creaked and complained as it struggled to open from her touch. Illiana carefully peeked her head through the space in the door. She was both relieved and disappointed to find the charismatic Knight Commander, standing amongst the aged stacks of flimsy crates. In her heart of hearts, she hoped that she had gotten the coordinates wrong, but that was not the case. With unexpected and astonishing amount of effort, the Hapan finally forced the door open enough for her thin frame to safely enter. With almost the same amount of exerted force, she forced the door closed behind her.

Gracefully, the lovely Hapan approached Merlin, the Imperial Knights’ Knight Commander. Illiana’s slender, toned body was covered in a tight black bodysuit, expensive black leather boots, and the aforementioned black leather gloves. On her right wrist was a large bright silver bracelet with a large blue stone at its center. The buckle of her belt perfectly matched the bracelet; down to the identical blue stone at its center. On her hip was glittering silver hilt of her VibroFoil, incased in a beautiful black leather scabbard. Her flaxen hair was braided in three French braids that met at the upper back of her head, and then flowed down into a shiny, luscious ponytail. It was obvious that even when the Countess was trying to be simple, she was complicated.

”Knight Commander.” she announced, with a shallow nod of respect.

Illiana’s dark eyes studied the large furry beast that stood in the room with Merlin. Though she had little fear of anything, the size and brutishness of the man unsettled her. Just in case; she made sure to keep herself between the feline gargantuan and the sticky warehouse door.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Kalee was new to Kara. She wasn't fond of being in official Imperial territory, despite the insignificant presence they retained here, but one thing she did revel in was the darkness of Kalee's night. As a Disciple of Twilight, Kara was trained in the manipulation of darkness to hide oneself with the Force, and had become quite proficient with a varying array of skills that did just that. Using the technique of Shadow Armor to cloak herself, she was invisible to the naked eye, with only Force-sensitives being able to sense a presence where she was. Now as an Imperial Knight, she was tasked with using those skills to undermine the Sith, with a purpose to retake the Empire from the usurpers.

Kara did not want to attract attention by allowing bystanders to notice three people entering this place for a meeting, so she rested by the door until someone came. A feline-like male was the first to come. He opened the door and held it open long enough for Kara to slip in unnoticed, and while he went about looking for the Knight Commander, Kara briefly familiarized herself with the place. It was an old warehouse with an abundance of crates, nothing more. As she was looking about, another visitor came by, this one much different from the first. While the male was tall and intimidating, this woman was undoubtedly beautiful and seemed frail to Kara. When the two both took positions with the Knight Commander, Kara walked over and ended her use of the Shadow Armor, materializing between the girl and the feline man. "Knight Commander, it is an honor to meet you in person."

 

[Just Matt Now]

Being new to the Imperial Knights, Vixur felt curious to see how they operated. Though by the looks of the warehouse they would be training in, it wasnt very well off. The Imperial Knights had reemerged from darkness, though very few knew they existed. This is what made them so important, this is what made them devastating to the Sith and their enemies. The simple fact that no one knew they existed. The Anzat was lucky to run into the Duchess when he did. His new path would tae him down a road he very gladly would go down.

The warehouse they would train in made sense, it was like the Imperial Knights, except they were much stronger. They had to remain hidden, and seemed destroyed, though they were capable and resourceful enough to keep on living. Entering the building, Vixur could feel the presence of a few other Squires alike, though none that would match the Knight Commander, who was to be teaching this class.

Upon entry he concluded that this Merlin must have hidden his presence. Doing such, Vixur followed and hid his presence as well. There must have been a better reason for it other than to mask himself from Squires and Initiates. The others seemed to have merely noticed the Knight Commander with his presence. Vixur, on the other hand, would rather introduce himself.

"Hello Knight Commander Merlin, I am Squire Vixur Kolvaar."

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

He gave a proper bow to everyone, a sign of respect and locked eyes with Illiana for only an instant as he addressed the whole group. "Good good, I'm quite pleased some of you were able to make it." As he spoke, he began to unclasp his cloak and then tossed it on top of one of the crates. "You all have come, I hope, to learn about who we are now. History is important, but we've not got the time for that today, also at the end there will be a little bit of training, I want to see who all is capable in talking and walking, as it were." Merlin gave a smile, though it might have seemed a little bitter to some. This was more to do with his general disposition than anything personal however.

"Tell me, each of you. Why are you an Imperial Knight? What about my order has drawn you, and why are you all worth my time today?" He paused allowing time for the sentence to sink in, then added "I have an answer to all of these, but I want to know yours."

 

[©razy Man]

Shenzai smirked a little as the man said the talking and walking part. Though he knew nothing about the force he knew he would be able to beat any of these people in a fair fist fight. Though he doubted any of them were honorable enough to do fair. As the Knight Commander started asking the questions he thought up his answer without hesitation.

I am an Imperial Knight because I chose to serve a higher cause to destroy the evil in the Galaxy, to help get rid of the Sith. The thing that interested me here was the idea of there being a good Empire. Get rid of the Sith and put a man or woman of righteousness and greatness on the throne and we could help change the universe and it's people as a whole. As to why we are worth your time is we are all Imperial Knights, and we are the future of it. He felt his answers were good and right, hopefully the Knight Commander thought so also.

 

[Darkwasp]

The lovely Hapan let out a short, high-pitched squeak, as a tall woman materialized next to her. A look of embarrassment played across Illiana’s face. The woman was obviously an Imperial Knight, but the Countess could not hide the vocal indication of her surprise. As the last attendee entered the room, an Anzat male, the Knight Commander began his class. She smiled lightly in his direction while the Commander spoke. Her eyebrow rose as he requested them to respond to a question about what made them worth his time. She listened to the large kitten speak first.

”I want to return the galaxy to the stability that it enjoyed under the true Emperor. The darkness that will sit on the throne of government cannot be tolerated. It will twist and corrupt the galaxy. We need to return the light to the thrown of the Empire, and protect that thrown with all of our capabilities.” she said, pausing briefly. ”I think we are all worth your time, because we are here. These are those who are willing to better themselves for the cause, and these are the type of people that you need.” she said, acknowledging each one of her compatriots in turn.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Kara clasped her hands together as she spoke. "Though it seems an eternity ago, I do remember the true and just Empire, back when I was a little girl. The True Empire was just, fair, and the government actually cared about its people. Then the Sith came along and drove me to flee my home world. Since then I have dedicated myself to fighting injustice, and at the moment there is no greater injustice than the Sith. They forcibly purged the True Empire's supporters and formed this New Sith Imperium, a corrupt and treacherous government that has done no good."

There was a break in her speech as she gathered her thoughts. "I have joined the Imperial Knights to bring down the Sith and restore the True Empire. They have overstayed their welcome in the galaxy and need to go. Before I came to the Knights, I had little direction. Since becoming a Knight, I have been given direction, been given a purpose. I have given myself to the Imperial Knights, to be directed at your command, Knight Commander." She ended her short speech and took a breath.

 

[Just Matt Now]

The Anzat waited until all of the others had finished. His story was definitely quite different, and he was embarrassed to have them all listen as well. Thus, he would give a summary of his answer, though would rather explain in detail with the Knight Commander himself.

"During the reign of the true empire, the one the Knights had exemplified, there was much debate as to where loyalty and power lied. I remember this time of the old empire, although I was much too distracted with unaffiliated matters to realize it's significance. In truth, I had not though that the empire of old would disperse and trickle away. It had been fair and righteous in every right. The Sith tarnished that image. They destroyed the empire with propaganda and lies that they used to gain control. At the end of the day, it was the deception that came to rue the Imperial Knights of old. This is what I wish to return to. A day where the Imperial Knights can show their righteous and just selves to the galaxy with opened arms, instead of sharpened swords that the Sith posses.Their presence must be cleansed and destroyed. Ironed out of the fabrication of the true empire." Vixur's words were true, though he was not without fault as he was not telling his story in full. He knew that the Knight Commander had knowledge of him being a former Sith, though he did not think it would matter. He was here now, standing as one of them.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

Merlin listened to each of them carefully, and nodded as one by one they told their tale. When Vixur spoke, he sensed...not deception, but certainly not the whole truth. He made a mental note to address this in private later.

"Good, you each have some grasp as to our mission statement. Some of you even grasp the fact that what we accomplish we can only do together. At the core of Imperial Knight philosophy is the idea that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link." his words were firm, spoken like one would expect of a militant man. If they had come expecting the peace, and tranqulity the jedi talked about, they were sorely mistaken. What's more, if they expected the reliance on the force, they were also mistaken as well. "You all have merits, the possibility of worth. But individually you are worthless when compared to the might of the Empire in it's whole. You all have strengths. You all have weaknesses. What we will accomplish today is a fusion of the Knights philosophy and training. The Imperial Knights strongest link is that we are never alone, we never go on missions alone and we never leave a man...or woman behind." He gave a nod to the Happan, then continued. "The weakest link in the Imperial Knights chain is not a person, it is when a group decides it will not help forge its fellows into the strongest possible beacons of light they can be." He pulled out a red sash from beneath his cloak and tied it around his waste.

"I am an old man, nearing my 90th year." He smirked, knowing this would shock all of them. "I will do my best to help forge you all into the most absolute weapons against the darkside as I can. In this pursuit a word of advice; train, every day without the Force. It will not be a crutch for you. That is why the jedi failed in their mission. Reliance on any one thing to much, even something so powerful as the force is folly. It is why we've allowed those without the force into our ranks. It is why we have adapted. It is why we have survived." As he was pacing, he quickly focused his physical energy into a short sprint and then a leap, then kicked up off one of the crates, using it to bound to another, then another. If any of them were sensing with the force they would know he did not use it to accomplish this. From the top of the third crate, roughly two and a half stories up he called out.

"Today you will try and catch me without using the Force. If I sense any of you make use of it, you will be sent back to the barracks and your training with your Knight Commander will end. You will attempt, as a group to take my sash. But I'm quite fond of it, and it looks amazing on me, so it won't be easy at all." With that, he leaped off once more into the sprawling maze of large durasteel locked crates that the vast warehouse was.

 

[Just Matt Now]

Vixur listened carefully, trying to understand what it took to be an Imperial Knight. Their philosophy was much different fro the Sith, while they did tend to work together that was not the truth. Most of the sith he had trained under were out for themselves, out for power, out for glory. Though the Imperial knights were not like this. They only accepted glory if it meant they worked together to achieve it. This ay of thinking strengthened the group as a whole over any one member. This meant that they would be solid, and nearly unbreakable. Bringing the saying that they were only as strong as their weakest link to it's full meaning.

The Anzat was impressed that this old man was so agile and strong, even without using the Force. Despite him being much older, he did not think of it as his species outlived all Humans by a long shot. He simply compared it to an Anzat living far passed a thousand.

Without using the Force would be a task simple for Vixur. He tried not relying on it too much, and for most of his life he did not need it for his physical abilities. Anzats were impeccable specimens, strong and fast, although this would not be about Vixur as a one. He would need to work with the others in order to catch the man.

Turning to his fellow Squires. "I say we split up in different directions. Flank him fro all sides, there is enough of us to surround him and then close the circle. The tighter the circle gets, the closer we come to grabbing the sash."

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Kara listened intently as the Knight Commander spoke. The Imperial Knight Philosophy had good structure to it, as the old saying goes, two heads are better than one. Team work could be a powerful force, if used effectively, just as the old man stated. As a former Disciple of Twilight, Kara was more used to working solo, so working with a group could be a challenge for her. Even more so working with complete strangers who's strength and weaknesses she didn't know.

Once the old man took off, leaping off one crate after another until he reached the top crate, Kara raised an eyebrow. Usually humans around 90 tended to become frail from age, but it somehow didn't stop this old Imperial Knight from getting to the top. Once the Anzat spoke out, Kara nodded. "Remember, the Knight Commander said a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I can keep up with him without the Force, but it might take me a while to get up there on my own. Mind giving me a boost?" She suggested.

 

[Darkwasp]

Illiana looked to the other three, her discerning eyes trying to get a read on their physical acumen. There was a subtle annoyance just gracing the surface of her face. Exercises like these had their place, but she was hoping for a more instructive session. A small huddle had begun to naturally form, as each of the team members had apparently come to roughly the same conclusion. She beckoned them in even closer, always keeping an eye on where the Knight Commander was doing.

”Considering that we weren’t formally introduced; I am Illiana. I recommend two on the crates to flank him, one on the floor in case he jumps, and one standing back – to get the big picture and coordinated the engagement.” she began, looking around the group. ”If we all brought comlinks this will work so much better. I know I have mine.

I suggest this one follows the Knight Commander’s path up the crates. I assume our feline friend here is fairly agile. Why don’t you leap up on the tall crates to my right and begin flanking the Commander? I think you should coordinate the group. I would normally give such an important task to a woman… but you seem like a fairly intelligent individual.” she said without any change in her facial expression. ”If everyone agrees… I’ll take the ground, and everyone listen closely to this man. It’s his chess game. We are just the pieces; very important pieces.” She said, giving Vixur a reassuring nod.

”Now unless there are any disagreements, let’s get this lovely lady onto her first crate.” Illiana concluded, pretty pleased with her current plan.

Spoiler: OOC

Roll over underlined words for clarification. :p

 

[©razy Man]

Shenzai nodded towards the Knight Commander's test. It would be rather simple anyways. He hardly knew anything about the force as it was and had never relied on it. So this would be easier for him than some f the others.

He listened to the woman, Illiana. "And I am Shenzai." He looked to the crates to her right and easily climbed up them. He held out his hand toward Kara to help her up. "Grab my hand and I'll help you up." He looked toward the man who would be coordinating everything. "I'll be listening." He nodded and started running toward the Knight Commander.