All Titans Fall

[Fyston]

He was awoken early by the sound of his door opening, the Knight hurriedly sitting up and snapping to attention. His robe fell onto the floor, though he was more concerned with the form standing in the door. "Master Sutsgy," the shadow asked, though Fyston recognized the voice as being male. "Can I have a word?" The Knight waved the form in as he spoke. "Of course, come in and have a seat." As the boy sat down, Fyston realized that it was the Zabrak from the day before, who was rather timidly taking a seat in front of the Knight. "How can I help you today?"

The Zabrak looked around and Fyston could tell that he was nervous, though he felt that he would know soon enough. "Well," the boy started. "I want to talk about yesterday." Fyston stood and grabbed a small plastic cup before filling it with water. He motioned for the boy to continue as he handed him the water and sat down. "I, uhh. I... I don't think this program is for me," he blurted out quickly and the Zabrak instantly looked into Fyston's face for a hint of anger or disappointment. Fyston, however, merely smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, my friend. Medicine is a tough study, and that's before you get into the personal aspect of it. I am not mad at you, however, as I was once where you were. Don't think that this will stop you from becoming a great Jedi, as the Force has other plans for you." Astonished, the Padawan spilled his water onto the carpet. "You're not m-m-mad," he stammered. "I stayed up all night thinking of ways to reason with you and ensure that everything would be alright." "I am not mad, young one. I would rather you come to me and speak openly about it than resent me. My door is always open. Do you have the forms for me to sign?"

In response, the Zabrak handed Fyston a few pieces of flimsi, which he quickly signed, initialed, or checked before handing them back to the Padawan. They both stood, though Fyston seemed to tower over the younger Jedi. Fyston smiled as he reached his hand out, promptly shaking the Zabrak's hand before slipping on his robe and walking with him out of the office. "May the Force be with you," the Knight said as the boy walked the other way down the hallway. I was hoping for a bit of extra sleep, though I can hang out with everybody else until Delun wakes up, Fyston thought as he began walking.

"We didn't call you," said the nurse as soon as she saw Fyston. "Don't worry," he replied, "I awoke on my own." Fyston saw no other doctors in sight, likely because it was still early morning. That, however, didn't stop a number of alarms from going off at the nearby terminals. "They're coding," he said as he confirmed it on the terminal monitor. "Gimme a crash cart and epinephrine." While Fyston spoke, however, he was rushing towards the room indicated on the monitor. The door slid open for him as soon as he got within a few feet.

Only to reveal Delun up and about. Fyston rescinded his order and simply examined the large Kushari. "Normally, I'd suggest rest considering what you've been through. Seeing as you're up and about, however, I'll take it as a good sign. How do you feel?" The Knight smiled gently, though he wasn't done. He tapped into the Force and sought out Juno's connection with the Force. He found it relatively easily, as they weren't that far away. I'm sorry to disturb you, but Delun's awake. If you wish to do so, wake Runt and bring him to see Delun. If you get lost, ask a nurse.

 

[Cassanova]

Juno's eyes snapped open at Fyston's gentle prodding. Rubbing her face, she decided to heed the Jedi Knight's advice and stood, stretching out her back as she tied her hair up into a pony tail. She did pause to wonder how she would get lost considering she was four feet from Runt and around twenty five from where Delun was, but she dismissed it, considering the possibility that Fyston may have believed her to have gone back to her room during the night.

Stretching out her fingers, which allowed her to assess the condition of her wrist wraps, Juno tapped the door's console, and moved into the room. Hearing his purring/snoring, she couldn't tell which, she gently raised the lights and moved to Runt's side. Gently tapping at his side, both with her hand, and with the Force as best she could muster, and attempted to wake him. "Runt. Come on big guy," she shook him a little more ferociously, finally causing Runt's bulk to move, "Your brother is up and moving. Let's go!"

 

[Jiang Winters]

Delun couldn't help but grin cheekily as he saw Fyston pop into his room, with medical personnel and a crash cart following hot on his heels. The tiger-like feline had to bite his tongue to stifle a laugh as the human sent the cart and its tenders away. "If I felt any better, I'd probably still have that classic new-car smell," he remarked with a wry grin.

He ran his heavy paws across the snowy fur covering his chest and stomach, and looked himself over once more. "For having a gaping hole right about here yesterday," he paused, patting the side of his torso, "It sure seems to me like I've been put together nicely. My augments are all green across the board, too. I dunno what kind of crazy black magic you pulled, Fyston, but I think it's safe to say I owe you my life!"

Runt, meanwhile, had been purring away happily atop his 'bed'. He was still tightly bundled up in the blankets Juno had given him, and was sleeping as soundly as could be expected of a reasonably healthy Kushari recovering from a rather traumatic day - that was to say, he slept like a brick. Even when Juno hit the lights and started poking and prodding him, he didn't stir.

In fact, when she finally shoved him hard enough to cause the big cat to rock, he only mumbled some completely unintelligible gibberish, rolled, and fell right out of bed. He made a 'Oof' sound when he hit the floor, and for a moment his eyes shot open in shock. But rather than groggily sit up and figure out what'd knocked him off the warm and cozy bed, the feline curled up into a ball right there on the floor. He closed his eyes and tucked his arms under his head like a pillow. Just as he was getting comfortable, Juno's words finally sank into his mostly-asleep mind.

His brother was awake.

Runt exploded into motion. He bolted to his feet with such force and rapidity that the blankets covering him were flung into the air, and the cat hurriedly sought out his glasses. He found them atop the same tray he'd left them on, and quickly pressed them into place o'er the bridge of his nose. He looked himself over - pants, check. Shirt, check. Sleep-mussed fur, check. If he'd looked in the mirror, he'd have known how ridiculous he looked - the fur of one cheek laid flat, and the other side stood up, giving him a wild and disheveled, and generally very sleepy, appearance.

He yawned mightily, tongue lolling out of his muzzle as he did so. "Nnrr... Okay, okay. Right. Brother. Where is 'e?"

 

[Cassanova]

Holding back a fit of laughter at the acrobatic failure which was Runt's attempt to wake up, Juno eventually smiled as though you would at a small child for doing something cute and took Runt by the forearm and gently led him from the room. The short walk was an easy one, only thirty or so meters through a mildly confusing myriad of rooms and corridors. The only reason Juno didn't get lost, as such, was that she had honed in on Fyston's presence within the Force.

As the pair entered the room, Juno released Runt, and then stepped aside a little, allowing the brothers to have their moment. Juno watched on at Fyston's side and accidentally let out a yawn. She still looked like she had slept in a waiting room, and had the quality of sleep to match it. A shower seemed like a really nice idea, but Juno avoided leaving jobs half done wherever possible, and would see this through, at least until she really was no longer needed.

 

[Fyston]

Fyston couldn't help but smile as Delun joked. To him, that was the equivalent of stable vitals as people tended not to joke when they were dying. Well, they did, but not when they were gushing blood, unconscious, or otherwise rapidly dying. He shook his head, however, as Delun thanked him. "It was not me who performed the magic, nor do you owe me your life. Your brother, Runt, is who is responsible for saving your life. Without him, we would be tracking down next-of-kin."

As if waiting for a cue, Juno and Runt entered the room. Both of them looked exhausted, though Fyston moved out of the way to allow a path for Runt. Turning to look at Juno, he smiled gently. She had performed, if one could use the term, admirably. She made a fine Jedi and would make an excellent Knight and her stoic manner differed greatly from Fyston when he was a Padawan. Once this is over, I would like to speak to you, he said through the Force. He had a kind look on his face and tried to reassure her that it was for a good reason rather than a negative one.

 

[Jiang Winters]

"My... Brother?"

Delun's brow furrowed. "Fyston, I don't have a brother."

As far as Delun knew, he had no family. The only brother he knew of was Daisuke Fuyu - Battlemaster of the Jedi Order, and victim of a Sith bombing. Of course, his memory only began the day he woke in a laboratory and his chance meeting with Christian, a Jedi-turned-rogue. He imagined that it was possible that he had a sibling, but that was a possibility he was reluctant to seriously entertain. If he had family, he'd know about it. That's what he wanted to think. That's what he wanted to believe.

Unfortunately, he was wrong, and Runt had arrived just in time to hear. The younger male was visibly shocked by his sibling's words, and snapped off a quick retort. "You're technically correct, you don't have a brother." He folded his arms across his chest, and huffed quietly. "You've got three. Daisuke, the oldest. Kaede, the second-eldest."

Runt watched as surprise played out on his elder brother's face. Delun's maw opened and closed, but produced not a single sound. Runt growled in irritation. "Y'know what? I'm getting damned tired of being right," he muttered quietly. He cleared his throat, then explained himself. "Improper implantation of a modular direct nervous interface device and wetware interface nodes. The quacks who installed his cybernetics should've never been allowed to graduate. I'd worried about it yesterday, when I saw the scans of his body, but... Forget it. It's nothing I can't fix, given enough time..." He frowned, and muttered under his breath, "And a whole ****ing lot of luck."

"Wait," Delun interjected, "What you're saying is that my neural net was botched. That could lead to short and long term memory impairment, suppression of various portions of memory, the implantation of..."

"Artificial memories and talents, installation of various skillsets, personality controls, so on and so forth," Runt finished for his brother. "Basically, Del, your head is swiss cheese." The feline sighed and shook his head. "Not that mine's any better. Freezerburn. It's coming back, slowly, but... Feh," he paused, looking to Fyston and Juno. "If... You guys wouldn't mind giving us a few minutes, I'd be grateful. Patching a lifetime's worth of memories back together is gonna be awkward enough - we'll holler in a bit, okay?"

 

[Cassanova]

Juno gave a gentle nod to Fyston as she understood his message clearly. Her focus was then thoroughly distracted by the technobabble from the Kushari brothers. Eventually when Runt mentioned his plans, Juno nodded. "We'll be outside if you need us. If you can't find us, i'm sure some of the medical team can help locate at least one of us..."

With a bow of her head to each of the brothers, Juno subtly trailed a finger across Fyston's forearm, signally him to follow her. As the pair exited she undid her hair, ran her fingers through it and shook it about trying to make it more acceptable. Eventually, with a sigh, she gave up, and tied it back up into a pony tail. Once Fyston joined her, she assumed a rather militant stance, one that you would expect from a Marine who was standing at ease, "What is it you need me for, Master Sutsgy?"

 

[Fyston]

As Fyston followed Juno out of the room, he noticed the leftover excitement in the open area from the confusion about Delun. The crash cart was situated beside the nurse's station and the staff were keeping an eye on the terminal as if expecting something to occur. No doubt, the rush of adrenaline was still coursing through their veins. Even Fyston's heart continued to race and it pumped enough blood that he could sprint if he needed to. It was due to this that hospitals and medical practitioners everywhere used adrenaline to chemically restart hearts. While Juno messed with her hair, Fyston took the time to calm himself and bring his heart rate down to a more normal level using a mixture of slow, deep breaths and the Force.

"Well, it would help us both to relax. Some people require discipline at all times and punish those who are not. I am more laid back, though. However, I wanted to thank you. You showed compassion, caring, and attention that even the most experienced Jedi could learn from. You have performed admirably, be it from helping yesterday to staying with Runt throughout the night. Your...service, if such a formal word is appropriate, and commitment have given me much to reflect on. For that, I am in your debt. After all of this is over, if you ever need anything of me, let me know. Be it as a pilot, as a doctor, or as a Guardian, you need only let me know."

 

[Cassanova]

The string of compliments honestly wasn't what Juno was expecting. Truthfully speaking, Juno never really received many compliments. She rarely stayed around long enough to get them. Nonetheless positive feedback is still feedback and was truly grateful for the kind words. "Thankyou, Master Sutsgy. I only did for him what I would hope others would do for me in the same situation."

"After all of this is over, if you ever need anything of me, let me know. Be it as a pilot, as a doctor, or as a Guardian, you need only let me know."
"Of course, Master Sutsgy. I appreciate the offer and of course, offer nothing less than the same in return," a smile emerged on her face, "Although, you may not want to enlist my services as a doctor - my medical skills leave a fair amount to be desired."

Her thoughts quickly drifted back to the brothers in the room, and Juno crossed her arms over her chest in thought. She wondered how successful Runt would be at repairing Delun's memory, or at least getting the understanding that they were brothers to take hold in his mind. The idea of not knowing she had a brother was one that troubled Juno, as part of what was unique about her was the dynamic between her and her brother, Guhoo. The concept of suddenly being stripped of that gave her goosebumps, as she would be acting in such a way, but not understand the cause.

"I wonder how its all going in there..."

 

[Fyston]

As they finished talking, Fyston turned back to the transperisteel window between Delun's room and the rest of the ward. The curtains were still drawn from the previous night, though it was usually up to the occupant of the room to decide what they preferred. He stuck his hands into the pockets of his tunic and pondered Juno's question briefly. He had his own brother, and the concept of forgotten or, in Fyston's case, unknown family was quite familiar. He would never know what it was to be a Kushari, and he would likely never know what it was like to be kept alive by advanced cybernetics, but Fyston and Delun had common ground when it came to lost family.

Fyston's own brother, Sam, had been Fyston's best friend before they realized that they were related. It had taken them a while to figure it out, and longer still to get used to the fact. They'd even gone back to Naboo to investigate the deaths of their parents and Sam sought to teach Fyston about the Kisgart family line. It was then that Fyston realized how radically different their lives had been. Sam had been raised in luxury and then sent to the Temple, while Fyston had lived in the slums of Nar Shaddaa until the Force brought him to Tython. He had been shocked to realize that Sam was in charge of the family company and had decided to share it with his younger brother. The Knight never spent frivolously, aside from his chair, as he only invested and helped the company when he was on Naboo or otherwise around important members of the successful, multi-world company.

He hadn't seen Sam in quite some time, and he worried about his brother. Sometimes, Fyston would search the Force and would be reassured that, wherever he was, Sam was healthy. Smiling to himself and snapping back to reality, he spoke. "Like all long-lost-sibling relationships do, I'd imagine. They learn of their relationship and want to become closer or otherwise make up for lost time. They'll likely talk for a while and decide where to go from there. For them, it may be a cup of caf and a long discussion on cybernetic technology. For us, it was a history of the Kisgart line, our...strange family situation, that type of thing. They might even visit their homeworld together. When me and Sam went, it was quite the revelation. I had only just been promoted to Knight, and I wasn't as prepared, nor as experienced, as I am now. Either way, something tells me they'll be okay."

 

[Jiang Winters]

"Line ARK."

Delun nodded slightly as his brother repeated the name.

For the last little while, they'd caught up with one another as much as their fragmented memories would allow. What they remembered most was ARK - the corporation that had imprisoned and abused both of them. It was only natural that they had discussed, at length, what they remembered of ARK and their escape. Understandably, Runt remembered little, but Del was able to relate a lengthy tale of his escape from, and subsequent pursuit by, ARK. He had also been able to relate some of the nightmares and flashbacks he had of his time in ARK custody - the bits of trauma that'd crept back into his mind. The horrors he'd shared left Runt with wide eyes, flattened ears, and raised hackles. And it'd left him with an even deeper hatred of, and interest in, ARK.

It was only natural that the discussion of the corporation should continue, and take a turn for the worse.

"Line ARK. Also known as the Arasiyu-Rhendall-Kendasi Corporation." The larger feline folded his thick arms 'cross the broad expanse of his chest. "They're a major dealer in military technology, medical supplies, robotics, and cybernetics, among other things. They've got their paws in every scientific field I can think of, and then a few I've never even heard about."

Runt's brow furrowed. The young feline adjusted his glasses and sighed quietly. "Okay. And we know they're running illegal cybernetics testing programs, right? And they used us Kushari for testing. It makes sense. Physically, we're more resilient than most other species in the galaxy, and it'd give ARK a one-up on other biotech firms by giving them extra time to start work on analyzing the Kushari body. That means they've gotta have a ton of data on you, me, and anyone else they caught. So that means that all we have to do to sort this mess out is head to Pinnacle Tower - that HQ you mentioned - and blast our way through 'till we find someone with answers. I get a little payback for all the misery they've brought down on us, and I get the answers we need."

"Sorta," Del replied, "They were running Project Exile, Exile being an acronym for something. I'm not sure what. But that was fifty years ago - we've been kept on ice half a century. More, maybe. That complicates things."

The smaller Kushari's lips curled back in a frown, which just barely exposed his rearmost teeth. "No, it doesn't complicate things at all. All that means is that these clowns have gotten away with this bas'feh - this bullshit - for over half a century! Half a century I've been frozen in Cryo, away from everyone I loved! I can't even remember home anymore, Del. I can't remember our mother or our father, our siblings... I can't even remember my own bloody name! So no, it ain't complicated. It's really kriffing simple. We go in, and kill our way to the heart of this corp, and we tear it out and stamp on it until they're dead and buried or until I get some answers out of them."

Delun took a step towards Runt and stretched a paw out to clasp his shoulder. "Easy, va'kir. You're getting angry.

To his surprise, Runt stepped out of reach of his hand. "Angry?" he repeated, eyes drawing to slits. The word left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he couldn't help but issue a low growl. "You're damned right I'm angry! They took away fifty years, Delun - five decades! I could've raised a cub, could've had a family! They took fifty years from you! From all of us! Look at yourself, take a look in the goddamned mirror!"

The enraged engineer surged forward, seizing one of Del's thick wrists with one hand and firmly squeezing his forearm with the other. The pressure caused the slit for Delun's armblade - one of EXILE's built-in weapons - to open slightly and expose the black blade gleaming deep below the synthetic flesh. "This is what they did to you! They stripped away all that made you real! The Delun I remember wasn't so tall or powerful, and he did not have steel for his arms and jelly for a spine! Look at yourself - you're so scared you'd rather run from your enemy than stand up and fight!"

"Hey!" Del yanked his hand back from Runt, and glowered at his younger brother. "Don't you call me a coward - I fear ARK, as should you. I'm staying away from them. I've been shot, stabbed, cut open, and blown up enough times to know to leave them well enough alone."

Runt turned his back to Delun and ran both paws through his headfur. He took a shallow breath, and half-glanced over his shoulder. "Y'know what, Del? You wanna stay here, scared sick and tired of fighting? You go right ahead. But I'm sick and tired of being so sick and tired."

He turned that much more, eyes locking to Delun's. "I'm taking back my ship, and I'm going to Coruscant. And when I get there, I'm going to make ARK bleed. Every tear I've shed, every night I've spent alone in the dark and the cold? They're gonna pay for it. They're gonna pay threefold. I will have vengeance - I swear it on my honor."

Delun scowled. "Dammit, va'kir, you're being a damned fool! Listen to yourself - you're going to take on an army on your own? What are you thinking!?"

His brother gave a wry smirk. "I'm not going on my own," he replied, "I've got a rifle. Now," he paused for a moment as he made for the door, "You can sit there and sputter like a gelded horse, or you can pull your balls out of ARK's handbag and help me kick their teeth in. Your call. But you choose and you choose fast, because you've got five minutes to un**** yourself and get out to the pad or I'm leaving you."

"How're you going to fly out, kid?" Del grumbled, "You don't even have a ship."

"Actually, I do. You've been flying it, and I'm taking her back."

Del's eyes widened, but before he could protest Runt was out the door and across to his room, where he was already hard at work pulling on his armor. The massive feline leaned against the nearest wall and ran both hands through his headfur, groaning in exasperation. "Figures I'd have a firecracker for a kid brother," he sighed heavily.

 

[Cassanova]

Juno turned in startled surprise as Runt emerged from one room, and into the next, and furiously began to assemble his armour on his body. Juno was, by no means, particularly skilled with the ability, but she could tell that he was angry - no, furious. Slowly, she passed a querying look towards Fyston, then took a few steps toward Runt, "Hey... Going somewhere so soon?"

Moving in closer, she placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to calm him down as he was clearly agitated. "Listen - I don't know what you plan on doing, but you're a day out of a cryopod, you spent hours operating, and you still haven't been properly looked over by a physician yet," she frowned at him, "You shouldn't do anything rash - nothing that involves your armour or rifle, anyway..."

Juno's vibrant blue eyes watched Runt carefully, but behind them there was a desperate plea for him not to do anything stupid, or something that he'd come to regret either by doing something, or by missing the opportunity to think his actions out for just a day or two more. While not officially - Juno felt that Runt was her responsibility, and didn't it prudent to release him on the galaxy at least without getting him a solid meal or two...

 

[Fyston]

As the door opened, Fyston could almost taste the anger rolling off of Runt. The Knight rushed to cut off the man, stepping in front of him in a non-menacing manner. "She's right, you know," he said as he gestured to Juno. "Take some time and think about this or you'll have weeks to think about it. Have you ever heard of Plyridian Fever? Incubation is four weeks, and if there's even a suggestion that there's an infection, the entire ward is systematically quarantined and scanned. You can't go anywhere if we all have to be tested. I don't know what you guys spoke of in there, but I assure you that you don't want to rush off and do anything stupid. Whoever you're angry at, I doubt that you can take them out without a plan, resources, and backup. I don't want to quarantine you, but so long as I'm the attending, you're my responsibility. Besides, I can't let you go out and get killed considering that you saved Delun and I look after friends. I'd no less let you rush out and do something stupid than I would Juno or Delun."

What he said likely sounded like a threat, but Fyston knew that such an angry mood brought forth rash actions and would only cause grief down the road. He'd seen quite a few people rush out in a fit of rage only to be met with horrid consequences. When he was younger, he'd even done similar things, and he knew the pain that such decisions brought. "Don't be an idiot, Runt. You'll get yourself killed." Fyston may have seemed like a jerk or manipulative, but he sought the best for Runt and wished to keep him from doing anything stupid. If that meant pulling rank or position to slow him down in order to get him to think about what he was doing, so be it. Besides, the Temple had other medical facilities and would quickly scan and reopen essential portions of the medical ward. Lifesaving procedures would be able to continue, though patients would take up space in the hallway until the recovery section was scanned.