Breaking of an Imperial

[Sisk_Renelo]

The halls of The Brave Blood were kept cold, a tactic designed to ensure that Protectors were always on the move. An idle body was one that soon fell into disuse, and that would kill Protectors as surely as an enemy. Sisk felt the chill even through his armor as he strode quickly through the busy hallways. Protectors moved to the side, giving him passage, and nods of greeting accompanied it. He nodded and spoke back, but never stopped moving. Zara and Nephill had brought back a strange new 'recruit', and Sisk had to see her for himself.

After the shuttle had docked, Sisk had ordered this new 'recruit' taken to a holding cell. Sisk entered a room adjacent, and stared through the 2 way duraglass at the girl sitting there. A low rumble growled in Sisk's throat, and force its way out through his teeth. "Imperial." That one word spoke volumes about his feelings. The hate for the Mandalorian 'allies' was strong, and Sisk had to remind himself that for now, it served the greater good.

Two Protectors stood guard in this room, intently keeping watch over the girl. One turned to him an delivered a succinct report. "She hasn't moved, sir. Just been sitting there. But she feels off. Like something doesn't belong." Sisk nodded, his attention on the girl. A teenager. And by the way she held herself, nobility. Arrogance and privilege rolled off of her. Along with the Force. After Zara had radioed him, Sisk had told Kane to pull up everything that they had on the Vaikens. After several hours, the file that he had been handed had been surprisingly thick, and although filled with many unnecessary details, such as war honors and actions, accolades by Sith Lords, and the like, but the message held in them was clear. This girl came from a family that was Imperial to the core.

"Keep her in there until I decide what to do with her. The test of Resolve begins now. No food, no drink, until I say so."

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Ah, this is an interesting predicament, stuck here well might as well make myself comfortable. Alice simply meditated sensing a strong presence in the Force. Well that person might be the boss and these quarters are amazing, almost looks like a cell. Within a few hours her stomach started to growl. This will be tough for I have never gone without food. "This is a test and I refuse to yield." She projected this thought outward, knowing that the man would hear it. Three days, I have three days before I die from dehydration. So be it I will never yield.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk sat quietly in his office, a cup of steaming caf resting on the dark wood surface of his desk. It sat untouched for now, as the Sol'yc Cabur stared pensively out of his window. He looked out onto the great expanse of space, unbroken by anything but stars, and considered his current predicament. In a cell far below his feet sat an Imperial, one from a highly placed family.

With a sigh, Sisk picked up the flimsi file that contained her records, and gave them another look. He'd practically memorized it already, but it never hurt to have a refresher. Alongside her file sat two reports, one from Nephill, and the other from Zara. Nothing remarkable there, except for the fact that she was talkative. A bad habit. You never tell someone you don't know as much as she did. And from Sisk's experience, it could also be a sign of an infiltrator.

She had been trying to hard, trying to form a bond of trust before the time had come for it. And Protectors didn't trust through words, only actions proved the true heart. And right now, her actions were questionable.

Sisk couldn't concentrate. His attention kept turning to the small holo on his desk. It displayed a pict capture of him and Xotomi, both of them smiling at the camera, her scooped up in his arms. He'd had his agents searching for days, but no signs had appeared, no records had been found. He hated admitting it, even to himself, by he missed her greatly.

He tore himself away from the small image, and turned his attention the camera feed from the cell. The Imperial had been in the cell for 18 hours, and so far had shown no signs of breaking. It was all part of the test, and so far she had been doing well.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

I am a Vaiken I refuse to yield, Alice kept repeating this over and over while meditating calmly keeping movement and breathing in check. This is so boring I wish I had a book or something. Hm maybe I can change my eye color or something more interesting maybe like changing my form I will do that in another thirty minutes. I refuse to yield not to these people, not to anyone. Once more repeating her mantra while meditating.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

It had been 24 hours. Sisk sat quietly in the observation room, just looking at the young Imperial. She just... sat there. He could feel the force in her, but it was filled with pride and arrogance. He would have to break that. He would have to break her if she truly was willing to join them. The two guards had gone through several shifts, and less than an hour ago, two new guards had moved in. They stood there, helmets off, chatting with each other. They were playing a strategy game called Bastion, and playing it from memory. It was rather impressive.

"Jump troopers to grid D4."

"Right into the line of fire from my repeater nest?"

"Osik. Make that grid E9."

"Better vod. Remember, it's all about the long game." As they continued their game, Sisk listened intently. He would have finished the game 6 moves before, but this was as much training as combat drills on the deck, just for the mind instead of the body. He stood up, and moved to the mirror, getting a better look. She had to be getting tired. She hadn't slept, she hadn't eaten, and she hadn't drunk anything. Even with the Force, a body just gave up eventually.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Alright, it has been more then 24 hours, and as I promised myself I will goof around by changing my appearance. Alice then started to think of historical women, and started to mimic their appearance, Leia Organa-Solo, Mara Jade-Skywalker, and Meetra Surik, to name a few.

Following this she started to stretch, doing nice and easy ones then building up to more complex ones. She looked out of her cell and longed to join in the game that the two Protectors were playing, the one that her brother and her used to play on a daily basis.

Boredom, solitude, a lack of food and water are all beginning to take their tole. She is now running on willpower, a refusal to yield or to bend.

I must not beg or plead, for it will amount to nothing, this is a test but I do not know what for. In this place her family meant nothing, her Sith blood meant nothing. Then she realized it, that is what they want. I must let go of my pride, it means nothing not here. Be humble, these will be my brothers and sisters. I pray that this is the correct answer for I need to get out of here.

She then began to look back at her life. Remembering all her mistakes admitting to herself that she messed up not some servant, only her. It also brought back all the beatings her father did to her and Jason every time they made a mistake, to the point that he knocked them out. Where she developed a fear of failure, a fear for making mistakes.

I must be humble, my name is Alice Vaiken, and I make mistakes daily. I was an Imperial Noble, now I am a Mandalorian hopeful, I was once at the top now I am at the bottom. It will be a humbling experience, but it is for the best. Let it begin now, for I am tired of this cell. She then closed her eyes and decided to get some sleep.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk watched, not batting an eyelash at the shape shifting. A neat trick, but for now, worthless to his people. He could feel the calm the Imperial was trying to radiate, but he didn't bite. It would take more than a few hours in a cell to dissolve the arrogance and pride that defined the culture from which she came. Eventually she went to sleep, and Sisk stood. He turned to the two guards, who stopped their chatter and turned attentive ears to him.

"When she finished her nap, leave her in there for another 12 hours, then bring her to the aft hanger." They nodded, and as Sisk began to leave the room, he heard them resume their game.

"Heavy turret at grid D9 fires at grid F13."

"Son of a... You just shot down my last shuttle! Missile team at grid C15 fires at Heavy Turret at grid D9."

"You forgot the wall, vod. Missile strikes wall running along grid E. Miss. Heavy turret grid G1 fires at grid A1. Bastion." The word signaled the traditional end of the game, one warrior's forces educed to a level where they could no longer fight. The sigh was audible even from the hallway.

"Osik. Jate geroya, vod." Good game, brother. "My turn to run the fortress."

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Alice woke up forty minutes later and to her disappointment was trapped in her cell for another 12 or 13 hours she is really starting to loose track. She was feeling weak, lightheaded, and just worn out. Just as she was about to sleep again, her guards came in.

Alice was ripped off her feat and dragged roughly to the aft hangar. Alice arrived at the hangar and was literally thrown at a man.


Alice stood straight and gathered as much composure as she could and did a simple Force Sense. This man radiated power in the Force, as well as a powerful earthly presence, authority and power waved off him. This is a man people would follow into battle without hesitation, this is a man who can kill her with absolutely no effort. Yet here she is, submitting herself to his judgement. Well moment of truth, he will decide my fate.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

The walls were lined with black armor, almost a full company of Protectors standing silently. No one moved, spoke, or even twitched. If droids had lined the walls, they couldn't have been quieter. Sisk stood in the middle of the hangar bay, dressed in his full armor, the black of his armor seeming to soak up all light. The weapons that hung from his armor seemed to almost detract from the menace he radiated. The guards delivered the young Imperial, than stepped back to join their vode, becoming two more living statues.

With heavy tread, Sisk stepped forward, and his t-visor reflected the young girl, distorting her image, and darkening it. "Alice Vaiken. You have come to us as a hopeful. Wishing to join our ranks. Why?"

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Alice was in a daze, tired, hungry, and barely able to form a cohesive though. She was surrounded by Protectors and she knew that if she did anything wrong, moved without permission or leave, she would become Swiss cheese. "Alice Vaiken. You have come to us as a hopeful. Wishing to join our ranks. Why?"

Alice was thinking trying to martial some words. I must think carefully, for I do not want to convey the wrong reason, they do not trust me they have no reason to. I have done nothing to prove my worth, I am worse then dirt, an annoyance, an outsider. The silence made her wary, these men were like statues, yet she can feel their eyes on her.
"If it pleases you I would like to be called Alice, for I am no longer a Vaiken. I have come from Bastion, to make my own name, not live off the name of some long dead ancestors who served the Empire since the Great Hyperspace War. In Imperial Space, I was in the highest class of Imperial society. I was raised with Imperial beliefs, the Sith our are masters and we live to please. It is considered the highest honor to be recognized as useful. For that is what we are, tools, nothing more nothing less."

"I have traveled to Mandalorian space for one reason, you are strong. It is that simple, our family followed the Sith because of their strength. I realized there are two kinds of strength, the Sith are strong because they use the Force. The Mando'lade are strong because they martial their bodies and minds, they do not use the Force to give them strength, to impose their wills on others.

To be honest it was great, the balls, the respect. Knowing that I could do anything or be anything I desired. I am from a pure Sith line, one of ancient line, we have always served the Empire. When we were not blessed with the Force we have taken military roles, or Intelligence positions. If I remember correctly we had an ancestor who ensured that you joined the Sith side in the Great Galactic War. Mand'alor the Lesser, he was a good warrior but his career was aided. The Great Mandalorian warriors were beaten by smugglers. She was angry annoyed, tired, and hungry. She didn't know why she said that but it felt good. Reminding the proud warriors that a bunch of rag tag smugglers beat them.

"Times have changed, you have proven your strength. I sincerely hope that you permit me to at least attempt to join. I submit myself to your judgement.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk smiled icily under the helmet. The arrogance rolled off her like a suffocating wave, and Sisk fought down his first reaction, which was to put a bullet in her skull. Instead, he took another step forward, then surged, placing his right leg behind her as his right hand hit her chest with the force of a warrior. She would drop, and she would drop hard. Sisk paced around her, his tone cold.

"You will show respect, Sith." The word sounded like a curse from his tongue. "Without us, your Empire would still be cowering behind its borders, afraid to come out because the GA might finally destroy your taint." His boots were heavy on his feet, weighed down by the pure, unadulterated hate he held for the Sith.

"And join us? You already failed your first test. You claim to be able to join us as a vod, yet you draw upon the Force to sustain you. That is not the act of a warrior. That's the act of a scared little girl who ran away because she didn't like her lot in life." He stopped, and rose to his full height. "You are weak, Alice Vaiken. You hide behind your pedigree and your trivial connection to the dark side. You have pride where none has been earned. You have arrogance without the ability to back your words. I wouldn't pit you against a child because it would be an insult to them. You are weak. And I don't think you can overcome it."

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Before she can even move or react, Sisk moved. His leg was behind her leg and a was smashed by an armored fist. She flew backwards and landed on back and smashed her skull. If she was human she would have received a concussion. She was stunned, then the gloating.

And join us? You already failed your first test. You claim to be able to join us as a vod, yet you draw upon the Force to sustain you. That is not the act of a warrior. That's the act of a scared little girl who ran away because she didn't like her lot in life.".

The words hit her like a hammer, smashing her pride. First the fact that she couldn't defend herself, or even attempt to do anything. Next saying using the Force was a weakness, she was in shock it was the direct opposite of everything she was taught, but then he continued.

"And join us? You already failed your first test. You claim to be able to join us as a vod, yet you draw upon the Force to sustain you. That is not the act of a warrior. That's the act of a scared little girl who ran away because she didn't like her lot in life." He stopped, and rose to his full height. "You are weak, Alice Vaiken. You hide behind your pedigree and your trivial connection to the dark side. You have pride where none has been earned. You have arrogance without the ability to back your words. I wouldn't pit you against a child because it would be an insult to them. You are weak. And I don't think you can overcome it."

Nothing could be said, she failed. Failure, something that would result in a savage beating. There is not point in denying her usage in the Force. She had forgotten, the Mandalorians hate the usage of the Force. Pride an arrogance must be earned, not based off your ancestors, my pedigree. Why is everything I was taught so backwards? Then something happened, a cry for redemption to prove that she can overcome her culture, her education. A cry for a second chance to prove that she is worthy or to die trying. For she can not live with herself if she is a failure, the shame will be unbearable.

She rose rubbed her head, and said, “Sir, I would like another chance. For I know you would not have brought me here unless you are have something in mind? For you could have sent me home? Or thrown me into the jungle and forgot about me. I beg that you allow me to have one last chance.”

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

"Another chance? The only other test I can offer is trial by blade." He stopped moving, and his visor found her. "But first, you must understand what you ask of me." His right hand moved up to the lip of his buy'ce, his fingers tapping the release code into the subtle sensors located there. There was a hiss, and Sisk pulled his helmet off, showing his face for the first time.

His shoulder length blond mane spilled out, matching the color of his goatee. His hazel eyes, the left slightly lighter than the right, were hard. When he spoke again, his voice was venom.

"Open your mind to me, Alice Vaiken. It will be easier on you than if I have to break your barriers. For if it comes to that, I will leave you a slobbering shell, devoid of what you once were."

 

[Jason Vaiken]

AAlice saw no other option. Yielding her mind, well there is nothing to hide from him, nor should I hesitate. T

"As you wish, my barriers are dropped feel free to dig through, I have nothing to hide. You can look at whatever you want, I keep my thoughts organized. Bad memories are towards the back, history towards the front, the more important stuff is near the front, secrets very back." She hoped that it would be painless but she knew from experience that resisting is very dangerous.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk pulled his left glove off, leaving his pale hand exposed. He stepped forward, and placed it on the Imperial's head. With conscious thought, he slowed his breathing, and gathered the Force, sending probes into the young woman's mind. Despite what she had said, there were still several barriers in place, but Sisk's mind deconstructed them easily, ripping the mental walks down as easily as ripping apart a sheet of flimsi.

He moved deliberately in her mind, moving from section to section, reading her innermost thoughts. To his surprise, he found no deception, at least none readily apparent, and it was mingled with arrogance, pride, and hate. All the things he had come to expect from the Sith. The tendrils expanded as Sisk looked for a very particular node.

'There.' he had found it, the part of the brain that allowed a user to access the Force. Unlike the rest of her mind, this was a heavily guarded area. It would take finesse if he was to gain access without leaving her a mindless hulk. With gentle pushes, he searched for a weak spot.

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Sisk was digging around reading her thoughts, but for some reason he stopped around a certain area. He was skirting around trying to circumvent her final defensive barrier." Here let me help, I presume that you want access? Fine, that is my safe zone, if someone breached my outer defenses I would have retreated into there." As she thought this she pulled down the final barrier in her head and waited for Sisk to leave her mind. So that her thoughts could be her own.

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

The wall dropped a little, not much, but enough for Sisk to skip his thoughts inside. The area his tendrils had reached contained a person's very essence. The core of who they were. But right now, Sisk had gleaned much of the information he wanted from the rest of Alice's mind. He was looking for a switch.

This part was always delicate. The severing of the Force, even temporarily, was deadly if done wrong. Sisk moved gently, the tendrils carefully probing. 'There.' He had found it. With careful movements, Sisk rearranged that portion of Alice's mind, severing her from the force, making her no different than any other mortal. Anyone who had never touched the grand miasma that was the power of the Force would be unaware of a change, but for those who had lived with it, it was heartbreaking. Like a piece of themselves had been stripped away.

Sisk pulled his tendrils back, removed his hand from her head, and stepped away. "Now you can know true weakness, Alice Vaiken. Now you can see the true face of fear. You are now no more special than anyone else. You are nothing but mortal."

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Something was wrong, a part of her just disappeared, it was like someone stole a part of herself. She staggered, I can't feel the Force! Someone stole it, that's what he wanted. He severed my connection to the Force! Fear gripped her, she was common, she was mortal, she is now like everyone else.

"Is this what your plan was? Strip away my connection to the Force? I-I don't know what to say except, something is very, very wrong. I feel common, you literally severed the one thing other than my name that set me apart from every other Imperial. I am now one step closer, for as you probably planned. I will not have a reliance on the Force. What is my next trial, if any?

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk's lips turned downwards, his hands flicking toward his back. With a single motion, his beskad was in his hand, and the flat of the blade rushed towards her, meant not to injure her physical body, but her pride. When it hit, it would knock her back several paces, sprawling her on the floor. After this was done, Sisk turned towards the lining of Protectors. "Give her a blade. It is time for the test of combat." The sound of several blades being drawn from leather scabbards filled the air, and several beskad of a durasteel manufacture were presented hilt first.

"Pick your blade, aruetii. It's time to see if you're anything without the Force."

 

[Jason Vaiken]

The blade was unsheathed and in a smooth motion hit her with the flat of the blade. She staggered and once again fell. Rising to her feet her purple eyes flashed with anger, while inside she was once again awe struck. Sisk barely put any effort but he managed to knock me off my feet in one smooth motion.

"Pick your blade, aruetii. It's time to see if you're anything without the Force."


Several blades where presented to her. She took two that interested her and took a few swings testing the balance of each blade. She liked the one in her right hand then presented the one she didn't want hilt first back to the Verd who gave it to her.

In a smooth motion she gathered up her hair and cut it to a more appropriate length. It is now chin height. The reasoning for this was to simply make it so that an opponent couldn't grab her and pull her down with her long hair.

"If it pleases you may we commence with the next trial?" As she said that she projected an aura of confidence. For her species is very hard to kill. For she has a unique make-up.


(OOC: I am very sorry for the lengthy wait, RL really put me in a bind. I finally have some free time. Thank you Sisk for waiting so long and I cannot wait to re-commence.)