Natural Selection

[Sergei Petrov]

econnaissance was a complete bore to Sergei. He was open to serving the interests of the Empire, but his own interests always came first. To say the least, exploring Saleucami was not among his list of priorities. It was one of the last missions he would have wanted to do. However, there was no refusing the will of the Imperial Republica. Not in the position he was currently in. A naval officer, experienced and prestigious as he was, had no right to argue or oppose his superiors. The best he could do was take the meager operation with his head held high and hope he might stumble into much needed information or some action. Something to spice up his day.

Unfortunately, there was nothing. The endless fields of the isolated world contained everything but a hidden rebel base or an Old Empire outpost. There were several colonies checkered across the planet surface, although he had likewise come up short on all colonies save for one. Even then, Sergei doubted that one colony contained anything new compared to the others. The only notable thing about it was that it stood at the end of his list. If that city came up with nothing, then the man would have no new information to provide to the Imperial Republica.

His personal speeder shot toward the last colony, if he could consider it one. The city was hardly a town. Composed of several rusted houses, a communications tower and what looked to be an abandoned listening post, Sergei could already tell the reconnaissance had turned out to be a waste of his time. Regardless, he persisted. Better to make certain the community was not a threat so he could finally be on his way. Probably to another empty, arid landscape where he could whine about his present situation in his lonesome.

Entering the unfamiliar assembly of buildings, Sergei parked his vehicle outside the listening post. Shattered windows, rusted walls and the door was left ajar. If a Sith or rebel faction was present, he doubted there were still around. But per protocol, the Imperial checked his armor and belongings one last time, including a vibroblade slung over his back, and stepped into the outpost. Little did he know that was indeed someone inside. Friend or foe, he had no idea. But the truth was, it was no friend.

@Spaceboi

 

[Ridas Kovro]

Ridas let out a quiet sigh of displeasure as he stepped into what was a semblance of a main road. What remained of the pathetic excuse for a colony left little to the imagination as to why it was abandoned in the first place. Everything about this place screamed exactly why he did not want to be here back at him. The young Sith had hoped to leave Korriban after completing his training and studying for a time so that he could make his mark on the Empire and the galaxy as a whole. But instead he had been assigned by the Sith that were overseeing him on a recon mission to Saleucami. The Outer Rim backwater was the exact opposite of where he wanted to be. Ridas had hoped to be invading Imperial Republica space, or perhaps pushing back against the rumours of a rebellion against the Sith. But instead he was stuck looking to set up a base of influence of some kind on a planet that people intentionally avoided. He understood the reasoning behind the move, of course. Tactically, having worlds to fall back to defensively, or so build up troops in secret was always beneficial. But there was still something degrading about moving from junk pile to junk pile in the search of something that was nearly impossible to find.


Glancing around what was once a small colony, decay was the single word that entered the Zabrak’s mind. Reaching up with his right hand, the Sith removed his mask and hooked it onto his waist, leaving his hood up to cover the long dreadlocks that he had allowed to grow recently, before taking a closer look at his surroundings. Small buildings crumble around him. Doors were either broken down or completely out of their doorways with most of the buildings. Almost all metal in sight was rusted, even beyond repair in some cases. Windows were smashed and broken, probably by the elements or looters that had arrived long before the Sith had. The only promising points of the colony were the communications tower and the building that looked to be some kind of listening post near it. The man did not want to get his hopes up for anything useful. He let out a short grunt as he strode toward the metal building, his cloak flapping gently in the wind behind him. As he approached what used to be the main entrance, Ridas noticed the open button for the door still blinked faintly. Raising an eyebrow, the Sith reached out and pressed it, not expecting much. To his surprise, the doors opened with a sliding whoosh into a dark building, indicating that some kind of backup power was still in place. With a brief nod to himself, the Sith stepped inside.


The interior of the former listening post suggested everything that the Sith had suspected outside already. The place was abandoned. Even with the emergency power still running on fumes, there was little to no functionality of the building at all. Regardless, Ridas needed to do his job, and that include looking for any resources that could be used. He moved quietly from room to room, glancing about for some kind of main terminal that he might be able to access information through. It look him about half an hour of searching the small building to find what might be considered a control room of some kind. The computer in the room did not seem to have power, and Ridas confirmed that quickly enough by sitting down and trying to access something. As he looked it over, he determined that even if there was power, the computer would be useless anyway. The connections were so worn that there would be no way to pull what was left on the servers without more skill than the Sith had taught him. Even so, there was potential here. The existing infrastructure meant that if the Empire brought in the right people, then they could maybe set up a working listening post for chatter in the outer rim. He made a mental note to record that when he got back to his ship, but the thought was interrupted by a pull at the back of his mind.


He had not heard a sound, but the pull that he felt was something that the Sith had taught him. He was sensing someone or something close by. He had been tricked by these senses before, so he could not be sure, and he had no idea what direction the potential source of this life was coming from. But even so, the young Sith furrowed his brow and headed back toward the door. As he approached it, Ridas decided that an open approach would be the best one. If he tried to hide from something that simply was not sure was there, then he may end up staying for hours for no reason. The Sith flexed his hands for a moment, ensuring that his saber was ready be drawn before activating the door and releasing another whoosh into he colony as he stood in the doorway.


@Deviant

 

[Sergei Petrov]

ergei saw him emerge into the corridor only moments after he had entered. The sound of a door echoed through the hall, followed by the thud of footsteps. Natural instinct compelled the Imperial Agent to move for either the sheathed blade on his back or the blaster attached to his left side. His eyes wavered. Fingers hovered close over the handle of his pistol, its holster opened. A shadow slid out of the room and behind it, a figure loomed above. Attention narrowed on the unfamiliar stranger. A split second later, he noticed the armored robes, hulking frame and cold eyes of what he believed was a Sith. Not one with the Imperial Republica.

The stranger was a red, tattooed Zabrak at least six feet tall. Aside from physical appearances, he carried a questionable, intimidating air around him. Alarms flashed in the man’s head. According to Imperial Intelligence, he was the only known Agent or allied Sith on the faraway planet. Being so close to the borders of the Old Empire, Sergei did not doubt he was staring at none other than the enemy. A Sith Acolyte hellbent on the means of death and destruction. A shudder climbed his spine. His face remained deadpan and eyes distant, however. He showed no sign of fear.

Drawing his blaster, he aimed the blaster directly at the Sith. There came without a doubt the Zabrak was armed to the teeth, or held a blaster or lightsaber at his waist or under his robes. Sergei was prepared for that, and he was unafraid. The man had confronted all manner of foes: fanatics, rebels, deserters and Sith alike. He would not be deterred by the likes of just one man. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” His voice cut through the tension. It weighed heavy on his shoulders, which were stiff from the pressure, but he made no indication of the strain.

All he showed his enemy was a look of indifference and the willingness to fire. As they were around half a dozen meters apart, Sergei believed he had the space needed to take the Sith down. But if he drew his lightsaber in time to dodge and deflect any shots? He couldn’t be too sure. Should the stranger ignore his question, charge forward and manage to come within melee reach, then the man was prepared to use his personal vibrosword. After years of discipline, he was confident in his abilities to go toe to toe with a lightsaber-wielding maniac. He may not have known the stranger personally, but that was how he saw most members of the Old Empire.

Sometimes, it didn't matter who the person was. It was about who they fought for, and Sergei fought for the Imperial Republica. Well, and for the most part, for his own self-interests.

@Spaceboi

 

[Ridas Kovro]

As Ridas Kovro stepped into the corridor from whence he had come, his ear caught a sound that he was far surer of. The sense he had felt before was confirmed by the sound of a blaster being drawn from its holster. Instinct took over for an instant and Ridas found his lightsaber hilt in his right hand in the blink of an eye. But as he turned to regard the would-be assailant, the Sith managed to calm himself enough to take in the situation. The man wore armor that was clearly of Imperial make, and since he knew that he had been informed that he would be the first of the Old Empire to try to establish some kind of base on the backwater planet, he assumed that the man was a follower of the false Empire. His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face the man more directly.


The Imperial wore armor that would mostly likely serve him well in a fight, and he was certainly armed enough to be a dangerous foe. But what assured Ridas of the man’s resolve was the unwavering look on his face. This man felt no fear, and the Sith knew that. It was impressive for him to stand in the presence of one who he would now know for certain was a student of the Dark Side and not tremble in the slightest. The lightsaber remained turned off thought ready to be activated as Ridas rested his left hand on the mask that hung form his waist. “It’s brave of you to draw a weapon on a Sith that you may very well serve. For all you know, I could be a proud member of the Imperial Republica like yourself, and you would be in a great deal of trouble should this encounter make it back to young superiors.”


If left uninterrupted, the Sith would then slowly raise his mask to his face and allow it to activate. The fiery lights that were emitted form the mask cast dancing lights on the darkened walks of the former listening post. With eh mask on, the Sith continued. “At least that is what I would assume. Things have changed so much in the capital, and I suspect you are aware of my allegiance by the way to stare unfaltering at me.” Ridas smiled behind his mask and took a step forward, ready to react if the Imperial tried to attack him. The distance between them gave his foe a slight advantage, but the fight quarters of the corridor would soon become advantageous to Ridas his he could close the gap before the man made it outside of the building.


If he still had not been attacked, Ridas would continue speaking. “Fortunately for you, I see the opportunity for redemption of those that have grown stale and weak at the center of the galaxy. I offer you the opportunity to join the True Empire. Should you take it, I will bring you back with me to where we can get you properly assigned duties that fit your abilities. But refuse…” The end of the sentence would go unspoken by the Sith as he turn the hilt of his weapon over in his hand.

@Deviant

 

[Sergei Petrov]

acing down the strange enemy, Sergei was uncertain what to do. He analyzed his surroundings once more as well as the Sith six meters ahead of him. He was glad that they chose not to rush him without a thought or word. It gave him the opportunity to consider his options and further formulate a plan of action. Plus he could gauge some much required information about the Sith, why he was on Saleucami and what he was doing. With open eyes, ears and a tight grip on his blaster, the Imperial listened and learned what he could from the man’s voice. He was cold, distant and threatening. Not a foe he would have liked to face, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.

“The only man I serve is myself, and I know an Old Empire Sith when I see one. Always so unprofessional. Always brooding.” He interjected while taking a step back. The jab was apparent. Having noticed the Zabrak’s menacing looking mask and caught onto his subtle threats, Sergei was willing to hurl a few quips his way too. It was what he was best at. Although that didn’t mean he couldn’t fight, because he was more than ready for one.

As the Sith continued to speak, he took another step back. He aimed not only to increase the distance from his newfound enemy but to slowly begin an escape to the outside. Sergei was no fool. While he could handle himself in melee combat, he understood the advantage in such a narrow hall belonged to the lightsaber-wielding Sith. He needed open air if he hoped to easily take down the stranger.

“Quite the offer. You tempt me, Sith.” He said, feigning genuine interest. “Here, how about you just put down that shiny weapon of yours and we can talk?” He flashed a thin, wry grin. His blaster barrel dropped a few inches as if he was planning to disarm himself. However, not a split second after, he fired two quick, successive shots at the Sith. As he did, the Imperial finished his sentence. “Or how about not.”

The blaster bolts would come swiftly. At such a short range, the Sith would be hard pressed to deflect both shots with a lightsaber that wasn’t even activated. However, Sergei was prepared for his enemy should he pull through and slid back for the exit. If his enemy managed to deflect the two shots back to the Imperial, he was also ready to dodge them in time. He was trained for that kind of thing, after all.

@Spaceboi

 

[Ridas Kovro]

Even as Ridas took his step forward, the Imperial opposite him was stepping away. It was a subtle movement, but it was one that betrayed intent. This man had no intention of speaking with Ridas, nor would he consider the offer that the Sith laid out before him. The Imperial’s words echoed around the dimly lit corridor with such a delicate snark that a smirk tugged on the corner of Ridas plips behind his mask. But even if he could not see him, he would not give the man the satisfaction of knowing that Ridas though his quips about brooding Sith and his shiny lightsaber were entertaining in the slightest. But even as the man’s blaster barrel began to drop a few inches as the man smiled back at Ridas, the Sith tightened his grip on his lightsaber.


The blaster bolts ripped through the air suddenly and without so much as a flick of the wrist as the Imperial adjusted his aim. Ridas was not so foolish as to think that we would be able to deflect the bolts back at his assailant at that range, but he knew that he could still defend himself. The crimson blade of his lightsaber sprung to life as he spun the blade before him to his right while stepping quickly to the left and pressing up against the durasteel walls. His blade caught one of the bolts and sent it into the wall on his right side while the other bolt sailed past him just barely, scorching the wall at the far end of the hallway.


Ridas did not wait for another attack to defend against. His lightsaber was activated and in front of his body, ready to defend against more blaster fire. Now it was time to press into some kind of advantage. He charge forward then, running with his in both hands and held up in front of him vertically so that he would be back to more effectively block more blaster fire. He wanted to close the distance between the two so that he could fight him in melee range, but he also knew there was very little that he could do to stop the agent from heading out of the exit and into the colony proper. If the an stood his ground, Ridas would close the gap between the two men until his was in range of a melee strike at which point, he would swing straight down at the man’s weapon, hoping to disarm him or main him. If he ran to the exterior of the building, Ridas would not blindly follow him out, instead waiting next to the door inside the listening post to see what the agent would do next.

@Deviant

 

[Sergei Petrov]

is attack failed. The bolts of plasma shattered into the metallic walls, meaningless and ineffective. One shot had ricocheted off the other man’s lightsaber and the other sailed narrowly past his head. Disappointment weighed on his mind. More doubt and dread tried to take hold. The Sith was more skilled than he first presumed. That alone was worrying, but Sergei shrugged away his feelings of uncertainty and continued with his original plan: the outside.

The enemy was remarkably fast. Athletic and similarly disciplined, they managed to close the distance from the hall to the entrance in a few blinks of the eye. Had the Imperial been like his inferiors or his superiors, he surely would have been mowed down. But he wasn’t like them. He was more. Given his close proximity to the doors, Sergei managed to rush past the entrance and into the open air.

Having turned his back only for a moment, he quickly turned to face his foe with his blaster aimed straight at the opening. Rather than pursue, Sergei noticed his opponent instead choose to wait beside the door and inside the confines of the listening post. Why? The Sith was waiting for him to do something. He was playing this game safe. Pathetic, but smart.

Still maintaining a space of around five meters, he looked to the stranger dead in the eye. “Why hesitate, Sith? I’m right here.” With his blaster trained on his enemy, his free arm opened up as if he was presenting himself as a fresh meal. “I have no lightsaber, no Force. Why hide in the shadows? Are you afraid?” His lips sharpened into a smug grin. “I don’t blame you. Your kind have always been cowards.”

He taunted the Zabrak, hoping to continue the fight. Of course, he was prepared for the Sith to play dirty. Any attempt to interrupt him would be met and countered in kind. Sergei was not going to take a risk by focusing on some monologue. His words had purpose, after all— to draw his foe out on an equal playing field. One where both could butt heads fair and square. For the most part.

@Spaceboi