Sending a Message

[Radiwalker]

The time had come for the crusader to set off on his crusade against the one man he had sworn to destroy and that crusade was to start off simply - by sending a message. A message that would travel silently throughout the far reaches of space until it finds the one it's meant for, the cowardly lord, the traitorous fool, Parricid. Vindct had swore an oath that he would bring the end to that man's life and it was time for him to set the fulfillment of that oath in motion.

He had to draw the attention of his enemy and let him know that his death would soon be upon him and he had the perfect means of doing that. However, in order to accomplish his goal, the crusader required some help and he had requested that help of two other sith, whom he considered to be... capable. One was a wookiee by the name of Rook, who had fought beside Vindict, as well as against him. The other was the gladiator's most recent apprentice - Ari. The crusader had sent invitations to both, without revealing too much details on what their mission was going to be.

Now Vindict was waiting in the hanger of Korriban's temple. He was standing just in front of his ship's lowered ramp. Wearing his armor as well as his helmet, with his hands crossed in front of his chest, his weapons hanging from his belt and his gaze set upon the entrance, watching to see who would be the first to arrive.

 

[Kenico]

Ari walked into the hangar, he had donned his armor and had wrapped his head for the journey as well as to intimidate his enemies. He saw his master and grinned. It would be the first mission he would ever be sent into, his first test of his steel. He Had checked his equipment. From his Armor to his Three Lightsabers, He had made sure he was ready for the trials ahead. He approached his Master, he showed a sign of respect namely a light bow of the head, and stood there...

"Greetings, My Master. Are we to leave immediately?"

 

[Clayton]

Vindict again, hmm. The crusader had a mission he wanted the wookiee to accompany him on. Rook had sent word back that he would be there. And there he was, striding into the hangar bay, ryyk blade slung across his back, and two lightsabers clipped to a bandoleer. The wookiee wore no armor compared to the two waiting by the ship. Most companies tended to not make armor that would fit a wookiee. He studied Ari briefly as he approached. This human, or something, the near-human species all looked alike to him, was unfamiliar to Rook. "Vindict, human, this looks familiar. I trust we aren't walking into a den of pirates this time?" he asked, including both of them in his telepathic link. He then grinned, having found his comment amusing.

 

[Radiwalker]

Vindict grinned much like Rook, but without speaking a word, he turned around and entered the ship, waving for the other two to follow him. He walked into the cockpit, taking off and setting in the coordinates of their destination, after which he returned to his companions, choosing his words on his way back. He had discovered that his father, who had been Parricid's master had had another apprentice. An apprentice who had been much more powerful than Parricid and it had taken both Parricid and Vindict's father to fight him off when he made an attempt on the latter's life.

Parricid, being the coward that he was, was certainly keeping tabs on that other apprentice. Vindict too had managed to seek him out and while he had troubles seeking out his actual target, he thought it may do him good to send a message to that target by killing the only other man he knew for certain the target feared. Of course that load of information was irrelevant to Vindict's companions, so he simply said. "We're going after an old acquaintance of a target of mine, the disposal of whom will send a message to that target, putting him under pressure and hopefully forcing him to finally make a mistake and give away his location." he paused for a moment. "This man that we're going after is no weakling. He is possibly of master rank and, according to my scouts, has two apprentices, who are at least of crusader rank." he waited to see the reactions of his companions. "However, they are exiles and we are sith. Their power can not be compared to ours. So I am confident that they will bleed long before we do. Any questions?"

 

[Kenico]

"Just one, Where are they so I can butcher them?" Ari stood there with his arms folded behind his back. His eyes flashed from behind the wrappings on his head.

 

[Clayton]

"Are the scouts reliable?" Rook asked, referring again to their previous mission, where they had been betrayed by scouts. Despite their force powers and superior fighting abilities, Rook had been injured in that fight. The hair still hadn't fully grown back where he had been shot. He wanted to know if Vindict had any misgivings, even though the crusader would have certainly made some sort of example. He glanced over to Ari, the young acolyte was bloodthirsty, that was good. Yet judging by his response he was also single minded, as if he was a weapon to be pointed at the enemy. Rook had misgivings about such a mindset, but as this was Vindict's apprentice, he would not interfere. "What else have your scouts told you? Does this target have any defensive measures such as turrets or shield generators? What of any means of hasty escape?"

 

[Radiwalker]

Vindict was not surprised by his apprentice's reply, but Rook's question seemed uncalled for. "Do not think I would repeat the same mistake again." then again, it was the wookiee's job to look after his own skin. "The scouts did not know who the man is, they simply had the task of seeking him out. They know not why I sent them after him, or what I want with him." he paused a moment. "He has no defenses. He lives in seclusion on Tatooine. His apprentices take care of all domestic issues, while he tends to his own matters, what those matters are remains a mystery, but we will unravel it."

Vindict turned and headed towards the cockpit again, stopping at the door to see if there were any other questions or comments. If not he would proceed inside and would meditate for the rest of the journey. If, however, one of the acolytes spoke out to him, he would stick around to respond, if a response was required, if not he would proceed with his previous task.

 

[Kenico]

"Just point me towards the enemies and let me worry about them, My Master."

Ari stood there and awaited his Master's next command...

 

[Clayton]

Rook pondered the information for a moment. "Do you know the general location of his holdout on Tatooine? If so, it seems we have the opportunity to eliminate his apprentices before we kill him. If he uses them for every day errands, then it should be a simple matter to ambush them for a quick kill. What do you have planned, Vindict?" Rook settled back in anticipation for the journey to Tatooine. After Vindict outlined a plan, Rook would meditate to refresh his body and mind in anticipation for battle.

 

[Radiwalker]

Vindict smirked at Rook's question, but did not answer it, as the time was not right. He entered the cockpit and remained there for the rest of the journey, which was fairly short. As she ship came out of hyperspace the crusader took over the controls. He navigated the vessel towards Tatooine and, more precisely, towards Anchorhead. He had contemplated on landing somewhere in the outskirts, but saw no need for it as his ship did not seem like a sith one.

He returned to his companions and waved for them to follow him. As they walked down the ship's ramp they were met by the docking inspector, who received several credit chits from Vindict and then set off on his way. The crusader led his companions towards what seemed to be the nearest exit of the city. Once they walked out of the gates he spoke out. "I know the precise location of the hideout. We will ambush the apprentices as they head out for one of their errands, but I suspect they have a way of communicating with their master and we will attack them well before they approach Anchorhead as we do not want to raise an alert among common folk. Overall the plan is to use the advantage of a surprise attack and take out one of the apprentices before the master arrives and then use the advantage of our greater numbers."

After several minutes of walking, Vindict made a sudden turn and headed up some dunes. The suns were burning hot and so was the sand. The crusader could feel the heat inside his armor, but he needed it, for a battle like this more than any other. There was a slight wind, blowing against the trio, but once they reached the top and the crusader turned in his place, the breeze was left behind them, which contributed to concealing their position as the sand from underneath their feet was being blown forwards and upwards, which created a cloud of smoke just before them. "Get down." Vindict ordered and dropped on the sand, keeping his head low. "We will wait here for the apprentices to pass and then we will ambush them." He knew the hideout wasn't too far away, but it should be far enough to give them enough time to take down one of their opponents before the third arrives.

 

[Kenico]

Ari watched, reaching for his Tonfa Lightsabers and readying them for combat. He eyed his opponents and then his master...

"With all due respect, Master, Why don't you and the Wookiee here go deal with these fools Master...I can deal with them..."

 

[Clayton]

Rook curled his upper lip after Ari spoke. His overconfidence might get him killed someday. "You are most confident in your abilities," he simply said as he laid down in the sand. He had thought Korriban was hot, but Tatooine was worse. He didn't know how people willingly lived here. He grimaced as he shifted into a more comfortable position, it was going to take forever to get the sand out of his hair. The dune sea shimmered with heat as Rook stared out at the expanse, eyes searching carefully for movement. After some time, he thought he spotted some black specks in the distance. "I believe I see movement," he told Vindict.

 

[Radiwalker]

"Arrogance will only bring your death sooner." that was all Vindict had to say about his apprentice's comment. These men that they were about to fight were not weak and, what was more, it was unknown what kind of powers and abilities they possessed. That was why Vindict had opted for a surprise attack. There are two ways to fight one's enemies - kill them before they can react, or study them and fight them after.

Upon Rook's words, Vindict's eyes settled on the horizon. He could see something black approaching and so he waited, patiently. In a few moments, however, as the black spot became bigger, the sight became unsettling, for it seemed as if it was just one figure, rather than too. For a moment the gladiator wondered if the light was playing tricks on his eyes, but then he heard something. A soft thump, barely audible and, had he not been unsettled by the sight before his eyes, he probably wouldn't have even paid attention to the thump, but now he had a different idea in his mind. That thump became the most dangerous sound he had ever heard and as such he had to defend against it and he could think of just one way to do so.

The crusader closed his eyes and concentrated. He had barely practiced this ability, but there was no other escape from this situation. He had to be quick and flawless. He gathered Force energies from around himself and then released them, unleashing a Force repulse, blasting away the two figures that were creeping up behind the trio and possibly his companions as well. With that he jumped to his feet and drew out his curved hilt, igniting his orange blade. "It seems our enemies are even more powerful than we supposed. You take on these two. I will fight their master."

Vindict had barely finished speaking when the dark spot, which had only moments ago been in the distance, approached him, with what seemed to be a greatsword in his hand, holding it out towards the crusader. The master took the Soresu opening stance and Vindict answered with the Djem So. Meanwhile the two apprentices had gathered themselves and ignited their red lightsaber. It seemed, unlike their master, they preferred to use lightsabers to battle. They stood side by side, one in the Ataru stance and the other in Makashi, ready to face their opponents.

 

[Kenico]

Before the battle had started, Ari listened to his Masters words and nodded. If his Master said such words about them then they truly were powerful...

When the Battle ignited, so did Ari's Lightsabers. He followed his Master and confronted The Apprentices In Ataru Stance. He smirked wildly as their own Saber activated and he presented himself in Niman.

"My Master Claims You are powerful...DONT DISAPPOINT ME!" Ari and the Apprentice engaged. The Blades of Red from both the apprentice and Ari lit up the sands of Tatooine, turning some particles of Sand into Glass from the extreme heat. The Wild acrobatics of both Ataru and Niman countered one another as the Two Sith continued to find a weak point in their respecting guards. The Apprentice suddenly performed a Force Push. Ari, Expecting to be thrown, Raised his Hand in Defense. The Tutaminis his Master had taught him paid off. Ari Absorbed the Push into his own. He stood up and grinned as he felt the energy of the push flow through him...He pulled his right arm back, charging his own Push...

"My Turn!" Ari let loose his own Push, Sending the Apprentice Flying Several Feet Away. The Apprentice was quick, for his blades met Ari's when the latter brought his red beams of energy over the downed Sith. Their Blades clashed considerably as sparks flew. Ari grinned as if he was enjoying this...And he was...

 

[Clayton]

Rook growled as the ambush was sprung. He had half-expected something like this to happen, and so did not waste any time in reacting. The black wookiee leaped to his feet, igniting the smoke-gray blade of his lightsaber. Of all things, it appeared the master would make use of a sword. How interesting. Two apprentices took their opening stances of Ataru and Makashi, and Ari took on the Ataru practitioner. Rook held his saber in a high Djem So opening stance and eyed the remaining apprentice. He drew on the force, using it to increase his speed so he could easily match the fine, quick bladework of Makashi.

The apprentice attacked first leaping forward and slashing upwards at Rook's face. Rook brought his saber down at a slight angle, deflecting the attack. The apprentice withdrew for just a second, then stepped forward with a lunge to take advantage of Rook's saber position. But the apprentice didn't take into account his speed. When the apprentice broke off, Rook assumed a one-handed grip and brought his saber over to his right side. So when the apprentice lunged forward, Rook was able to strike out to the left while turning around at the same time. The apprentice's saber was again deflected by Rook's saber. He continued his turn, bringing his lightsaber around completely, taking advantage of his momentum as he struck out at the apprentice's ribs, hoping for a swift end to the battle.

 

[Radiwalker]

The apprentice fighting Ari grinned back as, while holding his saber steady in the clash, he concentrated and reach out through the Force and using sith sorcery attempted to cast a powerful illusion upon Ari. The apprentice, despite being an apprentice, was advanced in the arts of sith sorcery and could maintain a powerful illusion while still managing to defend himself, whereas his opponent would be force to fight on two fronts - in his mind, which was being pressured by the illusion and on the actual battlefield where he could easily be struck down of he didn't gain control over his mind.

The apprentice fighting Rook had a different kind of ace up his sleeve. As soon as the blade of the wookiee touched his ribs it bounced back. He was obviously using some sort of defensive Force ability which could be anything from force body to protection bubble. Whatever it was, there was little time to analyse it as the enemy's hand launched out and attempted to grab Rook's neck while releasing a powerful lightning.

Vindict and his opponent didn't rush into combat. They took their time examining one another. "Your companions will die very soon and then you will follow them." the enemy finally spoke out. "Your father was weak and you are weak like him." Vindict could only smirk at those words. His enemy was indeed powerful to be able to perceive who he was, but not powerful enough.

The crusader sprang out and charged at his opponent, mounting the offensive. His strikes were precise and quick, but they were easily blocked by his opponent. "Is that all you can do, boy?" the man was trying to get on Vindict's nerves, but those were nerves of steel, molded in the darkest depths of the dungeons of a gladiatorial arena, it would take more than years to break them.

After several defensive maneuvers, Vindict's opponent finally tried to counter and easily got through the crusader's defenses, but was suddenly blown backwards, for the crusader had released another Force Repulse. He launched after his flying opponent, striking out with his orange blade, but the exile was ready and cast a protection bubble around himself, after which he landed safely, as did Vindict. Both stood in fighting positions, smiling. "Come on then, I've been waiting for a challenge for years!" The exile kept taunting his opponent, despite having realized that it would have no effect. He enjoyed it.

 

[Kenico]

Ari looked around as The illusion formed around him. The Apprentice kept up the illusion, trying to trip up Ari. To the Apprentices Surprise, Ari's Grin became a full blown menacing smile.

"My Old Master used Ilussions to to train me! Sadly, Force Illusion has one major weakness..."

Ari Closed his eyes and stood his ground, his lids moved as his sealed eyes twitched back and forth. He shifted his feet in the sand as his head twitched back and forth. Ari Concentrated as he "looked" around, "It only deceives the Eyes..."

Ari Continued to concentrate, looking for his opponent till his smile instantly returned with a vengeance as he raised his lightsaber in defense of his opponent. The Apprentice was shocked that Ari was able to track his movements move for move, Catching his blade and pushing him back. Ari went on the offensive, slamming into his opponent with a flurry of blades, ultimately breaking his concentration and the illusion itself. As soon as the illusion was broken, Ari's Eyes opened, revealing his eyes glowing red and his face was like a demon. He backed off just a bit and extinguished his Lightsabers, Unleashing a storm of Force Lightning upon his victim. The apprentice wasn't prepared for lighting as it zapped him. Ari reignited his lightsabers as he finished a salvo of lighting. He charged the Distraught Apprentice and unleashed an onslaught of blade after blade after blade, attempting to wear him down...

 

[Clayton]

The apprentice Rook was facing was clever, but not very smart. Rook was disappointed to see his blade bounce harmlessly off instead of being the killing blow it should have been. Then the acolyte reached up to grab Rook's neck while launching force lightning at him. Rook let him, and took the opportunity to switch hands holding his saber. As the lightning surged towards Rook, he drew the energy into himself with tutaminis, gathering the energy. He might need it for the Master depending on how quickly the battle went with the apprentice. Rook reached up with his now free right hand to grab the apprentice's hand a second before it reached his neck and squeeze hard, pushing down on the wrist while bending the hand up and back, a painful position that would drive most men to their knees. With his lightsaber on his left side, between him and the apprentice's blade, he would be able to defend against any desperate attack. Rook however, would take the opportunity to make a darting slash at the man's neck, hopefully his attack on the man's wrist would cause enough pain to break the concentration needed to keep up the defensive power.

 

[Radiwalker]

Rook successfully managed to bend the man's wrist, but it did not cause the man to kneel, rather he pushed forwards, making his wrist snap, all the while laughing in his opponent's face. He had been taught to endure pain and take it as pleasure, knowing that victory without pain is nothing. As such his concentration was not broken and he managed to defend himself against the attack that would otherwise have been lethal. However, that was not all he did, for he used the physical connection between himself and his opponent to attempt to begin draining him of his energies. Even if Rook was taught to defend against such power, the apprentice thought he might at the very least surprise his opponent.

Ari seemed to be taking an edge over his opponent until the moment he attempted the first blade attack. The attack was repelled by a force bubble, which had been cast by the master around his apprentice. In the meantime the apprentice had been gathering force energies, including those from the lightning that appeared to have zapped him, but had instead been drained and converted into power for him to use. After several strikes the bubble disappeared. But before Ari was able to continue his onslaught the apprentice released a Force Blast. The distance between the pair was minimal and Ari only had so little time to react, yet if he did not, death would be nearly imminent.

Vindict, seeing his opponent's attention split between their battle and the battle of Ari and one of the apprentices, took the opportunity presented to him. He charged forwards throwing his lightsaber, causing his opponent to jump up in the air just before it sliced off his legs. The crusader quickly pulled his lightsaber back and jumped as well, performing a slashing attack aimed at the torso of the master, who as caught in mid air. For a moment it seemed the attack would hit, but instead it was repelled. The master had cast a protection bubble around himself and as soon as the crusader's blade was repelled he removed the bubble and cast another, bigger one, to surround both of them, thus keeping his opponent from escaping. Finally he released a sudden, but powerful Force Repulse, smacking the crusader against the inside of the protection bubble.

Vindict found himself falling to the desert floor and dropping his lightsaber, but before he could stand up a lightning zapped him. He could feel the energy surge through his body. It slowly lifted him up in the air and turned him so he would look the master in the eyes as the lightning intensified. However, instead of despair and defeat, there was a smile upon the crusader's face. A smile so sinister that his opponent taken aback. Suddenly he was not so confident in his victory, his own expression changed to a disturbed and angry one. The lightning he was casting suddenly increased in power and that was just what the crusader wanted.

He had endured the pain for long enough, as he had been taught to for the bigger part of his life. Finally he began draining the energy with tutaminis and charging an attack of his own. It wasn't long before the master realized what was happening and released his opponent from his attack, but then a lightning was sent his way, one as powerful as his, if not more. He tried to react, but he wasn't quick enough and the light-blue bolts of energy struck him for a split second before he lifted up his hands and absorbed the rest of the attack. "Very good." the master commended his opponent. It had been a while since he had last been injured in battle and his face had now been somewhat burned. Still, his opponent was in a worse shape, with his face bloodied and burned all the same, his armor steaming and his body clearly taking a toll. "You are strong, but not strong enough... and for that I will end you." a threat that only made Vindict smile once more. He had been in worse situations than this and he had lived to tell the tale...

 

[Kenico]

Ari Witnessed the blast. He Channled his wrath into his right hand, using Tetamunis to absorb the blast. The took in all the energy that careened into Ari. Ari could feel his hand strain as it took the blast at close range. He felt the tendons almost tear as his hand was almost torn open. Ari Focused his strength into his hand, while focusing his rage and hatred into his left hand.

When the Blast finally dissipated, Ari unleashed a flurry of Force Lightning onto his victim. the blast was now far more fierce than his last's. The Blast hit the apprentice like an ocean wave, leaving him unprepared to catch it. He was forced into the ground, feeling Ari's Rage as the lighting put him in constant pain, more pain than he could tolerate. Ari, using his right hand, grabbed Kuzedti and kept it there. He relented the Force Lightning and using Force Speed, Sped towards his opponent.

The Apprentice jolted up, Ligthsabers ignited and over his head. When he opened his eyes, he witnessed Ari Charging forward, to which he quickly brought his sabers down. A bright flash is seen and when the dust settled, Ari's third lightsaber was drawn and ignited...and there was a fresh Orange Gash across the apprentice's chest...