The Old Guard's Tears

[Crim]

The aroma of a new batch of coffee began to spread around the kitchen as Ainu poured the entire batch of coffee he had just made into a gigantic mug. Compared to Ainu, however, it was about the right size. The mug was a gift from a client on Nar Shaddaa. He usually didn't go away from Nar Shaddaa, but any chance to meet up with the Imperial Knigts he could, he'd take it. At Nar Shaddaa, he was an information broker. The masses came to him for what they needed. When he was without his resources he usually enjoyed, it was like being blind.

Still, this reunion was welcome. As he walked into the living area, he sipped his coffee nonchalantly. He listened to the conversations about where people were from. He knew where they were from, but them actually saying it instead of some computer screen made it much make personal. Unfortunately, the conversation was cut short by suspicious activity outside. As the apartment quickly fell into a hushed silence, The Duchess pointed to the back door, indicating for a silent evacuation. Ainu put his coffee down and prepared for trouble.

Ainu readied his massive lightsaber before moving into position.I'll cover your exit, he said to the group. The massive, bear-like behemoth moved into position. With luck, anything coming into the room would be deterred by the angry, lightsaber-wielding bear.

 

[Lavi]

With the sudden hush, Archer straightened like a hound. Although she lacked the sharp attentiveness that one attuned with the Force would have, Archer picked up what was going on the moment a lightsaber hilt twitched. The words that passed through the walls was foreign, like that of a security patrolman in a high security vault. She quickly strode over to grab her bow and arrows, clipping them to her belt so that they would not bounce around at the back of her waist.

'And I just changed out of my suit,' she rolled her eyes at the thought. Casual attire was not the ideal raiment to wear at a time like this. Of course, Archer knew better than to waste time with changing clothes; there was no telling exactly what's going on outside, making time ever more precious.

After a moment of consideration, she pulled a dark red cloak from the bag, wrapping it around herself. It was large enough to hide the collapsed bow and the quiver, reaching down to Archer's ankles. Although red drew attention, it would be no different than wearing black while the sun still shined. However, with day comes larger gatherings of people. It would be easier to disappear once they reach population centers. After slinging her bag over her shoulder, Archer headed towards the door. A part of her wanted to make sure Ainu would be okay, but her other half was against it. The bear-like Knight would not volunteer to stay behind if he could not handle the heat. Without hesitation, Archer raised her cloak's hood and carefully opened the backdoor, making her exit.

 

[Just Matt Now]

The room where the Knights had gathered was tense, the lights started to dim and the overall mood was one of curiosity. When they arrived they had expected for the best, but now they were preparing for the worst. What evil that they awaited would soon be revealed, though the evil was thought to have passed. Where once he was consumed by the darkside and their teaching, he was now one for the Empire...the true Empire. The handle of the door started to turn, and what was behind would be ill prepared for such a ready and aggressive greeting. As the door slid open the Knights were ready to plunge...

The Anzati Knight appeared. Dressed in his brown robes that he wore even in his Sith past. Unaware that he was this late to the gathering, unaware that the Knights were expecting something more sinister. Vixur first saw the large bear-like Knight, Ainu, who he had never met before. With his saber drawn Vixur bore a curios face..."Umm...hello there.." The Anzat kept a hand on his hilt, he looked into the room until he saw some familiar faces. Seeing Sienna he knew that this was the right place, though was still wondering what the deal was about. "Is this how you greet others in your culture?" Vixur had to look up at Ainu.

Sienna had to step in, Ainu could feel her hand on his arm as she moved forwards towards Vixur. "Vixur!" Greeting the late Anzat. "It is alright Ainu, this is Vixur Kolvaar. A fellow Knight."

The Anzat was glad to see Sienna step in and stop some impending fight. Though the evil he had seen in Ainu's eyes had sent him a vibe of what he used to be. Something he did not like to bring up, especially in the presence of Knights other than Sienna. The incident that happened not a week ago, one that had affected nearly the entire galaxy. Vixur had played a large part in. Too many innocents had passed by his actions. And this suspicion that Vixur was some evil that had come to be destroyed by the Knights pushed something within the Anzat. Though for now he would suppress the feeling, he would deny ever having thought of it. This gathering was supposed to be an uplifting one. One that would drift his mind away from what was being portrayed over the HoloNet day after day.

"I think we could all relax now, I apologize for frightening or causing such suspicion." Vixur said as he was let in further to the room to greet the others. The back door seemed to have been opened as if someone had just left. There was others, though they seemed to be standing like stone.

 

[Ten10dix]

The way the Duchess spoke startled Leroy. He knew there was sense in what she said, he berated himself in the rare moments emotions rose to the surface of their own will. He wasn't sure if she was right, of course. Emotions were a distraction from duty, it was what he had been taught from a very young age. For maximum efficiency, you must have 100% control over both body and mind. He had promised himself that, when this War was over he would retire on Bastion and start writing a few books. Plenty of time for emotions then. Not now, though. Now was the time for concentration.

"Thank you, ma'am."

Then, however, it all changed. The Duchess rose from her seat, alarm clearly visible on her face. She clicked at the TV, and Leroy assumed she wanted it turned off. He calmly got up, walking over to the remote and pressing the "Off" button. He then glanced back at everyone in the room. The girl, Archer, had left, it seemed. Leroy very briefly noted how ill-disciplined that was. "In the event of an emergency, military personal are required to keep formation and await orders from their Commanding Officer.". Textbook stuff. Then again, this was a strange situation. Maybe she was just securing their way out? That seemed like the more logical solution. It was also a smart move.

As he was thinking this, he went over to his bag, rummaging through it and taking out a Stun Grenade, two Thermal Grenades, his K938 Blaster Pistol and one of his daggers. Better safe than sorry, he thought, as he took up position besides... Besides what appeared to be a huge bear like creature wielding a lightsaber. Leroy whispered to him.

"I can hold the rear. You're of much more importance than me, you better accompany the Duchess."

He didn't know whether the Knight would go or stay. It would be more logical for him to go, as Leroy was but an Imperial Captain whereas he was an Imperial Knight. Not only an Imperial Knight, a big bear. Whatever the case, Leroy raised his blaster pistol at the door and waited.

A man came through. He didn't seem as if he was here to attack them, in fact he looked rather surprised. Leroy was about to order him to raise his hands, but the Duchess surged in, explaining the man was an Imperial Knight. Leroy relaxed slightly, lowering his gun. He realized that in the long days to come, this sort of paranoia would begin to eat away at each and every one of them. How delightful.

 

[Wit]

The young Caleb had never really faced a scenario such as this, twice now in quick succession something was able to draw his attention away from the screen.

First when the two women, on of them the nice lady who had been watching the show with him, had started fighting right there in the room. Space fights were fun, but this was even more exciting for the young boy. Then the screen had been suddenly turned off and everyone had become very quiet suddenly. A normal child would have started crying or thrown a tantrum, but Caleb had been raised to be anything but normal and he could sense that something was wrong, watching his mother with rapt attention.

Finally the appearance of the strange new man had seemingly shocked everyone, but he had sensed from his mother's reaction that everything was alright now. She had the relaxed face on again, so he assumed that things were alright again. In the silence he would suddenly stand up and walk up to his mother, tugging at her trousers. "Can I turn on the show again? No damn Sith right?"