The Start of a New Legacy

[Dameon Shikyo]

Grease covered his face as sparks of electricity flew all about his head and out of the hole in the floor that lead to the main reactor. The panel to the floor had been lifted up and removed completely the ships droids handing him tool’s as he worked. The sparks stopped and he grabbed a tool hanging from the claw of the droid.


“I know the storage area lost power I am trying to fix the routing.” He said up to the small droid that responded with a series of beeps. He grabbed the side of a hot wire and another matching the others color and tied them together followed by the comfort of electrical tape. As he did so the lights came on in the storage area followed by another slight hum coming from another panel.


“ANOTHER ONE?! REALLY?!” He said a bit frustrated as another series of just as angry beeps followed. He climbed himself out of the pit and dusted himself off. He had been receiving small lessons on the force and how it could manipulate the environment around him. He extended his palm outward focusing on the energy around the thin panel that would cover a large square in the floor. He calmed his mind and was focusing on moving the lightweight panel. The panel shook lightly and began to slide over the hole and then stopped.


Dameon was still learning and would lose the ability to move it after a bit and he would have to wait and recover He walked over and pushed the panel in and shut it. He made his way over to the other panel this time it was on a wall and pulled it off and dove back into the electricity and started splicing wires, the small droid working on another wire closer to his level. He did the same process and this time a high pitched wine could be heard and that made him happy.


He stepped out from the wall and closed the panel off before walking back to the makeshift quarters he had created using the crate covers and some unneeded insulation from certain areas of the ship to make a makeshift bed. He sat there and laid down closing his eyes as he exhaled for a minute to relax. He lifted the lightsaber had had been given brought it in front of his eyes so he could analyze it. He had broken it down and fixed it numerous times so that he could better understand its creation and the process behind it.


He was actually fairly certain his crystals could be used at the focus crystals in the majestic blade but he obeyed his master and didn’t mess with changing out the crystals for now. He had never activated it yet though and figured it was for the best as well he would hate to cut any electrical wires that he had just finished fixing. He clipped it back onto his belt and rolled over onto his side and fell asleep knowing they would soon be arriving at Malachor V. He wanted to be rested and ready for the training that was to follow.

 

[Insanity]

There would be one stop during the trip, lasting only a few moments. As Dameon slept, the Moonshade slipped out of hyperspace, Vaerin keying in command and calling T8 up to the cockpit. When the droid rolled up, making indignant noises directed at the 'stowaway', for in T8's processor Dameon was just that, Vaerin simply nodded towards the co-pilot dataport. Moving up, T8 plugged himself in and began calibrating the ship's systems as they descended towards the planet of Vaynai. Having always been a resort world no matter who claimed dominion over it, as well as remote enough to act as a supply point for smugglers and pirates, the world had always prospered.

For that point, Vaerin knew quite a bit concerning it. He'd made passes through here a few times, gathering jobs and information alike. Now he was here for supplies, rather than a job. Landing was easy enough, as few ships except those of the fabulously wealthy, obscure, and reclusive were here. Getting supplies wouldn't be too hard either, given that one of the ship's acted as a black market store. He recognized it as such before the Moonshade had even settled. Nodding as T8's opticals turned towards him, the droid made a small series of noises, activating the ship's two defensive Droideka in the aft niche.

Rising, he passed down the short corridor and lowered the boarding ramp, ignoring the makeshift quarters of the learner. He would deal with negotiating supplies and go from there. Afterwards, the trip would continue.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

Dameon could feel the ship come to a stop and in his light sleep could feel the presence of more life forms than just his own. He woke up slowly in time to see two of the more expensive battle droids waking up. Dameon found this curious as he watched his master head for the loading ramp as such he got up slowly and followed him the lightsaber he had been given clipped to his belt but hidden under his robes. He appeared behind his master walking down the ramp past the droids who tailed slightly behind them.

He already knew why they had stopped as he had mentioned needing supplies during their hyperspace travelling. There was still the whole concept though that the other student was taking her own ship and straight to the planet so this meant she would not only get there first but would be wondering where they had gone. He yawned quietly as followed his master. The place was obviously shady and the droids would not be with him unless he felt that they might need them. Though he couldn’t help but wonder why a power force user would need such droids.

“What specifically are we looking for?”

 

[Insanity]

Both of the modified Droidekas would stop at the top of the ramp, staying aboard the ship but making sure no one decided to try and steal it while he was out. Only giving an imperceptible nod towards the largest ship at the starport, a rusted freighter that seemed a fusion of a Star Destroyer, Mon Calamari battlecruiser, and a myriad of others(it -was- a mix of them all). "Nothing specific. Supplies, a proper cot for you to use since I doubt you enjoy your current makeshift one. Then parts, since T8 has been blowing a fuse about you re-working the ship. Not to mention the fact that we lack some of the tools he says a human needs to 'properly repair a majestic ship such as mine'. Yes, he referred to it as his."

Smiling minutely, he continued on, the distance closing as they neared the black-market. "I also want to find out if any pirates are operating out near the Malachor system. If so, we'll need to fix our route properly. So, other than those, buy whatever you need for the trip. Just make sure not to destroy the cargo hold or T8 will do his best to shock you into a coma."

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

“The only problem with your droid is that he is an older model than the current updates for the ship. He is a great droid repairing it to the best of his programming but you can’t teach a droid as their processor can only go so far. I think an update for your droid would be a start just so he can understand the additional stuff that can be done. Also he obviously can’t get into the nooks and hideaways like I can so I do need some newer tools. As far as the cargo hold and the rest of the ship goes it is just a matter of what you would like. I can literally build you just about anything you need the bigger the project the longer it will take obviously just get the supplies needed and I can build you a decent cloaking device that’s up to date for the latest radars and ship sensors,” he stated following his master toward the frankenship.

“As far as the cot goes I don’t mind what I am sleeping on. After all I have never actually slept on what you would call a proper bed or cot. Don’t forget about your other apparent student as well master if we are looking for info on pirates and the like than she may already be with them as we speak,” he said as he looked around noticing the plethora of market stands just arbitrarily sitting around the hangar. He found one that had the droid parts he had talked about earlier and quickly haggled the seller down making him believe it was damaged. He had easily saved them a good five thousand in credits noting that the seller obviously had no knowledge on such things.

“I need to be doing this for a living,” he teased as he placed the chip into his pocket.

 

[Black Noise]

Mira sensed when her master dropped out of hyperspace into a system that wasn't Malachor V. She sighed as her ship dropped into the space around Malachor V. She knew she would have to wait for her master to arrive, he had most likely only stopped for supplies, so Mira thought that she wouldn't have to wait too long.

Mira laid back in her cockpit, feeling out with the force, Malachor V was a massive graveyard many millenias old. She could still feel, however, a lack of force here. Since some of the only wounds in the force were created here, the force is still a little deprived from the system. She wondered if such a wound could be healed, if balance could ever return, she would have to ask when her master came about.

 

[Insanity]

"If you believe you're up to the task, you can fix up T8 with any upgrades he needs. My tech specialties lie elsewhere, anyways. Ah, there's someone I recognize..." Nodding towards a bulky convoy of armed men and woman, he further indicated the speeder that was in the midst of it. The crowd would part to let the group through, though Vaerin made to stand in the crowd ahead. Whether Dameon followed or not was entirely up to the youth. Smiling amiably, he watched as the crowd parted for the convoy, slowing as he continued to block their way. At least a few recognized him, giving mixed reactions. After a moment, a voice boomed out from the covered speeder, Huttese cutting across the tension that had started to build. "What's the hold up? I've somewhere to be, people to have killed..."

The voice trailed off as Vaerin moved to the side a bit, part of the covering shifting as a Hutt looked out, bulbous eyes squinting. Rather than waiting to be addressed, he'd speak clearly in Huttese. "Good to see you again, Jimar. Still haven't headed back to Nal Hutta, I see." The guards bristled, except for the ones who knew how this usually went, albeit in more secluded places. A smuggler with connections and skills no one else had tended to be respected, even by an overgrown slug. While Vaerin wasn't untouchable(far from it), he had more use as a tool than a corpse.

"I heard the weather was horrid back there. I have good things going lately. I don't feel like dealing with the bad, though apparently I have to. Come, follow the convoy and we can talk. Or is this not business and just social?" Vaerin would smile, expression neutral otherwise. "Both." Lowering the covering back into place, the Hutt would command movement again. After a pause, it would start up again, the curious crowds going back to their shopping among the stalls.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

Dameon watched at his master’s side following the words that were being spoken though not nearly as well as the others would be able to follow. He had learned a little Huttese tough he couldn’t speak it he could understand bits and pieces. Something didn’t seem right however as he looked at the Hutt and at the guards in front as well as those breaking off slightly to their sides. Perhaps it was just added caution because of his master’s reputation. He really didn’t know for sure and trusted the judgment of his superior.

He had known a few Hutt’s mostly underground crime lords on the streets where he had come from; funding most of the local gangs and having them pay their intake to him to make sure they didn’t get interfered with by the security forces. He kept his eyes open and more importantly his mind open as he prodded with the force to try and sense and possible threats that were nearing. He sensed nothing for the moment. As he continued to follow the conversation.

 

[Insanity]

Unconcerned, Vaerin turned to Dameon, his expression still neutral. "Buy any parts you need and any tools. If they try haggling, mention me. They'll think twice about trying to swindle you when one of their better suppliers is your 'boss'. Also, don't worry about credits. Most of the merchants owe me more than they can ever pay back, so I plan to keep them paying. After you've gotten everything, there's a place near the top of this monstrosity that Jimar, the Hutt, lives in. Nice place, but it'll come tumbling down in five years or so." He smiled then, appearing natural. Turning, he started after the convoy, prospects floating in and out of his thoughts.

It was going to be time for a test soon.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

“Yes master,” he said as he peeled off from the crowd and began to acquire parts for the ship and for his own personal amusements. He didn’t go overboard just enough to build himself a decent droid and to make some needed modifications to the ship. He had to pay some credits to the slave that was lugging back all of the parts out of sympathy. He also bought himself some much needed new clothes as well as a few scrap parts to see if he could actually create a lightsaber himself based on the technology knowledge he had gained from breaking his own down repeatedly.

He finished and looked up at the fortress and began to make his way toward it. As he got there he noticed the large metal door to keep out the Hutt’s enemies which was probably a huge list. He closed his eyes and could feel his masters energy coming from inside the building. He thought to himself wondering if he should go in to be at his master’s side or wait where he was for him to come out.

 

[Insanity]

As he trailed the convoy, his plan solidified inside his mind. It was worthwhile, dangerous, and would, most importantly, get results. Inside the fortress of sorts, Vaerin watched as Jimar slithered himself to his opulently decorated pedestal. The guards began to head to their usual places inside the compound, heading off in pairs or alone. Very few stayed to listen to Vaerin and Jimar. "Well, my friend, I'll get right to it. Who's operating out near Malachor these days, how can I get them to lay off my ship, and how much will this cost?" Jimar balked at the sudden questions, shaking one flabby arm. "You know how this goes, Naleen. We both do. It's not questions first, it's questions after. Food and drink first." Nodding his understanding, Vaerin would use the Force to move a chair near the Hutt's pedestal, settling in it.

Slaves of different genders and mixed races began to enter, some carrying trays of food to place near the Hutt and await their turn to offer it. Only one approached Vaerin, waiting until he took the cooling cup of an obscure liquid. He let the Hutt start on a few trays before testing the drink for any abnormalities, and detecting none, lightly sipped on it. "So, Jimar, I see you've expanded quite a bit from when I was last here. What's it been, a little over a year?" The Hutt gulped down his food and laughed, bulbous body shaking. "Yes, and you missed some lucrative trading. But you know that, by the way you speak. Why've you stopped out here and why are you bothering with Malachor? The system's dead as far as the galaxy cares. Or is it that you're going there again?" Nodding to the last question, he continued to sip his drink. "I am. But before I did, I needed to know if anything's changed. If it's like last time, then all the better. But... I have something else to request, a just me cashing in on another favor."

The Hutt's eyes narrowed, the heavy lids making them little more than yellow slits. Jimar was shrewd, more so than most Hutts. It was also incredibly conniving and knew how many favors it owed. "There aren't any pirates near Malachor anymore. There's no reason for them to be. But what's this favor you want? If you've seen a slave you like, then I'd be willing to negotiate." Shaking his head, Vaerin would disregard that. "When my travel companion gets here, have one of your men take a potshot at him. Then started sealing this place down. I want to see if he can make it here in one piece..."

------------

And so, as Dameon arrived, one of the guards did take a shot at him from a balcony jutting out above the gate before retreating inside. Vaerin made his Force-presence tinged with immediacy, reaching out to Dameon. The test had begun.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

He had just gotten finished with sensing the building and wondering if he should or should not enter when he could hear the subtle movements coming from above him. He glanced upward and saw the blaster with the man’s finger on the trigger. As his finger came down on the trigger Dameon rolled to his left the beam missing him. As he stood back up he looked up and saw that the man had run. It was odd that a guard would suddenly fire than run if he felt like Dameon had been a threat. So odd in fact that he simply walked back to the metal door and touched it as well as feeling the energy inside the building feeling his masters energy and could sense it’s heightened state as if he was in battle. The questionable part was however the fact that if his heart was racing and he was in danger than he wouldn’t be standing still. A thought filled his mind as he grinned and he let the thought resonate out through the force ‘test’.

Dameon shrugged satisfied with his conclusion and his hand still on the large metal door as he knocked on it lightly feeling that there was no safe lock. He then walked over to the electrical panel that was used for entrance and he pulled out his data pad. He pulled out a small antenna as well that he had just bought an attached it to the pad and it quickly installed what it needed. A wireless port access enabler something only the black market would have and he loved it. He pressed a series of buttons and the schematics and security access for the whole building downloaded onto his pad. He now had control over the building via a remote. First he shut off the lights making it as dark as it would get. Second was the security systems like the cameras and all the battle droids linked in via the alarm link they would all share. Lastly he unlocked all the doors and set the remote back into his clothes and pressed the button to the door and it opened as he stared into the dark hallway.

Now it would be time for his test. There was nothing quite like stacking the odds.

 

[Insanity]

Vaerin let himself grin, satisfied in a way. His student had realized it was a test, almost arrogantly sending the word back at him. His control was better in a short time than anticipated. As the lights and security began to shut down, he laughed aloud, startling the Hutt as the emergency lights kicked in. Rising from the chair, Vaerin finished his drink and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your time, my friend. I'll make sure my student hasn't done anything damaging to your systems before we leave. However... I suggest you have your guards retreat from their checkpoints until then. Forty more favors left to cash in on at some point, correct?" Jimar's eyes slitted again, eyeing Vaerin closely. "You're a strange human, Naleen. Dangerous and mad, as well. And it's forty-two left now." Chuckling softly, Vaerin would nod and turn, striding from the room. The guard near it eyed him dubiously, somewhat intimidated. Once he was beyond it, he drew his lightsaber, igniting it so that the black blade began to darken the area around him.

He even let some dark side corruption begin to taint his aura, changing it completely into one Dameon wouldn't recognize. With his free hand, he slid his helmet on and sealed it, the hood of his cloak going over it. Then he shut off his Force presence completely, for all intents invisible in that regard. Only the lightest touch of the Force allowed him to shut off breakers in the emergency light system, plunging corridors into actual darkness. It was in one of those that he waited, feeling Dameon draw closer.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

Dameon hadn’t lost his focus as he felt his master’s presence and felt it change into a colder darker version before it was gone completely. He raised an eyebrow slightly at this transformation not knowing exactly what had happened. He stood in the doorway still the light silhouetting him from behind. He was more than positive that this was still a test and his brain still working at max capacity as a slight grin appeared on his face. He stepped forward into the dark corridor and the door closed behind him making it completely black. At this point it was pointless to trust his eyes so he closed them.

He held the hilt of the lightsaber in his right hand as he progressed forward and stopped feet away from his master and he knew that he was there. He grinned as he faced him as his lips parted and he opened his eyes. Dameon had taken a keen interest in the sensing aspect of the force because frankly it was about ninety percent of what he had learned thus far and he was a very quick learner. After all he had nothing else to do on the ship but try and learn sensing and now his training had paid off.

“Master it is now your lack of energy that exposes you. The energy of the force is all around you but you’re pushing it away so it can’t run through you as much hence hiding your presence. Now I understand the concept of doing it myself. That and your lightsaber is still making that humming noise,” he said blandly as he held the hilt of his own in his hand ready still not lowering his guard.

 

[Insanity]

"I suppose it is, isn't it? Well, the hiding phase is over." Inside the helmet, an almost predatory grin would appear. Letting his presence surge back into it's full self, he would move forward, holding the lightsaber out to the side. "Here's what we're going to do. I will attack, then you will fight back. If you've listened, then you'll understand the applications you'll need to keep yourself unharmed. As I told you when I agreed to teach you, learning from me will not be an easy process. Nor a painless one. Just keep in mind that I made a deal with the Hutt, in that we wouldn't damage his residence... too much." Channeling the Force, he would use it to propel himself towards Dameon, aiming to get a slash towards his torso. That, however, would prove to be a feint as he reversed the motion, redirecting it towards his legs.

((OOC: Lightsaber training time (bo.o)b ))

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

Dameon listened as he activated his lightsaber he had obviously never been trained to use it yet but he had a few run ins with a vibroblade before and as it turns out they were not so useful against a blaster. Instinctively he readied himself the primal urge kicking in and flowing through his body as his master rushed him with a horizontal slash. Dameon already knew martial arts and his form was completely defensive that countered whenever he saw an opponent’s mistake as well as using his opponents momentum against them and right now his opponent had a lot of momentum going. He would not block or parry the attack at all.


Instead as the horizontal slash came in he merely followed the blade by moving toward his opponent the wide arc seemingly becoming useless as he got up close and placed his left hand out stopping the blade by stopping the forearm of his opponent and thrusted the blade forward toward his masters chest. The simplicity behind his form is what made it so effective and surprising. It almost seemed natural to him to blend his hand to hand fighting style with the lightsaber.

 

[Insanity]

Surprise wasn't something that occured to him. What did, however, was interest in the motions. Having used only one hand to do the slash, his other was still free. And his student didn't have much defense against the Force, as of yet. Something else to be taught at a later point. For now, he exploited that advantage. Sending a minor shockwave out, just strong enough to known Dameon loose and put room between them, he'd deactivate his own lightsaber, backing up a few steps as he considered. Simplicity only got one so far, really.

He decided for a little misdirection, sending his aura out to blanket the area of the corridor in a small veil of dark energies, masking his own presence in that way. It was back to hiding.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

Dameon knew his opponent had an advantage over him as he flew back a couple feet and landed awkwardly using his free hand balance himself as he raised himself off of the ground. Situational awareness was key in these moments the lights were off regardless of knowing that there was a backup that he did not disable which meant the breaker for the lights had been tripped. He knew that the door however ran off of a secondary battery in case of emergencies. He had been practicing it since they had left his home world and now was his chance to finally try it out. He glanced back at the door as he gripped the lightsaber with both of his hands his opponent had masked himself thoroughly this time even though the hum of the lightsaber could be heard it was hard to separate it from his own.


On one hand he could risk turning off his so he could hear the next attack and activate it defensively and attempt to counter or he could make his opponent visible without having to let his guard down. He decided on option number two he cleared his mind and focused force energy around his hand and though he obviously was not nearly as good as his opponent he pushed his hand backward sending a wimpy shockwave toward the button on the door small and weak but it only needed to hit the button which it managed to do. He quickly gripped the lightsaber again as the lights from the hangar flooded the corridor he wouldn’t fight his opponent when the odds were stacked in his favor as far as stealth went so he tried to best to equalize the battlefield and use the environment to his advantage.


He stepped out of the door way actually exhausted from trying to manipulate the force to press a simple button much like the thin flooring on the ground in the ship. He breathed heavily but kept his guard up as a crowd of people looked up from the marketplace to see Dameon with his weapon at the ready. He wouldn’t give up and that was obvious but he was more intelligent than to simply fall for his opponents fighting plans; for a mind like his it was nothing but a chess game. He motioned to his master whom was now visible in the light to step out.


“Stop hiding and lets continue,” he said boldly still breathing in a lot of air.

 

[Insanity]

Shaking his head from amusement, he would stride forward, deactivated lightsaber hilt held out to his left. Stopping outside of any practical attack range, Vaerin would look past Dameon at the crowd below. A few were panicking, panicking, crying out the word 'Sith'. Their cries were distant, but the fear was palpable as the cry spread. Jimar would have some things to explain soon to them. By then, they would be long gone. He was, admittedly, trying to drag this out. He wanted to. He needed a challenge, if only a momentary one. So he would take his time.

Re-activating the lightsaber, the black blade giving off its own corruption, he turned back towards Dameon. "Bold words for someone who's about to collapse after exerting so little effort. This strike is yours." Sliding into a defensive posture, he would watch and wait.

 

[Dameon Shikyo]

“You don’t see me hiding though do you?” He asked with a bit of a grin. He listened further to his opponents words and he indicated that he wanted Dameon to attack. Already he had learned that Dameon was a counter and defensive fighter now he needed to learn how to go on the offense. Dameon deactivated his lightsaber knowing he was out of any decent attack range as if planned by his master. He took a few steps forward casually and activated his lightsaber again going in for a vertical attack keeping himself balanced.


He knew he wasn’t very strong but he was quick and because of that he would still be defensive in his blocks and parries he just had to initiate a conflict first which was something he was not used to. An emotion rushed through his body as he attacked it wasn’t fear but rather a feeling of unusual comfort as if he had been born to do such things. It was then that he had a thought about the crystals his parents had left him. They were perfectly cut for a lightsaber did this mean they had been Jedi or Sith? The thought came in so strong that his guard weakened.