Open Jakku What's buried beneath the sand?

[Darth Caelestis]

OCC: Open to Jedi or Sith​

The sand whipped up around Artorigas as he stood at the bottom of the 'Wyverns' ramp. The long cape he wore over his Serennian noble robes, slapped against his back and legs begging to be let free to disappear into the endless dunes. The sun was bright forcing him to squint through the open eyes mask, why did everything annoyingly have to be on a planet covered with sand. His long handled lightsaber rattled at his hip and Artorigas was already sweating and he had barely stepped nine yards from the air-cooled interior of the ship.

In the distance the rusted and decaying ruins of a Star Destroyer gave him some sort of reference point to go by. He was here by only by guidance through The Force, there was not tactical knowledge only a feeling deep down inside of him, that perhaps the thing he was looking for was here. Hidden amongst this wreckage and endless desert. Taking a deep breath he set off towards the downed starship, he dared not land so close encase he was right about what he was looking for and there was some sort of defences erected around it.

Artorigas was walking at a brisk pace, he would probably make the ship within two hours if he kept this pace. Looking back the 'Wyvern' was already well out of sight, hidden behind a pair of dunes. A small sling bag was over his shoulder carried a supply of water, a Electrobinoculars, holoradio and a medkit just encase. You never knew what could fall on your head at any moment out here in the sand...

@The Steel Stag

 

[Vizim]

Vizim's ship set down at the edges of the downed Star Destroyer. After over a century, the destroyer had mostly been picked dry by scavengers, but Vizim wasn't here for technology or trinkets, he was her for blood. He was on the hunt for a Rodian by the name of Pako Ardeen.

Vizim had tracked the Rodian here. Wanted by the Sith for selling secrets, the "honor" of elimination had fallen to the hunter. Pako had apparently decided that this was an ideal world to be lost on. Probably because it was a nothing world. Who would even want to come here? Not Vizim, but it wasn't his choice.

The sun was beating down on him and even without his jacket and with a pack full of water, the assassin couldn't wait to get off this world as quickly as possible. Trekking over the desert and toward the destroyer, his hand brushed up against the pistol at his side and he squinted against the sun.

He ought to make the man suffer if only for making Vizim endure this world. The Rodian was fortunate that the hunter was far too efficient and professional for such a slow kill. In and out was his way, and today would be no different. Hopefully.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Time seemed to pass slowly on Jakku, for it felt like half a day since he had left the cool comfort of the 'Wyvern' and started the trek across the sand. By now the coarse, rough and irritating substance was well and truly driven into every nook and crevasse of his robes, some had drifted over the top of his boots and he could feel it by his toes, it was anything but enjoyable.

Cresting the final dune he saw the base of the Star Destroyer half buried, the winds and sand had blasted all the paint from the durasteel, most of the sharp edges worn away to soft curves. Taking a deep breath in Artorigas closed his eyes and let The Force flow out from him, he did not know what he was looking for on the planet only that The Force guided him here in search of his target. The tendrils of power flowed out of him like the sands themselves, reaching up and over the dunes and deep into the ship.

He stood there for around five minutes his mind probing corridors and sand burrows, hangers and caves before he began to narrow down something, it was inside the ship. But he could not be sure exactly where from here he needed to get closer. As the tendrils began to draw back into himself he felt something, it was stronger, fresh where was he was looking for was old, it was alive were what he searched for was not.

Artorigas was not alone.

By instinct he pulled his lightsaber from the clip on his belt though he did not ignite the blade yet. Opening his eyes he scanned across the dunes and the ship hoping to spot whoever or whatever was out there.

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Vizim climbed up and down the dunes with speed. The sooner he was out of the sun the better. The straw from his pack delivered ice-cold water to his mouth, which was a relief, but it did little to cut through the discomfort of the heat. Sweat dripped down his face, but the ship was in sight.

He reached out to the Force again to get a general position on his target when he sensed someone else. Two people? Maybe more? It was difficult to tell. His hand dropped down to brush against the pistol at his side as he continued to move forward, pulling it free from his holster as his path diverged to head toward the new figure.

A pick-up? Someone to extract Pako? Just a junker? he wondered to himself. He wasn't sure, but he didn't like unknowns. Whoever it was was going to have a bad day. Vizim wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way of his target. He pulled the mask up over the lower part of his face.

He peered carefully over the edge of a sand ledge, pistol in hand when he caught sight of the other intruder. He didn't know who the man was but he looked like he was in some fancy robes. What the stang are you doing out here? he wondered to himself. The guy looked terribly out of place here.

The hunter didn't really care who he was. He took aim with his pistol and began to squeeze the trigger when he stopped dead. A glint of the sun caught something in the man's hand. Is that a lightsaber? he wondered, squinting against the sun to try to make it out. Jedi or Sith? Had someone else been sent out here to deal with Pako as well? Vizim hadn't been informed of anyone else on assignment here. @Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The horrid mixture of sand and sweat clung to the back of his neck itched like crazy. That signature on his mind was getting closer, he could feel it if not see it. Artorigas turned as he searched the dunes, it was out here not in the ship that was for sure. Squinting he thought he saw some kind of movement but it could just be the heat waves coming off the sand. He carried on turning to his left. "That was it, turn back now." Lord Andros shouted in his head.

The ancient Sith Lord was rarely wrong, so he turned his head back, the haze did look strange but he was unsure and the last thing he needed to do was give away his power attacking a pile of sand. He needed to draw the person, creature out get a good look at what he was dealing with before striking. Pulling The Force inside him he concentrated it within his legs before jumping backwards towards the downed Star Destroyer, he kept his blade unlit but ready encase a bolt came for him. He did not want to give away his allegiance with his bright purple blade at the moment so settled for a ready stance as he flew back towards the ship.

Landing with a thud he backed slowly towards the ship, a hole in its outer plating just to his left, shifting across he kept his eyes on the crest of the dunes. Channelling The Force again he concentrated the power in his left hand ready to send a shockwave for whatever came over the dune next.

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Vizim watched the man leap up into a hole in the Star Destroyer. Well, that confirms that he's a Force-user, he thought to himself. He was tempted to take the shot and force the man to reveal his allegiance, but opted not to. Starting a fight with one of his own wasn't a good idea.

As the man disappeared into the destroyer, Vizim slid back down the dune and looped around the lower side of the destroyer.

Problem is, it could be a Jedi looking to recover Pako's intel or it could be another Sith here to eliminate the Rodian, he went through the possibilities in his head.

He came to the lower end of the destroyer and found an opening of his own before heading inside. His heart was pounding with the thrill. This was the part of the job he loved. The tension before the kill the and sudden flood of relief when you finally brought down the target.

Peekaboo, buddy. I'm coming for you. He slipped his pistol away and began to climb silently up the inner portions of the destroyer, silently looking for an angle on this intruder.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The man, creature, thing did not come over the edge of the dune which frustrated the acolyte. He let the power concentrated in his hand dissipate throughout his body the sensation made him even hotter, this was not the place to overuse The Force it seemed. He waited for a few more minutes before heading inside the Star Destroyer, perhaps it was just a creature of the planet and it had gone about its business. Or maybe a scrapper who he spooked when he leapt into the sky.

Just encase though he kept his saber in his hand, the last thing he needed was being snuck up on whilst looking through the wreckage. The odd angle the Star Destroyer made navigating its insides rather difficult, walking on the wall or ceiling felt odd and it made some of the passages he needed to use to get down to the hanger more of a rock climb than a gentle stroll.

He reached a cross junction a few moments later, he tried to remember the direction for the hanger, one way led to the lift down to the hanger area, another to living quarters and a third forwards toward weapons systems. But the odd orientation of the ship and the face he was not sure these old Imperial-Class' matched up with the newer ones made him hesitate. Last thing he needed was to get lost in this agglomeration of metal, ruse and sand.

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Navigating the ship was difficult even for someone like the hunter, but he worked tirelessly. The heat threatened to sap the strength out of him, but he knew that if he didn't get in position to find out who this intruder was the entire operation may be botched. He couldn't accept that his target might escape, and it was better to fight a Jedi one on one than a Jedi and a Rodian at the same time.

He made his way across a high beam before coming to a junction and spotting the other person. His pistol was up and saber hilt in hand in an instant. In truth, he was somewhat surprised to have found the man again so quickly, but that surprise didn't linger long. He had no doubt the other person would be ready for such a confrontation as well.

Jedi or Sith? he demanded plainly. It was the real question at hand and the wrong answer would quickly launch the moment into chaos for both of them.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas felt him before seeing him, but the speed of the man in question made the former null and void. Artorigas turned slowly, keeping his eye on the blaster aimed clearly for his head, like himself he had chosen to conceal part of his face which made identifying the man that much harder. Like himself the man in question held a lightsaber hilt in his hand, but the copycat had also refused to light it, less he give away his allegiance.

An awkward silence began as Artorigas tried to size the man up, he had asked him a simple question, but depending on Artorigas' answer would determine if a fight was about to erupt or not. He gritted his teeth behind the mask, trying to measure the man before him, if he was Jedi then Artorigas would try and bluff his way out, if Sith it would be easier, but knowing his own kind that couldn't be taken for granted.

Finally he took the plunge, holding his saber down and out to the side, a sign that he wasn't going to attack but was ready to defend himself if need be and spoke, his voice muffled slightly by the rebreather in his mask. "Sith." With that he ignited his saber, the purple blade adding an eerie glow to the junction. The action was too fold, one to prove his affiliation if the man was a Sith and two to be ready if he was a Jedi. "And you?"

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Vizim watched the man move to put his saber in a less confrontational position and identify himself as a Sith. This caused the hunter to frown a bit in confusion and surprise. He hadn't been briefed on anyone else out on this operation, but then he was a bit detached from most of "command." Perhaps he'd just missed the brief.

Then the man lit his lightsaber and Vizim's grip on his pistol tightened, his finger sliding a bit closer to the trigger but not firing.

If you're Sith then prove it. Why haven't you bled your crystal? he demanded. Purple was one of the colors of natural crystals and indicated a Jedi. If the man was truly of the darkness, then he should have had a red crystal.

Vizim's thumb triggered his saber, the blood red blade igniting in a fluid motion. His heart was pounding as he watched the other man's movements, still not convinced this wasn't a Jedi trying to pass off as one of his "brethren." Though, if that were the case, why start out claiming to be Sith? Vizim could think of a couple of different reasons, but time would tell. Either the truth or blood would come out.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

He had hoped that question wouldn't come up, the fact the man opposite him knew about bleeding crystal's pretty much assured Artorigas that he was dealing with one of his own. That only eliminated a partial threat, he didn't appear to be a Jedi but his hostility was still there.

How to answer the question? The true answer was that he had not yet fallen deeply and fully to the Dark Side, he did not have the inbuilt hate, rage or pain to truly bend a crystal to ones will. The added truth of the fact was within his eyes, they still held the crystal blue colour that he came out of the womb with. Now was admitting to this unknown stranger that he was not fully fallen going to make matters better or worse.

The trigger of the other man's lightsaber confirmed his theory that he was dealing with a fellow member of the Sith Eternal. Did he play it simple and stupid, go down the route of him just being a new Acolyte? In the end he went with the truth, though it may kill him. "Because, I have not had need too. Unlike our Brethren within the Eternal I am not fully beholden to the Dark Side of The Force and its frivolous demands of blood and carnage. I am my own master." It was true that at times the blade had seemingly fought within his mind for something else, Lord Andros had told him time and time again to make the crystal his own but he had refused, though that may have backfired.

"I see no use in breaking something for the sake of it being broken. If it can be used whole why not do so? To break, or kill, or destroy for no reason but because it fits some thousand year old fairy tale of our tradition is folly."

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Vizim's eyes never left the other man. They were both ice cold and burning with intensity all at once. He was weighing every word of the other man, trying to decide on his course of action... trying to decide whether to pull the trigger.

Then you're an idiot, he said. He wasn't going to argue with the idiot. Let him waste his time and die for all Vizim cared. He sensed no lie from the other man and let his blaster drop to his side and his saber snap out. Both weapons were still in his hand and he dropped to the platform below.

So, what? They sent you out here to get you used to killing? he asked. He still assumed the other man - Acolyte or Marauder if he was anything - was here to kill Pako. Would have been nice if someone had told me about it, he thought to himself. How had this guy even made it into the Sith at all?

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Artorigas had expected such a blunt answer from another member of the Sith Eternal, his opinions were near heretical when compared to the commands and decrees called down on by The Eternal himself. He was half surprised he had not received an ultimatum from a Sith Lord to give in or be removed from this life.

"I don't know what you mean?" He started his reply, he had killed before for both the Sith and for his own goals, but he did not need to defend his killing prowess to this unknown person. "I am here on my own accord, nothing to do with the Sith. Though from that comment I assume you are here for someone?" The man had the air of a predator around him, he was a hunter, a killer, one of the agents the Sith Council liked to send out to eliminate enemies of the state. He flicked the switch on his own saber deactivating the purple blade though like his 'friend' he kept the hilt in his hand. Sith were known for their wanton murder and Artorigas was not going to be caught out and if he had to, he would not go down without a fight.

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Vizim frowned again at the answer. Not sent out by command? Not fully given to the dark side. Something about this was weird all the way around.

Yes. Why are you here, then? What's your name and rank? he asked, head tilting ever so slightly to the side. He wasn't even sure this guy was a Sith, and everything about his story sounded fishier and fishier. Though, if he were Jedi then he wouldn't be willing to commit cold blooded murder, so that was one way.

That and Vizim could always contact command for verification. Still, the hunter didn't move against the other man. He simply waited and watched. Watched the way he moved. Watched the way the Force shifted around him. Watched the way he stood and carried himself. Watched.

He was still vaguely aware of his target "nearby" in the ship, but didn't sense anyone else besides the pair. Interesting. Maybe the Force put them together for a reason. Or maybe it was for no reason at all.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

The man was rather cold, though that fit the basic description of most Sith Artorigas met. Sometimes he wished he could meet someone like himself, someone who wasn't just out for the murder and fun of it. "I am here on a private matter, as I said unrelated to the Sith." The comment was half truth, what he was his for was private and no one within the Sith knew the reason he was on Jakku, but weirdly, even for him what he searched for would also benefit the Sith. The fact was he hoped what he would find he could use as a carrot to get himself more power and freedom within the Sith, but at the moment that carrot had to be kept secret otherwise it may be taken from him.

"Artorigas Wessex, Acolyte. It is a pleasure to meet you." He replied a small tone of sarcasm in his voice as he bowed slightly towards the man as he introduced himself. "And yourself good sir?" He was tired of the bravado act they both were trying to play. Hopefully he could just make the man see him as little no threat and let him go about his search whilst he goes off and kills whatever he needs to kill.

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

If the sarcasm was intended to get under Vizim's skin, it didn't seem to do so. His pistol slid back into its holster and he pulled out his datapad. With a moment he had snapped a holostill of the man.

Smile, he said, after he'd already taken the picture and started sending it off to command for verification.

Hunter. Marauder, he said. Hunter could be a name. It wasn't Vizim's name, but it was his title. In fact, it was far more descriptive than any name he would have given. A name was just a name, a title was who you really were.

Interested in earning a bit of good will with the Order? he asked. There's a traitor in this wreckage who needs killing, he said. He wondered what the other man's response would be.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

Wow the man, Hunter, was really tight. He could definitely do with lightening up a bit, but Artorigas guessed that that wasn't going to happen today if ever. "If he is a traitor to the Order then he should be taken care of." Artorigas replied, to be honest he didn't really want to join this man on his little hunt if he could. It would be a waste of his time, especially if the target fled the scene. It was painful enough walking all this way in the first place let alone if he had to come back after chasing the target down.

But then again, this man was still suspecting of him, so perhaps some play along could give him the freedom he needed to finish what he was looking for. "I guess I can give you a little hand. Though if he makes a break for it, I am not chasing him." He tried to visibly relax, hopefully that would untangle some of the wedgie Hunter seemed to have. "Who we looking for then?"

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Good, Vizim said simply. He still didn't trust the acolyte, but watching him kill their target would go a way toward convincing him. He didn't say anything about the man refusing to give chase, but that was fine, he supposed. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. If it did, then things would have gone very wrong.

Rodian. Only other person in these ruins, he said. He glanced up at the remnants of the Star Destroyer around them. It looked unsteady and he once again found himself wondering why the Rodian had chosen this place. Was he meeting someone? Was he meeting this "Sith?"

The questions nagged the back of his mind, but he didn't state them. Instead, he started deeper into the ship, taking the route along the corridors toward the hangar. The turbolift didn't appear to be working, which meant more climbing. Careful climbing. Or cutting to a lower level.

@Braden Drake

 

[Darth Caelestis]

I guess Rodian was something to go on and he was right he was suspecting these ruins to be empty. The fact he had ran into a fellow Sith was slim enough he doubted there would be many others hanging around here. Hunter, stalked off he had gone right, so that was the way to the hanger then Artorigas thought.

Power was long gone in the ship and when they reached the turbolift Artorigas took a look over the edge of the shaft, it was a long way down and rather dark. "Shall I?" He asked before taking a leap off the edge. The shaft was at an angle leading away from them which would make the fall a little easier, pulling The Force into himself he strengthen his body he twisted and landed about fifteen feet down the shaft. His saber hilt still in his hand he ignited the purple blade stabbing it into the side of the shaft as he fell.

The friction from the plasma blade wasn't great but combined with the slight angle of the shaft it kept his descent at a manageable pace. Artorigas didn't look up to see if the other Sith had followed him, instead he kept an eye on the passing numbers on the walls. The hanger access would be between levels twelve and nine. Crap that was eleven, pushing off with his feet he jumped through the next open set of doors landing on level ten. He hoped the Sith landed on the same level, the last thing he needed was him getting annoyingly suspicious.

@Phoenix

 

[Vizim]

Vizim continued after Arotorigas moments later, watching the maneuver the other man pulled off. Not bad, he thought to himself. The guy seemed athletic and agile. The maneuver wasn't easy to pull off.

Vizim's own saber plunged into the wall as he slid down as well. His other hand scraped along the wall, his gloves protecting his hands from the friction building as he moved down meter by meter. He was wary of the other man trying to slash him as he came to a stop below. It was only moments later that the other man leapt into one of the open shaft doors.

Vizim braced himself, pulling the Force and pushing off hard. He landed smoothly on the other side of the door, a smile behind the mask on his face. That had actually been fun.

He glanced over to see that the other man was still there and in one piece before continuing onward. He kept his saber on not for the purpose of attack or defense, but because it provided light in the internals of the destroyer. With no power and cut off from the sun, it was difficult to see in the hallways.

Vizim didn't move quickly. He was more interested in being quiet than moving quickly. What if he has a way out? he thought to himself.

]If he goes for the hangar, we can cut him off there, he said. If not, maybe there'd be something to track or scavenge there.

@Braden Drake