Space was like a blank canvas. Every now and then when the Astral Drake was drifting in space, Zoom would trace the stars with her fingers, forming her own little constellations in the void. Wherever you were in the galaxy, you would always get something different. That was the charm of it. It was something she and Draca used to do together whenever they were bored and had nothing better to do. They bonded, talked, got to know one another. He was sweet.
She missed him.
They all did. It was like the heart of the ship had been ripped out and all that was left was a numb carcass.
The ship wasn’t the same without him. Hell, Zoom couldn’t even remember the last time Anders scolded her for some bad habit. Feet up on the dashboard, chewing with her mouth open, slurping her drink. That sort of thing. Yet, lately he just wandered from one room to the other, keeping busy doing Gods only knew what. Evelyn trailed him every time just to keep him company and away from his more… vicious thoughts.
At least that left Zoom alone in the cockpit. Well, that depended on whether you counted the droid beside her as a ‘companion’, and the silent Echani girl behind her in the seat staring silently ahead at the console with such intent that it could have burst into flames.
Zoom had asked Melissa before what she was doing and all she got as a response was ‘waiting.’
That’s it. No more words.
It did get awkward.
Looking around, Zoom attempted to distract herself with a game. She spied with her little eye…
Forget it. It was no fun with no-one willing to join in.
It wasnt that Melissa was being rude.
Her sitting in the cockpit at all was under Snaz’s encouragement. And an inkling a messagr was coming. Rather than sitting in her room by herself for all of her meditations. For most of her hours spent with Zoom, Mela had been walking between the weaves of fate. Everything was both easy and hard to grasp, like the Force only wanted her to see certain things. Like it was holding its breath against her.
Which was new. The center console faded back into view, the same as it ever was before the mist of vision passed back over her eyes.
Any clue… a hint even a concept of a idea of how to save Draca… anything. It felt a step away but that step was being pulled from under her.
So, the seeress sat. And waited.
Melissa feels drawn to the cockpit. The terminal. A vision of herself in here with Zoom and the droid.
Evelyn leaned against the hall and took a sip of her caf from her mug. She was keeping an ear out as Anders was going from room to room. She wasn’t going to follow him like a lost puppy but wanted to be sure that he wasn’t too… harsh on the members.
She wanted to be there for Melissa but she… never was good with emotions or any idea for this.
Yet, the profound effect that it has on everyone that Draca wasn’t here was noticable. It was as if he, along with Melissa, was the kinder to the fire that kept it roaring.
And now that fire has died down to stillness and the coldness.
Evelyn’s bright emerald hues stared at the brown liquid in her mug.
They will get him back.
“You know, your caf will get cold if you keep sipping it that slowly.”
Snaz had seemingly appeared beside Evelyn whilst she was lost in her own thoughts. It wasn’t hard to imagine what had preoccupied her mind. The old Aleena simply had to glance in the direction she was looking.
Another ship inspection. Anders was likely going to dig trenches into the floor with his feet if he kept this up.
The smile faltered from Snaz’s features slightly. Draca. Poor boy. He’d known him since he was, what, eight years old? Something like that. Almost as long as Anders, in fact. The kid was life personified. The longer he stayed kidnapped, the darker the galaxy around them seemed to feel.
Nor even Snaz’s terrible jokes helped. For once, Snaz didn’t feel like making snide remarks or witty one-liners. Instead, he gestured to the room with Anders in it.
“How’s he holding up? Really?”
Evelyn didn’t respond as she brought the mug up to her lips and took a sip.
With her being a bit workaholic, she was used to drinking room-temperature caf by the time she finally gets to it. Yet, the newly appointed promotion of her job, she haven’t had the time to really invest or be buried into it….
Because she was worried about her family-
Then she blinked.
Family.
Quickly hiding the slight surprise, “About as well as he can be.” Barely getting any sleep. Walking on eggshells to try to avoid argument or the temptation of one.
Sleeping was difficult. No matter how exhausted their bodies was, their minds was loud.
OK, eye spy was not going well. There was only so many times Zoom could single out a star in the distance. Melissa had remained, her gaze transfixed on the console.
Zoom sighed dramatically, hoping to elicit some sort of response from the only other organic companion in the cockpit.
“Do you need something, Zoom'aski?” UWOT-M8’s artificial voice rang out like sharp nails down a chalkboard. “You appear agitated. It’s really distracting.”
Zoom flinched before regaining her composure. The droid’s head turned towards her. Distracting!? Damn right she’s agitated! Trust a machine not to possess a shred of empathy!
Instead of giving it yet another verbal lashing, she muffled a scream in her hands.
“I’m fine! I’m fine!” She was most definitely not fine. She tossed a cup at the droid. Shame it wasn’t full of liquid. “I hate this! This waiting for something to happen! For all we know, nothing will ever happen and we’re wasting our God damned time when we should be out there looking for Draca! Everyone is just… This… UGH!”
Zoom slammed her fist into the dashboard. Her hand throbbed, and she bit her lip to hide the pain. Stupid metal…
Yet, her eyes lit up when she saw a small, blinking red light on the dashboard.
“Holy shit…” Zoom checked the signal, her eyes widening as she shot up from her seat and ran towards the opposite end of the cockpit. She yelled out into the hallway. “ANDERS, GET IN HERE!”
Having one step ahead locked into your mind often left the current feeling late. Left behind.
Melissa jolted initially, when Zoom snapped, but then her eyes and attention had moved to the light. It turned on a few seconds before Zoom noticed it but right on queue the yell went out.
Melissa reached out with the Force to Anders, finding his presence and sending a simple message.
It will be Appius.
Just like that, their game was on again.
Appius Wight. Mandalorian, Former Taldryan Supreme Chancellor of the Taldryan Republic, and if Anderson had anything to say about it, a soon to be dead man, had finally graced them wish his message.
Melissa’s message had come through loud and clear, and he acknowledged it with a nudge from the Force. This became his priority, and he stormed out of the walk-in freezer with the grace and elegance of a nobleman.
“It is time,” he stated to Evelyn and Snaz, not bothering to halt in his advance as he barged into the cockpit.
“Accept it,” he ordered Zoom.
The Zygerrian gave a firm nod of her head. Of course, he had noticed the presence of Melissa. No doubt her foresight had been a factor in her predictions, and who was he to decline such divination?
The blue-hued view of a the back of a Mandalorian appeared just as Snaz and Evyn joined the entourage.
“Wait… is this thing on?” the Mandalorian spun around, hands clasped excitedly. “Ah! There you are!”
“Appius Wight,” Anders practically snarled through his teeth.
“You were expecting maybe Teebu?”
The glare that Anders sent could burn a thousand solar systems.
“Careful now,” Appius wagged a finger. “I’m calling out of the goodness of my heart! I can easily take that back.”
“Where is he?” Anders practically growled between his teeth.
“Who? Oh! You mean Draxa, right! He’s here, but he’s not very… chatty right now…”
The blue-hued hologram fizzled out of view for a moment before reforming in the visage of a rectangular, frozen plaque. Within it, lay the visible features of a familiar Zabrak Jedi.
“What do you want?”
Melissa almost didn’t recognise her own voice. It shook, though with barely restrained anger rather than fear or upset. Tears burned in her eyes, staring at the fuzzy holo of Draca locked in place.
Her visions had shown a future of them together. It would be okay.
It didnt stop the tightening in her chest. The cold sticking to her lungs.
“What do I want? I want what’s deserved. I want what’s owed. That bastard took everything from me, and it’s time I repaid the favour.”
Appius rubbed his hands together manically, his voice taking on a sinister, malicious tone.
“Here’s how this is going to work. I’m going to send co-ordinates to you. Anderson is to come alone. No backup. Nothing, not even a single spec of any one of you. If I find out that any of ypu came with him?”
Appius retrieved a blaster and shot at the carbonite encasing Draca, it barely missing his head.
“I think you get the idea.”
Silence followed for a mere moment. Somehow, Melissa hadn’t flinched, though truly for once she didnt know this would occur. Fear wasnt working properly.
Melissa didnt even look at Anderson, staring at Appius with a sharp frown.
“There is nothing to ensure you uphold your end of this.”
A statement. Nothing more or less. Anderson could be mad at her later.
Evelyn remained quiet, having already followed Anderson into the room. Her eyes narrowed at Appius. She did not like that plan, at all. As she was going to say something but then Melissa spoke.
Evelyn hid her surprise, but she was rather stunned and pleased at Melissa. She had been unable to help Melissa because admittedly, she’s been avoiding her because she had no idea how to console or help her.
Or her own husband for that matter.
She stayed quiet. Her sharp emerald eyes scanned everything she could see in the holo, the background, the carbonate, his armor, everything.
Details were important after all.
“Yep! Nothing makes sure I hold up my end of the bargain, and doesn’t that get right under your skin?” Appius laughed to himself. “You’re all powerless. All of you! I hold all the sabaac cards here. And one foot wrong and you’ll never see the Jedi again. I wonder how much a frozen Jedi is worth? Then again… he’s associated with you, Anderson. I bet he’s got a pretty price on his head.”
“What are these co-ordinates?” Anders interrupted, resisting the urge to seeth because Appius was right. They needed to play this game by the Mandalorian’s rules. At least, for now.
“I’m sending them now.”
A small blip flashed on the dashboard next to Zoom.
“I expect you in three days at high noon. Remember, if you don’t come alone, you’ll never see your boy again. I’ll make sure of it,” Appius waved giddily. “Toodles!”
The blue-hued visage disappeared.
There was no way Ander would go alone. Not truly. However… Anderson perhaps didnt need to know that. If he thought he walked alone…
Melissa stared at the spot in the that Draca was hovering just breaths before. Trapped. Alone. Was he conscious or just doomed if they couldn’t reach him?
The coordinates.
She stood, in a sudden sweep of moment to leave the cockpit. She couldn’t see them but Zoom could be pushed. Or she could peer into the past for what they were.
Startled by Melissa’s sudden rise, Zoom quickly unlocked the co-ordinates. A large image of a floating city appeared above the clouds.
“Bespin,” Snaz confirmed. “Guy really has his head in the clouds.”
(Message deleted)
Appius spun on his heels. The time was now. He had to prepare for their imminent arrival.
Did he think that they would listen to his demands? Hell no, but what did it matter if he got what he wanted?
Now, what was the freezing temperature for a Chiss? Finding it for a Zabrak had been a pain.
Melissa hesitated long enough to look at the image, the city floating in the clouds.
It startled her, mildly, but research could be done. She just, needed air. Or out of this room. Or-
She stepped around Evelyn, avoiding brushing too close to Anderson as the Echani exited the cockpit. Her hands were curled into fists, crossed across her chest protectively of something.
“This is a trap,” Snaz rubbed his aged chin l, his eyes closed in a thoughtful expression. “And not the fun kind of trap either.”
“Indeed,” Anders let the inflection of his voice hang in the air for a moment. “Unfortunately, it appears we have no other choice.”
“Do you plan on going along with his demands?” Zoom turned in her seat to face him.
“If I may add a suggestion, I think we should turn the other way and-”
“NO-ONE ASKED YOU, TIN BUCKET!” Zoom whacked the droid on the side of its cranium.
Anders remained silent, uneerilly so. He was the type to always have an answer. Yet, he hesitated.
“It is a gamble,” the Chiss began to pace the cockpit. “Appius Wight is mentally unstable. He has wrongfully kidnapped an innocent in order to exact his lust for vengeance against me. I would not hesitate to suggest he would not act upon his words. However, he has gone to great lengths to ensure he has me where he wants me. He is taking this personally. Of course he is. I almost killed him.”
‘He’s Mandalorian. His honor was scarred, his life destroyed. He wants retribution for it.
“Zoom'aski, set a course for Bespin’s Cloud City,” he finally declared.
Zoom’s eyes widened. “Does that mean…”
“Yes. We get him back,” Anders nodded, then turned to Evelyn. “A word, if I may.”
Evelyn watched Melissa as she made her way to leave the cockpit.
‘I wonder….’
She remained still and didn’t go after Melissa. She could always check on her later as the crew talked amongst themselves. Evelyn already knew that he had killed him or so many thought, but to go as far as kidnapping Draca, she couldn’t help but to think what else was there.
As far as she was concerned, Appius family was alive so she knew it wasn’t that. What made the man so demented to go after others instead of the direct source himself.
Anders wasn’t even the one to turn down a challenge.
The Echani hybrid pushed that thought aside and started to think of different methods, she had gotten better with ghosting but how long can she hold it now?
Evelyn’s jaw hardened at Anders request, she wasn’t ready to argue about her or any of them staying behind but that was best to have behind doors.
“Of course.”
Once they were in private, Anders inhaled a deep breath.
“I will confront Appius Wight as he has requested. Given the nature of the location he has chosen, I can deduce what he has planned for me. Your objective, along with Melissa and Snaz, is to locate Draca and free him. Regardless of whatever occurs to me, he must be your top priority.”
Her facial expression soften. There was no argument. No demands.
No ‘absolutely not.’
Just a request.
From one parent to another. Anders may not be Draca’s biological father, but he raised him. And Evelyn was certain that he loves him.
No cold-hearted pure evil being would sacrifice everything to save someone, unless they hold love for them in their hearts and soul.
Evelyn would give Myla the world if Myla asked. Not that was logical but that was how she felt. There was no words spoken as her hands gently rested on the hem of his robes and she slightly straightened it and brushed away a single strand that was on it.
Her hand lingered on his chest before she nodded, “Of course.”
Melissa closed the door of Draca’s room behind her, leaving her slippers so she could step into then when she left. She had refused to move anything inside tbe room, taking the same steps into the center of the room to sit on the rug. Her legs crossed, hands resting on her ankles.
Instead of facing the Holoplayer for the games theyd often play together sat here, she faced toward the window. Out into the galaxy. It wouldn’t be the right direction physically but thats.. that wasnt what mattered.
She hummed to herself, closing her eyes. An old song, one shed likely forgotten some of the words but it was comforting, despite the haunted tone it gained when sung in an empty room of metal rather than open air.
Her hair fell in a silvery curtain as she reached forward into the force, her head lowering down.
She had been hesitating to use the Dark side. She had, once or twice.
“Will you stay and tell a tale or would you want to tear it down to see better..”
Her hands curled, nails digging into her ankles. She focussed, and reached, discarding caution once more and allowing the quiet fury to carry her beyond the shore.
A tale not as old as time, but one filled with the ravenous appetite of death, war, and those who thrived in the chaos it created.
A hooded figure, an old man, cackling loudly, eyes burning like a hate-fueled star that refused to die. Lots of crying, children, men, women, screaming, marching, troops in armor of white, a galaxy ripped apart and stitched back together, a passage of the Dark Side.
Then she heard it…
Melissa turned to find the source of the sound, the hairs on her arms and the back of her neck raising in response to the pit of fear tunneling itself into her chest.
She sees it, a mask of pure darkness shifting into view, soulless, dripping in rage, hate, fear, and loss.
Melissa forced herself to stay still. To stand a little straighter.
Her grip tightened, breathing shaking.
Why would the Force show her this? Show her him.
She only knew the stories in passing, yet. Even here she could feel it all.
Lightsabers, one red, one blue, clashing in a dark room. Jedi? No, Jedi in-training. He never stood a chance, yet, she watched as history played itself before her eyes…
She kept out of the way, despite knowing this was all a vision she wasnt risking it.
It was almost suffocating, the power in the room.
Those final words…
Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me.
She heard those words over and over again until they started to morph into a woman’s voice, a voice so eery, yet gentle and familiar to her…
Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy him.
Amber eyes opened in front of her, a red-skinned face appeared, and then screamed.
Lenore.
That voice swaddled Melissa in ice. It held her heart to heart yet pained her to be so close.
Eyes opened. Burned? Red in general? Dyed.. it was hard to tell, the scream came so quickly and the vision died with it. Who.. who was that?
Colours and glimpses of other things slipprd past, Melissa staying one foot out of the present while she ruminated.
It was a warning. A start, after weeks of nothing useful. Melissa didnt allow herself to relax but, her panic eased. Mostly. The worst was yet to come. Perhaps not even with retrieving Draca…
A soft knock was heard from the door.
“Melissa?” Evelyn called out to her.
All Evelyn would hear is a quiet humming, something shed hear either in a kids show or before something bad happened in a horror holoflick.
It wasnt the first time Melissa had hummed similar tunes to herself at least, so it wasn’t new.
Evelyn paused for a moment when she recognized the humming, a habit that Melissa does. Should she go in? What would she do if Melissa needs comforting?
Why was this so hard? Stars, she didn’t even know how to react when Myla had called her, crying, because she found a zit on her face.
Evelyn composed herself and the door slid open. She saw Melissa was meditating. Oh.
Her hands went up as she brushed the wayward strands to tame her hair, not wanting to interrupt-
Then she saw Melissa digging her nails in. Instinctively, Evelyn placed a hand on Melissa’s shoulder and gave it a gentle shake, “Melissa?”
*“No! Please! Mercy!” The woman wailed. She was bound to a chair that had high quality wood with beautiful cushion on it. The room was dark so it was hard to see faces.
There was a soft sickening and crunching sound, a death rattle, and fearful sobs as blood spilled over beautiful marble floors…*
It wasnt the knock or the touch that drew Melissa out of the vision. It was the sensation of falling backwards, despite still being stood.
This wasn’t where she was supposed to be.
Melissa shifted, her humming stopping and posture relaxing in general. Her hands released her legs, leaving broken skin but no blood. She looked up, silver meeting emerald. Confusion ran through her, realising what she had seen into but, why-
“W.. did something happen?”
“No, I came to talk to you about plans when we arrive, are you alright?”
Evelyn gave her a look over with concern expression and waited for her response.
Melissa was quiet for a moment. Was she?
In the finite time here, yes she was. They finally had what they needed. But she hadn’t been alright. Nor would she be, if the future…
Her vision glazed over for a moment before she jolted herself, standing up and rubbing her eyes.
“Apparently people shouldn’t touch me when I’m meditating. I doubt any of you want me to see your past randomly.”
Who was that woman? It was a memory.
It didnt really matter.
“The plan. We may need to be more careful. Appius doesnt work alone.”
“Oh. I do apologize.” It seemed that Evelyn seems to be more relaxed. Usually a side effect of a certain activity before she came in. Though what past did she see? She hoped not the recent past, that’s like watching your parents having-
She pushed that thought away.
“Yes, Anders had mentioned Snaz as well so he will be with us. With that in mind, when we arrive, I will cloak myself and follow you two, so that way our backs would be more covered. Our focus is Draca first. Anders…” She paused for a moment before continuing, “will meet Appius.”
“Lenore knows. I think.” Melissa stated.
She brushed her hair back over her shoulders.
“She said… Now release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy him. I dont know to who but I know it was her. Someone.. with red skin screamed. I dont know if they were… naturally red. I saw.. I saw-”
The name caught in her throat. Despite not living the era, even seeing a vision of Darth Vader sent a strike of fear deep within her.
Evelyn’s eyes hardened.
Lenore.
If she could find that-
Her hands rose as if she was going to try to pull her into a hug but then it awkwardly slid back down. Destroy him? Destroy who?
Visions were complicated and she did not envy Melissa in having them. Having once not believe in them, she had been taught a lesson and now respects them along with her training with the Force. The fear was gripping Melissa and she had no idea how to help her.
“One step at a time. Do… you think this is something Anders need to know as well?”
“I dont know. Telling him may lock what is to come in stone. Or it may be exactly what is needed to change things.” Melissa looked toward the window.
“History repeats itself. A prophecy but…” She trailed off, struggling to remain in the present. She had regained most of her stability since the music box but, it wavered here and there. A step in and a step out of reality.
Evelyn doesn’t show emotions on her face but it was obviously from just her aura alone that she was worried.
Now, she doesn’t even know if they should tell Anders what Melissa saw. She had a good point. If it was history, whomever had released their anger may have already done so. What difference does it make?
Siths.
They would have become more powerful. This would be a good information to have.
“We should inform Anders.”
Maybe it was selfish of her to allow this. Maybe it was insightful. But it aas comforting to not be the one making that particular decision.
“I saw Darth Vader. I dont think he has returned. But… I think the Force was trying to warn me…” Melissa spoke softly, staring out the window for a long few seconds before turning to leave the room.
If this was the path, it was one they needed to walk with confidence.
That got a reaction out of Evelyn.
Her brows furrowed for a moment as her eyes widened in surprise. Then she caught herself and quickly relaxed her face.
“Darth Vader? But-” She stopped. Of course she heard about Vader and the choices he had made. She was around during those times.
Yes, in the end, Darth Vadar had ended up saving his son but the choices he made didn’t just impact the Jedis, but Force users in general. Now grateful that her powers were sealed away by Darth Dol, it avoided her being targeted.
Yet, it still made her uneasy during those times. Was it because deep down, she knew?
It’s been forty years. He couldn’t be back. There was no reason for him to. He should be peacefully be with the Force.
“Now that one, I do not know if we should tell Anders…”
The first time Melissa had seen Evelyn uncertain.
“I think its.. an echo. A lesson to be remembered but so quickly forgotten.” Melissa was at the door, hand beside the button.
“If we tell him, we should tell him everything. Lies, dishonesty… wasnt that what caused what happened before? Bril, he told me much about that war.”
Evelyn smiled. A genuine smile.
“You are right.”
I just wanted to selfishily protect him… but it would harm him more.
Evelyn eyes dropped for a moment before she turn towards the door, “Do you wish to tell him together or just me?”
Melissa smiled nervously.
“Could you be there? I still… get nervous telling him bad news.”
She hadn’t told anyone else what she saw of Anders past. That promise had been kept but his memories stood bright in her mind whenever the possibility of him being angered at her arose.
Evelyn nodded, “Of course.”
It saddened her a little bit knowing that Draca’s own girlfriend was uncomfortable around Anders but he does have that effect. Evelyn waited patiently as Melissa went to put on her slippers quickly. Together, the pair of them went to find Anders, trying the cockpit first.
<@837236610684813342>
Little did they realise that Anders was in a meditation of his own. He sat in his seat in the cockpit, eyes closed, arms folded across his chest.
The Dark Side swirled through his very core, forming a controlled chaos that increased in pressure within himself. His rage, his anger inflated it until it was ready to burst in front of Appius Wight.
Last time, Anders was sloppy. This time, he was going to kill that Mandalorian for what he had done.
When the cockpit door opened, Snaz, who had been overseeing Anders, raised one finger, a gesture to wait for a moment.
“I appreciate the notion, though I have completed my preparations.”
Anders stood from his seat and turned to face the new arrivals; a heavy air surrounding him.
Melissa took a slow breath, steadying herself. The aura of rage and hatred surrounding Anderson did not help her, still coming down from the shakiness of witnessing a somehow far more terrible version of it. She tucked her hair behind her ear, forcing herself to meet Ander’s eye with the comfort of at least Evelyn being there.
“The Force has given me a warning. History is repeating itself, as it did in the war against the Empire. I believe Appius is working with Lenore.”
That was the summary, at least. She hesitated before continuing, “I saw Darth Vader, fighting another man and speaking the words Now release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy him. It… kept repeating and became Lenore’s voice. Someone with red skin screamed afterward, I didn’t recognise them. It may not have been their… natural skin colour. For the Force to show me that fight, we are at risk of forgetting lessons learned far too recently I fear.”
It was a struggle to maintain appropriate eye contact, to remain still and not begin pacing or at least move somewhat, but Melissa steeled herself to remain in place. This was the truth.
Anders remained still for a moment before gesturing to a seat in next to him for Melissa to take.
Melissa looked to the seat, and silently stepped forward. She sat down, her hands resting in her lap.
“I am going to peer into your mind and witness what occured. You will be forced to re-live the events, and it will be uncomfortable. However, it will allow me to grasp the situation.”
Snaz’s eyes widened slightly. “Anders, you sure that’s necessary?”
“Be quiet!” Anders snapped at him before turning back to Melissa. “Do you accept these terms?”
Melissa considered it for a moment before nodding. “I do. You may recognise the face I saw, so for that alone… Yes.”
She offered Snaz a slightly nervous smile, but her heart held no doubt. She had half considered offering this on the walk here.
Evelyn was going to protest but Melissa had already given her respond. She tried to relax her jaw but it didn’t work. While it would be good to see if Anders recognized the face especially since there’s connection with Lenora, she didn’t want Melissa go through anything she want to.
Though, Melissa was a grown woman so Evelyn made no movement to protest.
Yet, she didn’t like how he snapped at Snaz for concerning about Melissa’s well-being. The crew shouldn’t feel like they are walking on eggshells… well, more so than usual.
Snaz’s lips went tight, his eyes narrowing as he huffed, and folded his arms across his chest.
Anders ignored him. He could not possibly understand the power at display. His cold, blue fingertips gently grazed Melissa’s scalp as he closed his eyes, and forcibly opened the door to her mind.
<@1382824894877794314>
Melissa did her best to ease the process. She placed the memory of the vision in order at the forefront of her mind, focusing on every aspect of it.
There were memories she would rather Anderson didnt catch by accident, so she truly did her best to ensure it.
Yet, nothing could really prepare you for what this would feel like. She didnt flinch away, but her face scrunched up and her hands gripped at her sleeves. It took most of spare willpower to not make a damned sound, not when she volunteered herself to this. This was more than uncomfortable.
When Anders finally released her, he immediately rose to his feet, a snarl on his face. He forced himself to take a deep breath and placed a hand under his chin, deep in thought, though his gaze never left Melissa as a scowl formed on his features.
“You imbecile! Do you have any idea the type of powers you are toying with!?”
“Do not call her names,” Evelyn interjected. Getting frustrated was one thing but calling names was not-
Then she seemed surprised at herself.
Ignoring her for thr moment, Anders continued his tirade.
“Do you not understand what you have done? What you have opened yourself up to? You used the Dark Side, young lady. I’m sure it felt right in the moment, did it not? The power, the knowledge, all fed to you by Darth Lenora herself! Did you not consider for even a moment that she might have planted those thoughts in your mind to manipulate you? Well? DID YOU!?”
“Anders!” Snaz snapped. “That’s enough!”
Melissa placed a hand on her temple, silver eyes closed to the world as Anderson gathered himself. It was only when he snapped at her that she looked up at him again. Her jaw clenched, but she remained unwavering, moving to stand and watching Evelyn inch forward. But.. no she wasnt scared. She stepped forward slightly, anger blazing.
“I wouldnt HAVE to if you hadn’t gotten Draca captured in the first place. I begged you to let me go too, to not send him alone. I begged you to not make him go further down on Corsucant. And you-” She pointed toward him, “Didn’t listen to me. Or him. You still did it. And- how Dare you!!” Her voice raised further, the steadiness breaking, “You are a Sith, but I’m an idiot for using the Dark Side? You mock Ruka for not teaching me about it but its not like you have. Other than lecturing me about how incompetent I am! Maybe I just worked it out myself, Anders, why must it be Lenora infesting my mind? I-”
Her voice caught, a sudden realization striking too close to home. She wiped at her eyes, still furious yet.. What if…
“And there it is,” Anders shook his head, his tone low, but the anger had dissipated. “What happened with Draca were events out of my control. You, on the other hand, made a direct choice to use powers far beyond your comprehension at risk to both yourself, and those around you. We are done here. You will not follow us onto Bespin and will remain with the ship. May the Force have mercy on you if you disobey my orders, for you will find none from me.”
With that Anders stormed out of the cockpit, leaving it in silence for a few moments before Zoom whistled.
“What an asshole,” she said.
Melissa wasnt sure if to cry, laugh or go after him to keep yelling. The liar. It hadn’t been entirely out of his control, shed told him-
But what did that mean? Did he know that Lenora had left a stain? Or-
She crossed the cockpit, watching his back as he walked away.
“If Lenora is in my mind I need to know!”
Evelyn was following Anders and she gave a quick Look to Melissa as if saying that she will find out if she can.
Her body language indicated for them not to follow both of them. She hopes Snaz would help comfort Melissa meanwhile. Once they got to a safe distance away from the cockpit:
“She is not a child- you cannot always protect her and this is not the right way to- Anders, stop and face me.”
Melissa stepped back into the cockpit, letting the door close before leaning forward against the cold metal.
Anders continued onwards until they were alone in the sanctuary of their bedroom, already freshly made.
“It was a mistake taking her to Coruscant, it was a mistake inviting her aboard this ship, MY ship, and she will be a liability on Bespin. I have half a mind to seal away her memories and limit her access to the Force!”
The metal in the room began to creak, splintering sounds echoing until he took a deep breath and everything went still again.
“We are so close… I cannot afford any ill-mannered decisions to cost us success…”
Evelyn waited while watching him and his movements.
“No. The events that happened on Coruscant? Neither of you saw it happen. Step by step. Melissa may be able to see the past and the future, but as we both know, it is not always set in stone or accurate. You need to stop blaming others for something that was out of your hands.”
“Keeping her from saving the one person she loves is ill-mannered. I need her help. Snaz needs her help. Even more so? Draca needs her more than Snaz and me.” Evelyn paused for a moment.
“Love… can be quite powerful. She needs Draca and vice versa. Do not take that away.”
Then she tightened her jaw, “And Anders? I know you said you have half a mind, which does not mean you will… but if you do what you just said, you are no better than what Dol did to me.”
The things you do for the people you care for…
“I would take no delight, but to secure Draca, I must be willing to do whatever necessary. I did gleam something from that vision, however. I do believe I understand what are Appius Wight’s intentions. Why he picked Cloud City as our venue.”
“Maybe securing her away will have the events unfold exactly how you saw them.” Evelyn pointed out. There was no way of seeing it, but if it was up to Evelyn, that would be Anders on the other side of the carbonite instead of Draca…
She would disobey everything. And no one would tell her otherwise.
She gave him a look that clearly stated that the topic of Melissa was not over, but she stayed quiet to let him explain why Appius would pick Cloud City.
“How familiar are with with the first confrontation between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker?” Anders queried. “The plan was to capture the young budding Jedi in carbonite so that he could be transported to the Emperor. I believe Appius has something similar planned for me.”
Evelyn listened and considered. The Empress? No. She heard of her, a dangerous beauty and a bit mischievous if not borderline cruel.
So who would Appius deliver him to-
Realization hits.
“Lenore.”
If Anderson and Evelyn were two sides of the same coin, it occurred to her what the plan may be.
“No, I do not like this plan.”
“Nor I. However, springing the trap appears to be our best course of action,” Anders conceded. He placed his hands behind his back and drew in a deep breath. “I am tasking you with Luxor. Keep an eye on her. If anything goes awry, I will be holding her personally accountable.”
There was no argument from Evelyn about the plan. Things parents would do for their children…
How far would she go for Myla? If any?
So Melissa can come.
“I need to know for my safety and how much I reveal, is Lenora in Ms. Luxor’s mind?”
Anders didn’t say anything for a moment, simply looking his wife in her eyes.
“I have not confirmed it, but I have high suspicions that she is being manipulated, yes.”
The Astral Drake tore out of hyperspace like a slug pellet tearing through raw flesh. The sudden jolt of the ship signalling their arrival to Bespin.
As per Appius’ instructions, the ship was to remain at the assigned landing pad where it could be easily monitored. Not that there was a significantly sized landing pad for the corvette in the first place, though the ship squeezed on well enough.
The ramp to the ship lowered, a chilled breeze sweeping his robes.
The marching of footsteps sounded like war drums as several of Cloud City’s finest surrounded them, blaster rifles primed. One man stepped forward, nodes over his ears.
“Mr. Anderson. You have been expected. You’re companions are to remain here. I will take you to your reservation.”
Reservation? Is that what they were calling it? He almost scoffed at the audacity, though kept his face neutral.
Melissa stood at the top of the landing ramp, in her usual garb looking down and across the landing pad.
The wind swept through her hair, a small frown on her face.
Even knowing what was planned, worry wore through. For all their issues, she didnt wish Anders harm.
Nor did she wish Draca to awaken to grief.
She wouldnt wish that on anyone.
If looks could kill, the hybrid had it down. While Evelyn stood by Anders, as she fought everything not to jeopardize this mission. Every inch of her just wanted to scream and follow Anderson instead.
But Draca was a priority.
Despite his size, Anders was surprisiny light on his feet as he descended down the ramp.
“Of course.”
The Chiss was quickly flanked by a few members of the militia, rifles poking into his lower back.
If they kept doing it, it would be incredibly tempting to throw them off the bridge into the abyss below.
Not yet.
Give me five minutes.
The message was spoken telepathically to the group he left behind. He had to time this accurately. He needed enough distance for plausible deniability.
Once he was inside the domed building and they were well on the way to the carbonite reactor, he coiled the Dark Side within him, and sprung his trap.
Back on the platform, the militia began to hold their heads, their weapons dropped by their sides, and they began to scream, convulse, begging for the pain to stop.
“GOD’S, MAKE IT STOP!”
Evelyn didn’t say a word as she had gotten used to Anders being in her mind and he was the only one she accepted telepathy from.
Her eyes glanced over to Melissa for a moment to reassure her that they will get Draca before stepping away from sight inside the ship. She quickly armored up in no time, grabbed her weapons, and they started screaming.
She focused on the Force as she seemingly ‘disappeared’.
“I will be right with you, Melissa.”
Melissa stepped out of her slippers while Evelyn armored up, grasping the length of her hair and tying it back. Once, twice, thrice…
Evelyn disappeared. There was no time to waste and unfortunately no room for mistakes. As the guards begged and howled, Melissa raced down the ramp. Those that weren’t on Evelyn’s initial path, she grasped with the Force and threw. The impact was enough to knock them unconscious. Hopefully, just-
The Seer brushed that thought aside, grasping onto one remaining man who had begun to reach for his comms. Even despite the pain, he had noticed the movements. He didn’t get to finish his attempt to call for help.
The comm was yanked from his hand, Melissa slipping it into her pocket and then grasping onto him. The Force extending her arm, her strength, she raised him up, just enough high that he could feel the winds ripping around Bespin above his head. Enough that he could see the clouds below.
“Where is Appius keeping his prisoner?”
The man appeared to choke out inaudible gasps, words, his Human face turning more purple by the second.
Snaz waddled up beside Melissa. “Maybe you should give him a better view of the clouds?” He offered either a shrug.
Melissa frowned, raising him ever so slightly higher.
“Answer me. Where is Draca?”
They didnt have much time to spare here.
“Allow me,” Snaz gestured for her to put the poor man down for a moment.
Melissa looked to Snaz, nodding and gently lowered the man back onto solid ground.
She felt awful. But they didnt have time and-
She took a small step back, close to help Snaz but giving some space.
“I will not- AGGGHHH!”
The Human was hoisted off of his feet and send tumbling off the bridge and into the depths below. It was like he had been shoved hard by an invisible bodybuilder.
However, before thd Human could dissappear into the clouds, he suddenly stopped, and slowly drifted back onto the bridge.
When his feet touched solid ground, he dropped to all fours, wheezing and wide-eye.
“Now,” Snaz declared, wiping his hands. “Are you going to tell the nice young lady what she wants to know?”
Melissa managed to remove the sheer shock from her face before the man got his wits about him again. Snaz always had surprises up his sleeves.
This was a very new one.
“Draca. Where. Is. He.” She repeated the question, getting somrthing of an idea and approaching him. If he didnt answer, she could always peer through his memories. What her farsight would let her see, at least.
The rest of the men have been fortunate to get quick deaths. They didn’t have the time to cause any damages cause they couldn’t find the ghost. The poor lone man would see one of the bodies of his deceased comrades being dragged and left behind a streak of crimson trail. Soon, the body was carelessly thrown off the bridge like a pile of trash.
Another body was grabbed and slowly inched its way to the bridge, with a trail of blood drips behind. It almost looked like a sword was the ghost and it was dripping with blood. Small droplets were planted on the shiny floor. This was to induce fear in the man and to have him realize that their bodies were being dumped over the bridge. If he wanted them to have a proper burial and not join the rest of the crew, he had better spill.
Quickly.
“R-Reactor. B-Basement level. It’s wh-where we detain criminals. P-Please let me go,” he pleased before deciding he was damned if he did, damned if he didn’t. He grabbed his holstered blaster pistol and pointed it between Snaz’s eyes.
The body stopped moving towards the bridge.
Evelyn wasted no time as her blade cleanly sliced through his hand, having the blaster fall to the ground. She stepped to get behind him, one of her arm around his neck and the other locked his uninjured arm.
She removed the cloaking and was now seen to conserve her energy.
“I want you to make sure he is telling the truth.”
Melissa had been about to call it good. To let him go.
That. Was a lot of blood.
She exhaled slowly, managing to maintain a call exterior despite it, despite the urge to stop him bleeding like that, “Where in the basement? What else is down there?”
The man continued to scream, cursing in various languages and dialects that neither of them could understand.
Eventually, he came to his senses.
“F-Fuck you all!” He spat at them through ground teeth.
“As much as I love our conversation with the guy, we need to get moving. We don’t have much time,” Snaz urged then pointed at the guy’s bleeding hand. “What do you want to do with him?”
It was dark. Fitting, really if one thought about it adequately enough. The chamber hissed in the hexagonal room as Anders was guided in. He was alone now, or at least, that was what he was supposed to believe. The truth was that there was a very eager, blood-thirsty Mandalorian waiting for him.
The large silhouette of that man stood atop a small staircase, shrouded by the darkness.
“Mr. Anderson,” the artificial voice echoedout, though hint of a malicious smirk was hidden underneath the helmet. “Ive been expecting you.”
Melissa sighed, stepping forward and placing her hand to the man’s forehead.
She focused on the visions of his past, looking through the most recent. Looking for those here on Bespin, for Draca.
As soon as she was done, she drew her lightsaber. Using the handle, she bashed him in the side of head, letting him unceremoniously faceplant the platform.
“Lets go.”
Evelyn released him the moment Melissa had hit him at the side of his head. She started to focus and felt a coolness wrapped around her body as she was shrouded from view once again. Evelyn followed Snaz and Melissa, while she kept an eye out on their surroundings. -# <@837236610684813342>
The moment the doors opened inside the infamous Cloud City, citizens and workers alike took note of the rather unusual stragglers.
Luckily, they hadn’t noticed the carnage behind them on the platform… yet…
Snaz coughed into his hand. “Hello, there! Don’t suppose any of you kind people could direct us to the reactor basement level? We have some business to conduct and unfortunately our communications are on the fritz. You know what they say, gas in the clouds, gas in the ships, am I right?”
That got a small chuckle. Luckily, a Twi'Lek woman pointed towards the elevator behind her.
“What? Nothing to say?” The Mandalorian shrugged his shoulders. “You always have an opinion on everything. It’s one of your worst qualities.”
Anders took a measured step forward. “I would describe yours, though what does it matter? You will be dead in a matter of minutes.”
“Ah, you see, that’s more like it!” Appius laughed. Actually laughed. “You took everything from me. Everything. Do you have any idea what I had to do to get back what little semblance of life I have left? My own wife won’t speak to me. My children are afraid of me. My brother is frack knows where. The Collective… don’t even get me started on them! So, you know what? I decided to hit you where it hurts most.”
Anders halted, his eyes narrowing. “Where is Draca?”
“Oh, he’s here,” Appius gestured with wide-open arms. “I’d ask his opinion on matters, but he’s been a bit quiet lately. Quite the model prisoner, really.”
Anders clenched a fistful, his eyes flashing a crimson-amber, his voice almost snake-like in its hiss. “You will pay for this with your blood.”
Appius grabbed his rifle and took aim within the darkness. “Go ahead and try, dickhead. You didn’t manage it the first time. Frack you and everything you stand for.”
He pulled the trigger.
Melissa ran to the elevator, pressing the lowest button possible. And down down down… they went. There were enough elevators at least that their trip down wasnt stop and started too many times by other people.
Melissa stayed close to Snaz, trying to not watch the spot where she assumed Evelyn was in the corner by the buttons. Or hoped Evelyn was.
It was hard to make sure everyone was on board when she could see them. Snaz was far easier to track.
She breathed, focusing on the sensation of it from the air passing her lips to the stretch of her lungs when she held the meditative breaths. It didnt calm her much, but it was enough she was no longer thinking of the man’s spurting blood from his arm when they stepped out onto the basement floors.
“I am here,” Evelyn said softly. She wasn’t sure if they needed to know or not. Her eyes went to the blood drops on the floor. Part of her felt bad for having Melissa to do that but they needed to be sure Draca was where he said he was.
She would do all she can to make sure that Melissa and Draca doesn’t stain their souls any further. Especially Melissa. Who hasn’t been having an easy time with Anders bickering and driving her away-
Evelyn grimaced and was glad no one can see her. Once they save Draca and get Anders out of here, that was another converstation she would need to have with her husband. Because it just now hit her that what Anders was doing to Melissa may drive her further away from being who she was.
Melissa.
The doors open as she slipped out first and glanced around for any dangers.
-# <@837236610684813342>
The room was oval in shape, cold, dark, the damp stench pemetrating the air until the waft of chemicals struck them like an ice wind on Hoth. How anyone could work down here was a mystery. It was like a freezer!
As the trio stepped inside, Snaz shivered loudly. For all intents and purposes, he was reptilian. The cold. He really didn’t like the cold.
“Brr… anyone have an rxtra jacket? Unless, of course, you want an Aleena ice pop?”
Even freezing, he was still a terrible comedian.
Darted along the walls were rectangular, silvery-grey statues of hundreds and hundreds of individuals, frozrn in place like sculptures…
Those were not statues.
The Force had warned Anders before Appius’ fingers had wrapped around the triggee. He was on the move. The first bolt barreled past him, flashing in the darkness like lightning. Then a second, and finally a third slammed into a computer terminal. Sparks erupted, hissing as the terminal burst into flames. It distracted Appius for a moment, but it was all Anders needed to slip away undetected amongst the pipework.
“Coward! Di'kut! Fight me like a man!”
In his rambling, Appius had failed to realise that Anders had slipped behind him in the shadows. The Chiss’ fingers grasped around the hilt of his lightsaber.
‘As you wish.’
Appius’ head snapped behind him when he heard the ever so familiar sound of a lightsaber being activated. The lunge that came toward him was deadly precise, like a spear aiming for his throat. The Mandalorian managed to inch his head dkwnwards in time to let his helmet take the brunt of the attack.
Thank manda for beskar.
It was here that Appius remembered their first encounter. Anders was better with a lightsaber in his hand, there was no denying it. Appius raised his rifle to try and shoot the Sith point blank in his stupid, smug face, though it was quickly cut in twain.
So much for that.
All he could do to defend from each lightsaber strike was raise his arms to block them.
“By the Force…” Melissa breathed the words, the cold going unnoticed. She had spent so long like it, even the metal seeping thr cold out of her bare feet was a dim notion.
“These arent all people, right?”
It was such a naive question and Melissa knew it the moment she said it. The Echani looked at each face, and the space around them. Every single one had a panel beside them. Every single one had a face contorted in despair or rage.
How could someone do this?!
Melissa sped her step, jogging across the room as she withdrew a light, holding it high above her head. Was Draca… even here? They had to free these people but they didnt have time.
“Find Draca first, then… Then we’ll work it out from there. We can’t leave them like this.”
<@216702440140046336>
There was a largr computer panel, a database of every individual stored in the room.
Melissa activated it, allowing a moment for it to power on fully before typing.
Draca Zul
A three-hundred and sixty degree image of the young man including statistics on his personal bio, his affiliations, and aliases.
Would you like to receive the specimen?
Yes
Maybe she should have heistated, she realised after hitting enter.
But it was done.
Melissa glanced back, to Snaz, before looking for where Draca would come from.
Evelyn glanced to the sculptures and ignored Snaz. She heard Melissa’s question and didn’t answer.
It didn’t matter. They were here for Draca. She wondered if Melissa had the gift to use the Force to find Draca because she didn’t trust Appius.
Melissa mentioned wanting to free people, and part of her wanted to tell her no. They didn’t know who they were. They could be murderers. Criminals. Or Innocent bystanders. She could not take that risk. It was better to leave it to the authorities.
Brotherhood authorities that was. Evelyn turned at the rapid footfalls of Melissa and saw her hitting enter, “Wait!” Evelyn called out in an attempt to stop her. Evelyn silently cussed in Echani as she remained cloaked and hidden from others view.
-# <@837236610684813342>
The room changed, gears turned as a conveyor belt system kicked into life. The frozen people seemed to shift along it one by one until at Long last, one was placed in front of them. Frozen, yet unmistakably him. He had one hand held out in front of him, his head lowered.
“Ah, geez, kid. It’s a” Snaz shook his head. “Mind giving me a boost? Need to check his vitals before we thaw him.”
Melissa wanted to cry. But she lowered to one knee, offering Snaz her back.
Once the Aleena hopped up, she approached Draca with her eyes brimming with tears, threatening to ocerspill already and fighting to contain herself. He wasn’t back yet.
“Is he…?” She murmured after a few moments.
Snaz rubbed his scaley fingers across the terminal at the side of the carbonite Draca was frozen in.
“Heart rate is low, but steady. Not unusual for someone frozen like this. Life signs seem stable. Though, we’ll have to do this careful. We bring him out too soon and he could go into shock.”
Evelyn kept looking around for any movements or anything that was off. Just in case there was still some hidden surprises. She wanted them to hurry up and get Draca out so they can go to the ship and she can go find Anders as soon as possible.
Then Snaz explained the news. Her heart sank. It meant more time that Anders was in danger.
Evelyn nodded even though they can’t see her at the moment, she remembered her promise.
“I will stay guard.”
Snaz nodded, pressing the buttons and twisting the dials until Draca started to glow. The thawing process had begun, his fingers and lips started moving slowly.
Melissa watched carefully, placing her hand atop his and preparing to catch Draca when he was released.
Evelyn carefully looked around before looking at the pair.
She watched as Melissa flailed and Snaz lost his balance and fell. Her cloak was gone and she was exposed again as she immediately dove and caught Draca. A soft ‘oof’ escaped from her lips. She forgot how much ‘dead’ weight really impacts.
Unknown to her, she gently brushed Draca’s hair hair as if to fix it. She was so happy to see him unharmed. He really was okay. As crazy as Appius was, he kept his word and Draca was unharmed. Though he had a bit of ways to go to recover from being in such a state.
They were almost a family again.
Then she caught herself and cleared her throat, “Melissa.” She adjusted herself, ready to move, so Melissa can take her spot. -# <@837236610684813342>
Melissa had entirely forgotten Snaz kn her shoulders. Shed forgotten her own strengths, feeling untouchable with Draca so close but-
It took most of everything to make sure Snaz didnt go flying.
The Echani’s cheeks burned bright red, though as Evelyn intoned her name, she was there on her knees shuffling forward to support Draca.
Evelyn handed Draca to Melissa as she stood back up and kept an eye out on their surroundings.
“When we can, we should get going.” She was anxious to get them back to the ship before she goes find Anders and aid him.
Draca didn’t respond at first, at least until he started shivering. His eyes barely opened. He was soaked as he rubbed his eyes.
“Wh-Where am I?” He asked.
Anderson was a persistent bugger. Unfortunately for him, so was Appius. As the Sith jabbed and stabbed forward, Appius lured him into the centre of the chamber, right where a hole in the middle of the floor spelled certain doom for the Chiss.
Appius activated his jetpack and lunged himself backwards. He shot a cable out of his vambrace and wrapped it around Anderson’s leg.
“Gotcha!” Appius exclaimed as he landed on the nearby staircase. With a hard tug, Anders hissed and fell into the pit in front of him.
“Rot in carbonite, you son of a bitch!” Appius shot the nearby console with the blaster within his vambrace, the hissing of cold vents spelling the Chiss’ certain doom.
“Lenora will pay a pretty price for you and your boy,” Appius stood over the pit, looking down. “Payback really is sweet, ain’t it?”
Yet, when the fog cleared, there was no carbonite statue of the Sith.
“What!?”
The sound of a lightsaber activating behind him took the Mandalorian’s attention.
Melissa got her shoulder under his armpit, using her legs to slowly stand up with him.
“Bespin but we’ve gotta get out Draca. Can you walk at all?” She spoke softly, blinking and feeling a tear trail down her cheek. Was it relief or fear or happiness?
There wasnt time to tell. Melissa focussed on getting Draca standing or, at least, in a position where she could carry him.
“Snaz keep an eye out ahead. Evelyn…” she looked to her, a frowning softly, “A part of me wants to tell you when we make it to the elevator you should go. But I know what Anders would say. It can’t be my decision but I… I understand why you would. If you choose to.”
-# <@216702440140046336>
“Melissa, chin up. You got this. We got him.” Evelyn was trying to reassure her, her voice soften, away from it’s icy and sharp responses. Evelyn looked to Snaz and tilted her head towards the pair as if saying to help them walk down as she cloaked with the help of the Force again.
Melissa looked at her direction right when she cloaked so she stayed, out of respect in a way. Which was weird. She heard her and she desperately do want to go to Anders. But no. She made a promise.
They weren’t children anymore. They were adults. But they are still their family. Even if they see Evelyn as some foreigner who recently joined and have difficulty bonding.
“I promised him to make sure the three of you are on a ship. That is priority and… I agree with him on this. You are all family.” Then her voice changed direction, indicating that she was making sure she stayed behind them so she can keep an eye out ahead and behind.
-# <@837236610684813342>
Snaz rose to his feet and dusted himself down. “Well, that was ce-”
He never finished that sentence. His eyes widened as he took a sharp intake of air. Before he could react, a red-skinned Twi'Lek figure materialised out of the darkness. One raised kick to the old Aleena’s jaw was enough to knock him flat out of his back.
The Twi'Lek spun, both hands outstretched as she blasted both Melissa and Evelyn with telekenetic energy. With a sharp dagger in hand, she knelt next to Draca and raised it.
“DIE!” She screamed.
Melissa stumbled back, barely managing to catch herself with Draca supported. He had been.
She watched him fall, the red skinned woman manifesting from the air similarly to Evelyn, and for once in her life didnt hesitate.
The Echani raised her hand, still barely regaining her own balance and yanked on the blade in the woman’s hand, tossing it aside. Her hand went toward her lightsaber, knowing she only had moments to prepare.
When Melissa had attacked first, it gave Evelyn enough time to focus the Force in her hand and send it out as a blast to the Twi'Lek’s chest. Evelyn wasted no time as she let the Force embrace and guide her feet to get closer to the Twi'Lek, drawing her sword and slashed at her, attempting to put her body between her and Draca. -# <@837236610684813342>
The blast was tough, though, Zylar had been trained in harsher darkness than either of these two wells could comprehend. Her orders were clear; secure Anderson, and kill the boy.
She could not fail, not again. The consequences would be… unthinkable.
Yet, as her blade was stripped from her hand, and a telekenetic blast knocked her away from her quarry, she realised she was going to have her work cut out for her. Still, this was nothing she couldn’t handle.
Green ichor burst from her hands, forming a scimitar in her hands which she used to block the strike from Evelyn. With one spare hand, a bolt of green flame shot out to the prone young Zabrak on the floor.
Appius choked. Not in the fun, kinky way either. He could feel his wind-pipes crushing under the weight of a vice. His body refused to obey him as he demanded it take breathe.
The lightsaber cut through his jetpack, refusing him any means of escape. Amber eyes glared back at him, a rabbit animal snarling within the blackness.
Just as he was about to become light-headed, Anderson threw him through a large window pane. The glass smashed, cutting into the fabric not protected by his armor. The cold rush of wind took the Mandalorian aback as he landed hard, back-first, upon the duracrete walkway.
<@216702440140046336> <@1382824894877794314>
There was no audible warning, only the sudden surge of blue light filling the room.
Melissa stepped in front of Draca, Veli’s blade cutting the flame in twain with a buzzing hiss.
“You dont have to do this.” Melissa called out, staring the woman in the eye. Was this… the face from her vision?
Evelyn felt the hairs at the back of her neck raised as she instantly moved out of the way with the help of the Force. While Melissa tried to talk to the woman, Evelyn didn’t want to take any risks. She threw three dagers at the woman and followed up behind them with a slash of her Ichor Sword.
Anders leapt down, his robes flapping behind him like a bat out of one of the galaxy’s many bedtime stories. He landed at the foot of Appius, the Mandalorian barely clamouring to his feet. His breathing was heavy, wheezing, gasping.
Appius reared back a fist and tried to clock Anders in his face, though a bolt of lightning put a stop to that idea. The poor fool was mostly cybernetic.
Yes. Yes she did have to do this.
Why the younger Echani looked like she’d seen a ghost was beyond her. Zylar felt the daggers cut into her flesh, the stinging making her bite her tongue as she moved to block the strike with her own ichor creation. Lunge, thrust, parry, and deflect. Evelyn and Zylar began their deadly dance amidst the frozen statues around them until…
The Twi'Lek was sent soaring into the computer console. Her body had lost control of itself. The wind was knocked out of her when her ribs slammed into the desk. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the reason. The Zabrak on his knees, eyes closed, hand outstretched towards her.
She only had one word as she glanced between the trio.
“Fuck…”
<@216702440140046336> <@1382824894877794314>
Evelyn didn’t even turn to look who sent the woman flying. Snaz? Melissa? Maybe even Draca? It didn’t matter, all she knew was that she had to eliminate this threat. With the help of the Force, she moved faster than normal, her entire body twisted as if she was spun around by Anders when they danced, her blade followed, and the Echani hybrid went for a straight and clean beheading.
-# <@1382824894877794314>
Melissa reached out, “No, she has a choice, a chance-”
Yet she watched as her words passed over Evelyn. She only had a breath to turn her head away, to Draca, to anything other than what was about to happen. There was nothing she could do, not without- No.
No.
<@837236610684813342>
Yes.
With ichor emerald flaring in the damp dark, the blade sliced cleanly through Zylar’s right arm. The Twi'Lek did not scream, not at first. Instead, she gasped, staring down at the bloody appendage with pain-filled eyes driven by the agony of the flames licking her wound.
She wailed, her scream echoing throughout the room like a banshee.
Appius was flung up again. Landing without dignity was not what he had in mind. Then again, none of this was going the way he wanted it too.
Where had it all gone so wrong?
His breathing was hoarse. His armor’s life support system had failed, and the agony was taking hold.
Then, there was him. Amber eyes full of evil staring back at him. Appius would have chuckled if he could.
“You won’t find him…” the Mandalorian coughed and wheezed. “Lenora will have him as her Jedi trophy before long.”
“Ah, but you see, that’s is where you are wrong,” Anders declared. “Draca has been freed. I can feel him in the Force.”
Appius made a disgruntled sound.
“I could kill you. It would be no less than what you deserve,” Anderson knelt beside him. “You are a cretin, but no. Draca would not wish it upon you. Instead, I have something else in mind.”
The Sith’s gaze turned towards the carbonite chamber behind them, and Appius felt his heart drop to his feet.
<@216702440140046336> <@1382824894877794314>
Evelyn hissed under her breath.
She missed?
Melissa. Draca.
Evelyn swallowed hard as if she took a bitter pill. With a snap of her fingers, she turned her hand as it was engulfed in green flames. “Be still.” She pressed her blade to Zylar’s neck to keep her from doing anything. She placed her hand up against the arm, burning it so it stops bleeding.
The screams were horrendous yet, despite Melissa’s worst instincts they started after one of the worst silences’ she’d ever heard. Was it worse or better, that the woman had survived? This was not how the Force had seen this day coming.
She turned, laying her silvered gaze over the situation. If Evelyn was closing the wound then… maybe. Maybe she had a chance. Melissa stood, slowly, gathering Draca with her and doing her best to lift him. As Zylar’s screams weakened into whimpers, Melissa found her voice.
“Zylar. That’s your name, right?”
The words echoed in this place of statues.
“I’ve seen so many paths. So many futures. I didn’t know your face before today but I think I’ve seen it before and if I have-” Melissa paused, inhaling slowly and releasing the shaky breath, “This path only leads to your ruin. Even if you succeed, you will never truly get what you want. She does not have the ability to fill that within you, she may say so but she never managed it before. You don’t have to do this, even if we are still at odds you do not have to sacrifice everything you are for her. I won’t tell you what you must do instead, but even if anger and rage is what you follow, follow it of your own strength. Keep fighting by her side and you will lose it. I can feel that within you. Please.”
Zylar spat in the face of her empathy. Who was she to deny her the power, the spark, the gift of the Force? Lenora was the only way. It was all she knew. What else could possibly make sense?
“You will all regret this,” Zylar hissed as her body became engulfed in flames, her voice echoing. “You will all pay…”
Evelyn immediately recoiled to keep herself from being caught on fire. She scoffed as she brought her sleeve and wiped the spit from her face. The one time she tried to show sympathy-
“We need to get moving to the ship,” Evelyn approached the trio, “Then I can go find Anders. Come on, Draca…” Her tone changed to soft as squatted down by Draca. She attempted wrap his arm around her neck. Her hand went to his side as she used her leg power (thicc thighs saves lives) to hoist him onto his feet.
“Find Anders.” Melissa shifted to support Draca’s weight herself.
“I have him. He’ll never forgive himself if Anders was hurt to get him though.”
.