Session export: GJW XVII - Tanoris

Nora stood up from her seat, her emerald eyes narrowed as she looked at the scanner. “Company? Let’s see who it is.”

The Nocte Drakon landed smoothly in a hidden clearing near Oligard’s estate. The ramp lowered with a soft hiss. Nora and Tahiri stepped out together, their lightsabers humming, ready at their sides. The air felt thick with Dark Side energy. Someone was already here.

They moved quietly through the trees towards the estate. Using her Zeltron ability, she picked up faint traces of malice and arrogance, emotions that felt disturbingly familiar. Finally, they reached a side entrance to the estate. The door was open. Without wasting any time, Nora and Tahiri barged inside. A small Twi’lek man stood near a control panel. As they entered, the man turned slowly, his black robes moving with him.

Alaris Jinn.

Nora’s entire body tensed up. Old wounds and memories jumped to the surface. Memories of brutal training sessions on Aliso, the sting of his brutal punishments, the cold look he would give her, even when she had proven herself over and over again. Fury rose throughout her entire body as her hand tightened on her lightsaber.

“Master Jinn,” Nora hissed, her voice cold and sharp. “I should have known it was you slithering through the shadows again.”

Alaris smiled in a smug way. “Nora, my wayward apprentice. How far you’ve climbed… Consul of Arcona now, is it? How quaint. Still chasing power you’ll never fully grasp without me?” His eyes moved to stare her up and down, almost as if mocking her. It was the same look he had given her during his punishing lessons years before. Nora felt the anger rise in her once more. “You always did have a flair for the dramatic exit… and yet here we are.”

The tension in the room tripled as his words echoed off the wall. Nora could feel the old resentment crawling its way back in. She remembered his betrayal, his sick sadistic methods, and the way he would push her beyond the edge again and again, all the while she plotted to one day surpass him.

“The only thing I regret is not ending our ‘partnership’ sooner,” she spat. “You taught me strength, Alaris, but I learned to despise the source.”

Tahiri watched the two, her senses on high alert. It was as if a storm was about to break. Alaris looked amused, as Nora’s mulberry skin flushed darker with anger. She knew this was more than just a past Master and Apprentice rivalry. She also knew that this was an explosion waiting to happen. She knew she had to do something, and fast.

“My dear,” the endearment dripped with sarcasm, “the source is the only thing that gives you your power: the Force. Tahiri knows this as well as you.”

Tahiri shook her head, “Uh uh. Don’t you bring me into this. Besides, we’re going to need to work together.”

Goosebumps tickled down Alaris’s neck and he sneered. “Sooner rather than later, I think.” He opened his mind up to the other two and they instantly understood, like a message hidden in the folds of the Force that directed them to different positions in the surrounding foliage. There was an innate understanding of a kill zone

The triangulation was set almost perfectly, and they watched as a small squad of troopers walked with purpose through the area. The war was ending, and they were on high alert knowing full well that Rath Oligard was in the estate. They stepped softly and then came to a sudden halt.

“What was that?” One of the Technocrats whispered loud enough to be heard by his comrades and anyone with an acute enough ear.

“I didn’t hear anything,” the officer in charge darted his eyes amongst the colourful foliage. The skin colours of the Sith lying in wait did more to hide them than they may otherwise. “Call it in anyway. I’m getting a bad feeling about this.”

The trooper who had spoken up reached for his comm link, but as he pulled it up to his mouth it slipped out of his fingers and scuttled along the ground. If he hadn’t known better, he would have said someone had grabbed it out of his hand. The realization dawned on him after a few seconds, but by the time he opened his mouth to speak, the three patient Sith had descended on the squad.

Tahiri was the first out, igniting both sabers and severing the officer’s head and legs from his torso. He collapsed in a heap of limbs before he had a chance to shout out. The rest of the troopers turned and readied their weapons to blast the Togruta into the void, but a wave of energy reverberated from Nora’s hand and knocked them flying, disrupting their firing line.

Another trooper slammed the emergency beacon on his chest armor at the same time that a blade flew through the space and pierced itself through his hand and the beacon. Tahiri kept her hand extended trying to pull the blade back. She frowned as she felt too much resistance. She gave up for the time being and relit her Shoto, re-engaging on the squad who still hadn’t managed to fire a single shot.

One of the younger looking troopers went for the comm on his wrist only to find his entire arm lying on the ground. He opened his mouth to scream, but that only served as an enticing target for Alaris’s lightsaber to pierce. He collapsed to the ground and the lightsaber split the rest of his skull as he dropped. Within a matter of seconds, the entire squad had been dispatched.

Tahiri walked over to the man who still had a long dagger embedded in his chest. His breathing was labored. The Arconan Proconsul ripped the blade out of his chest and watched as he drowned to death in his own blood. She wiped his blood off on the grass waiting until life had faded from the trooper’s eyes.

Then she perked up, smiled and affirmed cheerfully, “There see? You do still know how to work as a team.”

The Twi’lek sneered. “Very well. Provided her excellency has no issues, we will continue together.“

Zuska huffed and shook his head, before sniffing about and coming to stand near his Alpha.

Flipping the Ascendant Dagger in air, catching and sheathing it in one smooth motion, Tahiri raised an eyebrow and looked at Nora.

“Better together than separate. Who knows what Rath Oligard,” venom dripped off of the name as she said it. “Has in number of troops and resources at his disposal here. The Inquisitorious wasn’t able to get much in the way of information about this estate of his.”

Flashing that signature fanged smile hers, she patted Zuska on the head, and then motioned for the Vornskr to stalk ahead.

“Besides, it’s good to be with a Plagueian ally. At least there’s some bond there in being allies,” as she pulled on the chain attached to the Heart of Plagueis from within her shirt, showing it briefly to Alaris and Nora. “I don’t forget the ties that are there. No matter what.”

Nora watched Tahiri wipe the blood off her Ascendant Dagger and grin with her sharp fangs. As she watched, Nora weighed the options. Although she despised Alaris, she knew he would be useful for the mission. Plus it would have been silly to have two separate groups going after the same thing…

After a moment of thinking it over, Nora gave a small nod. Tahiri was right. “Better together than apart.” She said quietly. Her emerald eyes flickered to Alaris for a brief moment. “For now.”

With the temporary alliance now in place, the three of them moved away from the dead squad, ready to hunt for clues.

Tahiris Vornskr, Zuska, stalked ahead sniffing the ground as they went. They moved deeper into the surrounding area. Past wooded areas, before checking the abandoned outposts, and hidden safe houses along the way.

In the first outpost, Nora found a data pad left in plain sight. On the data pad showed maps and codes that pointed straight towards the Oligard estate. Something felt off. Immediately. Who would leave such valuable intel out in the open for everyone to see? Especially during a war?

“This is too clean,” Nora muttered under her breath. She glanced towards Tahiri and Alaris. Both had agreed. Before moving on, they made sure to make a mental note about it.

At the next safe house, they spotted fresh tracks outside. Nora, Tahiri and Alaris sprung into action, quickly making their way throughout. After clearing the space, noting it was empty, they looked around for clues.

Exactly like the other place, Tahiri motioned towards a desk where half finished reports sat. Out in the open.

Although Nora was glad it gave them more information about the estate, specifically weak points in their defence, she knew it was too good to be true. The entire situation felt off.

This feels wrong. Nora thought to herself. Oligard must know we’re here. It’s as if he was leading us exactly where we wanted…

Every clue started to fit together perfectly. Too perfectly. Nora’s mulberry skin prickled with unease. Her Zeltron senses picking up something off in the air. The Dark Side felt twisted around them, like a hidden current pulling them toward. The clues were not really hidden. It was the opposite, as if someone had placed them there on purpose, wanting them to find the trail, to follow it.

Nora stared at the clues for a long time. Her hand tightened on her lightsaber hilt, as if ready to ignite.

“These clues are too easy,” she said aloud, her voice low and sharp. “This doesn’t feel right at all.”

She looked at Tahiri and Alaris, on edge, waiting for their input. Although the old tension with former Master still hung in the air, there was a new worry growing stronger.

It seemed far too easy that they were led to another abandoned outpost. The investigation of its decimated frame seemed to point them directly toward Oligard’s estate.

“This is too easy,” Nora repeated.

“All too easy.”

A tickle on Alaris’s neck saved his life as a rain of blasterfire encompassed where he previously stood. His slide to his right picked up dust and his lightsaber burst back to life. He spun and immediately drove toward the closest attackers. The three Sith engaged with haste and cut down attacker after attacker. The Liberation Front soldiers seemed to be throwing their lives away with their reckless assaults.

One soldier darted off into a darkened hallway, enough away from the chaos that Alaris picked up on the movement with ease. “I have him!” the Twi’lek declared. He shot off after him in a flash, not even needing the Force to enhance his movement. The compound moved further underground as Alaris pursued his quarry.

Again, goosebumps tickled Alaris’s neck and he suddenly realized his terrible mistake. His lightsaber rose to intercept the first several bolts that were fired his way and he allowed the Force to weave his blade for him. The ambush had been set perfectly. The chaos already in place further back masked the LF soldiers lying in wait. Alaris found himself some partial cover, but was still forced into tight lightsaber movements to keep his body from becoming perforated. The light touch of the Force turned his focus to his left flank and he watched six more soldiers bear down on him from another corridor.

The Twi’lek cursed his mistake and readied himself for his end. Instead, a vermillion blade leapt in front of them and with only a few simple cuts, completely rid the flank of any soldiers. Nora jumped to Alaris’s side and without thought they stood in tandem and advanced on the ambush. Former Master and Apprentice weaved together through the chaos. In a matter of seconds, silence fell on the chamber. Only the twin hums of lightsabers, a few semi-tones apart, kept the room from total silence.

Tahiri and Zuska rounded the corner behind them and came to a sudden halt. “Did we miss all the fun?”

Alaris and Nora looked at each other briefly in a moment of recognition, but neither said a word. Both lightsaber faded back into their hilts and Alaris quickly moved away, passing Tahiri, back toward the surface.

Raising an eyebrow, Tahiri glanced after Alaris for a moment, before looking back at Nora. Giving the woman a knowing look, the petite Togruta smiled, nodding her head and giving a light whistle for Zuska to follow as the two women left and quickly followed the Twi-Lek back to the surface.

They continued forward, heading for the main complex at the center of the estate. It only made sense, given the clues.

It is far too easy.

Nora’s words had echoed in Tahiri’s mind since she had said them, and her thoughts went back to them again as they advanced forward. They met and easily dispatched another small squad of Liberation Front soldiers. As they slipped back into the shadows, Tahiri felt a small ping from Zuska, who had stalked further on, alerting her to a new adversary.

“Huntresses,” the word came out as a low hiss under her breath, just barely audible to her companions. A growl emanated from her, as through the Force connection with her Vornskr, the Elder could pick up some of the Huntress’ talking. “It seems they know we’re here.

“What! How?” Nora hissed.

“It’s like you said, things are coming up too easily. So logically, they would already know we’re here, perhaps not us specifically, but that a team would be coming here after Oligard,” the Togruta traced a finger across the Tarentae ring she had worn. “It doesn’t matter. Whether he knows that we are coming or not. But we need to control the battleground and stick together.”

Alaris and Nora shared a look, before nodding in agreement.

“Then we gather info,” Alaris began.

“And then we face them head on in the arena of our choosing!” Nora finished.

“Sounds like a plan. Let’s check out this map again,” Tahiri pulled her datapad out and they quickly formulated a plan to follow the Huntress’s, evading and engaging at different points, all leading to the main large building at the center of the estate.

With Zuska on look out ahead, the Beastmaster was able to inform the other two on the Technocrat Huntresses movements, as there were more of them around further in. There were also less of the Liberation Front soldiers further into the compound. As the group got closer to their target, it was was getting more difficult to evade. There was a huge courtyard that they needed to cross and there were two dozen Huntresses stationed in the courtyard, possibly more around. Tahiri and Zuska growled in unison.

“I say we face them head on. They know we’re here and are waiting for us,” she looked between the Zelton and Twi'Lek. “And we’re out of options of hiding, I can’t cloak all of us, and we don’t know what awaits us around either of these ways.” She traced two paths around the sixty by thirty meter courtyard.

“We could trick their minds enough to get past, maybe not fully undetected, but it is an option,” Nora offered, glancing at Alaris.

“That could work,” he mused.

“Alright, let’s try that first, it’s the shortest path,” Tahiri nodded. “I’ll help where I can on this.”

The trio and Vornskr made their way forward. Tahiri and Zuska on either side of Nora and Alaris as the duo pulling and weaving their will through the Force upon the dozen Huntresses to the right. The effected Huntress’ began to laugh and stalk towards their fellow sisters.

“Looksei what we have here, sisters!” “Aye, I can see them too.” “Awww what’s the matter? You too tired to keep up your disguises for much longer?” “We’re going to kill you filthy Force users!”

“What! What are you talking about, sisters?” “We are not Force users! Why would accuse us of being them?”

The tricked Huntresses began to bicker and were close to fighting with the others on the left side of the courtyard, while the quartet skirted along the edge. Everything was working, and they had made it halfway across, when suddenly durasteel walls sprang up a meter from the courtyards edge to their right. The wall slid forward towards the group, closing in fast. The ground also abruptly tilted slightly down to the left beneath their feet.

Tahiri and Alaris were able to turn their footing to compensate for the sudden terrain change, Nora stumbled slightly before regaining her own footing. Zuska almost bounded in his steps, growling at the ground, as there was a loud and heavy metallic sound that resonated through the ground. A hushed silence fell for a moment, before the sound of laughter could be heard over the klaxon loud speakers.

“They only sent three of you, Force Users,” a male voice chuckled maniacally. “Am I not much of threat, that they sent only three of you to take me down?”

The foursome watched as three trapdoors in the ground several meters away suddenly opened downward.

“Oh wait, where are my manners as a host? Welcome to the Oligard estate, a fully enhanced AI enabled deathtrap for those who use the Force. Let the games begin.”

Tahiri wove the Force around Zuska, ready to throw him up and out, while she, Alaris and Nora readied to spring free of the trap. However, a forcefield activated before they could escape, as the slope increased in degree and other shields sprang up between them, guiding them to a shoot each. Tahiri and Zuska slid together down into the left, Alaris down the middle and Nora down the right shoot. Then the doors closed, shutting out their exit and fully separating the group.

Alaris slammed hard on the padded rubber flooring. He felt pain shoot up his leg and immediately thought he had broken a bone. There wasn’t any snapping sound that he could hear, but it didn’t mean much when he couldn’t put his whole weight on his right ankle. He surveyed the room and found it rather odd. There was no security system. In fact, a corridor opened for him as an obvious way out.

Into an obvious trap.

As he moved, the corridor seemed to shift in very minor ways; panels merged and separated, colours changed slightly, lighting brightened or dampened. Unease clenched at Alaris’s stomach. Anxiety was a rare experience for the Twi’lek-who-wants-for-nothing, but it wasn’t an unfamiliar foe. Alaris found that as long as he didn’t stand on his ankle with all his weight, he could walk, though gingerly.

It wasn’t long before Alaris realized exactly what was happening. Holograms covered the wall, and it was clear that he was facing some kind of personal trial. He sneered and continued forward. The only path led him to another chamber. He tiptoed toward it, hearing voices within. One was clearly Nora’s, but he didn’t quite recognize the other at first. It wasn’t until the figures came into view that he realized what he was seeing. It was him; or rather a hologram of him.

“Your movements are sloppy, Apprentice.” the faux-Alaris spat. “Sharpen them. Makashi is about precision. You have less precision than a bantha.”

The corporeal Alaris smirked. “I wasn’t wrong.”

The Nora shape struck out again, sharper this time, but very clearly clumsy. Her master rewarded her by weaving his Djem So through a tight defensive pattern, kicking her square in the ribs, and slicing off three inches of her hair. Alaris thought he could smell the burnt hair wafting through the chamber.

“Idiot.” The Zeltron’s master stared down at her with intense eyes and Alaris knew exactly what was happening. He was torturing her mind. Sending terrors and illusions through her mind as punishment. She would hate and it would be him she hated.

The vision faded and a new one appeared. Nora Olen sat in judgement before the Justicar and his two Hands. They stared down at her with purpose and clarity, and she looked back with humility.

“Pathetic.” The voice… his voice… came from beside Alaris.

The Twi’lek turned left to see his own self staring back. “She fails, violates the Covenant, and then has the audacity to submit instead of taking what is hers.”

The real Alaris responded, “Her first mistake was getting caught. Her second mistake was not killing the Justicar where he stands.”

As judgement was passed, Alaris watched his holographic twin turn and leave the chamber, leaving Nora to her own devices.

The room shifted again. Sending Alaris to a landing pad outside Aliso City. Nora and Holo-Alaris are looking at each other with boiling contempt right beneath the surface of their skin.

“You’re running. Again. You refuse to stand up for yourself. You refuse to fight. You could kill Selika and take Plagueis for your own, but you don’t. You’re a coward, and I regret ever taking you on as an apprentice.”

The real Alaris cringed. It wasn’t true. None of it was true. Alaris had seen Nora time and time again advocate for herself, slice down rivals and adversaries, and climb back up the ranks after the Justicar had been lenient enough not to have her killed. Yet, he had said the words, and he knew he had said them. He wasn’t angry at Nora. He didn’t think less of her. He saw it as his own failure.

He had failed as a master for a second time and he was deathly afraid that he would have to kill another apprentice.

The vision faded as Nora’s ship took off for Arconan space. He wasn’t envisioning Nora’s failures. He was watching his own. Doubts flooded him for the first time in decades. The pain in his ankle ramped up, and then he came to a realization.

She wasn’t just an Arconan. She was THE Arconan. She was Shadow Lord of the whole Clan and Tahiri was her Scion. She had elevated herself to lead one of the greatest Clans in the history of the Brotherhood. He hadn’t failed as a master. He made mistakes, but this vision wasn’t showing his successes.

Nora was nearly a Master in her own right, and that was due to Alaris giving her the tools to make that happen. She did the work, but Alaris led the way.

“Your visions are pathetic, Oligard. I don’t fail. I am Alaris Jinn di Plagia and I will be your death.”

The chamber faded and revealed itself as a holoprojector apartment. Alaris had no idea how those memories turned into visions, but he had no intention of investigating it. His lightsaber sprang to life and he cut his way through the door to find Tahiri and Nora both standing in front of him, equally shaken.

“I see I wasn’t alone in those trials.”

Both women shook their heads.

“There’s no time for sulking over it. Tahiri, my ankle could use a little attention, if you don’t mind. And Nora…”

The Zeltron shook her head. “Don’t. I know.”

Nora stood in the chamber, her heart still racing from the visions.They kept replaying over and over in her head, like a movie reel stuck on repeat. The memories of Alaris’s cruel words had cut deep, even if she knew some of them were lies. She shook her head to clear the images. It was not the time to focus on them, she had other things to deal with.

Her eyes met Alaris’s for a brief second. The tension was still there, but she pushed it down. “Don’t,” she said when Alaris started to speak. Her voice was firm, but tired. “I know what you saw. We all faced our own ghosts in there.”

Tahiri gave a small nod. She looked shaken too, but her fanged smile tried to come back. Nora was proud of how well she had handled it, and how well she was starting to bounce back from it all. Nora knew she was very lucky to have Tahiri by her side. Nora gave her arm a light pat in acknowledgement.

Zuska stayed close by Tahiri’s side, ears up and alert. The three of them stood together, shaken but alive. Nora felt a strange mix of relief and worry at the same time. They had survived the traps, but she knew the real danger was still ahead.

“Let’s keep moving,” Nora said. “The estate is closer now.”

They walked down the last corridor together. The air grew heavier, and they could feel the dark side swirl around them like a warning. They were getting closer… Nora could feel it. They kept coming.

Soon the narrow halls opened up into something much bigger. The trio stood still. Nora stepped forward, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. This was the Oligard Estate.

It was not what she expected at all, in fact, she was quite surprised at what she saw. It wasn’t just a simple hideout, it was a mesh of two worlds… in one place. Family rooms sat beside cold military stations. On one side of the room sat expensive furniture. Nora could see old paintings, large dining halls, fine rugs and crystal glasses on tables, all lit up by soft lighting. It was beautiful, like a rich family home. A home she was sure once held big parties, and peaceful moments between a family.

It was a stark contrast between the other side of the room. Everything had been changed. Screens covered the walls with live battle reports, Nora saw holo maps with troop movements across the planet. Rows of computers were buzzing loudly with incoming data, as if officers had been working here until recently, and she could see large crates stacked neatly by the door. If Nora had to guess what was inside, she knew it was most likely weapons.

It seemed that this was a major command center for the Collective operations, the heart of their war efforts on Nei’kapo.

Nora’s felt chills run up her body. Her Zeltron senses picked up fear, pride and cold calculation in the air. “This place is both home and a war room.” She whispered. It was so bizarre! “Oligard didn’t run away… he built everything here.”

They moved deeper inside. Tahiri and Zuska took the lead, sniffing for danger. Alaris stayed quiet, but ready. Although Nora could see he was still limping a little from his injured ankle. She knew he would be fine though. Nora kept her lightsaber in hand, ready to ignite at any moment. They were all ready.

As they moved deeper, the trio couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling they were getting. As if every step felt watched.

They kept moving anyway, until they walked into the main hall. They stopped dead in their tracks from their discovery. In the center they found something strange, a tall glowing column. They could see red and blue lights flashing inside, as well as wires and tubes running from the column into the walls and ceiling. Nora noticed a small screen floating around it, showing lines of codes and system reports.

“The AI core,” Nora said softly. She stepped closer, carefully, inspecting it. “This must be what controls all the traps, the moving walls, the slides, the holograms…” she trailed off. The column pulsed, as if it were alive. Nora could feel the dark side twisting around it. She was in awe, yet a little terrified of the machine before her.

“Oligard turned his home into a machine that hates Force users.” She knew this was no ordinary computer. It had power, dangerous power. Before they could study it more, a voice echoed through the hall.

“Welcome.”

The three Sith turned at the same time. From a wide doorway at the far end of the room, a man stepped out. He was tall and thin, with sharp features. This wasn’t what caught their eyes however, it was his clothing. He wore what seemed to be half a military uniform, and half a noble robe. It was an odd combination, yet it matched with everything else around them.

He held no weapons, instead he walked towards them with open hands, his grey eyes cold, but somewhat welcoming. It was like he was greeting old friends.

Rath Oligard.

He smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ve been waiting for you, all three of you.” The trio took a moment to glance at each other, before turning their gaze back to Rath. “Shadow Lord, Nora Olen of Arcona, Tahiri Drakon Night-Thron. And the famous Alaris Jinn di Plagia. I see you all made it through my little tests… impressive.” He grinned.

Nora’s hand tightened on her lightsaber. Anger rose through her. This man had destroyed so much! He hurt Tahiri’s old clan, he had caused so much pain across the galaxy, and yet he stood there, calm and welcoming in front of them.

“You knew we were coming,” Nora said. She had her suspicions, but she wanted to confirm if they were true. “The clues, the easy trail, the traps… all of it was for us.”

Oligard gave a small laugh. He walked closer to them, but stopped near the AI core. He placed one hand on the glowing column, as if it was an old pet. Nora felt disgust rise in her throat. “Of course I knew. My AI system tracked your ships the moment you landed.” Nora turned to glance at Tahiri quickly, before turning back. “I have watched your every move since you entered my lands. The clues? I left them. The ambushes? Planned. Even the separate trials were a gift.” His smile was wide at this point. “I wanted you to see your own weaknesses before the end.”

Tahiri growled softly, and Zuska bared his teeth by her side. Alaris shifted his weight, ready to strike. Oligard raised his hand. “There is no need for violence yet. I will not run, I will not hide. This confrontation was always going to happen. The war has proven what I’ve always believed.”

He looked at each of them in turn. His voice grew stronger, full of belief. “Force users bring nothing but destruction. Look around you, look at the galaxy. Every time a Jedi or Sith appears, death seems to follow. Planets burn, families break apart, Clans rise and fall in pointless wars. Even your Dark Brotherhood, your precious Clans, they fight for power, for control. But what do you leave behind? Only ruins.”

Nora felt her anger burn hotter throughout her body. He was wrong, Nora thought to herself. Yet a tiny part of her thought back to her past. She remembered the betrayal of her own parents, the cruel training sessions with Alaris, and the endless battles in the Brotherhood. Maybe a little part of his statement was true… she stopped her thoughts right in their tracks, pushing the feelings down. No. The man in front of them was the enemy.

“You destroy lives too,” Nora said. “Your Collective attacks everyone, you killed members of Tahiri’s old clan. You spread war and pain just like the rest of us.”

Oligard shook his head. “No. I bring order.” He stated, trying to convince us. “My AI system does not feel hate or greed. They calculate, they protect normal people from beings like you!” Nora could sense he was starting to lose it. “The Force is a curse, it gives you power you don’t deserve. It twists your minds, it makes you think you’re gods… but you’re not. You are the disease! And this estate?” He laughed. “My home? My fortress? It will be the cure.”

He gestured around the grand hall. The trio followed his gaze, as he continued his rant. “This place once held my family, laughing children, warm dinners, now it holds the future. The AI core you see before you is the heart of everything. It learns, it adapts… and it already knows your fighting styles from the trial.” He smirked at that. “It will protect the galaxy from Force users long after I am gone.”

Nora glanced at Tahiri and Alaris. Although the tension between her and her old Master still sat heavy in the air, they stood united for now. They had bigger fish to fry.

The estate felt alive with danger and she knew traps could spring at any moment. As if listening to her thoughts, the AI core seemed to hum louder in response.

Nora gritted her teeth before she took a step forward. Her green eyes locked onto Oligard. “You talk a lot for a man who is about to die. We did not come here to listen to speeches. We came to end you.”

“My end is inevitable, there is no question in that regard,” Rath laughed.

“However, before that happens.” His gaze met Nora’s. “I have a proposition for you, Nora Olen.”

“What could you possibly offer me?”

“I can offer you political power that would rival whatever the shadowy Brotherhood would ever allow you to attain, and far beyond that of your parents intrigue.”

Nora wondered at the audacity that Oligard was spouting to her. Was he actually offering her, a Force User, a high political position with power? She considered it for a moment, it would be a chance to snub her parents.

Turning to Alaris, “And you, Alaris, can be on your way. She has no need of your guidance, when she’ll have someone who is not as selfish as you are.”

“Tahiri Tarentae, you were a follower of a now dead clan,” Rath didn’t even shift his body away from Nora and Alaris, sparing the Togruta a mere glance. “and you’ll always be a follower, whatever clan you may be a part of. As is the ways of your people, never any true vision of grandeur and glory.”

Nora and Alaris glanced at each, an ever so slight nod exchanged.

“Thank you, but I am perfectly content where I am,” she replied indignantly, straightening her stance. “I have all the power I want or need.”

“You can’t sway me, Oligard,” Alaris took a readying stance. “I know my faults and I know Nora doesn’t need me. But I’ll be there when she does.”

A deep growl resonated from deep within Tahiri chest, much deeper and more powerful then even Zuska could muster.

“You talk to me about being a follower,” The Elder stepped forward. “Yes, I am a follower, but if you think someone who follows her friends, family, and comrades into battle, simply a follower, then you’ve learned nothing about me.”

Her eyes flared, as her voice boomed slightly, “I’m not simply that. I’m a leader due to following those I believe in.” She came to stand next to her comrades. “It doesn’t matter what clan I’m in, I’m with my family and friends at all times, which more than I can say for you.”

Flashing that signature fanged smile with a devilish hint to it, she glanced to the Zelton and Twi’Lek, and nodded.

“We stand together.” Three voices rang out in unison as the trio’s lightsabers ignited.

“So be it.”

Tahiri went for the strike. She leapt across the chamber in an impressive gait, only to feel her lightsaber deflect off a ray shield. Her body careened off the invisible dome. She hit the ground hard and rolled before getting herself upright. Zuska rushed to her side in concern.

“Enjoy my friends, Sith.”

Oligard hit a button on his wrist and the entire chamber went into a shuttered lockdown. Every blast door slammed closed throughout the command center, turrets emerged from the walls and ceiling, and droids poured out of new openings. Blasterfire immediately erupted toward the Sith, and it was all Alaris could do to open his mind and co-ordinate their blades before all three were incinerated.

“The core! It’s the AI Core. Disabling or destroying it will shut everything down.”

Alaris leapt into the onslaught before the defenses could fully synchronize. Blaster fire rained down on him, but the beauteous weaving of Djem So allowed him to send shots into the nearest turret, blowing its internal tibanna reserves and blowing it into shrapnel. His eyes darted up to droids on the catwalks above. He extended an arm and the Force connected hard with a few of them, sending them careening to the durasteel wall.

Another volley of bolts nearly filled him with holes were it not for his former Apprentice. She slid into action taking up a guard next to Alaris and defending his flank. Without thought, they moved in tandem. Thought flowed between them and the Force guided the way. Alaris’s rash attacks were tempered by Nora’s precision; Nora’s dueling proficiency defended by Alaris’s stifling defense.

With Tahiri joining, they form a weaving triumvirate of violence, tearing through turrets and droids with efficiency.

“Nice of you to join us,” Nora said with playful sarcasm.

“I was calling in reinforcements.”

Alaris glanced at security screens for enough time to see Arconan 3rd Primus Legion fighting alongside the Ascendant Expeditionary Force. “That’s something I never expected to see in my lifetime.”

A hard blast to the chest pulled him from his moment of amusement. His mind instinctively covered his body in Force-induced body armor, knocking him to the ground instead of to the afterlife, whatever awaited. He landed hard on his back. Nora and Tahiri attempted to cover, but quickly realized that it would compromise their own position and they continued forward.

Alaris looked around for his lightsaber and couldn’t immediately find it. He expected to be melted in tibanna, but instead looked up into the eyes of a man much larger than him, Rath Oligard.

The huge man stared down Alaris and quickly began to charge. Oligard’s fists came flying down and it was all Alaris could do to keep himself from getting pummelled. He redirected arms and fists, drawing up on Sokan and his training to keep the larger man at bay. Rath threw knees, elbows, fists, anything to keep himself close to the Twi’lek and kept him on the defensive.

The Twi’lek slipped under Rath’s arm, directing Rath away from him, but the man was surprisingly deft. The Lord Superior spun and drove his shoulder into the Twi’lek’s chest, launching him to the bulkhead. Alaris stabilized himself just in time to watch a massive fist slam into where his head just was, leaving a handprint in the panel. Reacting quickly, Rath threw another fist into Alaris’s chest, but Alaris sensed it coming and jumped with the fist. He grabbed Rath’s wrist in his retreat and allowed the momentum to force Oligard past him.

Rath stumbled, but regained his footing and then turned to face Alaris. The two men stared each other down, both clearly worn but neither willing yield just yet. The larger man refused to let any time pass before he re-engaged. He threw a feint high before stepping into a knee strike. Alaris recognized the physical commitment before it occurred. He slipped inside Rath’s guard, grabbed his leg and with the help of the dark side threw Oligard crashing to the ground.

A brief glint in his eye caught the lightsaber teetering on the edge of a drop. Alaris reached out and the Force returned the blade to his hand like it had never left. The Twi’lek reignited the blade and was ready to move on Rath when he heard Nora call out to him.

“Alaris! The Core!”

The Sith Master sneered and turned his eyes up to the AI Core that now sat within reach.

The three of them moved as one. Nora and Alaris charged the glowing AI core as blaster fire rained down from the walls. They spun and slashed around each other, as if it were a dance.

It did feel natural for them both, getting back into the groove of their dynamic. Though neither would admit it out loud.

Finally, they cut through the last of the droids. Both pushed forward, as Nora reached the column first. She immediately drove her lightsaber deep into the heart of the machine.

Sparks flew around them, and soon red and blue lights flashed wildly. Emergency lights! This was it! The moment they were waiting for. Alaris struck the base, as Tahiri threw her dagger into the control screens.

The core screamed with noise, and lights started flickering across the whole estate. It seemed the systems and network were starting to fail, which was exactly what they wanted.

“No! You fools!” Oligard roared in rage. He launched one final, desperate attack. He charged straight towards Nora and Alaris, swinging his fists hard.

Nora easily blocked a heavy blow, before Alaris pushed him back. He was no match for the dynamic duo, especially since he fought like a cornered animal.

Just as they were about to attack back, suddenly everything went dark. Nora tried to grab ahold of him in the dark, but she couldn’t find him. It didn’t take long for the lights to come back up, and when it did, they noticed Oligard had broken free.

He ran towards the far side of the room. The exact side where Tahiri stood… alone in his path. The man who had destroyed her first Clan was now directly facing her and there was no one between them.

The rage, and pain boiled its way to the surface. As the man who had caused the death of her first Clan and so many of her friends, was coming straight to her. Her eyes were ablaze, instead of the yellow, her irises had red tinges to them. Her tiny statue radiated power.

Rath grinned maniacally as he ran toward the Togruta, confident he could just bowl her over and escape.

Tahiri dove into the Force, letting it envelope her entire being. Strengthened legs propelled her forward, meeting the man part way.

Rath cocked back his arm, ready to punch at the right moment. Till she vanished midstride. He never slowed, but he was ready for any tickle, any sign of where her attack was going to come from. He heard the signature snap hiss of a lightsaber, but it was above, and then behind him. Before he could dive forward, the Supreme Lord felt a sharp, burning pain in his right calf. Then he stumbled and fell to his knees.

Looking back, he first saw blood and he saw the bottom half of his leg further away from. He realized she had cut off his leg just below the knee.

“How was I not able to sense you, girl?” He roared as he turned over and tried to get up onto his one remaining leg.

A dagger flew at him from the left, he was able to raise his arm and deflect it away in time. He looked around and threw his arms out.

“Face me, you demon!” he screamed while on his knees.

“Demon?” Tahiri’s voice seemed to echo throughout the chamber. “Funny, as I’ve been a ghost since you bombarded and destroyed my second home.”

“Face me! You are nothing but a little girl, who knows nothing about what true loss is! Your clan was nothing but another cult of Force users that needed to be purged. Your escape was not significant to even matter. Any others of that dead clan, will be hunted down, as will members of all the Brotherhood clans.” He spat into the room, his eyes frantically searching.

The Togruta’s petite form shimmered into existence directly in front of him. She held her Purified Ascendant crystal dagger in her left, and her lightsaber hilt in her right. Her face was set in a grim expression, eyes ablaze, yet calm. Tilting her head, she slowly stalked forward, the Dark Side now emanating around her, almost tangible. Her Vornskr silently stalked in from the side, both moving in sync.

Igniting her crimson Rune saber blade, the hum was the only thing heard in the silent room, besides the heavy breathing from Oligard and the occasional sparks from the destroyed AI core.

“That dead clan, has a name,” she growled. “Tarentum. My second home that I gained after loosing half of my tribe and family to raiders on Shili. I only ventured from there to grow strong enough to protect them. And then you come and destroy the place I felt safe.”

She ran straight at him, only to veer to his left. Rath’s eyes followed Tahiri’s movements, but had to turn his attention to her beast who was right behind her and attacked the man straight on. He raised his right arm in time, gritting his teeth as the Vornskr’s jaws sank into his arm. Before he could follow where Tahiri had gone to, he heard the hum and then another burning sensation. This time in his left thigh. The saber cut clean through as a crimson and black blur whirled around him, before stopping just a meter away. Zuska let go and bounded away, licking his jaws of the fresh blood.

“I’ve seen people I loved die in my arms from the time I was 12 years old. Don’t you dare tell me I don’t know loss, Oligard!” Rath looked down, seeing the singed fabric and the cut, but not understanding the extent. Laughing he looked at her, “Such fancy moves, and yet I’m still standing.”

Flashing her fangs, she leapt forward and sent a flying kick aiming for the center of his chest. He managed to raise his arms in time to catch her foot, and absorb the impact. A grin spread across his face. “Wrong move, Togruta.”

“I’ve Adapted to every challenge set before me.” She used her other leg to jump up, while her foot connected with the side of his head, Zuska leapt onto the man as well, sinking his jaws into his shoulder. With the added weight, Oligard fell backwards onto his back, and the Elder slipped from his grasp.

“I have Ascended to a point of power to lead and protect those I love,” her saber ignited again and she sliced off his fist as he tried to attack Hadzuska.

“And I have Availed to be a loyal and trustworthy asset to my friends and the clans I’m a part of,” she issued a low whistle, to which her Vornskr immediately let go and backed off from Rath.

“Your machine may have shown my weaknesses, but that is only a part of me.” Rath howled in pain as he glanced over his dismembered body part. “I will rebuild myself, you can’t kill me!” he roared at her.

Tahiri’s grim expression changed, her frown slowly turning into a coy smile. Extinguishing her saber, she clipped it back in place on her belt. Stretching her hand out, she wove the Force around Oligard.

“The day Tarentum fell, it felt like you drove a dagger through my heart,”

He felt his body being lifted off the ground, her hand quivering slightly from the strain. But once he was up and at eye level with her, he tried to strike her, but her beast sprang forward and grabbed his good arm, pulling it down and away from his master.

Stepping forward, Tahiri raised her Ascendant dagger, ready to stike him.

“Now I’m going to rip yours out, and burn it. Arcona Invicta,” she roared as she drove the blade straight into his chest, slipping perfectly between his ribs right near his heart. Leaving the dagger there in his chest, Tahiri stepped back and extended her other hand. The dagger started to move across his chest, slowly slicing through until it stopped at his sternum.

She then turned her hands, placing them back to back and made a motion similar to her trying to open up a clothes trunk. Instead his chest slowly opened, his upper torso being pulled upwards, while the lower part was pulled down. Bones, sinew and muscle made sickening wet ripping cracks and squelches, like that of fruit and sticks being broken. Oligard’s screams gurgled and sputtered. Once his chest was open and dagger had fallen out, Tahiri dropped Rath to the floor. Stepping forward, she called the dagger to her hand and she leaned down over him, carving his heart out.

Rath made one last attempt, grabbing her arm as she pulled his heart free. Watching as the light slowly began to fade from his eyes, electricity enveloped her hand, the smell of burnt flesh rose into the air. The last thing he saw was the her holding his beating heart, and burning it with lightning till the last beat.

Backing away from the now mutilated and dismembered body of Rath Oligard, still holding the heart, Tahiri finally took a deep breath. Swaying slightly, she kept her footing, but she knew she’d dipped almost too far into the river of the Force around her. Taking a plastic bag from the messenger bag on her back, Tahiri quickly put the heart in it. Then turning to Nora and Alaris, she tiredly flashed her cheerful fanged smile.

“Well, that’s done and over with. Shall we destroy this place and meet the reinforcements outside?”

Nora and Alaris glanced at each other, and then nodded to Tahiri.

“Yes, let’s get out of here,” Nora started for the exit.

“And report that Oligard is dead,” Alaris added.

“That will add to the moral, but we haven’t won this war yet,” Tahiri tapped a few buttons on her wrist commlink. “I’ll call Max to bring the ship over to pick us up.”

Opening the channel, “Max, bring the ship around to the main estate building. Come pick us all up.”