Obsidian Night (Caltin, Ala, Sarn)

Mikal Sarn · #1 07-27-2010, 01:20 AM

Coruscant

"Millenium Fox to Pliada sector flight control, request docking permission."

Sarn smiled as his doctored flight registry was accepted and the automated docking procedure forwarded to him. There were roughly 4000 YT series freighters utilizing some form of take off on the famous moniker of the most famous of YT craft, that it was child's play to get yet another one accepted in airspace as crowded as Coruscant.

Banking the ancient YT1000, the newly minted Darth Shadeous found his docking berth. Exiting his craft, he typed in the command for just some of the surprises he held in mind.

Strolling the racks of docking berths, Mikal soon found what he was looking for, the security station. Pulling his cloak tight, he stepped up and tapped on the door. Letting his senses roam, he felt two beings inside. As the door slid aside, his two sai flew, propelled by the Force. Both guards were dead before the door closed. Stepping in, Sarn recalled both weapons to hand, and stepped to holocam recorder, smiling.

Paladan Suites

Qin Ni-Salla rode the skyway's moving sidewalk on his way home. Soon he could relax in the humid vapors of his home, away from the arrid world of Coruscant that so chaffed his skin. Tomorrow he would deal with the budgetary deadline, but tonight was all about a soak and the aged bottle of Jin-Jin waiting on him at home.

With an audible sigh, the mon cal director of the Organa Institute of Healing stepped in his apartment. Closing the doors, he reached a flipper to turn on the lights. Nothing happened.

"Oh, now what?"

Certainly the building wasn't experiencing power failure on top of everything else he'd been through today. Then he noticed a single red orb that seemed to hover approximately head height.

Fear seized the director as gravity, itself, seemed to betray him. Tossed into a wall, the director was unable to talk from the weight that seemed to come from nowhere and lay on his chest. But nothing compared to the voice.

Greetings Director Ni-Salla. I do not believe we have met. My name is Darth Shadeous, I am here to speak to you on behalf of a former patient of yours....Nalla Quinn.

It was at the same moment that the mon calamari's bladder failed him that Mikal Sarn realized something he'd never stopped to consider before. With the Force he could sense emotions, danger, and the course of a blaster bolt. But at this moment, he could sense the sweetest of all sensations...fear. A shiver of anticipation ran through the Sith Knight.

"I.....I'll pay....please."

The last was said as a ruby red shaft of light illuminated the apartment and the demon standing before him.

I don't want your credits. SHE DIDN'T WANT YOUR CREDITS!

And Sarn seemed to just be there, a wicked, wicked smile on his lips as he caressed his victims face. Closing his eye, he breathed in the fear that permeated the air around the mon calamari.

Oh no...this....this is so much better than credits.

Stepping back, he seemed to take in the director.

You see, I'm something of a throw back. The old ways are certainly better, in my opinion.

The lightsaber came within inches of the mon calamari's left eye. The bulging orb followed it's path as it moved down.

Have you ever heard of the death of a thousand cuts? No?

The saber danced over Ni-Salla's chest, still not quite touching.

It was a form of ancient execution from many civilizations, whereby the victim was cut over and over again, until they eventually bleed to death.

Sarn held his lightsaber up in a near salute, lighting his face so that Ni-Salla could see the demented, one eyed smile.

But lightsaber wounds don't bleed....

Ni-Salla yelled at the first cut.....Darth Shadeous sighed in near rapture at this new found form of release.

Yavin VIII-Students of the Light Temple-2 Days later

An incoming message arrived for Ala Quin. Obviously sent from a public holonet terminal in the Pliada Sector on Coruscant, the message contained no audio or text, just a brief clip from what appeared to be a security holo of a ship sitting on a padd and a dark robed figure emerging.

Attached was a security force report of two dead guards at a spaceport, at the time the report was filed there were no witnesses and all holorecordings had been removed from the murdered guards terminal.

Also attached was a seperate news report of the murder of Qin Ni-Salla. The former Director of the Organa Institute of Healing had been found tortured, his body featuring multiple burns that an unnamed source speculated were made from "some type of industrial cutting instrument." The only lead was an odd piece of volcanic rock that appeared to be the actual murder weapon that was left impaled in the body.

Ala Quin · #2 07-27-2010, 02:08 AM

It was a sunny day on Yavin VIII. You could almost see the snow covering threaten to start melting. Surely, there was no grass beneath it, but the very thought of the ground getting a chance to see sunlight must have been a thrill. Animals could be seen in the the forest off in the distance, and the steady ebb of new recruits to the Jedi Order had slowed enough for people to get a chance to actually breath.

There was a young Jedi, a girl, and she was very happy. She had just finished talking to the man that she was pretty sure she was in love with. Training was about to start a few minutes from now, and she was looking forward to her spar. There was an excitement in each step that she took that said more than all the words that could possibly come out of her mouth. It was for all these reasons, that no one expected what happened next. For just moments after this girl walked into her room, she came running out of it with concern etched into her features. She was running. And, apparently there was only one person that could help her at this very moment.

"CAAAAAALTIN!!!!!!!"

***

"What do you think it means?" Queried the young girl after a few moments having calmed down and gathered wits a little more.

"I can't think who it would be from," she said to her brother, who seemed to be as concerned as always about Ala.

Caltin Vanagor · #3 07-27-2010, 11:22 AM

Hold on, hold on... calm down.

The massive Jedi was awoken with a startle as his 'little sister' came running in. Trying to be calming, even emanating an aura of peace, Caltin looked over the message. There was something that was familiar about this, something sinister, something... cowardly. However he couldn't pinpoint exactly where this was from.

Shall we follow this lead where it takes us?

Ala Quin · #4 07-27-2010, 04:23 PM

The peaceful feeling in the room had helped Ala to calm, and slow in her pacing. Her hands were wrung, but not quite so harshly. This seemed the sort of thing that all Jedi should take up and run to save these people, but it also was glaringly obvious that it was a trap.

"Seems like it is a trap," she mumbled, "but what choice do we have...we know someone has killed, and will likely kill again...we can't just sit back and let it happen, can we?"

Caltin Vanagor · #5 07-27-2010, 09:59 PM

No, we can't.

Splashing some water on his face, Caltin looked out the window. There was a difference to this, something that was truly evil. The last time he followed something like this, he barely escaped with his life. This time... no this time would be different.

He had Ala to consider.

Let me contact my students, and then I'll be ready to go.

Mikal Sarn · #6 07-27-2010, 10:45 PM

Coruscant

Over the past 15 hours, 3 more bodies have been recovered, all covered in small burns, none penetrating deeper than the inner epidermis of the victims, allowing for long term suffering and torture. Each of the victims had been stabbed exactly once with what the medical examiner was describing as "....an appxomately 12.7 cm long piece of mineral identified as obsidian." The ancient style blades have all been found lodged through the chest cavity and into the lungs of the victim. Death in each case has been the result of a combination of hemopneumothorax and shock....

Laying down the data pad containing the memo the Security Forces investigative sergant had sent to his supperiors, Sarn smiled. Obviously, the good sergant thought they had a common serial killer running amok. Little did he know how wrong he was.

Soon Darth Shadeous would finish his mission as simply as he had hacked into the Coruscant Security Forces computer system. Nothing could stop him. There was only one component left.

His smile widened when the door to the living quarters he had been sitting in for the past 2 hours slid open. As soon as Pal Qulla, head nurse at the Organa Institute of Healing stepped into her home, he reached into the Force, slamming the door shut and holding it that way.

Welcome home, Pal Qulla. I would like to discuss a former patient of yours....

Ala Quin · #7 07-28-2010, 12:20 AM

***SPACE ABOVE CORUSCANT***

Looking out over the city-planet of Coruscant brought back memories a plenty to the young apprentice Jedi. She had seen this same sight a number of months earlier, and then had descended into a couple of weeks of high adventure and new experiences. This time, she hoped that the new experiences would be kept to a minimum, and certain old experiences would remain unvisited. Adventure was no longer something she craved, just peace.

All seemed easier with Caltin around, she knew that he would give his life it meant saving Ala's life, not that she would ever dream of wanting that to happen. Still, it was comforting to know that she was with someone more experienced and more powerful than she. She glanced over at the man that now piloted the vessel and smiled. What would life be like without Caltin Vanagor? Too bad to imagine, no doubt.

"So...how do we work this?"

Caltin Vanagor · #8 07-28-2010, 11:17 AM

We start where the murders occurred and work our way from there.

Sure, it seemed simplistic and they would probably find little to nothing at this point however there was more to this idea. The thought of two Jedi investigating a crime scene would bring out the Coruscant Guard, it would make news. It would also notify whoever was responsible that someone was on the trail, sure, but whoever sent Ala that message wanted them to be here. This was obviously a set up, but it will go down on the Jedi's terms and no one else's.

Setting the controls and going in for landing, Caltin just patted the seat next to him for Ala to take a seat.

We're going to be okay... remember... I'm from here and know people. Whoever set this up doesn't have that advantage.

Mikal Sarn · #9 07-29-2010, 10:29 AM

Pedik Building, Level 83, overlooking the Organa Institute of Healing

Everything was in place. Soon Ala would be here, and with any luck she would bring her "brother". Standing in the alcove of the balcony, Darth Shadeous peered down at the spot of his downfall, the building that represented everything rotten and repellant in the galaxy that he had vowed to excise.

Turning he looked down at the quivering woman at his feet and shivered with expectation from the fear and pain radiating off of her.

Now, Ms. Qulla, I'm going to be in need of your assistance once more. I need a retinal scan.

With a smile, he pulled out a blade as the Force crushed her to the ground and pressed the gag in further, cutting off her screams.

Ala Quin · #10 07-29-2010, 05:45 PM

Ala walked alongside Caltin. The boardwalk on the way to the Pedik building was extremely quiet. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that there had been a murder or two in relation to this institution. It was the local law enforcement that had been scratching their heads and wondering if they had a serial killer on their hands. Rumours like that would spook anyone that worked about these parts.

She let her eyes look up over the building, and its full height. Glancing back to Caltin she frowned. "Why would someone want us here?" She said before looking back and seeing the name of the organization that occupied the building, "Organa...Institute...of Healing...Caltin this is where my mother was!"

Her mind flooded with memories now that the name of the place was entrenched in her mind. She saw flashes of images that were transfered from her mothers mind to her own when they were connected. This was the place she had lived for years, Ala's whole life, and this was the place that she had been taken from just before she died. The young Apprentice was in full flight running towards the building, towards any possibility of getting some information about her late mother. About ten meters out from the main entrance she stopped suddenly, and turned about in a flash. Her eyes fell on Caltin with concern and she uttered just one word.

"Sarn."

Caltin Vanagor · #11 07-29-2010, 09:45 PM

The boardwalk was quiet, Caltin didn't notice the people who were talking and worrying about the murders. Caltin wasn't paying attention to them, he was watching those who thought he didn't see them. This was Caltin's homeworld after all and though he was away for a long time, the massive Jedi knew this world like the back of his hand.

Following the Force they ran into the building; then Ala was literally running, she didn't know what Caltin had just learned.

ALA WAIT!

Taking off running after her, Caltin didn't care about why she was running there, he needed to stop her. He knew what was wrong and had to stop suddenly as she did. Yes, the Sith known as Mikal Sarn was in the building; he was stronger than last time they had faced, stronger than Ala.

Ala, stay behind me. I want you to focus on the safety of anyone innocent in there, okay?

Ala Quin · #12 07-29-2010, 10:00 PM

The mistakes of her past would not be repeated. This would be done with others, with help. She would follow, rather than try leading. She would do what she was told, rather than running ahead and assuming control over her future. She would trust that Caltin knew better what to do. After all, this was his homeworld.

"Yes...finding information about my mother is second to that...I understand...you are right," she said whilst going through a number of calming exercises to bring her emotions into line. It was working far better than previous times when she had to deal with things relating to Sarn. He would not control her with his wiles.

She opened the door that led to the main entrance of the building. The entire foyer was encompassed by walls of glass that gave an openness and an accessibility to place. There was a desk at the far wall where a droid permanently sat in as the buildings secretary, and first line of security. With a sweep of her hand, Ala offered Caltin the lead.

"The front door?"

Caltin Vanagor · #13 07-29-2010, 10:50 PM

Don't just acquiesce. Be confident in yourself, you're my lookout after all. You have the hard part, keeping everyone ELSE safe.

With a wink, he walked a step in front of her, not to force Ala to be behind him, but to let her focus on the task. Walking into the building and looking around the massive Jedi looked around. Walking towards one of the escalators, he saw a security guard... what was left of one.

This is going to get worse before it gets better.

Mikal Sarn · #14 07-30-2010, 10:51 PM

15 minutes ago.

"Sir...ummm...this is an employee's only area I'm af....umpff..."

Sarn shivered in ecstasy at the dying woman's pain, wiping the blade off on her uniform and returning it to a wrist sheath before her already cooling body hit the floor.

Looking up at the buildings electronic control board, he withdrew his lightsaber.

12 minutes ago.

Screams echoed down the hall as a black blur moved down the hallway faster than most eyes could follow. Wounds seemed to just appear on the hapless victims, as occasional bursts of red light flashed out in a hum.

11 minutes ago.

"Stay calm. I have secured the door and certainly the appropriate authorities shall be here post haste."

The silver protocol/nursing droid waved it's arms in helplessness at the assembled staff and patients in the dining hall.

Silence grasped the group as the whisk of a door opening was heard.

"Of, thank the maker. A Jedi!"

Darth Shadeous smiled from under his dark cowl.

Not quite.

As the door closed behind him, a passerby could hear a snap hiss sound...just before the screaming started.

8 minutes ago.

The human formally known as Mikal Sarn stood in an alcove, overlooking the arboreum where he had first rescued Nalla mere months ago. All was in readiness. The alarms were disabled, his surpises in place, and his greating to Ala laid at the door. Soon...soon he would hold her in his arms again.

Flipping out a comlink, he keyed the device.

Bring in the box.

Ala Quin · #15 08-01-2010, 12:20 AM

The droid in the front entrance was going about things in a way that was somewhat normal for it. Still, there was an air about the place that was quite honestly spooky. It sent a shiver down Ala's spine. A spine that she was determined to show was more rigid, and tough than it had been in the past. She was a Jedi...she was peace...she was calm.

Don't acquiesce, the words played in her mind as a lesson that had finally been taught in a way that she felt she could remember easily. Two simple words.

She would not. She would stand for her beliefs, and if necessary fight for them. If indeed Sarn was present, she would find him and prevent anymore deaths. She would work in tandem with Caltin to bring down the Sith that had caused so much fuss in her life, and in the lives of others.

She rounded a corner, and all question was put out of her mind. Sarn was here. Written in the blood of his victims, and with the head of one as its centerpiece, the words were as plain as the disgust on Ala's face.

WELCOME JEDI.

Ala recoiled in disgust just a little, and she turned to Caltin with a look of ill feeling. "This man has become a monster...more so than ever before..."