In the distant reaches of the outer rim, a multitude of battle ships were amassing in deep space. The Sith Empire had just recently returned from their long exile, and had retaken their home world of Korriban from the Republic. This Fleet of corsair-like battleships were the property of a newly appointed Dark Lord, his name; Darth Xerophyte. These battleships were of his own design as he had a very creative and near ingenious intellect, thus improving his status among his fellow Sith. This also however made him new rivals as well due to his constant praise received by the Dark Council, and on a rare occasion, the Emperor himself. Utilizing his talents, he took his armada further into the rim in attempts to counter the tireless Republic forces that would eventually try to repel them back into deep space. He gazed through the windows aboard his Warship, The Immaculate Wyvern and observed the blackness of space. He stood fairly tall, in his dim black armor, his face pale white and his eyes brandishing the corruption of a dark will lingering within all Sith. He had a look of anger and misery written on his face,as he stood it was at attention with his hands folded behind his back. The crew like mindless drones enthralled in their work, obligated to do their Lord's will or suffer the consequences. Lord Xerophtye then detected a strange presence, his senses went dull at this sensation, it made him lose his cold composure, yet not that anyone but himself could notice. In his travels he had gotten word of a powerful young Jedi Knight called, Orielle Pitara who was quickly rising through her ranks as well. Her skill was quite formidable in the ways of the force, as well as her cunning and keen intellect, which enabled her to formulate battle strategies that had won her several large scale victories. Undoubtedly she was one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, with the potential to make great change in the war against the Republic.
Darth Xerophyte retreated to his quarters relaying a message to his Grand Moff, Dracen Vorg to update him of any immediate changes. As he made his way, each of his personnel stops turning to face him, bowing in fear as well as respect. Standing before the elevator doors, he detects that presence once again, this time it is more noticeable, as if he were right beside it. He peered down for a moment unsure of the reasoning for this peculiar event, then brushed it off as a sign of fatigue as he proceeded onto the elevator. As he emerged, he continued down the long maze like corridor in a steady pace, all who saw him made way and bowed before him, then proceeded with whatever tasks they were assigned. He finally came to his personal quarters, inside it was modeled after his meditative room at his estate on the home world, Dromund Kaas. He walked in slowly, listening for the air locking mechanism as the door slammed behind him. A brief wave of relief comes over him as he lets out a sigh, followed by a scoff, his facial expression one of frustration. He walks further into the room and activates a nearby console, which reveals a large information storage bank and screen. The weight of his armor was beginning to increase his uneasiness, so he removed it carefully placing it in it's compact compartment. He then stretched a bit and flexed his shoulders and arms while heading back to his data bank. With a look of reluctance on his weary face, he sits down in the chair before him and begins to input several keys, accessing dozens of files that appear simultaneously. As he went through numerous files within seconds, he felt that ethereal presence once more, this time as if he could hear a voice just behind him. He looked back nervously, the possibility of one of his rivals sending assassins after him was great, yet he saw nor sensed anyone within the room. He did not ignore it this time, the force was trying to reveal something to him, and he knew it had to do with this presence he sensed, but before he could seek it out he had to engage Jedi Knight Orielle Pitara.
In his search for the Jedi, he had come across various planets and Jedi Knights who had fallen or were unaccounted for. The data files with the sensitive information on it verified that he had agents working undercover within the Republic network. He continued effortlessly imputing key after key as the files on screen overlapped the previous ones. Finally he stops as he finds information on Orielle Pitara, the potential prodigy of the Jedi Order. The file on her is very low in detail as she was considered a top priority in Republic intelligence, otherwise her information would have been accessed. Xerophyte sat back and sulked at the useless data which his agents had come up with on her, he knew so little about her and this began to fuel his rage. He had it in his mind to unleash his fury upon the agent responsible for this incompetence, yet before he made any final decision Moff Vorg sent him a message. "Pardon the intrusion my Lord. Our long range scanners have picked up several type-2 Republic battle cruisers orbiting the planet, Felucia." He said professionally. Xerophyte leaned forward in his chair then glanced at the intercom before replying back to the Moff. "Prepare to engage." He told him in a low raspy voice. After receiving the Moff's message he rose to his feet, imputing commands on his data bank as it returned to its compartment. He headed for his armor and removed it from its own mantle, placing it on with a quickened pace. His face became serious as battle would soon be upon them, the demeanor he had exhibited changed completely, his focus tuned on the coming assault. He proceeded to the bridge, the ship had been put on red alert as the sound echoed throughout the corridor which he had came. The computerized voice repeating that all personnel report to their battle stations immediately as he walked quickly down the corridor. In the heat of the chaos Xerophyte felt the presence which had haunted him during this endeavor, yet in this instant the weight he was experiencing could now be discerned that the presence was growing closer. He quickly overcame this sensation then made his way to the bridge.
On the bridge Moff Vorg was issuing orders to the crew, every statement that came from his mouth was calculated and tactful, as he often punched in a few calibrations on a nearby console himself. The entire fleet was en route to the planet's orbit of Felucia, traveling at light-speed to hasten their approach. Lord Xerophyte entered the bridge to find his crew buzzing with activity, yet due to their being nearly prepared they stood at attention bowing as he walked by. "Moff Vorg, status report." He said while peering out into the gleaming light. Moff Vorg completely consumed with the task at hand, stopped abruptly and faced his Lord bowing before him lightly. "We will arrive at Felucia in exactly five minutes Lord. All ships are prepped and ready to begin the attack on your command." He informed him. He gave Moff Vorg a nod then waited patiently for them to emerge from hyperspace. The Republic battle cruisers could not detect Xerophyte's impressive armada in time to prepare themselves against the assault, as they emerged firing turbo lasers and heavy ordinance. Taken completely by surprise the Republic fleet went on the defensive, attempting to hold off against the massive onslaught of Lord Xerophyte's armada. As the assault continued one of the enemy battle cruisers was destroyed, the Republic fleet knowing they were outmatched tried to leave the planets orbit. Within moments the enemy fleet was abandoning their vessels down to the planet below, in hopes of increasing their escape from Lord Xerophyte's ruthless attack. Moff Vorg then gave the order to finish off the remaining battle cruisers still lingering in orbit, they were easily dispatched by the armada's superior firepower. Lord Xerophyte watched on as the battle progressed, his stare cold and calculated knowing that his victory was already predetermined as the shuttles from the Republic forces traveled to Felucia. With a heavy sigh, he glanced toward Moff Vorg for a moment signaling him to prepare their forces to give chase.
A small yet highly trained squadron of Imperial Shock troopers were the first to launch down into the atmosphere. Lord Xerophyte, still watching from his command bridge, folded his arms and awaited word from his troops on their engaging the enemy. A powerful pulse comes over him, the intense presence that had irked him before had become more insatiable as it tormented his senses. He felt the presence growing closer than before, as if it were within his immediate vicinity and he could spot it if it stood out. He did not let this phase his composure however, nor would he allow his crew to see him in such a pitiful state, so he endured and searched using his senses. After a few brief moments, the presence could be felt fading away, as he tried to keep up with its movements. A faint trace of it could now be felt on the planet below, it felt as if it were calling to him in a ethereal hymn. His eyes were fixed on the planet now, his gaze that of a person captivated by an otherworldly beauty beyond comparison. "Moff Vorg. Prepare my shuttle for immediate take off." He said facing ahead. Moff Vorg did not question the orders, he simply nodded and made the preparations as requested of him. Xerophyte knew that the presence that tormented him would be found on the planet below, and along with his enemies he would strike them down in one fell blow.
The trip down to the planet was quick, the entrance into the atmosphere was mildly turbulent, yet the Imperials within were no strangers to this form of entry. Lord Xerophyte took his personal one manned shuttle down to the planets surface along with his escort who had been a few minutes ahead of him. Finally landing on the surface, Lord Xerophyte's personal guard exited their shuttle and made a 360 degree perimeter securing the area. Lord Xerophyte touched down and wasted no time getting off his shuttle and staring into the bulbous vegetation of the planet Felucia. He stood hooded and cloaked donning a brilliant black cape that draped over his entire body, hiding his lightsaber underneath. After a few moments of scanning, a large explosion and a barrage of blaster fire was heard in the distance. Xerophyte waved his hand forward as his escort made their way ahead of him towards the battlefield. As they walked through the bulbous mushroom-like trees, they noticed a strange screech wailing a few hundred meters to the east of their position. It then was heard near the battlefield were the small squadron had engaged the stranded Republic forces. He gave his guard the signal for proceeding with caution as they slowly crept toward their destination. A noise of raucous feet could be heard approaching them from seemingly all sides. One of the guards became unusually nervous and fired his blaster at a nearby plant, mistaking it for an enemy. In that instant three vicious Acklay appeared, one of the savage beasts slashed one of the guards with its scythe killing him instantly. In a matter of moments Lord Xerophyte's guards were scattered, while the rest were being slaughtered. Xerophyte himself stood at the center of the massacre, his composure calm, not being consumed by the chaos of battle. The Acklay now turned their attention back on Xerophyte, their hunger not yet sated by the guards they managed to slay, had crept closer slowly drawing in for the kill. The Sith Lord threw back his cape over his right shoulder and drew his lightsaber, taking the Shien-Form style of lightsaber combat preparing to make his stand against the beasts. His eyes glowed with the fiery-yellow hatred of a full Dark sided Sith, as he peered ahead at the Acklay that approached in front of him. The remaining two had circled him so he had no where to escape should he have chosen to run. The beasts were cautious as if they could sense that Xerophyte was much more of a threat than the previous victims. Xerophyte took a solid stance, without budging his body much yet sinking his feet into the ground, an aura of red shroud seem to permeate from within him. "Come." He said challenging the beasts. The Acklay as if understanding what he had said charged from all sides, their scythes extended, their mouths drooling ready to savor the kill, while Xerophyte remained still. Within seconds of contact between himself and the Acklay Lord Xerophyte leaped several feet into the air, landing on the Acklay ahead of him piercing his saber in its back. While still on top of the beast, he quickly quarter-turned removing his saber throwing it like a boomerang with deadly accuracy beheading both of the creatures. His saber returning to him with use of the force, he flipped off the back of the first Acklay which was only wounded. With a horrid glare the beast began to suffocate under Xerophyte's gaze, and in a matter of seconds, it too was dead. He looked on at the beasts and scoffed digging his boot heels into one before proceeding to the battle ahead.
Thunder raged explosions could be felt by the battle between the surviving Republic forces and the Imperials who vastly outnumbered them. The Republic fought valiantly against their pursuers, not wavering from the impossible odds they faced. Instead they were rallied by their leader and Jedi Knight, Orielle Pitara. She was a massive inspiration for her troops as she fought on the front lines next to them, her skill in battle phenomenal. The gentle humming of her lightsaber could be heard throughout the battle as she was the only Jedi to survive the ambush that the Imperials had launched against them in space. The numbers however still proved too great, as they slowly began being pushed back, troopers falling under the relentless bombardment of firepower. Orielle watched from in her own close quarters battle from afar as they fell under the assault. In her second wind from the ceaseless battle she force ran through numerous Imperial troops to the fall back line, regrouping with her Captain. "Master Pitara! We are being pushed back! Our numbers are dwindling by the minute!!" He shouted through the blaster fire. Orielle looked at him, her eyes squinted from a nearby explosion which nearly knocked them to the ground. She laid on the ground for a moment rattled by the shock wave, her ears were ringing and her eyes were a bit blurry. The Captain stumbled over to her, lifting her to her feet, he looked at her for a moment to see if she was alright before barking at some of his troops to cover their flank. "Listen to me Master Pitara!! You have to get outta here!! There is a shuttle that is outfitted for long distance space travel!! You must take it and escape, your too important for the Republic to lose!!" He roared bringing her back to her senses. She finally came to looking at the captain, and began shaking her head at the idea of abandoning her troops. The Captain saw that she was still a bit shook up and ordered two of his troops to escort her to the shuttle before she had time to disagree. As she was dragged off another massive explosion could be felt and heard, as the Imperial troopers closed in on the remaining Republic forces. The two troops dragging Orielle, were out of the open area of the battle and back into the thick bush of the wilderness of Felucia. They continued onward, not stopping for fear of being caught, their determination driving them to ensure the Jedi's escape who was half conscious. Now over four miles away the pair began to turn their attentions to the wildlife of Felucia who preyed on the unsuspecting. One of the pair was wounded and flopped over for a moment, his armor had a blaster bolt which pierced through his shoulder. His partner stopped, he himself exhausted between fighting and trying to save Orielle, had slowly walked a few meters to the other trooper. Thinking it best to attend to the wound now as he needed a hand, the trooper began to field dress the wound as quickly and quietly as he could. During this duration the trooper heard a rustling in a nearby brush. He immediately turned aiming down his sights at whatever may be lurking nearby. The trooper faced the direction of the noise, his nerves were rattled as he slowly crept closer to investigate. He leaped into the brush and found nothing. He scanned around the area for a few moments before lowering his guard preparing to return to his fellow trooper and Orielle. A humming noise hissed behind him as he turned in panic firing aimlessly, leaving nothing more than a wisp of smoke in the aftermath. As he searched for the strange noise, a sudden streak of pain began to overwhelm him, as he felt much lighter. He peered down to see his hands on the soft earth beneath him, the shock beginning to set in. He couldn't make a sound for the pain had not yet reached his nervous system. As he turned to face his fellow trooper, he saw him lying dead before a tall black-hooded figure brandishing a black-red lightsaber, lingering over Orielle. His body soon went numb, then after a few moments he finally collapsed to the ground, his last sight, the figure hovering over Orielle.
Xerophyte carefully observed the half conscious Jedi, her frame seemed to captivate him. Her face was quite beautiful, one of the first things he noticed, yet he could not understand why he saw such a thing in his enemy. He watched her as she laid there defenseless against him or any threat nearby, his gaze one of concern and murderous intent. Still half conscious from the powerful shock wave she suffered earlier, her body stirred at bit at his presence. And then a sudden flash overcame Xerophyte as he was taken to what appeared to be another location. The surround was vibrant with color and purple lining, the environment welcoming, serene and peaceful. He saw Orielle standing in a glamorous white gown, her hair flowing down her back some of it caught in the pleasant breeze. That moment seemed to last forever as he could not take his eyes off of her, the burning hatred in his heart replaced by a new found beating. Then as if she had sensed him, she turned facing in his direction smiling warmly, beckoning him to come to her. His feet began moving on their own, yet he did not try to resist either. He stood before her, their faces barely touching as Orielle smiled once more at him, his own smile coming to the surface. Her touch tantalized him, turning his will to dust, no longer able to think rationally. She closed her eyes and leaned in attempting to kiss him, his heart now racing began to stop at this scene as the vision ended. An Acklay screeched wildly catching Xerophyte off guard striking him viciously sending him flying several feet away from Orielle. The Acklay then screeched in what seemed like a victory cry, its gaze quickly turning towards Orielle. Xerophyte's helm had been servilely damaged, yet it absorbed most of the damage stunning him temporarily. The beast scurried over to Orielle and drew back both of its scythe's ready to pounce them into the downed Jedi. As his helm shattered to pieces from the blow, he sensed the immediate danger Orielle was in, instinctively he flew the entire distance thrown back before Orielle. The Acklay launching its attack was paralyzed by the Sith Lord, then Xerophyte skillfully dismembered the beasts scythe legs while finishing it with a jugular slash. He let out a pant briefly, his guard barely ever down as the vivid vision still lingered partially in his mind. Holstering his lightsaber he turned to face Orielle who was still out cold, he looked at her with his surprisingly handsome and non-corrupted facial features save for his eyes. His black onyx hair barely extending past his shoulder, small fragments of his helm seemingly stuck to his armor. A sudden urge came over him, as he looked upon her once more, here was one of the Jedi Order's most promising Jedi laid before him at his mercy. If he ended her now, their strength would be dealt a devastating blow and the Empire much stronger for it. He slowly lowered his hand towards his lightsaber, trying to disregard the vivid visions he had seen prior, ready to deliver the final blow. A momentary breeze hit his face, as the tormenting presence which had drawn him down to the planet, wracked his body like a shock wave of pure adrenaline. Her's was the presence he had sensed, the reason he had came down here personally, he quickly lowered his weapon. Once more he holstered his weapon, confused at this situation, so many thoughts racing through his mind. He then heard his troops mopping up the last of the Republic offensive, then without any reluctance he picked up Orielle and ran through the wilderness with her. As he came to an opening, leading into a partial ravine, he caught glimpse of a shuttle which seemed to be ready to take off. As he approached he was surrounded by several Republic troopers who were surprised that he had Orielle. He slowly walked with them as they trailed their weapons on him, escorting him closer to the officer in charge. Orielle began to stir as if she would awake soon, her vision dazed and blurry, she caught an image of his face, her eyes blinking a few times before closing them again. Xerophyte stood before the officer who like his troops were astounded at the sighting of a Sith carrying a Jedi. "You will take her with you. You will leave the system back to Republic space. You shall have no memory of this event." He said to the remaining troops and officer. They nodded lowering their weapons, two troops took Orielle from him. As he watched her, his heart began to beat again violently, and he began to ponder what this connection they shared meant, as well as if she too had felt his presence from afar. He stayed to ensure that she had taken off, while he backed away from the exhaust of the shuttle, squinting his eyes. He looked on with a bit of sadness at her parting, his heart becoming quiet now. Then he sensed a large mass of Acklay approaching his location, as if they were drawn to his very presence. Surrounded by over thirty of the beasts, he smirked with a scoff, taking his offensive Shien-form preparing to fight them. "Hmph. Why even try?" He grinned sinisterly, his eyes glowing red. The screeching Acklay attacked head on, while Lord Xerophyte leaped into the air as if reaching for Orielle's shuttle then diving back into the thick of the horde.
No comments:
Post a Comment