2008-01-07 - Duel for Gean's Destiny

Kraikynn Prime: The Tyrrel Building - Private Landing Pad
This is a large balcony; massive enough to hold ships. Its floor is made of black durasteel blocks which reflect the center of the vortex of smog which rotates not far above. The ruined desert landscape is visible from here, extending in all directions, marred by the broken and decayed skyscrapers of a vanished civilization.
A massive shield generator is also here, humming with energy.
<FONT color="#FBB917">COMSYS:</FONT> From Ancalagon, A cool, oily male voice says, "Any survivors down there...?"
<FONT color="#FBB917">COMSYS:</FONT> (all channels) Tuil says, "Mayday, mayday... <static>"
<FONT color="#FBB917">COMSYS:</FONT> From Ancalagon, A cool, oily male voice says, "Who is this? Jedi or passenger?"
<FONT color="#FBB917">COMSYS:</FONT> Tuil says, "Come and find out if you have a mind to."
<FONT color="#FBB917">COMSYS:</FONT> From Ancalagon, A cool, oily male voice says, "That is answer enough. See you soon..."
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You reach out with the Force and feel...A powerful kindred spirt nearby.
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You reach out with the Force and feel nothing out of the ordinary about Vaal Hirah.
What dim light makes it through the smoggy haze casts a strange glow upon the black floor of the landing pad, and chasing away the shadows that nevertheless cling and pool to the edges of the entrance. But even they cannot hide the approach of a tall figure entirely; from the arched hallway steps a fellow in full armour.
A visored helm masks his face from view, and surely marrs his own vision, but he does not seem to falter in his stride -- confidently does he walk. Nearing the center of the platform, while the shield generator hums nearby, he stops at last.
"Ahhh..." he declares. "Here you are... the Force betrays you, Jedi."
Tuil keeps out of sight, hard to do on this platform, but he still does it. A regulated voice, probably from a breathing mask, calls, "And the lack of your presence betrays you. You have not found where I left Gean?"
"Not yet... but I will," answers the man, placing a gloved hand upon his hip and turning his head this way and that. "You know, my quarrel really was not with you. I only wanted him... if you had submitted.. I would have let you fly away. You can still go, if you tell me where he is..."
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You experience a gentle feeling and receive a vision: you walking out, unhindered, rejoining the Jedi, hugging Mina Vairde..You think of Vaal Hirah ...
"You'll have to find him yourself." A pause and then Tuil goes on, "Heh, if you are truly strong in the Force, you'll have no trouble sensing him without my help." The regulated voice seems to be transmitted from a source nearby, but hidden well enough...
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You establish telepathic contact with Vaal Hirah and transmit an alert feeling and a vision: Days long past in the Jedi Retreat, an alien woman with eyes solely of blue, smiling gently.
"But of course..." replies the other. "It would just save me a lot of time and effort. I really would take it as quite a friendly gesture. There is no reason we cannot be civil with..." he pauses then, tilting his head to one side.
"Very clever, Jedi. I see you know how to play the game. I take it then you have intention of being friendly with me? That's a shame... I do like making friends, because you see... I do not have enemies for long."
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You experience a triumphant feeling and receive a vision: Petrus Sabbatius' eyes, their light fading in death, then your own face looking ashen and pale..You think of Vaal Hirah ...
"Petrus was young and untrained. That you take pride in the death of one so beneath your skills says something about your ego." Tuil laughs then and shakes his head from his hiding place. "You'll have to find him yourself if you want him."
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You establish telepathic contact with Vaal Hirah and transmit a determined feeling and a vision: A tall Jedi Knight standing firm with his robes flowing about him, a lightsaber at his side in his hand, fully trained with the Force as his ally....
"That you and your Masters failed in dealing with him says even more about your own ineptitude, Jedi," replies the man with a faint sneer to be heard in his voice. "You think to impress me? You're failing... is that why you don't step out and face me? Afraid, are you? Who'd have thought it..."
He strides closer to the shield generator, drawing near and appears to inspect it briefly. "Now, why would there be a shield active on a dead, deserted planet such as this, eh?"
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You experience a gloating feeling and receive a vision: The same tall Jedi, robes flowing, until the wind picks up and blows him off his feet. He lands on his rear, looking embarassed..You think of Vaal Hirah ...
There is a faint stirring across the platform from the shield generator as an ancient piece of debris shifts for no good reason. The voice, calm and firm, replies, "I don't know much about this place except that it seems you're quite at home here. Perhaps you should resettle?"
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You establish telepathic contact with Vaal Hirah and transmit a watched feeling and a vision: Vaal's armored form, seen from behind as he looks at the generator....
The man pauses then, and turns about with a chuckle. "Well now," he says. "Either you're trying to set a trap, or are a liar. But, who among the Jedi lies? Isn't that the work of the Dark Side? Aren't you all terrified of it?"
He sniffs then, and turns back to face the shield generator. He walks to it, and kneels down before reaching into a pouch for a small, sleek black object. It clings to the generator's surface -- magnets no doubt -- and he sets about pressing a combination into a small keypad on its face. The sequence is lengthy, judging by the number of times his finger presses down.
Finally a short -bleep- sounds, and he nods, rising to his feet. "You don't care if I blow it up, then?"
WARNING: Vaal Hirah seems to be installing something here near Shield Generator Unit.
Tuil rises up right across from Vaal from behind the shield generator as Vaal kneels before it, his hiding place on the verge of discovery anyway. The Jedi has out his lightsaber and he ignites it while keeping the large piece of machinery between him and Vaal. "If you blow it up, you'll kill us both. Is that being friendly?"
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> You ignite your green lightsaber.
Vaal Hirah turns his visor to face Tuil, the emerald glow of the lightsaber reflecting in the facescreen; which nods.
"Then, we'd better not hang around, had we, Jedi? Unless you have ideas about being a hero..."
The man in armour, looking most definitely not like the public figure of Vaal Hirah reaches into another pouch, and draws forth a silver cylinder into his palm. There is a sizzle of oxygen as a second lightsaber flares into life; this one a scarlet fire to offset the green.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Vaal Hirah ignites his red lightsaber.
Tuil glances down, his face covered in his breathing mask. He calls, "You first then, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you after you've been so friendly and all that." He waves the tip of his saber towards the door in invitation for Vaal to lead the way.
A chuckle is the immediate reply, before the man in the visored helm backs away a pace or two. He circles then, never once turning his back on Tuil, drawing a little closer to the exit. All the while his lightsaber guards the air before him, casting him in a hellish red glow.
"So, what is a Jedi to do? Save a shield, or bring the bomber to justice?"
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You experience a fearful feeling and receive a vision: Mina Vairde and the other Jedi looking at Tuil, disappointed. The Master points to a starmap indicating Kraikynn, and the Jedi all fold their arms, turning their backs on him..You think of Vaal Hirah ...
Tuil pauses and then shrugs. "To be quite honest, I have no idea why the shield is here. I do know about you. Bomber, traitor, murderer. The color of your lightsaber says much." The Jedi steps around the edge of the shield generator so that it is no longer between him and Vaal.
Continuing to back up, Vaal shakes his head. As he treks across the black durasteel he replies, or explains: "You are wrong about so much, Jedi. What is in a colour? Or a name, or a title? I am no murderer.. the only death I have wrought was that of Petrus the scourge of the galaxy. I am no traitor.. for it is I not you who has kept true to the will of the Force..."
Getting very close now to the archway, he adds: "I do not seek combat with you, Jedi Knight. If you but knew what I know... you would see why I have done all that I have done. There is a threat coming to the Republic.. a dire one, and measures must be taken to stop it. The Jedi refuse, or are blind.. and so the task falls to me... and those who would join me.."
He raises his lightsaber in a salute to Tuil, before slipping down the hallway.
Tuil turns swiftly and looks at the bomb...
Kraikynn Prime: The Tyrrel Building - Empty Lobby
This is an extremely large lobby fashioned in the shape of an entryway. The ceiling is at least 300 feet above the ground, towering above in a massive inverted arch. Massive holographic displays flicker against it, creating an illusion of a dark night sky filled with stars - specifically, Coruscant's night sky. 
Because of this lack of illumination the shadows in this lobby are long, most coming from the various sentry cameras which line the walls. As each camera rotates back and forth, it shines light in the direction of its target upon the ground. 
The rear of the lobby is a large archway; at least 40 feet tall and if formed of many small durasteel pillars. Each of the pillars have had various drawings and images (mostly light and eye imagry) carved into them with plasma. Set into the corner of the northern wall is a small stairway which leads a few hundred feet upwards before vanishing into a small door. Beside the door is a massive transparisteel window, showing what appears to be a large command-station of some sort.
Directly opposite the grandiose archway is a 100 foot tall set of doors, large enough for a walker to get through (though where it would go is less clear) - which have been shattered and broken by many, many plasma burns. Melted slag and large hunks of debree litter the floor of the lobby, and a particularly large chunk seems to have crushed the reception area and several protocol droids which were attending it - bits of droid-legs and arms can be seen protruding out from underneath it. 
In the eastern corner of the lobby, just underneath a camera, is a durasteel cage.
Tuil comes slowly out of the open repulsorlift and slowly looks around. It's darker here, but there are streaks of pale orange light that filter in thanks to the sickly atmosphere outside. The air glows thickly around Tuil's green lightsaber as he stops and calls to no one in particular, "Where'd you go, hmmm?"
"Oh, not too far..." says a voice then, and from a well of shadow steps the armoured man. Vaal ignites his lightsaber anew and holds it out to point at Tuil. "I'm not sure you deserve to have that toy you've got there... perhaps you should hand it over to me?"
There is something strange about his voice; something dark and subtle.
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> Vaal Hirah calls upon the Force.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Vaal Hirah tries to terrify Tuil!
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Vaal Hirah terrifies and disorients Tuil.
 
Tuil listens to the sound of Vaal's voice as he appears and his determination melts away. The Jedi looks a bit afraid at the sight of the armored man and he frowns. He says bravely, "Your tricks aren't going to absolve you of your crimes, Hirah!"
"You have no authority to judge me, Jedi," replies Vaal coldly, and he steps forward abruptly. Out lahes his saber's blade, in search of Tuil's weaponhand.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Vaal Hirah swings his red lightsaber at Tuil's arms!
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You move with enhanced speed.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil parries Vaal Hirah's red lightsaber with his green lightsaber.
Despite his disoriented state, Tuil's right hand bearing his lightsaber snaps around in a reflexive move and the two sabers crash together and sizzle. Tuil pushes off sharply as he regains something of his wits and smirks. "I judge your actions." Tuil focuses quickly as he lifts his free hand.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> You hurl a rubble at Vaal Hirah!
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> Vaal Hirah calls upon the Force.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Vaal Hirah does not move, but Tuil's flying debris misses him and falls to the ground.
A piece of ruined masonry tears from its loose bonds of mortar, hurtling through the air at Tuil's foe. But Vaal merely stands there, watching him, presumably; the mask reveals little. The rubble changes course in the air, slipping past him to crash into the ground.
"You are a poor judge, Jedi. You of all the Order should know what I mean.. you know they hold you back..." This said his saber slices out anew, this time aiming for the Knight's chest.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Vaal Hirah swings his red lightsaber at Tuil!
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil tries to parry with his green lightsaber, but Vaal Hirah's red lightsaber hits and maims him, destroying Tuil's Brown Robe.
Tuil cries out as the red saber slips past his guard. He attempts to jump back out of the way, but his outer robe is destroyed and his tunic is carved up, leaving an ugly, bloody slash across his chest. Tuil recomposes himself as he snaps back with his lightsaber held high and then slashing down at Vaal's lightsaber-arm.
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> You swing your green lightsaber at Vaal Hirah's arms!
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil's green lightsaber meets Vaal Hirah's red lightsaber with a crackling hiss. The fighters struggle for the upper hand ...
<FONT color="#FFFF00">COMBAT:</FONT> Tuil's green lightsaber is struck from his hand and deactivated.
Gean had watched the combat in awe, his form appears from the area Tuil had come from. His eyes look onto the two. "Your beaten Tuil." Gean says to them both. "I am going with Vaal Hirah, step away." Geans eyes shift to his fellow sith, "A request?"
But the other is wily, and deft even as the strike is, Vaal's own blade rises to meet it. The air sizzles with the fury of their battle -- hordes of angry wasps could do no better -- until eventually the armoured man gains the upper hand.
Vaal bats Tuil's saber from his grasp and a satisfied hiss escapes his visored helm. Wasting little time, as it clatters tothe floor he reaches out with his free hand. The hilt slips through the air as he gives a grunt of concentration, only to land neatly into his palm.
Vaal backs away then, stowing the weapon into a pouch, as his own saber lights his helm with that same hellish glow.
Tuil is pushed back and he somersaults back and to his kneels as his hand flies out to call his saber to him, but it is already gone. The Jedi frowns mightily and looks even as if he has lost an actual limb, but he controls his feelings and looks up at Vaal and then Gean. "Go with him then, if that is your wish. So be it!" The Jedi holds his place and does nothing further to hinder their departure.
Gean nods lightly moveing to Vaal's side. "We should take his comlink and leave him here as they would me." Gean smirks lightly towards Tuil. "I'm sorry Jedi, but as I have already explained to you. I do not wish your teachings." He motions about to the situation, "And the force agrees with me does it not?"
Vaal Hirah nods to this, and sniffs. "Wise choice, Jedi. Do you see now that I do not wish you any harm? Merely leave me alone, and let me do what must be done, and the Republic shall survive the dark threat to come. Hinder me, and divide your forces searching for me rather than the true enemy, and we all may fall..."
He steps away then, still not deactivating his weapon but lowering it. "Come Gean... we have things to discuss. Mockery serves no purpose here..."
He moves away through the archway.
"So long Jedi Lindo, our time together was quick, but I enjoyed it." Gean winks to the man and moves to follow Vaal. 
Tuil watches Vaal go and looks to Gean, "Your new master calls you. You'd better not annoy him or else you will meet the fate of others." His voice seems old and tired suddenly.
Gean couldn't help but look back, "Does not matter Lindo, it is the path /I/ chose, not one your Order chose for me." With that he turns and moves off.
<FONT color="#33CC00">FORCE:</FONT> You establish telepathic contact with Gean and transmit a horrified feeling and a vision: Petrus Sabbatius' eyes, their light fading in death....
Gean pace slow's a moment, the vision's sent do cause concern, but Gean has had been to swayed by Vaal's previous ones. The young ex-commander continues with him.
Category:January 2008 RP Logs