Zandra was bored. Not the kind of bored that could be fixed with a good holo horror flick, or even a trashy reality show either. She was getting old fast. Not necessarily in body, but in spirit. Okay, maybe in body too. A bit. It was hard not to get wrinkles living out on the fringes of the Galaxy!
Running her little criminal empire was nice and all. She didn't ever have to go out and risk her life anymore. Now she had people under her thumb to do that for her. But that was boring. So Zandra had left the cantina in the capable... hands(?) Claws(?) Paws(?) of her partner.
She grinned at the blackness in front of her, the stars shooting past. It felt good to be out here again, planning a little bit of crime just for the fun of it. It wasn't like she really needed the credits, but every bit of mischief helped her reputation, made people fear her, made it so that when a huge robbery took place, the first thing they thought of was Queen Z.
But she wasn't doing this alone. No. That would be stupid. Walking into a Jedi temple without a space wizard? She wasn't suicidal! No. She brought along the only other space wizard she knew in the whole Galaxy that was probably just as bored as her.
Red eyes glowed in the darkness, set into a pale face that had only grown paler with time. No wrinkles marred his features, and yet there was an air of age about him. Maybe it was the way he moved, more sure and less hasty than he had been once. Maybe the way his smile was a tad too stretched. Keter Mason had been alive for a long time, far longer than someone like he should have expected to. His gloved hands rested at his hips, just over his lightsabers.
It had been a long time since he had been to an active Jedi Temple. The past decade had been filled with exploring old ruins and abandoned monuments.
He hadn't fought an actual Jedi in far longer.
He was looking forward to this.
"Indeed," he replied, his gaze fixed forwards, as if he could see through space to their destination. BUt he couldn't - he was no seer. "Hope you find what you're looking for."
Zandra snorted at that. What she was looking for? All she was looking for was a little danger. Something to make her feel alive and young again. Peace and quiet did not suit her.
"Ah, i'm sure I will," she replied, eyeing the map, "And I hope you find what you're looking for too."
The ship shot out of lightspeed perfectly. She pat the control console of the little YT freighter, her reliable old, now quite repaired and repainted, Zax The Beautiful.
"Good girl," she murmured, bringing it in to the very familiar blue and green world below. Naboo currently was considered the Jedi home world, though, Zandra couldn't figure out why for the life of her. Did Naboo have some sort of significance to the Jedi? Or was this just the only pretty planet left outside the Empires control? Didn't matter.
"So..." she cleared her throat, realizing somewhat awkwardly, that she hadn't exactly considered her partners... history here. "Back to Naboo for you. Hows it feel? You good?"
His grip on his sabers tightened at the sight of the planet. There was a low whirring as his eyes focused on it. "Good. What I feel...will help us here." Yes. His anger. His frustration. His despair. All good fodder for his power. Naboo may have been percieved as a jewel by the ignorant, but he knew the truth. It was a voracious monster, devouring those who would protect it believing it to be innocent. The planet ruined lives, shattered dreams, and was a nothing more than a spawning pool of misery.
It sickened him.
Keter's smiled grew. "So how do you want to play this?" Maybe he'd get to deface the palace at Theed...
Awkward... She really should have talked this out beforehand. Last thing she needed was an emotional Sith complicating things. But, he said he was 'good', right? She had to trust him, and if she really had to... well, she could knock him out and leave him. She didn't want to, but she wasn't dying because of him.
"A'right," she reluctantly murmured, "So the plan is, I go in first, disguised as a maintenance worker. Already got myself a uniform and fake ID from a... reliable source. Helps having friends everywhere. You'd be surprised what people are willing to do to keep a secret..."
She glanced at him only for a moment, then went back to the ships controls. Once she was cleared to land, she headed for the docking bay.
"Once I'm in, That's when I'll need you. I'll bring you in through the service entrance. You kind of stand out, so I won't even try to disguise you. Nobody would ever buy it. but from there, we gatta improvise. The fact is, none of my contacts seem to know where the Jedi keep their artifacts. But you? You might have a chance of figuring it out. My suggestion is you capture a Jedi, someone young probably, and err... 'convince them' to talk. That's what I'd do anyway."
"Or...you could let me play distraction whilst you go grab everything you could desire. Jedi don't really go for possessions, so when you're in, look for the archives. Holocrons will be pretty much the only thing of any value in there, barring any lightsabers I get my hands on," the blond said with a shake of his head. "I'll give you twenty minutes head start, then walk up and cause a ruckus. How does that sound?" he offered as an alternative.
"See? This is why I needed you for this, Blondie." She grinned as the ship touched down. "You've always got such a unique approach to things. I like that. Ever consider a career in piracy?"
She was only half joking. Really though, she was perfectly willing to bring him on full time. He could stay and work in the cantina in his off time, and go out when Zandra got a hold of good info. Wouldn't be an easy life, but it was at least a life.
She parked, shut her ship down, and stood up. Without another word of explanation, she grabbed the uniform from a bag behind the seat and walked from the cockpit, pulling clothing off as she went. No shame.
Keter shrugged. "Not seriously, though I suppose it couldn't hurt to give it a try sometime," he admitted. The rest of their landing was done in silence, Keter's gaze fixed forward to afford Zandra some measure of privacy. It never hurt to act professional after all. "Alright, good luck. Remember, you have twenty minutes to get in. After that...it'll get messy."
Especially since she had seen fit to provide him with a few more armanents to go along his lightsabers.
What could he say, he always loved to make an entrance.
She'd set her jacket aside, hanging it carefully over the back of the pilots seat. Everything else found its way to the floor. She pulled on the uniform, feeling... well, surprisingly comfortable in it. The color was flattering and so was the cut. She would be leaving her weapons behind, knowing that she'd never get through the checkpoints with them, but she rarely needed them anyway. Her training had concentrated on hand to hand, and that was what she was best at.
"Lady Luck be with us both then."
With that, she made her way down and out, eyeing the temple in the distance. It took her five minutes to arrive, and the sun was already setting in the distance. Perfect timing. She preferred to work at night. Five minutes down, that gave her fifteen to get through the checkpoint and find the archives.
A small timer appeared in Keter's sight, summoned by a mere thought. His eyes were really something. Even after all his life he caught himself sometimes wondering at their utility. He rolled the thermal detonator Zandra had provided in his hand, waiting in silence and darkness. He wasn't going to sneak into the temple, but he wasn't going to just raise hell like some idiot. No, he was going to take a casual stroll, then as he neared the temple make his intentions clear. That would draw out a few guards, which he could handle easily, or bypass as necessary, and move into the building itself.
"Is that what this trip was all about, Mak? To warn us that the Empire's not happy with us?"
"Listen, they're getting more aggressive than they once were. You still have the Sith and the Witches gunning for you despite the fact I'm no longer here."
"And yet you don't try to come back. You could've easily gotten a meeting with the Council, but no, you got to meet with just one person to relay your conspiracies."
"Oh, really? A conspiracy? It's a conspiracy the Empire wants Jedi dead? Do you hear yourself? This is the reason I left. That kid that captured me, he wants names and locations. If they can pick Jedi off Naboo, it's easier for them. An invasion isn't a guaranteed victory."
Pulling the pipe away, he lifted all four hands, shaking his head.
"I said what I wanted. I've got to get back to the university. You will tell the Council and Kaen of this, right?"
"Yeah..."
As he began to slither off, the Jedi Master spoke again, causing Mak to stop in his tracks.
"Still like being a rogue, Mak? Do you like not having friends or family?"
"It's what I've been doing for a long time now..."
Finally leaving, he moved for a bit before he came to a window. Placing his two upper hands on the glass, he sighed tiredly, looking out upon the city, remembering old memories of his time here.
Getting by security was easy enough. The fake ID she'd been given got her through the door, and a quick pat down got her into the maintenance area. Unfortunately, all of that took almost five minutes out of her time. That left her with only ten to look around. She followed another person in uniform, carrying a tool box.
"'Scuse me! Could you help me? It's my first day."
The humanoid... Woman? Man? She wasn't really sure just looking at them. Didn't matter. They turned to her, smiling. "Ah. First day. I remember mine. Whatcha need?"
"I'm looking for the archives? I guess there's an issue with heating? I don't know."
The look she was getting was suspicious. "The archives? You sure?"
"That's what I was told," Zandra shrugged helplessly, looking gloomy, "Why?"
"Nothing," they said, motioning for her to follow, "just seems weird to send a newbie to the archives. Usually you need all sorts of clearance."
"Well, I had background checks when I was hired. I was recommended by my cousins brother-in-laws best friends nephew who's a space wiz- I mean, Jedi."
"Ah! That would do it then," they sighed, "Now it seems like you need connections to get anywhere. When I was hired, all you needed was a..."
Zandra stopped listening. She was looking at the chrono on her wrist as it counted down the minutes until show time. Only six minutes to go, then it was show time.
"...You know what I mean?"
"Oh absolutely," Zandra responded, looking up again, studying the way to the archives for an easy escape.
"Well, here ya go then. It's just down here. The service door is around that corner. Your ID is your key card. Good luck!"
"Yeah, thanks. I think I'll need it. Between you and I, I think hiring me was a mistake."
Keter was unable to get the grin off his face as he got off the ship, his gear on full display. He was clad in simple trousers and shirt, light armour decorating those and giving him more of a threatening silhouette. People eyed him warily as he made his way down the streets towards the Jedi temple. None accosted him, the lightsabers at his belt easily betraying his purpose here - at least to their minds.
He felt so giddy. How long had it been since his last confrontation? Five years? Ten? Fifteen? Time became nought but a blur when he was bored. But in the end he supposed it didn't matter.
There. The elegant temple at the end of the street. So typical of Naboo - sweeping and graceful architecture, with low domed rooftops. It rivalled the Royal Palace in it's splendour. In it's mask. He doubted it was so ideal on the inside. Jedi never were.
Alright.
Moment of truth.
He could see the temple guards notice him, warily adopt stances to allow them to draw their weapons at a moment's notice. Still no one came to challenge him. Huh. No Jedi on duty as bouncer?
Coming to the main entrance, he stretched his back, ready to get back to Mrlsst. He had several papers to still grade, and he also wanted to get their next lessons completed.
As he was about to slither down the steps when he saw the man standing at the bottom. Looking at the guards, he turned back to look at him. The way he was dressed, how he stood, the lightsabers at his belt. It was like he was saying he wasn't a Jedi.
In fact, he looked somewhat familiar...
Reaching out with the Force, he focused on him and for a few seconds, they merely stared one another down before his eyes became bigger as he finally realized why he felt and looked familiar.
Show time. The light on her wrist chrono flashed faintly as she stepped into the archives. Frankly, she was shocked at how easy it was. And how empty this place was as well. There were a few robed figures here and there, but for the moment, Zandra ignored them and they ignored her. She was just a maintenance worker, nothing to be concerned with. Still, Zandra remained cautious, at least for the time being. Space wizards were not to be underestimated.
She wandered through, looking around, appearing as if she were very interested in the metal pipework. She carefully banged on one, ear pressed to it as her eyes swept the room. Keter had said to look for 'holocrons'. Alright, she knew what they looked like. Those stupid geometric things. Rawnie had gotten her hands on one once. Zandra had helped her sell it for a high price, but when Rawnie told her how she'd managed it, Zandra had decided it wasn't worth the risk to look for them.
Until now.
And I've already got a buyer in mind. This'll be the easiest million credits I've ever made.
"Oh you remember me!" Keter replied, clapping his hands together as someone finally materialised. What, did the Jedi have some sort of recruiting crisis going on at the moment? That would never do!
"I'm so flattered!" he declared, reaching for the sabers at his hips. Green and blue to start off with perhaps.
He let his red gaze sweep over the serpentine figure before him. A Thisspiasian, his eyes offered helpfully. Rare to see one in the greater galaxy...but when it cmae ot the Jedi...well, there was only one individual this could possibly be.
"Master Manto," he greeted with a nod of his head. Feena had made sure to drill the importnace of manners into him. Another useful tool in his repertoire.
"Keter Mason... Why am I not surprised you're here..."
Looking at the guards, he nodded to them and as they brought out their swords, they remained in their positions. Looking down at him, Mak brought out his pipe, smoking slowly.
"You're not here on a goodwill mission here, are you?"
Something outside seemed to have gotten their attention. Keter, obviously. Clever, crazy old Sith. Zandra smirked as younglings moved to the windows to get a better look while the older ones left. Good. Made things easier.
Using this distraction, Zandra moved to the shelves, not looking for specific data disks. No. She was after the holocrons, but of course they would not be kept in the open. Old arch9ives like this always had a secret door somewhere, a switch...
As a show of respect, Keter chose not to lie to the serpent. "When have I ever come to a Jedi temple with good intentions?" he agreed, nodding his head with a sly grin.
There was the familiar hiss as his two sabers ingited.
The guards tensed.
"It's been a while though...had to see if I still had it!"
And with his declaration, Keter leapt, bringing his sabers down in an overhead swing directly at the Thisspiasian. A clumsy, bold move, relying purely on strength. A quick and easy opening move to get things started, in Keter's opinion.
Activating just one lightsaber without any hesitation, he deflected the attack before he and Keter began close quarters combat, massive swings only to get close enough without doing any damage.
Inside the temple, a young apprentice who had seen the fight start had run into one of the classrooms, interrupting the lesson.
"There's a fight going on outside! It looks like a Sith and the guy battling him looks like Master Mak Manto!"
As apprentices ran out, soon enough there was a large group of Jedi watching the fight, with older knights and masters keeping an eye on the younger ones. Though, instead of just waiting, one of the temple guards ran back into the temple and tapped an emergency button. Lights began to flash and a klaxon started to blare.
"The temple is currently under attack. We repeat, the temple is currently under attack. All Jedi knights and masters, report to the main entrance right away."
Jumping away from one swing that had been aimed at his tail, Mak brought out his second saber, but instead of just activating one blade, twin-bladed beams came out and with a click of a button, the fourth beam came out. Readying his other two hands, Mak looked at Keter, steadying himself.
"You've certainly gotten stronger, Mason. If I had to guess, you must be a Sith Master due to your prowess..."
Feeling the eyes of the group on him, he looked back at the man.
"Why are you here? It couldn't be just to try to attack the temple, especially if you just walked up to the temple. Are you here with someone else?"
This...oh he had missed this. Broad sweeping strikes, moving through a simple bladework pattern taught to those who specialised in vibroblades. He was focusing mainly on strength in his offence, pushing the serpent to counter.
Keter reversed his grip suddenly, switching a stab towards Manto's shoulder into a swipe at his tail, only for the blue saber to crackle as it was intercpeted.
Oh. This was...different. He took a step back, spinning the sabers in his hands as he took in Manto's stance. Twin saberstaffs? Rare for a Jedi to even know such a form existed- it was one of the ultimate offensive forms. Well, Keter thought he knew one that could trump that, but it required a level of focus and force mastery that was beyond him.
Ah well. Nothing wrong with the basics.
"Thanks," he replied to the Master's acknoweldgement with a nod of his head, paying no mind to the crowd forming to watch them. All according to plan. "A decade with nothing to do tends to lead to a fair amount of self-improvement," the blond admitted.
A smirk formed on his face. Manto was always a perceptive one. "You...really don't know me do you?" he asked, adopting a fencing stance. Manto probably relied on his unorthodox form to throw off practitioners of the "traditional" lightsaber forms.
Surprised by the new form of attack, the style of fencing was rare to see with one who wielded a lightsaber. It was basic and simple, yet if one truly mastered such a form, it allowed them to take their combatants by force due to the grace and agility of the lightsaber.
Dooku had been one who had mastered the style, and he was still seen as one of the greatest lightsaber duelists in the history of the Jedi Order...
Blocking the attacks, Keter began to push the attack, edging him down the stairs. Feeling sweat build up, all of the noise and voices and sounds disappeared as he and Mason had their dance, both trying to take one another down.
Watching him press forward, Mak knew there was only one option left, and he didn't like what it offered. Shouting, his next message was directed at the crowd.
"GET BACK NOW!"
Hopping on his tail, he came down a few more steps before his lower hand pulled out his pipe. Bringing it to his mouth and lighting it with his fourth hand, Mak took one deep inhale before he looked at the Sith, opening his mouth and spewing out a wave of flames at the man, the large group of Jedi disappearing back into the Temple.
Zandra knew how to hide things that she didn't want found. Like bodies, or drugs. And she guaranteed the Jedi were not half as good at it as she was. Finding a secret stash of Jedi artifacts should be a simple matter.
It wasn't. She moved through the archives, looking all around. Damn, this place was huge. She was going to have to find a map, or ask directions. But how would she ask? And who? Only people in here were younglings pressed against the windows. The librarian should have been around, but she figured they'd gone to watch the fight as well.
She just hoped Keter was having more fun than she was.
Keter had never truly mastered the fencing style of combat, preferring to train in as many different forms as possible, but it seemed he had chosen the correct counter to the potential whirlwind of blades the serpentine master could unleash. Trusting in his speed alone, he had managed to stab in between Manto's guard, weaving in and out and driving him back.
Of course, it was too easy.
So Keter was unsurprised when the older Jedi warned everyone to stand back, pulling some kind of ploy. He was surprised at the flames that billowed out towards him. He had enough time to cry "What the f-" before the air was stolen from his lungs and intense heat rollwed over him. The Thisspiasian would track him any way he tried to dodge, but a flame attack was always at it's smallest nearer the source, before it could expand.
The blond renegade leapt up and forwards, towards Manto. He swung one of his sabers down, releasing it to send it spinning at the warrior's head. He didn't bother trying to reclaim it. He had others.
Watching him jump, he started to come down right on top of him and as Mak brought the blades up to block it, there was a momentary pause as they both pushed physically, with Mak trying to get Keter's blades far enough for him to get away and with Keter pushing to slice Mak.
As his blades came closer, Mak looked out of the corner of his eye as the blade was inches from his shoulder, the saber just starting to singe through the fabric of his robe.
Using his two free hands, Mak blasted the Force at the ground, sending himself flying back from Keter.
Panting fast, Mak looked up at the man, chuckling softly.
"Keter, are you sure I can't convince you to return to the Jedi? I couldn't imagine what kind of power you could bring against the Sith and the Empire."
The snake had always been formidable. He had a reputation after all. And of all people, Keter knew the value of a reputation. Even now his own was keeping Manto from just outright killing him. There was a clatter as the saber he had thrown hit the stairs behind his opponent, the blade dying and leaving the hilt lying inert.
He spun the blue blade in his hand once before adopting a two handed stance, holding the weapon over his head and having the blade aim towards the ground in front of his body. "Master Manto," he stated, shaking his head in disappointment. "Your words betray you." He stepped to the left, moving to circle him again. A lightsaber duel at it's most pure was like a dance, a flow of motion and light. Utterly against his style. Too graveful. Feena had been able to do it, but then the woman had been a natural dancer...
"Rather than concerning yourself with the Force, or saving my corrupted self, you focus on my power. You focus on my value as a weapon," the blond continued, knowing his words would carry to those watching. "You 'Jedi' have always been the same in that regard. You define yourselves by your enemies, not by yourselves." And wasn't that the greatest joke in the galaxy? The Jedi and the Sith were practically the same. "If I joined you, but lost my strength due to rejecting the darkside, would you still want me? No."
Four sudden steps forward and an uppercut at the serpent.
As the boy began to circle him, using his blade to attack, Mak's edge had been lost and as he yelled as Keter struck his lightsabers away, sending them flying back into the main entrance, he heard the words, breathing hard as everyone else heard them.
Did he see the boy as power? Yes, it wasn't a lie. Keter had once been seen, at least to Mak, as a powerful Jedi who he had hoped would grow to wipe the Sith out. Though, he had fallen to the Dark Side and now he was an enemy...
As he came forward with an uppercut, Mak moved just enough to not be hit by the blade but Keter's fist hit him, sending him falling back onto the steps. Groaning in pain, he heard how Mak would've rejected him if his power and skills were gone.
Opening one eye, he breathed raggedly, completely worn out. The amount of time he had spent teaching instead of training was now noticeable. Though, had Keter hoped that Mak would be upset by what he had said, he wasn't.
Chuckling darkly, Mak shook his head.
"You want me to get you a tissue? You some heartbroken over there..."
"Of course I see you as power. Don't you know who I am, Keter? I'm a warmonger, a militarist, an aggressor... Much of my life has been dedicated to wiping out the Dark Side, which in this case, includes you."
"Though, if you honestly think I only see Jedi as weapons and power, you're dead wrong..."
This part of the archives was empty. How big was this place anyway? And how did anyone find what they wanted? She found herself rushing now, running down rows, up levels. Why didn't they have maps? This was so-
Zandra stopped, blinking. Slowly, she backed up, looking around the corner. That. That was new, fancier. They may as well have posted a giant glowing sign that read 'This way to priceless artifacts'.
"Damn space magicians and their idiotic interior decorating skills..."
Post by Celeste Mason on Feb 13, 2017 19:24:03 GMT -5
"Breaking story tonight. An apparent Sith attack on the Jedi Temple. The royal police force as well as Jedi knights have been called to the scene. No word yet on the identity of the attacker, but we were able to record video of the attack. Be warned, this content can be distressing for younger viewers-"
Crash.
A teacup shattered at Celestes feet. She stood, staring at the holonews, mouth hanging open. There was no way. No way at all. She was seeing things, and yet... It was so very him.
"Celeste, dear, is something wrong?" The voice of Maraea shook the girl out of her shock just long enough for her to point at the image displayed.
"Celeste, what- Oh! That's your father!"
Celeste carefully shook bits of broken porcelain and speckles of tea from her dress. She had to remain calm, above all else.
"...I guess he got bored again," she sighed, striding across the sizable sitting area, "Maraea, call a cab. I'd like a tour of the Jedi temple."
"You know that's a stupid move, don't you?"
"Of course I do."
"Then you won't object to me calling a body guard to come with you."
Celeste sighed, grabbing a shawl. "If you insist..."
Last Edit: Feb 14, 2017 1:12:10 GMT -5 by Celeste Mason
Post by Lady Molotov on Feb 14, 2017 1:23:14 GMT -5
Jane's little hidey-hole in one of the palace's machine shops gave her the peace and quiet she needed. At least until she started watching the news. Sith on Naboo, huh? That was a new one. A little concerning, but it wasn't like a whole temple's worth of Jedi would be unable to push one attacker out, right?
Apparently, somebody disagreed. The timing of the call meant it had something to do with the raid, and it was probably something along the lines of Oh, you're willing to work overtime, right? Poke your head into the temple and give them a hand. Annoying.
The actual call wasn't like that at all. One of the Mason girl's maids was ordering her to guard the lady. Understandable. There were Sith about. Less understandable was the fact that she was apparently supposed to meet the kid at one of the landing pads. Where were they going? Wouldn't it be better to shut herself up in the palace until the situation was handled? Apparently not.
With a sigh, Jane grabbed a couple of rather heavy rifles and strapped them on her back, along with her trusty automatic slugger and a couple more knives than she already had. Last was to put her helmet on, which she hadn't felt the need to do since leaving Naboo's spaceport.
"I really hope I'm not being dragged out for something stupid."