[IC] A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

[Lord Greshh]

Iwan Starsnow

“Or what? Are you afraid I’ll give into my hate and fall to the dark side? Afraid you’ll have two Gendry’s to worry about?” I spin my lightsaber in challenge. “Afraid that deep down, I have the same potential to become a mo Star like him?”

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

I catch the blade midspin and spin my own blade several times before disarming him, using the Force to catch the hilt as it flies through the air and catch it in my hand. "No, because I'm afraid of what Gendry will do to you if he gets to you! Anger, that's his trick to beating his opponents. Getting inside their heads."

[Lord Greshh]

Iwan Starsnow

I feel a flash of anger at being disarmed, but it disappears as Jerus’ words sink in. “You might be right, but I can’t let him get at Korre. As longs as he lives, she is in danger.”

Darth Hexxus

I am ordered against the wall by the guards, who have come into the cell to inspect Zee. He is rolling around on the floor, clutching his stomach in extreme pain. Slowly, I begin to channel the Force into a shield around myself, Ursa, and Pykeon.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"Which is why it's all the more important that you keep a level head, especially around Gendry. Based on his reaction to seeing you, he has no idea he's a clone, anymore than we did before Naberrie found you in that lab. So take that, and if the two of you ever fight, use that. Play him like a fiddle." I hand the blade back to Iwan. "Better?"

[Lord Greshh]

Iwan Starsnow

I am about to say that I feel better, but then my danger sense flares with warning, and without thinking, I Force push Jerus to the ground. "Get down!" A massive explosion shakes the ground we stand on, knocking some of the Organa soldiers in the training ground off their feet.

Korre

The castle shakes violently, causing objects to slid off of tables and smash onto the floor. I have to hold onto the wall to keep from being knocked down too. What was happening?

Darth Hexxus

I stand among the ruins of the dungeon cells, flanked by Ursa and Pykeon. Zee, along with our Organa guards, is currently splattered in several different locations around us. The explosive in his belly was powerful enough to destroy everything in a 360 degree radius, including the ceiling over our heads. It now crumbled down in chunks, revealing the floor above us. "I was hoping to do this the easy way, but this will do fine." I look at my two friends. "You know what to do. Split up." All three of us leap through the hole and go our separate ways.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

The castle hadn't even finished shaking before I was moving, my lightsaber flashing back into it's hidden compartment as I rushed through the castle, fanning my jetpack to get over the crowds that were gathering. {Becca, get Korre to the fallback position. I have no doubt in my mind that explosion was his doing.}

[Lord Greshh]

Iwan Starsnow

I watch Jerus go, then turn to the guards who are still climbing to their feet. "Come on! We need to move!"

Becca Twilight

I speak to Jerus even as I open Korre's door. "I'm on it! We'll meet you back at the Sith Hunter base!" Jude and I rush into Korre's room. "We need to go now!"

Korre

I climb to my feet and stumble towards them. "What about Senator Naberrie?"

Jude Sucal

"Uhh! We don't have time! Gendry and his friends will stop at nothing to get at you! If we delay any longer then necessary..."

Korre

"I WON'T leave without her!" I plant my feet and stare at him, making it clear this is not a debate.

Becca Twilight

Sighs. "Fine! She's in the medical bay. We can grab her on the way to the hanger. Now come on!" I take Korre's hand and lead her away, Jude following close behind.

Pykeon

I walk down the hall towards the Audience Chamber, dragging the blade of my lightsaber staff across the wall as I go. Occasionally, I encounter a guard, but I easily take them down with a few quick strokes of my blade. Nothing will stop me from my goal; killing Lord Armond Organa.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

Jetting over a group of Organa soldiers quickly retreating from something, I find myself face to face with the Deveronian who'd been caught with Gendry. "Fantastic..." Popping my lightsabers from their hidden compartments, I ignite both blades, the silver and orange blades humming. "Any last words?"

[Lord Greshh]

Pykeon

I cock my head to the side, studying Jerus for a moment. I then open my mouth, showing rows of filed sharp teeth, as well as a fleshy stub where my long tongue used to be. I simply spin my yellow saberstaff in a fan motion and croak a horse laugh.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"Well that's pleasant." With little else to say, I lunge forwards, my own twin blades spinning and twirling as they clash with his. I keep my style more traditional Jar'Kai, as to avoid giving away that my sabers weren't normal and to give myself a surprise if the need came up.

[Lord Greshh]

Pykeon

I don’t give any ground as I deflect his blows. Though not particularly skilled, I use basic defense and attack moves combined with brute strength, which usually works out in my favor against Jedi. Fancy fighting leaves a lot of openings to take advantage of.

Becca Twilight

Meanwhile, Jude, Korre and I are almost to the medical center. Thankfully, the Organa’s have already begun evacuating the sick and wounded, which included Xan as well as Synclair and her baby, Rosalie. We intended to join up with them and give them a proper escort out... but then we run into a complication.

Ursa Lin

I stand in the hallway, my twin pink lightsabers active kn my hands. One is in a reverse grip, and the other pointed at the white haired woman and the boy. “Going somewhere? I believe you have something we want.” Looks last them to Korre. “I’ll take her off your hands, if you don’t mind.”

Becca Twilight

Jude reaches for his weapon, but I hold out a hand to stop him. “Take Korre, fine Xan and Syn. Get back to base.” I make eye contact with Ursa. “It’s been a while since I had a real fight.”

Jude Sucal

“We’ll take the long way.” I pull Korre down a side hall that will, hopefully, get us where we need to go.

Becca Twilight

Calmly, I unhook my lightsaber from my held and activate it I’m a Soresu ready stance, bathing my face in golden light. My opponent moves into a battle stands as well, spreading her blades and bending her knees. In unison, we leap at each other.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

Despite his application of brute strength along with virtual Form One stance use, he doesn't gain any ground and before long, I find an opening. Ducking beneath a slice from his bottom blade, I take a brief moment to charge a Force Push and slam it into the Deveronian, hoping to send him flying down the hall. For good measure, I draw one of my blasters and fire six times after him.

[Lord Greshh]

Pykeon

Flies backwards into the wall, but uses the Force to cushion the impact a bit. Though momentarily dazed, I am able to recover fast enough to block most of Jerus’ shots and dodge the ones I can’t. I then spin my staff in one hand and run at Jerus, hoping to close the distance again.

Becca Twilight

I spin and slash around Ursa, easily falling back into the old flow of battle. Unconsciously, I apply some of the Echani martial art to my style, countering Ursa’s savage assault with calm, fluid motions.

I had no doubt I could beat this girl easily. My only concern was Jude getting Korre out safely, and also Synclair finding her way out with the other evacuees.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

Noting his attempt to rush back into melee range, I unleash another powerful force push, sending him sprawling again. "You know, I've fought a lot of Sith in my lifetime," I send another Force Push towards him, "but most had some kind of grasp of mixing the Force into their combat techniques. You," I send a blast of lightning towards him, aiming to slow him down, "seem adverse to it. Something to do with that pink stub in your mouth?"

[Lord Greshh]

Pykeon

Planting my feet firmly, I eventually manage to resist the brunt of Jerus’ Force pushes. As for the lighting, I do my best to hold it off with my lightsaber. With a growl, shock waves of telekinesis blast out around me, sending objects around me flying in every direction and causing the walls and floors to dent. This is like a less concentrated, yet very powerful, attempt at a Force push.

The shock waves reach Jerus, bombarding him with raw energy, as well as the objects picked up in the current; tables, lamps, vases, picture frames and so on.

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

Using the Force, I create a buffer between myself and the energy, plus the objects, letting them hit my barrier and get knocked away, though a general blast like he had done wasn't going to offer any kind of accuracy to the thrown items, so most missed anyways. Building a more powerful push, I send it sailing towards the Deveronian before following behind it, my jetpack giving me increased speed as I spin, both both blades lashing out to put him back on the defensive.

[Lord Greshh]

Pykeon

I deflect Jerus’ attack, trying to find an opening to push past him. After a minute, I am able to catch his blade is such a way that I can pivot around him and... make a run for it.

I am not retreating though. I am headed for Lord Organa; my true target. I can sense him in the next room, surrounded by guards. I use the Force to boost my speed so I can reach him before Jerus.

Jude Sucal

I am headed to the hanger, leading Korre and now Xan Naberrie through the smoke filled halls. I am mildly annoyed that we had to stop for the Senator, and I fear it may have cost us pressures time. “Hurry up! We’re almost out of here!”

Darth Hexxus

Steps out into their path. “I wouldn’t say that.” Smiles wolfishly at Korre, then glances at Jude. “Thank you so much for the tip off, little man. We never would have found her without you.”

[Zarkun]

Jerus Je'and

"Oh no you don't." I reach out with the Force and yank the Deveronian back towards me as I jet towards him. Halfway between the two of us, we meet and I jet up and aim deliver an aerial roundhouse, my strength enhanced with the Force, to his midriff, which would put him into the ground and hopefully out of the fight.

[Lord Greshh]

Pykeon

I roll out of the way at the moment, causing Jerus to kick past me. With him so close, I try to head butt him with my sharpened horns. He is wearing armor, but I direct my head so that it hopefully hits a weak point between his helmet and chest.

[Lord Greshh]

Jude Sucal

I pull my lightsaber and hold out a hand to keep Korre back. Silently, I curse myself as I realize the implication of his words. “Go away, Gendry. I won’t let you or my father have this child.”

Darth Hexxus

“I couldn’t care less about the child, but orders are orders.” Activated lightsaber. “And I don’t think you alone are going to stop me today, kid.”

Iwan Starsnow

I walk out, my lightsaber already active in my hand. “What it he isn’t alone.” I look at Korre and give her a reassuring nod.

Darth Hexxus

I step back in surprise. “Ah, the clone! How could I forget?” I notice the way he looks at Korre. “I see we share similar tastes.”

Iwan Starsnow

I ignore him, taking on a Form 1 ready stance. “Stay behind us, Korre. Jude and I have this. Right brother?” I wait a moment for Jude’s reply, but there comes none. I risk a look over my shoulder. “Brother?”

Jude Sucal

I’m holding Korre’s hand tight. My eyes meet Iwan’s briefly before I pull her and Xan’s chair away and run in the opposite direction.