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

[Lord Greshh]

Millu’ci’vanda

I consider the idea as we walk slowly through the gloomy halls beyond. “Not a bad opinion to keep in mind. But I wonder... a device this powerful must take some type of toll on whoever uses it. Once we k ow exactly what the Tempest Eye is, we should weight the pros and cons of using it ourselves. Worst case scenario, we destroy it.”

Caalin Daemon

“We have to find it first before we can do anything.” I look around the hallway we are in. Everything appears twisted and bent at odd angles; even the floor is warped in a surreal nightmarish way. There is only a very dim light coming from the overhead lamps in the ceiling, and even those flicker constantly. Overall, there is a feeling of claustrophobia.

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"I don't know that we COULD destroy it anyways. Rakatan tech is notoriously difficult to even damage with the weapons we have now."

[Lord Greshh]

Caalin Daemon

“Like the orb. Marek tried everything to destroy it, but couldn’t. He had to lock it away in that impregnable safe to keep anyone from getting their hands on it.” I feel a pant of sorrow thinking about my old master and how brutally he was murdered. “Speaking of which, I wonder how the Orb factors into all of this. Remember how powerful that thing was?”

Millu’ci’vanda

“Yes. In fact... it felt very similar to this.” I motion to the space around us; the strong energy permeating in the air. “What ever happened to that orb anyway?”

Caalin Daemon

“Greshh stole it, and then was betrayed by his own people shortly after. So... Sucal has it. BUT like I said, it’s in a safe that is impossible to open. It’s made of phrik, which is strong enough to resist even lightsabers. As long as it’s lock in there, it’s harmless.”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"Rakatan technology is never harmless, even when locked away." Looking around, I try and find a more direct way towards the center of this collection of wrecks. "Regardless, for all his power, I doubt that even Sucal is strong enough to control the Tempest Eye."

[Lord Greshh]

Millu’ci’vanda

As we walk along, the design and layout of the hall abruptly changes, and I realize that this is part of a different starship entirely. “Fascinating. It’s like all these wrecks are meticulously interwoven to form interconnecting passages. So, this isn’t just a random cluster of dead hulls.”

Caalin Daemon

“Don’t know if that’s better or worse.” Down the new hallway, it is somehow even darker. In the near blackness, I can see movement; something moving close to the ground and skitters out of sight before I have time to investigate. “What are the chances there are other lifeforms here other than us and the creepy voice?”

Millu’ci’vanda

“There could be mynocks or gralocks here too. All this scrap metal and lose wiring is a feast for them.” Even as I say that, I know that isn’t the extent of the dangerous possibilities. I just didn’t want to vocalize them.

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"Stay on your toes either way. We don't know that this presence is the kindest of them anyways." What I didn't say was the Mynocks and gralocks couldn't navigate black hole mazes. Best to let Caelin have some sense of ease.

[Lord Greshh]

Caalin Daemon

As we continue through the twisty corridors, I can sense more movement around us. Not just in the halls and rooms around us, but in the walls and ceiling tiles too. The strong presence in the Force of the entity makes it hard to properly distinguish much else, but as time goes on, it becomes more and more clear that we are not alone here.

The corridor eventually reaches a dead end. There is a large doorway before us. Dull blue light pulses through the cracks at regular intervals, and low mechanical humming can he heard. “Hmm... some type of generator room, most likely. Strange that it’s still active though.”

Millu’ci’vanda

“Rakata tech has a notoriously long lifespan. But even an infinite engine needs fuel; the Star Forge fed off of the power of Rakata Prime’s sun. Seeing as how we are lightyears away from any solar systems, I’d wager this power source requires fuel of a different sort.”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"Let's just say I'm suddenly thinking about what happened to the crews of these other ships when this thing found them and the thoughts aren't good."

[Lord Greshh]

Caalin Daemon

I give Zar’kun a disturbed look. “You think... the people are the fuel?”

Millu’ci’vanda

“Some of them, at least. Others...” I point to the door. “There is life beyond, though it is hard to read. I’ve been trying to keep my mind clear of distraction and focus on the heat and now, but I am starting to feel like that isn’t entirely wise.” I take a few steps towards the doors. “I don’t want to alarm either of you, but I can hear something more than just the generator.”

Caalin Daemon

I tilt my head to the side, trying to listen. “I don’t hear anything.”

Millu’ci’vanda

“Not with my ears. With my mind.” I meet Zar’kun’s eyes. “I hear a Killik Song Of Swarming.” As soon as I say that, there comes a chittering from the direction we just came from. Several small dog sized insects come running around the corner, clicking their mandibles at us. “Uh oh.”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

One of my black bladed lightsabers springs to life in my right hand while the left spews Force created Flame at the Kiliks. "I suppose our warning was 'we've contacted another hive to verify this information.' Last time I tell Jerus to play nice with the bugs."

[Lord Greshh]

Millu'ci'vanda

The Killiks stop their charge, held at bay by the flames. While Zar'kun and Caalin ready to fight, I try to reach out to them and communicate. "Peace! I am an emissary of Oroboro, and these are allies of the nest! We mean you no harm, but we WILL defend ourselves if you continue the Song of Swarming!" As expected, they do not much care who we are, and fully intend to deal with us as they do all invaders. "So much for that." I activate my blue lightsaber. "How long can you keep that flame us, Zar'kun? It seems to work well."

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I increase the intensity. "A long while if I need to. But if we can help it, let's go find out what has them unhappy."

[Lord Greshh]

Millu'ci'vanda

"Agreed, though they don't seem interested in talking to me." As I speak, the Killiks begin spreading out, some of them going back the way they came while others stay to menace us with their staffs.

Caalin Daemon

I back up towards the glowing doors, pressing my palm against the control panel. The doors easily slide open. "Come on. Maybe if we slip through here, we can lose these guys for a bit." I duck through the doors, waving the others to follow.

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I back up towards the doorway. "Can't hurt. Luci, might want to tell Koraline to watch for REALLY big bugs."

[Lord Greshh]

Millu’ci’vanda

“Right!” I pull out my commlink as I back through the doorway. “Koraline, be careful out that. There are...”

Koraline Okarr

“Killiks? Yeah, I noticed!” I sit in the cockpit of the Redshifter, watching through the viewport as Killiks literally swarm over the ship. “I don’t know how long I can keep them out. Something is draining my shields, and it’s only a matter of time before they break through the hull. Just... hurry up in there!”

Millu’ci’vanda

“We’re trying. Just hold on!” Once Zar’kun is through the doors, I press the button to close them, then slash the control panel to keep it shut. The Killiks on the other side bang on the door, but can’t get through. “That should give us some time to breath.”

Caalin Daemon

I look around this new room. As expected, it is a large generator room that spans several levels. The only light is the glow of the massive blue generator in the center of the room. Unlike the rest of the station so far, this does not look to be made up of recycled ship parts; this is part of the original Rakata design. “Woah...”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"Yep, this has bad news written all over it." I look around with my eyes while gently feeling around with the Force. "Come on, ya hunk of junk! Let's speed this up some! You might have as long as you need, but we all know that my companions and I don't. What do you want?"

[Lord Greshh]

The Caretaker

The same voice that spoke in everyone’s head before speaks again, only this time it is out loud and echoing from high above. “Submit.” A moment later, movement near the top of the generator room can be seen; shadowy figures moving over the ceiling and walls. As they get closer, moving into the blue glow, they are revealed to be hundreds, of not thousands, of Killik drones.

Millu’ci’vanda

My eyes widen, and I take my weapon in hand. Behind us, I can see the Killiks behind the door trying to break their way through. The ones swarming down at us click to each other in communication. “I can’t fully understand them, but I can sense through their pheromones that they are moving to capture, not kill us. I think this entity wants us alive.”

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I turn slowly, keeping my saber at the ready. "That might be worse than if it wanted us dead. Letting them take us is a dangerous game."

[Lord Greshh]

Millu’ci’vanda

“Agreed. I’ve already been joined to one hive, so that makes me extra vulnerable to being drawn back into another one.” I pause a moment. “But... I do not sense that they intend to make us Joiners. They haven’t released the proper pheromones.”

Caalin Daemon

“It doesn’t matter what they intend. I’d rather take my chances.” I get into a fighting stance, waving my emerald lightsaber in a warding motion towards the Killiks.

The Caretaker

The same cold voice speaks again from on high. “Many have come to this place. Few have survived. None are worthy of my power.” More and more bugs scuttle down the walls, charging at the three from all sides.

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

The voice drops an exact hint as to what it thinks is happening. "WAIT, wait, wait, we're not here to use your power! We're here to prevent a Darth Trayus from getting a hold of you! We don't even understand what you do!"