Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Millu'ci'vanda

We shoot a look at Jerus for a fraction of a second. A normal person probably wouldn't have detected it, but one attuned to the Force would. "The fourth and final is the celestial manipulation construct known as the Tempest Eye. It is located in the Maw Cluster. Coordinates T-10."

Iwan Starsnow

"The Maw is supposed to be an impossible maze of black holes. Can't you be more specific about where in the Maw the Tempest Eye is?"

Millu'ci'vanda

"We have made contact with our sister hive, Thuruht, who are nested near Kessel. They report that the construct was purposely lost within the Maw Cluster. However, there is a way to navigate..." She pauses, tilting her head to the side as if hearing something. The other Killiks and Joiners act similarly. "Another has entered the nest. Uninvited. Did you, Jerus Je'and, call upon your allies? This is unexpected..." The guardian drones move towards the exit passage, and some even hold their staffs threateningly towards Jerus and the others. A moment later, the Killiks that left earlier return, half dragging someone with them.

Koraline Okarr

"Get your hands off me!" Pulls away from the Killiks. "Jerus didn't call me! I came of my own free will!" Takes a few steps forward before the guardians block her path. I look past them towards Jerus, looking sorry, but not really sorry.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Millu'ci'vanda

We ignore Jerus' questions. "The second is the terraforming construct known as the Garden. It is located far off in Wild Space, in a forgotten star system called Chrelythiumn. Coordinates T-26. As far as the hive is aware, no faction has claimed it for their own. The Sith Empire at one point discovered the station, but seemingly chose not to make use of it."

Jude Sucal

"Did you hear us? We want the Tempest Eye, not some terraforming device! The Tempest Eye is the one my father is after. That one is the most important."

Iwan Starsnow

"No, let them speak." I look genuinely interested. "These could prove useful to us in other ways. At the very least, for scientific purposes."

Millu'ci'vanda

"The third construct is the xenoforming construct known as the Genesis Engine. It is located deep within the Galactic Core, at the brightest center of known space. Coordinates L-11. Like the Garden, this construct is unclaimed, though the Sith Empire had a passing interest in it's workings before similarly abandoning it." Some of the smaller Killiks near the entrance to the chamber perk up, as if sensing something. They quickly rush off down the exit passage.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Jude Sucal

My hand drops to the lightsaber at my hip. “They’re stalling. Trying to keep us distracted so they can think up another trick.”

Millu’ci’vanda

“That is not so. We will happily relay the locations to you now. As agreed, there are four constructs. The first is the war machine factory known as the Foundry. It is located in an asteroid field floating in the Kurost Sector. Coordinates Q-12. Fingerling Scouts from our hive have confirmed that it was once controlled by the Sith Empire, but is now the property of the Galactic Republic.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Millu’ci’vanda

The Killik drones pause, looking like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. The ones holding the bowls look to us in the center of the room, and we give them a nod and a click of our tongue, sending them skittering away. “Forgive us. It is in the nature of the Kind to be ever expanding the nest, and the prospect of three strong bodies willingly entering our midst was too good to pass up. We will refrain in the future.”

Iwan Starsnow

I am taken aback by how nonchalant that attempt to induct us into the hive was. Was it such a trivial matter to them? And what’s more, I found it disturbing that, while most of the joiners present were standing off to the side, Luci was prominently displayed. In fact, from the way the little bugs swarmed around her, it was almost like the Killiks saw her as above even themselves. “Uhh... Do you have control over the rest of these Killiks? Can you be sure the tricks end here?”

Millu’ci’vanda

“We cannot control the hive. We simply agreed as a collective that such an attempt was not worth endangering the nest. The hive has selected this one as Night Herald, do to our Jedi knowledge. We believed that adding more Force sensitive beings to our hive would improve us further. But... we can see you will resist. So let us forget this minor transgression and move on, shall we?”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Millu’ci’vanda

We ignore his mention of pheromones, instead Pershing his second line of questioning. “Yes, we have finished searching our collective memory, and have discovered the locations of the four ancient constructs of power.” A Little Killik holding a bowl of white orbs runs up to Jerus and the others. “Would you accept this offering of white membrosia? It is the purest of the harvest, very rare and sought after. It is customary to welcome guests to the hive with gifts. A sign of good will and cooperation, yes?”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Oroboro Messenger

The brothers reluctantly follow Jerus as the Killik marches back through the tall grass. It leads them away from the base, through the field and over a hill until it reaches a clump of waxy mounds, like a giant bee hive. The Killik moves between the mounds and pulls aside some vegetation to reveal an opening in the ground. With a chirp, the Killik climbs into the hole, it’s antenna waving for them to follow.

Thus begins a spiraling descent leading deep below ground. The tunnel is a bit cramped at first, forcing the group to move single file, but as it goes deeper, the walls and ceiling space out and it becomes a wide passageway. Despite the very earthy smell, there is also a very sweet aroma in the air. On the walls, there are tiny insects skittering about, moving clumps of golden liquid about on their backs.

The passage opens up to a chamber. There are more Killiks here, ranging in size from small as children to big as buses. There are also a handful of humans, dressed in tattered robes. Sitting in the center of the chamber is Luci, being tended to by small Killik drones.

Millu’ci’vanda

Looks up at the three. “We are pleased that you have come.”

Jude Sucal

I resist the urge to draw my weapon. “Oh man. I really don’t like this.”

Iwan Starsnow

“Scared of a few bugs, little bro?” Smirks. He might have been a better duelist, but I have the brains of a scientist. I do not fear the unknown.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Oroboro Messenger

The messenger looks at Jerus, clicking it's mandibles in... joy? "Burubub! Rrrrrrrub bubrubub!" Antennae standing straight up, it turns around and starts walking back the way it came.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

ON ALDERAAN

Jude Sucal

I am outside the base, training with Iwan. I hold my crimson bladed lightsaber in both hands in a standard Ataru defense form. "Now, come at me! Strike at my weak points!"

Iwan Starsnow

I stand awkwardly in no particular stance, looking quite amateurish. Thankfully Zar'kun had a stockpile of old lightsabers in the base armory. The one I currently carry is acid green, and the hilt is a shiny obsidian color. I take a few steps towards Jude, lifting the blade awkwardly over my head. "Alright, brother. Here I come!" Runs at Jude.

Jude Sucal

"Don't announce your moves!" Easily blocks his extremely predictable attack. "And don't call me brother! We share a father, and that is about it!" Deflects more of his strikes, then quickly bats his blade away, sending it flying out of his hand. "Now, pick it up!"

Iwan Starsnow

Scowls, then goes to retrieve the lightsaber. "Not only am I your brother, I'm your OLDER brother. So... you know. How about some respect?"

Jude Sucal

"I'll respect you the day you stop getting your ass handed to you by a kid. You have to EARN the right to be my brother. Hayden Twilight is more of a sibling to me, and we share zero blood. You? You have some work to do. Now, assume ready position AGAIN!" I move back to Ataru defense, but out of the corner of my eye, I see movement in the tall grass. I raise a hand to pause the sparring match, Looking out towards the grasses. Something small, about the size of a child, is moving towards the base. A moment later, my eyes widen as a huge bipedal insect marches out of the grasses. "Woah! What the hell is that thing!?" I jump back a step, holding my lightsaber towards it as a warning.

Iwan Starsnow

"That's a Killik." I say with recognition. "Mothe...Doctor Malori used to keep a few at her lab on Myrkr. Part of menagerie of experiments. Used to really freak me out. But that is it doing here?"

Jude Sucal

"No idea. Must have something to do with that Chiss girl, Luci." As I speak, the Killik walks right up to me and stops, staring at me with big black eyes. I lower my weapon only slightly. "What do you want? We don't have food or anything for you!" The Killik just tilts it head, clicking its mandibles and waving its antennae.

Oroboro Messenger

"Brrrrub brub brub bruuubrb?" It pauses, looking between Jude and Iwan. When neither of them respond to it's question, it repeats, "Brrrrub brub brub bruuubrb?"

Jude Sucal

"Uhh...yeah. We don't have any food."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Theron Shan

Syn and I can hear blaster fire from the bottom of the stairwell. We hesitate for a moment, considering finding a different path. But, then again, the way we came is probably also swarming with troopers, so we might as well risk it. I lift Syn into a fireman's carry and begin my descent down the steps. "We need to get back to the compound. It's the safest place."

Synclair Je'and

"Where are the others? Jerus would just sit back and let the Republic swarm us. Neither would Becca or Jakito. Unless... You don't think they've been captured, do you?"

Theron Shan

"No, of course not! They're probably in a heap of trouble themselves! But you know them. They'll make it out in the end. They always do, and so will we!" I continue down the steps, trying to go as fast as I can without risking falling and hurting Syn. It is then I suddenly notice the shooting has stopped, and now all we can hear is a baby crying. "That's them! Charlamagne and Rosalie are right below us!" I pick up the pace a bit, but not too much. "Charlie! Hey, Charlie, we're on our way! Get the speeder going!" There is no response on either the comm or from below. As we get closer, we find out why.

Charlamagne

I lay against the staircase, by back to the emergency exit. All of the troopers are dead, scattered around me. Syn's baby is cradled against my chest, screaming her head off. I wheeze, a trickle of blood running from the corner of my mouth. My back is covered in so many blaster wounds, it looks like a Well Done Nerf Burger. As Theron and Syn come down the stairs, I smile up at them with stained teeth. "Ah...There you guys are."

Theron Shan

Syn gasps in shock and alarm, but I keep a straight face. Carefully, I place Syn down on the stair, then go to take Rosalie from Charlie's arms. "Good work, agent Charlamagne."

Charlamagne

"Thanks, boss. I... aim to please." I try to laugh, but just end up coughing. "I better get a freaking medal for this. A... a big one. Like... HUGE." My strength fading, I lay down against the staircase. "And... tell HJ..... Ah, screw it. Never mind." Chuckles lightly to self. My smile begins to slip from my face, and the light leaves me eyes. At least I die a hero or whatever.

Theron Shan

I look down at Charlie's body, feeling a great sense of remorse for my fallen agent. There isn't much time to grieve though, as I can hear troopers on the levels above us. With Rosalie in the crook of my arm, I offer a hand to Synclair. "Come on! We need to go!" She takes my hand and I pull her close, helping lead her out the emergency exit and to the speeder bike. Thankfully, the troopers hadn't had a chance to sabotage it yet. "Here. Get on. Just swing your leg over like... THAT, yes, good. Now take the baby." With Syn safely on the bike, I hand her her daughter. "The bike has a built in GPS autopilot. I have the compound locked in the memory. Just press HOME and it will fly you there."

Synchair Je'and

I hold Rosalie close, trying to comfort her despite the situation. I look up at Theron, confused. "Why are you telling this? Aren't you coming?"

Theron Shan

"I'm gonna buy you time. I'll keep them distracted so you can make a break for it." I grab one of the fallen trooper's blaster carbines and cock it. "Now get going! I'll meet you all back at the compound soon! I promise!" I turn towards the doors just in time for the troopers to come spilling out. I open fire on them, ducking to the side as they fire back at me. "GO!!"

Synclair Je'and

I slam my hand into the HOME button and hold on tight as the speeder rockets off towards the compound. Over my shoulder, I can see Theron barely holding off the troopers as he runs the opposite direction. I pray that he wasn't lying when he said he'd meet back up with us. We'd already lost Charlie. I couldn't bare to have Theron die for me too.

I turn my face forward, cradling Rosalie close to my chest. We weren't out of this mess just yet...

END OF SCENE

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Synclair Je'and

I am resting in my room, eating a liquid lunch and overall trying to recover when I hear footsteps running outside my room. I look up in alarm as Charlamagne bursts into the room. "Charlie?! What's wrong?"

Charlamagne

Breaths heavily. "Sucal sent his goons after us. They're storming the hospital. We need to get out of here now!" I rush over to her bedside. "Can you walk?"

Synclair Je'and

"I can barely stand!" I feel a panic rising in me, but I try to keep it controlled. "Where is Rosalie? We need to get Rosalie!"

Charlamagne

"She's down the hall. Don't worry about her, though. The Pubs are after us adults, not a newborn baby. She'll be fine where she is."

Synclair Je'and

Glares at him. "I think we both know Sucal isn't above threatening babies! Now, go and get her! Don't worry about me!" I push aside my tray and begin trying to push myself up. "There isn't time. Just go! Get my daughter to safety!"

Charlamagne

Hesitates for a moment, then turns and sprints out of the room. I can hear troopers starting to break through the stairwell doors to enter the ward. I have to hurry. As I run, I talk into the comm. "I'm grabbing the kid. How's it going down there, boss?"

Theron Shan

Combat rolls behind a gurney, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach as I do so. Stupid move. I grit my teeth in pain as I whisper to Charlie. "On my way up. They haven't spotted me yet, but if you keep talking to me, they're bound to overhear." I continue my slow creep towards the stairs.

Charlamagne

"Alright. Just checking. I'll see you outside." Turns off comm and heads to the ICU.

Synclair Je'and

I continue to struggle, finding it nearly impossible to rise. There is a hover chair not far away, but I can't reach. I can feel my stitching beginning to tear the more I fight to get up. With a yelp of pain, I slip and fall off of the bed and onto the floor. Again, I can hear footsteps outside. These ones sound heavier and more metallic; Republic Trooper. Weakly, I try to crawl towards the hover chair across the room, but I'm not making much progress. I am less than half way there when the door wings open and an armed trooper bursts it. He stares down at me, and I up at him. For several seconds, he doesn't move, but then suddenly he falls forward and crumbles to the floor. A tiny sabre dart sticks into the gap between his shoulder plate and his helmet. Behind him stands Theron Shan with his wrist launcher extended. "Theron!"

Theron Shan

"Glad the docs forgot to confiscate this one. Took all my blasters and knives though." I go to Syn and pull her to her up, throwing her arm around my shoulder. "We're out of time. Charlamagne has Rosalie. He'll meet us downstairs..."

Charlamagne

Meanwhile, I am running as fast as I can down the stairs, a blaster in one hand and a (thankfully) sleeping baby in the other. I have a speeder bike part out front. It'll be tough driving while holding a kid, but I've done worse. As I reach the bottom floor, I burst through the emergency exit doors... right into a squad of Troopers. They all turn in surprise, not even thinking to raise their guns. I shrug comically and smile. "Oops! Wrong floor!" Then I blast the closes one and dive for the door. The baby is awake now. "Shhh! I gotcha! I won't let any of these big back bucket heads hurt ya!"