Lord Greshh

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Xanthippe Naberrie

As I jump back, Iwan’s acid green lightsaber activates in my off hand. I do my best to deflect Zar’kun’s attack with both weapons, though I do not attempt any counter attack. After a few moments of defending his powerful barrage, something clicks in my brain. Using the Force to increase my speed, I quickly twist away from Zar’kun and kick him away from me. I then backflip across the pad to give myself extra room for what I’m about to do next.

Looking directly at him, I hold out both my lightsabers... and drop them. They deactivate and clatter to the ground. I then drop to my knees. “I will not fight you, Zar’kun. Please... I just want to go home.” Tears welling in my eyes. “I know I’ve been manipulative in the past... and I know my mistakes cost everyone greatly... but I swear I’m not responsible for this.”

Mandalore the Risen

I roll my eyes. “Crocodile tears? Really?” I turn away in apparent disgust. “Finish her, Zar’kun. The Revolution needs justice. I thr mean time, I need to meet with Cosen Greshh before she leaves.” I signal the Elite Protectors to stay behind while I walk away to find my own shuttle.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Xanthippe Naberrie

My anger begins to boil to the surface, though I am trying to contain myself. "Back off, Zar'kun. This is your only warning. I'm telling you right here, right now, I'm not responsible for any of this. But if you don't end this foolishness now, I swear I won't hesitate to do what I have to. You've already tried to cripple me once. I won't give you the chance to try it again!"

Armond Organa

"Hold on, now!" I yell from the side lines. "Lets not tear each other apart here! What evidence is there of what you claim, Zar'kun? And I mean REAL evidence. Jedi senses don't hold up in a court of law, I'm afraid."

Mandalore the Risen

I walk out, fully dressed in my armor and accompanied by a group of elite Mandalorian Protectors. "What evidence do we need? She's a witch. She's obviously guilty." I pull my beskad sword, and the protectors power up their shields. "Why are we wasting time talking? You know she specializes in getting into people's heads. Making them doubt themselves. Let her speak long enough and she'll have even you believing her, Zar'kun. She's already bewitched this hapless fool." I point to Organa.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Xanthippe Naberrie

Instinctively, I activate my main lightsaber. It slides out of my sleeve and sparks a violet blade. However, I do not attack. "I 'reek' of magick because I have been using it to protect myself, you dolt! I've been fighting for my life all morning!" I hold my lightsaber in a Makashi defensive stance. "Why is it whenever something goes wrong, you assume it's my fault?! Why can't you just accept that I'm not the bad guy anymore?!"

Mandalore the Risen

I watch the exchange from a distance, ready to drop in and help take the witch down if necessary.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Xanthippe Naberrie

"Zar'kun Je'and?" I grown. "As if your son wasn't bad enough." I shake my head in exasperation. "Listen, I don't know what your fixation with me is, but we really don't have time to get into it. Things are going to hell in a hand basket out here. The Mandos are turning on each other and massacring civilians in the streets. I need to get Korre out of here before they decide to turn on us too!"

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Armond Organa

My shuttle flies up to one of the landing pads, and is almost immediately swarmed by Mando security. As the hatch opens, I step out with my hands raised. "Now now, my friends. I mean you no harm. I am an ally to your Mand'alor. I have all my identification to prove it." I begin reaching into my robes to produce ID. "We're just here to pick someone up and then we'll be on our way."

Xanthippe Naberrie

I walk out after him. I keep a wary eye on the Mandalorians, unsure how they will react. Just in case they decide to turn on us as well, I grab the lightsaber hidden up my sleeve and prepare to cast some Sith Magick. Under my breath, I say, "Come on... Let us pass..."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Armond Organa

Meanwhile, I am being escorted to safety by my one remaining bodyguard. We have called in a transport from the Organa fleet overhead, and we are on our way to meet up with it.

Xanthippe Naberrie

I stumble out of an alley, looking for frazzled then ever. When I see Organa, I flag him down. “Wait, Armond! Help!”

Armond Organa

I call my man to a stop. “Senator Naberrie? What’s happened? Did the Mandalorians turn on you as well?”

Xanthippe Naberrie

“I’m afraid so. They have my handmaiden back at there base. I need to find her and rescue her before it’s too late.”

Armond Organa

“Calm yourself. We’ll sort this all out yet. Once we get to safety, I’ll get into contact with the Sith Hunters and find out the full story. I’m sure they won’t let anything happen to your handmaiden or her child.”

Xanthippe Naberrie

“I don’t want to take that risk. Please, get me to the command center straight away.”

Armond Organa

I hesitate for a moment. “Alright. I don’t deny you help, but I get the feeling there is something you aren’t telling me.”

Xanthippe Naberrie

I sigh. “Armond, how many times do I have to tell you...” I flick his forehead, and a small purple rune briefly appears in that spot before disappearing. “There are always secrets we’d rather not tell. If you were a good politician, you’d understand that.”

Armond Organa

I look dazed for a moment before blinking myself back into reality. “What the...” I shake my head. “Uhhh... well, come along now, Senator. We shouldn’t linger here too long.” I lead her towards where the shuttle is. Together, we board it and head to the command center.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

I nod. "I'll try to find Temari. You guys just try to find Xan and stop her from turning my girlfriend into a tyrant!" I am about to end the call but then quickly add, "Oh, and uhh... stay safe. Love you. Bye." Quickly ends the call, then jumps up to go find an Clan Ordo youth who can give me Temari's contact info.

Satele Shan

Having sensed all that has happened, I shake my head in despair. Without a word, I begin to gather my things and prepare to leave.

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

"You don't think... I mean, she won't just..." I remember back to when I first learned that Cosen was alive. The Mandos had captured her and her brother, but rather than treating their wounds, Ava had them put in cages and, later on, fitted with collars set to kill them if they disobeyed her orders. "Oh no... Maybe you're right. But what am I supposed to do? Tell her to give up the highest honor her people could achieve? She'd never go for that, even if she knew it was the best thing for her health."

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

HJ Twilight

“What’s on your mind, Grandpa? We need to get to the bottom of all this before it spirals completely out of control. Sucal is still out there somewhere, and if we start fighting each other, it’ll give him the chance to rest and come back stronger than before.”

A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

Mandalore the Risen

“What!? No, she can’t leave! I put the planet into quarantine until we can round up all the renegade Saxons. Her ship won’t make it past the blockade.”

HJ Twilight

“Ava, come on. If she doesn’t want to be a part of this anymore...”

Mandalore the Risen

“She’s NOT leaving! Not until I say she can! I’ve already fought one battle here against the Republic! I won’t fight another against the Revolution! She will call them off, and ensure this alliance stands!” I stomp out of the room, growing more and more stressed by the minute.

HJ Twilight

I stare after her. “And here I thought winning the battle would make things easier on her.”