All Good Things

[Neldar Poska]

Neldar was running out, running out of everything. After the bounty he made on those who stole from him, most of those who worked for him didn't take too kindly to it. Yes, of course, everyone doesn't generally care about anything as long as they get paid. Absolute cruel and unusual torture? Slavery of all ages and genders? Risking lives against total danger? But this meant something else to those who worked for Neldar, and they felt betrayed. If you don't be Neldars puppet, with whatever he pays you, you're dead. No one knew, but those Ganks who stole Neldars ship, didn't entirely steal anything. They had gotten bored with working with Neldar, and wanted to leave. But anyone who works for Neldar and leaves, have secrets, secrets he would never want getting out. Neldar told them no, and they persisted. Neldar ended up sending... fellow ganks, to attack and capture them. THey got away, escaping on a less than loved ship in Neldars shipyards.


Those who worked for Neldar in the company, in manufacturing, trade and transport and such, kept working for the credits he paid them. But his offensive, his military, forces, had all but left. He one a single Gank following him around today, as the rest were protecting his assets. He just wanted a day to relax from all this tress. He didn't even have enough people to run his special space station, so he had to abandon it... it probably drifts. Big... money sink hole. Some would say he isw done on his luck, but maybe he could regain his treasury and forces... but he would have to dive back into something, a style of business that he never really gave up, but a lot harder... like what he used to do.

 

[Neldar Poska]

Neldar had went to Tatooine, back at the old cantina to take a load off. The same lawless planet he had used for vacation even as far back as Day One of Golan Arms, but this rest was just a little different.... before his forces left him, they discovered the gem that Neldar had lost so many years ago... Sarahs Crystal. He was so happy, the power from Sarah giving him the feeling that he could do it all again, to bring him out of this slump. But he needed a day to rest and get over this stress... then he would go back at it again. This was still kind of a celebration for Neldar. This crystal meant so much to him, more than this whole company. It reminded him... of her. Sarah was innocent, kind, and caring. She didn't want to kill or harm. And while Neldar wasn't entirely about that kind of life... she did more for him that no one has ever done in his entire life... and he only had her for fifteen years. Neldar was near the end of his time, so he had lived for longer than most.

Then, remembering Sarah, it reminded him of Joza... that strong and brave, yet gorgeous and overwhelming. When he was around her, he couldn't think straight, so before he reached Tatooine, he had sent along a holonet message. It told that Neldar had found something very important to him, and wanted to catch up and chat, hoping she would show. But for Neldar, this day was far, far from over, and he would have to try and overcome the pain that it still had left.

 

[Eddak Manod]

Eddak was on Tatooine, trying to secure trade routes for the new Deuterium his fort had found. Tatooine was a perfect option if he wanted less galactic presence, but galactic-wide credits. Tatooine would have multiple buyers, and Eddak would supply it here, while they distributed it. While Eddak went to speak with some merchants, the rest of his crew went to have a drink in the local cantina. For Fort Galderra, all the soldiers, and most of the townsfolk knew Neldars face, but Neldar didn't know every face, only Eddaks. Although, the armor the soldiers wore were almost unique in appearance would be familiar, if he was looking. Before the soldiers took their load off and had a drink, they told one of their fellow men to report to Eddak, to tell him that Neldar was alone, without guards. One guard was not nearly enough to make a presence known, and Eddak had a squad or two that had came with him. The rest were back at the transport unloading.


[member="Joza Perl"]

Spoiler

Neldar -> Eddak -> Joza, that's the order. Thanks for joining!

 

[Joza Perl]

Neldar rarely contacted Joza, so when she’d got his message she made sure to rearrange her schedule for a little side trip to Tatooine. The Zeltron had become familiar with the desert world over a few excursions, admiring what she could of their architecture and way of life. She’d adopted a sultry, mischievous tribal desert dance, Shaabi into her repertoire nearly a decade ago. But there was a pressing matter to attend to, and her mind turned to Neldar and whatever his discovery was. They’d last met when she was comfortably in the middle of her pregnancy, and now the child was almost a year old. Little Alan, red hair like his mama, but all peach skin and grey eyes like his daddy. Not that she’d freely offer up that information, though.

Pushing the door open to the cantina, the plainly garbed Zeltron strode in with soft, quick steps. The sandy colored cloak over her traveling clothes was beginning to show its age, a bit torn and tattered in some places but still good. It didn’t take her long to find Neldar, spying the large Vodran easily among the crowds of regulars and travelers alike.

“It’s good to see you again, Neldar.” Sliding into the seat next to him, she gave him a warm smile. There was something amiss, that much was for certain—but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Instead she prompted him in greeting, a genuine smile spreading across her face. Less makeup this time around, scars a bit more visible and lines of fatigue ringing her eyes but she seemed spirited, holding herself in a similar manner as their first meeting.

[member="Neldar Poska"] [member="Eddak Manod"]

 

[Neldar Poska]

[member="Joza Perl"]


Neldar was surprised, not all too expecting for the bright woman to appear before him. Nothing against her, but she was a busy woman with a blooming business, and no telling what her physical state was since the last time he saw her, she was carrying a child. "Ah, yes, Joza! Good to see!" He spoke lowly but loudly, his mouth open in absolute happiness. He gave a wave to the bartender to fill his glass again, nodding towards Joza, motioning he would also pay for whatever she ordered. "How is... miss Joza, hmm? Good? Ah, mm... no..." he patted his belly, looking at Joza, "no... belly? Joza have healthy, have little pain when...birth?" Neldar was making it seem like he was searching for the words for basic to communicate, hoping she didn't pick up on him or remember that single moment he slipped slightly, speaking very fluent basic. But hopefully, for right now, the time of worry was over.

"Joza, this... celebration. Good news." Neldars hand reached up, clasping a bright, big green crystal that hung around his neck as he closed his eyes, a closed smile curling on his lips. "Remember, Neldar tell Miss Joza, about... Neldar lover? Neldar lose... lover gift.... but Neldar people.... they find again," he said, slowly opening his eyes. As the bartender came around and dropped off their drinks, Neldar let go of the rystal, picked up his drink to sip it, and turned to Joza to show it.

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Joza Perl"]

Neldar and Joza would not be having a peaceful party, no celebration today, not for too long. "Gather the men," Eddak spoke up, "The ones unloading the cargo, have them meet with me at the Cantina, we act now, or he escapes." Eddak apologized to the merchant and finished his business in the Market early, saying he would come back to them later. A few minutes had gone by, while Neldar and Joza had a moment to speak. Joza had a moment to admire the crystal that Neldar had clutched, showing great admiration for. But that crystal was going to be his ultimate down fall, for the crystals unknown powers would surprise everyone.

Eddak bursted into the Cantina, at least a dozen men in Stormtrooper Shoretrooper armor coming in behind him. The small group of troopers that had sat down and ordered one of their own to go alert Eddak had stood up from their table. They ordered no drinks, saving their credits for what was about to happen. As soon as one of the Shoretroopers pointed the scaly beast out amongst the crowd, Eddak drew his slugthrower pistol, and the other men drew their weapons. The bartender saw what was coming, and ducked down. Some of the other patrons jumped out of their chairs. The troopers didn't fire, but they took aim as Eddak fired his pistol, aiming at Neldar but destroying his glass from his hand.

Neldars bodyguard quickly jumped up with their own rifle, aiming back. "Neldar fething Poska! It's terribly unwise to show up here unguarded!" Eddak shouted across the Cantina.

 

[Joza Perl]

“Oh,” She motioned for her glass to be filled with whatever Neldar was drinking. “I’ve been well. Busy, but overall well.” Her brow furrowed in momentary confusion when he patted his belly, though her face relaxed and she let out a bubbly laugh when she realized that he was referencing her pregnancy. “The baby is healthy, yes. He’s almost a year old. His name is Alan and he’s got hair like mine.” A hand twined in her own red locks briefly. She’d purposely avoided the question of pain when giving birth, seeing as how she’d gone into premature labor during a raid on Voss. It was as intense as it was heartbreaking with the loss of life, and Joza had felt a kind of fear she’d never experienced at the thought of losing her child. Alan had been born a few weeks early, but recovered thanks to the Silver’s medical care and turned into a chubby, giggling baby after a few months.

Her smile fell, though not by much as Neldar brought the crystal pendant into view. It was more of a thoughtful, curious look as she studied the emerald gem, focus narrowing as she sensed Force properties embedded within it. Force imbuement was a skill the Zeltron was familiar with. Enough to know that something akin to it was at work here, but unable to tell exactly what. “It’s gorgeous.” She commented, smile softening at Neldar’s explanation. The necklace alone was an exceptional piece of jewelry, but it had a high sentimental value attached to it. “That’s wonderful new, Neldar. I’m glad that they found something so important to you—“

Her voice faded out, brow scrunching as she sensed something was off. Maybe it was through the Force, or something about the situation had tripped her up subconsciously. Not half a moment later did the door burst open, some type of militia men in vaguely familiar armor storming the cantina. An ambush clearly—but by whom? Joza didn’t know of the Vodran’s enemies, but that didn’t make much of a difference in the moment. The slug shattered Neldar’s glass and Joza pivoted around while snatching the blaster from her hip and leveling it on Eddak with a controlled gaze.

“Easy,” Her voice rolled out in sheets, smooth as ice and just as hard. “Whatever dispute you have here, it can be solved without guns.” While Joza was not a model pacifist, words had their place in a hostile state. Weapons had their place, too. That being said, there was something in her tone that suggested she’d use either if it befit the situation.

[member="Eddak Manod"] [member="Neldar Poska"]

 

[Neldar Poska]

Neldar jumped in near-fright as his glass was smashed and the slug flew back, hitting the center where the bartender worked, smashing bottles. As he noticed his Gank guard run up to cover him, he braced himself by putting a hand on the Gank. They weren't close or sentimental, so Neldar let off of the shoulder as soon as he was stable and hopped off the stool. He peered his head to the side, peeking from his guards shoulder as he pushed the Gank forward softly to get a little more space... Neldar was massive... Then, his eyes widened, and he looked down. "Miss Joza, very sorry about Eddak. He ... this bad. Thank you... for letting me know of baby health. Joza healthy too, good." After he said those words to Joza, it was now time to focus on Eddak. "E-dick!" he said in broken Basic, or taunting him, "Nice to see you! How is the family, yes? Heh, heh. You should leave, let Neldar and miss Joza finish drinks, yes? Miss Joza, very powerful, and Eddak not want lose partners on Tatooine, hmm?"

Neldar was honestly... very tense. He wasn't afraid of Eddak, but the potential words he might bring up in front of Joza. Eddak and Neldar... they go way back, back before Eddak was in command of the little shanty town that Neldar went through, but they were never friends.

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Joza Perl"]


The soldiers aimed at Joza, while the ones that were sitting at the table kept their aim on the Gank. "This has nothing to do with you, woman! Don't take me as being offensive, either. This man must die for everything he's done! You've no need to get hurt! My men may be wearing old Imperial armor but they aren't Imperials, I've trained them myself.... while I might have been off just slightly with Neldars glass, the next will hit."

Eddak twitched his head for his soldiers to move in. "This isn't some petty grudge, miss," Eddak continued, all of his soldiers now moving to cover any exits, and encircle the group. The patrons kept down since it wasn't their fight, and they didn't want to lose an arm, or a life. "This isn't revenge."

One of the troopers began to speak up, "Neldar is wanted for countless crimes, including theft, murder, and sacking of homes. We know he is wanted in other parts of the galaxy, but a hanging would give this thing a chance to escape. Please step aside, miss. Neldar dies right now." The trooper didn't speak as if he was some law man following a wanted poster, he was speaking personally. Perhaps, too personally. There was a slight sadness, yet anger in his voice. The soldier had experienced more, directly from Neldar, than Joza may understand.

Eddak turned his body so it wasn't facing towards Joza and Neldar, aiming his pistol with one hand as he stretched it out. "Only the criminal needs to die, today, miss."

 

[Joza Perl]

A tight frown tilted her lips at being called woman, but she didn’t interrupt Eddak. The longer this went on, the more she felt like a verbal solution would not work. Being an empath gave her the advantage of sensing other emotions—or at the very least, getting the gist of them. But it didn’t take a Zeltron to understand the tense situation. The people hiding beneath tables and ducking behind chairs could tell you that.

The blaster stayed pointed on Eddak. She’d didn’t quite believe him, and her glance shifted quickly from the soldiers with their guns trained on her and back to him. As a precaution, she began to gather the Force to her.

“Neldar, is what this man says true?” She didn’t turn back to look at the Vodran, but her voice held a certain hardness to it, as if to imply that she’d be able to tell if he was lying. While she didn’t want the situation to escalate, Eddak and his men seemed intent on one thing.

[member="Eddak Manod"] [member="Neldar Poska"]

 

[Neldar Poska]

[member="Joza Perl"]


Neldar sighed, listening to Eddak speak. But that damned soldier speaking up, this was getting bad. "Miss Joza," he said with buttered words, "You know Neldar always dipped in bad business-" Neldar was suddenly interrupted.

"Dipped into it? You stand there and lie to this womans face?" Eddak shouted

Neldar nudged the Gank forward, who started to get agitated by all the physical contact, screeching something incoherent. "Eddak, this bad time. Miss Joza not need this after her situation." He turned his head slightly, looking at Joza with his peripherals while still staring at Eddak. "Miss Joza, Neldar always do under - the - table stuff. Neldar makes credits, make jobs. Neldar always been dirty, but Miss Joza knows Neldar does not do cruel business, yes? First meet, make deal, yes?"

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Joza Perl"]


Eddak ripped up a shout interrupting Neldar when he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had wanted to chase this thing down since day one of watching his friends and family torn apart by the things... 'work ethic.' But he never could, if he dared try anything, and if Neldar escaped, Eddak would have hell to pay. "Neldar, you and I both know if you leave today, everything in my town will be decimated. You'll take those who can't fight, and kill those who can. You tried to put a fear in me the first time I met you, but it only fueled me to do what must be done."

Eddak ignored the entire room for a hot second as he took a deep breath with anger on his face. "You tell her to put her weapon down, you tell her everything you've done. You tell her the women and children you've taken from from the place I grew up. You tell her you've done it for generations! That you look at our town as a breeding ground, a farm for your credits!" In the heat of the moment, Eddak couldn't stop. He fired off a round and killed the Gank in front of Neldar, running at him. The troopers didn't shoot, but half were still on Joza, and half on Neldar.

The Gank fell back but accidentally pulled the trigger on his Flechette launcher, but it was aiming upward. It exploded on the ceiling, causing it to fall in above Neldar and Joza. When the dust cleared, Eddak was on top of Neldar, choking him with one hand while Neldar held one of Eddaks arms that had a bladed weapon in the hand. "You tell her you picked those children out like it was some kind of feth'd up game of duck, duck, goose. You tell her you killed the wives of everyone of my soldiers to prove a point the last time I came after you! Those credits in your pocket are soaked in blood, Neldar!"

Normally Neldar would have no problem fending Eddak off, but he was phased. He was weakened, and seemed almost pushed to tears. Not by himself, but the crystal around his neck seemed to shine and glow, using its imbuement on its wearer.

 

[Joza Perl]

Back and forth it went.

Her eyes narrowed, this time at the inflection of Neldar’s words. He was trying to work her, trying to make her believe something. And at one point, she did, at least during their first meeting. But it had been only that; a first meeting.

Joza didn’t like to have her faith shaken in someone or something, but that didn’t mean that she would outright ignore any warning signs. And there was a warning sign in the form of an angry man and his militia. But the words he spoke—were they true? Had the gentle Vodran really ravaged his home and done terrible things?

Such was the way of the galaxy. The wealthy and powerful, at least in some circles, preyed on the weak. Those who just wanted to eke out a peaceful living were often caught in the crossfire of something bigger. Her grip on the gun tightened, but this time in indecision as a fresh wave of frustration pulsed through her veins.

The slug tore through the Gank, and before Joza could react the ceiling had collapsed down on her and Neldar. A piece of debris struck her on the head, sending her to the ground. In a daze for the moment, Eddak’s words reached her ears and time slowed. Her blood chilled and the pit of her stomach tightened as a memory of herself in nothing but a slave collar, discarded on the cold ground of a Hutt dungeon forced its way into her mind. She could still see the silhouettes as they drifted away from her, feel the shackles on her wrist. It was something she’d been slowly working past, but right now it was enough to stun her into immobility for a few moments.

But it passed, and she was pulled into the here and now.

For a moment she was unsure of what to do, but the look on Neldar’s face sent her into action. She wanted answers, as much as it would pain her. A hasty force push was thrown at the soldiers trained on her, aiming to scatter them and give her a few moments to try and removed Eddak from Neldar. Her hand curled around the fabric of his shirt, aiming to yank him from the large alien. “Control your anger!” She hissed to the man, though it was not out of spite. She’d recognized the look on his face, the look of a man who’d lost so much and was struggling to defend what he still had.

[member="Eddak Manod"] [member="Neldar Poska"]

 

[Neldar Poska]

Neldar was caught up in the moment, he was choking up, he couldn't speak for a moment. He was bewildered by the loss of his strength. Even now, he remembered how much strength this crystal used to give him, inspire him, like his exlover used to. But even now, his normal strength not even cutting it. His body started to numb as he growled, confused and upset. After the dust settled, and Joza reacted, trying to pull Eddak off of him, he shook his head. Suddenly, a sadness rolled over his face as he lost the will to fight. He shook his head, more and more, looking into the eyes of Eddak. But Eddak had gained strength from pure adrenaline, and it kept Joza at bay without the Force helping her. "No!" Neldar shouted in a growling, low voice. "Not in front of Miss Joza! ... Not here, not now!" The growl and tenseness of his voice slowly dissipating to something not of his kind. It slowly became clearer, and less intangible. It slowly became less broken and jumbled.

"Why? Why today, Eddak? Neldar... I wanted to smile." The crystal grew brighter, enough that it was plainly obvious to everyone. Neldar slowly turned his head to Joza, his strength dwindling as the blade sunk lower and lower. "Yes... it's all true. Those slaves... they were... far from everything." Neldar gasped as he felt the blades point push into him.

"Speak, dammit! Tell her, tell everyone here, tell them everything!"

Neldar's face cringed, as if in pain, as he wanted to cry. "It's all a lie. All of it." He said, as slowly his face started to change, showing his Shi'ido ways. Not even his face was real. "Sarah... was no lie. A thousand years ago, before the darkness, and the - ah! - the plague, I met her. For a time, I was good, or I thought that she... made me better. But, ... the credits. And the jobs... so easy. I could live alone, with her, without being exposed to what happened, to what this galaxy did to us. And when she died... I went right back to it, to escape it all."

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Joza Perl"]


Eddak used his body to pushed the blade harder, striking a nerve that forced Neldar to gasp as he felt pain. "Tell her what you did, Neldar, tell her what you did, and maybe... maybe she'll forgive you, because..." Eddak leaned down to whisper, "I will never forgive you."

Neldar tensed up and squinted, growling something monstrous, something animal-like out of pain as his face morphed to that of a regular Shi'ido, and then bck to the face of Neldar. "I ordered almost a quarter of the women on Fort Galderra to be hanged, when Eddak once tried to hunt me down, making me lose two whole ships full of cargo."

"You lost them?! Speak up, you disgusting sithspit!" Eddak squeezed tighter on Neldars neck.

"They were... children. The Ganks... scuttled the ships if they couldn't keep hold of them. With my own hands, I killed Eddaks mate for it. I had been to their little town that - eh...," he coughed, "they wanted to use to get away from all the chaos of the galaxy. They couldn't defend themselves... like many others. I'm sorry."

"Do you forgive him?" Eddak asked as he stared into Neldars eyes. Squeezing as tight as he could, but the bodies skin too hard to actually suffocate him. Eddak turned his head to Joza, "Is he your friend? Is he still your buddy? Do you still give a kark about him?" The troopers and regained their stability, and slowly approached. The trooper who spoke to Joza earlier, gently put a hand on her shoulder, gesturing her to stop trying to pull Eddak off of Neldar.

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza was being pulled in two directions at one. The fact that Eddak was stabbing someone she considered a friend was certainly troubling, but what stopped her were not the accusations he was making. What made her pause in trying to take the aggressor’s life or restrain him at the very least was that Neldar was confirming them to be true.

The fact that he was speaking perfect Galactic Basic went right over her head at this point, and her hand fell away from Eddak, gut twisting. This was all wrong, so wrong. She knew that Neldar dealt in some shady business, but she was one to turn a blind eye to petty criminals. Small time smugglers weren’t a concern of hers but it was a shock to hear the things he’d admitted to doing.

Well, not entirely. She and James Justice had managed to persuade Neldar to release his enslaved workers with the promise of credits and droid replacements. But still, that pit was in her gut. Joza didn’t do business with slavers. The thought of him enslaving and murdering women and children kept her from reaching for the blaster that had slipped from her grasp.

“You…” Her voice was like a chilly wind, soft but bitter. “You’re the type I’ve spent the better part of my life fighting against.” If they ‘d met on different terms, perhaps years ago, would he have seen an opportunity in the Zeltron and enslaved her all over again? Would she have hunted him down too like she'd done with others?

“Why is it glowing?” Ignoring Eddak and his question that she’d rather not answer, she pointed to the crystal pendant. “Neldar, what is going on?”

[member="Eddak Manod"] [member="Neldar Poska"]

 

[Neldar Poska]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-GBwaynK38[/youtube]​

"It's wrong," Neldar started to speak up, being at a loss of breath with that blade slipping in. By now, some of the patrons had snuck out, the cantina was more or less empty, people peeking in from the door. "I'm too old." Gaps between his sentence as he turned to a whisper, slowly breathing. "Too much pain. It's too late." Neldar turned his head to look at Eddak, who was a little stunned himself, just watching. The soldiers listened as the cantina got silent. Neldar gave a disappointed look at Eddak before he looked over to Joza once more. "Sarah tried to ...change me for the better. She did everything in her power. After she left her Jedi Order, she... she wanted to be with me. Scars, mask, and all. She saw the good in me, nn... like.... some sort of beacon, brighter than my mask. I was slowly turning to worse business, but after the things I had went through, with no one to talk to, I had no one, nothing. I lived longer than any being should." He started to go off, talking generalization instead of talking to anyone specific. "I watched your people fall. I watched people around me fall. Machines control us. Plagues ravage through like an ocean in space. Friends, family, loved ones... eventually, the cruel space took Sarah, and I snapped. Her feelings lingered, but her gift lingered, made me change. Up until it was stolen, and I reverted right back. I--" He coughed, blood starting to spit up. Blood also dripping from the blade heavily.

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Joza Perl"]


"It's too late, for me. It's been too late for so, so long. I should have died so many times. Never... never ever live longer than what one should. The darkness... it will... it will consume you. The longer you live, it doesn't matter, you will lose your sanity, your happiness, everything. You will seek to take it from others. The darkness is inevitable, just out live it." Neldar struggled to reach up to his neck, grabbing the crystal and jerking it, snapping the necklace. He looked over to Joza as now his eyes started to flutter from weakness, and his large head jerked and twitched as he lost his breath, blood and strength, trying to look at her. He handed the crystal to her, "don't let the darkness in, Miss Joza. Your boy, deserves nothing but happiness and love that he could ever receive. Just like.... just like.... you." If Joza hadn't grabbed the crystal, Neldars hand would have fell onto the bar counter, his arm stretched out towards her. And with the last breath that slipped from his lips, his entire body changed and morphed. It became smaller, more white, and less scaly, until he didn't even fit in his original clothes.

Eddak had never leaned over someone in such an emotional state, who would be dying, as Eddak pulled the life straight out of them. It haunted him for a moment as his eyes stared into Neldars and sucked the life out, like it was nothing. Like it was easier than shooting someone. When Neldar morphed back to his original Shi'ido state, Eddak jumped back, jumping off of him, "what the kark..." he said in a whisper, trying to comprehend everything. "What the hell are you..." The blade wasn't much larger than a dagger, but the width showed. It was shoved inside Neldars chest up to the hilt. Eddak and his soldiers just stared on, confused and happy. It wasn't what they expected. They didn't want to be happy, but they did. They didn't want to be confused, but they were. Some soldiers grouped together, thankful it was finally over. Eddak just caught his breath as it all sunk in.

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza reached out, hands not exactly steady as she took the crystal from Neldar. The Force pulsed through it, faint but detectable, like a small vein. When he spoke of her son, she tilted her head upwards to look at him, lips parted and eyes wide in a mix of confusion, horror and fear as the Neldar she’d come to know slowly flickered into…something she didn’t understand.

Her hand closed around the crystal in time for Neldar to take his last breath, body shrinking and morphing into something new…or something old. She didn’t know. Everything was hazy, a blur of emotions and sounds. “Neldar…” Her voice was low, whispered as she reached out to touch his body, grazing her hand along his arm. She didn’t know what to think.

Alan. I have to be strong for him. I have to be good for him. He deserves a real mother.

She clenched the crystal tightly and exhaled a shuddering breath.

“You got what you came here for,” Her voice was more audible now, though her tone was unreadable, almost impartial. “Why stick around?” She still knelt near the deceased Shi’ido, trying to make sense of things and digest what had just happened. Neldar had done terrible things, and the fury of the soldiers was palpable as they confronted him.

It hurt losing someone else, to the darkness or the cycle of life itself.

[member="Eddak Manod"] [member="Neldar Poska"]

 

[Eddak Manod]

[member="Joza Perl"]


Eddak looked on as the woman knelt over the body of Neldar, whatever he was, Eddak didn't know, but he didn't bother to worry about it. The plague of Neldar Poska over Fort Galderra was over, and possibly for others. But Eddak wasn't happy. His revenge was just and satisfied, but the hole in his heart, the sadness in his spirit, still lingered. His men had closure, for the most part. Eddak leaned down to the body to gently and slowly search Neldars clothes, looking for information on his dealings and business locations. The soldiers just stood there, watching, not knowing what to feel.

Eddak found some items, and slowly stood back up. "I'm uh... I'm sorry... I didn't know him personally, so I don't know what he meant to you," Eddak spoke as he looked at the information he found, taking a few and handing them to Joza. "It's not over, not yet, anyway. Neldar still has slaves, and some hidden. We'll have to find them. I'll have to bring back those he has taken from Fort Galderra. Um..." Eddak looked to his men, then looked down for a moment. He was so consumed with anger and revenge, and he wasn't even happy. He was embarrassed. "I didn't mean to ruin a good day, I didn't know he was here. Maybe after all things could have been handled differently... but Neldars time was up a long time ago, he said it himself. Maybe... you'd work with me, and help me find my people?"