...and the journey began

[Via Dolorosa]

A loud buzzing noise began to seep through the cockpit's speakers quickly followed by a blaring siren which then was followed by several buttons flashing red. Xhexania began to whip her head back and forth trying to make heads or tails of what was happening around her. She had properly activated the ship's navigation computer and properly typed the pass codes. In fact, the ship was already in space so what was going on? She jumped to her feet from the pilot's chair when an automated voice came over the speakers putting the buzzing noise to rest. "A large ship perhaps a freighter class has locked onto the ship. Sensors picking up activity. Tractor beam has been activated. Estimated time of arrival with foreign ship: 45 seconds," the computerized voice announced. Xhex cursed under her breath and looked out the side port at the ship. Slavers? Pirates? Jedi? She had encountered pirates and slavers during her time with Ryi but never a Jedi. Was she even a match for a trained Jedi? She looked down at the lightsaber hanging from her belt and smiled. Of course she was.

She took a step in the direction of the cockpit's exit when the computer voice alerted to an incoming transmission. Sighing heavily, she ordered the computer to patch it through. "Greetings. I am Ghorga Arog, Captain and proprietor of Slave 77. It seems you have stumbled into our section which means that you will surrender over all your cargo. Meaning. You and your ship. Do not try to resist or we will blow you out of space and this is something I do not wish to occur. A destroyed ship turns no profit and dead passengers are lost credits. So..." Xhex presses the button to end the transmission. "Computer. Shut down all unnecessary systems. Let them think we are giving into their demands," Xhex barks as she exits the cockpit.

Despite the size of her ship in comparison to the slaver or pirate ship, her ship is not without surprises and hiding places. If these slavers or pirates want her ship, then they can have it for now. If they want to make a slave out of her, then they will have to earn that right if any of them survive. "Computer. Activate defense protocol H-67," she orders just as she slips into a hidden compartment. Closing her eyes and allowing her mind to focus on what she must do, she begins to recite the Sith Code. With each passing word her anger begins to rise. Soon these slavers or pirates will soon learn the name of death.

And that name is Xhexania.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The ship began to rock back and forth as the tractor beam of the freighter slowly drew the smaller craft into its mechanical maw. Xhex sat, legs crossed and eyes closed, feeling the vibrations through the Force while all the time plotting a course of action in her mind. She had no doubts she would survive her first solo encounter with the scum of the galaxy but she did wonder how many she would have to kill to achieve the destination that seemed within her grasp. The thrill of combat and the impending deaths that would ensue cradled her, opening up a new feeling deep inside of her. Finally the ship came to a rest and she quickly opened her eyes. The time had come at last to prove to herself that she was truly worthy of the title Sith.

Through the Force she felt three individuals draw near the small ship and she slowly pulled the hilt off her utility belt, fighting the urge to ignite it and attack. Patiently and biting her lower lip gently, she waited for them to board the craft and for the ship's defenses to sort them out. Suddenly like a far distant scream that was brutally brought to the forefront, she felt the deaths of the trio as the automated defense system activated and that is when she sprung into action. It seemed that this Captain had only sent these three to scan the ship which was a mistake. By allowing this to happen, it gave her a chance to escape her ship and pursue the occupants of the freighter.

Moving through the corridors of the ship like a phantom, Xhex began to seek out her enemy through the Force. She found two slavers standing guard next to a door, located further down from the ship's docking bay doors, that possibly led further into the ship. Just as she closed the distance silently, the freighter's sirens erupted and the voice of this Ghorga Arog rained out through the speakers putting his men on alert. The guards spotted her and just as they were raising their crude looking blaster rifles, she pressed down on the activation stud of the hilt calling to life the crimson flame. Following the snap hiss of the emerging blade Xhex called on the Force adding it to her speed making her move much more quickly; and far more deadlier. In two precise slashes she dropped both guards and was out the door before their bodies crashed onto the dirty, metal floor.

Four more of the cretins fell, two of which died without even seeing her, before she even reached the main sections of the ship. Stopping to get her bearings, again using the Force to pin-pointe her targets, she allowed what had just transpired to overcome her with a sense of joy, excitement, and satisfaction. By allowing herself to be distracted with her inner thoughts, she failed to see the two slavers that crept through the shadows on her left. A barely than audible sound appeared on her left and just as she turned to investigate it, everything went black....

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The brightness of the lights began to wreck havoc on her unaccustomed eyes. Shaking her head from side to side to shake off the effects of whatever knocked her senseless, the focus of her eyesight began to return and she found herself locked in some sort of energy field cage. Sliding over to the only wall not energized, she sat with her back against it trying to figure out what exactly happened. She recalled stopping and....that's when she felt a sharp pain course through her body; followed by darkness. Cursing under breath for her lack of concentration she looked up and began to scan the room. She needed to to find a way out of her current situation. And fast! Still looking around she saw a lone guard standing next to a table that was now in possession of her belongings. An idea was forming.

Rising to her full height she walked over to the end of the cage and gestured for the guard to come over to her. The guard, some reptile based creature, glanced briefly at her then ignored her. Not to be discouraged she tried another approach. "Hey you! That's right you," she said getting the guard's attention and forcing him to address her. The reptile man chuffed once and walked over to her. "I have orders not to speak to you slave so make this quick," the reptile man barked. Using the Force, she began to call for her weapon from off the table and gently floated it toward her. "You should let me go and if you do I promise I will kill you last and quickly," she said keeping her eyes on the man and not betraying her hovering weapon.

The horrible laugh that emerged from the reptile man was almost enough to break her concentration but she was able to overcome it. "Little human girl, I do not think you understand the situation you find yourself in. So unless you want me to make the remainder of your trip unbearable, sit down and shut up!" It was now Xhex's turn to let out laughter as she moved her hilt into position. What she was about to attempt was something she only succeeded a few times but she had to try. Her life and freedom depended upon it. The reptile man cocked his head to the left as he stared at Xhex then he heard the familiar sound of a lightsaber roaring to life. Just as he turned to face whatever threat crept up on him, the crimson blade drove deep into his neck.

Xhex took a few steps back and witnessed the fall of the slaver as he crashed into the energized cage and the aftermath that followed when it connected with the energy field. Sparks flew. Flesh burned. And the energy cage slowly vanished, granting her freedom. Xhex dashed out of her temporary prison grabbing her weapon from the air as she passed. She did not know how long she had until they discovered her gone but that was their problem. Her problem was making sure that everyone aboard this ship died for thinking she would be someone's or something's slave.