At Confusion's Pinacle

[Ra'a'mah]

The gem planet of a former empire lost, found, lost and found again countless times. Right now, it was without clear leadership and the people of Zakuul suffered for it. What was once a beautiful planet had fallen into hard times. People lived day to day, scraping by. A pseudo government was in place and appeared to be run more by people that were able to seize power and hold it than could actually do a good job at it.

The old First Order officer was a soul out of time. After being locked away in a stasis casket, her base had fallen under attack. She laid there for over 800 years, stuck in ice. After her body was discovered and woken up, she had started wondering closer to where she needed to be. Why hadn't they come back? Then again, the facility had been a secret one and no formal records had been kept. Sulen hoped that was what happened.

Walking along the former glory of the capitol city, Sulen walked into what once was a classy tavern. Now it was greatly run down, but still had a flavor of its old life. It fit the old officer well. Old was a relative term for sure, she was only in her mid 20s, but was born so long ago, she was walking history.

She walked to the bar of the tavern and ordered herself some water. Getting odd looks from the other patrons, the tender got her the water she wanted and she took it to a table in the corner. Positioning herself to be able to view those in the tavern, she waited for something to happen.

Sulen could use the Force, even had training in it, but refused to touch it. Once in a while she would feel something from it though and it was at those times an event would happen. Sometimes they were great and large, others were minor, but play a very important part in her life. Not knowing what to expect, she looked around the room.

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

Dominic stepped away from his starfighter, exhaling at the sight of the ship. It was a decent fighter to be sure but it left the Lieutenant wanting. He chuckled a bit before turning away from his fighter. The Officer had come to Zakuul before in times of R&R, yet not enough to consider himself familiar with the planet.

He tucked a hand into his pocket as he made his way away from the landing pads.

"Guess I might as well enjoy myself for a bit." He said, running a free hand over his head. Sadly the officer was not on any type of leave or R&R, as part of the Empire's doctrine it monitors planets that could potentially be an asset to the Empire. Zakuul was obviously one such planet, with such a rich history surrounding the world. Of course it had been quite a while since Zakuul was even a shadow of the former gem that it had once been. Dominic's eyes took to the city that he moved through, no supreme interest taking over.

Finally Dominic found a tavern that seemed like it could host a bit of fun. "Maybe there are some decent women around here." He said, chuckling at his own words.

Making his way into the tavern he gave the establishment a quick look over. A few people turned to take notice of his imperial uniform, however most didn't seem all that interested in the man.

"So this is the best Sulen can offer?" He asked, not raising his voice as not feeling a need to challenge the culture or history of the people, not just yet anyway.

Dominic made his way to the bar, taking a seat before the bartender finally made his way over. "Corellian ale and a shot of your best whiskey." He ordered, tossing the credit chit on the tabletop before him. He glanced to his side, taking notice of a woman sitting at the bar, he took a moment to size her up before the bartender brought his drinks to him.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

A man in what almost looked a version of an imperial uniform. The symbol clearly emblazoned on his shoulders. How was that possible? The Empire had died almost within Sulen's lifetime. It couldn't be the same Empire. Perhaps it was the steady gaze she was giving him as he turned his head to look in her direction, but his eyes fell on another female sitting at the bar.

Sulen leaned back in her corner chair to see what transpired between this imperial and woman. She highly doubted they knew each other or there would have been some form of greeting.

The people around her in the tavern were more into their drink and food to notice the lone First Order officer sitting alone in the corner. Taking the time to listen to prominent gossip, had lead her this far into being reunited with her faction. Perhaps she would get more tonight.

Taking another drink of her water, a server walked by, bringing her another drink and a menu. Sulen ordered what she wanted, barely glancing at the girl as she walked away. Her attention on what conversations she could hear and her eyes glued on the imperial.

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

Dominic had downed a decent amount of alcohol as he passed the time. He didn't care for much socialization seeing as how he was unfamiliar with anyone in the cantina. He turned his attention back to the tavern, glancing around a bit before finally he eyes set on a woman with a uniform not entirely unlike his own. Except where his was an Imperial uniform hers was of the First Order.

He arched a brow at the woman before tapping the bar, demanding a refill on his shot of whiskey. He made his way over to her and casually slid behind the table across from her, smiling as he did such. "It's not often you find a beautiful officer of the Order on a planet like this." He said, downing half of his shot.

"I took notice of you looking at me, you know? You could have just spoken up if you wanted to speak with me." He said, chuckling a bit. Though his conversation seemed friendly he was more focused on ascertaining why the woman was here.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

What little Sulen heard around her meant nothing to her personally. The people talked mostly about how their day had been or who they felt should attempt a coup at the current leadership. Nothing pertaining to her, the Empire or First Order.

Eventually the woman at the bar left and Dominic could get clear view of Sulen. He simply arched an eyebrow at her and ordered another drink. Her food had arrived by then and was about half gone when he walked over and joined her at the table.

Choosing to ignore his comment on her beauty she did take into consideration his other words. She had yet to actually come across any other First Order people since waking up. It was hardly a surprise though since where she was found was no longer First Order territory. As for starting a conversation with him, he had been occupied at the bar and not close enough for her approach easily or without drawing attention.

"It has been a very long time I have seen that symbol active."

She would point to one of the symbols on his shoulders and lean forward slightly.

"I did not see fit to attempt interrupting you from a potential evening of entertainment. I take it that didn't go so well?"

It would be comment to the fact he had been observing the now absent woman from the bar.

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

When the woman gestured to the Imperial symbol on his shoulder he couldn't help but show a slightly confused expression. "Where have you been living? A rock?" He said, a soft chuckle escaping him as he downed the rest of his whisky. "Evening of entertainment? More like a distraction for my eyesight. She didn't interest me much." He said, turning his attention towards her.

"But you do." He pointed to a few of the insignia's on her uniform along with her rank tabs. "Outdated, decommissioned, and plain old....out of style." He commented.

"There are a lot of things on your uniform that I've never even seen, what part of the Order are you in?" He questioned.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

He appeared confused when she commented on his own uniform and asked if she had been on a rock. It was obvious to her now his Empire had been around for a bit of time. Maybe somehow the Empire she knew of had lived on the fringes or been reborn totally.

In reference to woman though, he said she didn't interest him, but that Sulen did. He commented further on her uniform stating it looked old and out of style. That some of her bars he had never seen before. Looking down at them she wondered what could have happened where things had changed so much that they wouldn't be known now.

"My story is a long one, but if you want to hear, I'll tell you."

Pausing to hear his answer before continuing, she took another bite of her food and washing it down with her water.

"I originally enlisted in the navy and then was sent for special training."

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

When the woman began to speak Dominic held up his hand to stop her. "We can start with names, sweetheart. My name's Dominic." He said, exhaling before digging in his pocket. The man scratched the side of his head before producing a soft pack of cigarra's.

Lighting the tip of the tobacco he put it to his lips, taking a soft inhale before exhaling out a generous cloud into the air.

"Sure, let's hear it." He said, pulling over an ash tray that was kept on every table. He set his cigarra on the edge of it as he listened to her.

When she said she enlisted in the First Order's navy the man held up a hand to stop her once again. "When did you enlist, a hundred years ago? I've seen old men at retirement celebrations with newer uniforms." He commented.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

A slight sneer would cross her face when he called her sweetheart and offered his name. She was fine with names.

"Sulen Dewan."

He lit up​ a cigarra and exhaled after taking a deep breath of it. Then consented to hear her story, interrupting her to ask when she had enlisted. At his words an almost sad look crossed her face, but was quickly replaced by distant look.

"I could give you the exact date if you want, but suffice it to say it was about 830 years ago."

Looking across at him, Sulen almost had a smug look on her face now and waited to see his reaction before starting on her story. If he still wanted to hear it.

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

"Dewan." The man repeated, taking another soft hit of his cigarra. "Rank?" He asked, curious as to what her position in the First Order was.

When she said that her enlistment had been over eight hundred years ago he was frozen for a moment, taking in the words she said. He pulled his cigarra back to his lips, inhaling deeply before exhaling another cloud into the air.

"Over eight hundred years, huh?" He asked, taking a moment before continuing. "You look amazing for your age you know, seriously, not a lot of women your age can keep up, you should be proud of that." He raised his cigarra towards her with a slight smile coming over his face.

"Ok, I'll bite, let's hear your story, Dewan." He said, leaning back in his seat as he listened.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"It would have been Commander, but before that became official I went sent to a facility for further training."

It would lead into her story that told of what happened to her 800 some odd years ago. She left out her growing up and childhood as well as the fact she could use the Force. That was an aspect she rarely considered as an option anymore.

His comment about looking good for her age softened her face for just a moment when Sulen saw his smile. Reaching across the table, she freely took one of the cigarras from the pack he set on the table and lit it up to join him.

"So when I say it's been a long time since I have seen that emblem, you have a far better understanding what I mean, Dominic."

Her brown eyes displayed almost no emotion as said her story and they still really didn't. What they did show was the fact she was one out of time person.
[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

The story about how Sulen had missed the last eight centuries was an interesting one. To be locked away and frozen to time with nothing more then an order to support the change was something even he believed to be a little messed up.

When she leaned over to take one of Dom's cigarra's he couldn't help but chuckle at her, the movement being very amusing to him.

"A long time seems to be a bit of an....understatement." He said, taking another shallow drag from his own cigarra. He exhaled the cloud into the air before coughing a bit to clear his throat of the taste.

"Well, my story isn't so exciting. I was born on Serenno, my old man was a fighter pilot, and though it may not look it I'm not fully human. I'm part Miralukan, it's why my eyes are so weird." He explained.

"You see, my mother was blind, but she wasn't born blind. Over time her genetic code pushed out the human and forced her eyesight to fade. Thing is my old man passed on his love of flying. So here I am, a twenty-four year old pilot who can potentially go blind at any moment. My involvement with the Empire is pretty simple, they would accept me." He said.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Inhaling on the cigarra, Sulen did it like she had been doing it her whole life. An inhale, hold and exhale all smooth. His comment about hers stating a long time to be understatement brought a small, but almost bitter smile to her face.

"I just wonder why the base was never searched for, why I was left for over 800 years to lay there."

She listened to his tale and had a thought cross her mind, but waited until he finished before speaking it.

Pointing his direction with the cigarro as she took another drag from it, "are there not implants or cybernetics that could be used?"

If blindness happened it was an option to look into.

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

Dominic smiled at Dewan's suggestion, of course it had been something the man considered but at the end of the day he didn't really agree with it. "You know...there are some things a man will do, and some he won't. I fly best when I'm me...If i can't fly as me I don't want to fly." He explained.

He took a moment to consider his words before asking his next question. "So what will you do now? I hope not go back to the First Order to be stuck in a freezer again." He enthused.

The Lieutenant waved the bartender over, gesturing to his glass for a refill. It was not long until the man had made his way over and was doing just that.

"You know, the Empire could use a beautiful bald woman such as yourself" He said.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

"Fair enough, but it is always an option. One a pilot, always one."

Sulen looked at him as she took another drag and wondered what he angle was in asking what she was going to do now. She still wore her old uniform, it should be obvious. To her it was at least.

"Are secret tests and trials still a thing these day?"

Flipping the ashes off the end of the cigarro, she considered the option he gave her and shook her head.

"I would first like to find the First Order and see if there is still a spot for me there. If I find the changes too much or they don't welcome me, I will certainly keep your Empire in mind."

Taking a drink and the last puff of her cigarro, she put it out in the tray provided.

"I thought the Empire was dead with the Emperor or I would have gone there."

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

When the woman denied the invitation to join the Empire Dominic exhaled a slow puff of smoke from his lips. "Shame, we could always use more soldiers." He explained, taking another long draw from his cigarra. He tapped the ashes into the ash tray before opening his lips, allowing the smoke to spill from his mouth.

"There is one thing I've learned in my time with the Empire, Dewan, it never dies." He said, standing from his place at the table.

The man pulled his patrol cap from it's place on his waist and placed it back over his head before smiling down at the woman, inclining his cap politely. "I suppose I should get going, I still need to find a place to stay. Good evening, Ma'am." He smiled slyly at her before passing her on his way out of the cantina.

[member="Sulen Dewan"]

 

[Ra'a'mah]

If Sulen ever came across an order that didn't need soldiers, then she would know it was a dying one. So she trusted his comment and only nodded on it. She knew that the ideals of a person lived on through their legacy and that many things went into hiding, but never truly died. That must have been what happened.

The old First Order officer watched as Dominic stood up, placed his cap on his head with a polite incline at the end and mentioned about finding a place to stay for the night. It was something she needed to do as well and watched him walk away. Looking back at the table, she saw he had left his cigarros there.

Picking them up, she got up and moving to follow him with the intent of returning them to him. She caught up with him outside.

"Excuse me, Dominic for stopping you. You left these on the table."

Holding them out to him, Sulen waited for him to take them.

"And I also need to find a place to stay."

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

Dominic began unbuttoning the top clasp to his uniform, exhaling once a breeze of air fell through the opening. His demeanor was an odd one, though he held his hand in his pockets and didn't have the aura of an officer there were still many dead give always to his identity. The stiffly straight spine and raised chin, along with his superiority complex made him appear to be much more of an officer then his other traits.

He arched a brow when he heard his name being called out. When he saw Sulen to be the one to stop him he adjusted his cap before nodding towards her. "Ma'am." He said with a smile.

She produces his ciggaras and immediately he began to pat his pockets. "What the-?"

After pressing his palm to his forehead the Lieutenant took the pack from her hands, stuffing them in his pocket. "Thanks a lot, Sulen. I'd have been pissed the next time I wanted one."

When she said she too needed to find a place to stay the man jerked his head down the street. "There's a hotel and housing district nearby, come on maybe we can enjoy another drink and chat a bit more." He said, gesturing for her to follow him.

The man turned down the road and as he did, he usssured Sulen along with a hand placed at the small of her back. "Oh, let me stop by my hangar and get some things though."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Dominic stopped when Sulen called out to him and looked at her with another smile. When he figured out why she had followed him, he checked his pockets just to make sure and took them from her with thanks, saying he would have been upset the next time he wanted one.

He mentioned where places to stay could be found and she fell into step with him. At least, he knew where he was going around her. Being 800 some odd years away, locations she was once familiar with were changed to be sure.

Taking a turn, he would appear to be guiding her when he placed his hand in the small of her back. He also said he wanted to stop off where his ship was to pick up a few things.

When she felt his hand on her back, she stiffened up slightly and stopped. Removing his hand politely, but firmly, she looked at him before speaking.

"I know where the ships are location, Dominic and we can go there together. Thank you for pointing me in the correct direction."

[member="Dominic Crowley"]

 

[ToKola Bakari]

Dominic, seldom conscious of his actions, rubbed the back of his head when he realized where his hand had gone. He exhaled a bit, a sly smirk on his face as he thought to himself. Man, I'm glad my hand didn't go where it usually goes... He said, chuckling to himself before turning towards the landing pads.

The man immediately dug his hand into his pocket to retrieve his cigarra's. He shook the soft pack around a bit before realizing he only had about four left. "It'll get me through the night." He said to himself before using his teeth to pull one from the pack. Producing his lighter he lit the cigarra before exhaling out another small smoke of nicotine.

"This place is pretty boring, I don't see why you came here." He said, arching a brow down to the woman. "This place sucks."

He watched as a trio of females passed the two, his eyes turning to glance at them as they made their way down the street. "Not a bad view though. Anyway Sulen if you're going back to the First Order I'm sure they could use you." He pulled the cigarra from his hand to flick the ashes on the side of the street. "They've been having it out with the Galactic Alliance for a while now."

"Nice bald Commander like yourself should be useful." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Of course with that new Sith Empire sprouting up i'm sure the Alliance's days are numbered regardless."

[member="Sulen Dewan"]