Private Be my friend, and I'll be yours

[Darth Solipsis]

Jinata System
Near the Emperor's Observatory
Beltran Rarr ​

Pillio, a remote and uncolonized world in the Jinata System, famous for it's three million species of marine life. The entire planet was covered in coral reef and vast ocean, quarreled over for centuries by Mon Calamari and Nautolan fishing companies, yet beneath the surface lied a darker secret. Nestled deep within one of the coral valleys, the Dark Lord of the Sith and former Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine seeded one of his secretive observatories on the very surface of the world. It was here in this observatory that Luke Skywalker found his Jedi Wayfinder in the form of a compass that led to the site of the First Jedi Temple on the forgotten world of Ahch-To. Despite such a find being discovered by the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, the Observatory was filled with mostly relics of a bygone age, especially now with so many able to touch the Force. It was more than likely that the very compound had been picked clean of anything with a grain of worth. Luckily, Laevus wasn't looking for relics.

The shuttle touched down on the barren landscape of the world, steam spat out from the underbelly of the vessel as the loading ramp began to drop down slowly. A long mechanical reel sound emitted from the loading ramp as it lowered, once it seated itself and touched the solid earth beneath it, the sound ceased immediately. Utter silence filled the air for mere moments, only the sounds of the waves and waterfalls in the backdrop drowned out the static noise.

Pat..

Pat...

Pat..

The sounds of footsteps reverberated off the cold metal as a lone figure emerged from the vessel. A hooded male, wearing strange garbs befitting a mystic or strange shaman, his most striking features was the large amulet that swung from his neck and distorted face. The robed figure stepped forth onto the rock beneath him and walked forward, facing out toward the beachhead and scenic horizon before him. Exhaling deeply, the man turned his gaze one final time back toward the shuttle where inaudibly a beeping emerged from inside the cockpit. A distress call, one that he made sure would reach out to a very specific audience.

His attention moved on, he made way for the valley below. He made way for the Emperor's Observatory.

 

[Beltran Rarr]

The Imperialis came to a landing on one of the coral outcroppings about half a mile away from the location of the rumored ancient Observatory. As Beltran set the controls to standby, he felt a sense of coming full circle. His first even mission following his exile from Lorrd had taken place on Jakku, in another structure that had once been in service to the Sith Emperor Palpatine. In fact, it was in that very bunker he had come across the Imperialis, a replica of the Emperor's personal pleasure Yacht.

Since that time, the ship had been a thorn in his side more than it had been useful. It's aging, or more accurately dilapidated, power distribution system had caused no shortage of malfunctions. In fact, one of the more interesting manifestations of these malfunctions was the hyperdrive's tendency to pop Beltran out of hyperspace in the completely opposite direction of where he'd intended to go.

Once, this had led him to Seline and put him in the midst of a Dark Side cult who were in the process of sacrificing a number of abducted beings in order to bring some kind of Dark Side entity into their realm. There he had met his friend and part-time mentor Laertia Io-the closest thing Beltran had to a master. Another time, more recently, he had found himself deep in CIS territory on the planet Vandelhelm where he had aided in tracking down a serial killer who was using the Force to steal his victims brains. That had been an interesting adventure.

Today, however, Beltran had arrived exactly where he'd intended. The planet Pillio in the Jinata System. He was here, quite simply to explore. To explore the Observatory, and to explore himself as well. Beltran was beginning to feel that he had come to the end of what the Silver Jedi had to teach him. He had supported them as a member of the Antarian Rangers. Delved into some use of the Force with them, but increasingly he had begun to feel constrained by them.

Their self-righteousness and naivety had often proved exasperating to the Lorrdian, and their squeamishness at doing what needed to be done in the face of Sith and Bryn'adul incursions had cost many of his men their lives. Now, there were rumors of a treaty being drawn up between the Sith Empire and the Silver Jedi. Another capitulation. Another appeasement. Another chance to be betrayed and struck from behind.

But it wouldn't be the Jedi themselves who suffered when the Sith inevitably went back on their word. No, the vast majority of them would be holed up in their temples, wringing their hands while men like Beltran and the Antarian Rangers fought and died to protect them. It had happened before, it would happen again. And this time, Beltran intended to be ready. If the Jedi wouldn't do what needed to be done, if they wouldn't use their powers to take the battle to the enemy, then Beltran would.

He would search ancient sites like this, looking for artifacts, holocrons, anything that could allow him to increase his power in the Force. To make himself ready to bring a true reckoning to Tyrants like Emperor Carnifex and Tathra Khaeus. To make them feel pain. To make them know fear before they finally met death.

Strapping on his gear, Beltran exited his ship. His father's lightsaber hung from his waist and his Hand-cannon from a drop holster on his thigh. He had his HUD scanner over his eyes and his leather jacket over his fatigues and Ballistic vest. Strapped to his back, he also carried his Lightsaber Pike. He would make quick time, moving over land toward the valley where the Observatory stood. He didn't expect to see anyone else, but as the Lorrdian approached the building, he opened himself to the Force-searching for others' presences, knowing full well that he himself would shine like a beacon to any Force sensitive in the area.

He didn't worry about being found. Let them come.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The valley stretched out before him, tall cliffside began to border him on each side. The hermit entered with a slow, steady pace. He approached on such wall and pressed his hand against the surface of the rounded cliffside rock. The ocean tides and natural erosion of over thousands of years had created perfection, smooth to the very touch. Small streams of water emptied into the valley in marginal capacity, enough to spread mist through the air and add to the serene beauty around him. There was less coral lying about now, less soft sand to cushion against the hard rock as well. He could feel it ahead, truly feel it through the echoes of the past that still lingered here.

All those who had been here, all those who touched upon this place. They left their mark, they would be his guide to find what he was looking for. Only time could tell what treasures awaited, if any, or dangers for that matter. His senses soared, he could feel the Force well up inside of him blood hound as he extended his awareness beyond human limitation. With focus, darkness closed in on his vision and within mere moments he was experiencing sensations his physical shell was not. He felt the water flow from the falls near the beach like raindrops against his skin, the waves crash against the cold rock as hard pressure against his body. He could almost see the aquatic life, the coral reef, hear the scuttering of..

Laevus paused and formed a small scowl, he could almost see them now. Aggressive and territorial, there was no shortage of danger ahead after all. Without a second thought, he continued forward. He walked the entire length of the small valley until he came upon a small cavern entrance, still drawing on the echoes of the past as a road map. Before him, encrusted along the entryway to the cavern, was strange orange colored amber-like rock. His head tilted slightly to the right as he examined the way ahead and the possible indicators of what was to come.

His head snapped to the sky, he felt the vessel approach before he could see it. Not whom he expected, and entirely too soon. No, this was someone who touched the Force, he could feel their presence. Laevus hissed slightly and returned his gaze to the cave entrance. Blanketing himself in the Force, he attempted to shroud himself away from the sensory awareness of Force Sensitives through a technique known as Force Stealth. Thusly, he would suppress any trace or hint of his ability to command the Force, at least temporarily.

The Elder moved to the right hand corner of the cavern entrance and leaned back against the rock. He took a seat, the best he could anyway, and waited. He was patient, he was curious, and once Beltran opened himself to the Force he knew it to be certain. Laevus entered the cavern and vanished, attempting to make progress and catch up to this visitor. He made little trouble finding his way to the Observatory, along the way passing several suspect egg sac like growths in various corners of the system. He emerged from the shadows of the cave system, darkness peeling away at his image until he came into view clearly. A sudden release of the technique came as he opened himself to the Force as well, letting his cold, hateful presence flow from him like a flood.

"You need a key, my dear boy."

He approached slowly, he made no attempt to hide his frailty as he neared. Ah yes, he could feel the youth and raw strength from this one. Most importantly of all..

.. he could feel the hate festering inside him.


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"You need a key, my dear boy."

Beltran whirled on the source of the voice, truly startled for the first time that he could remember. His hand went for his hand-cannon, prepared to draw it and fire off a depleted baradium slug at the threat in the flash of an instant. Yet, when his cool green eyes came to view the cloaked figure standing behind him, something stopped him.

In the Force, Beltran felt the waves of hatred roll off the being. That, perhaps, was a part of the reason why he'd been so startled. This wasn't the first time that he had interacted with those who could hide their presences in the Force, but this was the first time that such a person and so well and truly gotten the drop on him. If the, seemingly ancient, man had intended him harm-Beltran knew that there would have been little he could have done to defend himself.

That knowledge filled him with a sense of vulnerability that the Ranger Captain was decidedly not used to and made him feel uncomfortable. As soon as he was in control of himself enough to think, he worked to center himself within the Force-burying the hate that he felt down deep and replacing it with a cold, almost frigid, discipline.

Slowly, he took his hand away from the handle of his weapon, leaving it sitting in it's drop holster. He watched silently for a moment as the frail looking being approached him, growing more curious than threatened every moment. Was this being a Sith? If so, then why hadn't he simply attacked Beltran? He knew that the Empire was in talks with the Jedi and Concord Government, but he couldn't imagine that would deter one of their number from an easy kill. Especially one that the Jedi would likely never find out about.

In the end, his curiosity would outweigh both his discomfort and hostility as he replied. "So it would seem. Can I assume that you have such a thing?"

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

Laevus snickered aloud for a brief moment, seemingly amused from the man's query. The truth was very different, it was the act of Beltran suppressing his hate and in the act of burying it did the Elder find amusement. The fire that burned inside of the individual before him simmered, even if it was temporary. The hooded man halted his approach and motioned to the entrance of the Emperor's Observatory with his right hand extending out invitingly. "Perhaps."

Folding his outstretched hand into a fist, he pointed in the direction of the doorway. More specifically, he pointed towards the large sigil over top of the doorway entrance. He cryptically responded, "Do you?" Letting the question hang for a moment in utter silence, he made no attempt to elaborate on the question. Instead he stood still, stood silent and merely watched, waiting for what Beltran would say or do. A simple test, one from which he determined would show him not only if he had been trained, but if he knew of his raw potential. It did not matter who was before him, no no yet.

He turned his head ever so slightly, veering off in the briefest moment of distraction to catch a glimpse of falling rock crumbling behind him. Laevus tilted his head and scowled, his attention only returning to Beltran a moment later. "It appears we have disturbed the natural order of things with our presence, it won't be long before they come." He could hear the distant sounds of scuttling feet, rock breaking, and earth moving. The Elder had sensed this earlier, yet his curiosity outweighed any immediate danger coming their way. He wanted to learn more of this stranger, see his capabilities and measure him up. Perhaps he could be of use to him, perhaps he would could kill two birds with one stone.

"Search your feelings, you know what you must do."


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Beltran's expression remained stoic in the face of the old man's snickering. He didn't pretend to understand what the other being found so funny about his question, but he did recognize an attempt to goad him. That realization, more than anything else, allowed Beltran's suppressed anger to actually fade. The Sith, and Beltran had no reason to think this man wasn't one of them, thrived on mind games. They sought to always keep those around them unbalanced, so that they could maintain the dominant position in any interaction.

He'd seen it before, on Kintan, on Voss and most recently on Anzat. The quickest way to give such an enemy leverage was to allow them to get under your skin. And in that regard, this being already had Beltran at a disadvantage. The Lorrdian did not intent to allow him a chance at another. So when the man responded in his cryptic manner: "Perhaps," Beltran simply followed the man's hand with his eyes until he saw the sigil. "Do you?"

"Perhaps," Beltran responded in kind as he studied the Sigil, allowing his intellect to take over for his emotions.

The doors did not appear to have any overt opening mechanism. Palpatine had been the Emperor of an order that reveled in powerful displays of technology, that much Beltran knew. So it could be assumed that the rustic nature of this barrier was not the result of a lack of building ability. No, it was far more likely that the way to get inside was obscured somewhere within the sigil.

"It appears we have disturbed the natural order of things with our presence, it won't be long before they come."

Reaching out with the Force, Beltran quickly found that he could hear the same scuttling deep within the caverns. That there would be predators nearby made sense, given what he knew of the long-dead Emperor. An additional layer of security and another way to punish any who weren't able to find their way inside.

"Search your feelings, you know what you must do."

By this point, Beltran had already settled on the theory that the door required the use of the Force to open and the man's words only confirmed it. Closing his eyes, Beltran stretched out with his feelings. He imagined himself moving through the door and examining the locking mechanism. He visualized the tumbler, accepting his first impressions immediately as fact and not allowing any seeds of doubt to corrupt or change them. The lesson he had learned while fighting the Bryn'adul on Nar Kreeta was about trust.

He needed to trust what the Force was telling him. Raising his hand toward the door, he worked to keep that first impression visual in his mind. He then imagined the locking mechanism turning and pushed that visualization out through his fingers and into the universe. At first, nothing happened. In his mind's eye, he felt the lock fighting him.

Perhaps it was it's extreme age? He considered but then decided that was not the case. Beltran got the distinct impression that this resistance had been built into the mechanism on purpose. To cause one to doubt themselves? To move on to another method even though they had already found the correct one? That tracked with what Beltran knew of the Sith. So he pushed harder, not simply channeling the Force but now actively trying to bend it to his will. The harder the lock resisted, the harder Beltran pushed.

Sweat trickled down his forehead and into his eyes, but he didn't wipe it away. Instead he continued to force his will upon the locking mechanism until finally, and almost anti-climactically, it gave way. The Sigil turned and twisted as the door creaked and groaned and eventually began to open. Lowering his hand, Beltran opened his eyes and blinked-trying to clear them of the stinging beads of sweat that had accumulated around them. He considered his success and was struck by another realization.

Yes, the lock resisted in order to sow the seeds of doubt in the weak. But it also resisted, because it required a being willing to force the mechanism to bend to its will to open it. Yet another poignant piece of Sith philosophy.

Once the doors were open, Beltran paid the stranger no further mind. Instead, he simply began to walk-moving into the observatory. The stranger could follow if he chose, or he could leave. Or he could try to attack Beltran and see what that brought. In any case, Beltran was no longer interested in standing here trading cypticisms.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The Elder watched as the Antarian Ranger stepped up to the plate and impressed his will upon the mechanism behind the sigil. The sweat beads that ran down the face of the Lorrdian was evidence enough of this feat, even before the doors of the Observatory spread open before them. Dust and stale air rushed out to meet the outside as the old durasteel doors parted, the exposed exterior built into the cliffside had truly withstood the test of time. He couldn't help but smile, grinning from ear to ear at the results.

"Good." He whispered to himself as Beltran moved on without a second thought about him. Laevus followed the Lorrdian at his leisure, walking with a slight limp at a slow, steady pace over the rough landscape. As they neared the entrance, the hooded elder halted in his movement and turned ever so slightly to his rear. He could hear the insects approach, within moments they entered the valley visibly scurrying their way toward the open doorway and two trespassers. "They have come." He turned his gaze back to the confines of the Observatory and entered, his right hand raising as he passed the threshold of the doorway.

The scritters moved quickly, wasting no time as they neared the long abandoned structure. They traveled in waves, piling on top of one another, only slowing once they reached a few mere meters of the doorway. For a moment, they reacted in deference to the structure, as if they dared not tread upon it's grounds. It was only mere moments of this hesitation before a few brave scritters broke rank and approached. Laevus waited, feinting effort as if he was shutting blast doors, he merely bought time for four of the scritters to enter the Observatory. His hand dropped to his waist as they safely entered, the doors sealed shut, barring the horde of insects from entry.

Two of the scritters immediately branched off towards Beltran, while the remaining two approached the Elder intent on attack. With a quick lunge, opening it's wings up and taking flight, one of the scritters made the attempt to bite at him. He responded in an almost reactionary fashion as his hand extended forward aggressively and clenched shut. A second later and the bug imploded, smashed by the very Force itself, sending orange fluid in every direction within a meter of it's demise. The second scritter straffed to the left and right in a fast pace, almost as if it was gauging it's prey. The Elder dropped his hand down to his waist once more, his hand still clenched into a fist and guided his hand to the right of him. The insect followed as it slammed against the nearby wall and attempted to scurry away, suspended in place.

Near the large steel containers and metal chests, the two scritters flew and latched onto their respective places atop a container each. Opening and fluttering their wings, as if they were issuing a challenge, they entered the fray towards the Antarian Ranger. One rushing in a spear-like charge, flying straight for him. The other preparing a strange substance between it's mouth and mandibles, only once the first closed in would the second fire the liquid in an attempt to trap Beltran in liquid amber.

Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"They have come."

Beltran turned toward the old man and looked passed him to the massive wave of insects that were literally piling over each other to get to them. His hand drifted down toward the handle of his hand-cannon, prepared to draw the weapon in the span of a second if needed. As he watched, the stranger raised his arms-ostensibly to use the Force to try to close the doors. The being seemed to have difficulty for a moment but then the doors slammed shut, leaving the majority of the swarm on the other side.

With his hand still resting on his pistol's grip, Beltran watched as the stranger engaged the two bugs that had moved to attack him. He could feel the pair that had split off to him coming closer, but they didn't worry Beltran overly. He could spare a few seconds to study his mysterious companion. The man's arm came up and he made a fist, causing one of the insects to implode almost at the exact moment that he completed the gesture.

The Lorrdian had suspected that the man's apparent frailty was an act, but now he was sure of it. Anyone with that level of control over the Force could use it to strengthen their bodies. Beltran was far less experienced and even he had used the Force in that manner on numerous occasions.

Flicking his gaze in an instant to the beetle that was charging him, Beltran drew his hand-cannon and sent a single depleted-baradium slug into it. The boom was loud, nearly deafening even as tiny remnants of the bug blew outward in all directions. Not wanting to waste the exceptionally expensive piece of ammunition, Beltran drew upon the Force and nudged the still flying projectile a few degrees to the left where it removed the second bug from existence before slamming into the stone wall. He then holstered his weapon, all within the span of an eye-blink.

He then, almost non-chalantly, walked over to where the Stranger had pinned the-now only surviving-beetle to the wall with the Force. It struggled against the unseen pressure that held it there. "You enjoy watching it suffer," Beltran said. It wasn't a question, simply a statement, and there was no judgement behind it, only observation.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The Elder watched with dissatisfaction, if only momentarily. Firearms were distasteful, borderline barbaric in comparison to the complexities of the Force. In his eyes, they were the weapons of the weak. At the end, when Beltran had dispatched the two insects, his dissatisfaction was replaced with approval.

He felt the subtle manipulation of the Force, the Ranger's will upon the fragments of the slug. The precise control and reaction time needed to accomplish such a feat was admirable. There was almost an artistic use of technique utilized here and now by the Lorrdian. A slight smile managed to escape his facade. If the Antarian Ranger would be trained, he could become a most valuable asset.

He remained still, his iron grip over the squirming insect unfaltering as Beltran approached his victim carefree. He could hear the horde of scritters press and scratch against the blast doors. Such a futile effort by mindless overgrown insects, they posed no threat to the two at the moment, yet upon their leave would pose an viable obstacle.

"You enjoy watching it suffer."

His contempt filled gaze shifted from the struggling scritter to the Antarian Ranger, he answered in a honest, but plain tone.

"I do."

His fingers stretched out as his palm opened, his gaze fixated still on the Lorrdian. "As I do with any who wish harm upon me. It is a natural feeling of emotion, to deny it's existence is to deny part of yourself. Hatred is a strong emotion, one that can be a great boon if utilized correctly. Your passions fuel you, if you limit them then you hold yourself back."

He exhaled softly, "If only the Jedi preached this truth, they would of overcame the Sith long ago. Instead we have a war that will never end, a galaxy in turmoil. Light and dark forever at war instead of coexistence. Most of all, an empire of depraved beings that claim they are something they are not. If only someone would learn, if only someone would stand up." He paused for a brief moment and sighed with a subsequent wheezing.

"Forgive an old man for rambling on. I have seen far too much in this galaxy for one lifetime. If only I was still the young Jedi Knight I once was."


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"I do."

Beltran listened without judgement as the man spoke. When he was finished, Beltran nodded. "You may be surprised to find that I agree." He replied. "Hatred, naked aggression and violence of action. These are all powerful tools when used correctly. I have long been frustrated by the Jedi's failure to utilize them."

Beltran looked between the struggling bug and the old man, silent for a moment before he continued. "However, hatred for hatred's sake is worse than useless. It will consume you and wither away your ability to think critically." Beltran motioned to the struggling insect. "Case in point. This accomplishes nothing except to feed your ego and waste time. Do you truly think that you are displaying your power to me right now? All you're doing is showing me that you're a petty old man, who'd rather squander his gifts on dominating trivial creatures than on doing something worthwhile."

Beltran's tone was worse than full of contempt. It was completely disinterested. Reaching to his belt, he unclipped his lightsaber and pointed the emitter at the struggling insect. He then activated it for a split second, allowing the blade to pierce it before extinguishing it. Immediately the insect became still, death having taken it. Then with an air of nonchalance, the Lorrdian then reclipped his saber to to his belt and turned toward the expansive foyer they had entered. It was dark, but Beltran's HUD allowed him to see well enough as he began to walk.

He showed his back to the old man without a care. This was, in part, a test. He wanted to see whether the old man was so wrapped up in his own ego that he would attack solely on the basis of light criticism, or if he would allow his thinking mind to prevail and continue the verbal sparring. If it was the former, than the man would have to ensure that he killed Beltran quickly, for if he failed, the Lorrdian would not hesitate to make him pay for his mistake in blood. If he chose the latter, then perhaps there was something to learn from this being after all.

"Now, if you're done whining about lost youth-perhaps you'd like to come with me and see what wonders this place may hold."

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

"You may be surprised to find that I agree."

The Antarian Ranger explained to the Elder of his frustration with the Jedi and their lack of utilizating their emotion as a tool. Laevus smiled at the notion, not many could see the Jedi for what they were. The hypocrisy was overbearing, they preached the very values they did not follow, and most of all limited themselves from sources of power within. He listened and studied each word that parted from his lips, remaining still as the Lorrdian spoke. His gaze moved ever so briefly upon the brandishing of Beltran's lightsaber, he tilted his head slightly with a curious look and watched as the man dispatched the helpless insect. Released from his invisible grip, the corpse of the scritter met the cold, hard duracrete and created a loud thud. The Elder smiled in a wicked fashion, grinning from ear to ear as the Lorrdian clipped the weapon back onto his belt.

"The powerless often lash out with blind fury, to the detriment of everyone, including themselves... Powerful beings on the other hand, they harness their anger as a sharp tool. They strike when the opportunity presents itself, they know when to wait, when to pounch on their prey." The words of distain and disinterest were not lost on him, he could recognize a challenge. The Antarian had peaked his interest, therefore he would continue this course and see where it lead. He chuckled to himself audibly, "Perhaps you did not think of why I held it there in my grasp.. perhaps you truly believe I held it there for my own amusement. This benefits me not, as much as I enjoy it's pain, it does not benefit any party to go seeking to cause such things. There are certain techniques in the Force, certain abilities that can influence even such a minor creature such as this insect. To control such a creature could have many benefits, a scout, a shield... a distraction."

Laevus turned back toward the entrance, the scuffling still faintly audible behind the blast doors from the horde waiting to enter. "There are many." He paused momentarily, letting his words sink in before turning once more to Beltran who's back had faced him. "My apologies, I tend to ramble. Let us move forward then, after you."

The area was dark, cold and empty. The foyer was nearly stripped of all valuables, several huge empty cases and metal crates laid out in the dark opened. If they wanted to find something of worth they needed to go deeper, perhaps there was a turbolift somewhere in the vicinity to take them down.

Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Beltran listened as he walked, pressing deeper into the darkened structure. His eyes, augmented with the low-light and infrared vision of his portable HUD, scanned back and forth, looking for life signs and power signatures. The old man was beginning to prove his worth to the Ranger, returning Beltran's barb with a coherent rebuttal. In truth, the Lorrdian hadn't really considered why the man had held the creature other than to make it suffer.

For the Lorrdian, the idea of enslaving the creature was distasteful. But even he had to admit that there could be a multitude of uses for a creature like that. And if the Force could be used to control beings as such, learning of those abilities could also be useful-even so that he could take steps to guard against being manipulated in that manner.

"Tell me," Beltran said after several moments of silence. "What is it that brought you do this place? Are you looking for something specific? Do you live on this world? You said that you were once a Jedi, did you leave the Order?"

Beltran didn't expect the man to answer honestly. But he had learned long ago that a lie could tell you just as much about a being as the truth could.

After some time, they would come upon a turbolift. Its control panel was still illuminated in places, despite having been smashed but some unknown force at some undeterminable point in the past. From a pouch at his side, Beltran drew some tools and began the task of removing the outer panel. "There's still power coming to these controls," He said, explaining. "So if I can interface with the circuitry within, I hope to bypass the damaged console and use my datapad to call the lift for us."

Beltran wasn't much of a slicer, but this was a relatively easy procedure and one that was taught in even the most basic of Ranger engineering courses. Within a few minutes, he had the panel pulled from the wall and had attached several interface wires to the circuit board beneath. Attached to the other side of those wires was his datapad.

As he had learned long ago on Jakku, eight hundred years of software upgrades tended to make even the most secure of ancient operating systems more of less open books to modern software. It didn't take very long before his datapad had hacked the controls and called for the lift. A series of lights came on above the sliding door, and somewhere above them there was the sound of grinding gears and ancient mag-levs coming online. It took perhaps only five or so minutes before the doors slowly opened with a whine and the turbolift greeted them.

Turning to the old man, Beltran gestured for him to proceed. "After you."

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

The Elder followed the Lorrdian with silent strides, his footsteps muffled by the precise movements of each step he took. Both hands hovered near his waist, his left hand relaxed at his side, his right hand slightly tilted and spread out. It was almost as if he was focusing on something, reaching out in a way. They pressed on into the darkened hall leading out of the stripped clean foyer.

The structure was noticeably stressed from age, it's bare walls and simplicity in design only reinforced it's origins as an Imperial era construct. What similarities it held to it's sister structures from the days of the Galactic Empire, it also shared just as many differences. Notably, it lacked many of the defined lighting or wall aesthetics of an Imperial bunker. No, this storehouse was obviously not constructed for the eyes of any other than the Emperor himself, it needed only the bare minimum for it's purpose.

The silence that existed between the two as they traversed the long halls of the Observatory was broken when the Lorrdian spoke. Laevus smiled with a devilish grin, it was by no accident that he revealed he had once been a Jedi Knight. No, it was by design, and a fact at that. He subtly encouraged his fellow explorer to explore his curiosity, if only to build a sort of rapport between the two. Like a true snake, he sought to slither his way into bringing the Antarian Ranger into his possible sway. There was potential here in this one, potential for an apprentice of sorts.

"If I told you the Force brought me here, would you believe me?" The silhouette of his head turned to face the exact direction of Beltran, "I came here because I seek something buried, something forgotten. No... no.. my fellow traveler, I do not live on this world, nor am I from it. I have not stepped foot on my homeworld for a long long time. I was a Jedi, yes. For the Republic before it was torn down by the One Sith, and for the Army of Light that came with the Ession Reformation. I trained on Coruscant and Ossus alongside many masters, and fought on the battlefield against the One Sith and Primeval alike.."

He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts, a few minutes of silence as they pressed on. "..I have explored countless worlds, lost myself in the depths of the Unknown Regions, and studied the vast beliefs of many many cultures. What did I realize? The Jedi are wrong. They do as much harm as the Sith do, none of their current incarnations follow the codes set forth by their forebears. The dogma that defines them is lost to deaf ears. The first of their kind believed in balance, light in darkness, and vice versa. What have the Jedi accomplished other than tearing apart the galaxy and colonizing it with prestigious families? Nothing. What have the Sith done that is so vile, so different than their previous incarnations that have failed time and time again? Nothing."

Laevus sighed, "History has repeated itself time and time again. We pretend to be things we are not, we do not take accountability for our actions. I have seen the same aggressive, warmongering tendencies from the Jedi as the Sith. The only difference is that the Sith do not pretend to be something they are not. The Jedi, oh the Jedi they pretend to be heroes. How safe do you feel in their care? How much longer should the galaxy play pretend and let the Jedi continue to lord over them with their false sense of superiority? I found answers, and with these answers I left the Jedi Order."

A few moments after end of his long rant, the two stumbled upon a turbolift. The Lorrdian pointed our the lift and it's panel which was still somewhat operational despite being smashed previously. The Elder watched and studied as the Antarian Ranger set to work bypassing the controls all the while explaining. Impressive. As the lights were restored, and the lift called via Beltran's data pad, Laevus nodded his head once with a slight sense of approval.

As the ancient doors opened wide, and upon invitation of Beltran, he entered the turbolift. Striding past the Antarian Ranger into the cold metal lift that would take them deeper into the Observatory. Once the two were ready, the doors would shut taking them down into the belly of the beast.

Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

"If I told you the Force brought me here, would you believe me?"

Beltran shrugged slightly at the old man's question. He really didn't have a reason not to believe him. In truth, Beltran had been led by the Force before. On Nar Kreeta, the Force had guided him to the Bryn'adul's servitor and allowed him to engage it. Before that, Beltran believed that the Force had led him to face Lazrus Taine on Lorrd and learn of his parentage. On Crispor, the Force had guided him to the remains of a long dead ancestor of his. In short, it seemed more likely than unlikely that the Force had led this man to this place.

So Beltran answered: "I would, as a matter of fact."

He listened as the man spoke of his history, in fighting the One Sith and the Primeval. There was no way for Beltran verify the man's story, but as far as he could tell there was no harm in believing him at face value. After all, just because the man had once been a Jedi didn't mean he was trustworthy.

"The Jedi are wrong. They do as much harm as the Sith do, none of their current incarnations follow the codes set forth by their forebears." Beltran had long suspected that this was the case. All things became corrupted by time, and lack of accountability. Most particularly the latter. "What have the Sith done that is so vile, so different than their previous incarnations that have failed time and time again? Nothing."

"To say that the Sith's actions aren't vile simply because previous incarnations were also vile doesn't make them any less vile." Beltran answered. "The Jedi are self-righteous hypocrites, yes that is true. And the Sith are toddlers having a hissy-fit. Who's to say who's more destructive, given the power that both wield? Well I would still err on the side of the toddlers."

Beltran listened to the rest of the man's words quietly. There was no judgement on the Lorrdian's face, just contemplation. They entered the turbolift a few moments later and road in silence as it took them deep into the facility. It seemed a long time before they finally stopped, the quiet suddenly pierced with a groan of metal on metal and a jolt as the lift halted. Slowly, straining against years of disuse, the doors opened revealing only darkness beyond.

Quiet descended on them once more, and the silence became almost deafening. Only the sound of their breathing kept Beltran from wondering if he'd gone deaf. He keyed his HUD, but with only the light from the turbolift to illuminate the area around them, his low-light vision was severely impaired. Switching to thermal, he found no sign of heightened temperatures anywhere in their immediate vicinity.

So he took a step out into the darkness.

Immediately he could sense a wrongness about this place. There was an unnaturalness about it that put the Lorrdian on edge. It wasn't the Dark Side exactly, but something far more alien than that.

Something that hungered in the deep...

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

"Yesss.." The Elder hissed, utterly pleased by the words of the Lorrdian. A crude comparison but entirely accurate by all accounts. "Merely troublesome nats, if either order was a fraction of what they once were.. the galaxy would be in a better place. What you see is children.. with lightsabers."

The trip down was long and quiet, he knew not what awaited them below. Palpatine was a clever one, the ancient emperor would not have left his treasures in idle hands or without some measure of security. They had to be mindful, lest they be unprepared for what lied ahead. The Elder used this precious time to center himself, closing his eyes and focusing inward.

The turbolift came to a grinding halt, his eyes opened as the doors struggled against the forces of time. They peered beyond the veil into the cover of darkness and although physically blind to what may have lurked beneath the surface, he could see. Yes he could see, not with the crude matter and senses that a body or physical shell could give.

No.

He saw through the Force, the vibrant colors and strains before him was beautiful. Strip away the vast halls of metal, and move beyond the earth behind it. True beauty, an entire ecosystem of life, death, decay, and rebirth. He could feel the taint of this place, see the patterns of crimson stains. Faint traces of Dark Side energy remained behind even now, despite being abandoned so long ago.

He sneered as his gaze shifted into the void, there was something there that stood out among the dark.. something that didn't belong. The old man stepped forward, blind to the darkness, the Force would guide him. "Come with me." The Elder stepped beyond the veil, and entered the lion's den.

The halls had changed here, less minimalistic than the storehouse above. There were moments where rock and earth were exposed, sections where durasteel supports hung overhead. Areas of the hall began to resemble a mine shaft, metal buckling under the weight of the vast earth above them.

Laevus whispered out into shadow, not to Beltran, but what lurked in places unseen. "Where are you?"

Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Beltran did as he was bade, following the old man into the depths. Here, his low-light vision would be more or less useless as there was virtually no light at all with which to work. He'd already switched to thermal vision, but the only thing that lit up against the darkness was the body heat coming from his companion. So Beltran, too, closed his eyes and reached out with the Force.

He worked to clear his mind of doubt or preconception, simply allowing himself to accept what he was shown as it was shown to him without question. He too, quickly developed the impression of a mine buckling under immense weight.

"Where are you?"

The old man's voice was a whisper, but against the silence of their surroundings it might as well have been a shout. For a long moment there was nothing to indicate that they had been heard. The aura of wrongness that permeated this place didn't change. And then...he felt it respond. Not heard, but felt.

I am where I have always been. In that place between the breath and the scream.

Beltran thought he felt movement to his left. His eyes shot open, but his thermal sensors remained dark. He listened, but there was no sound to hear. Only their breaths.

"It's toying with us," Beltran said, his tone even. There was no point in whispering. Obviously, whatever it was, it was aware of them.

Not toying, It replied in their minds. Just savoring the meal that is to come.

Darth Solipsis

 

[Darth Solipsis]

"Perhaps."

Laevus frowned as the Lorrdian replied after the voice echoed in their minds, it was an impressive feat. The Elder had prided himself on his mental fortitude and prowess, this creature, or being that toyed with them was quite the specimen indeed. Or was it the pervasive miasma of the Dark Side? No. He had been through the darkest of places and emerged triumphant, this did not resemble a Dark Side apparition or hallucination. No, there was more to this presence, he was eager to discover the source. The old man pressed onward, his black robes flowing in his wake as he strove to confront the mysterious voice.

"The mind is a fickle thing. This being that taunts us, it knows not who's head it entered. The time for pretend is over."

He left his last words to hang vaguely, it was obvious to some degree that he was bothered by the presence. It wasn't fear, it wasn't worry, perhaps it was anger hidden behind the surface. The Lorrdian would not understand, at least without knowing the truth behind the facade he played. The ability to manifest inside the skull of the Elder was troubling, yet promising. It was not to say impossible by any means, yet there was not even the slightest hint of struggle to enter, not the slightest hint of it's presence before it revealed itself at it's leisure. That, and that alone was troubling.

The old man paused for a moment, his head glancing over his shoulder in the direction of the Antarian Ranger. His voice radiated with power as he spoke, "Center yourself. Close your mind to all distractions, here and now." Laevus returned his gaze forward, ever alert and focused. He allowed his charade of the tired old man to falter once more, he beckoned the Lorridan to continue. "Feel the depths of it's magnitude and gaze into it's expanse. You are the master here, this is your domain shaped by your will. We are keepers in a web of our own design, yet beyond this web is a network." Laevus basked in the moment, "You can see it can you not? Focus. Draw from your emotion, your anger. Let it fuel your search, now follow the bread crumbs left in it's wake. Words do not travel on a one way path, there is always a door opened when one manipulates another. The key is to manipulate one's way into that door and force one's will upon the other."

"Focus. Let your physical shell remain behind, let my voice guide you."



Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

Theme - Become the Beast
​

A slow smile spread over Beltran's lips, lopsided and wrong, as he listened to Darth Solipsis ' words. He could feel the energy of the older man, the malice and hate. Like Beltran had been bested by the man before, so had he now been bested by this being. His mind violated at a whim and that knowledge seemed to have unsettled the mysterious being and he had reacted as most did, with anger tinged with a hint of fear; delicious fear. Beltran adored the knowledge that even this man could be afraid and he let that enjoyment fill his Force presence.

Closing his eyes, the Lorrdian focused as he'd been instructed. It wasn't anger that he drew upon, however. It was pure sadistic joy. He was going to hurt this creature, whatever it was. And the anticipation of causing such pain thrilled him. He released all the walls that he had long built up around these impulses. All the twisting and rationalization that allowed him to see himself as the good guy.

As Beltran was coming to understand, good and evil were relative, and even monsters had their places in the order of things. There was no Jedi here to judge him now, to hold him back. No after action reports to be filed, no justifications to be made. In this place, in this moment, Beltran could be truly what he was.

Run, The creature bade them from the shadows of their minds. Scream and hide. Perhaps you will live...

Shaking his head, Beltran stepped out further into the pitch darkness. His eyes were closed, but he stalked like a predator, the Force augmenting his other senses and sharpening his mind. He licked his chops, like a vornskyr before it pounced and responded with a bare whisper. "But I am hungry." In that moment, Laevus would see the entirety of what Beltran was. A predator. One who limited himself, one who walked the line. But a predator none-the-less.

 

[Darth Solipsis]

"Good."

Laevus tilted his head and looked upon the Lorrdian with a twisted smile. He could feel the emotions given off, the sadistic joy and instinct of a predator radiated in his presence in the Force. The Elder snickered softly, his hand reaching out as he too reached forth into current that was the Force. It wasn't long before the creature bade them to run, scream, and hide. The old man let off another soft chuckle in response to the wretched creatures words. He spoke to the Lorrdian once more, "Feed you shall, feed you shall."

It was obvious now, at least to the Elder that this 'thing' had not dug into his mind. Merely it planted words, it attempt to sow doubt and despair in the two as they traversed the darkness of the Dark Lord's Observatory. Those words that last lingered in their minds, implanted by a foe unseen, they were words of ignorance. He feared no foe, he bore no chains to such notion. He was no Dark Jedi aimlessly causing harm to those who crossed him, his passions were greater, grander than individual gain. He was more, far more than a slave to fate like the denizens of the galaxy, the Force had set him free.

"There are techniques in the Dark Side, ancient and.. gluttonous. Abilities that allow one to feed on the fear, hatred, and negative emotions of other beings corporeal or not." He spoke loudly, intentionally making his words audible for the 'thing' that lurked in the dark. "My new friend.." He hissed with a slight hint of reservation, "..I'm going to hurt this creature, and you are going to feed from it." He menacingly faced forward once more, continuing to follow the ranger as he led the way.

He rested his hand on the shoulder of Beltran and followed, his eyes closing once more as he walked behind him. He detached himself from his corporeal shell, his mind wandered the vast flow of the Force. He trailed off on it's words, using his vast mental willpower to sort through the shifting tides. He could sense it, feel it's presence, and that was enough. Just enough, to inflict pain onto it, just enough to perform a Memory Walk. If it had memories to draw from, experiences of pain, sheer agony, or otherwise harm inflicted to it. The mind would unravel and play forth these images over and over, forcing it to relive these experiences.

"If and when this creature releases it's pain, anguish, or fear. Let the natural hunger of your predatory nature take over. To consume essence, to feed from the Dark Side, is a thing that is not taught but learned."


Beltran Rarr

 

[Beltran Rarr]

At the sudden change in circumstances, the unseen thing seemed to recoil away from Darth Solipsis ' mind. Fear and shock radiated out from it, allowing the powerful Dark Side user to follow it with ease as it attempted to hide. Beltran, for his part, took even more joy in the sudden reversal of roles. He anticipated the pain to come with the same eagerness that a hungry person would before delving into a large feast. His eyes stayed closed, for he had no need of them in this place. All he needed was the Force, and perhaps the guidance of his new acquaintance.

In Laevus' incorporeal perception, the shadow would twist and turn, flying left and right trying to hide and escape. Yet there was something about this chamber, the old man would learn, that kept it tethered to this place. An image of an ancient ritual, conducted by a cloaked man with withered grey skin and bright yellow eyes. A young, dark, acolyte kneeling and attempting not to tremble with fear. A lie told, of power to be bestowed but in truth, of an essence to be enslaved.

Then powerful red lightening, sparking from a thousand points and coalescing over the acolyte. The smell of burnt flesh, the sound of painful screams and the cackle of an Emperor long dead. Then the loss of sensation, the dimming of life to that of a spectre. A shadow, doomed to remain in this place for all eternity.

No! It begged and pleaded. No more pain....no more.

Laevus would invoke the pain, just as he said he would. Forcing the shadow to relive the torture over and over again. Beltran would feel it's agony. He would imagine himself growing stronger with each scream and more powerful with each unheeded plea. Slowly, he would feel his imaginings become truth, as the pain that radiated outward from the Shadow became a part of him.

In this way, he would feed.

Darth Solipsis