Private Dark Call

[Cen Durron]

Edge of the Garel system, Lothal sector
Near Empire Space

​

Weeks ago, several Padawan learners of the few Jedi Orders across the galaxy had received a brief, mysterious transmission. It promised a greater destiny to those that would follow, while also warning against the ways of the Jedi.

Cen was also a Padawan learner, but he intended to answer this dark call despite the danger. Tracing it back to a relative point of origin had not been easy, but once he had attained a rough set of coordinates, the Force did the rest.

Instinctively charted, the interceptor emerged from hyperspace, the stretched stars that had gone unnoticed to the pilot's closed eyes reverting to normal. Cen then let himself reemerge from the Force, having been so thoroughly caught in it's powerful flow in order successfully make the trip undetected.

On one of the cockpit's display consoles, the red aurebesh letters that scrolled clearly conveyed G5's distress. Looking down at the screen, Cen only sighed.

"Haven't hit a star yet, G5. I think we'll be fine."

The young man then turned his gaze back to the star-filled void beyond the transparisteel canopy. He had been so sure the source of that transmission would be out here.

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Meanwhile on an imperial border, an abomination stood on the bridge of the command ship named Harvester one, its mind was filled with pain and hate, he didn't even sleep, though his heavily modified DNA let him avoid sleeping and most of the eating, it was not the reason for that, it was because of the pain, this tormented abomination was referred to as moff Mishmam, felt the Force call to him, his Vader-like breathing stopped for a second
-We are moving to lothal sector
-Affirmative, sir - the STD (super tactical droid) replied
During the flight Mishmam meditated, trying to cloud his mind with the dark side to escape his past for some time, but this was not to happen, he had a Force vision OF his past instead, he was back on sullust, he saw his old master, the one he now hated the most, it was his past, his downfall, similar to Anakin's, maybe Mishmam was nothing but a reflection of Vader after all, Mishmam heard the voice he never wanted to hear again... EVER
-You should've FOUGHT the sith, not joined them, you don't need to fall like this
-I am the MOST POWERFUL being in the galaxy, I can OVERTHROW the sith and take their empire, but the JEDI always hold back, this is the ONLY way
-I can't join you
-Then you are my ENEMY - said general Mishmam, wearing beskar light armour, resembling that of the clones
-Then I'll do what I must, Mishmam is dead there is only the darkness left of him - the jedi said as a jen'dai lunged at him, using form 7 (juyo) of lightsaber combat this, however, did not surprise his opponent, the human jedi knew his apprentice mastered all lightsaber combat styles and was unrivaled in the Force, he was using form 3 and was pushed back by the new enemy, as they moved through the unoccupied terrain of the lava planet
-I HAVE failed you, Mishmam, I have failed you, there is nothing of you left now, you are lost to the darkness, I am sorry
-You have failed me by holding me back, I could have become more powerful than you can imagine - Mishmam said as he pushed hi assault further, until he had locked blades with the jedi, who Force pushed him away, dowd the hill, Mishmam jumped back and attacked again, but his strike was parried by the jedi with strength that neither of them expected, seconds later Mishmam lost his limb to a lightsaber and was Force pushed into the lava, crawling out of it, burning, screaming in agony, he hated fire because he could grow back an arm or leg within a minute, but flames consumed all of his body, damaging everything at once, and causing pain
-I tried to help you, but you won't listen, I LOVED you, you were like a brother to me, my only family
-I HATE YOU - the vision was over, Mishmam had nowhere to run, he was haunted by his past every second of his existence and there was no escape for him
-Sir, we have reached destination
-Good, we will stay here for some time - Mishmam entered meditation again, trying to reach out to whoever he sensed

Cen Durron

 

[Cen Durron]

A rapid alarm tone began to sound off within the cockpit, Cen's focused stare now on the radar screen. Another ship had entered the sector, now advancing through the Garel system, proving the young man's instincts to be true.

Before he even saw the ship, he could feel it. A palpable wave of dark side power that washed through the void of space. This was the reason he was here. There was no fear, or hesitation as Cen powered up the sublight drives, angling his starfighter on an approach vector for the Raider II-class corvette.

Lifting a hand to the small headset, Cen spoke into the transmitter near his mouth, broadcasting on an open channel. "This is Jedi Cen Durron, please identify yourself, Raider-class."

It was worth a shot. As his speeding interceptor continued to get closer to the unknown ship, Cen got a better idea of what he might have to face. It didn't seem like this corvette held many starfighters of its own, and he was unsure of how well it could maneuver given it's size.

The dread emanating from that ship was a truly horrid thing, but Cen's own aura in the Force remained bright, an unyielding light that held back the encroaching darkness.

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam recieved a message sent by the jedi and sensed that he was preparing to fight and Mishmam, being not of the best opinion about the jedi, their alignment with the alliance, simply chronically paranoid and just being himself ordered maximum power output with the energy being spread equally between 3 systems, and preparing Harvester two for deployment, but a few seconds later he had a Force vision
Mishmam was standing in the jedi temple, wearing beskar armor from the previous vision, he was greeted by numerous jedi and soon after met by Mace Windu, master of the order
-Thank you for saving me, I couldn't believe Anakin would fall that far, but don't worry, he will stay trial and we will try to redeem him, if it is even possible for someone to be saved from such darkness, but we won't be able to do anything if he is not willing to be saved
-Not willing to be saved... so what happens now
-Peace, you helped us save the galaxy from the sith and ourselves
-Ourselves?
-Yes, you helped us understand how dogmatic we were and that we made the Force unbalanced, and multiple seats on the council are free now, you deserve to take a place of a fallen council member and finally, the galaxy will reach harmony - suddenly, the temple began crushing down and everyone around Mishmam - fading away, when Mishmam got up there was nobody, except for one person
-You sacrificed all of this, for what? - Mishmam ignited his purple jedi cross guard lightsaber and slashed the plasma blade at his former master, when suddenly his attack was parried by the metallic beast, Mishmam first thought it was Vader, but was surprise to see... himself, it was his suit, Mishmam fought this metallic beast desperately, but was put onthe defensive, falling back with each heavy strike dealt by the monster, until he was stabbed by the crimson blade, encased in a suit and then he awoke from the vision, which lasted less than a second in real time
-This is moff Mishmam of the New Imperial Order, be advised, I will not tolerate any hostility and will open fire if necessary, but don't mean any harm myself.
Cen Durron

 

[Cen Durron]

The strange thing about old stories, though they are written in stone; they often are happening right here and now. The Force could bring glimpses of many alternate outcomes, but for Cen, there was nothing like the moment. In that moment, though his senses weren't able to gleam anything specific, Cen also felt conflict in that dread. Perhaps regret. It was hard to tell, for the dark side clouded many things in that regard.

Even though the transponder signal from the Padawan's starfighter didn't hint at any loyalty to the Galactic Alliance, Mishmam's paranoia served mostly correct, as Cen flicked some switches to divert power to the forward deflector shields. He was still heading straight towards the corvette and getting close, at what seemed to be full speed.

The young man's thin frown widened as he heard the response over the comm. If they were with the New Imperial Order, that likely meant they were also with The Empire, as it was the NIO's successor state as far as Cen knew.

Moff Mishmam sounded to be ruthless, though the Padawan was unsure if it was just in response to his own aggressive piloting. Mishmam didn't mean any harm, but was trying to lure other Padawans from Alliance space?

"Moff Mishmam, encrypted transmissions into Alliance space were traced back to your vessel. What business do you have with the Jedi?"

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam replied to Cen's transmission as he held his lightsaber
-I was only doing what I must do: protect those who go on a path towards doom and give them a chance to become something bigger - whilst saying that, he was twisting his lightsaber, thinking through what happened and what he saw, he was following the right path, right? He was saving the galaxy and the jedi stopped him from doing that twice, they were corrupt, trying to do good, but only making things worse, there could be NO way for Mishmam to be wrong, the jedi and the sith should not exist and Mishmam was saving the galaxy from both. Though he couldn't get the thought out of his head, thinking to himself "What was wrong, how could it ever come to this? I should have succeeded long ago" - he tried to focus on the moment, it didn't matter, the jedi and the sith WILL pay for what they have caused, Mishmam won't fail his empire again, there were people to protect, and losses to be avenged, he made a decision, he carefully let his mind flow through the Force, looking for things related to Cen Durron, he also seeked in imperial databases, opening the comm link again
-The jedi have failed the galaxy they swore to protect multiple times, and the limit the development of Force users, but they deserve more
Cen Durron

 

[Cen Durron]

Even though the Jedi had come up against many roadblocks in recent galactic history, they still managed to rise up stronger than ever each time. Cen had heard as much as a child, his family having lived under several occupations before deciding to leave their home planet.

There wasn't much to be found in Imperial databases, but Mishmam would feel that bright, stubborn conviction as Cen's starfighter advanced on the Raider corvette. It was an old ship in design, but definitely a modern variant. It was embarrassing to admit after all this, but the Padawan's starfighter would need an upgrade before even imagining going up against a corvette.

However, Moff Mishmam seemed to be some sort of... deluded revolutionary. Cen supposed those who did evil thought they did good, but the concept had always sat uneasy with him for some reason. There was no way the young man could relate to Mishmam in anyway, was there?

Only one way to find out. Pulling out the attack run bluff, the S-foils of Cen's starfighter remained closed as he guided it in a calm circle, now away from but still around the corvette's position. The hangar looked big enough to fit the small fighter in, at the very least.

"Requesting permission to board. Maybe we can settle this in person."

The astromech gave a worried trill of beeps and whistles.

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam recieved Cen's message and made a decision
-Permission granted, you are clear to board - the hangar with two starfighter slots, one of which occupied by a TIE reaper (Harvester II), opened, Mishmam and his STD were sanding there, waiting for Cen to board the shuttle and couldn't help thinking to himself "The boy, so young, not faced the dogmatic jedi, merciless and cruel sith, not faced the war as I have. What would this all leave of someone after that?" - the only answer he heard was the metallic breathing of his suit, maybe he failed his galaxy as much as the jedi did. It did not matter, the jedi and the sith should be extinguished and the galaxy will thrive under the empire, guarded by Mishmam and many others. Though there was something wierd about this boy, he had an unusually strong aura in the Force, Mishmam wanted to train this boy, show him what the jedi could not, all he needed is Cen willing to learn.
Cen Durron

 

[Cen Durron]

The ion engines of the starfighter screeched silently through space as Cen brought it around, the noise in the cockpit seemingly overwhelming in that moment.

It was a foolhardy thing to do, confronting an unknown enemy in an unoccupied system of the Outer Rim. Still, someone had to rise to the occasion and address the issue. Cen had had a feeling that Mishmam would allow his request, considering that the Moff seemed more intent on spreading his own ideals, or maybe increasing the influence of The Empire through a new legion of Imperial Knights.

Cen would not be joining their ranks, that was certain in his mind, even as he slowly angled the small Eta Angel-series into the compact hangar of the Imperial corvette. Powering it down, the young man eventually stood as the canopy opened, allowing him to climb out of the cockpit to stand before the caped and armored Moff.

The galaxy had sure seen an influx of powerful, sometimes almost otherworldly Force-users in recent times, that was an uncontested fact. It was almost the norm at this point.

While such power was ultimately arbitrary in the grand scheme of things, in the end, it never hurt to seriously consider such threats.

With a brief gesture of his hand towards the astromech, Cen signaled for G5 to accompany him, the droid popping out of the starfighter's socket to follow it's own. It wasn't the greatest of backup, but it was all the Padawan had.

The small hangar was quiet now, save for the audible, metallic breathing coming from within Mishmam's suit. Whatever had happened to this being, hadn't been pretty.

"Moff Mishmam. You say the Jedi are doomed, yet look at yourself. What makes your beliefs superior?" Cen asked, standing his ground only several meters away from the Moff, both upon the durasteel hangar floor.

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam was impressed by the confidence the jedi had, but was unhappy about Cen's views
-The history shows that, if there are jedi, but no sith the galaxy suffers the ignorance and dogmatic views of the jedi, when there are no jedi, but the sith are present, the galaxy suffers from ther reign, when there are both the galaxy suffers from their conflict. And I saw the jedi fail to save the galaxy twice. - it was not comfortable for Mishmam to tell the story, the past caused him huge pain, but the boy deserved to know the truth
-I was ready to let the galactic empire be created and replace sidious after, but it was the jedi who stopped me from doing that and let the sith reign across the galaxy, corrupting imperial society, but I was stronger, I rose from the ashes, started again, but when I was moving up the imperial ranks, getting closer to overthrowing sidious, the death star was destroyed, the jedi didn't care for the people on the death star. And when I was as close as ever to saving the galaxy, the jedi would ruin everything again, then cower on a remote world, drinking blue milk, while the consequences of their actions (the first order) brought terror across the galaxy. You also asked me to look at myself, you see a wounded man, a tormented soul, but I am what they made me, and I wil not fail my empire and it's people again, we will prevail, no matter the cost.
Cen Durron

 

[Cen Durron]

There was a lot to consider here, as Cen listened as patiently as he could. Perhaps he was but a boy, but he still wasn't going to be easily swayed by this armored Imperial.

After the Gulag Plague had plunged the galaxy into 400 years of darkness, much of what was now considered ancient history had been lost to the modern galactic civilization. Of course, there were still databases and holocrons stored with old knowledge, allowing it to flourish in certain parts of the galaxy. Cen was no history buff, so much of the importance of what was said was lost upon his ignorance.

Still, he knew recent history, and wielded the wisdom of the Force. Cen felt Mishmam's disappointment, but did not relent.

"The Jedi and Sith are ever evolving. Even now there are multiple orders for both sides, each with different ideals. The galaxy has changed and entered a new era, and though conflict with always remain, those who wish to solve it will too. How have you changed since your time, Moff?"

There was truth to be heard in Mishmam's defense, but much else as well. Closing his eyes briefly, Cen cleared his mind and began to concentrate, reaching out to touch the Force. The Padawan was unsure of how this man would respond.

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

-I always grow stronger, and my people are threatened by the alliance with the jedi, the maw, and the new sith order, these are only few of the most notable threats to the empire. I will not these menaces to my empire prevail. I don't fear or ignore the full power of the Force and that power will let me prevail and bring security to my thriving empire, I will protect my people and nothing will stop me, the new jedi and sith are different from the past, but they are still jedi and sith, and if they will stand in the way of my empire or even more - threaten it I will destroy them, I will glass out the galaxy if I have to, I care for MY people and I protect them, and you Cen Durron ? Are YOU ready to face the dangerous and hostile galaxy? - Mishmam was desperate and confident in his empire, he had its and the empire had his, he was ready for anything, having something to fight for and someone behind your back to protect can truly do wonders to a person

 

[Cen Durron]

The tension within the small hangar bay was tangible, as the duo faced each other in their exchange of philosophies. While Cen was calm and concise, Mishmam seemed a lot more unhinged in his retort. For all of his talk of the full power of the Force, the dark side clearly clouded the man's judgement heavily. Being a 'Force Master' didn't ultimately make one more powerful than a Sith Lord or Jedi Master.

To Cen, it made you a fence sitter, unable to tap into the true depths of either Force alignments.

When it came to The Empire and it's struggle in the galactic warfront, Cen couldn't say much. The Padawan knew many iterations of The Empire had existed in the past, many times allegedly crumbling due to shadowy collaborations between opposing forces.

That in itself was an entirely different problem, one that the young man did not see worth glassing the entire galaxy for. This creature was truly mad.

"Your power means nothing if it isn't acknowledged, Moff. There are other beings out there with just as much power and conviction as you. You aren't special, and neither am I. In the end, we are all guided by the Force. We can't take on the whole galaxy, only what comes our way."

With that said, Cen's right arm lifted from its relaxed state, fingers grasping at the cylindrical metal hilt hanging on his utility belt to pull it free. The glowing white-blue blade of magnetized plasma sprang to life, the Force still swirling about the Padawan as he held his lightsaber in a ready stance.

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam was disappointed in Cen, considering his actions unwise and foolish, he pulled out his lightsaber from his belt (he didn't like doing that as it linked Mishmam to his past and therefore brought him pain), even his lightsaber was very similar to that of Vader, igniting a crimson blade and standing in his attack position, prepared to strike as hes swung heavily, he did not worry about the ship, it was made of beskar steel with a small layer of durasteel on top, Mishmam gave his final warning as he stood in his defensive position
-You are no match for me, if you will strike, your story will be over, you will die like a bug and make no difference, if you want to change my mind you must prove that I can bring security, stability and thriving to my empire and it's people with whatever way you propose, if you will, I may change MY way, the choice is yours, do you want to risk unleashing a purge on the galaxy, Cen Durron ?

 

[Cen Durron]

A thin smile crossed Cen's face, his gaze still locked on Mishmam as the red saber ignited, but clearly distant.

He had been given enough time. The invisible Force power that gathered about his form seemed to disperse, returning to the natural flow of the Living Force that surrounded all. With it, Cen's mind and awareness began to expand, flowing with the Force on a small scale through the area.

"There is no death, only the Force, Moff. It is my ally, far more reliable than your empire."

His tone was different, much calmer and lighter. In a sense, it wasn't even Cen speaking anymore.

Trusting his instincts and the Force's guidance was the only way the Padawan would survive this encounter. Mishmam wasn't likely to change his ways in the moment, and Cen didn't feel right leaving without at least trying to put to this monster to rest.

"The path you choose is meaningless if you yourself cannot remain on it. You won't achieve these things, as you are."

Still, ever the Jedi, Cen remained motionless while holding his stance. In the very back of his mind, where the trace of Cen's consciousness still remained, he could not help but ponder on Mishmam's story. There had been no deception on the Moff's part, but it had been difficult to see him as anything other than a threat.

These thoughts were a distraction, a chink in Cen's armor.

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam swung his blade heavily towards Cen, dealing a heavy blow, then another and another, Mismam advanced with each strike risking to knock the lightsaber out of Cen's hands or kick him off his feet, using form 7, sometimes switching to form 5 to defend himself from the strikes Cen threw at him, advancing as he ripped through the jedi's defence.
-I only care for MY empire and MY people, I may fall, but I always rise stronger, a new man, stronger, more powerful I always change I always grow, I always die I always return, I always prevail, I have all the time I need I cannot be stopped, facing me is only delaying the inevitable - Mishmam said as he expander his aura in the Force, consuming Force energy aroun Cen until there was almost none of it left (except for Mishmam's own "bubble" of Force energy), and released this energy in a powerful beam of Force lightning
-Think about yourself Cen Durron , what will the jedi cause YOU, how far will YOU fall because of them? You may be worse than any of us, do you REALLY believe the jedi won't fail you as they have failed me? - Mishmam was like a tornado of heavy strikes in combat and a tornado of boiling rage, hate, pain and grief at this point, he was desparate, he can't let this boy suffer what Mishmam had because of the jedi, even if it may mean killing Cen

 

[Cen Durron]

Automatically, Cen lurched forward to meet Mishmam's heavy swing with his own two-handed grip. The moment their sabers connected, the Padawan knew that matching the Gen'Dai's strength was going to be impossible. With any less of a firm grip, the hilt indeed would have flown out his hand just from a single blow.

Stepping back immediately to gain some small distance with the aid of his opponents power as they clashed, the Force continued to guide the youth as he fell into a defensive form.

The rage and anger given off by the Moff was a clear indicator of his assault, the wild Juyo maneuvers nearly slicing Cen apart if not for his defensive counter. It was reminiscent of Soresu, brief and minimal movements of Cen's body paired with nearly last second deflecting blocks meant to minimize the impact of Mishmam's attacks.

Still, a prolonged exchange was a bad idea. Already, one of Mishmam's attacks managed to sear across the surface of Cen's shoulder pad armor, the Padawan hopping backwards to separate as another buildup of the dark side could be felt.

With the time he had taken to call upon the Force earlier, Cen's active Force resistance came into play, doing its job in shielding him from the dangerous Force drain along with the passive lesser Force barrier that most Force-users were efficient in creating. Though he could feel the energy draining from his being, he also could not, his focus and awareness still further beyond just himself. Not only was he able to perceive some hints through senses alone, but that calm detachment often found in Jedi also allowed him to weather through the storm on instinct, to a degree.

Speaking of which, again, Cen's reaction was almost instantaneous. To have a hope in matching the threat before him, it seemed the Force was working overtime in the Padawan's favor. Leaning forward to push off the ground and upwards, the concentrated bolts of lightning sailed beneath Cen as he sped through the air, landing on the other side of the hangar, near it's exit further into the ship.

"Your thoughts betray you, Moff. Jedi are selfless and think only of others, their life is one of sacrifice. You refuse to move past your experience, unable to strive for what is true."

The entire exchange had occurred in less than a minute, but was already getting intense.

Mishmam (char.)

 

[Mishmam (char.)]

Mishmam was getting frustrated, his dark aura growing every second, giving him power as his hate, fear and anger boiled, when he lunged towards the jedi, clashing blades, he saw something within him, he didn't have a vision, more like a quick realisation: he saw his suit, chained, limited, he felt he held back, there was someone in his suit, a demon within Mishmam, a demon he never released, Mishmam grabbed the chains through the Force and crushed them, releasing the dark beast that lied here, merging with it into one, Mishmam's mind reminded malachor V, every his strike he dealt was echoed by the dark side of the Force
-The jedi claim to keep peace, but they just fight a war, look at yourself, you call this peacekeeping? You only fight me, you couldn't keep peace, you were the first to pull out a weapon and it will be your undoing - Misham said as he launched a combo of powerful hits and his darkness struck with him
-If you are as foolish as you seem, Cen Durron , you are doomed to be destroyed

 

[Cen Durron]

Through the flow of the Force, Cen felt the change within Mishmam. To use the dark side so callously and without second thought all but confirmed what Cen thought to be true, that the Moff didn't intend to cease his luring of the Jedi, and would likely attempt to corrupt Cen to the dark side if not kill him. What other choice was there when opposing ideals met, than to clash?

Sparks erupted with every connection of their saber blades, as minimum as Cen tried to keep the impacts. The monster before him was simply too physically strong, the Force providing for Cen in other ways than just futile boost in strength. With booted feet firm against the beskar floor of the hangar, the Padawan's defensive maneuvers managed to hold up, even though he was now being slowly pushed back...

Despite how bad the situation seemed, his face remained calm, composed, without a hint of hesitation or regret.

"You delude yourself with the past, Moff."

The Jedi had evolved since those times, just as the galaxy had seemingly. Though Mishmam wished to see himself as a victim, he conveniently omitted the part about him being willing to glass the entire galaxy as a means to his end. That was the Sith way, something the Jedi were sworn to destroy.

The powerful combo unleashed did its job, forcing Cen backwards more than he would have preferred. The Force had certainly been with the youth during this battle, but that didn't mean he wasn't capable of faltering.

Stumbling, the floor seemed to swing upwards, his back slamming into the locked hangar blast doors as he fell, finding himself without room to retreat. Even so, Cen still managed to hold his lightsaber outstretched in a defensive grip.

"Will you destroy me then? Doing so will only prove me correct."

Mishmam (char.)