Private Dark Frontiers

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

The steady hum of the shuttle's engines reverberated through the compact cabin as Valery sat at a small console, her focus on the glowing holo-map projected above it. The map detailed their destination — a contested zone near the precarious border between Alliance and Sith-controlled space. Markers for key installations, suspected enemy patrols, and potential safe zones dotted the map, each a reminder of the delicate balance they sought to maintain in the ongoing conflict.

The shuttle's movements were smooth, cutting through hyperspace with precision, but Valery's mind was anything but idle. The mission ahead required careful planning and coordination, especially given the proximity to Sith territory. She trusted her companion for this mission, Jedi Master Cerrik , whose reputation for skill and composure made him an ideal ally for such a sensitive task.

Still, this wasn't the kind of mission to face unprepared.

Standing up from her seat, Valery straightened her dark Jedi robes and smoothed back a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her braid. She glanced toward the cockpit, where Cerrik was likely seated, either meditating or scanning their flight path. She took a steadying breath before heading down the corridor to find him.

When she spotted him, she offered a small nod, her tone calm but carrying the weight of a Jedi Master's focus. "Master Cerrik," she said, her voice cutting gently through the sound of the engines. "Would you join me in the briefing room? There are a few things we need to review before we arrive."

She waited for his response before turning back toward the small room she'd been working in, stepping inside and gesturing toward the map. The holomap flickered softly in the dim light, illuminating the tense lines on the star chart that divided Alliance and Sith space. Valery's fiery amber eyes scanned it again as she prepared to discuss their plan, her expression calm but resolute.

The mission would demand their best, and she was ready to ensure they were both as prepared as possible.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik looked up from the viewport, where he'd been observing the endless swirl of hyperspace outside. His serene expression held a trace of warmth as he acknowledged Valery with a slight nod. The quiet hum of the shuttle felt almost meditative, but he could sense the tension beneath the surface.

"Of course, Master Valery," Cerrik replied, his voice steady and low, carrying the ease of someone who had seen and weathered much. He rose smoothly from his seat, adjusting the folds of his robe. His demeanor was calm, as always, but there was an undeniable sharpness in his eyes, the mark of someone always attuned to the present moment.

He followed Valery to the briefing room, his steps quiet but purposeful. As they entered, Cerrik's gaze shifted to the flickering holomap, taking in the contested borderlines and the highlighted areas of concern. He stood beside her, clasping his hands behind his back in a relaxed but attentive stance.

"Navigating this zone will be... delicate," he said, his tone thoughtful as his eyes studied the map. "The Sith rarely leave anything to chance, and proximity to their territory suggests we'll be dealing with more than just patrols. Perhaps hidden traps or intelligence agents planted within the neutral sectors."

Cerrik turned his attention to Valery, his expression open and sincere. "Have you identified our primary objective's best approach yet? Or should we weigh the contingencies first? I would like us to avoid any unnecessary risk." His voice carried no sense of alarm, only calm deliberation.

Though he deferred to her lead, Cerrik's tone and words invited collaboration. Every mission was a partnership, and he valued the insights of those he worked with.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery nodded, appreciating the calm and thoughtful approach Cerrik brought to the mission. His insights mirrored some of her own concerns, and she welcomed the collaborative energy he offered.

"You're right," she said, her voice steady but carrying a sharp edge of focus. "This close to Sith territory, we need to be ready for anything."

She gestured to the map, her hand tracing a path toward a highlighted sector. "This is the facility we're targeting — a suspected intelligence hub disguised as a logistics center. It's been flagged for its unusually high level of encrypted communications and shipments moving in and out at irregular intervals."

Valery's amber eyes met Cerrik's, her expression calm but resolute. "Our primary objective is to infiltrate, gather intelligence, and confirm if it's a hub for Sith operations. If it is, we'll mark it for follow-up action or neutralize it ourselves if we deem it possible."

She leaned slightly over the console, zooming in on the surrounding area. "The tricky part is the approach. This route," she pointed to a narrow corridor through contested space, "is our best bet for avoiding immediate detection, but it's tight. If they're monitoring traffic patterns, even a small anomaly could alert them."

She crossed her arms loosely, her tone shifting to something more collaborative. "What's your take? Do you see any blind spots I might have missed? If there's a way to reduce risk further, I'd rather address it now than on the ground."

Valery tilted her head slightly, her fiery gaze steady but open. This was no place for ego — only the mission, and the lives it might affect, mattered.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik studied the map with quiet intensity, his sharp blue eyes tracing the outlined path Valery had indicated. The weight of her words hung in the air, and he nodded slowly, acknowledging the complexity of the mission.

"You've already covered most of the risks," he said, nodding slightly. "Your approach through the corridor is the best option given the circumstances. But there's one thing that caught my eye." He gestured to a less prominent section of the map, just off the primary route Valery had indicated. "This area here, it's an asteroid field with a lot of natural interference. It's a tighter squeeze, but it could mask our approach better than an open corridor. The downside is we'd have to cut engines at some points and rely on the drift to avoid detection."

He leaned back, crossing his arms loosely. "It's risky, but if the Sith are monitoring traffic patterns, they might focus more on predictable routes like this corridor. A silent approach through the field could give us an edge. That said, we'd have to be ready for a quick response if we're spotted."

Cerrik leaned in slightly, his finger hovering over the facility's perimeter. "Once we're inside, I'd suggest prioritizing the communications hub. If we can tap into their encryption algorithms or intercept live transmissions, it'll give us leverage and intel, even if things go south. A fallback plan, just in case neutralizing it on-site proves too risky."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery leaned closer to the map, her fiery amber eyes following the path Cerrik traced to the asteroid field. She studied the area carefully, her brow furrowing slightly as she weighed the risks and benefits of his suggestion. After a moment, she nodded, her expression thoughtful but resolute.

"You're right," she said, her tone steady. "The asteroid field does offer better concealment, and if we're careful with our approach, we could avoid detection entirely. Drifting without engines will require precision, but it's worth the trade-off if it keeps us off their sensors."

Her fingers hovered over the section he pointed out near the facility's perimeter. "As for the communications hub, I completely agree. If we can intercept their data or decrypt even a portion of their transmissions, it could give us valuable intel — not just about this site, but potentially about other Sith operations in the area. It's high-risk, high-reward, but it could be worth it."

She straightened, her arms crossing loosely over her chest as she glanced at Cerrik. "We'll adjust our route to include the asteroid field. Once we're inside the facility, we'll split our focus: one of us can work on securing the communications hub while the other watches for traps, patrols, or potential reinforcements. That way, we don't leave ourselves vulnerable."

A faint smile touched her lips, a rare lightness breaking through her otherwise serious demeanor. "I appreciate your insights, Cerrik. Missions like these require adaptability, and it's clear you bring a lot of that to the table."

Valery turned toward the shuttle's viewport, the faint glow of hyperspace casting a muted light over the cabin. "We'll make final adjustments to the plan once we reach the asteroid field. For now, let's make sure we're prepared for whatever we might face in that facility."

She glanced back at him, her gaze steady and confident. "We'll get this done."

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik gave a small, thoughtful nod, his steady gaze tracing the map Valery had been studying moments ago. His calm demeanor never wavered, but there was an unmistakable glint of intrigue in his brown eyes as he leaned back slightly.

"I've navigated a ship through an asteroid field without power before," he said, his voice steady, with just a hint of dry humor. "This should be a little less... chaotic. Though I can't promise it'll be any less interesting."

He uncrossed his arms and gestured toward the map, his expression as serene as ever. "As for the facility, you know your own strengths better than anyone. Do you have a preference? Securing the communications hub or keeping an eye out for traps and reinforcements? I am perfectly fine being assaigned either task."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery listened, her lips curving into a faint smirk at Cerrik's dry humor about navigating asteroid fields. "Less chaotic sounds like a good start," she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Though with Sith facilities, I find it's best to expect the unexpected."

She glanced back at the map, her fiery amber eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she considered the tasks ahead. "Given the complexity of the communications hub, I'll handle that part. Decrypting transmissions and intercepting data will require precision and quick thinking, and I've had my fair share of experience with slicing into encrypted systems."

Though only because she had tools for it. She was terrible with tech.

Her gaze shifted back to Cerrik, her expression steady but warm. "That leaves you to cover the area. Watch for traps, patrols, or any reinforcements they might throw at us." She stepped away from the map and leaned slightly against the console, her arms folding loosely over her chest. "This way, we're both playing to our strengths, and we keep the odds in our favor. We'll stay in close contact through comms, so if either of us runs into trouble, we can adjust quickly."

Valery offered Cerrik a small but confident smile. "Anything else before we get going?"

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik tilted his head slightly, his calm demeanor undisturbed as he listened to Valery's plan. "Sounds like a solid divide and conquer approach," he said, his voice steady and measured. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "And you're right—expecting the unexpected with Sith facilities is probably the only predictable thing about them. If we're lucky, the traps will at least be creative."

He leaned a little closer to the console, his brown eyes scanning the map with practiced ease. "I'll handle the patrols and tripwires. I've got a good sense for trouble before it happens. If something feels off, I'll deal with it quietly."

He glanced at Valery, his gaze steady but tinged with an easy warmth. "No other questions on my end. Just be ready to adapt. The Force has a way of throwing us curveballs at the worst—or best—times."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery nodded, her faint smile lingering as she straightened from her lean against the console. "Creative traps and curveballs — just another day in the field," she said, her tone light but edged with the focus that the situation demanded. Cerrik's confidence in his ability to deal with the unknown was reassuring, and it played into her trust in him to handle his part of the mission.

Her gaze shifted to the viewport, where the swirling blues and whites of hyperspace began to fracture, signaling their approach to realspace. "We're coming up on the asteroid field," Valery said, her voice steady as her hands moved over the controls to prepare for their descent. The hum of the ship's engines shifted in pitch, a subtle cue that they were moments away from exiting hyperspace.

With a soft lurch, the stars snapped back into focus, revealing the ominous asteroid field sprawled ahead of them. Massive chunks of rock tumbled silently through the void, their jagged surfaces illuminated by the faint light of a distant star. Valery eased the ship closer, her grip on the controls firm but fluid as she began weaving the ship through the treacherous terrain.

"Alright," she said, her voice calm but threaded with purpose. "We'll drift through here to avoid detection. I'll cut the engines when we're close enough, and we'll coast the rest of the way." She glanced at Cerrik, her amber eyes reflecting the faint glow of the control panels.

With practiced precision, Valery adjusted the ship's trajectory, steering them deeper into the asteroid field. The ship's systems dimmed slightly as she began to power down the engines, the silence adding a new layer of tension to the already precarious situation.

The Sith facility loomed in the distance now, half-hidden within the shadow of a colossal asteroid. Valery's hand hovered over the controls, ready to guide them in for a stealthy approach, her fiery gaze fixed on the target ahead.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik leaned back in his seat, his calm demeanor unshaken by the looming asteroid field or the Sith facility ahead. His gaze lingered on Valery for a moment, noting the steady confidence in her movements. She was focused, precise; qualities he respected and trusted.

"Drifting through an asteroid field and sneaking up on a Sith stronghold," Cerrik said with a faint smirk, his voice as steady as ever. "You do know how to keep things interesting, Valery."

As the ship slipped deeper into the asteroid field, Cerrik's eyes scanned the viewport. The massive rocks spinning lazily through space didn't faze him, as he had seen worse. "Those asteroids remind me of that smugglers' den I had to navigate on Ord Mantell," he added, "Only this time, no spice traders with itchy trigger fingers to deal with."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery chuckled softly at Cerrik's remark, her fiery amber eyes briefly glancing his way before returning to the field of tumbling asteroids ahead. "I've got a knack for making things exciting," she said, her voice tinged with amusement.

She adjusted the controls slightly, her focus unwavering as the ship weaved between the massive, rotating rocks. The facility loomed closer with each silent glide, its dark silhouette blending with the shadows of the asteroid field. The Sith facility was now fully visible, its structure blending into the jagged asteroid it was built into. Faint lights blinked along its surface — signs of activity, though it was impossible to tell how many personnel were inside.

"We're close enough," Valery said quietly, powering down the ship's systems entirely. The sudden silence was jarring, broken only by the faint hum of residual power. She motioned to Cerrik, her voice lowering as she laid out their next steps. "We'll get ready and head in."

Valery pushed herself up from the pilot's chair and headed toward the gear compartment, where a pair of small breather masks waited for them. The faint glow of emergency lights cast long shadows across the interior of the ship as she handed one to Cerrik.

"Ready for this?" she asked, her gaze steady but carrying the faintest hint of a challenge.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik took the breather mask from Valery, turning it over in his hands thoughtfully before looking at her with a faint smirk.

"Breather masks, huh? Should I be concerned about what's in the air down there, or is this just your way of making things extra exciting?" His tone was light, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice as he glanced toward the looming Sith facility outside.

He gestured toward the mask. "Not that I don't trust your judgment, but I'd like to know if we're dealing with poison gas, vacuum pockets, or some Sith experiment gone wrong before I strap this on."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery smirked at Cerrik's comment, her fiery amber eyes glinting with amusement as she adjusted the mask in her hands. "You know me," she teased lightly, "Always looking for ways to keep things interesting."

Her tone shifted slightly as she glanced out toward the Sith facility, the faint lights of the structure casting an eerie glow against the surrounding darkness. "The facility's atmosphere is unstable," she explained. "It's built into an asteroid, so there's a good chance we'll run into pockets of vacuum or compromised air. It's not poison gas — at least, not that I've detected — but I wouldn't put it past them to have a few surprises waiting for us."

She handed him the mask with a faint grin. "Think of it as insurance. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around, right?"

She moved toward the airlock, the hum of the ship's systems barely audible in the tense silence. Before opening the hatch, Valery turned back to Cerrik, her smirk returning just briefly. With a sharp hiss, the airlock began to cycle open, revealing the cold, shadowed expanse of the facility's docking bay beyond. Valery's grip on her lightsaber tightened as she stepped out, her every sense on high alert.

"Let's go make things exciting."

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik chuckled softly, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Valery's fiery energy. His brown eyes flicked to the mask before settling on her face. "Exciting with you usually means unpredictable and slightly life-threatening," he quipped. "But I suppose that's why I'm still here."

He followed her gaze toward the Sith facility, the faint hum of danger vibrating in the Force. Cerrik tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing as he reached out with his senses. "Unstable atmosphere and pockets of vacuum? Sounds like a Sith engineer's idea of fun."

As Valery moved toward the airlock, Cerrik took a moment to adjust the strap of his own mask and secure his gear. Her words hung in the air, and he replied with a quiet, knowing smile, "Insurance, huh? Spoken like someone who learned the hard way. You're not wrong, though. Better prepared than sorry."

When the airlock hissed open, Cerrik exhaled slowly, the cool rush of tension settling over him like a familiar cloak. He followed Valery into the shadowed expanse, his steps deliberate and his presence steady.

"Exciting it is," he said lightly, his voice carrying a thread of encouragement. "But let's keep it exciting on our terms, not theirs."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery chuckled softly, shaking her head as she stepped through the airlock into the shadowed docking bay. "Unpredictable and slightly life-threatening? You make me sound so dangerous," she teased, her voice light but carrying that familiar edge of playful confidence. "Though, I guess you're not wrong. Keeps things interesting, doesn't it?"

She glanced back at him briefly, her fiery amber eyes glinting with amusement as they adjusted to the dim light of the facility. "And I don't know what you're talking about with 'learning the hard way.' I've always been perfectly prepared for every possible scenario," she added, her tone dripping with mock seriousness before breaking into a smirk.

The docking bay stretched out before them, dark and ominous, the flickering lights casting eerie, jagged shadows across the walls. Valery's boots were silent against the metal floor as she moved forward, her senses stretched to their limits. The oppressive energy of the dark side here was impossible to ignore — it lingered in the air like the stale scent of decay.

She paused near a stack of abandoned crates, her hand brushing the hilt of her lightsaber as she turned slightly toward Cerrik. "What do you think?" she asked quietly, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Feel anything out of place yet? The dark side is heavy here, but I can't shake the feeling that we're being... watched."

Her gaze swept the shadows again, her sharp senses picking up the faint hum of machinery deeper within the facility. "Sith don't just leave places like this unguarded. If someone's here, they'll know we've arrived soon enough."

She moved forward again, her steps careful but deliberate, motioning for Cerrik to follow. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to meet it head-on — and she trusted Cerrik to watch her back.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik followed a step behind Valery, his movements unhurried but precise. His presence in the Force was steady and calm, a grounding counterbalance to the oppressive weight of the dark side in the docking bay.

He paused when she did, his head tilting slightly as if listening to something just beyond the edge of perception. "You're right," he murmured, his voice low and even. "The dark side is thick here—almost suffocating. It feels... intentional. Like a trap waiting to spring."

Cerrik let his gaze drift to the ceiling, then to the crates around them. "We're not alone," he said simply, "I can't pinpoint them yet, but whoever—or whatever—is watching us, they're waiting for the right moment."

He placed a hand lightly on Valery's shoulder, "Keep your guard up, but don't rush. Fear or impatience will play into their hands. Let's make them reveal themselves first."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery glanced over her shoulder at Cerrik, her fiery amber eyes softening momentarily at his calm and measured demeanor. His words settled into her mind like stones dropped into still water, steadying her focus further. "Fear and impatience aren't in my nature," she replied with a faint smirk, her tone light but grounded in truth. "But I agree. If they're watching, we'll make them move first."

Her gaze swept the docking bay again, lingering on the darkened corners where the flickering lights cast jagged shadows. The air felt heavier now, charged with the anticipation of something unseen yet imminent. Her hand rested on the hilt of her lightsaber, her thumb brushing lightly over the activation switch.

Valery motioned for Cerrik to follow as she moved forward again, her steps careful but deliberate. She wove through the maze of crates and abandoned machinery, her senses stretched out into the Force like a finely tuned instrument. The hum of distant machinery seemed louder now, almost like a heartbeat thrumming through the metal walls.

As they neared the far end of the docking bay, Valery paused abruptly, her fiery gaze locking onto a faint shimmer in the air ahead. A trick of the light? Or something more deliberate? She raised a hand, signaling for Cerrik to halt. "There," she said softly, nodding toward the subtle distortion.

"Do you see it? A cloaking field, maybe?"

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik stepped up beside her. His brown eyes narrowed as he studied the shimmer she indicated, his head tilting slightly, trying to discern what it could be.

"I see it," he replied, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "Could be a cloaking field, some kind of phased energy barrier, or a distortion from something large. Either way, it's intentional."

He glanced at Valery, his tone softening but still deliberate. "What do you want to do? Approach carefully, or spring the trap and see what's behind door number one?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery's fiery amber eyes remained locked on the faint shimmer ahead, her mind racing as she considered Cerrik's words. His calm analysis of the situation mirrored her own, but it was the deliberate choice in his tone that brought a faint smile to her lips.

"Intentional, definitely," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hand remained on her lightsaber hilt, her thumb brushing the activation switch in subtle anticipation. "And if it's intentional, it means someone — or something — is waiting for us to make the first move."

Her gaze flicked to Cerrik, the hint of a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "As much as I love surprises, I think springing the trap without knowing what we're dealing with might be a little... premature." Her tone carried the light edge of humor but remained grounded in strategy.

She crouched slightly, motioning for Cerrik to follow as she began to edge closer to the shimmer. At the same time, Valery's senses expanded outward through the Force, brushing lightly against the shimmer without fully committing to probing it. The distortion pushed back faintly, its energy unfamiliar but unmistakably deliberate.

Then, without warning, blast doors all around them began to close rapidly.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik's brows lifted at the playful smirk, his own lips curving into a faint smile. He kept his voice low, calm as ever, but there was a spark of amusement in his eyes. "Patience and caution. I knew there was a reason I liked having you around."

As Valery motioned him to follow, he moved with deliberate ease, his presence in the Force steady and reassuring, like the deep roots of a tree. When the distortion pushed back, he stopped just behind her, his gaze flicking briefly to the shimmer.

The sudden clang of blast doors jolted through the quiet. Cerrik's head snapped up, his composure tightening like a coiled spring. "Well," he said dryly, stepping closer to Valery, "so much for taking our time. Any bright ideas, or shall we improvise?"

Valery Noble