Private Dark Frontiers

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery's fiery amber eyes darted to the rapidly closing blast doors, her hand instinctively tightening around her lightsaber hilt. The sudden shift in their environment sent a ripple of tension through her, but her composure remained intact.

"So much for patience and caution," she muttered with a faint smirk, though her tone carried a sharper edge now. Her gaze shifted briefly to Cerrik, his calm demeanor grounding despite the abrupt escalation. "Improvise? Always."

Without waiting for a reply, Valery surged forward, her movements fluid and deliberate. As she reached the shimmer, her free hand extended, channeling the Force to push through the distortion. The energy buckled under the pressure, revealing a metallic corridor beyond, lined with faintly glowing runes that pulsed ominously.

"Get through the doors before they seal completely!" she called over her shoulder, her voice carrying an urgency that matched the situation. She stepped into the revealed corridor, her senses heightened, and her violet blade ignited with a snap-hiss, casting a brilliant glow against the strange runes.

Her gaze returned to the corridor ahead, the hum of her lightsaber a steady counterpoint to the building tension. They were walking into the unknown, but Valery's confidence remained unshaken — together, they'd turn this trap against its makers.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

As Valery surged ahead, Cerrik raised a hand, pulling at the Force to ease the doors' relentless slide, giving them a few more precious seconds to pass through. He moved with deliberate grace, following Valery into the corridor.

His brown eyes scanned the metallic walls, lingering on the runes. "A trap or a warning?" he murmured, the question meant more for himself than anyone else. He let the Force flow, searching for any ripple of danger beyond what was already clear.

"Into the unknown we go." Cerrik said with a glance to Valery. He still had not ignited his saber, or even grabbed it from his belt.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery moved through the metallic corridor with a careful, deliberate pace, her fiery amber eyes scanning every detail. The glowing runes on the walls pulsed faintly, like the heartbeat of something unseen but very much alive. The hum of her violet lightsaber was the only sound aside from their steady footsteps, and the oppressive silence around them only heightened her senses.

"Could be both," Valery murmured in response to Cerrik's question about the runes. "A trap to catch intruders, but also a warning for those who might not understand what they're stepping into." Her gaze lingered on the runes, a faint frown tugging at her lips. The dark energy imbued in them was palpable, a reminder of the Sith influence that seemed to saturate this place.

She glanced back at Cerrik, her eyes narrowing slightly as she noticed his saber still untouched at his belt. His calmness was a strength, but it also worried her slightly — the further they went, the more certain she was that danger lurked ahead.

Valery extended her free hand slightly, letting the Force flow through her in a steady current. It brushed against the runes, searching for any sign of immediate activation or hidden traps. The air felt heavy, thick with potential energy that hummed just beneath the surface.

Her fiery gaze flicked forward again, scanning the corridor ahead. "This place feels like it wants us to keep going," she said, her voice quieter now, almost a whisper. "Like it's leading us somewhere."

She cast a glance at Cerrik, a faint smirk tugging at her lips despite the tension. "You still sure about this whole 'improvise' plan?" Her tone carried a teasing edge, but the determination in her eyes was unwavering. Whatever lay ahead, they'd face it together.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik walked a step behind Valery, his eyes calm yet alert as they traced the glowing runes. The eerie pulses of light reflected faintly off his face, but he seemed undisturbed by the oppressive silence and the dark energy that saturated the corridor. He tilted his head slightly at her words, offering a faint, knowing smile.

"Improvise isn't a plan, Valery," Cerrik said, his voice low and even. "It's a philosophy. Plans have a funny way of falling apart." He glanced at the runes, their faint hum resonating through the Force like a muted scream. "But adapting? That's what keeps us alive."

"You're not wrong, though," he admitted, his eyes flicking to hers. "This place has intent. It feels alive in its own way. And whatever it's leading us toward, it's not going to be friendly."

"For now, let's keep playing along. If this place wants us somewhere, we'll see where it thinks it can corner us."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery glanced over her shoulder at Cerrik, her eyes narrowing with a mix of amusement and approval. His calm demeanor and philosophical approach to danger were qualities she respected, even if they made her smirk faintly despite the tension around them.

Her violet blade hummed steadily as she took another step forward, her senses extending outward like a net cast into the dark waters of the Force. The runes' pulsing energy felt more pronounced now, their cadence quickening as if in anticipation. The air grew heavier, each breath feeling like it carried a weight of its own.

As they pressed deeper into the corridor, Valery's attention flicked briefly to the walls, her fingers tightening slightly around her lightsaber hilt. The corridor curved ahead, the glowing runes brightening as if guiding their path. Valery slowed her pace, casting a quick glance at Cerrik. "Stay close," she said, her voice firmer now.

Despite the palpable tension, a faint smirk tugged at her lips again as she glanced at him. "And if improvisation really is a philosophy, I'd better see some Jedi Master-level adapting from you when things get rough." Her tone was teasing, but the camaraderie in her words was genuine.

Turning her gaze forward again, Valery's smirk faded as her focus sharpened. The glowing runes began to coalesce, their light converging further down the corridor, marking what could only be the threshold to whatever awaited them. Taking a steadying breath, she pressed on, her confidence in Cerrik unwavering.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik followed a step behind. His expression remained composed, though a faint glint in his eyes betrayed his appreciation for Valery's teasing. As the runes ahead coalesced into a brighter glow, Cerrik's senses reached out, brushing against the eddies and currents of the Force that swirled through the corridor. The energy felt alive, charged with a purpose that was both inviting and foreboding.

"Oh, don't worry," he replied with a similar teasing and playful tone as what Valery had. "I specialize in turning near disasters into minor inconveniences. Just try to keep up—I'd hate to leave you impressed and speechless at the same time."

Taking a step forward, he let the Force flow through him, a steady rhythm grounding his steps as he approached the glowing threshold. "Together, Valery. Whatever waits beyond this, we face it as one."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

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

Valery chuckled softly at Cerrik's reply, her fiery amber eyes glinting with amusement even as the tension in the corridor thickened. His calm confidence was a grounding presence, and she appreciated how he could lighten the mood without undermining the gravity of their situation.

"Impressed and speechless?" she shot back with a smirk, her tone just as teasing. "I'll believe that when I see it."

The oppressive energy of the chamber seemed to amplify as Valery and Cerrik stepped past the glowing barrier. The moment their feet touched the intricately carved stone floor, the chamber's runes flared to life, bathing the room in a pulsating red glow. The Sith markings that lined the walls radiated with malice, each pulse synchronized with a low, rhythmic hum that vibrated through the floor.

At the center of the room stood what they had been sent to investigate: a cluster of sleek, dark terminals arranged around a central console. Data streams flickered across the holographic displays, streams of encrypted information scrolling too fast to comprehend. Valery's fiery amber eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, her lightsaber still at the ready.

"This must be it," Valery murmured, her voice tense but focused. "The intelligence hub. Hidden behind that cloaking field. Or were we moved somewhere?" Teleportation maybe?

As she took a cautious step forward, the hum in the room shifted, becoming sharper, almost like a warning. A split second later, panels in the ceiling slid open, and automated turrets descended with an audible whirr. Their sleek, black barrels glinted ominously in the dim light, locking onto the intruders with an unsettling precision.

"Turrets!" Valery barked, diving to the side as the first volley of red plasma bolts screamed through the air, striking the ground where she had been standing. Her lightsaber flashed up, deflecting another bolt back into one of the glowing runes on the wall, causing it to flicker momentarily.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

"I'd say this was just hidden behind the cloaking field. Doesn't feel like we've teleported." He replied. His attention was momentarily caught by the sudden shift in the humming, and seeing the turrets drop out.

Cerrik moved instinctively and quickly, drawing his lightsaber with a fluid motion. The brilliant blue blade ignited with a resonant hum, meeting a volley of plasma bolts mid-air. With practiced precision, he angled the blade, sending the shots ricocheting back into the turrets.

"Of course it's turrets," he muttered, his tone calm despite the chaos. He sidestepped another blast, his movements measured and deliberate. "Valery, can you reach the terminals while I keep these busy? There's no point in playing tag with these things forever."

He shifted his stance, sweeping his lightsaber in a wide arc to intercept another volley. A bolt grazed the edge of his cloak, singing the fabric but leaving him unharmed.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

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

Valery darted to the side, her fiery eyes scanning the room for any opportunities to disable the turrets or gain the upper hand. Cerrik's calm and measured movements were a steadying presence, and his suggestion snapped her focus into action.

"On it!" she called back, her voice sharp with determination.

Using the chaos of deflected plasma bolts to her advantage, Valery moved swiftly, her violet blade humming as she batted away an errant shot aimed her way. She dashed toward the central console, her boots skidding slightly on the smooth stone floor as another volley screamed past her.

Her fiery gaze locked onto the cluster of terminals at the heart of the chamber. If they were as advanced as they appeared, there might be a way to disable the turrets through the system itself. Sliding into cover behind one of the consoles, she extended her free hand and let the Force flow through her, creating a protective bubble to shield her from stray shots.

"Keep them distracted!" she called over to Cerrik. Her other hand reached for the console's interface, her fingers flying across the holographic keys as she attempted to breach its encryption.

The system resisted her efforts, layers of Sith encryption unraveling like a labyrinth of shadows, "These encryptions aren't easy to get through," She said, as she used her slicing tool in an attempt to gain access.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik stood firm amidst the chaos, his sapphire blade slicing through the air. He stepped smoothly to the side, his lightsaber intercepting another volley of plasma bolts with an almost casual precision.

As the turrets adjusted their aim, Cerrik shifted his stance, stepping into the path of their line of fire with deliberate intent. He swept his blade in a wide arc, drawing sparks as bolts collided against the plasma.

He took a quick glance at her progress, then returned his focus to the relentless barrage. "No rush," he said wryly, sidestepping another shot. "But sooner is better."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery smirked faintly at Cerrik's wry comment, her fingers still flying across the console's holographic interface. "No rush, huh?" she called back, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm. "Well, how about I take my time, then? Maybe we could use the extra cardio."

Despite the teasing remark, Valery's focus was razor-sharp. The Sith encryption was like a twisting labyrinth, each layer she peeled back revealing another layer of defenses. Her slicing tool hummed faintly as it worked in tandem with her own efforts, bypassing firewalls and subverting access locks.

A particularly tricky segment of code made her pause, her fiery gaze narrowing as she pressed her lips into a thin line. "Come on," she muttered under her breath, her free hand tapping rhythmically on the console.

Finally, a faint chime echoed from the terminal, and Valery's eyes lit up. "Got it!" she announced triumphantly. With a few decisive keystrokes, she redirected the turrets' targeting system. The automated weapons whirred to a halt before swiveling away from them entirely, their ominous hum silenced.

Valery rose from her crouched position behind the console, her lightsaber still ignited as she turned toward Cerrik. "Turrets are down," she said with a smirk. "Now, let's see what else this place is hiding."

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik gave her an approving nod, his calm demeanor unshaken despite the earlier tension. "Impressive work," he said, his voice carrying that familiar tone of quiet praise. He stepped forward, his lightsaber still in hand, the steady hum of the blade a comforting presence. "I knew you'd get through it."

There was a hint of teasing in his words, but his expression was unreadable except for the faintest quirk of his lips. His gaze swept the now-silent turrets before flicking back to Valery. "Good thing you didn't take too much time."

Cerrik adjusted his grip on his lightsaber as he turned his attention to the shadowy corridor ahead, his senses attuned to the ripples of the Force. "If they went to that much trouble to lock down their defenses, whatever they're hiding must be important. Be ready—this could get... interesting."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery smirked faintly at Cerrik's calm praise, her fiery gaze sweeping the silent turrets before locking onto the shadowy corridor ahead. "Well, I wouldn't want to keep you waiting too long," she replied, her tone light but edged with focus. She extinguished her lightsaber with a crisp hiss and clipped it back to her belt, her hands briefly brushing against the consoles as if to ensure their work here was complete.

The corridor loomed before them, its jagged walls bathed in dim crimson light from emergency panels. The faint hum of the Sith machinery was now joined by an eerie, rhythmic thrum — like a heartbeat reverberating through the walls. Valery tilted her head, her expression sharpening.

"Do you feel that?" she asked, her voice lowering. The Force pulsed faintly but unnervingly ahead, like a warning beacon. It wasn't overwhelming, but it carried a palpable weight that made her hand instinctively drift back to her lightsaber.

She stepped forward, her boots making almost no sound against the polished stone floor. "Whatever's down there, it's designed to keep people like us out." A small, confident smile played on her lips as she glanced over her shoulder at Cerrik. "Which means we're exactly the kind of people who need to see what it is."

Valery took the lead, her senses stretched outward like a net cast into dark waters. The corridor narrowed, then opened into a vast chamber, its architecture a mix of brutalist Sith design and intricate engravings glowing faintly with dark energy. In the center of the room, a large, heavily secured vault rested atop a dais, flanked by two imposing Sith statues, their forms carved into menacing stances.

The rhythmic pulse of the Force grew louder here, emanating from the vault itself. Valery's eyes narrowed as she studied the scene, her stance subtly shifting into readiness.

"Whatever's in there, it's alive," she murmured. Her fiery gaze flicked to Cerrik. "And it's waiting for us."

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik stepped up beside Valery, his expression calm but thoughtful, his brown eyes scanning the chamber with quiet intensity. The dim crimson glow reflected faintly off his robes as he studied the engravings and the ominous vault. The rhythmic thrum of the Force resonated against his senses like a whisper just on the edge of hearing.

"I feel it," he said, his voice even, though a faint edge of tension slipped into his tone. "Whatever it is, it's not hiding its presence. Almost like it wants us to come closer." He glanced toward the statues, noting their deliberate placement. "This place isn't just designed to keep people out—it's also a trap for those who dare to come in."

He stepped forward slowly, his movements deliberate and measured, as if testing the floor beneath his feet. Yet. Instead, he crouched slightly, studying the dais and its defenses from afar.

"The engravings—they look like ancient Sith runes. Defensive wards, maybe? Or a trigger for whatever those things are hiding?" He stood again, his gaze flicking back to Valery.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

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

Valery's fiery gaze lingered on the Sith statues for a moment longer, her senses brushing against the thick tension in the air. The rhythmic thrum of the Force emanating from the vault felt calculated — deliberate. Cerrik was right: this wasn't just a deterrent. It was bait.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "A trap for the arrogant, then," she murmured, her tone sharp with focus. "The Sith always liked to play games like this. Lure someone in, test their will, and punish them if they fail."

Stepping forward, she knelt down near the base of the dais, her hands hovering just above the intricate carvings. Closing her eyes, she let the Force flow through her, the patterns and pulses of the engravings gradually coming into focus like a map of energy etched into stone.

"There's definitely a network of wards," she said after a moment, her voice low. "Some are dormant, but others… they're active. The path to the vault is clear enough, but it's flanked by traps that will spring the moment we get too close."

Standing, she turned her attention back to the statues. "And those?" She gestured toward the menacing figures. "I'm guessing they're more than just for show. If this vault contains something powerful, they're likely its guardians."

Valery paced a few steps, her fiery gaze returning to Cerrik. "We'll need to disarm the runes, at least the active ones, before we even think about approaching the vault. I can focus on breaking them down through the Force, but that's going to take time." She paused and let out a soft sigh.

"The alternative is that we let the trap spring, and deal with it."

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

He stepped closer to Valery, his tone softening slightly. "Springing the trap is faster, but far more dangerous. If the statues animate or the vault's defenses are more layered than we think, we'll be fighting a battle on multiple fronts. And I don't need to tell you, the Sith loved to throw surprises into their work."

Cerrik's gaze held hers for a moment, his calmness a quiet contrast to the tension crackling in the air. "Your call, Valery. I trust your instincts. If you want to disarm the runes, I'll cover you. If you decide we spring the trap, then we face it together."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

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

Valery's eyes locked with Cerrik's for a brief moment, and in that quiet exchange, a decision began to take shape. She let out a soft breath, her gaze shifting back to the statues and the intricate network of runes. Every instinct told her that springing the trap would be faster — but speed wasn't always the best course of action when dealing with Sith designs.

"They've layered this place with malice," she said, her voice steady but low. "And if we spring the trap, we're not just facing the statues or the runes. We're facing whatever lies in the vault, too. The Sith rarely stop at a single layer of defense."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she nodded toward the carvings on the floor. "I'll disarm the active runes. It'll take time, but it's the best way to ensure we're not caught off guard. If these statues move or the traps are triggered, it'll be because we decided to face them, not because we were careless."

Her hand brushed against the hilt of her lightsaber for a fleeting moment before she knelt beside the engravings once more. She let the Force flow through her, tendrils of her energy probing the active runes like threads weaving through a tapestry. Each rune pulsed faintly with dark energy, an echo of the Sith's twisted will.

"You'll have to keep watch," she said, glancing back at Cerrik. "If anything changes — movement, energy shifts, even a whisper — let me know immediately."

With that, Valery focused entirely on the runes, her breathing steady as she began the intricate process of breaking them down through the Force, one layer of darkness at a time.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik nodded, his expression calm but intent as he stepped back to give Valery the space she needed. His gaze swept over the chamber, noting every shadow that flickered against the walls and every glint of light on the ominous statues. He could feel the tension in the air, the heavy, foreboding presence of the Sith's malice, pressing like a weight against his chest.

"Got it," he said simply, his voice low but steady. He moved to a position that gave him a wide view of the room, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his saber hilt, ready to ignite it at the first sign of trouble. As his gaze swept the chamber, he reached out through the Force, letting its currents wash over the room.

The silence stretched thin, broken only by the faint sound of Valery's breaths as she worked. Cerrik's instincts stayed sharp, his attention flitting between the statues and the shadowed corners of the chamber. He glanced back at her briefly, her figure bathed in the faint, ominous glow of the runes she was dismantling.

A faint flicker in the corner of his vision drew his attention. His grip on his saber hilt tightened as he turned toward one of the statues, the light in the room casting shadows that seemed to shift imperceptibly. "Valery..." Cerrik said quietly. "One of the shadows near the statues... it looked like it shifted. Could just be the light, but I'm not taking chances."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery's hands hovered above the runes, her focus razor-sharp as she unraveled the layers of dark energy entwined in the Sith's traps. The tension in the chamber pressed heavily against her senses, every flicker of shadow and pulse of dark energy tugging at her awareness. Cerrik's quiet warning cut through her concentration like a blade.

Her fiery eyes snapped up to him, catching the faint glow of his saber hilt as he prepared for action. "Stay sharp," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but the command in her tone was unmistakable.

A ripple in the Force surged through the room, cold and heavy, as if the shadows themselves were alive. Valery turned her gaze to the statue Cerrik had mentioned, its once-still form now subtly different. The shadows pooling around its base seemed thicker, darker, and they began to swirl unnaturally, coalescing into a humanoid shape.

"Cerrik!" Valery called out, urgency lacing her voice. "It's manifesting!"

The shadow twisted upward, taking on more definition with each passing moment. Two faintly glowing, red eyes appeared within the dark form, and an eerie, low growl reverberated through the chamber. Without warning, the shadow surged forward, lashing out with a tendril of dark energy aimed directly at Cerrik.

Valery's focus split as her instincts kicked in. She thrust her hand outward, sending a burst of Force energy toward the tendril to intercept it. "I'll hold the runes as best I can, but this one's yours to handle!" she called, her fiery gaze locking onto him.

The statue's eyes flared briefly, as if acknowledging the unfolding battle, and the atmosphere grew heavier still. Whatever was in this vault wasn't going to make things easy for them.

Cerrik ​

 

[Cerrik]

Cerrik shifted his stance, his calm demeanor unshaken as the shadow lunged toward him. His lightsaber ignited with a sharp snap-hiss, casting a blue glow across the chamber that mingled uneasily with the dark energy filling the air.

"I see it," he replied, his voice steady yet charged with focus. He stepped forward, raising his saber to intercept the tendril of dark energy. The blade hummed as it carved through the tendril, scattering it into dissipating wisps of shadow.

Cerrik turned his head slightly toward Valery, though his eyes remained locked on the manifesting shadow. "I'll make sure it doesn't get to you." His tone was calm, but there was a protective edge to his words.

The shadow surged again, this time splitting into multiple tendrils that whipped through the air like serpents. Cerrik shifted his weight, stepping smoothly into the flow of the attack. Each motion was precise, his saber slashing and spinning as he severed the writhing energy one strike at a time.

The dark form snarled, its humanoid shape becoming more defined as it pressed its assault. Cerrik took a measured step back, adjusting his footing to draw the entity's focus away from Valery. His blade cut an arc through the air, severing another tendril as it lashed toward him.

Valery Noble