Private Dark Omens

[Valery Noble]

Shuttle

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

<I sense something... dark inside here, Amani.>

Valery's voice came through a short moment after she had mind tricked the patrol into moving on, and if she were to focus her senses on the interior of the depot, she'd likely feel it too. The Dark Side always clouded the senses, but a deeper focus would allow her to feel tension in her chest, and a strange cold that could send a shiver down her spine. Something happening inside felt unnatural, and it was not easy to tell what it was exactly.

<Door on the south side,>

As much as Valery felt a desire to almost run off and investigate, she first wanted to bring her friend inside with her. So once the Patrol had cleared away, she opened up a small emergency door on the southern side of the building. From within, it had to open instantly to let people out in case of fires or other emergencies, so even without access codes, she could get it to open.

"I didn't see a lot of guards inside. But there might be people near the source of this. It's... hard to tell — my senses are struggling to get through."

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani immediately turned her senses towards the depot itself, when Valery channeled a telepathic voice. "…I feel it too," A cold dread that lingered in the pit of her stomach. No doubt that this was the right place, at least. She went to the south side door as Valery directed, taking advantage of the emergency exit to sneak in.

"No choice but to get closer, I guess," Amani shrugged, "It's distracting. Makes me all the more worried about what's really going on here." She looked around; Not many guards, just as Val said. "Anything stand out while you were sneaking around? A lead?"

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Shuttle

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

"Just the people wearing lab coats," Valery said, which in and of itself was maybe not too weird, but they were in what looked like a storage depot. So for people to be wearing anything scientific beyond some protective gear was definitely strange, at least to Valery. Paired with the darker feeling the two Jedi could pick up on, and she feared there were plenty of reason to be worried. What were they really doing out here?

The two would get their answer soon enough.

After slowly and carefully moving down a long hallway, they reached the open area of what had once been a storage depot. But where Valery had expected containers or crates with supplies and maybe weapons, they found a laboratory of some kind. There were several rows of what appeared to be Bacta tanks, but these weren't medical in nature — strange creatures were inside that neither of them would recognize.

On various tables, these creatures had been cut open and were being examined by the figures in lab coats. Overseeing it all was another source of darkness — a Sith Lord standing on a balcony that overlooked the entire depot.

 

[Amani Serys]

"Lab coats?" Amani replied, coming to a similar conclusion, "Warehouses aren't usually the spot for science projects." Their suspicions were soon fully confirmed, as they made their way further in. Reaching an open floor, they found no cache of supplies, not even your typical bad guy contraband either. Instead they were dealing with a genuine laboratory hidden under the guise of a depot. Tanks of strange creatures, the origins of which could only be assumed, a number of scientists recording unknown factors, and a lone Sith overseeing it all. His darkness was pungent, too strong to be anything other than a master of the dark arts.

"Woah," Amani couldn't help but mutter. She hugged close to a wall, not wanting to risk a sighting despite her curiosity. "Are those… what, Sithspawn? Something else? I don't recognize them." Some specimens were being dissected, the possible reasons behind which only further confounding the situation, "Well I think we know who's behind all this…" She nodded towards the Sith presence.

He was relatively unassuming in stature. Much of his frame was disguised by his dark robe, but clearly he was more an intellectual presence than a physical one; Not that it made him any less of a possible danger. Beneath his hood was a collection of tendrils, revealing him as a Quarren. His ashen gray skin was clammy, and his eyes held the faint molten glow of a true darksider. Whatever progress was being made was apparently to his liking, his suction-tipped fingers steepled schemingly in front of him.

"Can we get in closer?" Amani asked, hoping to find a more advantageous position.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Shuttle

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

"Sithspawn would be my bet," Valery said with a dip of her head. "Or, at least some kind of unnatural experimentation." The scientists weren't Force Users, let alone Sith, so they definitely hadn't created those things. The Quarren up on the balcony, however, could have made those beasts or manipulated existing life forms to make them for experimentation. It'd explain why he didn't really look all that dangerous, but felt very distinct in the Force.

He was a Master of the Dark Side.

"Yeah, we can stick to the walls and move around quietly," Valery then whispered before she started to move. Various crates and a few remaining containers offered some cover, and so did all the heavier lab equipment. Sticking closer to the walls made it hard for people up on the balcony to look down and see them, so the Jedi were able to get around until they were practically underneath the Quarren.

They could feel him, but they couldn't see him.

"The way up is guarded, and-" Valery stopped when she heard one of the beasts in the lab growling. It began to erratically move within its restraints, its maw snapping and its limbs thrashing around to try and hit everything and everybody around it. The scientist had quickly jumped back after it happened, still with a syringe in their hand.

"We did it!" She called out, as if what they were seeing was an accomplishment.

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani nodded, and followed closely behind Valery as they snuck past what cover they could find. Skirting the edges of the room and moving at a snail's pace allowed them to make their way underneath the balcony unseen. Val could barely formulate a plan, before one of the experiments suddenly sprang to life with violent energy. Its jaws gnashed hungrily, its arms whipping about as much as their restraints would let them.

The scientist overseeing this was pleased enough with the unnerving result to declare her eureka moment to the others present. Whatever they were doing here, they had just made significant progress, if not succeeded outright, "Did what…?" Amani muttered, barely audible even to Valery. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

The dull thudding of footsteps from the balcony above hastened. The dark presence warped. The Quarren was coming down to inspect the results.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Shuttle

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

"Did what…?"

"I have no idea, but it sounds bad," Valery said, knowing it was a fairly obvious observation. But there was no time to really think. Footsteps were making their way down, and without wasting a second, Valery grabbed Amani and pulled her along behind some crates positioned at the side. The Quarren would be extremely close, but as long as the Jedi kept their presence buried, they likely wouldn't be detected.

The Sith wasn't exactly expecting anybody to be here.

"Very good," the Quarren told the scientist. "I was almost starting to worry that these beasts could not be tamed." He raised his hand, and the beast thrashing on the table seemed to calm down again.

"Now, we need some new subjects."

 

[Amani Serys]

"Ya think?" Amani quipped, before abruptly being pulled aside by Valery. They kept quiet and hidden, most just physically but in the Force as well. Seemingly none the wiser, the Quarren Sith came down to admire his work. Clearly, he was satisfied by the results, but all that meant now was moving on to the next stage. And it started with more subjects.

The Darth beckoned some of his men to his side, and muttered an indiscernible directive that then sent them out the nearest door-- No doubt in search of their next round of projects. Amani looked to Valery, silent yet clear in her questioning: What next?

The Sith was possibly exposed now, with his troops gone. But how long would they be gone for? And what trouble could they be causing while Amani and Valery were busying themselves in here?

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Shuttle

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

With new orders given, the two Jedi were practically stuck inside the depot. Scientists were scattered around, the Sith was down on the main floor, and new experiments with new subjects were about to begin. It didn't take long for them to be brought in either, and to Valery's surprise, this time the subjects weren't manipulated beasts.

They were people.

She shot Amani a concerned look, and turned her gaze back to the Sith. He was soon going to be surrounded by his people again, and who knows what else they'd conjure up within the lab. So, as much as she wanted to learn a bit more before engaging, Valery drew the hilt of her double-bladed weapon into her hand and nodded.

The tension in the Force began to rise, but there was a strange sense of danger as well. Almost as if she had overlooked something, right as she was about to engage. But without any idea as to what it could be, Valery felt she had no choice but to make the first move.

Two violet blades ignited, and with one Force-assisted leap, she positioned herself in the center of the room, not far away from the medical beds with subjects strapped to them.

"I suggest you put your weapons down, and surrender. I'm giving you one chance."

 

[Amani Serys]

The next stage of the experiment was people. Of course it was. Amani was almost surprised that she thought it would be anything else. Whatever twisted science these creatures had been subjected to was now going to be applied to a sentient force, no doubt for some purpose of subjugation and control. Valery was quick to spring into action, and as much as it frustrated Amani to do so without more information, they didn't really have a choice if they wanted to make sure they could save these people.

The healer jumped in beside the shadow, ignited her saber spear and putting herself between the subjects and the Sith Lord, "What she said," Amani followed up dryly. Some of the scientists backed off, startled by the sudden Jedi intervention, most all of them turning expectantly towards their master. He remained stoic. "I'm sure you have a perfectly reasonable explanation for what's going on here?"

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Sith Depot

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

When Valery appeared, several scientists backed off, but even the Sith Lord was a little shocked. When Amani joined Valery right after, that shock only grew. Not just because of the two Jedi who had been here without him realizing it, but also because of who these two Jedi were. Each on their own would have been a massive problem, but together? The Quarren understood he didn't stand much of a chance in a traditional fight.

But nothing about what was happening here was normal in the slightest.

"Well, Master Jedi, it seems I've just gained two more subjects to experiment on." His tone was awfully confident, and Valery didn't like it at all. She tightened the grip on her weapon, watched him, and then realized it one moment to late. With a flick of the Quarren's hand, every restraint pinning the overly aggressive beasts on the table down opened up.

They were set free, and even the scientists were no longer safe.

One who happened to be close to a medical bed was grabbed and torn to shreds in an instant, and the others immediately began to panic. They screamed and scattered, but the beasts were going after everything and everybody that moved.

"Amani!" Valery called out, as one launched itself at the Chief Healer with incredible, unnatural speed.

 

[Amani Serys]

Perhaps recognizing the danger his new opponents posed, the Sith Lord chose to simply unlatch the restraints on his test subjects, and let them deal with the Jedi. The creatures moved with unpredictable ferocity, going after anything that so much as twitched, including their supposed allies. Amani ignited her spear, but before she could do anything, one of them launched itself at her. The healer had just enough time to raise the haft horizontally, barring the creature from colliding directly into her.

It was strong. Amani did her best to hold it at arm's length, and all the while it snapped angrily. Finally she managed to push it off, and pointed her blade forward just in time for the creature to impale itself on the plasma. She twisted the blade downward, disembowling it. Amani then turned to see one of the strapped down innocents— The latest would-be test subjects— unable to free herself as another one of the creature's took notice. "Val!" She pointed in the victim's direction, hoping her friend, who was closer, would be able to reach the civilian in time.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Sith Depot

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

From the corners of her eyes, Valery spotted Amani holding back the beast with her pike, but there wasn't much she could do to help. Not with another one of those creatures also coming after Valery herself. But she trusted Amani, and there was no doubt in her mind the Chief Healer would cut it down. So, while Amani tackled the creature that had jumped her, Valery dashed towards one that had chosen her as its target.

Her double-bladed weapon spun as they drew closer together, but where they should have collided, the beast's claw met only air, as Valery phased right through him. Now right behind the beast, she stopped her spinning blades, and thrust the rear blade back to impale the creature.

A sweep away to the left, and it fell down with its body severed in half.

"Val!"

Valery's gaze snapped about, and without wasting a second, she charged right for the woman. The beast that was about to tear her apart froze under a telekinetic grip, but Valery struggled to keep it back with how erratic and strong it was. It drew much of her attention away — too much.

Another one of the creatures jumped at Valery from behind, claws ready to tear her wide open.

 

[Amani Serys]

Valery managed to hold the creature in place before it could rend the innocent woman to pieces. But in her focus on keeping it restrained, Valery wasn't able to defend against another beast charging in from behind. Amani moved in fast, and sprang forward to intervene. She landed on top of the creature, pinning it down with her pike and stabbing it against the floor. It shrieked, then fell still, just a few feet away from Valery.

To follow up, Amani stood and hurled her pike like a javelin, letting the Force guide it to its intended target: the creature Valery was telekinetically holding back. "Where's that Sith?" She asked, trying to find where he had gone in all the chaos, as she summoned her pike back to her hand.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Sith Depot

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

She knew she could count on Amani.

The only reason Valery had taken the risk in the first place, was because she knew Amani would have her back. The creature that had tried to attack her from behind was pinned down and impaled by Amani's pike. The same weapon was subsequently thrown right through the beast she had in a telekinetic grip, and the two Jedi Masters were slowly but surely gaining the upper hand. A few more of the terrifying creatures roamed about, but now they needed to focus on the Sith as well.

"Up there!"

Valery turned to see the Sith rushing into his office on the 2nd floor and jumped up with a Force-assisted leap to go after him. Down below, however, three beasts were coming at Amani from different angles, hoping to catch her before she could get up to the 2nd floor as well.

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani looked where Val had directed, up into the overlooking office where the Sith could be seen entering. Was it an escape? Or was he planning something more? Only one way to find out. Amani followed Valery, leaping up to the second floor—

She was halted a few feet of the ground, her momentum coming to a sudden stop, then suddenly accelerate was she was slammed back into the ground. Amani grunted in pain, quickly rolling herself around to see a trio of beasts swarming her. She raised her pike in defense, but sustained a number of violent slashes in the scuffle. Finally, she opened a palm, and projected a prism of Force Light, causing the dark-infused beasts to scurry at the searing pain. It gave her a chance to get up, and decaptitate one of them with her pike. As the other two closed back in, she began to spin the pike rapidly, "Stop him! I'll join you soon!" Amani called back to Valery, assuring her that she would be alright.

Hopefully Valery would at least be able to slow him down solo.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Sith Depot

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

While Valery landed atop the balcony, she felt a sudden flash of pain and turned her gaze back around to see Amani being slammed into the ground. Three of the beasts they had hoped to leave behind jumped her together, and for just a moment, fear flashed into Valery's heart. She was about to jump down again to save her friend, rather than pursue the Sith, but a flash of light offered Amani some distance.

Valery heard her voice again, and let out a sigh of relief before she disappeared to go after the Sith.

Amani, however, wasn't entirely in the clear just yet. With the surviving scientists having fled the room, every beast that still lived now turned to the Jedi Master. The flash of Force Light had angered the two that still lived, and two others were circling around her like predators stalking prey.

A fierce battled awaited.

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani glanced up toward the balcony, and not seeing Valery, she turned her focus fully towards the beasts. Her spear twirled in a threatening display, warding them off for a time, until one was suddenly brave enough to close the distance. The first was repelled by her blade, slicing it non-lethally and causing it to yelp strangely. But immediately after, one jumped in from behind, forcing her to move her defenses. She got up her blade soon enough to block a more dangerous strike, but the impact knocked her back into another one, which raked its claws across her back.

"Good hit," She grunted, once the initial pain settled in, wiping some blood from her mouth. One rushed her while she was still on the ground, and Amani swung her blade, lopping off its feet. She raised her saber again and impaled the next as it tried to charge her. The other two tried to attack at the same time, but Amani rebuked them with more Force Light, this time maintaining it long enough to actually fry them to death. The final one, still crawling frantically on its stumped legs, was mercy killed with a stab.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Sith Depot

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Double-Bladed Lightsaber
Tag: Amani Serys

While Amani handled the remaining beasts, Valery had engaged the Sith up on the balcony. Their lightsabers crashed into each other over and over again, but this Sith Lord knew he could not defeat her. His specialty was sorcery — creating beasts and spells to manipulate the world around him in unnatural ways. His skills with the blade were lacking in comparison, so after a heavy barrage of Valery's attacks, his defenses were finally starting to crumble.

"Incoming!"

The Quarren Sith was flung out of the room with a telekinetic push, and struck the balcony railing before tumbling down to the floor below. He landed atop one of the tables that the beasts had escaped from, and coughed up some blood before rolling down to the metal floor.

"It seems...." he coughed again and looked up at Amani, "...they got you." His eyes fell on the bleeding wounds, and she likely would feel the way they burned.

"Their claws have infected you."

 

[Amani Serys]

Before Amani could even join in on the party upstairs, Valery brought it back down to her. The Sith Lord crashed onto one of the examination tables, and when he recovered, he addressed Amani with an ill omen.

"Their claws have infected you."

The mirialan looked down at one of the scratches on her arm, flexing it which amplified the burning sensation that was now growing in her muscles, "Got a prognosis on that?" She asked him, gritting her teeth angrily. Part of her wanted to believe he was bluffing, but what she was feeling lent truth to his claims. But that didn't mean she could trust anything else he said, so whether he answered or not she shook her head, "Never mind. Doesn't matter."

Amani focused her energy back on herself, attempting to purge the disease from her system. Still even for a healer like Amani, it was draining applying the power back onto herself, and it left her vulnerable to an attack. Hopefully Valery could keep that from happening, if this took any longer.

Valery Noble​