Dark Wings, Dark Words

[Taeli Raaf]

Taeli smiled as she walked with her apprentice and two Sith guards down into the cells of the Sith palace on Coruscant. After successfully capturing the Jedi Knight currently being held there, at Taeli's request, she had devoted her time in gaining as much information on the man as she could from the limited surveillance the invasion forces on Manaan had gathered.

He was even more intriguing now than ever, and she was about to embark upon an even riskier and intricate turning than she had done with Sophie.

"Now as I explained, you'll be this Jedi's cell mate, pretending to have been held prisoner here since you disappeared on Ossus," Taeli said as they rounded the corner to the cell. It had been specially modified to have ysalamiri cages placed at strategic points to stop any use of the Force, she didn't want the Jedi Knight escaping and she didn't want him sensing her apprentice's actual aura.

"Your goal is while I'm not there convincing our friend to fall is to subtly push him into our way of thinking through pretending to fall yourself. Both of you will be pulled from the cell on occasion, he for possible torture session and you so I may get progress reports that aren't just from cameras. All clear?"

They stopped outside of the cell, the Force voids extending even to here.

[member="Sophie Gustav"] [member="VlPER"]

 

[Zion Mirtis]

Sophie was back in her jedi robes, as all part of the facade they had to play on the captured Jedi knight VlPER to seduce him to the darkside of the force. As they walked down the cells and Sophie was explained how this whole procedure would work she understood perfectly what needed to be done. She was already looking the part, now it was time to play the part. It would be interesting to see how this whole expereince would be. Hopefully it would work and this Viper would be like her, a jedi who'd seen the error of his ways and would soon join the truth path to power with the darkside. The only difference being that this was a kngith while she was only a padawn upon her conversion.

Once they arrived at the cell and [member="Darth Arcanix"] had established what was to be done Sophie nodded. She took a few deep breaths and she brought her mindset into character. This was going to be a trail to say the least, but all for the better as far as she was concenred.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"Gain his trust, no matter what you have to do," Taeli whispered. "Once he falls, I do believe you'll be ready for your Marks of Darkness. Make me proud, apprentice."

With that, she opened the door and gestured with her head to the guards to escort Sophie inside and secure her restraints against the opposite wall from their guest. Standing in front of Jedi Knight [member="VlPER"], she smiled and said aloud, "Rise and shine, my friend. I brought you some company."

[member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[VlPER]

After having been roughly tossed into his cage, Viper groggily opened his eyes. "What in the world..." He thought to himself as he tried to ascertain his surroundings. Looking down, he saw he was in prison clothes. Looking around brought the sad realization that he had been captured. As his weary eyes came back into focus to see the woman who had captured him. His lips instantly curled in a sneer. His mind raced as he tried thinking what he could do.

It was then he realized he couldn't feel the force. His expression turned to one of shock and worry. "What in the galaxy had they done to me while I was out!? Or no wait! Maybe they found a way to make this place dead in the force. Wasn't there something about some lizard somewhere that could do that?" Viper couldn't think, his thoughts were a jumble.

His eyes cast a glance toward the seeming padawan that was being tossed into a cage next to him. She surprisingly didn't look nearly as concerned. Perhaps it really was just him. But again, how did they do that then? Viper gave the padawan a reassuring nod and then turned toward his captor. He didn't say anything, merely stood to his feet and stared.

[member="Darth Arcanix"] | [member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"Sophie here was been my captive for quite a few weeks," Taeli explained. "What you're feeling, or lack there of, is a ysalamiri void bubble, something Sophie has been experiencing for some time now."

Turning, she gestured for the soldiers to leave and she made to follow them out, stopping at the open cell door.

"I have a few things of business to take care of first, but I'll be back to begin the process of turning both of you to the dark side, of that you have my promise, Padawan [member="Sophie Gustav"] and Knight [member="VlPER"] of that you have my promise that you will learn everything the dark side has to offer."

Leaving the cell, she made her way to a small temporary office she had set up nearby to monitor the cell from various different hidden holocams. It would be up to her apprentice to begin laying out the groundwork of trust.

 

[Zion Mirtis]

With her master's word Sophie nodded before being brought into the cell. She acted all exhausted and scared before being tossed in and chained up. When [member="Darth Arcanix"] spoke Sophie looked over to [member="VlPER"] seeing who she was stuck with. So this was the jedi to convert, eh? This was going to be fun. Still playing helpless Sophie tried to hide her face from the Sith, even to covering her head, before they would leave. She would still act too scared to speak or anything to Viper but kept looking over to him now-and-then just to see if he was alright.

 

[VlPER]

"Hmph. Give me my sabers now that I'm rested and we'll see how your darkside fairs you witch." He grumbled to himself as his eyes cast a glance around his cage. At least they hadn't done anything to him to sever his connection with the force. That was a relief....if she was speaking the truth anyway. He then wondered why she brought it up, at least the bit about the padawan. He made no comment on the matter nor even gave much of a second glance at first. It was then he turned toward the woman. She was a cute little thing, but seemed scared out of her mind. Viper wondered how much actual training she had. His expression softened some. "It's all right, we'll figure a way out of this eventually." A small smile turned up on his face. "You'll see. You just have to trust in the force. It will guide you."

Letting out an audible sigh, there wasn't much he had to work with in here. He might have to wait for the guards to come back before making his move. But then there wasn't just him he had to worry about now. With the young padawan next to him, he'd have to help her too. "So what's your name?" He said casually as he continued to inspect a possible way to sabotage the restraints he was in and get them free.

[member="Sophie Gustav"] | [member="Darth Arcanix"]

 

[Zion Mirtis]

Sophie was crying now, more sympathetic imagery to try and get the Jedi to listen to her. When he spoke to her she perked up, peeking through her huddled body to see him. Slowly she lifted herself up to see him before saying "I'm...I'm Sophie. Sophie Gustav. Are....did you try to come and rescue me?"

Sophie was originally a jedi padawan who'd been with the Republic, just like [member="VlPER"] as at one point. However when she'd attempted a trip to Ossus on her own to find Sith records to study, an attempt to better understand the darkside in order to control it for the sake of the Jedi, she was approached by her future master. The same sith who'd imprisoned him had managed to sway her to the darkside before leaving the planet. She'd faked her death and likey the rest of the Jedi knew or not. Whether or not this one knew she's seen soon enough.

 

[VlPER]

His head shot back toward her as he realized the effect his next response could have on her. He could lie, but then that would go against the Jedi code. Besides, it wouldn't do anyone any favors if she found out the truth later. No, he would be honest. Besides, she was a fellow Jedi and would understand, when he explained.

"Sadly no. I had no idea you were being held here. I don't even where here is. But then, I haven't been back at the temple for a while. So I'm a little bit out of the loop. I was captured on Manaan where we were trying to hold out against a surprise Sith attack as they attempted to slaughter thousands of innocents by sinking the city." He paused for a moment as he tried to think of something that would be a little more comforting than that. "I'm sure our fellow Jedi are searching for you though. Where were you captured?" He asked curiously.

[member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[Zion Mirtis]

Good. He believed she was still a Jedi. it was already starting to work. When he explained where he was captured Sophie realized what she'd been doing at that time, which explained for how they'd not seen each other during the entire invasion itself. When he'd asked she said "They....they took me on Ossus. I was there...with my master. We got separated and they captured me and brought me here. They've kept me in here for months. Trying to see if I knew anything. I told them no but they didn't believe me." As she spoke she began to cry more before saying "And now they....they're trying to make me join them."

[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

He looked at her with an incredulous almost unbelieving stare. "They....captured you on Ossus?" How could that be? Why would they be there trying to capture padawans...other than the obvious. And how would they manage to pull that off without a full blown battle ensuing. Was that even possible? It was then another thing she said struck him as odd. His jailer had said she had only been here for weeks. She is claiming months? His process of elimination was interrupted when she began to cry again. He knew the reality of what they would probably face. Viper wished there was some words that he could offer to make things better. But he wouldn't delusion her. "You need to be strong now. Focus. Clear your mind. We'll find a way out of here eventually. Now what can you tell me about this place?"

[member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[Zion Mirtis]

Determined to be the hero. As all Jedi were. Sophie could see that in his eyes and here it in his words. No matter. Time would be what would break him down. When asked about the prison she said "I know nothing. They take me to the same room and they....do things to me. And then they just throw me back in a cell. It's the same room. The same cell. The same hallway.....everything. every day!" She began to cry again before saying "Maybe I'm better off just joining them.....if it'll end all of this I'll take it."[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

He looked on with pity for the woman. She didn't really look like she had been tortured, but then there were many forms of torture. "Such sad words you speak Sophie. I would say don't forget about those that care for you. Your master is no doubt looking for you now. I am now here too. Together we can work to get out of this mess. I have seen what the Sith do to their own and allow to happen to their people without a second thought. Trust me, it may seem like a good idea at first. But in the end you'll have nothing but pain, misery, and saber in your back as reward for your service."

[member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[Zion Mirtis]

"No....my master's dead." she began, leaning against the wall. "That Sith who brought me in killed him right in front of my eyes. She wanted to prove how stronger the darkside was. I guess....I guess she was right."She held back more tears as part of her ruse before saying "There's no point. What if we get out and there's nothing but an army of sith between us and the exit? Even we couldn't fight all of that. They're far too strong. Maybe...maybe we should consider their offer. I'm sure they'll make the same for you." [member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

"But..." He cut off his own words as he tried to make sense of her story. Didn't she say she was separated from her master when she was captured? How is it now her master was slaughtered in front of her? Maybe there was an explanation, but her repeated attempts to convince them both that joining the Sith was a good idea was disturbing.

"So help me understand. The Sith murder your master, they kidnap you from those that care for you, and torture you for weeks or months, whichever it is on end....and you wish to join them the moment someone arrives who can help you escape? Padawan, the fact that you have lasted this long on your own is an amazing testament to the strength of your character. Your master would have been proud. Now how about we last a bit longer and find a way to escape these maniacs, eh?"

Having not been in her shoes before, he couldn't fully understand of course, but what a tragedy it would be for her to fall so close to an opportunity to make an escape. "As for your question, you don't guard a couple prisoners with an army. And there are ways to beat an enemy without the force. You just have to keep your wits about ya. So how about it? Can you hang in there for just a little longer? It'll take both of us to get out of here."

[member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[Zion Mirtis]

She could sense it. He was starting to catch on to her story. She needed to play things a little more simpler if she wanted to convince him. She retracted herself before hearing what he said and answering "I...I don't know. I've been here for so long...so very long. I'm just so tired now. I'm scared. They have you now. If they do....they may not want me much longer. Do you know what that means?"

[member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

"Don't be ridiculous Sophie." He said with a warm reassuring smile. The Sith haven't wasted this much time trying to break you just to throw you away. The thing they get their kicks off the most is turning us against our own. Simply killing you now will equal a failure for them and a victory for the Jedi. Again, trust me. You have more value than you think."

Viper gave her a wink before starting to look at his restraints once more. Good nothing to difficult to get out of, he thought silently to himself. Good to know for when the time was right.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Taeli got up from the monitoring station, certain she had found a weakness she could begin to exploit. The Jedi Knight seemed to still have faith that the Order would be looking for them, that they hadn't abandoned him to the Sith during the invasion. Well, a blow to someone's confidence would certainly be a good first step. Now how to throw him off?

Smiling, she picked up her lunch and a foldable chair and went back to the cell. Opening it, she strode inside and sat down in the exact center, opening up the meal and allowing the aromas to waft through the room.

"Excuse me, you don't mind if I take my lunch in here," she said with a smile, picking up a slider from her favorite café. "It gets awfully dull in the office and I figured we might be able to have a chat or two while I'm here."

[member="Sophie Gustav"] [member="VlPER"]

 

[VlPER]

"Oh not at all." He said sarcastically. "I was just thinking how I could use another nap. Go on, tell us a story. Or just talk in general. I haven't had a Sith yet that could keep me awake through their monologues." He wondered how the woman would handle his snark. Viper knew it was rarely appreciated by anyone. Still, he hoped the defiance would encourage the padawan near him. Hopefully give her courage to continue to stand up and resist.

He wondered if she was a traditional Sith or had some sort of "special" tricks some Sith liked to develop. Viper supposed only time would tell.

[member="Darth Arcanix"] | [member="Sophie Gustav"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="VlPER"] [member="Sophie Gustav"]

"Oh, you are very snarky," Taeli said, smiling pleasantly. She always enjoyed a healthy dose of sarcasm, but she hadn't gotten nearly enough of it amongst her associates. "I rather like that, shows you aren't an emotionless statue like other Jedi."

She pondered how best to approach her opening salvo, it would be necessity be different than how she had turned Sophie, but the argument to be made would still tell her more about Viper. She was oh so very curious about the man.

"I'll be sure to keep myself short and concise then, as I don't want you nodding off after all," she said, still smiling and taking up another slider. "How about to keep it more interesting, we ask each other questions and we have to be brutally honest with the other? Makes it a more involved process, but both of you have to answer honestly or I activate the special feature of your restraints."

Still smiling pleasantly, she asked, "So my first question is, why did the Jedi abandon you both to your fates? Sophie here didn't really have a choice, I guess, when I captured her, used her as bait and killed her master right in front of her. But, I'm very curious about your answer since not a single Jedi or Republic soldier tried to stop me from taking you from Manaan."

She said the last bit towards Viper, extremely curious how he would answer since he seemed the loyal type and expect loyalty in return.