Day of the Leech: Part 1 (ARCHIVE PLEASE)

[Fatty]

@[member="Monty Jusik"]

Curoscant
Undisclosed Location....

It was time for Jhar'vokh to finally show his face once more to the Galaxy. It had been several weeks since his renouncing of Vader, and his own self proclamation of God-hood. Now known as the Leech, he had expended the use of the Imperial Remnant upon his discovery of the Red Coterie.

He was here now, in an undisclosed location, with quite the amount of money in hand. He's good at what he does, but he would never claim to be perfect just yet; he was just in the beginning stages of becoming a God. After patching through a seemingly secure line, Jhar made contact with a particular Crimelord. Once he appeared on screen, Jhar began negotiations.

"Jusik, yes? I have a job for you..." The Reptile told him. Around him, in the dark room, was pile after pile of explosive devices, hand crafted by Jhar himself, all prepared to detonate at the touch of a button. Of course this button was in highly secure room of which only he could access without hours of difficulty, and to better ensure that they detonate only when intended, the explosive used was dormant until electrically charged by the boom itself, which had a specific layer of rubber to ensure no outside electrical discharges could set it off. However though, each one had a status light on it that glowed. By itself it didn't do much in lighting, but the hundreds upon hundreds of these lights gave off a menacing glow upon the Reptilian figure, whose head was hidden beneath a Respirator mask and a shawl.

To emphasize his point, Jhar slammed on the table in view of the video call, a case of money he had recently stolen from Curoscanti banks. Stealth and Doppelgangers helped him significantly in never being detected. But one must stop himself here, and wonder, why is Jhar doing all this? Because he could. There was no reason, of any logical being, that could determine exactly why this Noghri would torment a target this large. Perhaps that was the reason. Why then did he not choose the Empire as his target in place of the Target? Perhaps the Republic was simply weaker, a proving ground of the growing God. Perhaps the Republic was but a stepping stone on its way to the ultimate target of the Empire.

Whatever the reason, the Day of the Leech was coming, and there was next to nothing that could truly stop it....

 

[The Hound]

It was early morning, well, somewhere it was. He couldn't tell he was in space heading home. Sitting up from his Cot he groaned and looked to his left. One of the female crew members he had seduced into his cot the night before. Hopefully no one heard them. With a sigh he grabbed his portable holovision screen, flipping to his favorite early morning Holo-Drama "The Young and the Fearless" with a smile he slid on his military uniform half-assedly, forsaking his shirt and the fact that he was still in Republic sweat pants. Who cared anyways? It was early! Heading to the small mess hall that was available on the Frigate he made his morning cup of caf.

"How could you do this?! Leave me for that...Barve!" the Zeltron woman in his holo-drama had just broken the horrible news that she had been cheating on her husband with his boss. "Ooooh!" Turin let out a sound that was supposed to emulate a feeling of sadness and suprise. He hadn't seen this coming, not in a million years.

"Hey Lieutenant!"

"Hey Tula." his nickname for the Togrutan FighterTech he was serving with. Of course, she was in full uniform, unlike her Lieutenant.

"Did you hear about all of the banks on Couruscant getting robbed? They are calling it the "Steal of the Century!" a chuckle. "Get it? Cause, he's robbing bahpfff" laughter ensued. She was really bad with that. Almost anything you said made her laugh for some twisted reason in the young woman's head. Honestly, he didn't understand it. Instead he chuckled nervously and continued his routine grabbing a mug and pouring himself a cup of Caf. Of course, it wasn't the best with it being military and all but...

Taking a seat next to a view port he gazed out at the stars, wondering what exactly was going on on Courscant so soon after Omni. Who would go to such lengths to keep the galaxy from healing? Honestly, it pissed him off. Without realizing it, with the Force he reached out to his mug, causing it to wobble and crack, eventually shattering it, spilling caf all over his sweats and the table. "Frak..." Little did he know, that this was the begining, of the end.

 

[Sophia Walsh]

Groaning Sophia rolled over onto her stomach in her bed as the alarm clock began to beep. Reaching around to the side table she managed to shut it off but not before also knocking it off. Why in the galaxy did she set that stupid thing? They were on their way home after a long battle there was no need to get up early today. Another groan escaped her lips as she turned back over and pulled the covers off herself. She now remembered why she had set that alarm and she wasn't happy about it. Sophia had to finish her Captain's log before they got back actually it didn't have to be done before they got back she just wanted it done.

Pulling herself out of bed she yawned stretching a little bit. It really was too early for paperwork but a little caf would fix that hopefully. Shuffling over to her caf machine she turned it on so that it could start brewing while she got ready. She was very happy to have the space to put it now because the stuff it made was ten times better than anything in the mess hall.

Reaching into a box next to her caf machine she dug around a bit to find it empty. She had forgotten that she ate the last one the night before having a particularly stressful day. Brushing her hair back she picked up her blue mug and headed to the mess hall. If anybody had to look presentable at all times it was the Captain. After all if she wasn't who would be and besides nobody would take her seriously in her pink pjs and bunny slippers.

On the way there she was only stopped about half a dozen times with questions about this or that. It was really too early in the morning for this but she answered with a smile on her face while sipping her caf. Glancing around she saw her favorite Lieutenant not wearing his shirt. She would go talk to him in a moment but first muffins! The muffins there were not as good as hers but they would do for now.

Picking up something that looked like blueberry she found herself right in front of Turin though he was too busy looking out the window to see her. "You should really be more careful, Lieutenant." She smirked throwing him a rag she had picked up on her way here. Sipping her caf she just shook her head. "You may want to go clean up and try to put a shirt on this time."

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

Embarrassing. The one word that blasted through everything else in his mind as the rag fell on his face. But it wasn't just the caf, it was everything. He was basically in his pajamas still, he had lukewarm caf spilled on his uniform. And to top it off, the Holo-Drama "The Young and the Fearless" was playing at almost full volume. It was his guilty pleasure, and he didn't mind the other grunts knowing. However, Captain @[member="Sophia Walsh"] was an entirely different story. Taking the rag from his face he began to grumble words that did not necessarily mean anything, however it was clear he did not want to be seen by her, no less in this sorry state. Maybe it had something to do with the Ensign that was probably just left his cabin. But that would require some sort of feeling of guilt for being with another woman.

Nah, that couldn't be it. "Thanks." he said simply. "I should probably go change." a chuckle, followed by a quick exit. Stage left.

 

[Yu-Sien Karsa]

The sounds of birds chirping outside the white hospital room was soothing, their symphony of tweets working in unison with the wind as it blew through the trees was like no music ever created by man. Even the sounds of the food trays, being pushed down the hall 30 yards down the hall from Yu-Sien's room, had a strange beauty to their creaks that Yu-Sien basked it as he sat meditating. The doctors were amazed that Yu-Sien could even move his body, let alone sit up and meditate, most were skeptical he would even survive his wounds after that beating in the bank. Now, only days later, here he was almost up and moving on his feet like nothing had ever happened. If you were to ask one of the many doctors who looked over him, they would say it was miracle, but to Yu-Sien it was nothing but control over his Kai and the Chi that flowed through everything around him. He may still be learning to harness the full power of the force, but he had long mastered the healing abilities it possessed thanks to the benefits of learning all there was to know about Kai and Chi long before he even dreamed of unlocking the secrets of the force.

During his days of speedy recovery and rest, the Atrisian had nothing but time to learn to control the force and meditate on what had happened at the bank. Something still wasn't right about the events that had transpired, that man who had shot him was not done with his rampage, he could sense it. Like the outlines of a nearly forgotten dream in the morning, the vision of the future hung just outside of Yu-Sien's sight, teasing him like a mirage that got further away every time he strained to see it. That man needed to be stopped, for a long time Yu-Sien had contemplated his purpose now that he was so close to unlocking what had been lost to the Aa'Kua for thousands of years. Was he to fight evil? Was he to keep balance? What was he to do? But now, after witnessing the vial acts of the man who robbed the bank, he knew what the Aa'Kua were meant to do. They were meant to destroy the chaos that was corrupting the galaxy and finally bring dark and lightside into the harmonic balance it was meant to be. The only way he could assure that this happened was if he destroyed those who were truly evil and brought the knowledge of the Aa'Kua to all. This man, whoever he was, was evil and the only way to stop evil is to destroy it...Yu-Sien would not rest until he found and stopped him.

Yu-Sien continued his meditating, the yellow jewels hanging in the blue ocean outside his window cast a brilliant warmth over him as a new vision began to make itself clear. The Atrisian focused on the vision...it was dark and something terrible shook Yu-Sien's insides. His breathing got rapid and his eyes darted from side to side beneath his eyelids as the vision got clearer and clearer. There was a beast out there and darkness surrounded him like a swarm of insects to a light, there was no soul only blackness...fires...explosions...death! What was it!? What in the universe could be so dark and vile!? The room began to shake and the shelf next to Yu-Sien's bed slowly levitated off the ground as the vision continued like a horrible nightmare that just wouldn't end! Darkness, death...a sith!? No not a Sith this thing...this thing...this nightmare it was a demon! A demon that Yu-Sien had learned about from the legends of the Aa'Kua, his eyes flung open and his mind flew back into reality but his body did not. The desk dropped back to the ground with a thud and Yu-Sien's heart pounded on his chest with the urgency of a father pounding on a hospital door after watching his son collapse before him. Yu-Sien jumped from the bed just as a nurse flew through his door...but all she found was a wrecked hospital room and an empty hanger on the floor.

 

[Sophia Walsh]

She was a little shocked that he just got up and left without giving her any push back. It wasn't like him which made her wonder a little if something was going on however she quickly pushed it away as it being too early in the morning for him. A shame though she would have liked to catch more of "The Young and the Fearless" as she kind missed watching it. She had just been too busy with the Omni thing to watch her favorite holo-drama which she had recorded. Once she got a little time to herself she planned to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and watch them all.

Turning back around she headed towards her quarters with her muffin thing. She had always thought Turin was handsome but this morning she got to see more of him than normal. He was an expert at seducing the ladies from what she heard and saw. He could charm the pants off them literally. Sophia refused to be just another notch on his bedpost. She wasn't worried though as he was in no way interested in her.

Once she did reach her quarters she climbed back into bed with her caf, breakfast and datapad so she could attempt to finish her log. No promises there but she was going to try and focus. Taking a bite of the muffin she munched on it a little finding it not half bad.

 

[The Hound]

The hiss of the sanisteam in the crew's communal refresher filled his ears, his senses, the heat of the water on his skin was refreshing. When he got back he would continue his training under Master Mason. So far the training had been well. Soon, he hoped, he would construct his own lightsaber. A chuckle escaped him as he thought about how serious he had been about the training. Even after he had finally gained control of his sensory ability he still stayed to continue his training. Even though he didn't like to think about it and told no one about it, the reason he stayed was his vision during his first day of training. It troubled him and screamed of danger. He knew his Master said that the premonition was unlikely to come true, he couldn't help but feel the need to prepare. Especially since he had a feeling of who the woman was.

Pushing his hair back with both his hands and leaning into the faucet that the steam and water was coming from he motioned to turn off the sanisteam. He stayed there for a moment though, many of his darker thoughts scurrying through his mind. Though this was not exactly the best place, he had begun to meditate. On the soldiers and pilots lost in the last battle, on those that were to lose their lives soon as well. The steam was still thick enough to cover most of his body and there seemed to be no one around. This had become a habit of his recently, meditating in the sanisteam after a long mission, probably due to his training. Raising his hand to his chin he ran it over his scruff. Well, now it was time for a shave. His scruff had become almost a beard, he could feel individual hairs on his chin and cheeks. That was a no-no. Wrapping his towel around his waist he started to leave the sanisteam and head to his quarters. He had forgotten his uniform and he hoped people were at their stations... "Quite the embarrassing situation here..." he muttered to himself.

During the Military banquet after Omni's defeat he had promised himself something. He told himself that he would ask the Captain out...Not on a date or anything mind you! Just out to coffee. Well, that's what he kept telling himself. Maybe he would do that today, before the reached Couruscant. He mulled over this as he put on his uniform and buzzed to get the perfect scruff look.
@[member="Sophia Walsh"]

 

[Davin Jusik]

@[member="Jhar'vokh"]
Monty observed the shrouded figure with a calculated gaze. The mysterious man had offered a very large sum of credits for what seemed to be a fairly straightforward and uncomplicated job. His eyes flashed as credits were thrown onto the table. A small grin began to form under his heavily bagged eyes. Monty was begining to feel some of the earliest effects of darkside corruption, caused by his continuation of learning from the Sith Master Valik.

"I aim to please." Monty said with a grin, leaning back in his office chair from his luxurious office in Mos Espa, which the holoprojector showed.

 

[Sophia Walsh]

As she worked on her paperwork Sophia munched on her muffin and drank the rest of her caf. She liked the responsibility of being Captain brought but the paperwork seemed a bit much. Reports about this and that which she wondered if anybody even read. She actually was sure nobody did the Admirals didn't have time for that. She was sure they just got filed for review later if needed. It seemed a little excessive to her but if it's what they wanted she would do it. She wasn't one to start arguing with anyone even Turin who seemed to love to defy her. She was beginning to wonder if he did it on purpose to get more face time.

Finishing up her breakfast she glanced at the time. It was still relatively early and she could spend a few more minutes in bed however she didn't. Sophia thought as Captain it was best to be at her station before anybody else. She didn't want the bridge crew or anybody else for that matter to be waiting on her. She suspected an easy day as they were just heading back home.

Getting up she put her log away to finish at a later date and made her way to the mirror. Brushing herself off and straightened up her uniform she made sure she everything was in place. Once she was satisfied with the way she looked she quickly made her bed before leaving her quarters to head to the bridge.

As suspected she was the only one there which was fine. They would be here soon enough and she didn't mind a little alone time to just reflect and think. Walking over to the Captain's chair, her chair, she lightly ran her hand along the top of it. A small smile appeared on her face as she remembered the times she sat in a chair like this one playing Captain on her father's ship when she was little. He would let her wear his hat and she would pretend to give orders. It was all the fun with no responsibility. She no longer played Captain anymore but was Captain a title she was still getting used to.

Leaving the chair she walked towards the window. It was so beautiful out in space with all the stars and planets. She would just stand here and watch them the rest of the trip if she could. Everything looked so peaceful right now and she hoped it would stay that way for a little while.

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

With a heavy sigh, Turin began to make his way to the Captain's quarters. He passed a few people he knew on his way there, some from Paladin squadron, some from the CIC that were just getting off of their shifts. He was surprised by the amount of people he passed by. Finally making his way to the captain's quarters he gave a quick knock. No answer. It was still early though, where she could have gone was anyone's guess. Checking the engine room, the CIC. With a shrug and sigh he decided to check the bridge first. This had to be done before he started his shift, and that was in ten minutes!

Walking like a man on a mission he said hello to the few men and women he knew personally, offering them a quick wave as he passed them by. With five minutes to spare he made it to the bridge. Surprising to him, there was no one in the room except one Captain @[member="Sophia Walsh"]. It was strange, he was so used to so many people working away on the bridge it was a little ridiculous that the room was completely empty. From the entrance to the bridge he stood there and admired her from a distance, building up his courage.

With a huff and a puff he made his way to his Captain. Walking up right beside her he looked out of the transparisteel window at the black emptiness of space. It was a little calming, almost as if he was meditating. With a deep breath and a sigh he spoke. "Captain." he said simply. Before waiting for a response he began to speak again, "It looks really peaceful out there doesn't it..." he said wistfully.

 

[Sophia Walsh]

She suspected a member of the bridge crew had arrived when she heard footsteps. Honestly was surprised to get this much time to herself. Sophia was surprised though by the voice she heard. She would have thought him on the other end of the ship by now. Actually now that she thought about it he was supposed to be over there about now. This was the last place she suspected him to be unless something was wrong which she suspected to be the case since he also called her Captain. He normally was very informal with her for whatever reason no matter how many times she tried to get him to.

"It does for the first time in a long time. It's so beautiful too. I love just looking out at all the stars and planets such a calming presence." Turning her head slightly to the side she noticed that he had changed and even shaved it looked like. Sophia wasn't annoyed in the slightest with him joining her here. In truth she kind of liked him despite all the headaches he gave her. It was always something with him, he kept things exciting. "Did you need something?" She was sure he didn't come here to look out at the galaxy with her. Sophia totally wasn't the type of woman he went for normally went for. She saw how he seduced like a different navy woman every night to his quarters. Sophia wasn't the type of woman that would go for something like that.

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

@[member="Sophia Walsh"]

He instinctively thought of a dozen different pick up lines that he thought might have worked on any other woman. Every fiber in his being was telling him to blurt out a stupid phrase like 'Well it's not as beautiful as you babe!' However, if there was one thing that he learned from his Jedi training, it was that delicate issues like these, they required a special kind of touch. One that required patience and thought. But above all else, you had to mean what you said, mean what you do, or everything would come down on you, tumbling like a snowball on Hoth. He chuckled and smiled to himself. "Well, yes actually, I wanted to ask you something." He knew that she probably wouldn't go for someone like him. Maybe a little more classy.

"I was wondering..." a pause. "When we get back to Couruscant, I was wondering if you would get a Caf with me?" Already he was beating himself up on the inside. That was so lame! A caf? With him? What was he thinking? He should have waited longer, he didn't expect her to say yes, not in a million years After all, he had just gotten out of bed with another woman, he shouldn't even have been thinking about asking Sophia out. Well, it was out now, how she would respond was anyone's guess and he would leave it to the Force. 'Great, look at me, thinking like a Jedi now.'

 

[Sophia Walsh]

She just stood there for a few minutes staring at him lost for words. Sophia normally had an answer for everything but this was most unexpected. Never in a million years did she think he out of everyone on the ship would ask her out on a date or for Caf really it was the same thing in her mind. This had to be some sort of joke as he couldn't possibly be attracted to her. They argued all the time, she made him wax the starships and besides she wasn't his type. He went for the easy woman from what she saw and never had the same one on his arm. If he thought he could seduce her into bed by buying her caf he had another thing coming. Sophia had different standards than that and wanted more than just a one time thing.

Admittedly she was attracted to him. He was ruggedly handsome, a good pilot, and he really cared about those under his command. Sophia could tell he was a good guy at heart but he really did have some straightening up to do but who didn't? A cup of Caf couldn't hurt though and it actually might be a lot of fun. She only knew him on this ship so it would be nice to get to know him off it. She little date, if she could call it that, would also give her a chance to dress up and not wear her uniform. He had never seen her in anything else.

Finally finding the words to answer him she turned away from the window to face him. "I would like that," she smiled. "Sounds like fun. I'm curious though why do you want to go out with me?" Not that she was going to argue with his idea but why he would ask her on a date confused her greatly.

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

Wait, she actually said yes. He wanted to pump his fist and let out a cry of victory, let the whole world know that he had just gotten a date with Captain Walsh, not to be confused with Admiral Walsh! However, once again, self restraint kicked in, he would wait until he was in private to celebrate, though that wouldn't be for another few hours. He chuckled inwardly and thought how funny it would be if she showed up in her military uniform. For some reason that is all he could think of her in. Anything else seemed to twist his image of her. However, her question threw him off guard. 'Why do I want to go out with her?' he asked himself.

"I..." No, the truth, from now on he would be more honest with himself, and others. And it started with her. "Don't think me a Debbie Downer or anything...But I feel like something big is going to happen soon." That was an understatement. Rumors were already flowing through the lower ranks of what they were calling Operation Roche. Sophia probably knew of the actual details herself, but that wasn't what he meant. Something else was coming, and he couldn't place his finger on it but he thought that it stemmed from a vision he had on his first day as a padawan.

"And, I want to be there to make sure you aren't hurt." What in the seven Hells was he saying? Honest might not have been the best route to go this early on, he felt like some kid out of a holo-drama. It was ratehr embarrasing. But once again, 'I'll leave it to the Force...' the thought rang through his head. It was doing that a lot recently. He meant what he said though, and there was no changing that.
@[member="Sophia Walsh"]@[member="Sophia Walsh"]

 

[Sophia Walsh]

Sophia knew something big was going on but she wasn't exactly worried about it right now. She kind of just wanted to relax a little for a bit before doing that. They had all been through a lot lately and deserved a few days of rest till the next big thing. He though seemed really worried though. Could he perhaps know something she didn't?

He was already there for her most days. The man was by her side whether she liked it or not. Mostly she liked it but Sophia figured he meant being there for her in a different way as more than just her brother in arms. If he was thinking that already he must really like her already. It made her wonder if his acting out was just to get more face time with her. "What do you think is coming? Why would I need protection?" She was a little concerned as to what he was referring to.

She hoped he knew that Caf was just Caf and didn't mean anything else than that. If things went well they may go out again but that was to be seen. Sophia was trying to keep an open mind about the whole date thing. She was pretty excited about the whole date thing as she didn't get to go out a lot. Him being worried about her safety though concerned her more at the moment.

Sophia would say more but people were beginning to shuffle in and he was late for his shift. Which was fine as she had been the one to hold him up. "If something was coming you would tell me, right?" she asked softly. Hopefully he would be able to answer her questions before leaving.
@[member="Turin Val Kur"]

 

[The Hound]

He was coming on too strong, he could feel it. But what had been said had been said, and though he wasn't entirely sure of where this was going to lead he wanted to be there if this darkness came to pass. Honestly, he didn't feel that anyone was safe. Not even himself. For all he knew he might die in some battle long before the events in his vision came to pass, if they ever did. He kept telling himself it wasn't going to, he kept telling himself that time was always flowing like his master had told him. It didn't work most of the time.

"I-" he was cut off as people started to move into the bridge. He was also being called for over the intercom to start his shift. This meeting had taken a little longer than he anticipated. With a shrug and a smile he started to leave. "Guess that's my cue!" he called to her and waved. He heard her question, but the soft hustle and bustle of the people moving in combined with systems powering up. He nodded to her with an expression that was far from worried. He attempted to put out calm waves in the Force as well. They still had a while before they got home.

He headed to the Hangar where his maintenance shift had begun a few minutes earlier.
@[member="Sophia Walsh"]

 

[Auri Vesta]

@[member="Monty Jusik"]
Auri walked down the dusty streets of Mos Espa.Land speeders owned by local moisture farmers stood parked in front of vaporator repair shops. Jawas bustled around, occasionally trying to sell trinkets to passing travelers. A Dug sat under the shade of an awning, trying to cool himself with a fan made of flimsiplast. Auri felt the heat of Tatooines twin suns beating down on her. She couldn't wait to reach Jusiks headquarters.

She continued on toward the center of the city, hoping to beat the worst of the mid-day heat. "What a desolate place to live in." Auri thought to herself. Tatooine was one of her least favorite planet out of the ones she had visited. Why Jusik had started his organization here was beyond her reasoning. Finally, she reached the main entrance to the headquarters. She held down the intercomm button next to the door. "Auri Vesta to see Monty Jusik" she stated. Auri hoped that Jusik wasn't busy.

 

[Mereel Vaun]

Mereel watched as his co-worker @[member="Auri Vesta"] walked into the headquarters of his employers faked business front that hid crime. He had no current jobs at the moment and decided to stay a day in Mos Espa, something big was about to happen, he could feel it in the air.

 

[Davin Jusik]

@[member="Auri Vesta"]

His secretary paged him. One of his original employees wanted to see him.

"Send her in." He keyed back as he continued to eye the screen.

When she stepped in Monty motioned for her to stay where she was, as he was still on call.

 

[Sophia Walsh]

She could only just smile and wave as he left her alone on the bridge. Well, not alone as it was buzzing with people now but with unanswered questions. It looked like those would just have to wait until their date. A date with him? Stranger things had happened she supposed. Still she couldn't help but look forward to it.

After being shot and the aftermath of that whole fiasco Sophia wasn't going to say no. Life was too short for that and she knew she would have regretted it. Deep down she liked him and was excited that he had asked her out of everyone else. The only problem was now she was going to need to find something suitable to wear.

"Captain? Everything ok?" Spinning around she noticed that she was still standing there like an idiot going over wardrobe ideas in her mind. The big thing he was worried about still was there as well however she chose to worry about something she could control. "Ya, everything is fine,". she smiled walking back to her chair and sitting. It was going to be a long flight back home.

@[member="Turin Val Kur"]