Disrupting Another

[Onrai]

"Who needs you?" She raised an eyebrow. "Where are you required to go?" She asked. "Because I'm not averse to providing your associates assistance if they truly need it. Medical supplies, food, water... I have a ship that can supply a planet with water for centuries. I'll gladly give you a year's worth of water, or more. I can supply foodstuffs." She thought for a moment. "I'm not going to overly exert pressure on you. But I'm not just going to let you go, of course." She thought for a moment. "Tell you what. I'll make one last deal with you. And please do consider this."

She thought for a moment. "Three months, you will be with me. No, not in that way - as a companion. An associate. An assistant. If you don't want to learn, then I'm not going to waste my lessons on deaf ears. You will keep the collar on, and will assist me in day to day business. I will feed you, clothe you - and will not ask you to do anything you do not wish to do. The only thing I will not do is let you go." She sighed. "This is the best I can offer given the effort I've subjected. Besides, you might learn a thing or two about non-Dark Side things. Art and culture."

She doubted the woman actually cared for art or culture, but the offer was still there.

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

As much as it had been firmy implied already, Nylea still felt like the metaphorical walls were closing in on her when it was mentioned she wasn't going to be let go. Finally it truly dawned on her that she was trapped instead of just knowing it on a purely rational level. Knowing that losing her calm would only make things worse for her, she did everything she could to retain her serenity, as difficult as it was. Not only was her psyche not helping out, being cut off from the Force had completely thrown her off-balance and it was very clear she was far from comfortable.

The what seemed to be final offer from the Sith's side was then made, causing the echani to run a hand through her silver locks, keeping it there as her head tilted downwards. To her captor those three months did not seem like such a terrible thing perhaps, but there were many factors at play that made every passing second here difficult. "It is not supplies, or simple manpower they need. They need the people who share their ideals to help with keeping the cause alive. Times have been tough, they need every last person still there and willing to help." The Lotus' leadership had vanished seemingly overnight, which had put Hazel in the position of last remaining elder. After she had turned her back on the order, Nylea had disappeared herself to search for answers, but now that she had found what she had been looking for she realized there was nothing more important than returning to Monastery as quickly as possible. "Three months... I'm afraid it may be too late then." She didn't want to think of the scenario that the Lotus would disappear completely. They had given her direction when she had none, a place where she could make the difference she had been yearning to make.

There however were other things that flew through her mind that caused her to be less than willing to take her up on the offer, and both were related to the collar that was on her neck. Already had she been completely out of balance due to not being connected to the Force, and part of her thought of the impact of being severed from the Force for such a long time. She couldn't help but think of whether it would affect her abilities after that time, and whether it would have permanent consequences. It was a great unknown to her, and she could not lie to herself about the fact it scared her.

The second reason was very much different, however. It was the collar itself. Nylea felt like she was being kept like an animal. Had she spoken about it out loud, she would have mentioned how degrading it felt to her, and the offer only made it worse. In her mind she would be nothing more than a slave, and that did not do her mental state well. The woman felt like some kind of good, an object to her captor. On top of it all rested the question if the Sith could even be trusted to keep her word and actually let her go if she accepted the offer.

"I am currently not in the right state to think properly," Nylea admitted, the wish to regain her freedom overshadowing everything else on her mind. "You have put me in a nearly impossible position. I don't know if I could... do that, in a proper way, while knowing that everything I have helpt build may be slowly falling apart." Whether it was a bad idea to share or not, it mattered little to her at that moment. "I cannot make any decisions right now. I still am settling down over the fact I have been taken prisoner, but not for a just reason."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

"That sounds like rebel talk." She said as the shuttle entered hyperspace. "What is the place you refer to, then? Some sort of group?" She was unsure. Whatever Nylea had been talking about was in no way familiar to the Sith Lord as they went through the rapturous void. When she said three months could be too long, Vanessa smiled. "If you did a good job building it before leaving, then it should still be standing when your time with me is up." She answered based on her personal experience - the labyrinth of the Trayus Laboratory had survived for nearly a decade with only dust covering the disabled machines before she had reactivated everything. A long pause lasted before Vanessa continued to respond to Nylea.

"That's alright. I can wait." She answered as the ship exited hyperspace in the Malachor system. "Again, if you have already put good work into what you have helped build, it can survive for three months without your oversight. Something that requires your constant supervision is something unworthy of your work." She listed to Nylea's response before nodding. "Well, we'll have a good meal, and maybe down the line you can figure out a response. I'm not a fan of making important decisions regarding my fate with an empty stomach."

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

It was clear that whatever Nylea would say, it would not bring the Sith to understand the situation without revealing much more information. It left her between a rock and a hard place, stuck between not understanding and potentially putting the entirety of the Lotus in danger. They had never been an enemy to anyone, instead being neutral in all conflicts and only helping the wounded during battle, whether they were civilians or soldiers, regardless of their allegiance. Still, with the complete lack of compassion she had felt from her captor, the echani was unable to put it past her to do what she had done to her to everyone there. It was a risk she would refuse to take.

With a shake of her head she waved off the comment about rebel talk, not arguing against it or disputing it. Nylea saw it as a waste of energy, much like her previous attempts at making the Sith see her point of view. "Machinery cannot be compared to people. When a machine breaks, it can be repaired or replaced. The same cannot be said about beings of flesh and blood. In tragedy, the leadership fell away, and without others to step up to take the responsibility it will all simply fall apart." It was the last piece of information she would share. To reveal any more was simply too dangerous.

"I do have two questions, ones that influence my decision," the echani then told her captor as a depressing look settled into her face, still feeling helpless in the situation she had ended up in. It felt nothing but cruel and heartless, but there was nothing at that moment in time she could have done to get away. "One, in what way do you see me? An enemy? A servant?" There was a slight pause, needing the time to get herself to bring up the second question. "Two, what will you do if I refuse?" Nylea already feared the worst, but she refused to let it stop her from knowing for certain.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

“Beings made of flesh and blood are nothing but exceptionally elaborate machines, biologically crafted to fulfill a function greater than that of any mechanical creation.” She replied. “Our spirit, our soul, is what animates them, but they are still machines. They can be replaced. Modified. Upgraded. Let me give you an example...” She replied as a hologram popped up of a series of female forms - their features not too distinct, the hologram in monochrome. “This is not the first body I’ve had. Only the latest in a relatively long line. I know what we are because I have experienced what we are for decades.”

She stayed silent as the Echani proceeded onwards with her questions. “What do I see you as... An enemy? You have done nothing overtly hostile to me. I don’t see why I should consider that. A servant? I’m not actively forcing you to serve, so a no on that one. I suppose a good word usable to describe what you are right now is an... unenlightened companion. And I can never have enough of those.” She thought about the many that had come before.

“As for what would happen if you refused - I would be forced to drastically quicken the pace, with far less... stable results.”

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

The answers that were given offered little to Nylea other than confusion and the feeling of being misunderstood. The Sith truly believed the echani's view was inaccurate and it was difficult to wrap her head around. From her own perspective however, there was no 'wrong' view. The Force was simply infinite, it was able to accomplish anything its wielders could think of given their connection to it was deep enough. If one believed the Force to be a certain way then to them it would be, whether they stemmed from noble intentions or wicked ones. To Nylea, it was a power that could mend that which was broken and restore that which was lost. All life was of value the way it was, for in that moment in time it had its place. There was not a shadow of a doubt her captor had a different view, but she hoped they eventually would be able to agree to disagree.

It was the second statement however that truly worried the echani. It was unclear to her what was meant with it, which coupled with the omnious feeling that crept over her made it even more difficult to properly assess the situation she was in. "The pace of, what?" Given the vague statement the question originated from Nylea doubted she would receive the answer she was looking for, yet she still asked in hopes it would provide any sort of clarity.

Regardless of the answer the silver-haired woman would reach behind her shoulders with both of her hands in response, taking hold of the hood that was there and pulling it up to cover the top of her head. "If you would let me, I would appreciate a moment of solitude to think over everything that has happened. I find it difficult to do so in company, especially considering the fact times have been rough as of late." Nylea then crossed her legs into a meditative position, hoping that centering herself would bring peace to her state of mind.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

The shuttle rocked a bit as its landing pads gently caressed the soil of the Dark Side-tainted planet. They had landed in a pad built on the former site of Vanessa's Cyracuse-class Drone Carrier, long disposed of. "The pace of these three months. In short, I would do with you what I would need to - not torture or anything, I'm not like Prazutis or the Emperor - and would then release you to a world of your choosing." She thought for a bit. "Please come with me. If you want a place of solitude, I will gladly provide you a well-situated room where you may ponder over everything. I mean, you could stay in the shuttle, though it's biometrically locked, so no trying to escape with it. Besides, the quarters are far more comfy."

It was true. She knew.

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

Nylea didn't speak when she was asked to come along, instead simply taking her time to get back on her feet. There was still too much uncertainty about the situation she had found herself in, but the temptation to outright reject any offers and orders given to her could not be ignored. There was even a part of her that wanted the 'pace' that was spoken of to be quickened just to shorten the time she was kept here, so that she would be able to return home earlier.

While a whirlwind of thoughts plagued the hooded woman's mind, she tilted her head downwards as though she looked to shield off her face when the two began to make their way off the shuttle. The boarding ramp had already lowered by the time they approached it, allowing them to quickly disembark. Even with her senses cut off from the Force, Nylea felt a chill run down her spine when the first of her booted feet touched the soil of the planet. The only thing she could see was the ground, not wanting to look up to see what was around her, while she walked behind her captor with feather-light steps.

A single, small tear, hidden by the hood, ran down her cheek.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

The Sith Lord led her captive to the inside of the former Trayus Academy. "This was the place where Revan found out about the Sith. Where his master came after he was gone. This is where she died." She thought for a moment. "I desired to restore it to a place of knowledge instead of a desolate ruin. There are guest quarters here, modern laboratory equipment pieces, and trinkets of the Sith." They would enter the spare guest room - it had a fully furnished bed, a comfy chair, a table, and other furnishings commonly found in high class hotel rooms - even a vase full of real flowers survived here on this otherwise remote planet.

"I'll leave you here." She said. "When you need some food, please let me know." Vanessa responded before exiting the room as the door automatically closed on its own. She was alone now - after all, Vanessa did need to get a bit more work done on Gorger​.

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

Although she did not say so, Nylea knew more about Sith history than she wanted. Although she had not been a willing student, the Dark Jedi who had put her in a situation much like what she was going through now long ago had told her much about various Sith in history. Revan and Trayus, or Treya as she later came to be known as, had been no exception. The story was among the least of her worries, however. While her captor was completely carefree, she herself was anything but. In truth, the echani was unable to put any faith in the promises that had been made, instead she was convinced she would not be let go even if she agreed to her offer.

Silently and with her head still tilted downwards, Nylea made her way inside the room and slowly began to saunter towards the bed. She didn't respond to what the Sith said before leaving her alone, and when she heard the door close her knees almost instantly buckled and her figure collapsed to the floor before she was able to lie down. Not bothering to get back on her feet, the woman dragged herself to the side of the bed and went to sit with her back leaning against it, her already naturally pale face now looking sickly white. The knot in her stomach and lump in her throat had gotten her disoriented ever since getting off the shuttle, but now that she was alone it truly got to her. What had been a single tear before was now two streams that rolled down her cheeks, collecting at her jaw before dropping down onto her robes. Softly, Nylea whispered to herself.

"I, I can endure. I have to."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa traveled back to the core and examined the large vat, within which sat the sword known as Gorger​. For weeks, Vanessa had been brewing this blade, alchemically altering it within a mixture of Sith poison, chemical reagents, blood of slaughtered enemies of the Sith, and other liquids. The sword had been sitting at the focal point of the Trayus Laboratory, where the natural darkness of the planet was strongest, for a long time - now she was ready.

​Drown the pure and snuff the light
​Drain the life and spread the blight
​Drain my enemies' very soul
​Leave in them a lifeless hole
By the darkness within me, by the darkness of those who came before, I empower you as a leech, of life and the Force.
​So shall you be known as the Despairing Blade.
So shall you be called Gorger.

With her hand, Vanessa reached into the pool and removed the sword in question - it had already been alchemized and sharpened with Svolten rhyolite before this, but now it was truly a weapon to be feared, a blade possessing darkness comparable to some of the most arcane weapons themselves. The blade was set in a display mount - not for display, but to ease its drying process. A fan helped to blow the excess liquid off as she searched through her cabinet for what she was looking for - a strip of terentatek hide. As the sword dried, She carefully sliced a spiral strip of the leathery material perfectly cut to wrap around the hilt of the blade. A simple oil-fueled torch was run over both sides of the hide to char its exterior before Vanessa returned to the blade.

The metal had visibly turned black, practically sucking up the light that shone down upon it. Vanessa took some high quality epoxy adhesive and dabbed it on the underside of the charred terentatek hide, slowly, carefully wrapping it around the hilt nice and snug. The epoxy would dry over a couple of hours and the blade's hilt would be secured. Small clear synthetic crystals were epoxied into tiny notches on the blade - to focus the Dark Side on the weapon and for aesthetics. She would watch the blade dry, even as she paced around the laboratory.

"I hope Nylea doesn't get too hungry. I'll check on her... in about thirty minutes."

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

Seconds felt like hours. Hours felt like days.

Although Nylea had been able to dry the tearstreaks off her face and prop herself up onto the bed, she was still struggling. With her feet on the ground she sat with her elbows propped up on her upper legs, her forehead leaning onto her hands like it had become too heavy to keep upright. Worry refused to die down, Malachor's oppressive Dark side aura was like a weight on the echani's shoulder despite not even being able to feel it.

It was how she sat for hours, images of the last day she spent on Monastery before quietly leaving to piece herself back together. Her heart dropping. The wave of Darkness that rushed over Sanctuary. Hazel walking past her, her presence blackened and violent. The sight of Nora laying nearly lifeless on the floor in the courtyard, her stomach punctured by a lightsaber wound. Nylea had blamed herself for letting it happen, for not seeing Hazel's decent towards the Dark side before it was too late. Nora had lived, that much she knew, but now that she was here, all she could feel was regret. She should have been there for her while she recovered, should have talked to her to see how she was doing, but instead she ran away. Now that she wanted to go back however, she was not able to.

But nobody on Malachor cared.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa took a lightsaber in her collection and mounted it in a grip, testing it to see how it would best function. Using the Force, she activated the saber, Gorger held in one hand before she slowly, carefully brought the weapon's edge in contact to the glowing plasma blade. She was pleasantly surprised to see that the weapon functioned as any alchemized piece of work was supposed to - the blade resisted the lightsaber with no damage, a blackish sort of essence running over the sword in question in reaction to its strike.

Satisfied, she placed the weapon, a thing of pernicious darkness and corrupt beauty back on its display rack, which she had moved over by the lightsabers. Now, it was time to check on Nylea. She walked out of the Trayus Core before moving to the guest room, whose door she soon opened with the Force. Upon seeing Nylea, whatever smile she had dropped immediately as she looked at the sorrowful Echani. Slowly walking over to her, Vanessa sat down next to Nylea, giving her a look as she gently placed her hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Hey... are you okay?" She asked. "It's almost mealtime." She looked at the woman before connecting her attitude to things she had mentioned earlier. "Still feeling bad about not being able to go to whatever group you're a part of? Or is what happened different from that?" She tugged gently at Nylea's arm, trying to get her to raise her head. "I'm here to listen. What's going on?"

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

Nylea had known it was only a matter of time before the Sith would return, but when she did there was barely any reaction to be seen. Her head was still tilted downwards with her eyes much the same way, while not exerting the energy to truly look at what she was seeing. There was no response to her arrival in the form of words either, as though she had become numb to the stimulation of her sense of hearing. Not even the act of sitting down next to her and putting a hand on her shoulder solicited nothing and it was only after she began to speak when the echani swallowed. While listening her left hand trembled slightly, and her lower jaw followed suit as she gave everything she had to keep her composure from deteriorating further.

"I have said all I have to say about myself." Nylea resisted the tug at her arm much like she resisted explaining what was going on in her mind, albeit weakly. She still failed to reciprocate the view of the Sith, which was the reason for the apprehension. To the echani she was no ally or friend, but no more than what she had experienced her to be; someone who had attacked her because she refused to follow her, then captured her to force her into doing so against her will. A great amount of information had already been, perhaps too freely, given out, but seeing it had not helped her situation before continuing to do so seemed to be of no help. "There is nothing left to share," she then said, "and I am not hungry at the moment." The knot in her stomach had not dissipated but had only gotten worse, to the point where she was almost starting to feel sick.

"I am going to try to get some rest, if you do not mind," the echani explained as she turned away from the woman. Her arms lowered to take hold of the pillow at the headside of the bed and moved it somewhat. "I am quite exhausted."

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

"You're in terrible straights." She frowned. "But alright... whatever you say." She slowly stood up, looking at the woman as she turned away and headed to the exit. "Get some sleep. I'll wake you up for breakfast in the morning." She sighed, closing the door and choosing to leave the Echani to her fate. Hopefully she would not refuse food tomorrow - hunger could only go so far, and she would need water within three days lest she die of dehydration.

She frowned - this one had spirit. Too much spirit.

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

The next moment Nylea remembered after hearing the door close was slowly opening her eyes, only to quickly slam them back shut at the light that shone in them. After slowly letting them adjust she gently pushed her feet off the edge of the bed and sat up. She still felt weak and troubled, but the fact she had been able to get at least some rest helped somewhat with thinking rationally.

Realizing there was not much she could do while she was being held in this room, she stood up and took a single step forward before sitting back down, but now in a meditative position. Her eyes would close once more, shutting out everything around her in an attempt to center herself. To her surprise, she was able to feel the Force even if it was only so little that it wasn't enough to wield it. Despite this she found comfort in it, giving her a slight sense of serenity. It was likely only temporary and so she restrained herself, refusing to cling to it too much.

It was a spark of hope. A lone spark, but it was more than enough to ward off the Darkness that looked to taint her soul.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa would enter, several vials at her waist and a plate of steak and eggs in her hands. She came over to Nylea, smiling as she sat the plate down next to the Force user. "I figured you might like some breakfast. It's been a long time since I've had to cook for someone. Standard steak and eggs meal - something that'll definitely fill you up." She replied, coming over and gently grasping Nylea's collar as she placed the vials in. The old vials were nearly empty, and as such Vanessa was replacing them to maintain their incapacitating effect on Nylea's Force potential.

"I hope you're doing better, though I doubt my hope means anything to you."

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

Only when the plate was set down next to her did Nylea open her eyes, looking down to see what it was for a moment before turning her head upwards to the Sith. Her face displayed no emotion in contrast to the agonizing mix of sadness and fear the day before. In the short moment she had to think on things with a clear mind she knew exactly how she stood in all of this and it showed in how she carried herself. Her head shook disappointedly as the vials began to be replaced, then went to look in front of her once again closed her eyes.

"I must be brutally honest and say that the things you have been doing are the cause I was like that in the first place." It was something said straight from the heart. No longer would she keep from stating the facts, no matter how they would turn out. "And, I have made my decision. I cannot in my good concience be of assistance to somebody who did not only took me prisoner for no reason other than their personal goals, but also goes against nearly everything I stand for." Nylea sat perfectly still while she spoke, showing there no longer was any fear for the 'unstable results' that had been mentioned the day before. "When a person asks the group I am a part of for help, we give it no matter who it is. That is the core of our belief. We have treated people who are wounded in battle. Stormtroopers of the First Order, soldiers of the Galactic Alliance, Jedi, Sith- we put aside our disagreements we may have with them, because in the end we are all living beings, interconnected through the Force."

"But this is nothing like that."

"You do not need my help. While there are people who are in dire straits you force me to be here. I would never be able to forgive myself if I followed you while there are people in dire need. If that has consequences for me personally, then so be it. I reject your offer." Getting her feelings off her chest felt strangely calming. Perhaps this would mean things were going to end badly for her, but the woman had made her peace with that.

[member="Vanessa Vantai"]

 

[Onrai]

"So it's settled then." She finished refilling the vials within the Force collar. "Your group is scattered to the edges of the galaxy. You would not deem the situation so dire had they not been crippled beyond all practical hope of continuation. I can see the desperation in you. How their fate wracks you with suffering, more suffering than any Sith could ever hope to exert upon you." She replied, going to get something, though her voice still seemed to resonate through the room despite her having been gone.

"I said I would return you to a world of your choosing. And to a world of your choosing I shall - after accelerating the process." She replied, returning with a vial of solid black liquid. "Please provide me with your shoulder. I have but one thing to do before I release you back to wherever it is that you wish to go to."

[member="Nylea Apollodor"]