Forging A Weapon

[Adron Malvern]

The shuttle trip from Dathomir to Imperial space was brief, a few hours in Hyperspace and they had arrived. The shuttle pulled into the main hangar of The Avenger, a flagship tasked in the Imperial Defense Fleet. Held on the edge of Imperial territory, it was separated from the rest of the the Empire and a perfect place for Adron to access Faeri and begin her training.

He pulled the cloak from the woman, calling her name as he eyed the cloth curiously. “Faeri, wake up.” Tossing the cloak onto the ground he decided against keeping it, it stunk of Dathomir.

Approaching the rear ramp, Adron stepped out, not waiting for the girl to recover from her stupor. In the main hangar, a crowd waited to greet the High Moff. The white sea of Stormtroopers caused Adron to arch a brow. He didn't care for such displays. At the foot of the loading ramp, the ships Admiral stood. He had a large gut and sported an unshaved chin. “High Moff, we are honored to receive a member of the Moff council.”

“Admiral K’Toa… You seem to have found comfort in your charge.” Adron said, glancing down at the gut that could barely be stuffed into his uniform.

“I….No sir, merely a-” His words we're cut from his throat. His body stilled, a brief quake as his eyes began to haze over. Moments later he fell to the deck, dead. Choking beings with The Force was entirely too overrated. Adron had perfected a new technique. Using The Force he would grip a man’s heart, squeezing it to induce a heart attack.

“Incompetent idiot.” Adron said, before looking to the Vice Admiral. A thin, well maintained man who seemed every bit the officer the Admiral was not. “Over the past few months there have been reports of this fleet not performing to standard. After seeing the Admiral's appearance I see you need a stern hand. I am taking command, however the fleet still needs an Admiral. Congratulations. You've been promoted.” Adron said before waving his hands. “Dismiss the crowd.” The newly promoted Admiral nodded before turning to his staff, ordering the crowd to clear the hangar and return to their own duties.

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

Faeri stirred as he removed the coat and her eyes slowly opened upon his command. She squinted as she tried to remember what was going on, slowly sitting up and attempting to run a hand through her hair, it getting caught half way through and she struggles to untangle it.

She begins to follow him before seeing the incredibly massive force outside, she instantly hides within the ship, listening to his small and brief argument with the late admiral, which she watches with wide eyes at the power and respect Adron demanded. She watched in awe as the man quickly died, falling into a pile on the floor and the efficiency that Adron manipulated those around him.

As the troopers were dispersing, she slowly would walk up behind him, confident enough now that most of the soldiers were looking away from her. Luckily she had fed, or such an abundance of food would have been too much for her and she watches the white men goosestep into the metal halls.

He attention than focuses on him.. well, the back of his head as she quietly awaits more information, an order, or any ques as to what she should do next.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

[SIZE=11pt]As the Hangar cleared out, Adron turned to Faeri, his eyes falling on the girl silently. He took a moment to look over her form, there was still a layer of Dathomir dusted over her. He did not speak, he did however gesture for her to follow him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“We have a lot to talk about.” He said, making his way away from the shuttle. The main halls were cleared, causing Adron to arch a brow. He made a mental note to check the work schedules for the cruiser when he got a few moments. For the time being, he appreciated the silence and the privacy. The twisting halls of the Imperial Star Destroyer were likely a bit confusing to someone who had not grown used to them. The pristine walls and floors had a certain shine to them, making the ship itself very Imperial in design. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]After a few minutes, Adron found the guest officers quarters. They had already been prepared for Adron and his apprentice. Pressing his hand onto the panel, he watched as the door slid open. The room was luxuries, by Imperial standards. It was well kept and had a rather comfortable looking bed, it's own refresher unit, and even a terminal in the corner. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Adron gestured to the Refresher. “You need a shower and some new clothes. Wash up in there and there should be something to wear in the dresser. I'll be across the hall, come knock on my door once you are done.” He told her, immediately turning back to his own room across the hall. He would benefit from a few moments of meditation, the High Moff was growing tired. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Faeri"][/SIZE]

 

[Myra]

Faeri was clearly already lost, the ship's labyrinthine nature slowly creeping into her mind and causing her to doubt if there was even an exit, or if it was just a never ending series of corridors. So she follows closely behind him, constantly trying to find any marker or land mark to assure herself they are not walking in circles.

She was relieved when they finally arrived at their rooms, she listened to him then looked down at her own clothes caked in mud, grime, and blood, realizing she certainly stood out from her pristine surroundings. So as he retreated to his room she fell back into hers, glancing around the room, poking the bed to test its softness, and glancing up at the glowing orb in the ceiling which she really only remembered from distant memories.

Finding the shower, she turned it on, taking a good 15 minutes to figure out how it works and what exactly it does, and another 30 minutes to clean all the gunk out of her hair and skin. She searched through the small wardrobe as she combed her hair with her hair, quietly picking through the different sizes, colors, and types of uniform and clothing before settling on a uniform that she remembers to be her size.. well, it is, but what might have been comfy years ago now felt too tight and restraining, especially with the form fitting nature of these uniforms. So she sheds that, grabs one a size larger, and finds solace in it's better flexibility, although it certainly does not look proper enough to Imperial standards.

She retreats to the bathroom again, finding a tooth brush and paste to clean her canines from the crimson stains, although she hasn't brushed in months so she delicately navigates around her gums to stop them from bleeding. Then she takes some gel, combing her hair to one side with it to keep her hair out of her face and to seem more professional at the very least. Faeri then heads back to the main room, pacing as she visualizes what her future may have in store..

Then remembering his command, she quietly sulks to his door, knocking on it quietly to alert him to her presence.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

In his room, Adron had followed a similar routine. Except his shower was no longer than ten minutes. Just a quick spray to freshen up the lingering smell of Dathomir. Once out of the shower, Adron decided to dress himself in a simple black tunic and trousers. A bit more comfortable than his uniform and infinitely more maneuverable.

He noticed how long his hair had grown. Too long to be combed back in a neat fashion as he was used to, so he merely pulled the hair into a medium sized ponytail that hung over the back of his neck.

There wasn't much time for Adron to meditate, so instead he simply sat in waiting.

However, he must have fallen asleep in his time waiting for Faeri, because when next his eyes opened, he seemed shocked that they had been closed in the first place.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Adron exhaled before standing and making his way over to the door. Tapping the panel on the side of the door, he immediately noticed Faeri, as she was… Unique in appearance. He stared at her closely, for a moment. Now that the dirt and filth was wiped from her, the stitching that crossed her body was even more apparent. “Well. Not quite a Captain yet, but it doesn't look bad on you.” He remarked, gesturing to her borrowed uniform. “We’ll get you some clothes once we get home.”

Passing Faeri as he moved out his room, he gestured for her to follow him down the hall.

The trip to their next destination was short. Actually it was only at the end of their own hall. Opening the door, Adron revealed a training hall, outfitted with everything they could ever need. The walls were lined with all manner of weapons, there were closets containing training droids, and even a holoemitter on the ceiling to generate simulations.

Moving into the room, Adron’s tone was serious as he spoke. “You want to learn to Master the Force.” He said, not posing the statement as a question. “Mind, body, and soul must all be set to a singular purpose. To learn.” He explained to her.

“To command the Force, you must first learn to command yourself. Discipline, focus, and control are key in this, especially with The Dark Side.”

“As you know The Force is the energy that binds all things. Living and non, It flows through you, just like it flows through me. It is that connection that allows us to bend it to our will.” Adron made his way to the center of the room, gesturing for Faeri to sit in front of him.

“Now. Before we can move into any of your training, you have to tell me. Who are you, what are you?” He asked, his eyes locked on her expectantly.

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

She isn't sure how to respond to his compliment, so she just opens her mouth to say something but then falls silent, giving a small nod of appreciation for both compliment and offer of new clothes upon returning to wherever her new home is.

Faeri hurriedly follows him down the hall, having to walk much faster than him to keep up, and upon entering the room her eyes widen. So many weapons, and the technology here was far beyond her understanding. Clearly some of them were weapons, she could tell by experience with her prey on Dathomir, but she only barely recognized the metal automatons as droids, and was unsure as to what the object in the ceiling was.

She was far too occupied with her own observations to really notice him until he signaled for her to sit, , which she would quietly stride over and do so, sitting in seiza, a sitting stance with her legs under her and her hands on her knees, straight backed. She was unsure why she took this position, but it came to her as if an instinct. His previous speech just being a noise her brain barely registered, yet much like a student who pays no attention in class, she remembered the basics.

The force, she was well aware of it and that the ways she had been using it were nearly irrelevant compared to Adron's mastery of it. Yet she could sense them all around her, men and women, prey, their life forces moving in a never ending hub of activity. She did not focus on trying to determine one from the other, knowing that it would overload her senses, yet she stayed wary as she listened intently, ready to learn.

The question he posed to her was a curious one, and it was one she clearly was not prepared to answer. She takes a few long moments to think this over, as if assuming it is a trick question before very slowly answering "Your weapon?" a little unsurely. Her voice was slowly starting to return with use, seeming a little too sweet and innocent for what she really was.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

Faeri’s answer caused Adron to smile. She was learning well enough, yet she was still wrong.

“Your purpose in this life is to be my weapon. What you are is my weapon. But who you are, that is something you have control of.” He explained to her, before clearing his throat as he began to dig a bit deeper.

“You've heard of Sith and Jedi, I assume? Well I am neither of those, and you are neither of those. We are something more. What I am? A soldier, a Force user, a Count. Many things. But who you are is the sum of your dreams and experiences. I cannot tell you who you are, only what.”

After he finished speaking, Adron held a hand out, taking Faeri’s arm and eyeing it closely. “How did this happen?” He asked, gesturing to her stitching. “You used to be a Nightsister. But now you're….something else.”

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

Faeri watches him quietly, taking in his statement and thinking over it carefully. She had indeed heard of the Sith and Jedi.. a senseless struggle that her sisters had little to no interest in. Was she a nightsister? She couldn't remember, her memories distant and fading like a dying star. She did not know who she was, and she was ashamed to admit that. Dathomir was not a place for her to sit and think of philosophical questions, yet now the need for meaning and identity slowly crept back into her mind, chewing away at it like a hound chewing a bone.

The answer to his question was as simple as it was equally unhelpful "I.. do not know." she admits, seeming slightly dejected about this fact. "I.. am a hunter... a predator.." she adds on, as if to help fill the gap of him asking who she is.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​Adron could see the doubt in his new apprentice's face, yet he could feel it more than anything. She indicates she is a hunter and Adron nods silently before exhaling. "I think it's time for your first lesson." Adron said, moving to stand yet gesturing for her to remain sitting.

​"Close your eyes." He ordered, clasping his arms behind his back.

​"When you hunt, you use The Force to reach out and find your prey. You reach into the nether, and find the lines that connect you to what you're hunting." Adron began to move around the room, his voice becoming more melodic and nearly mesmerizing. His footsteps were paced and measured, even in each and every step.

​"You can use those lines for so much more. But first, you have to be able to see them." He explained, before rubbing a hand over his chin. "This ship contains over ten thousand people. Can you feel them? Moving around, sleeping, eating, living. Focus on these bodies, these connections. And soon you will know more about this ship than they do." He told her.

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

She quickly obeys his command, closing her eyes, her body visibly relaxing as she listens to his soothing rhythmic tone. Her breathing begins to become rhythmic as she concentrates, mind dwelling on the prey.. other souls on the ship.

"They.. are like.. insects." she begins "A hive of.. activity.. a hierarchy.. a collective.. dedicated to its queen.. dedicated to survival.. each person.. a task to complete.. a directive to.. obey.. every activity.. sleeping.. eating.. breathing.. must obey this purpose. This directive.."

After saying this she becomes completely uncertain if that's even what he means, and if what she said was perhaps overkill. She fidgets a little, before shifting in her seat as if trying to find a more comfortable position. So she takes a few extra breaths before adding

"I can.. sense them. But to find the individual among the hive.. too difficult." She wants to open her eyes to see his reaction but forces her eyes closed, fidgeting again.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​As Faeri focused on The Force, Adron glanced down at her. Rather impressed with her use of Force Sense he offers an approving nod before speaking up.

"Well done." Adron said, his tone unchanging as he continued his paced roam of the training hall. "What you sense is something you are devoid of. Purpose. Through the Force you can see hundreds of thousands of people unified in a single goal. It reflects itself just as everything else." He continued, before his crystal blue eyes fell on the woman. "Now, focus."

"In the entire ship there is one person dedicated to commanding every soul on the ship. Find him." He ordered, speaking of the Admiral of the vessel, who was likely posted on the bridge of the ship.

"You have ten seconds." He said, clasping his hands over his waist as he began a count, only hoping to stir the woman's nerves. "Ten...Nine...Eight...Seven...Six.."

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

Her eyes shoot open and instantly fill with panic before clenching tight as she focuses everything on trying to find this individual. Her muscles instantly tense up and she desperately searches. Yet trying to identify one soul from so many when she's never practiced certainly is difficult. Yet she tries, her mind focusing and quickly going through each individual she can track, checking them off of an imaginary list.

There are so many different individuals on the ship that she gets no where near the admiral by the time runs up. She hears the final number be sounded off yet she still tries to find him last second but even then cannot find him. After realizing that she is currently too inexperienced to do so, she opens her eyes "I.. cannot find him. Too many people, too many are the same.." she shifts uncomfortably, waiting for another command or for ways to improve her approach.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​She was expected to fail. She had to fail, so she could progress. As she sat before Adron, he eyes her disappointedly. Shaking his head he clasped his arms behind his back. "A simple task." He said, not revealing the falsities behind his words.

​Soft, paced steps brought Adron to Faeri, as he glanced down at her. Faeri would make a strong apprentice, yet before she could ever hope to channel the power of The Dark Side, she had to come to understand the Force.

​"You have to take control. Events in your life, outside of your control are likely what made you into the creation you are now. You have a chance to walk a path of your choosing. This is the first step. Now close your eyes, focus, and find the man." He stated, with a matter of fact tone.

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

"What.. What man?" she's quick to blurt out.. is that fear in her voice? It certainly is, her eyes open and train on him, as if doubting her ears and hoping that he asks something else of her. His fingers begin to nervously play with the fresh and proper garments of her new loosely fitting military pants. Her skin, although already pale becomes paler still as blood rushes from her face.

"I.. I do not.. not understand. What man? There was never a man." he words were quick and foolish, obviously not a skilled liar as she breaks eye contact and looks nervously down at the floor. She did not wish to remember, her body was rigid as it screamed for her to run away, her mind struggling to keep memories locked away in the subconscious. She looks as if she may stand, possibly leave the room, but she forces herself to sit still and wait a few seconds to hear his disapproval.

How did he know? The man.. the shadowy man, the man with no face, or name, or shape. The one who found his ways into her dreams, cutting and slicing, dissecting and healing, only to repeat the process. Paranoia had kept her a live, fueled by these dreams.

She was afraid, and guilty. Glancing away, fingers pinching and tugging discretely at her clothing, body tense and unwilling to be moved from its task, as if she was being hunted and must stay perfectly still. In a sense she was, but not by anything physical or tangible, but by a fragmented phantom created by the illusions and scraps of memory that plague her mind. As for the guilt, she knew he could sense her raised heartbeat, he may even be able to smell fear, he was full of surprises after all, and she had no interest in finding out what he does to those who lie to him, but it was too late now, and she knew it.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​Faeri's initial reaction was met with a silent glance in her direction. Arching a brow, Adron was about to interrupt her, when her open emotions flowed out much like a book. He watched as her face became rushed with blood and her pale skin was replaced with a light pink. He took notice of her idle fidgeting, his crystal blue eyes never leaving her. It was obvious that there was more to this woman than she revealed.

​Her words rushed from her lips and Adron held up a hand, calling for her silence as he peered down at her. He could sense the fear, the agitation, and the anxiety that the moment of conversation had bled into her, He can see the fear within her, yet it had not yet manifested into something he could take hold of.

​So be it.

​Focusing on the Dark Side of the Force, Adron called on the young girls fears and horrors, bringing them to the forefront of her mind. It was crude, hurtful, perhaps even evil. But if the girl was to survive his training, she would have to face these fears. There was no time like the present.

​"Your fear hinders you, distracts you. If you do not face it, it will destroy you." He promised, using the Force to bring her fears to her in nearly painful visions.

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

She watched him with a quiet realization as the fears slowly bubbled up from long forgotten depths. As soon as they enter her thoughts and feelings in full storm she stands up, backing away from him with wide eyes of horror. She continues to back up until she runs into a weapon rack, the metal falling to the floor and causing several loud noises which forces her further into a panic, jumping and giving a half scream before silencing herself.

Her fingers go up into her neatly groomed hair, curling into the strands as she slowly slides down one of the walls, continuing to stare at him with nothing but pure horror.

Memories.. memories of the man, covered in shadow, having wiped all memory of his appearance from her mind with power so intense that it is unlikely that she will ever recover it. How he tortured her for weeks to test her durability, stabbing, cutting, drugs that inflamed the nerves, psychotics that made her see and feel the most unbearable monsters.

But that was only a test, after that she thought it would stop. He fed her, healed her, gave her time to recover and rewards more than she could imagine.. but then it started again. He injected her with.. something. A mutagen to slowly turn her into something, for she was his experiment. He dissected her over and over again, watching the mutagen work and taking notes. Her muscles ached and tore, supplemented by the virus and sith alchemy they managed to survive, her body felt on fire, her skin burned in the sunlight, it was pure torture as he watched his masterpiece work on the poor girl. For she was to be his weapon.. he tore her memories from her to give her no purpose, no name, no identity.. but then left and never returned.

She remembered all of this and more, beginning to cry intensely as she just whispers to Adron, begging him to make it stop "Please.. master.. stop.. stop.." she whines, clawing at her skull as it continues to seep in and tear her apart..

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​Adron stood silently, watching as these horrors crossed over Faeri. He did not enjoy it. To some degree it nearly made him sick. But she had to learn the way he had, by placing her worst fears before her. Yet, as she stands, eyes plagued with fear, Adron turns away for a moment. He watched as she backed into the weapons rack and considered stopping, yet he allowed it to ensue.

​Still as she slid down into the wall, her eyes held that same horror. He would not look away again. Now his eyes were fixed as if the pain she was going through was nothing. He could not demand her strength while he showed weakness.

​In a moment of Faeri's horror, Adron dipped himself deeper into their connection. Her mind was his and for that moment he felt her pain. Having been taken, taken into the shadows and having horrific things done to you. It forced the hairs on the nape of his neck to stand.

​He could sense the torment. Feeling his own muscles ache and throb from weeks of physical torment. Enough to turn any person to a mindless beast, Finally, he pulled himself from the thresholds of her mind. Where he believed he had spent hours, it had been but minutes. An uneasy expression crossed his face before he hardened it and stared at her once more. She clawed at her scalp with a desperation, begging it to stop. He closed the distance between them, kneeling down in front of her. His hand fell to her chin, and in that moment the horrors would come to a stop. Yet Adron would not exude his warm presence into the Force to comfort her, she would have to look inward for any semblance of comfort.

​"Outside these walls it will not be an illusion. Outside of these walls, these fears become reality once again. You were defenseless last time....Will you allow yourself to be defenseless once again?" He asked her, a curious gaze upon him.

​After a few moments he stood to his feet, turning away from her and making his way towards the center of the room. "Go back to your room, little girl. Tomorrow's lesson will not be so easy."

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

She sniffles as her knees slowly come up to her chest and she glares at him. He did this to her.. thoughts start racing through her brain about what she could do.. she could kill him. That was always an option.. she glared at him with enough resolution that she might actually try. However her survival instincts and logic overwhelm her sudden and overwhelming need for revenge. Instead, she slowly stands up, gives a small bow, and proceeds to make her way out of the room.

She stops at the door, turning to Adron and staring at him intently "I am not a little girl.." and then she flees to her room to escape further punishment.

The room was supposed to be a bastion of security yet the alien walls, fabrics, and smells of this room in the stars. She hated it, she longed for sturdy rock below her feet. But even if that rock is also just an object floating in the nothingness, it was still comforting for some reason. She runs her hand over the fabric of the bed before sitting down and huffing.. the memories were still gnawing on her mind, but she was trying her hardest to ignore them.

Staring down at the floor she sniffled again, before slumping sideways and going to just fall asleep, letting the darkness haze out her nightmares.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

​The glare was familiar. It was one he had seen often. A part of Adron had regret for what he had just done. Hell, more than a part, the deed had been far more cruel than he wished to resort to. However, as the girl stood glaring at him he remembered the promise he made himself.

​Whatever the price.

​If he would have to destroy this young woman to rebuild her into his weapon, so be it. He couldn't be weak anymore, like his Masters before him he had to be strong. Faeri stood to her feet, making her way out of the training hall. Rather than host a look of remorse or sympathy, he gave her a distant, almost disappointed gaze. Her words of defiance showed there was still a fire, a fire he could use. After her depart he exhaled, bringing his knees down to the floor below him and focusing on The Force. He would not have time for sleep, he had to check on the crew, however he did have a few moments of meditation to gather himself.

​

​The next morning...

​The night, if it could be called that, would be brief for Adron and his apprentice. They had arrived in the middle of the ship's nocturnal cycle, somewhere around 2AM. Adron had given his apprentice a small introductory to allow her to understand the nature of The Force and delving into what she already knew. Today, would be where her real training started. It was nearly Five when Adron approached her door. Two Stormtroopers stood behind him, carrying a large crate between them. Adron tapped the control panel, the door rushing into his host as he entered the room.

​"Awaken." He commanded, peering into the dark room to see what awaited him.

[member="Faeri"]

 

[Myra]

Faeri had abandoned the bed.. such comfort was not something she desired, she felt that she did not deserve it.. and the nightmares may have caused her to tear it to shreds. Instead, she was laying on the cold steel floor. She did not show weakness however, she was splayed out confidently on the floor rather than huddled up in a corner somewhere, fearing the light that may come and disturb the most sacred of human activities, sleep.

However when the light came she did not hiss, or snarl, or curse, and she certainly did not whine, complain, or ask for a few more minutes. She would look at him silently, hints of the glare from last night still hidden in her vision as she waits for the clouds to clear from her mind. When said clouds do disappear she would slowly sit up and shed the blanket, tossing it to one side, having little regard for the order and discipline that is demanded of Imperial troopers. She would stand, hold up a finger as if telling him to wait a moment, and then flee to the restroom before he can punish her for this small act of rebellion.

She returns a little under five minutes over with hair redone to be kept out of her hair and small traces of water from when she splashed it to jump-start her body into waking up. The realization of how dangerous that small tiny act of rebellion could be had obviously sunk in as her mind cleared. She would sulk over to him, not making eye contact both out of shame for a few minutes ago as well as last night, and also to hide the hate that still tugged at her emotions. "The more difficult lesson awaits?" she asks quietly, hoping that it was not as difficult as he claimed.

[member="Adron Malvern"]