First Reply In Search of a Past Unknown

[Vael Saren]

This was not the sort of job Vael Saren was used to. He was typically the one people went to if they wanted someone found. Usually, to kill them. Sometimes, to bring them back. But as the Mandalorian stepped off the ramp of the Oathkeeper and onto the arid plains of Geonosis, he found himself in search - not of someone, but something.

The employer had given him details on his quarry, along with a sizeable portion of the payout ahead of time. It was an crimson, crystalline orb, said to pulse with light. According to the employer, it was supposedly an ancient Sith artifact of some power. Saren had his doubts, but jobs had been getting thinner for him lately, and the pay for this promised to be substantial. So, he pulled his duster over his armor, checked his weapons, and set out for the ruins this artifact was rumored to be in.

It took the better part of a day to get from his landing zone to the ruins. The place was a mess, time having worn away what was once a noble structure into a heap of crumbling stone and long shadows. It was as he looked into these shadows that he felt it - a tremor in the air. A small disturbance in the Force. He was not alone. He turned in the direction of this disturbance, hand at his hip, fingers brushing against his lightsaber.

"Reveal yourself," he said, attempting to get a lock on his unexpected guest, "I will not harm you if you give me no cause to."

 

[Zinayn]

The power of the dark side was strong here, like a foul odor stinking up the whole place. The up-side was that such a strong presence allowed Zinayn to track the artifact easily. The Force came to him in a dream a few nights ago, bringing his attention to the relic that occupied these ruins. He was convinced that the Force had given him the vision in an attempt to let the relic into more responsible hands before the Sith tried to snatch it.

The Chiss's slightly infrared vision gave him some help in the dark shadows of the place, helping him avoid large chunks of rock that had fallen whenever this building had collapsed. Then, the stench of the artifact was accompanied by another presence. Zinayn tensed, stopping where he was, hand on the Harbinger of Balance. A voice called out. It was modulated, as if its owner was wearing a helmet. Mandalorian? He gritted his teeth, knowing relations between the Diarchy and Mandalorians was not the greatest at the moment. All he could do was hope this Mando wasn't affiliated with the Mandalorian Empire.

"Ahem. Is someone there?" the Chiss asked, feigning cluelessness.

 

[Vael Saren]

There he was. Turning to face the stranger, Vael found himself facing a grey-robed Chiss. He found it somewhat odd that one of their kind would be stalking these ruins, but in the grand scope of things, it meant little. He remained wary, hand still resting near his weapon. He needed to be ready in case this got ugly.

"What brings you here, Chiss?" he asked bluntly, "I do not think there is anything for you in this place." If this Chiss was here for the artifact as well, there could be complications. Better to dissuade him from continuing.

"Ba'slanar, stranger," he continued, "Leave this ruin and return to your people. Safer that way."

 

[Zinayn]

So it was a Mandalorian. A tall and strong looking one too. Well, that was most of them, really. Zinayn’s gaze slid to the man’s hand near his weapon. He decided it would be best to come clean about his search for the artifact; deception invited trouble, and likely wouldn’t get him any farther than telling the truth. “I’m here in search of a Sith artifact. It’s presence…you sense it, do you not?”

The Mandalorian’s presence in the Force was noticeable, leading Zinayn to believe he was some sort of Force-sensitive. Meaning it was likely he felt the relic and was after it too. In that case, Zinayn would try to talk his way into getting the object. And if all else failed, this one would be one less Mandalorian to worry about in the war.

Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

This was troublesome, indeed. While the Mandalorian could appreciate the other man's honesty, the fact that they were after the same quarry only invited conflict. What he said did strike a chord with Vael, though. Even though he had initially been skeptical, Saren could not deny the dark energies swirling around the area. This artifact was indeed powerful.

"I do... the pressure it's putting off is impressive, in its own way. I assume you're here to gather it for your own ends?" More questions. He could not decide whether this man would be an issue. Especially since the Chiss' Force presence was enough to give him pause. It brought to mind the ancient stories, the reason Mandalorians trained so hard. Jedi were among the most dangerous foes in the galaxy. Even with what he knew of their ways, he was not certain he would come out on top... if it came to that.

 

[Zinayn]

The Geonosian winds howled outside, seeming to pick up as the sun was beginning to set. Darkness was starting to consume the inside of the ruins, seeming to make the emanating fear and anger from the Sith artifact all the more powerful. Evil had settled in the air. And Zinayn wasn't even thinking for a moment about using such a strong relic for his own desires. That was how people fell into the devouring trap of the dark side.

"I intend to retrieve this artifact before any agents of the Sith Empire can do so. I hesitate to imagine what destructive powers the Sith might unleash upon the galaxy if this falls into their possession," he explained, voice steady with honesty. His glowing crimson eyes observed the Mandalorian for a moment further before he continued, "I don't believe you are working for the Sith...but who are you working for?"

If he was here on behalf of the Mandalorian Empire and the scum Aether Verd, whom the Diarchy had quarrel with, things might get heated fast. But so far, this Mandalorian had been far more reasonable than those Zinayn had met in the recent past. Maybe because, as of yet, this one did not know the Chiss and his allegiance to the Diarchy. Or better yet, he wasn't close-minded, like many of the others seemed to be. Zinayn knew that not all Mandalorians fell under the banner of that Empire. Perhaps this one was simply out on a job looking for honest work.

Vael Saren

 

[Vael Saren]

Not a Sith. That was good. If he were, Vael would have had no choice but to go on the offensive. As darkness settled in around them, he, too, felt the aura of the Sith artifact strengthening. He quietly and quickly centered himself, trying to stave off its dark influence.

"A private collector," he explained, "Paying me a handsome sum for this thing. I think he wants to put it in a museum." A bit of honesty. Besides, the collector never specified secrecy. It made little sense to start lying now. "Just trying to do right by my people, honoring the contracts that float my way."

He started moving further in, gesturing for the Chiss to follow. Neither of them was going to get much done if they just stood there while the night grew cold. May as well walk and talk.

"I think introductions are in order. I am Vael Saren, of Mandalore. Bounty Hunter, Warrior, and - apparently - part-time archeologist."