Less Than Pleasant Interview (PM to join)

[Mauda]

Interstellar Space​

Outer Rim​

​

Even in Orex's absence, his flagship The Myrkur patrols the outer rim. Its A.I relentlessly searching for what it deems of value to the Cabal. Once found, the Vof Rector on board swiftly seize whats been located and take it on board for further examination. This has often been artefacts. Inanimate objects strong in the force or of great historical value and so nothing that particularly garners Orex's attention.

But this time it was different. It was alive.

The Myrkur sat adrift in the space between systems. The Cabal had thus far remained hidden to the Galaxy, only showing themselves on Vasar, and they intended to remain as such. In the silence of the abyss, the Black Corvette sat motionless, it's imposing exterior boasting no sign of life. But inside, the living population were busy. They had been notified of Orex's approach and were rapidly tending to the on-board environment. Many of those who lived alongside him on his Corvette still harboured a Fear. That perpetual dread of his aura. Mostly due to the Force, but for some it was genuine. Being pulled directly from DEAD, members of the Vof Vorn knew intimately of his exploits on Coruscant. Had heard things, some had even seen them first hand.

They simply didn't want to experience what lurked in his mind.

The Airlock of the Docking Port whirred and hissed. A pair of Rector made their way to greet the arrival. Stood before the black blast door they were motionless. The momentary silence lingered, and was broken as the door disengaged, slowly pulling itself down into the hull of the ship. Dark boots moved into the hallway and with them came a dread. One after the other those resounding Thuds made their way through the Corvette, down into the Containment Section. It was here artefacts and entities of Knowledge were locked up, awaiting the eyes of Emergence Scientists. But those black boots bypassed every door, all the way to the back, where life was contained.

The thuds came to a halt outside a cell door. Moments later a Rector emerged from the cell, nodding his head to the man soon to take his place.

Orex approached through the door and waved it closed. The room was dimly lit and completely silent. One could have assumed it devoid of life, if not for the Woman in the centre. Restrained to an almost vertical metal bed by dark magnetic constraints. Orex moved forward, his eye looking past her face, carefully avoiding contact, but he could make out the details. Eyes as black as the abyss outside, but a pleasant face. Without speaking he probed her mind to explore what organism lay before him, only to find it littered in roots and paths. Her mind was a fragment, a single sprout on the surface of a vast root. A frown washed his face as he returned to the space between them. The only sound coming from his baritone, machine-like breath.

The Force moved from him, infecting the woman before him. He did nothing but probe her constituent parts. He felt her joints, bones, tendons. Everything. With a hand on every fiber, he finally spoke.

"You are a piece. What of?"

A straightforward question with no hidden meanings. Complexity would come later.

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

Her capture had taken place while she was asleep in her ship. When it happened, she had briefly woken up and attempted to escape. Pains had been taken to ensure she was disabled before her body was removed from the cockpit. She had very few belongings and they were held in only a travel bag. She did not have a ship larger than a fighter so had to travel light. If that bag was opened, inside would only be found clothes for Evie. There were no weapons in her bag, but one on each side of her seat was a staff and blaster rifle.

What transpired while she was disabled, she did not know but found herself waking up almost in an upright position strapped onto a metal bed. Not a sound could be heard except the foot falls of people moving around. One person approached in her direction and even he was silent. All she could hear was his breathing and his foot falls, not even his clothes made a sound and this she found odd somewhat. He had a scarred face that she could see in the dim light. Her own held no scarring or any wounds for everything that had been done to her was in her mind. Brainwashed at an age before she could even remember a life before the Hive, her being a Killik was all Evie had ever known. Most of her was happy with what she was and only a small part wanted to be an individual.

She could see he pretty much refused to look into her eyes and assumed it was because of their appearance. The solid pools of black could throw a person off. His face changed as he mentally probed her but he would find her physically fine as he progressed through her body. He stopped in front of her and finally spoke. If Evie was able to move her head, she would nod in his direction and as of yet had made no attempt to actually make an escape. That would come when an opportunity presented itself.

"We are Evie of the Yogyog hive," though he had not requested her name that was provided with an answer to his question. Not being in a position to ask anything back, she took the chance and asked her own question, "who are you?"

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

An element of surprise befalled Orex. His question was answered without deliberation. This quite quickly set up Orex's further assumptions of the character before him. Straightforward, obedient, perhaps a single path. But that one answer wasn't enough for a full assessment. Either way, he continued. The ship's A.I whirred away silently at the mention of the Yogyog hive. The Cabal knew nothing of it, neither did Orex. And if they didn't have the knowledge they desired, they would have it soon enough. A task the A.I now took upon itself.

Orex stepped closer, illuminating his face under a dim light. His Mask reflected nothing and betrayed no features of the left side of his face. He kept his eye to one side, not intending to do Evie any harm quite yet.

"Orex Mauda. You're a hive mind. A human one."

Orex's eye faded out of focus. He explored the thoughts now present and clasped his hands behind his back. A human hive mind. The scientific potential was significant. Perhaps Emergence Scientists could figure out the fundamental process of a hive mind, isolate the mechanics, replicate it, give a similar ability to the average person. Communication between minds without even using technology. Eliminate low-bandwidth interaction and make all communication immediate..

But he was consuming himself again. He returned to reality and briefly set his eye on Evie's. With their gaze locked for the moment, his Mask began to slowly pull her life from its roots. But this lasted just about a second, at which point he turned and left the room. The thuds of his boots gradually becoming more and more distant as he made his way to the bridge. Once there he requested the A.I set up communications with the Scientific Department on Skism. He intended to have someone come to them and run scans, perhaps an experiment or two on Evie. If his ideas held integrity, this would mean instant communication across all people independent of Distance. Something that could even give them an edge in War. As Orex began to discuss with those on Skism, a single Vof Rector replaced him in Evie's cell.

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

Orex would find Evie to be the type of person that went out of her way to please another person. She had her personal dreams of being a diplomat and making another person happy was part of that. Her answer was given quickly and without hesitation for there was no reason to delay. It wouldn't help gain herself release and she did not ask for any. His name meant nothing to Evie, but it might to her people. It was given to them but it might take time for an answer to be given back to her.

What he might learn about the Yogyog hive was it was the first Hive that had been established after the Killiks left Alderaan and was now their largest hive. Now it could be considered their home of origin and she searched for other Hives that had lost contact with them. If he researched Killiks at all, then he would learn that when somebody Joined, their mind and personality were altered and most lost their sense of individuality. Evie was one that still had hers even if she was loyal to her Hive.

Half of his face was covered by a mask and she had a difficult time seeing the other side. That was until he looked directly at her. When he did that, she let out a small gasp at a feeling of what felt like her life being taken away. It lasted a brief second but felt like a lifetime and her memories had started to go through her mind. Before she could recover enough to speak a whole sentence, he was gone. "What do you..." Letting out a curse in her language, she watched as he faded from the room.

Resting her head back against the table she was on, she closed her eyes and hoped there were some sort of hive minded bug nearby. They were everywhere...

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

An hour or so passed after Orex spoke with the Skist Scientists. He had remained on the bridge while various Rector pilots moved in and out of Evie's cell. But all the while he maintained a presence in her mind. She doubtless could have felt it. He quickly established she was Force-Sensitive early on but had refrained from mentioning it. It proved only to further intrigue him. He had been exploring her mind, trying to discern what details he could find. There was a very ancient, hazy history deep within her mind. Or rather, the roots connected to her mind. She was an addition, she was unnatural. But what was natural? He couldn't see that far. Whatever it was, it was simply too old, too buried in the past to really be observed.

An announcement sounded throughout the Corvette, notifying the crew of a docked vessel. Orex departed the bridge and headed for the Airlock. Soon, it whirred and hissed open, allowing a group of pale men clad in dark cloaks to enter the hallway. They nodded their heads to Orex and carried an assortment of apparatus with them. Orex lead the group down to the deeper recesses of the ship, all the way to Evie's cell. He waved the door open and much like before, the present Pilots left and were replaced by Orex and the new group. They quickly spread out around the room, setting up various pieces of equipment. Scanners, Monitors and the like. As they went about their processes, Orex moved closer to Evie.

"Science is what will bring this Galaxy out of its rut. You are of Value, Evie. These men will see to it that this value is properly realised. If you have any concerns, please dispel them. You won't be harmed. However if you choose to resist, I will have to intervene".

Orex was careful not to utter anything of particular detail. He had said his name already but nothing else. If this Human truly was part of a Hive, then speaking to her was speaking to millions of others. He did not move from his position in front of Evie. He stood, hands clasped behind his back, eye gazing slightly over her. One of the scientists came around to face Evie with a metallic headband in hand. He slowly placed it over her temples and returned to his apparatus behind her.

A flick of a switch and the Headband began to hum. To everyone in the room, it was nothing but that, a hum. To Evie however, that was a loud, relentless buzz. The effect it would have on her senses was one not necessarily of pain, but discomfort.

Orex watched with motionless being.

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

The black eyes watched the coming and going of the pilots and remained silent. She could contact those of the Hive and did so. There was very little comfort from them, but she was one of many. She could be replaced easily and Evie knew this even if she did not want to admit it. Her loyalty was too great to be broken easily.

Those eyes moved to the speaker that announced the arrival of another vessel and her eye brows lifted just slightly. Rescue wouldn't be coming from her by her people, but she was secure in knowing there were other Killiks around. They would be of use to her soon.

New people came into the room that looked almost identical but there were some differences she could see. As they moved around the room and set up devices, some word came from her Hive about the man that held her. A sense of fear and loathing, but not hatred came from them. The information was disconcerting but this Orex had not yet done anything to her Hive or people. They did not hate him and she did not either.

Orex moved closer to her again and made a statement. One part of it stood out as interesting to her, "how are we of value?" Not at all accustomed to think of herself as valuable, she was curious to his answer. He was correct when he knew what happened to her and was said around her would be known by the Hive, they would simply accept her input and continue on with their lives. She was valuable, but not somebody of great worth to them.

While he stood in front of her, another of the beings came to her front and placed a band around her head. Orex had given her his word she would not be harmed unless she resisted, so she accepted the treatment without fighting. When the band was flipped on it started buzzing in her head. Oddly there was no pain, but it certainly did not contain any pleasure. More it felt like there was a great amount of pressure there. She was breathing through her nose only, but they were deep breaths as she attempted to maintain control on the pressure she felt.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Orex remained motionless in front of Evie. He watched as the Headband took effect and momentarily glanced over to see readings and data flash on the monitors behind. He then returned his gaze to Evie.

"Even the smallest fragments can be of the greatest value." Orex paused as he watched. She was intriguing, like most items he came across.

"Where is the Hive?"

If his assumptions were correct, he could divulge the true effectiveness of Hive communication. And if it was as good as he thought, then his people would be all the better for it.

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

Her captor did not move but he did look at something behind her. What that was, Evie did not know and was unable to look to see what had his attention. Soon enough he had an answer to what he wanted but the buzzing sensation remained. He mentioned that even the smallest piece could be of great value. Continuing to breath in and out through her nose, her concentration was on Orex and his questions.

"Is there really a need for the band? We will answer your questions without it," he asked where her Hive was and she just looked at him. "We already answered that. Our Hive is from Yogyog."

That was both the name of the planet and the Hive. Her answer was true but she told him again.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

"I don't doubt it. But Science answers the questions mere minds cannot"

An orchestra of Beeps from the Monitors drew Orex's gaze again. The S'kiss scientists looked up from their instruments and, with nods and no words, they began to pack up. They had mapped Evie's neural network and gathered what data they would need to recreate her mind. With this, they could further study a Hive Mind at home. They began their rounds, switching off and deconstructing. Orex's eye returned to Evie's shoulder.

"We are far from Yogyog and yet I imagine you continue to communicate with them. Am I correct?"

A cybernetic hand lifted the headband from Evie's temples, its owner proceeding to leave the cell, soon to be followed by their colleagues.

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

Her black eyes looked at Orex as he made his observations on the monitors. She shared her experience of him with her hive and they would be able to add more information about him to their collective. He had said she had value and in a way she did. Because she learned more of him as his prisoner. What else he intended to do was beyond anything she might imagine, so far though he had done nothing to harm her and stayed true to his word. Nor did she fight or resist so that might be a contributing factor.

The Joiner nodded when he asked if she communicated with her Hive, "yes, that is correct. It goes both ways. They communicate to us and us to them." The manner Killiks did this wasn't through words exactly. More they passed on impressions and feelings. This was something that would be difficult to explain in words and Evie did not attempt to clarify how it happened.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

His question answered with a statement that satisfied, Orex was done. His hypotheses confirmed and the potential for exceptional new technology brought forth. All from one hive-mind. Orex allowed the scientists to leave the room before he spoke again.

"Thank you Evie. You were more.. agreeable than most we come across in this Galaxy. Although you may not yet see it, you have taught us an incredible amount."

Orex waved his hand and released the constraints around Evie's wrists and ankles. He then turned away and walked through the door, coaxing her to follow.

His boots pounding against the metallic floor were the only sounds he made. Silently, he proceeded to to navigate the various corridors until finally coming to the Cargo Sector of the ship. Here, racks of supplies stood tall next to a row of pods. Orex approached one of these pods and stood next to its hatch, turning back around to face Evie.

"It is somewhat of a rarity that you are still alive, but I feel your scientific importance is too great to go erased. But you cannot stay on this ship. Enter this and I will send you on your way."

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

She calmly looked at Orex as he spoke and nodded her head a little with a small tilt, "why would not be agreeable? You did nothing to harm us and kept your word. We might be captive but we are not stupid." With a wave of his hands he released her and she rubbed her wrists slightly as she listened to him. "What have we taught you?" Her hands went back to her sides and she fell into step with him. Their steps echoed through the hall and he took her to what looked like a cargo area and told her a few things she found interesting. "What of our own ship? We do not remember how we got here."

There was a chance he had picked Evie up on the last world she had been on and then taken her aboard this ship. Her memory was not clear and she wanted to know the answer to her unspoken question of how she got to be his captive.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Orex waved his outstretched hand and the door to the pod opened with a hiss.

"It does not matter what you have taught us. But be reassured in knowing it is of great benefit to a a great many people."

Orex waved his outstretched hand and the door to the pod opened with a hiss.

"Think of this more as a form of Mercy. As I said, your continued living isn't something we have taken lightly. For security reasons, I cannot allow you to return to the ship we found you in. Take this and hope you find yourself on solid ground"

Orex's hand returned to his side. He knew he was taking a risk in being so soft towards a valuable being. Even if her value was now exhausted. He could not immediately explain it. Regardless, he was offering life to someone who found themselves standing before what many knew as Death.

[member="Evie Miramat"]

 

[Evie Miramat]

"We think it does matter what you learned from us. If it might be something that could be turned against our kind, then we would be blamed for it," the sudden feeling of overstaying her cold welcome and testing came to her. His words indicated her feeling was correct. His release of her was a mercy and if what she picked up from her Hive was accurate, then she should just go while the opportunity was there.

What he meant by security reasons she did not understand. Taking the hint though, she bowed in real thanks and climbed on board the pod he had made ready for you. "May the Celestials grant you everything you deserve." Those were her parting words as the hatch of the pod sealed her inside. It could be taken in many ways and she would not be able to elaborate her meaning unless he prevented her from being expelled from his ship.

"We think we will meet you again someday," she spoke entirely to herself and gave no thought on wondering if the pod was bugged.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

"I hope I won't have to"

Orex had no intention to turn on a Hivemind. They stood on neutral ground when he considered his ideology. Perhaps if it were a religious hive, one focused on the existence of ignorant ideas, then he would. But he did not know, and so all he could offer was an uncertainty. The woman was persistently courteous, almost innocent in her behaviour. It was a relief from the endless aggression and arrogance he commonly came across. One he didn't ignore. As the airlock closed, Orex continued to watch her. Scientific value, yes. But there was undeniably more. A unique segment of a hive-mind. A thought he knew was paradoxical.

A moment passed, then Orex pushed the release and watched as the pod ejected into the greater universe, quickly disappearing into the abyss.

[member="Evie Miramat"]