Malice and Maladi

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


"Something along those lines, yes. Apparently you get to lead if you can prove you're the biggest 'badass' in town. Presumably you have to prove you're worthy of making a challenge first. Maybe I'll also have to kill a thresher maw on foot. I always wanted to do that."


Hey, Siobhan had done it. Well...actually she and Cira had just distracted the massive wurm on Vandehelm, before it was blown up by an Inimica, but Enyo did not really know that part. Ironically, her creators had fed her a version of history that exaggerated several of Sio's martial feats, in order to stoke her jealousy and desire to surpass her. "If Archangel is trying to infiltrate them with replicants, all the better. I can deprive them of warriors and get my own."


An expression of distaste crossed her features. However, she had to admit that Amara's intrigue score was improving. "Siobhan may not be as bad as Maelion said, but she's not our friend. Leak the location of a few outposts to goad them into fighting, sure, but I don't want to pull them into this more. Perhaps we do can do that before we raid a factory, force Archangel to divert forces elsewhere and strike when their guard is down. But this is our war. In the end, it should be our victory. Look at it this way, I am certain Siobhan would take over Archangel if given the chance. I'm sure she'd love a processing device."

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
“I’m sure she would. I’ve heard she likes her followers compliant. Why not cut out the middleman and make them a HRD?” Amara said sourly.

“Anyway, so that’s the plan, but we can’t just rush into going to Karakorum. We’ll need something to back us up so they take us seriously. After that we’ll need an ‘in’ with the Kraal to make them listen to us and let you do your thing against them.”

Amara sighed. “But right now, I need to get some rest once these meds take effect. Did you…uhh…need anything more from me tonight? We’ll be arriving at Coruscant in about 6 hours. If Akure kicks us off the ship we’ll be able to borrow a ship at least to get down to the surface.”

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


Amara's and Enyo's hostility towards Firemane was terribly amusing. Neither of them had any clue about the corporation and its members, yet were certain that they were morally superior to the 'firemaned floozies'. After all, Enyo did not really value organic life, and Amara enabled her.


Enyo nodded grimly. They had to build up a reputation first so that they could be taken seriously. The hybrid had some ideas...though she was sceptical that Amara would like all of them. But you could not make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Piracy seemed like a viable strategy to her. I shall conquer, no matter the cost, she thought to herself.


"No, I'm fine. You've done enough. I can handle repairs from now on. And unlike you, I don't sleep anymore. Go rest," she leaned forward and planted a kiss on Amara's forehead. Enyo no longer felt anything when she did that, but she figured Amara would still appreciate the display of affection. "Good night, little sister."

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara’s heart swelled with delight at those words. Even if Enyo was just doing it for her benefit it was something she needed.
“Thanks, big sis, I’ll see you in the morning,” she said and returned the kiss on an undamaged part of Enyo’s face.

Returning to a bunk she checked the dressings on her wounds, took some additional meds and passed out on a hard bunk. Said bunk was horrible because obviously droids didn’t sleep and the One Sith were not the sort to make things comfortable.

When Amara awoke several hours later, it was a knock at the door. After painfully getting to her feet she went to it and opened, seeing the learned Gamorrean waiting for her.
“What ho, me old boiler. What’s the word?” she asked jovially. A night’s sleep had returned much of her persistent optimism.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


Enyo did not sleep. She no longer needed to. In a way, this was a blessing because she was no longer locked in a dark room that seemed like an endless void. Or tormented by traumatic memories. She spent several hours repairing herself.


It was more difficult for her to call upon the Force. Indeed, it felt draining. She could not explain it, but her hypothesis was that the loss of significant amounts of synthetic skin might be the cause. This was something she would rectify. Eventually, she had to shut down in order to recharge, but only for an hour. By the time Amara awoke from her slumber, Enyo was already up and about.


xxx


Meanwhile, the friendly Gamorren had paid Amara a visit. The young clone would probably appreciate a friendly face. As usual, he seemed to be in good spirits. "Good morrow, fair lady, I hope your slumber was peaceful. The pugnacious and persistent Knight Akure awaits you and your sister at your leisure." It was doubtful that the faux Chiss would like to be kept waiting though.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara nodded. “Tell her Blueness that we will be within her before she knows it.”

Heading in search of her sister she gave Enyo a hug. “Repairs are going well,” she said enthusiastically.

“Akure wants to see us, I guess it’s time for them to kick us out. If they give us a ride down to the surface without a firing squad it’ll be fine by me!”

Amara had not found any new clothes, so her torn and bloodied outfit would have to suffice.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


"Still feel like breaking the queen's neck," Enyo muttered. No, she had not forgtten that the Chiss had shot at her. Anyhow, the pair were escorted towards the bridge. It seemed Akure's crew had made themselves at home on the Maladi.


By now, all bugs and tracking devices had been removed, after making a few stops in random systems. Akure looked predictably grim and taciturn when the two arrived.


Her eyes showed barely concealed loathing when she looked at Enyo. "That's your payment," she spoke to Amara, tossing her a credit chit. If the clone bothered to check, she'd find that the Chiss was paying her slightly less than what had been promised. She was clearly still sour about being beaten up. "You'll get a ride down planetside. Then you're on your own. Clear? Good. Mark my words, you'll regret trusting metal." She spat the last word as if it were an insult.


"You'll regret throwing away your best chance to kill Archangel, Akure," Enyo suddenly spoke up. "But that's not even your real name, isn't it? There's a cloud around you."


"I wasn't talking to you, toaster. Now get out of my sight," Akure hissed harshly.


"If you want to take Archangel down, give me a call. Until then, keep simmering in resentment," Enyo delivered a parting shot, turned around and walked off the bridge.


"Hate to break it to you, but I got better options than a robot," Akure retorted. Those two would probably never get on. At least not in this universe. "Hell will freeze over before I ask a bloody skinjob for help."

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara looked to Arryn for assistance, but found nothing there. It was all rather embarrassing. It hurt worse because Akure had pretty much just used and was now dumping her. Akure had gotten a sweet ship out of the deal, Amara had not even got the full fee from it.

And yet…what could she do? Arguing for her rightful share would clearly break upon the intractability of the Chiss. Fighting wouldn’t solve anything. Besides, she had Enyo, and that was what she had really sought.

“Your hatred blinds you, Akure. But, your choice. You know how to reach us if you need our help.”

There’s a cloud around you.

That line from her sister gave her pause. There was something about Akure. However, it was a mystery which would have to remain unknown for now.

“Come on, Enny. There’s nothing else for us here.”

Once they were safely aboard the shuttle Amara pulled out her comm awkwardly and pinged her two companions with a location where to pick them up from.

“Easy come, easy go,” she said with a sigh to Enyo as the Maladi vanished behind them.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


Once again, they touched down upon the surface of Coruscant. The once gleaming Eternal City had not changed. Once the shining jewel of the Core, now it was infested with crime and littered with ruins once you stepped out of the government plaza. Perfect to lay low and find yourself, for a while at least.


"She's a Force-user. I know the clouding technique. She's good at it, but no master. Must have had professional training," Enyo muttered to herself, then glanced towards Amara. "You called your two minions...friends?"


xxx


Meanwhile on the Maladi, things were going well. "Was that really necessary?" Arryn grunted. Now that Amara was gone there was no reason for the Dark Eldorai to hold back with her criticism.


"What?" Akure responded distractedly.


"She's a good kid. Just naive, too merciful and a bit deluded. You could have given her the full fee. Giving less was petty. I expected better."


"She got her robotic 'sister', too. Evens things out. She chose bloody metal over flesh."


"Because the piece of metal used to be her family."


"It's ridiculous. It's like you choosing your robotic sibling."


"She's not me. Give her a few years...well, you just succeeded in pushing them closer. Good job."

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara pondered the revelation. “She’s taken it to the next level then. During the fight, even close to death, she didn’t break the shroud around her. That takes dedication or a really strong need to hide. Hmm.”

“Oh, they’re not my minions, except in jest. They’re my allies and yes, my friends.”

As they came into land they found Faelar and Soshahry waiting for them. The two had undergone quite a transformation in just a couple of weeks. Now they wore comfortable, baggy clothes and drove a modest speeder. By their sides were blaster pistols which said in no uncertain terms that they were not to be hjarrassed.

“Enyo, this is Faelar and Soshahry. I call them Fae and Sosh though! Girls, this is my sister, saved from the merciless metal machines.”
Faelar stared at Enyo for a moment, especially the still visible glint of metal beneath her face.
“Don’t stare, dear. Come on, let’s get back home and we can plan our next move,” she said, chivvying all three of the others to the speeder.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


"I wonder if any of her minions know," Enyo muttered. "Or what else she may be hiding. Maybe it's something that can be used against her if need be." Or simply to piss her off and get back at her. The clone did have a vengeful streak and she was feeling vindictive after how Akure had treated them.


"Friends, right," she spoke the word mechanically without conviction. To her, anyone who was not an Archangel clone was suspect. Ultimately people outside of her twisted, clond family...did not really matter much to her. Behind them, the shuttle took off and returned to its mother ship, the Maladi.


Before them Amara's two buddies appeared. Enyo scrutinised them, noting the pistols. At least that meant they would be somewhat useful, since they could dish out some damage while their bodies caught blaster bolts. She noted that one was a Cathar. They had a reputation as warriors.


The Eldorai stared at her. Enyo did not flinch, but gave her a chilly look. "Hi there," she said awkwardly, then climbed into the speeder. "We need money, weapons, a bigger crew and a ship," she stated. She saw no value in small talk when they had actual work to do. "And I need to complete my repairs," she added after some thought.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
“All that flows from the first; money. We get money, we get better equipment, more crew and a better ship. Have you girls found anything handy?”
Amara was trying to be inclusive and friendly to everyone.

“I signed us up to the ‘blue list’ of contracts,” Soshahry said. “I’ve got some leads for decent priced operations the Coruscanti Police are willing to pay for.”
The list were smaller items of average payout, mainly focussed on suppressing gangs, retrieving items or delivering packages. Several of these combined could give them the funds they needed.
Faelar spoke up too, as if competing with her friend. “I’ve heard some useful intel too. There’s a very high paying job from someone called Melkar. It’s corporate in nature, but I have to contact back if we’re interested. From what I can see he wants us to retrieve an item from a rival company.”
The payout on this one was as big as five of the smaller ones, but likely with commensurately increased dangers!

“Good work, girls!” Amara said encouragingly. Now back at the apartment she headed inside and took a seat opposite Enyo.
“So, what do you think, sis? Did you want to do some small jobs or go for the big one?”

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


They faced choices! Like in Mass Effect. Well, not really. Presumably Enyo would be hardcore Renegade, kill the Council and become a sex symbol on Tuchanka after killing a thresher maw or two on foot. All hail Enyo Khan! This is not foreshadowing at all.


"Go for both. You get in touch with Melkar and get the job details. In the meantime, we'll run some smaller errands. Clean up the streets or whatever the police calls it. Maybe some of those criminals they want out of the way will make good recruits. Once they've been persuaded."


Enyo's idea of persuasion probably involved beating the crap out of a gang, then offering those whose martial skills impressed her enough a job in her gang. If they refused, they died. If they betrayed her, they died painfully and their heads were mounted on pikes. "Let's get to it. Time's a wasting."

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara nodded and got Soshahry onto contacting their big contact. Meanwhile she looked over the list of contracts. One struck her fancy.
“Coruscanti police have heard about an illegal artefact trade to be occurring in the lower levels of the city. Due to the dangers present in this area you will have limited support. Return the artefacts for a full reward and apprehend those responsible for a bonus. A larger bonus will be provided if they are brought in alive for questioning.”

“Sound good to you, sis? Want to handle this one with me whilst the girls setup the big mission?”

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


Enyo fetched the list and looked it over. She might be a blood knight, but she liked being thorough. "Retrieve some trinkets, beat up a bunch of criminals...and leave a few alive for questioning. Sounds fun," she commented. "Report back to me once you've set up the deal with Melkar. Gather some intel on the target on your own, if you can. Just in case he's leaving something out. I already got screwed over by one corporation," she addressed Amara's two helpers in an authoritative voice.


Her sister might be doing her best to be friendly and inclusive to everyone, but Enyo would have none of that. Her little helpers seemed useful, but in the end they were minions. She would treat them fairly, but authoritatively.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara was perhaps a little more excited than she should be. This was more like it, her and Enyo getting quality time together…beating up bad guys.
Still, she was realistic enough to have a glimmer of doubt about how contained Enyo would be. In this case it wouldn’t be too much of an issue. There were no civilians or others involved that she knew of.

The journey to their destination was surprisingly long, and yet Amara was starting to realise the sheer scale of the planet. A trillion sentients, give or take a few tens of billions, and the city planet had survived wars, plagues, empires, Jedi, Sith and Vong. It was an amazing testament to organic endurance. Or possibly their sheer stupid stubbornness.

As they came in to land they found that this area had been hit by some devastating weapon unleashed by one side or other during the One Sith/Republic war. Their messages mentioned that the meeting would be in one of the buildings overlooking the ‘Scar’.

“How do you want to handle this, Enny?” Amara asked as they landed a discrete distance away. Through macros she could see several groups of mercs and warriors assembling, bodyguards for all the respective parties.

“Way I see it, we can either go in from the top, bottom or straight in. Maybe a combination.”

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


The size of Coruscant was truly mind-boggling. For her part, Enyo wondered how any government, even an interstellar one, could hope to truly govern a city of this scale. She also wondered how many Coruscanti had ever met a Jedi or Sith. Probably only a few.


Presumably many only heard their government had changed when bombs started falling from the sky. It was no surprise that the lower levels of Coruscant had always been the fiefdoms of crime lords. Go far enough from the opulent government district, and you could be forgiven for thinking that you'd been teleported to Nar Shaddaa.


In any case, they'd finally reached their target. The area was scarred by the Great War. Enyo was used to war zones. Her mechanical eyes homed in on the mercenaries that stood guard. She had to admit that her eyesight was better. They were trained thugs, but she was Archangel's best weapon, designed to destroy Force-users. She would enjoy ruining their day.


"I'll take the speeder and go high. You go low, sneak in and get the artefacts. Their attention should be on me when I fight my way down." As strong as she was, Enyo did not feel like running up to the front door, having eyed the imposing repeater cannons. She could do better than that.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara nodded. She too didn’t like the idea of the main gate.
“I’ll need to go in underground somehow. Might take me a while to find the right way up. I’ll let you know when I’m set.”

Amara was let off a little way along from the building and immediately sought a way to burrow down into the ground. It wasn’t easy, and she wasn’t the most patient sort. But finally, on the fifth try, she managed to find a service tunnel down into the depths of the ground. This area, near the surface of the planet, was old. Very old. Some of it dated back thousands or even tens of thousands of years.
Several times she was confronted with dead ends, locked or stuck doors and wrong ways. Fortunately, with a lightsabre and the Force combined with a compass she was able to find her path.

It was as she crept along some tunnels, avoiding a section of corroded floors, that she came to the bottom of the tower. She could see a light in the darkness, the light of someone welding or cutting.
As she crept forward she could see that at the blast door leading into the tower a giant shape was standing, lit only by the flickering of the plasma torch.

The darkness she could not discern the species, but they were as large as a wookiee, but much broader.
She took a step forward to get a better look, making a slight creak in the metal.
Suddenly, with terrible speed the giant shape had turned, letting the torch fall and had a massive gun almost as tall as Amara pointing at her. A bright light at the end shone into her eyes, blinding her from seeing the other figure.
“Oh…hi,” she said lamely, sure she was about to be blown apart. She had been about to use the Force to pull the barrel aside, but stopped. She had a feeling, maybe her last, but she held off.
“Greetings, human. Are you alone?” the voice rumbled like a rockslide in the high mountains.
“Except for you, yes. Well, someone else, but she’s high above, waiting for my signal.”
“What signal is this?”
Amara was sure she could see the glowing light at the end of the barrel. “Uhh…well…” She decided to go for broke. “I’m breaking into the building by order of the CSF to stop the transfer of illegal artefacts. Something I’m guessing you’re doing too. After all, you’d not be breaking into a building you were guarding. You’re not here by accident because, well, you’d not be cutting a door down for kicks. So either you’re working from the Blue List too or you want the treasure too.”
The gun came up, and Amara could see a massive, rocky shape towering over her. “Well-reasoned. The treasures are heirlooms of my people, from Kaeshana.”
Amara scratched her head. “Kaeshana again, huh? Always seems to be stuff from a couple of planets showing up on my scanner.”
“When you live inside a circle you tend not to see things beyond it. I am Zar’kahn.”
“You’re a Kar’zun then! Oh boy, I’ve always wanted to meet one of you guys! I’m Amara.”
“Now your wish is fulfilled,” the Kar’zun replied placidly. “Are you capable of fighting?”
Amara pulled out her lightsabre and waved it. “Enough for this crew of jerks.”
Zar’kahn nodded. “Then we shall fight together. There are certain artefacts which are mine. The rest, gold and silver treasures, we will divide fairly. Contact your ally, the time has come.”
With one hand he held the massive cannon whilst his other charged the weapon to an urgent hum by pulling a large bolt.
Amara sent a message to Enyo; ‘Begin your distraction, we’ll meet you in the middle.’
Amara then ignited her blade and made the final cuts. It was much better than any plasma torch. She was ready to go.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


Ron Adama was not a bad guy. Sure, he broke legs and bashed skulls for a living. He'd done some things that made it difficult for him to sleep at night. He used cheap booze and whores to forget them. But...he had his reasons. He'd slipped through the cracks. Growing up in this part of town had never been easy. Then the war came and fethed everything up. He never found out who'd dropped the bomb, only that his home had been destroyed and his parents died. Republic, One Sith, it didn't matter to him.


When the Galactic Alliance showed up to 'liberate' Coruscant, the Sith had conscripted him. He and most of his buddies had deserted as soon as possible after shooting their commissar. Since then things had not looked up. He could not complain too much. His boss was a queen, but the Red Skulls paid well enough. Better than begging for unemployment benefits or standing in line in a soup kitchen.


Unfortunately for Ron, this guard detail would not be a milk run. As he stood guard, smoking his cigarette, he got the proverbial bad feeling. Then suddenly loud noise, gunfire, screams! "Intruder! On the roof!"


"Feth," he swore and quickly grabbed his blaster, running up the stairs. He was joined by a few of his buddies. Some Blood Pack mercs joined as well. He hated those guys, but whatever.


"She's some kinda droid...aaargh!"


"She's a Sith!"


What the hell was going on? Finally, he reached the roof...and really wished he'd called in sick today. A single woman was tearing through the guards like a hot knife through butter. She moved like a blur....one of punches, kicks and brutal strokes delivered by a burning violet lightsabre that gleamed in the bright sunlight. Too fast for the naked eye to track.


"Open fire. Shoot the queen!!" He froze when he beheld glowing, blood red eyes and saw that half of her face was metal. What was this monster? Shakily, he raised his blaster, but before he could get a shot off, she'd already reflected a salvoe of blaster bolts.


Thugs groaned in pain as they went down. More were disarmed when their guns were suddenly pulled out of their grasp. One was thrown off the roof by a violent, shattering kick. Another she simply grabbed by the shoulder, lifted into the air and slammed into the ground with such force there was a resounding thud, accompanied by the sound of breaking bones. A third she rammed with such force she sent him flying. Ron finally fired his gun. One shot went wide, another actually hit her. Then her eyes were upon him. They were cold and cruel. She looked at him the way one might look at a mere insect. A cold shiver ran down his spine.


Ron did the only thing he could and ran as she advanced. He moved in such haste that he tripped and fell down the stairs. The stims kept down the pain, but this was small mercy for she was coming. One thug charging her with a yell and his vibrosword was simply smote upon his throat. When Ron reached for his gun, she was above him.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
The sound of screams, explosions, firing gave a physical indication that Enyo was doing her thing. Even without that Amara could sense her sister in the Force, the iron vault opened to reveal a blazing inferno of power.
With a final cut the door fell open and she and Zar’kahn could push in.
“My sister’s already at work. Let’s get up quickly.”
The Kar’zun nodded.

It was on the ground floor that they first encountered opposition. By the turbolifts were a pair of mercenaries. They looked uncertain, having obviously heard the commotion above.
When the two of them entered they raised their blasters.
Unfortunately Zar’kahn had his cannon ready. With a high pitched discharge, the cannon sent a blue plasma bolt through the air, atomising one guard, part of the wall and floor.
The other guard looked at the giant golem, at Amara with her lightsabre. He dropped his blaster and fled.
“Let him go,” Amara said, heading for the lifts.
The Kar’zun nodded. “A pathetic enemy like that is no threat.”
Amara went to the lift and activated it. She paused when she saw a warning label on it. Warning, 1250kg max.
“Uhh, I don’t think this lift will take us both.”
Zar’kahn looked at it, then at Amara. Deadpanning, he said, “Perhaps you should consider limiting your food intake then.”
Amara burst out laughing and slapped the Kar’zun on the shoulder. That was silly, it felt like smacking a wall. “I like you!”

The elevator creaked warningly, but didn’t snap as it deposited them a level below the meeting. The alarm had been raised, but only for the incursion from above.
On one side of the room was an empty, open space. There was also a mercenary watching the Scar below. She turned when the elevator arrived and got out one syllable before she was vaporised, the bolt continuing on to hit a derelict building half a kilometre away.
Zar’kahn stood in the relative silence. His hand reached up and touched the permacrete. After a moment he nodded.
“Take cover, little Amara. We shall strike from heaven.” To Kar’zun, heaven was below in the warm earth, not the cold and desolate stars.
Amara obediently did so as the cannon came up. This time instead of a bolt there was a bright azure beam of energy which cut through the permacrete like butter. Tracing a square, this section fell into their room, along with a handful of surprised buyers and mercenaries. Amara’s lightsabre took care of the combatants, and a mental command or blow to the head rendered them unconscious.
“Great work, you brought down the house,” Amara said.
“Join your sister, I will secure your position here and join you.”

Amara nodded and then leapt up through the hole, coming to rest facing those guards and patrons who had not died, fled or been on the toppled section of floor.
Blasters were raised.
“Wait a minute now!” Amara said, raising her lightsabre. They could all the screams and thuds, blaster shots and lightsabre slices coming from nearby. “You heard of good cop, bad cop? Well, I’m the good one, and when the bad cop gets here, you’re all going to be very dead unless you surrender right now.”
For emphasis there was a whimpering scream falling past the open side of the building.
“So, you can attack me, and then when she comes you’ll be pulped. Or you can drop all your weapons and line up with your hands in the air. What’s it to be?”
The elevator dinged behind her and Zar’kahn emerged with his giant cannon aimed at the group.
Blasters dropped to the ground and hands raised as the heavy footsteps outside the door got closer….