Sand sand everywhere....even in your underwear (CIS, whoever else)

[Malice Draclau]

Tatooine
Mos Ila

No matter how much the galaxy around it changed, Tatooine was one of the planets that seemed would always remain the same. A hub serving some of the most dangerous figures in the criminal underworld. Not to mention the endless waves of sand, constantly shifting and blowing covering any and all in its wake. It was up to the diligence of the people living there that kept their settlements and bases from being buried like everything else. In one of its cities life went on as usual. In a cantina one of the many patrons sat, having a drink with a fellow clad in white.
"So you mean to tell me you'll pay me for whatever information me and my boys are able to gather? What kind of information?" The male rodian spoke in his native language. Malice had met many rodians before the plague, he had learned their language speaking with them.
*Any information you are able to gather on this planet for now. All of the crime lords, the gangs that have operations here. But also the government which controls this planet and its leaders* Malice was direct and to the point. No sense in beating around the bush here. Keeping to his secrecy during his information gathering the Draclau looked like a normal human male, mid 30s. Tanned skin with short black hair and almond colored eyes. He seemed like some run of the mill human with a lot of credits and the attitude that comes with it, a trait the Rodian didn't seem to care for.

"Let's see what we can do for you pal...." Turning away from the table for a bit the Rodian moved off to another table which sat several other aliens. These were his men, the group making up the leading body of the small gang they ran. Intel gathering was their game and by any means necessary. Malice in the meantime sat back and ordered another drink. So far he had collected quite a bit of new information. When he returned to Lao-mon he would have much to update regarding the galactic database they had.

@[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest was head of the security on Tatooine. It's warden. It's protector. Too many attacks have happened recently for the planet not to be under watch for suspicious people, and @[member="Malice Draclau"] earned himself a place on the list by talking to the gang. They were information brokers yes, but they were also in the back pocket of the CIS. They kept the CIS informed on gang activity, CIS looked the other way on their operations. So long as they didn't disrupt the peace.

The Zabrak moved his way into the bar, nodding to the Rodian. His gaze instantly turned to Malice, and a frown formed on his face.

 

[Malice Draclau]

After a few moments the Rodian returned. Data pad in hand he placed it on the table before sitting back down.
"Alright seems we can make a deal. We have here the information on all the active gangs current here on Tatooine. As far as who runs the place....well that will cost you extra"
Malice quirked an eyebrow *How much extra*
When he was told the price Malice gave a stern look at the Rodian,*I'm sorry but that is just gouging. How can you get any business making demands like that*
Chuckling the Rodian simply shrugged "Hey thats the price for the information you want. Either pay up or don't the choice is yours" A growl escaped Malices breath, too soft for his friends to hear but the Rodian would have heard it quite clearly.

*I'm afraid I cannot accept either options. I am on a mission you see and that information is vital to me. While it is regretable that you could not get me all the information I desired, I will accept what you have brought to me now* Unknown to the Rodian Malice had a grip on his mind. What he spoke became the Rodians words, thoughts, and even feelings.
"Yes well, sorry for the trouble. I am not able to get you the information on who runs this planet, but I do have the information on all the current gangs. Here it's yours" Nodding in thanks Malice grabbed the data pad, stood, and exited as quickly as he could.

As expected however the Rodians group followed suit, leaving behind their confused friend. Four of them followed after Malice, another rodian, an aqualish, and two human thugs walked out of the cantina and after the human who stuck out in white. Malice sped up his pace, not bothering to look behind him as he hurried along. Walking passed two buildings he quickly ducked into the alley way between them. Quickly the men followed, rounding the corner to view an empty alley way.

*You should not have followed me * A voice came from above, followed by a snap hiss. Looking up the men were greeted with the figure of the man they were after, he fell towards them landing just infront of them. In his hands he held a double bladed white lightsaber, its hum whirling in the air as he cut down the two humans quickly. Ducking Malice dodged a blaster shot from the rodian, thrusting one end of his blade into the Aqualish Malice moved in on the last. Through the force he shoved the rodian up against the wall. Holding him there he began to choke the alien.
*This is what happens when you follow the wrong person* With a smile the Rodians neck snapped, a sickening crack heard as its body fell limp to the floor. Chuckling Malice turned off his weapon, turned and began walking towards the other end of the alley way.

He had escaped the thugs, but the force told him his irritations were only just beginning.

@[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Does this mean you're going to kill me too?" Krest spoke from above, atop one of the smaller buildings. He had an apple in his hand, taking a large bite from it. He followed @[member="Malice Draclau"] and the gang members, not exactly about to let someone as suspicious as Malice walk out on him. He kept to the rooftops, but his presence was far from hidden. He had no intention of hiding at this point.

"You want to explain why you're killing people on my planet?" The Templar lept down from the building, a hand on the hilt of his blade Deus. He wasn't looking for a fight, but you never know what might happen.

 

[Malice Draclau]

Before he left the alley way a tremor in the force struck him, shortly following a voice from above. Turning, Malice was greeted with the falling form of a Zabrak. Seems he was followed by more then just mere thugs, was his senses losing their touch in his old age? Facing the stranger fully Malice simply stared at him.
*So this is your planet hrm? Then it is you I am looking for* Briefly he turned and looked at the thugs laying behind Krest, a small smile crossing his face. *Thugs and lowlifes nothing more. I doubt the people of this planet would miss them no?* Malice chuckled. His hand still held his weapon, though he had yet to reactivate it.
*I have not come to kill only to learn. These fools thought they could gouge some extra credits from me....I showed them otherwise. You however, I can tell you're not going to try and take advantage of little 'ol me* A sly smile slid across his face before he continued.

*So......what is your name? Being the leader of this planet you must have quite the connections and.....even more information I do not yet possess*

Malice too wasn't looking for a fight. However should one present itself he wouldn't shy from it.

@[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest glanced past him to the bodies, frowning. So the idiots there decided to try and mug people, even after he had warned them not to. Ah well, what can you do with stupid? He turned his gaze back to @[member="Malice Draclau"], his blue eyes scanning. He still murdered the people without remorse, but was the Zabrak really that different? Not long ago he ended a whole other gang mercilessly, but then again they were killing people. These ones, just looking for more money.

"Krest. Templar Warden of Tatooine. Not sure what you want, but I don't think I'm the guy you want to learn it from." His tone was level, calm. At least Malice didn't attack him on sight. Maybe there won't be a fight today.

 

[Malice Draclau]

*Templar? what in the force is that?* Malice looked suspiciously at Krest. He could sense this one was surrounded by the force, but he was not sure what a Templar was. Whats it some sort of new force sect? a branch of the Jedi or the sith perhaps? Malice wasn't sure.

*Are you a Jedi or a Sith? Your aura in the force is clouded to me?*

Malice didn't exactly expect the Zabrak to answer though he hoped he would. Learning about these Templars would prove useful later on he was sure. Meeting a new force sect alone was something that Interested Malice.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest titled his head in response, blinking. Were the Templars really that unheard of? And what was with this man to begin with? Searching for knowledge, but coming to Tatooine of all places for it? There are more lies then there is sand on this planet.

"Neither. Templars are a third option. No hiding your emotions like the Jedi, no brutality and primal urges like the Sith. We're the best of both worlds to many." Basic information. There wasn't a reason to tell @[member="Malice Draclau"] everything about the Templars, especially sense he had no idea who this man was.

"What is your name?"

 

[Malice Draclau]

*So......you are similar to that of the Shadow Jedi....those who dare to walk both sides of the force* Malice had had run ins with Shadow Jedi centuries ago. They weren't common back then, a rare sight to see actually. Perhaps in the hundreds of years he had been absent that all changed. Perhaps with the plague it wiped out much of the sith and jedi, leaving room for other force doctrines and factions to rise up. This was getting more and more interesting by the second.

*You may call me....Lord Draclau, King of a world in the unknown regions. I have returned to the worlds of the galaxy to learn what has transpired in the last 400 years*
Looking around him Malice noticed they were still in the alley way, not exactly a choice spot to speak especially if one were giving away important information.
*So stranger, would you happen to have a more suitable place we could go and speak? Or do you still intend to do something about their deaths?* Malice looked again to the dead bodies. If this one had plans to arrest him for their deaths he had another thing coming. It would be far easier for them both to forget about those bantha piles and talk about more important things. To Malice such lives were meaningless, and he never took a second glance at ending them.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest fiddled with the ring on his finger, a frown on his face. In all honesty yes, he should be arresting @[member="Malice Draclau"], but this man clearly wasn't going to come quietly. So, he decided the next best thing, distraction and wait. He turned the ring so that it would be facing his palm, activating the homing beacon. It wouldn't take long for reinforcements to arrive, but he figured he'd give this Lord a chance. He wasn't willing to lock someone up just yet.

"Simply explain what it is you want. Information is vague, history is more so. What is it you want specifically? Explain that, and I'll call off the reinforcements." His tone was level. If the lord attacked him, he should be able to hold off long enough to at least get some assistance. But here's hoping it wouldn't come to that.

 

[Malice Draclau]

Malice eyed the Zabrak when he spoke of reinforcements. So, this one had intentions of taking him him after all....but if that was the case why bother asking him what he wanted to know? Why not just try to bring him down now? Was he really intending to call them off or was it just a rouse to get to know more about him.
*Very well. I wish to know who the leading factions are in this galaxy today. Power houses, key figure heads. Before I knew who the empires were, the powerful factions in the galaxy. But thanks to the plague and over 400 years of isolation my knowledge is out of date*

Malice cracked his neck from side to side. He fiured if the Zabrak had called reinforcements already then they should be here soon. Around him the darkside began to gather, the feeling of the force growing within the alley.

*Also I seek out family of mine currently traveling the galaxy as well. Some who may be alive and some who may be not. Now does this satisfy your curiosity Krest?*

Malice stood ready. It seemed the next few minutes would decide how this was all going to go down.

@[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest fiddled with his ring for a second, then turned it back to it's normal position. The reinforcements were called off, but it didn't change the fact that the Zabrak could feel the Dark Side building. He chose to stay calm, not building the Force himself, his eyes never leaving @[member="Malice Draclau"]. The man was looking for family, and Krest wasn't one to get in the middle of that.



"Tell me names and I should be able to help you find them, if they're in CIS space that is." There would be no fight today. At least not yet.

 

[Malice Draclau]

Malice remained silent for a moment. It was not his intention to betray the identities of his children to others. If it were he would have hired people to go look for them instead of going himself. Still....this one seemed willing to cooperate with Malice, and considering he had few run-ins with force users since leaving his home world Malice decided to play nice.

*I look for my children. My eldest is known as Skorn Draclau my son, my daughter is known as Erinyes Draclau whom last I heard had joined the Jedi long ago. My youngest, and probably the wildest is my son Venge Draclau. There is also a cousin of mines. I know he perished but I am not so sure about his children* Malice paused a moment taking in a deep breath, he lessened his hold on the force, the surge of darkside energy leaving the alley way now as Malice still remained in one spot.

*I have a Niece as well. Phoebe Draclau* As he revealed the names he sought a question came to his mind as well. Something Krest had said. *CIS Space....I take it that is the Empire that rules over this part of the galaxy? This is your Empire I am to assume?* Being that Krest had called this place his planet Malice figured he was also the leader of this CIS. If it were Malice just learned the face and identity of one of the power houses in the galaxy.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest opened his mouth to answer about Phoebe specifically, but it was promptly closed as @[member="Malice Draclau"] asked if he was the leader of the CIS. That couldn't be farther from the truth. The Zabrak laughed slightly, shaking his head.

"No no. We aren't an Empire, and I'm far from it's leader. But, I know this Phoebe, I think. Blonde? Powerful with the Force?" Phoebe Verd was how he knew her, but Phoebe wasn't a name you heard of every day. It could be very possible that they were one and the same.

 

[Malice Draclau]

*Her hair color.....depends on her I guess. But yes my family has been strong in the force for hundreds of years If you know of a woman named Phoebe that is most likely her* To emphasis on the hair bit Malice showed Krest what he referred to. Before the Zabrak the human males short black hair began to grow and change color. Stopping waist length it had gone from black to a snow white color. Once almond colored eyes now shown an azure blue. Smiling Malice looked to Krest.

*Not sure if she shared with anyone but we aren't human. We are Shi'ido* He was not sure how well known his species was in the galaxy. He knew many Shi'ido were about the galaxy during the plague however since he closed off Lao-mon to the rest of the galaxy over 400 years go Malice was certain his people had been forgotten about. * Would you be able to take me to see her*

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest scratched his chin at the change. That was certainly new. But at the same time, it didn't really surprise him. Look at the galaxy, it's filled with amazing and very different things. But to take this man to the Templar Sanctum was something he wasn't as sure about.

"I could just bring her here you know." @[member="Malice Draclau"]

 

[Malice Draclau]

*Bring her here. That would be fantastic. If you can contact her let her know that her Uncle is alive and well and waiting to see her* Malice thought for a moment. Even if he were to give her the message its not like she would get here anytime soon. Could take days or more. Looking to Krest an idea came to Malices mind.

*Since you seemed hurt by the loss of these thugs I have an offer for you. While I wait for Phoebes arrival there is something I want to do while I am here. Krayt Dragons. It has been some time since I have seen one or faced one. I will go out into the desert and find one. If I do, i'll kill it and bring you the pearl thats inside of its belly. That should more then make up for the deaths of these worthless creatures*

Malice thought his idea was a good plan. Whether or not Krest accompanied him was up to the Zabrak. Malice wasn't new to facing ferocious creatures alone. It was how he got stronger when training as a Sith so long ago.

@[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

There was only one thing Krest cared about. People who killed others on his planet. He knew little about the Sith other then he was clearly a force user, and he could change his shape. Letting him leave would pose an issue, for he could simply change his form and leave when ever. So he shook his head. Kryat dragons weren't an issue at the moment, at least not after the one he and several others took care of. There was no need to go out and kill another.

"No reason for you to leave the city. It won't take long for her to get her." He sent out a call, one he hoped Phoebe would get.

Probably.

@[member="Malice Draclau"] @[member="Phoebe Verd"]

 

[Malice Draclau]

Malice quirked an eyebrow. So what were they supposed to do until she arrived? Shrugging his shoulders at the Zabraks resistance to going on a hunt Malice decided another route. His form shifted again. Taller he grew, his skin becoming a lightly tanned shade while blue eyes gave way to crimson. Standing now 6'7" Malice stood in his usual form, that of an Anzati Jedi he killed hundreds of years ago. Looking to Krest Malice motioned back out of the alley way where he came in from.

*Well then shall we sit down for a few drinks. All this talking and heat has made me thirsty again*
Malice now had all but forgotten about the men he had killed. They meant nothing to him, so their lives were meaningless.

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest slipped his hands behind his head slowly, shrugging. "Well, alright. Lets go get a drink." What ever it took to keep this guy busy. A changling or what ever he was was certianly a flight risk of some kind. He watched @[member="Malice Draclau"] warily, but for now there was no fight.