The Old Ball and Chain

[Kruel Zing]

Let it be known that Darth Ambroscus had to be one of the most active Sith in the galaxy currently and he was not confining himself to the shadows like the other Sith of the galaxy. They could sit back on their heels holding on to their planets, their pitiful territory or whatever sort of ancient relics they had retrieved and hoarded amongst themselves. Kruel awaited the days when others would step forward like himself. Sitting in the command chair of the Infineon he stared out at the great expanse down at the planet Belsalvis. They had a scheduled Prisoner transfer coming in soon, one that appealed to the Sith and was worthy to join their ranks.

While Kruel did feel a great disdain for people who operated under the One Sith, this one showed promise and could possibly be converted to a greater cause than what the false Sith had offered him. Along with the other prisoners aboard the vessel Kruel could swell the ranks of troopers. One could never have enough cannon fodder in such trying times. When given the option to either die or join Kruel anticipated many of them joining, especially with the offer of freedom being in the balance. “Sir we have a vessel emerging from hyperspace.”

“Get me eyes on it.” Kruel growled calmly his hands resting on the armrests of his large throne. Before him from the holoprojector a small figure of the prison vessel appeared. “Yes just on time. It’s good to see the Republic haven’t lost their penchant for timely arrivals. Are the Ion canons warmed up?”

“Yes my Lord.”

“Good my children, track target… FIRE!” All 12 of the Ion canons released a salvo that intercepted the flight path of the Prison ship striking its flank. Two struck the bridge, others the engine and the rest its body. The ships power stopped near instantaneously as the vessel began to float listlessly through space. On board the prison cells would be open releasing the prisoners. “Activate Tractor beams, and prepare to board.”

Extending from the Infineon a gangway would connect the vessels and over fifty Troopers and Sith acolytes would pour in to both overwhelm the guards and free those who had not yet been released. “Broadcast this message for me dear.” Kruel said to the female twi’lek behind the communications chair. With a nod, she signaled he could speak. “Prisoners of the Fairwake, I am here to free you from the binds that the Galactic Alliance has bound you in. To grant you a reprieve where they would give you none. To allow you back into the galaxy with a job, all I ask is for you to swear loyalty on to me.”

[member="Tarok"]

 

[Tarok]

Tarok was sitting in his cell waiting for the ship he was on to take him to his new home. The cell was cramped and all that was in it was a bed and toilet, just outside two guards stood at his door guarding him. He thought back on his recent lost angry at himself and those traitors. He had been commanding a star destroyer one of the last the one sith still had, the battle was lost and tarok knew it he ordered the crew to crash into the republics command ship rather than be taken alive. That failed his officers disobeyed winding him and his loyal troopers up in this hole of a ship while they gained lighter treatment.

What happened next surprised well everyone, the ship was hit with ion cannons from what he could guess. The shields to the cell's cut out, others rushed out and overwhelmed the guards. A man that tarok recognized came up to him he wore the same prisoner's garb tarok was wearing, a crisp salute then the man spoke "seems luck is on our side commander, whoever is attacking the ship wants someone"

Strange tarok thought the one sith had no resources to mount a rescue nor would they. Then a voice came spoke “Prisoners of the Fairwake, I am here to free you from the binds that the Galactic Alliance has bound you in. To grant you a reprieve where they would give you none. To allow you back into the galaxy with a job, all I ask is for you to swear loyalty on to me.”
Whoever that was tarok didn't know he didn't care either. He yelled to the men around him "Take up arms If you want to be free fight for it!" The men cheered they always did for as long as he had them under his command. With that, they began to moving into the ship to take back their freedom.

[member="Kruel Zing"]

 

[Kruel Zing]

Some would find it shocking that this entire incident was happening above Belsalvis, directly in Galactic Alliance territory not Kruel. The jedi were weak and foolish, he knew the secret that the jedi wished to hide. They couldn’t truly match the might of a true Sith without numbers on their side. They required reinforcements because their powers paled in comparison to those that truly understood the intricacies of the Dark Side. Even now Kruel did nothing to hide his power in the force, he allowed himself to radiate like a beacon. All the while he grew stronger feeding off the passion and rage that the prisoners from the Barge were emitting. Now that they were free a battle had ensued upon the prison barge, prisoner against guard and the roles had been swapped. At one time the guards could do as they wished, deal out beatings to the prisoners with no fear of retribution. Now that had all changed all the volatile emotions had boiled over and were now on display.

“There is no better way to start out a day than with a massacre. I will be leaving to join our troops. If there’s any sign of Galactic Alliance interference or Jedi, ensure I am the first to know. It has been some time since I faced a worthy opponent.” Rising from his throne Kruel stretched his frame to the point where his fingers nearly reached the ceiling of the command bridge. A multitude of sharp pops echoed from his body as ligaments released tension. They’d been waiting three days for the prison barge to arrive and Kruel hadn’t moved in the past twelve hours. Cloak flapping behind his large figure Kruel exited the command bridge leaving his crew to do as they willed it. He placed an insurmountable of trust in them.

With his large legs carrying him through the halls of the Infineon, Kruel made short work of the distance to the gangway where he found a small squad of Sith troopers awaiting his command and to escort him to the prison barge. With a dismissive wave Kruel sent the squad away. He would not appear as so weak to need mere soldiers. Stepping across the gangway hands tucked behind his back Kruel walked in to the chaos that awaited. The surging emotions became stronger as Kruel stepped on board letting the darkside flow off his being and feeding the emotions and chaos aboard the vessel.

[member="Tarok"]

 

[Tarok]

The battle on the ship was raging, Tarok and the other prisoners were pinned down in a hall way blaster fire being traded between them and the guards. His men were going down anger clouded their minds but he could also feel the fear the guards had, they knew their lives were forfeit should the prisoners break through their last barrier in the prison area. Tarok barked out orders "Form a firing line! no alliance dog lives this day, push through my brothers break them!". Anger a useful tool for motivation tarok used it often during his battles feeding on it. He began to feel something else or more correctly someone else powerful with the force their presence screamed out in the force.

Whoever it was their power could be felt in the mix of rage and despair of the people here. He felt this before when he was training with other sith in the academy, the instructors had this same feel but not as strong. A sith had come whoever it was remained to be seen as the battle was to be won. The guards were starting to fall back too many losses it seemed, Tarok screamed out "Cowards! Men charge them down no one lives!" and they did so gunning down or bashing the guards to death. Opening up the way for them to escape, they charged out into the main part of the ship only to encounter troopers they didn't recognize. He didn't recognize their armor there wasn't any one sith symbols on them, with the unknown troopers were also sith but not the one he sensed to weak. Tarok spoke an order to his men "Sweep the ship with them I'm going to meet whoever commands these men."

[member="Kruel Zing"]

 

[Sadran Simitri]

Sadraan sat with her back up against her cell, drumming her fingers on her leg, as she mulled over the last 24 hours. She didn't regret her actions, the Jedi deserved much worse than the destruction she had caused. She chuckled to herself as she recalled the panic inflicted by her stolen star fighter crashing into the Jedi building. If only she had jumped a little sooner she wouldn't be stuck in a cell on her way to prison.

She stood up to stretch her legs and in the same moment the ship was hit and she fell back to the ground. "What in the world?.."

Immediately chaos erupted. Her cell door opened and she swung her fist and the first guard in sight and took his blaster. Sadraan scanned her surroundings as she heard a voice, “Prisoners of the Fairwake , I am here to free you from the binds that the Galactic Alliance has bound you in. To grant you a reprieve where they would give you none. To allow you back into the galaxy with a job, all I ask is for you to swear loyalty on to me.” She didn't recognize the voice but it sounded powerful. She pondered his offer as she moved out of the crossfire. It was tempting, and she didn't have anywhere else to go.

Sadraan needed to find a way out of the fight, she put her blaster in her belt loop and climbed up a pipe and into the overhanging rafters. She crawled on all fours over a firing line. She saw a man who looked in charge say, "Sweep the ship with them I'm going to meet whoever commands these men."

"And that is exactly where I'm going." She thought. Sadraan followed the man from above.

[member="Kruel Zing"] [member="Tarok"]

 

[Kruel Zing]

The prison barge was alive with death, the smell of burnt ozone and blood filled the air. The screams of the dying echoed off the walls, and the shouts of the victorious rattled throughout the chambers. It was… Beautiful. That was the only way Kruel could describe the site before him. His own soldiers slaughtered the guards and joining them the prisoners revolted. How easily the tables had changed. The prison guards had been the ones with the tools and weapons that could allow them to control the prisoners but now that they were on the receiving end the begged for mercy. Shame they would have none. Noticing Kruel, one of the guards raised their blaster pistol and fired upon the creature. The bolt struck the armorweave robes dispersing instantly not even making the dashade take a step backwards.

“You foolish boy.” Raising his hand into the air Kruel snapped his fingers releasing a surge of force energy. Focusing it within the man’s center Kruel expanded this energy outwards and the man exploded. His head flew off like a cap a trail of blood arcing after it. The limbs followed suit flung to opposite sides of the chamber from the force of the explosion. While the bones and organs splattered the guards, allies causing them to scream out in horror as they realized what unfortunate fate had befell their ally.

“Master are you sure we shouldn’t be leaving?” One of the Sith troopers asked standing off to Kruel’s right.

“No, we have nothing to fear. We have already won my boy, plus I am enjoying the show.” Continuing to glance down at the massacre happening Kruel leaned against the metal railing as one would when watching a play. “You could of course tell our troops to go raid the armory and supplies of this barge. They usually are loaded with food ripe for the taking and we'll have plenty of new mouths to feed.” His red eyes roaming the area he caught sight of two individuals. A brown haired young man, the one that he had come looking for. And another that had chosen to take a path from above. Kruel knew not of this woman but considering she had survived so far she could perhaps end up being a valuable tool, or ally.

[member="Sadran Simitri"] [member="Tarok"]

 

[Tarok]

Tarok could feel someone looking at him, he locked eyes with a dashade this was the one he felt before. Blood and guts surrounded him, power radiated off him like no other he felt before. Soldiers ran past him the fight was over, his freedom and that of his men were regained for now. He approached the man making his way past his soldiers impressive for what they were, the execution of their orders were followed precisely. He was face to face with the man when he spoke " I suppose I must thank you whoever you are. Who sent you the one sith, you don't look like one of them too much gut's. Tarok laughed loudly "I heard your message serve or die is it? well, im not seeing much of a choice right now me and my men will join you so long as there's a battle to be fought."

He stood there waiting for an answer one that would decide his fate. Why this man attacked the ship he didn't know but he was grateful nor was he stupid, denying this man would be his end and that wasn't something he wanted. While waiting he also noticed someone else looking at the man, a women he didn't recognize not one of his nor the man's either. She didn't matter right now he and his man did if he had the chance later he would find out.

[member="Kruel Zing"] [member="Sadran Simitri"]

 

[Sadran Simitri]

Sadran observed the Dashade and the man as they spoke from her spot in the rafters. They both radiated power, something that didn't intimidate her, she appreciated people who were confident in themselves and their capabilities. They seemed like people she would like to be associated with. Sadran could see that they had both noticed her eavesdropping so she decided to join the discussion. She hooked her legs around a beam and let herself swing down, she used the momentum to unhook her legs and land silently beside to two men.

"I am also interested in your offer, granted you can show me to a good fight."

[member="Kruel Zing"] [member="Tarok"]

 

[Kruel Zing]

The prisoners had certainly tidied up with the help of Kruel’s own forces whatever guards had been stationed on the ship were either now dead or lay on the ground unconscious. Not a single life had been lost from Kruel’s followers, as expected for a group trained since birth to serve their Lord. While some prisoners had met unfortunate ends that was of no concern, a few less mouths to feed. With the rest of his troops securing supplies from the vessel they would possibly have enough food to last a few more months of feeding the followers. It even seemed as though all the prisoners that had been freed from the clutches of their cells were more than willing to follow the Sith. To serve him, perhaps they feared death at Ambroscus’ hands? Maybe their imprisonment had caused great resentment towards the Galactic Alliance or perhaps they had dreams to become a part of history. To be more than a footnote in some database.

Laughing at the boys’ question Kruel offered a toothy grin. “You are right my boy, the One Sith were cowards, they do not know true power nor what it means to fight. All they do is run and hide like pups waiting to feed from their mother. No I am from a different sect of Sith, one that will be far greater than the One Sith… Though that takes time and numbers. Hence why I came for you. The One Sith allowed you to be captured, saw you as nothing more than a tool. I came to free you and these people to offer you positions in something far greater. You will be paid, fed, and eventually you will learn at my feet. You will learn what true power is and one day will Lord over your own forces much like I do my own.”

As if the offer itself had been made to the young woman she sprang down to join the Sith, the fact she had managed to survive the battle and was intelligent enough to take a different route spoke magnitudes. Many would charge headfirst into battle while she skirted around it. A useful ability especially in the days to come. She was not a forceful being in the force and while Kruel knew of ancient rituals to change it he’d make no such offer till she had proven she deserved it. That she craved it. Though there had been many without the force who could just as easily kill one who could. “My dear, the offer I made earlier was to everybody and it would be a pleasure to have you join my ranks. You two shall serve me personally. Now come we must leave this ship before the Galactic Alliance realizes that its late to port.”

Turning on his heels Kruel exited the room passing one of his troopers. “Get everybody on board and ensure they’re fed, and clothed. We’re heading home.” Without turning to look at the men and women who had deemed themselves worthy to talk directly to him, Kruel spoke. “So tell me my children why were you two imprisoned? What could you have done to earn the ire of the Galactic Alliance, though it doesn’t seem to take much these days.”

[member="Sadran Simitri"] [member="Tarok"]

 

[Tarok]

Tarok was right the man wasn't one of the one sith but something else entirely. He was offering money, food, and the chance to learn from him that last part was the most promising to tarok. Then the other joined them, she was acrobatic and wanted to join the man to no harm tarok thought. The man started to walk turning away from both of them, tarok began following after when the man started talking.“So tell me my children why were you two imprisoned? What could you have done to earn the ire of the Galactic Alliance, though it doesn’t seem to take much these days.”


"He wanted to know how I ended up here no harm now in telling him." tarok thought. He spoke up " Well we were above byss when a galactic alliance fleet jumped in, in the first minutes of the fight the commander of the ship died. It left me in charge for what time we had left, the other ship with us didn't last long the moff leading us also died. It looked bleak, no chance of escape so i gave an order one that wouldn't be followed as im still here. Ram the main ship, if we were going to die or be captured i chose death. so that's why I'm here." his story done he waited for the next story to be told.

[member="Kruel Zing"][member="Sadran Simitri"]

 

[Sadran Simitri]

Sadran was impressed with the way this man's troops so quickly defeated the enemy and begun to take what they needed. They all seemed to respect the Dashade which was a good sign. The things he said made sense and she realized this is exactly who she wanted to be fighting along side with.

She quickly followed the two men out of the ship and listened intently to the other man tell his story, he definitely had guts. Ramming the main ship was a bold move, it sounded exhilarating.

Sadran smiled inwardly as she recalled the reason for her almost imprisonment. "My story isn't very exciting, I am not very fond of the Galactic Alliance so I flew a star fighter into a tower full of their more important personnel. It did multitudes of damage, unfortunately I didn't jump soon enough and was caught."

[member="Kruel Zing"] [member="Tarok"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

The shooting finally stopped.

I stalk past the bodies of fallen guards and a sense of guilt ripples through me. If I'd gotten to the armory sooner I could've stopped them. The lie leeches guilt to the surface of my mind.

One man can't stop an entire warship, yet clad in the sensor baffling armor of an Alliance marine, I am nothing but a black phantom slipping through the corridors.

The attackers, whoever they are, were thorough. I come across the body of a man who looked as if he spontaneously combusted and feel a wrench in my gut.

Ahead, I hear the sound of voices. Prisoners.

Clutching my sonic carbine tightly, I hug the bulkhead and peer around the corner. Two troopers are making toward an airlock, along with a group of freed prisoners. I've already failed my role on this barge. My duty was to ensure the prisoner exchange went smoothly. A single marine should have been enough to supplement the wardens, but now...

I am likely the last living Alliance soldier on board.

I accept the new truth with a flutter of panic, but the determination sets in. I clench my jaw until it hurts, reminding myself that I should have died along time ago, but Alliance scientists gave me a second chance. Letting them down is an unacceptable outcome.

Forcing myself to take that step out from behind cover, I crouch low and do my best to remain silent as I tail the troopers back to an airlock.

Their armor looks like an older Sith make and I'm thankful for the mechamiri pack attached to my armor. The function is similar to an yslamiri, Force users can't feel me... I hope.

The gangway is just up ahead. They haven't seen me yet. Just a few more meters and I'll be on board whatever ship attacked us. The thought terrifies me and I wish anyone from my team was here with me. I need Dallows' calm reassuring voice in my ear. Instead I hear nothing but my own claustrophobic breathing inside the helmet.

[member="Tarok"] | [member="Kruel Zing"] | [member="Sadran Simitri"]

 

[Kruel Zing]

Walking through the halls of the Infineon with his two newest followers at his back Kruel smiled his own hands tucked neatly into his robes as though he were a monk. Along the way they passed multiple personnel that included troopers, engineers and acolytes. The ship itself held thousands of troops and even more active members that wandered the ship constantly. With that and a mixture of surveillance one sneaking aboard would be near impossible and mind boggling at that. If they were able to avoid the sheer amount of personnel, they probably wouldn’t even know the schematics of the ship due to its age.

Sadran and Tarok’s tales both had much in common and it was quite interesting. They both had a spunk and wild streak to them that even Kruel could admire. That many had the resolve to crash their own vessels with another or even into a facility. Such fresh catches that could be used to further the plans of Ambroscus. There would perhaps even be positions for them among the higher ranks of his followers where they would be marked with his crest denoting them as his followers. “You both sound like the perfect couple, you can run across the galaxy crashing cruisers and Starfighters into anything you want. But as I said before I come to offer employment to you both. I am in need of those both fluent in the ways of the force, as those who aren’t. If you take my offer you will both be paid handsomely and be given just about anything I can offer you.”

Pointing at Sedran, Kruel turned taking her in. Her small frame. “You will need some training so you can better match a forceful being but I can offer you such knowledge. You can serve at my side as one of my personal assassins. However, I also know others in need of people fit for the special forces in the military.” The offer was left open for her to either accept or deny but if she’d seen his display of power before denying Kruel may not be the wisest choice.

“I made my offer to you boy, and you accepted the moment you boarded this ship.” Entering the bridge of the vessel Kruel took his seat upon the throne. “Now tell me children what are your ambitions?”

[member="Raph Thule"] [member="Sadran Simitri"] [member="Tarok"]

 

[Tarok]

Ah ambitions a tricky topic for him, one could want much but overreach too far. tarok was tired in his own way, the one sith infighting and constant war left him wanting peace for the galaxy. He wasn't about to show weakness though not here, his men also need him to stay strong no weak leader should ever be in charge. He continued to walk with the man passing his soldiers, there were many of them and from the walk, it seemed to be a big ship. The man obviously wanted an answer so tarok spoke up clearing his throat before.

"My lord my ambitions are simply a diversion of your time that I'm sure is too important to waste. I will tell you this though I'm not joining if you spread chaos unwarranted even if it means my death. Peace the galaxy needs peace for once, I know though peace is only gained by bloodshed. " That's all he really had to say so he left his words hang in the air. The silence brought up a feeling like something was amiss but he couldn't pin it down.

[member="Kruel Zing"] [member="Raph Thule"] [member="Sadran Simitri"]

 

[Sal Katarn]

My cautious forward momentum lets the troopers escape from sight down some corridor, freed prisoners along with them. Any second now I expect hidden blast doors to slam shut around me, but after a minute nothing happens. I try to control my breathing and trust in the scientists who designed my armor. A sensor stopping polymer coat is good for avoiding scans, but the coating will do nothing to stop a squad of soldiers from spotting me with their bare eyes.

Heart hammering, rybcoarse trying to escape my chest wall, I keep walking. Every step sounds like a cannon to my paranoid ears.

I hear the sound of approaching feet and slip into a side aperture. I hold my breath until they pass and even then I'm reluctant to let thirsty lungs have their fill. In order to escape detection here, where every corridor I turn into might be filled with hostiles, I'd need a cloaking device.

A plan formulates in my head. A bad one, but Dallows isn't here to tell me otherwise.

I slip out behind the patrol and move in their direction. It isn't long before I find them. Two soldiers, but I can take two. They don't even hear me when I come up behind the first one, not until the vibroknife in my hand hums gleefully as its cold metal shivers through the gap between helmet and armor and directly into the spinal column. He dies instantly. The other turns, tries to get his weapon up. I don't try to pull my knife out of his companion's neck. I release the hilt and turn into the second soldier, lightning reflexes on autopilot. I drive a duraplast backed fist into his throat hard enough to feel the trachea crunch. He drops his gun and staggers back, making horrible choking sounds. I seize his helmet with both hands and drag it down into a blow from my knee that shatters his visor.

Shaking fingers release his helmet and he slumps to the ground, either dead or unconscious. I don't know. How could I not know? My knee barely hurts from a strike that should've left me limping, again confirming that I'm no longer fully human, but that's the price of a second shot at life.

I seize the broken bodies of the soldiers by their collars and drag them off down a corridor. I move inside the first compartment I find and thank the Force for warship designs. They are built to make sure a hull breach doesn't suck out all the atmo at once, so everything is divided into sections. Compartmentalized.

Fast as I can, I strip the soldier I knifed of his armor. Five minutes later and I'm clad in the dead man's gear. I strap on the mechamiri pack and shuffle around in their utility belts for an expandable rucksack. Finding one, I unfold the thing and stuff my Alliance armor inside, then seal it up and sling it over one shoulder.

A different man steps out into the corridor. Hopefully, a better disguised one. Symbols above the hatches between compartments guide me. Even veteran crewmen would get lost aboard ships this big if it weren't for the symbols. I start off with purposeful strides.

[member="Tarok"] | [member="Kruel Zing"]

 

[Sadran Simitri]

Sadran admired the ship as they walked the halls, their footsteps echoing loudly against the cold metal floors. The ship was impressive, and massive, she would fit in nicely in a place like this.

Her thoughts escaped her for a moment, she longed to have a sword in her hands once again. Hers was taken away when she was imprisoned, those Galactic Alliance bastards wouldn't know a good piece of weaponry if it slapped them in the face.

Sadran snapped back to reality when she realized the Dashade was speaking directly to her. She considered his two offers, to work with him, or to go off somewhere else. She contemplated it for a while before she spoke.

"I think I would like to remain here, "personal assassin" has a nice ring to it." Sadran smiled as she spoke. "And as for ambitions, mine are simple. Power, money, and to destroy the Galactic Alliance and everything it stands for."

[member="Kruel Zing"] [member="Tarok"] [member="Raph Thule"]