Toxicity

[Caulder Dune]

TATOOINE
MOS RAGDAN

@Alexander Thenveer

The body bags were lined up in a neat line just on the outskirts of the small town. They were unzipped- just enough so that the faces of their occupants could be seen. There were fifteen in total, arranged from descending largest to smallest. Nine men, six women. All human. The eldest of the group had been pushing sixty standard years. The youngest, two of them, had scarcely seen their first decade. All had died of the same cause- a toxin slipped into the town's water supply. The town was quarantined after the authorities were alerted to the first cases. Most people recovered. Some, about fifteen of them, never did. A thorough investigation launched by the Obsidian Order determined that the responsible party had not left the town by the time it was quarantined. Thus began a longer and more scrutinizing investigation of the town's residents, which Adekos had elected to handle personally.

Naturally, Adekos suspected this was some form of pay back. Perhaps for the slavers Adekos had killed or captured recently. Maybe it was something more personal. Whatever the case, there was only one way to be sure.

Two TA1 Battle Droids marched the next suspect up to where Adekos stood. They shoved him to his knees, then the other one grasped him by the back of the head, forcing him to look at the bodies. Could Adekos have simply interviewed each person individually? Yes. Would that be as dramatic? No. Would this make it more likely the real culprit breaks down out of guilt upon seeing his handiwork? Yes. Would it increase the odds of the culprit revealing himself on his own by trying to skip town and evade quarantine? Also yes.

Adekos was being paid by the hour. The wages were meager, but it was something.

"Did you kill these people?"

The man whimpered something unintelligible and sniffled. This one probably had some sort of relation to the victims. Most people did. It was a small town.

The Umbaran glanced at his chronometer and then behind him, noting the planet's twin suns were just beginning to set. Pretty soon it would be dark out, and the whole 'look at the corpses and tell me the truth' thing would not have the same effect. "Answer the question, please." He pushed, unsympathetic.

"...No."

"Do you know who killed these people?"

"No..."

"Did you poison the well?"

"I-... No..."

"Do you know who poisoned the well?"

As this went on, Adekos studied the man for any signs of lying. Umbarans were masters of deception and Adekos himself rather good at sniffing it out. This man, fortunately, was innocent. He, along with a good portion of rest of the town, were probably traumatized now. If it prevented future incidents like this from occurring, here and elsewhere, then Adekos was fine with that. No one ever accomplished anything worthwhile without leaving a few mental scars on some bystanders.

He gave a dismissive gesture to the droids. "Return this one. Bring out the next." The droids responded by hefting the now-sobbing man to his feet and dragging him off to the holding area he had been brought from.

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

[member="Adekos"]
Alexander by definition wouldn't say he was exactly traumatized. Sure he was a little bit irritated. As well as curious to what occurred at this town. Though he could by no means properly answer to whether or not it was himself who did the crime, or if it was somebody else who committed it. After all it wasn't long ago that he'd lost his memory, and the fact he didn't have a valid identity surely wasn't going to play in his favor in this town crisis. Alexander considered using the thing he carried which was known as a lightsaber, though he didn't have the knowledge to do so effectively in combat, heck he'd barely discovered himself what he needed to do to activate the weapon.

Of course with the black robe he was wearing he kept it well hidden. Though the fact he was force sensitive that he didn't have the means to hide. He didn't know really any force techniques, though he'd barely remembered that he could use the force to detect things. Particularly other people who used the force. When he was escorted by the battle droids for his turn in trial. Well it didn't take long for him to feel the cold chill of the fact that this man was force sensitive. Not only that he was very experienced in the force. As Alexander though slightly nervous kept it hidden in an instinctual manner of calmness. Most anything Alexander did be it a skill, or related to the force. He did it instinctually as even though his memory was mostly loss. Some things were never meant to be forgotten, even if they merely remained hidden in the darkest grasps of his subconscious.

Alexander stood quietly in front of the man. Patiently awaiting what questions the man decided to bring forth. Of course Alexander could play it safe and say no to every question. Without exactly lying the better and more truthful response would be, that he didn't know at all. The only thing he did know that it was very possible that his memory loss. Could have a direct correlation with the events that resulted in the towns water supply being poisoned. Which is how he chose to decide to answer any question that came his way. All he knew was that if he could sense this man was force sensitive, whatever that exactly entailed. Then he was more sure then not, that this guy would probably have some means of identifying the same thing in himself. In a way he was hoping that the man might have answers as well

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

The next suspect was dragged out before the bodies and made to kneel in a similar manner. If he were not already looking at the bodies, one of the droids would grab him by the back of the head and forcefully direct his gaze. Adekos looked at this man, or more of a boy really, and cocked his head to the side. He could sense the Force in this one. The presence was strong enough, but it was raw. There was no refinement to it, indicating he was as of yet untrained. Untrained or not, Adekos found this suspicious. No one of meaningful Force sensitivity could ever be born to this backwater town. Granted, Adekos had acquired more than a few from the slums of Coruscant, but their presence was not as... Significant.

"Hmph. You're not like the rest of this rabble." Adekos remarked. "Are you a native of this town?"

Adekos' mask consisted primarily of a mirrored face plate, which reflected nothing but Alexander and the surrounding desert as he stared into him. He would start with something simple this time, just to see how willing he was to tell the truth.

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

"I don't believe so, though I do not know." Alexander replied in a calm clear tone. The site of the dead bodies didn't disgust him. Though it did upset him that this many lives were cost. Alexander let out a sigh as he studied the bodies. Pausing as he spotted a middle aged man. Narrowing his eyes a little at the body. There was something familiar about it and yet he could not place it. So he returned to his eyes scanning about as he thought about things.

Trying to figure out where Alexander originated would by near impossible. He had no records proving anything about himself. In the eyes of extremely advanced technology he didn't exist. The only indication he was a real person was the fact he was kneeling there in the flesh. Though that was about as far as the luck stretched. Which left Alexander thinking about how this interrogation would go from here.

[member="Adekos"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

Adekos said nothing. For the next few minutes, things were silent as he apparently mulled over that response. He was also looking over Alexander for signs of lying. Either this random, Force Sensitive man actually believed his own nonsense or he truly had no idea if he was a native of this town. Thankfully, not much detective work would be required to solve that mystery.

"You don't know." He repeated, somewhat condescending. "Let me make this easier for you. Do you own a residence in this town? Or, rather, I should remind you that you were being kept in a holding area filled with confirmed residents of this town. Did any of them know you by name?"

He folded his arms across his chest, casting another cursory glance at his chronometer. Adekos hadn't anticipated he would need to play twenty-questions to get anywhere with this one. There were still dozens of other townsfolk to process, and at this rate he wouldn't be able to get through most of them until tomorrow.

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

He thought a moment. "I do have a residency in a way I suppose. Though no one really knows who I am" he replied to them man. Alexander didn't appreciate the condescending tone. Though for self preservation didn't act upon it. Alexander's vague replies wasn't anything to do with his intelligence, as much as the fact he had only woken up a little while before this mess occurred with no memory. Which seemed strange to him though he could not prove nor disapprove any involvement in the matter and that was a fact.

Alexander stared at the man and his expression turned from interest towards his surroundings. To an emotion that eerily matched his tone. As he had a deathly calm expression. He was not about to get upset nor was he going to be intimidated by this individual. Instincts told him he needed to remain level headed despite whatever was thrown his way. He also swore whether or not he had knowledge of how to use the light saber. If a battle droid of this man dared forced him around again, he'd calmly see what an instinctive swing of the lightsaber could make of the droid. After all it did a good job of cutting through most things Alexander had touched it against.

Though Alexander eventually took a breath and relaxed. He still appeared calm though it wasn't so deathly serious. Alexander wanted to do his best to make this man's job as easy as possible. Even if he was coming across illy. The man was trying to do his job and get to the bottom of this mess. Whatever means he felt it was necessary to do so Alexander would try his best to respect. Though it would be difficult when this man was trying to place Alexander's I don't know answers as Alexander trying to play stupid.

[member="Adekos"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

He gave a heavy sigh, pinching the area of his mask where his nose might have been. "Residency... In a way... You suppose?" Adekos moved his hand away from his face and clasped his hands together behind his back. "You either live here or you don't."

This man's wits seemed to have been addled by one thing or another. There did not seem to be a direct effort towards deception on this man's part, just ignorance. Frustrating, complicating ignorance. Of course it was in the midst of this investigation that he had to deal with a Force sensitive amnesiac. There was hardly a more inopportune time for it. But like everything else that Adekos encountered in his long-winded life, it would be dealt with. He had the feeling he would not be getting any real answers from this one, so he would call on another.

"Go bring the sheriff out here." He directed to one of the droids.

The TA1 that had been holding Alexander's head obeyed and left, but the other remained close by. The sheriff was what passed for local law in this town- the Techno Union could hardly spare droids for each little hamlet, seeing as it wasn't exactly profitable. Then again, perhaps they would need to. Poisoning reservoirs had a tendency to impact local economies, and not for the better. It would be a few minutes before the droid returned with the detained sheriff in tow in any event. More than enough time to continue chatting. "We'll see if he recognizes you. In the meantime, I shall try a more simple question: what is your name?"

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

"Alexander Thenveer." He replied in a short and simple reply. "My apologies this is taking a bit longer then you'd like." he replied as he felt relieved he didn't have to bother having his head snapped around. That took some of the tension away from the situation as Alexander glanced back towards the bodies. More specifically towards the body of the man he'd been caught slightly off guard by. Again he narrowed his eyes at it as he tried his best to place how he had known the person. Alexander wasn't unsure that he knew him anymore. He had an instinctive urge telling him it was guaranteed he'd known the guy. As Alexander rolled his right shoulder and tried to get comfortable while he could.

He reached into his robe and touched the hilt of the lightsaber. Making sure it was still there, as just a means of reassurance. Though he also didn't want to keep any secrets that would be ill taken as problems. So to make this man easier and to rid himself of the temptation of using the weapon. Likely leading to getting himself killed. Alexander slowly removed the hilt of the... well his lightsaber and reached his arm slowly out. As he laid it down on the ground where the man leading this investigation could clearly see it. Before Alexander returned his hand back to his side. As he hoped while they had time to converse this man would have time to help Alexander's problem's out. Alexander wanted to man to see the weapon set aside and in view away from Alexander, as Alexander's passive way of stating that despite his annoyingly poor ability to provide answers. Alexander was on the same side in this situation, as he was trying his best to be helpful, and not make himself the enemy.

[member="Adekos"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

There was a raised eyebrow behind Adekos' mask as Alexander retrieved his lightsaber and cautiously laid it out on the ground. "Do you usually whip out Jedi weapons in the middle of a conversation, mister Thenveer, or are we breaking new ground here today?" Adekos reached out with one hand, calling the grounded lightsaber to him. The weapon shot through the air and snapped into his waiting hand, ferried there by the unseen Force. The blade snapped to life in his hand, and Adekos spent a few silent moments examining the green lightsaber blade.

"You hold a lightsaber. You must have had some sort of apprenticeship. It doesn't appear to me that it lasted very long." Adekos eventually commented, giving the lightsaber a cursory twirl. "You have the distinct stench of someone who lacks discipline. I would guess that you're a deserter of one stripe or another. Do you remember constructing this?"

The lightsaber deactivated abruptly and Adekos tossed it lightly back into the sand in front of Alexander. Armed or not, Adekos wasn't exactly intimidated by someone who wasn't even half of his age.

"Or, better yet, why don't you tell me what you do remember?"

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

"I'm sure it is mine only because I found it on myself in a sheath on my robe specially designed for it. It came with another though the other was damaged. I do not recall constructing it, nor do I remember entirely how to wield it. I only brought it out as I'm sure it'd be too much of a security risk for you, should I have kept it on me." He replied in a quick and non avoidance manner. "I have little memory of anything. I know my name, I know I'm approximately 18, and I know I somehow have a above average connection to the thing referred to as the force. Beyond that I recall nothing aside from waking up in a hut a little ways away from here, and then relocating myself to a home I kind of made myself." he explained to the man as he looked to the lightsaber. In truth seeing the green blade made him bubbly inside. "Also I like the color green I think." he added as a side fact. Though he knew that wasn't anything that was necessarily helpful.

Alex looked back to the middle aged man. "I was hoping someone similar though much more experienced, and who held the knowledge would eventually run across me. I am seeking answers to many things. Though aside from wanting a teacher. That man..." Alexander said as he pointed towards the man who kept drawing his attention. "He is familiar to me, and though I do not know how. I have an odd suspicion sir that he might have a indirect relationship to the events here, aside from he was killed to the incident that happened here." Alexander explained as he narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to jump to assumptions. Though something about the man, the fact Alexander knew him, and the fact all these events were unfolding. Was leaving Alexander with a feeling in his gut, that the words he just spoke were definitely the truth.

[member="Adekos"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

"Interesting." Adekos mused aloud. In the distance behind Alexander, the TA1 Droid reappeared with the sheriff in-tow. Adekos gave a shooing gesture to the droid and, without further explanation to the beleaguered Cerean sheriff, the TA1 dragged him back off. As of now, Adekos had elected to make an executive decision- one that stipulated it no longer mattered if Thenveer was a native of this town or if he committed the crime being investigated. He had decided that Thenveer was destined for far, far greater things. That is, if he had the disposition necessary for it.

"You have what we in the business call a 'second chance.' If I like your answers to the questions I'm about to ask, your relationship with any of the deceased," He paused, gesturing to the body bags, "Will be irrelevant."

"Who you were and what you've done before you woke up in this town no longer matters. You're young and attuned to the Force- you can become anyone you choose to be. Are you going to waste your time backtracking across the galaxy to recover some mediocre identity you've already shed? Or are you going to press forward and make your own fortunes?"

He clasped his hands together behind his back. His eyes narrowed, but obviously with a mask like his it was a fruitless gesture. "And more importantly, do you intend to use your connection to the Force to serve it, or make it serve you?"

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

"I feel I'll reply to your statements in reverse order." He replied to him as he listened to each of the questions. Taking a moment to calculate his responses. "If we're dealing with the force, the thing that binds all of the universe together, and foretells destiny and such forth. I feel it requires a mutual understanding. One must listen even to the lowest of subjects if it offers them what they need to become more. Though also one must establish themselves as a leader opposed to a follower when it comes to destiny. Therefore I feel that when it boils down the force will be my servant, as it is better to control destiny then let it run you over and over, and should it try to run you over, though mistakes are unfavorable, they are something one must use to become wiser and more powerful." He replied as he placed his hands behind his back. That was the easier of the questions to respond in his opinion. As he looked to the man and felt the same unyielding sense of calmness. He could almost mistake it as a sense of defiance.

Alexander took time pondering the question. It was a moral and personal conflict about wanting to find out who he was. Though the man had a point. The old life was shed for a reason. Therefore looking forwards and at the present was a priority. "I feel inclined to focus on the future, and keep the present on check. Although I have curiosities of my past. I must accept that the life I once had was cast aside with the sole purpose of my future being brighter. Who I become and who I am, are priority opposed to who I once was. Though should my past bring itself to light. I will use the offered knowledge, though will never allow it to control the future. The past is called the past for a reason. If everyone spent there whole lives looking backwards, the future would be dull." he concluded as he looked to Adekos and hoped his answers, as though they were entirely honest. Possibly even slightly philosophical. He was wishing that they were what this man was looking for. Alexander wanted to have a broad perspective towards things. Not a narrow minded opinion. If one was too narrow minded they'd never learn anything, though he also noted that if one was too open minded they could become lost, and that is why Alexander's replies offered direction towards his opinion as well.

[member="Adekos"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

There was a long pause after Alexander replied. Adekos found both answers to be satisfactory, although how he viewed his relation to the Force would need to be corrected. Thenveer was on the right path, but the Force did not foretell the destiny of others. Some seers, such as Darth Isolda, could use the Force to glimpse brief moments into the future. The Force itself foretold nothing. The people who channeled the Force in that regard did. Many would insist the Force was some entity with a definitive will of its own, content to watch the galaxy and pull the strings of those gifted with its influence. The Jedi, Silver and otherwise, espoused this particularly.

Adekos was of the opinion that they were all idiots.

The Force was a tool. Adekos likened it to a hammer, as it had the capacity to both create and destroy depending on the disposition of the wielder. Some Sith seemed to only embrace its more destructive aspects, but it was their loss. The Sith were far better company than the Jedi, but the majority of them (barring a few exceptions that Adekos considered close colleagues) were blind to the grand scheme of things. They lacked foresight and the capacity to plan for the future. Speaking of futures, Alexander seemed content to focus on his own. Adekos could relate. Back in the day, he would often catch himself wondering how he could have turned out if he had never been abducted and indoctrinated into the Sith. He also had pondered over the fate of his birth parents, where they were now, if they'd be proud?

Again, all irrelevant. The past was the past, and Adekos had far more important things to do than entertain his own childish curiosity. Thenveer alluded that he would eventually seek out his origins, but he also said he would not let it effect whatever he would become in the future. If that sort of wisdom were prevalent among all his age, this would have been a very different galaxy indeed.

After a minute, Adekos spoke again. "I must say, I find your answers rather... Commendable. And so I am inclined to make you an offer, mister Thenveer." The Umbaran gestured, and the TA1 that had been hovering oppressively behind Alexander released the young man's shoulder and took a step back. "Pledge yourself to my teachings; become my apprentice. Through me, the mysteries of the Force can be revealed to you, and the tools necessary to make your mark on this galaxy granted. In return, I ask only for your obedience until such a time comes as you may forge your own path."

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

[member="Adekos"]


Alexander considered the options. Presently he was seeking a person to guide him. As well as this man did currently his fate in the palms of his hand. As Alexander was originally here to be interrogated. Though the future was to be his focus. Could Alexander see this man leading him to greatness. Yes... Alexander saw a good amount of potential learning a lot from this man. Which meant that Alexander would agree to this man's terms. "I will accept your offer, and become your apprentice. Is their any title you wish for me to refer to you as from now onwards?" Alexander responded to the man. As he bowed his head in respect to the man ahead of him. Accepting the man as his leader, and teacher. As well as Master if that was what was required of Alexander to move to the future.

Alexander was a loyal individual. So the obeying wouldn't be a problem. If Adekos said strike, Alexander would strike with a vengeance unmatched. If Adekos told him to observe, Alexander's attention would be unwavering towards the object or area. Alexander felt a flame ignited. As he had a future set in motion now. No longer would he be bound to the present and focus only on surviving the world. Now he could do something about the universe, and leave an impression Alexander would most certainly do.

 

[Caulder Dune]

(( Sorry for the late response. Got tied up elsewhere. ))

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

"I am Adekos, Ascendant of the Obsidian Order." Adekos said by way of introduction, something he had skipped over until now. "But you will abridge that to 'Master' so long as you are under my tutelage."

His last apprentice had clashed with him on an ideological level. Her training never completed, she ran away to join the governmental equivalent of a circus. Another fantastic waste of time. The one prior to that had been a fellow Umbaran, but her plans frequently unraveled before they could be executed. She was still active somewhere in the galaxy, but kept a low and barely noticeable profile. A successful apprentice, certainly, but if she wasn't going to leave her mark on the galaxy, Adekos' legacy after he died was still in jeopardy. Prior to that he had mentored a Miraluka girl. She grew up to be some sort of wandering warrior, doing good deeds across the galaxy. Apparently she had been shagged by Grandmaster DragonsFlame before she wound up dead somewhere before she could do anything... Memorable.

All those wasted years. But here was a chance to try again. Adekos was normally adverse to buying into sexist stereotypes, but by now he was considering that perhaps the feminine mentalities possessed by his previous apprentices had contributed heavily to their failures. Perhaps it was actually some shortcoming of his as a teacher?

Oh, perish the thought.

"Stand, Apprentice. You will first choose a new name for yourself, and thereby be rid of the last ties to your past."

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

Alexander listened to his master's speech. As he stood and dipped his head in understanding. A word came to mind as a name he wished to take for himself. One that he felt would best suit him. "I wish to be known as Greitis, Master." He replied to Adekos. As he felt a tingle run through him. It had to be from the excitement of starting this new phase of his existence. As he'd do more then his best to make his master feel ensured his legacy would continue on through Ale.... Well no Greitis. This new name would take little time to adjust to. He was a quick learner after all.

Greitis waited to see if his lightsaber would eventually be handed back. It was a trustable weapon and one he'd hate to part with. Though it was in his master's hands what was done with that. As Greitis simply waited for further instructions. As he was sure someone would need to pay for the murders done here.

[member="Adekos"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Alexander Thenveer"]

"Then rise, Greitis. And retrieve your weapon- the investigation here is now your business as much as mine."

Greitis' lightsaber still lay in the sand where Adekos had tossed it to him. The construction of a lightsaber was often an important part of training, but it remained to be seen whether or not Greitis had that special bond with his weapon. If it made any complications, then they would be rectified in short order. For now it would be a manner of waiting and seeing. Adekos wanted to gain a sense of how his apprentice would operate- how he would interact with the world around him and act in scenarios that required a measure of finesse.

It was good they were investigating a multiple homicide case, then. "Your first trial will start now. I am a very busy man, Greitis, and I have many things to do. This investigation has kept me preoccupied for far too long. From here on out, you will take charge of my team here. I want to see the perpetrator in our custody within the next forty-eight hours."

The Jedi would have given him an easier task. The Jedi were fairly easy-going when it came to acquainting their new recruits with the ways of the Force. Adekos suspected that was the reason they were losing the war- badly -against the increasing onslaught of One Sith. There was no intention on this Umbaran's part to rear a weakling better suited to the AgriCorps than enforcing the iron will of law and order across this destitute Outer Rim world. Things would be difficult. This was how character got built.

"You will have the resources the Techno Union dispatched to this operation at your disposal, including myself, to a point. Any suspicious orders and I may override them. Any questions?"

 

[Alexander Thenveer]

"No, Master. My orders are clear as the focusing lens in a lightsaber." Greitia responsed. "I won't allow the perpetrator to escape justice for his senseless killing." He replied as he opened his palm and returned his weapon to it's hiding spot. Before he looked towards the body he recognized earlier. "I want a team of two to seek around for anyone who might be able to identify that man, and any people who they've noticed him interacting with. We find them and we began to get answers. The remaining men will be split between escorting and assisting me on my personal agenda regarding this investigation, making sure that nobody travels out, and monitors who is arriving, and the rest will be designated to listening and observing any rumors, comments, or actions that may leave a person suspicious towards the whereabouts of the killer. Curfews will be strictly enforced as well as rations are to be provided by our men alone. People will be needing to inspect nightly inspections of personal residences and the surrounding areas. Anyone who has information regarding passersbies need to provide what they know." Greitis stated in one large summary of his plans as he bowed to his master.

"Permission to leave your presence and complete what you expect of me master?" He asked as the adrenaline was rushing. Probably due to the thrill of knowing that his actions were to be time regulated. As that meant that it'd require speed in both thought and movement with no errors allowed. It motivated him to do right by his new master's eyes and place the killer of innocents to justice as quickly as possible as time was not their friend.

[member="Darth Adekos"]