Turning Lead into Gold [Valik]

[Azrael]

Taris​

Middle City​

Neo-Crusader Outpost​

​

Having returned to the vode from his long excursion into the black, he'd yet to fully tell his tale of what he'd gone through in the nearly eight month span of time that he was gone. There had been no communication between himself and Mandalore, or any of the Mando'ade during this time. And while he still held the resolute and in-dominate will of the vode within him, the time had worn heavy on the half-blood's mind, as the things he endured, and the situations he encountered had forever changed the young Mandalorian in ways he was still not ready to divulge. Out there he had suffered loss, regretted many decisions, and faced his past time and time again in ways he was not prepared for. The heartbeat of the vode was with him, and he was certain that the ramikadyc was the reason he was still alive. Among his trials in wild-space, Azrael had come across some powerful creatures, and those battles had made him question, made him doubt if he could truly stand with the rest of the vode if he couldn't somehow counter these measures. In contemplation of these affairs, the Field Marshal had taken a trip to the city-world of Taris.

The Neo-Crusader outpost in the middle city level was a stronghold of some of their rising troops. On occassion Rally Masters and Field Marshals would take visits to this outpost to inspect the troops and find those who were dominating the competition and bring them to Mandalore for adoption ceremonies. They were a step ahead of the Red Legion, but their purpose was similiar in keeping the worlds that they had under their influence in check, and making sure that they thrived. Mand'alor had seen to this after the issue he had seen with the Journeyman. Neither himself or Azrael wanted to see that mess rear it's head again. The Ca'prudii had already made birth at their docks and he'd taken a tour through the facility as normal. His visit here however was not to inspect the troops, he had other plans that would be kept off the books as it were.

Taking up a short residence in one of the outpost lavatories, stocked to the brim with equipment, Azrael had set to work in studying some of the loose information he had gathered about the secret practices of alchemy. He'd been in touch with Isley Verd on a few occasions about the subject, and while he wasn't sensitive to the Force in anyway, that didn't keep him from understanding the practice with enough reading material. The flimsi that he could acquire was not detailed or very helpful in any way of how to actually preform the actions - that not he could anyway. What it did help him realize was some of the main components of the art, and the various uses that could come from performing it on various structures. Normally he would of turned to Isley for such matters, but he had fallen off the grid, and he wasn't about to track down a man who didn't want to be found. Fools errand.

There was however another - someone he'd met early on in his career as a Mandalorian, on Mandalore itself. He was not a welcome visitor, as his ties with the dar'jetti were well known and documented. Despite the reception from most of the vode, Azrael had found him to be helpful, knowledgeable, and for the right price, willing to help the Mando'ade. Even if it meant going against the dar'jetti. In point of fact, it was this man who had suggested that strategy. From his post on Taris, Azrael sent out a message through an encrypted S-thread to Vailk.

:: Message from Taris ::​

:: Proof of missive verified ::​

:: Decrypting::​

​

Vailk. This is Field Marshal Azrael of Clan Skirata. I have a proposal for you in the field of Alchemy. I have cleared a port for you at the Neo-Crusader combound in the middle-city of Taris. Payment will be made for your assistance.​

(Coordinates for the meet and a channel signature were included in the message)​

​

:: Transmission Complete ::​

​

[member="Valik"]​

 

[Valik]

Valik received a message one day from "Field Marshal Azrael of Clan Skirata". Last he checked he hadn't unleashed any plagues or sithspawn on the Mandalorians, which meant the call was business. He must have been directed to Valik by Rel Connery, whom he'd helped build the Shev'la Kal with, the first stealthed capital ship in the galaxy since the Gulag plague. Was the largest for quite a while until the Obscurity reared it's ugly face in the galaxy, though he had heard through the grapevine that the Shev'la Kal was once again the largest in the galaxy.

In any case the message was simple. "Alchemy for pay at the place." was essentially what he said. Valik didn't really need credits, certainly didn't need them enough to risk heading into Sith-hating Mando territory, but the man was a Field Marshall, and the Mandalorians had many resources far more valuable than credits. Beskar, Stygium, Ysalamiri, Vornskr, and so many other resources. If he could barter a trade for any of them it'd be a trip well spent. Valik thought for only a moment before sending a return message.

This is Valik, and I will meet you at the given coordinates in three days time. I will warn you though, I am not a man with a high value for credits, and as such my price won't include them.

With the message sent he headed over to Taris, keeping to his word and getting over to Taris in three days time. The unignited lightsaber at his hip was a beacon, allowing him to be easily identified as the man this "Azrael" was searching for. If this was a trap he'd make sure the Mandalorian paid for it dearly, but their was simply too much opportunity in this meeting for him not to risk it.

[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

Generally a restricted port of the middle-city, complete with anti-aircraft firepower; the port in question was as easily navigated and attained as any public transport would be at the loading docks for common sky-lane traffic. There were a few Neo-crusaders on the platform, but they weren't paying much attention to the ship that had landed. The reason behind their apparent lack of interest was the charcoal gray and maroon armored figure that stood at the foot of the port's steps. Arms crossed over his chest while the vessel touched down, and let out a woosh of exhaust steam to billow onto the durasteel plating below. A crimson visor met the craft with an appraising view. Azrael had received the missive earlier in the week and had made preparations for the arrival of Valik to the compound. Last time that he had seen him on Mandalore, Valik had been met with hostile vode, with several armed warriors training their guns on his head and chest, looking for an excuse to pull the trigger. There would be none of that fan-fare here under his command.

Having several questions already prepped and ready to go, he felt a twinge of excitement rise in his body. While at the same juncture a period of doubt crossed his mind as he watched the Fringe scientist depart the vessel and step down the loading ramp. The lightsaber tapping against his hip with every stride a notable accessory for his Sith ties. Still no response came from the other Mandalorians, and there would be none unless Valik himself started something. With the closer proximity, Azrael raised his hands to the buy'ce and lifted the item off his head to look the man eye to eye. The helmet absently went to a clipped position on his hip, resting at the ready. He too had weapons linked to his armor, but they were sheathed for the time being. A Mandalorian was always ready.

"Greetings, and welcome to the outpost. You might remember me, we met a year ago on Mandalore." Azrael put out his right hand, offering a gesture of good-will in the form of a handshake. He wasn't always so polite, but when dealing with someone of Valik's reputation, he wouldn't risk hostility in the face of the business he wished to discuss with the man. It was a rough guess at the time-frame, but Valik had met him before when he came to Mandalore in hopes of creating an early warning detection device that would give Manda'yaim a sporting head start on any kind of incursion from the Sith faction at that time. Despite that never taking place beyond rough blueprints, he still remembered the man. A Mandalorian never forgets.

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

Valik wasn't normally one for shaking hands, but he got over it and took the Mandalorian Field Marshall's hand and gave it a firm shake. He wasn't very strong, so it might have been felt as such, but it was firm as he could muster.

"Ah yes, when I wanted to get that project done a while back. Shame that never really worked out." He said as he took his hand back to his side. "I'm surprised you'd even remembered the task. Guess Mandalorians are sharp as they say." He complimented, hopefully easing any tension before they got to business.

"So, what sort of alchemical proposal do you have in mind exactly?" He asked. Normally he'd discuss price first, but with the Mandalorian not giving details over the h-mail he needed to know the job first, to get a good feel on what to charge later.

[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

The Dar'jetti were a thorn in the paw of the lion like culture of the Mandalorians, and while the faction as a whole treated the thought of them as repulsive, they were also individuals. Azrael personally had never encountered the Sith except for a war zone situation. He'd never been personally wronged by them, or had a history that left such a bad taste in his mouth. Isley Verd was probably the closest he ever came to holding a grudge, but the man had redeemed himself. He had no quarrel with the Sith, or their affiliates on a direct one-on-one level, and he didn't plan on starting that. There were enough issues in the Galaxy without adding more onto his plate unnecessarily. The handshake was nominal -- but he didn't often shake palm to palm. If Mandalorians shook, they grasped wrist to wrist in a brother of arms mentality. Regardless, he gave a curt nod to Valik as he mentioned the project that never took off.

"I make it a point to remember people, especially of your reputation." It wasn't a condescending tone, in point of fact it was a compliment. Despite his ties with the Sith, and his own practices - Valik wasn't out for blood (at least not that he'd seen), and that made him a potentially if not uneasy ally. The question came out, a small furrow of his brow and narrowing of his eyes came before his face relaxed and he turned to draw his arm up, gesturing towards the bunker he's been using as his makeshift office on Taris. "Let's go inside, this is a private matter." He stated before turning to escort Warren through the outpost courtyard and into a space he had secured for himself and only his invited guests. Inside there was a durasteel desk, and upon it were several dozen sheets of flimsi, a data-pad and a holo-emitter. He'd been using all of these resources to come up with a solution, something that he could present to a practitioner of the art of Alchemy. He certainly didn't intend on going into this blind.

"I had some unfortunate encounters with some unsavory Force users in the past couple of months. Obviously it wasn't dire, but I had some issues I wasn't prepped for." Azrael commented as he stepped towards the table and flicked on an overhead examination light. The room had been used as a laboratory of sorts, and there was some equipment that Valik would certainly find common place in a decently stocked lab. Most of it were in cabinets and on shelves collecting dust though. Taking a seat in one of the chairs, Azrael lifted his left arm and placed it to rest on the table. The light above reflecting off the gleaming metal. It wasn't nearly as polished as it had been since it was grafted onto his body, but it was still in good condition. The durasteel and quadranium alloys didn't allow for rust or decay as normal corrosion methods were concerned. There was certainly an inherent design to serve as a strength asset and load bearing properties. His grip strength alone was quite impressive. It boasted a near full range of motion, allowing him to turn his wrist and arm as if it was flesh, but not exactly as precise. A complete hand capped the end, with each digit ending in a sharpened point which had been designed to shred and tear weaker alloys. The forearm also boasted a liquid cable launcher with a spike like claw that could grasp into permacrete for repelling purposes.

"I got this on Ord Mantell when I was in the scrap business. I've gotten used to it, and it comes in handy more times than not. From what I've read over, alchemy deals with manipulating metal, and I thought you could do something with this, enhance it to combat Force-adepts. It's vulnerable to electricity, in apparently any form. First hand experience with the lightning that you can conjure, even more so." His eyes shifted upwards towards Valik. "I aim to change that, and that's why I sent for you."

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

As the Field Marshall spoke Valik couldn't help but notice how strictly diplomatic the man was, how little he cared about Valik's nature as a Sith. He was either a very good diplomat, or a man simply indifferent to Valik's history and position. Though Valik would normally condemn this as a mark of foolishness, Valik instead saw it in this man as a sign of wisdom. He recognized a business opportunity and didn't try to jeopardize it with visible discontent or hostility. Perhpas he actually had his guard down and still played the fool, but there was no way for Valik to know. It wasn't something he'd test today.

In any case he followed the man to his secluded lab, proceeding with a lack of haste and a focus on observation, ensuring that there were no traps waiting for him. There were none to speak of oddly enough, as Valik found himself in a laboratory. Not top of the line or anything crazy, but more than adequately stocked, if a bit dusty. While Valik examined various parts of the laboratory he listened as the Mandalorian spoke of having issues with fighting 'unsavory Force Users', a more polite term for Sith if he had to guess. He supposed that was to be expected. Evolutionary speaking he was at a disadvantage. Still, he had the power to fix it, and by the words [member="Azrael"] spoke as he looked at his arm it was something the Mandalorian realized too. In fact, it wasn't even really a difficult job. But it was still a job, which meant he still needed payment.

"I can stop you from suffering the effects of Force Lightning, though EMP and Ion weapons will still be an issue. I can even add a few bells and whistles on it. However-" He said, before bringing his eyes to meet the mandalorians. "I do not work for free. For this I'll need" He said, before pausing a moment in thought. "A live and properly stored Ysalamiri."

 

[Azrael]

Over a year ago, when he took his first steps onto Mandalore, his feelings about his bionic left arm were mixed and troubled. It was alien to him, a foreign appendage that sitting where he had once had an arm. While it served its purpose, it was an uneasy and strange component to his body. Azrael had worked to train himself to become accustomed to its size and weight. Forcing himself to use it more and more, until the synpases of his brain began to treat it like it was his own arm. On a certain mentality level he still knew it would never fully replace his lost limb, but he understood the necessity of it. Ever the reminder of that fateful day, the metallic cap to his shoulder baring a faded image of the extinct Mythosaur of the Mandalorians. A year ago he'd be hard pressed to even speak about it, and now he was going to let a Sith scientist modify it through powers he couldn't even comprehend. A lot had changed for the half-blood in that time, and he was ready for the next step.

Valik's price didn't surprise Azrael, considering he had given him fair warning that credits were not what the man sought. This was to be a barter of goods for services rendered; and as long as the man came through on his end, the result would be the same with Azrael. Myrkr was housed in Mandalorian space, and the Liberator -- Mia Monroe had just finished construction on a devastating battle tank that would prove infinitely useful to their ground assaults against the Sith using these creatures. He knew enough about them to understand the desire that Valik might have for their use. One was not a price that would argue with, and it was obtainable through the right channels. It wasn't as easy as going to a galactic pet shop however, and it was likely that the Mandalorians would have to give them willingly before anyone else could get their greedy mits on the lizards.

"That can be arranged." Azrael said as he stood, lifting a small transponder from his utility belt and offering it over to Valik. "Use this to contact me with a location for the meet, and I'll come with payment." This wasn't to be a recorded event in the logs of Mandalorian history. While he trusted his vode with his life, he also didn't think they would appreciate the deal he was striking. He personally saw no betrayal of the Mando'ade in this movement, but personal vendettas with his adopted family could certainly turn this business transaction into something far more unpleasant, and unprofessional. He'd keep them in the dark on this for now.

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

Valik took the transponder and took a brief moment to see it's past history. He only did a brief search but there was no sign of any tracking devices or explosives latched on, so he put the transponder in his jacket pocket. "I may be an alchemist, but I am also a business man Field Marshall. I would prefer not to render services with payment being in the distance, and uncertain. Shall we meet again in three, four days time or so? Allow me to draw up some sketches on what to do to your arm and you to collect a Ysalamiri and nutrient frame." He suggested. "We could meet sooner or later than that depending on how long it takes you to procure your materials."

Simply put, Valik didn't have faith in the Field Marshall, or anyone really, to provide service with delayed payment. It was nothing personal, merely good business. Hopefully the mandalorian would see that, and if he didn't? He was probably likely to have tried to screw Valik anyways.

[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

Valik's reaction to his offer was something slightly unexpected. He hadn't meant to have the man work his alchemy in the confines of this less than suitable laboratory. He wasn't entirely sure if it even could be done here. He assumed in his novice knowledge that preparations would have to be made, and a more complete and well set up location would be in the mind of the Sith to do his work. Though he would be impressed if he could do something like that on the fly without needing a specialized lab to conduct such an affair. The puzzled look of the Field Marshal shifted though as he gave a solemn nod to the arrangement as Valik pocketed the transponder.

"That had been my intention all along. I didn't suppose this place would be up to your standards for this procedure anyway." Azrael gestured with his arm. The state of the lab was not in complete disrepair, but he could see it hadn't been used in sometime. The Neo-Crusader outpost had taken over this spot, and had been using it as a military base, not a science lab. Thus all the pieces and parts of the previous function were tucked away and littered with a layer of dust. They didn't have much need of these supplies anyway. "I should have the payment in a few days time, give me coordinates when you're ready and I'll meet you wherever is convenient." The only reason he was here at this base was because he wasn't going to do this in front of his vode.

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

The Mandalorian gave Valik a puzzled a look before giving him a nod, and explaining that he had intended to meet Valik at a later date, which admittedly confused Valik. Why bring him to a lab and not ask him to make something on the spot? But he supposed the thought that he'd require a more sophisticated lab wasn't an odd one, though Valik tried to be resourceful when he could.

"Let's meet here then. I'll bring some equipment of my own and we'll get it done then." He said. "A ysalamiri for a better arm then." He said, before extending a hand. Many social customs put out a handshake to iron out a deal, and Valik wasn't the one to put his deeds on paper, so this was as good as any a way to convey trust, and help reinforce the mandalorian keeping his word.

[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

Once the agreement had been reached and the time had been settled, Azrael saw Valik back to his shuttle, eyeing the craft as he watched it break the atmosphere and sail away into the black. A glance down at his bionic arm was then offered, as he shifted and bent it, inspecting the digits as they closed and opened. The memory of it's necessity, and it's construction was etched into his mind, and often replayed, especially at night. It had been a year, and the night terrors had subsided a great deal, but it never left him. Like the arm itself, he was always reminded of the cost of his life, of becoming a Mandalorian. He knew he was destined by the Manda to be part of the Mando'ade, there was no doubt in his mind about that. He often wondered though if things had gone differently, if he hadn't been shaped through those trials would he even be standing here today. Those questions would weigh on him, but he had work to do, and things to arrange.

Three Days Later

In the interim of time, Azrael had made the journey to the Mandalorian owned planet of Myrkr to procure payment for the Fringe Scientist he'd begun a contract with. Recently, the furry yellow lizards had been an integral part of a construction project overseen by the Field Marshal and former Manda'lor; Mia Monroe. A large ground assault vehicle which boasted a host of the Ysalamir to thwart the doings of any Force wielder that would stand against the Mando'ade. It was an impressive vehicle to say the very least, and he was looking forward to seeing how it fared in the thick of battle. With the New Order marking the extinction records of another fallen faction, the rest of the Force Wielding community had a clear message that the vode would not relent should they attempt anything against their territory. While Monroe needed a sizable amount, Azrael needed only one of the Force repelling creatures from the planet.

Ensuring the creature's continual survival outside it's native habitat, the nutrient box that were customized to safely care for the longevity of the yellow lizard was acquired with relative ease. Answering only to Mand'alor had it's advantages after all. The Field Marshal found the Ysalamir a rather docile and content creature. It had even ridden shotgun to him in the Ca'Prudii on his way back to Taris. The Force had always been very alien to him, having never truly felt anything of the sort, and only seen its power displayed a few times. What he was preparing for however was that self-same Force to be applied to his own bionic appendage, augmenting it to deal with the fury of Force Lightning. He'd already discovered first hand how jarring and painful the attack could be, and guarding against it was one of his top priorities.

Three days had come and gone, and once more Azrael was awaiting the return of Valik, having the requirement payment. Trusting the Sith wasn't something he was normally comfortable in doing, but he had enough confidence in the intentions of the Scientist to ease that discomfort and make this nothing more than a business transaction. It was also apparent to the Field Marshal that Valik would likely be just as uneasy in dealing with the Mandalorians in such a capacity without getting a good read on their own intentions. They were not friends, and likely never would be in the strictest sense, but you didn't have to be friends to do business, you didn't even really have to like each other. However, respect was mandatory, and Valik had already earned Azrael's both in the past year and in the present.

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

Valik arrived at the same lab at Taris, three days later, with more than a couple boxes of equipment to modernized the lab. Preparations would be simple enough, but Valik had postponed setting up equipment until he was sure of payment. He waited patiently for the Mandalorian, or perhaps the ensuing ambush, but none came. No snipers shot at him, no grenades were thrown his way, no jet-packed squads of super-commandos came in to try and take him down. But then there was a moment of coldness, his senses dulled. No longer could he feel what was around him, nor could he pull the lightsaber at his belt to his hands without reaching over and pulling it out manually. His eyes and ears were alert, ever on the lookout for that potential ambush that a paranoid man like Valik was always expecting, but instead he was greeted by the Field Marshall Azrael once again. It seemed the man had lived up his bargain.

"That is quite the remarkable creature you found for me Field Marshall." He said as he greeted the man, his expression allowing a small grin. "We'll have to keep it out here while we complete the procedure. Are you ready to begin?"

[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

Metallic digits clutched the durasteel handle of the strong box, of which contained the nutrient frame. A golden-yellow lizard with fur covered scales rested placidly upon the branch extracted from Myrkr. The long sharp talons of the creature sunk deep into the wood, as it's black eyes shifted slowly back and forth. The Ysalamir was curious enough, but rather stationary. They were not swift moving creatures, and not easily startled. Footsteps clipped the landing area as Valik's ship docked and he stepped off the ramp. Grey eyes set on the scientist while he approached. Azrael felt nothing from the presence of the lizard, and nothing without the presence either. He had never been affected by the Force. Never tugged this way or that - there was no extra-dimensional energy that guided his steps from day to day. The sway of the Force was foreign to him in practice, but he understood that it was a very real and powerfully ally.

"Right. I believe I read something about a ten meter range." The Field Marshal replied as he approached further, offering to allow Valik to place the creature in his ship for safekeeping. He trusted the man enough to understand he wouldn't just cut and run with payment in hand. Neither wanted this transaction to go south - as they were both benefiting from the arrangement. "I'll be inside, any of the Crusaders will assist you with equipment." He gave a nod and the nods returned from the Crusaders by the dock. Neither were armed, but still wore their iconic armor selections. Once he handed over the lizard, the half-blood parted company and turned to move into the bunker he'd setup for the process. It was cleaner than last time, having removed the dust, and arranged a table that was more appropriate and well lit for whatever Valik needed to use.

Inside the bunker, Azrael lifted his left arm and placed it upon the durasteel table. Three small compartments on the forearm, near the wrist, were opened and unlatched. The contents of which were then laid beside his arm on the table in a neat row. One hydrospanner, a copper cylinder topped with a black cap, and an injection vial of Bacta. Three items that the young Mandalorian carried with him at all times. While the tool and injector were commonplace, the cylinder contained something irreplaceable that was near and dear to the Field Marshal's heart. Closing each compartment, he also deactivated and removed the attached liquid cable launcher and hook array. Digits flexed into a fist and released several times as his grey eyes admired the appendage while Valik made the preparations. He was ready.

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

The emptiness that Valik felt was admittedly overwhelming, a sign that perhaps that he had become too reliant on the Force. The Force was a tool, the most powerful he knew, but still a tool and a proper Sith, hell a proper man, should always be able to adapt to a new environment. He might have to do some Force-less combat training later, but for now there were more pressing matters.

"Thank you." He said, before taking the Ysalamiri and heading into his ship, dropping it off and locking the door behind him. The Field Marshall hadn't betrayed him yet, but that didn't mean Valik wasn't cautious. Heading over to the bunker he got into the lab and found the Mandalorian with his arm upon the table, pieces removed and next to the arm. Valik took out a datapad and began scanning the arm.

"Now, because you've been nothing but co-operative and because I'm the best in the business we're not going to stop at absorbing lightning." Valik said, as he took a sonic servo-driver and began taking apart the man's arm, and gathering wiring and servos from his suitcases. "You see, when a Sith Sword absorbs Force Lightning it keeps it there until it's used to hit something, then disperses it all in an attack. A useful tool in an upclose brawl, but not particularly useful in a ranged affair." He said as he added and redirected some wires, while creating an opening at the palm. "Now, if one could channel that energy and redirect it into a blast? Well that would be something." He continued, before putting back together all the system's he'd taken apart.

Valik then pulled out a scalpel and cut diagonally across his palm. The lack of flinching or hesitation about him made it evident this was something he was used to, something he could do without thinking about it. Putting his bleeding hand unto the arm Valik closed his eyes as the blood flowed all across the outer metal and new circuitry Valik had installed, before oddly soaking into the material, as if it were cloth yet leaving no remnants of a stain. Normally this sort of process took a long amount of time, subtly changing the material from durasteel to something denser, something greater, but Valik was an alchemist of experience and power, streamlining processes by hours, sometimes days. Azrael would have felt his arm getting increasingly heavy as the density of the metal increased, possibly even feel the event of the transformation, as a non-force user in a nexus. It was unlikely, but possible.

Opening his eyes after a couple of minutes he pulled his hand away from the arm, now seemlessly stitched together and covered in naught but water, a clean-up by use of the Art of the small. Looking at the arm he gave a slight grin, proud of his work, before turning to the Mandalorian himself.

"Do you wish to test it?"

[member="Azrael"]

 

[Azrael]

The Neo-Crusader outpost held a sizable garrison on base - tasked with ensuring that Taris remained civil under the rule of Mand'alor and the Mando'ade. They provided relief to the lower city, and kept the under-city from rioting too frequently. Above that they were still an extension of the Mandalorian armada, and were warriors in their own right. However, none of them were present in or around the bunker. Azrael had ensured that what was to happen was to happen between himself and Valik alone. He had opened up a great deal since his exodus from Ord Mantell, but he was still at his core a very private and reserved person. Not only was he close lipped about his own struggles, but he wasn't someone who would show off or brag about his triumphs either. There was certainly glory talk of battles between himself and the vode, but it was just merriment and good times among the Mandalorians. Otherwise, his personality remained a stoic resolve when it came to matters of his past unless there was a strong trust tested and tried.

As a man of action and thought, Valik proved himself to waste no time and setting straight to the business of which he was requested. The mechanical appendage before him was at his behest, and Azrael released all control over the limb for the scientist to work on. The Field Marshal had found it harder than he thought it would be, to not react with the arm - almost having forgotten what it felt like as a foreign entity instead of his own trusted limb. It took a few seconds but he began to relax while the Alchemist dismantled part of the mechanics that had fashioned this limb. On occasion Azrael would find the need to do repairs, or general maintenance on the arm with his handy hydrospanner, always in a private setting. The arm though hadn't been dismantled or engineered to this level since it was constructed back on Ord Mantell. The construction was solid, and well put together having gone through a few revisions since it's first incarnation.

"What are the upper limits of the capacity to defend against these attacks? Could a Master of the Force overload this augmentation?" The Field Marshal questioned Valik while he re-wired the appendage with the custom servos he had brought with him in several briefcases. He knew little about Sith Lightning, or the damage that it could do at full power. While he didn't expect to fly onto Coruscant and challenge the collective power of the One Sith - he still wanted to be prepared for a worse case scenario. Grey eyes shifted to his arm that was being pieced back together. It reminded him of the accident, the rage and the pain that flowed through him that day on Ord Mantell. This mechanical limb was a constant weighty token to that dark day. And yet, despite the fact that it was an ever needful addition to himself, he knew it was the path the Manda had for him. Azrael had only been introduced to that sacred Mandalorian path about a year ago, but it had become part of him, as much as this arm was.

Once the reconstruction was completed, the half-blood stared curiously as the scientist who wounded his own palm to press the blood of his veins against the metallic exterior of his arm. Brows knit in confusion and curiosity as the red vitae began to seep into the cracks and crevices between metal plating and servo joints. He felt something akin to a tightening in all the joints, as if the metal itself was pressing together. The molecular bonds were being breached and redirected by the blood of the scientist. Alchemy was a strange and foreign art to the Mandalorian, despite the tome of flimsi he had scoured for the better part of an afternoon. He wasn't aiming at being an expert on the subject, but merely versed on terms, and a broad overview of the craft. Over the few minutes that lapsed, the weight of his arm began to become more real, as the metal condensed into it's alchemized state. Once Valik released the arm, Azrael continued to stare at the limb as if it had just become as foreign and unwieldy as the day it was attached to his body.

"Like the day they put it on." He uttered, while concentrating on the movement of his digits first. The clawed fingers inching back and forth in slow curls. He tested each inch before drawing his arm and hang skyward. The movements were slower, and the strain was apparent on his face. Still he didn't stop or let the limb fall, he was strong enough to weather this change. It would take a bit of time to condition himself to carry it as he had been, but that time would be well invested. Turning the arm around, and observing the change, his hand of flesh rose to greet it, sliding along the exterior of the arm before his eyes glanced to Valik. "Out here." He offered with a head nod to the right. Azrael moved to shoulder the rear door open, leading to one of the Crusader's target ranges. It was also vacant for the time being, as the Field Marshal had planned to use it for just such a demonstration.

[member="Valik"]

 

[Valik]

Valik followed the Mandalorian out into the open, heading over into an empty training facility , with naught but the Field Marshall and a few shooting target for company. Not one to waste time he cleared his mind, focusing his corruption, his rage, and used it to bend the Force to his will. To make it take physical form.

"To answer your question, the only limit to my product is it's singular purpose." He said, before sending Sith Lightning straight at Azrael. He wasn't one of those men who could incinerate a man with lightning, or create long waves and branches of electricity, but he was still a Sith Lord, and his power could obviously be felt and seen by the Mandalorian. Azrael however was untouched by the display, the electricty funneling singularly into his arm. Just like a swordsman could hold the handle of a Sith Sword without being electrocuted Azrael would feel no pain, though perhaps he might feel shock or a 'phantom pain' as if his limb were enduring the power. Sometimes the mind played tricks with itself after all. Stopping the lightning he then took his other hand and unleashed a similar torrent, but with this hand being the opposite of Azrael's prosthetic the curve in the electricity was far more evident. It would continue to store energy until Valik ceased his display.


"No measure of Sith Lightning will compromise your arm. All the strength of your opponent's electricity determines is the effectiveness of your next shot."

@Azrael

 

[Azrael]

Bolts of blue and white rocketed suddenly from the fingertips of the scientist before him. Instinct kicked in, and his bionic arm came up to immediately cover his face as he ducked behind the blast. The arced current instead of following the direct path curved slightly and charged up and down his bionic appendage. The energy danced across the metallic surface, sparking in various grooves, and running against the intricate grooves and wells within the construction. Slowly drawing his arm away to look over the energy coursing through it. His grey eyes caught the reflection of the released power. This was certainly a very different viewpoint than when he had first seen this Sith feat before.

Keeping his arm at level with his chest, and admiring the pure power that radiated across the air and over his arm. Instinct was to hide from the veins of light blue and stark white. His mind told him that there should be some consequence to being struck by this, and yet he knew better than to listen. He had shut out his phantom pains for so long that they were a distant memory. Each bolt coursed across the arm and then seemed to slip inside quietly, vanishing from view and ceasing to arc back and forth across the exterior. It only took seconds after the deluge had ceased for the power to be drawn and stored within his bionic appendage. A small smirk touched the Field Marshal's face as he lifted his eyes towards Valik.

"Good to know. I feel nothing of the charge, but there's a certain weight to it. I know it's in there." He said examining the arm and even brushing his right hand against the exterior. Cool to the touch, it wasn't scorched, it wasn't even warm. The lightning had been contained just as promised, and he felt no backlash. Normally electricity would wreck havoc on his nervous system and paralyze his arm temporarily. This was giving no such effect, and he was pleased. Almost immediately he jerked his right hand away as another torrent of electricity arced out. This time it turned and curved it's trajectory violently so, arcing into the arm as if it was some kind of impromptu lightning rod. It was exactly that after all, but only for the rage and power of Force Lightning. This time Azrael was more confident turning his arm to face vertically as his digits curled into a fist, using the arm as a receptor to the bands of electricity that Valik produced. The grin grew a little bigger once the power had abated.

"You do fine work." He praised the Fringe's scientist before turning his attention to the targets at hand. Slowly he turned his arm and reached forward, uncurling his digits and presenting his palm at the targets down the range. Almost innately he was able to understand the mechanics of the additions, pressing his right hand to his artificial wrist, he steadied his aim and lined up for the blast. On instinct, the metal retracted from the opening, and a blast of white hot energy ripped from him like the blast from a ripper. A concentrated blast of stored energy tore from the gap and raced down the lane at the speed of light itself. Instantly decimating the hardy duraplast dummy downwind. Fire caked it's form as it burst immediately into brilliant flame. Azrael looked at his arm for a moment and turned immediately, raising his palm up at another dummy without the aide of his other hand for support. A blast fired again, emptying the charge this time and doing the self-same thing to the dummy next to the first. Tendrils of smoke rose from the palm before it shut by a mental command.

"Yes, this will do quite nicely, thank you."

[member="Valik"]