Winter is Coming

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Coruscant; Reconciliation Chambers​

Ignorant backs could no longer be turned on the idea of war. After her discussions with Master Watts and Lady Darke, Kiskla was feeling more and more concerned about the future. Every government but The Republic and Protectorate was home to darksiders — Sith who wanted The Republic’s blood one way or another. And the Mandalorians, well, they were always hungry for a fight.

As Councillor of Reconciliation, Kiskla was privy to multiple files go the goings-on of The Order, and the individuals involved. Not long ago, her Padawan Kei Amadis along with this individual had created an outlet for their military backgrounds and combined it with their dedication to the Jedi. This initiative was called The Army of Light. As it stood, Kei never returned. But there were many more individuals who had. Tracyn Ordo, for one.

The files of the AoL members were what she was flipping through now. Kei had spoken of his peers with high esteem, and there were some that received more praise than others. One name stuck out in her mind, and she searched for it through the limited files she had purged from Kei’s directory — seeing if they still matched up with the ‘To Watch’ list of the Jedi Archives.

It did.

Time to pay [member="Michael Sardun"] a visit.

———

Hoth; [Former] Army of Light Base​

Much to her chagrin, this was where the Jedi Knight had last been seen. And, it was where he was likely to be seen again.
However, as far as sight goes — she would stay out of it.

“Son of a karking murglak.” Kiskla muttered, giving her frame another hoist upward to a better vantage point. Once she was comfortable, she lifted her scanners to her eyes -- which barely poked out beneath her white, furry hood. Within the green screen, the two shadowy figures of her accomplices became visible. Barely; she needed a miniature droid to confirm it -- and that drone came drifting her outstretched palm, giving her a digital projected reading of the barren landscape.

"Good." She said simply, and ran her fingers over it's dome-shaped body to trigger it's responses. It's instructions were simple now, to go and make a nuisance of itself and draw out who was inside.

Everything was set, as far as the ambush went. Kiskla wanted to test this soul on her own accord, before dragging him back to The Order and reintroducing him to the doctrines that would align him with The Republic. To do such a thing, meant it had to be worth her time.

If it wasn’t, at least there’d be a level of malicious entertainment.

Stationed out of sight to the base’s major exit were two Type 1 Titan-Class Droids. Once the target emerged from the abandoned station (what was he trying to salvage, anyways?) they would unload a barrage of plasma for him to deflect.

Once the initial onslaught fell though, from either side of the base, two
ASP-19 battle droids armed with lightsabers would curl in for the offence. One at a time.

She didn’t want to overwhelm the boy too much on the first date.
And, scouting as amusing for her as well. She needed entertainment too.

 

[Arage Bao]

Only the proud Knight would know what exactly he had been searching in that base of ice and darkness. As he sat in the inner-chambers of the sanctum, Michael could not help but note his current predicament, the Army of Light had been.. a success? He supposed it had been, only real question was if it had been worth it. Blood spilled, and it seemed the Republic was now seen as an Evil Tyrant hellbent on domination. Strange how these things just seemed to switch around.

The cold of the planet helped him focus his mind, it stung but it centered him. Made him see clearly, and that was important now. What would he do? Go back to the Republic? Try to restore his allegiance to the Order? Would probably be the wise thing to do, his father would have surely approved.

For a while he kept to his meditation, questioning himself and his purpose. But finally he stood up from his kneeling position, and strode out of the sanctum. It took him a while to navigate the base, it had been abandoned for some time now, doors were frozen and rubble was everywhere. Eventually he arrived at the exit, and stepped outside.

Immediately he was hit by the wind, the cold of outside was nothing compared to this fething blizzard. He pulled a cloak over his face, and kept his eyes free to be able to see, and then took another step.

...and halted immediately. Something was wrong. But what?

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Dual missiles curling and cutting through the blizzard, that's what.
As soon as their beacons recognized the orange blob on their heat-sensors, they fired. From their distanced positions, Michael would have some time to react, but not much.

Following the tendril of smoke from the initial launch, came a secondary fire of a plasma barrage. The other Titan-Class droid then shimmied down from his lofted position. It's massive frame took some time to scale from the nook they had perched; but the time was bought out by all the ammunition being dispelled by its brethren.

Perhaps it was a bit much, but Kiskla had seen many tactics as messy as this in war. Tacticians were between few and fewer these days, and it was mostly about which toys yielded the most damage.

Alright [member="Michael Sardun"]. You'd better live.

 

[Arage Bao]

His eyes narrowed themselves, the weather made it hard for him to see anything at all. The feel persisted, but what wa--- Michael’s eyes widened as he saw the missiles coming in for him. Taking a rough guess they were of the heat-seeking kind, which was a good tactic; no way you can hide your heat in this weather.

As the first missile approached time slowed to a screeching halt, and Michael started to run. At the missiles. Jup.

Roughly a meter before the first missile would hit him; he jumped over it and used telekinesis to guide its path right into the second missile. This was not as hard as it seemed, remember it was a heat-seeking missile; so it would try and follow its target.

The moment he changed his direction, the missile tried to adjust its course. Guiding it towards the other missile was not that hard at that point.

Resulting explosion sent him flying, and thank God for that because it also saved him from the damn plasma barrage. Whoever was trying to kill him, they –loved- to go crazy.

As he tried to focus his eyes, and felt his head clear itself slowly. Michael heard a feint noise, which became progressively stronger. The Knight could not help but groan softly, fething droid. Seemed to be a big one.

He was going to die.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

The little shadows pranced around in the view of her binoculars, soon overpowered by the explosion of snow and flames. The impact blossomed in defiance against the cold atmosphere, but the blizzard suffocated the fire within minutes. Kiskla adjusted some controls and tightened the cloth over her mouth.
Karking snow.

The massive Titan-class droid's sensors were locked on [member="Michael Sardun"]. With a whir of its mechanics, a large cannon appeared like a parrot on a pirate's shoulder. It looked as if it were locking in on the Jedi Knight's location.

But that's where the fun stopped.

She had wanted to see him think on his feet, but she wanted more to see him duel. While Michael's attention was on the Titan, the first of the A-19 droids swooped in from the left. The sound of the plasma bursting from the metallic hilt would be the first sign of danger. The second, was the overhead arc that the droid used to attack, and with any luck, sever the boy in half.

 

[Arage Bao]

As he climbed back up to his feet, he could not help but notice the gigantic robot that was aiming his canons at him. By the Living Force, who the hell wanted him dead -that- badly. But before he could figure out that part of the mystery, Michael was assaulted by a couple of droids with... plasma-- damn it.

With a flourish, he revealed his blue sabre of light, and immediately blocked the attack. Before the droid could do anything else Michael jumped back a few paces to get some distance.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

But it was so much more fun to hunt in pairs!
Kiskla hadn't anticipated that the second ASP-19 would get involved so quickly, but it did. As per it's programming it activated to life when the two plasma rods collided. With a powerful whirr of it's steps it closed in behind Michael's back. True, the Knight had put space between himself and the inaugural attacker, but now he was the meat between a metal sandwich.

In a synchronized movement, both ASPs dodged forward -- the first's sensors activated and it's upper body began to rotate. As it closed the distance, the speed of it's torso twists increased and the sabre it wielded became a blur of blue energy; like a deadly spinning top. Behind Michael, the other droid adjusted itself to a different height, letting it's joints adjust for the awkward movement. By striking at his knees, this would prevent a simple duck and dodge from his brethren.

From a distance, the Master scooted forward on her perch.
No threat, no purpose -- right [member="Michael Sardun"]?

 

[Arage Bao]

It was more a feeling of being karked, then the actual knowing as the second droid maneuvered beside him to give him a literal ass whooping. Not much to do in that situation, especially when they seemingly could attack you at different heights and be speedy gonzales at the same time.

So Michael did the only thing a responsible person could do. He grind his teeth, and then used the Force to enhance his legs; jumping and making a flip in mid-air landing behind the droid.

Without waiting for its reprisal, Michael swiftly kicked the tart into its back with his enhanced leg. Hoping it would clash with the other droid.

Eat that.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Michael's timing was immaculate, avoiding the horizontal swing of the blade with precision that would be envied by most duelists. And then he continued, shifting the element of surprise in his favour and attacking from behind. Some would call that cowardice, but in most scenarios it was smart. Shift the awkward to the opponent, and have them figure the situation out for themselves.

When [member="Michael Sardun"] thrust the sole of his foot into the second ASP-19's back, it dropped all of it's robot weight to fall to it's knees rather than fall against its brother. The first ASP stopped it's whirring, but unfortunately not before decapitating it's counterpart. Without a 'brain' the second ASP-19 would be significantly less dangerous. Since it's sensors were now in a disarray, it swung it's lightsaber about wildly in all directions.

With an activation from the distance, the Titan who had been in stasis now lowered it's arm and pointed at the ground, unleashing a barrage of blasters that peppered the snowy ground near the Jedi's feet, and against the folded legs of the ASP droid. Oops, casualties. Oh well, this now forced the first droid to stomp into his brethren and advance toward Sardun, coming in with slashes that twisted to the left and right across his torso; hoping to confuse the Jedi's weight allocation and throw him off his footing.

 

[Arage Bao]

Cowardice... it was a term no longer known to Michael. Once he would never have attacked from the rear, not even a droid. There was no honor in that, but he was no longer the same man as he was before. People had died under his commands, and he had soon found out that battle was not the glorious place he had always thought it would be.

It had made him reassess his perspective on a lot of matters, and in the end he had decided that it mattered not how you won. As long as you were alive, and your opponent was dead? It could be considered a victory. A grim reality, but nonetheless the reality.

The moment the Titan started to shoot lasers, Michael jumped back, hoping to evade any... misfire? Because it seemed the droid wasn't even aiming at him. Or maybe it was just a poor shot, regardless. Michael did not have much time to consider the options, because the remaining droid was still on the offense.

He crouched through his knees, to make himself as small of a target as possible and the moment the droid tried to slash him in half, Michael fell to the ground; and slashed with his own lightsabre in a long movement. Hoping to cut the droid at the... knees?

Fething droids.

While doing all of this, he projected a thought into the vicinity. Michael was really too busy to pin-point his attacker, so it was just a general message.

“Whoever you are, stop trying to kill me and kill me already. These droids are starting to bore me.”​

​

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]​

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla was quite some distance away, but she was open to receive any telepathic means of communication. When the whispers reached her ears, her pouted lips tweaked upward in vague amusement beneath her cloth and she rolled her eyes slightly.

But, for his insolence and arrogance that reflected her own, the Titan who hadn't scaled down the mountain levelled and released it's final torpedo. That base would not be standing. She had successfully eradicated the structure that could be used by the Silver Jedi, and if anybody else hoped to inhabit it. Not bad. And! The guy hadn't died yet.
Finally, she rose. It was still white on white and she was largely invisible against the blizzard. There was a rush of something mirroring excitement running through her veins, and she clenched her fists. The celestial was hungry, and she was growing as bored as he of these droids. The blonde mistress of The Force never favoured droids, in fact, they often gave her shivers.

But the only thing giving her shivers now, was the karking weather. She muttered another cuss against the snow, and began her shimmy down from her perch.

From the roll of flames from the torpedo, mixed with the torrent of snow twisting in the air, a crimson blade revealed itself amidst the tumult. It wasn’t her original blade of course, but one she had apprehended during a dual on Katarr. It would serve purpose enough for him to perhaps attack first. Sith? Dark Jedi? Whichever he accused her of, it was time to see his offensive strikes, rather than [member="Michael Sardun"]'s reactions.

 

[Arage Bao]

As Michael saw the figure coming out of the fire and rubble, a shimmering contour of dread and despair? A rod of blood emerged, the sign of a Sith. Or at least something Darksider. He readied himself for the coming fight, but did not attack head over heel.

For one, it was a bad strategy, one should never run into a fight without knowing what to expect. His opponent had already showed some ingenuity, and a lack of interest to adhere to the common principles of the Duel.

Adding to that... was the fact that he or she or it was not trying to kill him. Only a fool would have considered that an option, it was clear from the Big Mech standing there and not attacking him overall. The fact that she had first sent two droids, which a padawan could defeat and there was just his gut.

But he had come to trust his gut, and it said that attacking right this instance would be foolish.

So instead he waited for him, her or it to come to him, while trying to stem the tide of the thrill rising up in his veins.

“Why not pull that sabre down, get out of this uncomfortable weather and.. converse about our differences with a hot cup of tea?”

Michael was bored.

That much was for sure.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

The weather was indeed miserable. She agreed with him on that. What she didn’t agree with however, was diffusing the duel before it even began. She wanted to see what he was worth, and there was something about the way he spoke that suggested there was another veil. Someone that snide never wanted to simply walk away.

But then again, there was a first for everything. She was still a ghostly silhouette as she stalked forward, hood pulled over her head and further obscuring any indication of friend or foe. The flames from the explosion of the base curled around her shoulders and legs, having little effect on the master herself due to the woven metaphysical barrier she exerted.

Still, it was apparent his patience had been practiced. Kiskla, however, had little patience on the best of days — so when someone was being lippy she had even less. She couldn’t taste her own medicine.

“How the mighty have fallen.” Was all that was said in a tone that, once again, had no clear definition of it being male or female. It was entirely neutral, aside from it digging to his past. Kei had boasted about his partner’s fighting abilities — but he wasn’t displaying them? Bbboooring.

She felt for a moment, the root of the pulsations from a weapon similar to her own. The crystal was the heart of the blade, and a Jedi and the crystal were a united front. With a swift telekinetic manipulation of the current that circulated his holster, the hilt of his well-used blade hovered before his chest. This was as blatant an indication of what she wanted as any man would ever receive. Who was to say nobody could tell what a woman wanted?

He had already figured out that she wasn’t here to kill him. She was here to test him. If he failed, well, then he’d die. But until then, game on. She’d taunted him, and she’d indicated his next step.

All [member="Michael Sardun"] had to do was take it.

 

[Arage Bao]

The thrill rose up in him, urging him on. Take the sabre and crush your enemy. His blood sang, and in that moment of weakness Michael took hold of his blade and it answered him; springing alive in his hands. A smile decorated his lips, as he could feel the familiar sensation of the Force rush through him.

It strengthened him, removed or maybe blocked out any sense of tiredness and only left the wish to fight. To fight and test his opponent's mettle. Somewhere deep inside of him he knew he had to take control of the situation, take a deep breath and balance himself.

But here and now? The General reigned, and he would show that the once Mighty Herald of Glory was still a man to be reckoned with. With a twirl, his blade motioned. His free hand beckoned to her, the thrill was there. The will to fight was unleashed.

But the General was not an idiot, his opponent wanted to fight? Fine. But he would have to make the first move.

“Death.. light as a feather. Duty.. heavier than a mountain.”​

​

The words were mumbled, almost not audible to the mortal ear. A prayer mayhaps, to the Force itself. It was his rule, and he would abide by it.

His stance was relaxed, no particular form was taken at that point. It was a thing Michael had never understood, showing your enemy your general way of fighting before the battle had even begun? Madness.

As such he just stood there, his blade of light in his right hand aimed half-way to the ground and a stern, but curiously thrilled look as he regarded his opponent.

Let's do this.

​

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]​

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

If [member="Michael Sardun"] could have seen the figure beneath her goggles and cloth, he would have seen her posture sink visible and an exaggerated eye roll follow suit. She was always having to do the dirty work. Oh well. At least he'd partially risen to the bait. In the end, it was the smart move, although the boring one, not to attack first and to wait until your opponent leapt forth.

With an irritated flick of her wrist, the flames that were curling around her frame belched forward. As did she. With the momentous wind at her back, and the fiery winds it was a little scary to see through Hoth's storm. Her right arm came across her body to gain strength as it looked like she was about to do an overhead strike -- but she'd learned to not do that. Instead, the fires curled before her and she landed after them, dipping her frame lower to the ground so as to bring a strike from the ground up to slice him in half. A Sai Tok maneuver that was awkward to encounter and would put him on an uncomfortable defensive for her follow-up strike.

 

[Arage Bao]

He or she was eager, that much Michael could give. But no more, today had been bloody and pain was still fresh in the Knight’s heart. One would think that the amount of blood on his hands, would make him less sensitive at the sight of it. But a brother had died today, and ice had formed around his heart. Inflicting sorrow everytime he moved.

But moving was just what Michael had to do. Not in the way his enemy thought he would though, war as much as a single battle, was not about fighting on the grounds of the enemy’s choosing.

It was about making the game follow your rules.

And that was what Michael did, as his opponent decided to add a flourish to his movement by using the force of the flames against the Jedi Knight. He did something else.

His hands flew out, and directed the surrounding snow against the hidden Jedi Master. The flames would be extinguished, and if luck was with him it would hit her face too.

Obstructing her view even more, and putting her off balance.

While this all happened, Michael took the extra time giving to him, by backpedaling a bit. Avoiding the groin-shot.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Frozen crystals clustered together to make a tidal that belched toward her with [member="Michael Sardun"]'s telekinetic push. The snow blasted against her torso, searching for ways to infiltrate her clothing and cause her more agitation and discomfort. Ha! Joke's on you! She was snug as a cinnamon bun, although her Sai Tok was interrupted by her being slightly taken a back by the manipulation of the environment.

Kiskla stopped.

Like a child who had their candy taken away from them, the woman gripped her blade and rolled her shoulders while bits of snow dripped from the front of her jacket. His mood was dark, she realized upon reaching this nearness -- and seemingly incorrigible.

"Good, so you've been told about the manipulation of your environment." The blonde mumbled, although audible, from beneath her thick sash. "What else do you remember from your time with The Jedi?" Oh, HINT HINT SARDUN.

 

[Arage Bao]

The Proud Knight stood with a straightened back, and his lightsabre aimed to the ground. In this defining moment, the air around him told you everything there was to know about Michael Sardun, former General of the Army of Light and former Jedi Knight of the Order. Resolute in his convictions, he stood between Light and Dark, holding the Night at bay.

As the man stood firm, facing his opponent, he finally spoke.

“The Order taught me about Peace, and Tranquility.”

Then Michael flashed her a wolfish grin.

“The Army of Light taught me life.”

He sighed then, and taught back at his fallen comrades. It had been a painful and bloody war, but one they eventually.. won. Somehow.

“I have no quarrel with you, you are no darksider and I have killed enough for today. Leave me in peace, or I will end you.”

It seemed as if Sardun wasn’t in the mood for games, SORRY TO DISAPPOINT.

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

"Did it." Kiskla replied blandly, obviously unconvinced about [member="Michael Sardun"]'s statement about The Army of Light. "Then it's due time for a resurrection, don't you think Knight Sardun?" Yes, she knew his name. Let me throw more clichés at you, see if you can catch them all. Maybe it'll be like a 'Where's Waldo' but more akin to 'Catch the Cliché!'. I'm kidding, I have no more.

"I couldn't leave you in peace if I tried." She continued, her voice cutting through the snow and wind as if it weren't there; although there was a slight muffle to it because her identifying lips were concealed beneath a thick cloth for warmth "Only ignorance. Why are you retracing The Army's footsteps? There's a fresher path that beckons your boots."

I just really wanted to say beckons your boots. Imagine Jessica Simpson or something.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

Snow fell, and Michael could feel it’s weight pressing down on him. All around them the Force was present, and through it he could feel the frozen flocks of water falling down on the planet. It made him feel little, small and inconsequential.

What were they all, if not a little flock amongst billions and billions of other flocks? When she asked him why he was here, Michael’s eyes showed sadness.

But only for a moment, and then they steeled themselves again.

“A promise to a friend.”

The Knight’s eyebrow would raise itself in curiousity, though she probably wouldn’t be able to see that. What, with all the snow and stuff. She wasn’t stupid, and neither was she a Sith.

So there was only one other possibility.

Michael straightened himself, his stance still switching from tense to grace in a matter of moments. His sabre was still in his hand though, but with a flip and a woeeesh.. it blinked out.

“What does the Order want from me.”