Judas of Vahl
Beyond Broken
POSTING AS: Subject 13
13 sighed to himself and rubbed the back of his head, his bright eyes flaring with a kind of annoyance, his blood rushing behind his ears as he took a deep breath and reached into his coat and took out some glasses, putting them on to protect his eyes from bright lights of the training quarters of the fringe ship. 13 had been asked to train with other members so he was doing just that with a few others. Suddenly two other men, who were less armored than many thank god appeared from behind a pretty large man, they both also had shock sabers and nightsticks and seemed to be not just wanting to train but do some serious training. It was times like these 13 wondered were the fairness went.Thing was now a days everything was a contest, even training. 13 should have expected nothing less from the fringe as a rough kind of group. Suddenly the larger man spoke up making a big presentation to the others around the training area."I should have told you before boy...i was going to bring friends." The man said, the two others moving to the sides of the boy. This was going to be difficult. He could always try and walk away but then they would most likely try and humiliate him afterwards Meaning 13 needed to find a way to deal with these men. however he couldn't fight them all at once. Not without killing them at least. He had to find a way to take out one at a time. In a flash the man to the left of him had dashed, running full pelt at 13 without mercy, his sword in hand and the intent to do damage in his eyes. However 13 was quicker on his feet, turning to the man and running at him as well without thinking much about it. When the man swung his blade at him he dropped to both of his knees swiftly. Arching his back backwards and throwing his head back, the flat end of the blade flew past his face, 13 could almost see his reflection in the blade as he did a theater like slide underneath the blade.
Just as quickly as 13 had dropped he recovered himself back to his feet, throwing one foot out to stop him from sliding or going any further 13 stayed on one knee and twirled his body around attempting a leg sweep. It was successful. The man dropped his sword and fell to the ground hard, deciding to get a bit more physical 13 leaped up to both of his feet, the man trying to stand up and retrieve his sword was stopped short of it, 13's hand was on the mans forehead and squeezing hard. "..." 13 was going to electrocute the man when suddenly a silver flash appeared right were his arm connected to the mans forehead. 13 recoiled his arm when he realized it was his buddy, carrying a longer saber sword then the other. The man turned to 13 and did a few fancy spins with the blade as he tried to jab and slice at the boy with impressive speed.
13 dodged and swerved the first dangle attacked but the horizontal attack was hard from him to dodge with him in a current position of his legs bent. Vaas threw his body back and did a back flip to avoid getting his neck hit, using his hands to support himself as he did a few more back flips to get away from the man with the sword. Once he was a safe distance 13 stopped himself and stayed on two feet, his eyes fixed on all three men. Seeing the one in armor seemed to just be observing the action from a distance, the one 13 had attacked earlier was fully recovered and back in battle stance and the third man seemed to be waiting for 13.
This...needed to be planned, these men obviously had a formation he had to figure out. 13 knew when he attacked out the other would come from the side or behind, if he tried to fight them both as once they would overpower him. The fact he was not allowed to use the force or he would be cheating just made it more troublesome. Only option was knocking them out first but 13 couldn't risk getting arrested. He bit his lip as thoughts and different plans ravaged through his mind like a tornado. "I'm running out of options...only one thing i can do at this point." 13 thought to himself, reaching to his spine 13 pulled out a shock knife. A special knife with a long metal wire connected to it, the wire acted as a electricity conductor, and grappling hook. The men looked at him and tensed as he stretched out some of the wire, observing both the min in front of him he decided it would be best to deal with the faster one with the wire, taking out the other easily without interruption since he was already somewhat wounded by the fall judging by the awkwardness of his stance. It was time to move...In three...two...one
13 ran his full speed at the man he had attacked before, giving the illusion he was going to attack him first. Both their reactions were exactly what he had been planning. The one he was going for angled his blade as if to block while the other one took two steps back and waited for 13. Follow the design 13, and you'll make it through this. He thought as he leaped into the air, going over the man and angling his body in mid air to face the faster one. His eyes flashed with a devilish intent as he threw out the anchor of the wire witch was at the end of at the man, the wire connected, warping itself around the mans neck as he panicked, 13 hit the ground as this happened and Pulled the wire hard, the man dropped his saber and fell to the ground choking, 13 averted his attention to the other man who was now holding up his blade and swinging at him. 13's eyes widened as he dived and rolled out of the way, 13 snapped his wrist outward, triggering the hidden blade mechanism in his sleeve. The blade popped out of his sleeve and the boy threw his arm backwards as he closed in on the man, then thrusting his arm forward he stabbed the man in the knee. Causing him to yelled and kneel over in pain. 13 pulled out the blade and snapped his wrist inward, making the blade retreat back into his sleeve, 13 saw the other man he had previously had in the wire was gone! Son of a... 13 cursed in his mind when a silver blade seemed to slash at him and electrocute 13. The boy staggered and backed away.
"Your good kid. Better then most men, makes me curious who you are. Whats your secret?" The man asked before taking a few more swings at 13, landing two slashes in 13's chest. Shocking him more. The boy grunted and fell to the ground, but rolled backwards and got back on his feet, breathing heavily. 13 felt anger boil within him now...he could feel the beast rising and clawing in his chest. It was taking everything in him not to shift in the middle of the ship and slaughter this fool. Staggering to his feet 13 covered his chest and blankly stared at the man.
"No secret." And with that 13 dived sideways, rolling on the ground, this time sideways grabbing the blade the other mans saber who still laid on the ground 13 felt it was really heavy. But he would manage, rolling onto his feet he gave a mighty spin and spun the sword around and chucked it at the man. The blade twisted in the air and the man blocked it...somewhat. the blade shut off on his on impact, giving 13 the opening he needed. The shock on the mans face was clear as he dropped the now broken saber and staggered in confusion. 13 however was not taking any chances with this, Opening his hand as if 13 were accepting a hand shake the boy Smacked his hand onto the mans neck and tightening his grip on him, the mans eyes began to pop out of his head and he gagged. Dropping to his knees in pain 13 looked at the pathetic creature before him and frowned. "The only ones who should kill...are those willing to be killed." Showing no mercy 13 electrocuted the man, using more then normal, the man shook violently and soon went limp. 13's eyes lowered and he let go of the man, allowing him to fall onto the floor. Now he would actually like to have a training partner who was not crazy.
Posting as Dranok Lussk
The Lord Admiral strolled peacefully down the corridor of the newly minted Dominance-class Dreadnought. The 2Km long vessel sat lazily in the orbit of Rattatak where it was being outfitted with a new crew and a captain to be selected by the grey-uniformed man himself. The massive ship was largely populated by those of the 119th Legion, one of the best legions the Fringe had to offer. And as such with an elite bunch, their pride grew and grew, they made enemies and rivals. More importantly, they earned fear and respect.
Their commander was none other than that same Lord Admiral pacing the long corridors of the Dreadnought, he held a double title as Legate within the Fringe's legion system. Dranok was a man of many titled and rather liked to hold them up with pride. However, he was different than most leaders across the vast galaxy. Dranok had earned each and every one of his titles. His first was from being a graduate from the famed Carida Academy to become a Naval officer and appointed himself as Grand Admiral upon his desertion of the Imperial Remnant. Then he'd traveled across the galaxy with a fringe group known as the Bluehawks for a short period of time before falling back into the Imperial lifestyle as a Sith Apprentice. Dranok advanced through the ranks with a burning passion and hunger for power, quickly becoming a Knight and gained the title of Sith Lord.
It all went further away from the darkness at that point. The lonely Lord found himself at his isolated temple on Ziost, keeping to himself and delving into the dark shroud of the Force and studied ancient relics of Sith history. Then the Force guided him out into the endless blizzards of the world only to find a small girl. That small girl turned out to be his daughter. The light began to flood into the broken man's soul as he sought to discover the answers of this misguided predicament, realizing that Demaia Veya, his lover, had left after he departed for the Academy and took residence on Umbara. That's where she had Dranok's child, Kara Vi'dreya, with her new husband. And so, that turn of events brought the light into Dranok's life and he deserted yet another Empire.
Now, he was with his own Empire, one that'd he chosen to remain with until the end. This era in the 24 year old's life would be his legacy. All of these legionnaires, officers, and students of the Force were his. He would teach them, guide them, and nourish them to become the leaders, decision-makers, and creators of a better tomorrow.
---
The Lord Admiral smiled to himself as he admired the perfectly chiseled durasteel bulkheads of the ship, silently reaching out to let his exposed fingertips graze across the grey dullness. Perfection. It was how he wanted his legacy to be. Solid, perfect, and able to take on loads of pressure and still succeed in its purpose. Dranok did so admire the work of engineers. They were valuable assets to any spacefaring organization, utilizing their finely tuned skills to create works of art like this vessel. This realization caused the Lord Admiral's brow to furrow. That was right, the ship didn't have a name yet.
Dranok retracted his hand from the wall, continuing his uneventful journey down the length of the Dreadnought. However, this uneventful characteristic was not to be maintained. A loud voice broke through the silence.
"Admiral, sir! We've got a problem in the training bay!" A young legionnaire jogged furiously towards Dranok, putting himself at attention upon reaching the senior officer. The legionnaire whipped a sharp salute, one that Dranok returned respectfully.
"And what might this problem be?"
"There's an altercation happenin' right now in the training area." His gaze wavered as if remembering something. "It's 3 guys against one, he looks like a kid maybe. Just barely 17 or something."
Dranok nodded, "Take me there."
"Yes, sir."
The young legionnaire spun on his heels and tromped back down the hallway with one of the highest ranking naval officers following up his rear. That said Admiral smiled slyly to himself, he rather liked this one's candor.
Posting as: Subejct 13
13 grew very slightly annoyed at the face everyone seemed to see him as everything but normal. Sometimes he just wanted to be left alone and invisible but there where always those who wished to expose him. Looking at the now unconscious knights 13 walked over to the benches and sat down. Crossing his legs and leading both arms spread out on the spine of the chair 13 stared ahead blankly with blood dripping from the top of his head, paining his white hair red. The slashes in his back and chest would hear and he would have to buy new clothing now. But for now he would wait for something else to happen.
Posting as: Dranok Lussk
As the Admiral trailed the legionnaire along, he'd learned several things about the average height, brown haired young man. His name was Reece Vayos, an Optio in the Fringe Legions. The 19 year old seemed capable enough of handling himself in a fight, his fairly slim frame even bore similarities to Dranok's own. The pair hurried their pace, cutting a corner and trotting past several other legionnaires who seemed like they were done with a workout and spoke in hushed tones as the Admiral trod by.
The duo finally reached the open door of the training area, Reece was the first to enter who immediately turned to flank the door and positioned himself at parade rest. His left foot snapped into his right as he assumed the position of attention, rallying his voice in a deep suck of air.
"Officer on deck!"
The exercising legionnaires, those resting, or those otherwise occupied personnel snapped up and took the same stance as Optio Vayos. This was when Dranok made his entrance. The grey-unformed man slowly strode into the training bay, flicking his golden gaze over all of the personnel and everything that seemed important.
"I heard there was a quarrel happening, anyone care to enlighten me as to why my legionnaires are stooping so low?" The Lord Admiral's words leaked venom as his steely gaze scanned the room once again, waiting for its prey to speak up.
Posting as: Subject 13
‘Trial and error seemed to be the best way to success.’ 13 thought a quote from his former master Cai Canis. The white haired Echani who, ever since the day he found 13 on that dirt ball of a planet acted like a older brother to the young boy. 13 thought of him daily now…even though he could no longer feel emotions he still thought he should feel something for the man he called ‘brother.’ Or maybe 13 was just that incapable of feeling any type of compassion. He sighed and looked up at the several men trying to scoop the bodies off the ground and onto beds so they could be taken to the infirmary. 13 may have overdone it for a bunch of soldiers…he felt not regret or remorse simply because he had no reason too. Something that made him feared by a few. The fact he could slit the throat of a child and feel absolutely nothing was a fearful thought. Then again 13 was sure he was not the only one to think the way he did. He was sure many people in the galaxy where sick and twisted.
“Officer on deck!”
A voice shouted from the entrance across the room. 13 watched as all the soldiers suddenly stood up and saluted their commanding officer like a bunch of mutts begging for a bone. 13 wondered why they submitted to these other men…frankly it annoyed 13. They acted as if they were not in control of their own lives. Honestly he did not understand the point of ranks…he may have been genetically mixed with wolves thus his understanding of the Alpha, beta, and omega rank where the only three things he was familiar with. All these soldiers acted like betas until an alpha was actually present. Then they all cowered like pathetic omegas…13 frowned although his eyes remained dull. The man known as Dranok strolled in as if he presence was special and scolded his own soldiers. Asking them why they have stooped so low. 13 felt a growl erupt in his throat from his instincts that sometimes overruled his human emotions. Keeping his mouth closed as he sat there calmly with his leg crossed over his knee 13 watched them all. He probably stood out seeing as he was the only one sitting down. Probably a great sign of disrespect to the ‘officer on deck’ thing. But 13 could not care less at the moment. No one in the fringe had yet established themselves as the alpha in his eyes so he would treat them all as he treated everyone else. Nothing…
Speaking up after a few moments of silence and awkward coughs 13 looked to the side avoiding eye contact with everyone. “Because your dogs are poorly trained…” 13 told Dranok indirectly. Though his comment could have been taken as an insult it was the truth. They were not properly trained…they may have been strong and made form combat but their instinct in dominance and such where very poorly developed. “You should establish your dominance over them for complete control. Not expect them to respect you because you are simply ‘commander’. They won’t give you the necessary respect to follow your code of conduct. Only your orders.” 13 explained his input blankly. His eyes closing as he looked down at her lap as if he were sleeping.
Posting as: Dranok Lussk
As soon as the voice spoke up, Dranok's cold gaze was upon him like a Wampa on a Tauntaun. The Lord Admiral took a few paces towards the voice, zeroing in on the snow-haired boy who sat lazily atop a benchpress. His golden eyes flicked from the boy to nearby legionnaires, he sensed their anger towards the young man. He sensed their anger at his words, especially those that insulted their leader. This puzzled Dranok, why did they anger over something like that? These were legionnaires straight from training, none of them should have personally known the Lord Admiral except for his occasional appearances to ensure the Academy was running smoothly.
Well, it was what happened. The majority of the 119th had fought right beside the Lord Admiral countless times, he shared their pain in losses and their pride in victory. It was how he liked to led: from the front. Only those without honor fought from the rear, only those who fought side by side with their men had the right to assert himself over them. It wasn't based on the simple fact that he was their Legate, only because he'd earned it.
And now this boy, this cobalt-eyed boy questioned his right.
Dranok strode forward a few more paces, putting himself before the one that had spoken up.
"My dogs?" Dranok gave a glancing look around. "I see nothing of the sort. Rather, I see a single boy who wants nothing more than to dissolve the order I have established." He shot another look around, "Your name?"
Posting as: Subject 13
13 could sense the ferocity from the other soldiers as he spoke. And frankly he did not care…he spoke the truth. For three elite soldiers to pick a unfair fight with a child only proved the point he was trying to make. He knew that these soldiers fought alongside their ‘alpha’ but there was not the same as truly feeling a connection with their alpha. When you are trained to follow the orders of a man in battle your grow clingy and dependant on your leader…cause without them you are sure to fail. That is not dominance…the boy heard the footsteps of Dranok grow closer to him as he spoke.
“My dogs?” He snorted. “I said nothing of the sort. Rather, I see a young boy who wants nothing more than to dissolve the order I have established. Your name?” He spat at 13.
The boy opened his eyes and let his eyes slant upwards while his head remained ducked down. Giving a rather cold emotionless look. “Like it or not…order is a sugar coated word for oppression. Like free from oppression…or die a slave to order. They are your dogs. They do as their told, go where they are told, follow the orders of those above them. They are rewarded when they please you…and scolded when they disappoint you. Why else are you here?” He explained calmly. These where not 13’s personal beliefs, just the observation of the wolf he lived in. If it changed he would adjust his martial accordingly. Sighing slightly 13 spoke again. “I don't have a name…just a number. And just realize, that the words I speak.” 13 reached into his jacket around his collar bone and pulled out a Beskar collar and showed the number 13 branded into it. “Are from the mouth of a dog…” he said blankly.
Posting as: Dranok Lussk
Dranok kept his yellow eyes swirling across the room as the boy spoke.
"Dismissed." He shot a glance at the young Optio, Reece Vayos, at the door. "Except you, you stay here." The 19 year old gave a slight nod as the rest of the legionnaires began to pack up their gear or extra clothes and began to file out of the room. The Lord Admiral then turned back to the white-haired boy to resume his verbal assault.
"They are trained to be that, they are soldiers. I didn't force them to join our cause, nobody did, it's merely their decision to choose. They all knew what they were getting into the moment they enlisted, it's because they wanted to make a difference." He let his yellow eyes droop down to stare into his cobalt hued ones, "I don't train them to be my pets, I train them to survive and live on to fight for the Fringe. That's my purpose here, they are my legacy. My future leaders, decision makers, creators of a better galaxy."
His gaze trained on the numbers etched into his collar. "So, 13. Why are you here? Do you want to be a dog, a pet to any who walks over you?" His eyes twinkled. "Or would you rather be a fighter, a soldier, a decision maker, an extension of your own free will?"
Posting as: Subject 13
13 kept his gaze blank as the man dismissed his men and scolded the boy. However, 13 did not really feel anything at what Dranok was saying. Because it frankly did not matter. They where solider…created to die for a idea what would most likely never be reached. While it seemed like a noble idea, it was not something 13 believed. Ideas lasted forever…and history is always written by the victor. Once the man stopped talking 13 looked up and tilted his head. “Your right…they did join based on their free will. Because they wanted to get stronger.” He said, looking up at the ceiling. “However…survival is the most basic instinct of all. Training to survive in a universe like this.” 13 nodded. “seems fine to me. But too make a difference…unlikely. They are doing what’s already been done and that will be done again in the future. They probably enlisted for the fame…the fortune…maybe even the power. But if they truly joined to make a difference…they joined the wrong place.” 13 explained, looking down at his collar.
“Frankly…I am here based on a whim. Being a dog or a soldier means about as much to me as this conversation. If I’m going to be a dog…I’m going to be a wolf. Just like I was designed to be. I will live my life the way it calls for…I don't want to change the world. Just watch it get colder…and colder…and colder. Until it eventually freezes. Just like my heart.”
Posting as: Dranok Lussk
Dranok smiled at the boy's words, a sly, wolfish smile. The Lord Admiral reached out to place his hand atop the crystal-white hair that populated his head, giving the kid a light pat.
"You haven't seen anything." His gaze remained locked on his, "I've seen it all."
Dranok indeed had. He'd been alone since the dawn of time, up until he fell in love and then lost her to the oblivion of the galaxy. He'd been beaten up by bigger cadets at the Academy, tortured at the hands of the Sith, suffered the losses of thousands of men at a single mistake and killed even more with his own hands. He was a broken man yet kept going on, he didn't know why or how but his best guess was that it was the Force's will.
Posting as: Subject 13
13 narrowed his eyes when the man placed a hand on 13's head. Telling him he had not seen anything yet. The boy cocked a brow and tapped Dranok on the forehead with his two fingers. "That is a lie...i just haven't seen enough. But i've seen more than i should. Everyone perceives their emotions differently. Some move on...other linger on the past. And some are like me...they just stop caring. And lose their emotions." He told him, looking up as blood leaked from his head. 13 sighed. "What did you come down here for? Was there something you wanted? Or did you come down here to have a conversation with someone who does not matter?" 13 asked blankly.
Posting as: Dranok Lussk
A smile spread across Dranok's face as the boy planted his index and middle finger in the middle of his forehead. He would have chuckled had the situation been less tense, still, he could practically feel the legionnaire at the door emitting waves of uneasiness as he watched his commanding officer and some small boy make physical contact that would seem intimate to all onlookers.
"Why I came? Fate. Destiny. The Force." He sighed, giving the boy another gentle pat.
"It's all I have left, but to focus all of one's energies on the future then they will be left blind of the present. My present vision brought me to you. That is the reason I'm here now."
He moved his head back a fraction and brought up his right hand. The boy's hand dropped a few inches, but Dranok's hand was faster. His large, scarred and tanned hands consumed the pale fingers of the boy's. He shifted his fingers slightly so it became the perfect gesture of trust, a handshake.
Posting as: Subject 13
13 tiled his head when the man began to speak gibberish. 13 did not believe in fate or destiny...frankly he did not want to believe in the force but it was evident it existed if he used it daily. Lowering his hand Dranok suddenly grabbed his hand in a hand shook his hand. The boys expression remained still and he blinked. He did not shake Dranoks hand as much as he was shaking his. 13 narrowed his eyes slightly and waited for him to let his hand go. "I think your dogs lead you too me..." He said blankly. Knowing he was summoned because of the accident from moments ago. Blood dripped from 13's chin and onto the ground as he looked through the admiral.
