[IC] A Galaxy in Twilight[Lord Gressh/Zarkun]

[Zarkun]

The three ships jump to lightspeed, leaving the capital ship and it's fighters behind. The republic commander frowns when sees the the rebels wink out of existence before the viewport. After a moment of contemplated, he turns to his radar tech. "Preform a sweep of the planet. See if you can locate their place of origin. The Chancellor said they had a hidden fortress somewhere here." To his comms officer, he says, "Send a squadron to do a visual fly over. I want every inch of this agricultural backwater combed. While you're at it, have a landing party assembled. Perhaps one of the locals knows something. We'll find these traitors yet."

-----MEANWHILE-----

Jude Sucal
I lean back in my seat, a wave of relief washing over me. "That was much too close." Quickly activates the intercom to confirm everyone is okay. When they all reply positively, I allow myself to fully relax. I stare out into the swirling blue tunnel of hyperspace until the HK droid returns to the cockpit. "Alright, Hank. We've got some time before we reach Alderaan. What in all the stars and planets is going on? What happened to Xan, and why didn't Theron of Ryder come with us?"

@Lord Greshh

HK-49 'Hank'

Taking a position where I could move to aid Korre if she needed me, I face Jude. "Explanation: Theron Shan failed to join us due to an injury caused by Ryder Twilight, who failed to join us because he is no longer among the living. Cause of his death is unsure, but my memory core more or less cleared Master Jerus' suspicions of Senator Xanthippe. Senator Naberrie is in her current state due to pushing Master Zar'kun too far. Lament: If only he had called, I would have activated my assassination protocols happily. Resuming Explanation: Master Zar'kun allowed his mental state to lapse somewhat back to his days as the vicious Darth Crytos. Statement: You saw how that ended."

Zar'kun Je'and

With all ships safely in hyperspace and inbound for Alderaan, I call for Iwan and D4 to meet me in the lounge. Once we're all there, I look at the young man. "So, what do you remember of your time before where Xan found you?"

[Lord Greshh]

Jude Sucal
It takes a moment to process everything I am being told. Theron injured... by Ryder? How could that be? The two of them were old friends! And what's worse, Ryder dead? And with Xan as a suspect in his murder... Everything sounded so topsy turvy now.
I think back to the last time I'd spoken to Xan. It was aboard this very ship, on our way to Theed. She had received some sort of vision. Danger on Dantooine. She didn't explain the details, only disappeared in a puff of smoke. Now, I'm starting to put the pieces together. "Hank, why did Ryder attack Theron? And why would Xan have motivation to kill him?" Even as I ask, my thoughts wonder to Korré. I know Ryder was angry about what that scientist said on Myrkr, but... I mean, he wouldn't really... would he?

Iwan Starsnow
Over on the Dawn Star, I sit down across from Zar'kun. "I was raised on Myrkr. My entire life, I stayed inside that science facility, first as a test subject, than later as head of security... though there was never any reason for security until Xanthippe Naberrie arrived." Leans back, trying to hide my discomfort. "I... I tried to avoid knowing about those other experiments. I would be lying if I said I was fully in the dark. But Mother Mal...DOCTOR Malori was so convincing. She always told me it was for the greater good, or for research that could benefit the galaxy. I really didn't have much choice besides go along with it. I mean... I had no ship. No way off planet. And Malori was as close to family as I had left." Pauses, clearly feeling a bit defensive. "I did have a real mother, you know. Before Malori, I remember my mother stayed with me at the facility. That's how I know that I'm not the clone. This other guy, this Gendry or Darth Hexxus or whoever he calls himself, HE is the clone."

[Zarkun]

HK-49 'Hank'

"Explanation: Ryder Twilight attempted to harm Korre. He spoke of how Sucal, I believe your father, planned to use her infant as a means to bring back Vitiate and that the process had begun. Theron Shan was wounded attempting to stop him. Senator Naberrie was suspected of killing Ryder due to who he was after, but at the time of his death, she was healing Theron with the Force. Suggestion: Observe." My eyes project a hologram of everything leading up to Ryder's death so that Jude can get an idea of what happened. When it finishes, I look at Jude again. "Query: Any further questions?"

Zar'kun Je'and

I listen to Iwan's story, letting it fill in the blanks for what we knew and didn't know about the time frame. "So then you never met your father? Don't even know his name?"

[Lord Greshh]

Jude Sucal
Watches the recording in disbelief. Ryder was acting crazy, attacking Korre like he'd gone insane. Then the sight of him, defeated on the ground, suddenly jerked violently and his neck snapping, sends my heart sinking into my stomach. "I can't believe it. Ryder was angry about the baby, sure. I was there when he found out, but I never would have expected..." I am visibly shaken by not only Ryder's death, but the implications surrounding it. "So... who killed him then? If not Xan?"

Iwan Starsnow
"I never met my father, no. My mother, my REAL mother, spoke very highly of him though. She always told me he would come and get me one day. Once Doctor Malori was done testing me, my father would come and bring us back to live with him." Pauses thoughtfully. "But, that never happened. My mother died in that lab. So disease that wasted her away to a shell of her former self. She never lost hope though. Even when she was at death's door, she couldn't stop talking about how nice it would be when Father arrived and took us home."

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"Then it's unfortunate that I have to tell you that whoever your father was before all of this, the man your mother knew, that's not who he is now. Jorg Sucal is a Sith Lord who's goal is to destroy the Force. D4 here," who was already chirping and beeping claims to the opposite about Admiral Sucal, mainly how great he was, "has files on him that might shed some light onto why he turned into what he is. But they're encrypted and he keyed them to you."

HK-49 'Hank'

"Observation: Senator Naberrie is not even acknowledging Ryder after releasing him." Producing the hologram again, it zooms in on Korre's stomach just before Ryder's neck snaps and at the same time as he would die, a kick is noticable. "Curious Statement: Senator Naberrie said the baby killed Ryder Twilight. While that kick could only be coincidental, it just might lead some credence to her claim."

[Lord Greshh]

Jude Sucal
If I was unnerved by Ryder’s death, I am terrified of the thought that the murderer was an unborn child. “By the Force! Then... then it IS true! The baby... it’s Vitiate!” I look back towards the door to the cockpit, hoping Korre isn’t listening in. “So, what are we going to do? When we get to Alderaan, is Korre going to...?”

Iwan Starsnow
I test the name. “Jorg Sucal... so, Jude’s father?” My eyes widen as I make the connection. “Jude is my brother!” Laughs in astonishment. “I have a little brother! I’ve always wanted...” I look at Zar’kun’s rather serious expression. “Oh, right. There will be time for that later, I suppose.” I wave D4 over. “Now then, little guy. You got something for me?”

D4-V3
The droid takes a moment to calculate, then announces: “Access = Approved!”

[Zarkun]

HK-49 'Hank'

"Reassurance: Master Zar'kun and Mistress Becca are determined to save the baby from Vitiate's influence. Reminder: Master Zar'kun is a former Sith, with experience in their rituals."

Zar'kun Je'and

I frown at the droid as it grants access. "Now the real question; D4, pick up where you and I left off, when you needed Iwan's permission to unlock those files." I turn to Iwan as the droid accesses the files. "I appreciate that greatly. Your brother says that your father has some kind of ghost following him so I hope that these files might contain where the ghost came from and who it could be."

[Lord Greshh]

Jude Sucal
How do they know it isn’t too late, I thought. On my last conversation with Ryder, we were in agreement that Korre’s child could be a great danger to us all. If need be, we agreed, it should be destroyed before it becomes old enough to hurt anyone. I now understood that Ryder was much more willing to put words into action... and he got himself killed for it. The child had already claimed its first life, and I feared if things were not properly handled from here on out, it could be even more devastating than anything my father might cook up.
I did not vocalize my thoughts. Arguing with droids is pointless, and making my stance known would only lead to distrust, and we could not afford to be divide at this time. I would hold my tongue, and stay my blade, for now.

D4-V3
Displays a hologram of Jorg Sucal in a naval uniform. He looks... old. Despite this recording being nearly 20 years old, Sucal looks unnaturally aged, with a full beard and sunken eyes. “I got him. Finally, after years of chasing him, finally I have caught up with Darth Nox. We managed to disable his ship, and they are now dead in space... but we don’t fair much better. The battle has left the Eagle nearly crippled. We have just enough power to maintain life support, and I managed to siphon a little extra to keep you charged.” Pats D4’s dome. “We aren’t the only ships here either. The entire system is a starship graveyard. I send an engineering team to scavenger among the wreckages for parts. With luck, we’ll find what we need to get us back to Republic Space in one piece.” In the background, unnatural shows play across the walls. Sucal does not seem to notice. “I have also sent a boarding party to the Doombringer. It would be easy just to blow the ship apart, but... no, that doesn’t feel good enough. I need to see him pay. I want to rip that mask off him and look him in the eye. I want to see him die.” The recording abruptly cuts out there. D4 whistles a question: play the next recording?

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I nod, mulling over the things playing in the background. "Malachor is a graveyard for a reason, it's where Revan ended the Mandalorian Wars and Metra Surik ended Darth Treya. The more I see, the more suspicious I become that my theory may just be right."

[Lord Greshh]

D4-V3
The droid begins to play the next recording. Some time appear to have passed, and Sucal, somehow, appears to have gotten worse. The dark circles under his eyes are deeper, and his uniform is stained and wrinkled, like he hasn’t changed in days. “We executed Nox today... fourth time this week. I suggested we remove his head just to be sure, but the Naval Code Of Conduct forbids desecration Of enemy corpses. Everything else we try doesn’t work though. I’ve put him through a firing line, and he wakes up the next morning good as new. I’ve had him electrocuted, but the burns are gone by midday. It’s not that he can’t die. He IS dying... but then he comes back. The men refuse to try for a fifth time. They are already skittish around Sith, especially after Oricon. They think he’s possessed or something.” He pauses to look around the room. “What’s worse... some of the crew have been reporting strange things happening around the ship. I don’t know if it’s residual radiation from these dead ships or some sort of space anomaly, but it has been effecting everyone’s minds, including my own. I haven’t been sleeping well. My mind is too stimulated to rest. I lay awake for hours, staring into the darkness, watching the shadows. When I finally do drift off from pure exhaustion, I am plagued by never ending nightmares. It has gotten so bad, I am started to hallucinate during my waking hours. It isn’t as bad as Oricon, Thank the stars, but it’s... similar enough to make me fearful.” He pauses again, looking lost in his own thoughts. “Once I finish this recording... I’m going to pay Nox another visit. Maybe he’ll have some answers.”

D4 squeaks. Next message?

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

I again nod, humming thoughtfully. "Nox was notoriously difficult to kill off, but no one knew why. Being his rival during the cold war was less than enjoyable. Still, widespread unease, hallucinations, all hallmarks of more widespread Dark Side influence..."

[Lord Greshh]

Iwan Starsnow
Looks intently at the man in the recording. "So, that's my father."

D4-V3
Begins playing the next journal entry. Sucal looks about the same as the last video. "We lost six people within the past two days. First, an engineer was zapped by a faulty wire. His partner claimed he shut down power to that section, but we chalked it up to negligence. Next, a mechanic was crushed when a starfighter he was working on dropped on him. Then an air lock sealed itself behind a pair of officers and ejected them into space. This morning, one of the troopers didn't report to duty, and when they checked his room, they found him dead. Died in his sleep, they say. Fatal cardiac arrest. Kid was only 24, and in great shape. None of it makes sense." He pauses contemplatively, then remembers something and waves a dismissively hand at the screen. "Oh, and the sixth man, he killed himself. A pilot, slashed his own wrists in the refresher. Couldn't handle the stress anymore. I can't say I blame him. Thinks have only gone from bad to worse since we got here. The Doombringer is in pieces, Nox is in a cell. We won... but unless we get back home, its an almost pointless victory." He puts his face in his hands. He looks exhausted. "As insane as it sounds, I'm starting to believe all the talk superstition going around. I've never believed in ghosts before, but... those nightmares I mentioned before? Seems its not just random. Everyone is having the same nightmares; an old woman with eyes as black as coals. An unnatural chill. An unbearable silence, as if all of your senses were suddenly stolen away. Deafened and blinded. Stripped of speech, the ability to taste or touch." He stares off into nothingness, zoned out for several seconds until he suddenly returns to himself. "I thought it could be Nox, but now I'm not so sure. When I confronted him about the visions, he looked genuinely confused... and a bit shaken. He won't admit it, but I think he might be having the nightmares too. If that is the case, if some presence is here that is strong enough to make even a Dark Council Sith afraid, it might already be too late for us. By the time you see this message, whoever you are, we might already be dead."

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

"A woman with blackened eyes...Kreia was supposed to be blind, but I always believed that meant her eyes were a milky white..." Slowly, things were beginning to come together, but I had to be sure. "Unless that changed when she became Sith. D4, play whatever you have left to play."

[Lord Greshh]

D4-V3
The droid whistles affirmative, then begins to play the recording. As always, Jorg Sucal speaks. "I did something crazy today... I let Nox out. I never imagined in a million years it would come to this, but more and more of the crew are dying. I know for a fact now that these accidents are anything but that. It's the ghost. The witches ghost. The one from my nightmares. Nox said he knew how to stop it. Claimed he was 'familiar with ghosts'. What's more, he said he knows how to bind them, and control their power. It sounds risky, but as much as I hate to admit it, Nox is the only one capable of putting an end to this." He sighs deeply. "The rest of the crew were against it, but I am far past caring. If I don't do anything, they'll all be dead anyways. So, I opened his cell and let him free. We agreed to meet in the lower decks later tonight. We hope to lure the ghost out there and trap it. The binding ritual sounds difficult. I'm hoping that means Nox will be weakened enough for me to kill him afterwards. And this time... I'm taking his head. I don't care about Code of Conduct anymore."

The recording ends, and D4 informs Zar'kun that there is a large time gap between the previous entry and the final one. As instructed, he begins to play it. Sucal's appearances has completely changed since last we saw him. He is no longer disheveled. In fact, he looks completely revitalized. When he speaks, it is with an air of confidence and strength. "It has been some time since my last recording. Much has transpired that has kept me too occupied to record a journal entry. Suffice to say... I have found new purpose." He takes a deep breath, basking in his new found power. "The ritual with Nox, our confrontation with the ghost... It was all part of a plan. A test to see if I was worthy to inherit a mantle of great power." He smiles genuinely, and his eyes momentarily flash purple. "There we were, preparing the ritual in the bowls of the ship. Nox had a plan to force the ghost to appear, but there was no need. She came to us of her own free will. She told us that she was a powerful sorceress called Darth Traya, and that the starship graveyard was in fact the remains of Malachor V! I couldn't believe it. I'd heard stories about the Mandalorian Wars, but I never dreamed I would see it for myself! But that was not all. She told me that we had been drawn there for a purpose.

"She told me that she could see into my heart. She knew the horrors I'd seen at Oricon. She knew how I felt about the Jedi and the Sith; how they both needed to be destroyed in order for the Galaxy to truly know peace. What's more... she said she shared my beliefs. She said she knew how to make my plan a reality, but first I needed to be strong." He lowers his head, smiling more wolfishly. "That was where Darth Nox came in. As it turned out, his 'binding ritual' was how he'd made himself so difficult to kill! Somehow, he had found ghosts from all across the galaxy, six of them, and bound them to his body, using them to fuel his own power.
"Traya knew that Nox wanted to bind her too, but when he tried, she somehow flipped it! She drained him of his power, his very life essence... and gave it to me." He flexes his fingers, and sparks of lightning dance over them. "I can use the Force now. Just like that. In a matter of moments, I went from being a ordinary name to having the power of a Master." He chuckles in amazement of his own power. "And then... Traya told me to bind her. She WANTED me to take her, and her power, and use it to destroy the Jedi and the Sith. THAT is my sole purpose now... but I am still not strong enough. I must continue to train, the study the Force. Study it so that I may one day end it." His eyes flash purple again. "She is still with me. She is part of me now, guiding he forward.

"As we speak, I am on my way back to the Republic. It has been years, and they probably think I'm dead. When I tell them of how I killed Darth Nox, put a final end to one of the greatest threats to the known galaxy... I expect they'll welcome me back as a hero." The final recording ends, but that is not all. There is one file remaining, in which is written only two words: Tempest Eye

[Zarkun]

Zar'kun Je'and

The recording reveals all I had begun to put together and I shake my head. "Force Walking always was a dangerous technique, but those who I knew could control the spirits they bound seemed nearly impossible to kill." I begin pacing. "D4, upload what you have on the Tempest Eye to the ships databanks, we'll go over them later. And then go ahead and shutdown for a bit, you've earned some rest." I turn to Iwan as I come to a stop.

"This is far worse than I had thought it could be and until Jakito and Becca, they'll be in the dark. There is much to prepare for in the coming days. Far more than I could have anticipated..."

[Lord Greshh]

Iwan Starsnow
I nod, unsure of how to reply. This was a lot to handle all at once. I think I should lay down for a while. I excuse myself and head towards the bunks. Strangely, after everything that I've just seen, what with ghost, Sith Lords and plans for galactic conquest, the one thing that keeps going through my mind is... THAT was the man my mother praised. That was my father.
I was better off on Myrkr.

---------MEANWHILE----------

Darth Hexxus
On the planet Boz Pity, I stand shirtless on the balcony of my room, overlooking a rocky valley of giant bones. I am between missions, and becoming rather bored and antsy. My master has not given me a clear mission in some time, not since I burned down that Elementary School on Naboo. That satiated by thirst for violence for a time... but that only lasts so long. I need a new outlet soon.

[Zarkun]

Darth Imperious

Boz Pity, the graveyard of giants. Of course someone like this Gendry would be hiding here, where the marks of violence and death could be felt everywhere. Even as Sith, I had never been a fan of the more wasteful killing. Once an enemy was properly cowed, one need only convince them to never cross you again. A lesson that Thanatos refused to learn. However, even my most loyal had found other paths to walk when the Sith Empire fell, and now the only companion still with me after all these years was the Deshade, Khem Val. We had landed unseen shortly after a coup had seen Salazaar Gresh, the former Emperor's Wrath, join the Force, but he hadn't been my reason for coming, no, that reason now stood below me on his balcony looking out over the planet.

"Now, Mistress? He is alone and distracted." Khem made a good point.

"Yes, Khem, now." My loyal Deshade went first, landing with a heavy thud to Gendry's left, his vibrosword in hand.

"Don't move, little Sith, or I will enjoy your bones." I was close behind, though cloaked in the power of the Force. Dropping my Force Cloak, I approach the young man.

"So you're Gendry? Or do you prefer Darth Hexxus?" I shake my head. "Sucal has no taste in apprentices, I doubt you'd even give Khem a good work out." My saberstaff was in my hand, but for now, remained deactivated, as I wasn't going to pick a fight until I had to.

[Lord Greshh]

Darth Hexxus
Turns to face the Deshade, then peers past him towards the Togruta. "Well, just when I thought today would be boring." Smiles wickedly. "What brings you all this way? Hoping to find Salazar Greshh? I'm afraid you're a bit late. His children escaped with his body weeks ago. But... we can play, if you like? Do you like games?" I am about to approach her, but I think better of it when the Deshade looms over me. "Cute pet you've got here. Does he fetch?"

[Zarkun]

Darth Imperious

I sneer at his jab. "Only the bones of those who think they're too good to be a meal." Coming around Khem, I look the boy in the eye. "Now then, if you're done attempting to gode a reaction out of myself or my companion, where is Malori?"

[Lord Greshh]

Darth Hexxus
Frowns. "Oh, Her." I remember my first and only encounter with her aboard Sucal's ship. The touch of her cold hand on my cheek, her kiss upon my forehead, and her voice, like sweet poison. A rush of emotions from all corners of the spectrum rush through me at the thought, but I shake them away to focus on the person in front of me. "I have no idea where she is. Last I saw her, she was with Sucal aboard his personal flagship, but that was days ago." Leans back on the railing. "Why? You got business with her?"