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Straits of Steel (A South East Asian Cyberpunk Thriller)

Good luck with it y'all.

Straits of Steel (A South East Asian Cyberpunk Thriller)

Kiyoshi Jeong

//YOUR SELF

Kiyoshi Jeong

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Affiliation: Formerly an assassin for the Black Yangtze. Now a freelance assassin.

Appearance: Kiyoshi stands 182 centimeters in height, possessing a lean, athletic body type. He is of mixed Korean - Japanese ancestry with masculine facial features. His eyes are a fierce dark brown shade while his hair is black and cut into a rebellious hairstyle. He is typically clean shaven but it is not unheard of him to rock some light stubble. The assassin's skin is slightly tanned in complexion and devoid of scars. He has one single tattoo, embedded into the skin on his back right shoulder blade. It is the insignia of the Black Yangtze, though nowadays he always keeps it covered up. His frame is lanky with some muscle definition, signs of constant exercise and physical upkeep. Both of his arms are completely cybernetic, as well as his legs below the knees. The robotic limbs are quite evident and sleek in their build, fitting his frame.

As far as apparel goes Kiyoshi dresses in darker colors, his favorite outfit being a black and teal blue arrangement. Topped off with comfortable matching leather boots. He does not wear armor as his combat style is not suited for direct combat, the name of the game for him is speed. The assassin opts for clothing which allows optimum flexibility and movement.

//YOUR SOUL

PERSONAL GOAL: Kiyoshi simply desires to enrich himself at the moment. He has no grand goals but does have thoughts of leaving it all behind and disappearing to somewhere peaceful. He dismisses these thoughts as 'silly'.

LIKES:

• Intelligent minded people that do not prod too much
• Old samurai films
• A strong glass of whiskey
• Classical music, it calms him
• Peaceful places devoid of chaos and noise
• Cats
• Chess
• Bad puns

DISLIKES:

• Noisy, boisterous people
• Speaking of his past
• Chaotically noisy places such as crowded bars and nightclubs
• Dishonesty
• 'Unrefined killers', those that slaughter indiscriminately and without any art to their movements
• Drunks and drug addicts.
• Being the center of attention
• Public speaking

REPUTE: During his days as an assassin for the Black Yangtze he was held in high regard by his compatriots, and feared by his targets. He excelled in his time with the gang but has since had a rough falling out with the powerful mafia, which has left him in a harder position. He's a decently well known name in New Malacca due to his years of work as a deadly assassin, but has become more selective with his job choices in recent time. To the commonfolk on the street Kiyoshi is nobody, just another mysterious face in the crowds. Someone that speaks few words to them and goes about his own way.

HEEL: Perhaps Kiyoshi's largest heel is his paranoia concerning the Black Yangtze. Even though he left the gang with honest words, he still fears they may seek retribution upon him. He is fearful of one day wandering down the wrong alley and being jumped by a dozen of their thugs, or a bomb detonating inside of his apartment building. The Black Yangtze may be honorable and distinguished in their ways but he knows they are just as ruthless as every other gang in New Malacca. He is also filled with a grand amount of regret which his thoughts often dwell upon.

CODE: Kiyoshi does possess his own code of honor, something which was instilled upon him during his days with the Black Yangtze which he has continued to hold dearly to this day. He is honest with his words, whilst he may spout lies when in the vicinity of a target in order to keep the secrecy of the mission he does not lie to his superiors. He respects the strength of his fiercest opponents, often bestowing those that truly impress him with honorable deaths. He also has a code of contact which he exhibits, disallowing himself from harming women or children (unless they are designated as targets). His Yangtze code extends beyond this matter in some ways, such as the field of charity. Kiyoshi will frequently donate money to good causes, most often those which aid orphans and at risk youth.

QUIRKS: A strange quirk which the assassin possesses is twirling with a necklace which he always keeps in his pocket. He'll frequently pull it from he confines of his jacket and clench it in his hands, twirl it between his fingers or gaze upon the picture within the pendant. It is a memento from a fallen lover and a keepsake to the mysterious man.

//YOUR PAST

Kiyoshi Jeong was born in Tokyo, Japan to a poor single mother. His Korean father was never in the picture, he never even knew the man's name. The young boy's mother was a poor woman, riddled with debt and deep into abuse of drugs. At a very young age he was given up by her and taken into child protective services. After drifting through foster homes for several years he would end up in the household of Hokama Shigeko, a stern older man who was also a prominent member of the Black Yangtze. Shigeko would become Kiyoshi's official guardian and the two would move to New Malacca. During his teenage years Kiyoshi would naturally become involved with the gang, starting off small time as runner for the gang. He would gradually become more absorbed into the gang, by the time he reached adulthood his loyalty was deeply evident. Shortly after Shigeko's death Kiyoshi pledged his life to the gang, where he would undergo cybernetic augmentations to improve his abilities, his natural limbs were removed and replaced with improved mechanical ones. His pathhood to becoming an elite assassin for the Black Yangtze would be established.

He was trained in the ways of stealth and speed, taught to cut down those that sought to go against the gang. The code of the Black Yangtze was embedded into him, a way of honor and pride. During his early days of training he would be bestowed the sword he still carries to this day. Kiyoshi would name the blade Masamune, after the legendary Japanese blacksmith who crafted swords for the illustrious samurai. As his training progressed he would be sent on missions for the gang, assassinating targets which they demanded he slayed efficiently, silently and without a second thought. Expectations for the young assassin were high but he repeatedly lived up to them. He would receive payment for successful operations but the true reward was the honor he received from his superiors, the pride which he brought to the Black Yangtze. He struck from the shadows as a nameless assassin, helping to spread fear of the powerful gang throughout the land. Kiyoshi's devotion to the mafia had dulled his growth as a person, something which did not began to dawn upon him until years later. He was essentially a shadow which lived to kill for the Black Yangtze.

As the bodies stacked up so did his inner concerns, a loneliness grew inside of the assassin which he could not fill with slain targets. In his travels he'd meet a beautiful young woman in a Black Yangtze nightclub, Eindra Nhin Nwe. She was a dancer, and a forced escort under control of the gang. Kiyoshi would fall for her upon first laying eyes on her. She would become the first thing that really mattered to him outside of his service to the Black Yangtze. He'd frequently visit her in his free time, one notable time being when he found bruises on her. She was a forced laborer, taken from her homeland and made to sell herself in the nightclubs of New Malacca. Kiyoshi would pay her 'owner' a visit, raising his blade to man's throat as he threatened to painfully cut him into pieces if he laid his hands on Eindra again. This would be his first major mistake in the gang, earning him a stern rebuking from his superiors over threatening the life of a long time member. He would still continue his service as an assassin for the gang but the seed of doubt had planted itself in his mind. His love for Eindra had conflicted with his gang fed brainwashing.

Though he continued to bring honor to the Black Yangtze through his operations as a silent assassin he'd continue to question his place within the group. How his lover was treated, that she was a slave stolen from her home country and brought to this vicious new city. One night after Eindra had broken down in his arms the assassin made a drastic decision, as he once more paid her handler a visit. With a swift, decisive swing of his sword he'd remove the man's head from the shoulders. This would prove to be a dire decision for the fiercely loyal assassin. He was harshly punished for the choice to slay another member, an elder member. The only thing which saved him from meeting an execution himself was his years of unquestioned loyalty and service to the Black Yangtze. He was still tortured for days, beaten and starved until his punishment was deemed fitting. After this he purchased Eindra, paying far more than she was deemed worth, a choice he made wholeheartedly for the woman he loved. He'd free her and the two lovers would live together from that moment forward as Kiyoshi returned to assassin work for the powerful mafia.

For a couple of years Kiyoshi was actually happy, the beautiful woman he loved was by his side and his life seemed to have purpose. He'd continue to build up his reputation as an elite assassin, once more reaffirming his loyalty to the gang. Eindra and him had discussed starting a family, a difficult but not impossible task. They got married in a small ceremony, a true day of happiness for Kiyoshi. He'd lulled into a sense of security and safety. His life would be plunged back into pain and confusion as he'd return one night from a mission to find the pregnant Eindra slain in cold blood, gunshots marking her corpse as vengeance had been brought against him by a brother of her former owner who Kiyoshi had killed. The assassin broke down in tears as he pulled into a rage filled depression. After her burial he swore retribution against the man. He'd track the butcher of his wife and deliver a brutal vengeance of his own, though it did little to sew up his wounds.

The next day he was summoned before his superiors to explain what he'd down. Kiyoshi was granted some measure of leniency due to his long devotion to the Black Yangtze as well as what was considered a warranted revenge for the sudden killing of his wife. The assassin then left the powerful gang, sending himself into an exile. Kiyoshi would spend some time trying to mourn the love of his life, to find some solace in life. He'd re emerge a few months later as a freelance assassin for hire to the highest bidders, though he was careful to not go against his former gang. His leaving of the gang was already considered a gift, the last thing he wanted to do was to enrage them. For the last few years this independent work has been what has gotten him by, living a solitary life while regret and paranoia fill his mind.

//YOUR PERSON

ATTRIBUTES:

• Stealth - As a highly trained assassin for the Black Yangtze the necessities of stealth movement and attacks were instilled in him. In tune with his mechanical limbs Kiyoshi is adept at moving quietly and striking as faintly. He knows several lethal and non lethal takedowns, able to remove opponents from the field with them none the wiser. He's a ideal at infiltration as well, able to stealthily break into places without being detected. The downside of all this training is that he is practically useless on the frontlines, direct combat not where he belongs at all.
• Acrobat - A masterful parkourist Kiyoshi is adept at darting across rooftops, over obstacles and around buildings. His cyberware legs offer him increased movement speed and leaping ability. He can contort his body to avoid strikes and reach hard to get to areas.
• Close range combat - Kiyoshi is extremely capable in close rang fights where he can carve through enemies with his sword. He has spent nearly two decades of his life training with the weapon stretching back to his first days within the Black Yangtze. Even when unarmed he is still a fierce opponent, possessing knowledge in some forms of martial arts. Coupled with his mechanical limbs and agility he is a tough opponent to hit as well as a hard hitting attacker.

BODY MODS:

• Mechanically augmented arms - Entirely machine in their design but seamlessly linked into his natural body, these limbs allow Kiyoshi increased flexibility, movement speed, climbing speed and strength. The arms are not perfect and are prone to rare glitches where his hands may seize up or twitch unconsciously. They were forced onto him by the Black Yangtze, though he has grown accustom to them.
• Mechanically augmented legs - Much like his arms these were also forced upon him by his former gang. The augmented legs are robotic visually, dark metals more akin to those of a robot than man. There is no synthetic skin cover on them or his arms. These machine legs grant him an increase in sprinting speed, jumping ability and kicking strength. A concentrated kick is enough to knock a basic door clear off its hinges.
• Saewung personal cloaking device - Embedded into Kiyoshi's augmented right wrist the device grants the assassin a cloaking field. When activated it gives him near invisibility. The system is extremely high tech but far from perfect. The field itself is not true invisibility, there is a faint shimmer around his frame. In the right lighting or with sharp vision it can be made out that something is strange. This shimmer is more evident when he is on the move, remaining motionless is the best way for him to use the feature. The device also does not cloak him beyond the naked eye, he would still appear on infrared vision or electronic sights. Prolonged usage of the device also causes Kiyoshi varying degrees of pain, from bouts of dizziness to painful headaches to at its worst, blacking out.

EQUIPMENT:

• Kiyoshi's sword, nicknamed Masamune - The stainless steel blade serves as the main weapon of choice for the assassin. The blade is razor sharp, carving through flesh and bone ferociously. A high tech feature on the weapon allows him to activate a thermal blade function which can let the blade cut through some lighter types of metals. Though this high tech function runs on a short life battery and requires recharging after usage, he will typically activate it to help him break into buildings. When not in usage it is kept on a sheath on his hip.
• Dagger - A simple combat knife which Kiyoshi carries on his belt. It serves more as a general usage knife rather than a weapon of battle.
• Grappling hook - For the hardest to reach places the augmented assassin carries a basic grappling hook. The tool allows him to hook onto ledges or rooftops in order to grant him easier climbing or descending.
• Smoke grenades - Kept on his belt these grant the assassin a means of aided escape if a situation goes south, or if he simply desires to obfuscate his enemies vision in order to strike. They are similar to the smoke grenades carried by military personnel.

Straits of Steel (A South East Asian Cyberpunk Thriller)

Honestly feeling the classic street samurai assassin.

Straits of Steel (A South East Asian Cyberpunk Thriller)

I'm gonna do my very best to have my sheet done by sunday. Been a busy week for me.

What Are You Listening To?

They don’t miss. Ever.

Straits of Steel (A South East Asian Cyberpunk RP)

I'm very intrigued. Been kinda buried with work and such but if I can think of a fun character idea I will definitely try to get in on this.

Star Wars: Legacies (Always Open)

Fear shot into the officers eyes as boots scuffed and moved throughout the hangars. Blasters drawn and aimed at the individual with the orange blades. While nobody on this particular ship had seen anyone with a lightsaber, they had heard tales and spoken to people who had. They knew of the Imperial Knights and their skills and abilities. Without so much as a second thought he pulled his communicator up to his face “We have a Code 66 in the Hangar Bay I repeat a Code 66!” He dropped his free hand to his holdout blaster, raising it and taking a couple of shots while the stormtroopers elsewhere in the hangar started to do the same.

There was no hesitation, and in fact perhaps a certain look of satisfaction on the Zabrak’s face as this occurred. Numbers, they had, but how quickly they forget the folly of reckless gun-usage, as Tarak swept up off his feet and swung his sabers around. Blades intersected blaster bolts and sent them off in different directions, including the officer’s shots. Mind you, the way he jumped was to allow a number of them to miss, but several surely returned to sender or off to another troop instead. It didn’t matter how many died initially, or that reinforcements would shortly be on their way. Tarak had plans on how to clear the room already, his hands making gestures as soon as he landed.

One hand merely swept up in an attempt to toss the Officer into the ceiling, to which he hoped to hear the smashing of his fool head in as he enacted the other part of the plan. The other hand was soon performing a slightly-more complex task, but any man who’s memorized his ship’s console could in fact perform the task. Ship’s ignition, hovering thrust, engage weaponry, and open fire. Any troops still within the room would see the Cleaving Tusk activate, set into hover mode, wings extend and guns point forwards, and then...rapid blaster-fire from the vehicle as it shot around the room with Tarak mentally adjusting the attitude control to clear the room of everything but himself, not to mention cause severe damage to everything in sight.

As the ship raised up and started to fire the blaster bolts it tore into the walls of the ship killing those on the other side and beginning to gut the ship. While the stormtroopers continued to raise fire upon the individual with the saber, through a door at the back of the hangar two Dark Troopers walked in. Raising their arm cannons and started laying in fire towards the ship. Shots hitting the shields, the energy dissipating against the shields. Whether it would hold up against sustained fire however was another matter.

The distinctive screams of a TIE Fighter could be heard as one came howling into the hangar of Resolute. The twi’lek behind the fighter’s controls quickly assessed the chaotic situation before him. The Imperial Knight had been summoned by one of the Imperial officers aboard the vessel and it was time for order to be brought. Iwil was surprised to see the cause of the struggle wielding a red lightsaber, the telltale sign of a dark side user. It had been sometime since he had seen such a blade in usage. Perhaps not since he had laid his own down on his final day as an Inquisitorius then forged his new lightsabers. This berserking Force user tinged of the dark side to an almost shocking degree as he attacked the assembled Imperial forces inside the hangar. The knight’s eyes focused on the Zabrak’s starship which fired wildly across the hangar.

Iwil hovered his own starfight in place, then practically slammed his fingers onto the controls of his ship’s blaster cannons. He had to take that obstacle out of commission first, it would make bringing down this dark sider that much easier. The Imperial knight fired upon the ship with intent as he dealt a number upon the foreign vessel. Even if it fired upon his TIE it could take the damage, Imperial Knights were issued upgraded variants of the classic Imperial starfighter. Increased shielding the most important feature in this type of situation. Iwil used the Force to take over control of the cannon’s controls as he moved his hand to open the top hatch of his fighter. A moment later he ascended from inside his fighter, standing atop it, the craft still laying into the Cleaving Tusk. The crimson armored knight had his lightsabers in hand as he leapt down from the top of his ship, then ignited them as he darted at the dark sider from an angle.

The Cleaving Tusk did not have to hold up under Dark Trooper fire for long. It was designed to be a sleek and versatile fighter, and though he was not at the helm exactly...Tarak still took much delight in swinging it around so that the energy bomb launcher in back could fire upon the Dark Troopers, causing quite an explosion! Indeed, the Sith was laying waste to much of this hangar, alarms blaring as the whole area and hallways beyond were compromised. Fires raised and Troopers would have a more difficult time even approaching the area now...as indeed it should be. Tarak had established a perimeter of death and destruction that, eventually, no fool would dare to cross. It was tactically more sound to await his approach than funnel into the meat grinder. True, there was a literal army on board, but would the commander of this vessel dare throw his men away so casually? No, the better question was...could he afford to, knowing that they needed every able body to throw at the Republic? Ahhh...now that was indeed a quandary. Not immediately important, though, as Tarak felt his senses pricked just prior to the arrival of the TIE. The Force spoke to both ends, and the players in their parts knew that the other was there in the great game of life. Very soon, the opponents were paired off, Cleaving Tusk against the enhanced TIE, and the Zabrak against the Twi'lek. The former of the two battles was mainly in the background at this point, however. The main point was here, with these two warriors of the Force. To the other’s initial approach, Tarak struck with both fiery sabers in a parry that was made to deflect Iwik’s more agile approach with unyielding strength, his feet planted to remain as resolute as the ISD’s own name. He smirked at the attacker.

"Greetings..."

Oh, there was so much hostility here, and fierce joy in his work. That one word alone seemed layered with it, as though he were to say ‘Welcome to my killing pit’. He was very much in the center of his own element here, with flames and destruction everywhere, sirens blaring and panic no doubt racing throughout the ship as they desperately clambered for some means to alleviate themselves of this menace.

“End this idiocy now, surrender. There is no way for you to make it out of this,” Iwil replied as their lightsabers clashed and the hangar sounded around them. Righteous white clashed powerfully with magmatic orange as the two dueled whilst their starfighters fired upon each other. The twi’lek darted to the side, then took a defensive stance with both blades posed at the ready.

“You reek of the dark side. It has put you into an unwinnable situation.” The Imperial Knight added as he ensured his feet were properly planted, then lifted two fingers off one of his weapons to signal for the brute to attack him.

He always enjoyed facing dark siders, they were so clouded with misguided arrogance and rage. This one was practically boiling over with the dark, it reminded Iwil of himself in his inquisitor days. He would strike down this brute if he needed to, but taking the Zabrak alive could yield some answers. Iwil could signal for more backup if he needed it, but he didn’t believe he would. Though if he did perhaps the Knight Commander would be the one to arrive on the scene next. Dredar had gone away some time ago on a mission directly from Lord Imperium, only stating a few simple words to the other Knights before his departure.

The Zabrak emitted a derisive laugh and shrugged at Iwil.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about. This was merely a disagreement between myself and customs. I was going through proper channels. It’s your own fault for not being accommodating."

He was mocking him, treating all of this as a minor inconvenience, including the Twi’lek himself. In no way was he underestimating that he was dealing with another experienced Force-user, but he was neither intimidated by the man, either. He would treat it with as much respect that was necessary, no more and no less. Overestimation led to pointless time-wasting and underestimation led to a quick folly. Always live on that edge of the knife where your actions are exactly where they need to be, to find that area of the perfect kill, one way or another… For instance, the best way to crush those who think they have the upper-hand is to let them believe so...right before the unexpected occurs. That stance the Twi’lek was using… It looked rather deft at reacting to the attack incoming. How would it be, then, if Tarak reached out and pulled with the Force, so that his enemy might fall forwards and off balance for him to bring down his own sabers?! Well, that was the aim, anyway.

“I don’t believe that. Drop your weapons and surrender.” Iwil shot back with a fierce glare. The trained Force user took notice of what the brute was about to try as he felt the Force.

The twi’lek instead channeled the Force and dashed directly at his opponent. Both blades spinning with fury as he channeled his aggression into pure speed. As he closed in on the zabrak he cleaved at two different levels of his enemy, one swing at chest height while the other lashed towards his belt level. The Imperial Knight sprinted at an almost blinding speed as he charged, the rank and file troopers around them simply watching while the two starfights continued to duke it out in air. The summoned death troopers continued to pour blaster bolts into the stranger’s vessel, it surely wasn’t going to last much longer under such duress. Iwil had to end this nonsense as quickly as possible, it was disgraceful to the Imperium that this dark side fueled beast had come here and made such a scene.

The movement was unexpected and fast, causing Tarak to take a backfoot as he reacted by instinct to defend himself. Where once were the sabers ready to tear down an enemy, they instead jerked to parry aside and force themselves against the Twi’lek’s light sabers, one pointed up and one pointed down as these plasma blades were pushed away. He surprised him with that speed, but even if Tarak was not that fleet of foot, his reactions were able to move quickly enough. It put him on the defensive, and that was fine. He gave a little grunt of effort and a snarl for effect. At the moment, he became aware of more gunfire than normal. Interfering whelps again. Did they not learn the first few times? Very well, we will dispense with the distractions. The Zabrak’s eyes narrowed and his memory of the controls - how he’d handle this if he were in the cockpit - showed clearly in his mind. With a shift, the somewhat-ailing Cleaving Tusk would pull a sudden one-eighty turn and fire its energy bomb launcher point-blank at the TIE while turning its guns on the troops. That would certainly handle soldiers and ships for the moment, maybe even down the Imperial fighter entirely. It mattered not. At roughly the same time, Tarak put the two handles of his light sabers together and they locked in place, making it the assassin’s double-saber before shoving back at the Twi’lek with a growl and lashing out at him as though his body were a devastating whirlwind. With his body spin-striking the weapon thus, with his own offensive pressed, the other Force-user would have to be very quick to defend, very fleet of foot to escape, or very dead in the extreme.

The twi’lek smirked as he bounded forward, hitting his opponent with both blades. Though neither broke through the sturdy defenses it was a positive sign that he could use his upper hand in agility to find holes to strike. This brute was no slouch though, he was well trained even if his mind was clouded with dark side addled arrogance. Iwil would bring the zabrak down nonetheless, either through a disabling or death. He furrowed his brow as more fire was focused upon his TIE fighter as it continued the pilotless dogfight above. It did not matter to him if the ship was destroyed, if there was one thing which the Imperium excelled at it was manufacturing war machinery. As the dark sider launched into a whirlwind the twi’lek backpeddled with both his blades bouncing upwards to deflect blows. He created space between the two of them until he was fully clear.

The Imperial knight used the force to fuel his frame then launched into the air as he soared above his opponent. He landed cleanly, then called upon the force once more as he plucked some debris from the side. With a grunt he flung it towards the zabrak, then followed it up with another piece of debris. Both debris flew rapidly towards the brute. Neither were massive in their size but he wasn’t looking to crush his hulking opponent with them. Iwil just needed a brief break of concentration from this intruder, then he could launch in and deliver a potentially crippling blow.

Yes, the other Force-user was very nimble. If not for his Master’s use of quick and flowing attacks, Tarak might’ve had more openings, and thus be less difficult foe to deal with. It was never easy, dealing with that, but his Master insisted that he work at it, and although he was the Master for a reason, it was with great pride that he managed to push the man back, at times. Now, however, there was the unknown with this Twi’lek, and a multitude of potential problems. In all honesty, this could drag out for a considerable time, and while only a short time had passed in reality, it was long in terms of battle. Indeed, the Zabrak was beginning to harbor ideas for a plan of attack that would render this one here irrelevant, for a time. For now, though, he would see what he could do with this annoying insect.

Even now, as Iwil leapt overhead, Tarak followed his movements, keeping his senses open for some sort of sneak-tactic. He didn’t seem to quite adopt those. That was disappointing, and yet not so, at the same time. For instance, the thrust of debris was caught up in a spin of his connected sabers. There was, in the Empire, this contingent of lazy Force-hunters - the Purge Troopers - who, among those skilled in the Force to hunt their own kind, carried these automated spinning double-sabers. Pathetic. You learn your weapon well or it will fail you. The Zabrak swept the weapon around even as he was deflecting and destroying the small debris, keeping his head out of the way as he did. Iwil would probably notice, before his charge, that Tarak had cut what amounted to a bloody swath in the deckplating before him. The blades kept giving off bits and drips of heated plasma. That last action had even momentarily set his own cloak on fire...not that he seemed to notice. Anyway, this became important because his surge forwards would quickly find a problem.

He might’ve sensed it before he heard it, but he definitely heard it before he saw it. The Zabrak caused the deckplates and electronics just beneath to flip up at him using an explosion of the Force in the floor, bringing it up at him like a wave of solid matter, or a door slamming in one’s face. However Iwil chose to react to this, his opponent’s next act was clear, stabbing right through the plating to try and skewer him while distracted, and surging that blade up through the impromptu wall to try and get at him, should he jump over! Not just a brute, then, this blackguard. Tactical moves, anticipation and reaction, and above all there was still yet that aim to dominate his foe through controlled chaos. Whatever Master trained him was doing more than making him angry. He enjoyed this. He was making sport of this. All the emotions were fuel for his fire...and potentially insanity.

The well trained twi’lek watched the sizable opponent’s reaction carefully as the debris bounded towards him. He didn’t expect them to do any actual damage but hopefully create a break in his opponent’s concentration in order to strike. He was surprised at what Tarak instead did, as the Force rippled through the floor beneath him. Iwil launched himself upwards, blades in a defensive position as he expected a lightsaber attack. He was met with that as the blade’s came surging for him. The Imperial Knight caught the blades between his own, as the blazing white met with the molten red of his opponent. He used his agility to once more create space between them, though as the twi’lek landed he caught eye of a fleet suddenly emerging. Clear through the hangar bay doors.

“Are those your friends, Sith?” Iwil asked with a smirk, as he paced carefully across from his opponent. Still ensuring to keep his resolve on the fight at hand. Having yet to see any laser fire emit from this newly arrived fleet of Imperial vessels. Then the twi’lek dashed towards his enemy, shifting side to side in an attempt to catch Tarak off guard. Either way both of his weapons’ blades would strike in from the side, a bold move but a necessary one to try to gain the upper hand.

The lack of any death scream or cries of pain disappointed the Zabrak. As much as he delighted in an opponent worthy of his brutality, the fact is that he would’ve preferred something a little more decisive and quick at this moment. It was, after all, an entire Star Destroyer’s worth of opposition, and there were other vessels out there, as well. In fact, surprisingly, there were now even more ships in the immediate vicinity than there had been just a moment ago! This had not been anticipated… As much as he had figured upon there being problems landing on Coruscant, friction between him and the local Imperials, and indeed the trials and tribulations of executing a whole crew...the notion of yet more ships just showing up all of a sudden had not crossed his mind. The situation was growing just a bit too complex for his liking. Better to cut this little venture short and move on, or at least find another way to handle things. Perhaps...yes… Those ships were not falling into formation with the rest, but were in opposition. Perhaps they were his friends. He merely laughed at Iwil, neither confirming nor denying what he had asked about. Best to keep him on his toes, keep him worried. Speaking of which, the Twi’lek was dashing at him again, full force, to throw him back. Tarak put forth his own sabers in a strong defense, but let his footing go so that he could be pushed back closer to the hangar’s atmospheric shield.

"Give my regards to the Command Tower...and BEGONE!!!"

A strong shockwave of the Force lashed out at Iwil as he thrust his sabers back at him hard, working to catapult him physically and launch him willfully so that he might be thrown across the room. There, he would bring his ship to heel so that he could leave the other warrior behind.

Iwil grunted as he was thrown backwards by the shockwave, the Imperial knight doing his best to keep his footing as the Zabrak darted for his starship. He did manage to block the forceful red blades with his own but was still sent away from the Sith. Tarak did not affirm or deny any allegiance with this newly arrived Imperial fleet, though the twi’lek did not believe the hulking Force user was aligned with them. He did not see any shots fired from the imposingly large fleet which meant it may very well be a peaceful arrival as opposed to an assault on the galactic crown jewel. He turned his attention back to Tarak as the Sith dashed towards his ship in order to escape. Iwil did not give pursuit, instead he brought his commlink towards his jaw and spoke.

“Let the Zabrak go. Get a tracker on his ship.” The Imperial knight stated firmly as he watched Tarak get closer to his ship. He did not know where this warrior was fleeing too, but if he attempted to make a run for the surface of Coruscant he’d surely be tailed by Imperium forces. Though this newly arrived fleet may have drawn some attention away from the bold Sith’s arrival. With a flicker of both Iwil deactivated his two weapons as he stood amongst the rubble from their rapid encounter.

What Are You Listening To?

Star Wars: Legacies (Always Open)

Dredar Ragant, aboard the Nighfury, on approach to Coruscant

The Raider Class Imperial corvette emerged from hyperspace a short distance from Corucant. The voyage of the Nightfury back to the homeworld of the Grand Imperium had been without issue. Dredar had moved to his makeshift quarters in the vessel shortly after his return from the successful negotiations. The Knight Commander was pleased that the new Confederacy was so reasonable in their agreement. Though he was truthfully unsure how effective an ally the still fledgling CIS would prove be. But with the Imperium's backing their level of strength would certainly accelerate. Upon arrival in his room, formerly a storage cell now converted into a makeshift bunk room, the force user had gone into meditation. As the force flowed around him it filled his mind, cleansing him of the worst thoughts whilst feeding his motivation. As he sat with folded legs in the room he levitated off the durasteel floor, a sign that his entire frame was in tune with the force. His lightsaber shook gently as it was clipped to his hip, Dredar delighted to not have had to use it on this diplomatic mission.

The last thing any man on the Nightfury expected to greet them when they returned home was a potentially hostile fleet amassed around Coruscant. Captain Dystra stared wide eyed out the frontal windows on the bridge of the Imperial vessel as he counted each of the ships scattered around the world. The veteran Navy man was no stranger to a space battle but he did not see any ship to ship cannon-fire being exchanged. Regardless, the entire situation stunk of something wrong even as he ordered all crew on the bridge to stand down and push forward towards Coruscant. He reluctantly approached the holo transmitter in order to contact the ship's temporary commanding officer, Dredar. Dystra sighed as he pressed the button, the head of the Imperial Knights having given specific orders to not disturb him except for an emergency.

"Knight Commander, my deepest apologies for the disturbance, but there is something you must see. There is a fleet assembled in orbit of Coruscant." The captain began to say as his holographic figure appeared above a small console in Dredar's quarters. The force user sprung out of his meditation as soon as the word 'fleet' was mentioned.

"A what? Is it the rebels?" Dredar asked with evident surprise, disgust leaking out of his words at the mention of the self proclaimed New Republic. He'd never call them that name, they'd always be a brash band of traitors and rebels to him.

"No sir. They are Imperial vessels but they are not with the Imperium. We are still on approach to the world and attempting to hail the nearest capitol ship," Dystra replied with his hands folded in front of him. "They did not open fire upon us, it appears to be an entirely peaceful scene."

"I will be on the bridge shortly and engage them. I have no doubt Lord Ozzell hailed them as soon as they entered the sector." The Knight Commander said with certainty, then walked out of his quarters as the hologram flickered away. He clenched his fist as he exited the room, the death troopers sent on the mission with him following him like bodyguards.

He was unsure of what to make of the situation. There were several Imperial 'remnants', most of them moffs or admirals controlling small star systems. The hostility with which they encountered each other varied, though these false proclaimed successors to the true Empire were more cowardly than anything. Many were like entitled children playing warlords, until the rebels or a larger Imperial faction rolled in and defeated them. Dredar was unsure where this fleet had come from but he believed they came with diplomatic intentions, judging by the fact the orbit around Coruscant had not descended into a massive space battle. Perhaps Ozzell could bring them under boot, get them to swear allegiance and strengthen the Grand Imperium. The man was certainly suave enough to do so. Upon Dredar's arrival to the bridge he was greeted with a bow of respect from Captain Dystra.

"We have reached out to one of the Super Star Destroyers, Lord Commander." The grey haired man stated calmly as he glanced back out of the front the Nightfury as they drew closer to the Coruscant's orbit.

"Excellent. I do hope they answer our hailing, these 'Imperials' have some questions to answer. Captain, please also send a message to Lord Ozzell. I'd like to know what his plan is for this situation, and inform him of our successful return." The crimson armored force user said with a nod as he gazed upon the most impressive vessel in this newly arrived fleet.