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(3.24) Temptations
Temptations
Lunar Lagrange Point Two
ISA Ka-riss-ah
L'harmonia System
Ubaah could feel his anger rising from the encounter he had with the creature just moments ago. It wanted him to fire on the Crusader warship for some reason. What ever that reason was, he was unsure of it. It taunted him with gifts of knowledge to win his action. He hated the idea of being used like some toy in a larger game. He turned in the Captain's chairs and faced the Operation's Officer, “Lieutenant Heartman, you have the bridge. Don't disturb me unless we are engaged in combat.” Ubaah smiled as the young officer nodded with a sharp 'Yes Sir'. On that note Ubaah lifted himself up from the command chair and walked off the bridge. He didn't say another word to anyone as he simply walked through the main door and vanished down the corridor.
To say that his ghostly visitor who had whispered in his ear, had shaken him would be an understatement. Truth be told, the creature that had whispered in his ear touched him more deeply than he would ever admit to. Pushing those feelings aside, he embraced his anger over the situation as well. It was not that he was scared of the ghostly creature or of what it told him. He was upset over feeling like he was some kind of toy in its twisted game. He walked down the corridors of Carissa heading for his quarters. He needed time alone, needed time to think and clear his mind. His anger raged in through his mind while deeper darker feelings swelled in his heart. It was as if some unknown cork had been pulled and now darker feelings were rushing through his heart and mind. He simply couldn't think straight at the moment. He didn't bother replying to one of the crew members who had said something as Ubaah passed him. Ubaah only waved his hand at the man and turned to entire his room.
As the door closed behind him, he saw a woman shrouded in shadows in the far corner of his room. Looking carefully through the shadows he could tell that she was dressed in a Republic Marine uniform. Even though the shadow's danced across her figure, he knew who she was right away. This woman he saw now his quarters was Zya, the Marine First Sergeant he had fought along side of back on Baklid 6. He also knew that she was killed during the events over Coruscant. His eyes narrowed, “Steeling bodies of the dead now?”
“Oh, I am not steeling anything. I am who you see. This is how I know what I do” she said as she moved closer to him. “The your hate and anger that burns in your soul is like a beacon to me. I can sense it from across the vastness of space. It draws me to you” She stopped once she reached the center of the room as Ubaah still stood by the door. She smiled as her eyes glimmered at him, “You are not going to leave, nor will you call for help Ubaah. We both know what you want. What you deeply desire. We both know, you want me to give it to you.” She motioned him to leave, “If you wish, you can leave. I can not stop you. If you do, you shall never see me again. Trust in this. Yet, there you stand. Unwilling to leave , because you know that I can give you what you secretly desire.”
“I want you to stop playing games with me!” Ubaah snapped at her as he took a step forward.
“Games?” she laughed, “Oh you have it all wrong. I am not the one playing games with you. I am breaking rules to tell you what you should know.”
“Then tell me already” Ubaah demanded.
“No”
Ubaah turned to leave, “Then you have nothing for me!”
“Oh trust me Ubaah, I have more for you than you will ever have for me.” There was something in her tone that sent a cold shiver down his spine. He reached out for the door controls and paused as he noticed his hand shaking, “I can show you the events of the past. Events that will truly make you realize who has been playing the games all along. All you need do is open your soul to me and I will start to show you more than your heart can stand see.”
Ubaah looked at his hand shaking as he stood there in front of the closed door. One motion and he was free from this creature once and for all. Or another motion and he could become lost in its darkness forever. He knew all too well what was at stake but he also knew he wanted to know the truth about his mother's murder. However, there was simply something deeper than that. Something calling out to him from the darker side of his soul. He reached out for the door controls and hovered his finger over the 'open' light. He closed his eyes and let go of his fears. His finger moved up slightly and triggered the 'lock' command. Ubaah turned to face the creature before him as she smiled at him. “Show me what you wish” he said walking towards her. Just as he got in front of her, he dropped to his knees as she reached out and touched the sides of his head. His head jerked backwards as he allowed her in to his mind. He felt her cold mind touch his as he willed his defenses down.
Ubaah watched, from his mind's eye as if he was the assassin that night. He could feel and hear everything it did. He looked right in to Honi's eyes as he pulled the trigger. He could see clearly the blaster fire ripping through her body causing her to fly backwards. The smell of her burning flesh filled his nose as he turned to target the next group of bodyguards. He continued to fire throughout the suite with the light repeater. He watched as bodyguards fell under his fire, he felt the weapon's weight in his arms as it fired over and over again. What surprised him, was there was no emotion for the vision. He figured that he was the assassin, so he judged that the assassin didn't have any emotions during this attack/murder. As such, he felt nothing as he murdered the defenders. Ubaah watched as the Jedi Master Nop'Plan moved in for the attack. He knew from the memory of the attacker that he had to plant the charges on the door that would be needed later. He lost the light repeater but was able to complete his task with the charges.
Ubaah watched with a sense of delight as he sent untold voltage in to the Bounty Hunter's body. He didn't care if the Jedi Master saved the Bounty Hunter, all would be dead soon enough. He used his pistol to tricked the Jedi Master and slay him with his own lightsaber. While the attacker felt nothing from the kill, Ubaah actually enjoying feeling the Jedi's arm break under the attack. And he found delight in running the Master through with his own lightsaber. The vision was so intense that he started to actually feel the excitement running through his mind. It was the Padawan turn to die and Ubaah made such short work of the inexperienced jedi it wasn't even funny. Killing the last bodyguard didn't make sense to him, but it didn't change the fact that Ubaah enjoyed it. Then came pure terror, and Ubaah was no where near prepared for it. The murder of his own mother caught him off guard and seeing her laying dead at his own feet ripped a hole in his heart. Before he knew it, it was too late. The memory of her murder was committed to his own memory. And he would later regret having this memory added to his own. As if it couldn't even get worse, there was the memory of removing her head. It was a detail that they had not been made aware of due to Daz's mistakes the day after.
He was screaming in his own mind at the vision. The pain ran so deep that he could not control it. He hated the vision and hated himself for seeking it. He watched as the assassin waited by a large window for Coruscant's finest to show up. It was something else that was over looked from the assassination report. The assassin actually waited nearly ten minutes for reinforcements to show up. His anger grew, but this time not at the assassin, this time it was at Daz. So much had been over looked because the lead Jedi Investigator had become distracted and was not even on the scene where he should have been. Ubaah knew in his heart that Daz should have done more. He shouldn't have been chasing Talon up in space. 'The killer of his mother escaped justice because of Daz' Ubaah thought coldly in his mind.
Ubaah watched the door open as he waved to them then turned to leap out of the window. There was a large explosion behind him as he flew through the air. Doing some twisting and turning, he landed on a speeder truck that was waiting for him a few meters below the window. Within moments, Ubaah was taken below in to the speeder truck by a pair of armored men. Once below his helmet was removed and he saw Talon dressed in the same kind of armor he was wearing. Both he and Talon stood their completely emotionless as a group of beings were talking while looking over some footage. Most likely the assassination. One of the creatures looked like a Mrissi and wearing some kind of white lab coat. The others were completely obscured by the shadows. Out of the corner of his eye, Ubaah could see that Talon's eyes were completely blank as if in some kind of trance. Slowly he was starting to piece some clues together as to Talon's and the assassin's roles in the murder of his mother.
“Your test project was remarkable” said one of those in the shadows. Ubaah was floored when he saw the man step from the shadows. It was none other than, Jedi Grand Master Quaad. “I personally think that this model is much better than the earlier visions. Faster, stronger and more able to think more rapidly.” As he spoke, he walked up to Ubaah and examined him, “Did you see the trick with the pistol? Or the knife attack. What have we created in this one?” he said with both pride and fear in his voice.
“They are completely equal in all regards” said Admiral Heartman stepping from the shadows as well. “Each of their DNA code is nearly identical as well as their programming” he added.
He was followed by a man dressed in normal clothes that seemed to be somewhat in charge. “The test of the latest weapons was a resounding success. Gentlemen, it simply does not get any better then this. Soon we will have more than enough weapon systems to bring the entire rebel Jedi force to its knees. Though I do wish to ask Master Jedi. Why this set of targets instead of a normal field test” the man asked as he turned and continued to look over the footage of the assassination.
Quaad walked over to Ubaah and claimed both Twi'lek heads with a grin. “Repayment on an old debt” he said as he inspected the heads. “Nop'Plan was a loss cannon and had to be dealt with. A spy caught him talking with the Azgardian Ambassador. It was only a matter of time before he was going to move against me.” He placed both heads in a container with a smiled.
“I take it all has gone well?” said the droid known only as Molder said walking over the man in charge.
Admiral Heartman nodded, “Better than expected” as he walked over to inspect both Talon and Ubaah. “I would say, you can inform the Puppet Master that he can start full scale production of both models.” he added as he turned to the Mrissi
“Theyiss needisss moresss worksss” the Mrissi creature said than added, “threesss or foursss moresss upgradesss”
The plan clothed man nodded, “Fine have the upgrades scheduled and carried out. The Puppet Master wants a full report on when we can start full scale production of the weapon systems. We need to get them out to the front lines while the Rebel Jedi are on the defensive.”
Quaad, “I have my prize now” he said picking up the container. “If you don't mind, I have a meeting with Daz in the morning.” he tapped the container, “I have something important to attend to before that meeting.”
Heartman nodded, “I need to get them back to the ship before they are missed.” He said as he activated his comlink to issues his orders to the driver.
The plain clothes man nodded, “Do you have to the latest codex samples?” The Mrissi nodded and pulled out two data chips from a data pad and passed them over. He nodded while he took them both and examined them. “Prefect, their complete upgraded DNA. Within a few months, the next generation Shadow Stalkers will be even more than a match for any Jedi.”
The speeder truck came to a stop and Master Quaad got out of the truck. Ubaah could tell that they were near the Jedi Temple but not very close to it. He stood their unable to move from the position he was in as he heard and saw things before his eyes. He almost started to feel sorry for Talon and the person he was seeing all this through. He saw Heartman walk over to the door, “Hey tell........”
This vision ended suddenly and Ubaah knew in his heart that the next words from Admiral Heartman was going to revel the identity of the Hutt who Quaad was working with. Once more anger filled his heart, “You are toying with me again” he snapped pulling away from her.
“No, not toying with you.” Zya said as she pulled back a bit, “One of the men who gave the order for your Mother's death handed you over to Daz to be trained as a Jedi.” She smiled at him, “Yes I want something from you, and you want something from me.” Her smiled turned in to a grin, “I know your heart deeper than anyone else. I know the evil that lurks there in dark places.” Her eyes drew Ubaah in to the dark places that they were windows to her soul “I gave you want you seek. The identity of those directly responsible for your mother's murder. And your own Master accepted you as his padawan from the man who ordered her death.” She lowered herself to be closer to him while moving forward, “Do you think that Daz knew the darkness in Quaad's heart before he accepted you as his padawan?” She paused in her forward motion and looked down in sadness, “I can feel their plan against me on the planet. Soon, you will loss me as an ally. Alone your mother will never find the justice you wish for her. I killed the one who hands ended your mother's life, those who gave the order will go without justice.”
Ubaah didn't say anything as he just set there on his knees looking at her. He knew the whole reason why they were here. Get the sword in Mia's hands so that it can be controlled. Then take both Mia and the sword to some temple where Mia will give her life to destroy the sword. Part of him knew that the sword had to be destroyed and by doing so would save the galaxy from some greater threat. Then there was another part of him that knew the creature was telling the truth about losing a powerful ally against the Crusade. It was clear to him that they planned and even carried out the assassination of his Mother. They were truly behind the assassination. He looked up to the creature as he thought of what she had said.
“I can shape you in to the Dark Lord you secretly desire to be. Even from my current prison, I can feel your anger. Your hate, your rage. Once they start their plans, I will no longer be able to help you.” she said softly looking down and away from Ubaah, she added softly, “Unless”
Ubaah looked up at her, “Unless what?”
Her eyes turned once more towards him. There was a fire in her eyes as she grinned at him. “Unless you allow me to hide part of myself in to your heart. Once their, you will have the means that you crave to gain revenge for your mother's murder. While there, I will be able to help shape your heart and powers” she said as she waved her hand before his face.
Ubaah looked at his body and saw that he had changed. He was darker, and filled with anger that brought warmth to his being. He felt power surging through him like he never knew before. He slowly rose up and looked at his reflecting. He smiled as he saw the way he looked. The gold bands around his horns and upper arms seemed to fit just right in his new appearance. He smiled as he brought up his red lightsaber and the red glow it cast shadows which danced across his face. He nodded as he felt so natural and so in control of everything around him. 'I like' was all that he could think.
“Tell me Ubaah, do you like what you can become through me?” she asked moving behind him and looking at his reflection in the mirror.
“Yes.......” he said softly with a smile, “Yes I do.....”
“All you have to do, is let me in to your heart once more” she said coiling her arms around him, “Surrender to me once and for all, Ubaah” as she moved her hands over his chest. “The choice is yours....”
It was in that moment Ubaah knew in his heart the sweet and bitter taste of temptation. It was all so very clear to him. Everything was so very clear to him now. He looked in the mirror of his room and saw himself as what he had always seen within his soul. He saw Zya behind him. Her body seemed so lovely and so prefect as she moved behind him. The way she moved was so seductive and her eyes were on his the whole time. He brought his hand up along his side and touched her cold face. She smiled back at him while he ran his hand down her cheek. Her smile was just the icing on the cake. It was that kind of evil smile that he could truly love. He nodded at the reflections and never once noticed the nine eyes hovering behind him that is the true appearance of the evil creature that is visiting him now.
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Morning Reports
Del Nord Alta Muntanya
L'harmonia
“Good Morning Captain, I hope you slept well. Your morning report has been drafted and ready for you. Late last night, Commander Ubaah turned over command of the ship to Lieutenant Heartman and requested not to be disturbed unless we became engaged in combat. Lieutenant Heartman has really come in to his own in the past five hours. During the night, three more Crusade warships moved in on us. However based on long range sensor sweeps we were able to judged that these ships did not enter the system. Commander Furey believes that they had been in system the entire time and only now did they choose to show themselves. He questioned if there were any more hidden ships within this system. A large number of fighters have also been detected. This brings us to our first mystery Sir.
“These new arrivals as well as the fighters have placed themselves in positions where they can not support their Fast Attack Cruiser which still remains nose to nose with me. They are positioned neither in a defensive nor offensive position. Their supporting fighters are holding positions beyond attack ranges. Both Lieutenant Heartman and Commander Furey believe this is a tactical move to keep us where we are. Lieutenant Heartman called it a Qish move referring to a move in the Azgard game of Blood Crosses. In this game where, two teams attempt to capture the other team's base. A Qish move is employed to keep an opponents best player from being able to affect the out come of the game and normally requires a sacrifice of a number of lesser players.
“There was a heated debate on the bridge over how to correctly handle the Crusader tactics. Both Commander Furey and Commander Mercer believe that the correct course of action to defeat tactic is to handle it like the Blood Crosses game. They had suggested launching a decisive attack against the Fast Attack Cruiser and then engaging the other ships. Once they are forced to withdraw, we would pull back to our current position and hold here. Lieutenant Heartman refused to take that course of action. He even refused to allow Commander Mercer to deploy his fighters. He did agree to take the ship to General Quarters. As well as changing the orientation of the ship so that the hanger was not directly in line with the Crusade ships. During a short scuffle, Lieutenant Heartman was able to win his position. Allow me to play part of the recording of what transpired. The following is Lieutenant Heartman standing his ground after taking a brutal physical attack from Commander Furey
“*I shall not yield! The Captain's orders and intentions are clear! Do not provoke nor engage the Crusade ships unless fired upon. Beat me more if you wish, however, once you carry out your plan. You will have the captain to deal with on his return! My hands will be clean of your dishonorable violation of his orders!*”
“I am was unsure of how to react to the exchange on the bridge. ISA laws are clear, however under Azgard law, what happened seemed perfectly acceptable. I asked Shalla about it in private and she explained that it was normal for warriors to disagree in course of actions. It was not necessarily the strongest warrior that wins these 'debates.' She said that 'warriors respect honorable passions to one's views and intentions'. I am not completely sure what she meant but I do plan to research this later.
“The ship is at a state of battle stations. Gun crews are at the ready as well as the fighter pilots. The Crusade ships have made no other action other then their current 'Qish' move. At this time, we are unsure of why they want us tied up at our current position. They have to know by now that I can easily punch through them and break their blockade of our position. So their actions seem completely illogical and tactically flawed. Lieutenant Heartman and Commander Mercer both agreed that we need to keep close eyes on what is going on down on the planet. We deployed our two ES shuttles to keep close tabs on the events below. Lieutenant Heartman also asked me to do as much hacking of their computer networks as possible. Natalie has been a big help in helping me on this task. Truthfully sir, I really think that some people misunderstand my abilities. I am a warship not some super computer able to do everything.
“What our ES Shuttles were able to uncover is truly troubling. It would appear that the situation on the world is becoming very dangerous for you. During the night a number of minor clashes and raids were carried in the mountain range that you are currently located in. One such raid was carried out on the outskirts of one of the alliance capitals. According to reports a number of civilians were killed from a nomad commune at the hands of raiders. About an hour ago, a number of communication satellites were destroyed driving the two major alliances even closer to war. Both are accusing the other of destroying the satellites. Surprisingly, our ES shuttles were unable to identify how the satellites were destroyed. It was if they just fell from orbit while breaking up.
“Not only are we detecting a large number of troops movements along the mountain region, we are now detecting mass populations leaving larger cities. We have started to pick up a number of craft being deployed around the globe. Commander Mercer is sure that these craft are some kind of bomber craft. We are detecting nuclear payloads on board these craft as well as a large number of nuclear weapons being deployed on naval ships and becoming active at other military bases. Each of the alliances are deploying all of their militarizes as they prepare for war. At this time, we are detecting troop movements that could threaten your location. However, from what we can tell, none of the other temples have see troops breach their walls. This could easily change should the two alliances go to war. Natalie and I have been able to decode a highly classified communication. It would appear that the leaders from both alliances are rushing to a face to face meeting in hopes of preventing the coming war. Based on what we have been able to determine in their communications, it is clear that neither side wishes for the war and will do what ever is necessary to prevent it.
“Sir, with all due respect, Commander Furey, Commander Heartman and myself all agree that the situation has become too volatile for you and your team to remain. Based on the fact that they did not move against our ES Shuttles. We all believe that the Crusade ships will not prevent us from attempting to evacuate you and your team. And if they attempt to prevent us, we can ensure that the exchange will be limited and out of sight of the planet. Based on the number of troops and military targets along the mountain range, we all believe that this area will be heavily targeted by nuclear weapons should an exchange occur. It is imperative that you allow us to evacuate you and your team at once. You can return once the political situation calms down to a more stable state. What is your orders Sir?”
Ogon listened to the report calmly with a frown on his face. He scratched his shoulder once more as Carissa concluded the report. He turned to look at the others and his eyes grew large as he watched Daz walk in. “Oh my god!” he said pointing to Daz's face.
Right there on Daz's face for all to see was a small blister that seemed to send a painful shock through Daz's face as he reached up and touched it. Everyone's mouth dropped open as Daz turned to look at his face in the mirror. The shock was clearly felt in the small hut. Ogon leaped up from his little cot as fear ripped through his heart. He pulled up his undershirt and looked at that spot on his shoulder that had been annoying him for the past hour or so. He saw the beginning of a blister as well on the front part of his shoulder. In that moment the entire party knew what was happening, Daz and Ogon if not all of them, had become infected with the plague that killed Master Mar and hundreds of millions on this world.
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