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Meira
She don't mess around
2,830 posts
583 likes
Half awake in our fake empire
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last online May 11, 2023 23:01:34 GMT -5
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Apr 28, 2018 11:13:51 GMT -5
Post by Meira on Apr 28, 2018 11:13:51 GMT -5
She lifted her hand. The servant, poised to fill her cup again froze and then stepped back, head dipping in deference. She'd already emptied the cup twice. Any more would be pointless excess. Midway down the table Administrator Qias Jhenn still stumbled through his explanation. The other noble members of the advisory council sat in various states of attentiveness. Ice blue eyes moved from one to the next, listening to their surface level thoughts, and finding nothing of particular interest. When her eyes circled back around to Jhenn, the man's own mud brown eyes glanced up toward her. His rambling faded to an abrupt halt, and then he sat down. The scrape of his chair on the stone slab floor hung in the air for a few moments before a silence settled over the chamber like an uncomfortably warm blanket. She allowed that discomfort to linger.
"You understand my frustration, Qias." she said, her voice holding just a hint of ice to its tone. "Your company has total control of the space ports, so we know that the Emolin workers aren't leaving the planet."
"That is correct, Majesty." Administrator Jhenn replied, hesitant.
"Then where are they?"
Qias Jhenn swallowed the lump in his throat. LommWorks had won the bid to mine Lommite on Elom four years ago, but had started missing quotas over the past several months as many of the local Elomin workers began to disappear from their work camps. Qias had done everything he could think of to discourage further escapes, but the numbers had finally reached the notice of the Imperial Advisory Council and he'd been summoned to Dromund Kaas to answer for his failures. But Qias had no answers to give. It was as if the Elomin were disappearing without a trace.
"Qias..." Her voice sang his name and he was compelled to look up at her once again. "Where... are they?"
"If you could send some soldiers, perhaps we could-"
"Oh, forgive me my friend. Of course!" Renata interrupted. Qias stopped, mouth half open. "Whatever you need, Qias. Of course, of course I will send you soldiers. And ships! From where shall I send them, hmm?" Renata's eyes moved around the table, landing first on Viscountess Prein. "Vjun, perhaps?" she asked, but then quickly turned her eyes toward Governor Siros. "Felucia?" She continued questioning those at the table, each responding with widened eyes or furrowed brows until Renata stood.
"I cannot send you soldiers, Qias, because they are needed along our borders. Had I the soldiers to spare for you, I would not have the ships to send them! I do not have the ships because I do not have the Lommite YOU promised me!" Her hands were pressed flat to the table's surface as she leaned her thin frame onto them. "You will clean up your own mess, and you will meet your next quota, or I will find someone else who can. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Majesty." Qias replied, unable to lift his eyes toward her.
"Now," Renata said, smoothing her deep purple dress as she sat back into her chair, "other business?"
She waved the servant back over without looking. She would have that third cup after all.
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last online Apr 10, 2019 0:32:25 GMT -5
Force Sensitive
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Apr 28, 2018 16:48:00 GMT -5
Post by Cambrei on Apr 28, 2018 16:48:00 GMT -5
High Minister Pontellis sat in his seat quietly, flanked at either side by his colleagues. He remained attentive, though spoke very little. His contributions to the discussion were minimal, responding only to direct inquiry or to shatter any banter. The more youthful High Ministers paid him no mind, taking his frequent silence as a testament to his age and the waning of a once brilliant man.
Many of his peers were far younger than him, and thus he easily remained as the eldest in the chamber. Many considered him a relic of his era, something soon to be replaced, a man on the brink of senility. However, the youthful arrogance among the other administrators makes them foolishly superficial, as despite his age, Pontellis is still among the brightest of Imperial innovators. The passage of time was kind to him, withering not his mind, nor his body, but instead, his patience.
“I believe, your grace, that there are no further matters to discuss.” said Administrator Viro Cardellia of the Ministry of War, turning his head with a slight bow towards the Empress.
“I do agree, Empress. All present affairs have been discussed… unless Director Wolden would like to regale us for the seventh time about his stance on the construction of a red light district?” commented High Minister Jordica Tourn of the Ministry of Biotic Science with a scoff.
“Why you little…” muttered Director Hale Wolden of the Urban Affairs Commission “…I’ll have you know that such a district would be beneficial to the tourism industry of Dromund Kaas, let alone it may bring much needed employment opportunities for the lower class citiz-”
“That is enough of your rambling, Hale. It is best if you leave your insatiable and inappropriate indulgences at the door, lest your drool, sweat, and bile begin to rust and rot the very foundations of Imperial morality.” interrupted High Minister Pontellis, met with a chuckle by most. “I believe it lies upon the Empress to decide on what there is left to discuss, if any.”
The remainder of those present remained silent, awaiting either a response, an inquiry, or dismissal. Outside of the chambers stood a myriad of guards, remaining vigilant at their posts. Entire companies of men populated the halls, all tasked with protecting the high profile Imperials within the meeting room.
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Meira
She don't mess around
2,830 posts
583 likes
Half awake in our fake empire
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last online May 11, 2023 23:01:34 GMT -5
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Apr 29, 2018 11:25:30 GMT -5
Post by Meira on Apr 29, 2018 11:25:30 GMT -5
Renata watched the deep red liquid being poured into her cup, felt the weight of it in her hand, as the Ministers, Administrators, Lords, and Ladies of the Sith Aristocracy began to speak. Well, some of them spoke. Others merely shook their heads to indicate a lack of matters to bring forth. Her eyes moved over them all again as she took a sip from the cup. As a squabble bubbled up between Tourn and Wolden, Renata was obliged to inwardly remind herself why she even bothered with these people. An Empire needed all sorts. Even the weak willed and petty had their parts to play in what could ultimately lead to Imperial control of the galaxy. The Order could not -nor would it wish to- control the mind-numbing minutia of governance over common citizens. Those attuned to the Force had their own, grand tasks to play. But even the grand needed the foundations of the mundane to reach ever higher.
A voice, rarely heard in these council meetings, cut through the rest and brought quiet back into the room. Renata's eyes searched for the source, taking a moment to find the old man. Ah, yes. High Minister Pontellis. Renata so often forgot the old goat was on the council, quiet as he was. She had no complaint against the man, however. His leadership in the Empire's technological research and innovation did not suffer from his advanced years. She did not know much about the man, save for that he was present under Iniquitous. Loyalty from the beginning was a rare quality in Sith space.
Renata smiled at the man, but paid him no more mind as she turned her attention back to the Council as a whole. She took another sip from her cup, tapped the rim with a thin finger as her eyes looked down into the liquid, lost in thought. No, she did not believe there was any other business that needed attention for the time being. Setting the cup down on the table, Renata stood.
"Thank you all for your wise and earnest counsel. You are dismissed."
She pressed a button on the comms display near her seat at the head of the table. The main doors to the chamber opened and a number of personnel entered, moving toward their respective employers. Of these, one approached Renata, a datapad clutched in his hands. She turned to him, her eyes moving over the schedule on the display, and then nodded and waved him away.
"Viscountess." she said, stopping the woman with a gentle touch to the elbow. "I will be changing the times of my visit to Vjun. You may expect me in one standard week."
The Viscountess' mouth opened to respond, uncertainty plain on her face, but Renata had already moved away from the woman. Prein turned to her assistant, delivering instructions in a harsh whisper to move up their preparations. They scurried from the room, now with a month's worth of work to finish in only a few days.
Renata now stood with the captain of her guard, some feet behind her throne-like chair, discussing the preparations of her private ship to take her to Korriban, the captain assuring her that they would be ready to leave within the hour.
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last online Apr 10, 2019 0:32:25 GMT -5
Force Sensitive
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Apr 29, 2018 15:31:41 GMT -5
Post by Cambrei on Apr 29, 2018 15:31:41 GMT -5
High Minister Pontellis was the last to rise upon dismissal. Many had assumed this delay was due to his frail composition, or perhaps a bit of falter in the old man’s processing of events. In actuality, his delay was calculated, eventually rising to his feet once the others had cleared the chambers. None of his attendants nor any of his guards had come to accompany him. He merely gazed out in the vague direction of the Empress, as she spoke to the captain of the guard.
Folding his hands behind his back, he closed his eyes, standing there a moment, tilting his head forward as if preparing for something. The room was empty aside for the three: Pontellis, Renata, and the Guard Captain. The guards outside of the main chamber were suspicious that none had come to escort High Minister Pontellis, some – out of respect for the old man – attempted to enter the chamber to ‘assist’ him, only to be met with chamber doors suddenly closing, preventing entry or exit. The sound of mechanical locks echoed beyond the panels of durasteel.
“What the- the door. Someone’s closed the door.” said one of the guards from outside the chamber, startled the he had almost been involuntary amputated by the door’s massive sliding metal panels, closing millimeters from his leading step.
“It’s locked, perhaps the Empress has something to discuss with the High Minister.” said another, unable to interface with the door controls, demonstrating no major concern. Any noise from within the chamber would not be audible from the outside halls – likely a design implemented in the interest of the Empress’ privacy.
When the door closed behind him, High Minister Pontellis raised his head and opened his eyes, a serious expression becoming manifest. Suddenly, from the corners of the chambers, the light seemed to refract and distort like a mirage across the dunes of a desert world. The silhouettes of these optical distortions were humanoid, but far more slender than any known race. The distortions became translucent phantoms, which then became – with a sudden electronic snap and hiss – fully equipped assassin droids.
The occupants of the room suddenly escalated from three to twelve in almost an instant. Of the nine assassin droids, they all seemed to wield vibroblades, electrostaves, or blaster rifles, each slightly unique but baring the same Imperial color palette. There was seemingly no correlation between High Minister Pontellis and the sudden revelation of the hidden assassins, until two of the droids flanked the High Minister with staves – as if to protect him.
The captain of the guard – alerted the moment the chamber doors had closed – attempted to raise a hand to the side of his helmet as if to speak over his communicator, only to be met with instantaneous and frighteningly precise blaster fire. One round struck through his helmet, another through his heart, and a final round through the secondary communicator on his belt.
The droids turned to aim their weapons to the Empress. Pontellis remained silent.
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Meira
She don't mess around
2,830 posts
583 likes
Half awake in our fake empire
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last online May 11, 2023 23:01:34 GMT -5
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May 1, 2018 7:10:14 GMT -5
Post by Meira on May 1, 2018 7:10:14 GMT -5
"The fueling process is almost com-" The Captain's voice cut off as he looked up. The chamber doors had closed abruptly. "...complete." he finished, thoughtful as his eyes scanned the room. But only the old High Minister was present. Perhaps the Empress has closed the doors. She'd been known to do things like that. It always put people off balance when she did it unexpectedly.
Renata, noting the shift in the Captain's demeanor looked up at him. Her eyes then shifted around the room. She felt her Captain's confusion, but could not sense why. The doors had closed, all the advisers had gone...
"Oh, Orwick. Was there some other matter you wanted to discuss?" she smiled at the old man. So often overlooked with the other advisers constantly vying and plotting against each other for favor, Orwick simply did his job, always to excellent standards. As
Suddenly, nine droids appeared in the room. Renata's eyes widened as her head swiveled in attempt to bring all of them into view. Her first reaction was to smile. "Orwick!" she exclaimed, turning her body to sweep her sight all the way around the room. "A demonstration? New cloaking-"
The blaster shot was quick and precise. The Captain had only fractions of a second to react. Enough time for his own eyes to widen and to lift an arm toward his Empress before the plasma bolt seared into his helmet. His weight was knocked sideways, then back as another bolt connected with his chest, and then a third hit his hip. He was dead before he hit the ground. Renata's mouth formed an o of surprise -genuine surprise- at the sight. She whirled back toward Orwick, her mind stretching out toward the man, searching for his thoughts, for that point where her own will would bend his. She would bend it to breaking if he could not explain himself. But she could not find him. Her brow creased as she pushed harder, leaving all the subtlety behind and pressing her consciousness fully toward the man.
But there was simply nothing for her mind to take hold of.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her voice dangerously soft and dripping with that mind bending power. Somewhere, she'd find her link. And now it did not matter his reason. She would break him simply for this audacious display.
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last online Apr 10, 2019 0:32:25 GMT -5
Force Sensitive
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May 1, 2018 16:19:24 GMT -5
Post by Cambrei on May 1, 2018 16:19:24 GMT -5
“Young Sith will always ask for meaning, conditioned by their Masters to assume there is some greater scheme at hand. However, frankly, I – at this age – have neither the time nor inclination for such subterfuge and cunning…” said the High Minister, visually inspecting each of his droids for a moment with a brief glance. “…No, the answer to your question is far more simple.”
The droids at his left and right ignited their electrostaves, brilliant purple streaks of lightning arcing from each end. “I’m here with the honor of delivering you to your death, Empress.” He said, shattering the continuity of his previous, more serious tone with a gentle smile and uplifted verbal cadence, not unlike that of an energetic, joyful and loving grandfather.
The other seven droids – those not preoccupied with protecting the High Minister – collapsed from their bipedal stance into a more primal crawl, darting around the room, overturning tables and chairs like rampant animals. The droids caused quite a commotion, advancing upon the empress in a manner that was reminiscent of insects or lizards. Their trajectory was unpredictable, scrambling around the room in random patterns yet noticeably growing nearer and nearer. Some began to brandish vibroblades, striking them against the ground in brilliant sparks, as if to either draw attention or to evoke fear.
High Minister Pontellis kept his gaze forward, his faithful mechanical guards at his flanks. He began taking steps towards the Empress, any furniture in his path would be thrown his scurrying assailants. Should the Empress spend any longer than five seconds to meet the High Minister’s gaze, an ear-piercing mechanical cry from one of the other seven assassin droids would attempt to shatter any concentration, almost as if to split her focus among the sheer quantity of droids.
If any single droid were to successfully reach her position, the others – excluding the two that protected the High Minister - would begin to close the distance, seeking not to kill her, but to overwhelm and restrain her. Droids that managed to reach within several meters of her would suddenly have their appendages erupt into multiple, thinner, armatures, growing more arachnid in design. Each armature brandished sharp blades, similar to surgical instruments, seeming to part the room’s artificial lighting with brilliant glimmers. The droids that carried blaster weapons would hug their rifles with their multiple arms, occasionally reforming into a more humanoid figure to take aim, before reforming again to scurry off and relocate.
High Minister Pontellis’ approach was slow yet purposeful, demonstrating no apprehension, no conviction, and no regret. He stood like a bastion, guiding the ever-constricting ring of autonomous monstrosities – a dervish of circuitry and steel – all bringing ruin to her chambers like an unrelenting storm. The droids that protected him remained ever ready, approaching like cautious huntsmen - each droid a mirror of its partner, creating an image of symmetry with Pontellis at the center.
Outside of the chambers, even the insulating blast doors could not contain the sounds of grinding steel. An Imperial officer sprinted towards the chamber, hand resting upon his holstered blaster pistol. “We’ve lost connection to the Captain’s Communicator.” said the officer, urgency in his voice. “Get this door open now!”
Without question or delay, the guards prepared to breach into the chamber. The engineers among them began meticulously slicing along the seams of the door with plasmacutters, disengaging each of the mechanical locks that barred across the structure. From within the chamber, slow-moving sparks seemed to trace the door’s outline, leaving a trail of glowing seared metal. While the response by security was quick, it seemed as though they wouldn’t be able to open the massive door in time.
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Meira
She don't mess around
2,830 posts
583 likes
Half awake in our fake empire
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last online May 11, 2023 23:01:34 GMT -5
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May 4, 2018 10:42:00 GMT -5
Post by Meira on May 4, 2018 10:42:00 GMT -5
"Simple indeed." Renata sneered.
As Orwick began to approach, and as his droids set about their business of destruction, Renata continued to search for that point of entry into the man's mind. Even as she summoned her lightsaber to her hand, keeping it ready but not yet ignited, she was reaching out, trying to grasp at the tendrils of the force that would allow her into this traitor's thoughts. But they simply weren't there. Her lip curled in frustration. It seemed he'd had training, or some kind of blocking mechanism. In any case, Renata realized that she would have to take the much messier route.
One of the blaster weilding droids saw fit the fire then. Renata ignited her lightsaber, batting away the bolt with a casual one handed gesture. The hum of the blade now accompanied the metallic scampering of the droids and the solid thuds and cracks as the furnishings of the room were tossed about. As one droid attempted to close, Renata spun, slashing. The crimson blade moved through the droid, meeting more resistance than Renata expected. The droid still collapsed to the ground in a heap of molten metal and sparks, but Renata took a few precious seconds to study it. The construction was obviously designed with a force user in mind. Treasonous bastard or not... Orwick had created something impressive here.
The piercing shriek almost caused Renata to drop her lightsaber. She stepped backward, one hand going to the side of her head as she reeled. She looked back to Orwick, to see if this was also his doing, when the sound ceased. The man did not seem affected at all. She snarled. Another one of his tricks then?
"Enough of this." she said, bringing her free hand forward in a sweeping gesture.
As her arm arced toward Orwick, she gathered the force to her and pushed it outward toward the man. It would have sent him flying, had one of his two droids not stepped in the way, taking the hit itself. As it went flying, one of the scrambling droids rushed in to take its place at Orwick's side. At that same moment, two of the other droids moved in on Renata simultaneously. She managed land a blow on one, severing one arm, but the other grabbed her free arm and pulled it hard. She turned, ready to swing and decapitate the droid but the shriek was emitted again and this time at a much closer range. Renata's eyes closed against the pain. A droid grabbed her lightsaber arm, twisting it and causing her to drop the weapon. The red blade extinguished the moment it left her grip and fell to the floor at her feet.
The door to the chamber suddenly gained a glowing outline. Renata recognized the attempts of the guard to open the door by force. But it would be a slow process. She kicked toward the approaching Orwick, growling out her anger at the man. But he was not yet quite close enough for the blow to connect. When her eyes fell on him once again, the shriek stopped. She almost smiled, recognizing the gambit now for what it was. A means to keep her from using her power to its full effect. Well, Orwick she thought. I don't need to see them to destroy them.
She lessened her struggling then. Two other droids moved quickly to secure her legs. Renata was now held, seemingly helpless before this hopeful assassin. "I must give you credit, Orwick." she said. "You have always been meticulous in your work." She began to gather the force around herself. She would need a devastating blow to overcome the droids all at once. It would take some time to gather the energy necessary. She could not imagine Orwick would be one to gloat or revel in his apparent victory. He was a more to the point sort of man. And with the guard cutting through the door, he must know that his time was short. She needed to draw out this moment as long as she could. Either so that the guard could enter, or so that she could destroy the droids herself.
"You must know that this is a fools errand." she said. "You will fail, and you will die." she took just a moment to look at one of the droids holding her, then returned her eyes to Orwick. "But at least you will have left behind something useful."
The force coiled around her. She could feel it like a tide rushing in, surrounding her. The energy of it pulsed through her skin. More... More... Ever more. Renata set her jaw, her ice blue gaze boring into the old man's. The anger swelled inside of her, the outrage fueling the gathered force. Soon, she would no longer be able to contain it. Her skin began to rise against the electric feel it. It was almost visible. She leaned her head toward Orwick.
"I... will tear you... apart." she whispered, almost gasping at the effort.
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last online Apr 10, 2019 0:32:25 GMT -5
Force Sensitive
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May 11, 2018 10:44:56 GMT -5
Post by Cambrei on May 11, 2018 10:44:56 GMT -5
High Minister Pontellis stopped where he was, gazing towards the restrained Empress from a distance. He thought on her words a moment, though not as if to reconsider her actions, but instead to revel in her attempt at intimidation.
“Such threats have no influence upon me, Renata.” He said, brandishing that familiar elderly smile. “A man as old as myself has very little to fear – It is not death that people cower and quail from, but instead the cessation of life, the loss of what may come to be witnessed, manifest and experienced by one’s own mortal flesh.” He paused, turning to inspect the progress of the Imperials attempting to breach the door, content that he has sufficient time to monologue. “I’ve lived my life without regret, and I have nothing more to look forward to beyond this very moment - even if you prevail against my attempts at your life, my message will still be made clear.”
The droids that grappled the Empress seemed to flair their additional armatures – brilliant, pointed mechanical blades loomed over her body like surgical implements, as if threatening to maim her. The final moments of this encounter grows nearer.
“Peace is a lie, there is only passion.” Recited the old man, each line earning a step closer and closer. “Through passion, I gain strength.” His footsteps echoed through the chamber, the droid’s servos whirring quietly as if to prepare for a sudden strike. “Through strength, I gain power.” His voice was low, and seething. “Through power, I gain victory.” He loomed over her now. “Through victory my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.” He concluded, brandishing a blaster pistol, aimed towards the woman’s abdomen.
“My master would recite these words. I am no Sith, but I abide by his code. Let it be known that your complacency – your brokerage of peace – is a poison that will bring nothing short of ruin to the Empire.” There was very little hesitation in his voice, he showed no intention of altering his course.
“Goodbye, Empress.” He said, threatening to pull the trigger, the droids seemed to brace as if to join in the massacre. A knowing glint in the old man’s eyes betrayed the true nature of this attack. This farewell was not a parting word to a dead Empress, but instead, the final lesson that a loving old man could impart upon the nation he cherished. His face read confidence, as if with the intention to kill, but his eyes read fulfillment, the fury he saw in her was the fury that this Empire needed. His mission was complete.
Permission to kill this NPC has been granted.
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Meira
She don't mess around
2,830 posts
583 likes
Half awake in our fake empire
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last online May 11, 2023 23:01:34 GMT -5
Administrator
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May 12, 2018 14:10:51 GMT -5
Post by Meira on May 12, 2018 14:10:51 GMT -5
"Your message..." she whispered as her ice blue eyes were slowly overtaken by flecks of yellow, "will be lost."
"“Peace is a lie, there is only passion.”
"Along with your name."
The yellow gave way to orange.
“Through passion, I gain strength.”
"And your family."
“Through strength, I gain power.”
"Every memory of you..."
“Through power, I gain victory.”
"Until there is nothing left."
“Through victory my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.”
She began to laugh. It started silent, just a motion in her chest and shoulders. As her thin lips stretched wide across her face, as the orange in her eyes dipped to crimson, the sound of her laughter came forth. Light and musical, just like her voice when she influenced those around her. Never mind that he was immune to mind affecting powers. Never mind that he now held a blaster leveled at her. Never mind that his droids stood poised to sink several dozen blades into her should she move. She laughed. It jumped from her like the laughter of a child, without restraint now. The force would free him, indeed.
"Goodbye, Orwick." she replied.
There was a brief moment of perfect silence. Even the sound of the guards working on the door faded away. In that moment, Renata's very flesh seemed to change color, as if the dark energies of the force moved through her veins, through each cell of her skin. The skin seemed to bruise and flush all at once and the red of her eyes grew so dark as to seem black. And in an instant, all the energy she had been gathering to herself suddenly exploded outward. The droids holding her sparked, and burst into flame as their circuitry was overloaded by the blast. Their inactive frames were flung backward, colliding with the other droids that surrounded her. Orwick might have been thrown back as well, had Renata not reached out the instant she was freed and grabbed him by the collar. His blaster pistol, however, was flung away. And though Orwick did not, he would still feel the full force of the blast all the same.
It only lasted a couple of seconds. But when it was finished, all the droids were strewn about the room. None of them even twitched. Renata, still holding Orwick by the collar, fell to her knees in exhaustion. Bringing the old man down with her, she quickly grabbed for his throat with her free hand. She laughed again, this time panting. Her red hair was wild around her, her eyes back to crimson but still wide. And now hungry. Where her hand touched his flesh, Renata pulled the very essence of his life from his body and into her own. Now Orwick's eyes went wide as his mouth opened in a soundless exclamation of surprise. Renata pulled more, and then more. The old man's skin grew taut over his bones. His eyes bulged. The bruising across Renata's skin faded, her flesh returning to porcelain white and even seeming to take on a glow. She pulled more, and more, the strength returning to her. She Stood, still holding the man who now hung limp in her arms. There was a surprising amount of life in the man, for how old he was. Renata took every last bit of it.
When the heavy door fell inward, cut through by the security team, High Minister Orwick Pontellis was nothing more than a shriveled and dry husk on the floor amidst a mess of broken furniture, droids, and the body of the guard captain. The security team rushed into the room, weapons ready. Renata stood at the large window opposite the door, her back to the room as she looked out onto the jungle world surrounding the city.
"Majesty." came the helmet filtered voice of the Lieutenant. "Are you alri-"
The Lieutenant's voice was cut short as she suddenly dropped her weapon, hands clawing at her throat. Over the comm, the sounds of choked gurgling could be heard. This lasted for several seconds, and then the Lieutenant collapsed to the ground, released and gasping for air.
"Clean up this mess." Renata said, her voice soft and controlled. "Salvage all that you can of the droids." She turned, her yellow eyes boring into the soldier's. "We will discuss your failure when I return." Renata moved quickly toward the door, leaving the Lieutenant still gasping on the ground. As she stepped into the hall, her lightsaber sprang up from the ground and sailed through the air after her.
When her ship lifted off soon after, It was with a new set of coordinates in the nav computer. Renata, alone in her stateroom, sat in a heap against the foot of the bed. Her arms were wrapped around her knees as her chest heaved with the effort of pulling air into her lungs. She could still feel the cold grip of the droids on arms. She could still hear the shrieking tone. Aftershocks of the energy she'd expended still rocked through her. Too close. Too many. Too long. Enough was enough. It was time he came back.
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