Tangled Roots [RiverCritter/WWFF/Rugs]

[Otterling]

His lungs were burning with the exertion of flight. Sweat dripped into his eyes, stinging them but Kregan Alaris had no time to stop and wipe them. Death was pursuing his partner through the darkened Corellian streets and the traffic officer knew that he had to catch up or risk losing his friend. It had all started simply enough, a routine traffic stop just inside the borders of the city proper, but he cursed himself as he ran for not listening to his initial instinctual discomfort at the sight of that sleek transport as it hovered at the side of the road. The vehicle had been traveling much too fast and Kregan had quickly pulled in behind it and signaled the driver to pull over. The vehicle had come coasting to an easy stop without any signs of resistance and Kregan had pulled in behind it. He’d felt an odd chill of fear ghosting down his back for reasons he couldn’t name in that moment but he’d set those emotions aside in the face of there being nothing which indicated a problem.

Talet, Kregan’s partner and friend for over 15 years, had climbed out of his side and made his way to the driver’s door. The imposing buildings on either side of the road had shadowed the scene enough for Kregan to have to squint to make out what was happening but it became all to clear there was an issue when the passenger door of the vehicle burst open and a long lithe shape had dived out of it and disappeared into an adjacent alley. Talet had given pursuit even before Kregan could shout a warning to him. Left with no choice, the CorSec officer had leapt from his car and chased after his partner, worry gnawing at him as he ran. He’d lost sight of Talet, he was sure he’d never forget that moment, and then heard his partner calling to him over his com-link. The call turned into a scream of abject terror that had seared into Kregan’s mind and he ran all the faster to reach his friend.

Kregan pulled up at last in front of a heavily dented metal door that stood slightly ajar in the wall to his right. The alley was deep and light meager there in the dead of night so Kregan hastily pulled forth a flashlight. He thumbed the small tool on and ran a hand through his short sweat soaked hair before pulling his weapon from the holster at his side. His fingers were shaking…they never shook, and it bothered Kregan once again that every instinct in him was screaming to run. Instead he pressed forward, determined not to leave his friend behind, and made his way through the small opening into the inky depths. The thin beam of light from his flashlight was the only illumination he had and as he swept it around the room it revealed stacks of shipping crates and the long low lines of conveyor belts. The Hal-Tech factory.

Kregan knew his beat like the back of his hand and he knew now where they were: the lower flower of a microchip factory working out of Coronet. Kregan knew the owner personally and was surprised that the door to the alley was unlocked but a sweep of his light over it revealed something his mind couldn’t comprehend…the metal had been bent outwards. Somehow, the perp they were chasing had wrenched the door out toward the alley, leaving the locking mechanism dangling precariously from the ruined frame. It made no sense to the ember haired man. It was as if some giant hand had grabbed the metal and yanked it outward. The feeling of fear crept back up into Kregan’s spine again, this time more pronounced and he felt the shudder that tried to make its way up his spine before he forcibly shoved it back down.

The room around him was filled with a deafening silence but Kregan didn’t dare disrupt it by calling his partner’s name. He couldn’t ignore his own instincts that much and something told him that the pursuit of the perpetrator had just turned into a pursuit of him. Kregan edged further into the room and slowly crept through the maze of boxes and belts. His light swept back and forth before him until a faint noise began to reach his ears. A heavy wet thumping sound began to echo from somewhere much further inside the building and Kregan hoped that it was simply some poor worker who was staying late tonight. Courage was something that came well to all the Alaris men though and so Kregan rallied his strength and continued toward the noise, his weapon raised and his pace quickening with each step.

Finally, he came to a long hall which terminated in a door at one end, behind which was the source of the noise he was chasing. His partner had not called back into him since that last horrible scream and Kregan’s stomach was souring at the idea of what had befallen his friend. He paused and risked breaking the relative quiet to speak into his comlink, slightly more comfortable in doing so now that the machinery ahead of him had already taken the first step to eliminating the silence. The heavy thumping was certainly a machine of some sort, its rhythm being perfectly regular in its tempo. Kregan called in a request for backup to his main office and gave his location and a description of the vehicle they’d pulled over before flicking the com back off. He took a deep breath and began once more toward the door ahead of him, convinced now that it was no employee staying late. There was no light coming from the room beyond.

The door squeaked softly as Kregan pushed it open and he shone his flashlight around quickly to get a feel for the room and any potential threats. His light caught the gleam of moving metal and Kregan panned back over to get a better look at the machine. What he saw made bile rise in his throat and terror swell in his mind. A pressing device, usually used as part of a conveyor belt system to crush tiny shards of glass into a fine powder for use in microchip technology, was instead thumping dully over and over against the human body that had been stuffed headfirst into it. His partner’s legs and back were visible to Kregan, his head lost between the metal plates that slammed together over and over , each heavy thump accentuated with a twitch of Talet’s legs. Kregan turned away in disgust and pain, unwilling to watch his friend’s body shudder as the machine failed to close and reset again and again. Who, or what, would do this?

The answer was not long in coming as Kregan turned back toward the doorway, his unease now reaching all new heights and urging him to flee while he had the chance. His weapon raised, he swung around toward the entrance and found a strong grip wrapped instantly around his wrist. His weapon was out of his hand before he even knew what had happened and he found himself staring up into a pair of cold soulless eyes. He’d never seen anyone move that fast in his life which was all the more surprising since he was forced to look upward to meet the creature’s eyes. A smile that made Kregan’s very soul feel oily was plastered across the monster’s face but rather than feel fear, the eldest member of the family of Alaris felt only a welling rage. The thing before him had killed his partner and his friend and if he thought Kregan was going down without a fight, he had another thought coming.

The sturdy CorSec officer threw out a swift kick in his attacker’s direction and was only half aware when it didn’t connect. His arm was already twisting sharply to try and bring the monster off balance but every movement seemed to be met before Kregan could even finish it. Every turn simply placed him face to face with the creature again. Every punch hit only air and he couldn’t seem to get a grip on the being he was struggling with despite the guy’s size. It shouldn’t have been so hard to get a single blow in but everywhere Kregan’s fist was, his attacker simply wasn’t. Once again the thought hit him that he’d never seen anyone move so fast and his brain screamed to try and put the puzzle together as he battled for his life. The oddest thing was that the murderer hadn’t even tried once to hit him. No retaliatory blow had been sent his way in the struggle but Kregan doubted it was any sort of altruism. As he reeled to regain his footing after yet another useless kick, his brain finally put two and two together. The door. The way the creature moved. The speed with which it was fighting. The ease with which it had killed his partner.

His attacker was a Force sensitive. And a well trained one.

Suddenly the need to get out was much more pressing in Kregan’s mind. He was a proud man but not an idiot and he knew when he was outmatched. To stay and fight longer would be certain suicide and as images of his wife and son flitted through his mind, the officer knew he had to get home to them by any means possible. His weapon had been long since wrenched form his grasp but Kregan left it where it had fallen and feinted a strike he had no intention of actually trying for. His plan worked like a charm as the monster once again moved deftly to one side, effectively clearing Kregan’s path straight to the door and he left his pretend blow carry him through into a roll that put him out in the hallway once more. He ran full tilt for the main warehouse and the freedom of the alley beyond but a heavy blow directly to the middle of his back sent him sprawling amidst the packing crates. He slid to a stop against the base of a conveyor belt and came back to his feet swinging blindly in the attempt to keep his attacker at bay.

Another sharp kick to his chest sent him flying backward onto the belt itself and he lay dazed for a few precious moments, trying to will his lungs to take in air once more. When he opened his eyes again, it was to look up into that cold emotionless face as it leered down at him like a child examining a bug. There was a mild detachment there that made the earlier murder of Talet all the more chilling since it seemed to have no effect at all on the killer.

“Hello, Kregan,” came the smooth resonant voice, one far deeper than Alaris had expected. “I’m an acquaintance of your son.” Kregan’s confusion had to have been written clearly on his face. He wasn’t sure how this…THING could know his boy, being that Ellick was only 13, but confusion turned to realization and shock as the creature continued. “Gabriel has gained my singular interest, a fact that has put me in touch with you. For you, my dear Mr. Alaris, are of his blood and if I desire to know the nuances of his pain, the subtleties of his flesh beneath my beneath my blades, then I must know yours first.” The flash of a vibro-shiv caught the meager light coming in from the open doorway that lingered so far away from Kregan in that moment. Freedom, his wife, his son, all seemed a galaxy away in that moment as the man realized he would never see them again. The image of his oldest, of his Gabriel, flashed through his mind in a series of happy memories leading to the day the Jedi had come for the boy and never had Kregan dreamed his choice for his son would come back to claim him in such a way.

“Don’t worry,” the monster continued in soft tones reserved for soothing children, “Your wife and son will join you in the Force soon. Gabriel is mine and mine alone…now…” The terrifying grin split the murderer’s face once more as he took a step forward, the blade raised high and glinting in those hard golden eyes, “ let me see who you really are inside…”

[WWFF]

Coruscant – Jedi Temple
01:00 Hours (Time Corresponding with Kregan’s Demise On Corellia)

Gabriel was jolted into reality as his eyes snapped open and his lungs gasped for air. His body shot up, nearly attempting to gaining footing on the little cot. His body was layered in a coat of sweat; muscles swollen slightly as though they had been undergoing exertion of their own, a vein making itself prevalent on his right bicep, and several webbing their was on both forearms. His eyes shot about wildly as he took stock of his surroundings, though it only took moments for him to realize that he was safe, in his quarters in the temple. He sighed a deep breath of relief as his head dropped and he propped himself back on his elbows, chest heaving hard as breath filled his lungs.

The young man looked at down; the sheet he had been covered in, had somehow tangled itself about his left leg in his thrashing. With a bit of amazed frustration he began an attempt to shake the wrapped sheet from his leg. No luck. He used his other foot and began sliding the sheet from his leg with his toes. Finally the sheet gave up the attempt at strangling his leg and he pulled hi right foot free with a flicking kick. The sheet must have wounds itself and woken him from what ever he was dreaming about. It seemed logical enough, though as he looked about his room once more he couldn’t help but feel that he was missing something.

He shook his head and laid back on his cot. What was he dreaming about? He couldn’t remember, it had to do something about himself, he remembered that much. There was another person there – a shadow – but who, and why they were there, was a mystery to the young man now staring at the ceiling. It had been nearly a week since he’d returned with Locke and Jazen from their ordeal on Umgul; the memories were all still so fresh. His head rolled to the right as he peaked at the puckered scar on his shoulder. The wounds no so fresh. His head rolled back to the center as he found his head shaking slightly; trying to recall his dream. He knew it was a futile attempt. He never remembered them these days; though he couldn’t help but feel that something was hollow within himself. As though something that had been occupying some space had simply disappeared. It was an odd feeling, but it was there none-the-less, and for no apparent reason. Perhaps it was still Umgul lingering, or something else; no matter which it would soon be resolved.

His head tilted to his left, to a shelf extending from the wall, with a small holo-projector giving the image of a rotating globe with numbers suspended in space over it. The time. It was early; only an hour past midnight. Again, his head straightened and his view was cast upon the high ceiling, restless eyes scanned the seamless marbled stone. Gabriel’s breath escaped him once more in a long sigh as he sat up again in his cot. His heart still pumped hard, and the adrenaline was flowing freely through his system; no sleep would come, that much was sure. He swung his legs off the side of the bed, the cold floor causing him to lift his feet after contact and, readying himself for the cold again, he placed them back on the floor. His elbows found his knees as hie head fell in his hands; fingers through his short hair and palms over his eyes, he rubbed them to adjust their focus.

Gabriel removed his head from his hands as he sat straight and, using his left arm to push himself up, he stood from his cot. His right middle finger scraped sleep from the corner of his eyes as he walked across his small room to a shelving unit which held his various robes and tunics and pants. His right hand motioned to his right which (through the force) brought a glow globe to life, substantially illuminating the room. He reached down and grabbed a dark brown over tunic, a light under tunic, and a pair of dark brown pants, tossing all across the room; channeling the force into the garments he commanded them to land on his cot with a push from his fingers.

He needed a shower. Perhaps that would wake him up more than he already was; not that he wasn’t awake enough, he just liked a shower first thing in the morning to kick start his brain. He grabbed a rectangular cloth which hung by his refresher door, wrapping it around his waist ad he stepped into the room and went about his morning routine. He emerged from the little refresher clean, and damp still toweling off. Already he felt better, his mind had cleared from his abrupt awakening and, while it was early, he felt rested enough to go about the rest of his morning routine.

He placed the cloth back on the little hook which it dangled form minutes earlier, and strode to the middle of the room and began some basic push-ups, just to get his muscles really awake. Once he’d finished a few reps, stood and walked to his cot, where he had placed his robes for the day. Grabbing his pants and sliding them over his muscular legs, he buckled the waist and buttoned the fly. He had barely finished buttoning his pants when a voice buzzed on his door com.

“Master Alaris?” It was the a younger sounding voice, female, most likely a Padawan to one of the knights. Gabriel didn’t answer, he simply channeled the force through his fingertips and slid the door open with a slight hiss. The young girl walked in. His assessment had been correct. A young human stepped into the room, her dusty blonde hair just barely to her shoulders and cut in a ‘bob’ styling. He reached onto his cot and grabbed his light green undertunic sliding it over his head and shoulders. She was uncomfortable in his presence; he felt it as her gaze shifted and never settled on him for more than a moment. Though why she felt this way escaped him. Deeming it friendly enough to ask why, he did just that.

“What troubles you?” His voice, while deep and powerful, sounded friendly and soft as it exited his lips. The girl seemed to be taken aback for a moment, though quickly regained her composure. She simply bowed and attempted to play it as nothing, though Gabriel knew better and persisted. Seeing she would not simply be able to bluff her way from this, she bowed again and began.

“Forgive me… I am an apprentice to a healer. She worked on you after Rhen Var.” The girl tilter her head as he bright green eyes flashed up at Gabriel. “You probably don’t remember, you were in and out for days, I was told to watch you, make sure you took the treatment well. That poison was something else… I watched you at night.” Again she stopped as Gabriel, more that interested took a step toward her. She was about sixteen, with a mild manor about her, though the warmth her aura gave off, Gabriel was sure she felt the light far better than he. He urged her to continue. “You talked a lot… and… I’ve seen you pass by as we worked on young Solari. I’ve been meaning to ask you if it’s not too much…” Gabriel stepped back; he had a feeling that the question was one he wasn’t going to want to answer, though he supposed that he at least owed it to her to give her an honest answer.

“Who was she?” Gabriel brow lifted questioningly, awaiting a name, though he could feel which would be spoken. “R’Hanna.”

Gabriel’s jaw tightened, as he turned his back to the girl. He could feel her embarrassment and self chastisement. With a sigh, he reached down to his cot and grabbed his dark brown over tunic, sliding it over his other tunic. He sighed deeply, and motioned for her to take a seat on a chair across from his cot. He walked to a shelf next to the one which he kept his clothes on, grabbing two spooled up rolls of cloth and some small bent metal discs. Making his way back to the cot and sitting on it, before unrolling one spool and beginning to wrap it around his right hand.

“She was…my best friend…” His voice broke the silence as he continued winding the wrap around his fingers and wrist. “I lost her many years ago, to the Darkside.” The girl’s head drooped as she felt Gabriel pain well up within in him. He nodded, knowing she wanted to express her apologies for bringing the subject up. He was fine, he had found ways of covering the memory; many Jedi had lost their friends to battle and the Darkside, but they find the power to move on, it is the was of things. His mind turned to something else as he began wrapping his second hand.

“I sense that’s not all you came to my door so early for?” It was barely two thirty in the morning. There had to be something other than this, some reason the girl was there. He was right, she stood as though something in the chair had pricked her. He bowed and apologized as the reason she had come in the first place snapped back into her head.

“Master Nemsee, sent me. He was checking on Solari, and on his way to get you, but sent me instead.” Gabriel nodded as a rush of thoughts ran through his head. Was Locke upset with him again? What could Locke want Gabriel for? Maybe he just wanted breakfast with a friend. But then why send the girl? He supposed he would find out soon enough. Gabriel nodded to the girl and thanked her, telling her she could return and tell him he’d be on his way soon. The girl bowed and started through the door way, though stopped just past the threshold and turned back. Gabriel sensed her, but didn’t turn his attention to her and he went about wrapping the small formed discs on each knuckle.

“Why didn’t you tell her you loved her? Some time’s all it takes it love to save someone…” Gabriel’s movement stopped as the girls voice hit his ears. He felt his heart sink. The girl was right, maybe it would have been enough. There was no knowing now, but still. The question was a good one. He motioned his head toward the door way, peeking at the girl and then allowing his piercing eyes to stray somewhere in front of him.

“I don’t know… Love like that is not a luxury we Jedi are allowed, young one.” His voice seemed distant as he spoke. He heated to her those words as they slipped from his mouth, though their truth was never more sound. He nodded, indicating that he had nothing more to say on the issue, and the girl slipped from the threshold with a sad look upon her face. Gabriel sighed deeply, as he allowed his gaze to stray toward the same shelf he had taken the his hand wraps from. His hand stretched forward, reaching out with the force, a moment later two spools of more wound fabric floated slowly to his hand. He went about wrapping his feet and ankles; once finished he slipped his boots on and buckled them. He stood and strolled to a small chest next to the chair the girl had occupied. He opened it and pulled his utility belt from with in, buckling it about his waist. He turned about himself summoning his sabers from the stand next to his cot.

He clipped each to the back of either hip and made his way from his quarters, waving his hand as he walked through the threshold, thereby causing the glow globes to power off. The temple halls were always beautiful, though they were lost on Gabriel this morning. He powered through them toward the medical wing.

He arrived nearly five minutes after he had departed quarters. Locke was standing outside the medical bay doors, leaning upon the wall. He didn’t know why the man had summoned him, but he was sure he’d find out soon enough. He approached Locke, who had his hands firmly placed in the confines of his coat pockets. The man sensed his approach, turning to face Gabriel. The ember haired man bowed, to his friend.

“Locke. What gets you up this early?” Gabriel questioned genuinely. He flashed a smile before continuing. “I came as quickly as I could. Is there something bothering you?” Gabriel couldn’t place what it was, but there was the distinct feeling of unsettlement about Locke’s features. Gabriel shifted his weight as he awaited Locke’s response.

[Rugs]

The sun rose to greet the looming spires of Coruscant's Temple District as the city-planet turned, and today, it would rise to find Locke Nemsee already wide awake. The Investigator was often up early, yes, but today found him awake earlier than most others did.

A weeks had passed since the disastrous trip to Umgul. Well, maybe not disastrous, since the mission had been a success, but with the things that happened on the mist-shrouded world and their long-term implications, Locke didn't feel right calling it a 'success.'

His sleep was still fitful, his dreams still plagued by the events that happened in that cave deep within the mountains. He'd failed Jazen then, and the young man gave into the allure of the Dark Side, if only temporarily. The words he'd yelled at Locke then still hurt, even if they were things that were only said in a moment of deep, incomprehensible anger. Locke had a sinking feeling that both he and Jazen would be dealing with he aftereffects of that mission for a long while. Longer than either of them would want.

For the moment, though, Locke was going through his usual morning routine of getting dressed and clean. He stood before the mirror in the bathroom of his quarters, naked except for the towel wrapped around his waist. He'd been told before that he was a handsome man. He wasn't big man, as far as musculature went, but his was a build that was very lithe and lean, with very little fat on it. Still, as a Jedi, he was in excellent shape; his stomach was hard, its muscles well-defined, as was his chest, and the wiry, well-toned muscles of his arms were accented by veins that ran up from his forearms, up each bicep and spider webbed off into his shoulders before fading away.

His olive skin was smooth and clear for the most part, save the scars that crossed his body. There was one on his right thigh, with a sister scar on his left shoulder. Both came from a duel Coruscant's lower city four years ago, when the newly-knighted Locke crossed paths with a rogue Dark Jedi. Nomak Krell was the man's name, and he'd nearly killed Locke that day. Another scar crossed his back, from the lower left side just above his hip to go up and across, ending behind his right shoulder. That was a memento from his padawan years, when a piece of shrapnel from an explosion on a starship cut him open. That too, came very near to killing Locke. And then there were his most recent additions: two scars, identical in length in width that crossed his chest, slanting downward a bit from left to right. He'd gotten them on a recent mission to Alderaan, when he got into a fight with a Dashade bounty hunter that had been after the same young Arkanian girl as he. Continuing the trend of Locke's scar-getting process, the encounter had, of course, nearly been the death of Knight. Fortunately, Locke was a hard man to kill.

Were he a vain man, Locke might have been enamored with himself. But he wasn't, and his attention was on shaving. He always had a blanket of short stubble covering his jaw. Of course, to keep it as such, he had to trim it fairly regularly, lest he end up with a carpet hanging from his face. As he went about his work, his mind drifted to other subjects, and for once it didn't go back to Umgul.

The whole reason he was up so early was that he'd been given word that he, along with Gabriel, was to depart for Corellia immediately. They were to aid CorSec in an investigation, and the details Locke had been given about what had happened so far chilled him to the bone. Things wouldn't be pretty when they arrived. They wouldn't be pretty at all.

When he finished shaving, he went back out into his room and went about getting dressed. His pants were a sandy brown in color, as were the outer robes that went on over his cream-colored under-tunic. He sat down on the end of his bed as he went about putting on his boots and looked about his room. It was a mess. It often was. The small desk that occupied on of the corners was covered in flimsiplasts and datapads, all with information from his near-constant work on keeping in touch with the various contacts he'd established over the years. Well, near-constant when he wasn't training Jazen or out on a mission. Between all of those things, he didn't have time to worry about such trivial things as cleaning his room. Though it probably wouldn't hurt to get some of his stray clothes of off the floor...

There wasn't time now, though. He called his long coat to him from its place on the wall, and once it was on, he put his lightsaber and blaster pistol into their respective places on his belt, and went out into the hallway.

First, he'd stop by the medical bay, as he always did every morning. Jazen was still recovering from his injuries, though Locke didn't think he'd be there for too much longer. When he arrived, he sent one of the padawans that was there to get Gabe. Once he was done checking in on his student, who was fast asleep, he went out into the hallway, stuffed his hands into his coat's pocket, leaned against the wall and waited.

Gabe arrived a few minutes later. Locke could feel the man's presence before he saw him, along with the anxiety that worked through it. Gabre's bow was answered with a respectful nod before Locke broke out into a friendly grin. "I'm not up, that much earlier than normal, you know. I sometimes wish the day had more hours, but we're stuck with what we're given, eh?" The small faded away as his mind turned to the business at hand. Locke pushed off of the wall and began to stride down the hallway, motioning for Gabe to follow. "Walk with me.

"This morning I got word that you and I are to head out to Corellia." He smiled a bit, and laughed softly. "Nice place, Corellia. Interesting people. You know, my father was a Corellian. I've been taken for one a number of times before, with... well, with me being the way I am." Locke's dark brown hair swayed gently as he shook his head, knowing that he was trying to avoid the topic of why they were being called out.

"CorSec has sent word to us about some murders. Murders of their own men. Some pretty damn brutal murders at that. One of 'em was found with his head caught in some sort of machine and I'm sure you can imagine what that would do to a human skull." Locke paused when the pair passed in front of a grand window and looked out over the city, which was sitting underneath a sky that was a mix of brilliant reds and oranges as the sun broke the horizon. We don't know who's behind them.

"What we do know is that whoever they are, they left a recording, and on that recording they asked for you by name. Said if you didn't come, they'd just keep killing people until you showed up." Locke shook his head and sighed. He turned an eye to look at the other Knight, contemplating the situation that was being set before them. "Of course, the Council isn't going to send you alone, since whoever this is apparently has some interest in you, for whatever reason, so I'll be going to assist you. Jazen's in no shape to be going on another mission yet, so he'll be staying here, in the care of the healers."

Silence hung between the two Knights as Locke stared out at the city that sprawled out endlessly in all directions. "I don't like this, Gabe. It feels wrong. Not like Umgul did, but still... something's not right."

Locke turned on his heel and went off in the direction that would take them to a hangar, where their transportation would be waiting. "Let's go. We can talk on the way if you have any questions, but time's of the essence right now."

[WWFF]

The two exchanged pleasantries. Locke even flashed a smile, which set Gabriel a bit more at ease, though he sensed an anxiousness in his friends movements as he began walking and motioned Gabriel to join him. Gabriel caught up to Locke, keeping step with him as the man began to speak.

It started nice enough, they were supposed to travel to Corellia. Locke revealed that his own origins were Corellian; they were a nice group from what Gabriel had experienced, so it made sense to Gabriel. As Locke continued, however, the pleasantness of the conversation quickly diminished. Murder. An ugly crime in itself, but the manor of the reported murder. A man’s head stuck in a machine, and torn apart, or smashed, or something horrid that Gabriel didn’t want to think about. The two stopped at a large window out looking the city. Gabriel’s odd eyes scanned the city top. It never ceased to amaze him, though he rarely got to see the sunrise like this. He just wished it had been under more pleasant circumstances.

“"What we do know is that whoever they are, they left a recording, and on that recording they asked for you by name. Said if you didn't come, they'd just keep killing people until you showed up."

A chill ran up Gabriel’s spine, as a rush of blood hit his head. His features snapped to the other man who was staring out the window. ‘Me?’[/color] He thought as his head slowly slid back to place, eyes finding the horizon to stare at. The rest of Locke’s words fell on partially deaf ears. Gabriel heard and acknowledged them with only the most basic of gestures, a nod.

Who would kill people to see him? Why would they? Was it someone he had arrested? Someone wanting revenge for something? ‘There’s nothing to point the finger at, Gabriel. It could be nothing but coincidence.’ Of course it was something. What a stupid notion. People were killed, murdered, and he was thinking it ‘could be nothing’. Stupid. His mind snapped back to reality as Locke’s voice broke a silence.

“Nor do I.” Gabriel baritone voice countered Locke’s words with his own. “As much as I hate to say it. We’re just going to have to get there and find out what’s really going on.” He ran a wrapped hand through his short hair as his eyes strayed to his friend, a brow lifted in visible questioning of his own ideas. “We can’t let more people die. We have to get there quickly.”

Apparently Locke agreed as he turned on his heel and started down another corridor. He summoned Gabriel to follow, which the young Jedi did. Silence followed the two the whole walk, as both tried to piece what little knowledge of the situation they had together, and make sense of it. Though, as Gabriel had said, it would have to wait until they arrived. The two made their way to the hanger, the only sound between them was the tapping of their boots against the stone floor, and soon they were on board the transport ship. Gabriel gave the pilot a greeting and Locke gave him the orders and the location to travel before he Joined Gabriel in the back. Knowing the trip would not likely be very long, Gabriel decided to take his leave from his friend, and disappear into one of the rooms which the ship housed, for meditation purposes. He had to be focused and centered to deal with something a gruesome as murder; and he couldn’t help but feel that there was something more to this whole thing. Something deeper, that was going to require his mind to be rested. Though what it was, he couldn’t yet say.

Settling unto a pillow he had taken from the cot in the room he had chosen; he had placed the pillow in the middle of the room on a round rug, and sat cross legged on it. Moments later, Gabriel had managed to tune his heartbeat with the humming of the hyperdrive engines and found himself relaxing. A few items about the room levitated as his subconscious chose them as focus points. He wouldn’t move until the had arrived on Corellia.

---

Gabriel’s eyes snapped open as the hum of the hyperdrive ceased, he sensed Locke drawing close to the door, and went about picking himself up from the floor and placing the pillow where he had taken it from as the door hissed open. Locke’s voice told him they had arrived and would be landing at the One CorSec Plaza. Gabriel nodded and walked from the room behind Locke.

The ship made it’s way down, and was landed mere moments later. Gabriel could sense the apprehension from the officers in the hanger before he even set foot in it. Several armed men and women were waiting for the two Jedi to exit the ship, though Gabriel sensed that none of them knew what to expect nor really wanted to be around them. Gabriel was a proud man, but he was no snob. His powers were a gift, and too many knights had heads larger that their abilities; he refused to be like that. Hopefully, these officers would feel more at ease once they actually saw the Jedi and saw that they were just normal people. Well not ‘normal’; but certainly nothing to fear.

He was wrong, his presence seemed to be the cause of more anxiety, though it was obvious why. Gabriel cut an impressive figure. His broad shoulders extending outward, and tapering to a narrow ‘V’ at his hips and waist. Hands wrapped in white linen which extended into thick forearms and biceps. He wasn’t exceptionally tall, but taller than the norm; though it was his eyes which seemed to unsettle several of the officers. He made eye contact with a short strawberry haired woman, who immediately broke contact. Gabriel looked to his friend and through the force sent a message to the man. “Am I that frightening?” He knew full well that it wasn’t just him, it was both of their presence there; though usually Jedi weren’t met with such nervousness.

He chuckled at his friend’s retort and continued on down the ramp and into the hanger where the line of officers stood, each shifting nervously as the Jedi approached. Gabriel’s eyes were brought past the line to a grey haired man bustling through a doorway followed by two female aids. His face was well shaven, jaw square and tight. His brow low and tight with a slight furrow. He looked no older than his mid-fifties, and the fire in his blood could be seen through his keen eyes and he quickly strode forward. The kind of walk that said, ‘don’t mess with me, I’m on a mission’. The poor aids had to trot to keep up with him, though it didn’t detour him in anyway as he paid them little mind. The line in front of the two Jedi broke, as ht man walked through shouting the order to move aside and was introducing himself before he even made it to the two men.

“Chief Kip Indori, gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to have you at our facility.” the man looked over to Gabriel as he step slowed slightly. He shook his head as disbelief filled his voice. “My god, man. You’re the spitting image…” He stopped himself mid sentence and quickly regained his composure as he extended his hand to either Jedi, both accepting and shaking with warm smiles. The man had a deep loud voice when he spoke, housing just the hint of an accent. He was a man in charge; everything from his well maintained physical appearance to his keen hawk-like eyes backed that assessment up. His grip was firm, though Gabriel matched it, with a slight respectful bow.

For a moment the man stood silent for a moment studying Gabriel’s face, clearly thinking on something, though Gabriel felt it would be rude to go into his mind and poke about. Instead, he trusted that the man would fill him in on the details; knowing full well that those in charge like to leave out particularly important details. Never-the-less, the motioned for the two to follow along, and began filling the, in on the events.

“Damn good of you gents to show up as quickly as you did. He began without breaking his purposeful stride, which Gabriel and Locke managed to match, much to the chagrin of the two young aids.

“Well, it sounded urgent, Chief.” Gabriel’s voice responded though the man simply nodded and continued with his train of thought.

“It is urgent. Four men are dead, maybe more by now. Though I suppose you both can’t be blamed for that. Gabriel caught the word choice and the infection on the word. A rush of defense smashed into his teeth, though it remained restrained, allowing the man to continue. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so rude. It’s just when four men are murdered in the way these men were, you have to wonder what kind of creature has gone and done it.” Gabriel cut the man off, needing to ask a couple questions of his own.

“Excuse me.” He began, the chief not breaking stride. They had traveled some distance already form the hanger, and were in some sort of lift heading to where ever the button “CR1” would take them. Gabriel assumed it stood for “Command Room”, though the ‘one’ could mean anything from first floor to the first command room. It didn’t much matter, the lift was traveling up. “In what way were these men killed that makes this so different than any normal murder?” He looked to Locke as he spoke, knowing the other man was no doubt thinking the same thing.

“You mean aside from being placed headfirst into a press with not so much as a single particle of physical signs of struggle? Aside form being flayed open like a science project? Or placed four stories up and skewered by a flag pole?” The man’s voice has the slightest hint of annoyance as he gave his spiel. The small group entered the control room as he finished speaking and turned about himself to face Gabriel and Locke. The ember haired Jedi nodded as he took the information in. It was sadistic, the killings, and the descriptions disturbed Gabriel slightly. Though what disturbed the man the most was yet to come.

“I suppose the biggest hint that these weren’t normal murders… He used to fingers to make quotation marks in the air as he said normal. He glanced to an officer sitting at a desk near where they had stopped, in front of a large viewing screen; a simply nod passed between them and the officer made some quick movements on his control panel. “…was this.” No sooner had the words left his lips did the recording start.

“Hello…” The voice echoed about the room and various speakers played the same sound bit. Gabriel’s form froze, he knew that voice. “…Captain Alaris can’t come to the com. right now, so I’ll just give you the report. Two officers down.”[/I] The voice almost toyed with the words as it spoke, hiding a childlike glee behind each word. “As will be with any more who come. That is until you come Gabriel Alaris. Oh yes, I found your root, and as anyone who wishes to remove a tree must do… I’m removing them. But, then we’ll be together soon… I hear someone coming. A childish giggle sounded and echoed about the room and then… the voice ceased. Gabriel’s name echoed in his own ears. That voice! That smooth, disconnected, sadistic, evil voice, belonged to someone he had hoped he’d seen the last of.

Gabriel’s jaw tightened as he stopped staring at the speakers and brought his eyes back to focus on the Chief, who was staring sternly back at Gabriel. The young man’s form was tight, and his stomach twisted into a ugly knot. He licked his lips as he glanced to Locke and back to the Chief. “Di’Shan…” His voice sounded hollow as it exited his body, he glanced to Locke once more, speaking more to him than the Chief. “He was the one from Rhen Var.” Gabriel had hopped he’d bled out, or maybe found a stray slug through that sadistic brain of his.

“Oh good!” Indori’s voice broke in. “Here I was thinking we had a nameless psychopath. Turns out he has a name.” Indori turned on his heal and walked to another control panel. “Pardon my attitude, gentlemen. I just don’t feel his name to be of much importance. Though it’s not really my case from here on out.” He stood back and slowly strode toward the two Jedi. Eyes coming level with Gabriel’s. “This one is all yours, boys. Go about it as you see fit, just don’t go tearing up the planet looking for this nut job. Let’s try to keep everyone safe.” Gabriel bowed and turned to leave, though was stopped as the chief’s voice called back to him.

“If I was you, gentlemen. I would check on missus Alaris and her son. She’s one of the widows… here is where to find her.” The man gave Locke a small data pad and bid the two good luck. Gabriel tilted his head to look back slightly as the man mentioned the woman’s name. He hadn’t caught it earlier when the recording mentioned “Captain Alaris”, but the Chief seemed to emphasis it. Gabriel waited for Locke to step even with him before he continued back toward the lift, both stepping inside they turned about themselves to look back in to the control room as the lift door closed.

Gabriel was quick to begin discussing the situation with Locke. “Locke, if Di’Shan’s here it’s for a reason. He’s like a spukamas, nothing he does is for naught.” For a moment he tried to avoid the fact that Di’Shan Mrs. Alaris was a widow, implying that one of the dead officers shared his name, though it came to a halt as the lift stopped at the hangar entrance. Locke started from the lift before Gabriel though was brought to a halt and Gabriel grabbed his arm and turned him, stepping close to speak softly. “These people share my name. If that’s why Di’Shan’s here we have to get them to safety.”

Gabriel already felt guilt, though he looked to Locke to calm him a bit. His grip tightened as the thought about the fact that it was his fault that an uncle or cousin was dead, and others could be soon behind. He released his friend and shot out of the lift, calling to his friend as a speeder slid up, clearly for them as the officer climbed out and motioned for them.

“We have to get to her before he does, Locke.” Gabriel called and he jumped into the speeder, waiting for his friend to climb in with him.

[Rugs]

Locke settled into a chair in the ship's midsection once they were out of the hangar and heading up toward orbit. He shifted it about, moving it to sit near one of the many windows to watch the Capital planet as they soared ever upwards. The reds and oranges grew, covering the city in a blanket of cozy warmth before they eventually began to give way to the darkness of space.

He spotted the Temple as they flew. It was where it always was, of course, in the heart of the Temple District, squatting tall and proud over the immediate surrounding area. Locke smiled when he saw it. Even though dark forces continued to close in around them, grasping at the Republic's heart, the Temple stood, ever strong, ever watchful. It was a fortress of the light; a beacon in the growing dark that many would surely look to in the coming days and weeks, as the war would only worsen.

Even though the Temple may have been a place of the light, and the Jedi the guardians and watchmen that protected the Republic and her people, it wasn't to saw they didn't struggle with their own darkness. Even as the Temple grew smaller and smaller, Locke could feel his Jazen, through the newly-formed bond they shared as master and student.

He was far too far away to be able to feel Jazen's emotions or what he was doing (though it would be safe to assume the young man was still sleeping), but he was there. And in Jazen, that same struggle, that war between dark and light, had already raged, and probably would continue to rage for some time. Locke's shoulders slumped wearily. He still blamed himself for the events on Umgul, fairly or not. Oh, how he'd struggled to try to get over it, but it was so hard. It didn't help that every night brought images of Jazen's suffering to his mind, filling it with scenes of that Dark Jedi torturing him. Scenes of Jazen turning against him. The wound Umgul left was still very much raw; Locke only hoped that time would a sufficient salve to heal it.

But now wasn't the time to go on another guilt trip. Force only knows I've been on enough of those for a lifetime already, Locke mused dryly. Even so, as the ship made it into orbit and went through the subsequent jump to hyperspace, Locke lost track of time as his mind drifted.

It drifted back to Umgul, and to his fears of having a student; both of the things that Jazen might decide to do and of his own potential ineptitude as a master. It drifted to the war. It drifted to the reports he'd been going over before the Council summoned him. And, as they neared Corellia, it drifted to the mission that they'd soon embark on.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Locke's stomach shifted from sudden deceleration even as his eyes observed the swirling blue of hyperspace give way one more to space's darkness. Looming out below them was Corellia. It wasn't the first time Locke had been to the planet. From here, miles and miles above it, it was much as Locke remembered it. Locke stood as they began their descent, stretching out muscles that were knotted up from sitting in one position for so long.

He stuck his hands into his coat pockets once more as he went to find his comrade; locating the other Knight wasn't hard--all Locke had to do was follow the beacon that his presence made in the Force as he meditated. "Rise and shine, big guy," he said wryly as the door slid open to show Gabriel picking himself up from where he'd been sitting. "We've made it to Correllia. We'll be landing at One CorSec Plaza shortly. Won't be long 'til we find out just what's goin' on here, eh?"

They were on the ground a short while later, and the two Knight soon found themselves disembarking down the ship's ramp. Locke's stride was relaxed and easy, his coat flapping gently about his lower legs with each step. He'd learned long ago how to mask his inner worry or turmoil and put on a calm facade for everyone else to see. Of course he was calm, or calmer than he'd been, anyway, now that they'd finally arrived; it was the way he seemed to work most of the time--worry about things on the way out to a mission, but once he arrived, he was cool and collected, for the most part. He had to be, in his line of work. It certainly helped that this assignment, dire thought it was, was more along the lines of what he was used to doing, especially in working with local security forces.

But if Locke had moved to a more relaxed pose, Gabriel had only grown more tense. Understandable, I suppose. Locke glanced at the officers that were gathered before them, and then to Gabriel at the sound of his friend's voice within his head. For a moment, Locke's mind echoed a feeling that he'd had back above Umgul, before they'd had their talk over the actions Gabriel took in the cave: he really could be an intimidating man. Gabriel was big, and his physique was a powerful one. And those eyes...

"Well, clearly, the only way to figure this out is to lock you in a room with some toddlers," Locke answered silently. "If they run to other side in stark terror, then yes, you're terrifying." He couldn't help but smile at the Guardian, if only for a moment. "Still, you should loosen up a bit, y'know? I know you're worried--I am too--but the image we project is just as important as the abilities we bring to the table."

The chief they would be working with arrived moment later, and proceeded to give them a more detailed run down on the situation. Locke stayed quiet for the most part, and let the wheels in his mind turn as Gabriel did the talking. Though, it wasn't long before poor Gabe had a number of bombs dropped on him.

The first was that apparently, whoever was behind the murders was someone that Gabe knew: a friend from Rhen Var, no less. If this Di'Shan was at Rhen Var, then that can only mean he's a Sith, Locke mused, frowning slightly. That's not good. Not at all.

The second came in the form of a name. A very particular name. Alaris. Alaris was the name that one of the men that Di'Shan killed bore. Alaris was also a name that Gabriel bore. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Di'Shan's reasoning for calling for Gabriel specifically. Things were very bad indeed.

Locke followed Gabriel to the speeder, and once they were off the ground an en route to the Alaris residence, he finally broke his silence. "We need to be careful, Gabe. I've seen a lot of sick bastards in my time as an Investigator, and even more when my Master was training me as one, but this Di'Shan person has got to be near the top of the list." Locke shook his head.

"He's after you, of course." Locke looked to his partner as the speeder zipped in between buildings, rushing them to their destination. "You know that, right? He's playing a game with us. With you. I don't know what went down between you two in the past, but he's out to hurt you. But he shouldn't be doing it like this..." Locke shook his head again and sighed, looking out of the window. His next words were almost whispered. "Family's something that's sacred."

"You need to be careful while we're here, Gabriel. I know the pain that comes when someone harms your family. I know it better than most Jedi." His eyes went back to Gabriel again and pain touched the edge of his voice. "But unlike me, you're in a position where you can protect them. We can protect them. But we'll have to be wary."

They landed outside of the Alaris residence a few minutes later, and Locke got out of the speeder. His pace to the front door was brisk, and Gabe followed behind him, keeping pace. When he reached it he gave three hard knocks, and called out "Is the Alaris residence? This is Locke Nemsee, of the Jedi Order!"

[Otterling]

((OOC: Hope this is ok. Let me know if I need to change anything))


There is a specific sort of fear that comes with being a parent. It’s a fear that runs through a mother’s heart when she hears her child cry or sees him fall, driving her to rush to his side and tend to any bruises or scrapes. It’s nervousness for him as he starts his new school, learns to be himself through trial and error, goes on his first date, or drives his first speeder. Ferra Alaris had felt that fear before on numerous occasions as she raised her son Ellick but always she had pushed it aside with the balm of motherly pride to ease the way as she watched the boy grow. In his thirteen years of life, she’d seen him break his arm no less than twice, scrape his knees so many times that one would think their yard was made of razors, and watched with a mingled sense of horror and wonder as he consumed all sorts of concoctions he and his father whipped up in the kitchen.

As she stood in the bright sunlight pouring through her livingroom window, however, Ferra felt a swell of fear she hadn’t felt since before Ellick was even born. Her fear came from the call of the deep voice at her front door, a voice that announced itself as belonging to the Jedi. It wasn’t that Ferra had and dislike for them really, but the last time a Jedi had stood on her doorstep, he had taken her precious firstborn son from her. Gabriel. She could still remember the smell of baby powder and shampoo that had clung to his hair as she’d kissed him goodbye for the last time. Now the Jedi were back and once again someone she loved was gone. Ferra glanced over to where Ellick sat curled up in his father’s old chair, a datapad with the latest adventure story on it held firmly in his grip. She knew he wasn’t really reading it but he was doing a good job of keeping up the pretense that he was perfectly ok.

So much like his father, Ellick had hidden his own pain at Kregan’s death in favor of looking after his mother. The past few days had seen him doing more than his normal chores and working hard to help out where he could around the house. It was, Ferra thought, not purely for her own benefit, for Ellick needed something to distract him from the pain as well. The older woman sighed and brushed a few strands of her dusty blond hair behind her ear before wandering through the room and out into the hall that would lead to the front door. She could hear Ellick rise from his chair to follow her as far as the livingroom doorway. The police had warned them that the killer was still on the loose and Ferra had immediately put a rule in place that Ellick wouldn’t answer the door on his own until the madman was found. She couldn’t bear to lose another loved one and such was that fear that she felt a pit hollow out in her stomach at the idea of Jedi entering her house and meeting her only remaining son.

Ellick’s blood had been tested for Force sensitivity as well when he was born, and while he showed no sign of his older brother’s talent, Ferra still harbored a worry. It was non-sensical, she knew, and born of the recent loss of Kregan, but it was there none the less so she steeled herself as best she could before opening the door and coming face to face with a young Jedi Knight. He was a handsome sort, rugged looking, and Ferra could well imagine there was a long line of disappointed girls stretching the galaxy who had doted on him at some point. She put on a thin smile and hoped she didn’t look too awful considering the red puffiness of her eyes from crying and the dark circles from too little sleep. She opened her mouth to offer a greeting but it died on her lips as the first syllables pitched up into a strangled gasp. Soft blue eyes widened as she stared past Locke to the young man behind him.

Those eyes. She knew those eyes. They had smiled up at her from a young face so many years ago as she made her farewells. “G-Gabriel?” she squeaked in a voice that sounded far too high-pitched even to her own ears. It couldn’t be. And yet, there was no doubt who it was that was standing on her doorstep. The spitting image of his father save for those strange blue eyes he had inherited from somewhere unknown. Ferra stood in mute shock for a moment as she tried to let her mind catch up to the sight. It was almost too much, seeing the very ghost of her late husband in the form of a son she had long since given up on ever seeing again. She had resigned herself to the fact that she would not be kept up to date on how he was doing or if he even made it as a Jedi and it had never occurred to her that the Jedi themselves would send her son back to her doorstep to avenge the death of a father she doubted he even remembered.

“Oh Gabriel,” Ferra sobbed as she stepped forward and threw caution to the wind, embracing her son eagerly. Ellick watched with obvious confusion written on his face as he slowly made his way toward the front door. He looked far more mistrusting of this sudden appearance than Ferra had though it was obvious his curiosity was overwhelming. Ellick had never heard of this ‘Gabriel’ person his mother seemed so excited to see but he couldn’t help but find himself staring in mute stillness from the hall as he finally got a good look. The man looked almost exactly like his father had save for being younger. An uncle maybe? Ellick wracked his brain to think of any reason someone would not tell him about an uncle, especially a Jedi one. He kept quiet though as his mother gushed over herself to lead the young man and his fellow Jedi into their home.

[WWFF]

Time was of essence. The speeder soared through the streets of Coronet City, at speeds far exceeding the Coronet traffic laws; though the meant little to Gabriel. He had to get to these people, and get them far from Di’Shan, as far as possible. Regardless of relation, Gabriel would not have anyone else killed by this lunatic because of his name. The speeder weaved sharply and Gabriel narrowly avoided a collision; had it been someone else, the chances of a fatal accident would have been far higher, though Gabriel was no ‘normal’ person. He was a Jedi, which urged him all the more to get to the residence before Di’Shan. If these people were a close family, as all Corellian families were, he knew that they were in mourning, all of them; and when people mourn, they seldom leave the confines of their home.

Locke was talking now. Gabriel could hear him, hear his words, and while he acknowledged them and listened, his mind was else where. Why would Di’Shan do this? What was his motivation? He had failed to kill Gabriel on Rhen Var, but really? Couldn’t he have just tracked Gabriel on some mission and made another go at it? Of course, Gabriel knew it was foolhardy to think that the answer to this question could be anything but a huge resounding ‘no’. He wanted Gabriel to feel this. And though he didn’t voice it, Gabriel had a sickening feeling that this blood tie was far closer than he was willing to accept. The pit of his stomach churned as he thought about a cousin, or uncle, killed by Di’Shan while in the line of duty. It sickened him. It was truly amazing how low the Sith were willing to sink to bring pain to those about them.

“He's after you, of course.” Locke’s voice cut into Gabriel’s thoughts once more. “You know that, right?” Gabriel merely nodded grimly as his friend continued. Gabriel listened, nodding as Locke spoke, knowing full well that the things the man was saying were more that correct. “…"Family's something that's sacred.” It was the first time Gabriel picked up on the note of sorrow in Locke’s voice, though his let it slide, knowing answers would no doubt come in time. After all, should they both survive Di’Shan and manage to capture the fiend, they would have enough time to talk. Right now however they were nearing their destination.

Locke’s voice started once more as Gabriel slid out of the way of another potential wreck. “You need to be careful while we're here, Gabriel. I know the pain that comes when someone harms your family. I know it better than most Jedi.” Again, sorrow tinged the corners of Locke’s words. As he had predicted, time proved to tell just why Locke had sounded so distant and sad minutes before. Clearly he’d lost his own family, and by the sounds of it, close family. Like a father, or mother… or both. “By the light…[/color] a sudden reality came crashing down on Gabriel as he navigate the streets, though now unconsciously pushing the speed further. What if these people were his parents? The thought hadn’t crossed his mind earlier, but what if Di’Shan was hunting Gabriel’s parents.

Gabriel swung the speeder close to the side of the road, nearly on the sidewalk as the arrived at their destination. He pushed two small buttons, powering the speeder down. The door swung outward and open, and the big ember haired man stepped out quickly. He waited for Locke to take the lead, having more experience in these matter than he had. An anxiousness and fear arose within Gabriel’s stomach, heightening his heart beat and respiration, as Locke made their presence known. Fear that they were too late… and anxious to see that they weren’t.

A few moments passed, though they seemed like hours, Gabriel wanted to bash the door in and find Di’Shan on the other end to he could give the Twi’lek a new hole to breathe from. Though just as the thought had crossed his mind, a puffy eyed woman opened the door. She was small of stature and frame; coming only past shoulder height on Locke, which Gabriel estimated to be around five feet and maybe two inches. She was roughly in her mid-forties, by the looks of her, though sorrow could always make someone look older. She had light sandy blonde hair, which hung about her shoulders as though nothing had been done with it for days. Light blue eyes, and a small nose. Her lips were full, though she had a short upper lip, which Gabriel always found gave the most beautiful smiles.

The woman opened the door to the domicile, and as it hissed up it looked as though she were about to greet the two; though before words could escape her mouth a sharp gasp replaced them. She looked at though she had seen a ghost, Maybe his eyes frightened her, as she didn’t tear hers from them for the longest moment. That was when he voice found her.

”G-Gabriel?”

Her voice sounded vaguely familiar on Gabriel’s ears, though he couldn’t place were from, and as he watched the woman look as though she were about to faint, she the to exact opposite. She practically shouted his name, and rushed forward, collapsing into a sobbing embrace which the large man found himself thoroughly unexpecting. His arms lifted away from himself, and her, not knowing exactly what to do in a moment such as this. He honestly did not remember who this woman, who obviously knew him, was. He tried racking his brain; though nothing came. He looked over to Locke to see what he should do, and while the man looked as surprised as Gabriel did, he motioned with his head form Gabriel to hold the woman.

Nervously, and relatively unsure Gabriel did just that. He wrapped his arms around the woman, one hand holding the back of her head as he face buried in his chest sobbing. Many minutes passed as Gabriel stood holding the woman, though he couldn’t find her in his mind. No memories would present them selves, and just as he was about to pull his off and ask her straight, she composed herself and stepped back, inviting Gabriel and Locke into the house.

Gabriel looked to lock, who nodded, and the two stepped into the door way. A young boy stood in the hall, just behind his mother as the door zipped shut. His age was roughly thirteen in years, maybe more, maybe less; he looked around there though. His eyes fell on Locke and then to Gabriel, both dressed in Jedi garb, and both standing in his house. The woman merely stood silently staring at Gabriel, hands clasped in front of her mouth. She went to speak once more, addressing Gabriel by name, again. She told him she’d given up on seeing him again, though the young man couldn’t process this data properly. He felt it, but his mind denied it. He could take it no longer, as he stepped forward, and rested his hands on the woman’s shoulders, bringing his face close to hers. He allowed their eyes to meet, hoping they would share the secret with him, but all he found were tear rimmed orbs staring back at him, smiling in the corners.

A deep sigh emerged from Gabriel as his mind let him down once more. He had to know…

“Ma’am?” His deep voice filled the hall, though it was barely above a whisper. “Forgive me… I don’t remember who you are… please. Tell me.”

[Otterling]

She should have known really, after all her son had been gone for many years now, but Ferra couldn’t help but feel the sting of Gabriel’s words as he confessed to not knowing her. Here he was again, once more in her house, in her arms, when so much else had been lost, but the child she’d last seen so very long ago being carried away in the arms of a Jedi Master now stood looking at her, his strange eyes staring down at her from the face of a grown man. This time, there was no recognition in those eyes. Ferra managed a weak smile and patted the young man on the arm. He couldn’t be expected to remember after all those years and he’d been so young when the Jedi had come for him, she told herself. It only made sense that he would be confused now.

“Gabriel,” she said again, savoring the name she hadn’t dared to speak in many years, “I’m your mother.”

There was a soft gasp from the hallway and Ferra turned to see her youngest son standing stock still and staring at her with wide eyes. Shock was written on every inch of his face as he glanced back and forth between Gabriel and his mother, his eyes finally resting on Locke as if expecting the other witness to the strange scene to perhaps make more sense of what was going on than he was able to fathom. Ferra smiled kindly at both of her children and stepped over to Ellick. She had never mentioned Gabriel to him in all this time. The Jedi had told her and Kregan that it was best for all involved if they simply forgot their child had been born, after all she was forbidden from trying to make contact with him again once he’d joined the Jedi.

Still, it was easier to talk of forgetting than it was to do so and her first born had always been close to her heart. Ferra brushed a hand through the short thick locks of Ellick’s hair. He looked a lot like Gabriel and their father save that his eyes were the soft blue of his mother and his hair was a shade or so lighter than Gabriel’s had been at his age. The boy stared somewhat skeptically at the tall imposing Jedi who his mother had just claimed relation to. “Gabriel,” Ferra said quietly, her hands resting on Ellick’s shoulders as she stepped protectively up behind him, “This is your little brother Ellick. Ellick, say hello to Gabriel.”

The boy quirked an eyebrow at the Jedi and then tipped his head back to look at his mother again. “You never told me I had a brother,” he said with a note of betrayal in his voice. Ellick couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to keep such a fact from him. All his life, he’d wished for a brother and here was one standing larger than life in the doorway to his kitchen. A Jedi one to boot. “I’m sorry, child,” Ferra said gently, patting her son’s hair in a display of affection, “we never mentioned him because…well…many years ago, we sent Gabriel to live with the Jedi. We were told we would never see him again. I never..” She glanced up to smile sadly at her oldest child. “I never thought this day would come.”

Ellick turned toward Gabriel, a mix of emotions rushing in succession over his face. Disbelief, anger, denial, and sorrow flitted one after another until he settled for simply looking hurt. The expression melted to one of cautious interest a moment later as the realization that his brother was back finally settled in. “Are you back now?” He asked hesitantly, “Did the Jedi send you back to live with us again since Father died?”

[WWFF]

““Gabriel, I’m your mother.”

The words seemed to throw Gabriel off balance; as his world began shaking to the core. The young man felt a rush of blood flood into his face and fill his head, and a moment later his hand had come to rest on the wall, steadying himself as dizziness filled his vision. He looked at the woman as she continued to speak, though no words resonated within Gabriel’s ears. His mind watched he introduce the boy as his brother; which made cause for another bit of misbalance; and finally Gabriel managed to find his legs once more.

His mother? Did the council know about this? Did Locke? Why had no one told him? Of course he felt like a fool. The chief of security had nearly tripped over himself at the mere sight of Gabriel. How could he not have assumed direct relation? In his mind, he rationalized that he had, he’d simply shoved it aside with denial. All of a sudden a rush of word and questions filled his head, though none come be heard above the sound of the others. He found himself absently shaking his head until one voice filled his ears. A younger voice, a boy’s voice. Ellick’s voice. The by stepped forward toward Gabriel as he spoke, seeming to evaluate the man before him, as Gabriel did the same to the boy.

“Are you back now? Did the Jedi send you back to live with us again since father died?” The question stunned him as he watched the boy shift hesitantly. Gabriel looked stepped back, a step, eyes snapping from the boy to his mother, and back again, finally settling on Locke as the boy finished his question; completely lost for words. Of course, how could he have been so dense. His father, his mother, and his brother; immediate family. Di’Shan was after his blood, and the thought curdled Gabriel’s stomach. His look was one of pure shock coupled with fear. Fear that he wouldn’t be able to save them when Di’Shan took the next step. His jaw tightened, as he managed to regain his composition and stand on his feet once more.

The boy’s eyes looked hopefully up at the tall ember haired man in front of him. Gabriel’s eyes strayed from Locke and back to the boy, eyes misty as tears began to form. A long moment of silence passed between all in the hall, all eyes looking to Gabriel as the man seemed stumped for word. In a flash Gabriel’s training came flooding back to him, as he looked down into the hopeful boy’s eyes. His face winced slightly as he breathed his words.

“No…” Pain engulfed his voice as he straightened his posture regaining his tongue as he allowed his eyes to stray from the boy to his mother. “Unfortunately not.” His voice hardened slightly, though the sorrow and guilt remained as he glanced back at Ellick. The poor boy was to grow up fatherless. Gabriel had done it, but it was different. A Jedi has many examples growing up, a parent is not necessarily needed; but unless his mother remarries, Ellick will have no one. Not even his older brother. The thought stung as he looked into his mother’s eyes and back to the boy.

“I am here to find – and bring to justice – our father’s murderer.” Gabriel glanced back to Locke before talking forward to his little brother. The boy stood about to his shoulder, taller than Gabriel was at that age. It was interesting, of all the things in the world to find, a family was something he had never planned on. And yet how cruel fate truly was to steal him away from them pending the completion of his assignment. The thought of finally meeting his family, filled Gabriel’s heart with a joy he could never hope to express. He placed his hands on the boy’s shoulders in front of him, and finally a smile came to his lips.

“A brother… I’ve often thought about what it would be like to see the same blood flowing in another’s eyes.” Gabriel glanced at the tear stained face of his mother and back to his little brother. “We’ll talk soon, little brother. But for now may I speak with our mother alone for a moment?” Gabriel half thought about using the force to convince the boy to leave the room, though with a nod the boy did it on his own. Gabriel stood straight watching the boy exit the hall into one of the many room of the litle domicile. He stepped through the hall way to his mother’s side, his feet moving just behind a trot as he came to a stop in front of her.

“You and Ellick are not safe here. The man who killed Cap–…father, will be coming for you and him next. I will stay here as long as I can but, I need you gather any keep sakes you want.” His words and urgency in his voice seemed to effect the woman more than he expected, though a hasty nod proved that she understood the gravity of the situation. She turned about herself and rushed off down the hall.

Gabriel turned to Locke once the woman was clear of the area. He had questions and the could not go unanswered, his only fear was that the answers would be more than he wanted to know. Regardless, he motioned for the man to follow, knowing that he would probably need some familiar presence to calm his nerves. A silent message was sent to Locke asking him to see to his mother, as he intended to speak with Ellick, knowing that the boy was going through turmoil of his own. What kind of brother would let a younger sibling suffer alone?

Gabriel turned into the same room his brother had minutes before; his shoulders nearly took up the whole width of the doorway. He felt the’s boy’s spirit rise and quickly fall as he realized that the form wasn’t that of his father. Gabriel understood the boy’s feelings. He also knew, however, that this may well be his only chance to speak with the boy, seeing as after his assignment was complete he’d probably never be allowed to see them again. His heart sank at the thought, but he did have this opportunity. An opportunity few Jedi are allotted. He stepped into the room; the boy was sitting on his cot, silently staring at the man on the other side of the room. Gabriel could tell that he made the boy uncomfortable, but it was to be expected.

“So, Ellick… How old are you?” Gabriel asked softly, his voice carrying its usual baritone. The boy didn’t answer, he merely sat looking at Gabriel in silence. Gabriel, knew the boy didn’t know what to think, though he would attempt to break through. “We’re brothers, Ellick… You can trust me. I just want to get to know you some. I’ve never thought I’d have a brother, much less meet one.” Gabriel smiled, hoping to appear less intimidating. “How old are you, Ellick?”

[Otterling]

Ellick sat still and silent on his small cot. He watched the Jedi enter his room, the taller man’s head only narrowly missing the small Corellian toy ship that hung from the ceiling. He wasn’t sure what to make of all this yet. So much had happened so quickly and he’d lost his father and gained an unknown brother all in the course of less than a week, only to find out his brother would soon be gone again too. It seemed like a cruel joke. He bit down on his lip to keep from blurting out the hundred things he wanted to say. He had a million questions and a thousand accusations. If his brother was a powerful Jedi, why hadn’t he been here to save their father? The look of surprise that had crossed Gabriel’s face hadn’t been missed by Ellick either and he could easily enough guess that the Jedi had no idea who they were until his mother had pieced it all together. Maybe, just maybe, both of them had been cheated in this whole deal.

Ellick shifted uneasily on his cot as Gabe neared and then eased down into a crouch near him. It was still startling to see that face looking so like his father’s, staring out at him with strange eyes he’d never seen before. “What is that supposed to mean?” he finally muttered when he could no longer hold it back. “Brothers? We don’t even know each other. And you’re going to leave us again when this is over, aren’t you?” There was a note of betrayal under that last question though it was severely tempered by sorrow and it was clear enough that the question was born of grief more than any real malice. Ellick just didn’t want to learn to love someone he was only going to lose again soon. He fiddled with his hands for a minute before looking up to catch Gabe’s eyes. “I’m thirteen,” he said softly, “I’ll be fourteen in two months.” An undercurrent of pride rode the last statement. He had a lot to live up to when it came to his family line. His father had been an honorable and strong man and now his own brother was a Jedi.

Ellick managed a quiet smile and raised his chin a little. “Can I help?” he asked hopefully, “I want to help catch the man that killed father. Please? You can teach me Jedi stuff, like they taught you.” Ellick wasn’t sure why his mother would send Gabriel off to the Jedi and not give him the same opportunity but he was hopeful his brother could teach him a few of the amazing things that Jedi could do. More than anything though, he wanted to see his father’s murderer come to justice.

______________________________________

Ferra’s heart was hammering in her chest as she threw a change of clothes and some random necessities in an overnight bag. Gabriel’s words had only confirmed her worst nightmare, that the attack on her husband wouldn’t end there, and she rushed to get her things together so that they could get somewhere safe as fast as possible. She wasn’t going to lose her youngest son to the monster that had taken her husband. The image of Kregan’s mangled body flashed through her mind and Ferra had to slap an arm against the wall to steady herself. She had been called in for the unpleasant task of identifying her husband’s body and the image had haunted her dreams since it had happened. Her mind cruelly slapped Ellick’s face on that tattered corpse and Ferra let out a small sob. She buried her face in her hands and wept quietly, completely unaware that Locke had been told to check up on her.

Ferra was anything but a weak woman though and she stilled herself after a moment, wiping at the tears that clung to her cheeks still. She had a son to protect and she wasn’t going to let anything happen to him. She took a few steadying breaths and began once more to toss handfuls of important datapads and the few mementos of her husband that she couldn’t bear to part from yet.

___________________________________

Across town, another CorSec investigator twitched painfully, his screams long since given way to hollow gurgles as his lungs bled into his throat. He watched with wide un-seeing eyes as his killer draped his entrails around the room like holiday decorations, all the while humming a soft tune that would have been pretty if all the blood hadn’t been rushing into the officer’s ears. He was suspended upside down, watching the gruesome scene of his own murder in the reflective pools of his own blood. Di’Shan moved gracefully across the room and knelt by his side, pulling out the man’s comlink and giving him a pleasant smile. “Let’s make a call now, shall we? I want to invite some friends over.”

[WWFF]

The boy was right; though it didn’t make his words any less painful. Clearly Ellick was lashing out; out of pain mostly. Gabriel was leaving after this was over, and what then? What would the boy do? What would he have. ‘Not even fourteen.’[/color] the thought echoed through his mind. Gabriel remembered when he was thirteen; he had been a Padawan for a year, how long ago that seemed. The boy was a lot like him then. Perhaps not quite as big, though there was something to be said of Jedi training. But it wasn’t just the physical, it was the spirit.

As Gabriel looked into those icy blue eyes staring back at him, he saw the same courage and determination that had been bred into him. Seeing the deep desire to see justice done, yet knowing that the boy could do nothing to help; nothing but hide. It was amazing just how similar two people could be; Gabriel knew that the boy wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. And so, a smile formed upon Gabriel’s lips; he knew the boy wasn’t sensitive, sadly, but perhaps he could teach the boy something more useful.

Gabriel stood from his seat on the cot and turned to face the boy. He offered a hand to the boy, and once accepted, he walked to the center of the small room and motioned for the boy to sit. Ellick furrowed his brow in a confused manor, though upon seeing Gabriel sit cross legged he did thusly across from the big man.

“I won’t lie to you Ellick. The force chooses it’s conduits, some of us are blessed by the light more so than others. That is not to say that you are not blessed…” Gabriel was beginning a ramble, something he had learned to catch before it became a rushing river. He decided to start over. Clearing his throat, he flashed a smile at the boy.

“Ellick…” he began again. “Do you know what Medi-Chlorians are?” The boy shook his head reluctantly. He was honest, a good trait. “The Medi-chlorians are the basis of all life. Nothing could exist without them, and no Jedi would have knowledge of the force without their guidance. They are symbiotes of all creatures, attaching themselves to your cells. We all have them within up, though some contain more than others. This is based upon the will of the Force. The have given me the ability to detect and channel the Force through myself and into various techniques which have taken me years to develop.” Gabriel’s hand flipped from it place on his thigh as a smile spread on his face. In a moment the boy’s rear had left the rug and was levitating several inches from the ground. A smile spread across the boy’s face and an amazed chuckle escaped the boy’s mouth. Carefully placing the boy back down, Gabriel continued.

“We Jedi are taken at a very early age, usually no older than that two or three years. Including myself. From the moment we are admitted to the academy, we are trained in the use of the Force for the good of all. There are some who do not share our sentiment and use the force for other means, including to hurt people.” He paused to let the words sink in before continuing.

“I cannot teach you the things you want to know, Ellick. The Force did not choose you for the same life as me.” Gabriel’s words seemed to crush the boy, though it did not detour the man from continuing.

“It’s not a bad thing, little brother. You have been chosen for something else, which will no doubt be as important if not more so. I can sense a great power within you.” The boy’s face lit slightly.

”I cannot teach you the things you want to know…” He cocked his head as another smile rolled the corners of his lips. “…however, Ellick, I can teach you to quiet your mind, and perhaps you may even be able to hear the essence of life whispering to you. At trying times, it’s this quiet which will help you through; it has always helped me.” The boy nodded, though the disappointment of his own lack of medi-chlorians, the promise of potentially hearing one mad his spirit lift. Gabriel felt it, and again he sensed the same wonderment he himself had felt at the aspect of feeling something more than himself. “You may hear nothing today, but, someday, if you practice everyday, you may learn to hear it.” Gabriel’s words of caution were met by wide eyed understanding and a nod.

“Good…” He placed rolled his shoulder back, and closed his eyes. “The first thing you must do, is close your eyes. They deceive you. You have to feel it. Feel everything around you.” Gabriel felt the boy’s form relax slightly, a quick peek from one eyes told him that the boy’s eyes were indeed closed. “Good. Now, breathe. Slowly. Deeply. Fill your lungs, and release the air. Feel your heart beating. The more you do this you may learn to control that beat. Remember that. Focus on the beat, and let it fill your ears. That is life, Ellick.” The boy’s form relaxed further. Gabriel could feel his brother merely feet away; the thought helped relax him further. “Good, Ellick. Now, stop thinking. Don’t think about anything. Not me. Not the events of the day. Of the week. Of anything but the now. Nothing but your air, and your blood. Just let it flow. Through your veins. Good.”

The boy was relaxed, and so was Gabriel. Amidst the turmoil in their lives, they had both found peace. Moments turned to minutes, as the two sat silently; breathing, and meditating on the essence of life itself. Gabriel felt the boy slipping into sleep, he didn’t know how long it had been since the boy had slept, but hopefully he would get a few minutes or an hour of good sleep before hell erupted again.

“Good, Ellick… Sleep.”[/I] The thought passed form Gabriel’s mind to the boy’s, and though it was met with a brief protest the boy slipped fully into slumber. A quick movement from Gabriel caught the boy’s falling form, Gabriel’s hand taking up nearly the his whole chest. The ember haired man’s movements were smooth as he unfolded his legs and slid to the boy’s side, never letting Ellick’s weight from his hand. He rested the boy’s back into his left arm, and slid his other arm under the boy’s knees, standing the him in a cradle. He was heavier than Gabriel’s expected. “Heavy bones… must run in the family.. He murmured to himself as he placed the boy on his cot.

Gabriel turned to leave the room, though something caused his to stop. A disturbance in the force; pain, and fear. Di’Shan had struck again. He squared himself, as he peaked back at the boy. He stood in the threshold for a moment, before stepping through and channeled the force into the door to silently close it. Gabriel’s head snapped to the side a moment before his communicator jumped to life.

“I don’t know what you two Jedi are doing, but more people have died. We just got a message from the killer, We have him held down for now but you need to hurry. I’ll have Selari patch it through to you.”

The newly familiar voice buzzed of the speaker, and Gabriel’s spine straightened. He was letting this new found family sidetrack him. If they were to be safe, he needed to find Di’Shan, before Di’Shan found them.

“Locke, I know you got that too. We have to hear this away from my mother. No need to scare her more.” He paused in the hall, waiting for the man to heed his telepathic words. A moment later Locke exited a room further down the hall, his coat was wet on the right lapel. Tears. Gabriel nodded and the man nodded back, as the ventured back down the hall to a the living quarters.

“Alright, boys, here it is:”[/I] The voice raddled again, as Gabriel channeled the force once more to shut and lock the living room door. He mother didn’t need to venture out to hear this. He knew she would, he felt her curiosity.

“Hello again, Gabriel.”[/I] The haunting voice raddled over the intercom, though it wasn’t waiting for a response. “How is Mother Dear? And baby brother? I’ve been watching you, and you don’t seem to understand something… you’re MINE, Gabriel. Mine.” The words sent a chill down Gabriel’s spine. “You will see suffering like nothing you have every experienced before… though, not before they do I’m afraid. Your friends here have such a false sense of security, but no worry. We’ll be together soon enough. I’ll be waiting for you.”[/I] The message went to static as the Chief’s voice zapped back in.

“I don’t pretend to know Jedi affairs… The man’s voice smoothly slid over the com. “But what ever you did to piss this guy off… he is really pissed, and my people are paying for it. We have him held at ‘Moira’s Den’ in the Blue Sector. Whole damn place was slaughtered. If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate you two getting over there before he decides he’s tired of waiting.”

Gabriel pushed a small button on the side of his communicator. “Chief, you have to get your men out of there, or they’re good as dead.” Urgency flooded through his voice as he blurted the words of warning.

“Negative.”[/I] The voice echoed again. “We have him held down for the moment. Every officer in the area is outside there waiting for you to go finish him off.”

Gabriel snarled as he flung the communicator across the room, his calm giving way to frustration. “Do they ever listen to you?” Gabriel’s voice was barely this side of a growl as he asked Locke. The sliding door of the living room slid open as Gabriel rushed from the room, nearly crashing into his mother who was bustling down the hall was a duffle bag full of he belongings. She questioned as to where Ellick had gotten, and what was happening. Gabriel shook his head. He thought quickly as to the next logical course of action.

“Mother, did father have a blaster in the house?” The woman nodded and was about to explain where when Gabriel cut her off. “Good. That wont stop him,, but I need you to take it and hide. Hide anywhere. I’ll find you. Just please keep yourself and Ellick safe. I have to go.” He grabbed her shoulders as he spoke, and for the first time, he knew what it truly was to fear for another’s life more so than his own. Of course he had felt fear for others safety, but nothing like this. Now he knew how Locke had felt on Umgul.

The woman began to protest, but again was cut off. “Mother, this is what I do. I need you to hide, I have to try and stop a whole squad of men from being slaughtered by the maniac, and I need you to just listen to me. This is my life, mother. The life of a Jedi. Please just listen to me.” For the briefest moment he felt a pride whelm within the little woman in front of him; though it was quickly replaced by fear as her eyes began filling. Gabriel knew why. He didn’t need to ask. Instead he did the one thing he could do; fell back on his training.

“Gather Ellick. He’s sleeping. Give him a blaster if you can. The boy’s strong, mother. I will be back for you, I swear.” Gabriel stood straight and turned himself about, glancing to Locke as he quickly trotted down the hall, sliding the front door open and carried on through; leaving the woman behind to do as he instructed. Locke took his rear as Gabriel leapt ran to the passenger side of the speeder.

“You’ve been here before. Get us there fast. Those men and women are not enough to stop Di’Shan. I promise.” He slammed the speeder door closed after him, as Locke took the driver seat, starting it, and throwing the speeder into gear.

[Rugs]

For one such as Locke, who'd never know his family, and would never have the chance to know his family, after what happened to them while he was still a toddler, the whole situation was strange. He couldn't really tell how he felt about it. On the one hand, he was glad for Gabriel--glad that he could at least know the people that shared the same blood as him. On the other hand, he there was a sharp pang of grief. Grief that the situation that brought the Alarises together was so dire.

Grief that he could never know his own family.

As he watched from the sides, allowing Gabriel to talk to his family in peace, part of his mind drifted to the past, to when he'd taken his Trial of the Spirit. To when he'd found out about the horrible fate that fell on his mother and father, all because of the cruelty and greed of a gang. He felt his fists clenching together in anger and forced those thoughts away and out of his mind. Dwelling on them now wouldn't do anyone any good, certainly not his parents, who were long dead. Certainly not Gabriel, who needed him to keep a calm mind and a steady hand here. Still, Locke thought that he got over the loss of his parents years ago, but somewhere deep within, he knew he never had. The wound was still raw, and prodding it was one of the few surefire ways to piss him off. Luckily for him, virtually no one knew of it, and so it more or less never came up. Perhaps that was a blessing and a curse, because when it did, and someone made him mad because of it, he got mad.

Alright, Locke, enough of that, he thought with a shake of his head, as if he were trying to clear cobwebs from it. You've got to focus on the mission at hand. Things are too dangerous here to get caught up in your own past. He looked up to the family Alaris, seeing Gabriel talking to his mother. And the stakes for Gabe are too high for you to get distracted.

Locke watched the rest of the exchange play out. He made no move to get involved, knowing it wasn't his place, until Gabriel motioned for him to go check in on his mother. The Investigator acknowledged it with a simple nod and turned to follow the woman.

When he found her, she was in her room, standing over a half-packed suitcase. Her shoulders shook slightly, and her face was buried in her hands. Locke's eyebrows furrowed in confusion for half a second before realization dawned on him. She was crying. Sobbing with the grief that he believed only a mother could know. Sobbing at the loss of her husband perhaps, or at the return of her long-lost son--the son that didn't even recognize her as his mother. Perhaps it was none of those, or a mix of those. No matter the source of her pain, Locke could feel it through the Force, hanging over her like a blanket.

"Mrs. Alaris," he said softly, taking a few steps into the room and closer to her. "I know I cannot fully understand the loss that's been... thrust onto you, but I know what it's like to lose family for no other reason than that some cruel person would take them away." He continued walking, until finally, he came to stop near her shoulder. Words flew around within his head and he reached out to them, desperately trying to form them into some coherent phrase that he could use to help ease her pain.

"Ah, hell," he muttered. "Look, I'm not the best person at making... speeches to help people feel better. But, if nothing else, I can offer a shoulder to cry on and let you know that I'm here for you. Gabe is here for you. We won't let anything happen to you or to your son. That much, I can swear to you." He fell silent again then, to allow Ferra to say or do whatever it was she was going to say or do.

When that was done, the com in one of Locke's pockets buzzed with the alert of an incoming message.

“I don’t know what you two Jedi are doing, but more people have died. We just got a message from the killer, We have him held down for now but you need to hurry. I’ll have Selari patch it through to you.”

"Ah, sh*t," he muttered. Locke turned his stormy grey eyes up to look at Ferra again and sighed. "Looks like duty calls again. I suspect Gabriel and myself will be leaving again shortly. I know all of this has got to be hard on you, but you need to stay strong. For your son." He reached into one of his coat pockets and removed a second com device from it. "If anything happens, just call us. I swear both of us or one of us will get back out here as fast as we are able to."

With that, he went back out to meet Gabriel, and listened to the recording that had been left by Di'shan. It was disturbing, to say the least. There wasn't much more to be said, beyond what Gabriel said, though his question about the officers listening to him was met with an amused chuckle and a "Sometimes."

They began to head out, back to the speeder to move to deal with Di'shan. "Stay strong, Mrs. Alaris," Locke said one more time before he walked out the door. And remember, if you need anything, just call us."

Then he ran off to get into the speeder and took it up and away, to where Di'shan was being 'held'.

"Alright, Gabe, what can you tell me about this Di'shan person?" he asked as he flew, zooming almost recklessly through the city. "I don't really know what we're up against, here."

[Otterling]

Ferra stared down half heartedly at the small com-link in her hand. She could hear the speeder racing away from their home but she didn’t have the heart to go watch as her oldest son disappeared from her life again to go after the very monster that had slaughtered his father. Instead, she dried her eyes, slightly ashamed at the way she had cried onto the shoulder of the kind Jedi who had come with Gabriel and made her way back toward her room. It had been a much needed release to finally let the tears out and she felt a little better for at least getting that out of her system to some extent. She returned back to the task of packing, tossing a small collection of clothes into the open case and when at last she snapped the closures on her bags, Ferra turned and headed for Ellick’s room to check on him. She peered into the cluttered space to find the boy sleeping soundly on his cot and a smile tugged at her lips. It was good to see him actually getting some real rest for once and she decided not to wake him yet. She eased the door shut and headed back to the kitchen to finish preparing a meal for them to take on the road. Ellick was growing quickly and could easily pack away a ridiculous amount of food but having seen how large and strong his brother had grown Ferra had begun to figure out just why that was. She rifled through the pantry and pulled down a few dried goods she knew would last for any journey they needed to make to get them to safety, tucking the lot into a small picnic basket Kregan had bought her for their fifth wedding anniversary. They had dined out by the lake and watched the sunset. Ferra thumbed over the rough woven material of the basket and turned quickly back to her task when her vision blurred with tears again.


ELSEWHERE:

Di’Shan settled down onto the tips of his toes, watching from his vantage point on the high building across the street as the scene of his most recent masterpiece was surrounded by responding officers. The people milled about, talking hurriedly into radios and fretting over whether he was still inside. He took no little amount of satisfaction when several rookies came barreling back out of the building and spilled the contents of their lunches across the pavement outside. Truly they didn’t know how to appreciate real art. The Sith smirked and leaned his chin into the palm of one hand, his other helping balance him on the precarious ledge he was crouching on. It wouldn’t be a long wait, of that he was certain, as he had left more than enough calling cards for the security who he knew would no doubt call in the Jedi. Just what he was hoping for. He needed Gabriel to play the game. Needed to know that the Jedi would still respond to him when he called and as he heard the distant sound of an approaching speeder and felt the first flickers of the Force stirring around him, he knew he’d gotten an answer. “Gabriel, Gabriel. Come out to play,” he whispered softly before disappearing from the roof. He would have a very short timetable to work within and timing would be everything for his next move.

The Twi’lek dove off the roof from the opposite side, far from the scene of the crime, and used the Force to slow his fall. As he tucked, rolled, and leapt across the wide expanse between buildings, he ran over his plans once more to ensure everything was in place. He had waited for the first of the security guards to arrive and had then captured a few of them at the back exit. One he had carved from head to toe with his saber, neatly cleaving the man in half, and the other he had merely knocked unconscious before dragging his body into the center of the room. There he had set the man up, tied to a support beam in the middle of the room, and doused him with quick acting fuel gleaned from a high end speeder on his way to the crime. He’d tied two short burst fuse lines to the man’s ankles and led one to each door. The metal of the door opening would ignite the lines, send a swift fiery burst all the way up to the fuel soaked man and ensure that anyone who entered that room would be doing so to the screams of their comrade burning alive. He knew it wasn’t fool proof of course, but it would be fun if it worked. The point wasn’t just the deaths of the innocents though. No, Di’Shan had much grander ideas in mind. He wanted Gabriel to suffer from seeing helpless civilians die because of him, but so much more important, he needed to wipe out any ties Gabriel had to ANYONE else. He would not rest until he alone was the only person in Gabe’s life so that when the time came to crush the Jedi, it would be all the sweeter a victory.

Di’shan headed swiftly as he could toward his new target and hoped that his little display of carnage left in his wake would cause enough of a stir to keep the Jedi occupied…for now.

_______________________________________________

Ferra had settled into the livingroom after the last of the supplies were packed. She wasn’t certain how long the Jedi would take and she hoped with every fiber of her being that Gabriel would be ok. Her fingers flitted over the screen of her holo-novel but she had re-read the same page at least twenty times already. She couldn’t seem to concentrate on it long enough to really pick up the story. Her mind was rushing a mile a minute over everything that had transpired that week and after a half an hour of trying, she set the data pad aside and decided to go check on Ellick again. She made her way down the hall and opened the door to his room as silently as she could but the sight that met her eyes made her blood freeze. A strange green twi’lek was perched on the edge of her son’s bed, ever so gently running his fingers through the thick red locks of Ellick’s hair. He looked up slowly as she stood riveted to the spot in terror. Cold golden eyes met her own and the twi’lek smiled in a way that made Ferra’s hands shake. “Get away from my son,” she said in a voice much braver than she felt.

Di’Shan eased himself up off the cot and put a finger to his lips, shushing her quietly. “We wouldn’t want to wake little Ellick, now would we?” he crooned softly, “So precious, children. Don’t worry though, I put him to bed so we won’t disturb him.” The sith held up a small hypo-needle and Ferra’s heart dropped. He smiled vilely and tossed the empty syringe to one side as he took another menacing step toward her. Ferra reacted at once, bolting from the room to fetch the blaster Kregan had kept in their room. She would not, COULD not, let this monster take her son as well. Her thoughts for her own safety were almost non-existent as she rushed into her room, her hand flying for the blaster. She had barely turned with the weapon in her hand when it felt like she’d been hit by a speeder. Her head snapped around and slammed into the wall behind her, sending framed memories tumbling to the ground with the impact. The world seemed to spin for a few moments but she felt a fist tighten into her hair and then another impact to her face. She felt her lip split and thought of her son, hoped he wouldn’t wake to find her dead at this monster’s hands even as she struggled valiantly to survive.

Di’Shan’s attack was relentless and without mercy. He beat the woman senseless until her blood was spattered over the wall and across the sheets. “He. Is. MINE,” he growled with every strike, punctuating his words with the sound of his fist slamming into flesh again and again. When at last he pulled back, it was to take a long hard look at his handiwork. Ferra lay slumped against the side of the bed, the whole right side of her face swelling badly and her eye an ugly shade of vibrant purple. Blood dripped in long thick lines down her features, spilling from gashes in her forehead, across the bridge of her nose, her lips, and even her ear. Her clothes were a tangled mess and broken fingers curled loosely around the com-link she had tried desperately to turn on in the struggle. Di’Shan leaned down and gently plucked the device from her hands before turning back for the boy’s room. A smile lit his face as he walked, seemingly unmoved by the dark red smears that marred his face and hands. As he entered the boy’s room once more, he made his way back to the side of the bed and knelt down next to it. “So much like my Gabriel,” he whispered to Ellick’s unconscious form, “but there’s only one of him, I’m afraid. And that one is mine. So you see, you’re just in the way. But don’t worry, you can still be very useful to me.” Di’Shan brushed fingers still sticky with Ferra’s blood through the boy’s hair again, leaving long dark streaks through the otherwise vibrant red strands.

He turned back to the com-link in his hand and smiled. It was just like Gabriel to provide him with a way to reach out. He grinned and flicked the little device to life. “Gabriel,” he sing-songed into the mouthpiece, “Oh Gabriel…I got bored waiting for you, Gabriel. I decided to pay mommy and little baby Alaris a visit. Mother’s going to sleep now. She’s very tired. Don’t fret though, I’m going to stay and take care of little brother for you until you get back.” His voice was smooth, a mockery of comfort, and he let out one small mirthful sound. “Better hurry though, you know how I get bored.” With that, Di’Shan flipped off the communicator, not giving the Jedi a chance to respond, and then scooped the boy into his arms. He turned and, whistling a happy tune, strode from the house with his prize.

[WWFF]

(Sorry it took so long, but I... ish... back!)

Gabriel knew Locke had felt his anxiousness; something Gabriel rarely felt, which was no doubt why the other man had asked to nknow more about their foe. He couldn’t help a slight smirk. It wasn’t a laughing matter to be sure, but truth be told; Gabriel didn’t quite know what he was up against. Di’shan was something outside the realm of his comprehension; outside the comprehension level of most. Gabriel recalled briefly the duel of Rhen Var, how Di’Shan had pressed through his mind, every barrier he threw in the Twi’lek’s path was knocked asunder by the unstoppably flood of hate.

“Don’t for one moment let your guard down around him.” Gabriel voice broke the momentary silence the two had shared. “He’ll show you things you will never forget; he deals in head play, though is equally skilled with his double-sided saber.” Gabriel racked his brain for more helpful facts he could relay to Locke.

“He’s fast; faster than anyone I’ve ever faced, fast enough free a hand and lash out with it. Threw me for a loop the first time he hit me, never seen a practitioner of his style break hilt contact with a hand, be he can.” Gabriel’s eyes squinted as he though more in depth still, searching that encounter for information which could aid them in defeating the Sith scum.

“He thrives off of pain; not necessarily or strictly physical, but mental. He can get in, like I said, and when he does… No secret is safe, Locke. He’ll find it.” Gabriel paused as the images of that day flooded through his brain once more. He looked at Locke though his companion didn’t look back, far too concentrated on not getting them killed in their haste. “He wants to see it all burn, Locke. Everything. He hates everything with such a passion it has become a love for hate itself. The more suffering he can cause, the more joy it brings his life. Everything is a toy to him, and life means little more than a grain of sand. He just wants to see everything burn down, and be the one to hold the torch…”

Gabriel’s eyes strayed back to the passing scenery. Locke would be in more danger if Di’Shan managed to press Gabriel once more; the young Jedi knew that was a fact. It Di’Shan could stir him into a frenzy again. It was a fact which his companion deserved to know though, he would inform him when the time was right. There was no need to worry his friend with the potential instability that could present itself should it come down to it. He would let Locke know when he was sure the man would understand.

The speeder hummed through the city, though Gabriel knew long before they arrived that the destination was close; the stale sense of death and fear surged through the force as though it were a copper conductor in a lightning storm. Di’Shan had left his mark once more. The scene came to view as Locke rounded a corner.

Nearly a score of CorSec squad speeders blocked off entrance to a middle sized building, a neon sign above the doorway burned with the words ‘Moira’s Den’. He felt Di’Shan’s presence for the briefest moment and knew he was in the right place. Though the Twi’lek was surely masking his signature. The speeder came to a sliding stop as two rookie CorSec officers came stumbling out emptying the contents of their stomachs onto the street. Locke and Gabriel stepped from the speeder as one; both adopting an over calm posture as the strode toward the building.

A young officer attempted to stop them, though with a quick look Gabriel set him back to his place. How foolish were they to send anyone in that building, either they were just stupid, or they were over confident. “Who is in charge here?” The words left his lip as he cam to a stop just past the initial like of speeders. A middle ages man stepped quickly toward the two Jedi. He wore the insignia of a captain and adopted a seasoned calm which Gabriel knew was misguided confidence. He turned his body as Locke did the same.

“Why on earth would you send someone in there knowing full well what may happen?” Gabriel voice bordered on frustrated though his feeling was more disbelief. He shook his head and looked back to Locke. “Can you get him to update us? I’m going to ask the two who just cam out what they saw. If the got out he must have let them, which means they may have seen what he was planning.” He nodded to his friend and walked past the Captain was a brief sigh of discontent.

As he made his way toward the two men still recovering from whatever they had seen. He reached out with the force in a brief attempt to feel Di’Shan, though he felt nothing at all. Worry crossed his brow, but was quickly pushed aside as he arrived behind the two rookies. He allowed the force to tell him which would be the better to speak to, settling on a young man, little younger than himself. The young man was blonde, and wore a dark brown goatee. Subtle green irises surrounded by bloodshot whites stared back at Gabriel as the man turned to face the young Jedi. Gabriel bowed slightly from his neck, as he searched the man’s pale features. A quick look at the other man told him that this was indeed the one to speak with.

“What did you see?” His question was simple and straight forward; simply put, he didn’t have time to mince words. The young man looked as though he were about to vomit again, though he managed to hold it down, unlike his friend who released a green stream of bile once more. The young blonde man, shook his head before he spoke, glancing once more at the doorway to ‘Moira’s Den’.

“Death.” He blurted the word before swallowing hard and continuing. “So much blood, and everyone just laying around like dolls. The air was so stale, so filled with death, I couldn’t breathe. There was a this girl, she-” The man never got to finish his statement.

“Did you see a green Twi’lek?” Gabriel barked hastily. The man merely shook his head.

“We didn’t make it past the door way… he might have been in the back doing who knows what... So much death…” Gabriel grunted with frustration as he turned and quickly strode back to Locke. He stopped a meter from the man dismissing the Captain with a glance.

“Locke, I have a bad feeling again. Let’s get in there and check this out, did the Captain tell you anything? Has anyone been seen exiting the building?” The young Jedi motion with a tug of his head for Locke to relay the Captain’s words as the walked. He did and finished just before the two reached the door. They paused together, both instinctually allowing their hands to stray to their saber hilts.

“Be ready for anything… He stated, knowing full well that Locke would already be. “…if anything happens to me Locke, please take care of my mother and brother, get them off world. I don’t care if he’s dead or not, please just get back to them.” Gabriel knew his friend wasn’t about to try and fill his head with any false hopes. Death is an inevitable, and was more so a threat when facing someone with no rules, like Di’Shan. Both knew any out some could take place, and both were prepared for that. With a nod, the two stepped through the door way, though the sight that greeted them was something more than either was fully prepared for.

Entrails strung up about the ceiling, blood soaking the floor, bodies strewn about as though they were discarded trash. It was then that Gabriel felt the slightest hint at life something from behind a metal door at the back of the establishment. It wasn’t Di’Shan, though could be a trap set by him, he could be lying in wait. Gabriel looked to Locke whose attention had turned to the door as well; together to two pulled their saber’s free from their clips, igniting them with a unified snap-hiss as the neared to door. The ball of Gabriel’s booted foot hit the base of the door, as he began to apply slow pressure sending the door creaking slowly open.

He sensed it a moment too late. Di’Shan’s little trap was sprung, the exposed wires sent electricity arching along them and the next sound to his Gabriel’s ears was that of screaming. The smell of burning flesh accompanied it as Gabriel threw the door open. He threw caution to the wind as he disengaged his sabers and clipped them back as he sprinted into the room ripping his over tunic from his body and quickly throwing it onto the man’s burning form. He began padding the tunic all about the man’s body in an attempt at stopping the fire. Locke had managed to find a table cloth and was helping with that, The had managed to put the man out though not soon enough to keep him free from harm. Third degree burns covered the man from head to toe, most of his hair had been singed off, as well as a good portion of his uniform.

Gabriel took stock of the room, quickly noticing a door ajar at the back. Realization flooded over him and the moans of the officer filled his ears. It was a trap, only not a trap for him and Locke, more of a diversion for them. “He’s not here… He’s not here!” Fear flooded through his form as he turned to Locke who had already begun unbinding the poor officer. And that his communicator flared to life.

“Oh Gabriel…” Gabriel’s blood ran cold through his form, as his stomach twisted to the voice again. “I got bored waiting for you, Gabriel. I decided to pay mommy and little baby Alaris a visit. Mother’s going to sleep now. She’s very tired. Don’t fret though, I’m going to stay and take care of little brother for you until you get back… Better hurry though, you know how I get bored.”

Gabriel moved quickly, barely behind a blur as he stooped and scooped the wounded man into his arms. “He has them, Locke!”

Gabriel dashed off holding the man in a cradle as he pounded from the room and through the bloody mess that was Moira’s Den. Emerging on the outside, Locke trotting to keep up. Gabriel dumped the officer with some of the others, laying him neatly on the hood of one of the speeders. Though no words were passed as he sprinted back to the speeder, Locke arriving at the same time. Gabriel took the driver’s seat Locke jumping in after him on the passenger’s side.

The speeder whipped around as Gabriel threw it into gear, and a moment later the sped recklessly through the city, on a path leading them back to his mother’s domicile. Gabriel was furious. His breathing was elevated, his eyes focused, his jaw tight, and though Locke was speaking to him, no doubt trying to calm him, he was deaf. The only sound he head was his own mind relating the words, “kill him” over an over.

“If he touches one hair on either of them, I will kill him, Locke. Please call for a med crew, I don’t know what we’ll find…” Gabriel’s voice shook as the chilling words exited his mouth, effectively halting the conversation for the rest of the brief ride.

---

The speeder slid to a stop, though Gabriel was already practically leaping out as it did so. He thundered to the open door, senses dulled by his own fear and anger. He couldn’t think clearly, the only thing he could see in his head were images of his mother and brother dead and on display. What kinds of horrible things would Di’Shan have done? He needed to calm down. He needed to, but the fear wouldn’t let him. His heart raced, and he barely felt Locke’s presence behind him as he made his way into the house, his eyes searching for any hint of where his family was. “You’re eyes deceive you… Calm down.”[/color] He reminded himself, and managed to calm his mind just enough to feel the faint presence of his mother. She was live!

Gabriel tore through the house as top speed, rounding the corner to his parent’s room, though the sight that filled his eyes, turned his stomach. The half unconscious, broken form of his mother, huddled in a bloodied ball, trying to hand onto consciousness as hard as she could. Three steps was all it toon to bring himself close to the woman; Locke rounded the corner to the room as Gabriel bend to his mother’s side, crouching next to her. He brought his hand up as to touch her, though it stopped short and came to fist in front of his mouth. Tears flooded his vision, as a soft sob emerged from his form. He blinked and the tears streamed down his cheeks. In that moment, something cracked inside Gabriel. He looked upon the pitifully frail form of his mother, sensing her life hanging in the balance; a realization finally became clear.

“I’m going to kill him, Locke. I don’t care what the council has to say about it, he’s dead.” He paused as he softly wiped a stream of blood from her chin. “If I don’t he will continue to do this, to everyone. He has to die…” Gabriel rose and turned to face his friend, his face tear streaked. His eyes, though red with sorrow, burned with a fierce determination. Gabriel was on the edge, and all it would take was a slight push.

“G…G…Gabriel…” Gabriel’s spine straightened as the faint voice hit his ears. He spun about and crouched back down to Ferra’s side.

“Yes, mother.” His voice cracked though a small sob. Her head turned slightly toward him staring into his eyes through her swollen lids. A single word was all she could muster before unconsciousness took over.

“…Ellick!”

Gabriel reached out with the force, feeling her, making sure she had merely slipped to unconsciousness. Had he not known what he was about to go up against, he would have attempted to heal some of her more extreme wounds, but the strain would surely weaken him in the battle to come. Provided Di’Shan would still be waiting for him. It was a gamble which he was hoping with his whole heart would turn in his favor. Gabriel turned back to Locke as he sensed the arrival of the med speeder arriving. It seemed that his mother had placed him back on kilter, though the same determination burned in his eyes. He would fight Di’Shan, though, first he had to find the man.

He looked to Locke. “Let’s get her loaded up, and get to my brother before it’s too late.” He stated, apology in his voice. He wouldn’t voice it yet, but he certainly would should he survive this day. He slipped past Locke and emerged form the domicile, waving the med crew to him. “She’s in the back room, bad shape.” His voice regained some of its depth and command as he spoke to the crew, though his tear streaked face he couldn’t hide. The med crew filed in as Locke stepped out with Gabriel.

The young Jedi didn’t need to turn to see his friend approach, he felt it. The two were growing closer, though they had known each other a relatively short time, Gabriel was becoming accustomed to Locke’s presence. The thought made him happy, though filled him with a slight bit of fear, it Di’Shan found out, it could spell danger for Locke. He had to hide it this time around. Keep Di’Shan out.

“What would you do if you were me, Locke?” The question exited his mouth unheeded, though he waited to hear the answer just the same.

[Rugs]

[Alright, Otter's back so it seems this can get to movin' again. Though can we slow the pace down? There's a lot of stuff to respond to. Also, WWFF, do be careful about controlling Locke, please ]

Locke let Gabriel speak as he drove them on, racing through the city towards their destination. As his fellow described the Sith, this Di'Shan.

“He wants to see it all burn, Locke. Everything. He hates everything with such a passion it has become a love for hate itself. The more suffering he can cause, the more joy it brings his life. Everything is a toy to him, and life means little more than a grain of sand. He just wants to see everything burn down, and be the one to hold the torch…”

Locke's jaw tightened. He glanced down to the scenery below that zoomed on around and beneath them--trees and buildings that blended together into blurs of green and brown and grey and blue--as he pushed the speeder far beyond the inner-city speed limit. Not that it mattered--CorSec knew who they were.

If this Sith is as twisted as Gabriel's making him sound... He clenched his jaw again, glancing at Gabe from the corner of a steely grey eye. This could be bad.

"He wants to see it all burn, Locke..." The words echoed through his mind. Di'Shan wanted to start a fire, and he planned to use Gabriel's life as tinder. As he turned the speeder, taking them down towards the meeting point, he felt a rash of anger rise up in him. He doesn't have the right. You can't just play with people's lives like that. The gang on Nar Shadaa had done that with his parents. They hadn't been as twisted as the devious Twi'lek he and Gabe were dealing with now, but they'd done the same thing.

And I'll be damned if I let someone do the same to happen to Gabe's family, he determined, his jaw setting stubbornly.

"Don't worry Gabe," he said as he pulled them in to stop, "we'll stop him." The door slid open, hissing slightly, and he started to climb out of the speeder. "Whatever it takes, we'll stop him."

As the two Jedi approached the building, Locke composed himself, putting on a mask of calm. Unrest and tremors of worry ran through the assembled men; Locke could feel it before he'd even gotten out of the speeder. He couldn't blame them at all.

Locke let Gabriel take the lead and look around, following him and listening quietly as he spoke to the man. Something was wrong. With a wary sigh, Locke looked back to the building. Something was very wrong. Even the Force here felt... wrong. Tendrils of his awareness eased out toward the building and he scanned it with his senses, trying to feel for something. While he found no specifics, his probing only served to reaffirm his suspicions.

The area around and within the building felt dark, tainted. Just touching it made his stomach clench and his heart grow heavy in his chest.

"What's happened here, Captain?" he asked softly.

The older man was silent for moment, working his jaw in thought. "I can't..." He shook his head, muttering something to himself under his breath and started over. "I don't even know how to describe it. We thought we had him, but when they went in..." Again, he shook his head. "That place turned into a slaughterhouse. We knew we were dealing with a monster here, but that? None of use expected what happened here." Locke could sense that the man was shaken. He didn't even need to sense to gather that; it was clear on looking at him.

"Death", echoed the words of the man that Gabriel spoke to, "so much death..."

"I've got a bad feeling about this too," he said to Gabriel. "The captain said about what you'd expect. He sent his men in not fully aware of what he was getting in to."

He paused near the door, remembering how twisted the place felt through the Force. It was only stronger here. "Don't talk like that, Gabe," he said, frowning slightly, "you'll make it through this." Knowledge that death was a possibility and talking as though it were going to happen were two different things. Of course Locke would do everything in his power to protect Gabriel's family if something were to happen to his fellow Knight, but he wasn't going to let his rightly-troubled friend start worrying too much. They had a job to do and they needed to be clear-minded, especially if Di'Shan was the sort that Gabriel described him to be.

They went in. Locke stopped in the doorway. The scene was incredibly gruesome. Bodies and body parts were everywhere: on the floor, strewn up from the ceiling, hanging on the walls... And the smell!

He felt his stomach clench again.

It was then he noticed the door, and the two went over to investigate. When Gabe got the door, open Locke spied the poor man within and looked for something, anything he could use to help. He found a tablecloth nearby and ran in, using it to try to put out the flames.

“Oh Gabriel…”Locke's brows furrowed and his jaw clenched a the sound of the voice suddnely coming through Gabe's comm. “I got bored waiting for you, Gabriel. I decided to pay mommy and little baby Alaris a visit. Mother’s going to sleep now. She’s very tired. Don’t fret though, I’m going to stay and take care of little brother for you until you get back… Better hurry though, you know how I get bored.”

Locke's heat seemed to turn to lead in his chest. Oh no...

Locke dashed off after Gabriel, out of the building adn toward the speeder. "You've got to stay calm, Gabe! He's playing a game with you; you can't let him get to you like this! I know it's hard, but please for your own good..." He trailed off, setting his jaw. If his friend heard what he was saying, he gave no indication.

So he just hopped into the speeder, and off they went....

-------

The scene at the house was bad. Gabriel's mother was in bad shape. Di'Shan had indeed paid a visit. As he watched the medical crew cart her out of the building, Locke sighed heavily, allowing his shoulders to slump a bit. He stuck his hands into his coat pockets and walked toward his friend.

He could feel the turmoil within Gabriel. He could feel the anger, the pain... all of it. And he understood. He understood better than he would have liked to.

Gabriel's question gave him pause, and he stopped a pace or so behind the larger man. "I don't know, Gabriel," he finally said with a sigh. "I really don't. I know how hard this has to be for you." For a few moments, Locke was silent, thinking to himself.

"When Jazen was being hurt on Umgul, I didn't know what to do. But I knew what I wanted to do: I wanted to kill that man. But first I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to make him feel pain and drag it out until he snapped from it. But I couldn't do that. Well, I could, but I couldn't." He paused again, laying a hand on one of Gabriel's thick shoulders. "I know you hate this Di'Shan, Garbriel, but you've got to keep your head clear. This isn't the kind of thing you can do clouded by emotion, not with the sort of game he's playing." He squeezed Gabe's shoulder once reassuringly and let his hand fall to his side again. "We'll stop him, but don't let him get into your mind. I know it's hard, but he'll only hurt you more if you do."

[Otterling]

((OOC: Sorry if this isn't the best post ever but I'm trying to get my EBIL face back on. Don't worry though, Di's just warming up... >__> ))

From time to time in his life, Ellick had endured nightmares. They were the usual sort, running from monsters or showing up to his class in nothing but his underclothes, but they’d always faded with the light of morning and he’d never thought much about them. Then again, he’d never woken up into one before. That was exactly what he was convinced had happened and he’d spent the first fifteen minutes trying to wake up and failing miserably. He’d been bound hand and foot to a rickety chair in the middle of an extremely dark room, the only light source being a flickering yellowish bulb that hung bare from a socket high above his head. It cast a meager circle of light down around him which his imagination quickly decided was the only thing keeping the darkness at bay since the rest of the room was as pitch as the farthest reaches of space. Of course, that was before the darkness took form and proved him wrong by sliding into the light in the form of an immensely tall Twilek man. Ellick wasn’t Force sensitive, at least that’s what his mother had told him, but he knew without question that the creature staring down at him with cold eyes was unrepentantly evil.

Di’Shan smiled at the boy that was eyeing him so warily. He really did favor both Gabriel and his father. The eyes weren’t quite right though, he mused, and it made him want to burn them out just to make the picture fit better. He squinted at the child as the boy squirmed uncomfortably. He could almost imagine a thick dark braid curled over one shoulder the way he figured Gabriel would have had at that age. The killer shook his head at his own strange foolishness. There was no point in making comparisons, this child wasn’t Gabe, the Force had not blessed this one, and as such Di’Shan had little use for him. The boy was a tool, nothing more and nothing less. He would prove useful in turning Gabriel just a little farther to the darkside. Di’Shan could already see it, the horror and pain on the Jedi’s face as he watched his little brother carved into pieces. It would be a new chord in the symphony of his fall from grace. And oh what a beautiful fall it would be.

Ellick put on a brave face and scowled at his captor. “Where’s my mother? Who are you?”

Di’Shan allowed himself the indulgence of rolling his eyes. Not real creative with the questions, this one. “You’re mother,” he drawled slowly, sounding far too close to boredom, “is most likely drowning in a pool of her own blood.” He paused to watch the horror and disbelief that painted itself across the child’s face but, though the pain of innocents was normally ever so enjoyable, this somehow came up lacking. It wasn’t the child’s torment that he craved after all. It was Gabriel’s. Still, Di’Shan wasn’t above terrorizing the youngling anyway, despite the lack of real satisfaction it would bring. Gabriel’s pain would be like fine wine or a well cooked meal whereas his little brother’s was more like candy, sweet but not enough to really take the edge off. “Either that or she’s already dead and your big brother is sweeping up the mess at your house,” he said flippantly before rifling around in his pockets for a chronometer. It had been a good hour or so since he’d stolen the child away; no doubt by now the Jedi had come across the grisly scene and were ripe for the chase they’d been summoned here for. It still irked Di’Shan on some level that the Jedi had sent TWO of them. He was flattered, but irritated. He’d only wanted enough attention drawn to bring Gabriel and the addition of an extra Jedi would complicate matters.

“My brother is going to kill you.”

The voice was soft and choked with emotion, breaking Di’Shan from his thoughts as he looked up and found the boy staring unblinkingly at him. Such spirit. Perhaps there was more of Gabriel in this child than he’d originally thought. Tears glistened on the boy’s cheeks where Di’Shan’s news had obviously wounded him but there was a definitive fire in the child’s eyes as well, a refusal to simply give up. It was something Di’Shan would need to snuff out, something he would relish watching die. He smirked and took a few steps forward until he was peering down at the small form below him, his shadow cast over the child. “Oh, I do hope he tries,” he whispered with utter glee, taking joy in watching the boy swallow hard and shrink back under the weight of his gaze. Di’Shan crouched down by the child’s side and leaned in until he could see his own reflection staring hungrily back at him from within the wide terrified eyes. Deft fingers fished the small blood-stained communicator out of a pouch on his belt and he flicked it on with a wide grin, bringing it up between him and Ellick.

“Did you find my gift, Gabriel?” Di’Shan purred into the communicator, “was she not lovely? Tell me…did she die while you held her or did the mighty hero arrive in the nick of time?”