One Versus One-Hundred (OPEN)

[Alexander]

"There." Mikau said confidently, standing from his seat in the co-pilot of his shuttle. He turned to his pilot and left the cockpit as the shuttle slipped from the brightness of hyperspace and into a vast amount of space traffic above Nar Shaddaa, the Smuggler's Moon. There were noticeable large ships with emblems on them that represented the company that Mikau's hirer was with; thus, the ships would have to be taken down.

Since his return from Kamino, Mikau had been pondering deep throughout himself whether or not to return to Nar Shaddaa, the only place he had ever really called home other than Manaan; even so, against the will of his pilot and that of his instincts, Mikau decided he would return: but not for the good of his hirer's company, but for the good of himself.

"They should remember us. Pull into the hangar." Mikau instructed his pilot in monotone, and she reacted obediently. The large shuttle contracted its flight wings into an upward position, landing smoothly and with a bit of smoke on the polished hangar floor. Mikau discarded his heavy traveler's cloak and donned a dark-colored one instead; one that, more or less, completely hid his lightsaber from view. The Dark Jedi pulled the head over his head and flicked his wrist towards the cockpit, opening the lower ramp with a bit of Force energy.

As it did so, Mikau calmly and carefully strode down the ramp, hiding his eyes from the technicians and mercenaries carrying on about the hangar. He was also attentive to the voices chatting around him, the different languages, the different accents. He hid his purple eyes from the eyes of others, proceeded up the first set of stairs, and slipped quietly through the door. Mikau carefully lowered his hood and listened to the sound of the shuttle lifting off and his pilot flying off without him. He flicked his commlink on his wrist and radioed in, "Come back in about 2 hours. I shouldn't be long." With confidence, the young Dark Jedi folded his arms under his cloak and proceeded down the long, dark hallway.

[Alexander]

Rather adrift in his thoughts, Mikau continued down the darkened hallway lit only by small floodlights from the ceiling above. Though he could only barely make out of the end of the passageway, Mikau determined that ahead of him lie a turbolift: exactly what he needed to get higher. The young Dark Jedi shed his cloak and summoned the Force through his feet simultaneously, breaking into a full run towards the lift. To assert himself and to show off to no one, Mikau blew through the turbolift door with the Force, sending it backwards onto the elevator itself.

He slowed himself down and rolled onto the elevator, starting it. It climbed higher and at a fast pace, sending burst of artificial wind down on Mikau's dark hair and face. The young Dark Jedi, expecting a horde of soldiers at the top, drew his hilt into his hand, gripping the tattered piece of metal tightly. He flipped it backwards through his fingers, holding the very end of the hilt in his hand and allowing the emission of the blade to be backwards, as customary for him. As the turbolift climbed, the alarm sounded...

...But not because of Mikau. No, the young man thought, it couldn't be. That can't be why. No one had heard him or seen anything other than a dark figure cloaked in dark grey. It must've been something else; surely, it was something else, Mikau thought. The turbolift hit the top and opening into a long sprawled hallway like the one below it. Negating to reattach his saber to his belt, he shot bursts of Force energy into his feet and leaped down the hallway towards the end as the alarm grew louder.

The Dark Jedi was startled and lost his balance, falling hard onto the slick floor. He slid forward about 30 feet before coming to a complete stop, then realized what was happening... the ship was under fire. Heavy fire. Mikau jumped to his feet and turned around, running back from the direction which he came.

Once he made it to the turbolift, he realized it had been taken back down. No, it couldn't have been taken back down, he thought, for it was a single hallway. Mikau would have seen something go past him. He looked below him and realized that his suspicions were correct; it had not been taken back down, but instead had fallen straight down and slammed into the base of the elevator, sinking deeply below its original starting position.

Sighing, the Dark Jedi let himself freefall through the air down towards the elevator. Summoning the Force through his entire body, he shifted his weight through the air and turned sideways, kicking downwards off the adjacent wall. As he approached the bottom, he used the Force again to slow his descent and landed at the turbolift door by grasping the top of the entrance and swinging inwards.

The hallway before him, the one he had previously traversed, was blown through. There was a hole gaping through the right side of the hallway leading into a large room that was full of destroyed communication equipment. Mikau ran forward and turned into the new room, which also had viewports... which is when Mikau realized something else: the ship was not being attacked by another ship in space; rather, it was something on board.

Something massive, with enough power to break through walls.

[Alexander]

Mikau kept his eyes keen and his mind keener. While his sense of the Force was not as proficient as his power over it, the young Dark Jedi knew something was present - something large and massive enough to eat him for a simple snack. Activating his lightsaber, he strode slowly into the comm room. The ceiling was a high one, the walls far apart. There were torn arrays and computers all throughout the room itself, and added to that, there were dismembered humanoid figures strung about as well.

Mikau silenced his worldly thoughts and looked inward, trying to find the signs of life within proximity of his location. Sensing nothing of any severe intrest, Mikau walked carefully, blade in hand, towards some of the downed computers. It looked as if they had been completely ripped out of their circuitry without any hassle whatsoever... almost as if it was no big achievement for them to be removed with such ease. While examining the mess, Mikau looked behind him and heard a group of footsteps passing his room and heading for the turbolift.

The young man quickly hid himself against the wall and listened to the dismay of these men as the realized the state that the turbolift was in; moreover, how peeved they were, the language they were using, and their screaming clearly depicted a rage that was well-warranted. Mikau heard them turn and continue down the hallway, but stop at the broken-through entrance of his current location. Damn! the Dark Jedi thought to himself, and awaited the soldiers to enter.

When they did, they didn't hesitate to open fire on Mikau. His blade came up involuntarily, clumsily blocking blaster bolts away from him here and there. Only one of the bolts deflected back to hit the soldier, who fell and slammed against the wall behind him. The others continued fire, pressing Mikau back towards the viewport. Once the Dark Jedi was close enough to them, he leaped over the soldiers and summoned the Force through his arm, concentrating to the extreme, and shattered the glass of the viewport window behind him.

The soldiers, startled, all flew through the broken window and into Space. Mikau, being pulled back and out by the wind, reached for a stable holdfast; however, seeing as he could not find one, he rolled himself over and clasped a hand on the corner of the wall. Again using the Force to propel his body forward, Mikau pulled himself around the corner and panted, leaning against the wall. He deactivated his lightsaber and let a roll carelessly a few inches beside him while he pondered what to do, where to go, next.

[Foxfire]

Cho had known that the Dominion had their fingers in many Bantha pies but he was a bit disheartened when he was sent to Nar Shaddaa. The only thing more warped than a Hutt's mind was Shard's Ideas and plans. Not many made sense to Cho but Cho was the muscle that Shard flexed when he wanted things done quietly.

Now he was on a mission to retrieve a missing ship with cargo. He tracked it down to here but did not find the ship. He was after all a day behind the scum that swiped the ship. They by Cho thinking would pay in blood if they sold the ship or the cargo. Cho had to search the area as much as possible and not be recognized. So he wore a primer gray environ-suit that masked his face and body. As he moved through the halls he relayed on his eyes and ears alone. If a Jedi were around he did not want to make a scene. With his force power hidden he strolled down hallway after hallway.

After a few hours Cho was nearing the final sets of hangers. With the suit on and running, the area smelled odd for Cho. It did not feel right. A quick force glance and Cho found out what was wrong. A Dark one was near and had came from this very hanger. Cho stepped in and found the ship he was looking for on the far side. He had to wait until a ship rose from it's platform and reenter space. The ship did have the dark one but that one was no longer in the hanger.

This mattered not what Cho needed was to secure the other ship. Swiftly and quietly Cho made his way to the ship. The scum did not know until it was to late that Cho was upon them. He dealt with them with force chokes and physical strength snapping the necks of two of the three. The third he telekineticly grabbed the being heart and crushed it dropping him to the floor. A few minutes later as Cho was about to leave warning sirens went off this was bad his going ons must have either been seen or will be found out before he was able to leave.

He went over to a info panel and found a hull breach with a security alert. Dropping his head and turning Cho had to try to keep his cover as a security officer. A cover Shard had made quickly for him before he left Bastion. Cho ran at full speed to a few working turbo lifts and made his way to a group of officers who were trying to open the hatch to the blown out section.

Excuse me but would it be better to enter through the blown section instead of opening this to the vacuum of space?

The other officers looked at each other and then at the door.

I'll make for the hole and enter through there and deal with the suspect.....turning and looking over his shoulder...The name is Captain Haddren Fel.

Cho made his way to an external hatch and walked to the hole with his mag boots banging all the way. The hole was still venting atmo so the emergency hatched must have been off-lined. Cho slowly entered the hole making his way through the ruined consoles and hardware. He was able to find at last the manual switches for the exterior doors. The doors moved with slow determination and banged shut. Slowly the atmo stabilized and Cho moved toward the hallway. As he approached he saw the shadow of a being cast down the hall.

Hmm.... so there you are well lets see what we have here.

With the confidence that a Captain of security would have had Cho stomped toward and eased around the corner. To Cho seeing the dark one here was no real surprise.

Through a voice modulator....Should have known that a dark one would have got themselves into this situation. ..... Well what are you going to do now?

[Alexander]

Mikau panted for breath, and leaned his head against the wall he was resting on. He concentrated and reached out with the Force, attempting to calm his body and return it to homeostasis. The young Dark Jedi pulled his hilt to him, and rolled his head over, looking to see that the viewport had been locked down and shut, meaning safe air was now once more available. With a sigh of relief, Mikau shut his eyes.

But there was a presence. There was something there, something of... malicious intent? Mikau couldn't tell; his Force senses were attune enough to detect the intent of those around him, and that would have to be worked on... Nonetheless, Mikau slowed his breathing, unable to stand due to fatigue, and waited. Sooner than later, the voice gained an appearance that stood before him now, looming over him with a powerful stance and Force energy literally radiating off of the dark grey attire.

"Dark one?" Mikau said quietly. Blabber was what he would have called it, though it did make sense. He was a Jedi no longer; he knew that all too well, in fact, and indeed was what one would consider a Dark Jedi... what Jarod had called him. Jarod... where had he run off to anyway? Disregarding his adrift thoughts, Mikau readdressed the man before him.

The Dark Jedi stood to his feet. His purple eyes met the mask of the being before him, and he twirled his lightsaber hilt around backwards in his hand, then proceeded to ignite it, its cyan blade hissing into existence. "My name is Mikau Verkaline," he said, taking a few steps back. "I am a Dark Jedi, I suppose one would call it. I... I have my own personal business aboard this ship, and its none of yours."

Mikau parted his feet. "Who are you?"

[Foxfire]

Mikau Verkaline....hmm.... Intriguing name. Yes your blade is very threating looking I must admit that is if I did not know how to use one myself. As for my name you will only get Captain Haddren Fel and no more. .....Pointing with both hands at self....... Not my business! It is my business when your blundering would hinder my escape.

With the modified audio hearing Cho could hear the muffled voices behind a second bulk head.

In and angry tone.....Ignant fools.... I see why the brother hood conquers them so easily. They rush in where they are not wanted.

Cho drops his force shroud and dives deep into the darkness of his being. He let the darkness backwash over him and then pushed it out to grab hold of the door and crush the internal workings of the door and then hits the door so that it warps which would not let it retract back.

Death would have been easier for them but like I said 'I AM NOT HERE'. Yet you are here and others will come those of the light and they will know I have been here. So the choice is yours find what you came for with me and flare your signature to the Jedi when you leave, so that they see you and not me or die by my hands and move on to joining the force. Oh if you have a third option I'm open the hearing it. I may not like it but I'll hear it.

Cho walked toward Mikau and stopped just short of the extended arms length of the saber and tilted his head to the right, looking some what comical.

[Alexander]

"Hmph," Mikau smiled and laughed at the being in front of him, pulling his saber hilt into his hand. Instead of immediately igniting it and facing this strange being, Mikau hesitated... there was something useful about this man, something very useful indeed...

The young Dark Jedi awed at the man before him as he stood almost completely still, crushing the door near them, which therefore delayed the guards coming to their position. Offering a deal (along with listening to the proper philosophy this man posed), Mikau listened intently; a getaway plan would be nice, added to having a figure of power, added to achieving his goal and living the ship...

Indeed, a good plan it was. Mikau attached his saber hilt back to his belt as he felt the dark Force energy literally radiating from the man before him. "Fel," Mikau said, taking a small step back, out of the saber's reach, and bowing, "I admire your strength. My blade is yours, and the Jedi will know my mark before they suspect another." He jokingly placed a hand over his heart. "So I swear."

He met the eye of his new 'friend' carefully, observing him, hoping to find something... something within comfort to which he could calm himself. But Mikau was on edge, and knew better than to cross someone much more powerful than he.

[Foxfire]

Looking at the dark one for a second or two Cho spoke.

Your response is ........ adequate. Mind you though my first thoughts were to gut you where you stand and tell the others on the other side of the door that you resisted. .... The need of a quiet escape takes precedence to pleasure. Mind you though betraying me will mean more than death by your own blade, it will mean me air dropping you into the Jedi temple with a thermo detonator taped to each hand and you stripped of any or all force powers.

Cho let the threat hang in the air. Then inhaling and calming his blood lust that rose and the surge of dark force energy Cho spoke on last time before moving down the hall to the nearest junction.

Well shall we get started on your part or are we going to sit around knitting rancor sweaters?

[Alexander]

Mikau chuckled as the man began his tirade, and then proceeded to stride past him. Having been bored by his threats, the young Dark Jedi continued out the door, insinuating that his new "friend" follow closely behind. Still wary of his threats, however, Mikau was careful with his responses, and even more so, with his manner. The dark Jedi knew better than to cross someone more powerful than he, and thus knew also that he should keep his tongue on the belt with his blade.

Mikau slowly let his eyes gaze about the hallway before him, and noticed two things: One end that lead to a door, and another that lead to a turbolift. Typical, Mikau thought to himself. Just another meaningless hallway. Though I suppose the goal would be higher... Mikau turned to Fel, nodding his head. "Come," said the young man, "I believe my destination would be nowhere but... up." In a slight Force-embodied sprint, Mikau made for the turbolift, hoping his partner would follow.

Upon reaching the door, he jammed his fingers rapidly into the control pad, as the lift itself was locked. Remembering the code he used before, the door opened, and Mikau stepped out onto the large platform, signaling Fel to join him. Once the two were on the elevator, Mikau eased himself. "Be careful," he warned forlornly, "y'never know what hides on the second or third floors."

The elevator ascended just as quickly as the others had, and so Mikau nodded towards Fel as he pulled his saber from his belt, gripping the hilt tightly. Seeing the end of the journey quickly approaching, Mikau ignited his saber, its bright cyan blade flashing menacingly behind him. Soon, the turbolift arrived, and the doors flung open, sirens also beginning to blare.

"Go!" Mikau said as he jumped off the turbolift. Around the corner, there were 10 armed soldiers with weapons aimed and ready. Without hesitation, Mikau proceeded to dash and slice through a soldier, and followed through to another, bringing his arm and his blade upwards in a waving blue arc.

As the others began to fire, Mikau clumsily blocked their blaster bolts off to the wall or ceiling, and looked towards Fel.

[Foxfire]

AS the turbo-lift rose Cho could feel the dark ones hunger for battle, and saw that it hindered his force perception of this around him. When the doors opened and Mikau flung himself from the lift and rounded a corner ahead Cho could already feel the solders blocking their path ahead. He stepped out and felt one of the beings die at the hand of the dark one, then another. It was only then did Cho let his being delve deep into the darkness of the force. Gathering it together in the stillness of his being whilst focusing it keeping it calm and unstirred until the Mikau was defending himself from the blaster bolts of the solders.

Then is when Cho grabbed hold of one of the led shoulders by the throat and dragged him toward Mikau. Cho was still around the corner and moved with deathly silence only his mag boots could be heard banging on the metal floor. Each with the sound of death's knock rapping upon the hull of the ship. Cho turned the solder to face the others and then squeezed the solder held in mid-air writhing and gasping for breath. The scene of which made them stop shooting and watch. Then a great blast of force power slammed into the choking solder sending parts him flying in multiple directions. The gore made a few of the solders gag and others stood in shock.

As Cho rounded the corner he had snapped the power conduit to the hallway dousing the hallway in death blackness. That is when Cho moved with enhanced speed and stealth passed Mikau to the solders. Cho silently slashed and gutted solders. The sound of muffled screams and snapping necks were the only sounds. Three minutes later the secondary lights came on and there stood Cho with his back to Mikau. What Mikau could not see was that Cho had one of the solders by the neck with his teeth. A gurgle and snap, Cho lowered the solder with his left hand to drop to his left. The smell of blood and bowel hugged deep in the darkened hallway.

Cho raised is left arm and wiped his mouth and returned his enviro-helmet back into place. Turning Cho slowly moved back to Mikau and stopped five feet from him.

You fight well,...... but ....... you kill poorly. Just like a turned Jedi should. To kill well you must leave that side of your self for when you fight other force powered ones. As for these you are the beast and they are your prey, treat them so.

[Alexander]

Mikau watched in awe as Fel turned the corner behind him and approached the soldiers with a strong pride and malicious force aura. He then watched, his eyes gaping open, as one soldier was succumbed to Force around his neck, constricting his air flow, and kept his eyes trained on the man as he began to levitate in front of the other soldiers. Mikau returned his gaze to normal and shut his gaping mouth, beginning to chuckle. As the last bit of his laughter subsided, the lights went out.

To stay hidden, Mikau deactivated his lightsaber and held the hilt tightly in his hand. Almost in horror, Mikau listened to the screams of soldiers, but kept his eyes trained on the space outside, visible barely through a viewport at the end of the hallway. The young dark Jedi shut his eyes and reached out through the Force, calming himself, meditating. As soon as the lights came on, he opened his eyes slowly, and met the back of Fel's head. In horror, he watched the dark Jedi rip apart the soldier with his teeth and then drop him, proceeding to attach his helmet back on.

As Fel turned, Mikau bellowed with laughed, and attached his saber hilt to his belt. He smiled wryly at his new counterpart as he approached him, and then listened to what he had to say...

"Hmm," Mikau contemplated a second, taking in the information that the man had just relayed to him. "Indeed." Mikau laughed again, beckoning Fel to follow him down the hallway. "Seems as though there's a lot I can learn from you." With that, he augmented the Force into his feet, concentrating hard, and kicked off the floor, literally leaping through the air towards the end of the hallway.

[Foxfire]

LIstening to the Dark one's words of confirmation of what he said Cho let the young one spring past him. Mikau ran toward the end of the hall with his force signature in tow and that made Cho shake his head. He shadowed his signature to that of Mikau and followed with moderate speed. He did not fully know why that force played with him so. It seemed like time was becoming his teacher and was forcing him to learn ways he only thought was for the prey.

Death though was not being fair either. As he moved, he noted that one of the soilders had thrashed out with a last minute attempt to win and had hit Cho in the ribs, but his ribs did not give way. The bone had just snapped clean into and now by the power of the darkness with in him was healing the break with out his guidence. Why this did this he knew not why but he did know that as long as he served the force well death and time would guide and protect him.

So Cho kept pace being mindful of why he was doing this.

Move as a Shadow's shadow, soundless as midnight's wind, and be focused as a cold day on Zoist.