Inquisitions and Liberations [AoG, juzt, jedi] – {Boz Pity}

[Juzt]

Reiko did not need to be told twice about the rifle. With a lazy wave of her arm the think rose pirouetted and flew into her empty hand. She was so angry that Chias had been shot there was not really enough anger left in her for the droid's dismissive orders. Besides it was right, no question and she found herself desperately hoping he would make a false move so she could bury her yellow blade straight through his stupid face.

Reiko's problem was the anger flowed quickly, very quickly fed and fuelled by her on self loathing and contempt for others to. Up until now she had managed to cling on to her threadbare control, in truth it had probably been a mistake to elevate her to Knighthood. Her emotions were always so close to the surface. The fit lean blue muscles of her arms strained and sweated against the urge to do something drastic and probably fatal. However, for the benefit of all concerned Ofi's mission, and Reiko's own place in the order and of course the stranger's life, Chias' pained but defiant voice calmed her a little and the tension in her arms dropped.

However when Chias screamed at him, Reiko's yellow eyes passed over her diminutive companion. It was a surprisingly loud noise to come out of Chias not since she had first met her had she heard Chias raise her voice. She was impressed and despite her general dislike of most people she was starting to gain a grudging liking for Chias. It was probably slightly scary for their prisoner, a droid making sinister threats, a small jedi yelling, and a taller one with acid yellow eyes focused at a point a few inches inside his skull.

Reiko spoke softly and with an even sing song kind of voice that came from her love of singing. However, she did not need to speak loudly in this case I was clear she barely hanging on to her calm as she stressed every syllable with great care. “We know who he is. He is obviously in the employ of our enemies here.” Beyond that to her the rest was frivolous details. “Ofi is right, we don't have a lot of time. He may be able to tell us something we need to know. If not then I am happy to let Ofi make him into an ex-person.” She said bitterly. Her eyes scanned over Chias even someone lacking the sensory abilities of many jedi could see the pain and discomfort. “Why don't you sit down and let us handle this?” Ofi had a way with words and such a small droid could intimidate pretty well, so she was just going to back the small droid up.

“You had better tell us something..” She grinned with a malevolence. “This sack of bolts has a rather itchy trigger.... trigger....” What is it droids have any how she thought.... “...servo.” She settled on the word as it sounded suitably mechanical.

[Agent of Greystone]

The large grey humanoid scratched the back of his neck as the unlikely party of republic rescuers hissed at him each individually for his smartass comment, squabbled amongst themselves a little bit more, and then returned to threatening his life. Tsk tsk clucked the Weequay, wagging his finger at them. "Haven't you heard? Anger leads to the dark side. Best keep on your toes girls." Unbeknownst to him, K'org had slowly inched his way over to where Darvek was standing, hands still raised above his head in surrender. The large pig raised his leg and stamped angrily on the toes of his companion. Darvek yelped and hopped a new times, trying to shake off the stinging sensation.

<What are you doing?> He squeaked, panicked. <Don't make Jedi mad! Jedi hit us, many times, with fire sticks!>

Darvek threw a mild strike on K'org's shoulder in a feeble retaliation. "They can't kill us pig! Let me get my licks in, they're Jedi. They actually aren't allowed to harm prisoners." He plopped on his backside and remove his boot, shaking a couple of pebbles out that had worked their way in. He could feel the three armed and angry individuals attempting to leer holes in his forehead and he fiddled with his footwear. "Besides, if they did kill us they probably wouldn't be able to reach the Senator in time." Suddenly it hit him, his smile declined and his face began to grow sullen. All of the excitement had done well to distract him from the girl who he had brought to this world and left in a dank cave with a crazed rat, against his better judgement. After a minute he stood up, brushed himself off and started towards the turbo lift. "Anyways, follow me, I remember the way back." He called to them. "And might you return my rifle? It's a lot easier to carry when it's back in it's case."

The ride down the turbolift was uncomfortable, to say the least. There was an aura of urgency emanating from the group, which they could do nothing to quell until the turbo lift slowly reached it's destination. All of the humanoids seemed to be attempting to avoid extended eye contact with one another. The Echani Jedi caught Darvek looking back at the simmering dent in her mechanical arm. Quickly he turned away, stared down at the floor, and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Listen I, um, sorry about that." He murmured nervously. "I never fire my rifle with the intention of causing pain." Only after he spoke did he realize how bad that sounded. Mercifully for him, it wasn't soon after that the lift reached it's stop with a thud!

Once they disembarked from the turbolift, Darvek and K'org directed the group, to the best of their knowledge, while trying to go as slow as possible, all too aware that the Jedi and the droid were waiting and watching for them to turn and strike at any moment. After only a few wrong turns, they finally managed to make their way back to the door to the room which contained the prisoners and the rat who had hired them. Darvek turned back and whispered to the Jedi "This is the place. No double-crosses or nothin', see?" He brought a fist up to the center of the door. "So now I'll just get you inside and then we'll be on our merry way."

His knuckle rapped against the door and he called out as it slid open. "Hey boss, me'n the Pig are back from the refresher and we-" He stopped short as the door slid open and he saw the state of the occupants. He saw the girl, and suddenly he felt inexplicably, incredibly angry. He opened his mouth again to speak, but he never found out what he was about to say, because suddenly something knocked him to the side and out of the doorway, K'org, who had just saved him from being trampled by some very angry Jedi.

[Mara]

The droid had been surprised by the Echani Jedi's outburst, and if her mechanical body had allowed her, she would have turned her head to look behind her. Not because it was unwarranted but because she hadn't computed such a strong reaction, despite being recently injured. So far, Chias had shown more meekness than anything else. And though she had been coming a bit more out of her shell, showing more assertiveness, Ofi had not classified her as the type to hold a grudge, Jedi teachings notwithstanding. Reiko, on the other hand...

However, it wasn't until Chias calmed down and murmured something, coming to some kind of personal conclusion regarding the Weequay and his Gamorrean friend. Ofi's circuits started overheating in annoyance. Accident? This big ugly alien had purposefully came into Ina's apartment, fought off the bird-like droid, and taken the senator. Maybe he was not the being in charge, but he was part of this. And for once, the Wroonian and the droid were in agreement on this. She wasn't sure what was up with the Echani; perhaps it was the pain injection muddling her mind.

She flew forward a bit, her blaster now once again leveled at the Weequay now that he was disarmed, and she knew that both Jedi capable of defending themselves. "I know exactly who this... man is." Ofi almost couldn't bring herself to give him such a positive term as she addressed the others. "He kidnapped a Republic senator and took her to this place. And you will lead us to her. Now." This last statement said to the Weequay, her gaze never wavering.

Ofi's photoreceptors brightened in a flash at the big alien's comments regarding Jedi and the dark side, anger. And the tenets of the Jedi beliefs. "I, however, am not a Jedi and am programmed for harm. It would be my pleasure to shoot you." As if in emphasis of Knight Shae's words, she allowed her body to jerk, as if the weapon was about to go off accidentally. The droid wouldn't actually kill him, as easy as it would be. She and the Jedi still needed information from him. But a flesh wound wouldn't be very pleasant for him. "Your choice. Either way we get what we need; up to you whether you are all in one piece afterwards."

Whether it was the combined threats of the droid and the two Jedi, or something else, the Weequay seemed to have a sudden change of heart. Gone were the jokes, and in their place cooperation appeared. Ofi was wary of a trap but followed him to the turbolift door nonetheless, gesturing her weapon at the Gamorrean to go ahead as well. She tilted her head at Reiko, hoping she got the hint to not comply and give the alien his rifle back. The last thing they needed was to give firepower back to the enemy.

Soon, they were all crammed into the 'lift for a long ride down into the mountain. In the close quarters, the small droid was able to keep her weapon aimed at the two miscreants. If any of them tried anything, she would act quickly, unsure if the Jedi would have enough room to move. She remained silent throughout the trip down, scanning for Ina's locator device or anything else around. And preparing herself for whatever was on the other side of that door. Despite his agreeable demeanor, the Weequay could still be betraying them.

A few minutes later--Ofi had calculated they had descended approximately a dozen stories--they exited into a simple and austere hallway, all gray and metal. It was giving off some seriously creepy vibes, even for the droid. She was getting a bad inkling about all of this. But the trio followed the Weequay and his partner as he led them through the maze-like corridors and eventually stopped in front a door that looked like all the others they had already passed, announcing they had arrived.

And then the door slid open, and the situation inside was revealed to them. A sparsely furnished room with dim lighting. Two strange cyborg-like creatures guarding the entrance. Two beings, a young woman and an elderly man, strapped to two chairs. A table arrayed with frightening instruments against one wall. In the middle of it all, robed Caamasi bending over his current victim.

With a scream that seemed out of place coming from a droid, Ofi shot through the opening, the two Jedi hot in her wake. And chaos erupted.


* * * * *


Though deaf, Ina could still sometimes sense the vibrations that came with sound. Feeling it throb against her body and insides. Generally she only experienced this with loud music. But when the saw ramped up again and the blade connected with her father's wrist, the blood-curdling scream that exploded from his lungs hit her full-bore. So much that she had to look away, squeezing her eyes together. Tears streamed down her cheeks, not wanting to imagine the kind of pain he was in.

It was over quickly, but Dr. Rand kept crying out. His hand had just been removed, right in front of him, and with his head secured, he hadn't been able to turn away from the carnage. Blood rushed out from the stump, and the Caamasi just stood there in front of him, snickering and sneering, holding the saw in one clawed hand and the doctor's former hand in his other. He started hyperventilating, some part of his brain aware that he was going into shock. And that if not treated, he would die from it.

"Thank you for your donation, doctor. You have been very helpful so far." The Caamasi stepped back to his table of instruments, laying down the bloodied vibrosaw but still clasping the Arkanian's wrinkled hand. He reached into a small pouch that had been sitting off to the side and pulled out a few items. On his way back to Dr Rand, he tossed the doctor's erstwhile hand towards the doorway where the two Offshoot experiments stood, knowing they had earned a treat.

As the rat-raced being returned, Dr. Rand cringed, shaking from his experience. Seeing the older man's reaction, the Caamasi smiled. "Now, now, doctor... I'm not here to hurt you." He opened his hand, revealing the contents to be medkit items: bandages, kolto patches. "I do need you alive, after all." The Sith-twisted being began treating the doctor's wound, dabbing the blood before applying a patch of kolto that enveloped the entire stump. On top of everything went a bandage, expertly applied. "I'm sorry, but we must wait for that to heal before you can receive your new... hand." He grinned and turned away, his eyes focusing on Ina.

By now, the young Offshoot had recovered enough to look back at her father. She was confused; the Caamasi had given the Arkanian medical treatment. After violently sawing off his hand. Who was this being? What was his purpose with them? Was he merely just prolonging the torture as long as possible? Ina's blue eyes welled up once again. The senator was scared and overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions. Her resolve was waning, her hope of escape almost nil. And now the rat man was oogling her, and she was afraid for what he was thinking.

Just then, though, there was a knock at the door. The Caamasi was so busy studying Ina that he didn't hear it; he had completely forgotten about the two beings he had hired to bring the girl and her father to him in the first place. He was totally immersed in his playtime. But then the door opened, and he was forced to snap his head around and look as he heard a mechanical screech, seeing two females in the doorway along with some kind of flying bird.

"What?" He blinked, before regaining his senses. These were intruders! The Caamasi shot a clawed finger towards his two Offshoot guards. "Get them!" he ordered, as he saw the intent on the faces of the Echani and Wroonian. And as their lightsabers ignited, he backpedaled quickly into the corner of the room, near his table of tools; the strange droid seemed headed straight for him. This man was no fighter, but he would defend himself and his facility if need be. If his two guards failed. Which is why he pressed a hidden button on the wall near the table and reached towards his array of instruments for something to use against this small attacker.

The two experiments looked up from where they had been gnawing on Dr. Rand's hand, blood still staining their lips. Immediately they dropped their food and came to their feet, a difficulty for the male and his digitgrade legs. As one, the two brought their shockstaffs to bear on the Jedi, the female whipping her tail against the floor and bringing it around to use as a weapon as well. Her strokes were weaker, as her pincer-hands could not grip the staff as well as the male's six-fingered hands. But they both fought furiously, as they were programmed to do.

[jedi334]

Chias followed behind as they all got in the turbo lift, her head clearing a bit as her system adjusted to the pain killers. “Thank the Force.” She thought as the door shut as the lift began the slow decent downward “Last thing we need is for me to be impaired when there is work to be done.”

Silence passed for a time when the Weeqauy offered an apology for the shooting, he sounded sincere enough, the Echani knew that not all mercenaries or bounty hunters were evil and were simply trying to make a living, unscrupulous and illegal as it may be. But she was tired, dirty and in pain despite the narcotics and her compassion had limits.

“Thank you.” She said flatly “But do not think a simple apology and helping us will let you or your friend walk away from your part in this. You willfully and knowingly kidnapped an acting Junior Senator of the Republic…you will answer for that, I’ll see to it personally.”

Again she could see Rekio glance back at her and Chias could not help but give a small smile. This mission though thrust upon her had showed that she was more than just an instructor of younglings and keeper of the past and hopefully once this was done her peers would see that as well.

The turbo lift stopped and the doors opened as they made their way down the bleak and grey hall. Chias watched as Darvek tried to talk his way in as a voice shouted for the guards to attack. Before Chias could say anything Ofi squawked a battle cry and shot through the small opening and Rekio kicked the door open as they all made their way in.

Chias eyes went wide as she saw the carnage, the surgical tools which dripped with blood. The two figures strapped down to metal tables and the bloody stump where the man’s hand had been.

Standing in between were two creatures of both mechanical and biological origin, what species they were Chias could not tell they were both large…one male and the other female slashing her whip like tail and the other a shock staff. There was another figure in the back of the room but at the moment Chias was focused on the two in front of them.

She glanced at Rekio and reignited her lightsaber “You take the one with the staff and deal with the one with in the back, and please make sure our droid doesn’t kill him in the process.” She took a slow breath and closed her eyes as she focused herself “I’ll handle her and see to the Senator and her friend.”

The female snarled and cracked her tail in challenge as Chias got in her battle stance rasing her sword over her head. The tail came flying forth like six clawed hand as Chias spun and dodged around them, slashing her saber in the defensive style of Soresu as she felt one of the thongs dig into her left cheek deeply as a sharp bite of pain flared up and the warm spray of blood as it ran down her pale skin as the tail as brought back and a firm hand grab her throat and raise her small body high into the air her free hand grabbed on to the wrist of the female as the grip tightened and the world slowly began to fade.

Chias grimaced and choked a little as she brought her left knee up high and ramming it into the female’s chest which released her grip on the Jedi as she gasped for air and rose to her feet seeing the tail being drawn back as Chias spun her light saber and duck as the thong flew forward coming back as the blade cut through the thick base of the tail. The creature squealed in pain Chias as she brought up her free hand focusing the Force as she sent the creature flying into a large cabinet and crumpled to the ground.

Chias coughed a bit as she took a few deep breathes to get fresh air into her lungs before sheathing her lightsaber and making her way to the two captives. She took the older man injury…though no medical expert she could see the cuts were made crudely and slowly to cause maximum pain whoever did this took particular pleasure in making this man suffer, but it was also bandages and kolto patches and been applied so hopefully if they got him out of here in time and got him proper treatment he would be fine.

She then moved to the young girl, seeing her face and immediately recognizing her as the one they were sent to rescue, her body had definitely been through trauma and the quicker they got her out of here the better.

She undid the restrains and moved to the girl face gripping both sides gently as she spoke to her.  “Senator?” Chias, raising her voice a little in case she had been drugged “Senator Icharus can you hear me!”

[Juzt]

Reiko's eye was caught by the droid and she nodded. There was no way she was going to surrender the rifle yet, he might be being compliant right now but she had no idea how long this would last. “I think I will keep hold of this for now.” She said with theatrical sweetness. “Besides the rifle would be no use to you down there anyway.” Indeed the facility would likely be a tight maze of corridors. “In fact... I don't see why you should get it back at all.” She stepped into the lift with the others, and saw Chias smiling at her. She was bearing up well clearly the pain drugs were doing their job, Reiko still felt guilty she had brought her along even though she was clearly more skilled than her meek demeanour indicated. As she looked at her two companions she felt a strange and worried feeling in herself, she was... enjoying this. The tension the adventure of it all had a dark fascination for her, it was horrible to be built this way, and what was worse was some how she and the bucket of bolts were starting to see eye to eye

The lift was infuriating to Reiko, it seemed to take an absurd amount of time. She paced in the narrow space a coiled spring of tension. She slammed her fist into the lift door a few times. “Can't your boss make a decent lift at least.” She shouted at the Weequay and swung her fist a second time just as the lift door opened passing her stumbling through the space. She coughed brushed some imaginary dust off her clothes and turned to him. “Lead on then.” There was something amazing in someone being so humiliated like that and being able to press on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

The complex was like a rabbit warren as far as she could see and sense. She reached out with her mind trying to grasp its extent but it was impossible it seemed to be worm its way underground for many miles as far as she could tell. They had no choice but to follow the Weequay and the pig. On several occasions the blue skinned woman with the yellow eyes huffed angrily at the pair of them as he seemed to make several wrong turnings. However, eventually whether by luck of judgement they reached their destination. The Weequay tried to talk them in but pretty soon that plan went right out of the window when they saw the scene before them. The Droid came like a maniac even screaming through an opening. Could droids scream? However the thought did not spend long in her head as Reiko kicked open the door as hard as she could actually causing it a degree of damage. The same kind of damage that occurred to the poor Wequay as the angry heavily motivated Jedi smashed past him dropping his rifle.

Chias was giving orders like a Master, but Reiko was so into the thrill of the fight that she did not care. The room was gruesome there was no other way to describe it, two very battered looking people trapped with cruel instruments of torture around them and a Camassi backed by two mechanical horrors opposed them. Though as always in situations like this Reiko was oblivious to anything other than her opponent, she had a mind like her lightsaber, a straight forward narrow point. She took Chias' recommendation and focused on the male. With a yell Reiko lept into the air, and she spun and pirouetted through it like she was a lightsaber her self, her blade aiming the the male's head as she passed over him in her leap. However, it had freakish speed almost approaching a Jedi's as the staff deflected her blow. She landed cat like on her feet but had to immediately fend off a thrust from the staff. This thing was quick. She deflected the point away from herself only for it to swing the other end at her towards her neck. Her blade caught it, but it pushed her back against the wall hard. She banged her head and it exploded in pain for a moment. Strong to. She aimed a kick straight at its stomach doubling it up for a moment and she flipped away from it sliding to a hault.

So it was strong no way for her stand up to it in a straight up fight she would have to out think and out move it. Its funny legs did not look all that manoeuvrable to her. Its upper body was fast enough. It motored towards her again swinging its staff wildly. It was then she spotted the space she needed to be. She feinted left and went right swinging her blade almost behind it at its midsection, her blade bit into the skin searing it and slicing right through he screamed, and flailed his staff towards her which caught her another blow on the side of the head. She dropped to one knee feeling the warm thick blood spilling down the side of her face in danger of running into her eye. She grinned manically and drover her blade straight through the crumbling torso. The thing was dead, of that she was certain. She tried to stand up and wobbled back against the wall again but was upright soon after. She felt dizzy, light-headed but more than that she felt alive.

[Agent of Greystone]

The two men were slow to stand from their spot on the floor. The tackle had caught Darvek completely off-guard and winded him significantly, and the pig was just too fat and wriggled around on his back for a little bit like a capsized turtle. Darvek finally managed to push himself up so that he was sitting on his knees looking in through the now broken door that the Jedi had, rather unnecessarily, kicked in.

The Weequay stared into the room as the two Jedi began to go to work. Immediately the small droid tore into the room like a bullet and straight towards the rat who had hired Darvek and K'org before, mutant bodyguards be damned. Of course, it didn't appear that the creepy mutants were paying any attention to the droid as they were occupied with their imminent battle against the two Jedi. They stood from their original position, gnawing on a lump of raw meat on the floor, and they screeched wildly, a sound that was possibly the only thing more horrible then their appearances. Staff weapons they clenched awkwardly in their inhuman hands as they readied themselves. Then came the two Jedi, and while they were both Jedi of the same order, in battle they couldn't have been more different.

The Wroonian charged straight towards the male mutant with a horrible howl to match theirs. She leapt straight into the fight, and only then did Darvek realize how much she had been holding back all of this time, for from all appearances she appeared to be attempting to match the heat of her battle to the heat of her lightsaber, like fire. She seemed to be enjoying this a little too much for her profession. When Darvek turned to look to the Echani she was also engaged with the other mutant. It caught her by the throat and it held her from her feet for a moment, and she seemed to be fading. Unconsciously, Darvek reached for his rifle, which had clattered to the ground beside him moments ago, but it was of no need. Like ice the Jedi was cold and calm in her response, struck it away with a kick and a blast of energy. It collapsed in a heap, but then the Echani turned away from it. She's not going to finish it?

K'org tugged on Darvek's coat nervously. <Now is chance! We leave quick!> But Darvek brushed him away, now with his gun clutched under his arm. The Echani had sheathed her sword, and was checking on the prisoners. She turned to the girl, and she was attempting to revive her when she looked up at Darvek. He locked eyes with her through his sights, and the last thing she saw before he pulled the trigger was the glint off his scope and the red of his laser shining right at her. There was a deafening crack and a red spear of energy flew right at her. It slammed into the revived Offshoot was looming over the shoulder of the Echani, singed a few of her hairs on the way over as well. The creature screeched in agony, tearing at the black smoking hole in it's shoulder.

<WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!> K'org cried, pulling at his face in worry. Truthfully Darvek had done that on instinct. He shot a small, satisfied smile at the Jedi before K'org grabbed his shoulder and they began their retreat back down the hall away from the battle.

[Mara]

Ofi had immediately identified the Caamasi cowering in the opposite corner as the biggest threat in the room. She had quickly dismissed the two mangled Offshoot guards as no threat to her and not worth her time and energy. Same for the Weequay and his Gamorrean friend: despite the earlier scuffles, she had computed that they were merely opportunistic mercenaries and were likely neutral towards the Caamasi. And though she had finally found Ina--and surprisingly, her father as well--they were relatively safe for the moment, and so she had put their rescue aside as well. Because she had one focus and one focus only: justice.

So while the Jedi took care of the guards, their fights becoming little more than background noise to the droid, she had honed in on the sniveling rat-faced being. He stood there, brandishing sharp instruments in his clawed hands and trying to look tough. But Ofi could see through his facade of bravery; this was not a being used to defending himself and his posturing was mere compensation for his lack of skill. Taking care of this Caamasi would be her pleasure, for she was sure this was the being behind Ina's kidnapping, the ringleader of the plot. And he deserved to pay for that.

Using her wings to brake in midair, she hovered a few feet in front of the Caamasi. Her red eyes flashed darkly. And if her carapace could have handled such movement, her face would have broken into a wide grin without a trace of mirth in it. Two endgames warred within her. On one hand, her training back at Project Familiar, before she had even been gifted to Ina. Ofi was an assassin droid, programmed for killing efficiency. Dispatching this fiend would be easy. But on the other, there was the senator and her ideals, and with all the years she had spent with the woman, Ofi had learned to work within the laws and protocols of the Republic. This Caamasi should be brought to trial to pay for his sins.

Seeing the droid come up to him and stop, the rat-faced Caamasi couldn't suppress a shudder. It looked like a little metal bird, but he could tell it had evil intent, though he couldn't outwardly see how it might attack him.  Perhaps it was merely just detaining him until the Jedi came for him. Or had some kind of conscience that he could manipulate. "You are making a mistake, droid. My mistress is not someone to be trifled with." He was out of options, out for himself, needing to bluff his way out for survival; the Caamasi knew it was his only chance of making it out of here alive. And forced a sneer on his lips, gesturing with one of his tools. "In a matter of seconds, this facility will be overrun with Sith... and you shall fail."

Cocking her head, Ofi remained silent a moment before speaking up, in her unusual feminine but utterly robotic voice. "I do not make mistakes." With a click, her breast plate unhinged, and her small but powerful holdout blaster shot out. She aimed it right between the Caamasi's eyes. "I am sure my companions would love to arrest you and bring you to Coruscant... but I have no such compunction. So drop your weapons and surrender before my blaster goes off. Accidentally."

Meanwhile, Ina's eyes had spread as wide as blue saucers when all the commotion first began. One moment she was still trying to get over what the foul beast had done to her father and wondering what horrible things he had in mind for her. And in the next, the door had burst open as several beings poured into the room. Including her friend Ofi! She couldn't help but feel a little hope at seeing the droid. Accompanied by two Jedi, no less! It had been silly of her to lose faith in her friend's ability to enact a rescue, but it had been getting harder and harder to do so, the longer she and her father had been kept in here.

She had watched as the two female Jedi had fought off the two Offshoot guards. It was almost like watching a live holodrama or maybe an operatic performance. Their movements were so beautiful, so smooth. So deadly. Ina was continually amazed by their actions. Jedi and the mysterious Force they wielded was something she didn't quite understand and probably never would. But it was obvious that there was something supernatural about the whole thing. And right now, she didn't really care; they were here to save her and her father.

The fights were over quickly, and before long, the two guards were laying on the ground, defeated, dead. And one of the Jedi was running towards her and her father. She had pale skin and began undoing her restraints. Ina smiled in relief and thanks, hoping the other woman got the hint of what she was trying to convey. Finally freed, she wanted to rub her sores and stretch out, but before she could do so, the Jedi was in her face, holding onto her head. And her mouth was moving. A pained look came over her face; did she not know she was deaf and could not hear?

Luckily, her father came to her aid.  Now that the Caamasi was corned by Ofi, the two guards no longer a threat, and the bounty hunters disappeared through the door, Dr. Rand was coming to his senses. There was still pain from his severed hand, but the medication was slowly taking effect, and he had been able to take stock of his surroundings. Vaguely having seen the rescuers barrel into the room. But what really snapped him out of it was hearing the woman's yelling right beside him. With a rasping sigh, he spoke up. "Master Jedi... Please... my daughter is deaf. She cannot hear you."

Just then, heard through the open door of the room, was a distant clattering. Like feet against the metal hallway floor. As whatever it was seemed to move closer, the sound grew steadily louder. The Caamasi's ears twitched in response, and he smiled. Ofi caught the look of satisfaction on the being's face and flew forward, slamming her talons into his chest. As he slid to the floor, he gasped, "You will never escape... I will have my prizes..." and began cackling.

"Not this time." Ofi shot off her blaster, instantly killing the Caamasi. Not caring what the Jedi, or Ina, would think of her. They were in a unique situation that called for unique solutions. She was turning around, meaning to help the Jedi with releasing the two prisoners, when they came through the doorway. Her task completed, the droid was now belatedly picking up the arrival of reinforcements. Letting off another battle cry, she turned her attention to them: a dozen more experimented-upon Offshoots in various stages of biological and cybernetic experimentation carrying shockstaffs and other weapons.

Dr. Rand called out a warning, "Master Jedi!" just as Ofi began spraying fire at the incoming soldiers. Ina sunk back into her chair, fearing the worst. Just when she thought it was all over, it started back up again. Would they ever make it out of here alive?

[jedi334]

Chias looked over at the old man as he spoke, biting her lower lip instantly with an apologetic look on her face “My apologies sir.” She said “I am with the Jedi Order, we were sent when the Council heard of your daughter’s abduction. We have a shuttle not far from here and we shall get you back to Republic space as soon as possible.”

She then turned her blue eyes to the Senator herself her features softening as she looked in her eyes. Given her role as a teacher within the Temple, Chias had many different students with varying needs whether they are behavioral, emotional, a style of learning or physical disability.

During her Knighthood and her years as Master Chen’s apprentice she had encountered a few younglings & padawans who not only with born the connection to the Force but were also deaf. To help with their studies and to be better acquaint them to the life of the Order, the young Echani took to the study of sign language.

When she began she thought that sign applied to the same principle as the Basic dialect that most aliens used when talking to humans, but the more she studied the more she learned that each species hadthing their own methods when it came to talking to the deaf.

Twi’leks relied on facial expressions along with the proper motions, Tourguta used body language every species was different but over the years Chias quite adept in speaking with the deaf students in her class.

Given the chaos that was going on around them Chias had little time to figure out which sign dialect to used with the Arkanian but she hope she understood. She began to move her hands in a quick but clear manner, moving her mouth silently so the woman could read her lips along with her signs

“My name is Chias Nero.” She signed “Your droid found us at the Temple and we have come to rescue you and your father. We are here to take you home.”

She saw that the Senator understood and looked back to the older man “I know you are injured but we need to move.” She said, beginning to undo the straps on Ina’s arms and ankles and then moving ot her father, she looked to the Senator and signed

“Can you walk?” she asked, turning her head as she heard Ofi squawk as she saw a dozen more experiments enter the room with the varying weapons in their deformed hands. Chias rose and reignited her lightsaber “Get your daughter ready to go doctor.” She said, drawing her hoof over her head to give a menacing visage to her opponents. “And stay behind me!”

Chias shot forward, her bootless feet making her almost silent as she lashed into the misshapen throng of attack as they slashed, whipped and tried to shock her with the improvised arsenal.

Chias in the meantime twirled and maneuvered her small body as she dodged and parried with each assault, blocking with her saber and forearms. She sheathed her weapon briefly and engaged in hand to hand combat in the Echani style of Clan Nero.

With quick punches and swift kicks she beat her opponents back. Despite all this more abominations keep coming, for every one she cut down two or three more came in their place and were quickly surrounding the young Knight.

Knowing she had very little time and also needed to protect her charge Chias closed her eyes and focused all the energy around her to draw into her small thin body, she felt the Force flowing through her as she clenched her free hand into a small fist, letting forth a battle cry that would of made her father proud as she brought the fist down on the ground her as it made a small crater around her.

The Force shock wave sent her attacker flying in all directions as Chias crouched down on one knee, glancing up to see two attackers that survived the last rise and hobble toward the Senator and her father.

Chias ignited her light saber and hurled the short bladed weapons spinning toward the abominations as it sliced through each their neck severing their heads from their shoulders as Chias willed her weapons back to her as she caught it and drove the blade of light through a running attacker chest as it fell down dead. She yanked the saber free and stood defensively in front of the Senator as she saw both Rekio and Ofi.

“IF EITHER OF YOU HAVE A PLAN TO ESCAPE I THINK NOW WOULD BE A SPLENDID TIME TO TELL ME!!” She hollered, spinning her shoto blade in the style of Soresu to deflect the laser bolts there were being fired at her, her voice hot with a mixture of frustration and adrenaline “IF NEITHER OF YOU ARE TOO BUSY THAT IS!!!”

[Juzt]

Just when things had seemed to be going so well. Reiko and Chias had finished the monstrosities, and Chias was tending to the senator and the droid had the Camassi cornered. Reiko, was now a bystander she was not good with other people as her compatriots would know by now. So she awkwardly stood to the side while Chias dealt with the two prisoners, ready to do any supporting or carrying. However, things very soon went bad. In came many more of the things. Reiko pulled out her saber again, and did her best to deflect the baster fire.

Soon however the things closed on them, going for Chias first, who was defending herself really well with a combination of lightsaber skills and hand to hand combat. Reiko to a huge leap into the battle to. Her yellow blade swung in graceful rapid arcs so much so her arms were a blur and her saber left yellow trails in the air. When Chias' annoyed cry came out. “SHUT UP LITTLE GIRL!” She spat angrily savagely decapitating one of the creatures. “WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF.” Reiko, took a blow to the back, that sent her sprawling.

As the thing gave a cry of triumph and approached her. Reiko slammed her fist angrily into the floor. She pushed herself up and flipped over on to her feet with a breathtaking athleticism, clearly powered by the force and now a deep dark anger seeping from inside her. She gave a piercing scream of rage and came at the thing again. She removed its arm, and then the other one. As it collapsed in pain and agony and looked at her desperately, she proceeded to batter it repeatedly with her saber with each blow she shouted a word. “Why won't you all just die?!” Her beautiful blue face was contorted in anger as she flew into yet more of them like a beautiful whirlwind her anger beginning to dominate her.

[Agent of Greystone]

Just as the two mercenaries had begun to make some distance between themselves and the torture chamber with the rescue party, sounds of battle could once again be heard echoing down the hallways of the underground facility. This time though it seemed as though there were more creatures then before, many more. They could hear more reinforcements clattering on unorthodox limbs towards the Jedi every time they passed an opening. Darvek had picked up the pace once he realized just how big an army of now leaderless and seemingly mindless monstrosities this base housed, but he was actually falling behind K'org. who could really leg it when the going got tough.

"W-what in the...name of Quay...are those things?!" Darvek panted as he ran.

<Don't talk...just run.> Was all K'org was able to spit back at him, so out of breath was he.

After what seemed like an eternity of sprinting at full speed, the two of them could take no more and they steadily slowed to a jog before stopping completely to rest. They panted and spat and had to lean against the wall for support. "I think...I think we made...a wrong turn somewhere." At first, Darvek had thought that by now he knew the way to the lift like the back of his hand, but all of these hallways looked the same to him, and it was hard for him to pay attention with these ghouls all around him, as he didn't know if they were hostile or not. They could just be focused on the Jedi and the prisoners but the rat was dead, and they may not have any way to distinguish friend from foe anymore.

<We're dead! We die here!> K'org moaned, hugging his axe like a stuffed toy. <Why'd you have to shoot that...thing?> He barked at Darvek. <Now how do we know they will not kill us too?!>

There wasn't any way to know beyond running into one, and Darvek would rather not take the chance to find out. "We're not going to die." Darvek replied. "Not as long as we can get back to that lift before everyone else finds us." K'org, reassured a little by his partner's words, relaxed a little bit. <You right. We just need to find lift. Have done it before.> He turned back to look down the hallway, prepared to continue.

Suddenly something appeared before them. Something very large swung around the corner so fast it appeared as a blur. They both squealed rather embarrassingly in alarm, and K'org swung his axe on instinct. The Offshoot hadn't even acknowledged their existence, the Jedi and the prisoners being the only concerns in it's mind, so K'org buried his axe deep into it's cranium. It spun, but did not fall, pulling the axe right out of K'org's hands as it went. Stumbling down the hallway on spaghetti legs, it slammed into one wall and then another, splattering blood and other nastiness all over as it did so. Neither of the two moved. They stood frozen, staring at the creature as it screeched and shambled down the hallway and into the next corner before it collapsed in a heap. They both looked to each other, but had nothing to say, like two children who had just broke something expensive. "Well. If they didn't want to kill us before..." Darvek mumbled. <Just...let's go.> K'org sighed wearily.

[Mara]

Somehow, Ina and her father had ended up in the corner of the room, arms wrapped around one another, cowering against the cold duracrete walls. Everything had happened so fast, almost simultaneously, as far as her memory allowed. After taking care of one of the two guards, the pale white-haired Jedi had come to her assistance, undoing her restraints while also reassuring her, explaining how she, the other Jedi, and Ofi had arrived, in sign language, no less--after Dr. Rand had gotten that detail across to the Jedi--which had come as a surprise to the senator.  And for the first time in many hours, she had felt the relief of rescue.

But then the nightmare continued, and the bright spot of hope she had just found disappeared. More of the foul beasts that had been lowly Offshoots in a former life had burst through the door, obviously a last-ditch effort by the Caamasi to retain his subjects and continue his work. Chaos erupted then, and the Jedi behooved the two former captives to seek safety before she rejoined the fray along with the other Jedi and the droid Ofi. She had been frozen to her seat, despite being freed, blue eyes watching the frantic action. It had taken her frail and elderly father's urging to get her to move, and they had helped each other away from the large metal chairs, putting as much distance as they could between themselves and the fighting going on.

And that was the last she had seen of everything. Ina had ducked her head against her father's shoulder and squeezed shut her eyes. Without the sense of hearing, she was blissfully unaware of what lengths her friend Ofi and the Jedi were going to to take down this swarming new threat. Dr. Rand held tightly to his daughter with is one good hand, needing the reassurance of her presence and trying to calm her trembling. He might be well advanced in years, she might be an adult and a senator to boot, but he was still her father and would do everything in his power to soften the blow for her. All the while keeping his gaze away from the other side of the room where the now-dead Caamasi lay.

Ofi's small blaster let off staccato bursts as she didn't let up on her suppressing fire. She had started out with focusing on kill shots, but the mass of experimented beings moved too fast, despite their modifications. They were a swirling cloud of death and destruction, mindless killing machines unaware of what they were doing. As well, since the Jedi had jumped right into the middle of things, she didn't want them to get caught in friendly fire. So the droid had been more discriminating with her shots, helping the Jedi where possible and taking down the enemy herself where possible.

Eventually though, her weapon had run out of power. And she hadn't any extra power packs with her; she could only recharge it through solar energy. Of which this dark and dim room had a distinct lack of. But Ofi wasn't without alternatives. Tucking away the now-useless blaster, she had spread out her wings, drew back the tips, and revealed the vibloblades hidden there. Clicking them on, she flew into the swarm, careful to avoid the Jedi. The droid was like a miniature little  buzz saw, a tornado of doom, dipping in and out and back again, slowly slicing apart the mangled Offshoots.

Soon, most of the reinforcements' bodies littered the floor, dead or dying. But they were not out of the woods yet. There was a reason why the ones that remained were still standing; they were the deadliest and the strongest. Probably some of the more recent experiments, the more successful of the mechanically enhanced projects of the Caamasi. More cyborg than organic, they were built for more than just guarding a doorway. They were bristling with weapons. And despite all that, the Echani Jedi had the breath to ask what the plan was; the Wroonian responded with a cutting remark. Ofi joined in with: "One thing at a time, Jedi Nero. Escape will be easy once we dispatch these foul beasts," before darting back in with her humming vibroblades and attacking.
 

[jedi334]

“LITTLE GIRL!?!?!” Chias exclaimed as she ducked a slashing attacker as she stood side by side with Ofi. Her senses could pick up the slightest hint of Dark Side energy emanating off Rekio as she fought.

That is what separated the two the young women as Jedi Knights. Chias saw fighting as a last option where Rekio reveled and excelled in it. While the Echani could have easily look down on her companion she would chastise herself for being foolish. The Order had many different aspects to it including Knights dedicated to the art of war. If Knights like Rekio were not allowed to fight….the Republic would have fallen many millennia ago.

She listened to Ofi of finding an opening as her blue eyes saw the throng of creatures standing n between them and entrance to the hallway. "Take care of your Master Ofi." she said her eyes locked on the door as she reignited her blade "It is time to go!"

She then closed her eyes her and began run into the mass of creatures. Blocking out all distraction asshe moved her small body with the grace only the Echani possessed as she dodged and blocked her attackers moving faster and faster utilizing her Master and father’s training in a hybrid of Soresu saber wielding and the defensive combat style of Clan Nero until she was nothing more than a blur of white and blue.

Sparks flew as her weapon crossed blades withy her opponents and the sound pure energy slicing through mutated flesh as the abominations fell….creating a wide path behind her as she moved, a large elite stood in the door and she twirled out into a run as she used her dexterity to flip back wards into the air letting the Force guide her as she threw her blade into the creature throat as I gave a startled gurgled as it fell down before her on it back.

She gave a weary sighas she walked forward and glanced own the hallway seeing no other attackers for the moment as she looked back Ofi. “It is clear, we need to move!” she said, her usually soft voice rising in volume “REKIO WE ARE LEAVING!”

[Juzt]

Reiko was angered by Chias's tone, however even she did not have the arrogance to believe she could hold of the abominations forever. She growled angrily and hopped over Chias in another athletic display into the corridor beyond her. Her yellow eyes burned into the Echani's for a moment, before she took off down the hallway.

She hoped the others were following as she ran down the hallway trying to remember the way to the elevator that they had arrived in. She felt shame in herself. Her anger, her emotion always bubbled so close to the surface. When people saw her they tended to see someone of indomitable will, but there was little truth in that. Her ego was bruised so easily and self doubts soon swirled inward to fill the void.

In truth she had never believed that she deserved to be a Knight. She had gotten there on the back of being forced to kill someone she had adored and she hated and despised herself for it. That hatred fed the inner darkness and deep in her heart she feared she would one day fall into the same darkness. Her feet skid across the floor as she saw the elevator and looked back over her shoulder to see where the others were.

[Agent of Greystone]

The two aliens finally felt allowed to catch their breath as they collapsed into the lift and it's heavy doors closed tight. No more Jedi and no more monsters to deal with, at least for the time being. Darvek wouldn't let his guard down though, not until he was breaking orbit in in his own ship with his creds. The faint sounds of violence that they could still hear dissipated below them as the lift steadily made it's way back up to the surface of the planet. Darvek was the first to pull himself to his feet. Both their sides hurt from sprinting down corridors, but otherwise they hadn't encountered anything difficult during their hurried escape. <H-hey> K'org grunted from the floor. <Let me borrow knife, my belt is stuck.>

Darvek reaching into his coat and pulled out one of his vibro blades, tossing it back to him without a second thought. Now that he had some time to kill before the extremely slow lift made it up all of the way, he began to dissemble his rifle. He was clipping the case shut as K'org finally pulled himself to his feet. It was then that Darvek realized his mistake, just in the nick of time as well. The two inches that he managed to move undoubtedly saved him from the blade that had attempted to pierce his heart. Instead, K'org pushed the blade through the back of Darvek's left shoulder, who let out a growl of pain and anger. He fell forward just as the lift doors opened to the surface, but the pain caused his legs to give out, so he instead rolled away, trying to make some distance between him and the pig. He had just enough time to pull the blade from his back before K'org was on him again. Frantically he tore his ragged cloak off and wrapped it around K'org's face, similar to what he had done to the droid earlier.

Alas, pugilism had never been Darvek's strong suit, and he was fighting with only one good arm now, so he soon found himself on his back, toppled over by the Gamorrean who now planted his near 400 pound frame on Darvek's chest. One of his thick, meaty hands wrapped around Darvek's throat, while the other balled up into a club and began raining down on the Weequay's leathery face over and over and over again. <Call me "pig" again!> He squealed in anger. <Call me names! Fat! Stoopid! Call me again!> He was furious, Darvek realized he must have been holding his emotions in check throughout this whole ordeal, waiting for the best opportunity to take him out. <Thought this was big game did you?!> He squealed, <Thought this was funny! Well now I get to kill you and I get your money too! Who laughs now> Greystone? <Who laughs?!>

At this point Darvek was almost too concussed to make out what K'org was ranting. His face was split open in many places and was covered in blood, and he was about to asphyxiate from lack of oxygen. His eyes felt like they were going to burst from his skull. His good arm was stuck under one of K'org's feet, and wouldn't budge, and his left was still in horrible pain, but that wouldn't matter in a moment if he didn't use it. With a rush of adrenaline he lifted his left arm and punched at the air, the pain of which almost sent him into shock. The spring holster sent his holdout pistol right into his hand. He pressed it right up against K'org's ribs and jammed the trigger. K'org leapt to his feet and back-peddled, a large black hole now smoking in his side. The holdout pistol clattered from Darvek's now limp left hand, but he had already snatched his heavy pistol from his back holster and was already aiming right at the traitorous pig. "Ha-Ha." He growled. A hail of bright red plasma sent the Gamorrean hurdling backwards into the turbo lift as Darvek frantically emptied the entire energy cell into his former colleague. "HA HA! HA HA HA YOU RAT BASTARD!" Darvek shouted deliriously. He never missed a shot, and as his gun clicked empty the doors of the turbo lift closed on K'org's corpse, eyeless, jawless, and covered in fizzling black holes.

Darvek didn't risk lying back down, he knew this was his one chance to get away before the Jedi returned. Painfully he pulled himself up and collected his scattered possessions. He then climbed back up the ramp to K'org's ship one last time to collect his share of the money. He would've taken the other share as well but his left arm was too messed up and he didn't have much time. Once out and at a safe enough distance, Darvek pulled out the detonator, the trap they had initially tried to set for the Jedi, and left the freighter nothing more then a burning wreck. He could finally begin his long trek back to his own ship. He wanted off this dead world, and he never wanted to come back.

[Mara]

With the two Jedi by her side, the rest of the enemy-created soldiers were soon dispatched. Whirling lightsabers and vibroblades making quick work of them, despite any training they had, as well as more dangerous weapons. Ofi was a small and nimble droid and could evade attack just as deftly, if not more so, than Chias and Reiko. The metal bird was feeling strangely satisfied with the whole endeavor; it had been too too long since she had last tasted battle. An odd sentiment for a droid, but it was there.

Jedi Nero wasted no time after the last cyborg Offshoot had fallen. She immediately called for escape, retreat into the hall and back outside to their ship. Jedi Shae seemingly took this to heart, bounding through the doorway and leaving the rest of them behind. Ofi paid her no mind; she had accomplished her task now. All that was left was to get Ina and her father back to Coruscant. And that could be done with or without the help of her Jedi friends. So the droid echoed the Echani's words, calling to Dr. Rand that it was time to leave.

The elderly Arkanian, who had been watching the action through eyes that had been mostly squeezed shut as he held his daughter, slowly relaxed. He had to blink a few times for the reality of it all to set it. That he wasn't just experiencing a hallucinogenic dream brought on by the Caamami. But no, the foul being was dead on the duracrete floor, along with over a dozen of his experiments. It was all over, and he took in a deep breath before gently rubbing Ina's shoulder. Reassuring her that it was okay now.

When Ina finally stirred and let go of her father, he quickly signed to her as best he could with his one good hand. Gestured towards the doorway where Ofi and Jedi Nero were waiting. A wash of relief came over her. As if she had been holding her breath for the past hour or more and she could finally let it out. Or like a huge weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders. She turned to her father and nodded, and together, they hurried towards the doorway, supporting each other.

Ofi waited for Ina and Dr. Rand to depart, as well as Jedi Nero, before she took up the rear. All was quiet, but she wouldn't feel completely secure until they had come out into the sunshine and fresh air and were on their way off this rock. Yes, she felt the worst was behind them, but she was also a droid and could calculate the odds that they could still be pursued or attacked. Different scenarios running through her computer brain.

But soon enough they had traversed the maze-like corridors and arrived at the 'lift that led up to the surface. The Wroonian Jedi Shae was still there, waiting for them. A bonus: Ofi would prefer an organic pilot over having to use the autopilot. She was well of its shortcomings, despite her belief in any other situation that droids were always better. The ragtag group crowded inside, Ofi remaining in the air as Ina and her father held each other lightly, the Jedi standing alert nearby.

A steady thump and the turbolift came to a stop, many levels up. The door slid open. Again, Ofi waited for the others to debark first, ever the vigilant bodyguard. Dr. Rand and Ina stepped into the dim sunlight, blinking. She raised her head and closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh air, air she wasn't sure she would ever touch again. The older Arkanian grimaced, all his adrenaline wearing off, as well as any pain medication the Caamasi had shot into his arm, suddenly feeling the loss of his hand again. But then the Jedi were hustling them towards their ship, and the former hostages had to turn their attention to their rescuers one last time.