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† Lux Teper †
Pertinacious Genius is often mistaken for Madness
247 posts
0 likes
En?tro?py (n.) - The inevitable tendency of all things to fall into a state of Chaos
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last online Nov 12, 2010 20:14:40 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 1:05:45 GMT -5
Post by † Lux Teper † on Dec 23, 2009 1:05:45 GMT -5
A fluorescent light flickered like lightning above the white-haired scalp of the man poring over the dozens of papers sprawled across his expansive desk. His brow was furrowed between two fingers and a labcoat lay splayed open across the back of his chair, the seat of which only a fraction was being used. His blank, white eyes reflected in them hundreds of sketches, ideas, concepts. Most of them were scratched of crossed out while others partially erased or crumpled.
A warm sigh fluttered over his tongue and pushed some papers away as if urging its progenitor to rest. The light above him flickered again though the light that shined beneath the door behind him shone brightly. He'd made sure to guard the power generator to that room from any inclement weather, the same kind of debilitating weather that was raging on outside the walls of the warehouse he'd made his lab and the same kind of weather that was currently sending pulses of darkness though his drafting room.
Though normally focused, he was distracted tonight. His mind raced through the happenings of the past few days: The Quertios, Visari, The Sith, that strange man's "Dominion." The last interested him the most. These were his benefactors and clients, the underworld of the Galaxy. They were no Republic, nor did they harbor the warmth of the Mandalorians, but they wouldn't question him. He was free to do as he pleased so long as they prospered. This was what he'd wanted; Freedom.
But the freedom came with a consequence, he had to maintain his own freedom. So long as he was useful, he'd be free to work as he pleased. And was was useful at the moment were weapons. Without weapons, he would not, could not work as he pleased.
For once, he could not focus...
... he needed something...
...so - several hours prior- he'd sent for it.
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Karl the Unfettered
Magnificent Bastard
1,010 posts
57 likes
(a+ bn)/n = x, therefore God exists
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last online Feb 26, 2022 22:36:25 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 23, 2009 20:16:31 GMT -5
Post by Karl the Unfettered on Dec 23, 2009 20:16:31 GMT -5
Excon had no idea why he was on Arkania; Arkanians were weird, and every time he saw one he felt an urge to smash something. And since he never had any particular reason not to smash things, he found himself smashing quite a lot of things in the short time he'd been on planet. Consequently he was having a high old time, smashing people and destroying property left and right.
Then he was yelled at, and he realized a Captain Lux Teper wanted him. It took a few seconds, but he remembered Lux as one of the fellows whom he had met during his brief stint with the Guild of Ataxia. Well, why not? So, off he went again, plowing through whatever and whoever was in his path, consequently he was quite bloody by the time he reached Lux's warehouse.
"Musing: Captain Teper could have left the door open," the beheamoth said to himself, regarding the impassive front of the building. Then he shrugged his massive shoulders, making a monstrous racket as he did so. "Oh well, I'll just make my own door!"
The first warning Lux would have of Excon's arrival was a resounding crash and a rending of metal, as one of the walls caved in. A second crash, and the whole facade simply fell down, allowing Excon to stomp it flat as he waltzed in like he owned the place.
"Derogatory Statement: This place is a dump, Captain Teper," he stated loudly, striding toward the Arkanian scientist with nary a care for what was in his path. "Didn't the Guild pay you to move out, or what?"
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† Lux Teper †
Pertinacious Genius is often mistaken for Madness
247 posts
0 likes
En?tro?py (n.) - The inevitable tendency of all things to fall into a state of Chaos
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last online Nov 12, 2010 20:14:40 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 23, 2009 21:02:48 GMT -5
Post by † Lux Teper † on Dec 23, 2009 21:02:48 GMT -5
Lux sighed as he heard the tearing of metal disrupt the work of the scientists in the lab behind him. He rose and walked out the door to find the warehouse wall replaced with a gaping holed cluttered by debris. Calmly, he regarded the hulking metal behemoth, taking note of the copious levels of gore dripping from it's chassis, the severely cold wind that howled through the gaping hole and froze the blood to it's back, and the squirming, half crushed scientist that lay whimpering beneath one of it's feet.
"The Laboratory is a 'dump', as you put it, because you decided to litter the ground with wall and scientist. And might I add, Excon, that walls are meant to stand upright as are most sentient organics. That being said..." The Captain pulled a heavy blaster pistol from a holster at his side, aimed it at the half-living scientist's head, and silenced the cries of agony. "I would appreciate if you took more care in avoiding the creation of such messes, they are quite difficult to clean you know. And the guild does not pay me to clean up rubble." He sighed again as he waved the survivors back to work and ordered some unlucky grunts to clean up the gore and wall Excon had left all over the floor. He turned and walked back into the drafting room, thanking whatever providence may exist that the door was big enough for Excon to fit through. "Now if you would please follow me?"
Once inside, Lux turned back around to address teh metal behemoth.
"Now then, subsequent to forming Ataxia Research and Development, I came into contact with a peculiar group of individuals of similar ends to our own guild. These people have become my most valuable clients. Unfortunately, I am to provide designs for weapons and other tools of war for this faction, not unlike yourself, or their patronage may end." He failed to mention that his life may end with their patronage as well... "It is for that reason that i requested you come here. Being a construct of significant skill in the arts of homicide, I seek your council for suggestions and ideas of a carnal nature."
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Karl the Unfettered
Magnificent Bastard
1,010 posts
57 likes
(a+ bn)/n = x, therefore God exists
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last online Feb 26, 2022 22:36:25 GMT -5
Master
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Dec 23, 2009 23:30:26 GMT -5
Post by Karl the Unfettered on Dec 23, 2009 23:30:26 GMT -5
"Statement: You worry too much, Captain," Excon said dismissively. Nevertheless he did take more care with his steps as he crossed the room, stepping through the luckily wide doorway and into Lux's drafting room. "Observation: You'll have plenty of draft now for your drafting room," the droid remarked, relishing the chance to exercise his humor programming. Where he had acquired a sense of humor, who could say?
He listened as Lux described his predicament, in all its complexity. "Musing: These clients of yours, perhaps I could threaten them for you," he said. "From the sound of it, if you don't deliver they could take your life, and that would not be pleasant; you have yet to upgrade my systems and capabilities, as you once offered, and I would be remiss if I did not say I relish every chance of an upgrade."
He thought for another second, then his photoreceptors brightened. "Declaration: I shall be your bodyguard, Captain Teper! With me at your back, none would dare harass you!" That taken care of, he went on to the rest of Lux's concerns. "Statement: Murder, for me, is a matter of raw power, and intimidation. I make use of my superior size and might to compensate for my inferior speed, though it must be said that many are surprised at how quickly my arms can move.
"You see, very few people can stand fast when one such as myself is advancing upon them," the machine went on. "Everything about me inspires some level of fear, revulsion, distaste, or some other negative emotion; my voice, the weapons on my arms, even the blood and gore spattered across my extremities." An unmistakable tone of pleasure could be heard as he mentioned blood and gore.
"Speculation: I suspect you seek something rather more mobile, however. In which case I should recommend you consider some of the predecessors in my line, the Extreme Conditions Aratech Construction Droids. They are noticably smaller and more agile, though not without their design flaws or inherent programming quirks; I am of the fourth generation, and we are perfect." Now there was pride in his tone, swelling and ebulient.
"Failing that, I suppose I could allow you to examine my own construction and programming, obtain inspiration from it, and create a new line of droids altogether; as much as it pains me to admit it, I am yet hindered by the fact that I was originally designed for peaceful construction purposes, whereas your requirements demand a purpose-built machine of war." Here he paused, and when he went on, his voice was lower and more threatening. "Warning: If you choose the second option, I will require adequate compensation. Failure to provide such will result in a breach of contract, and that would not benefit anyone."
He left it at that, thought one could easily imagine an ending clause: Least of all you, Captain Teper. However, he did not say it out loud, so whatever one imagined was entirely one's own fault.
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† Lux Teper †
Pertinacious Genius is often mistaken for Madness
247 posts
0 likes
En?tro?py (n.) - The inevitable tendency of all things to fall into a state of Chaos
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last online Nov 12, 2010 20:14:40 GMT -5
Padawan
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Dec 24, 2009 14:11:30 GMT -5
Post by † Lux Teper † on Dec 24, 2009 14:11:30 GMT -5
Lux sat quietly in his chair facing the droid and listening intently. It wasn't until it had finished that a grin slid across his face and a familiar, dark look lit his eyes... "Your acquisition of a personality never ceases to amaze me Excon... Never the less I believe I have an idea. Since a droid such as yourself is more than capable of simply taking anything he wants, credits would be little more than an unnecessary formality no? As compensation, I'll provide those Upgrades you desire and in return you'll grant me adequate access to your design to allow me to develop a new model of a more combat oriented nature." He smiled as he contemplated the droid's subtle threats, relishing the chance to deal with such a scientific anomaly. " Of course it goes without saying that anything I provide you will likely contribute to making you a more battle suited construct. And if you're quite willing to follow up that suggestion of being my bodyguard, I think I'd enjoy a chance to have you in close proximity so that I may better observe the fruits of my labor."
The captain stood back up, being careful to avoid contact between his pristine lab coat and Excon's gore... "I believe, if you're quite satisfied with these condition's we may have ourselves a deal."
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last online Jul 20, 2010 15:39:05 GMT -5
Force Sensitive
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Jan 10, 2010 0:21:08 GMT -5
Post by dorrin on Jan 10, 2010 0:21:08 GMT -5
Dorrin was not entirely sure why he came to Arkania. Strictly speaking, it was generally a bad idea for a fallen Jedi who had just joined the Sith to be on a planet in control of the Galactic republic, if for no other reason than he might run into a Jedi that would recognize him. If asked he could make up a reason, perhaps he was scouting out the plane to see the level of control the Galactic Republic had over it or something silly like that, but that wasn’t the truth.
Dorrin was tempted to say that the force had led him to the planet, either that or his mind had just randomly decided to come. Either way, he was here and in the process of investigating a carnage the likes of which he had rarely seen. There was an actual trail of blood, guts and debris, and Dorrin elected to follow it, eager to see what could cause such destruction.
He followed it to a building which had a rather sizable hole in it. Dorrin briefly asked himself if it was wise to go into closed quarters with someone who could cause such destruction, but curiosity got the better of him. With a mental shrug he walked in, wondering what he would find inside.
As he expected there was even more carnage, and along with it a massive droid and a scientist that were engaged in some sort of conversation. “My apologies for the intrusion,” Dorrin said politely, “but I saw a rather impressive trail of carnage, and I thought I would investigate it. I am Dorrin of the Sith if that means anything to you.” Considering the Carnage Dorrin did not think he had to worry about them being with the Republic or the Jedi.
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Karl the Unfettered
Magnificent Bastard
1,010 posts
57 likes
(a+ bn)/n = x, therefore God exists
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last online Feb 26, 2022 22:36:25 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 10, 2010 1:23:24 GMT -5
Post by Karl the Unfettered on Jan 10, 2010 1:23:24 GMT -5
"Cheerful Correction: We have an accord," Excon stated. "Deals are for businessmen. I shall guard you against your clients and let you pick through my programming, and in turn you will supply upgrades, maintenance, and fine-tuning as I require." His photoreceptors flickered, and he made a chuckling noise. "Declaration: "A finer accord has never been struck! That I am aware of, anyway."
Again he spared a second for thought, then went on. "Musing: My shielding units would be a priority, without a doubt. They are still construction-grade units, even considering they are heavy-duty and rechargable. Then I likely need a good cleaning, and an oiling, and my software could use a defragmentation as well." A pause for effect, then, Exclamation: No end of things that need done with me! No doubt due to my immense size!"
Then Dorrin showed up, and Excon turned to see. "Statement: We have a visitor," the massive machine muttered, stepping back toward the main room. "Perhaps I was followed... I did leave quite a trail, after all." He ambled out in time to hear Dorrin blabber about why he was there, facts which Excon couldn't care less about. "Query: You followed me, little gizka?" he asked of the visitor, blithely striding right up into the Sith's face.
Not that the man's face came up any farther than, say, Excon's torso. Where his solar plexus would be, if the droid was organic. Which he wasn't.
"Addendum: Not that following me is very hard, after all," he added thoughtfully. "Dismissal: That is of no consequence, however. Introduction: Dorrin of the Sith, I am Excon Ackdem," and he bowed, leaning forward from his hips, looming even farther over Dorrin, "and I am a droid. Hopefully you already noticed that." There was an unmistakable note of humor in the last bit: was he making fun of the new arrival?
Certainly not; why would he do that? Then again... why not? Maybe he was exercising his humor circuits, or something.
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† Lux Teper †
Pertinacious Genius is often mistaken for Madness
247 posts
0 likes
En?tro?py (n.) - The inevitable tendency of all things to fall into a state of Chaos
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last online Nov 12, 2010 20:14:40 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 10, 2010 1:57:17 GMT -5
Post by † Lux Teper † on Jan 10, 2010 1:57:17 GMT -5
Luxfollowed Excon out the door already going over what maintenance the hulking droid would need. Then he looked at their visitor and disdain became visible as it erupted from his gaze for but a moment... He sighed and addessed the droid beside him cooly. "Hm. Unfortunately, your disregard for occupied space has left a rather noticeable mark of my presence here. I'll have to relocate my lab when we're done here... I can't have any more investigators breathing down my neck as it would be counterproductive." His emphasis on the word "more" had been accompanied by an incredulous glance, almost blowing off the man who'd just introduced himself.
Then he finally adressed their "guest", though he spared al pleasantries he could without being bluntly rude. "I commend your powers of observation Mr. Dorrin, though I have no busness with you lest you be of particular Allegiance." He afforded the man a slight bow. " You may call me Captain Teper. I am director of the facility you have just entered and Head of Ataxia Research and Development. Now if you please, I obviously have no business with you or I would have heard a far less haphazard explanation upon your entry. So if you dont mind..." As politely as possible, a thin, Akanian arm rose and gently gestured towards the gaping hole in the wall as if it were an acual door.
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last online Jul 20, 2010 15:39:05 GMT -5
Force Sensitive
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Jan 11, 2010 20:21:50 GMT -5
Post by dorrin on Jan 11, 2010 20:21:50 GMT -5
“I did in fact notice that, “ Dorrin answered politely, “and I must say that in terms of the pure destruction that you can unleash I am quite impressed.” Dorrin was not scared of the droid, if necessary he was sure that his speed, agility, and use of the force could compensate for the droid’s immense size and strength. Still, Dorrin saw no reason not to try and become allies with the machine rather than enemies, especially if the only cost was a little flattery and courtesy.
Dorrin was about to agree to the request of Teper when something the Akanian stood out to him. Dorrin had already told them that he was a member of the Sith organization, yet the Akanian stressed that he would have nothing to do with Dorrin, unless he was of a particular allegiance. It was possible that Dorrin was reading too much into the statement, but he had to attempt to explore the possibility before he left.
“Captain Teper, you of course have every right to ask that I leave and I will if you insist. However, before I do so I would like to once again use, as you called it, my powers of observation. I already told you that I was a Sith, yet you stressed that you had no business with me unless I was of a particular allegiance. That indicates to me that you are aware of a particular faction within the Sith itself, I’ve heard rumors to this effect but nothing concrete. May I ask what information you have on them, I shall of course compensate you as best I may.”
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Karl the Unfettered
Magnificent Bastard
1,010 posts
57 likes
(a+ bn)/n = x, therefore God exists
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last online Feb 26, 2022 22:36:25 GMT -5
Master
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Jan 19, 2010 22:33:29 GMT -5
Post by Karl the Unfettered on Jan 19, 2010 22:33:29 GMT -5
"Intercession: Do not be so quick to dismiss the fellow, Captain," Excon began. "After all, he is of the Sith, he might be of use in dealing with your other patrons." Obviously the big droid didn't know a thing about Shard, Visari and the rest, but that was alright. No one expected him to, and if all went well he wouldn't.
Dorrin's compliment was a good move on his part, and Excon was about to reply when the man continued speaking, asking Lux to clarify a point he had made. "Statement: Dorrin of the Sith has a good point, Captain Teper," the droid said. "Does this, perhaps, have to do with those sponsors of yours whom you need protection from?"
So much for subtlety and discretion, then.
((Sorry it's so short, but I felt I had to get something out.))
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† Lux Teper †
Pertinacious Genius is often mistaken for Madness
247 posts
0 likes
En?tro?py (n.) - The inevitable tendency of all things to fall into a state of Chaos
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last online Nov 12, 2010 20:14:40 GMT -5
Padawan
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Jan 25, 2010 0:39:51 GMT -5
Post by † Lux Teper † on Jan 25, 2010 0:39:51 GMT -5
I took a great deal of self control to restrain Lux's hand from slamming itself against his own forehead in exasperation. "Excon, among the various upgrades you'll be receiving, I will try my best to program a subtlety program into your database. And yes, this specific facton happens to be the client i mentioned earlier."
He turned to Dorrin and regarded him with his cold, whte scrutiny before speaking. "The faction I speak of refers to itself as the Dominion. For further inquiry I suggest you seek out Initiate Charlil Sylvorr of the Sith. He's known by most simply as 'Shard' and I expect he'll be easy to find, at least if you know the right people. Though I suggest you be wary. Inquire with this man only if you plan to bolster the ranks of The Dominion lest you gamble with your life." Lux'stone carried with it an icy agitation that lingered in one's ears. The dark ominous warning he'd given was more out of annoyanceand protocol than enthusiasm for recruitment. In all reality, the last thing he wanted was to give that man, "Shard", more power. At least so long as Lux held little bearing in the so called "Faction." It went without question that the man before Dorrin held a great self-interest and looked down on the man before him as an encroacher through eye's as white and frozen as the eternal blizzard that seemed to rage endlessly outside.
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