(IC) New Plans & Unlikely Allies

Shensenn · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:28 pm Post subject: (IC) New Plans & Unlikely Allies

Shensen disliked Mos Eisley. Even when he was still consumed by the darkside he disliked it a lot. Eisley was just too noisy. As Shensen strolled through the streets leading to the Lucky Despot he noticed three familiar figures running through the city followed distantly by a fourth. Shensen pulled him comm out and switched it on.

“Where are Hashum and company heading to in such a hurry?” He asked.

“I don’t know but I’m following them. Care to join me?” Serek replied.

“I’ll catch up, keep me posted.”

“You got it.”

A short time later Shensen had concluded his business and headed to the starport. A check-in with Serek revealed it looked like they were headed to Endor.

“Endor?” Shensen thought. “Why Endor? There’s nothing even remotely interesting on Endor.”

Shensen stepped out of the Molten Scale at Endor’s main landing pad and headed down to ground level.

“They’re only about a hundred meters out.” Serek reported on his comm.

Sensing Serek’s position, Shensen headed out that way and caught up shortly. Serek went ahead while Shensen went prone and started climbing the hill. The people they followed would be on the other side.

“You seeing this?” Serek asked.

“Yes.” Shensen replied noting Hashum’s corpse. Also of note were that Jabe and Safia didn’t seem the least bit alarmed by it. “Ask them where he is.”

As the question left his lips, Hashum came back to rejoin the group – presumably from the cloner. The next oddity was they all pretended nothing unusual had just happened and claimed to be doing some sort of land surveying or some nonsense. Clearly making alibi's wasn't a replicant's strong suit.

“They’ve all been compromised.” Serek said. “We do this the old-fashioned way Shen?”

“We cannot take all three – not at once. We must go.”

Serek exchanged some more small talk with them before making his leave as unremarkably as possible. He and Shensen regrouped at the local starport.

“I’ll meet you in Nocturnus…Club Midnight.” Shensen said heading to his ship.

“Alright see you there.”
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Shensenn · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

Serek arrived a short while later and met Shensen on the rooftop of the club.

“The cloner is clean. I just double and triple checked it.”

“So as far as we know, killing a replicant brings back the real person…as long as the cloner is not contaminated?”

“Right.” Serek said.

“Let the cleansing begin then.” Shensen said.

“I’ve already contacted Safia, but it looks like she is indisposed at the moment.”

“Try Jabe then.”

Shensen stood silently hoping they had truly come up with a simple means of truly cleansing some of the more important key players….members of the Council definitely being a priority. They could not remain controlled by the replicants.

Shensen was glad Safia was not available. He felt better about testing their theory on Jabe. Given the weird events of the schola night, followed by the expedition to Endor, Shensen was positive Jabe was infected and was a good place to start. He may also be able to remember who infected him and who he may have infected in time.

They decided given Shensen’s tarnished reputation from his past, it might be better if it wasn’t him just hacking someone down seemingly at random. Shensen remained in another room while Serek met with Jabe. Shensen couldn’t hear the conversation from the room he was in, but conversation wasn’t really in order this time. The hum and strikes of lightsabers could be heard for a few minutes.

“It is done.” Serek said. “Let’s get to the cloner.”

The two ran to the cloner and met Jabe. He was disoriented as may be expected, but otherwise he seemed more himself. They didn’t want to press too hard on questions just yet, but Serek did ask what he last remembered. Shensen silently held his breath almost expecting “You attacking me!”, but Jabe finally said he remembered working on Nym’s bacta tanks when he was attacked. He didn’t remember much of anything else, but with time and rest perhaps he would remember more. Shensen welcomed him back and Jabe thanked the two of them before they all parted ways.

Before leaving, the two of them stood together for a short time.

"Well it worked."

"Yes, we have to keep doing it here. We have to re-check the cloner daily as well. I'd hate to be killing replicants only to have them come back as replicants that we think aren't." Shensen grinned at the confusing sentence.

Serek had other things to accomplish and Shensen’s first thought was to locate the Kiva….
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Hashum · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject:

I spent most of the evening in the back room at the Lucky Despot, I had been hoping to run into a few contacts I hadn’t seen for some time but unfortunately it was rather dead. However it did give me time to think. I had a lot on my mind of late, and it seemed not a day went by without something else being added to the list.

Lost in thought for I don’t know how long I heard the voice of Mr. Vandal which promptly brought me back to reality. I offered him a seat and we had a short talk, straightening out a few minor misunderstandings from several weeks ago. I tried to be as polite as possible but the nagging issues kept gnawing away at my mind. And after a very brief stay he excused himself.

It was then I remembered the young lady that had joined us part of the way through my conversation with Serek. She had long blonde hair and was of average height but I didn’t remember catching her name. I was about to apologize for being so distracted when Lady Mott popped in.

I had to admit I was rather relieved to see her, one of the issues on my plate had been a recent transmission Batak had sent about the Inquisitor causing problems for the two of them. The message had been urgent and I was worried for both of their safety. Seeing her helped but that concern to rest, at least for the time being. She started speaking cryptically and I soon caught on and played along. She slid a disk of “resource survey’s” I had requested of Nocturnus to me and I quickly accepted and slid the disk into a pocket of my robes hoping no one noticed. She excused herself after that and the other woman I believe I heard her call Whitney also headed back up front.

I was tempted to read the disk here but thought better of it, even though I was alone in the back room, I knew you were never really alone in a place like this. I was about to leave when Safia popped around the corner. We spoke for a few minutes and she mentioned that she had just spoken to Jabe and that he hadn’t been feeling himself lately. I hadn’t seen him for quite some time so we went up front to find him.

He wasn’t hard to find dancing and trying to draw the attention of the women in the bank. When he saw the two of us though he composed himself and joined us. He seemed to be feeling fine and really assured me that he was fine. I figured he was just being polite and didn’t want to discuss what was bother him, but then asked if the three of us could go somewhere a bit quieter to discuss some of the recent events. We both agreed and followed him to his ship.

We boarded his yacht and he set the course for Endor. On the way he explained that NocSec had managed to capture one of the Replicant’s, this confirmed the information Batak had passed along to me, and reminded me I needed to arrange a meeting with Cymrych as he had requested.

Jabe continued on that the Replicant had given up a great deal of information. Apparently there were over 40,000 Replicants in the outer rim already. This was the reason for the trip to Endor, with Tattooine and Lok already compromised apparently we needed to find a secure location where we could work unnoticed. And given Endor’s isolated location and limited access to the galaxy the Replicant’s probably had no interest in the planet.

When the conversation lapsed and we had some time before our arrival I reviewed the disk Isleh had given me. It just confirmed what Batak had already passed along. The Inquisitor had learned of Isleh’s support of the Academy and already had some knowledge, although he didn’t know how many of us there were, or where exactly we were he knew we existed. Luckily he had no names at this point and was only pressing Isleh for the exact location. I sent her a secure encrypted transmission with the coordinates to an abandoned Rebel Base, hopefully that would satisfy him enough for now and buy us a little more time.

When we finally arrived we stepped off at the Smuggler’s Outpost. It was as we suspected and quite empty, it was perfect. Unfortunately not long after arriving we were interrupted by a bounty hunter, he seemed only interested in me and the battle took us several hundred meters across the planet. I was unaware of any new bounties being placed on my head, but I had been rather distracted the last few days with everything going on.

The battle seemed to drag on for some time with neither of us able to gain an advantage. The hunter had defiantly been prepared and was well trained, only being one I may have underestimated him, I was used to being out numbered two or three to one, and cursed myself for being too overconfident…

Shensenn · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

After a brief check-in with the Kiva, he learned she was meeting with this other Inquisitor that had been poking around lately…Orlad was his name. Shensen’s heart skipped a beat and he grimaced as he set course back to Eisley. He wasn’t sure what to think of the fellow. When Shensen tried to probe him with the force it was strange… the reverberation from him was unlike anything he had felt before…and that made him nervous. Now he was even more nervous that she was alone with him somewhere. She could take care of herself, but there was no reason to take unnecessary risks like this. He would have to speak to her about that sooner or later.

He followed the signal to the poorer section of town where he found the two of them in conversation. He tried to get her out, but after a few moments it became clear this Inquisitor was after the same thing we were for the moment. It also came to light that through the force or some other means he could somehow hear the voices in someone else…perhaps that was wrong – he wasn’t sure exactly how he did it, but he had already identified Jabe.

Shensen filled them both in on what had happened on Endor and their cleansing of Jabe. Orlad informed them of his desire to test Hojo and Rinna so they all left for Nocturnus in hopes of catching up with the two there. When they arrived Hojo was speaking with Isleh. Orlad tested them both and pronounced them both clear. They left for the clinic, but Rinna and Nurian (who was there) both fled the scene. Initially Shensen took their flight as an admittance of guilt, but later found out they had been told to run by Isleh who didn’t understand what was going on or what had happened. Shensen could not fault her for trying to protect her friends – especially when she didn’t have all of the details. He asked the Kiva to fill her in and took his leave, heading back home.

He needed to reflect on the current events and try to discern their future implications….
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Shensenn · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:01 am Post subject:

Scratching his head in thought, he reread what little there was of the transmission. Everything he could make out indicated one major fact; Nocturnus was about to become a kicked anthill.

He sent a message to Serek before going to take a much needed nap.

Serek,

It looks like we must move up our time table. I would also advise not traveling alone...I'm sure the replicants know what we did based on the last...transmission if you will, from Jabe before he was freed. I can almost guarantee we will be on the top of someone's most wanted list...and that person is one we will need to cleanse first and foremost...this could be a big break...or our doom. I would also suggest we avoid the Kiva and the Temple if possible. No need to provide unnecessary targets....

Shensen
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Vandal · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:55 am Post subject:

Serek read the transmission of the Inquisitor after recieving Shensen' message. The part of him that used to be the Dark Lord Keres burned inside of him in anger. He pulled out his comm and sent a transmission back to Shensen...

"Shensen

I'll keep clear of the Kiva and the Temple until this new..."threat" has been delt with. The Inquisitor seems to be more foolhardy then I ever thought. He's made a serious mistake this time...

...I'm only good at one thing...and he's about to learn that first hand."

Shensenn · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject:

Shensen rubbed his chin in thought.

Serek,

If you see him before I do, see if you can get the Inquisitor Orlad to speak with the High Inquisitor and vouch for us. I would rather have him aid us than hinder us. His decision on this will be important regardless of what it is. I hope he decides to become a part of the solution and not a part of the problem....*sighs*...we will do what we must.
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Vandal · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject:

Serek sat in his house, his mind racing, and his rage building. He was now pubicly branded as a Replicant. The Empire was actively hunting him on the orders of the High Inquisitor. He tried to clear Shensen and himself through Inquisitor Orlad, who had tested and cleared them. However, the High Inquisitor informed him that Orlad was wanted for treason. Two things about this worried Serek. First, was that Serek had worked for the Inquisition as a pilot so he knew how they thought and how they worked. It was very out of character for a High Inquisitor to publicly declare one of their own a traitor. Usually matters such as that would be handled more discreetly to avoid tarnishing the Inquisition. Second, for all the other things Nyvveck was, he was a rational man. His response to Serek rang out with a blindness that was not characteristic of the High Inquisitor.

There was something even more disturbing. It seemed Bounties had been taken out on himself and Shensen. It was listed under a third party, but Serek knew it wasn't the Empire. Nyvveck had little need for Bounty Hunters, and even less need to conceal the origin of the Bounty. There was a new foulness about this. The fact that the bounties were placed only days after the events on Endor and the freeing of Jabe, led Serek to only one feasible answer. He believed the bounties were placed by someone inside the Order, most likely Safia or Hashum.

This proved to him that one or both of them were Replicants. He thought that the real Hashum and Safia would have enough of their famous Jedi widom to pick up a comm and ask him to speak to them, before placing bounties. No, these bounties were placed by replicants to either capture or silence him and Shensen. At least...thats what he kept telling himself. He didn't want to believe that the real Jedi would go to such drastic lengths. Mostly because it would mean that they were now his enemies.

He seemed to have few allies left. Shensen, Xyryn, and Sofia seemed to be the only people left that he could trust. How long would it be before he lost them too? Serek came to a decision, that the time for hiding was over. He had nothing left to lose really. He pulled out his comm and sent a transmission to Shensen and Xyryn

Hello again

I've decided I can no longer sit by and do nothing. We've tried discretion, we've tried reason, and it has gotten us nowhere. I'm going after the Inquisitor, the Jedi and anyone else I deem a threat. I'm not waiting for proof, or evidence. I'm just following my instincts to survive. If at anytime you believe I have been replicated, if I ever tell you "Everything's Fine", kill me and don't hesitate. I'd rather be dead then replicated. Stay safe.

Serek

Hashum · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject:

As the Bothan ended the transmission I was sure the information would be posted and acted on immediately. I couldn’t help but feel remorse having to go to such lengths now to ensure the safety of those entrusted to my care at the Academy. The Bothan had assured me that they would be very clear the targets were to be taken alive, and that was of some comfort.

I’d have sent some of the students to apprehend them if it were not so dangerous. Shensen and Serek had been traveling together quite frequently now and I knew Shensen alone would be tough to bring down for anyone in the Academy, including myself. No it was best this was left to professionals. After all it was for their own safety.

Once they were secured and out of the reach of the Empire it would put my mind at ease. Tsarg was already looking for a new location but we would still need more time, I can’t let the Empire get either Shensen, Serek until all the arrangements had been made. It was going to be hard enough keeping them away with what they had already learned and I wasn’t sure how much longer Isleh could throw them off.

Safia and I had stopped on Naboo to make the arrangements and we were now just preparing to return to Tattooine where Tsarg would inform us of his scouting reports. After that I still had a meeting scheduled with Cymrych, which reminded me I hadn’t provided him with the location of the meeting yet. I quickly pulled up my datapad and sent an encrypted transmission with a secure location I knew of just outside of Mos Eisley…