Episode III: Rising Darkness

Shensenn · Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:44 am Post subject: Episode III: Rising Darkness

“Is everything in order Lord Venom?”

“Yes Master, we are in place as you requested.”

“Good. Wait for my signal.”

“As you wish.”

Shensen arrived at the Academy fifteen minutes later and walked into the main room only to find it empty. He sensed Hashum and some others downstairs. The elevator doors slid open with a whisper and there he found Master Hashum along with some Padawans and a couple of Knights.

“Greetings gentlemen, are we not meeting this evening?”

“We decided to hold the meeting down here tonight.” Hashum responded. “Glad you could join us finally. What has kept you so long?”

“I had some matters to attend to on Coruscant and then later on Talus.”

“Unfortunately I was afraid that was the case.” Hashum responded with a frown. “So when did you find enough time to place all the bounties?”

“I’m a resourceful being as I’m sure you now know.” Shensen responded. He dropped the shield he had been using to hide his connection with the darkside.

One of the Padawan’s hands went to his lightsaber immediately. Shensen glanced at him disdainfully. “I don’t think you’re up to the task yet young one.” He grinned as the Padawan shakily backed up behind Master Hashum.

“I figured you would be the one to work most of this out.” Shensen said to Hashum.

“Master Duox, show Shensen out, he is no longer welcome here.” Hashum said, not taking his eyes off of Shensen.

Shensen grinned and went back to the main floor. During the short ride up, he pressed the button on his comlink that would signal the others. When the elevator reached the main floor, he stepped out and then jumped over the meeting table landing to face the elevator and the main entrance.

“What are you doing? It’s time to go bub.” Duox said pointing over his shoulder towards the door.

The other Jedi from downstairs came up and entered the room just as Shensen’s men came through the front door cutting off any thoughts of an easy escape. The meeting attendees had been light and the Jedi were outnumbered 7-3 not counting Padawans.

Hashum was about to say something when he gazed into the hood of Sofia and froze.

“That is not your wife Master Hashum. Had you not been blinded by your hate, you would have sensed that during your first encounter. The Jedi of old used to warn against trusting your eyes because they can deceive you, but I like to think you deceived yourself.”

He watched the emotions flash across Hashum’s face.

“Your encounter with her was not your first taste of the darkside. You felt fear and anger before then…or have you forgotten the poor fellow you interrogated outside the bar back on Coruscant?”

This was wonderful.

“Make no mistake, you have turned your wife to the darkside…with your hateful eyes. She will be mine now too and she will be reunited with her sister…whom you didn’t know about. What else hasn’t she told you I wonder?” He chuckled mirthlessly. “You failure is now complete.”

“Shut your mouth.” Hashum said seething.

Shensen chuckled. “Keep the others suitably occupied, Hashum is mine.”

“Run young ones!” Duox said. The Padawans scrambled around the Knights and ran out the front door. Lord Venom nodded to the others and a couple of them left after the Padawans.

Sabers flared and blasters echoed off the vaulted ceilings of the Hall. Hashum’s pent energy sprung to life and he quickly mauled over one of the Dark Lords and then took out a trooper. The other Knights fought valiantly, but were being beaten back. Hashum looked over the fallen form of a trooper and when his eyes came to rest on Shensen, they were full of anger.

Shensen grinned and sped up the stairs to the rooftop. Hashum followed shortly and the two stood a few feet apart.

“I feel your anger again Master Hashum. Your emotions betray you. Join us and realize your full potential. Throw down the bonds of the Jedi. How can you expect to ever train a Padawan in the ways of the Jedi while knowing what lurks just below the surface of your own mind?”

“Never!”

“You will join us Master Hashum…or you will die.” His men had gathered on the rooftop silently lining the walls observing. “Now you will feel the true power of the darkside.”

Their sabers sprung to life and collided in a shower of sparks. Thrusts and swipes were exchanged and parried until they stood a moment with sabers locked, the light illuminated their faces; Hashum’s with a look of determination and anger, Shensen’s with a toothy grin. Shensen pushed Hashum back a step and swung an overhead strike which was deftly blocked followed by a force push that sent Shensen sliding backwards on his rear. He quickly back sprung to his feet in time to block Hashum’s overhead strike to the side followed by a spin kick to his face leaving gashes from the claws on his feet.

They met again with swipes and parries and feints that seemed faster than the untrained eye could see until a quick dodge left Hashum overextended and an upward swipe of Shensen’s blade severed his arm between wrist and elbow. Hashum screamed as his saber clattered to the ground and a kick sent him sprawling.

Shensen’s saber turned off with a hiss and he stood and watched a moment as the others approached and started kicking the fallen Master. Shensen approached and raised his hand and the others backed off.

“You see Master Hashum, you cannot hope to defeat us. You only limit yourself by trying, unsuccessfully I might add, to stick to the limited teachings of the Jedi. I know you have tasted the darkside. You might as well join us, you’ve proved quite apt and turning people you love to the darkside.” He grinned. “I’ll tell your wife when next I see her that you send your regards.”

He and his men left the little city that unknowingly housed the Jedi Academy. He sent one last message through the force to the fallen Master before he boarded the shuttle.

This was but a taste, the next time we come it will be to close the Academy….permanently.
_________________
Forum guarded by Blast Cannons three days a week. Guess which days.

Emibesqua' · VSD Karma: Add Karma Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 90

Emibesqua finally woke up sometime later, he looked around the room and noticed he was in a cloning facility. He got up and approached the near-by medical droid.

"Where am I? What happened?

"The Cloning Center in Mining Outpost, Dantoine, sir." Answered the droid.

Suddently his memory came back to him, he remembered the fight. The jedi master there known as Hashum quickly lunged at him once the fight had started. Emibesqua was used to killing jedi, but this one had skill he had never seen before in a jedi. Caught unprepared the Jedi attacked him and he quickly fell.

"How did I get here?"

"Imperial Personnel brought you here, sir"

"Am I well enough to leave this place right now?"

"Yes, Sir" Answered the droid, "Amazingly, the wound you took did not kill you, you recovered quickly."

Emibesqua picked up his equipment which was sitting on the floor, and walked outside. There he saw a lady, standing there staring at him. He immediately noticed her as one of the light jedi at the academy they had just attacked. It was Sharn, but he of course did not know this at the time.

"Damn Jedi" Emibesqua whispered to himself, quietly so most would not hear him, but that the jedi would. He wanted to know what her next move would be.

He walked on, and noticed her following. Emibesqua put his hand on his blade. It was an Obsidian sword he had found on a corpse during his assignment on Mustafar. It also had a cortosis weave in it, making it able to withstand a lightsaber strike. He kept walking into the starport, and went to the ticket terminal. He knew Shensen and the others might need him, He had failed them by being defeated in combat, but he would not fail them again this time.

Suddenly he felt a shock of lightning pierce his body. He immediately turned around to see the jedi standing there, preparing to kill him. He pulled out his blade and began fighting. Once again he had been caught by surprise, but this jedi was not as powerful as the other one who had nearly killed him earlier. He threw down a gas canister, which weakened the jedi, but due to the filter in his mask would not harm him. A few seconds later the jedi fell to the floor, nearly dead but still alive.

"Watch it" Emibesqua said, walking away.

"Screw you" Replied the voice. Enraged by this comment, Emibesqua turned around to see the jedi on her feet again. He quickly struck her across the chest, then sent the blade right through the heart, killing the jedi, or so he thought. He looked at the corpse, and smiled to himself. "Another dead jedi." He whispered.

"Imperial Business, back to what you were doing." He quickly said to the crowd which had just gathered around to see the fight. He quickly bought his ticket and left on the next shuttle back to the city that housed the jedi academy.

Hashum · Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

As my eyes opened and adjusted to the light in the room, I realized I had no idea where I was. My first reaction was to get up, but I seemed to lack the strength to move at all. I had a difficult time keeping my eyes open and there seemed like there was a dense fog clouding my vision. I seem to vaguely recall two men standing next to me, and I believe they were talking but I couldn’t make anything out, after only a few minutes I drifted back into the darkness…

When I started to come to again I felt much more aware, when my eyes opened I recognized Duox standing next to the door immediately. I didn’t recognize the bald man kneeling down in front of him though. He reached out toward me as if offering me something, after a moment I stretched out my arm and he dropped a pill of some sort in it. I still can’t remember if I heard them say anything or if he just motioned for me to take the pill but either I dropped the pill down my throat and swallowed.

It took several more minutes before I finally even realized that I was lying in a Med Center. And then I definitely recall the bald man and Duox talking to each other, or with me, I don’t know which. Every minute that passed though my mind seemed to become clearer, and then I distinctly remember hearing them talk.

The bald man said something about Medicine, and a Bacta Tank, and then Duox seemed to talk of revenge? I really couldn’t seem to follow the whole conversation.

Duox began to help me up off the bed and started to go on again about “them paying for this”, and for the life of me I couldn’t think of what he must be talking about. He helped me walk around the Med Center for a few minutes. Still not quite grasping the reality of everything, I did begin following the two of them talk.

First Duox seemed to thank him, Doctor Nurian I think he called him, I’m not entirely positive.

The doctor mentioned something about no other life threatening wounds, and just needing time to heal.

At that point I started to look around a bit more closely wondering who exactly they were talking about. I didn’t see anyone else there and it slowly began to dawn on me that they were talking about me.

It was then I noticed the bandages covering the stump of my arm, and then I remembered the doctor injecting me with something the first time I woke up. Then the fight with Shensen at the Academy, the roof, he cut off my arm! My mind started racing through the memories Rhian and Ravion, Duox had rushed them out before the fight began. I remembered taking two of them out before chasing Shensen up to the roof. Duox must have come back for me after…

-Zero · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:16 am Post subject:

...

The City of Nocturnus regretfully announces that the Mayor of Nocturnus, Isleh-lin Mott, was attacked outside of a local establishment located in New Kala'uun, Rori. She was rushed to a medical center where she later died from her injuries.

...

"...Sure", Venom said as he deactivated the Holonet.

It would appear his "message" had been delivered. He chuckled to himself at the story he had seen. A clever ruse, and a familiar one, since he had done the same to escape the attention of the Empire. Luckily, he knew his messenger was skilled enough not to hurt her that badly. Mainly because his order had been to leave her alive but injured, killing her would cost him quite a bit of credits. This was only a message.

A message which Keres hoped was understood. He prefered to stay focused on the Jedi, her involvment in Shensen's buisness had been only a minor distraction, but one he didn't want to see repeated. In truth, Keres respected her, she was far more cunning then he had given her credit for. He could understand why they had chosen her to lead their city.

He decided to leave her and her city be for the moment. He really had no intrest in them afterall. He knew Lord Shensen would much rather focus on Master Hashum and the New Jedi Council.
_________________

Isleh · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:21 am Post subject:

Isleh sat on the edge of the bed speaking into her comm.

"A message? From whom?"

"I don't know really, I've managed to piss off alot of people."

"So you got a warning from... somebody?"

"Yep"

There was a long pause as her answer just hung there as if there was silent competition between the two to see who would be first to break the silence. Finally, the voice on the comm broke it.

"What are you going to do?"

"Start at the top of the list and work my way down."

"Ah, and contestant number one is?...."

"Serek Vandal"

Shensenn · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject:

It was a good crowd at the Ryloth Ryll and Shensen had brought some of his men for a bit of R&R. Everyone was enjoying themselves and for once Shensen felt like he could relax...just for a moment. So much ran through his mind all the time and on top of it all was watching for potential threats and stepping on them. His feet were tired...and dirty.

He looked up from some excellent wine and noticed the Bounty Hunter he had spoken to in the Lucky Despot. Perhaps he could be put to some use.

Shensen wandered over and sat down next to the man in the Mandalorian armor, who nodded at his arrival.

"I have a job for you." Shensen said.

"Who and how much?" Was the reply.

"I'll send the info to your datapad - there are too many eyes and ears about tonight."

He nodded.

Shensen returned to his own seat surrounded by his men enjoying themselves and pulled out his datapad and entered a message.

Target: Onissosk

Description: Trandoshan, Green tone, red eyes.

Objective: Make sure he understands - painfully perhaps - that certain knowledge must be carried with him to the grave. Should this information somehow make it into the wrong hands he will pay dearly and a lot more painfully.

Shensen thought for a moment about the Jedi they had captured. He had enjoyed torturing her and hoped the Jedi enjoyed the show when they found the holo recording he had "dropped". Maybe seeing that would give them some backbone. There was nothing worse than fighting an opponent that had already defeated themselves. There was no enjoyment in killing those people.
_________________
Forum guarded by Blast Cannons three days a week. Guess which days.

Shensenn · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:43 pm Post subject:

The night before had proved an interesting one. Shensen had attended a function at the Temple of the Goddess on Lok. He had been in an odd mood that day and thought some philosophical discussion might do him some good. He always like to understand more about others religions and beliefs - in most cases there were ways of exploiting them and using them to ones advantage later if needed.

He was pleasantly surprised. The "Kiva" as she is called was a woman with a large reflection of intelligence and confidence in her eyes and after speaking with her he found he had developed a certain respect for the soft spoken woman.

He only managed to scratch the surface of what she knew of the Goddess. She seemed a lot more interested in finding out about him and his own views and thoughts, which ultimately turned into quite the enjoyable sparring session of sorts. He found himself grinning with genuine amusement at the rememberance of it.

She knew very little of the force as the Jedi and Sith see it and in fact seemed genuinely shocked that the Jedi and Sith were real. He wasn't sure he totally bought into her surprise, but he found himself enjoying the conversation too much to care about her sincerity or motives.

He felt strangely at peace in their Temple...well as close to peace as he had in a long time which was more like bringing a thunderous rumble down to the sound of a swoop passing by. He wasn't sure what he thought about that yet. It would bear some more investigation however. He would be seeing that one again.
_________________
Forum guarded by Blast Cannons three days a week. Guess which days.

Shensenn · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

Shensen had enjoyed another round of discussion with the Kiva and discovered a little more about her. Namely that Jart was her brother. Interestingly it seemed as if she was unaware he was a Jedi Master. She also believed he was dead. Shensen was not as ready to believe such news. Master Jart was crafty and resourceful and has Shensen had pointed out to her, he would believe it when he saw the body. Jart was alive out there somewhere, but as long as he remained in hiding he would not be bothered just yet. There were plenty of visible targets to be disposed of first, then he would round up the stragglers. Also of note was her love – a wookiee of all beings! He tried again unsuccessfully to push aside the repulsive thought. The Kiva was an attractive female and shensen found her coloring particularly pleasing.

They spoke of relationships and the burden the force placed on individuals in that regard. Shensen pushed back pangs of pain and hurt he had almost forgotten about as for a moment he thought again about how he would be alone forever. The fact was that there no females of his kind in any abundance and no other being would look at him in such a way. He supposed he had already admitted somewhere in the recesses of his mind that it was his own biological clock ticking. The irony of course that he would live longer than most sentients and therefore would get to enjoy his lonely existence even longer than most. Purpose was the only thing that eased that pain and allowed him to forget it in order to concentrate on other things he deemed more important. Jedi were to blame. It was their lack of action that caused his family to be displaced from their homes, it was they who caused him to grow up as he did, and it was they who’s treason was stopped just barely in time from taking over the republic.

Shensen didn’t really care much for the Emperor or his Empire, but law was in place and enforced. Threats were dealt with and addressed without months of debate while the people suffered. They had traded the evil of the Old Republic for the evil of a dictator, but it was the lesser of the two in his mind.

The hour grew late and Shensen respectfully withdrew from the Temple. As he made his way through the sand strewn streets of Nocturnus he pause stretching out through the force to determine who it was he felt. He smiled in recognition and changed his course. As he rounded a corner he saw him standing outside a small home calling for the owner.

“Ah my wayward apprentice.” He thought to himself as Onissosk turned and saw him. “This should be fun.”

As he started moving toward his former apprentice Onissosk let out a small scream and ran in the opposite direction. “You can run but you cannot hide from me!” Shensen shouted laughing maniacally. Shensen gave chase using the force to guide him inevitably toward his former student. Onissosk used the force to quicken his speed and Shensen matched suit. Finally within a few meters ranged Shensen unleashed a burst of force lightning stopping Onissosk from fleeing further. Faced with Shensen closing the short gap Onissosk’s lightsaber sprung to life to meet Shensen’s attack, but he was quickly overwhelmed.

He received a chirp from his comlink and discovered Lord Evrae was on his way to meet him. Leaving the still form of his former apprentice he met Evrae at the shuttleport and gave him a quick update on what had transpired. Making their way back to the scene of the battle they discovered the body missing.

Shensen cared little if he had managed to get up and leave – he would meet his demise whether today or tomorrow. They slowly walked back toward the shuttleport when a flicker of motion caught his eye. Two figures could barely be seen on the horizon, but his eyes were different than that of most sentients and he could make them out. “It appears our business here is not yet concluded.”

“Oh?”

“There on the horizon.” Shensen said pointing as he walked.

A short time later they stood in a row of small homes where he had first spotted Onissosk. “You may as well come out and face your destiny Master Sainu…or you can cower there in fear and enjoy the small taste of the darkside. It is inevitable I will succeed in my cause.”

He waited a few moments, but it didn’t seem he would be sated this evening.

“Come Lord Evrae, their time will come.”

They started to head back toward the shuttleport when he heard the sound of the door hiss open. He turned to find Batak standing alone in the street.

“I will take him. Beware, I sense another nearby.” Shensen whispered. Lord Evrae nodded.

“You’ve undoubtedly heard about what happened at the Academy I presume?” Shensen asked.

“I heard there was a bounty placed on me.” Batak replied.

“Only the best for you my old friend.” Shensen replied.

Batak grinned and gave a small mock bow in thanks.

“That is enough.” A filtered voice said from their right. It was the strangely armored woman he had seen in the schola earlier that evening. Something about her was familiar, but he still wasn’t able to place it. She moved out of the building and started moving toward them.

“Lord Evrae, neutralize her.” Shensen said unconcerned. Evrae took off toward her and she opened fire. A few seconds later they had rounded a corner and were out of sight although blaster fire could still be heard.

“Now I must finish what I have come for.” Shensen said before igniting his saber again and leaping toward his opponent. They fought fiercely, but his own carelessness and overconfidence ended up giving Master Sainu the advantage.

“Curses!” Shensen spat angrily. “I shall return!” He sped off toward the shuttleport where he again met with Lord Evrae.

“I’m sorry Master, I failed.” Evrae reported solemnly.

“We both have it would seem. No matter, they have won this battle, but there will be others.” Shensen said once again composed. “Come let us leave here now. All things will come in due time.”
_________________
Forum guarded by Blast Cannons three days a week. Guess which days.

Shensenn · Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:15 pm Post subject:

Shensen stepped off of the shuttle in Nocturnus and immediately sensed tension, anger, and worry from the Temple. Thinking of the Kiva he ran with the aid of the force along with Lord Jehwu to the Temple. Inside the place was packed with decided sides apparent. On the other side stood the Inquisitor along with the armored man that had ended Shensen’s meeting with the Inquisitor and Captain Mayth. Shensen briefly thought Mayth would bear watching as his loyalties seemed in question at times.

After a few more verbal exchanges the Inquisitor left and discussion began about some clones called “replicants”. Shensen listened intently while trying to sense everything in his effort to protect the Kiva. As his eyes fell upon her he wondered to himself what it was he was doing. Why was he so taken with her? He dismissed that line of thinking with a small shudder and sensed several people approaching. Then entered several mercenaries. The tension in the room again rose as hands readied weapons. They made no move to be disruptive, but he kept a wary eye on them and instructed the others to do the same.

The talk of the replicants continued for some time. There apparently was some back history to all of this Shensen would have to catch up on later. The Kiva seemed certain these replicants would seek those of influence and power and target them first. Shensen smiled at the implication he might be a target. They would find it in their best interest to choose another target in time…or they would all die. It was as simple as that to Shensen although some of the others there spoke more like it was the end of the world.

Shensen heard his men engaging some of the mercenaries in the usual banter that comes with tense situations and motioned them for calm. Tensions were high and a pin drop could set off a deadly chain of events. No one saw the thermal detonator, so when an explosion suddenly rocked the interior of the Temple, it quickly turned into a warzone. Blaster fire pierced the air along with the hum of lightsabers.

The guardians of the Temple moved quickly to quell the fighting as did the Kiva and Batak. Shensen followed along with the Kiva, blocking stray blaster shots and saber swipes as she made her way around the room convincing people to ceasefire. It was odd to move about a room filled with people Shensen had fought or would fight. Eventually the fighting stopped. Shensen put his saber back in the concealment of his robes and waved away smoke and ash. It did not take long to figure out that the battle had been a mistake and that their true enemy was already long gone.

If what was said about these replicants was true, this was exactly the type of situation that should be avoided. So many people in one place make easy targets. The other surprise of the night was the mayor being alive and well. Shensen merely nodded as she removed her helmet. He knew he sensed something about her and now it made sense. She was the one that had attacked him in Mos Eisley awhile back. Women and their secrets. He smiled to himself. Someone brought in Ryker from outside. He had taken a blaster shot that had done quite a bit of damage. The Kiva’s efforts alone weren’t enough the heal the wound. More interesting was the presence of the force he felt in her when she began the healing process…similar to that used by Batak a long time ago when Shensen had needed healing, but subtly different. That was something to be explored later though.

The stubborn human wanted nothing to do with Shensen’s help, but despite his protests the Kiva, a Jedi of unknown origins, and Shensen did what they could. It was Rykers decision now. Shensen remembered pacing outside of the room and feeling Ryker’s passing only to feel his essence return…albeit different than it was. He was weak, but able to make jokes and the force was with him – faint at first, but it grew quickly. The Kiva eyes looked strained. It had been a busy night for everyone and Shensen had to admit to himself he was feeling fatigued as well. Who knew how long this temporary peace and goodwill would last. He suggested Ryker and the Kiva get some rest before making his departure.

He had been sure to discreetly provide a comlink to the Kiva. No one other than his men and the recently returned Inquisitor had access to contact him at anytime. Shensen wasn’t sure he believed all this nonsense about killer clones, but the Kiva did and so he would make sure she had whatever she needed. So much had happened it was difficult to put it all into perspective. So much more was still happening – not only with this, but with himself. He absently noticed changes in himself and he wasn’t sure he liked them. He would have to avoid the Temple for awhile unless he had reason to be there. He needed to re-center himself. Ridding the galaxy of another Jedi should do the trick…or perhaps gaining another ally.
_________________
Forum guarded by Blast Cannons three days a week. Guess which days.

Shensenn · Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject:

Shensen sat at his desk the following morning going through reports from various operations he had in motion. Interest in his new drug in the black market was intense with bids already numbering in billions of credits, weapons, ancient artifacts, and even slaves. There was a lot to catch up on, but he just could not seem to focus his attention. A familiar face interrupted his thoughts and the voices in his head seemed unusually restless this morning. Ragnos was in a particularly foul mood today. Normally he found them all amusing to some extent, but today they just annoyed him and it took a great deal of energy and focus to block them out. His headaches were getting longer and more intense.

His dreams had been no less unsettling. His old Master laughing at him while the Academy crumbled behind him, the Kiva being attacked by people that looked like friends, her brother leading a charge of Jedi Knights against thousands of silent beings that thought as one, then watching himself die as a lone figure walked away in the distance. Unsettling because he knew not all of them were dreams. The force was showing him pictures of possible futures. Remembering his dreams prompted him to punch some coordinates into his console. The blue flickering image of a room came on display. In it was a lot of heavy equipment, and the tank holding his clone in stasis. He had spent a lot of money and killed a great many to get even scattered fragments of the technology used on Kamino so long ago. Even more money for the beings smart enough to piece together the puzzle into a semi-working model. Shensen thought of it as semi-working only because it had never been tested and would require a special key to activate.

He had hidden the key in a place no one would suspect to find it. He grinned to himself at the irony of it all and gave himself a mental pat on the back for a well played move considering it would technically be his last once he was gone. He had time yet though and with his plans and caution he would live a long life, the darkside willing. The Sith Lords assured him it was more than willing, which only set them all into tirades about what they would do in his situation, which in turn only caused him to feel more ill than usual and his head to throb more. He swore and looked forward to the day the Jedi were gone and he could remove the cursed necklace. Inside he wondered if he would even be able to remove it. The inhabitants were not without their own influence after all. Injecting himself with another dose of sedatives he leaned back in his throne and fell to sleep again. Perhaps the force would reveal more…
_________________
Forum guarded by Blast Cannons three days a week. Guess which days.