Elixis smiles flirtatiously towards Skorne and paces into another room, knowing he will follow and hang on her every word…wanting to test the depths of his anger towards her. Seconds later Skorne appears in the doorway and sits next to her on a large, elegant, blood red leather sofa, decorated in black runic symbols and elegant, onyx wood carvings around the frame and metal studs along the seams of the material.

ELIXIS – I did not tell you that Terra T’Negun was Gen and Val’s daughter because it’s insignificant to my goals. Terra is worthless but her BLOODLINE is priceless. She was the last surviving heir to her mother’s namesake. Crymson Vachon was struck down before I could properly take her life on my quest to regain my title.

SKORNE – Why do you need a title? You’re Dark Lady of the Sith.

ELIXIS – Unfinished business between myself and the members of the Shadow Guild. Before I was killed, there were but three survivors. Myself, Gen, and Crymson. We engaged in a brutal contest to determine who was worthy to be named #1 in a cult which contained at one time, 20 spots of rank. Crymson and I lost and Gen became #1. It was a fluke you see, she didn’t kill me A TREE did. I seek to prove I DESERVE to be #1 by defeating Gen and reclaim the title that rightfully belongs to me!

SKORNE – How did you return, you never once explained that?

ELIXIS – Years passed since my demise. The shock of my passing as well as my limitless refusal to perish tore the soul from my worldly body. Forced to wander within the ruins of the Shadow Guild I waited and roamed the grounds. One day a group of Jedi touched upon the remains and a single female Jedi wandered within reach. Knowing the powers of Sith secrets, I possessed her feeble mind and annihilated her spirit which granted me power over death.

Elixis sucks in a deep breath as she gazes towards a rippling fireplace, staring into the dancing light as if she could see her words playing in a flashback inside them.

ELIXIS - Grabbing her lightsaber I struck down the Jedi explorers and stole their ship. Unfortunately it was worthless and I wound up stranded on Eol Sha. Having discovered an ancient Sith Temple I began to rebuild my empire. In short, I possessed her mortal shell. Like you all she was or could have been is no more. There is only who I am now, her body is mine and this time I will not allow it to be taken from me again.

SKORNE – I assume the effects of possession drained her essence and gave you that sporting platinum look eh?

ELIXIS – Very perceptive… I need to defeat Gen Zeridian IN COMBAT to reclaim my title. Terra was not a warrior; she was unworthy of a warrior’s death by my hand which is why I sent you to Chandrila to dispose of her.

SKORNE – You mean I lost my arm because of your lack of confidence? From what I have experienced Gen deserves that title.

ELIXIS – (glares) You believe…YOU DARE CLAIM SHE IS STRONGER THEN I AM? SHALL I REMIND YOU THE DEPTHS OF MY ABILITIES!

Skorne shudders as he sees Elixis’s crimson eyes flicker with radiant energy, but he soon extinguishes her burning rage as his mechanical fingers caress her neckline, traveling down her arm, to interlace with her fingers.

SKORNE – I would bring The Republic to its knees to please you. Whether or not Gen deserves the title isn’t important, it’s what YOU want and what YOU WILL have. I owe you my life for the gratuity you’ve given me, I haven’t forgotten that fact. You granted me stability in your capable arms…you accepted me for everything that I am, when no one else would.

Elixis smiles warmly as her velvet fingertips caress along Skorne’s cheek, sliding her touch around a significant scar along his left eye, which was clouded by blindness and the mark of a tragic event in which Val, was somehow responsible. The disfigurement of flesh would have easily repulsed most women but Elixis found value in Skorne’s unquenchable lust for revenge and his uncanny skills in both assassinations and fabrications of fantastic weaponry. He aided in her formation of The New Sith as her bodyguard on Eol Sha. Several plots to assassinate her were crushed under the ruthless aggression of Skorne’s disruptor pistol conceived by those too weak to challenge her for dictatorship directly.

ELIXIS – Your scars do not repulse me. I know your true name and I know your horrid past…but remember the man you once were died long ago on the rugged landscape of Eol Sha inside that mangled armor. You emerged from the ashes, stronger then ever….single handedly defeating Lance, Sara, and Terra all in one glorious instant! A feat you couldn’t complete with your former ambitions.

Elixis looks eye to eye with Skorne, into his true identity beneath the deception of his bounty hunter guise. Within his one good eye she can stare deep into his soul and detect his inextinguishable hatred for Val burning brightly with urgency. He was growing weary of Q2’s games and waiting for his shot to go after Val for reasons unknown. Only his love for Elixis withheld him from boarding into his ship and flying to the Versai Mansion to challenge Val on his own.

ELIXIS – (tracing Skorne’s cheek) Truly you are worthy of my affections. Our task is not yet complete however…soon I will discover the secret to Q2’s power and when I do his kingdom will be ours. Continue to allow him to believe that I am his romantic muse. He must never uncover the truth between us and our intentions to overthrow him. Never question where my affections lay my champion.

Skorne pulls Elixis into his lap and delves his gloved fingers through her platinum hair. Roaming his vision along her silky curves, he traces her voluptuous form with his semi-depth perception. Her lips brush his with passionate fire as he reaches around to unzip her cat suit down the middle. The fireplace roars to intimate life as he peels the material past her shoulder, then tilts her body to lay on her back upon the couch, grasping her attire and exposing Elixis’s irresistible milky white skin with a jerk of his hand, indulging in his privilege to explore her curves and crevasses at his leisure finally out of the watchful eye of Q2.
 

INTERIOR: KILLIAN FLAGSHIP - REIGNFIRE – BRIDGE

Q2 sits prominently upon his command chair while he gazes to streaming stars stretched not only in the representation of hyperspace but the actual presentation also seems to replicate the dimensions of space into horizontal boxes which reflect the same traits found when you gaze into a mirror facing another mirror giving the illusion of endless, eternal distance. Each box like view, limited to that of the view screen’s focal distance melds into each smaller distanced box in an endless loop where only the middle frame, the smallest of four increasingly larger frames reflects the distance traveled.

There in the smallest box in a blink of an eye appears a cargo vessel, then just as quickly it is replaced by a momentary flash of explosive orange light as the Reignfire rocks from the impact of having passed straight through the vessel like a tanto knife through car door steel, puncturing and breaching the craft without relent or compassion as the ship erupts into balls of twisted, mangled metal killing all aboard.

A smile spreads along Q2’s lips, shielded once again behind his fabric facial appliance while his black and white gloved fingers press together at the tips. Another flash and several more vessels are instantly obliterated by the untrackable speed of The Reignfire’s experimental and highly advanced “Quadra-Space” engines. The odd display on the screen is the result of proximity, light, sound and finally time coming together at a single point, allowing Q2 to maneuver around the galaxy in a flash of light, faster then the power of lightspeed and with his ship forfeited like a giant, shimmering, ironclad juggernaut, anything and anyone in its path is destroyed.

For the moment, Q2’s goals are focused upon time…time he knows that is crucial to his next endeavor and the second phase in his master plan to return Val to the dark persona he refuses to accept. Here among the streaking stars and flammable machinery created by his destructive velocity, Q2 gazes confidently through his polished ruby red lenses as his target approaches.

With a flick of his finger, he orders his minions consisting of robed Ssi Ruu and additional Sith Warriors to disengage the quadra-drives and hover in the atmosphere of the target we greatly recognize but for the moment are obstructed from seeing directly.

Q2 – (speaking to himself) Finally things shall be put into motion Versai. All that you cherish, all that you protect will slip through your fingers one by one until you surrender to what you deny. Physically, emotionally, mentally I will bring you to your knees and that is the only instant…I will liberate you from your misery. Then I will be the greatest icon in the history of this pathetic existence.

Easing back in his chair, Q2 taps a few buttons embedded in his armrests, similar to the same design as his throne back inside The Killian Bastion. Sliding along his left and right, two medium sized panels reveal a pair of LCD screens. Both of which are not engaged with imagery but are for the moment, positioned in perfect view of the central display of the bridge.  Like pieces on a chessboard, Q2 sets each element in its place to officially announce the beginning of his game, up close and personal with his worthy opponent.
 

INTERIOR: VERSAI TECH – CENTRAL COMMAND

Meanwhile inside VT, Val watches the blank monitor with an uneasy tension. His eyes trace the position of Gen seated to his left. Her hand remains interwoven with his fingers offering her full support as she senses just by the slight shift of Val’s eyes that under the surface of his presented state; mentally he’s still battling his inner demons. Indeed back upon the peaceful summit of the waterfall, she and Val finally let go of their responsibilities and fears indulging in the moment of tranquility where their bodies united in glistening reconciliation. Like all instances, that fraction peace was now lost in the progression of events leading to this foreboding situation. Stored within a glass cylinder container was Lon Wol’s severed hand. It served to Val as motivation to end the traumatic atrocities perpetrated against him, for a reason he still could not understand.

He knew that Skorne had some sort of vendetta against him; he could recognize the pattern of destructive behavior when he himself invaded The Killian Citadel without compassion or hesitation, shearing through anyone or anything in his path to complete his objective.  Skorne undoubtedly had his reasons but what about this other mysterious successor who referred to himself as Quillion The Second?

Cire was formidable as the first “Quillion” but unlike Q2, once the mask was pulled away Val knew and understood his antagonist. Val knew Cire inside and out to form his strategy to knock him off balance mentally and physically but this successor was a complete mystery. Even the message produced nothing more then an audio clip which stated…

“Valaryc Winters Versai…Man of legend, vessel of inner darkness…possessor of unlimited potential. You know not who I am so allow me to engage the introductions. I am Quillion the Second, or Q2 if you prefer…what I want is simple.”

“I desire to face what is considered the greatest warrior in history. More disciplined then Anakin Skywalker, swifter then Darth Maul and more competent then even Emperor Palpatine…you Versai are the contender I crave to encounter.”

“I know you will resist, that is your purgative. However I believe I have found inventive ways to motivate you…contained inside this crude unit is an item of significant importance. Make no mistake, this is not a deception….no Mr. Versai, I assure you this is the hand of your precious Apprentice. I believe the brand of his Hssiss lineage will authenticate that claim. To his credit he fought valiantly but he never was a match for someone of my caliber.”

“Such inadequacies DEMAND your attention, which leads me to the point of this conversation. You will return to Versai Tech where we shall meet face to face to discus terms of our physical engagement to be held in a location of my choosing. Seeing that I hold not only Mr. Wol but his cherished fiancée Xola Neesan inside my domain you simply must realize you have no choice in the matter but to comply with my wishes.”

“Comply with my specific requests and no further harm will come to those you cherish, resist and you will experience EXTREME consequence. My fleet will appear in VT airspace momentarily. As you are President of Versai Tech, I demand you order your forces to cease any aggression against my armada, they will NOT fire upon your precious organization until I personally give them orders to do so.”

Val closed his eyes trying to push away the growing rage filling his body. Added to his emotional turmoil he could feel the mixture of pain from the virus infecting him and the contrast of power and energy flooding his bloodstream as his midi-chlorian count continued to escalate.

He gazes over Gen’s body, tracing her curves with his fingers. She meant the world to him and with the loss of his daughter and now the abduction of his Padawan, Val couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be, before this arrogant coward would turn his aggression against Gen as well…when that instance arrived Val also questioned with his growing aggression if he would be able to resist the temptation of the dark side in exchange for preserving the stability of his will to defy his destiny, which resided in Gen’s place beside him.

Skel believed Versai Tech represented his enemy not because of what it stood for, but what he viewed it reflected…the destruction of his former master, Cire. Skel knew that indirectly it was VT that provided the armada that reduced the Killian fleet to cinders and shattered Draven’s tactic. After which like a set of dominoes, defeat spread like a virus until Val claimed Cire’s life and destroyed what he believed was the remainder of Cire’s empire.

No one suspected that Cire had created another backup of his legacy…that backup being known at the time as “Site B”. Here again, history was ready to reoccur but this time it wasn’t an ambush of ships, The Killian were uncloaked and vulnerable to attack. This fueled the anxiety. It was apparent both enemies clearly wanted to destroy one another.

This was all another facet to Q2’s master plan. Everything that had happened to this point, although somewhat altered was proceeding with purpose. Q2 needed Skel and his forces to hover ominously in the event he would win his sadistic game. The terms were not set just yet but Q2 was taking careful measure to integrate certain safeguards should things spiral beyond his control.

Instantly the silence inside Central Command was fragmented by Q2’s appearance on the screen.. Snapping his brown eyes towards the menacing figure, Val sprung to his feet as Gen rose with him, narrowing her gaze into that of cold revulsion. Q2 sat confidently in his chair, letting his audience bask in the suspense of his presence while the staff tried to gain a trace on his location.

Q2 – (grins) Do not squander your time attempting to locate my transport, I am no where in the vicinity of your current residence. That however does not mean I do not pose a threat. I wish to speak with the icon known as Valaryc Winters Versai.

VAL – (to Gen) Why is it that every damn time I encounter a villain in this galaxy, they’re always wearing masks?

GEN – (smiles) Simple Beloved…wicked men of authority “mask” their inherent lack of masculine qualities…sexuality for instance, which in your case is quite adequate.

Drawing in a deep breath, Val runs his fingers through Gen’s dazzling purple-pink locks, kissing her sensually on the mouth, lingering a moment and then steps into viewing range of the screen which from Q2’s vantage point displays Val pacing from the left into center frame, dressed in his black sleeveless trench coat, belt, and wrapped up white taped arms.

Q2 – Ah…there you are. Here we stand Versai, both men of leadership and prestige. There are so many things I can say to you but I get the impression you are not interested in pleasantries so I will cut directly “to the chase” as you’d call it. I wish to duel.

VAL – (growls) You didn’t have to slice off my Padawan’s hand to get me to fight you Q2. If all you care about is settling your fragile insecurities you could have found other ways to ask.

Q2 – (smirks) Come now Versai, you and I both know that a man of your reputation would never accept a typical “shot at the title” without building some form of reputation. Like all epic confrontations there is a fair amount of hype involved.

VAL – If you wanted to piss me off, mission accomplished.

Q2 – If only it were that easy…if I wanted to face the aged relic that you have become, hidden behind your rank, wrapped in bandages and sheltered at the rear of your futile conceptions of “love” …you wouldn’t last more then a minute against me. No Mr. Versai…you I have already crushed beneath my heel. It is something of greater skill I wish to contend against…your TRUE nature.

VAL – (calm) I have no idea what you’re talking about. All I wish to know is what it takes to reclaim what is owed to me.

Q2 reaches into his pocket and smiles sadistically, drawing into his grasp on extension of Val’s property that directly connects to his past, even before he founded Versai Tech where Q2 believes Val was at his strongest point.

Q2 – (holding the Versai Locket) Been looking for this I presume. It is but one of many treasures I hold in my very capable hands. You know EXACTLY whom it is that I refer to. As stated in the prior audio transmission resistance will be met with severe consequence. Let’s be blunt Valaryc…you and I have much in common.

Val grits his teeth watching Q2 flaunt his locket like a hook to a fish. The fact that Q2 had stolen his precious heirloom only fed Val’s hatred for him even more. Not only had Q2 taken Lon and Xola, he also stole a piece of Val’s past and had the audacity to demand Val become the Jedi Slayer for his own amusement. Val had no desire to take on needless battles. With Gen by his side, the only purpose in war was no longer his own survival but her own, in short he had nothing further to prove and no more ego to bruise.

Still somewhere deep inside, Val could take notice of the voice of his warrior code speak to him, telling him that Q2 was just another obstacle standing in his way from attaining the peaceful life he’s longed for, again with Gen as his wife. Q2 represented the wall that deflected his tranquility. That aspect alone presented Val with an underlying urge to bring Q2 under his heel and crush him. Lon and Xola’s capture and even possessing the Versai Locket wasn’t enough to get him to revert. It would take much more then that for Val to crack and that was a necessity Val knew Q2 would resort to before the end would come.

Time was against Val, becoming a predator that waited in the shadows for its victim to still long enough for its razor sharp teeth to snatch him up and consume him into its eternal darkness. Here stood Val’s fighting instinct. He wasn’t ready to accept death, despite the growing attrition of his body by the virus inside. Gen was the key to his stability and now his sole ambition to stay alive. For this reason, Val wasn’t quick to accept a circumstance that would place his body in further jeopardy.

Q2 however didn’t care what Val felt, all that concerned him was that Val release the Jedi Slayer and then by doing so, Q2 would accomplish his goal before completing the game by defeating Val at his best to become the #1 duelist in the galaxy.

VAL – You and I are nothing alike. You stoop to the same childish tactics as your predecessor. If anything you have more in common with the stupidity of Cire. Just like him you believe I will do anything you ask if you give me back my locket. Not going to happen this time, I’ve no longer any secrets to protect.

Q2 – (growls) CIRE AND I ARE NOTHING ALIKE! He was a bumbling, selfish, arrogant fool who allowed his emotion to rule his judgment. His obsession for Gen was futile and illogical. She’s nothing but a woman, created for the sole purpose of procreation and nothing more. She has no value.

Val trembles with anger, glaring downward to try and hold back his aggression but his calm nature is lost in his loathing that Q2 would dare reduce Gen’s multi-faceted character to a mere stereotype of a one dimensional piece of meat with breasts.

VAL – DON’T YOU EVER REFER TO GEN AS JUST A WOMAN, YOU KNOW NOTHING OF RELATIONSHIP OR ADMIRATION. YOU WANT A FIGHT, CRAWL OUT FROM UNDER YOUR ROCK AND MEET ME IN THE COURTYARD…I’LL PROVE TO YOU JUST WHY I AM CONSIDERED THE BEST DUELIST THIS GALAXY HAS TO OFFER!

Q2 licks his lips in delight, feeding on Val’s anger…sensing the emotion flooding his words. Whether Val accepted it or not he was still being forced to play the game by Q2’s conditions, not by his own wishes. Q2 still had his bargaining chips but even with Val’s belligerent words, it didn’t satisfy Q2’s expectations.

Q2 – Because you demand a contest with such great intensity…Of course I will decline your desires. Remember Versai, I am in the position of power. Therefore I present you a fraction of choice in the matter. Unleash the Jedi Slayer within…or face severe consequence.

VAL – (collects himself) No…I will not yield for your amusement.

Q2 – (enraged) MY PATIENCE GROWS SHORT VERSAI! PRESENT TO ME THE JEDI SLAYER OR I SWEAR TO ANAKIN, YOU WILL BE FOREVER SCARRED BY YOUR DECISION!

VAL – If you kill my Padawan and his fiancée you will have nothing left to hold back the full wrath of my forces. We will hunt you until the end of time. I will strike upon you with a fury unmatched to the supremacy of a Death Star superlaser. YOU CONSIDER THAT DECISION.

Q2 – Very well…I shall find alternative ways to inspire you.

Val watches Q2 take off his white glove revealing the shimmer of a pink fragment, surgically embedded into his left wrist. The jewel glistens in the pale blue light of Q2’s bridge, while images of Lon and Xola finally appear each on one screen to Q2’s left and right. Val instantly recognizes his drastically injured friend, Lon Wol barely moving inside the framework of his Universal Energy caged prison. To the right Xola, transfixed with concern for her mate’s condition, seeming to choose to ignore her circumstance by focusing her attention on the opposing cage, searching for some measure to communicate with Lon, since every time he attempted to speak he was viciously shocked by the restraining collar. Xola was also fitted with the blinking red LED device, which made verbal communication impossible.

Q2 – Their lives are not the only thing held in your possession Mr. Versai. By continuing to defy my gracious requests you place them ever closer to an untimely end. However even with their capture I detect its not enough to properly spark your cooperation. Therefore as promised, you will suffer severe consequence.

VAL – Then you will endure severe repercussion for your own actions.

Q2 – Do you recall me mentioning that you and I are alike? You so eloquently stated that I hold more in common with Cire T’Negun but I don’t tend to agree. You and I Val, you and I hold more in common then you can possible imagine. Although the moment has not arrived where I can reveal to you the depths of our singularity…I believe there is but one trait you must concur…we are both killers.

VAL – There is a fine line between killing and accepting the consequences of your actions. Life and death is an unbroken circle, those who chose to pay the price of their lives to rob me of my own reality, meet their destiny. That is not murder…that is choice.

Q2 – (grins) Ah yes, now I see where Mr. Wol attained his philosophical defense mechanisms. No matter which way you decide to view your actions Versai, death is death. You ruthlessly vanquished an entire legion of Jedi in one barbaric swoop of your lightsaber and your hatred. Did those other innocent Jedi deserve to pay the price for their leader’s oversight? Does that give you the right to pass judgment upon their lives? Where is your self-righteous justification now I wonder?

VAL – (tenses) I’ve given penitence enough to rectify my actions. I’ve paid in blood, sweat, and mental torment to alleviate the debt owed to the Jedi I dispatched. I share no innocence in my choice to claim their lives… that does not make me a cold-blooded murderer. Redemption is not damnation.

Q2 traces his exposed wrist down the refined structure of his chin, pondering Val’s words a moment as he strikes another few keystrokes within his arm rest, pulling up the image of his current target so that finally not only can we view its significance, but Val as well. A shudder of fear ripples though Val and Gen’s hearts as they realize the importance of the location revealed.

Q2 – I suppose you are correct…there is one trait that separates us Versai. While we are unquestionably both killers, I do not possess boundaries of morality.

VAL –  Unlike you I gave up that power and deemed never to use it again. I will not succumb to the dark side.

Q2 – (smiles) Like so many things in this conversation Versai, you are mistaken. It is you who do not yet realize the unlimited potential I embrace. Do you recognize this flourishing, little world? Dotted with prosperous foliage and rising trees it also possesses many secrets. I know about your history here…both of you. I am also aware that another important element is currently nestled among the trees. Shall I tell you, or will you kindly dispatch the suspense for me?

VAL – (swallows hard) Lance and Sara.

Q2 – At last! A shred of collaboration! The Forest Moon of Endor. It was your home world for sooooo many years wasn’t it Versai? Gen Zeridian’s grave is here, I know…I’ve seen it first hand. I’ve also viewed the ruins of the Shadow Guild. Kindly pass on the message that Elixis Kel is eager to finish contest with your mate.

Gen suddenly sprints to the screen, shouting furiously to Q2 trembling with inner anguish.

GEN – ELIXIS KEL IS DEAD! I WILL ACCEPT NO DECEPTIONS OF HER EXISTANCE! I WITNESSED HER DIMISE, SPEAK NOTHING MORE OF HER NAME!

Q2 shifts his ruby lenses towards Gen, keeping his fingers stroking along his chin as he taps a few more keys in a control panel vigorously. Seconds later Elixis Kel emerges on screen…or rather a stored dossier on her which begins to display the readout of her history and then her mysterious resurgence. The details of her former attire change to reveal her new suit upon which Gen has never seen before, dressed as the Dark Lady of The Sith. The regions of Elixis’s attire effectively reflect her personality as the serpentine reds clash with her padded black Vader material and codpiece. Gen stares in disbelief as Elixis’s midi-chlorian count reads 60,000.

Q2 – If you are quite finished with your tirade Miss Zeridian I will now continue my conversation with Versai. In due time, you and Elixis Kel will clash…I have foreseen this. Savor the peace while you still possess it.

Gen trembles with mixed emotions. On one hand she refused to believe Q2 was telling the truth, because simply there was nothing more then his word to confirm his claims. However a woman of Elixis’s capabilities didn’t deserve to perish in such an informal manner, just as Gen did not deserve to die, stabbed in the back. With that revelation, Gen still held a deeply embedded fear. Currently, Elixis was stronger then Gen’s highest potential according to the numbers…but face-to-face in the same room, it didn’t mean that her determination to survive was inferior.

Q2 reallocated his gaze to Val, satisfied that he had silenced Gen for the time being. As Q2 watched his prey he then began to rise to his feet, facing the view screen while flexing his fingers with arms held at both sides. He wasn’t wearing his formal white coat this time, stretching the taut padding of his crimson red Vader suit and still preserving his touch of class with the white slacks. Clearly he was about to do something of great importance.

Q2 – My patience has expired. RELEASE THE SLAYER OR SUFFER VERSAI!

VAL – I will not yield.

Q2 – I want you to get a clear look at this…

Q2 presents his uncovered wrist zooming in his display on the singular shard of crystal, shimmering and beginning to glow with a magenta radiance. Q2 channeled the force into his body as he looked towards the gargantuan silhouette of the Forest Moon of Endor framed within the viewer of his vessel.

Q2 – Do you know the significance of this gem? History tells us of a sacred stone lost many years ago…a gem of untapped power. Once recovered by the Skywalker Twins it was used to resurrect Leia from certain death. After which, the jewel was sealed away…never to be found again, where it was deemed safe from its destructive properties.

VAL – You refer to the Kaiburr Crystal? It’s only a myth.

Q2 – Its existence is very much a reality. You see Versai, after the gem was hidden away, nature in a twist of irony shattered the temple and in doing so the gem became fragmented…these fragments were hurled across the sky by a burst of volcanic fury where all but…one…were lost.

Suddenly Val begins to understand where this conversation is leading. The clues were all in place and the big picture was coming into focus. The gem granted a force user an enhancement of 1000 fold over the power to center the force. The gem was hidden away so that tyrants could not abuse its power…Q2 was one such tyrant.

Instinctively Val shot his glance towards Marc and used the force to send him a telepathic message, a message of severe urgency,

VAL – (telepathic) Evacuate the planet! Get everyone off the surface ASAP.

Q2 beamed with satisfaction, allowing a few moments to pass as seconds later three vessels emerged into the airspace of Endor and began to flee the moon. Not wanting his central target to escape, Q2 immediately ordered his staff to target the cruisers and open fire with their pulsating shield breaching plasma cannons.

The ships attempts to escape the forest moon were in vain as Q2’s titanic vessel Reignfire, did exactly as its name implied, reducing the carrier ships to slabs of gyrating, exploding rubble as flickers of orange and yellow light up his bridge in speckled light.

Q2 – Live with the product of choice Val. EXPERIENCE THE CONSEQUENCES OF INSURRECTION!

It happens as if time stands still. Q2’s wrists slowly snap upward as his fingers fly open, extending his open palm towards the view screen with great hatred. The force heeds to his demands as his fingers start to retract inward. Val and the occupants of Central Command look on in horror as they see on the screen, Endor’s Moon begin to shift towards the left ever so slightly in unison with Q2’s clenched fingers. As if grasping a silver ball in his hand and preparing to toss it across a field, so does the Forest Moon of Endor rock back and forth, shattering the peace of its inhabitants as Ewoks are tossed violently from their mile high tree structures and the foundations of buildings begin to crumble and buckle from the immense pressure of the shift in the planet’s orbit.

Behind his mask, Q2’s eyes are flared open and his teeth clench. Every fiber of his being wraps around the fabric of the sphere before him and the invisible geometry between his clutched fingers, The power of the dark side, enhanced by the blinding radiance of the Kairburr Crystal shard fuels Q2 with destructive capabilities superior to the power of the Death Star. Ironically as it was stated in the conference room by Darth Vader, never to be proud of the technological terror that was constructed by men, it is insignificant compared to the power of the force.

Q2 displays no regret in his actions as he finally manages to rip the Forest Moon of Endor from its planetary orbit. All life on the moon is sent into appalled fear. Q2 feels every living being on the surface ensnared in the tendrils of terror, only fueling his authority even more as he commits the greatest crime in the history of the Republic.

Grasping the moon symbolically in his hand, Q2 swirls the gigantic sphere into a sharp left, hurling the entire moon like a baseball directly towards the true Endor, the name of the ever lasting gas giant.

The living inhabitants of the Forest Moon witness their trees burst into flames as all over the expansive globe, fires erupt in a plethora of chaos. After witnessing their home world set ablaze, gravity tears buildings and ruins from their roots, hurling the flaming structures into every trajectory and that is the single instant that every human on the planet witnesses everyone around them incinerate into dust as the moon disappears into the heart of Endor’s sun…

Vanished into oblivion.

Q2 collapses into his chair and awaits the result of his abominable act. He basks in what little screams remain, then feeds off the panic of Tuulab and the neighboring planets in the vicinity of Endor. Rage, hate, grief, pain, torment, sorrow…every possible emotion trickles through his exhausted form. Such an act causes unbearable fatigue on Q2’s force enhanced body. Even with his midi-chlorian count breaching the 100,000 mark, he was vulnerable to the toll the dark side demanded of its users.

Val was shattered…no words, no trembles of clenched fists…just a gaping jaw. In that fraction of time he had witnessed his entire past vanish. Not just his time in the Dark Jedi Academy, not just his memories on the planet’s surface of the love shared there with Gen but he also came to realize that his worst fears had come to pass…Lance and Sara were dead.

It was too much to bear for one man. Val was no longer in the presence of Versai Tech nor did he acknowledge anyone around him. His vision began to shift as layers of crimson washed over the colors of the room. His blood raced through his veins and visually he was transported back to the site of the Jedi Camp. He saw the bodies on the floor and the roaring fire…but there wasn’t Gen in the picture this time, there were Lance and Sara tied to stakes.

This moment, he was too late as the Jedi set his sister and best friend ablaze. Running with all of his might to intercept the carnage, he couldn’t get past the Jedi igniting their lightsabers to block his path. Here lies the true horror of being the Jedi Slayer, when friend and enemy blur into nothing more then silhouettes.

Meanwhile the occupants of the room see Val rushing towards the view screen, reaching back for his sword in blinding frenzy. Slice after slice, Val isn’t in his right mind as his razor sharp edge carves over a hundred lacerations into the monitor, erupting in shattered glass fragments and showers of sparks. Gen snaps her eyes forward and recognizes the pattern of Val’s behavior. A few staff attempt to contain Val’s resentment, but they find themselves hurled hard into the walls by a aggressive force push from Val’s outstretched hand.

More troves of security guards rush towards Val in an attempt to subdue him, but they are no match for his ferocity as his sword flails back and forth. Gen snaps her purple saber on and dashes in front of the staff, screaming at the top of her lungs.

GEN – DO NOT APPROACH HIM! BACK AWAY AT ONCE. EVERYONE IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIVES, VACATE THE PREMISES!

VT crew scatter like ants and scamper about, stampeding for the exit to the center while Val turns his attention to a few mechanical panels, whipping his blade down into the heart of the machinery, erupting severed wires and clouds of smoke in his rage.

Mentally, looking though Val’s eyes he sees not machines but Jedi standing in his way, swinging at him with their vibrating weapons. The machines Val slashes into bits are nothing more then obstacles in his way…in his quest to free Lance and Sara, a quest in which there is only the illusion of reality.

Val’s sword arcs dangerously close to Marc Jade as he jumps backward and regretfully stands in the archway to the exit of the room. Knowing that Gen is Val’s balance, Marc orders the rest of the staff to depart which leaves only himself, Val and Gen in the damaged interior.

VAL – (screaming to invisible Jedi) YOU’LL NOT TAKE AWAY MY FAMILY EVER AGAIN…YOU WILL ALL DIE FOR YOUR ACTIONS HERE AND NOW! NOT ONE OF YOU WILL LEAVE THIS DAY. FOR YOU THERE IS NO LONGER A TOMMOROW!

GEN – (shouting) DAMN IT VAL GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF! THERE’S NO ONE HERE!

Suddenly in a dazed monochromatic blurred vision, Val sees that it’s not Gen speaking to him but Markus Crystarr the leader of the Jedi cult.  Brandishing his sword, he unknowingly attacks Gen. She quickly brings her purple saber up with Form G grace, pulling back her offensive blows as Val drives her ferociously back towards a sliced, steel wall.

Under his web of hatred, Val’s brown hair ripples with every killing blow of his shimmering sword. In his eyes there is no recognizable emotion…they are cold and golden with the shrunken pupils not of a man in love…but a feline beast reflective of a tiger stalking its prey.

GEN – PLEASE VAL, DON’T LET HIM WIN! YOU HAVE TO STAY STRONG! REMEMBER OUR BOND!

Meanwhile Val delivers a dominant blow under Gen’s lightsaber, sending it racing towards her face illuminating her in violent luminance. Q2 enjoys the display by tapping his signal with advanced tech into an adjacent monitor, out of the path of Val’s unstoppable destruction. This was a taste of what it was like to see Val at his most feral…it was exactly the catalyst Q2 suspected would cause Val to finally give in. The loss of a sister was traumatizing enough but append the death of his closest friend and his beloved sister, the ONLY link to his family bloodline and then mix it together with the utter annihilation of his past memories all simultaneous and it was exactly the recipe Q2 needed to see Val surrender, but it wasn’t enough to get him to accept the Slayer…not just yet.

Val still viewing Gen as Markus Crystarr hurls another crushing blow with his deadly sword as Gen deflects his attack but the parry causes her to lose her grip on her lightsaber, sending the hilt skidding along the floor. Leaving her completely defenseless, Gen grits her teeth feeling the serrated edge of the wall behind her drive into the small of her back as Val advances with inescapable determination.

Like an animal cornering its prey, Val had what he believed to be Crystarr right where he wanted him. Gen did the only possible thing she could think of, she grabbed Val by his wrist and forced him to lose his grip on his weapon as the blade punctured the steel plated floor.

This wouldn’t stop an animal though nor would it stop Val if he fully intended to destroy his opponent, he would do so with his bare hands if need be. Deciding to choke the life from Markus, Val snapped his gloved hand forward and tightened his fingers around Gen’s throat, hoisting her into the air.

GEN – (gasping for breath) Remember…who you…are.

Suddenly Gen’s voice breaks through the darkness, through the illusion as his fingers begin to loosen, but his eyes only flicker between brown and gold. The spell was not completely lifted as his mind went into a state of mental turmoil. His surroundings flashed and flickered between the Jedi Camp and the Central Command of VT. His opponent, Crystarr shifted between the object of his hatred and the source of his love.

Gen stares eye to eye with Val, attempting any method she could to reach him…deep into his glazed over golden eyes. The pupils were shrunk and narrowed, centered on her body as she witnessed his struggle, not wanting to allow Q2 to succeed in his goals. Keeping her glistening purple eyes locked on his, it became his will versus her hypnotic gaze Val continued to grasp her throat, but his head began to shake as he saw more and more of the red veil covering his vision diminish and felt the fury inside him ebb. Her trembling body and concerned eyes are iconic enough to shatter the grip the dark side holds over her captive lover.

VAL –  G…Ge…Gen? What is going…I can’t…What am I doing?

Val lowers Gen to the floor and picks up his sword, glancing around the room where his rage has left several machines in ruins while Q2 observes through a surviving monitor, laughing with pleasure basking in Val’s surrender. Val glances towards Gen for a long period of time, trembling with the immense power rippling through his body shortly before he cries out and drops to one knee as his insides feel on fire much to the surprise of Marc whom is not aware of his growing illness.

Gen rushes to Val’s aid but he swiftly pushes her back away from him. Filled with mixed emotions and tremendous regret he takes one long look at the chaos around him, then whispers to Gen as he darts out the door…

VAL – I’m sorry Gen…I can’t place you in danger again. Forgive me.

Gen listens to Val’s voice crack under the strain of his emotional instability. The golden eyed, shrunken pupil visage of the Jedi Slayer was gone now and the fragile warrior beneath the darkness had once again escaped its menacing grasp on him. Again that barrier of protection was erected as Gen listened to Q2 shout in frustration.

Q2 – NO! CURSE YOU MISS ZERIDIAN! WHY MUST YOU CONSISTANTLY ROB HIM OF HIS POTENTIAL! WHY MUST YOU MEDEL IN MY AFFAIRS?

GEN – (growls loudly) BECAUSE I LOVE HIM…A TRAIT YOU WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE. He’ll never allow himself to bow to you as long as I have the influence to reach him…you will consistently fail in your efforts…you will never prevail.

Q2 – (scowls) It is only a matter of time Miss Zeridian…time is a predator that stalks its prey, it narrows its sight closer and closer around Val and everyone who dares to stand in its way. You’ve felt the crushing jaws of eternal darkness. Continue to interfere in my plans and I PROMISE you; you will be lost once more.

GEN – (narrows her eyes) Threats from a distance are the result of an inferior construct. You may have proved you can viciously destroy a planet but that does not make you any more a threat then Palpatine and like he…you…shall…fall.

Q2 – (grins) Unfortunately for you Miss Zeridian, you will not have the honor of standing in the same room as I and Val when our paths meet. I am a patient man however…I can show leniency. Val has two hours to compose himself, after which we will discuss the terms of our duel. If you dare to intervene in my affairs again, I won’t hesitate in depriving you of your life just as I extinguished those of the Forest Moon of Endor.

Gen attempts to withhold her growing hatred for Q2’s arrogant, jaded threats. All that concerned her for the moment was finding Val and shelving his apprehension for her safety. She knew deep down he was in a whole other realm, possibly a drawback from the virus slowly eating away at him. Trapped in a prison of regretful memories, she didn’t blame him for attacking her because it wasn’t Val who intended to harm her; it was the dark side itself lashing out in vengeance for Gen’s decision to accept love over its influence. Before her death in the halls of the Dark Jedi Academy, she made her decision to spare Val’s life and defy the hideous members of the Dark Jedi Council.

She briskly cut Q2 off in mid sentence as he continued to ramble on, smashing the view panel with her bare fist, cracking the display as a cloud of white hot streaks erupted in mechanical destruction. Gen felt better now, knowing that Q2 was still somewhere in Endor’s vicinity. Already Marc sent a fleet of nearby ships to Q2’s location, ordered not to fire unless absolutely necessary to gather as much info as they could on the technology he possessed. Gen paced slowly along the lacerations in the floor, tracing the carvings embedded in the walls of Central Command until she leaned down to retrieve her lightsaber and replace it on her belt. She wiped the tears pooling in her eyes as she turned on one heel and exited the room. The force was strong between her and Val…she could feel his pain swirling like an ominous storm, trapped in the middle of a hurricane swirling with regret and uncertainty.

His will was well-built but there was only so much one man could endure. Clearly the strongest, most stubborn man within VT, it wasn’t only his will that was cracking the walls of the prison holding back his darker persona…it was the growing influence increasing his midi-chlorians. He was reaching a stage in the virus’s development where he could no longer will away the shadows threatening to consume him.
 

INTERIOR: THE REIGNFIRE – BRIDGE

While Gen enters a turbolift and follows her instincts to locate her beleaguered companion, aboard the bridge of The Reignfire, Q2 sits within his chair recovering as he is informed of the VT fleet emerging from hyperspace.

SITH WARRIOR – Lord Q2, an armada has just emerged from hyperspace; we count roughly eight capitol ships and several fighters closing in on our position. Shall we engage the cloaking device?

Q2 glares towards the Sith controlling a display panel, narrowing his eyes in disgust. Returning his sight to the large monitor he watches the VT craft gather in Delta formation, but he can detect they have not charged their weapons.

Q2 – They attempt to gather information on our technology. Let us not disappoint them. Engage the quadra-drive engines and let nothing stand in our way. I tire of this retched location…I desire to return back to my Bastion. Set course immediately.

The Sith nods with a vile grin tapping in a few commands on the console. In the rear of the large, jagged vessel the experimental Quadra engines glow with a vibrant mixture of orange and red light. Tendrils of energy wrap around each other and form one supreme beam of spiraling energy as the vessel trembles with the roar of the charged engines. The VT fleet has no time to retaliate as The Reignfire swiftly, and brutally rams through four of their capitol ships, punching through armored steel and flight decks as if they were formed of ceramic paneling.

A brief flash of fire and an echo of rippling explosions tear the VT vessels to pieces in a blinding flickers of twisted, mangled metal. The view screen begins to show the engagement of the Quadra-space engines as the image forms the frames of distance as before, leaving the approaching view in the center, diminished box of the four frames presented.

In that instant, Q2’s ship vanishes into quadraspace heading with tremendous velocity back towards The Killian Bastion, leaving the patrolling VT fleet in a state of disarray.
 

INTERIOR: VERSAI TECH – LOWER DECK

Only Marcus is aware of the fleet’s sudden, unprovoked decimation while Gen streaks down the halls homing in on Val’s growing force signature. She rounds another hallway and descends a flight of spiraling, illuminated stairs. Similar to those found in the Carbon Feeze chamber on Bespin, these steps are glowing with blue lights instead of orange.

Here inside a hidden alcove she can make out the silhouette of Val seated in a reclined chair, stroking a wooden structure on his lap with several other containers scattered around him. Gen recognizes the items as what remained of the party gifts exchanged on Chandrila. Atop his lap, Val was gingerly tracing the smooth golden plate from Efface’s framed lightsaber lost at Tabannopolis.

Val feels Gen’s presence enter the room and he acknowledges her company with a subtle, exhausted nod while his fingertips trace along the details of the plaque and underneath, the autographed photo signed by every one of his closest companions, including his remaining family.

VAL – Lance gave me this you know…ironic isn’t it Gen? Ironic that several of the names on this document have suffered because they have known me…Sara, Lance, Marc…Lon…(sniffles) Terra.

Gen slowly walks to Val, placing her fingers soothingly on his shoulder, holding him close as he trembles against her, seething with a mixture of anger, pain, and deep sadness. He tries to withhold his tears but finds it unbearable. The loss of his heritage, his best friend, his sister, and his control is simply too great to endure.

VAL – I could have stopped him…if I had just let go…they’d be alive.

GEN – (concerned) Shhhhh…Honey, he was going to destroy the moon whether you gave into him or not. Some things are just…some matters are beyond our control. I know you are in pain, I can feel your heart troubled…laden with grief. Do not let him win, you understand me? Never ever surrender.

Val stands up and pushes Gen away from him, still rippling with indecision as he places distance between them.

VAL – I don’t have a choice anymore Gen! These names on this photo are a list…and YOUR NAME is on it. I don’t want him to get to you…I can’t risk that; I really cannot risk losing you because of my stubborn resistance. I love you more then words can express baby but I struck you…I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t step away from the darkness and I fear that I won’t be strong enough to escape it again. I don’t want to hurt you…I don’t want to risk…

GEN – NO Val! You didn’t mean to strike me; you were in another place…another time. I understand this Beloved; it was your love for me that STOPPED you from giving in fully to your hatred. Never forget who you are, do you understand me? NEVER QUESTION YOUR STRENGTH! If I must risk my life to be with you, then SO BE IT.

Val slowly walks over to a table where the remains of his gifts are spread out, showing each a symbol of one of his effected friends. Beginning from the left is the replica of Luke’s ROTJ belt handed to him by Lon, coupled with the cylinder containing the severed Hssis branded hand floating in a green liquid. Going down the line, there is Efface’s damaged lightsaber and a photo of Lance Jade standing arm in arm with Sara. Beyond the photo, laid out with care is the single surviving glove Terra fashioned for Val’s birthday. During the struggle with Skorne and Gannon, the second glove was damaged beyond repair. Val picked up the glove and traced over the spaced metal finger tabs evenly distanced between the knuckles, roaming his fingertips around the emblem of Gen’s crest embedded within the ribbed black material. His eyes study the details of the twin gold buckles fastened around the wrist as he returns his gaze to Gen.

VAL – How many more must suffer because of my resistance Gen? Here and now I swear to you this chaos will end. I will bring about the end of all things with Q2 and shatter what remains of The Killian Order.

GEN – I will not permit you to do this on your own Val, whether you wish my assistance or not. You are strong and confident enough to achieve victory but you’re still not in control of your body. Let me help you baby…let me ease your suffering.

VAL – Gen…I…

Gen warmly embraces Val and strokes her fingertips through his medium length brown hair, tenderly caressing his back while he weeps on her shoulder. With quaking hands he wraps his arms around Gen’s waist, stroking the small of her back as she rocks him slowly. The pain and uncertainty opened a new door of fear inside Val’s mind…a fear of the unknown, a fear of no longer being in control of his destiny. He would go to any lengths possible to protect Gen from harm, even if it meant tapping into his potential to defeat Q2 once and for all but in the end would it really be victory? What good would victory be if it cost him his humanity? That like all things…time would tell.

VAL – (whispering in Gen’s ear) I’m going to finish this Gen. I am going to end this nightmare but it means doing things…things I swore I would never do again. I really need your understanding, no matter what happens. I will not forget the meaning of the words, “Eternal Love, Forever Bound.”

Gen nods in sympathetic agreement as she weaves her fingers through his hair, tracing down to his bandaged arms where the white tape has become rugged and aged, in need of replacement. Glancing around the alcove she notices something unique that Val has never shown her before, locked away in a sealed hover case.

The case contains a new outfit of Val’s design but unlike the look of his previous attire. A padded black vest floats with belt loops affixed to the waist region and an asymmetry of red stripes stemmed from a red rimmed collar, leading down to the left forearm, disappearing at the end of the vest fabric region. Along the right is another strip of deep crimson red encircling the right shoulder.

The black material dominates the vest with a semi-velvet texture while Val’s signature “V” encompasses the collar. Below the vest is a pair of Val’s current black pants containing ribs of red padding around the outer thighs. Gen began to realize the significance of the apparel as personalized duelist attire which was specifically constructed to offer protection from heat and blasters and offer the wearer as little weight as possible providing maximized agility at the cost of complete armor protection. Sith Swords and lightsabers would still easily breach the limited protection of the ensemble.

Val noticed Gen studying the details of his vest, slipping from her arms as he returned to the table, gathering up Luke’s ROTJ belt and the single remaining glove Terra gave him. It didn’t take Gen long to decipher what he was intending to do as he started to peel away the white bandages, unveiling his slowly healed burns. The pain had for the most part subsided, but Val’s arms were still horribly scarred from Skorne’s fire net. Gen gazed to her champion, as she walked to the holo-case and removed the articles within.

Val lingered a moment, looking down to his matched fingerless gloves as he removed the glove to his left hand, replacing it with Terra’s, fastening the gold buckles into place. Val’s brown gaze traveled to Gen, reaching out to retrieve the vest in her hand as he removed his shirt, revealing the large scar across his back from his encounter with Vader.

GEN – Where did you attain such a mark Beloved? I have never noticed such defacement before.

VAL – (spreading the fabric of the vest) When you were killed Gen, after I vanquished Krevlin on the Death Star I encountered Lord Vader in a hallway. Acquiring his former Master’s weapon I fled the vicinity but he tracked me down to a small abandoned planet. This mark is a reminder of just how powerful the dark side can become and just how much at the time, I still needed to learn to battle those who wished me harm. Oddly enough the force never completely removed it but I view this scar as a badge of courage and strength. Each time I see it, it reminds me to remember what happens to those who are not strong enough to defy their destiny.

Gen’s lengthy fingers trace the details of Val’s scar, sweeping from his upper shoulder, down towards his ribs. She knew Val had grown incredibly strong and proficient in his abilities, there was not a doubt in her mind that he lacked any skill with his weapons whatsoever. He had easily overpowered her in a matter of seconds inside Central Command. Even with the dark side aiding his hallucinogenic desires, Val’s skill was indeed unmatched.

But that was IF he was at his best condition. With the virus slowly eroding his physical state, Val no longer could rely on his skill alone. The pain increased with his sudden movements and it slowed his swift agility just enough to effect his peak performances. He could still however endure the pain and fight through it which was another trait Gen admired in her chosen mate…his ability to endure the most excruciating agony and still prevail.

Val slipped on a black sleeveless shirt and then slid the black and red striped duelist vest over it. Adjusting the tails of the attire, Val then fed the end of Luke’s ROTJ belt through one loop then the other until the shiny black leather hugged his waist, meeting with the silver octagonal buckle fastened to his midsection. Possessing both a covertech clip and a traditional saber belt clip, Val reluctantly looked towards his other belt. This was the first time ever since its construction that Val relinquished his white and blue, capsule like design and embraced a cruder belt device.

It wasn’t about standing out or pride in craftsmanship now. He was a warrior arming himself with pieces of those who had fallen before him. With symbols of his friends and family, Val clipped the final elements of his duelist garb into position as Russel’s lightsaber hung along his left hip and Gen’s exquisite engagement gift dangled upon his right hip in all its chromed silver and gold plated splendor.

Reaching for the sheath containing his Lumatanium sword, he slid it into a section crafted to hold his weapon along his back. He then grabbed Gen’s birthday given long, sleeveless trench coat and swirled it around his shoulders, completing his ensemble. Gen beamed with pride studying the bold display of Val’s warrior presence, armed and ready to battle whatever came his way.

She paced around Val and examined the contents of his attire. From the Versai Crest encircled boots to the signature pants there was a visual harmony with the sleek velvet-like vest and the brazen silver buckle beaming from the center of Val’s midsection. Added to the prestige, Val had slipped on Terra’s elegantly crafted glove and she noticed that the right glove was the same style, fingerless that contained the Versai Crest in the wrist.

Val caressed his left hand along Gen’s cheek, memorizing her insatiable beauty, supporting his desire to protect her from harm. He glanced towards the table gazing to the photo of Lance and Sara, clenching his fist in anguish. Just then his wrist communicator began to beep. Val gestures for Gen to reach for a roll of black toned cloth bandages as she figures out what he wants her to do, stretching the line of material as she begins to loop an endless strand of black medical bandage around Val’s arms while he answers his comlink.

Only an hour had passed of Q2’s deadline and it was Marc who spoke into a comlink far beyond the interior of the room.

MARC – (comlink) Sir, I hope you are well recovered because I have some outstanding news I believe you will find most comforting.

VAL – (to Gen) Make sure you wrap the bandages around the end of my gloves, its heat resistant material from VT’s R&D lab as well as protective and it will form a tight seal.

Gen nods and takes careful measure to wrap the end of Terra’s glove, tucking the hanging material under the protection of the bandage, while repeating the process with Val’s right hand.

VAL – (com) I apologize to those who witnessed my outburst. I’m better collected now. What’s the news?

MARC – No need to apologize, the staff and I are aware of the circumstances you were placed under. I will not procrastinate any further though. I’m pleased to inform you that your sister and Vice President Lance Jade were not on the Forest Moon when it was destroyed.

VAL – (gasping) You mean…they’re alive? How did they survive? Where are they now? What is...(cut off)

MARC – Come down to Medical Ward 851, Sara is still recovering in stable condition but she’s unconscious…Lance on the other hand is eager to speak with you and requests your company immediately.

VAL – Understood…Gen and I will arrive momentarily.

Snapping off his comlink, Val kisses Gen passionately, dancing with her tongue in intertwined erotic delight, caressing her rear with both his covered hands, eagerly grasping her tender, taut globes. Gen purrs with approval leaning into Val’s touch, arching her hips back against his questing palms as she grabs him by the collar and forces him hard against the wall, pressing him there kissing with more intensity heating Val’s blood like wildfire with erotic desire.

It takes a few moments for Val to recall his priorities as he hesitantly breaks the kiss, licking his lips and flicking his tongue suggestively. Gen smiles and returns his gesture with a wink before smacking him on his butt and directing him towards the exit to the room. Finally one shred of relief fills Val’s troubled mind…Q2 may have destroyed his heritage, but he did not succeed in ending his bloodline or his friendships.
 

INTERIOR: THE KILLIAN BASTION – HANGER BAY

While Val and Gen march to meet up with Lance and Sara, in the dark foreboding bowels of The Killian Bastion, The Reignfire touches down in a secured location. A ramp lowers downward and Q2 briskly emerges from the shadows with purpose in his stride. Flanked by two Ssi Ruu and followed by the remainder of his crew behind him, he rushes towards the nearest flight of stairs and signals his entourage to leave his side.

Streaking in blurs of red and black, Q2 storms down a series of corridors and chambers, passing without relent through several opening doors until he reaches the secret entrance to his massive Throne Room. The panel slides away as he paces down the torch lit metal skinned labyrinth, reaching a single set of dual wooden doors with reveal another chamber and a red velvet curtain, finally leading Q2 into the left entrance to his hellish Throne Room.
 

INTERIOR: KILLIAN CITADEL – THRONE ROOM

Q2 quickly locates his throne and enthusiastically strikes a series of multicolored switches on the armrest, lowering Lon’s universal energy cage from the ceiling into view as his disheveled form is revealed. Stroking along his chin, Q2 looks into the cage and studies Lon’s fetal position.

The pain Lon experienced was excruciating and he laid inside the spherical prison in a ball as every single minute movement set his body into inflamed agony. Q2 delighted in Lon’s torment and basked in his murmurs waiting for just the right instance, Lon realized Q2 had returned. Wanting to torture his prey further, Q2 lowered the intensity of Lon’s restraining collar, allowing limited speech.

LON – (labored breathing) Not you agai ARGHHHH!

Lon’s words are briskly cut off by the voltage of his collar as he narrows his eyes towards the wicked tyrant smirking beneath his fabric mask, where the red onyx eyes loomed in the darkness, shimmering with sadistic intent.

Q2 – How are you Mr. Wol? Comfy, cozy? I really must apologize for the inconvenience I have put you through but that is the price of your continued survival. Fear not though my pet…very soon you will be joined by your beloved Master.

LON – I WILL NOT BE USED AS BAI ARRRRRRRRGH!!!!

Lon’s cries erupt again from his vibrating larynx. Q2 merely nods and continues his verbal torture.

Q2 – Yes…you will be used as bait. You are the key Lon, remember that. In less then ten minutes I’m going to contact Versai and allow you the pleasure of seeing him. Of course during that time you will not be permitted to speak. I don’t want my prize discovering our little secret just yet. If you even allow the idea to surface to warn him of my identity, I will drop your precious fiancée to her death. Are we clear?

Lon nods silently as he props himself upward with great strength and determination. He tried desperately to block out the pain but the extent of his untreated injuries kept him firmly held in its grip of misery. While he was trapped inside the Universal Energy cage he couldn’t use the force to stabilize, much less heal his injuries as his eyes trickled down to his missing hand, tucking it behind his back in an attempt to deny his loss of not only a fraction of his humanity, but also the mark of his past heritage with the Hssiss.

Q2 – You should have seen the look on his face when I tossed the Forest Moon of Endor into the heart of its sun…oh and one other interesting development. He finally cracked Lon…I saw the Slayer come out. If not for that meddlesome mate of his, I might have been able to witness more of his potential. Miss Kel is eager to duel with her former playmate and I will not disappoint her. Regardless of what I tell Versai, she will come…she must, her love beacons her to follow. You will watch her die Lon and after she has released her final breath… will you be released from your captivity.

Lon shakes his head, refusing to believe Q2’s claims. Val was stronger then that…Lon didn’t believe Val would allow himself to become the Jedi Slayer no matter what the circumstance. Then again he could not deny that Val was only one man and even with his unshakable determination, given the circumstances it was possible Q2 was telling the truth but Lon prayed that he had not already lost his mentor. Somewhere deep down, Lon held strong that Val had managed to escape the dark side for Lon knew first hand what it demanded in exchange for its abilities.

Q2 – Oh and here is one more matter I neglected to mention. It appears that Val has grown weaker since last you both met. Wrapped in bandages and unshaven…I detected a fraction of change in his presented form. Upon tapping into the force it all became quite clear. Do you want to know what I have discovered Mr. Wol? Shall I tell you Val’s “little secret”?

Lon perks his ear up, remembering the look of intense shock and pain Val had when he was brutally burned by Skorne’s fire net. What else was Val hiding? Lon had known before he departed there was a secret Val was keeping not only from himself but Gen as well…like it or not if Q2 had the answer, Lon was eager to listen.

Q2 – (smiles) At last I have your undivided attention. You see Mr. Wol, Valaryc’s secret is that he has become infected with an ingenious creation from my predecessor.  Cire wasn’t a complete idiot after all because he managed to leave a little parting gift for Val before his demise. That gift Mr. Wol is an incurable virus…which brings me to the point. Your Master…is dying.

LON – NO! IMPOSSIBLE I….ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Trying to fight through the restraint of the collar, Lon is only able to utter a few words before he is slammed back into the floor of the cage. His heart races with adrenaline, wanting to break out of the cage and rip Q2’s head off. It couldn’t possibly be true. Val was too powerful and stubborn to be knocked off by something as cowardly as a virus. In a knock down, drag out duel Val could defeat any opponent who stood in his way but the virus was an opponent he could neither see nor defend against. Underneath his flared denial, Lon had to come to terms and accept that if what Q2 has said has been proven accurate…that that would explain why Val had snapped momentarily.

A great hatred mixed with sadness washed over Lon’s subconscious mind. He wanted to warn Val of what Q2 planned to do and the authority he possessed. Val had no idea just how capable a fighter Q2 was and no clue how to prepare against him not to mention Q2’s concealed Lumatanium armor under his suit which would render Val’s signature move useless and leave him wide open for attack.

Instinctively Lon darted against the cage, ignoring the flared pain, trying to claw his way with his good hand towards Q2’s throat.

Q2 – Yes…I can feel your anger grow Lon Wol. Perhaps you might become the Sith Inquisitor after all? What good would it be to give you a rematch though? You’re beaten…broken…and in no condition to offer a challenge. No Mr. Wol, you will dwell within a prison of steel and witness your mentor return to the shadows as the dark side proves its superiority over the power of your pathetic notions of love.
 

INTERIOR: VERSAI TECH – MEDICAL WARD 851

Already having arrived, Val is revealed seated by Sara’s side, holding her lifeless hand in his embrace while the echo of a heart monitor and medical equipment reverberates throughout the room. Lance watches Val carefully, feeling his emotional conflicts contrast one another. Letting him have his time with his sister, Lance paces over to Gen with the aid of a cane and speaks with her.

LANCE – We were lucky to depart before the moon was attacked. Thank the force we escaped in time, but I cannot help but feel saddened for the lives of those lost in this madman’s twisted game.

GEN – (nods) Lance, Val suffered immensely and could not cope with the thought of your death. Strong as he is, at least his greatest fear did not come to pass. You and Sara offer him the hope he so desperately needs. I rejoice in your survival.

Lance extends his hand, but Gen takes the more feminine approach giving Lance a warm hug as they both watch Val attend to Sara, sleeping soundly beneath the sheets of her bed.

VAL – (whispering) I’m going to make them pay for doing this to you Sara. I’ll make Skorne suffer for all the sins he has committed. I want you to take good care of Lance my sister…he’s a good man and well worthy of your hand in marriage. Though I may not be around to attend your wedding, know I will be with you in spirit. Where I must go…you cannot follow.

Sara is able to listen to Val’s words but she is unable to reply to them as she is trapped in a well of darkness where she can hear the voices of those around her but cannot see them. Her heart monitor jumps a few beats listening to her brother’s words. What did he mean “I may not be around”? Concern spread through her body but she forced herself to remain calm, not wanting to prolong her recovery. The metal fragments throughout her body were successfully surgically removed and very soon the ysalamiri DNA was breaking down from her natural immune system which would then allow her to wield the force again and shatter her slumbering state.

Val slowly walked over to Lance and leaned against the wall, pressing his sword into the surface while crossing his arms along his chest.

LANCE – (Attempting to be humorous) Well Mr. President I see you’re sporting some new duds there.

VAL – Lance words cannot articulate how comforted I am that you’ve both survived. You know what this means don’t you? The purpose of this attire should be clear; I’m sure you recognize its significance.

LANCE – That I do Val, you’re about to go on one of your one man fighting sprees. Keep in mind you don’t have to go this alone, say the word and I’m there. You can always depend on my assistance my friend. I’ll gladly take a crack at Skorne for what he did to Sara.

VAL – (sighs) If I recognize Q2’s pattern of behavior Lance, this will be a circumstance I must face alone. These types of villains are always obsessed with the one on one confrontation. I don’t know what Q2’s terms are just yet, much less the stakes involved but I can promise you that in the end…he’s going down once and for all.

LANCE – (nods) May the force protect you my friend. It has served you well in the past; I believe it will not abandon you when you need it most.

VAL – Take care of her Lance, make sure she never has to suffer through this tragedy again. When you two are finally married, I want you both to enjoy the peace you deserve. You’ve both suffered enough at the hands of others…watch over her for me and keep her safe.

LANCE – But of course, that’s what husbands do.

VAL – (starting to walk away) One other thing my friend…keep an eye on Gen. She’s going to need a lot of support when this is all over and you’re the only man I can trust with that responsibility.

LANCE – (blinks) What do you mean? Why would I need to watch over her? You’re not going to leave her here are you? You know Gen will never stand for that.

VAL – (nods) I will do what I have to, to end this war with The Killian. No matter what it takes.

Just then Val’s comlink begins to beep again. This time it isn’t a message of hope, it is the signal that Q2’s deadline had expired and true to his word, he had began his transmission, demanding Val’s presence to grace his monitor.
 

INTERIOR: THE KILLIAN BASTION – THRONE ROOM

Q2 was seated prominently upon his throne as he watched Val finally emerge onto the screen in his new black and red striped attire, examining the additions to Val’s garments. Q2 smiled in approval, noting the shift from the fragile white medical wrappings to the decision of using more tone coordinated black material that distracted from the injuries beneath them.

Biding his time, Q2 stretched his fingers and flexed his ribbed black glove with a crack of his knuckles before repeating the same process with his opposite white covered hand. His shimmering golden mask glistened with the reflections of fire roaring around him as he leaned back and clutched the armrests of his chair.

Q2 – So close are we to the final battle eh Versai? But of course let’s not spoil the moment. As you can plainly see I have chosen my attire just as you have decided upon your own specialized outfit. What is left to say but to discuss the terms of our epic confrontation? You…alone, armed, and primed for mêlée. I do NOT want that violet eyed wench accompanying you. I will transmit the coordinates of my vast location…but first, Mr. Wol is eager to pass on his greetings.

Q2 shifts his screen so that Lon’s Universal Energy cage lowers into view along his left side. Within the chamber, Lon stares hazily to Val widening his eyes with an instance of joy. He can see Val has selected not only a new outfit but was wearing his gift! He knew Val was going to come and rearrange Q2’s face, but he also feared that Q2 was undeniably setting Val up for an ambush by demanding Val arrive alone. After all it’s exactly the same circumstance Lon fell for, however Val was the Master and as such he was prepared to adapt to his surroundings.

A glimmer of anger quivered through Val’s tensed veins as he observed the condition of his Padawan. He also noted although Lon tried to conceal his shame, the missing hand as well. This only made Val angrier but he didn’t give Q2 the satisfaction of seeing his emotions this time, burying his feelings deep down.

VAL – (to Lon) Hang in there buddy, I’m coming for you…don’t give up.

Q2 – (growls) Heroic nonsense…You have two hours to arrive here Versai, alone and armed with whatever tools you deem necessary to incorporate into your dueling strategy. However I am not finished with the terms of our conflict. The rules are simple…there are none. The only condition outside of the arena is that you will continue to instruct your forces not to fire upon my fleet.

VAL – So predictable…continue. Time is no longer something I wish to endure.

Q2 – The stakes of the contest are as follows, you will hand over Versai Tech to me if you lose the duel. All of your belongings will be turned over immediately to our control. If you by some miracle manage to best me in combat, I will disband The Killian and The Sith and allow you to do what you will with my armada. This means we both have something to lose and ultimately we both have something worthy of fighting for to protect.

VAL – How do I know I can trust you to keep your word?

Q2 – (smirks) Oh I have given you no reason to trust me…you simply have no logical choice in the matter. If you do not comply I will continue to destroy every planet you hold dear starting with Tuulab, then Alpha Xeridia and any other location you choose to flee to. The Forest Moon surely confirms that I have the abilities to support my words.

VAL – (growls) I will come alone and believe me I will be well armed. This is no longer just about maintaining the stability of my organization it’s a rescue mission and the ship has JUST LEFT THE DOCK!

As Val briskly turns around and storms out the door, Q2 flashes the coordinates erupting in frenzy over Val defying him the pleasure of controlling the conversation. Marc is quick to contact Val who already barrels down the hallway and enters the hanger bay housing his Howlrunner with the coordinates Q2 transmits. Gen dashes after him but Lance steps in her way.

LANCE – He has to handle this on his own Gen.

GEN – NO! You do not comprehend the severity of the situation, he’s not planning on coming back…I MUST pursue him.

LANCE – (blinks) What do you mean not coming back? Val can take this guy.

Gen stares deep into Lance’s eyes as tears start to form within her orbs. Lance already senses Val’s ship leave the Hanger Bay as his signature diminishes while he blocks Gen from pursuing him, remembering his promise to Val previously to watch over her.

GEN – YOU HAVE TO LET ME PASS! VAL ISN’T RETURNING BECAUSE OF THE DUEL!

LANCE – (raises a brow) Then why?

GEN – HE’S DYING LANCE, HE ONLY HAS DAYS LEFT TO LIVE! I WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TO FACE THIS SITUATION IN SOLITUDE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME LANCE? I WILL NOT!

LANCE – I see…Alright, go after him.

Lance quickly steps aside and Gen tears off down the hallway, dashing towards the trajectory of the Hanger bay, running up the ladder of an A-Wing as she tosses a container of clothing into the back compartment and begins to ignite the engines, knowing how to pilot the vessel from her studies during Val’s coma.

Not too long after Val’s craft has entered hyperspeed at maximum velocity does Gen demand Marc to give her to coordinates to pursue Val’s ship. Not wanting to cross Gen, Marc reluctantly transmits the directions and Gen enters them into her navacomputer. Strapping herself securely in the cockpit, her pirated A-Wing vanishes into streamlined acceleration as her vessel disappears into hyperspace in hot pursuit of her conflicted lover.

Meanwhile back inside Central Command, Lance continues to struggle with Gen’s revelation. It all slipped into place now…Val wasn’t only going to rescue Lon he planned to sacrifice himself to save VT from Endor’s fate. That was true heroism but it also meant that if Val didn’t find some way to succeed it would be the end of everything he had fought so hard to attain. Taking a deep breath, Lance shuffled down a hallway and headed back down to Medical Ward 851 to stay beside his cherished fiancée and pray that somehow…some way, Val would defy the odds stacked against him.
 

INTERIOR: THE KILLIAN BASTION – ELIXIS’S QUARTERS

While Gen and Val disappear into the regions of space on route to the Bastion, inside Elixis’s quarters she and Skorne begin to dress after an extended night of erotic pleasure. Elixis is the first to be revealed, dressed in her serpentine attire slipping on a pair of near fingerless black gloves signifying her lapse of mercy or compassion during her impending confrontation.

Skorne emerges from the back of the room outfitted in his signature shimmering orange, red, and black armor holding his customized wing like helmet in his hand while cocking his dual pistols with the other, slamming in a fresh energy pack into the hilts.

SKORNE – He’s on his way here…I can feel it.

Elixis paces gingerly up to Skorne and helps place his helmet on his head, giving him a lengthy kiss on his lips as he disappears behind his armored shell. With his visor sparking in an orange-red based vision, Elixis’s features are washed away while Skorne slips his blasters into his customized black rectangular holsters. Elixis leans up and whispers into the silver receptor units nestled within his helmet allowing him to hear what’s around him.

ELIXIS – Remember, when Q2 is distracted by his battle with Val and when Gen has been properly disposed of is the time you are to unleash your disruptor pistols upon him. The misdirection will force him off balance and he will not expect such a quick resolution. Then all he possesses will be ours and you and I will rule the universe side by side.

SKORNE – Not if I slay Val first…

ELIXIS – (smiles) Q2 will undoubtedly be distracted should that occur, that will be your signal to strike him down as you so lust to accomplish. I know he’s antagonized you far too long.

Skorne smiles broadly beneath his helmet, drawing Elixis into his plated chest as his fingers grab her rear and squeeze her padded cat suit tight.

SKORNE – Then you and I will have all the time in the world to indulge our instincts.

ELIXIS – To the victor yield the spoils of war baby.

Elixis winks seductively and staggers her pace, presenting her backside to Skorne, brushing against his covered armor before taking her time reaching the exit to her quarters. She relished the opportunity to watch her champion strike down their arrogant leader. Added to that satisfaction, Elixis was eager to cross paths with Gen Zeridian and finally rectify the blunder of their past encounter. This time Elixis was hell bent on proving she, not Gen deserved to attain the title of #1.
 

INTERIOR: THE KILLIAN BASTION – THRONE ROOM

Skorne is accurate in his assumptions as Val wanders the inner depths of the Killian Bastion, led by a series of sliding doors and blinking lights just as his Padawan was before. Likewise Q2 has reset his little trials but they are no match for Val’s endless intensity. Passing into the Aqua Room, Val doesn’t resort to igniting his saber to reach the top, he leaps down unsheathing his sword in a downward plunge, stabbing into the drill the instant he senses it, severing its power core at the source, then with his midi-chlorian count increased, leaps directly up and levitates himself to the tiny ledge. With his razor sharp sword, Val dashes through the doors and slices through the barrage without heed, so swiftly that his blur doesn’t even give the Sith Droids a chance to detect his presence while those that were trapped met a severed, shimmering end.

Reaching the energy field, Val uses Electronic Manipulation by following a series of power conduits to shut down the rippling orange barrier. Standing in the center of the final door, Val snaps his eyes backward and channels the force to grip the fourth circular door as the cracked steel disc tears from its foundation and hurls with unparallel velocity directly into the final blockade of rising fire, shattering the tips of the flame throwers and completely decimating the surrounding wall as the massive coin like structure careens into the double doors outside of Q2’s inferno chamber with a resounding THUD of steel.

Beams of white light and swirls of dust and smoke reveal Val’s determined silhouette as Q2 cocks his head curiously to view Lon too has been awoken by the commotion. Just as Lon before, Q2 extends the first gantry outward, leading to the central expansive platform in the center of the room. Val doesn’t need a map to determine what Q2 intends for him, quickly dashing towards and beyond the platform, running along the second ramp as Q2 attempts to quickly retract it, far too late against Val’s superior blinding speed which places him further then his predecessor…at the bottom of Q2’s dais, with sword in hand.

Q2 – (claps) That was most impressive Mr. Versai, even your impulsive Padawan failed to reach this distance.

VAL – (snarls) You wanted a fight, I’m bringing it to you…alone as agreed. Come off your plateau so we can end this contest.

Val spins his Lumatanium sword in a splendid display of his duelist skills, whipping the edge through the air as the torchlight glistens off his crafted mirror polished length. Drawing in a profound breath it is only in that period of defense that Val is able to fully study his surroundings.

From his vantage point he can see several Imperial like blue lighting panels lined along the smooth surface of a polished onyx metal floor. Along his left and right he observes the replicas of Palpatine’s communication kiosks which meet, evenly spaced apart at opposite corners of the trapezoid shaped throne surface. High above the stairs, cloaked in the shadows Q2 sits as he snaps Lon’s Universal Energy cage skyward by its chain mechanism into the ceiling then pivots the chain along its track forward to the center of the interior placing Lon’s prison hovering dangerously over the pit of molten gold below as Xola is mirrored along the right.

Val feels the brush of intense heat ripple over his backside, looking over his shoulder to the bubbling well of liquid gold below as the yellowish glow illuminates the front of his face in dramatic lighting. Fire was one element Val was not prepared to encounter, especially a room without a floor. Only the central platform and another two platforms towards the left and right, spaced one story above and below his current position offered stable ground to tread upon, except of course the circular platform to his rear which he had no intentions of becoming stranded on.

VAL – Fire? That’s new.

Q2 – Unfortunately for you Versai I have other engagements to handle before we shall commence our grand conflict. I rejoice that you have followed instructions, however as I stated before this contest has no rules…allow me to introduce you to an old friend of yours.

VAL – What kind of joke is this? I came to fight YOU not your lackeys.

Q2 engages a few buttons within his armrest as the curtains shielding the hidden entrance to the throne room slide up while Skorne enters from the right followed by Elixis from the left. Val grips his sword tightly seeing Skorne approach him and the other unidentified female close in on even distances from his current location.

He assumed the platinum haired vixen in Vader knock-offs and red boots was Elixis Kel. He fully recognized Skorne however as his anger flashed through his narrowed eyes while Skorne nodded in approval approaching perilously closer towards Val, sliding his red gloved fingers along his hips at the base of his holstered blasters.

VAL – (snarls) I should have guessed a moron like you would resort to predictable set ups Q2. I thought for one instant you had a shred of honor but I see you’re nothing more then another punk kid hiding behind a mask.

Q2 – (growls) I AM NOT A JUVINILE! THIS IS MY COMPETITION AND MY RULES…YOU WILL LEARN TO ADAPT TO CHANGE OR I WILL DROP YOUR PRECIOUS FRIENDS INTO THE PIT OF FIRE RIGHT NOW!

Skorne fastens his shimmering visor on Val’s position, grinning with eager delight now that his pursued prey was right where he has wanted him, set up for the grandest payback and true to Q2’s word given first crack at his hated rival.

ELIXIS – (looks around) Lord Q2 the agreement was for BOTH of them, why is Zeridian not here?

Q2 flexes his fingers observing the set up below him, smiling with pleasure as he reaches out to the force and feels his predictions coming true. Just then the two doors to the Throne Room explode into fragments of shattered metal as bolts of twirled purple lightning rip them from their foundations. Gen sweeps in like a raven dressed in new attire which glistens with traces of gold as she leaps past the central circular platform and lands back to back with Val, focusing her attention on Elixis.

ELIXIS – (smiles to Q2) Nevermind…

Removing her cloak and beaming with joy, Elixis tosses her black and red silken article to the floor and proceeds to pace up the ramp to the right leading to the highest platform in the vicinity. Gen glances towards Skorne and charges the force in her palm, torn between unleashing her lightning into him or going after Elixis. Val senses her intentions and settles his fingerless covered hand on her shoulder.

ELIXIS – Ah finally Gen Zeridian…holder of the title of #1 fighter in the Shadow Guild we meet face to face…BOTH resurrected. It is time we settle who truly deserves the designation of the best female fighter in the galaxy. Let the boys play…this is girl’s night out.

VAL – She’s yours…you both have unfinished business, leave the tin soldier to me.

(from this point all battles take place in the same room but are divided by locations within the Throne Room for visual convenience).
 

INTERIOR: THRONE ROOM – DECK 3

Elixis places distance between herself and Gen pacing up the ramp. Without a word of warning she unleashes a salvo of agonizing Inferno Lighting nailing Gen from a distance before she can even reach the summit of the deck. Gen loses the grip on her lightsaber but quickly calls it back to her hand with the force, trying to raise a lesser force shield as Elixis’s white-hot lightning wraps around Gen’s sizzling flesh, threatening to set her clothes on fire if not for her added heat resistant protection.

Elixis you see possessed no lightsaber which meant that she was only as lethal as the distance she created between herself and her victim. Gen deciphered this quickly and promptly formed her offensive strategy to exploit this weakness.

Gen reignites her purple blade as it bathes her body in its radiant purplish-blue light. Having erected a lesser force shield, Elixis’s lightning continues to eat away at Gen’s defenses but Gen is focused to close the expanse between herself and her attacker, placing them both on even ground. Succeeding in reaching an optimum striking range, Gen viciously sends a horizontal uppercut with the back end of her lightsaber hilt, clipping Elixis unexpectedly under the chin hurling her off balance as she whips around and slams into a control panel.

Gen spins her saber blade around in a 180 degree circle then hurls her blade clean through the panel just a fraction after Elixis knocks herself to the ground and spins from harms way. With an expertly placed descending plunge Gen impales the core of the machine. It heats with intense molten light and a spray of sparks as her blade swiftly retracts, whirled around as Gen’s purple hair thrashes towards her left, bringing her leather belt fastened boots to kick Elixis square in the midsection, just before Gen grabs Elixis by the hair and knees her with a crushing blow beneath her chin, with teeth crunching impact.

Coughing and spitting a trail of blood, Elixis reaches out with the force and rips a large rectangular piece of equipment bolted into the surface of the platform, hurling the massive projective blindly as it slams square into the center of Gen’s back, flanked by another smaller contraption ripping through the air with unstoppable trajectory into her left thigh, knocking Gen dangerously close to the red light blinking metal guard rail and closer to the cavernous pit miles below.
 

INTERIOR: THRONE ROOM – MAIN FLOOR

Meanwhile the battle between Skorne and Val is already underway. Val slashes towards Skorne with his razor sharp sword as the rare hunter weaves himself back and forth, striking between Val’s swings with the back of his gauntlet in an attempt to disorient Val with a concussion. A brutal roundhouse kick by Skorne’s metal leg forces the sword from Val’s hand, sending the weapon skidding with a trail of sparks along the ground.

Val catches his breath as Skorne lunges inward, unleashing a volley of hard kicks and punches to Val’s ribs and upper torso, driving him backward towards the edge of the platform just as Val looks up to see Gen narrowly dodge another piece of heavy machinery threatening to  knock her off the highest deck. Using this device to his advantage, Val reaches out with his right hand and wraps his grip around the large device with the force, shifting its decent into a well placed spinning blur of mechanical mayhem as Skorne looks up to discover it heading directly towards him like a gigantic ball of solid rock.

Just as Skorne attempts to dive out of the way, Val centralizes a TK punk into the heart of the machine, shattering it into pieces of deadly shrapnel that fly towards Skorne and slam into his glistening plated suit, embedding pieces into his chest plate while some ding and dent his menacing red serrated helmet.

In a flash Skorne returns to one knee angrily yanking out the bits of metal just as Val grabs him by his neck and tosses him with brutal strength into the nearest wall, dashing up in a smear of black and red slamming his covered fists into Skorne’s body, using fierce TK punches to breach it and dent into the already damaged plating simultaneously.
 

INTERIOR: THRONE ROOM – DECK 3

Meanwhile Elixis has managed to gain minimal distance between Gen and herself. As Gen reaches down to grasp the dagger given to her by Terra, she feels her body suddenly propelled upward as her breath tightens and her throat clenches. Snapping her purple eyes towards Elixis she sees her lifting her black glove skyward, surrounded by an orange glowing radiance. Recognizing this as a force attack she’s never encountered before Gen struggles to shatter Elixis’s control over her leather clad body but discovers that she’s now been led beyond the safety of the railing, looming over the hellish pit of oblivion below her as heat ripples distort and cloud her fading vision.

GEN – (gasping for air) For the death of my daughter you and your hunter will pay dearly…its not over, it WILL NEVER BE OVER BETWEEN SKORNE AND I.

ELIXIS – First Terra T’Negun and now you shall fall by my hand Gen…then nothing will stand in my way from being the BEST.

GEN – (blinks, trying to buy time) What do you mean FIRST TERRA. Skorne murdered my daughter…

ELIXIS – Ah but you see Gen he may have pulled the trigger but it was I who ordered her EXECUTION!

Gen feels her anger grow and her hatred begin to build. It was all too clear now; it explained the shock in Skorne’s words when he realized the importance of his target. Val would deal with Skorne, there was no doubt he would make him suffer for his atrocities but now realizing the revelation that her daughter was viciously slaughtered because of her mother’s heritage over a stupid insignificant title, this elevated Gen’s determination to vanquish Elixis once and for all dramatically as her body began to glow with a amethyst aura.

GEN – YOU HAVE NO CONCEPTION OVER THE MISTAKE YOU HAVE JUST COMMITED.

Sensing Gen’s anger intensify Elixis quickly ends the grip over her body, hoping to send Gen plunging to her death before she can capitalize on her newfound power. As Gen’s body plummets down she channels the force to shift her trajectory and place her in range towards a series of support rails erecting the deck above her. Elixis confidently and foolishly paces over to the guard rail and gazes downward into the bubbling pit far below her, just as Gen spins vertical, feet first kicking Elixis in the center of her padded midsection with such power, the wind is taken from Elixis’s lips.

A flash of purple radiance and Gen’s lightsaber once again screams to life, but Elixis in the midst of her coughing is swift to unleash another agonizing volley of feral orange lightning. Gen absorbs the impact and scores her first slice of significant damage as her lightsaber cleaves across the center of Elixis’s suit, slicing into her bare tissue in a horizontal arc of vibrating lavender vengeance. Elixis cries out in horror but does not cease her efforts, combining her increased power thanks to Q2’s replicated boost to her midi-chlorians lifting Gen back into the air with Force Dominion, choking the life from her body in addition to encasing her smoking leather clad prey in a web of agonizing blinding flammable light.

Gen is forced to lose her grip over her weapon as her lightsaber topples to the floor and rolls underneath another large mechanical unit, out of her line of sight to call it back to her abandoning her seemingly unarmed. Elixis gathers the time to savor the screams rippling from Gen’s throat but quickly lunges out of the way as a green discus of energy suddenly shears through the surface below, leaving a glowing trail of eroded metal, rising vertically to clip along Elixis’s arm while Val has enough time to send a wink to Gen before recalling his spinning saber discus.