Somethings are best left Forgotten

[Kell Sangros]

“So much for that” Kinta said to nobody in particular,

Vyn knew what was going to happen, she would not deviate nor would she directly answer the comm.. She looked over her instruments, and opened herself to the Force and with a nudge she brought the shuttle forward , the sub-lights using a bit more power to give them more speed. Vyn targeted one of the TIEs but would not fire until they fired first, but one thing was evident to the incoming TIES, this shuttle would not back down, it was not heavily armed but it did have armanents.

With each passing moment the Sith apprentice drew deeper into the Force. The shuttle’s target was the hanger to the facility.

[Varn Badaash]

The tech jumped back, startled by Harbingers quick take over of the droids systems. Ryder merely smile as the droid body began testing it limits but the Director watched on with suspicion. The rest of the Imperials in the room were startled by the Shards ability to speak through their systems and control a droid body.

“Honestly we would have come to you sooner but a lot has happen since the days you walked the galaxy,” Ryder spoke up first. His grey eyes gave the droid body a once over. He’d pulled the body from his past life’s work shop, Corran had designed it to pacify Harbinger if he ever became to dangerous.

The Director tapped his cane causing a loud clanking sound to reverberate through the room. “Mr. Ryder is correct, things have changed, but recently one of my best agents told me he believed you were not responsible for Remilus’ death and that instead Lord Shen did it all.” His eye darted to Ryder and then back to the red eyes of Harbinger. “If this is true then you are the only one that can prove Lord Shen is indeed a Sith Lord and thus give us the evidence to bring him down.” The director took a deep breath, causing a brief silence to fill the chamber. “If you give us the evidence we need then we will give you amnesty for your past crimes and you’ll be welcome back to the Empire for helping take down an internal threat and you’ll get your revenge for him framing you.”

While Gregor never truly trusted the Shard life form, even when he was a valuable asset to the Empire, the Director did know that Harbinger was the quickest and simplest ways to take down their common enemy. Ryder stepped up to the droid form and stretched out his right robotic hand towards him in a symbolic gesture in hopes the Shard would take the deal. He also hoped that Harbinger would recognize the robotic hand from years back when he and the droid first did battle a storm on Tatooine. So many years ago both Harbinger and Ryder’s last life of Corran were young member of the Empire at the time, now they stood to potentially become allies again.

~Control tower~

“Unidentified vessel, this is your final warning, divert your coarse!” The woman’s voice ordered again. He hands danced across her console and switched to the comm channel with the Ties. “You have a green light to engage!”

“Should I want the Director,” she said as she turned to the Captain who ran the station.

“Not yet, he’s in the middle of important business and I’d hate to interrupt right now,” the Imperial Captain looked out the view port at the distant vessel and the Ties closing in on it. “Have a team prepare to launch to board the vessel, I’m sure the Ties will make quick work of this shuttle.”

“Yes sir,” the comms officer replied before she turned back to her console and followed the orders given to her.

[Harbinger]

Lacking the ability to smirk, and show his amusement at the discomfort of the Imperial crew members, and the startled state of the tech, Harbinger took solace in the fact that it still seemed he was among the very few Shards that were known to the Galaxy, if not the only one in recent memory. With the systems analysis complete and the droids body put through its paces, Harbinger found it sorely lacking in every regard. Limited mobility, slow motors in the joints, and an internal gyro that seemed to be tuned to force him to constantly keep his balance. It was almost as if this body had been designed to hinder and hamper the Shards combat training and make him easier to handle. Glancing at Ryder as he spoke, he simply nodded and looked back towards the Director as his cane clanked upon the floor plates.

"Well it seems that Imperial Intelligence operatives have not changed even if the Galaxy at large has. If what my connection to your data streams tells me is true, its been Four years, Six months, Nine days, and some hours since i was stripped of my chasis and dumped beneath your very feet Director." he said, reinforcing his intense distaste for the manner in which he was held prisoner, only for "His best Agent" to bring him this information recently. Harbinger began to pace the floor between Ryder and the Director, this, Gregor fellow.

"You man is correct. I did not kill Remilus, though only for the fact that Lord Shen deprived me of the opportunity to do so. Make no mistake Director, I hold no love for the Empire and do not wish to become a part of this one you find yourself in charge of. What i was doing when Lord Shen defeated me, was systematically betraying high ranking Imperial Sith to dig them out root and stem, and remove their stain from the Galaxy" he said as his pulsing red aura continued to fill the room with its soft glow from within the droids chasis. "Now. Do not mistake my actions for simple petty arrogance or moral simplicity. I was taken in by Remilus and his Ilk. They spoke of power, prestige, and honor. And when i proved useful to them, When i succeeded in my missions for them, I found them to be lacking in every regard. Savage animals, brutal monsters, and cutthroat braggarts the lot of them" His tone was slowly taking on a harsh edge, as the anger that he'd been known for began to well up inside of him as he, for the first time, was actually asked his side of this story.

"It was after i first met Otto Von Ruentahl... or how ever its pronounced. The mechanical organic monstrosity that was the originator of the body i'd been wearing for years at that point. I was shown the inner mechanics and workings of their plot. An enormous ship... Egg shaped, and vile. Filled with abominations of Sith Sorcery and science without conscience. I cannot recall what they had intended, but it spelled doom for the Galaxy and there was no honor in it what so ever"

His pacing stopped, his fist clenched tight as he looked out the view port towards the stars, towards the billions of lives that would have been corrupted and enslaved by the madness of those few individuals. Monitors around him began to flicker and cloud with static as he lost himself for a moment in the sight of it all, the Galaxy that he'd sought to bring a measure of Honor into, and failed to do so after being betrayed. Looking back only after a long moment to collect himself and calm his rage as he relaxed his fingers from the clenched straining fists they'd been.

"It was after that fateful viewing, that i met with Lord Shen, on his very own vessel. There were Imperial dignitaries and officers all around us, and i knew that my moment was at hand. I was dealing with a powerful Sith Lord and i had no choice but to expose him then and there. Little did i know, that Shen would simply kill everyone in the room. From the highest rank, to the cowering troopers. Look at my old chasis if you need the proof of it. The video, audio, years of it. All there still on the memory core. I made sure to record everything i saw and heard, evidence if you want to call it that. But the battle scars on that chasis will tell the truth of it. Sabre scars, lightning scorched wiring. Towards the end of the encounter, the droid itself was offline and the force was the only thing keeping me going before i was struck down. After that? Who knows. I awoke in my cell and remained there until this day. So there's your proof Director. Shen was a Sith Lord, But not the Dark Lord of his time. That was someone i never met"

Looking between Gregor and Ryder, Harbinger stepped over to the man with the metallic arm, the blank expression of his droid body could not display his confusion, but memories were coming back to him, of sabre's and blades clashing in a sand storm on a god forsake rock in the outer rim, a feeling of familiarity and fellowship there aswell. So he shook the offered hand and nodded "Provide me a chasis fit for battle, built to my specifications to enhance my abilities, and i will bring those you desire to justice. But only, because you've offered me the chance to bring honor to myself and finish the job i started years ago. As for your Empire. Do as you will. I'll be no part of it"

[Kell Sangros]

Kinta flipped the switch muting the incoming final warning. She did not turn to look at the Mandalorian who sat next to her, “Fire at will” she told him, it was all she needed to say to unchain the proverbial dog from his leash. With that command he began to pump laser fire towards the group of TIES , and at that moment Kinta banked the shuttle to a hard left, as more laser fire spread across the field. It was an opening salvo and Kinta knew the chances of them being taken were high, but she would fight her way to her objective and then fight her way out.

The shuttle had no markings, and was not heavily armed, it had a minimal shield generator which she had raised when she released Vyn from his restraint. If need be she knew Warvanus could assign blame to the Krath who had fallen silent since the liberation of Darth Tormentous and the ascension of its new High Priest whom, nobody knew the identity of.

The Battle had only just begun….

[Varn Badaash]

Ryder and Gregor gave each other a look when Harbinger brought up Otto. That was when things within Imperial Intelligence started going south. All that was over now and Gregor had spent years rebuilding and reorganizing the Intel branch which unfortunately allowed Shen to slip through the cracks. Ryder knew that the Director wouldn’t like most of what Harbinger was saying but at the end of the day the Shard was agreeing to help.

“Then it’s settled, Harbinger will aid us and in return we will get him a new body and pardon him for his past transgressions,” Ryder spoke before the Director could respond. “I believe it’s best if we take him to Captain Vassyl and the Inquisition, allow Harbinger to see for himself that the Empire has more honor now that it ever did back in his days. They can also prepare him a better body then this protocol droid.”

“Not so fast Mr. Ryder....” the directors voice trailed off as he spotted the green glow of Tie-fighters firing at something through the viewport. Ryder quickly turned his attention to where Gregor was looking then looked back at him, worry in his grey eyes. The Director shook his head and grabbed his comm link. “Captain, what is the Tie squadron firing at.”

“Director, it is just a simple shuttle, I’m sure the Ties will make quick work of it,” the officer replied.

“Has the shuttle been identified?!” The Director demanded.

“No sir, it refused to answer any hails and it’s completely unmarked.” The voice responded, surprised by the Directors harsh tone.

Ryder shook his head, he had an idea who it was and he didn’t like it. “Director, you need to call for a full evacuation,” Ryder began. “I’m sure that’s Lord Shen here to finish the job, he’ll kill everyone on the station and blame it on Harbinger. I should’ve known he would be keeping an eye on Harbinger.”

The Director for the first time looked worried, he had seen the carnage of when Shen killed Remilus and had no desire to see it happen first hand. “Then we best make haste,” the Director responded, already tapping the controls to lift. “Captain, evacuate the station!”

“But sir, it just a shutt...” he paused as he spotted the vessel return fire and rip through a couple of the Ties. “I’m sure if I launch the secondary squadron we’ll be fine.”

“Launch them so we can slow the shuttle down and then call for the evacuation! That’s an order!” The director spoke as he stepped into the lift. “Ryder, you get Harbinger on your ship and head to Bastion, I approve your plan, I’ll contact Captain Vassyl once I’m aboard my ship.”

“Of course,” Ryder said stepping in behind Gregor. He turned and faces Harbinger. “You ready to get out of here?”

[Harbinger]

He was paying attention, Mostly. He'd noticed the green shots being fired across the ebon back drop of the galaxy before him before the director did. He had no desire to listen to more of what the man said, the Empire had been given its chance, changed or not, there was nothing there for Harbinger. But he couldn't tear his optics away from that shuttle, something about the way it was being handled, the way it was being flown with such purpose towards them.

"Aye... Settled... Yes" he said absently as he started to allow the force to well up inside of him once more. Harbinger had always been untrained in the ways of the force. The Jedi had made an attempt when he first appeared on the galactic stage, a broken husk of a droid scrapped together over the years with a ruined sabre hilt jury rigged into its chasis. Those had been dark days, a constant battle with SD-01 for control over the very body he needed, lest he be a prisoner to the droids insanity. The Sith had tried aswell after that, but neither group could offer him what he needed or desired. It was either power for the sake of peace, or power for the sake of power. Neither appealed to his sense of honor, neither understood why he tested himself with ever greater feats in battle. But the force had always been there, an ally to his ability, and a conduit for him to embrace the galaxy as a living being.

"That's not Shen..."

Was this the one that had spoken to him? Sent him those thoughts, those feelings of flight and freedom? An agent of that essence perhaps. Why else would they be coming here? It was not Shen. Harbinger would never forget how that felt, that... raw hatred for all living peaceful creatures.

"Ryder... I need training... When I find Shen, I will have to kill him. The Jedi do not believe in using the force for such means, and the Sith are fueled by raw blinding emotion. If i go with you, We must find someone who can help me walk between those two extreme's. Someone who understands the true nature of the force" he said, turning to face the man who was giving him the second chance he needed, though he couldn't shake the feeling that this incoming shuttle was another avenue towards the same end. He was at a crossroads once again, torn in two directions, and uncertain of his path.

[Kell Sangros]

The shuttle took a couple hits from the TIEs but the shields held, Kinta pushed the engines harder to gain speed to get through the increasing swarm of TIES,all the while Vyn unleashing Volley after volley into the swarm.

Kinta drew deeper on the Force, allowing it to guide her , the sense of flight evaporated into her conscious thought and the feeling grew stronger, which she surmised was a possible indication from the Force on their intentions. She had to board the station and then make her way to the source of the Force signature she had felt. It was unlike anything she had felt before.

The shuttle was getting closer to it’s goal, it had not fired on the station itself. And the shuttle wasn’t going after the TIES but it had sent blaster fire to dissuade them from going after the shuttle. The Krath Priestess was not interested in decimation, she was after the lifeform simply known as The Shard.

“when we board the station” she began to say to the Mandalorian “ We will have to fight our way to our objective,so I would make sure you have all the toys you need” She did not see it but Vyn only smiled he itched for a good fight.

The Shuttle approached one of the landing bays the bay doors were sliding shut, the door catches one of the wings to the shuttle, sending the shuttle to crash on the hanger bay floor. It makes impact and slides a good twenty feet before coming to a stop. It was a miracle the shuttle did not explode on impact.

Inside, Kinta donned her robes, bringing the hood up to conceal her face, her lightsaber hanging at her side. Vyn holstering twin blaster pistols and grabbing a Blastech A280 Rifle, he then grabbed a ammo bandolier and put it over his shoulder. The Pair were ready, but did not disembark yet. Something had stilled the apprentice. What she could not explain.

[Varn Badaash]

Ryder looked at Harbinger, hearing his words and understanding the conflict the Shard felt. The lift shot downward towards the docking bays in the belly of the station. “I know of the path you seek and I may be able to help you on it, once we reach my ship and get out of here we can talk more openly.”

The station shook momentarily as tho something had slammed into it and soon after the alarms started to sound, the evacuation was beginning. “Even if this is not Shen himself I believe it could easily be minions of his. Follow me Harbinger!” The doors slid open once more and two soldiers wearing the black and silver armor of Black Star Industries stood waiting.

“Sir! A ship has crashed into bay two,” one of the men spoke as Ryder and Harbinger stepped out. “Imperial soldiers are moving in now to try and secure it.”

“Our ship is in bay three isn’t it?” Ryder asked as he began briskly walking down the loud hallway.

“Yes sir.”

Ryder didn’t like that, it meant they would potentially encounter who ever had shown up unannounced. “My weapons,” he replied, reaching out his hand. One of the soldiers unslung a belt from his should and handed it over to his boss. Ryder quickly strapped the belt around his waist, a cortosis blast sword sat on his left hip while a heavy blaster was holstered on his right. The two soldiers readied their carbines as the group started moving down the hall towards bay three, they watched as a group of Imperial soldiers rushed into bay two.

With a deep breath Ryder turned back to Harbinger. His left hand reached over and unholstered a blaster pistol from one of his soldiers and offered it towards the droid form of the Shard. “I know this body isn’t built for combat but I know you prefer to have a weapon rather than not,” Ryder spoke, looking into the droids red eyes. “I’m trusting you Harbinger, I’m asking you to have some faith in me.”

Imperial personnel ran all around the small group in the hall. Some were heading for ships to make an escape, others to escape pods. Imperial soldiers prepared for what ever the boarders might throw at them. Ryder mentally prepped himself to watch these men get mowed down and just hoped they’d buy them enough time to make it over to bay three and make their escape.

[Harbinger]

The force was a raw torrent to Harbinger at the moment. It was pulling him two ways and it was maddening. Ryder before him was the Light that blinded, and towards the hangar bay was the Darkness that clouded. Regardless, the shard was in a state of disorientation. Being cut off from everything for so long was making this re-connection to a body and the galaxy at large quite frustrating. He was listening to Ryder as he spoke, but with his focus stolen by the strong presence of force users he was doing all he could to tramp down on the force itself from interacting with his being, trying to find some peace in the maelstrom.

"Yes. Lets... Just get off this station..." he said as they finally reached the bottom at the same time the station rocked and shuddered from minor explosions and impact nearby. Seems their pilot was either incompetent, or they didn't mean to escape as they had arrived. Neither bore any good will in Harbingers eyes. This much was confirmed by the two soldiers that greeted and briefed Ryder on the situation. And they were off again down the hallway. As Ryder began to equip his gear, Harbinger took a look at the sword at his hip and smirked, a melding of ranged offensive necessity and close quarters efficiency. Crude but effective, neither in the whole, but both in part. It reminded him of the blades lost to him when his body was taken, and what they had meant to him, anger began to well up from inside the shard once more and forced him to focus more of his mental energy into fighting back against himself and the force.

"Hmmm? What?" he asked, looking up at Ryder as he saw a blaster being offered towards him. Playing back the past moments audio quickly to himself in silence he nodded and accepted the blaster into his hand, finger away from the trigger for now "Thank you Ryder. You've done more for me in this short time than most organics before you combined" he said as he followed along, his faith in the man from his past, the guide to his future.

[Kell Sangros]

Vyn took to a corner near the boarding ramp, he had his blaster rifle ready to go. Kinta stood in the open , though the ramp had not opened yet, her lightsaber was out but not yet ignited. He turned her head to the armored mandolorian and he gave her a nod, and she grinned. She turned to face the raised ramp and then pressed the button to open the boarding ramp, as it lowered her crimson blade came to life as she descended the ramp, seeing the troopers taking positions and opening fire on them. She had her hood up and remembered briefly all the time she spent practicing deflecting and redirecting blaster bolts. It would come in handy here. She sent some of the incoming bolts back towards the troopers though not aiming to hit them. This would confuse them for certain. Vyn peeked around the corner and shot a couple rounds into the volley. As she redirected the blaster fire she walked towards them, As she walked the Mandolorian followed behind.

She could sense the life form was close “It’s close” she said but she had also sensed others with the shard. Her destination was clear, to get through the door to get to the source of all of this. She had felt that time w as of the essence and time was running short.