A storm brewing

[Kyramur Null]

Block.
He lifted his hands to block but it wasn’t in time-
Shift…
He tried but was too slow-
Cover low-
He moved but the air had already been pummeled from his lungs-
Why-can’t-I-remember-ooh!
Another blow and now the pain was real. He could feel the blood fill his mouth and he spat, clearing his airway as he grimaced.
The memories were there, in his bones, but he couldn’t see any of them!
He kept trying to move his muscles, kept trying to fight back, but it was like he was looking at the pictures of his training through water-he could make out the vague outlines, but couldn’t get through clearly enough for them to be of any use.
‘Well if thinking isn’t working, then what’s the obvious solution?’
A voice…from deep in his memories…
‘One of the rules of combat-don’t think.’
A picture…a group of raw recruits standing at attention…
‘If you have to think, you’ll move too slowly.’
And within that moment, the blink of an eye…he was somewhere else.
“And so, ladies and gentlemen, while at this facility, we will train you and drill you until you don’t have to think. Your body will know to move on it’s own. In the heat of battle, when there is no time to decide, you will listen to your instincts and they will tell you what to do.”
With that, he turned and nodded.
“The unit is yours, Lieutenant. Proceed to your designated area.”
The young officer, clearly doing his utmost not to stammer. “Yes, sir. Ah-thank you..”
“Commander Null.”
No more did he try to see the memories through the water. He closed his mind’s eye…and listened.
STRIKE!
His blow landed at the same moment that Silas connected with his face. But he barely felt either impact, not the feeling of the fist into his cheek, or the impact of his fist on Silas’ jaw.
Because he remembered.
Lying there, in the mud and the blood and the muck, he remembered.
The smell if Iridonia.
The feel of weapons-swords, knives, rifles, pistols-in his hand as he used them, cutting and blasting through hundreds of opponents.
With a growl from his throat, the rain stinging his eyes, he rose and roared.
“I remember!”
Rubbing his jaw, he turned to Silas-‘Karn, yes. Silas Karn.’
“I appreciate it, Lord Silas. You always did tend towards the painful way of assistance.”

[Ben Kenobi]

The pair of speeder bikes blazed through the torrent and arrived several dozen paces from the unfolding scene. The farm worker guards had ushered away their crews at the behest of the Ranger’s advice and the area was primarily cordoned off with an alert sent to the nearest Galactic Alliance forces per a request for reinforcements. It was yet unknown when these assets would arrive so until then the Ranger unit and Ben Kenobi were the only Alliance members available aside from the local planetary security forces of which the Rangers had instructed to stay back and for good cause seeing as Silas Karn was one of the Galaxies’ most dangerous beings and Kyr’amur Null was a known Imperial sympathizer and classified as extremely dangerous.

Ben was already leaping off the bike and racing forward before the bike even stopped, his lightweapon in hand. He arrived at Varn Badaash’s side and part of him wanted to offer up a witty remark about finding Varn knee deep in trouble all the time though he kept his mind focused on the matter at hand.

Coming to a stop he set his feet and took his staff up, slamming it pommel down into the mud before him. With his cloak whipping in the wind it and his hood drawn low over his head it made for a fitting scene in all this chaos. Though Ben Kenobi was not known for his hesitation when the agents of evil stood so nearby.

Calling upon the Force it came to his request in a wave of soothing energy. Its warmth felt good against the freezing rain that pattered and soaked his clothes. His influence reached out and touched Silas Karn’s aura. The vile fiend was using a Force ability to mask his presence which explained why Ben could not sense him earlier. Though he didn’t need to sense Karn’s presence as he now found him personally.

Witnessing the unfolding scenario, Karn was fighting a massive Iridonian Zabrak previously identified as the Imperial Null. While Null had been gone from the galactic scene for some time, Karn had not been. With any luck Kyr’amur would not be the more serious threat here as he’d been working in this area apparently for quite some time. If he was here living in a peaceful manner then perhaps it was a change of heart driving him and he was accosted by Silas Karn’s most foul ideals. Whatever the case, Ben Kenobi knew that Karn would stop at nothing to accomplish his goals and that included harming innocents.

The Jedi Master reached out to the foul High Priest of the Sith Order and locked the tyrant down with the Lightside of the Force (Stasis). His free hand extended to focus on Silas more efficiently. He did not seal Kyr away in this prison of the Force for the concentration it would have taken to lock down two beings would have been too taxing. Instead he chose to remove Silas from the equation altogether…

[Silas Karn]

Whatever mastery in masking his presence that Silas held was shattered the moment Kyr’amur’s fist connected. Not so much a fist as a slab of stone turning the Sovereign aside and casting his smaller frame to the ground with punishing ferocity. The serpentine priest had barely found the resolve to stand from the mud Kyr had introduced Silas too when he finally perceived the presence of the Jedi that had arrived on Lothal.

There was no mistaking the aura of the greatest thorn in side of the Sith. Realizing that he had little time left there was a singular ray of hope for the Sovereign as Null addressed him, “Lord Silas…” Wiping the muck from the side of his face the High Priest swiftly replied, “What a tremendous boon that you should reclaim yourself but alas we’ve little time. The Alliance will be here swiftly alongside the Jedi to incarcerate us both. A shame you washed up on within their domain.”

Silas’s anxiety grew as he spoke, the priest could feel the ominous approached of his hated enemy and it the rapid pace thereof. The Sovereign shifted his gaze as distance filled the darkness of his eyes, “I would have you depart with me. I would bring you before Wlycott so that he might explain what has transpired in your absence. You were taught of the Alliance and the Jedi’s treachery but that is only a fragment of the true pic…”

The High Priest was suddenly consumed in a field of energy virtually unknown in consistency for millennia. Sovereign had noticed Kenobi’s arrival and even the Jedi summoning a titanic flow of the Force to his call, however, outside of the Wall of Light to which the priest knew his self, there had been no immediate cause for alarm. This belief alongside with the tendency for the Jedi Master to speak before acting against his foe’s had allowed the Sovereign to be vulnerable for just such a technique.

Furthermore, unless properly prepared for the art it would not have mattered. This stasis was beyond even the most powerful techniques known to be employed by the followers of the Jedi Code. Yet, to hold the Sovereign, to continue to bind the High Priest and Left Hand of the Dark Lord through the use of the Force alone was a tremendous undertaking and certainly to be severely fatiguing to even the greatest avatar of the lightside.

Regardless, until that taxation of mental resolve broke the Jedi’s hold or Kenobi choose to release the Stasis, the Sovereign was immobilized and silent. The High Priest only cognizant of the first moments of his imprisonment.

[Varn Badaash]

A bit of a smile crossed Varn’s alien complexion as the Zabrak clocked the Echani. The Dashade has had a lot more interaction in his old days with strong Zabraks and had a great respect for their warrior ways. He looked over as a speeder pulled up and Kenobi jumped off and ran over. Varn gave a brief nod to his friend and once savior.

“Why does it seem that when I’m assigned to a mission in your presence theres always a major Sith influence,” the Ranger jabbed.

Kenobi didn’t give an answer to Varn’s joking jab but what he did do left the Dashade speechless. With a raised hand the Master Jedi froze the echani warrior in mid conversation. Varn’s dark eyes widened but he couldn’t just sit here with the Zabrak still free. He quickly unlatched his Prax rifle from his back and raised it towards the one known as Kyr’amur.

“Raise your hands Null,” Varn ordered, his gravelly voice filled with a new authority. “We don’t wish this to come to anymore violence.”

He would not shoot unless the Zabrak made a hostile move but if he did the Prax would be unloaded on the renown Imperial. It was now in his hands on how this played out as the Sith was out for how ever long Kenobi’s mental fortitude could hold up.

[Kyramur Null]

Kyr’s eyes narrowed as Silas was suddenly immobilized and rendered mute. With a low growl he turned on the Dashade…
And the sight he beheld stopped him short.

Kenobi. Legendary Jedi Master, and enemy of the Empire. And, for all the time that had passed-and yes, for the resentment that may have burned in his hearts for the Empire to leave him to wallow in his amnesia-the sight of him was still enough to set the Zabrak’s blood aflame.

“Kenobi.” He said the word as a growl, idly considering the Jedi with his robe and staff. They had met but once, and that had been a short encounter, though more than enough to give Kyr a healthy respect for the Jedi and his abilities. Unfortunately, he was in no fit state to give a proper accounting of himself, either mentally or physically-while still strong, he had been subjected to hours of guard duty and labor that day, and mentally, his head was still sorting memories into their proper places, along with the shock of rediscovering himself.

There could, however, be more surprises coming yet-Kyr still being, of course, unaware of Silas new place and title within the Sith.

“You, Dashade, I do not know.” He looked the alien up and down-no doubt he would be a worthy foe, if ever they came to blows. “But as you stand with Kenobi, hear my words for you both. I’ll make this offer but once-release Lord Silas and myself, and no hostility need take place. The Empire can settle it’s account with you another day. Refuse-“
But he was still strong. Still powerful. And, no matter how long he had worked that day, or how full of chaos his head might be, he was still Zabrak.
“And there will have to be a reckoning.”

[Ben Kenobi]

Kenobi was a man of his word. If his abilities and skill had traveled the distance in offering his stature up in any regard at all, his word too should have followed it. Sweat was beading at his brow with effort. This was his first practical use of Stasis and it was proving a strain to keep one of the most powerful Force Adepts in the known Galaxy in his grip, but so long as his full attention remained on Silas he would be able to keep this villain contained for quite a long time. Unfortunately Kyr’amur Null was here and the situation was balancing on a knife’s edge. Kenobi could not fully focus on the High Priest of the Sith Order for he needed to reach out to Kyr’amur before it was too late and this situation became a raging inferno… and frankly Ben had no interest in going face to face with this mountain of a Zabrak and the High Lord of the Echani.

Keeping his eyes on Karn his voice came out with effort laced into it. There was no hiding the fragility of the situation. “Null,” he was gritting his teeth now though the strain was harsh he was holding firm, “please listen. This man is not the man you once knew…”

He nearly lost the connection but refocused himself and stood firm to keep Silas in his bindings. “Silas Karn is none other than the Lord Sovereign.” I was difficult to say if Kyr knew the Sovereign’s reputation but the Antarian Rangers that surrounded this ongoing conflagration all tensed at this news, “He is the High Priest of the Sith. Left hand of the Dark Lord himself.” Ben went quiet for a moment to ensure his mental barriers remained in place, while in theory Stasis was a blockade to nearly all manner of inward and outward manipulation from the target, he was not about to take that chance with Sovereign.

“Sovereign is personally responsible for the fanatical murder and butchery of untold thousands of civilians. The unfolding chaos in every corner of the Gordian Reach is his personal handiwork. You dedicated your life to order and honor alike. The Lord Sovereign is a mockery of everything you hold dear and I need not tell you who the Sith are. In your time in service to the Empire you have seen their atrocities first hand.” Ben could not say much more. His plea was nearly concluded. If he continued this effort then Silas would surely break free and reek havoc on the nearly area in revenge for his temporary immobilization.

“We are not your enemies here!”

With that Ben fell silent. The next move was Kyr’amur Null’s to make. If he sided with the Sith then much would be lost here. But if he sided with the Alliance then they could subdue or defeat the Lord Sovereign from whatever dastardly plan he had been cooking up here on Lothal. As well… if Kyr teamed up with the Jedi and Rangers here then perhaps there was a shade of hope that they could convince him later down the road to stay with them and continue the fight against the Sith since the Empire was oddly at a ceasefire with them. Perhaps Kyr’s sense of honor would guide him in this manner. Or at the very least Sovereign would find himself defeated here and if that was the extent of it then it was a worthwhile goal to pursue…

[Silas Karn]

Several tones and clicks emanated from Silas’s com-link yet the Sovereign was held firm in torpor, at first. Still new with the immensely potent art that had held the priest immobile, Kenobi had made in error in his control. This mistake would cost him dearly as Silas ignited his deep violet lightsaber blade and with a streak of dark amethyst beheaded the Jedi’s Dashade companion. In an unbound fury the Sovereign then unloaded upon the master’s famed Soresu guard.

In just three sets the High Priest plunged his blade deep into the chest of the Sith’ greatest thorn. As the paragon of light fell at his feet the fleeting rush of hatred faded into apathy. What Silas was left with was a psyche that was shockingly drowning in nothingness. ‘Hollow, empty, disgustingly unearned,’ the Sovereign contemplated as he began to truly look around his surroundings.

Gone was the sublime sharpness of the former battlemaster’s sight, replaced, with a subtle haze touching upon all that he saw. ‘No,’ Silas spoke to this lesser realm as he now fought against his own flesh. With an immense act of will, life returned to the eyes of the High Priest even as he remained bound. Out of the corner of his slowly sharpening vision the two nuisances returned, or perhaps more accurately the Echani was properly awoken to them once more. Tones and clicks, Nil once more hailed its master yet any reply was still denied. Kenobi had only slipped temporarily and as such the full breadth of the Stasis art had not failed.

Though aware of his surroundings once more there was nothing the Sovereign could do to break the technique from within its grasp. Even as the serpentine priest attempted to feed directly from the energy fields that bound him the Jedi’s hold remained. What Silas was privy to was the final plea from the Jedi to out the priest as Sith. Of course at most this meant Silas should be seen equally as an enemy in comparison to the Alliance dogs. At the least however, Kyr was never an ally with either of the Alliance terrorists and would likely feel Silas deserved an appropriate space to explain his self.

This opportunity was the end goal for the priest, as he was sure once properly briefed on the current status of the galaxy Kyr would join the Sith willingly. Hidden from sight in its observations, Nil had witnessed arrival alongside Silas’s capture. Though the manner to which Silas had been held defied logic, the fact remained that the Sovereign was incapable of answering his com-link and the Dashade had raised its weapon.

This alongside Kenobi’s known registry within Nil’s database as not just a hostile but the most dangerous such entity within said catalogue left the assassin with little doubt as how to proceed. Targeting both confirmed alliance faction members the lethal droid took aim. Erupting from the camouflage of the stealth field generator a barrage of finely aimed bolts sought the heads and necks of both Varn and Kenobi.

[Varn Badaash]

The Dashade held his gaze on the Zabrak as Kenobi gave his plea, the evidence of strain filled his voice. Varn studied Null hoping for some sort of notion of what what was happening behind his weathered complexion but unfortunately nothing could be gleaned as of yet. As the Jedi finished his plea Varn took an initiative, wether his superiors would approve or not mattered little in this tense situation.

“We can work out a deal Commander Null,” Varn’s gravely voice cut into the rain. “We are members of the Jedi Coalition not the Alliance, we can take Silas into custody and take you both back to imperial space where we can hand Silas over to Imperial Authorities and all your questions can be answered.” As the Ranger was getting ready to continue a droids voice filled his headset.

“Rangers, there is a new hostile, sniper, mechanical in origin, eastern fields.” The teams espionage droid spoke, standing not far from the assassins own position.

Varn’s coal like eyes darted in the direction his droid companion indicated and immediately spotted two muzzle flashes. His immediate reaction was to roll, and thus he did, purposefully putting Silas between himself and the shooter. As he splattered through the mud and rose to a knee, one hand flicked down to his belt and activated the PSG. “The choice is yours commander, but we must put a stop to this Sith’s actions before any innocents die this day!”

The two Rangers out in the field currently on speeders turned and launched in the direction of the new threat. Both unloaded a volley of laser fire on the assassins position.

[Kyramur Null]

A moment to think…
A second to react...
And a lifetime to deal with the consequences…
Could anyone truly, rationally expect any sentient being-especially one who, not minutes ago, had no memory of his own name and past-to come to a conclusion they were fully comfortable with within that time?
And yet, the universe cares not for our problems. It swirls on, seconds hours days weeks years, as it will and always has done.
And so, Kyr’amur made his choice.
With a growl, he threw himself towards Silas, intending on knocking him down and into cover, and out of harm’s way, at least for the moment, if for no other reason than this-he had fought by his side and bled next to him. And while he would certainly be demanding his explanation, he would still throw his lot in with Silas Karn on a moment’s notice before he would with the Alliance.
Eyeing Silas momentarily, he looked about, trying to assess every potential threat through the static that still partially clouded his mind.
“Do you have a lift off this planet, Lord Karn?” He asked, hoping to get at the very least a direction in which to proceed.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben Kenobi stood resolute in faith as he kept Silas Karn contained. He would not release the High Priest of the Sith Order willingly… although sometimes there were outside influences that determined the destiny of these intense standoff events. Ben could feel the danger behind him. Had it been any other opponent then he would have had time to fully react and perhaps even counter the incoming strike fully, but this was a rare and very lethal assassin droid that had been around for a very long time and had as much experience and raw talent as any modern model could have had. Nil was exceptional in skill and craft and his delivery was timed to perfection.

The scarlet lance came in and Ben spin aside. Instead of hitting in in the base of the spine at the neck the round burned through his hood leaving a smoldering hole while burning the side of his neck badly in turn. At that moment Ben had to make a decision. Either resume his efforts on Silas or react to the new attacker. The barrier of Stasis was already failing and Ben sensed he would not be able to maintain it even if he reinforced the barriers. It would fall whether he wanted it to or not.

So with his mind falling onto a course of action he released Silas fully. Kyr’amur at that time, be it his uncanny battlefield instinct or blind luck, charged into Silas at the moment the Stasis wore off. Had Stasis remained then the tackle would have done next to nothing. But with the barrier’s collapse the Echani was hit and taken to cover with Kyr’amur Null.

In the meantime Ben spun to address the new threat and while he could not see the threat he could sense it. The potential danger carried by pure lethality. But it was the rain that betrayed the fiendish droid as it caught with a stealth generator that was still just recovering after firing those rounds. The slightest shimmer was all Ben needed and so he reached out to the droid and with a powerful incoming wave of telekinesis the Jedi Master closed his fist down tight and so did the Force react; crushing the droid’s chassis like a vice grip.

This action left Ben open to the rear however and he was now heavily relying on Ranger Varn to cover him. If Kyr and Karn decided to go on the offensive then they would surely have the Jedi in a poor disposition to defend at this time.