His armor was grey, like Vex's, but his head was covered by his helmet and she never even seen him without it. She knew Vex was an ally to the Black Sun, but why where they here? And why now... why in the middle of an Imperial invasion would Jigual need their attention? His counterparts wore pure black armor, and all of their helmets were equipped with black tinted visors, making it impossible to see their faces. Jigual stepped forward and nodded to Vex and proceeded to look at Crystaall, with Vex moving in front of her, blocking the man's view.
"Get in the Hawke."
"But I-"
"Crystaall Sekera, get in that ship right now!"
Vex rarely used her middle name, and he only ever did when he was completely serious. Crystaall guessed that this was one of those times. She silently walked toward the ship's ramp, with R4 following silently, except for his many gears. The moment they got inside, Crystaall laid down on the top of the ramp and looked at R4.
"Hey, get the ship started. We need to be ready for a quick escape.
Vex stood there with his hands on his hips as he saw one of the soldiers fix his hand, still holding onto his rifle. This was a classic stand-down that Vex and Jigual had regularly. They each had different views on hunting people, on doing a job worth money and respect and on personality in general. They purely hated each other. Vex always doing the right thing, making sure his team got out alive, allowing mistakes here and there as long as the mission was not in jeopardy and always prayed for his target before he took the shot. He wasn't religious, but he preferred to give his contracts the respect they deserved, evil or good.
Jigual was another story. He was violent reckless and would kill you in a heartbeat if you jeopardized anything in the mission. He was a loaded cannon fixated on perfection. He never gave any respect, even to the other leaders of the Black Sun and always blew up the targets with explosions after the mission was complete. There was no remorse from this man. And remorse would never be received lightly either.
"Why haven't you left?"
"I had to get her."
"So you have told her why I am after her."
"I will never let you lay a single hand on her, you or your cronies. And if I die for her, she will become stronger than you ever hope to be."
"You speak of her as if she is a legend. Hell, you speak of her like she's a legendary Jedi! A hero of war!"
Jigual chuckled to himself and quickly un holstered his pistol, placing it against Vex's visor.
"But she never will be a hero. She will only be a naive child, and a hunter of pure luck."
Jigual pulled the trigger and the body fell flat on the concrete floor of the hangar. Vex fell almost in slow motion as he took a final look at his ship, seeing Crystaall's fear rise slowly through her face. He mouthed his mouth, but spoke no words and he could finally feel himself slip from this beautiful universe.
"Go..."
12/13/13
12/11/13
Chapter 2: No Requiem Pt 3
"Tell your droid to meet us at my ship. I'll transmit the coordinates."
Crystaall nodded as she quickly sent her droid the message and meeting location. It wasn't truly important enough for her to speak aloud so she sent it through a relay system on the astromech's personal communicator. She knew he got it once it responded in protest of how close he already was to their location and that the Underworld hangar they used was under Imperial jurisdiction. She shook her head and looked at Vex as the gunfire stopped. They turned to look at the street they came from and saw two troopers walking down, checking the alleyways. One of them of course spotted them and began shouting, and firing from the hip.
"They're over here!"
Blaster fire flew past them both as Crystaall pushed Vex back, and let her armor take most of the hits as she pulled out one of her pistols, shooting with her left hand from mid-chest up with three pulls of the trigger. The soldier fell, but others started backing up the other trooper. They looked at each other as they could here whispers of flanking maneuvers. They nodded at each other, turning around and running down the alleyway they looked down moments before. It was dirty, full of rotten food, junk and paper. It wasn't pretty but it seemed to go a long way. They would either succeed in their attempt of escape or go out with a few hundred dead stormtroopers. They began running, evading obstacles, vaulting over scattered furniture and Crystaall sighed as Vex jumped up onto a ladder and started jumping from roofs, keeping in Crystaall's sight as she occasionally serpentined the compact alley, occasionally jumping onto a wall and running across the surface as blaster fire grazed her armor and hit the walls and structures around her. Vex could no longer take the open sky with less pressure than what Crystaall had been going through as he dropped down and kept in front of her as they cut through many other alleys, light on their feet and quick to burst through an open house, jumping out a window into the street and bursting open the private hangar doors. The numbers began to rise in her head as she counted the numbers of bounty hunters fighting off the Empire's lackeys.two, three, ten, four-teen, twenty-six. They were all fighting for Vex, or fighting for their property.... either way they were buying time as Vex opened up his hangar, revealing a YT-1300, coated in black paint and the words 'Dragon Hawke' written in a blood red. Crystaall only grinned at the ship. Not even a few moments after, R4 shot past them, racing up the ramp with wild squeals. This caused both Vex and Crystaall to pull out their pistols, turning their feet in a 180 degree turn, facing off several stormtroopers that had chased the droid to the hangar.
"I hate your droid."
"You get used to him."
With those words, Crystaall began firing both her DC-17 pistols as Vex fired his personal blaster pistol, the DL-44, in rapid succession. Taking out the troops without much trouble Crystaall relaxed her shoulders as Vex patted her on the back with his left hand.
"Good job kid."
"I try."
The blaster fire was distinct and distant but heavy footsteps were closer then she liked as she saw them. It was the last remnant of the Black Sun pirates that took refuge in the Underworld of Coruscant. They had no leader, but the man they nominated as leader was named Jigaul.
Crystaall nodded as she quickly sent her droid the message and meeting location. It wasn't truly important enough for her to speak aloud so she sent it through a relay system on the astromech's personal communicator. She knew he got it once it responded in protest of how close he already was to their location and that the Underworld hangar they used was under Imperial jurisdiction. She shook her head and looked at Vex as the gunfire stopped. They turned to look at the street they came from and saw two troopers walking down, checking the alleyways. One of them of course spotted them and began shouting, and firing from the hip.
"They're over here!"
Blaster fire flew past them both as Crystaall pushed Vex back, and let her armor take most of the hits as she pulled out one of her pistols, shooting with her left hand from mid-chest up with three pulls of the trigger. The soldier fell, but others started backing up the other trooper. They looked at each other as they could here whispers of flanking maneuvers. They nodded at each other, turning around and running down the alleyway they looked down moments before. It was dirty, full of rotten food, junk and paper. It wasn't pretty but it seemed to go a long way. They would either succeed in their attempt of escape or go out with a few hundred dead stormtroopers. They began running, evading obstacles, vaulting over scattered furniture and Crystaall sighed as Vex jumped up onto a ladder and started jumping from roofs, keeping in Crystaall's sight as she occasionally serpentined the compact alley, occasionally jumping onto a wall and running across the surface as blaster fire grazed her armor and hit the walls and structures around her. Vex could no longer take the open sky with less pressure than what Crystaall had been going through as he dropped down and kept in front of her as they cut through many other alleys, light on their feet and quick to burst through an open house, jumping out a window into the street and bursting open the private hangar doors. The numbers began to rise in her head as she counted the numbers of bounty hunters fighting off the Empire's lackeys.two, three, ten, four-teen, twenty-six. They were all fighting for Vex, or fighting for their property.... either way they were buying time as Vex opened up his hangar, revealing a YT-1300, coated in black paint and the words 'Dragon Hawke' written in a blood red. Crystaall only grinned at the ship. Not even a few moments after, R4 shot past them, racing up the ramp with wild squeals. This caused both Vex and Crystaall to pull out their pistols, turning their feet in a 180 degree turn, facing off several stormtroopers that had chased the droid to the hangar.
"I hate your droid."
"You get used to him."
With those words, Crystaall began firing both her DC-17 pistols as Vex fired his personal blaster pistol, the DL-44, in rapid succession. Taking out the troops without much trouble Crystaall relaxed her shoulders as Vex patted her on the back with his left hand.
"Good job kid."
"I try."
The blaster fire was distinct and distant but heavy footsteps were closer then she liked as she saw them. It was the last remnant of the Black Sun pirates that took refuge in the Underworld of Coruscant. They had no leader, but the man they nominated as leader was named Jigaul.
12/10/13
Chapter 2: No Requiem Pt 2
It was quick and immediate. They both anticipated the other and each was ready to pull the trigger. Crystaall had anticipated the destruction of her door. She whipped around, grabbing one of her spare pistols on her desk, spinning to face the door with a trigger in the attacker's face. The door exploded with a massive boot, destroying the flimsy door in two and revealing a man in glistening silver armor with his own pistol in Crystaall's face. They stared at each other in silence. His black, fuaxhawk and 5 o'clock shadow and a wicked smile underneath his eyes that hidden behind a miniature visor connected to both of his ears to hold it up. She could stare through his emerald eyes forever, and he could do the same with the fire that burned through her own blue eyes. Almost synchronized... they put the weapons down and she quietly grabbed her helmet.. placing it on her head. She then took her utility belt and clipped it around her waist, dropping her spare pistol and patting the holsters that rested on her thighs.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm rescuing you."
"News flash: 14-year-old girl rescues herself everyday."
"You're very funny Crys. But your humor isn't needed. I'm serious about this."
"As am I. I can handle myself."
In response, her droid chirped up, backing its masters words with confidence. The small astromech giving repeated beeps and other noises in quick succession.
"R4, calm down. You're not helping any of us with such language and threats."
The astromech complied and faced toward the ground, now disappointed in itself.
"Vex, what is this about?"
"The Empire is raiding the Underworld. Its a massacre and only a few bounty hunters are actually defending the civilians. I'm here to take you off planet."
"Why? I can fight. I can help the civies. I can-"
"You're too important to lose to a stray blaster shot."
"Aww.. do you have a crush on me, Vex?"
Blushing, Vex put his free hand behind his head. He couldn't say no to the beautiful young girl.. but his duty was more important.
"Please, follow me off this planet. I can take you to a better place, a better life."
"Can we grab a drink first?"
"We shouldn't go down there. You of all people don't belong over there."
"Then stop me."
With that Crystaall pushed Vex out of the way, quickly turning the corner and steadily putting one foot in front of the other as she went down the steps. Crystaall continued to walk out of the house and began walking back to her favorite diner. With Vex following her. It only took a few moments until she heard the fire and screams, making her small pace quicken, and as she got closer she began to run until she turned the corner to see the horror. The diner was destroyed and fire was everywhere. Overwhelmed, Crystaall fell to her knees in tears, visor reflecting the flames and hiding the tears that fell from her gentle eyes. This was no dream. She knew that, but she wanted it to not be real. She couldn't take the pain, and it was too sudden. The man that had treated her as his own child, was gone, as far as she was concerned. Immediately she rose up to her feet and raised her left arm, firing the recently attached wrist rocket, she put on moments before she saw the fire, at the already destroyed diner. And the anger stage was over. The last thing she could see before everything broke lose was the bag she left there. The one with the wookie head inside. That's when they attacked. In mere seconds a group of gleaming white armored soldiers stepped out from nowhere and began to fire recklessly at the two as Vex tried to comfort Crystaall.
"We've got to go! Crystaall, we have to move now!"
With those words, Vex pulled her along to the wall of a small building quickly looking for a way to escape. He saw the alleyway and motioned his head over and Crystaall followed his eyes as she tried to clean up her tears, placing her helmet back on her head.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm rescuing you."
"News flash: 14-year-old girl rescues herself everyday."
"You're very funny Crys. But your humor isn't needed. I'm serious about this."
"As am I. I can handle myself."
In response, her droid chirped up, backing its masters words with confidence. The small astromech giving repeated beeps and other noises in quick succession.
"R4, calm down. You're not helping any of us with such language and threats."
The astromech complied and faced toward the ground, now disappointed in itself.
"Vex, what is this about?"
"The Empire is raiding the Underworld. Its a massacre and only a few bounty hunters are actually defending the civilians. I'm here to take you off planet."
"Why? I can fight. I can help the civies. I can-"
"You're too important to lose to a stray blaster shot."
"Aww.. do you have a crush on me, Vex?"
Blushing, Vex put his free hand behind his head. He couldn't say no to the beautiful young girl.. but his duty was more important.
"Please, follow me off this planet. I can take you to a better place, a better life."
"Can we grab a drink first?"
"We shouldn't go down there. You of all people don't belong over there."
"Then stop me."
With that Crystaall pushed Vex out of the way, quickly turning the corner and steadily putting one foot in front of the other as she went down the steps. Crystaall continued to walk out of the house and began walking back to her favorite diner. With Vex following her. It only took a few moments until she heard the fire and screams, making her small pace quicken, and as she got closer she began to run until she turned the corner to see the horror. The diner was destroyed and fire was everywhere. Overwhelmed, Crystaall fell to her knees in tears, visor reflecting the flames and hiding the tears that fell from her gentle eyes. This was no dream. She knew that, but she wanted it to not be real. She couldn't take the pain, and it was too sudden. The man that had treated her as his own child, was gone, as far as she was concerned. Immediately she rose up to her feet and raised her left arm, firing the recently attached wrist rocket, she put on moments before she saw the fire, at the already destroyed diner. And the anger stage was over. The last thing she could see before everything broke lose was the bag she left there. The one with the wookie head inside. That's when they attacked. In mere seconds a group of gleaming white armored soldiers stepped out from nowhere and began to fire recklessly at the two as Vex tried to comfort Crystaall.
"We've got to go! Crystaall, we have to move now!"
With those words, Vex pulled her along to the wall of a small building quickly looking for a way to escape. He saw the alleyway and motioned his head over and Crystaall followed his eyes as she tried to clean up her tears, placing her helmet back on her head.
12/9/13
Chapter 2: No Requiem Pt 1
Screams echoed around as fire and smoke lit the night sky with sounds of blaster fire and lightsabers being ignited. The only thing she could only focus on was her own coughs.
The screaming got even louder, and soon the shots of blaster fire were about ear range. Fire was crackling in the air, consuming everything its masters told it to. Smoke came from everywhere and began invading the vents and small ducts. The sounds of lightsabers soon grew faint and then all she could hear were words over comlinks hidden by the cracks of fire and laughs. The 5 year old girl coughed excessively as she crawled through the ducts, trying to find a way out. Everything was a blur to her. The clone troopers firing on Jedi, and then Master Skywalker attacking her friends. Everyone was slaughtered and if not for the stone structure, the Temple would surely collapse in a few days. The only thoughts that raced through her mind was the last decision she could clearly make: escape. She witnessed it all, and he was chasing her. The man well-known by all had struck the line of good, igniting his inner flames and doing that which he never would. She couldn't leave her master, but someone... something was telling her to keep going. It was almost like a faint voice that guided her... a voice she would never know who it belonged to. The smoke had begun to enter her lungs.. and her coughing rose. She wondered if she could honestly escape this hell alive, or if this was just a dream, a nightmare her childish mind could easily fret about with the dangers and threats other people possessed. She soon saw fire rise up on the other end and she tried her hardest to crawl backwards. And then she fell, slipping through a grate into the black of night, seeing the many lights that hovered above her with the many apartments and ads for products she never understood. All she knew was that no one could save her as she continued to fall. She would never see tomorrow.
Gasping and reaching for air, Crystaall's eyes shot open, wide and hoping to see its fellow hand in front of its face. She continued to pant as she slapped her hand down on her blanket. The panting slowed down as she grabbed her throat to make sure she was alright. Nothing was wrong. Just a bad dream. And everything clicked back into play. She knew where she was, what had happened yesterday and how she got home. Everything was fine. And yet there was something wrong. There wer no sounds of children playing in the streets or the lone musician standing on the side of the street, playing for some quick credits. She could hear no one but the small chirps from her droid companion as he looked at her with confusion as if he too, was confused by such silence. At least she killed her annoying neighbor downstairs. His ongoing dream streak would never cease to end. She hoped she never went out like that as she slowly climbed out of her bed. Crystaall activated the armor, allowing itself to form every join in her body. Once the system was fully done with its many churning gears, she grabbed her helmet and placed it on her head. Then came the strong fast footsteps that ran up her stairs. And it started with the destruction of her apartment's door.
The screaming got even louder, and soon the shots of blaster fire were about ear range. Fire was crackling in the air, consuming everything its masters told it to. Smoke came from everywhere and began invading the vents and small ducts. The sounds of lightsabers soon grew faint and then all she could hear were words over comlinks hidden by the cracks of fire and laughs. The 5 year old girl coughed excessively as she crawled through the ducts, trying to find a way out. Everything was a blur to her. The clone troopers firing on Jedi, and then Master Skywalker attacking her friends. Everyone was slaughtered and if not for the stone structure, the Temple would surely collapse in a few days. The only thoughts that raced through her mind was the last decision she could clearly make: escape. She witnessed it all, and he was chasing her. The man well-known by all had struck the line of good, igniting his inner flames and doing that which he never would. She couldn't leave her master, but someone... something was telling her to keep going. It was almost like a faint voice that guided her... a voice she would never know who it belonged to. The smoke had begun to enter her lungs.. and her coughing rose. She wondered if she could honestly escape this hell alive, or if this was just a dream, a nightmare her childish mind could easily fret about with the dangers and threats other people possessed. She soon saw fire rise up on the other end and she tried her hardest to crawl backwards. And then she fell, slipping through a grate into the black of night, seeing the many lights that hovered above her with the many apartments and ads for products she never understood. All she knew was that no one could save her as she continued to fall. She would never see tomorrow.
Gasping and reaching for air, Crystaall's eyes shot open, wide and hoping to see its fellow hand in front of its face. She continued to pant as she slapped her hand down on her blanket. The panting slowed down as she grabbed her throat to make sure she was alright. Nothing was wrong. Just a bad dream. And everything clicked back into play. She knew where she was, what had happened yesterday and how she got home. Everything was fine. And yet there was something wrong. There wer no sounds of children playing in the streets or the lone musician standing on the side of the street, playing for some quick credits. She could hear no one but the small chirps from her droid companion as he looked at her with confusion as if he too, was confused by such silence. At least she killed her annoying neighbor downstairs. His ongoing dream streak would never cease to end. She hoped she never went out like that as she slowly climbed out of her bed. Crystaall activated the armor, allowing itself to form every join in her body. Once the system was fully done with its many churning gears, she grabbed her helmet and placed it on her head. Then came the strong fast footsteps that ran up her stairs. And it started with the destruction of her apartment's door.
Chapter 1: Wrong Orders pt 4
She took a step back... closing the door with a soft push and scanned her room in pitch black. She turned on the white light that flickered here and there as she put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow at the purple R4 astromech droid that stood in the corner. She chuckled as she tore off the necklace and stretched her arms upwards as she revealed her small, but tender form. She had the curves of a female in her mid twenties, including her breasts, but she never tried to show off her body. She was young and reckless in a galaxy of crime and the corrupt Empire. The droid was clicked on as she fixed the black tank-top she wore and stretched her legs, which wore white tights that glowed with the light in the room. The droid beeped several times to get her attention, but she refused to respond until she finished stretching. She went from push-ups to curl-ups and doing a flip onto her bed. The droid began to beep multiple times once more as Crystaall sighed and looked at the droid like she was annoyed.
"I'm sorry I was gone for so long, geez R4.... your not my mother."
The droid beeped in a more high pitched tone than before.
"I understand your a thoughtful buddy, but I'm a four-teen year-old girl who can take the head off random bystanders and not be commited for the crime. I won't end up in bed with a drunk rodian, if that's what you're concerned about. And if I did, he'd have to be my best friend."
R4 beeped in disgust and Crystaall sighed as her tenant below began banging on her floor screaming in a voice she couldn't tell. She rolled off her bed and took one of her pistols off her fallen utility belt which clipped off the armor once it folded, retrieving a pistol. She checked its supply and fired off three shots the the location of the banging, the shots penetrating the floor and going down below. There was only a thud in the silence that occured and the girl threw the weapon onto her desk.
"R4, there any more bounties to run after."
The droid beeped quietly and Crystaall only nodded her head slowly.
"I suppose now is the time to rest."
She quickly climbed into her over-sized bed, snuggling herself under her blankets with her head resting on her many soft pillows. Perhaps the dreams would ease her mind.
"I'm sorry I was gone for so long, geez R4.... your not my mother."
The droid beeped in a more high pitched tone than before.
"I understand your a thoughtful buddy, but I'm a four-teen year-old girl who can take the head off random bystanders and not be commited for the crime. I won't end up in bed with a drunk rodian, if that's what you're concerned about. And if I did, he'd have to be my best friend."
R4 beeped in disgust and Crystaall sighed as her tenant below began banging on her floor screaming in a voice she couldn't tell. She rolled off her bed and took one of her pistols off her fallen utility belt which clipped off the armor once it folded, retrieving a pistol. She checked its supply and fired off three shots the the location of the banging, the shots penetrating the floor and going down below. There was only a thud in the silence that occured and the girl threw the weapon onto her desk.
"R4, there any more bounties to run after."
The droid beeped quietly and Crystaall only nodded her head slowly.
"I suppose now is the time to rest."
She quickly climbed into her over-sized bed, snuggling herself under her blankets with her head resting on her many soft pillows. Perhaps the dreams would ease her mind.
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