Welcome to Gaia! ::

The match continued for quite some time, up until one of the combatants was worn out enough to be unable to fight anymore. It came to an end when a smack sounded across the room, sending the Jedi flying, stopping just shy of a meter from the wall where he stopped, having been beaten. Nemesis walked over, appearing to not have used any energy compared to her opponent, who was out of breath. However, she was used to hiding things like that as well, so as to not let an enemy have any advantage of observation in a battle.

Holding out a hand, she helped the Jedi back up. " See, that's what's you gotta look out for. " she said. " Yes, I see... You kept up a very quick flurry... just to keep me on edge... and wear me out on defense. But, what if I caught on... and went on the offensive? " the Jedi said, catching his breath. " Then I would've countered. Unless you're also capable of switching tactics in the blink of an eye, you'd have been struck in the back probably. Otherwise you might've gotten a blow in, and so on. Maybe we'll see next time. At least you got some hits in though. You definitely know what you're doing. "

The Jedi chuckled as they both went to sit down to rest after their match, having enjoyed a challenging round with someone who could match or beat hsi own skills. " You know, you should consider training the knights in advanced tactics. You have much to offer the Order. " " Perhaps, but the path to true wisdom is best travelled your own way. " Nemesis said, having a bit friendlier of an expression, as she also enjoyed their sparring match. " Besides, most of what I know and do should never be undertaken by just any Jedi. As you already know, the Dark Side is still strong within me. "

" Yes, but you are not devoid of the Light, or else you'd have never been allowed on temple grounds as you are now. " the Jedi said, knowing she was thinking of her actions in ages past. " You are no longer Sith. You threw away your former life as a rampaging blight on the galaxy. In the end, your desire to redeem yourself is all that matters. The council knows you mean well, as do we all. Some of the younglings and less experienced of us just haven't gotten used to someone like you yet, but you only have friends here. Besides, I know you'll open up to Saria. Maybe someday you'll come to trust the rest of us the same. "

Nemesis stood up, fully refreshed in only a few minutes, having used the Force to speed up her recovery. It was useful for getting quick boosts of energy, but it wouldn't beat a true stop to rest in the long run. She walked back to the center of the room and brought out her greatsaber, starting to practice more. " Mind if I stay and watch? It's not every day one can see someone who's had centuries to master the saber. " the Jedi asked, making himself comfortable. " If you wish. " she replied in a bland tone.

__________________________

" Busted. You lose again, Sha'alina. " a Zeltron woman said, giggling. To one side of her, a twi'lek blushed as she smiled, undoing her bra, and tossing it aside onto a pile of clothing that she and the others at the table had lost in their card game. Most of them were in their underwear, some slightly more. " So, who thinks that Sith guy... Uh, what's his name again? " one of them asked. " I believe it's Calliga. " another answered. " Right, so who thinks Calliga would be good at 'punishing' us for being naughty? " the woman asked, giggling as she finished. " I heard he'd tie you to bed and... " another one started, mentioning a very suggestive act at the end, making them all giggle in excitement.

" I heard he's very strong. So much that he could easily overpower even the Queen... " " Lucky her. Personally, I wouldn't mind a little 'wrestling' with him myself. " One of them dealt the cards to start a new game. They continued to make idle chatter as they played, until the same twi'lek from the last round lost again, which cost her the last of her clothing. " Oh, too bad, baby. The penalty for being the 1st to lose everything is... Hmm... " the winner of the round said, stopping to think. " Go out and get one of the guards to spank you. " They all giggled at the idea as the twi'lek got up and left the room to do just that.

A few moments later, Siren caught a glimpse of movement on one of the secutiry screens, watching as a twi'lek walked up to a guard, naked, and getting spanked by that guard afterwards. " They must be playing cards again. Heheh. " she said to herself. Hitting a button, she summoned her attendent, who came in with the usual, " Yes, my Queen? " response. " It appears some of your co-workers decided to have themselves a naughty card game without inviting me to it. Please intstruct them that as punishment, all but the last one remaining must give themselves to anyone wanting some 'company' for the rest of the day. "

It was for no gain, it was silly, and it was entirely for kicks. Siren didn't care that they had a game going without her, but why not do something anyway? She knew they'd enjoy it, and they'd naturally devote their shift at work entirely to pleasing her in her desires for things to run smoothly and effeciently, because if they did, she might decide to reward them with even more fun after that, and they never failed to enjoy any ecstacy she provided. They were all so willing and eager to please, and the use of pleasure was very effective at getting them to do whatever was needed. What better way to control someone than in a way that they can't get enough of it?

It did not take long for Pash to fullfill his mission. Security was lax and the Sith and Soldiers incompetant.
The prefabricated nature of the small academy made for easy directions and Pash placed his explosives untroubled.
Escaping out the side entrance that (Unknown to Pash) Shisstal had used not too long ago, he set off the bombs via remote detonator.
The building seemed to implode and then go up in a flash, scattering chared pieces of itself accross the immediate area.
Ruusan was now firmly Republic once again.

"As figured. Over five thousand sith are on the planet Ruusan, some in training, many hiding amongst the populace, spread amongst several academies and headquarters. But such a concentration is too much for Nakara. While Ruusan may hold an armies worth of soldiers, it is too easy of a distraction. The master foresees this place to be in sith possession for the rest of his lifetime, if not longer," Nakara responded.

"Since Ruusan is so concentrated with low level knights and fool's ramparts, he demands pure concentrated hatred. You have no time to be admiring another's style or sense. You must learn to think, and anticipate another's movements. You must see past the imminent present, such as that fool who thought he'd sneak by without demonstrating his powers did. His arrogance, his confidence, his lack of vision will inevitably lead to him doing something stupid, his folley will hamper his effectiveness. Only a true master can defeat another true master. The purest darkness will quench the light, and the brightest light will burn the darkness. Understand that as your first lesson, apprentice. The path of a grey walker such as the one you saw will lead only to death that much quicker."

The shuttle fired up its hyperdrive and sped towards umbara. "You are going to see a planet which embodies the way of the sith. You are expected to take notes. The way of the sith is through deciet, manipulation, and destruction. It is the same as the jedi in all but one respect, that a sith will use the same tactics, but for his own gain. A true sith knows how to shoulder the burdens of others, because he will gain in strength. Not only will it be good Public Relations, but so shall it be that ou will benefit in the end. Take from the planet Umbara the ways of political intrigue. I will see you again sometime, but remember to make Nakara laugh. A sith who cannot play all sides of the battlefield cannot truely claim to hold absolute power..."

Talofan...

Karah Tos was restless. Most of his day had been spent going over military figures and the budget with his commanders. Most of his time lately had been sending orders to his military which was finishing up in crushing the last pockets of resistance on Maleth's once sizable territory. A few minor Sith had decided that the destruction of Maleth's regime would be a perfect time to make power grabs, they were being dealt with severely. But until that was done Karah Tos was stuck. Forced recruitment had begun on the worlds that had been completely crushed under his new regime, but they would take time to train

He was pacing his chambers when he was informed that an ambassador for the Sith Council had arrived. The God of War met with the pawn in Maleth's former throne room. The ambassador was a pale scrawny man with an arched back who had the habit of glancing nervously over his shoulders at the guards in the room as if he expected them to attack him at any minute.

“The Council sends a message, Lord Tos,” the ambassador greeted him nervously. “They demand that you cease your conquest against the other members of the Council.”

“Why should I return what I have rightfully won? Does the Council believe that the Sith should be ruled by weak leaders? I was merely taking back territory that had once belonged to my master. It was mine by right. ” Karah Tos replied.

“If you do not cease and desist in your actions against the Council, the Council will deem you traitor to the Empire and all efforts will be taken to stop your insubordination.” the ambassador uttered meekly. It was clear to Karah Tos that this was merely a formality. More likely a small force was being assembled to attack his worlds soon.

“Go back and tell the Council that I will cede to their request. No more territory shall be taken that belongs to the Council,” he lied. Karah Tos was sure that the Council would not believe him, but if it could buy him some more time to bring the new systems under his control he would take it. “You are excused.” The ambassador bowed and scuttled out of the room as fast as his legs could move him. Karah Tos sighed, he hated all this waiting.

Aurora had a little difficulty with some of the phrases Ritt was using. It was only natural, new place new slang, and she was sure the she would understand it soon enough. She followed him, listing, and nodding her head as he explained the situation. Learning from Ritt was going to be very different than her time spent at Lord Stryders Keep. He seemed to be calm and taking his new responsibility in stride...

“Reverend?” she began to asked. “Was the other one with yo-” She watched him with wide blue eyes as he strides right into the turbolift’s doors, and she reached out to take a hold of his shoulder to steady him. “Are you ok? That looked like it hurt.” A look of concern on her face, but as he composed himself, she bent down to retrieve his dark glasses from the floor, smiling as she handed them to him.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” she smiled up at him. “My names Aurora, Aurora Sunstar.” She offered her hand in greetings. “Pleased to meet you sir.”

Shisstal nodded at what the cyborg had said. Shisstal didn't belive that he would be admiring someone else's abilites because, in the back of his mind, he would know that he was going to surpass them.
Decit, corruption, and destruction. Shisstal saw them as the bases for ultimate power. What the cyborg had said about personal strength was true. What one man may see as a difficult labor, another man would see as a chance to improve himself. This is what the Sith tought. At least, that's what Shisstal had taken from what the cyborg said.
But also, in the back of his mind, Shisstal would have to be careful if he gained power. Although he hungered for power greatly, it could also prove to be his downfall. Just as hunger had been the downfall for Darth Nihilus.

Pash came upon the Abandoned weather station, looking as much abandoned as it possibly could.

Frowning he dismounted and began to invesitgate.

A battle occured here, that much was certain. A section of wall was blasted out of the station, and the grass and surounding rocks bore charr marks such as from a blaster. there was a small crater where a Grenade had gone off as well. Pash couldnt find any bodies, however, indicating the winners must have carted them off somewhere and hid them.

The inside of the weather station was just as it should be for an outdated and abandoned structure, save for several rooms that had seen recent use. There was no dust in these rooms, and one was sterlized at one point: either used as a Computer lab or a Medical room by whoever was attacked last night. Nothing remained of the occupants apart from the lack of dust and vegetation that should have been there. Outside there were also scorch marks and depressions from parkes starships, both near the building and some ways away. The latter had to belong to the attackers.

But what exactly had gone on here?

Pash combed the area a few more times. There had to be a clue somewhere.
Just before nightfall he found his clue: a broken fragment of armor buried under some dirt kicked up by the grenade blast.

The material he recognized: It was duraplast, a light yet sturdy material favored by proffesional mercenaries. The markings on it were Mandalorian, though what they meant he hadn't a clue.

Pash figured whoever had been in the Grenade blast hadn't possessed the armor piece. It looked more like it was blown off by a high powered blaster, probably possessed by the Defenders since the piece of armor was too far away from the building to had belonged to them.

So, the Mandalorians had attacked here. Judging by the lack of debris and scorch marks inside the weather station they had lost. A sobering thought.
Whatever was capable of chasing mandalorians off was a bad thing indeed....

Cene just stared at him with a frown on her face. "You know, for a man of your age, I thought you'd know how to act with a little courtesy. You come here, stomping around like you own the place: Leaving your helmet on when I'm talking to you, your boots on while you're my guest, cleaning your carbine at my table;I'm still baffled as to why you thought you would need that damn thing! I invited you to dinner, not to the battlefront!"

She watched him standing there, looking uncertain as to what to do and had a grazer-in-headlights sort of look on his face.
Cene's expression seemed to sour even more.

"Do I scare you, boy?" She asked him quietly.