Maybe it’s a BIT early for Baras to be phoning Quinn. But considering after my friend played it and before I played it, I had the idea that Quinn had something to do with the betrayal on Quesh, I wanted to introduce it early in Part 3 to give Quinn lots of time to stew.

Chapter 10: Breaking

The incessant pinging of the holocomm drew him to the back of the cockpit. It was, of course, his job to screen all inbound calls. It wasn’t anyone else’s business who was calling Akuliina, and it was unlikely that any of the others would use proper decorum when answering.

But it was the frequency that he never answered – the Basilisk’s Sting, Moff Broysc’s flagship. Quinn sighed and hit the ignore button, preparing to ignore an irrational half-hour long rant. Continue reading →

One of the chapters I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

Another thing I’ve been listening to while I write is Crypt of the NecroDancer.

I know a lot of artists including me make the face they’re drawing, but I do it as a writer as well. Is that weird?

Chapter 9: Turning Tide

“Has our mysterious problem been solved? Are we active?”

“Sir, best guess is yes. All systems appear to be online. Your detonator should be live.”

“Then let’s pack up. We’ll blow this cavern and the Imperial Command Centre sky high.” Continue reading →

Name-dropped Murlesson (Sith Inquisitor) again. Akuliina doesn’t know he’s dating a sort-of Jedi, teehee.

Battle music provided by MGR:R.

Chapter 8: Weakness

She emerged from Baras’s office a few minutes after she’d gone in, her face coolly confident as always, but there was something… different about her. Some sort of nervous energy was showing through her mask of control.

He stepped forward. “What is your mission, my lady?”

“Nothing any of you can assist with,” she told them. “You’re all dismissed.” She hesitated. “I won’t lie, it’s a difficult mission. You may wish to prepare for reassignment.” She grinned. “Though it’s only a remote possibility.” Continue reading →

This chapter will be far, far more inappropriate when uploaded to ff.net : P

Chapter 7: The Scar

“You wished to speak with me, Captain?” Akuliina stood slim and straight in her grey dress in the door to the cockpit, looking at him with cool, detached interest.

It wasn’t fair. How could she mess with his head, even with his heart, and still appear so unconcerned on the turn of a credit? “My lord,” he said, and he saw her stiffen at the disused title. “Thank you for your attention. I must officially request to be reassigned.” Continue reading →

This was previously known as “After Hoth” but I decided to include it in the main fic.

Interlude: Warmth

As soon as she was aboard, she messaged him briefly on the commlink to stand off from the Hoth station into orbit and went to have a shower. A long, hot shower.

Half an hour later, she came into the cockpit and flopped gracefully into her command seat, curling up with her feet under her. “Mission accomplished. Xerander is dead. So is the Jedi he came to see.” Continue reading →

I’m gonna play MGR:R after I finish Bioshock! Going to try to beat Bioshock tonight! : D

Does this seem sudden after the previous chapters? I have it in my mind that Quinn is good at denying it until he has time to think, so when things are happening (when they’re not in transit in hyperspace, for instance) he doesn’t notice it as much.

Interlude: Poison

Quinn sat alone in the cockpit and considered his life. The consoles around him hummed and peeped, but he ignored them for once. He found it difficult to do his thinking off-duty; he had little free time even when he wasn’t supposed to be flying the ship, what with additional goals he set for himself. And while he could have lain awake at night and thought about it, he knew from experience that if he didn’t get six or seven hours of sleep each day, he would be wrecked the next day and he couldn’t allow that. He’d taken to using stims to help him sleep; that was how far he’d fallen. So he’d made time now. She’d probably forgive him if he could simply lay this turmoil to rest and return to his efficient, competent self. Continue reading →

Quinn finally starts to unravel! In a good way! Yay! Welcome to Part 2, where stuff gets real. Though not in this chapter yet. Next chapter. Yeah. Also Merry Christmas and stuff, busiest day of the year professionally.

Quinn and Akuliina are basically Dark! Ceniro and Lyn actually. : P

Chapter 6: Born to Lead

The reactor’s whine was getting louder, the distant thud of whirring machinery getting more and more frantic. There were seconds left before it would self-destruct and explode, killing them both and the Republic soldiers also trapped here. There were seconds left before the security on the door to the one safe room in the reactor was deactivated and they would be allowed inside to safety. And somehow Akuliina had ended up doing the security breach, and he stood at her shoulder facing the corridor, shooting any Republic soldier foolish enough to poke his head out. Answering laser bolts splashed out towards them; so far he’d been lucky not to get hit or to let Akuliina get hit. She was smaller than him; he could shield her quite well with his body. And while it was difficult not to flinch when the Republic’s desperate shots came so close to his head, the thrill of danger kept him focused, his own shots deadly accurate. He’d just have to trust in the hidden body armour. Continue reading →

And Miss Flip-flop joins the party with lots of copy-pasta at the end of Part 1. (Seriously, I know Force turns are supposed to be pretty dramatic, especially Falls, but Jaesa actually has no character of her own besides her alignment, whatever you choose it to be. Bit of unusually poor writing there on BioWare’s part.)

EDIT: added a bit where Akuliina shows her yandere side.

Chapter 5: Lord of the Sith

Nomen Karr was a deranged wreck of his former self, and all Akuliina had done was refuse to roll over and die when they dueled. And there may have been some taunting, as well. Jaesa Willsaam, battered by the loss of her first Master, her parents, and several of her friends, and surely feeling the corruption of her current Master even now, had just barged into the room. She looked upset, and frightened, but determined. A true wannabe Jedi heroine. “Your men outside let me pass, so I assume I’m expected. Cease your sadistic attacks on my Master, now!” She was young, perhaps the same age as Akuliina, but she looked younger than Akuliina. She was pretty, with long dark hair and large sad brown eyes. Continue reading →

A planetary power generator. One power generator for the whole planet. Just one.

SCREW THAT, THAT’S DUMB

Also the dress is the one in all her art so far, a Braided Chestguard and Decorated Pummeler’s Greaves. (her action outfit is the Carbon-scored Pummeler’s Chestguard and Greaves, with the Battle-scarred Pummeler’s Boots. And her ‘lordly’ outfit (not equipped in this story probably) is the Visionary Pummeler’s Chestguard and Greaves)

Chapter 4: Honour

“Look,” she said, pointing upwards. “Even the weather acknowledges the superiority of the Empire.”

“I don’t follow, my lady.” He wiped the snow off his rank insignia for the umpteenth time.

“Trillions of tiny Imperial crests, falling from the sky. Alderaan will be ours. It’s only a matter of time.” How whimsical. …Whimsical was not a word that should be applied to Sith. Continue reading →

Used both versions of the apparition scene because it’s cooler that way. Next chapter likely to be quite long.

Sorry, got stalled on writing because I’m trying to outfit her apartment in SWTOR and also try some of the other features the game has (playing some flashpoints, doing more heroic missions for cash, will probably try out the starfighter and pvp offerings soon). I’ve been working on this like it’s my job. That’s probably not healthy.

Chapter 3: Nature of a Soul

Hot, dry air with only the slightest hint of a breeze. Extremely fine sand, everywhere and getting everywhere, especially his gear and his teeth. Blinding sunlight from not one but two suns.

Yes, it must be Tatooine. Emperor’s bones, he hated it. Even Vette hated it. “I’m gonna end up purple by the time we’re done here.” They’d already been on the planet for two weeks, and had only just picked up the Jedi apprentice’s trail. Continue reading →