[Closed] Difficult to see.

[jadus]

WHO: Darth Marr, Darth Jadus, Luke Skywalker
WHERE: De Chima #002
WHEN: This weekend
WHAT: Attempting to throttle the future into giving up its secrets
WARNINGS: I'm not kidding, choking is actually involved here.

His resources were too limited to make meaningful predictions by conventional means. Public records and a pitiful handful of followers were no substitute for systems of control he had reshaped to his specification over decades.

This left only the Force. This planet was not a suitable place to scry from, not in his present state at least. Marr had no particular specialty in the matter either, beyond one particular attempt.

This was a risk. To place himself in extremis could permit not only future sight, but others to view his thoughts. But he had confidence in his defenses if they held, and the obtuseness of others if they did not. But the mark of a Sith was to anticipate and move first, not trust. With the right preparation, he could take this further, control what escaped him in near-death moments.

He'd forced the coolant systems in his armor down past safe limits. His breath left a clammy mist clinging to him, trickling down the inside of his helmet. He knelt, motionless. Until he was no longer able to suppress the shivering.

"I am ready." He slid into a meditative state, reaching into himself to dredge up old memories, drive hooks through them and bring them up to his surface thoughts, just beneath the solid, implacable layer of his mental defenses. The early years of his training and apprenticeship. Marr had seen his mind then, before he had learned to armor himself appropriately. The memories did not represent what he was now. That was their greatest value.

Carefully, he drew his defenses back within himself. His powers would turn inward and towards the future, not lash out in defense of his life. His mind encircled, his body defenseless.

"Begin."

Comments

[marr]

There were no better options for this than Jadus. No one else would have the control or self-restraint to endure this and produce a useful prophecy. And despite his concerns, Jadus' suggestion of having the younger Skywalker attend was a valid and useful one. Which was why he had been standing here, watching Jadus kneel and meditate and slowly freeze due to his armor's climate control systems.

It was a better option than inducing a concussion. At least, for doing this with Jadus. Marr kept his own mind focused tightly, drawing himself down and inward, confined to this place, but not to this time. Keeping their agreed 'thought' in his mind for inducing a useful prophecy.

If circumstances were different, he might enjoy the coming act of strangling Jadus. Particularly as it might require multiple attempts. Marr had known how the younger Sith thought, once. Seen his mind laid bare. It had been far from ordinary then, and now it was a convoluted mystery. This was the closest they will have been in decades.

"Keep yourself in check, Skywalker, no matter what happens." Marr's final instruction to the young man before he stepped forward, focusing his mind and his abilities on himself, and Jadus, and the question. Reaching for the uncertain future even as he extended his hand and began to close of the kneeling Sith's airway.

Even now, Jadus had a layer of careful defenses between himself and Marr's mind, but that didn't matter. What lay beneath was unimportant, and Marr did not even think about taking advantage of the moment.

He didn't cut off Jadus' ability to breathe entirely, instead slowly constricting. Jadus was not an apprentice Marr's will could overwhelm, the other Sith had to cooperate. Easing him into it would best allow Jadus to control his reaction to what in other circumstances would be an attack in need of retribution.

[faithfulson]

Luke didn't know why he was there.

He was still questioning why Jadus had come to him first, to let him know what he was going to ask Marr and that he may need to intervene on his behalf. Thankfully, he hadn't needed to; Marr had agreed to do... this. Whatever this was; whatever it was that they needed to do to invoke a Force vision. He still didn't know why anyone would ever want to do it; the few that he had in the past had all been awful, and he didn't need to do whatever the two of them were doing right now.

He was already deeply uncomfortable; separately, he could withstand the two of them, but together in the same place their presences in the Force were almost stifling, and it was taking the majority of his focus to block them out and keep his own thoughts and feelings to himself, so as not draw attention away from what they were doing.

Really, Luke just wanted to get up from his chair and leave. He wished that was a viable option, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to get away with that at this point.

His eyes flicked up toward Marr at the reminder to just watch, nodding, not trusting his voice enough to respond. He already knew he wasn't going to like this, and he didn't need any visions for that. Just... hopefully this would go quickly? Maybe...?

That wasn't going to be the case at all; he could sense what was happening almost immediately, and felt his stomach hit the floor as a response. What was it with Sith Lords and choking? Seriously? Luke squashed the urge to jump up and do something, instead curling up on his chair and trying to make himself as small as possible.

[jadus]

The pressure began just as he'd emptied his lungs from a deep exhale. It slowly lifted his chin up, exposing his throat. The pain itself was unremarkable. And for a few long seconds, he had a calm, conscious sense of what was about to transpire. His body would betray him.

It began subtly enough. The pressure Marr was exerting was transfixingly strong, but precise. It had closed his throat entirely, but only now were the blood vessels beginning to throb against unyielding constriction. His body tried to take a breath, but couldn't. It tried again, and he balled his hands into fists, forcing himself not to reach for his throat.

Another failed breath, and his body writhed in the grip, pinned in place by the neck. Another, and his body no longer heeded him at all, clutching uselessly at the collar of his armor. Another, and the fraction of himself that had not sunk into a trance lashed out at Marr, wild and mindless, ineffectual.

Another convulsion, and his eyes rolled back, blind, deaf, and standing in the cold light of the future.

[marr]

Killing Jadus would be a simple matter. The other Sith purposefully kept his defenses in check. It would be all to easy to kill him. The thought didn't even cross Marr's mind; his intense focus on the future and on Jadus' mind and body meant there was no room for such things.

Choking was a particular skill Marr did not employ in the same casual manner as many other Sith. Only for enemies, on the field of battle or in interrogation rooms. And for bringing glimpses of the future. He hadn't used this skill since regaining his body, and the heightened senses he gained while being one with the Force make it a new experience.

He was keenly aware of Jadus, as the very essence of the Sith's being became less anchored in his body and closer to the Force, far deeper than could be achieved by normal meditation. Being this close to death, while focused and subject to Marr's focus, shaped the nature of that contact.

Marr watched Jadus lose the fight against his own body. He shifted the grip to encompass blood vessels as well, sensing the mix of control and the way the body succumbed to instinct. At that very last moment, when Jadus crossed the threshold, falling past unconsciousness and into the Force, into the future, Marr released his hold on Jadus' neck.

[faithfulson]

Somehow, this was all worse than the stories he would hear of what Darth Vader would do to the officers that failed him. He doubted those officers got a quick death, but it had to be better than the deliberate edge of death that Jadus was being shoved toward. Of course he could feel it; feel Jadus' overwhelming presence peter down to a trickle, until it was hard to tell if he was even alive or not. Luke clung to his seat the whole time, nails digging into the fabric of the chair and biting the inside of his mouth until he could taste blood. He was pretty sure he was losing points for this, like some cosmic Force scale penalizing him for being not-Jedi-like and stopping this.

He was ashamed that it was more morbid curiosity and less Marr's warning not to interfere that kept him from doing so.

Luke let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding when Marr let Jadus go, sinking back into his seat. That part was over... that meant this would be over soon, right?

[jadus]

He stood, listening to a countdown. Enveloped in fire. An explosion--no, not destruction. The heat had another purpose. Propulsion.

"The launch proceeds." His voice was distant, weak and clawing at the inside of his throat.

Now he sees a man. Dressed as a native. 'We need to feel safe, secure,' and he is met with applause from many.

"A human speaks before a crowd, I do not know him."

He was split between his place observing the speech and staring into blackness. Glittering against stars. "Debris from a battle. I do not see the combatants."

The man continues, and his focus returns to Earth. 'ImPorts have proven, time and time again, they aren’t interested in our safety.'

"He speaks against us."

Struts touch down.

"A ship lands."

A woman's voice, in two languages. '-- condemn their actions. We will prosecute with full intent--'

[marr]

His own ability to sense and experience the vision himself was incredibly limited. It was in Jadus' mind, and they were not connected deeply enough for him to get fine details. The other Sith's narration was useful with the echoes of a possible future, and questions accumulated in Marr's mind.

They would have to pour over the vision to examine details. The basic shape of it was not failure in the most technical sense, but if the man was able to influence Earth. If their ship was poorly received...

The natives turning against them was an option that featured prominently in his own plans, and in the work Jadus was doing. One he sought to prevent and planned around if it should happen. It was almost inevitable. He would have to ask questions of the other Sith when Luke was gone.

[faithfulson]

Luke didn't have a connection to Jadus at all -- wasn't sure he wanted one, really, considering how unsettling he felt just to be around. Unfortunately, that didn't keep him from seeing what he was seeing, the Force worming it into his mind even as he tried to keep it out. The imagery and sound was garbled, influenced by the mind it was coming from, but...

The emotions attached to it were almost overwhelming for him; the fear, the hatred, all directed at them...

He let out a shuddering breath, trying not to draw attention to himself as he sunk back into his seat. Please let this be over soon...!

[jadus]

He was staring at a blank expanse. Against a wall. Someone next to him. Above him. He was staring at the ceiling, sprawled on the floor. Numbness was giving way to burning pain as he breathed. Breathed. He could breathe again.

He pushed himself up to stand, stumbled, fell onto hands and knees. Convulsions still wracked his limbs, his lungs, his--

He stumbled up again, pushing blindly past the figures around him towards the fresher, a clumsy shove of telekinesis slamming the door behind him and shattering a glass next to the sink. He tore his helmet off just in time before he vomited.

[marr]

Very little of Marr's attention was on Jadus once the vision was over. Enough to be aware of him clawing his way back to full consciousness, and he stepped aside as Jadus rushed towards the fresher. He ignored the slammed door and the sound of broken glass.

Part of his attention remained on the vision, but he also turned his helmeted head towards Luke. "Now you understand why I told you not to even attempt to use this until I say you are ready. Not only are you not ready to keep the necessary control, but you can easily kill someone with it. Possibly even yourself, depending on who you choose to have the vision."

It was only Jadus' control that allowed this to succeed. The other Darth was too strong for Marr to subdue and maintain the technique is Jadus had lashed out sooner and with more of his strength. This would have been much simpler if Marr had one of his apprentices here, but that was not the case.

[faithfulson]

Luke shot up from his seat when Jadus started moving, only to fumble out of the way as he dove for the bathroom. He stared after him, that uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach refusing to go away, even as he hoped the Sith Lord would be all right.

His head snapped over to Marr as he started speaking, and he was pretty sure whatever color was left in his face immediately drained out of it.

"I don't have any intention of ever trying something like that!" he exclaimed.

...though even as he said that, a thought wormed it's way into his head, unbidden, unwanted. With the nanites being able to revive them from the worst injuries, and also being the reason they could touch the Force, it was probably possible to actually kill a Force Sensitive and... and...

...and he was going to pretend the thought never occurred to him.

"When Jadus said he wanted you to invoke a vision, I had no idea this is what he meant. I wish I had."

[jadus]

The spasms ceased, long after his stomach was emptied, contents washed away. He had never been choked so thoroughly before. He had not realized what weaknesses it might reveal in the process.

He wavered to his feet, setting about making himself whole again. Clean the feeling of bodily frailty away, starting with the acrid, gritty taste. Toothpaste cleared that from his mouth, but it still clung to the inside of his throat. Where was--The glass lay in a hundred pieces. Yes, he'd done that, hadn't he.

[marr]

Marr was turning what details of the vision he had over in his head, trying to find any clue that would counter his initial interpretation. He would have to ask Jadus questions. Where was the man standing, the circumstances around the woman speaking.

He inclined his head slightly at Luke, sensing the thought that the young man suddenly shied away from. "No? What if it could prevent something like another Death Star. Or if it could forewarn you against a course of action that could see an entire fleet or system scourged and lost in battle. How many lives would have to be on the line before you would consider it."

Marr posed the question to Luke. "Don't try to answer now, but think about it, later. You'll find the exercise enlightening."

And then his helmeted head turned towards the door to the fresher, he could feel the other Sith regaining his strength and composure.

[faithfulson]

Luke stared after him, not willing to tell him that no amount of prophecy apparently prevented another Death Star from being built, nor would prevent the First Order from coming into being, or him stopping himself from hurting his nephew in a way he wasn't sure he would recover from. But... even if it was just here, if things like that could even happen...

He forced out a breath, turning away from the Sith Lord. It was tempting to just leave; to look away and pretend none of this had happened, but he headed for the kitchen instead, hoping some water would help clear his head. Now he was starting to understand why his father said to be cautious around these people, though... despite that warning, he almost wanted Vader's guidance more than Anakin's right now...

Luke grabbed a glass and filled it with water from the tap, just trying to focus on that instead of what he saw and what was said.

[jadus]

He drew cold water and drank from cupped hands instead. Cleaned his face and scalp. Waited a long moment, gaze averted from the mirror.

The helmet sealed back into place, and he was himself again. The door opened.

"I had no time to relay the end of the vision. A woman spoke in another language. She condemned the actions of others and stated intent to respond, but her voice left me before she declared how."

The vents in his armor hissed quietly around him as he adjusted the thermal controls, ordering them to gradually return heat to his limbs. Now that he was fully conscious, he could force his body to obey him. The shivering had stopped, but his hands were still numb with cold.

[marr]

The younger Skywalker was allowed to leave without comment, and Marr turned his attention to Jadus, and the last remnants of the prophecy he had to share.

"I need more details. The man, where did he stand?" Context wasn't always given for parts of a vision, and Jadus' mind was a particularly opaque filter through which to experience a vision.

"And the ship. Is it ours?" Though it had not been built yet, Jadus might have some vision-granted knowledge, or have seen something that corresponds to the imPorts.

"And lastly, would you recognize the language if you heard some of it." Jadus had an exceptional mind, he might be able to perfectly remember the words enough to match them, particularly if he had their translation. Knowing the other language spoken could provide clues.

[jadus]

"The man stood on a stage, with no emblem or identifying marks. I have never seen him, but I believe I could identify him." It could not truly be assumed that he was a native or an agent of native interests, however.

"But my view of it was not so literal to discern these details. My view was clouded. Still, I remember the language that was being spoken." And given his monitoring of local events, he had a guess. "It may be Russian, but I will require confirmation."

But all these details stood now in service of their interpretation. "The evident connection is between the launch of an armed ship, and a negative local response, including an escalation of tension in this Cold War." He may never have cared for the outcome of the Empire's battles, but it did not mean that statement did not carry a certain resonance to him as well. Both he and Marr had seen how quickly a cold war could disintegrate into open conflict, especially when the destruction was deliberately nurtured.

"The outcome of the space battle is irrelevant, if it cannot truly be won."

[marr]

This was indeed a very troubling vision. But not everything was as clean as victory or defeat, there were always nuances. "We must avoid fighting, and turning the natives against us. Whether the current course of retribution is a trap, or there is truly a foe to fight, that is an outcome which must be avoided."

Were they being pitted against one another by a third party, or drawn into a trap by the people who sent the missile. There were so many complex possibilities, and none of them boded well.

"It will be difficult to dissuade those who were here during the attack. A probe would be more reasonable than disarmament, it leaves them looking forward to the possibility of fighting in the future."

[jadus]

"Then we are in agreement." The Dark Council was significantly less onerous when so diminished. While the Rule of Two was foolish, he could see its base appeal now. "But we are not the ones to tell them."

He turned towards Skywalker, voice still rasping from the insults his throat had endured today. "You are witness to this. You can speak to its truth. And your mother may also be sympathetic to this message." She had political and social power here, and a preference for nonviolent solutions, when it suited her. The Skywalker family, broken and contorted as it was, could still be useful.

[faithfulson]

Luke finally stuck his head back out from the kitchen, if only so Jadus could see the grimace on his face. Drag his mother into this mess? Was he crazy? Wait, no, he already knew the answer to that question, never mind.

"I'm not dragging my mother into this," he grumbled at him, still clutching his water glass as he came back into the common room. "I think I saw enough that I can make an argument against bringing weapons to space without her help anyway."

[marr]

"Her position as ambassador would give her words a larger audience." He was sure that the fact that Marr and Jadus were Sith had a great deal to do with Luke's reluctance to speak with his mother on the subject.

"Any of us can make the argument for it, the fact of the matter is that we need as many people as possible to hear and accept it, and for that we need people who are known and trusted by as much of our community as possible." If not for this, Marr would have been willing to allow Luke to continue his deception for as long as the young man wished to maintain it.

[jadus]

Marr spoke to the operational logic of the proposal. He would select the personal. "If you speak to others on this matter, then you will not be able to hide it from her. She was directly involved in crafting the messages sent to Phobos. She will learn of your involvement, and ours."

He could still taste the bile in his throat. It slowly, delicately clawed at the flesh.

"Let this happen, and she will perceive that you are evasive. This will not help you avoid discomfort or confrontation. You will simply lose control of its timing, nature, and magnitude."

[faithfulson]

"She's already more involved than she should be then," Luke replied stubbornly. Bad enough now he had asked her for a scrap plane... he was hoping now that wouldn't end up working out. "And she already knows I'm on this mission, and that problems with visions run in the family. She's not going to question if it I suddenly say something against bringing weapons into space."

[marr]

That was an interesting reaction. Marr folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. "You do not have the skill in deception to carry out such a ruse under any amount of scrutiny. And in order for this to be taken seriously, people will want details. The way you've phrased that, 'problems with visions', does not instill confidence in your family's prophetic abilities."

He did not care who took credit for the vision, so long as it was heeded, and the dangers in it avoided.