...The Sins of the Son (Complete)

[Michael Cline]

Continued From Here. (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=733505#post733505)

- Another week passed -

Michael had taken to sleeping in an alley, his cred supply having ran out a few days prior on food. He pulled his jacket tighter over his side, using it as a makeshift sheet, he stared blankly at the bright lights that shown down from the end of the alleyway, people walking back and forth, all in such a rush - all happy, all content, smiling and pleased. Today was the first time he hadn't tried to contact either mom or dad, in a way it was the day he finally accepted what he'd known from that first moment he'd walked into the house a week ago. They're gone.

He tried to keep the tears from welling up in his eyes, tried to keep his composure. He couldn't, and found himself sobbing softly into his jacket. He was alone now, and terrified, he hadn't left the alley all day, he kept telling himself he would, that he'd go and find a friend to stay with, until he could work things out. He kept telling himself to get up, to walk out of that alley and go home, but he found he couldn't will himself to do it. "I just want to go home", he found himself whispering. You can't go home, home isn't safe. The alley is safe, stay here. The fear was strong, and it kept him from leaving, but beneath the fear something else was growing. Anger.

Something had TAKEN his family from him, he was positive of it. An unknown shadow had swept over his life and ruined it. The more he thought about it, the more the anger grew in him - worse yet, it was anger with no direction, he had nothing to cast blame on - no idea what had happened. He felt trapped inside of his own mind, and he was slowly being crowded out of even that confined space. He'd get revenge, he'd find out what had taken his family from him, and then he'd destroy it... if only he could leave this alley. The alley is safe. So he didn't leave, he just lay still, eyes unmoving as he watched the happy people walk by, and his hatred of their lives grew as well, after all they still had what he so rightfully deserved. His eyes narrowed, but he remained there, because the alley is safe.

[Sudoku]

Kyashi was always amazed when the Force sent him on a different path. He had met the young netherspeaker through it, and now, something was drawing him into the alleyways of the city.

The closer he got to it, the more anger he could feel. It was...a nice change from the feelings he sensed while under the watchful eye of the Imperials. This felt untrained, untapped. Something different and new.


Michael felt the toe of a sneaker nudge his side. "Hey, get up. This isn't the time to be laying about, feeling sorry for yourself."

[Michael Cline]

His eyes wandered up towards the young man, he examined him carefully, there was a feeling of power to him. He could feel it, and it both piqued his interest, and concerned him at the same time. He'd ignored anyone else who'd tried to get him up so far, but this one was different.

"Wh... why not? It's gone, all of it." He choked the words out, barely recognizing the sound of his own voice. "Seems like the perfect time to feel sorry for myself."

[Sudoku]

"Because, sitting in the filth won't solve whatever problems you're having. Laying in the gutter won't get back what was taken from you," a slight smile lit up the boys' features. "Or help you take revenge on those who have wronged you."

[Michael Cline]

THAT caught his attention, and he actually sat up to look at the boy who was speaking. "How did you... lucky guess." He glanced away just as quickly as he sat up, his mind seemingly occupied somewhere else. "Besides, it's not like I can."

[Sudoku]

"Pffft. Who says you can't?" Kyashi slouched down beside the other boy, crouching in front of him. His smile grew.

"If you want, I might be able to help. I have a feeling about you...it seems like you might have what I'm looking for. How about...I help you, and you help me? Sound like a fair enough deal?"

[Bandage]

Waking up in the middle of the night, Bandage found himself nearly alone in a small alcove in a section of the sewer line. He had travelled during the day, keeping to the deepest and darkest sections of the alleyscape, sometimes ducking into sewer systems to get around undetected. When he was tired, he found a quiet, peaceful place to sleep. Bandage looked about, gaining his bearings before getting up and continuing his travel. Stretching his gaunt, wrapped limbs, he works the leaden feeling of inactivity out of them. Once ready to continue, Bandage looked about, trying to find a street access. Seeing a set of ladders that led to such, Bandage scaled it quickly, lifting the somewhat heavy lid off and to the side.

Once out of the opening, Bandage felt his stomach lurch. He realized that he was hungry. Not suprising, for he had not eaten in about a day. With a thought of distaste suddenly being replaced with one of absolute survival, Bandage made his way to a nearby waste processor. Lifting the lid, he saw several pieces of trash. Digging amongst them, he found a grease-stained box, filled with white noodles, the eating utencils still inside. Taking the box out and wiping off the utensils, Bandage began his meal.

Bandage walked around a stretch of the alleyway, eating his noodles, picking through the bad portions (a task he had become good at). Only as he got closer to a bend in the alleyway did he hear the voices. One seemed to be clearly one of distress, the other confident. But he simply was too far away to hear. Instead of sneaking up, Bandage felt better to just continue his slow walk down the alley, eating as he went. Soon, he was in view of the two. The distraught one lay on the pavement, as if in a position to sleep. Or curl up into a ball and cry, Bandage thought to himself. He felt that way sometimes. It was his right, but what good would it do, pitying oneself? Turning his attention to the other, Bandage noted that the other, a male, was nudging the prone figure with his foot, trying to get his attention. Feeling it was best not to draw attention, he had a seat against the wall, in the shadows so as not to draw attention or threaten the people in any way, eating quietly on his meal of partially eaten noodles and small pieces of meat. Bandage got a particularly good bite. Hmmm, not bad, almost edible, he thought to himself.

[Michael Cline]

He could see another man come down the alley out of the corner of his eye - he seemed to be searching for something in the garbage, then he noticed what it was. His face curled momentarilly partially out of disgust, partially out of pity. Michael's mind slowed his reaction though, as suddenly he seemed to see his future, or at least one possible future. He was where that man now sat, eating just like him on some half eaten refuge he'd pulled from a waste processor. That was his future; a bum stuck in this very alley for the rest of his life. Or...

His attention was snapped back to the boy who had roused him. Or he thought to himself, staring at the boy who seemed to smile darker for a moment. He didn't even need to ask the boy if he could actually come through on his end of the bargain, he already knew he could. "...What do you need me to do?"

[Sudoku]

In one quick motion, Kyashi was back on his feet, arms stretched above his head. To those who didn't know him, he seemed like any other Coruscant teen, out looking for trouble. His dark hair hung sloppily in his face, and with the exception of a faded Imperial logo on his jacket, he wouldn't stand out in a crowd. A long yawn escaped the boy as he started down the alleyway, his back to Michael as they walked.

"So, Red, how do you feel about people?"

[Michael Cline]

He couldn't remember standing up, or beginning to walk, but sure enough he was now following the same boy he had just been talking to moments before on the ground. The question caught him off guard, was he joking? He'd changed the topic completely. Obviously he wanted to set things at his own pace, and having already gone this far, he may as well follow through with it.

"People? They're... okay I guess." He was lying to himself more than anyone else, he didn't want to admit how much over the last week he'd come to resent the scum that called themselves 'people'.

[Sudoku]

"No they aren't. Don't lie to me." He kept his hands behind his head, his eyes closed as they continued. His eyes opened, staring hard at the other boy.

"I don't want to hear what you think I want to hear...tell me the truth, no matter what." His smile had faded into a frown, but reappeared as quickly as it had left. "We can discuss that later. First, how about some food and a bath? I know I could go for both right now."

[Michael Cline]

He let out a bit of sigh, he was going to have to be honest, not only with his new 'friend', but also to himself. He's right, people aren't 'okay', he thought inwardly, and the sooner you stop denying that, the sooner you'll be better off.

He looked hard at his friend, and for the first time in at least a week, he smiled, then nodded sharply. "I could use both myself, thank you."

[Sudoku]

"Awesome."

It wasn't really a reply, more of a statement of Kyashis' general approval. It had only been a few days since he had been "let loose" by the Imperials, and they had given him a small amount of creds to keep him occupied. The nanites, or whatever they were called, in his system kept tabs on him constantly. And Kyashi was not above giving the boys back in the basement a good show.

The pair wandered aimlessly through the streets, walking for what seemed like hours before finally arriving at a non-descript building. A knock on the door had them buzzed in...to be greeted by a pair of eager Twi'leks in soft silky robes. Kyashi jerked a thumb in Michaels' direction.

"My friend here wants a bath, with the works."

[Bandage]

A thought of distaste struck Bandage hard. Strange, Bandage thought, I didn't just have that thought. Then where.... Bandage looked down the alley at the boy on the ground and knew instantly. The boy had thought that, and about him. Bandage didn't blame him. After all, to the untrained eye, Bandage was nothing more than a bum. Perhaps if they had known what he hid underneath the tatters of his trenchcoat, they wouldn't have thought the same.

Looking down the alley, Bandage noticed that the two had gotten up, and began to head down the street. Bandage took pursuit, but not in the method most would think prudent. In a flash, Bandage was back down the sewer chutes, following a few feet behind and underneath the two, enough that he heard them and even saw them enter a very plain building through the grating. The line followed through. Bandage followed down the narrow tunnel, like a ghost in the night.

[Michael Cline]

He blinked, curious at his surroundings, they were going to let him bathe here? Turning to his new friend he tilted his head slightly, "The works?"

[Sudoku]

Kyashi sighed, and shook his head. "You know - they're gonna give you a...special bath. I come here all the time - it's the best way to relax on the whole planet."

He slipped one arm around the waist of the closest twi'lek, while the other took Michael gently by the hand. "Just relax and enjoy yourself."

[Michael Cline]

OH. That kind of a bath, though he wasn't exactly sure about this, he had never... well, he was only 17 afterall. Swallowing he smiled at the Twi'lek, nodding a bit.

[Sudoku]

This kid was something else...Kyashi laughed, letting his own "date" head upstairs. He ran a hand through his hair, wondering if he'd have to explain the birds and the bees to his new-found "friend".

"You don't have to do that...unless you really want to. I mean, you could just have a bath, take a nap, or do whatever it is you kids do now-a-days. It's up to you. Personally," he gave a quick glance at the woman who was now half-way up the stairs. "I'm going for the works. I'll see you in a few hours."

He gave the boy a pat of reassurance on the shoulder before disappearing up the stairs, leaving Michael standing in the entrance-way with a rather frisky slave girl.

[Michael Cline]

He watched the other boy vanish upstairs behind the first Twi'lek, then turned back to his own 'companion'. "Uh, hello." The girl smiled wide and saddled up next to him, taking his arm and trying to lead him down the hall. He stopped her for a moment, sighing. "Why don't we just start with a bath... and we'll see what happens, alright?" The Twi'lek nodded once in understanding and began to lead him down the hall again, letting out a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding he let her lead him away.

- Several Hours Passed -

Much to his own surprise, Michael had ended up taking the works, and he wasn't about to complain. He was lounging about in the small foyer near the entrance half snuggling, half chatting with the Twi'lek who had just 'attended' to him.

[Sudoku]

Footsteps pounded down the stairs as Kyashi hopped the railing, landing several feet from the pair. A wide grin greeted Michael as the other boy stauntered up to him.

"Geez, talking to the help. What am I gonna do with you?"

Kyashi looked more disheveled then usual, as he slouched in front of the couple. "I take it he got the works then?"

[Michael Cline]

The Twi'lek contained a giggle and nodded, Michael looked up at his friend and grinned. "Yeah, and it was some couple of hours. You were absolutely right, VERY relaxing." Michael seemed a bit more confident now, and for more relaxed. He stretched leisurely, slipping away from the slavegirl and looking at the boy.

"You know, you've done so much for me already - and I don't even know your name."

[Sudoku]

"Yep."

He merely shrugged. "Names' Sudoku."

He couldn't tell the boy his "real" name, especially since he "no longer existed". His new name was something he picked up from a data-pad he had seen somewhere. Nothing special, and it sounded cool...

"Names aren't really important in this game though."

[Michael Cline]

He nodded a bit, he understood, he thought. Looking over Sudoku he examined him in detail for really the first time, he didn't look like anything special, and just passing him on the street you'd never give him a second glance. He was very, what was the term? Oh right, gray. It wasn't his appearance that was impressive anyway, it was how he FELT, he exuded power, confidence and control, Michael could feel it in his very soul.

"What exactly is 'this game', anyway?" Maybe he'd get an answer to this line of questioning this time.

[Sudoku]

"You know. Life."

One glance from him sent the twi'lek into another room. He sat down on a small sofa across from Michael.

"I mean, here we are, in the middle of the Empires' own private paradise. Two young enterprising young men with their whole lives ahead of them. We may as well have a good time while we can."

[Michael Cline]

Still the run-around. Damn. He sighed a bit, and leaned forward looking at Sudoku. "Yeah, I know what you mean - there's so much to be done, so much living to be done."

His eyes met the other's and he gave him a hard stare for what seemed like an eternity. "You said you could help me, and I need to know how." every passing second burned at him, demanding he find out how to get revenge on the being, or beings who had taken his family from him. He longed for it, ached for it like a sweet addiction.

[Sudoku]

He stared back, stone-faced. "What is it that you want? Revenge? That's easy enough to get - tell me who you're after, and we'll go and kill them. Unless of course, you prefer to torture people before you do them in. It's up to you, Red."

[Michael Cline]

The answer was so simple, so blunt it caught him off guard. He had expected some telling secret, some eternal truth that would give him some semblence of a life back, instead it was cold, simple and to the point. Then again, the words did make sense, and the thought of hunting down those responsible and slowly gutting them filled him with a dark joy he had never even considered possible, the visualization overwhelmed him, making him smile outwardly, even without realizing his action in the matter. Just as quickly however he was back, out of that dark little dream and looking eye to eye with Sudoku again.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "That'd be nice, really... really nice." He admitted, and with a heavy sigh shook his head gently. "I'm sure you could too, you're powerful. I don't know how I even know that, but I do. Me, though? What could I do, I'm not like you."

[Sudoku]

"Eh, you could learn. I've had this gift of mine for years, as long as I can remember. I have some things I'm good at, and lots that I'm not good at."

He had felt it. A small warm feeling in the pit of his stomach, something that brought a smile back to his face. It faded as quickly as it had come, and Kyashi knew why he had come here.

"I told you that you have what I'm looking for. I wouldn't waste my time with someone who wasn't a Force sensitive."

[Michael Cline]

His eyes widened and he leaned in a bit, Sudoku's words hadn't even registered with him yet, but he suddenly understood why this boy seemed so different, and powerful. He was an adept, and then as quickly as that realization hit, Sudoku's words caught up to him. He found his eyes widening more, and his mouth agape with slight shock, not from disbelief, but rather from realization.

The last several weeks now made sense, the odd feelings he'd been having around people, even what had happened at home. He was a sensitive. Even though he knew it was true, it still sounded impossible. He lowered his head, looking at his own feet for a long time, and he smiled. His dark dream returned to him, and once again he saw himself standing over the corpses of those who had wronged him. Only this time it wasn't him, but rather who he would be. He was strong, confident, and powerful in his vision, revelling in his sweet revenge. He looked back up at Sudoku, but this time his vision didn't fade away, it stayed constant in the back of his mind.

His eyes were filled with a content knowledge now, and beyond that something far darker. He had a million questions he needed answers to, a hundred thoughts running through his mind, they all tried to escape his mouth at once, and he found the only sound he was able to mutter was a soft squeek. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat, and asked the only question that really mattered at the moment. "Will you teach me?"

[Bandage]

Bandage, wandering around in the sewers, had found a good vantage point to listen. It was around the area of the pipes. The resonance of the voices carried through it. Though Bandage was sure that with time he would've been able to hear what they were saying without having to even be within hearing range.

After a few hours, Bandage's expression was grim. The boy was going to be led to the Dark Side. While this couldn't go unattended, what could he do by himself? He was still new at this, so it would be best just to gather information and then go back to Master Yoghurt. Perhaps the other man wouldn't train him, or was an initiate of sorts, like Bandage himself. But, he could be something else entirely......either way, Bandage could do nothing right now......but soon, things would be different. Until that time, Bandage would lay low, gather the necessary information, and above all else, survive.

[Sudoku]

"Eh?"

The boys' question caught him by surprise. Most adepts he had known were aware of their gift, and judging by Reds' reaction, he had no idea.
A moment of silence passed between them, before Kyashi shrugged.

"I guess I can see what I can do for you. You know, once you start down this path, you can't turn back. You have to be sure that this is what you want to do."

[Michael Cline]

That dark vision grew stronger in his mind, and his longing for it to become reality grew with it.

"It'll allow me to take revenge... right?" He paused for a moment, then smiled. "As long as that's the case, I'm sure this is what I want."

[Sudoku]

"Yeah, it will. It might cost you in the long run, though."

He rose to his feet, leaving the other boy trailing behind as he left the building. "And if I'm going to teach you, you're going to have to prove your loyalty."

[Michael Cline]

Any cost is worth it. He thought to himself as he followed Sudoku, I'd pay any price just for that one shot at vengeance. He'd decided, he knew what he wanted.

"I'll do whatever you tell me to." He said from a few steps behind the other boy. Whatever it took, whatever he wanted, he owed Sudoku - as far as he was concerned his new friend had saved him from himself, if loyalty is what he wanted from him, loyalty is what he would have.

[Sudoku]

"Good, good."

Kyashi turned to him, his face making a mock look of pain as his hand went to his stomach.

"Damn, all that Twi'lek has made me hungry. Let's go get some food. You can show me your loyalty by dining and dashing with me."

[Michael Cline]

He brought his hand up to his mouth, catching a laugh. Sudoku was random, he'd say that much, but at the same time - he didn't think he'd ever had this much fun before, especially coupled with such serious revelations and decisions. A new life, he thought to himself, I'm starting a brand new life. He smiled and nodded to his friend.

"Sounds great, I'm starving."

[Sudoku]

"Okay, apprentice. Disciple. Whatever."

Sudoku smirked a bit - he found this whole "master/apprentice" idea rather, funny. But, it would be good to have someone else to rely on (besides Leiko, who occassionally would behave like a spoiled little Imperial tart...). He stopped, and scratched the back of his head, frowning.

"Er, where did you wanna go eat? Maybe we should get a ride to one of the higher levels, the food is never that great down here, unless you enjoy grease."

[Michael Cline]

He was a 'disciple' now, NEAT. Smiling, he shrugged a bit. "Well, I do know a couple of places a bit more topside, we should probably head up that way, anyway."

[Sudoku]

"Well? Disciple, get us a ride."

Kyashi waved his hand towards the street, where several speeders were parked. "You do know how to drive one of these things, right?"

[Michael Cline]

He grinned wide, did HE know how to pilot a speeder he asked... "I might know a little bit about them."

He walked over rather calmly, acting as if he were just walking out to his speeder after stopping for a stay at a friends. He hopped in calmly and reached down. Hmm... a 2.0, shouldn't be hard to jump, just need to... the speeder hummed to life, and Michael leaned back with a grin, one arm draped non-chalantly over the back of the seat as he turned to look at Sudoku.

"You coming, Master?"

[Bandage]

Bandage followed the boy, listening intently. This child, now a Dark Sider. Great. And he was stealing a speeder. Even better. Could Bandage do something about it? And risk discovery? No. The other fellow is the one he was worried about, not the child.

A thought hit Bandage.

Man, this universe has gone to the sewers......

Snorting with a sarcastic laugh, Bandage stalked back down the sewer lines, feeling it would be best to fight another day.

[Sudoku]

"You coming, Master?"

"Sudoku" had to laugh. Him, being called "master" was not something he'd ever get used to. He slid onto the seat next to Michael, grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright, let's get out of this frelling dump. I'm starving."

[Michael Cline]

"That makes two of us." Michael hadn't had a real meal in at least a day, and the prospect of eating was a wonderful one indeed. Pulling out, the speeder sped off towards the higher levels of Coruscant, a joyful grin staying on the young man's face, he'd 'acquired' a rather nice speeder for himself, he'd soon have a full belly, and soon enough he'd be killing those responsible for his loss.

Yes, indeed, life is good.