Scratch the Pitch (Complete)

[Hara Kiri]

"Miss Hara, would you please not touch that!" Said the dark haired pilot as Hara Kiri fiddled with a panel of different colored buttons.

"But look at them! They're so pretty, it looks like a kids game that I played when I was young. Don't you agree?" She said to the second pilot, giving him a nudge with her elbow.

"Miss Hara, it would simply be better if you did not touch the control panel at all." The second one replied annoyed with her as much as the first pilot.

"Fine, fine." She said defeated. "Jeez. I was going to leave anyway."

She left the pilots cabin and took a seat in the commom room near the window. The window revealed nothing but blue abyss stripped with white swirls, hyperspace was a sight she was more than sick of. The trip from Korriban to Corellia was short in respect to travelling to any other system. Korriban wasn't too far from the nearest trade route and once a ship merged with the route, intregalactic travel became quick.

She surfed through the holonet, barely paying attention as the few channels skipped by. She reflected on her time so far at the Sith Order, it had been educational and more exciting than most of her life. It seemed that everyone there had some special talent with the Force, leaving her a very plain and boring acolyte. In time she'd develop her special gifts, Jorshal, one of the Sith Elders, had told her when she complained to him. She was starting from scratch, she had only a slight hint of experience with the Force, many who joined had recieved some training in it. She was just a street rat when she joined, she hadn't a secret master of the fighting arts or a mystical wizard who taught her everything. The only history she carried with her was that of boring and tedious jobs and living inside a shack that didn't warm in the winter. That was all going to change. Once she learned how to read minds, she was going to make it big in the casinos on Corellia and live the high life. Even life on Korriban forshadowed a better life, she had been given some money from the Order and she had every intention of spending it all on shopping and partying. She smiled to herself. Yeah, life had finally looked up for her.

She looked out the window and watched the blue tinted hyperspace fade to white stars on black. The enormus planet of Corellia cam into view, The beatiful capitol Coronet sprawled across the coast. She had lived on Corellia before she moved to Korriban, but the gorgeous view of Corellia from space always took her breath away.

The intercomm interrupted her thoughts, "Please do not resist, your ship is being pulled in for routine inspection. Cooperation will expidite the process. Thank you."

Hara Kiri stormed the cabin. "Why are you letting them take us in? We didn't do anything! Give them what they want so I can get to the surface!"

"Miss Hara, there's nothing we can do. It's the Empire, we can run away, especially over a routine inspection." The dark haired pilot said in response.

"It's those damned Rebels. If they'd just quit this nonsense the rest of us could go on with our normal lives." The other continued, more towards his co-pilot than to her. "These inspections are a pain, last week I got inspected on route to Arkania, took two hours out my day. The bosses back at Korriban weren't pleased about that."

Their voices faded to the background when she heard it took two hours last time one of them had been inspected. "Can't you just ell them we have nothing to do with the Rebels?"

They ignored her foolish suggestion.

She screamed, "Jeez!" in frustration at them and the whole situation and stormed out. She looked out the window again and saw a long line of ships leading to the Imperial Destroyer. "Oh my gosh... Two hours, yeah right, maybe five at least."

[Lamar Starworth]

The life of a stormtrooper had become all the more tedious after Lamar's return from Cathar. There wasn't a single off day and with the increase of hostility growing faster than a Bantha it was more jobs to be filled.

It was true that the Empire had a near limitless supply of arms, but that didn't mean much to Lamar. He had drifted about the ranks and civilization for a month now and being stationed at any place for too long was little more than a dream. The Imperial Destroyer was just another ground his feet touched before being re-assigned to another base.

"So, tell me. Why are we doing this again?" Lamar questioned, his stormtrooper helmet resting under his rested arm. Five men grouping of troopers, ready to go through their routine inspection on the next shipload, occupied the lift.

"Because Corellia thinks it's alright to be independent with all those Trade Routes. At least that’s what the superiors tell us."

Lamar spat, his head shifting to the side. The beads dangling from the ends of his braids bounced against the hard exterior of his white chest-plate. A rustle rose about the other stormtroopers. The irritation of the repeated bead's beating had become worst since Lamar's arrival and it didn't seem like anything would calm the trooper's nerves.

"Frag! Why don’t you cut those flacking things?”

Before the caramel-complexioned trooper could answer the lift had creaked to a stop at its destination. All of the fleet quickly threw on their helmets, locking them in as they trotted out of the hold. Ships of all kind revealed themselves, as the lift's door was automatically unsealed. Freight ships, large shuttles and even the occasional small starship could be found lined across landing pads. A sea of white, armored soldiers rushed about the transports, ready to investigate and strip-search anything that moved. Lamar was no longer dazzled at the display as he once was, but it was still slightly interesting piece of organization. The Empire truly had an iron vice about the galactic realm, and it showed itself every day on the job.

"Requesting assistance from your commanded grouping, JK-316."

Lamar's comm. called out, the words echoing throughout his helm. Sharply pivoting, he stared at his collection of troopers and gave them signal. Heading off, the armored troops trotted toward their designated ship for a routine inspection. Lamar backtracked for a moment as his feet came to a standstill before the ship's un-hatched door. Memories of the signals and ethics on inspection flashed through his mind as he drifted forth into parked shuttle.

"Just another day on the job, boys. Just another day on the job."

[Hara Kiri]

"Oh." Thud "My" Thud "Gosh. Thud She said as she pounded her fist simultaneously. She poked her head in the pilot's cabin. "How much longer? I can't take it back here!" She crept in now. "Listen, I'm a girl with claustrophobic tendencies. Can't you pass that along and get them to skip us, or at least inspect sooner?"

"Miss Hara, please. There's nothing we can do. You're only making things difficult, can you take a seat in the back?" The regularly offensive dark haired pilot said and resumed his conversation with the co-pilot.

She sulked into the commons room and stared out the window again. The line was shorter now, only a few more ships to go. She didn't realize that when she had begun to bother the pilots. They could have just told her it was going to be done within a few minutes instead of telling her to leave them alone. So many people were very rude to her and she had no idea why. Stupid pilots... they hardly knew anything at all.

The ship pulled closer to the destroyer until it hovered under its hull. It slowly rose into the bay until the airlocks sealed beneath the transport ship. She heard the pilots talking in the cabin, verbally expressing their actions as they powered down the ship.

The air hatch hissed as it opened and landed with a clank on the deck. She looked over from her standpoint to see what it was they were goign to send in. Probably a droid or two. The white helmet of a stormtrooper looked in and gave her an icy gaze.

Her heart stopped.

Her face drained of its blood.

She placed her hand on her heart and backed away until she stood against the wall. Stormtroopers scared the absolute frack out of her. That skull-like helmet, the cold white armor. She said under her breath, "Please, just get it done and leave. Just leave..."

[Lamar Starworth]

The helmet latched nicely a top Lamar's head as he gazed deeply through the black lenses of his white lid onto a simple girl. She certainly had trouble holding her emotions; the display of distrust, slight anger and even a snippet of fear could be seen distorting her unique face.

A smile bared itself behind his skeletal helm, hidden under the cold exterior that was the stormtrooper armor. The smile soon faded as his mind centered on the business at hand. Even the slightest wrong step could succumb to a horrid death. A single face could never stop hatred, or the war.

"Move in," Lamar commanded. Throwing a two-finger point, he instinctively latched a strong grip around the handle of his standard issued E-II rifle readying himself for any wrong move. Dropping behind the five troopers of his unit. Scanning about, he quickly went over the expectations in the inventory scan.

The infantry swiftly motioned about, their maneuvers precise as the troops' blasters stayed pointed ahead in every pivot and turn. Over the months they had come to be accustomed with one another, and even the biggest situations couldn't fade their precision at this point. Even when one of the unit members had something else on their mind.

"JK-413, to the cockpit," Lamar whispered over the comm. "Miss, what is your name?"

Laughter could be heard over Lamar's intercom. This was definitely going to be story to be exchanged with the rest of the unit later.

[Hara Kiri]

She pointed her hands at her chest, still in shock and said, "Me?" She wasn't sure whether or not to lie, Jorshal did say if she ran into any officials to just be honest regarding everything except about the Sith Order. Their official position was that the Sith Order was really the Sith Historical Order, a group of students on Korriban doing field work. If she could skip the explainations, she'd be happy. "Oh, I'm Hara Kiri...?" She said with a tinge of uncertainty then gave her usual introductory speech. "And it's one name, not Hara, but Hara Kiri."

"Don't bother with her, sir." The dark haired pilot said from the cockpit. "She's been nothing but trouble. If you could just take her away, we'll be on our way." He laughed at his own joke and Hara Kiri gave him a grim stare.

"Don't listen to them." She sneered. "They've both been mean to me the whole trip."

[Lamar Starworth]

The squad listened, managing to keep a focus on their inspections. Big and small objects were carefully placed to the side and dug into for any suspicious subjects. There was not a single squad member not on the move, even Lamar as he paid careful attention to the newly introduced Hara Kiri and the pilot's conversation.

A clink could be heard echoing through the lull that over-took the small shuttle. Lamar kneeled down under Hara Kiri's seat, his blaster carefully pointed ahead as he investigated. Once again there was nothing, but it was certainly much more to gain than what was seen. The banter between the two shuttle occupants had led the squad leader into contemplation as he rode on his impulse to continue the routine inspection.

Lifting up from his kneel, Lamar glanced over at his fellow troopers. Once again pressing against the side of his helm, he initialized the intercom. inserted in the group's communicators.

"I got an idea, guys..."

A chuckle roared over Lamar's intercom as a response. Over the month the infantry had gained a brotherly bond, and even the smallest statement could signal laughter. They simply knew each other...it was the way of troopers. Bonds had to be made to maintain sanity in the brutal onslaught of war. Lamar could only smile under his Stormtrooper shell, proud of the profound friendship formed between them all. Quickly shifting his gaze, he looked once more through his darkened lenses upon the purple-haired lady.

"Miss. You are coming with us," He calmly said, leaving only a beckoning gesture to finalize his statement. The squad swiftly motioned about, the ruffle of their maneuvers heard over Lamar's command. They soon were outside, leaving Lamar to carry out his unofficial business.

[Hara Kiri]

"Come?" She said with uncertainty. "With you?" She rubbed her face and her breathing rate increased. "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.." She whispered. "I'm not in trouble for anything am I?" She stuttered. "I mean, I didn't do anything wrong!"

Before the Stormtrooper could respond, the pilot interjected. "Sir, not to cause trouble, but is this absolutely neccessary? She can be fragile, if you have any questions, I can surely help." He wasn't fooling anyone, he had no genuine interest in the well being of Hara Kiri. He was self-interested, especially in regards to his own well-being. If the Elders at the Sith Order found out the pilots let Imperial officials take one of their members, it would be his head. Their instructions were to take Hara Kiri to Corellia, but also to make sure nothing bad happened. Both pilots were intent of meeting those objectives.

[Lamar Starworth]

"What did you say?" Lamar exclaimed with a voice horribly distorted by an sudden rush of anger. There was no time for the two voyagers to answer as the sudden rustle roared over any notion of response. Lamar's unit quickly took to motion, beating back up the steps with their blaster's ready.

Their swift maneuvers intensified, their grace worthy of praise. However the end result was far from graceful as the sound of blaster fire echoed throughout the shuttle. Bolts of fiery rage darted out of the standard issued EII rifles, piercing through the two pilot's skulls.

Behind the cold armor, the unit's leader smirked. Only for a moment was there pleasure in the rash events before Lamar grabbed Hara's wrist and yanked her ahead of him. A soft nudge pressed against her back, pushing he forward out the shuttle door.

"Unit. Leave evidence for the superiors to be satisfied with. Those damn Rebel pilots will never learn to shut their mouth."

Lamar drew his hand back, deactivating the infantry communication line. The commander pressed his eyes down onto Hara Kiri, taking note of her composure. Hopefully the day's fun would not end at the demise of two meaningless pilots.

[Hara Kiri]

OOC: Sorry about hte delay, Christmas break work is sucking up all my time.

IC: Horrified, Hara Kiri stood facing the cockpit with her arms limp at her side. Tears welled up in her eyes asshe whispered, "Oh Jeez. Oh fracking Jeez. Oh- Oh-" She began to sob and through blurry eyes she looked at the pilots, their necks sopping with blood from the shot to their heads.

She looked at the stormtroopers, their black eyes glaring at her, faces showing no signs of emotion.

Again, she stared at the pilots.

Blood.

So much blood.

Her vision increased in its haziness and her knees grew weak. Convulsions and shivers shook her shoulders and the last thing she could remember before her unconcious head sollided with the durasteel floor was that she was going to die.

[Lamar Starworth]

Confusion wiped over Lamar's face as he watched the frail woman hit the floor. The purple locks of her hair swung about as her weight became uncontrollable and bat against the durasteel with a whispering thud. Only seconds before she was normal, but it had become clear as she shivered in fear that she was uncomfortable with the killing. The war had tattered Lamar's perspective. Death was just another element of life that a soldier had to accept...but that wasn't true for civilian it seemed.

"Hey..." Lamar said, poking the unconscious lady. There wasn't a single flinch as he continued pushing away at her body. Swinging his blank helmet to the side, he gazed on his squad for assistance.

"Come on. Lets take her to sick bay. I'll clean up here."

[Hara Kiri]

Her eyes fluttered open but retreated to a squint in the bright light of the white room. Where was she? It smelled like a hospital, perhaps it was. White walls, white ceiling... She leaned over the edge of the bed, the plastic screeching as it rubbed against her skin. White tiles. A hospital for sure. She laid back down, resting her head against a cheap pillow as the past events rolled through her head.

They're dead. Both pilots, maybe she was dead? Was this the afterlife?

"Umm, hello?" She called meekly. Her eyes scanned the walls and door, nothing seemedto reply. "God?" Nothing. "Godsss" She emphesized the pluralization. "The Force?" A last ditch attempt. "Someone please? Anyone?"

[Lamar Starworth]

The shift was over and not a soul chirped in the mess hall. Couples walked silently through the dimly lit hallways, drifting off to their chambers. There was no night in space, but people still needed to sleep, or at least relax. This was not true for Lamar Winfield. Even as his comrades sat, reclined in their dorms, he was up and about. Nothing was ever complete; something always had to be done. Quickly he moved through the corridor, bumping through groups as he headed to the nearest lift.

Work had ended for much of the soldiers on his level, and it was only customary to get into casual attire. From head to toe Lamar was fitted in the formal wear. A side button, long sleeve black shirt grimaced over his dark gray pants with midnight boots. He was a man of caramel complexion, but with such clothing he could be mistaken for the darkest demon.

The outfit left a trail of numerous beings flinging tot he sides of the hall, pressing against the wall as he stomped down the path. Finally reaching the lift, he jumped in, pressing the button smoothly before another Imperial worker could come in. Business had to be taken care of and the ideal elevator conversations would not sidetrack him. Plus, the event was going to be an interesting one.

Taking to the lift to the medical floor, he checked up and took a gander upon his "patient". Much had come and gone since she had been shipped in. The bodies had been taken care of, and there was not the slightest question to be answered by Lamar's superiors. For him it was just another easy-going day in the hard-knock of a war-torn soldier. It was the little things that mattered anyways.

Moving slowly into the room, he was certain there would be a startled look upon the woman's face. During duties he had armor to shield his face from the numerous expressions that his victims put on display.

The cold exterior allowed him to keep cool as his suiting in the heat of actions. It was grade-A armor in every sense. There was no feeling under that white of the black Empire.

"Hey, there..."

[Hara Kiri]

No one answered her call. Perhaps she could just walk out, there was a door right in front of her. She pondered from her bed, debating where the door might lead. No better way than to find out, she concluded. She sprung from the bed and pushed on the door. The computer sensors should have recognized a body in front of the door, it should have opened... She looked at the side panel: LOCKED.

She sighed and looked around the room for another exit that she might have missed. Under the bed perhaps? She crouched down and stuck her head under the sheet that drapped over the edge. She could hardly see anything, but she could see enough to know the door was the only way in or out.

"Hey there..." A voice called out.

She lifted her head and it collided with the metal bed railing. "Ow!" She cried and pulled hersef out from under the bed. "Umm, hi. Who are you?"

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar’s eyebrow arched with sheer confusion as he watched Hara Kiri’s head collide and pull out from under the bed. Very rarely was he surprise, much less taken-a-back. It was certainly unclear what exactly was going on about the room, but Lamar did not allow such a trivial emotion of puzzlement handle his voice box. Quickly, he motioned forth, his hands stuffed into his pockets as his composure shifted to a nonchalant.

"Name is Lamar. What are you doin' down there?" He said, letting a generous chuckle part from his lips. The generosity did not end there, however, allowing his gentlemen instincts to take over. Giving a helping hand, he grabbed her soft palm in hopes of pulling her up from the dirty floor.

[Hara Kiri]

She allowed him to help her up while she tried to explain. "I, um, dropped my.." She glanced at her hand. "My ring. Got it now though." She smiled.

She brushed the dust off her knees and kept smiling. Hopefully she might get some answers now. Find out why she was there and how long she was going to stay. "So are youa doctor? I mean, this is a hospital, right?"

[Lamar Starworth]

Glee monopolized Lamar's previously confused expression. The moment that she had come up with a quick excuse the atmosphere in the haunting room melted like hot wax. A feeling of respiration arose from within, leaving Lamar breathless at the unique moment. Very few came pass the life of a soldier and it was always the small things that seemed to matter most.

Running his hands down his side, he rested them in his pocket by impulse. Fiddling about with small objects and a bit of lint, he listened attentively as the woman spoke.

"I'm no doctor. Just an official," He began, taking a quick survey of the room. "This is a hospital though...

I'll be checking you out."

[Hara Kiri]

"Right then. We should go quickly, right?" She asked rhetorically and walked through the open door. "You're the official, lead the way."

The self proclaimed official began walking and Hara Kiri followed, quickly eyeing up the surroundings. She had to admit, it wasn't like any hospital she had ever been to, but it looked like one none the less. "So," She started. "Are we on Corellia yet or am I still in space? Because I haven't seen any windows and this place seems awefully big. It could be a large ship, or maybe just a large building." She rambled on as they walked. "I saw a program on the holo about hospital ships and though I've never been on one, I could tell from the show that they were much more frightening than the ordinary hospitals on planets."

"I don't like hospitals." She assured him regardless of whether or not he cared.

"But this one seems decent enough. I mean, I have a friendly face around, right." She nudged him. "In the twenty-two times I've been to a hospital, not including this one mind you, I have absolutely hated the experience but I've never had any visitors. So this makes for an unusual visit to the hosptial. Maybe I'm wrogn about hospital ships. I don't know, anymore. I just want to get our of here and go to Coronet and put it all behind me, no offense."

[Lamar Starworth]

A need to swing continued beating in the back of Lamar's head as it rumbled with her swig of words. She spat them out without hesitance, destroying any sense of silence that could have dulled Lamar's senses.

Instead he felt the ricochet of her vocal assault throughout his ears and dazzled at the continuous movement of her mouth. There was very few times that anything could be compared to Boba Fett with a blaster, but Lamar was certain this was definitely as deadly.

Finally a moment arose and a period dropped at here endless parade of paragraphs. A sense of ease ran over the soldier's body as his shoulders flopped down and he signed the last form. Taking amble toward the nearest elevator, he let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Yes. This is space. And you're coming to my room so that I can take you down to Coronet on my next shift tomorrow."

[Hara Kiri]

Surprised, she said, "Wait? I'm going to your room?"

"Oh." A tear welled up in her eye and she began to cry. In seconds it emerged into a full blown wail outside the elevator with patients and doctors alike staring.

[Lamar Starworth]

The eyes came, but not a single twitch came from Lamar. Not even a lift of the brow at the sudden emotional change, but it was quite clear that something had to be done before questions were being asked. Grabbing her up quickly, he took a step back into the lift. Jerking her as soft as possible, he closed the doors of the elevator.

A cold eye dropped on her as the elevator jumped up into its ride up. Lamar was certainly displeased by the act, and not a word from his mouth could express it. Instead of a verbal outrage, there was only his once childish duo turn to a fiery, demonic chill that pierced Hara Kiri until she seemed transparent to his horrific eyes.

[Hara Kiri]

She shrunk to the corner of the lift. Tears still rolled from her eyes but not a sound left her mouth. She tried to compose herself from the inside out and stumbled along the way. "I-" She stuttered quietly. "I- I have a sexually transmitted disease. If you even lay a hand on me, I swear. For your own safety that is... It's fatal. Really fatal. So you stay away and just let me go home."

[Lamar Starworth]

The squad commander stayed calm. A soldier, in and out of their uniform was always expected to stay in full control over a situation. An expectation that few could hold in the line of fire, but when in a conversation with a delusional girl there was no problem. Lamar simply smiled as the girl stuttered about, quite evident that the threatening words had not managed to faze his calm demeanor.

"I don’t want you," He whispered, allowing enough sound to escape his cords just for them to hit her ear.

Reaching back, he landed his hands behind his head as he took to recline. The ride back up was a smooth, but long one. Hopefully the elevator would stop soon.

[Hara Kiri]

She was offended. She was down right offended. She happened to believe herself to be a very attractive girl. Boys tripped over her... sometimes. She shifted to the opposite side of the elevator, as far as she could get while he enjoyed the ride. He probably didn't enjoy the ride, it was an elevator after all. He seemingly always put up a front, she judged. Loser.

"Well you should want me." She said. "I'm sought after you know. People request my presence all the time."

[Lamar Starworth]

"Yeah," He began. His eyes opened a moment as he leaned against the elevator walls. Behind him the clear glass exposed a world of workers, troopers and contraband being handled. Lieutenants ordered about their subordinates, moving about with their hardened gestures.

"...Right."

A sly smirk formed on his face as he stared at her for one more moment. The slick comeback was definite in his demeanor and tone. Everything pointed to nonchalance in her presence, even her piercing eyes couldn't melt the strong aura.

"We are almost there. So tomorrow on Corellia someone might 'request your presence'. Until then...shut up."

[Hara Kiri]

She stormed over to him and smacked his cheek. "I hope you're not rude like this to other girls. That is, assuming you're into girls. Judging by your choice of clothing, I'd say no." She took a step back to avoid any immediate wrath.

[Lamar Starworth]

A jolt of surprise bolted through his being as her hand collided to his childish cheeks. The only response was a rise of the eyebrows as his head shifted to the side. A smile came at last as he turned his helm back, looking down on her. The tranquil persona was still there.

"I'm not..." He began.

The elevator door opened, his orbs switching from their gaze on Hara Kiri to the exposed corridor.

"I like woman." Lamar stepped forth, leaving the tense atmosphere behind him. "Now come on, girl."

[Hara Kiri]

"Bet you do, rapist." She muttered and followed behind. "I want to go to Corellia nooowww!" She moaned as she truged along eventually stopping as Lamar walked a little ahead.

[Lamar Starworth]

A simple glance came in response to the lull mutter. On his face was pasted a smile as he stared deeply into her eyes for a moment as she slowed in her steps. Shaking it off, he treaded forth, knowing very well that she would follow. There were very few to no other options.

Staying still would only hurt her in that time of the night. Only men came out of their dorms, and to see a fine lady standing out in the hall way would only leave more problems for her.

"Yup, I'm a big ol' rapist," He mocked. "Now, come on."

Lamar grabbed onto his doorknob, ready to open it up.

[Hara Kiri]

"Errr! I hate you!" She screamed and caught the attention of a few passer-bys as she stormed towards Lamar's room. "You know, I really do hate you and I'm in training to become a ninja master. Once I'm done, I'm going to kill you. With my bare hands." She gave him the most serious look she had ever given all day. In her mind she knew that ninja was most interchangable with Sith. Once she finished training, she was going to hunt down this boy and take care of him for the misery he was putting her through. A whole night of partying on Corellia, gone.

[Lamar Starworth]

A smile curled onto Lamar's lips, pressing his dark brown eyes. The brows above furrowed down as he looked directly into her serious counter-parts. For a moment he lost himself, swimming in the intense moment. Allowing himself to swallow the senses whole, he fell back into reality. The slyness of his smile had faded, forming a neutral line where his two lips parted.

Baring his fangs, he turned the doorknob and opened the room. It was a rarity to find doorknobs anywhere in the galaxy, but Lamar had become accustom to the traditional theme. All the sparks and electronics were manageable on the battlefield, but in leisure they were a nuisance.

"Come on in." The freshly braided boy said, stepping back. Nonchalance distorted his gentlemen swagger as he swung his lazy hands forth to gesture her in.

"Im not going to bite, you know?"

[Hara Kiri]

"Bite me." She mumbled angrily as she entered his room and immediately began her evaluation of his room. Her fingers were practically tingling with desire to touch and mess with everything there.

OOC: Could you give me a little narrative of the room, I don't want to imply anything about Lamar's room that doesn't fit in with his character. Rooms reflect people and I don't want to encroach.

[Lamar Starworth]

The chamber was filled with spectacles of many kinds. From the wallpaper to the doorstep there were Imperial insignia, but were clearly overshadowed by the lights above. Perfectly aligned, the darkness shaded on the Stormtrooper Propaganda posters and many mini-holo images placed about of Imperial figures, while the light shined on his bed area. Beside his comfortable futon was a dresser, covered with numerous tools. Rarely did anyone venture into his room, but when they did they manage to notice the strange artifact at his bedside. A lightsaber, nearly forgotten in the era of their extinction, sat on the dresser with a comm. unit and a holo-transmission-pad.

Call had come in at a vast amount recently, so it only made sense to put the holopad near where he slept. When duty called, he had to answer. Every step in success with the Empire led to even safer grounds. The significant of the holopad was sharply contrasted by the numerous burnt spots nearby on the wall. Burns pressed into the wall in a slash, a motion that no renowned blade or blaster could copy. The many scorched slices had come from a foreign object, but none had managed to decipher it's meaning when visiting.

In the darkness, beyond the range of the illuminating light above, there was the humming sound of the HoloNet. Even when he was out on duty, the news broadcasted in his room, explaining the daily events. Corellia was quite near the Core Worlds, so anytime the words came through it was definitely recent. The dormitory was initially spacious, but with a bachelor’s design it had become condensed, even with the two couches and bed widely separated. There was no way that the place could be mistaken for a Coruscant apartment, but it was quite close in size.

The spectacular view of his living quarters quickly was distorted as Hara Kiri slipped in, leaving Lamar confused as she spat out another insult. A smile soon followed as he watched her, closing the door behind him.

"When ya sleep, jump on the couch. I don’t want you near my bed."

[Hara Kiri]

As she entered through the door she noticed all the Stormtrooper paraphenilia. Little grim reminders of that rotten time on the ship. Both pilots dead and the blood. She threw her hair behind her shoulder and looked around some more and noticed the scorch marks. They looked like blaster marks... In her head an imaginitive scenario of a struggling woman and aggressive Lamar played out, ending with scorch marks. She flushed it from her mind, some wild stories just never took ahold in her mind. She felt tired, and angry. Events had finally taken their toll on her.

"A real gentleman would give up his bed and take the couch." She said with a slightly angry frown. "But, I'm not tired. What am I supposed to do now?"

[Lamar Starworth]

For a moment he watched -- that was all he could do. There were always times to speak and periods for examination; with wisdom giving the senses the understanding of exactly when was perfect to act. Lamar had gained some through the mishaps of his life, so he watched as she absorbed the details of the room. Even as her rude retort shattered the silence, he smiled delightfully. The nonchalance of his stature and swagger had not changed, but the manners of his expressions were far brighter.

"I'm not exactly a gentlemen." He responded. "But the bed is free, if you want to sleep with me."

Lamar headed forth as if he didn't say anything. Treading to the closest table, he picked up a dish with a few scraps. Some old food had rested on it for a few hours and he hadn't the pleasure of finishing his meal with the troublesome schedule he was running. Taking a quick bite, he glanced over his shoulder at Hara Kiri awaiting the inevitable rudeness.

[Hara Kiri]

"In your dreams." She said with a slight sneer. "The couch is fine." She watched as he ate the old food, which was clearly dried out. That was gross. Not that she had never done it before, living as a low class girl on Corellia, but it was still gross. Her stomach reminded her she was hungry as well, but she'd be damned if she ever asked for food from him. She sat with envious eyes.

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar was soon ready to react to her statement, her eyes, and her motions. As a living being he could do nothing but react, but what was in mind was soon discarded. He swallowed instead, allowing the disgusting taste to wrench at his taste-bugs. Swimming from the drown of sickness in his throat, he let out a gasping call for something to even the ache that was on it's way to his stomach.

"Frag," he spat, letting the little mucus in his system after the sponge-food went down go flying to the side. Nothing about the moment seemed to point to a better future. Even though it was just food, no ration had done such damage in a single bound like the old residue mistaken for an edible object.

Nearly puking, he glanced over at Hara Kiri hopeless. The vomit urge to unload abruptly shifted as his throat reacted, gulping it back down. A deep frown carved it's way along his face as he dropped the plate down. A small shatter could be heard echoing through the triumphantly lull room. The dull bottom banked against the table, snapping Lamar back into reality. Finally he could think straight without the pit of distress from the food controlling his savage mind.

"Want some food?" Lamar asked, forcing a smile on his once saddened face.

[Hara Kiri]

"Umm... not so much anymore." She'd defintiely lost her appitite after that scene, though her stomach still growled. "Are you going to be ok? Or do I have to go get a medic or something?"

[Lamar Starworth]

A grumble bellowed from Lamar’s belly as he snorted in disgruntles. The ache had faded, but the situation still stayed parked in the back of his mind. The distasteful display was far too much for him not to hold some embarrassment. It was near impulsive when the nervous smile formed its way on his face as Hara Kiri made reference to the near-vomit.

"I'm fine. Your here...I'm here. We're fine."

[Hara Kiri]

"Oh." She shrugged. "Good. What were we talking about again?" She knew they weren't talking much. To be honest, she was dying to get to Corellia for a much needed drink. Being cramped up in a room was driving her crazy.

[Lamar Starworth]

Humor. The tingle of laughter took growth from the depths within, only to manifest itself in a sarcastic roll of the eyes. There was a sense of attraction for a moment in his eyes as they finally locked onto the young gal after the swing about. It soon ended as fast as it began; pressing him back into reality as had been done once before.

Throwing his arms out, he let out a barbaric yawn. A "sorry" escaped over his release, only to be distorted by the uncontrollable yawn. Tears swelled up immediately in the corners of his eyes, only to be swept quickly away. A smirk jumped onto his face before he crept slowly off toward his bed area.

A glance pushed his head back, taking one last gander on the girl. She looked nice.

"Tomorrow you will be in Corellia, okay?"

[Hara Kiri]

"Errr!" She crescendoed and threw her head againt the worn pillow. She snapped her head to face the couch back, not wanting to even look at the man that perplexed her. She spent a long while staring at the textured fabric while allowing thoughts to rage through. Eventually, she thought herself to sleep.

[Lamar Starworth]

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. The statement stood true as Lamar rolled into his bed, pressed soft sheets. Thoughts ricocheted through his mind, pressing him for a chuckle. Small giggles of glee at the divine occurrence of the day left his sheets wet as his tears trickled down his face. It was rare that such an awkward thing happened during his respites, but it was certainly a breathe of fresh air.

A world beyond the large ship he rested on was tarnished and he had engrossed himself in the shambles. Very rarely was there something hopeful to look upon, and the image of most things seemed useless. Even the woman he slept only a few steps away from his bed, though attractive, held a troubled soul.

Hope seemed lost, even in the blissful humor. Such thoughts cramped his heart, leaving his laughter to be blown into the wind. Abruptly the chuckles were swept away and instead there was silence. Not even a hum of "zzz’s" from resting could be heard in the darkness of the room. The only sense of life was his eyes--his wide-open eyes gazing at the ceiling.

Tomorrow just didn't seem worth it. Nothing seemed worth it.

[Hara Kiri]

She reached for some of the crumbled food that spilled over from the trash can and rolled it in her hand. It was early for a morning, even for her but she wanted desperately to get to Corellia and leave this damned ship. She pinched a pebble of foor between her forefinger and thumb and gently threw it in an arc to land on Lamar's face.

Wake up!

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar's eyes twitched as the garbage banged against his head. It had a horrid sleep, but he still needed it. Over the past few months he had worked non stop, with only a few stranded sleeps amidst the bustle of his life. Much of the work was basic motions and procedures, and left him at a bore. Even as he pushed his eyes open, the dull of the atmopshere in his room got to him. He really didn't want to wake up.

Jumping up, he threw on some spare shoes and glanced off to the side at the readied girl. She was eager to leave, and at this point Lamar could care less. Women were a pain, and he got all the agony from his work shifts.

"Just let me take my shower. I have a shift after I clear you for lifting off, sweety." He chuckled. Rarely did his days start with a life...or much of anything for that matter.

Stumbling off to the nearby bathroom, he went back to the daily procedures of his mournings. How boring!

[Hara Kiri]

She waited for the sound of water to splash against the shower walls before she even dared to move. Once the noise of running water filled the room she practically jumped out of where she was sitting and began to scavenge around the room. It was clear there wasn't any food around, her stomach was really beginning to hurt but she supposed she could hold it.

She scanned by the holos of Imperial Figurines, she wanted to ask why he ever went for the whole Stormtrooper thing... but the more she observed the room the more apparent the reason became. It seemed a tad childish to her, boys played soldiers as children and then they go on to be soldiers... the fulfillment of all childhood ambitions. She glanced at the futon and then to the dresser where a multitude of objects lay in wait to be examined.

Tools, tools, some phone number of a girl that never wanted to talk to him in the first place and... it couldn't be true. She picked up a cylindrical object that she had held in her hands all too often. No, it wasn't some specialized tool that she had mistaken for something else, this was a genuine lightsaber. She held it in her hand, it didn't feel like it belonged to him. Maybe he stole it. There was no way she believed he was capable of constructing one, she was hardly in a position to do so herself and she was way smarter than he was. She looked up at the wall, searching for the scorch marks that she remembered not being able to identify the previous night.

"Ohhh." She observed vocally. He had no idea how to wield one of these. The water stopped and all instinct told her to drop the hilt and go back to her earlier position, but she absolutely had to call him out on this one. For once in her life she knew a little more about something than someone else.

As the door opened and the unsuspecting Lamar Starworth walked out, she ignited the blade before him. "You have no idea what to do with this, do you?"

OOC: Sorry it took me a while to get back to this thread!

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar sat, his face covered by his dangling white towel and a wife-beater with some basic shorts to cover him. Even as he glanced over, staring into the illuminated orange saber he only responded with an eyebrow. The woman had clearly sticked her nose into all his business, but it was to be expected.

People just were not respectful these days.

Reserving his hands to his pockets he left lifted his shoulders in compliance. The mourning for his was always better than the after working hours. It was hard for his mind to process then, and much less be sociable. However, when he was at ease there was not much that someone could not get out of him. Even a Hutt could probably slam a kiss on his cheek without a look of disgust. That was just the person he was...at least in the mourning.

"I guess," He responded, running his hand across the towel to wipe his wet face. "But I needa put it away before anyone comes..."

With a shift of his hands, he gestured at an unseen friend. The Force responded, quickly snatching from Hara Kiri's hand and pulling it even quicker to Lamar's own. Placing it underneath the futon, he deactivated it and continued on with his mourning chores. Many things had been put out of place, and with the routine inspections it was to be expected that he have a tidy room.

"Wanna help out?" Lamar asked, flashing the woman a genuine smile before he carried on with throwing a few clothes off to the side for later organization. "I should have some food coming around in an a few minutes, anyways.

It'll keep you busy while you wait."

[Hara Kiri]

Her lips parted and her eyes stared blankly ahead. Not even a 'Hey, you put that down!' He had barely recognized the fact that she was holding a fully operational lightsaber, ignited, in his room. Then there was the issue of him using the Force, telekinesis notwithstanding (one of the Force uses she disliked the most), but he had power over it. She could hardly believed it.

Ignoring the offer to help clean the room she blurted out, "I can do that too." No, that wasn't what she wanted to say. "I mean, where'd you learn that trick? To move stuff... with the Force." Curiosity had finally held her firmly in its grip, the man had intrigued her at last. She began to put the tools on the dresser into order, waiting for an answer.

[Lamar Starworth]

Following through with his chores, Lamar grabbed up all the items on the floor and laid it out on his bed. Most of the items were clothes of some sort, or scraps of food. Folding up as had been requested, he placed all the shirts, pants and jumpsuits in different stacks. Although all these things were requested of him, they had become a reason to dwell on the question.

Hara Kiri had clearly been prying through his room, but now she was interested in him. The subject of self was always a hard one for Lamar to voice. Despite his skills in conversation, he rarely indulged in talks about self, instead keeping his feelings, life and world caged away from view.

People did not need to know about him or his life. Especially with the secret about his Force-Sensitivity. Commonly found around Imperials, even an unfamiliar would concoct an inspection. In these days after Emperor's death people were no longer trustworthy. Instead, they dealt in trivial matters over distrust and immoral actions, as if everyone had become a COMPNOR agent. Lamar was not one of those people, he rather stay easy going.

However, this was not easy going in any form. It was hard to perfectly voice such a personal topic. Albeit she had slept in his room over the night, he was not completely certain she could be trusted with such high-classed information. Plus, people hurt each other in more ways than a blaster could, which was why he kept up his cage. A frown summoned his lips, pushing them down as he glanced over his should to place the clothes in the dresser.

"I studied it. Learned it from a device," He said with a forced nonchalance. Hopefully she would not ask anymore questions, but Lamar was certain more would come. Maybe he could catch them at the cross.

"Can you throw that garbage in the bin for me?"

[Hara Kiri]

She scooped up the garbage with one hand and threw it towards the garbage can. Most of it missed but she didn't care too much, what she wanted to know about was this stormtrooper's unforseen Force-sensitivity, not garbage.

"You can't learn the Force from a device, sorta." She explained, albeit horribly. "I was taught you were born with it. But... I guess you could learn from there, from a device that is." Unthinkingly she continued. "My trainers have all been people, I'm supposed to read a few books though. I don't so much. So much of life to live, you know what I mean?"

[Lamar Starworth]

Lamar arched his eyebrow for a moment, taking a gander at her as she spoke. Although he was still Force-Sensitive, he was still an Imperial. Even a mild conversation about the Force could be misunderstood, and lead to shakey grounds. It almost made the young soldier uneasy.

"Who are these trainers?"

Now was his time to pry.

[Hara Kiri]

Well, no. Apparently he didn't know what she meant by living life as he was hot the chase to know about her Force training. At least they were on the topic she chose. "Oh, they're nobody you'd know."

Jorshal Vuntana, Sith Master. Zereth Lancer, Knight and Elder. Ever heard of them?

"Real nobodies I meet on the street who show me a few tricks. Like how to cheat at card games and stuff." No, they actually had tried to teach her everything but that, her one goal in Force training was to cheat a casino and get rich fast.

Jeez, if Jorshal found out that she spilled the beans she was in deep poo-doo. He gave her special instructions to never tell anyone anything about the Sith Order. "So, how about your device... where'd you get it? Is it here? Can I see it?"

[Lamar Starworth]

"It's gone."

Lamar dropped himself on the bed. At ease, he sat a top the comfortable matress and flashed a smile at her. The topic had drastically changed from clothes to an awkward mystic called the Force..

It was uncomfortable subject, but the matress played a nice contrast to the awkwardness which set in his words. Albeit he spoke with a calmn nature, he still felt unsure. Never before had he conversed with anyone beside the Holocron Gatekeeper about such topics. Otherwise he would certainly be killed.

"Was a Holocron. Blew up in an attack on a base."

He glanced about for a second, carefully examining the newly cleaned room. A few things were out of sort, but he could always get those before he opened the door for inspection. Small things were simply tedious, uneccesary parts to the operation and he was too lazy to condone work.

"But you. How do you know about the Force?" Finally he took his eyes off the room, and gazed upon her. The smile had faded, and was replaced with a neutral line that ran along his lips. Although his eyes maintained a softness that only a child could rival, and a smooth face without a blemish, he still carried a sterness.

"You are Force-Sensitive?"

[Hara Kiri]

"I caught this Forcer on routine inspection and surveyed her for myself over the night on a hunch." Lamar told an aging officer. "Simple interrogation tricks and the like gave her away. For a Forcer, she sure is dumb, sir."

The officer looked on as the hardly resisting Hara Kiri, shackled by the arms and legs, moaned and twisted by the chains she draped from. The two skeletal faces of the Stormtroopers that held her up by the chains stood silently awaiting orders. The room smelt of charred skin, the result of several stun shots to Hara Kiri's body.

"The Force witch stood no chance. She'll be handed over to the Inq. Those boys'll drain every blood laced drop of infomation right outta her. You say you found her on a hunch?" The officer said.

"You bet, sir. Something deep inside, that Empire instinct we Stormtroopers carry in our bellies, told me to watch this one."

The officer picked up the lightsaber from the desk and examined it. "And you found this on her too?"

"Yes, sir. She hid it under a layer of clothing. Tried to use it on me as you can see, sir." Lamar pointed to the dark scars on the wall. "She's no match for basic Imperial training, even with those fancy tricks."

"Very good young Stormtrooper. I believe a promotion is in order, what color do you like your Star Destroyers, Admiral?" The officer smiled.

"Yellow, sir."

"Don't call me sir anymore, sir. Here's the keys to my house. My daughter and wife are inside. Take whichever you chose, or both even."

----

Hara Kiri blinked away the fantasy. She was totally being set up, she cursed herself for not realizing it before. She wanted to believe the lightsaber hilt was evidence that she would be able to use against Lamar should he try and turn her in to the Inq. She'd seen what the Inquisition could do, a guy she met at the Order by the name of Baralai Lotus was testament to that; he was missing an eye and a tongue and that was only what the Inq. could do in half a days time.

"Yeah I'm Force sensitive. Master level even." She assured him. If there was anyway she was going to get out of this, it was by scaring the Stormtrooper into letting her go. "That lightning trick... that's how I toast my bread." Oh no, didn't she already tell him she didn't do her reading for training? That stupid fantasy made her forget. "Heh," She laughed a little as she realized her mistake.

[Lamar Starworth]

"Master level?"

Lamar stared with a face of confusion. Although his mind did race, he maintained a focus throughout the conversation and remembered quite clearly her words only seconds before. She had only learned tricks along her way from stragglers. Either she was a liar, or a fool.

"You sure about that," he asked, his face contorted by a sense of amusement and slight confusion.

She was definately a character, and left humor in the normally cold atmosphere of the room. Hopefully Lamar could keep her around...or he could be kept around.

[Hara Kiri]

"Um yeah." She said, looking for a way out of this situation. "They're were real good tricks from those street people. Not just your average card trick or anything. I think Force lightning was my second skill gained." She assured. ''Or was it Force choke for number two?" She mused.

"So yeah. A lot of people don't mess me. I made grown men cry.''

[Lamar Starworth]

"Wow..."

Soaked with sarcasm, Lamar could only restrain a chuckle. The young Imperial knew very little of the Force, compared to the numerous faces that once coated space with their lightsaber techniques and combatant expertise against droids, but she did not strike him as much more than a simpleton. Hara Kiri, albeit funny, was simple.

Lamar recognized the uncertainty in her voice. It wasn't hard, but it was certainly funny.

All he could was shake his head, and proceed. Hopefully she would not take offense. The last thing he would want was a girl screaming in his room before he heads to work.

"Can you pick up that I.D next to your foot?"

[Hara Kiri]

"Uh, what I.D.?" She asked thinking maybe he'd bought it. Looking down she saw what he meant, the I.D. had been carelessly skipped over when the make-shift cleaning took place. "Oh. Yeah." She bent down and picked it up, handing it over to him.

"Where's that lead to? Secret stormtrooper treehouses? Oh no, the Stormtrooper... cave." No that didn't work out quite as she wanted it. "Stormcave? Troopercave. Fortress of Stormtroopitude? Why are you even a stormtrooper anyway? They're...'' She didn't want to say awful though she felt it. "Frightening."

[Lamar Starworth]

"Because of that..."

Lamar's hand pointed off under the futon where the lightsaber had been safely hidden. A frown distorted his full lips, pushing them down like a slope on a roller coaster. Through his mind came the numerous images that could have become true if he did not become another body in a white canister. Life as a stormtrooper became a symbol of savior, and though he did not always look upon the Imperial views as perfect, they did provide structure.

Over the years Lamar had studied and investigated the days of the Republic. The government was different, and with the strength of Palpatine it was reconstruct into an iron grip that it was today.

Albeit an unfair government, it was constructed perfect for the times. With the whispers of the Black Sun, and Hutt ravaging over the galaxy the Empire was the only government fit to counter the violitale nature which paraded through the known universe.

"Being apart of the enemy protects me from it." He said, the frown still firmly sitting on his face. The images did not fade, not for a second, imprinted in his mind forever. Just the thought of a Rebellious act's conclusion was enough to keep him faithful to the Empire's cause.

[Hara Kiri]

"Oh." She wanted to say the same applied to her, it didn't. She was simply in it for the money. Joining the Sith Order was but a means to an end. As far as she knew, the Sith Order had a shaky truce with the Inquisorate after the incident with Baralai. The image of his return to the Sith Order from the Inquisorate, his mangled face, came to mind; it made her shudder.

"But there's other safe places for Force users." Like her place with the Sith? She was captive abord an Imperial ship without trial or charge, though she was promised release to Corellia. Who knew how hollow that promise may be.

[Lamar Starworth]

"A grave," He said, his mouth allowing his thoughts to escape. Lamar frowned at the numerous images that continued to parade through his mind. Over the year as a trooper he had seen many Rebels fall to the crippling grip of an infantry. Corpses were all that could be found amidst fields of turmoil.

Even the slightest whisper, or sneeze about the Jedi could warrant a death. Demise was the last thing the young man wanted, and so he looked upon the Empire as an ally. If you can not beat them, join them.

Lamar shook the thought his head, and glanced up at Hara with a smile.

"But who cares? I'm livin' now. And that is all that matters. So, what did you plan to do on Corellia again?"

[Hara Kiri]

"Eh, night life but..." The night had passed by on the capitol city of Coronet. "I don't think that's happening anymore. Why did I have to stay here anyway?"

[Lamar Starworth]

A sigh flew from Lamar's breathe as he took to thought. Reworking the happenings, he carefully adjusted a statement and delivered it.

"Because I was interested." He said, his hands diving into his pocket as he leaned back on the comfortable mattress. Before he could relax, the sound of the door echoed through the moderate room.

The dark emptiness of cold sergeant's eyes came paraded over the room. Attire in the freshly pressed customary outfit of the Imperial Trooper, he was only left without a cap. Instead he carried a cropped hair cut atop his head, that resembled the tail of a Krayt Dragon on the back. The tail dangled as the silver of his two orbs sent a chill through the young trooper's spine.

"Everything checks out," the inspector spat as he dashed over the room glancing curiously at the burn along the wall. After one quick look-over the room once more after a series of bends and stands he was gone.

Through it all, he didn't even notice Hara Kiri in the room.

[Hara Kiri]

"Ha! I knew it!" She smiled as the inspector shut the door. One Hara Kiri, zero Lamar Starworth. Of course he was interested in her, who wasn't? "You sure have a way of showing a girl a good time. Instead of staying here we both should have gone to Corellia. I mean, assuming you're allowed to go to the surface and party it up. I dunno with all these military rules and stuff."

[Lamar Starworth]

"Nope..."

Lamar's eyes traveled off into the distance, taking his eye on the last thing the inspector focused on. The burn had been caused nearly a week or so ago, around the day of his arrival. Training had become a priority of his, especially with the datapad he carried around on a daily.

Utilizing all the information he had gained from the Great Holocron, he managed to develop a keen sense of the Jedi way, but all of it had not improved his foresight to the fullest.

He could not expect such a situation as this to happened.

"Even if I could. I'd rather get to know you before I take you out..."

Releasing his troubled thoughts, he laid out on the mattress, his feet hanging over the side. "But we can go to Corellia now. I just remembered I don't have to work today..."

[Hara Kiri]

Free drinks for that night were out the window, at least at the hands of Lamar. She'd live, there were plenty of other boys to scam on Corellia, ones she wouldn't feel bad using the Force to convince. Or at least boys she knew she'd be able to convince, Lamar wasn't good with a lightsaber but who knew how strong his mind was.

''... I just remembered I don't have to work today." he said.

"How can you-" For a stormtrooper he sure was unorganized, she disregarded what she nearly let slide from her lips. "Alright then, let's go." Anything to get off the ship. "I'm starving."

[Lamar Starworth]

"Okay..."

Lamar's voice ran off as his mind did. Following it over into the distant comm. unit, he prepared himself for the onslaught of energy that would parade his dull legs. Over the last moments they had fallen asleep, just as he should've.

However the night ahead would definately wake all his limbs up. A forced smile pushed him up from the mattress and he stummbled over toward the comm. unit. All of the days previous had been discomboulated and seemed more like a blurr. Only a few weeks previous had he been appointed to the space station. His schedule came sporadic, and over the little time of his station on the base his body had jumped from numerous sleeping periods. It was just a tad much.

Grabbing the comm. unit, he refocused on the moment. After a quick conversation with the people in hangar, he got clearance to for an exit and return.

"Okay...lets go."