Secrets of the Night Sky

[Nemesis]

Coruscant, world of the forgotten past and reckless future. Atop the mighty towers and thundering monuments to self-indulgence, one would never suspect the social decay that ruled the lower regions.

Nemesis despised the planet city. Urban climate in and of itself was a flawed ideal. Now, to engulf an entire celestial body in its corrupt wake was madness. If this rationale were found to be unfitting for one's distain, then the region also posed a very real threat to the assassin's well being. Ventures here brought him dangerously close to the New Republic, a society that frowned upon "his kind."

However, the Ranger had been informed that a particualr structure within Coruscant was the ideal locale for viewing the stars. The ebony warrior lacked many aspects of a "normal" existence, one major factor being the absence of what human's refered to as...romance. Stars held a legendary status for evoking such emotions. Sadly, he had yet to find it. Understanding this...romance...would bring him one step closer to realizing his goal.

His eyes, devoid of color and sentiment, glared skyward to the suspended flecks of light. His inky form stood motionless on the designated structure. Its rooftop was well secluded, though others occasionally strolled by. Puffs of wind and soft hums zoomed as passing craft of various type continued on their merry way. Night had fallen.

[imported_Morpheus]

It seemed the identical chill of a new evening had gave proof of the location, Corucant. The dark individual seemed to produce a an black combination with his surroundings, making it hard to locate the individual. He made his way towards a rather well known structure, made popular for its outlook to the stars on its uppermost level. Morpheus never enjoyed Corucant like most, for even its vast corners gave off an irratating stench, one that could not be ignored. He made his way to to the sought after top floor of the facility, for he was to meet another of the same, who shared in the reflecting mysteriousness they gave off to others. People often pondered their petite minds to death of trying to figure out ones who were incapable of such. People wanted to understand the understandable, explain the unexplainable. While thinking of these things in his shrouded mind, he approached his destination, and there before him was none other than Nemesis, a warrior of wisdom and great knowledge. He stepped up beside the dark individual, not even turning to give attention to the one's face, for he knew who he was addressing. The serile one began to speak to the other who had remained motionless during his arrival, for he also knew who has approached him.

" It is all coming to order. Everything is being laid out just has we planned. "

[Nemesis]

The dark clad assassin sighed. His muscular chest expanded, held its place for a few moments, then returned to its routine proportion; completing a very deep and leisurely breath. Comfort, spurned by them that own it and fawned by those that live in its shadow, neither truely tasting its virtues. Nemesis had never known its appeal until this night. Further basking in the effects of its presence would have to be set aside for the time being. There was work to be done.

"Excellent." The warrior spoke candidly with his new accompaniment, foresaking not his militaristic demeanor nor his heavenly gaze. "Our time grows short, friend."

Friend, if the seasoned killer possessed any it would be this man. A man like unto himself in many respects. A man in whom the Ranger's trust had found favor. Sharing both objective and means, the pair were embarking on a most dangerous endeavor. The rewards were great, the peril...all to prevalent.

He continued, "How goes the hunt?"

[imported_Morpheus]

" The game is presenting itself, and soon those will be chosen. "

Morpheus was in burried in a massive amount of uncertainty, but the original blueprints within the corridor's his concealed mind remained untarnished. The objectives were known, and the solutions were growing dicernable. In a life such has the one he lived resoulution didn't come lightly, and the consequences often dripped with distress, but for the most of the time his conclusions were carried out with success. The like a clamerous alarm on early mornings, an idea crossed his mind, and it could not be ignored. He reached into his dark coat, searching for an item yet to be seen to the eye. His arm then arose from the shroud of his clothing, and something unknown was in his grip. The scarce light gave clue to what this object was, the insignifigant amount of had appeared to determine that this insturment was a weapon of some shape and fashion. The dark figure's finger swept softly past a red ignition switch on the hilt, sending a field of crimson electricity over the dark sword. It was clear that this was none other than his custom built vibro-sword, one of the many tools he created and at times, used. Keeping his head directed foward, he held out the object towards the neck of his friend, has if he was to cut the assassin's life short. With his weapon kept close to his opponent's throat, he began to utter something.

" Care for a duel, old friend? "

[Nemesis]

The blood red glow illuminated half of Nemesis' inky black mask. Startled pedestrians gasped at the drawn weapon, being pressed dangerously close to the star gazer's neck.

"You never pass up an opportunity, do you?" The response may have been viewed as cordial perhaps even comical within any other setting. For the present circumstances, however, few could realize such subtle humor.

His words still hung in the cool night air when a metallic hiss, followed abruptly by a clash, shattered the dense silence. The Ranger had maneuvered his left hand around the lower hilt, swiftly liberating a single blade from its sheath. Twisting the wrist of the wielding hand reversed its grip. The sword was then brought upward at a 45 degree angle, careening into the offending vibro-weapon.

A slight lift of the Ranger's chin anticipated the rising enemy sword, allowing both weapons to pass without while his face went unscathed. As the pair of blades locked, raining sparks about the deep blue platform, Nemesis regained a frontal hold and pressured the vibro-sword, rotating his body to accompany the his sword's movement, forcing the crimson weapon to the rooftop and pinning it with the warrior's weight.

Due to the momentum of his declining blade, Morpheus dropped to one knee. A second hiss marked the exit of the assassin's remaining sword into his right hand, which he promptly placed against the side of his kneeling opponent's throat, point first.

"Be careful of what you wish for...old friend." The defining pitch of Nemesis voice was obviously kind, though awkwardly so.

[imported_Morpheus]

The cold steel was felt across the neck of the obsidian warrior, giving proof he was at the very mercy of his opponent's blade. Many people believed that there were some manuvers that simply could not be reversed, although the mysterious individual tended most of times to have contrasting convictions with that of unoptimistic. In a rapid movement he managed to tilt his head apart from the sword, escaping from the danger the weapon possessed. He then sloped back to meet the uneven surface, his back aligning with the ground beneath. The dark figure's foot was met with the midsection of Nemesis, ejecting the assassin back a few feet. The pair were equally quick in assult, considering there progressive combat proficiency. Morpheus sprung back up on his feet, elevating himself with his opponent. He retrieved his vibro-sword, the weapon shifting from it's dormant position on the floor to the tight clasp of his hand. The ebony figure stood poised in fortification against the attacks of his striver.

[Nemesis]

The assassin's shimmering eyes fell upon his stomach, point of impact for the contender's last attack. Dull pain pulsed through his upper body.

"As you would have it, friend." His gaze snapped to the front, cutting once more into Morpheus' inky form.

Nemesis, carrying the left blade up then horizontally, slashed at his opponent. Weapons clashed, with the assassin's blade bisecting the other's. Vibrant shades livened the typically serene courtyard, as the vibro-blade was knocked off balance and veered left.

With the devious weapon forced beyond the Ranger's chest area, he went into a full 360 degree rotation. Traveling in a circular motion, he continued moving forward bypassing Morpheus' right arm. Upon the completion of his revolution, Nemesis sent the point of his right arm against rear of his rivals head. The two met with added force due to the assassin's increased momentum. Morpheus fell, face-first, atop the icy steel surface.

The Ranger back-paced a few steps, putting some distance between himself and his prone foe. Each blade remained by the sides, as he awaited the toppled man's rise. His heels clicked together, preparing to spring with the first sign of another strike.

[imported_Morpheus]

It came has diminutive suprise to the ebony warrior that his skilled combatant had indeed overcame him, for his dark friend had always been more progressed in assullt. Morpheus arose from the cold surface only to observe the lack of visitors they structure usually held. Has soon has the confound thought crossed his mind, many New Republic Guards could be viewed in the distance. This not being the foremost time encounters with the law were made, the two obsidian knights vanquished into the darkness they emerged from, undetected.