Outlander Club

[Zanear the Edge]

He smiled as her cheeks flushed. Leading her to the dance floor, they began to flow to the rhythm of the music. Each of them putting energy into the songs, letting the moment take them away. As the night slowly faded, the music began to slow, and the more romantic mood set upon them. The Falleen drew her close to him, as they slow danced.

He whispered into her ear as they danced. Tell me my dear, do you enjoy this time with me? For I very much enjoy it with you. He noticed his heart beat a little faster, the closeness, her scent, the dancing...

Should we continue this adventure together?

[Odious Ragnos]

Odious exited the Scythe and walked toward the docking bay doors. He looked back at the ship. It was his home now. He shut himself off from the Force letting his surroundings flow through him. He didn't want to run into any trouble with Jedi or Sith for that matter. This way, he would appear like a non-Force user.

He lifted his left wrist to his mouth opening a comm channel.

"Lock her down tight until I get back, T. Tell Oh-T-1 to repair that rear stabilizer so we can avoid another landing like that."

T: "Yes, Master."

"Oh and feed Monty."

T: "Yes, Master."
After a short pause, T continued, "Now I get to babysit for a pet? I am an assassin droid not a nanny."

"Um, T? The comm is still open on your end."

T: "Oh? Yes, well. Sorry Master."

He smirked at the droid as he continued walking. He rounded the corner of a building and saw the bright neon sign for the Outlander Club. He walked toward it. He looked over the edge of the walkway but could only see clouds and buildings as far as his vision could reach. He walked among hordes of people, which was quite a change from the jungles of Dxun where he had been lying low and planning his next move.

He pulled his hood down in the front to make sure the shadows hid his face as he walked through the door. A foul odor stung his nostrils as he walked in the Club. There were thirty or so various beings scattered around the Club, none of which was his contact. He walked to the table at the back of the Club. An Ithorian and Devorian sat together at the table and looked at him as he stood before them. He threw some credits on the table.
"I think you might prefer the table over there," Odious said gesturing toward a table across the room.

The creatures simply shrugged, grabbed the credits, and moved to the other table. Odious slipped into the chair whose back was against the wall. The seat gave him a perfect view of the entire establishment. Now, all he could do was wait for his contact. He ordered a Tarisian ale and prepared to wait.

[Odious Ragnos]

After what seemed to be an eternity of flat Tarisian Ales and observation of shady character after shady character, Odious decided to call it a night. He returned to the Scythe, made sure it was secure and retired for the night.

[Odious Ragnos]

Odious awoke sweating and panting as he had every night since his escape from Korriban. The dream so accurate until its end, when his brother stepped from the shadows to kill Odious. Odious shook it off and got out of bed. He walked into the cargo bay, pulled a bantha steak out of the refresher, and tossed it to Monty, who rubbed his side against Odious' leg as a sign of appreciation.

"How are you doing, Monty?"

The Hssiss grunted.

"Ya, me too buddy."

He patted the Hssiss on the head before walking over to his weapons chest. He removed the Cortosis blade. The blade gleamed as he looked it up and down. He looked over at Monty curled up in the corned working contently on his steak. Odious closed his eyes and opened his mind. He felt the Force's strong current flowing through him. He began his exercise, letting the Force guide his movements, gracefully slashing the blade through the air his movements as fluid as a running rapid. The parries and thrusts became faster and more forceful while remaining smooth and in control. He continued until his eyes opened and he stood breathing normally standing in the middle of the cargo bay. Monty stared at him. He smiled.

"Don't worry Monty, everything is OK."

Monty trudged his way over to him. Odious sat and gently pet Monty's head. His comm chimed. Odious activated it.

T47: "Master, Ghritas sent a message apologizing for missing the meeting. He claims he was detained, he said he would be there today."

"Idiot. Send him my acknowledgment and make it known that if he isn't here today, he won't be making any more meetings anywhere."

T47: "Yes, Master."

Odious returned to his quarters and began to get ready.

[Odious Ragnos]

After another long day of waiting with no result, Odious walked back to his ship with his blood boiling. The walkway was largely abandoned because it was so late. He strolled between two buildings, reaching out with the Force to detect any threats. He felt no one, which is why he was so surprised when he felt the sudden energy of a blaster bolt hurtling towards him.
He had just enough time to move slightly to his left taking the hit in his right shoulder instead of center mass where it had been heading. He went with the momentum of the blast, pitching forward into a roll toward the shadows hoping to draw out his attacker. His armor had taken a brunt of the blast, but he could feel the burn of where the blast had hit his exposed shoulder. He could smell his burned flesh as the pain began to streak through his body. He used the pain, let it fuel his strength.
A huge silhouette stepped out of the shadows across from him. As the being stepped into the light, Odious recognized it as a Yuuzhan Vong. Odious had never seen one in person, but had heard enough to know what he was facing. He contemplated running, but his honor would not allow it. He pulled his sword from his sheathe as he stepped from the shadows to face his enemy. His right shoulder throbbed, but he would be able to use it without too much pain.
“Very impressive, human. Most I have hunted didn’t survive such an attack. And, I see you carry a blade instead of the trinkets your fellow Sith seem to prefer. It is good to see that some still honor the ways of Yun-Yammka. It almost makes me regret having to kill you. Almost.”
A sickening smile spread across the Yuuzhan Vong’s face as he strode toward Odious. Odious studied his movements intently watching every nuance of his movements looking for something to exploit. The assassin pulled a long jagged sword with a curved, serrated blade. It swung its blade causing Odious to feint backwards, the blade missing his throat by mere centimeters. The warrior swung his blade at Odious again. Odious swung his blade clashing with the warrior’s while bringing his left elbow forward with all of the his force. The blow connected the Yuuzhan Vong’s jaw with such force that its head was knocked sideways with a sickening snap. When it looked back at Odious, it popped his jaw back into place.
Its expression suddenly became more serious. It charged Odious once again. Odious side-stepped it and kicked it in the back causing the Yuuzhan Vong to stumble forward. The Yuuzhan Vong scowled at Odious and rushed him once more. The Yuuzhan Vong’s blade caught Odious’ arm, slicing it open, then his leg. Odious winced but made no noise. The Yuuzhan Vong didn’t stop his flurry of strikes. Odious continued to parry and dance, watching very closely and making sure he didn’t corner himself. The Yuuzhan Vong delivered a frenzy of strikes while Odious defended vigorously trying to deflect as many of the Yuuzhan Vong’s powerful blows as possible. It continued for what seemed like an eternity before Odious saw something. He continued his defense until the Yuuzhan Vong thrust his blade forward. Odious spun to the side swiping his blade low across the back of the Yuuzhan Vong’s knee finding a gap in the armor. The blade sliced through tendons and ligaments.
The Yuuzhan Vong dropped to one knee, but was already attempting to get up when Odious cut the ligaments in the back of the other knee. It dropped to its knees, but still swung its blade toward Odious. Odious swung his blade down connecting with the Yuuzhan Vong’s wrist and severing its hand. It slumped forward clutching his bloody stump.
It looked up at Odious standing over him.
“I apologize for my earlier sarcasm. Had I known you were a true warrior, I would never had made such comments. I am honored to have had the opportunity to battle you. Do me one favor before you send me to the afterlife. Allow me to know the name of the warrior that has defeated me.”
Odious looked into the Yuuzhan Vong’s eyes.
“My name is Odious Ragnos.”
“Odious Ragnos, you fight like a Yuuzhan Vong.”
Both the Yuuzhan Vong and Odious breathed heavily from their battle.
“And you are fiercest warrior I have ever encountered; May I know the name of the warrior that pushed me to my farthest limits?” Odious asked the warrior.
“My name is Glie’uum Tok of the Warrior Caste.”
“Glie’uum Tok. When I am asked to recall the greatest warriors I have ever fought, your name will appear as the first.”
“You do me too much honor. Please, give me an honorable death.”
Odious heard running behind him. He ducked the swipe of a blade spun out to the side and brought the hilt of his blade down on the back of his attacker’s skull. A young Yuuzhan Vong slumped unconscious next to Glie’uum, who remained perfectly still.
“My son,” he muttered. “I have been showing him how to be a great warrior, but he lacks patience as you can see,” Glie’uum said as he nodded toward his son.
“He will yet make a warrior thanks to the example set by his father,” Odious said. Glie’uum looked up at Odious with a genuine smile or what would pass for one among the Yuuzhan Vong.
“You truly are an honorable warrior, Odious Ragnos. To return your gift of sparing my son’s life, I give you this,” he held out his hand, an amulet hung from it, “You are a Yuuzhan Vong now Odious Ragnos. Wear this amulet and my brothers will all know that you are one of them…despite your revolting appearance,” Glie’uum said with a mischievous smile.
“I am truly honored Glie’uum,” he said as he placed it around his neck.
“It is time for you to take what is rightly yours for winning or battle,” and with that Glie’uum lowered his head.
“Until we meet in the afterlife,” Odious said before his blade came down severing Glie’uum’s head from his body. Odious staggered back to the wall and leaned against it as he surveyed his wounds. Now that the pitched battle was over, the pain began to set in. It came from every direction. He stumbled back to the Scythe, bloody and battered. He told T47 to remove Glie’uum’s body before his son could awake. He also told T to send Glie’uum’s head to Gannicus with a note that read:

Dear Brother,
I am sending you this gift as a token of my love. You may want to keep it as you will have quite a collection by the time I finish my work. The last one, I will add to the collection myself as it will be yours.
Love ,
Odious

[Odious Ragnos]

Odious sat it the pilot's chair of the Scythe. His battle with Glie'uum convinced him that his source had been intercepted by Gannicus' spies. He decided that it was time to move on. But where? He had decided that it was time to do some adventuring, take his mind off matters for awhile. Center himself. It was time to see the galaxy.
He turned to T47.
"Take us up T."
T:" What heading?"
"Surprise me."
Odious smiled at T's disgust with his ambiguity before leaning back in his chair watching the horizon sink below the viewport.