The Versai Chronicles: Ashes of the Past

INTRODUCTION

In dark room of the Versai Mansion, lying in a silk-sheet covered bed lies a figure in the darkness. His form rests softly along the gentle caress of the silky black sheets wrapped about his body, slumbering, peacefully…so it seems…

However, nothing is at it appears, perhaps a serene scene among the lush beautiful foliage of Alpha Xeridia’s forests…but no you see, within the mind of this figure…images of the past rip through his psyche…troubling him. Betrayal…deceit, vengeance…loss…. Death. All reside inside his tortured soul. and here is where a battle rages, not for a victory,  or a planet no, for a man’s own sanity, his own life hanging in the balance between good and evil, light and dark…the man whom slumbers in troubled waters of frustration, is Val Versai himself…His endless nights are filled with visions from the past, haunting him, taunting him, reminding him.

You the reader, are now about to discover, secrets from Val’s past unrevealed for years…you know of Gen’s death that shifted Valaryc’s path to the darkness he was not born into, but forced into…not by fate it would seem as he has believed, no…. all by one man’s actions, a cold hearted figure whom even in death still haunts Val’s dreams invading them with his evil, that can it would seem, cross the very limits of death and life itself….

At last you will understand why Val is who he is, a troubled, stubborn fighter, a protector forged of morals…truth, honor, respect, and loyalty…You would find it best to know that these qualities do not only exist with the Light Side of the Force…no and that is why he’s loyalty lies with his true friends, perhaps wrapped up in their own darkness…Val trust few, but those he does place his trust in, are truly his allies…

Join me for a journey now into a time where Death Stars reigned supreme, the Rebel Alliance was not the only power in the galaxy and a time where two Jedi still occupied the galaxy, shifting the very destiny of it, I speak of the Ashes of the Past…for in the future they are just ashes in the wind…
 
 

The Versai Chronicles – Chapter I - Ashes of the Past

    We open within a illuminated series of hallways, wrapped in shades of white, gray, and black, where light fixtures did not pertain a square shape, but rather several cylinders…the halls of the massive station are dimly lit in bands of light, bathed in constant moving shades of gray and white, moving flickers of light caused by the passing of people aboard it…Stormtroopers, Imperial personnel, droids…. this place is kept hidden from all who dare approach it, the only power thought to reign supreme in the galaxy by it’s vast size and shape…a “star” which only has one purpose…domination.

The location is the first Death Star, aboard it two men will face their destines, and in the end fate will bring balance to The Force…yet this traumatic event is not where this tale occurs. It does center NOT around the two well known warriors or the petty farm boy who would rise to lead the Jedi. Instead it focuses on another man’s story. A man forged upon a darker path with the loss of his family, his own sanity wavering in the balance. Driven by hate…rage…anger, and why would one turn to the darkness for help? Simple because it is darkness that stole his only love. A Dark Jedi Master, whom he cherished, and was betrayed by the Empire for his loyalty to them. A woman named Gen Zeridian.

By her own words, Val knew whom had ordered his rival, that he set afire Cire to kill his future wife, the cold figure whom had hated him from the beginning. Val seeks only to end the life of him to gain his revenge upon the man who has plagued his past from the start. Ah but unknown to Val, there is a twist in this situation. Val Versai has no clue just how much of an impact this man he seeks to kill has had on his life, but he will find out even now as he rounds the corner within the shadowy interior of the Death Star. The halls rushing with Imperials scattering like ants as the security advisor, has alerted everyone aboard, that a YT-1300 vessel has been captured, and is vast approaching the Death Star Hanger Bay.

Val strides towards a turbolift, glancing around him observing the many people that rush past him, the clang of Stormtrooper feet upon the metallic steel floor, and rustling of droids beeping and shouting commands to the others, transmitting orders, and various information. As he approaches the turbolift, watching the rings of red set off by circles alongside illuminate the cylinder door sliding back with a slight hiss.

Stepping within the door, as it slides back, locking into place…Val sees the image of his dying lover Gen whisper to him a name, the name of her assailant, an Imperial Admiral, whom had more reasons then just doing his job, his order for Gen’s death unquestioned, yet made without true reason, only for his own dark purposes.  “Val it was Krevlin.”, was all she whispered to him before her dark spirit left her vessel. Val’s eyes welling with so much pain, so much hatred for Krevlin, as he stood there, the swift sounds of rushing air lifted his form higher and higher within the turboshaft. Val closed his eyes suppressing the image, opening them slowly again…his way of clearing his thoughts, a technique Gen had taught him during his time training under her. Such things not forgotten like her, he cared not for the Empire anymore…just one thing…. revenge.

As the doors of the lift slide open, again the familiar rustling of stormtroopers advancing to posts, and T.I.E. pilots pacing to their fighters filled the room, the floor he was to walk down to face his confrontation not just with a man…but to learn more than he truly understood.

(here now is where this story will change from the storytelling style, to a play and back...something few try but eh, you know ol Nick loves to be different.)
 

EXTERIOR: DEATH STAR – OUTSIDE KREVLIN’S OFFICE

Val walks down the cylinder lit walls of the halls, to the secure door of Krevlin’s office, the entranceway is blocked by massive blastdoors, only a comm extending from the wall remains visible. Val presses the button speaking into the comm, suppressing his rage so that once inside he can do what he has intended, when the timing was right.

VAL – I am here Admiral, as you requested of me…

(a slight hiss emerges from the comm, a voice deep and smooth replies to him. The voice belongs to Admiral Krevlin.)

KREVLIN – Ah yes, I have been expecting you for quite sometime, (his voice trails off) Indeed, Val come in…join me…we have much to discuss.

The doors slide back, the main door raising upwards, inside Krevlin’s quarters there is a massive window behind a steel desk, behind the desk a chair is turned facing away from Val, but through the glass of the window, Val can see a man sitting in the chair, wrapped in navy green attire, the ranking pin structure along his coat revealed to be Admiral Krevlin.
 

INTERIOR: DEATH STAR –  INSIDE KREVLIN’S OFFICE

Val walks in the room, his own attire purely Scout Trooper armor, sans the signature helmet with rests in his hand, his long brown hair, spills across his shoulders, gazing to the seat in front of him as the man turns around, old…nature taking it’s toll on his features, from the silver streaked hair to the sunken bone structure along his face, indeed a menacing individual with eyes that protrude a bit.

 (Think Christopher Walken in an Imperial uniform.)

VAL – At last I meet with you Admiral, What have you summoned me for?

KREVLIN – Such a questionable person you are…yet intriguing I...you are here because you see I have a job to do, and you are a key player within it.

VAL – Wha????

KREVLIN – Sit down Val, I wish first to discuss with you, why you find it necessary to retire, so soon from your Scout Trooper duties.

Val sits in the chair cautiously. Having been trained in the Force, he can sense this Krevlin has some hidden agenda in mind. Keeping his guard up.

KREVLIN – Hmmm I find this highly questionable why you choose to leave us.
 (Krevlin turns to face Val, his eyes focused upon his body, as if searching his attributes…allowing his gaze to wander a bit)

 However why don’t we forget what this paper says, for I do hate to reading novels…they rather bore me. Tell me yourself boy, why you are so motivated.

VAL – I have served with the Scout Trooper unit 1379 for quite awhile, since my family disappeared and my father as you know John Winters took me under his wing, adopted me, and trained me. He was found murdered under mysterious circumstances.  I think I need to venture out on my own...you are aware of my skill in mechanics…weapons training and su…(Val is cut off by Krevlin’s interruption)

KREVLIN – VAL I DON’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL PROBLEMS…My time is valuable, get to the point…

VAL – Understood Sir, (his voice intensifies a bit as he fights to suppress the rage within him) I respectfully request to take my leave this place and venture on my own, start my own business, under the Empire of course, but not here, not in the Navy.

After my master/mistress was killed by Cire I find it necessary…(Val is cut off again)

KREVLIN – ENOUGH OF THE DRAMTICS BOY! I have no time for heart felt stories…your request is denied…

VAL – (blinks) Wha? I haven’t even explained why yet…. sir this is highly question…(he is cut off again)

KREVLIN – DO NOT PRESUME TO TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB!!!! YOU WILL ACCEPT MY DECISION WITHOUT QUESTION, I AM YOUR SUPERIOR…further more…(his voice calms) I think I have had enough of you…playing around…it’s time to finish what started with your family years ago…Versai.

Val looks to Krevlin in shock. Noting this is not the way a superior is to conduct themselves. More importantly Val had registered under the last name Winters, in honor of his adopted father. He wonders how did Krevlin know of the Versai name…for the Versai family were all but extinct, Val never revealed his true heritage to any Imperials. The only ones who knew this information were the deceased Gen Zeridian and Cire T’Negun.

VAL – (narrows his eyes) How in the hell SIR do you know my last name, where did you acquire such information?

KREVLIN – Quite simple Commander Winters, because I wanted to make sure you were placed under my specific command…so I could make your life a LIVING HELL…. You see Versai, I know of you and your past well. For you see I am the one who has plagued your past with death…with such unfortunate incidents.

VAL – YOU! How! WHY!

KREVLIN – Because you I loved your mother Kathryn…she rejected me…embraced your (his eyes narrow to slits) FATHER…Russell…I couldn’t deal with that sort of rejection.

VAL – SO THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! WHY YOU SICK BASTARD! Why ME!

KREVLIN - (narrows his eyes in anger) – Because you were born…YOU VAL are the cause of my agony. It is because of YOU, your mother chose Russell over me, YOU WERE HER UNBORN CHILD…I did everything for your mother Kathryn, everything…and in the time I had to come back to this retched hell on assignment, she fell for another, she fell for Russell…and in time she MARRIED HIM…

Val –…

KREVLIN – Ah if a broken heart can kill a man, I am dead to this world…but you see Versai I found another solution. I know its an old idea...but it made me feel a lot better. I figured if your mother wanted that man Russell, so be it, If I can’t have her, no one will…and so it began…

Val  - Wha? What kind of logic is that? God you are one twisted old geezer…All this is over my mother, over jealousy??? You are pathetic Admiral! (Val knows danger is near, channeling the Force to his attributes of speed and agility)

KREVLIN – Ah but there is more Val, much more…. I’ve had so much time to plan for your death…I could have killed you when you were found by Jonathan, but no you see there is so much more fun in keeping you alive to suffer as I have. To lose everything you touch…. love…embrace…

Krevlin places his fingers under his chin in thought

KREVLIN - Ah yes Versai, I thought of a plan…I had your mother and father hunted down by our elite Imperial forces… I insisted on attending the raid upon the Stargazer…for the sole purpose of maybe turning your mother back to me, to have her remember one shred of feeling she had for me…but no she refused…so I took a blaster and slammed 2 shots through her shoulder, then (a smile spreads across his lips) kicked her slumped, injured body across the deck.

VAL – Mom…you did that to HER! YOU SON OF A BIT…

Val's words are cut off as the seat he is siting in, reveals hidden restraining devices that rip from their holdings, binding his arms to the chair as well as his legs.

KREVLIN –(laughing as he takes his seat) DO SIT DOWN BOY! I TOLD YOU WE HAVE MUCH TO DISCUSS!

Val lies silent, not in submission no…. in deep thought, channeling the force steady…ready to unleash it when he so chooses…letting the evil bastard rant and rave, giving him a false sense of security.

VAL – Continue…

KREVLIN – Ah but of course Versai, let me tell you my grand scheme. It started by allowing you to live You see I have watched you for many years I have watched you grow up, strong, fierce…like your father, perhaps like me. When I saw you become comfortable. Now we can’t have that can we?

Krevlin stands again, one hand behind his back the other across it, gazing towards the window. A massive Imperial fleet…gathers for a galactic battle on the horizon.

KREVLIN - So, then Val I hired him a bright, sadistic, individual to kill him a mirror image of myself. Perhaps he might have been my son had fate allowed it…(laughs as he turns to Val) You want to know how John Winter’s died?

VAL – (sighs) I already know…you hired Cire.

KREVLIN –  Ah yes, clever boy. But you don’t know the irony of how I had Cire kill your illegitimate father now do you? You see I had Cire stab him in the back, much like…your girlfriend Gen.

VAL – (no longer able to suppress the anger, the pain from the loss of Gen, his lover, his father, his family…. Val’s emotions burst like a damn with a flood of water)

YOU! YOU ORDERED HER KILLED AS SHE FORESAW! I’LL RIP YOUR HEART OUT! THEN DAMN SPINE YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD! IF I WASN’T STUCK IN THIS CHAIR, YOU’D BE SUCKING CARPET.

KREVLIN –(laughs, knowing Val is secure in the chair) Such fierce words, But Val how can you back them up? For I stand free and you well…detained.

A pity you killed Cire I rather liked the boy. You see Val the informant you let go...to tell of your resignation, you might say from The Dark Jedi Academy…he came to me, I sent 5 people there to monitor the proceedings, I knew Cire wanted Gen and I twisted that weakness to my will…A shame you couldn’t see the expression on my face when he told me about how she died…you have no idea Val how much joy it brought me to hear how he SLIT HER THROAT AFTER STABBING HER IN THE BACK!

 Val remains quiet, not wanting to break his hold on tapping the Force, though Krevlin’s words cuts him to the quick, he cannot stop the tears forming within his eyes…yet knows the more security he allows Krevlin to have…the more power he will hold when he shatters it.

VAL – Yes, I am quite aware of how she died I SAW EVERYTHING.

KREVLIN - Indeed yes I know every detail…I instructed Cire to make sure you witnessed her tragic passing, up close and personal. How did you feel when you were chained to that table Val? How did it feel to see the one you loved, slip away from you TAKEN FROM YOU! IN A BLINK OF AN EYE GONE!…Much like your Mother from me…

Val -…

KREVLIN –(takes a deep breath, pleasured by the memory) It was so sweet to see your father, the so called Jedi Knight, fall to the MY POWER…as my blaster ripped through his defenses. He was rather good except for that one little battalion of troopers.  There is strength in numbers, they held shot him down,  but was I who placed the bolt through his head…

Your sister evaded us in an escape pod, but in time I will kill her as well. I have MASSACRED EVERY DAMN VERSAI IN THIS GALAXY THAT I KNOW OF…Aside from your sister there is only one more to dissolve from it…you.

Krevlin draws his blaster, aiming toward Val with a grin spread across his lips. On Val’s lips the same grin appears.

KREVLIN – Are you ready to embrace your destiny? Death is all I see in your future boy…for this game is DONE!

VAL – Ah but you see, maybe you are right Krevlin. Because I see the SAME FATE FOR YOU!

Krevlin fires two shots to Val’s chest, but in a blink of an eye as Val has channeled the Force to the restraints, The Force releases them in a blinding flash, as the red bolts come to Val’s body in slow motion, having evoked the Force to his speed, Val dashes free of danger, but catches one shot…a precise, white-hot searing wave of heat, right through his shoulder…like a hot knife through butter, the bolt rips through the light armor of his Scout Trooper  armor, straight through the underlying body glove…and straight through the flesh of Val’s shoulder.

Val slams to the ground in utter agony as Krevlin fires constantly. However Val is no weak boy, being a Force wielder and skilled fighter,  he avoids the shots rolling back and forth, flipping slightly as the pain within his shoulder is masked by his hatred…channeling that hatred into pure energy, he waits till Krevlin’s shots expire. Purple lightning crackles along his closed palm…focusing his hatred, anger, and rage…He pictures his lover falling before him, his mother screaming within his nightmares, his father(s) dying valiantly…with all this he centers it into one stream of light.

Pointing his hand towards Krevlin, watching Krevlin yell obscenities, for his blaster has run dry. Val stumbles up on one knee, the blood streaming from his torn shoulder where the blaster bolt passed through. Fuels his rage further, the light within his hands turning to shades of purple and crimson light. Catching the fear building in Krevlin’s eyes, Val releases a full-blown charge of pure hatred and anger as dark as the dark side within him… bolts of pure rage focus into lightning.

Krevlin’s eyes see the true power Val possesses, whom he thought he had defeated was more then he appeared. The formidable skills of a warrior who has obviously learned his training well. The bolts tear into Krevlin's body, consuming his flesh setting it in pain as if his entire body were on fire continuing to course through his body forcing him to drop his empty blaster to the floor as he falls to his knees.

VAL – IT IS YOUR TURN TO SUFFER, YOUR TURN TO FEEL THE PAIN I HAVE FELT, THE LOSS, THE RAGE I HAVE SUPRESSED, NOW YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME, BEFORE I SEND YOU TO YOUR FINAL RESTING PLACE, YOU WILL SUFFER AN ETERNITY OF LIVING HELL!

Val’s rage fills every pore of his body spilling out in waves of blue and purple lightning. The bolts are not meant to kill, but to torture Krevlin’s very soul to make his body feel pain…feel VAL’S pain…allowing Krevlin to live as he squirms along the floor like a fish plucked from water, writhing in absolute terror In his own mind Krevlin wonders how he could be so overconfident, wishing to have never brought this fury upon himself as he faces the consequences of his actions.

VAL – YOU TWISTED EVIL PIECE OF HUMAN TRASH…FOR YEARS I HAVE WONDERED WHY MY LIFE HAS BEEN A LIVING HELL, WHY EVERYTHING I LOVE, TOUCHED, AND EMBRACED, WAS TORN FROM MY GRASP…WHY DEATH HAUNTS ME EVERYWHERE I GO…(the lightning stops) YOU WANT TO KNOW DEATH! YOU WANT TO KNOW PAIN! HERE HAVE A TASTE OF REAL HATRED! I HOPE YOU CHOKE!

The lighting rips into Krevlin’s body again, unrestrained… every single inch of Krevlin’s body suffers in indescribable pain…. then as quickly as it began, the lightning stops as suddenly as it began. Val knows he has Krevlin where he wants him, he does not want to accidentally kill Krevlin, until he wishes to do so enjoying every second of his power over him.

KREVLIN – I, I, I, …(gasps for breath) Kill me…let me die…KILL ME VERSAI, SHOW ME I HAVE BEATEN YOU! DO IT!

While Val watches him, Krevlin secretly moves his burned finger to a small switch on his comlink watch. With a swift WHOOSH, a panel behind Val in the ceiling opens up, as a dual barreled blaster unit extends down and takes aim.

VAL – No (his voice lowers) No, death for now is too easy for you, I want you to know what it is like to suffer slowly…feel every moment of pain ripple through you…you will beg me for death, but I will not let if come to you, as you would not let me have my own life…peace…you will not know peace any longer...you will only know what I show you, tell you…inflict upon you…. death for you this soon...is too easy.

VAL – No you have no idea of pain Krevlin…. you think my mother turning her back on you was worth killing everyone…you think your jealously was going to be justified by purging the Versai family? No you sick minded idiot...you only made me stronger…you made the Versai stronger…for there is only so much pain you can inflict on someone...before it no longer is felt…no longer is cared for, yes Krevlin you destroyed my feelings of mercy...love…compassion….

Val balls his fists, suppressing his rage the best he can.

VAL - Yet I allowed myself to fall for one so dark and evil…Gen my love…and again you inflicted your curse upon me, having her killed RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES…no matter…. for you say Cire was like a son to you? Then know this I ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF SETTING HIS CARCAUS ON FIRE! HEARING HIM SUFFER, MELTING HIS FLESH! HEARING HIM SCREAM AS I DID, HIS LEGS TAKEN FROM HIM LIKE GEN’S LIFE WAS FROM ME!

Val paces over towards Krevlin, sending a swift kick into his ribs. Unknown to him however, he doesn’t hear the gasses in the blaster filling, waiting to fire on their target as Krevlin sets himself out of a range of danger, luring Val into the targeting zone.

VAL – How does it feel Krevlin? To have lost all control? To be a victim…to feel what it is like to be in my shoes, on the other end of the table, where a dark man holds your life in his hands, where you have no control, no way to fight back…a victim to whatever purpose he wishes of you…

KREVLIN – (spits in Val’s direction) To hell with you Versai, you’ll never know how I feel, I do not fear death, I gave my soul to hell when your mother killed me, by embracing Russell. I do not care what you do to me…I have already won, you are as evil as I if you strike me down and you know it…you are no better, you are THE SAME.

If I don’t have any control, how do you explain THIS!

Krevlin presses another switch on his watch device, as the blaster behind Val opens fire on him. Val only barely makes it out of the way, but his left leg is clipped by the coherent beams of energy. Val grits his teeth from the pain, but knows he must keep moving, as the blaster is racking his every step with deadly fire. With breakneck speed, having evoked his Force Speed, Val manages to evade the blaster, diving behind Krevlin’s desk.

KREVLIN – JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE IN CONTROL COMMANDER VERSAI, YOU LEARN THE TRUE POWER OF THE EMPIRE! YOU WILL DIE TODAY VAL, TELL ME HOW IT FEELS TO KNOW THAT AT ANY MOMENT, YOUR LIFE WILL CEASE!

From behind Krevlin’s desk, Val’s eyes close as he concentrates, tapping the force. Sparks of charred wood crackle past him, as the blaster fire continues its deadly rain, blasting into Krevlin’s desk. Val can thank Krevlin for insisting on a desk that was “built to last”, for unknown to him, Krevlin had his desk reinefoced for just such an occasion, ducking behind the device to shield himself from blaster fire. One might think that Krevlin wasn’t as secure in his job as he lets on.

KREVLIN (crawling along the wall as the red blaster fire slams into his desk) – GEN WAS A DAMN BITCH! I’M GLAD SHE WAS KILLED; SHE DID NOTHING BUT COMPLAIN. HER RELATIONSHIP TO THE EMPIRE COULDN’T SAVE HER COULD IT! NOT EVEN YOU COULD SAVE HER! I BEAT YOU VERSAI! I BEAT YOU, BECAUSE IN HER DEATH YOU COULD DO NOTHING! JUST LIKE NOW! YOU CAN DO NOTHING BUT HIDE YOUR SKINNY LITTLE BUTT BEHIND THAT DESK , LIKE THE COWARD YOU ARE!

Val’s eyes remain closed as the scene pans, to his silhouette leaping out at Krevlin, foolishly attempting to choke him, as the blaster barrels lock on to the figure, and fire once more. The figure of Val is filled with blaster shots, his body convulsing from the impacts, falling face down…dead on the floor.

Krevlin smiles from the corner, and presses a button, retracting the blaster back into its hold. Getting to one knee, then the other he circles the bullet riddled, smoking body of Valaryc Versai below him. Kicking Val’s ribs in the same manner as Val did to him in mocking salute of irony.
 

KREVLIN – A pity…I would have rather killed you myself, but I suppose Imperial technology has its advantages. That remark about be being close to death? I just wish I knew what you met your own boy. I guess you just, didn’t watch the signs did you?

Krevlin leans closer to the Val’s dead corpse…whispering into his ear

KREVLIN – So much for The Force…(laughs)

Val’s voice echoes around the room, as Krevlin looks down at the body, the image fades away in sparkles of light.

VAL – Admiral Krevlin. You thought that killing the Versai would bring you satisfaction. You have seen what I have allowed you to see, you’re a puppet in my game now…and I assure you Sir, this is a battle you cannot win.

As Krevlin leans against the wall his eyes wide with horror. Val paces from behind the desk, brushing himself off with a grin spread across his lips, his deep brown eyes locking with Krevlin’s wide eyed expression as if he was seeing a ghost.

VAL – Missed the signs didn’t you…So much for Imperial Technology.

KREVLIN – BUT HOW! I WATCH THE BLASTER BOLTS SLAM INTO YOUR BODY!

VAL – There are so many things an Imperial lapdog like you could never understand. With a Force User, you can NEVER trust what you see or hear. Wasn’t that listed in your Imperial Code Book?

Val leans closer, kneeling before Krevlin

VAL (whispers)– Allow me to educate you on experiencing the phenomenon known as a “Force Illusion”

KREVLIN – A hologram? You breathed, you walked, you talked….I SAW YOU DIE!

VAL – NO! You saw what you WANTED to see. Speaking of seeing things, that reminds me…

Val reaches into a storage compartment on his outfit

VAL - Do you remember…THIS!

Val draws from his outfit, a long slender dagger. The hilt of the knife is cylinder in shape, with circles of silver embossed around a crimson red handle. Along the section between the blade the letters “CT” are etched in gold, surrounded by a serpent.

KREVLIN –(stutters) Yes…ye…yes I know what that…is…

VAL – Oh I bet you do Admiral, look at it real close…Get a REAL good look at it. You know what it was used for, don’t you?

Krevlin again reaches for the button, to re-lower the weapon from the ceiling again, hoping to correct his earlier failure. Val sends a quick motion forward with the dagger, as he shears through the band, attaching the device to Krevlin’s wrist, along with leaving a deep gash. With the flick of his wrist, he hurls the device across the room.

VAL – (waves his finger)Ah, ah, ah, ….I don’t think so.

KREVLIN - (clutches his sliced wrist, growling towards Val) – Yes it is the same dagger I gave Cire TO KILL OFF JONATHAN AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND! HOW’S THAT FOR IRONY!

Val's body teams with rage, and for an instant he almost gives in to Krevlin’s taunts. He remains focused proceeding with his plan. He had his own ways of irony, as Krevlin was about to learn first hand.

KREVLIN - Why are you waiting Versai? Why do you hold yourself back then? JUST KILL ME. YOU WANT TO, I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES! DO IT! SET ME FREE!

Val’s eyes turn to Krevlin, his eyes glowing a blood red hue, as he twirls the dagger in his hand, the tip of the blade balancing on the tip of his finger. With another grin, Val decides it is time to reveal his own plan to Krevlin.

KREVLIN - WELL? COME ON VAL SHOW SOME NERVE! KILL ME!

VAL – Oh no, no, no, why ruin the fun Krevlin…You like to play games don’t you? Well then, its time to play the game…my game.

KREVLIN – (quirks a brow) You mean you’re not going to kill me?

VAL – That depends on you…

KREVLIN – What is this “game”?

Val gets up from Krevlin, mocking his imperial stature, by placing on hand behind his back as he paces around Krevlin’s desk, his hand now reaching back, drawing a small rectangular device from his belt. The device has a LCD screen on it.

VAL – I don’t have much time here, I’m sure…so then, here is the rules of the game Krevlin.

Val paces around to the far corner of the room, placing the mechanical mechanism on the surface as it attaches magnetically to the smooth contours of the metallic wall. His finger flips a switch, as the red LCD screen illuminates with the display reading 01:00.

KREVLIN – (widens his eyes)A bomb? In here? You have got to be joking, this is a fully armed and fully fortified battle station you can’t possible think…(Krevlin is cut off)

VAL – Silence…

Val paces back over to Krevlin, kneeling before him once more. His hand holds the dagger he was held previously, locking his eyes deep into smug facial features of Krevlin.

VAL – Here is the game Admiral, you see that? (points)

KREVLIN – Yes, a bomb….so what?

VAL – (narrows his eyes) You chose to set me up to die in here, therefore I have done the same. You have one minute to crawl over there and flick off the power switch. If you do so, you will live. If you think I am not aware of the durability of your office. Rest assured as I told you before, my mechanical skills are well known to me. That “bomb” is fit with a controlled detonation. Since you highly ranked Imperial Officers find it necessary to add defenses to your offices (gestures to where the dual-blaster is stored in the ceiling)

I also know, that your office is sound proof. If it were not, your little blaster stunt would have sent swarms of security in here. So then, you see when the counter on that bomb reaches zero.

You will have your military “discharge”.

KREVLIN – You’re over confident “Commander”. I thought you would have the guts to kill me, I guess you just don’t have what it takes to properly serve revenge. To think I kill your mother, your father(s), your lover, and everything else you give a damn about, and all you can come up with is this? I’m insulted!

VAL – Don’t flatter yourself….

Val slides the razor sharp dagger along Krevlin’s cheek swiftly. Then he kicks Krevlin over, onto his stomach, sending the blade racing across the back of his lower leg joint. Streams of blood trail down his legs, and his face as Krevlin howls in pain. His eyes glance up, from Val’s feet.  Terror wraps his facial features now, for his smug appraisal of the situation has now been severely handicapped. How can a man with such injuries possibly complete this “game” now? In this he finally understands Val’s sadistic plan…had Krevlin not been a victim in it, he would have admired the details.
 

KREVLIN – No…please…Val…not this way…please don’t. THIS ISN’T FAIR!

VAL – (angered) FAIR! FAIR! YOU DARE SPEAK OF FAIRNESS! WAS IT FAIR WHEN YOU DECIDED TO KILL OFF MY FAMILY YOU TWISTED SICK BASTARD! YOU ARE GOING TO GET EXACTLY WHAT YOU DESERVE!

KREVLIN – WHERE IS YOUR HONOR VAL?

VAL – (screams in anger) SHUT UP!

Val picks up Krevlin, throwing him back with one hand, against the wall. Krevlin stands up, his feet starting to buckle. Before Krevlin can full straighten himself, leaning against the wall with quivering legs. Val slams Cire’s dagger into Krevlin’s shoulder, the razor sharp surface of the blade, slices through Krevlin’s skin, plunging in from the front of him, through muscle, clean through to his back under his shoulder blade. The dagger buried right under the bone, pinning Krevlin to the wall, as the blade pierces into the metal surface. Blood streaming down the metallic panel to the floor below.

VAL – HOW IS THAT FOR FAIR! I DO NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR PLEAS FOR MERCY! YOU BROUGHT THIS UPON YOURSELF! NOW CHOKE ON IT

Pressing the dagger inward, Val twists the blade within Krevlin’s shoulder

 Ah feel the my anger as the dagger rips into your shoulder, like your rage has ripped into my soul… like the pain I suffered when Gen was ripped from me…do you embrace pain still Krevlin? Do you understand what pain truly is? Hmmm I can heart your beat slowly falling…like my fathers, but unlike your mercy to of having Cire end their suffering quickly, I will not be as merciful...No, I will simply let time tick away, and let your determination to live…decide your fate.

KREVLIN – But …you are…. you are like (Val turns the dagger again in a complete 360 angle) ARGHHHHH JUST KILL ME YOU BASTARD!

VAL – No…

Val’s his eyes look down, as a smile sprawls across his lips

VAL -  Those are words I have uttered every time life has stolen love from me…ironic isn’t it? That a Versai makes you utter those very same words you long to hear from them.

Val begins to pace from Krevlin, leaving him pinned to the wall, as his finger travels up to his wrist gauntlet, letting Krevlin’s wide, sunken eyes watch him, and remember the moment.

VAL - You beg for mercy…I have none for you, as you would have none for me…

Val’s finger presses down on a button, with a slight click. Along the far end of the room, where the tiny bomb is placed, the device makes a BEEP, as the display begins to count down.

00:59, 00:58. 00:57…

KREVLIN – Just Kill ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VAL – It’s time to play the game Krevlin…best of luck.

Val then paces from the room, as Krevlin screams in utter terror, silenced by the “sound proofing” material of his office as the door slides shut.

VAL – (whispers telepathically to, as he walks away.) Now you know pain…now you know betrayal…now you know my pain, have felt it...Umm but now you will know what it is like, to die alone...where no one can help you…see darkness envelope your eyes as death takes you...minute by minute…and so will I leave you to your fate…alone…as now with you gone, my answers found…so shall I too be alone…again…

As Val rounds a corner, he glances to his watch, reading the seconds ticking away

00:05…00:04…00:03

Before the final seconds expire Val utters only one more sentence…

VAL –  “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”

Inside Val’s mind, he can hear the screams of Krevlin, as the bomb detonates, no one can hear this with the sound proofing, but Val uses The Force to sense the vibrations of the various items in the room, instantly incinerating. With the immense, yet controlled explosion. The dagger used to kill his lover, his father, and now his mortal enemy, are lost in the controlled blast, leaving his past behind in that room, wondering what his future will being. Val brings his plan to a close…

His years of torment, his suffering, his payback, his plan…his REVENGE…

is complete…
 

INTERIOR: VERSAI MANSION – VAL’S BEDROOM

The scene returns to the present. Val’s slumbering form moves on the bed, his arms stretching as he leans back and takes a deep breath. Thinking to himself, as he awakes from the dream of he and Krevlin.

VAL – (thinking to himself) I wonder if he managed to make it out alive…

VAL (shakes his head) - Nah…
 

CLOSING

The scene of Val pans away, as he gets up and prepares to face the new challenges of the day.

The seconds have expired on Krevlin’s time it would appear. But only fate would tell what happened that day, where destinies were formed, revenge was unleashed. Where two warriors of the Force battled, where one would fall, and one would triumph, where a farm boy would become more then dusting crops.  One day dealing The Empire it’s final crushing blow. Where Valaryc would obtain a piece of history that would lead into his future.

But that brave adventurer….

Is another story….

Etched within the chapters of the Versai Chronicles.