HunterKieran
Aug 6, 2004, 12:51 PM
Cast of Characters:
Kieran Devaneaux: A Master-Hunter, seeking to teach his new student Revan in the weapons and techniques available to the Hunter class
Demon-Kieran: A Master-Force, a demented, scheming clone of Master-Hunter Kieran; seeks to recruit Revan into his fold by giving him an easy route to power
Revan: Hunter-in-Training, Kieran's apprentice; eager to learn how to be a Hunter, but easily gullible if promised an easier way to attain great power and skill - making him an easy target for Demon-Kieran's manipulation
VR Field: The Forest, Ragol
"You must be able to predict the movements of the native life in order to survive against them," came the voice from the Calus link. "Observe the Booma. It has only one thing on its mind: You're in its territory, and it wants you out. Now go for it, but be sure to stay out of its line of attack. Try to get him from behind."
With those words in his mind, the apprentice-Hunter readied his Photon blade as he moved in to take on the Booma. He lunged, headed for its back...too late. The Booma saw him and swung its massive claws, knocking the Hunter student on his back. For a VR field, that had hurt like crazy, he had to admit. So much so, in fact, that he slipped blissfully into unconsciousness...
The Lab, Pioneer 2
Kieran Devaneaux chuckled to himself as he watched the stretcher go by, more from experience than what he had seen. He had promise, the Master-Hunter had to admit. "Looking at that kid get knocked on his ass, it feels like twenty years ago all over again," Kieran commented to the Calus operator. "Things were different then," the operator agreed, his voice low to avoid being heard by the dictator Dol Grisen's "pets" in the science labs. "We had more freedom, and we didn't have to work on this cloning nonsense."
"Come now, gentlemen, let us not be so critical of our leader," a voice very similar to Kieran's said. Since his defeat at Gal Da Val years earlier, Demon-Kieran had been allowed to live and work on Pioneer 2 - though he remained as scheming and as insane as always. "Grisen means only to --"
"Enslave us," the operator retorted bitterly. "Back under Tyrell, I didn't have to be a damn taskmaster, pushing all these kids to the limit. But since our 'great leader' seems to be obsessed with gaining more power, none of us have a choice. Dictatorial bastard."
"Mind your tongue," Demon-Kieran warned, a smug smile on his face. "I could very easily have you both arrested."
"You?" the operator sneered. "No wonder Grisen likes you. Jackasses and lunatics seem to go together."
"Enough," Kieran intervened. "No sense in getting yourself arrested - or worse - because you have an opinion. So just SHUT UP," he said coldly, glaring at the operator, "and do your job. Or...I will be forced to do mine." Though he did not like living under Grisen's evil rule, Kieran did not wish to be an exile. His students, his wife, and his own life depended on his playing the conformist.
For now, anyway.
Dol Grisen's Office
"It gets worse in the training areas every day," Demon-Kieran said tiredly. "Kieran isn't a part of the Arkz yet, but I think he's headed in that direction."
"No," Dol Grisen said with finality, a smug smile on his face. "Kieran values his position and his head remaining where they are. Though his student - Revan, I think - bears some watching."
"I was thinking the same thing. He seems headstrong, arrogant - perfect to replace the Will as an enforcer." His android-Hunter assassin, the Demon's Will, had been destroyed by Kieran and his wife, the Ranger Celest, in the ancient ruins on Ragol fifteen years earlier. Demon-Kieran needed a new assassin - but furthermore, he needed a new student.
He knew exactly where to start...
Outside the Lab
Revan was standing in the huge observation deck just outside the Lab, staring down at Ragol. Though the colonization of Ragol had begun years earlier, Pioneer 2 still sat in orbit, its scientists working 'round the clock to meet Grisen's mandate. He wanted cloning technology, and he was going to get it even if Ragol exploded or something. Though he thought this was utter nonsense, Revan admired Grisen's single-mindedness to achieving his goal, no matter how crazy it might sound.
"It would be nice, wouldn't it?" the voice of Demon-Kieran said behind him. "Not having to work with someone who might end up becoming a rebel, like all those misguided Arkz."
"Master Kieran? Join the Arkz? Forgive me, Master Demon-Kieran, but that's the craziest thing I've ever heard."
"Dol Grisen agrees. He thinks that Kieran is too devoted to his students and to that one-eyed bitch he calls his wife." The Demon spit on the ground in contempt. Celest Devaneaux had shot Demon-Kieran in the right shoulder during the conflict between the two Kierans a decade earlier, and the wound had become infected, requiring amputation of his arm. His right arm was now a massive battle claw, but it was specially made to channel his incredible power. Even though so many years had passed, Demon-Kieran was still without a doubt one of the most powerful technique users alive.
Instead of being angry at the insult to his teacher, Revan sounded interested. "She took off your arm?"
"No, doctors took off my arm. But she did contribute, yes." Demon-Kieran flexed the huge claw with a smile. "Still, it's an improvement."
"So what do you want?" Revan demanded, suspicious.
"It's not what I want, per se. It's what YOU want, young Hunter. You want to be strong, powerful, and not have to wait for grueling training, yes?" Demon-Kieran tapped his head, his smile widening. "Doesn't take a telepath to know what you're thinking, boy. You feel held back, you want more. Yes?"
Revan, shocked, merely nodded.
"I thought so. I think your skills would be better off if you were trained by someone who KNEW what power was. What do you think, young one? Does this sound appealing to you?" The tall Force held out his hand. "Come with me, Revan, and I will give you power beyond imagination."
Hesitantly, but eagerly, Revan clasped the Demon's hand, sealing their pact.
And in the shadows, Kieran Devaneaux watched in disappointment as his promising student was lured into the fold of greed, dictatorship, and power-lust....
Kieran Devaneaux: A Master-Hunter, seeking to teach his new student Revan in the weapons and techniques available to the Hunter class
Demon-Kieran: A Master-Force, a demented, scheming clone of Master-Hunter Kieran; seeks to recruit Revan into his fold by giving him an easy route to power
Revan: Hunter-in-Training, Kieran's apprentice; eager to learn how to be a Hunter, but easily gullible if promised an easier way to attain great power and skill - making him an easy target for Demon-Kieran's manipulation
VR Field: The Forest, Ragol
"You must be able to predict the movements of the native life in order to survive against them," came the voice from the Calus link. "Observe the Booma. It has only one thing on its mind: You're in its territory, and it wants you out. Now go for it, but be sure to stay out of its line of attack. Try to get him from behind."
With those words in his mind, the apprentice-Hunter readied his Photon blade as he moved in to take on the Booma. He lunged, headed for its back...too late. The Booma saw him and swung its massive claws, knocking the Hunter student on his back. For a VR field, that had hurt like crazy, he had to admit. So much so, in fact, that he slipped blissfully into unconsciousness...
The Lab, Pioneer 2
Kieran Devaneaux chuckled to himself as he watched the stretcher go by, more from experience than what he had seen. He had promise, the Master-Hunter had to admit. "Looking at that kid get knocked on his ass, it feels like twenty years ago all over again," Kieran commented to the Calus operator. "Things were different then," the operator agreed, his voice low to avoid being heard by the dictator Dol Grisen's "pets" in the science labs. "We had more freedom, and we didn't have to work on this cloning nonsense."
"Come now, gentlemen, let us not be so critical of our leader," a voice very similar to Kieran's said. Since his defeat at Gal Da Val years earlier, Demon-Kieran had been allowed to live and work on Pioneer 2 - though he remained as scheming and as insane as always. "Grisen means only to --"
"Enslave us," the operator retorted bitterly. "Back under Tyrell, I didn't have to be a damn taskmaster, pushing all these kids to the limit. But since our 'great leader' seems to be obsessed with gaining more power, none of us have a choice. Dictatorial bastard."
"Mind your tongue," Demon-Kieran warned, a smug smile on his face. "I could very easily have you both arrested."
"You?" the operator sneered. "No wonder Grisen likes you. Jackasses and lunatics seem to go together."
"Enough," Kieran intervened. "No sense in getting yourself arrested - or worse - because you have an opinion. So just SHUT UP," he said coldly, glaring at the operator, "and do your job. Or...I will be forced to do mine." Though he did not like living under Grisen's evil rule, Kieran did not wish to be an exile. His students, his wife, and his own life depended on his playing the conformist.
For now, anyway.
Dol Grisen's Office
"It gets worse in the training areas every day," Demon-Kieran said tiredly. "Kieran isn't a part of the Arkz yet, but I think he's headed in that direction."
"No," Dol Grisen said with finality, a smug smile on his face. "Kieran values his position and his head remaining where they are. Though his student - Revan, I think - bears some watching."
"I was thinking the same thing. He seems headstrong, arrogant - perfect to replace the Will as an enforcer." His android-Hunter assassin, the Demon's Will, had been destroyed by Kieran and his wife, the Ranger Celest, in the ancient ruins on Ragol fifteen years earlier. Demon-Kieran needed a new assassin - but furthermore, he needed a new student.
He knew exactly where to start...
Outside the Lab
Revan was standing in the huge observation deck just outside the Lab, staring down at Ragol. Though the colonization of Ragol had begun years earlier, Pioneer 2 still sat in orbit, its scientists working 'round the clock to meet Grisen's mandate. He wanted cloning technology, and he was going to get it even if Ragol exploded or something. Though he thought this was utter nonsense, Revan admired Grisen's single-mindedness to achieving his goal, no matter how crazy it might sound.
"It would be nice, wouldn't it?" the voice of Demon-Kieran said behind him. "Not having to work with someone who might end up becoming a rebel, like all those misguided Arkz."
"Master Kieran? Join the Arkz? Forgive me, Master Demon-Kieran, but that's the craziest thing I've ever heard."
"Dol Grisen agrees. He thinks that Kieran is too devoted to his students and to that one-eyed bitch he calls his wife." The Demon spit on the ground in contempt. Celest Devaneaux had shot Demon-Kieran in the right shoulder during the conflict between the two Kierans a decade earlier, and the wound had become infected, requiring amputation of his arm. His right arm was now a massive battle claw, but it was specially made to channel his incredible power. Even though so many years had passed, Demon-Kieran was still without a doubt one of the most powerful technique users alive.
Instead of being angry at the insult to his teacher, Revan sounded interested. "She took off your arm?"
"No, doctors took off my arm. But she did contribute, yes." Demon-Kieran flexed the huge claw with a smile. "Still, it's an improvement."
"So what do you want?" Revan demanded, suspicious.
"It's not what I want, per se. It's what YOU want, young Hunter. You want to be strong, powerful, and not have to wait for grueling training, yes?" Demon-Kieran tapped his head, his smile widening. "Doesn't take a telepath to know what you're thinking, boy. You feel held back, you want more. Yes?"
Revan, shocked, merely nodded.
"I thought so. I think your skills would be better off if you were trained by someone who KNEW what power was. What do you think, young one? Does this sound appealing to you?" The tall Force held out his hand. "Come with me, Revan, and I will give you power beyond imagination."
Hesitantly, but eagerly, Revan clasped the Demon's hand, sealing their pact.
And in the shadows, Kieran Devaneaux watched in disappointment as his promising student was lured into the fold of greed, dictatorship, and power-lust....