'Beauty & The Beast' (Circa. 3,655 BBY)

A.K.A "Introducing Valik"

Approaching the IGBC Stardock of High Port station, the Dynamic-class freighter Argo initiated its reverse thrusters to slow to docking speed.

In the cockpit the Human pilot, a young and talented man from Coruscant named Lordal Synro watched the computer read-outs for signs that the IBGC docking computer had picked them up. He'd joined Captain Hollister and his crew aboard the Argo only a few months back and this was his first major flight-mission, the delivering of some 'Classified' cargo to High Port station, high above the planet of Muunilist. He had heard stories of the place, that it was very high class and where a lot of the galaxies' money ended up at one time or another. It certainly looked the part: a gleaming white and silver station suspended above the glorious planet below.

His Captain, one Michael P. Hollister stood behind Synro's chair watching the station slowly come into view. Hollister was a military man through and through with short cropped black hair and one piercing green eye; the other surrendered to cybernetics which gave off a faint red glow. Virtually never seen out of armour, he was once again adorned in his full suit of Matrix Armour, modified to his tastes, though currently without a helm.

As they both watched a red light flashed up on the controls of the Argo to indicate they had been picked up. Almost immediately a communication was received from High Port and Synro put in on the voice-comm for the Captain.
The voice that was heard was raspy and deep-sounding, spoken in a language that Synro did not understand but was superceeded by the sound of a translator almost instantly. Synro suspected it was the language of either the Muuns or, more likely the Iotran - he had never heard either spoken:

'Dynamic-Class we are picking up your signature-ID as 554-663i3x7... The Argo. Please confirm.'

With a smile Hollister leaned across Synro and opened communications.

'Anvon is that you? why the hell do they have you answering the comms?' It was clear the captain recognized the voice, and Synro was slightly taken aback assuming they would receive a much more frosty response from what looked like such an up-market place. 'Are you boys short-staffed or something? See, I'm no expert but I would have thought the InterGalactic Banking Clan could afford to pay you guys...'

'I see your sense of humour is as exercised as ever Captain,' came the reply. 'I was in the Docking Ring and saw the Argo's I.D flag up. Out of courtesy I thought I would reply personally.'

The captain shook his head and smiled to himself. The Iotrans and Humans were different in so many ways yet he always shared a kinship with them, especially Commander Anvon Grenn, a high ranking IPF officer and one-time seat on the Joint Council.

'It is good to hear your voice, old friend. It's been too long!'

'Six Months, Hollister.' the commander responded. 'I assume you bring the Odryn cargo and are here to see Mistress Jeth?'

At word of their cargo Synro's attention was peaked. The whole thing was classified, under wraps and very hush-hush and he was intrigued to see what they were carrying. As the newest member of the crew he had been kept out of the loop but his curiosity had got the better of him and he had hacked the Argo's computers and discovered this wasn't the first time the ship had come for High Port, it looked like it was done every 5-6 months but no mention of the cargo was ever recorded.

'Yeah, its that time again.' Hollister answered Anvon. 'I suspect Mistress Jeth is expecting us.'

'She is. Please proceed to Docking bay 6, cargo hold 26. I'll send a security detail to meet you. Oh, and Hollister? when you are done please come and see me; I have a business proposition that may be of interest to you.'

The Captain turned to Synro. 'OK Kid, bring us in nice and smooth.'

'Sir.'

Again, the Captain leaned across and communicated with the station.

'Roger that, Control. Proceeding to Docking Bay 6.'

As Synro guided the ship along the Docking ring towards Bay 6 Captain Hollister went to leave the cockpit to make preparations. As the door automatically opened he stopped and turned towards his pilot.

'Synro - I want you with the rest of the crew on this one. Its time you saw what we are carrying.'

In the cargo hold of The Argo:

Synro stood in the cargo hold looking curiously at the large container taking up the vast amount of space. It was 4m high and 12m long and was utterly black and featureless. Floating off the floor by a half a foot, it was supported by a simple anti-grav platform which almost imperceivably bobbed up and down rhythmically. It seemed almost one solid object, with no markings, joints or hatches, like a massive lump of refined obsidian.

On either side of object stood the two remaining crew-members of the Argo: a human man slightly older than Synro called Terras Wist who had a sarcastic wit and somewhat immature sense of humour. The other was Lussk Morta, a male Trandoshan who rarely spoke and was terminally serious, or so it seemed to Synro. Both were soldiers and doubled up as the ships gunners in times of emergencies.

Despite the fact the Argo had docked a few moments ago; the captain was still in his quarters and hadn't arrived in this cargo hold.

'Hey, Lordal!' Terras piped up. 'Has the boss told ya what we're carryin' yet? this big ol' back box o' fun is dangerous, man...'

Before Synro could reply, Morta responded.

'That is the Captains choice, Wist. It is not ours to say.'

'Oh come on, man! I bet the kid's positively dying to know - hell I know I was when the Cap' first signed me up. 'Side's he gonna know in a couple mins anyway... best he knows in advance so he don't piss himself like you did when you found out!'

With a glare and snarl at Wist, Morta replied:

'Stay your tongue, Human... I could rip it out for you.' Regaining his composure and attempting a modicum of professionalism, he continued: 'I was merely taken aback is all; I have been in space far longer than you. I have heard the stories and.... I have seen the devastation first hand. Any sensible species would be on their guard.'

Morta's words sent a slight shiver down Synro's spine. He'd been on the Argo four months and nothing scared the Trandoshan... nothing.

'The Captain did say it was time I knew what we were carrying...' Syndro managed weakly.

'There. Y'see? Cap said he needs to know. We're doing him a favour, Mort. Chill, man.'

The Trandoshan snorted disapprovingly in response.

Wist flung his blaster-rifle over his shoulder and tapped the structure that oddly made no sound as he did so, almost as if it was absorbing the sound.

'What we got here kiddo,' Wist began with a sinister smile on his face 'Is one nasty son-of-a-bitch. Tall as a Rancor as just as strong, it can snap your spine with one hand.'

Morta audibly sighed and shook his head, but Wist continued:

'A mammoth and a mutant of his own people, this fella is one of the scariest goddamn things I ever seen and kid, I seen a lot o' stuff. He's a freakin' beast, man...'

Something in what Wist said annoyed Morta, who cut in:

'Wist. Valik is no beast, he is our guest. Need I remind you that it is he that is funding this trip? he that cleared the docking fee to High Port, he that paid for our rooms here overnight whilst attending Mistress Jeth?'

As Wist went to retort, Morta turned to Synro and continued:

'I imagine the Captain will fill you in with the details, Synro. This container holds our guest Valik, a Feeorin warrior orginally from the planet Odryn. The container is for our protection and was at Valik's request. As I stated, most of this mission is funded by him, he is a friend of the Captain.'

'For our protection? Why, is he dangerous?' Synro inquired.

Wist rolled his head back in laugher. 'Oh, kid....'

'Despite Wist's 'over-dramatization', much of what he says is true.' Morta continued. 'Valik is...unusual for a Feeorin. Excessively large and powerful even for his species, he is exceptionally strong and fierce and I have personally attempted to restrain him on several attempts. None have been successful. The only time I have ever seen him physically restrained took a full security detail or six humans, four Wookie and a medical droid. Even then, if the droid had not tranquilized him I don't wish to think of the fate of the unit.'

'And we have him on the ship?!?' Synro was suddenly looking panicked and was beginning to sweat. 'Is that wise? what if he breaks loose?'

'That is highly unlikely. This containment cell was designed specifically for - and funded by Valik. We are bringing him here for...treatment.' Morta concluded.

Wist suddenly quipped a response:

' 'Sides, if he does get out, you wont have long to worry about it, kid'. As if to ram the point home, Wist drew his finger horizontally across his throat.

With a slight woosh noise the door to the main corridor opened and the Captain walked into the cargo hold. Looking from the container to Morta then Wist (who tried not to make eye contact) and eventually to Synro (who was still looking shaken and pale), the Captain addressed the crew.

'I assume Morta and Wist have filled you in despite me giving no order to do so, Synro? Very well. To clarify: Valik is our guest and has paid us a substantial fee to transport him here to see Mistress Jeth. For our protection - and his - he is restrained in this holding cell and considered to be under house arrest until such time as we make contact with the IPF force here on the station where we are to accompany him to see Mistress Jeth. Our presence will be required during her procedure upon which time Valik will be released into our care. Any questions?'

Morta and Wist stood to attention and responded in unison:

'No, Sir!'

It was all Synro could do to shake his head meekly.

'Very well then.' Producing a remote control unit, the Captain pressed a few button and the container began to move slowly forward, flanked by Morta and Wist. 'Mr Snyro, if you would kindly open the cargo bay doors please?'

The cargo bay door slowly descended letting in the bright lights of the docking bay. As the crew and the floating container slowly descended down the ramp onto the docking bay floor a large group of IPF Iotrans were waiting for them equipped with blaster rifles and wearing powered battle armour. As they reached the bottom, one of the IPF officers walked forward and saluted Hollister.

'Captain Hollister. Commander Green wishes to send his regards and apologies for not being able to meet you in person. If you and your crew will follow me please? Mistress Jeth is awaiting you.'

'Of course,' The Captain replied as the he and the officer made their way out of the docking bay, Synro Morta and Wist behind them with the container and the security detail following close behind....

The crew of the Argo and Valik's container were escorted through several corridors in the pristine station, the IPF unit doing all they could to avoid occupied parts of the station. The majority of people they did came across were usually Muuns or Iotrans though the occasional human was also present and gave the group more than one confused look.

The Iotrans and the rest of the crew moved with practiced speed, but for Synro this was a new experience and he took in all the high-tech surroundings. It reminded him of the upper levels of Coruscant where only the most rich or famous lived. He was well aware that he would not be granted (nor be able to afford) access to this station in any other situation, unless he managed to make himself fabulously wealthy one day.

Eventually the group arrived at a set of double doors and the Captain motioned for them to wait there while he and the Iotran Officer went inside. Outside, the crew and stood around Valik's container, the IPF forces silent and on guard.

'I don't understand,' Synro began. 'The Captain said this Valik guy was here for treatment? what kind, medical?'

'Of sorts,' Morta answered him. 'Mistress Jeth is a healer, though not in any conventional medical sense. Besides, biologically there is nothing wrong with Valik, except that he is even larger and muscularly developed than his kin. Initially doctors from his own world thought he had a rare genetic disorder that is familiar to what you Humans call Gigantism. This proved to not be the case.'

'Yeah, you wanna be glad that chick knows what she is doin', kid.' Wist smirked. 'See, he dont go back in the container - he's loose.'

'He's WHAT?!?' The panicked look overcame Synro again.

'Wist, stop causing problems. You know as well as I that Valik does not need the restraints after the treatment.' Morta interjected.

'Ok, you're really losing me now...' Synro rubbed sweat away from his temples. He didn't sign up for this. Ships shooting at him he could handle, he'd been flying Dynamics for years and knew how to handle them.... but being locked in an enclosed space with a rampaging monster? not his kind of fun at all..

'Mistress Jeth has a.... calming effect on Valik.' Morta explained. 'The effects are not permanent which is why he returns here every five to six months for treatment. I assure that after the procedure he is as amiable as the rest of us.' With a sudden afterthought, he added: 'In the case of Wist here, even more so.'

'Hey! I...'

Their conversation was interrupted with the door opening and the Iotran officer stepping out.

'Mr Morta, Mr Wist, Mr Synro; your Captain requests your presence inside, please bring the container. The rest of you men, follow me.' With that the Officer passed Morta the remote control for the container than Hollister had obviously given to him inside the room and then he and the IPF unit took their leave of the group and left back down the corridor.

Wist clamped a hand on Synro's shoulder, making him visibly jump.

'Its showtime, kid!'



Inside the room there was plenty of space, a large window filled one side of the room looking out over a beautiful view of Muunilinst from space. Against that wall was a large desk behind which sat a strikingly stunning Arkanian woman with pale skin and long white hair worn loose about her shoulders. The lights in the room were noticeably dimmer, most likely due to the Arkanian's eyes which were creamy white and sensitive to infra-red spectrum's. She smiled at the people assembled before her and gave a cursory nod to Synro.

Two doors let to separate rooms, currently closed and sealed from view. The container hovered in the middle of the room and the Captain stood before the Arkanian as she rose to greet them.

'My dear Captain Hollister,' she said standing gracefully and slowly. 'A pleasure to see you again. I hope Valik is well?' He voice was silken and soft but there was something unusual about her. It took Synro a few seconds to realize she was speaking with the Captain as an equal, not with the usual arrogant indifference her species were so well known for.

Captain Hollister nodded. 'That he is, Ma'am. He came to me in private a few weeks back saying he had scheduled another meeting with you. He said you had been made aware?'

'Yes. He did contact me and I could hear in his voice he was fighting for control again. Let us hope we can bring him peace once again.'

As the Captain nodded in response, the Arkanian's gaze fell once again upon Synro.

'A new member of your team Captain?' Stepping out from behind the desk she walked toward the young pilot and outstretched a hand. 'I greet you. My name is Mistress Nalia Jeth. I assure you that you are quite safe here. Please understand that any aggression Valik may show is not of his own doing, he is a prisoner in many more ways than just being restrained.'

Synro looked to the Captain for advice, he was not versed in diplomatic protocols. The Captain merely nodded. 'Ma'am, this young man is Lordal Synro from Coruscant, he is our new pilot. Gallan requested leave to return to his family.'

Unsure of what he was meant to do, Synro took the ladies hand gently and half bowed.

'A..a pleasure, Mistress.' She smiled then, an almost magical smile that put the young man immediately at ease but also made him feel slightly awkward. Letting go of his hand Jeth returned to the desk and faced the container.

'Shall we begin then? Captain if you would release the internal restraints?'

The Captain pressed a couple of button on the remote control and the black of the container slowly started to alter to opaque and then transparent, as if a thick smoke had suddenly dissipated. Inside the large form of a humanoid could be seen curled in a fetal position, glowing clamps about its neck, shoulders, wrists, waist, thighs and feet.

To Synro it looked dead. For a moment at least.

With another press of a button from the Captain the clamps fell away, inert. For a second nothing happened then the being erupted into movement suddenly springing from its prone position and ramming into the side of the container with massive force, visibly shaking it. Even though they had seen this behavior several times before both Wist and Morta top a step back and it was all Synro could do not to shriek at the top of his lungs. Only the Captain and Mistress Jeth did not move, but watched as the giant of a Feeorin raged against its confinement, massive fists slamming against the container which seemed to be sound-proofed as no sound could be heard from inside. For that, Synro was thankful.

Valik slammed in vain against the container, his eyes red and bloodshot, foam collecting in the corner of his mouth as his tendrils whipped about him. Oblivious to the pain he was causing himself he slammed again and again against the container trying to get a Jeth.

Trying to stop his hands from shaking Synro studied the Feeorin. He had seen the species before and they were bad enough as they were, many of them physically imposing and standing at over 2m in height. In contrast, Valik looked like one that had O.D's on Stims and Chems and somehow lived to tell about it. His muscles were so tightly packed that they looked like they were trying to escape his grey skin, and he was tall - frighteningly tall. If he had to guess, Synro would put him at over nine feet.

undaunted, Jeth placed one hand against the container as Valik tried to bite at it it and head-butt it.

'Oh my dear friend, I do hate to see you in such pain...' She shook her head sadly and stepped back. 'Captain if you could open the container please?'

Wist and Morta locked blaster rifles on the container and Synro tried to shrink away to be anywhere else as Captain Hollister pressed another couple of buttons on his remote and the container gently lowered to the ground and previously invisible joins began to appear, air hissing out of them.

Suddenly Valik could be heard and it was a terrible sound. A maddened roar of pain and rage erupted from him as if he was in constant pain and struggling just to survive. To Synro he sounded unbelievably angry. Suddenly and without warning which made an already jumpy Synro almost leap in the air the container sprung open.

Without hesitation Valik lept forward, a beast uncaged. Huge hands outstretched before him, intent on squeezing the very life out of Jeth. Synro looked on in disbelief as Wist and Morta followed the giant with their scopes but did not fire.

Within inches of her throat Valik suddenly stopped in mid-air and hung there as Mistress Jeth closed her eyes. He lashed out for a moment and roared then suddenly hung his head and went limp and silent as if he had been hit with a tranquilizer strong enough to take down a hutt.

At this moment the Captain stepped forward and stood next to Valik. The Feeorin was easily within killing reach. Synro went to say something but without looking the Captain could tell his expression.

'Stand down, boys.'

Wist and Morta lowered their rifles in unison as the Captain turned to Synro. 'Its O.K.'

In a voice not much louder than a whisper and sounding distant and otherworldly, Jeth spoke:

'Captain Hollister, do you once again agree to be Valik's anchor? he will need to be returned when we have calmed his mind.'

The Captain placed a hand on Valik's left shin as he floated then lowered his head and closed his eyes.
'I do. I'm ready when you are.'

Then there was silence. Valik continued to float and the Captain and Arkanian woman hung their heads as if in prayer. After a couple of moments Wist let out a loud sigh and leaned against the wall.

'Damn. Glad that's over for another few months. I swear one of these days she wont do that in time then we're gonna have one hell of a problem on our hands.'

Wist similarly leaned against the wall on the opposite of the room.

'The Mistress knows what shes doing, Wist.'

Synro realized his mouth was open in shocked. Hoping nobody had noticed he closed it and wiped his brow.

'Does anyone fancy telling me what the chuff-sucking stang just happened?'

Wist chuckled to himself.

'Its pretty simple kid; we brought a genuine-nut-job-phycho monster here to this pretty shiney station then released it on our cute-lookin' lady friend here. She did her mojo on it, they all sleep for a couple of moments then they all wake back up and our psycho is a useful member of society.... for six months at least. Then he goes space-happy again and we get paid to bring him back. You get all that?'

Seeing Synro's more than confused look, Morta provided and explanation.

'Mistress Jeth is a spiritualist of sorts, she is able to alter things in many similar way to the Jedi yet she is not of their ilk. An independent worker in the force she has the ability to enter another's mind and aid them with mental ailments. She is also competent in many telekinetic powers, as you can see.'

Letting what he had said sink into the young human's mind, Morta continued.

'The Mistress is able to control and contain Valik's rage long enough for his true personality to emerge and take control. He has often spoken to me on the subject and says she can project herself into his unconscious and help him regain control. The effects are far from permanent however, as time goes on he needs to rely on tranquilizers to keep the rage at bay and eventually he needs to return here for more treatment.'

'You said his true personality? You mean he wasn't always like this?' Synto interjected.

'No, of course not. If he had been do you not think he would have killed himself long ago? when enraged he feels no pain, knows no fear. If someone escaped him by fleeing in a shuttle he would simply tear the airlock apart trying to get at them, spacing himself in the process. No, this was done to him.'

For the first time since their arrival Wist seemed sincere as he spoke.


'The Big Fella wont talk about it, but the rumour is it was his own stinking people that did this to him. Word is he was born larger than the others, more physically capable than anything their doctors had seen in thousands of years.' He paused for a moment and watched Virik suspendend in mid-air.
'Problem is, our boy here was a gentle giant. Feeorins come from a militarian-clan background and he had no interest in fighting. I think he was an artist, or writer or something like that. Anyways, his government got hold of him...messed with his head, made him all kinds of crazy. They turned him into a deadly killing machine but as y'can see, he wasn't exactly the "calm, calculating soldier" they wanted him to be. All I know for sure is that his people have officially ex-communicated him, he ain't allowed back there. Stinks if you ask me.'

'I...I don't know what to say. That seems so....well....messed up.' Synro said after a couple of seconds when Morta didn't respond to rebuff his companions comments.

'Yeah, it sure is. Word is the Cap'n met this fella a few years back and they became friends. He does this run every few months for the big guy. Dunno if he feels sorry for him or something.... I...well, I know I do.' Wist concluded in uncharacteristic show of compassion.

An awkward silence fell over the three as none of them knew exactly what to say which was suddenly broken by Valik gently drifting to the floor and he, Captain Hollister and Mistress Jeth all suddenly breathing in sharply as if they had just surfaced from underwater. Jeth leaned against the desk to hold herself and the Captain grabbed hold of Varik and held him up - just - as the huge Feeroin fell backwards.

'Guys?' The Captain gasped holding up all of Valik's weight. 'A little help here?'
Wist and Morta ran to their Captain's aid as the three propped the Feeorin up as he gained consciousness. Taking a step forward he stumbled slightly and then gained his footing as he stood before Mistress Jeth.

'How are you feeling my old friend? better?' She smiled at him.

For the first time Snyro heard Valik speak and his voice was deep and guttural yet he had a superb grasp on Galactic Basic:

'T..Thank-you Jeth. As always your talents are most welcome. I feel...like myself again.'

She took one of his large hands in hers. 'I only wish I could do more, Valik. Take care my friend. Hopefully I will see you before your next treatment, but if not I will see you again in six months. Until then your usual suite for you and your friends has been has been arranged for you and your colleagues overnight.'

He nodded and then turned toward Hollister. The two clasped forearms in a warriors welcome.

'Good to have you back, Valik' The Captain said as he smiled.

'Good to be back, Hollister!' The Feeorin said somewhat more upbeat.

Putting an hand on the Feeorins arm (he couldnt reach his shoulder) Hollister turned Valik in Synro's direction.

'This is our new pilot, Lordal Synro. He's replacing Gallan.'

Valik stuck out a huge hand and Synro took it gingerly. He could almost wrap his whole hand round the Feeorin's thumb.

'Er....Hi.'

Valik erupted in laughter. 'Ha! yes. He'll do!'

'Great. Lovely. We're all getting on so well.... can we please hit the bar now?' Wist interjected.

'Of course, lets go.' The Captain replied. As the door opened and Valik and his crewmen stepped into the hallway, he turned and faced Mistress Jeth with a smile.
'Good to see you again....Nalia.'

She bowed in an almost quaint way.

'As it is to see you again, Michael. Please... look after yourself.'

As he left and the door swished shut behind the group, A figure materialized next to Jeth that only she could see.

' Do you not think you are too close to that Human, Honoured Descendant?' His voice was distant, otherworldly.

'I am not one of your Jedi, Arca. Your ways of impassion are not my own.'

'I see that all to well. So, what of this Valik then? How much longer do you think you can keep him sated?'

She turned to him then, for the first time.

'As long as I have to, Honoured Ancestor.'

Loved it, LW! Can't wait to RP with him, well, you. And you didn't even have to title it 'Beauty & The Beast' it was such an ace translation to the Star Wars universe. Again, great work!

O.O You guys put my little stories to shame. Great writing.

Well now I've chucked it up on SW:TOR rp Wiki

Great job everything seems so natural and fluid ^^ maybe you guys could teach me some lingo i liked the

"Does anyone fancy telling me what the chuff-sucking stang just happened?"

nice work

Woah, are you going through the entire archives Random? Thanks for the feedback

lol yeah its been a busy night xD taking a brake from it now though xP