Kael Fayne/PartTwo

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A Bittersweet Victory

"I fear I have labored to give birth to a stillborn child."

―Kael Fayne

As the Clone Wars drew to a close, Kael found himself attached to one of several Venator-class Star Destroyers over Cato Neimoidia during the second battle for control of the planet. The young Lieutenant was in the midst of storming a Providence-class carrier when the infamous Order 66 was issued, leaving him unaware of the event until after the newly christened Darth Vader issued the droid deactivation signal that ultimately ended the conflict.

Although he had learned to dislike many of the pompous Jedi, Kael did hold a degree of respect for Jedi Master Plo Koon with which he was serving on Cato Neimoidia. The Arkanian found it hard to believe the stern yet compassionate Kel Dor would be a part of any coup attempt. Despite his approval of the New Order in terms of a political system, Kael began to worry subconsciously that the reigns had been handed to the wrong man. It would not be long before this worry became well founded.

Nonetheless, Kael and his men were proud of their service and victory. Perhaps the greatest achievement in Kael's mind was the extremely low percentage of men lost for a Militia unit. Though the Lieutenant would never take the credit himself, most of his men chalked up their success to Kael's obsessive planning and willingness to dig deep into his own meager pockets to provide his platoon with the right armor and other equipment.

Life After the Clone Wars (19 - 16 BBY)

I, Terrorist

"I fought for an Empire of Honor, not of Fear. Damn you for making me push away my conscience yet again."

―Kael Fayne

While the Grand Army of the Republic was reconstituted under the new Imperial Banner, the Republic Militias were dissolved entirely, deemed too unruly to leave intact. On the contrary, their members were soon absorbed into various subsections of the Empire according to their individual skillsets. Several of Kael's peers within the Imperial Military offered him a place within their squads, promising they could bribe enough folks to overlook the fact that he wasn't a pure Human, but near-Human. Nevertheless, Kael would have to dye his hair, wear iris-inserts, and hope no one would notice his four-clawed gloves. When Kael saw himself in the mirror, he simply couldn't stop laughing long enough to put on the helmet, which he had refused to wear during the War by claiming he couldn't see in it.

Certain agents within the Empire, however, found Kael's non-stereotypical features desirable. Not wanting their deeds to be traceable, representatives from the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order (COMPNOR) asked Fayne to carry out "missions of intrigue" in order to provide "unique political leverage" against those who still resisted the New Order. These agents promised promotions to positions of prominence and influence in exchange for the Arkanian's service. Going against his better judgment, Kael accepted.

The first few missions were harmless enough. Kael never minded putting the squeeze on still influential ex-Confederates during back-alley diplomatic meetings, or blowing up a senator's private property just to send a message. Breaking into government buildings, business complexes, and even private homes to find or plant incriminating information was all a part of the job. Even setting up the occasional false-flag terrorist event in the name of the opposition was acceptable, so long as the damage was more for show than for real. Most of the victims deserved it, Kael told himself. However, as the Emperor continued to reveal his nature, so did the COMPNOR, demanding more sensational results from their agents. During a mission to kidnap the son of a particularly stubborn anti-New Order advocate, Fayne simply lost his nerve and let the kid go free. After a heated, vulgar argument with his COMPNOR contact, Kael was relieved of his duties and sent on his way home to Arkania.

Starting Over From the Beginning

"Am I Kael pretending to be Nissa, or Nissa pretending to be Kael?"

―Kael reflecting on how he had changed over the years undercover

At first, returning home proved a wise move for Kael's overall mental health. He was welcomed home by friends, family, and random acquaintances as a hero. Soren, having spent the Clone Wars attempting to champion Arkania's nonintervention, was nonetheless proud of the way Kael fought and took care of his men. Both father and son shared a common opinion of the Emperor, though Kael was glad to hear the local Imperial bureaucracy was actually very helpful in establishing order.

As Kael made the rounds reuniting with old friends, many of his former contacts within Arkanian Civil Authority encouraged him to start over where he had left off and become a cop. Several gangs, mostly composed of young punks wanting to resist the new authority of the Empire, had been sharpening the edge of Arkania's organized crime syndicate. A midnight visit from his old girlfriend, Sybella, showed Kael the fruit of the current crime situation as the now drug-addicted and sickly prostitute made a pass at him before simply asking for money.

Wanting to make the best use of his abilities, Kael promoted his war reputation as leverage to join Civil Authority as an undercover gangster known as "Nissa Gábor". Being a cop without being a cop proved useful, allowing the former Marine to brandish dual blasters at will to make rival gangs disappear as he undermined the lead syndicate from within. "Nissa" soon became a curse word amongst many gangsters, all of which were growing fearful that their deaths would add to his reputation as a cold and calculated killer. Kael fed on the fear, becoming more and more vicious with each passing day until he began to question whether he was role-playing at all.

No Good Deed Left Unpunished

"I may be guilty of many things, but not this."

―Kael defending himself while on trial

As Kael delved deeper into the criminal underworld, however, he soon discovered that more and more of his peers within Civil Authority were on the payroll of various gangs, turning a blind eye while taking bribes on the side to "supplement their income." Scandalized by the revelation of traitors within Civil Authority, Fayne began to slip the incriminating evidence to his direct superior, Security Master Carreth Olin. Olin, more often than not, acted on the information and disciplined the guilty in secret.

However, it was not long before Kael discovered that the Security Master himself was on the take. While drinking heavily at one of the syndicate's private parties, the undercover cop received a call on his comlink from Sybella, begging for help. Unsure of how she even knew to contact him, Kael nonetheless comforted his ex and told her he was on the way. Upon arriving at Sybella's apartment, Kael heard a single blaster round go off before breaking in by force. A mere second after Kael had discovered the prostitute's lifeless frame, Civil Authority arrived and arrested the dangerous gangster known as Nissa Gábor on charges of murder.

Kael was kept far from the public eye during the rather private trial. To what public cared, it was just a case of a degenerate gangster snuffing out a prostitute rather than paying her outright. Kael's court appointed lawyer accepted a plea bargain without his client's knowledge, sentencing the former Marine to life without parole.

The Consequences of Honor (16 BBY - 32 ABY)

A Hall of Mirrors Built by Liars

"In this hall of mirrors, built by liars, I am a pale reflection of myself."

―A lyric Kael often repeated to himself while in prison

Entering the city of Adascopolis' maximum security prison, Fayne was greeted by two diametrically opposed groups: one a collection of gangsters he had helped put away, the other a collection of those like Kael who were put under to keep them quiet. Kael's new reputation as Nissa Gábor alienated him from the latter group, whereas the gangsters knew the truth but refused to talk. Just as Kael's identity was confused in the minds of others, so was it confused within his own. Kael began to question whether doing what he thought was right was worth it in the end, receiving many beatings at the hands of the imprisoned gangsters.

Encased in Ice; The Seeing Blind

"It feels like I'm dying...every time..."

―Kael, reporting on how it feels to be frozen in carbonite

Tiring of the cowardly and wearisome gang beatings, Kael began to plot the downfall of the gangsters imprisoned with him. After several bodies were found either strangled or bludgeoned to death in the showers or other private areas, the cause was obvious despite the lack of clear evidence. The prison's warden, not able to punish Kael directly, opted to "donate" the lifer and his body to science. Fayne was thus handed over to Arkanian Microtechnologies, a medical supply and technology corporation that dabbled in a variety of interesting areas, including cloning. Because of the dangerous nature of the prisoner, scientists from Arkanian Micro chose to utilize Kael's body to test carbon freezing techniques and their applications for suspending the sickly in animation until cures could be found.

Lasting for 47 years from 15 BBY to 32 ABY, Kael was frozen in carbonite while said scientists studied the results, letting the innocent victim out once a year for a week's worth of evaluations. The yearly release and reimmersion into the carbonite soon began to mess with Fayne's already disturbed psyche. Each year, Kael's vision returned slower until it failed to return at all. The blind youth was completely detached from the universe, only managing to pick up hints of various rumors throughout the galaxy. The Battle of Yavin, of Hoth, of Endor, the New Republic, the Vong...only whispers in Kael's ears as electrodes were attached and detached from his naked body.

However, as Kael's sense of sight diminished, a new sense that had been buried deep in his subconscious began to emerge: the Force. What had only aided him slightly during gunfights now came to the fore as the blind man found new eyes with which he could "sense" his surroundings. Kael chose to keep this knowledge to himself, hoping to use it to surprise his captors and escape in time.

A Fire For the Long Winter

"I have to admit, you're much cuter when you're stuttering from the cold."

―Sala

During the second year of Kael's carbonite imprisonment, a new scientist, a young human woman named Sala, was transferred in from one branch of Arkanian Micro to assist in the lab where Fayne was being stored. The scientist's beauty caught Kael off guard as he was thawed out for the second time, causing the somewhat delirious prisoner to make feeble attempts at flirtation.

At first, Sala found the conversation entertaining, helping to pass the time and keep the prisoner distracted during examinations. As the years passed by, the assistant began to look forward to examining Kael, growing attached to his simple charm and feeling sympathy for his failing health. Often, when other scientists wanted to perform more extreme tests on Fayne, Sala would offer to do them herself, creating false reports rather than subjecting Kael to any further harm. Likewise, after learning a little bit about Kael's childhood, Sala often had a few pieces of candy for the prisoner each year he was released.

After several weeks of conversations spanning the course decades, Kael trusted Sala enough to tell her the full story of his imprisonment, taking several more years before she began to believe him fully. Sala strongly desired to free Kael, asking him how she could help, or who she could contact. Kael refused, not wanting any harm to come to the kind scientist who was now approaching the age of 70. Fortunately for the now-blind test subject, Sala proved stubborn and did not listen.

A Sith Never Forgets a Friend

"I knew our first meeting wasn't by chance. Now, I know why."

―Brent "Archangel" Ligur Victae

In the year 32 ABY, Kael would be released from the carbonite for the last time. As the ice melted away, the Arkanian's ears were flooded with voices begging for mercy, followed by several pairs of thuds and grunts. A different, somewhat familar aura could be sensed by the prisoner in his cell as he began to reach out with the Force. Before he could react, the familiar presence threw Kael over his shoulder, telling the blind man to keep quiet.

Surviving a few brief firefights, Kael and his rescuer made it to freedom outside the once heavily guarded labs. By then introductions were unnecessary as Kael thanked Brent "Archangel" Ligur Victae for his help. The Shaevalian refused Kael's thanks, saying he was only returning a long past due favor. It was then revealed that Sala had spent the last year searching for Brent, who she had learned about from Kael's stories. Sala had believed the Shaevalian might possibly be the only one still physically capable of a successful jailbreak. Kael, under an assumed alias, would later send Sala a bouquet of flowers and a card of thanks filled with vague references only he and she would pick up on. Anything more, Kael believed, would cause her more harm than good.

Before departing, Brent revealed to Kael that he was now a Sith of the Dark Brotherhood, and offered to bring him in as an initiate to develop his abilities further. Believing only he and his father knew of his potential, Kael was surprised to learn that his fellow Clone War Veteran could perceive his Force aura. Knowing such a decision wasn't one to be made in haste, Brent told Kael he would return in a week to receive the young man's answer.

Waking From a 47 Year Long Nightmare

"Wait, what? You mean, of all the people Palpatine had killed on a whim, he never laid a finger on Jar Jar Binks?"

―Kael, learning recent history from a library droid

Freed of his prison of ice and roaming the streets of Adascopolis along with the rest of the homeless, Kael was starved for information about life on the outside. He quickly learned all the precise details regarding the rumors he had only heard in passing. He was astonished that the son of Vader proved to be the Empire's undoing. He mourned the fact that the Republic was swinging the pendulum of galactic government back to the mob rule that had reigned before the Empire. He regretted not being able to serve the legendary Grand Admiral Thrawn, and yet was glad to never have seen the Vong in full force.

Perhaps one of the most devastating revelations was also one of the most expected: Kael's father, Soren, had passed away while his son was in prison. The happiness of being free soon gave way to remorse as Kael reflected on the fact that his father never knew what had happened to him. However, in a impromptu reunion with family members he barely knew, Kael was encouraged by various stories of how highly Soren had spoken of him. The final and greatest comfort was knowing Soren had lived to see his life's work, pushing for Arkanian independence, had become reality in part as Arkania had refused to join the New Republic.

Ultimately, however, the galaxy Kael remembered no longer existed. Although physically and mentally in his mid twenties, Fayne thought as an old man, longing for yesteryear and the Empire that could have been. Sadly, Kael knew he wasn't the "Knight" he had felt he was during the Clone Wars anymore. He would have to learn to see more clearly with his "new eyes" before he could ever call himself such a term again. Thus, orphaned into a galaxy returning to chaos, the Arkanian chose to leave his home planet of Arkania in search of the training he could use to help restore order in the galaxy as a whole, as well as in himself.

The Brotherhood (32 ABY - Present Day)

The Shadow Academy and Scholae Palatinae (INI-PRT)

"Master Fayne, I can continue reading, but really, the others have already gone to bed!"

―One of the Shadow Academy's C-3PO units

Upon passing the initial tests regarding Force potential given to all recruits, Kael was soon granted the rank of Initiate and transferred aboard the Arcanum, the mobile home and flagship of the Shadow Academy. Fayne instantly felt at home as familiar sounds, namely the rhythmic marching of combat boots, flooded his senses with memories before the war. Although many regarded him at a disadvantage because of his blindness, Kael's intrinsic obsession with studying and training led him to stand out amongst his peers. Each lesson in the Force opened more the blind Initiate’s "new eyes", creating in him a further thirst for more. Such a devotion to his own personal study and training naturally led the new Initiate to embrace the Obelisk Order.

Kael's eagerness soon impressed many, leading him to be promoted to the rank of Apprentice and granting him the ability to join a Clan. It was not long before Emperor Thran Occasus, Consul and leader of then Royal Clan of Scholae Palatinae, visited the Academy in search of new Prospects for his Empire. Having studied the Arkanian's history before approaching him, Thran presented a convincing case for joining the Empire before telling Kael there was candy inside his personal shuttle for all new recruits. Not unsurprisingly, Kael was sold.

Arriving on then House Dorimad Sol's base planet of Caina, the new Jedi Prospect felt as though he had returned home as the icy breeze reminded him of Arkania. Fayne had spent the trip studying the Royal Clan, being confirmed in his decision as he learned more how Scholae Palatinae retained much of Imperial traditions.

Having become accustomed to being blind and relying on his other senses, Kael once more began to pick up his blasters and resumed combat training, finding even greater efficiency than when he could see the more he augmented the Force to his natural instincts. Constant training as well as studying via remote in the Shadow Academy earned Kael several quick promotions, attracting the attention of Rasilvenaira StormRaven, the Duchess of Scholae Palatinae. Having heard of the Duchess' reputation within the Clan, Kael was pleased to accept her proposal of Apprenticeship.

Spoils of War (PRT-GRD)

"My every breath tastes like blaster fumes. My injury has only made me more hungry for battle."

―Commander Fayne

As Kael attained to the rank of Protector, the news of a Rite of Supremacy being declared on Salas V immediately interrupted his training. Not quite sure of the significance of the event, the Arkanian suddenly found himself on a foreign war zone fighting with the 33rd Legion, better known as the Crimson Knights. The initial battles were fierce and merciless, as incompetence led to countless, unnecessary deaths. Having endeared himself to many of the light hearted Troopers who had fallen, Kael refused to fight under the unit's Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Thilvera. Upon being confronted with charges of treason, Fayne challenged the pompous Commander to a duel, which led to the Protector slaying Thilvera and taking her place. Fearful of possible reprisals, Kael ordered his troops not to report to Clan or House leadership on the matter, saying he would do so when the time was right. The Arkanian's respect among the common soldier led each to keep this charge.

Even though his only tactical training had been through studying history, Kael's common sense and Clone War experience allowed him to be a reliable Commander. The Crimson Knights won several battles under his command, including handing two crushing defeats to the forces of Clan Plagueis. Nearing the end of the conflict, the 33rd Legion was specifically called in for cavalry support by Clan leadership on the behalf of two other legions who were engaged against Clan Plagueis. Although the Crimson Knights managed to cover many of the retreating forces, Kael was struck in the chest by a random blaster bolt, taking him out of the battle for the time being. After immediate medical treatment, Commander Fayne returned to the battle field. This act, considered a Trial of the Flesh, further cemented the young man's trust among the Legion, and earned the Protector a field promotion to Guardian.

To Kill an Emperor (GRD-JH)

Thran Occasus; Emperor, Underwear Model, and Assassination Target

"Surprised? I always use a double when I know that woman is in town. And do you know how much effort goes into finding a double that looks this good?"

―Thran Occasus, revealing who Kael actually killed

As the combat forces of Clan Scholae Palatinae left Salas V for the Cocytus System, the revelation of Kael's usurpation and subsequent heroics was made to Clan leadership. Kael, expecting to be disciplined or killed outright, was awarded an Anteian Cross by the Royal Clan along with several other accolades from the Dark Council, including the title of Champion of the Rite. Although glad to make it out alive, the newly promoted Guardian was left hollow by how many had died just so his Clan could finish next to last. His master, as well, became withdrawn after the conflict and his training became stagnant.

When Ras finally reestablished contact with Kael, she came to him with an offer that peaked his interest. Most of the blame for the disaster on Salas V was being laid at the feet of Scholae Palatinae's playboy Consul and Emperor, Thran Occasus. Ras' clever plan was for her apprentice to sneak past the Imperial Palace's security, which was lax after the Rite, and place a pressure-triggered bomb under the Consuls' favorite pleasure bed. Ras, knowing well the kind of women Thran liked to entertain, would then hire two prostitutes to lure the Consul back to the Palace for a night that would be of want for sleep. The plan seemed to have succeeded while Kael watched from afar as an explosion sent the Palace's white walls in chunks toward the heavens. However, as Kael retreated to his speeder, Occasus was waiting for him, revealing that he had used a double that night. After beating the Guardian mercilessly for several moments, Thran finally relented, stating that Jedi with such potential as Kael's would be necessary to rebuild the Royal Clan's reputation.

Ironically, the event would later be used to recommend Kael's promotion to the rank of Jedi Hunter. Even more ironic, Thran and Kael, who are rather polar opposites of one another, are now friends.

A New Master (JH)

"Many people tend to be difficult, elusive, hard to figure out. So it is with this one. But whatever he is, it would be a shame to waste him."

―Robin Hawk

Worried that Ras' lack of attention may waste one of her Jedi's potential, Quaestor Robin Hawk soon adopted Kael as her own Apprentice. Tutelage at the hands of the Quaestor officially solidified Kael's place as a rising star within the Royal Clan. Kael's intense training regimen was soon renewed with his new Master proving selfless in taking time to impart her knowledge. Although uncomfortable with the idea of laying aside his blasters, Kael also began studying lightsaber combat under Robin, having earned his training saber long ago but never being taught in its use.

It was also during this time that Robin lent her Apprentice to Brent Ligur Victae for a scouting mission to further catalog information concerning the Cocytus System. Although a few of the local moons were friendly, most proved dangerous, testing the Jedi Hunter's mettle with numberous Trials of Courage. Nonetheless, Kael managed to bring back extensive reports concerning several moons, including Gressil, Sereia, Barbatos, Astaroth, and Vetis.

Impressed with her Apprentices' continual growth, Robin began to give Kael more and more important tasks, some of which led others to refer to Kael as the "secret Aedile". Eventually, Robin tasked Kael with the creation of his own lightsaber. Kael spent a solid month collecting the various parts for his hilt, choosing a blue Adegan crystal combined with the more common Nova crystal as the focusing crystals. The end result was a hilt that was simple yet elegantly crafted, lending itself to easy maintenance while at the same time reflecting its owner's Knightly nobility.

A New Knight (JH-DJK)

"I used to think of myself as a one man wolf pack, but then Kael came along...And I thought, wait...Could it be? I knew Kael was one of my own...So, my wolf pack grew by one. So there... there were two of us in the wolf pack... I was alone first in the pack, and then Kael joined in later."

―Emperor Thran Occasus during Kael's knighting ceremony

Upon reviewing her Apprentice's new hilt, Robin revealed to Kael that a call had gone out from the Combat Master of the Antei Combat Centre requesting all Journeymen who wanted to prove themselves to take part in a grand tournament. The Master then promised her Apprentice that this trial, a Trial of Skill, would be the last in his quest for Knighthood. Taking his newly crafted hilt back, Fayne promised his Master victory.

Beginning with 18 combatants, the Journeyman Tournament proved to be every bit of the trial Robin had promised. Kael passed through the first round with relative ease, only meeting significant resistance as the second round pitted him against two fighters at the same time. The Arkanian escaped round two with more cuts and bruises than he could count, entering into the final round proud but hurting. The Trial of Skill soon gave way to a Trial of Spirit as Kael faced his last two opponents, one of which was already a Dark Jedi Knight. Nevertheless, Fayne's unbreakable resolve and shear cunning allowed him to win the day, bestowing glory upon his Clan and finally earning him the rank of Knight.

Aedileship to Present Day (DJK)

"Always remember your honorable opponents and what you learned from the battle..."

―Angelo Dante

After a changing of the guard within Dorimad Sol, Kael's master was replaced at the position of Quaestor by Angelo Dante. An Imperial's Imperial, Dante was highly respected by the Arkanian Knight who sought out the new Quaestor both for general mentorship as well as advanced lightsaber training. The fellow Obelisk more than obliged, choosing to appoint Kael to the position Aedile of Dorimad Sol.

Kael immediately began to see fruits from the mentorship, learning much about leadership and command from the former stormtrooper. Dante, a master of Soresu, also imparted his intimate knowledge of Form III to his minion, training him in hours of intense lightsaber combat.

As the two Obelisks began to put their house in order, the Spring Games: Feast of Victory were announced. The Games, which pitted Dorimad Sol against its sister House Acclivis Draco, were to be an inner-clan celebration of Scholae's recent success against the terrorist group "The Cause". The seasonal games themselves featured contests of skill and bravery to determine who would be the first House of the Royal Clan as well as the individual Champions of the Clan. The new Aedile saw the games as a way to establish himself and to lead by example. Dorimad Sol dominated the games, with Kael being the lead point man of the Feast. Of the nine games, Kael won first place in five of them, earning four Crescents with Amethsyt Stars, two with Emerald Stars, one with Sapphire Stars, and a Steel Cross.

However, shortly after the Spring Games, Grand Master Muz and the Dark Council announced the Clans would be reconstituted into Houses. All current Quaestors and Aediles were relieved of their commands with Consuls and Proconsuls taking their place.

Currently, Kael Fayne is attached to Battleteam Nightstalkers under the command of his former Quaestor, Angelo Dante.