Corden's Storyline - Act Three - Pride Lost

Because Sandalphon Maximus (@Sandal_Maximus) is unaware of what happened recently with her husband Corden Maximus (@Corden_Maximus), this is not one of Sandal's journal entries but an update on the storyline for those who may have missed it.  This storyline is being written by the typist behind the Corden Maximus account and remains his intellectual property although it is being documented here for followers.

In Act Two, after tranquilizing Boss (@RC_Boss), Corden stepped into the darkness of space and drifted until he was picked up by a remote-controlled shuttle. It appears Corden's secret meeting with the mad Mandalorian doctor, Antos Wyrick (@Demagol_) was unsuccessful. Left with few alternatives to healing his genetic disease, Corden turns to the devil himself for help. At the beginning of Act Three, Corden is despondent. Knowing what he must do, out of sheer desperation, he contacts the ancient Sith Fanrek Andol (@Fanrek_Andol) for help. Corden fought Fanrek years prior when Sandal was still working as a Rebel operative, and successfully managed to protect her from the Sith's psychic attacks by directly confronting Fanrek.  Unfortunately, circumstances in life changed, and it is now Corden that seeks the Sith's assistance in freeing himself from the crippling disease.  

In their conversation, Fanrek psychically attacks Corden and agrees to help only on one condition, that Corden must give Fanrek his baby daughter, Tifa (@Tifa_Maximus). As previously discussed between Corden and Sandal, Sandal senses the Force within tiny Tifa and was afraid that Tifa's Force signature would attract the attention of those like Fanrek. Sandal fears that Tifa would be taken, either by another Jedi or a Sith, in the same manner that Sandal herself was taken away for Jedi studies.  Knowing the lonely path ahead of Tifa, Sandal fears her daughter would not have a normal life, and could possibly fall into the hands of the dark side.  In an unspoken connection that Corden and Sandal have, he seemed to have understood this and vowed to protect their daughter from the hands of Jedi and Sith.  In his conversations with Fanrek, Corden calls off the deal, saying that that is the one thing he will not give to the Sith. Fanrek released Corden from the psychic attack, leaving the haunting message in Corden's mind.  

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Characters

CM = Corden Maximus, Mand'alor over the Mandalorian people

FA = Fanrek Andol, ancient powerful Sith

Please note items contained within * symbols are action. Those outside of the symbols are usually dialog. 

Dialog

CM: *Flipping on the intensive care habitat controls he breathes in the sterile smelling bacta spray that emanates from the air vents, feeling the cool spray coat him and everything else* Not good for the systems, but should stave off whatever Demagol infected me with. His fingers tapping the console rapidly as he inputs instructions and new coords for after the first hyperspace jump* Second jump will make it impossible for them to track me. Even if they managed to track my outbound vector from the shuttle *sighs, resting his -head in his hands, shuddering as several tears fall on the console, letting out a few shuddering breaths* I'm sorry Sandal. Tifa. Boss.*The tears continue for several minutes. All the stress and emotion of the last few weeks leaving him, pouring out until there is nothing --left and he is completely drained* Not going to get anything done feeling sorry for myself. *wipes his face and opens the comm channel, keying in@FanrekAndol's comm channel* Fanrek... it's, it's Corden. I need your help.

FA: *reaching out through the Force, Fanrek taps into the mind of@corden_maximus, filling his mind with his voice* Now now Corden, you know how I hate using those devices. What is it you need, my "friend?" *a low cackle echoes in Corden's head for a moment*

CM: *Gripping the sides of his head as @FanrekAndol breaks down his mental barriers to telepathically communicate with him, gasping for breath before answering* You know it leaves me weak to reach out like that. I'm not a Jetii like you.

FA: *driving a spike of pain into Corden's mind, relishing in the waves of anguish he feels* Oh dear Corden, we've talked about this. I am not one of those weak minded fools. I am a Sith. Must I remind you again? *pushing another spike into his brain. Grinning evilly at tormenting the Mandalorian*

CM: *drops to his knees, then the floor as @FanrekAndol drives a mental spike into his mind, gasping out his surrender* Ok...you-you're Sith I submit. Please, just stop. Please *his voice getting weak as he begins to sweat profusely, writhing in pain*

FA: *laughing coldly and continuing his assault* Is the mighty Mand'alor submitting? To me? A lowly Sith? *His voice turns *harsh as drives the spikes deeper* You are nothing to me. Nothing! Do you understand? I could kill you w barely a thought! Do not trifle with me worm! I will end you! *suddenly releasing the spikes and resuming a calm voice* Now, tell me what it is you need of me.

CM: *gasping in relief as he is released from the mental hold* I need your help. I'm sick. I believe you are familiar with it. 

FA: Ah yes. Your little disease. I may be able to help you. But what will you offer me in return?

CM: I...I don't know. What do you want? I know it isn't credits. I don't have much else.

FA: *A cold and high laughter fills Corden's head* You know what I want. And I'll expect nothing less.

CM: *The drive to be able to take care of his family is all that propels Corden now. Mandalorians have no word for hero. Every Mando is to be honorable and take care of his family and is vode. A Mando who doesn't do this is a coward. A hut'uun. It is the worst insult a Mandalorian can receive. Corden's resolve is absolute. He WILL take care of his family, he WILL remain honorable, and he WILL protect his vode. If not, then there is no point in living* *his voice becoming strong again* NO. You won't have her. I'll die before I hand her over to the likes of you. She's the reason I am doing this. It does me nothing to give her to you. Deal is off.

FA: *using the Force again to drive mental spikes into Corden's mind* You have wasted my time. Something I do not appreciate.

CM: *He screams out in pain, clutching at his head, curling up in a ball on the floor* NO! I won't give her up!

FA: *driving the spikes in further* Then you will die! *laughing evilly as he tortures Corden further* You are weak!

CM: *screaming louder, retreating into the recesses of his mind to escape the pain, putting up mental barriers and shutting everything else out* No *his voice weaker* You won't have her. Not while I'm alive.

FA: Your feeble defense attempts amuse me. Maybe I will let you live

CM: *gasping out the words as Fanrek continues the torture* I won't give her to you, no matter what

FA: I think you will Maximus. I think you will *A cold laugh before he withdraws his psychic presence completely, his laugh lingering in Corden's mind, a final whisper of "I know you will" before he disappears completely*

Yes, you will give her to me. I have seen it in the Force. You will give her to me, and I will raise her as my own. The Rule Of Two will be followed. One to have power, one to covet it. You should be proud Maximus, your daughter will soon be training under the most powerful Sith the galaxy has seen in centuries.

CM: *feeling @FanrekAndol end his psychic attack he lays exhausted on the floor, covered in sweat, a broken man* Boss was right, I am aruetii... *the thought echoes in his head as exhaustion takes over and he passes out, his cheek pressed into the durasteel plating of the floor. As Corden sleeps the ship continues on its course, bringing him ever closer to the man who just almost killed him* -end scene-