The grand ball

[Marcus DuBois]

Malik relished the scene before him. He could almost reach out and caress the tension in the air, it was that palpable. The full power of the Force coursing through him, the smell of adrenaline and sweat and fear filled his nostrils. So many levers and strings had been revealed this evening, especially after the attack began- the way some fled, who they left with (which was sometimes surprising), the way others stood about or looked. So many clandestine connections exposed. It was almost worth the pain he'd suffered.

Ascendancy was holding on to his temper by a hair. Malik could almost imagine a weave of fire- and given the amount of power the man held, it would be massive- exploding from him toward Nox, burning him to a crisp.

Nox had no sense of self preservation, especially with Malik holding the shield on him. He'd felt the man's weak attempts to break the shield and it shot a thrill of joy through him. A man rattling a cage in impotent rage. The control was complete.

Nox had to see death in Ascendancy's eyes and yet civility refused to come to his lips. Malik laughed to himself. That would have been whipped out of Nox by the third day in any of the homes Marcus had grown up in. His own body bore numerous scars that women sometimes asked about. The fool needed to be careful. Malik wanted him alive.

So...the Regus had a tablet or device that gave him control over ijiraq...That could be useful. The man had to die, of course, painfully for what he had done to Malik. But the device itself...the possibilities were endless. 

Marcus intruded with a mentat projection. Given the two experiences- and that they had been controlled- it seems likely that the ijiraq were used for things like assassination. Of Force users, obviously. Corollary: of non-users too. The ability to solidify and mist allow them easy access as well as provide protection. Analysis: The one that had controlled the woman from the Almaz spoke of humans with contempt. She
spoke of her horde. Conclusion: There is some sort of organizational structure to them. Perhaps it can be-

Malik shut him out and pushed Marcus away. None of that mattered now.

His eyes fell on the woman. She was covered in blood but her eyes glittered hatred instead of pain. Oh yes they did, pure fury shining from those glorious eyes, fires that sought to burn the world to a cinder. And Malik felt a stirring of....something deep within. The woman was glorious in her rage. It was something he knew all too well, that same look when he was out hunting, the Angel of Death bringing judgement to this world. There were times he wasn't sure he could contain it all. She bore watching. And knowing. A tight smile formed on Malik's face.

He turned to Caedus. "Ascendancy, I can take Nox to the facility for further questioning. The woman too, to make sure there is no further threat. If one of them is sedated, that is." He didn't know if he could hold two shields or if it was even possible. Malik had no interest in fumbling about in front of everyone.