A Light in the Dark | Galactic Alliance Hex Dominion of Tython

[Shamira Karuto]

Tython
The Jedi Academy Ruins
[member="Rhen Qel-Droma"]

“And sometimes we would rather /not/ walk in their footsteps. The sins of our fathers…” Shamira shrugged lightly, smiling sadly up at the taller jedi knight as they continued to walk.
It didn’t take the grizzled man telling her that they were close to figure it out. Two massive statues, covered in overflowing green moss and vines, stood at the entrance of the Temple’s old outer gardens.
Shamira rushed forward, ahead of the group, into the overrun garden. Books that had pictures of the Temple when it was fully functioning showed this as a massive orchard, full of beautiful flowers and gorgeous places to meditate. If one looked hard enough, it was easy to find little flowers, attempting to grow their way through the cutting vines.
With a gloved hand, the togruta reached forward to pluck a pink flower, with three gorgeous pink and yellow petals, proceeding to stick it in her cloak pocket. Looking back, she motioned the group forward excitedly. “C’mon! We’re almost there!”

 

[Aeri Vyn]

AARGAU
ARCENEAU TRADE COMPANY
[member="Pella Vun"] [member="Nathanos Darksword"]

Those pearly white shone up at the Nautolan female. Well, at least she cut to the chase. In that, Aeri was reminded of Danger. The woman was known for her courtesy and her ability to make anyone feel at home while conducting business, but she would generally cut to the chase.

"I'm interested," she admitted, their lift coming to a slow stop. As the doors gave a slow hiss open, she gestured for the woman to step through.

"But you can't fault me for asking questions." a small beep from her comm came. It was a message indicating that the SoroSuub Deputy Director was on his way and would be arriving soon.

"Mainly because I have the Deputy Director of Soro Suub on his way -- have you met him?" quickly, Aeri sent a message to Noire so that she would be ready to meet him when he arrived.

 

[Rhen Qel-Droma]

Tython
The Jedi Academy Ruins
@Shamira Karuto

There was something there behind the Togruta's dark gaze. It made Rhen wonder. He slowed his step, pondering on this and her commentary. Sins of our fathers?

Interesting.

Was there history there about her Mandalorian heritage that bothered her? Perhaps a discussion for elsewhere. How she had changed the subject so as to dark forward towards the overrun path that leads towards the main ruins of the Jedi Academy only convinced him further.

"Everyone careful. It has been some time since anyone has set foot here -- we do not know what we may find."

As the expedition drew closer, beyond the tangle of vines and thick fronds, the mist would reveal the weathered stone ruins. Broken arches amidst the trees. Below them, the cracked stone paths lead towards the broken dome of what had once been the atrium.

Coming to a slow stop, Rhen took a deep breath, taking it all in.

"There it is."

Or what was left of it. Yet there was beauty in the ruins. It was hope.

 

[Miel Tevv]

Location: Aargau, Arceneau Trade Company
Objective: Begin Aargau Expansion
Allies: Galactic Alliance, [member="Aeri Vyn"], [member="Pella Vun"]
Post: 10 (SoroSuub: 5) [member="Arieth zh'Vranthi"]

Alliance Shuttle
Arceneau Private Landing Pad

As Nathanos had suspected, the Greater Fool's captain had relayed that while traffic control had been reluctant about confirming the SoroSuub registered vessel's landing clearance, once they had forwarded a travel itinerary that included the name Arceneau, apparently it had gotten far enough down the chain that someone with some corporate savvy on the banking world had eagerly passed along their approval. At over fifty meters long the extravagant yacht had elected to set down at the nearest spaceport to the Trade Company's planetary headquarters, Director Darksword had been forced to endure the relative indignity of an atmospheric separation as the stripped down and unarmed U-Wing emerged from one of the vessel's tiny little hangar bays.

Still, arriving by private shuttle was one of those minor displays of opulence that were all too common in terms of corporate tactics, and particularly in a meeting like this it was more about saving face amongst his peers than any real convenience. While to those less cultured than Nathanos, the short ride over from the spaceport would seem like too minor a delay, but on the way down he had learned that an Incom representative was on site, and the notion of just showing up at their front door become even more abhorrent.

Yet as he exited the small craft and began warm introductions with a representative of the company who introduced herself as Noire, he struggled not to show any signs of growing physical discomfort. While by now he had mostly come down from the lethargic stage of the glitterstim high, the aftereffects mixed with a turbulent last leg of his voyage were wreaking havoc with his system. Still he pressed on, politely asking permission to light a cigarra as they walked and even offering to wait and smoke it outside if it offended them to have the smoke and odor on the premises. With any luck, they would offer him some alcohol, which might better serve to calm his nerves.

"You said I would be meeting with a Miss Vyn?" Director Darksword asked the woman Noire. Still reeling from the glitterstim, he wasn't entirely sure she had said that, at least out loud, but hazarded a guess that she had, "I can wait, if I'm interrupting her schedule. You've already shown us much kindness in seeing us down so quickly."

 

[Shamira Karuto]

Tython
The Jedi Academy Ruins
[member="Rhen Qel-Droma"]

Shamira waited until the rest of the group finally caught up, everyone moving at a leisurely, slow pace. She made sure to pick a few other, multicolored flowers until they got there, putting them all in the pockets of her cloak.
When Master Rhen gave out his warning, the Togruta nodded, flipping her hood down, and pulling her lightsaber off her belt. She didn’t bother igniting it yet. There wasn’t any immediately danger, just the possibility. And knowing her reaction time might be slower than the grizzled jedi knight, she wanted a head start if need be.
Looking up with the master, Shamira couldn’t help but smile widley at the old ruins of the Temple. They had made it. The absolute beauty of it all. Everything about it radiated beauty. And she couldn’t wait to start the reclamation of it all. Perhaps she’d even ask for a transfer here. She had already seen a few wonderful meditation spots along the way.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Objective: BYOO (Study the Flesh Raiders)
Location: Tython, Tythos Ridge
Post: 8

"My Lady, we have logged our recordings of their advance to the database, along with some analysis."

Taeli smiled as the commander of her Wights reported in. The advance on the research station had been blunted by the Wights' hit and run attacks... and partially causing a rock slide that buried a great many of the Flesh Raiders and their thralled creatures. She was curious how they had enthralled some of the native creatures to fight for them, just something else for her to study. Her Wights had captured the chieftan and he was already on a transport to Horizon Station. They found a curious black liquid on many of the corpses and captured mutants, along with caches of it back in the campsite.

From what she had gathered from observing a small sample, it was some sort of elixir to enhance aggression even more. Further tests would be needed to be run... and perhaps improve the formula. Several ideas had sprung to mind from this little expedition, and now the Alliance and Jedi would have more data on the Flesh Raiders. The studies would continue, both official and unofficial.

"Thank you, Commander. Bring your team back to base, we're going to be moving base."

"As you command, my Lady."

Taeli leaned back in her seat, pondering the origins of the Flesh Raiders. She doubted that any of the creatures were of Rakata of higher caste. No, it was likely that the ancient dark siders had changed lower caste and criminals into the first Flesh Raiders to be front-line soldiers. A cruel, but effective, tool.

 

[Oros]

Objective: Alsakan Unrest
Post: 11
[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

"Justicar Voidstalker," a robotic sounding voice echoed in the Jedi's auditory implants, "This is Knight Oros, aboard the Aryx. I have been assigned to the Scarred and several other teams in the area to provide operational oversight and render assistance."

Telepathic in nature, the Celegian often had issues with most standard comm devices. And while theoretically feasible, not only would the strain of communicating with Trextan from orbit through the Force while aboard the Subversion-class Carrier tax him unnecessarily, it could also tip off any rogue Darksiders operating on the planet as to their presence on the scene. The crew of the SIS carrier had jury rigged a text-to-speech device he could telepathically instruct to communicate with the Scarred and other Justicar led teams down on Alsakan's surface through more mundane means.

"I suggest your team proceeds on a course that will take you to the Xenvaer Civic Auditorium. Whether or not rogue Sith are involved in what is happening here, any leadership to be found among all this anarchy is most likely going to be concentrated there," the wise old Jedi Knight's surrogate voice continued, "I can upload directions to you from here, as well as track hotspots of armed agitators in your vicinity. Would you prefer to avoid when possible, or engage?"

Oros had a feeling he already knew the answer.

 

[Xandyr Carrick]

[member="Zark"]

"We're the big target now," Vilin replied. He sighed and out slightly more weight on his cane. His bridge crew would have picked up the change in the sound it made and become aware that he was entering a more pensive mood.

"When you're small the big fish sometimes doesn't see you. It gives you room to maneuver and strike it where it is weakest. That was us when we were on the Rim. Now everyone wants to take a shot. That sad, insane king on Atrisia who was given a crown by the Sith. Conflict with the First Order was inevitable. The Sith are scattered but growing in power. If they rally behind a single one we'll have to weather the storm before they stab each other in the back and slink back to the shadows. Who knows what the mandalorians are doing these days. It won't be long before one of their clans decides to try and bite a chunk out of us just as an excuse to flex some muscles in front of the other clans."

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

[member="Oros"]

Trextan touched a finger to his ear as he walked. The flow of the Force danced in a turbulent flow here. All the violence, the strong emotions, they churned it up. Trextan had to close his mind off to an extent just to keep it from affecting his judgement.

"I would rather avoid any... Delays. One moment please."

Ahead of them the road was blocked by several overturned landspeeders. Trextan caught a hand signal from one of his team and took cover. He could see shapes moving on the other side of the makeshift barricade.

Someone in a mask stood tall over it and shouted out: "pay the toll to enter the street!"

"We don't have time for this," Trextan whispered.

"Could be more than a few there," Raun replied.

"Stay here, and don't shoot unless say," Trextan whispered before stepping out into the street.

He walked out with his arms held out wide. Two more bodies appeared and trained rifled on him. He couldn't make out any faces but he could sense their nerves. They were on edge. Unfortunately diplomacy had never been his strength.

"We'll be going around your street then!"

"Gotta pay now. Don't matter!"

"What's the charge?"

"A week of food or two rifles!"

Trextan had neither to spare. "Can't pay that," he called back. His response was a single blaster bolt. The Force was with Trextan and he rolled his shoulder letting it pass by harmlessly. He had hoped the Alliance or Jedi Justicar, or even his lightsaber would have been enough.

"Pay or die!"

Trextan closed his eyes. Ever since Skor his powers had been growing rapidly. Months ago this would have seemed impossible. It made Jacen nervous he had noticed. To see his son with perhaps more raw power than the marshal possessed, yet only a fraction of the control. The four landspeeders rose up in one smooth motion and then rearranged themselves on the roadside. The six gang members were left standing in the open on wooden crates.

"We're not paying."

"Okay then."

"As I was saying, the fastest route that avoids any delays please Oros."

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Post: 12
[member="Vilin"]

"Atrisia," he echoed, exhaling heavily at the mere mention of the Mad King Mythos brought him back to that day, "That's when everything started to change, isn't it? When we changed..."

He trailed off, pausing to fumble a pack of cigarras out of his belt pockets and, upon receiving a nod of assent from the Devaronian, lit up the mild narcotic at a respectful distance from the older man and likely in several violations of Senate District street ordinances. The two stood not far from the Commodore's shuttle, now people watching in silence interspersed by the occasional notes of their conversation. Zark could not read the indecipherable features of the old sea dog to discern what he was thinking, and would consider it in extremely poor taste to say the least to use his super-cognitive abilities to pry in the other's mind, but for his own part he struggled to process the wave of traumatic emotions that flooded over him as he recalled the events of that day, and attempted to find his center through it all.

Vilin had been there as well, there could be no doubt that he spoke with some authority. But the Devaronian had spent much of the Battle on the outer edge of the Atrisia system, dealing with the aftermath as his reinforcements had arrived to a situated already almost entirely out of control. But Zark had been there from the beginning, one of the first responders, and he had gotten a front row seat to one of the most horrifying shows in the galaxy as he had helped Admiral Tevv prosecute the fight from orbit. Tevv, the wily old Sullustan, had actually had a heart attack in the middle of the debacle. And Zark...he had lost half his fleet and thousands of souls under his direct command in a matter of seconds when the Force storms had first hit, and as both Rogue Squadron and the remnants of his task force fought back some sort of terror from beyond, he had lost something else...

"Before that Force forsaken day, we were still the saviors of the galaxy. The vanquishers of the One Sith," he chuckled. It was how it had been when he had first joined up, anyway, "And now? We're meddlers. Invaders, imperialists, crusaders, fanatics. How short people's memories can be...they forget too quickly what real tyrants look like, and that more than anything is the greatest advantage both this upstart First Order in the south and this Imperial remnant in the core possess. They promise people a better way, even if its the same one that's been tried and tried again. The only way to get peace and order is to work for it, when will they learn?"

At some point, Zark realized he had been ranting, and self-consciously he noticed his hands begin to tremble when the cigarra started shuddering in his fingers.

"Sorry," he said in a much lower, more apologetic tone, "I lost my balance there for a second."