Dominion A Promise Delivered (TSE Dominion of Huk)

[Lark]

Location: Forest of Huk
Objective: Discover the Sponsor
Nearby: Felix Astermo Mazrim Caide/Taim Darth Argentum Aerarii Tithe

Lark allowed the cool breeze to envelope him, listening to the sweet song the leaves of the wild made as they gently brushed against one another. It helped him focus, reign himself in before the mission began in earnest. He let the vainglorious words of the Muun drift into absolute nothingness, Sarrius' vitriol and impatience was left behind. The perceived cowardice of the Moff was not his burden to bear. And if the proud soldier wished to offer himself up to any traps, who was he to stop him?

He let out a soft breath, a hint of frost followed. No other thoughts distracted him. Now, only the mission mattered.

The Moff and The Muun, there was a novel waiting to be written somewhere in that, set off for the third of the standing pyramids. That was fine by Lark, let them wander. He'd have to trust in their ability to delve into the unknown, but this was not Lark's first time spelunking. Raiding tombs and crypts had once been a hobby for him, but he feared the guile of man perhaps more than he did the ancients. He knew not what awaited any of them in the depths below, absolute caution was necessary.

That didn't stop the miscommunication between the Sith. While Dansk and Tithe gleefully held hands and skipped over to the third pyramid, Mazrim Caide seemed content to draw out forces from within. Normally Lark wouldn't object to such a plan; he had been bait more than once and it could be rather fun at times. But none of them knew for certain whether the four structures were even connected. Maybe there was some sprawling maze that connected them all, maybe only one led to the sponsor. They could not let the sponsor get away, all of the structures had to be investigated just in case. Even that collapsed fourth one, which at least was unlikely to be used as an exit.

If Lark could prevent any detection while on the surface, he'd do so. He didn't want any alarms being triggered and alerting the sponsor hiding below. He gazed into the depths of the second pyramid, absolute darkness confronted him. His Svariff would be of no use down below, the little creature wasn't meant for the underground.

But that didn't mean it was useless. "I'm preparing to delve into the second pyramid," Lark whispered into the comms. "That leaves the first and the fourth collapsed structure, if a path even exists in those ruins. My Svariff will keep watch from above and ensure we're not surrounded and trapped within these halls."

 

[Mazrim Caide/Taim]

Caide sighs as his every suggestion is ignored. Figures. He moves towards the first structure, weapon raised and single eye flicking constantly, looking for threats or traps. His breathing however is perfectly even.

"Approaching first structure. Radio silence upon entry recommended, these places usually have comms detection."

he moves to within inches of the entrance...

Tags: Darth Argentum Lark Felix Astermo Aerarii Tithe

 

[Felix Astermo]

Location: Forest of Huk, Quartet of "Pyramids"
Objective II: Find a throat. Slit it. Relish in the bloodshed.
Writing With: Mazrim Caide/Taim | Aerarii Tithe | Darth Argentum | Lark
Post Number IV
---

So the others had gone with the Moff's plan - just as well, it was not for a mere soldier to question his superiors, even if said superior was a paper-pushing weasel of the sort that seemed so common in this new Empire.

Confused by the tracks leading towards the ruined pyramid as he was, he was caught off guard by the sudden flash of movement, so much so that only a lifetime of combat training saved him from losing his head to the shiny automaton.

A more mechanically inclined man might have recognised it as an Arkanian-made assassin droid, might have speculated delivery and supply lines.

Sarrius was none of those things, but if they wanted a distraction he would give them one.

Igniting his lightsaber, he surged forward, cutting through the surrounding foliage with abandon as they clashed again and again, the specialised alloys which made up the droid's blades beginning to glow red from repeated contact with a lightsaber; with a final flourish, his blade carved through the droid's chassis, a series of follow-ups reducing it to molten detritus unlikely to yield any intelligence of note.

Barely noticing the thin gash on his torso, he panted heavily from the exertion. Who would have thought a mere machine to be a worthy foe?

 

[Hont Atellies]

A Promise Delivered...
Primary Objective: Capture the Civilian Centre of the Huk.
Secondary Objective: Destroy the primary Huk Garrison.

“We have a problem, there seems to be a switch downstairs that allows us to override the changes.”

“And?”

“And that room is full of civilians, shouldn’t be a problem though, we can just kill them.”

“True.”

“Um... what did you just say?”

“Kill them all.”

“We’re pretty sure the is over three thousand...”

“Now.”

“You heard him, now.”

The room fell silent, and finally the soldier spoke up. His words shocked the soldiers in the room.

“Yes.”

The soldiers went back in the rooms, and readied there weapons. Agrippina went down to see it for herself.

Sabella De Vrais

 

[Aerarii Tithe]

Location: Four Mysterious Pyramids, Huk
Objective: II - Uncover the Sponsor
Kit: Skystas Rieve iv Tave Daboti Dvasi
Post: 4

---

“Yes indeed, for the Emperor,” Tithe mumbled in quiet chorus with Legionnaire Caide. The cowardly bureaucrat followed Apprentice Dansk toward the furthermost of the pyramids, his eyes darting around nervously for any signs of danger. According to the financial records he had found, the mysterious financier of the Huk made frequent use of this area to collect deliverers of high-end droid parts. He expected they would have encountered someone by now.

Aerarii and Maro clambered into the third pyramid. The small stone structure contain nothing of note beyond a single descending tunnel in the centre, which slowly angled down underground. Tithe examined the darkened passageway with a glowrod, trying unsuccessfully to dream up an excuse not to enter. Sensing that Maro was growing impatient with him, Aerarii gulped loudly and began following the tunnel.

The other members of the group reported in over comms, with Apprentice Daruna stopping to engage an attacking droid, which confirmed that at least they were at the right place.

The darkened tunnel, carved through the planets surface by mechanical means, wound around like a corkscrew as it descended. After a few minutes it opened up into a small chamber lit by a pair of small mining lamps, with each wall of the chamber opening up into a tunnel just like the one Tithe and Dansk had come through, coming to four in total. “Regardless of the journey, the destination is the same,” he commented to his Sith colleague. Faint flashes from glowrods suggested that the others were also approaching the main chamber via their respective tunnels.

On the floor in the middle of the chamber was a heavy metal hatch. Tithe crept close to the hatch and placed his ear on it. Two voices could be faintly heard on the other side - one belonging to a Huk, while the other was strange, distorted and mechanical.

The Moff stood up from the hatch and stepped back. He nodded to Dansk’s lightsaber. “If you would do the honours.” The lightsaber would make quick work of the hatch, and the Sith wielding it, along with the other members of the strike team, would be more than capable of dealing with any resistance on the other side. “I’ll, errr, I’ll call this one in. Yes, I'll alert command.” Aerarii stepped as far away as he could from the hatch, well clear of any danger.

---

Darth Argentum | Mazrim Caide/Taim | Felix Astermo | Lark​

 

[Talohn Atar]

The droid had already ghosted it's way to the door, and was waiting for the other two. It stood in it's stealth field silently. "Hurry..." Madlad mutters. They were on a timeframe after all. It continues using it's thermals to keep watch on the patrols through the base.

Talohn was working on the roof. This was very careful work to be sure. He had to calculate when the patrols nearby were near, and pause whenever they were. They couldn't see, but they could hear him. Whenever the patrols moved on, he would continue using his high impact laser to cut the steel roof, forming a square hole in the ceiling. Halfway through, he attaches a tether that digs into the metal, and then sticks the other end of the tether outside the square, so that the metal would end up suspended from the ceiling instead of clattering on the floor. With that done, he waits for a nother patrol to pass, and then finishes the cutting.

With the square done, the metal piece falls, the steel wire catching it, so it doesn't hit the floor. Down in the cell are the hostages, all confused by the sudden sight of daylight as they looked up at the cathar. "Hello there." He grins widely. He then takes out his comm and speaks to the droid. "I'm in. awaiting the other two. Tell me when it's time to move. I'll start making setups in here." With that, he jumps into the hole.

Ladybug Ingrid L'lerim

 

[Darth Argentum]

Objective 2: Aerarii Tithe Lark Mazrim Caide/Taim Felix Astermo

The Muun looked from the metal hatch to the Moff. He saw the reluctance and the hesitation. Apparently he was expected to be a one-being wrecking crew. But, unlike most apprentices, he didn't prefer a brute force approach.

Still, there was no other way than right through. His mouth drew into a frown.

"Ready your weapon, Moff," he said quietly as he unhooked his own. He thumbed the blade to life and it came to life with a hiss. Crimson light added to the mining lamps faint glow. It added a macabre quality, appearing to bathe the room in blood.

He approached the hatch without further comment. Thrusting the blade into the durasteel, he began to cut with the ease of a welding torch. The noise, smell and sudden appearance of a glowing rectangle was sure to draw attention. And so it did.

Voices were raised in alarm on the other side. Surely they were calling out for backup as the intrusion could only mean one thing. His expression was grim as he finished his work. More bodies to get in his way irritated him.

Maro fed his growing anger into the Force and thrust out with it. An outstretched palm sent the severed portion flying into the inner-chamber. He heard a distinctive crunch and the sparking of a droid destroyed as the metal crashed into a wall. It filled him with a small sense of satisfaction.

"Let's go!," he exclaimed as he ducked through the portal, lightsaber raised defensively....

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Ingrid L’lerim
The Red Witch; Emperor's right hand; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard​

Objective: Rescue Mission
Location: Surface, Huk
Equipment: Assassin armor with this look | sniper rifle | Black blade lightsaber | Red blade lightsaber shoto | 2x vibroblades | Stealth field generator | X-70B Phantom
Tag: Talohn Atar | Ladybug | Open

She allowed a smile under his helmet, no one saw it anyway. After that she only nods to Mikilanna. It seemed to her, however, that her companion would not be a deterrent, and it was good. Both of them can go outside easily. That was the easier part, the harder one just came. The telepathy was the best thing that happened to her since her hidden Force sensitive unfolded. It made every single thing, jog easier. She nodded to the answer, and when she realized the other woman can’t see it, she answered again.

”Okay, then let's move on” she replied mentally.

She saw a droid when she arrived in the area, Ingrid knows the droid can’t see her, not just the living things, but droids, machines, or scanners… they could not see or perceive either. So that was strange to her. What is the droid waiting for and who is it talking to? She did not consider it a person, just a thing, a tool, nothing more. Before she would have gone further, she stopped, and checked the droid once more.

”It’s acting very weird, would it be your partner?” she asked mentally from Mikilanna again.

She didn't want to reveal herself, so she let the other woman take care of it. The droid was too conspicuous to her. The droids can’t wait just like that in a random place. At least as far as she knows this. But one thing was more important than a conspicuous droid, save the hostages…

​

 

[Ladybug]

Objective: Hostage Rescue
Post: 5
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim . Talohn Atar


The appearance of the droid meant the mission was going along smoothly. So far, so good. The insectoids were unaware of the rescue mission, and when they finally discover they lost their precious leverage; internal strife would ensue. Angrily, they would seek revenge and if the Cathar's plan worked as well as he detailed, then the hostages and their saviors would be long departed from the compound. Through their mental link, Mikilanna replied, "Not my partner. The Cathar's droid."

With no active cameras or patrolling guards in this area, Mikilanna deactivated the stealth field generator; addressing the droid. "Madlad," she said turning to the other Sith, "Is the droids name. If he's here, then we must move quickly. It seems you and I are slightly behind schedule."

Returning back to the land of invisibility, she allowed the droid to lead her to the chamber where the prisoners awaited. It was odd, she though, that the area lacked any roaming patrols. It was to abandoned for her tastes. The insectoids, one would assume, would guard this section far closely; not loosely as it appeared. The way the section was designed, there was little to nothing from which an ambush could be laid. Still, something was wrong.

"Something is off," she said mentally to her fellow Sith, "The lack of patrols, the lack of guards, the lack of any proper defensive measures to prevent a rescue does not make sense."

 

[Lark]

Location: Within the pyramids on Huk
Objective: Locate the Sponsor
Allies Nearby: Aerarii Tithe Darth Argentum Felix Astermo Mazrim Caide/Taim

As it would turn out, Lark's suspicions were proven false. The spiraling staircases all led to the same location, but it was still better safe than sorry. The sponsor could anticipate their arrival and sneak away during the chaos, it was best to have all possible escape routes secured. But that didn't mean the path down was safe, far from it. A broken assassin droid sparked and died at his feet, and navigating around a series of well-placed turrets made his descent take a bit longer than he had intended. The Moff was right, whoever this sponsor was, they took every precaution they could in an attempt to stop the Sith from discovering their identity.

Lark couldn't tell whether the sponsor reeked of paranoia or caution. Paranoid people made mistakes, a calm but wary mind was much trickier to deal with. Was this the extent of the traps laid out? Or did more await them within?

By the time Lark reached the room that connected all four staircases, the Munn had already begun his entry into the meeting area. Voices raised alarm, the young acolyte sighed as he realized they couldn't indiscriminately mow down the dozen or so people within. They still had not ascertained the identity of the sponsor, they could not afford to cause a single loss of life. Lark didn't mind, it just made the job a bit more difficult. He hoped his allies were capable of the same restraint.

As soon as Dansk sent the wall flying in, a myriad of gunfire erupted, echoing within the halls. Droids, hired thugs, and Yam'rii soldiers quickly confronted the Sith, and Lark took a brief moment to assess the battlefield. Eyes accustomed to reading the room sought not those engaged in the firefight, but those shrinking away. And there, in the middle of the room, Lark saw the shadow of a figure reach for a minuscule item in their pocket, and brought it towards their mouth.

Lark reacted instantly, crushing the person's hand with the force. Wrist bones broke as a poisonous pellet fell to the ground, was this the sponsor attempting to kill themselves before the Sith could detain them? A few thugs and droids turned towards the presumed sponsor, pointing their weapons towards them. Whoever this person was must have given orders that they die before being captured. "There," Lark said, ensuring the others saw what was happening. "Don't let anyone escape, and don't let them execute him!"

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Location: Huk
Objective: War On The Land

The fighting had been fiercest where the Emperor disappeared into the smog of war, the bodies of both sides littering the soil freshly seeded with blood and tears. The uncontrollable fire spread among the rubble, creating a hellscape of twisted metal and vitrified stone. A heavy artillery bombardment blanketed the Huk's forward positions as the Imperial Legion pushed forward, grinding everything in their path to dust and ruin. Starfighters strafed the lines, unleashing devastating laser barrages or letting loose a fusillade of missiles to break apart enemy formations.​

​

And far ahead of the front, deep in enemy territory, was the Sith Emperor. He had divorced himself from his supply lines, willingly throwing himself into the vornskr's jaws to indiscriminately slaughter the enemies of the Empire. Lightsaber and runeblade lashed out in equal measure, slicing apart the insectoid Huk as they drifted into range.​

​

By the time he had finished, he stood knee-deep in the bodies of those that had been cleaved by his hand.​

​

And ahead of him, a precise orbital bombardment vaporized the heart of the Huk resistance in the field. A heavy cloud of super-heated air rising over the horizon like a macabre grave marker. Seeing that the battle was all but won, the Emperor turned away from what remained of the broken Huk lines to officialized the final orders for the planet's conquest.​

 

[Mazrim Caide/Taim]

The second he hears gunfire Caide reroutes, sprinting towards it. Arriving on the scene, he goes to work, his blaster erupting like a fountain of death as he expertly changes levels and moves from cover to cover, operating with the cold calculated efficiency of a veteran, constantly moving closer until he can initiate close combat. As he does, he starts weaving in and out, beating down opponent after opponent with his bare hands and any weapons he happened to find on the mangled corpses he created. This was a basic legionnaire?

Tags: Felix Astermo Lark Darth Argentum Aerarii Tithe

 

[Felix Astermo]

Location: Forest of Huk, Quartet of "Pyramids"
Objective II: Find a throat. Slit it. Relish in the bloodshed.
Writing With: Mazrim Caide/Taim | Aerarii Tithe | Darth Argentum | Lark
Post Number V
---

Ignoring his mild injury for now, the Pureblood pressed on, discovering a hidden passageway in the side of the ruined pyramid - mechanical work, pretty shiny. Not the first time this place had been used.

Making his way down the stairway with only minor difficulties, a toothy smile overtook his features as he beheld a battle - to think that a mere Legionnaire was shedding more blood than him, this simply would not do.

Gaze snapping to the maybe-Sponsor and the droids and thugs attempting to terminate him rather than allow him to be captured, Sarrius thrust out his hand on instinct, causing a blaster to be pushed to the side at the last moment, catching one of the ruffians in the chest. At the same time, his other hand shot forward, sending his crimson lightsaber arcing through the maybe-Sponsor's would-be-killers.

"There is no escape, not even in death!"

 

[Talohn Atar]

"Ah, Little sith, and a friend. Glad you made it, we're on a limited timeframe." The droid speaks, gesturing for them to make their way over to the door. The droid looks different from last time, covered in camouflage patterned paint. The droid points to a panel beside the door into the cell. "There is a lack of patrols directly by the door, but that's because they don't need it. Even from their main console, I couldn't override the security on this door, it's a separate system. I can slice it open, but the second I do, alarms will go off. So we'll need to lock the door shut and hold out until extraction, which one of you will call, arrives to take all the hostages out through a hole we discreetly cut in the roof." He states, pointing upward. "So whenever you're ready, I'll slice the door, we get inside, and lock it shut. Talohn's already in the room making some preparations."

Talohn is indeed in the room, making prep. So many goodies are coming from that satchel of his. He starts off by welding little mechanisms he made to the walls on both sides of the door, smoke grenade tripmines. The grenades are set off when someone walks through them. He also sets some regular mines in the doorway, pouring the bottle of oil on the floor he brought with him over said mines so a wall of fire would be created in the doorway when the enemy breaches. Finally, he takes out what looks like a big black metal brick. The cather puts the brick down on the ground in the middle of the chamber, and begins stretching it outwards so it's about 8 feet long. He then pulls it upwards, forming a rectangular frame. Now that the frame is formed, he taps a button on his wrist pad, and the shield comes to life within the rectangle. Instant cover it seems. The hostages watch in pure confusion. All the traps on the door have yet to be activated, and would only be activated after Madlad brings the other two inside.

Ladybug Ingrid L'lerim

 

[Hont Atellies]

A Promise Delivered...
Primary Objective: Capture the Civilian Centre of the Huk.
Secondary Objective: Destroy the primary Huk Garrison.

The screams meant nothing. They had turned the sectors robots into war machines for the Sith Empire. They marched towards the garrison, and would leave no survivors.

Hont and Aggripina were forced to head off the planet so that the officials in charge could take over. Hont’s holo projector started making beeping sounds, he opened and saw an imperial strategos, the one who ordered them into the fray in the first place.

“Hont Atellies, you single handily commanded a legion of Sith legionaries, greenhorns in fact, and fought valiantly in the face of overwhelming odds. And most importantly, you won. Congratulations, I have been instructed to give a serious promotion for your actions, Prefect Atellies, you are now my Prefect, and your friend Aggripina will serve as a Sentinel now. Don’t let this get over your head.”

“Yes Strategos!”

“Now, have a long deserved rest from that hellhole.”

Hont was speechless, but knew that he had so much more to do. He knew that he now was quite important to the legion he served in, and would continue to serve the Empire until his last breath.

Sabella De Vrais

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Ingrid L’lerim
The Red Witch; Emperor's right hand; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard​

Objective: Rescue Mission
Location: Surface, Huk
Equipment: Assassin armor with this look | sniper rifle | Black blade lightsaber | Red blade lightsaber shoto | 2x vibroblades | Stealth field generator | X-70B Phantom
Tag: Talohn Atar | Ladybug | Open

Although it was not visible, Ingrid nodded Mikilanna’s answer. Good to know. But even so, she let the woman take care of the droid, for apparently they knew each other. Ingrid listened to what the droid said, too complicated. Do they really have that much time? The lack of patrols, and the lack of guards she noticed too. They saw only two guards when they came inside the building. Something was wrong, she had a bad feeling about this. So she answers quickly to her fellow Sith.

”Totally agree. I think they know we’re coming or that we’re here, the whole place can be a trap” she replied mentally to Mikilanna. ”I wouldn’t be surprised if everything was gassed in minutes. We have to move quickly!”

The gas wouldn't bother her at all, because she was in such armor that it didn't affect her, but she didn't know the others. And if they will do this, maybe the hostages will not survive that. She still didn't reveal herself, but she did what the droid said.

”Do it quickly, maybe we don’t have too much time!” she said silently.

If the droid opens the door, she will not go to the room yet, then only for the last time, but in the meantime she tries to keep an eye on the environment because, as the other woman said, something was really wrong. And Ingrid was really not sure they would not be attacked in any way.

​