Act III: Insurrection

[Phobos]

Fear like a blanket lay over this world, how delightful it felt to the mind of Phobos, a lord of fear and nightmares. There was simply nothing he enjoyed more then opening the mind of the little mortals and parading their very greatest fears in front of them, and in truth he was the very thing nightmares were born of, and he used his grim powers with glee. Stretching out his powers he toyed with the forces of the resistance, rats hiding intunnels and sewers simply waiting for the exterminator.

If it was up to Phobos this battle would never end, their minds were like toys to him, and how he fed on their terror. His brother was the warrior, and right hand to his father, fools the both of them. He alone truly understood what was needed to defeat this enemy, and that was why he was the gatekeeper of Kaa Fortress, and none would pass by watch. Stretching a clawed hand up the transcendent watched the flesh burn and crack along his leathery skin even as it regrew. Stretching his powers out to the forces of rebels he laughed and slowly moved through their minds finding their fears as he prepared himself to feast on their terror.
@[member="Mandalore the Insurgent"]

 

[Lucas Burke]

Rebel - Tunnels

Lucas's eyes darted across the room, noticing the rather diverse group gathered there. In any other circumstances, he'd probably have standing orders to shoot a few of them on sight, but considering the situation... For now, it seemed that the best idea was to help with this effort to save Mandalore from, well, whatever is going on out there. After all, Lucas had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to leave the planet while it's a warzone like this anyways.

"Ah, kriff it. I'll fight, too."

@All Rebels

 

[Break]

Break traveled slowly through the streets he found his target. Stardust , the twilek had nobody around her leaving her open for an attack his droid body would give him the edge of surprise over his prey he crept up on her slowly then used his superior strength to jump into the air and hit her from above. A downward strike to the skull would kill her quickly. That would appease the small voice in the back of his mind. A demonic smile would creep across his face his eyes a deep Indigo.

@Rolland CZ M1 002 @stardust

 

[Rasu Gan]

REBEL - STREETS

Seeing Sochi counter their past Master's choke hold, she ran over to the group, lightsabers ignited and in hand as she looked out at their opponents. She still had no idea what was going on, but she planned to find out. Marek was a good person, Rasu knew that better than anyone, which was why she was so shocked to find him like this. No Jedi was suddenly good one day and then bad the next. Someone else's hand was at work here, and she was going to find out who's and stop them.

Looking over to her friend, she placed a hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?" she asked, concerned for the Togruta's safety. Rasu had no idea how long her friend had been fighting or if she even knew what was going on, but she could hold in her questions until their ordeal was over. A slight tug caught her attention, causing her to turn around to find the source. No one was there, which led her to believe that it was perhaps some mental calling, drawing them to the source. Stretching out with her awareness, she narrowed the location down to a tower some few streets away, it was there that the caller was attracting them too. Turning back to Marek, she brought her blades up again, knowing that the sooner they dealt with their Master, the sooner they could get to the one summoning them from the Tower.


@Boolon Murr @Syn @Sochi Ru @Marek S'hadar @Drake Blackwood @HK-36 @Alen Na'Varro @Saran Drast @[member="Ket Van Derveld"]

 

[Aran Finn]

TOWER - KURSED

@[member="Ket Van Derveld"]

"Come now, Na'Varro. I expect more than simple martial arts maneuvers from someone like you."

"You must have missed the memo about simple martial arts maneuvers being the most effective." Alen grinned, though his eyes tingled with fury. Van Derveld was possibly the most powerful adversary he had ever faced and worthy of respect, however, in this moment the Dark Jedi Master hated his guts. This fueled him on to greater power and the glory of victory. He would not relent until it was so. "But apparently we're throwing spinning shiff now."

Na'Varro was reaching down into the core of his emotions, bringing the Dark Side raging through his body like a torrent of white water. He was on another plane; intense power mixed with unparalleled focus. There was only he, Van Derveld, their blades, and victory or defeat. Victory was Na'Varro's drug, especially while Kursed. He would leave the Sith broken at his feet, or he would die trying. No relenting, no folding, no quitting. Just life and death. Na'Varro exalted in his level of power, drawing his rage inward while maintaining control. There was a dark euphoria that he was accessing now, a deeper, warmer level of darkness. He could not match Van Derveld power level for power level, but in the realm of dueling, he was a tough proposition for anyone.

Alen did not re-ignite his second blade. Truth be told, his style preferred the use of one. He was adept in defence and the two-handed grip he employed increased the power he could exert with his strokeplay. He could hang with Van Derveld's two-bladed attacks if he was smart and technical. In fact, his one-blade approach could be seen as a boon in this instance. Two blades meant an increase in the amount of attacks doubled with an increase in available angles, but the truth was it limited shoulder mobility and weakened the practitioner's ability to hold the centre line. The path to victory for Na'Varro did not lie through flanking ... he needed to go through Van Derveld's weakened centre.

As Van Derveld flurried, Na'Varro gave ground, his crimson blade only intercepting attacks that his body could not avoid. However, his body remained centred, allowing Van Derveld to do most of the work. Sweat dripped as his blade worked furiously ... a few times the Sith's attacks were too fast, singeing Alen's armourless frame, though his basic knowledge and application of Tutaminis cut down on the level of damage. He controlled his pain with the Force, knowing that the three flesh wounds (left shoulders, right rib, left thigh) he received were merely means to an end. The wounds would accumulate later, but for now he refused to be slowed.

Momentum was key to Djem So dueling, and so he looked to reverse it. He stepped in to Van Derveld's next attack, blocking the Sith's right saber close to his chest and stepping past and through his guard. As he did so he raised a Force Shield, his specialty, and used it like a jackhammer, attempting to ram Van Derveld with a wall of Force energy. Having dished this particular attack out many times and having been on the receiving end just as many, Na'Varro knew how devastating it could be if done properly.

 

[Kira Talith]

@Melantha @Mandalore the Insurgent @Preliat Mantis @Gilamar Skirata @Siobhan Kerrigan @Kira Liadain @Strider Garon @Macrosoft Mack @E'vi Sohl @Meraal Vaun @Lucas Burke @Others with me
REBELS IN THE TUNNELS!

Kira gave a small tap to Vulp's shoulder, a faint smile gracing her chapped lips in gratitude, but none the less relaying that she should be okay on her feet now. Now there was a familiar face. The Former Exarch Siobhan Kerrigan. If there was anyone who could bring down the proverbial house, it was her.

A faint thought came to mind that mulled over the last time she recalled Siobhan at Mandalore...wrecking havoc. She was unable to hide her grin.

However, more pertinent questions came, ones that the brunette asked the melodic voice lady.

"Yeah... something tells me we are not just dealing with another OMNI strike." she said with a wisecrack joke.

Luck would have it if no one else around her knew what she was talking about.

 

[Evi Sohl]

REBEL - TUNNELS

@[member="Melantha"] @Mandalore the Insurgent @Preliat Mantis @Gilamar Skirata @Siobhan Kerrigan @Kira Liadain @Strider Garon @Macrosoft Mack @Meraal Vaun @Lucas Burke

"This...this is home. For that alone I would have aided you. I will fight." E'vi added, pitching her voice to be heard from where she stood, off to the side.

There were faces here that she recognized. Wondering, she looked toward Strider and Gilamar. Were they the ones that she knew or were they...different? And if they were here, where was her son? E'vi swallowed hard and kept her exterior the hardened warrior's mien that she was known for. Her internal struggle meant nothing to the greater purpose here.

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

star sensed @[member="Break"] behind her and jumped firward rolling and igniting her purple saber and greem saber looking at him"just couldnt stay nice could you"star said as she stood
@[member="Rolland CZ M1 002"]

 

[Anya Venari]

@Mandalore the Insurgent @Preliat Mantis @Gilamar Skirata @Siobhan Kerrigan @Kira Liadain @Strider Garon @Macrosoft Mack @E'vi Sohl @Meraal Vaun @Lucas Burke @Others with me
Melantha looked around. They seemed willing. This was good. More was needed though.
“We are all that is left. All of them have fallen before…Her. The Republic, the Jedi, Sith, Protectorate…all of them. Just the Mandalorians endure, and barely. She has sent her greatest warlord to finish the conquest of this world. He will not stop until every rebel to Her is destroyed, or worse…Kursed. Who is She? She…is Akala…the terrible Mistress of the Stars. She has brought ruin and carnage across the galaxy, and this is the last defence, the final redoubt.”

She sighed, and for the first time she unbent a little. “I need your help, each one of you, or else we are doomed.”

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Kira Liadain"]

"Oh, if it was we'd constantly be hearing someone declaring 'assuming direct control', 'bend to me', 'all organics must be processed'. And see legions upon legions of Maelion and Moira-like HRDs," Siobhan quipped, for she did actually know what Kira was talking about and apparently shared the Jedi's penchant for making lame jokes.

Come to think of it...maybe she should actually check up on what 'all organics must be processed' Maelion and Moira, whom she knew to be an HRD since the exterminatus of the Bando Gora on Gehenna, were doing. Ah, well, whatever. One world-ending apocalypse at a time. After all, here and there she needed time for a break, otherwise those servant girls and Tegaea would feel upset at her absence.

However, she actually managed to turn serious after she heard @[member="Melantha"] speak. Thoughts raced through her mind. All powers...gone except the Mandalorians. Her first thought was...what had become of Tegaea? Was she...dead or...worse...Kursed? What had become of Anya, Kaeshana? If this was some weird bizarro future whatever thing...what was this version's Siobhan doing?

Briefly she was silent as these thoughts overtook her, those about Tegaea chief on her mind. Everything, everyone else was...less important. Then she forced them out. Siobhan could worry and agonise, Butcher Kerrigan was incapable of that, of anything except murder and she was quite good at that. "I'm in," she said simply. Nothing else needed to be said.

 

[Strider Garon]

Rebels/ Tunnels
Strider quickly Noticed the beautiful blond and made no hesitation to walk up to her. He wore his old battered armor, his helmet off and cradled in his left arm. "Well cyar'ika!" he intruded upon her, not noticing what she had said earlier " This could be the end of the galaxy. And i have to say, before such a thing happens you mind giving a old man a kiss? I will die i battle, no doubt in this. But I would die happy knowing that a beautiful woman such as you gave an old man some hope" There was still a hound in the old man, though back in the old days he may of asked for more. THere was no harm in asking, the worse she could do was put the old man out of his misery..... wasn't that bad of a thought.
@[member="Kira Liadain"]

 

[Commander Lusk]

Revenge was a very powerful thing, it drive people to do things, crazy things. But vengeance would have to wait, right now a team member needed him. Watching everything progress Rolland jumped down from a four story building and landed on the ground with large thud. He had survived falls from two thousand feet this was nothing. "No." running up Rolland had his standard fear slung around him as he made his way up to break quickly his fist behind him as he gained momentum for what was about to go down. Moving into a haymaker Rolland's fist collided with Break's attack. Heavy plate armor in front of augmented muscle and bone would be enough to stop the inertia of his attack. The beemon package in his brain would allow him to ignore the paid of the hard hit and keep fighting.

With one hand connected to Break's attack the two held their positions as the glass from buildings around them shattered. Looking dead into break's eyes was the skull plastered on the man's helmet. With his left arm he reached down and grabbed the heavy slug throwing pistol around his thigh and unloaded a clip towards the HRD's chest. He wasn't here to play around or hold back. He wouldn't let another czar die on his watch ever again. @[member="Break"] @[member="stardust"]

 

[Mother Askani]

REBEL - STREETS

Sochi looked up at the girl. She recognized her the most, she wondered why it was so easy to identify her than any one else. It was her friend Rasu, and she was very content with seeing her, she couldn't have arrived at a better time. Glad to see more allies than enemies, of the surprising nature that is. She smiled, "Rasu! I'm so glad to see you well and in good health." She said talking to the Shi'ido. "I have no idea where we are, or what's going on." She followed up. She turned to find the Padawan that she was with before, he seemed to be out of the fray of battle for now. She turned to face her master standing next to Rasu. She brought up her cerulean blade, and prepared herself for anything.

@[member="Rasu Gan"] @[member="Alen Na'Varro"] @[member="Drake Blackwood"] @[member="Ket Van Derveld"] @[member="Boolon Murr"] @[member="Syn"] @[member="Saran Drast"] @HK - 36 @[member="Marek S'hadar"]

 

[Kira Talith]

@Melantha @Mandalore the Insurgent @Preliat Mantis @Gilamar Skirata @Siobhan Kerrigan @Kira Liadain @Strider Garon @Macrosoft Mack @E'vi Sohl @Meraal Vaun @Lucas Burke @Others with me

REBELS IN THE TUNNELS!

Ahh finally! Someone with a sense of humor! Thought the Lorrdian. Well, lame sense of humor, none the less, it was a kinship. It was apparently the end of the galaxy as they knew it -- might as well have a couple of laughs while they were at it. Enter wink at Siobhan's direction.

Then a strange man wanted to get up close and personal. Something about a kiss. Ahhh.. no. Her reply was a faint glare, and an expression that said 'focus!'

Brushing her blonde hair from her bloody and grimey face, Kira asked @Melantha , "What do you mean... Kursed?"

 

[Macrosoft Mack]

@[member="Mandalore the Insurgent"] @[member="Preliat Mantis"] @[member="Gilamar Skirata"] @[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] @[member="Kira Liadain"] @[member="Strider Garon"] @E'vi Sohl
@[member="Lucas Burke"] @Other rebels @[member="Melantha"]

At the mention of a general leading the attacks the droid's assassination protocols kicked in almost instantly. He delayed for a minute though, the republic, protectorate, and even the Jedi destroyed? It sounded like sixty-six percent of his targets had been wiped out. How long had he been here? His memory banks were cleared for more than a few days no doubt, years could have been erased leading up to this exact a moment. "Who is this Akala and where are they? If this Akala is truly such a great adversary then they must be silenced", he said. For the first time in what he now guessed was centuries he had spoken a sentence without errors from his communication module.

 

[Drake Blackwood]

Rebels - Streets

Without saying anything, Drake moved to stand next to the two Jedi Knights, his blade raised. He was angry now, angry at himself for getting hurt. When it came to gunslinging, he could hold his own. When it came to the Force, and lightsabers. He was new, and unskilled. But now, now he had to help. Now he had to stand his ground. Drake tried to move his left arm to hold his lightsaber in both his hands. Pain coursed through his arm, and he flinched, lowering it. Maybe the three of them together could stand up to the man before them. It seemed like Sochi, and the other Jedi, Rasu, knew each other. That was good. But from what he could tell, they both knew the man they were fighting. Drake rolled his shoulder, and spread his feet to shoulder length.

@[member="Sochi Ru"] @[member="Rasu Gan"] @[member="Marek S'hadar"]

 

[Lucas Burke]

Rebel - Tunnels

Wait, what? Everything else had fallen to... This? Even the Fel Imperium? That had to be some sort of sick joke. For something like this to take out the entire Galaxy? It...

...Actually, it made a lot of sense. Mandalorians were some of the most infamously stubborn folk in the Galaxy; It would make sense that something like... Whatever this 'Kursed' thing was, would have the most trouble here on their homeworld. But that still meant that this Akala was likely the most deadly force in the Galaxy since the Gulag plague, which in turn meant that this was going to be one hell of a tough fight. Hell, it might even be impossible; Unless there's some way to reverse the effects of this 'Kursed' thing, the moment they killed that Warlord, the whole rest of the Galaxy would swarm in at once and, well, probably glass the place.

So, Lucas figured to ask @[member="Melantha"] the question that he felt needed asking. "So, what exactly is the game plan? We got a way to, er, reverse this 'Kurse' or something? Or is that Warlord, like, directly controlling the 'Kursed' people, or what?"

@Mandalore the Insurgent @Preliat Mantis @Gilamar Skirata @Siobhan Kerrigan @Kira Liadain @Strider Garon @Macrosoft Mack @E'vi Sohl @Meraal Vaun

 

[Break]

Break was knocked off guard by the Czar hitting his blade, the force knocked Break further into the air and sent him spinning out of control. "What?!" the attack messed up his pattern. He was again sent off guard by the slug thrower. 3 slugs hit him in the left shoulder tearing his armor apart but leaving his actual body no worse for wear other than his synthaskin which in time would heal rather quickly he aimed the blade downward at his attacker the blade hummed with vibrations and the tip shining as it aimed towards Rollands face, his opponent would be open shortly as he would have to reload after his volley of slugs. Stardust would have to wait her own turn this Czar was going down...

@Rolland CZ M1 002 @stardust

 

[Strider Garon]

Rebel Tunnels
"i am focused cyar'ika, danced this danced many of times through my years" Strider replied with a sly grin on his face while shrugging his shoulder "All I learned was that its never to late to show some love till it is too late" @[member="Kira Liadain"]. " Take that as advice...."

With that Strider walked away, there was no shame in trying. When the time comes this younger generation will understand exactly what he meant... if they make it to his age.

 

[Rusken Shaxx]

Jedi too? This was too surreal to be just a dream. Zius stopped and took cover from the barrage of blaster fire to examine the group. Should he approach? Or was he with the opposition? Only one way to find out. Zius called out to the Jedi with a carrying shout, holding up his left hand to show he had no intentions of fighting them, despite his appearance.

He hadn't reached the other friendlies, but this would have to suffice for an answer. He kept his crimson blade lit, just in-case.

@[member="Rasu Gan"] @[member="Sochi Ru"]