Faction Days Gone By || SO Second Legion

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Quinn Varanin | Kaila Irons | Jacen Breska 'TK-710' | CT-312 | @Open

The air was thick with the scent of rust and decay as Gerwald Lechner and members of his Second Legion moved through the hushed interior of the crashed Lucrehulk they had discovered on Rugosa. The moon’s once vast oceans had dried up centuries ago, leaving behind a landscape of corroded coral forests and barren rock. The wreckage, which stood as a silent monument to the past, lay half-buried in the cavernous terrain. It had been there for decades, an ancient relic of a war long past, but to Gerwald, it was a prize.

The Confederacy of Independent Systems’ technology was legendary, and within the heart of the Lucrehulk he hoped to find something useful. Something that could tip the scales in his favor. His Second Legion needed every advantage they could get, and salvaging this ship would be the key to giving them a decisive edge. There were risks, and Gerwald knew them. Lucrehulks had been more than just warships. They were droid command centers, automated fortresses built to be impervious to attack. Even after fifty years their systems could still be active, and their defenses a hidden threat.

The air was still.

There were no hums of life-support systems, no flickering lights. Just the sound of boots echoing in the vast, empty corridors as the Dread Wolf led the way. He could feel the weight of silence pressing down on him, but he didn’t allow it to sway him. The Dark Side was sharp, a presence in the back of his mind, but it too was quiet. Whatever had happened here, whatever had taken place in the years since the ship had fallen, was shrouded in mystery.

“Stay alert,” Gerwald’s voice was low but carried, cutting through the stillness like a warning. “We don’t know what else might be living here.”

He motioned for the team to spread out, but they all knew the drill. They had to reach the command center. Their first priority was to restore power and awaken whatever systems remained. From there, Gerwald hoped they could unlock the secrets hidden within the wreckage. He also knew that when that power came back online, anything could happen.

Engineers and slicers were already working their way toward the command center, pulling cables and rerouting power to see if the systems could be restored. Gerwald moved with them, his lightsaber close at hand, ready for whatever came next.

The silence stretched on, almost unbearable now. The dark corridors ahead seemed to swallow the light with their shadows crawling along the walls. Every step felt like a violation of the stillness, as though they were trespassing in a place long forgotten.

Gerwald Lechner was not one to shy away from the unknown. Whatever dangers lay in wait, whether droid forces or long-dormant defense systems, his raiders would face them head-on.

The Second Legion was ready.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Wearing: Armor + Mask
Tag: Gerwald Lechner Quinn Varanin Tamsin Graves Eira Dyn Jacen Breska 'TK-710' CT-312 | OPEN

It felt good to be back.

The legion's proverbial valkyrie had spent too long cloistered away to work on her projects, ceaseless research into how she may return the chosen dead to fight the war eternal with their brother legionnaires.

But it had taken Darth Anathemous out of the fight far too long.

Despite the quiet urgency of the situation, the young lord of Echnos felt a sense of pride in marching beside the raiders, flanked by a squadron of new Battle Droids provided to her by Saryn Zambrano , their red and black frames marking them clearly as Sith Imperial assets.

They would follow her and Tamsin Graves ' orders no matter the cost, even against their own kind.

The imperial princess, Quinn Varanin , she too had command of these automatons if she so desired, a small group of them having been ordered to defend her if necessary, even if Anathemous knew the princess could handle herself, perhaps better than most here. Even so, the young lord preferred to remain close by.

“Stay alert,” Gerwald’s voice was low but carried, cutting through the stillness like a warning. “We don’t know what else might be living here.”

"What do you sense, my lord...?" she said in hushed tones.

Though there was a confidence about her, she would nevertheless heed his warning, signaling with a gesture for her droids and student to slow their pace as the formation crept through the ancient hulk.

There came a point when the only lights were those carried by legionnaires, and crimson photoreceptors of her droid escort.

Anathemous relied on them and her own supernatural senses.

​

 

[Jacen Breska 'TK-710']

WEAPON:DC-17m
ARMOR:Second Legion Armor
TAGS: Gerwald Lechner CT-312 Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin | OPEN

​

// CIS Crashed Lucrehulk\\

​

TK-710. Jacen kept his mouth shut and his weapon at the ready as Lord Gerwald ordered the advance into the forgotten relic of the CIS. His loyalty to the Sith would never be called into question, but he still knew better than to tempt fate by opening his mouth. Troopers like him? There were more of them at home, and it was awfully easy to justify killing one that spoke out of turn. So he kept his mouth shut. The perfect picture of professionalism, only nodding as he was given a command or a heads up.

The halls of the Lucrehulk, once a sanitary, pristine, almost medically white, was a decayed husk of its former glory. Like an abandoned hospital. But this was a ship very few living things ever walked in, most of its crew were droids, and droids didn’t need food. The dark, rusted corridors gave a sense of unease to Jacen, keeping him jumpy, snapping to every creak and moan of the ship as it settled, readjusting to whatever changes went on within its hulls.

“Stay alert,” Gerwald’s voice was low but carried, cutting through the stillness like a warning. “We don’t know what else might be living here.”

Living, Jacen thought. Droids. Relics just as decayed as this husk of a ship, no doubt. Nothing more.

He hoped.

As they advanced and the light of the breach faded, replaced only by the lights they carried or the light emanating from the droids in their company, Jacen found himself unintentionally sticking closer to the Sith in their party, keeping his weapon trained on the endless shadow that surrounded them. However, as he kept his back to his Dark sided comrades, the feeling of shadow felt as if it engulfed him as well and the knowledge that the same Droids that would likely be their enemies were, supposedly, watching his back, which caused him to instinctively step further away from the Dark and the droids behind him…until he felt too exposed, worried about the dark and the droids lurking ahead of him, and stepped closer.

A vicious cycle.

As he focused on steadying his breath, preparing himself, he cast a glance towards CT-312 and the other Troopers in the group, checking to see they were still there like a child making sure their parent hadn’t left them. As he made eye contact with one or two, their emotions and mindset unknowable behind their reflective faceplates, Jacen decided they were brave, and that he too must be brave, and turned back around secure in the knowledge he made up about how brave everyone is.

And didn't make him feel better.

 

[CT-312]

//: Gerwald Lechner , Jacen Breska 'TK-710' , Kaila Irons , Quinn Varanin | OPEN | //:
//: Rugosa, CIS Luchrehulk //:
//: Attire //:
//: Weapons: Z-6 Rotary Blaster Canon & Vibroblade Knife//:

‘Hate it here.’

CT-312, absolutely detested being here.

Being waist high in swamp water in a jungle, no problem. Taking a stroll through an Ewok infested forest, cute. Enduring the blazing sun in a vast dry open wasteland with no ends to sand, surprisingly a unique sensory experience. Being in this ancient decrepit droid command center, the worst. Absolute worst.

She was trained as a scout. To be in the open outdoors. But confined in the corridors of Luchrehulk? CT-312 grumbled, ‘Guess you can still ‘scout’ things on the inside’, letting out an exasperated sigh. Surprised that there weren’t as many of them brought along for this mission. Echoes of footsteps and the clanking of metal from the battle droids brought along could be heard throughout the darkness. The occasional metal groaning and creaking added a sense of eeriness as they continued.

–
Worn out. Injured.
Gunships landed back into the ISD Lady of Fortune Star Destroyer. The troopers returning from their mission on Woostri. Exhausted.

A familiar voice boomed ecstatically for all to hear in the hangar bay.

“Congratulations on surviving! Based on your performance, we have selected our next batch who will have the honor to provide support to the Second Legion’s Commander, Gerwald! ”

Everyone in the hanger stilled. Listening who will be chosen for the next mission.

“TK-3232, MB-1782, CT-312, CC-1441, RK-1001, and TK-710. You will immediately head to the nearest officer to be given mission details. Gear up and be ready to ship out. Make the Empire proud!”
–

CT-312 attention snapped to.

“Stay alert”, “We don’t know what else might be living here.”

It was impossible to see in the pitch black darkness of the vast corridors. Flashlights shining in whichever direction the Troopers fanned out along with the rest of the group. CT-312 didn’t bother turning her light on. She had no problem seeing in the dark with her scouting gear. Her built in night vision was a blessing in this situation. She was lucky that the rest of the Troopers wanted to be in the front near the Second Legion higher ups, supposedly ‘Sith Lords?’ CT-312 reckoned so, they were the only ones wearing whatever they desired. She was still unfamiliar with the Sith Empire's culture and personnel.

CT-312 was more than happy to be the caboose of the group. Despite them being allies, she had a very unnerving feeling when close proximity. She couldn’t help but replay the last words of her former squad leader issuing the command to detonate when they came across this ‘monstrosity’. 'They looked normal enough.' Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she turned, readying the Z-6 Rotary Blaster Cannon in tow, walking cautiously backwards, scanning behind the group making sure nothing was trailing them.

She was here for the mission. She can try and figure out whatever that feeling is later. There was a job to be done.

Turning back around, she noticed a bit of unnecessary movement. Her brow raised behind her visor. It was TK-710. She could smell his anxiousness from all the way in the back. Silently, she brushed past the other Troopers in her way and put her hand on TK-710’s shoulder.

CT-312 spoke through her helmet’s voice modulator changing into a low deep-toned whisper “You should be in the middle of the pack. Relax.”

As she began to turn away to go back into position. CT-312 offered one last piece of advice to TK-710, “Fear doesn’t stop death. It stops life. You want to keep living? Then use that fear and keep your ass moving. I got your back.” She took her hand off his shoulder and returned back into the darkness to her place as caboose.

Nobodies.

She knew that they all were expendable. These higher ups that they were with wouldn't bat an eye if they fell. Best to watch each others back while they're still breathing.

 

[Brooklyn Zambrano]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | CIS Luchrehulk

Tag | Kaila Irons Gerwald Lechner CT-312 Jacen Breska 'TK-710'

Taking a plunge inside the guts of an old warmachine was not what she had expected when Kaila Irons had invited the girl to tag along. But both the promises of familiarizing herself with the second legion along with time away from Jutrand had sung sweetly into the acolyte's ears. The girl not owning any fancy armors or weapons of her own decided to use what she could get, wearing parts of the same armor that the troopers were adorned with.

The plates covered vitals, that is what she cared about most. While upon her hip was an old Sith warblade, taken from the old vaults of Krayiss II to prove her worth.

Making sure her straps were tight, the girl keeps her pace with the group. Staying closest to CT-312 and Jacen Breska 'TK-710' .
​

‘Hate it here.’

"Ya?"

Brooklyn stiffles out a chuckle while speaking.

"Can't blame you, without the lights we have I couldn't see a carkin thing."

Being the type to try and appear firm for the sake of others, she preferred not to share the anxiety that creeped down her neck.

"Worst happens, feel free to find cover behind me.. Plenty to go around."

She tries to lighten the mood with both her offer and the joke about her own height, being an Epicanthix she was an 8ft tall giant of a lass.


​

 

[Tamsin Graves]

​

Theme: Aurora
Equipment: Twin Omens | DE-10 | Combat Knife | Multi-Tool | Circlet of Projection | Trench\Hazard Armor | Stars Enchained
Tags: Kaila Irons | Quinn Varanin | Eira Dyn | Jacen Breska 'TK-710' | Gerwald Lechner | CT-312 | Brooklyn Zambrano

Tamsin took deep breaths from behind her mask, as she listen to the thumping foot falls of droids that followed them. Another derelict crashed ship, that was slowly being consumed by the nature around it. If she had learned anything by now it was that nature always took back what was taken from it in time.

She knew nothing of this Confederacy or the ones before it other than the few mentions in the history books she had read. Yet the prospect of tech, just seeing how something like this ship might work intrigued her. The tech called to her almost wanting it to learn it's secrets.

She never knew why, and it made even less sense to her now knowing she Dathomiri, why did she always feel drawn to mechanical things. Her mind wondered as they moved along, only pulled from her thoughts when they came to a stop. Chattering was going on around her. She looked to he rsister Kaila Irons for a moment who was speaking to Gerwald Lechner who was warning them they didn't know what laid ahead.

She heard someone say they 'hated it here.' She turned to look around but couldn't make out who it was. As she heard a giant woman Brooklyn Zambrano even more so than the other people that towered over Tamsin make a joke about hiding behind her.

Tamsin smirked to herself under helmet as she turned her gaze back to Kaila and Gerwald. Her heart racing for the excitement of this adventure, hopefully on this ship they wouldn't have to fight a couple of elfs.

 

[CT-312]

//: Gerwald Lechner Jacen Breska 'TK-710' Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin Brooklyn Zambrano Tamsin Graves | OPEN | //:
//: Rugosa, CIS Luchrehulk //:
//: Attire //:
//: Weapons: Z-6 Rotary Blaster Canon & Vibroblade Knife//:
​

​

Someone in the back was talking to CT-312. She didn't know who. Granted, she hardly knew anyone here aside from TK-710 and the remaining Troopers that were selected from their Woostri mission. She kept quiet. Surprised someone heard her expressing her dislike of being here. As they chuckled, she kept quiet.

"Can't blame you, without the lights we have I couldn't see a carkin thing."

Continually faced forward, CT-312 just listened silently still. Only raising her left hand and with her pointer finger she repetitively struck the side of her helmet’s green visor.

Tap-Tap-Tap

Indicating she had no issue at all with vision in the dark.

"Worst happens, feel free to find cover behind me.. Plenty to go around."

Insulted that someone would suggest such a thing. CT-312 turned her head towards the voice speaking to her. Through her built in night vision she didn’t see a face. Taken aback. ‘Torso?’ she thought. Craning her neck upwards to the helmetless ‘Trooper’. She blurted out loud.

“What the heck did they feed you….” the helmet emitted a low gruff tone.

Instantly forgetting about the comment that was said. Feeling her neck start to ache from the angle, CT-312 went back to facing forward. What the heck is the Empire feeding their Troopers these days? Why are they so tall? She just slightly shook her head. CT-312 noticed that the unorthodox ‘Trooper’ wasn’t wearing a helmet and their weapons weren't standard. 'Special forces?' she pondered. This person too, was giving off alarming vibes when being near. Looking through her visors peripherals back at the ‘Trooper’ before looking back in front. ‘Looks normal for the most part, but a weirdo.’ . She kept her guard up as they continued.

 

[Jacen Breska 'TK-710']

WEAPON:DC-17m
ARMOR:Second Legion Armor
TAGS: Gerwald Lechner CT-312 Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin | OPEN

// CIS Crashed Lucrehulk\\​

"Fear doesn't stop death. It stops life. You want to keep living? Then use that fear and keep your ass moving. I got your back."

Jacen gasped out, startled that 312 appeared as if out of nowhere, and disappeared just as fast.

“Who gave you the idea I’m afraid?" he asked as his comrade faded away into the dark nothingness behind him. "Never been more not afraid of anything. What’s to fear? Dark, impossibly dark, terrifyingly abandoned, rusted, disease-filled no doubt, probably haunted because why wouldn’t it be, terrible, terrible crashed ship of a bygone era? What’s so scary about that?” He shook his head, keeping his weapon and body faced away from the group into the dark unknown, “Also, who knows how many droids ahead of us who’ve developed a taste for human meat, droids in our party who might be curious about it, and me. That’s what I’m made of.”

Jacen shook his head, “Don’t mind me. I’m rambling. I’m fine. I'm fine. Picture of grace under fire.” He nodded his helmeted head, looking around and seeing Brooklyn Zambrano and 312 exchange some dialogue,

“Oh yeah don’t mind me. Don’t mind operational security no no no. Let’s yap. Let’s all yap. Let’s let me yap most of all. No problem no big deal. Yeah 312 gets the absolute unit of an acolyte eager to defend them and who’s gonna be the appetizer for the droid buffet? Not them. Me. I’m the one. That’s main course back there, I’m the hor d'oeuvre. Gonna be picking me out of their teeth while the heroes back there save the day. No big deal.” Jacen said, the adrenaline infecting his heart, anxiety rising and making him quietly talk to himself in an attempt to soothe himself.

“Jace,” A voice behind him, CC-1441, the Jumptrooper.

“What?” Jacen answered, turning his head.

“Shaddap.”

“Oh you can hear me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

He closed his mouth, anxiety rising in his chest, but he kept it under wraps.

"But you see what I'm saying right?!"

Groans. Nothing but groans.

 

[CT-312]

//: Gerwald Lechner Jacen Breska 'TK-710' Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin Brooklyn Zambrano Tamsin Graves | OPEN | //:
//: Rugosa, CIS Luchrehulk //:
//: Attire //:
//: Weapons: Z-6 Rotary Blaster Canon & Vibroblade Knife//:
​

​

“Who gave you the idea I’m afraid?"

CT-312 let out a loud disappointed sigh. ‘He was doing so well. ’ How quickly the words of encouragement she gave him turned into…. This. Bewildered how far his imagination ran within a short few seconds. Raising her brows up in amusement . ‘Cannibal Robots’, she chuckled. She’ll have to give Jace a stern talking to about remembering to check the comms. Hearing CC-1441 telling TK-710 to stop yapping.

"But you see what I'm saying right?!"

She grinned. CT-312 knew better. She gently elbowed the ‘Absolute Unit’ next to her. Whispering through her helmet to them, “Watch this.” She relayed in the open comms. “What if they start from behind? Wouldn’t that make us the appetizer first?”. CT-312 knew the can of worms she just opened. “To be fair, you could stand to gain a bit more muscle. I think the flesh eating robots would use you as a toothpick instead. Am I right, Troopers?”

CC-1441, TK-3232, MB1782, and RK-1001 laughed along, patting TK-710 on the back.

CT-312 had a small smile underneath her helmet. Being inside these corridors didn’t feel as confining as it once did.

 

[Feyd 'TK-1312']

Wearing: Null Armor
Tag: Jacen Breska 'TK-710' CT-312 Brooklyn Zambrano Tamsin Graves Gerwald Lechner | OPEN

"Hah." TK-1312 laughed with the others at TK-710's expense.

She'd been utterly silent till now, the only sign of the chiss' presence a red glow emanating from her night-visor as the null legionnaire scanned the darkness for threats. It just wasn't her place, the penal soldier thought for the longest time, but the more these troopers spoke, the more it reminded her of home. Sure these imperial soldiers were a far cry from the thugs and bounty hunters that frequented the Echnos undercity, but it'd been too long since she got to shoot the chit with the guys and gals of Sublevel 3.

Besides, she was the resident tech specialist and therefore a useful asset, surely they wouldn't be that unfriendly to her?

"⠽⠕⠥⠀⠎⠕⠥⠝⠙⠀⠇⠊⠅⠑⠀⠁⠝⠀⠑⠉⠓⠝⠕⠎⠊⠁⠝." she laughed, distorted as it was.

"⠊⠞⠄⠎⠀⠕⠅⠁⠽⠀⠊⠄⠧⠑⠀⠛⠕⠞⠀⠊⠕⠝⠎⠀⠛⠗⠑⠝⠁⠙⠑⠎."

The conscript pulled an ion grenade from her belt, holding up to the light as they passed it by.

"⠎⠑⠑?" they'd be fine.

"⠛⠕⠞⠀⠽⠕⠥⠀⠉⠕⠧⠑⠗⠑⠙."

. . .

The legionnaires just looked at each other.

"...What?"

"⠊⠀⠎⠁⠊⠙⠀⠽⠕⠥⠄⠗⠑⠀⠎⠁⠋⠑" the chiss huffed incomprehensibly.


"Someone tell techie she forgot to turn off her speech scrambler."

"⠊⠀⠙⠊⠙⠀⠝⠕⠞!!!"

​

 

[Jacen Breska 'TK-710']

WEAPON:DC-17m
ARMOR:Second Legion Armor
TAGS: Gerwald Lechner CT-312 Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin Brooklyn Zambrano Feyd 'TK-1312' | OPEN

// CIS Crashed Lucrehulk\\​

“What if they start from behind? Wouldn’t that make us the appetizer first?”. CT-312 knew the can of worms she just opened. “To be fair, you could stand to gain a bit more muscle. I think the flesh eating robots would use you as a toothpick instead. Am I right, Troopers?”

Jacen shook his head, “You’re a bad friend. You still have our Lady back there with you! What do I have?!” He looked over at Gerwald, then looked back out. “And WHAT do you MEAN. I could-I-You-LOOK AT YOU.” He jabbed a thumb backwards. “Size you are you’d fit nicely into carry on luggage! If anyone could bulk up ‘round here it’s you shortstack.”

The sound of the other trooper’s scrambled voice startled Jacen, “Oh come on. My heart’s already running a thousand miles a minute. I can't belieeeeeve you ‘forgot’ to turn off your scrambler.” He turned back, looking the trooper in the faceplate, “Maybe you're making fun of me, too, but I choose to believe you’re impressed with my bravery and excellent coping mechanisms because frankly I’d shatter if that wasn’t the case." Jacen watched as she pulled out the Ion grenade, still not understanding as her voice remained scrambled. "I also choose to believe you’re showing me that Ion Grenade as if it were a cool rock you found. Or to say you’re not worried about Droids. But you never fought Cannibal droids, now didja?”

He exhaled and then turned back around muttering quietly to himself,
"I'm here surrounded by people and things that could literally kill me without a sweat, losing my mind at this horrible idea of man-eating droids, and this one's gotta bring that X-factor by speaking in garbled nightmare sounds."

He turned back around, running his hand over his own faceplate, “What am I doing. I’m Sorry. I’m good." He nodded, repeating, "I'm good. I’m dandy. We’re all fine now, here, thank you.”

He turned to Gerwald Lechner, and before he could stop himself.

“How are you?”

 

[CT-312]

//: Gerwald Lechner Jacen Breska 'TK-710' Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin Brooklyn Zambrano Tamsin Graves Feyd 'TK-1312' | OPEN | //:
//: Rugosa, CIS Luchrehulk //:
//: Attire //:
//: Weapons: Z-6 Rotary Blaster Canon & Vibroblade Knife//:
​

“You’re a bad friend. You still have our Lady back there with you! What do I have?!”

‘Friend.’ She grinned. Never in her lifetime would she have thought someone would consider her as a ‘Friend’. It was nice. As amused CT-312 was with Jacen’s meltdown, she knew she had to put an end to his ramblings. Despite her egging him on. She should be ‘Nicer’ to Jacen. How the Second Legion’s higher ups patience must be wearing thin. They can always chit chat later on when there weren’t so many ‘Sith Lords’ or higher ranking personnel around them.

“And WHAT do you MEAN. I could-I-You-LOOK AT YOU.” He jabbed a thumb backwards. “Size you are you’d fit nicely into carry on luggage! If anyone could bulk up ‘round here it’s you shortstack.”

Her face dropped. It was no longer amusing. ‘Never mind.’ disregarding the previous notion of thought of being ‘Nicer’. CT-312 silently marched to Jacen. Their Trooper squad all took a step back, making way. She handed off her weapon to RK-1001 to hold. Clenching her right hand in a fist, she brought it all the way back and with full force landed a punishing blow on TK-710’s right thigh. Hard enough to even leave a nasty bruise underneath the armor.

'THWACK' , the sound of her fist hitting armor echoed.

CT-312’s helmet mic let out a booming guttural authoritative tone “TK-710!”. The other Troopers in their squad knew immediately and took a slight step back from the 5’5 Trooper. Staring him straight into his eyes. “Say that again about me bulking up, shortstack.” Taking her flashlight from her side belt. Focusing the beam on Jacen's faceplate. Rapidly turning the light on and off a couple of times. “I’ma need you to LOCK IT IN in TK-710.” she sternly said. “It was funny the first few times, but now I’m going to need you to focus up. That means comms shut or private”.

She heard another Trooper’s speech scrambler go off. Turning the flashlight at their squad, CT-312 looked at their mismatched Troopers. They all shook their heads sideways, indicating that it wasn’t them. She turned off her torch and placed it away. Returning back to her position as caboose, RK-1001 handed back her weapon eagerly. She nodded at him, thanking. She then reached out and patted the Jump Trooper’s shoulder. CC-1441 nodded at CT-312 and placed himself next to TK-710. Watching over him.

He turned to Gerwald Lechner, and before he could stop himself.

“How are you?”

CC-1441 groaned and forcefully elbowed TK-710 on his side.

As she settled back into position, she heard one of the legionnaires speak.

"Someone tell techie she forgot to turn off her speech scrambler."

Sighing to herself, ‘Oh boy.’ . This is going to be a fun or long mission. Probably both.

 

[Brooklyn Zambrano]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Luchrehulk

Tag | Gerwald Lechner Kaila Irons Jacen Breska 'TK-710' CT-312 Feyd 'TK-1312' ​

Tap-Tap-Tap

"Fair enough, I just couldn't find a helmet that would fit my fat head."​

“What the heck did they feed you….”

"Dumplings."

The girl jests, patting her stomach.

"Never met an Epicanthix before?"

It led her to wonder if her people were widespread throughout the empire, or had the loss of their home make their number fewer than she thought.. An idea and topic she had little interest in thinking about right now.
​

absolute unit

Hell ya she was! Her immatureness almost taking hold, it was almost too much to hold back a flexing of her muscles.

"I mean the solution is pretty simple to me, if you want to stay by me I don't mi-"​

“TK-710!”

She is cut off by the very upset trooper, it was the comment on height. Brooklyn looks around a little, then back at the cluster of events happening. She was away from school right?
​

"...What?"

"What?"

Brooklyn snaps out of it, asking the same question as the others. By now she realized just how much of a mess this all was, her body seeming to tense up as she expected a 'correction of behavior' as it was called at the Academy.

Actually, thinking more on it she was glad she wasn't at the Academy right now... She would most likely receive another scar and the troopers would have been crushed into a meaty cube by some Lord flicking his wrist to make an example... Ultimately their fooling around was putting the lives of their comrades at risk.

But, it was not her place to bark orders.. What she needed to do was shut her mouth and keep watch. Her only hope was that the others took notice and would do the same, danger was all around after all..








​

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Kaila Irons //:
//: CT-312 //: Brooklyn Zambrano //: Tamsin Graves //: Gerwald Lechner //:
//: Jacen Breska 'TK-710' //: Feyd 'TK-1312' //:
//: Eira Dyn //: Kayden Lind //:
//: Spooky ship//:

The mission was simple, and she wasn't too worried about what they would find, but droids were never her favorite being to work with. More often than not, their concept confused her. She couldn't understand them, nor did they emit anything in the Force. For the Echani, they were invisible to her. Things that were living, truly living, still emitted an essence through the Force. Droids didn't do that. But she understood her Lord's fascination with them.

They were a relic of his past, enough for her to heed the summon.
Slowly, she walked beside Kaila, the woman on quite an adventure while the Echani was building up her political career and studying her Master's lessons.

A part of her worried their ventures into climbing the metaphorical ladder of power within the Empire would cause them to drift. Her doubts were quelled when they were at each other's side again. It felt as if nothing had changed besides the confidence she felt through their shared bond.

Kaila had grown, and it was apparent to the Echani. A small smile spread against her porcelain doll-like features. Of course, her attention was soon pulled by the others' antics.

Quinn had seen the troopers and military soldiers; they fought near her but not under her command. It was something she had an interest in but would never venture towards. She watched, her gaze looming over the interaction with Brooklyn. It was quite the sight, the small and compact throwable scout trying to size up the Jutrand student. The comical sight caused the princess to stifle the bubbling laughter behind her lips.

Looking to Kaila, she nudged the woman and pointed towards the little gaggle of troopers. "Why does that one?" she pointed to the shortest of the bunch. "Why does it look like it rolled in bantha excrement?" Quinn had never seen camouflage before. The only troopers she had seen sported the black and red of the Empire, sometimes white or other distinguishable colors, never the mixture of the short troopers.

It was obvious the question was meant with complete curiosity, no malice in the young royal's voice. Still, it was a question one usually didn't ask - since camouflage was a scout trooper's standard (hopefully) attire. Another thing Quinn wouldn't have known.

Her sheltered upbringing was showing.

Glancing around, she wondered if her apprentices were also making an appearance; she had particularly summoned them to at least gain the necessary experience of the second legion.

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Quinn Varanin | Kaila Irons | Jacen Breska 'TK-710' | CT-312 | Tamsin Graves | Brooklyn Zambrano | Feyd 'TK-1312'

Gerwald walked at the front, his crimson blade unlit but ever within reach, cloak trailing like smoke through the stale air of the Lucrehulk's dark corridors. Each step echoed, deliberate and patient. He didn't flinch at the skitter of debris or the distant groan of ancient metal settling under the weight of time and ruin. He listened, sensed, more than he saw, and that was enough.

When Darth Anathemous spoke, her voice low and reverent with the gravity of their return, Gerwald did not stop. The pale red light of droid optics danced across the corridor ahead as her contingent slowed at her command.

"It felt good to be back," she'd thought

He allowed the silence to stretch a beat longer than comfortable before answering. His voice was gravel and ice, quiet and cutting all at once.

"Then don't leave again." He cast a glance over his shoulder as his thoughts pressed into her mind, It was not a look of command, but of confirmation.

The Valkyrie of the Legion had returned. With her came the scent of old magic, and the weight of things unnatural. Gerwald would never say it aloud, but in her absence, the Legion had been lesser. Her presence made them whole again, and that mattered more than pride.

She asked him what he sensed. And that too, was met with silence at first.

Then—

"Nothing," he said, after a long moment. His golden eyes flicked toward a corridor bathed in shadow. "And that is what worries me."

The sound of Jacen's voice cut through the tension like a dagger through cloth, as scattered and panicked as ever. Gerwald didn't stop moving, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward, whether in amusement or exasperation, none could say.

Then came a question:

"How are you?"

Gerwald stopped.

Just for a moment.

He turned slightly, helm tilting toward Jacen in that slow, predatory way that suggested scrutiny more than interest.

"Alive," he said at last. "For now."

Then he faced forward again.

"Stay close, Jacen. I'd hate to be down a distraction if the cannibal droids show up."


And with that, he moved on—into the dark, where the past slept uneasily and the future waited to be claimed.

As Gerwald pressed forward, the hollow silence of the Lucrehulk closed in around them once more thick, oppressive, and waiting to be broken.

He didn't look back toward Quinn Varanin, but he knew exactly where she was.

He always did.

Her presence was unmistakable in the Force, burning with intensity just beneath a veneer of elegance and control. There was poise in her stride, a precision to her movement, but beneath it all, he could feel the storm. Not wild and untamed like so many Sith before her, no, Quinn was a calculated tempest, the kind that didn't rage until it needed to. A blade sheathed in silk. And she was watching everything.

Gerwald wasn't sure if he approved of her being here. Not because she lacked skill—on the contrary, he trusted her ability to defend herself far more than Jacen's anxious theatrics or even some of the more seasoned Legionnaires. But because her presence made the mission heavier. More visible.

Quinn Varanin was no ordinary Sith. She was Imperial royalty. And whatever titles she might reject or claim as her own, her bloodline carried weight, dangerous weight. Enemies noticed her. Allies relied on her. Her death would be more than a loss. It would be a statement.

And yet… part of him was glad she had come. Not because of her name. Not because of her power. But because she was someone he trusted in the field. Trusted to see the whole board, not just her part of it.

He hadn't said as much. Probably never would.

But as her droid escorts flanked her in eerie silence, and as she walked through the darkness like she belonged to it, Gerwald couldn't help but think that the darkness in the ship woke up, he wanted her at his side when it did.

He didn't look back. He didn't have to.

The path to the command center was a narrow throat of twisted durasteel and collapsed bulkheads, a gauntlet of debris that bore the scars of whatever had brought the Lucrehulk down decades ago.

Torch-cutting teams moved ahead with practiced efficiency, carving through the remnants of sealed doors and collapsed supports. When they reached the final threshold, the air changed, it was colder, heavier, thick with dust and the faint, bitter scent of scorched circuitry.

Gerwald stepped forward, pressing his hand to the sealed blast door, feeling the chill of the metal against his glove. With a nod, one of the engineers spiked a power relay into the wall. Sparks danced as ancient servos groaned to life, and with a sound like a dying beast exhaling its last breath, the doors shuddered open—revealing the command center within, entombed in shadow and silence, its consoles long dormant, its secrets waiting to be unearthed.

As the doors to the command center hissed open and the stale air of a forgotten war rolled out to meet them, Gerwald stood still for a moment longer than he needed to.

It wasn't hesitation.

It was absence.

There were few things that could shake his focus—but this ship, this mission, this silence—it made him think of her.

Naedira Darcrath would have known what to say here, or more likely, what not to. She wouldn't have filled the void with noise like Jacen did, or cloaked her curiosity behind regal composure like Quinn. She would've walked beside him, blades at her back, chin lifted, every step echoing with defiance and control. She had a way of grounding him—not by softening his edges, but by sharpening them.

She would've liked this place.

And hated it.

Gerwald's jaw tightened as he stepped through the threshold, the bitter air washing over him.

You should be here, he thought, though he knew she wouldn't hear it.

Maybe when this was over, if they left with something worth taking he'd bring it back to the Spire. To her. Something more than scraps and ghosts. Something that mattered.

But for now, he moved on. The dead didn't wait. Neither could he.

“Someone get power back to the main console. I want to know what happened here.“

 

[Kaila Irons]

Wearing: Armor + Mask
Tag: Gerwald Lechner Quinn Varanin Tamsin Graves Brooklyn Zambrano CT-312 Jacen Breska 'TK-710'

"Then don't leave again." He cast a glance over his shoulder as his thoughts pressed into her mind, It was not a look of command, but of confirmation.

Anathemous looked up, face unreadable through the crimson visor, and nodded after a pause.

Perhaps she was becoming complacent in her mental defenses, broadcasting her thoughts so loudly that the powerful Wolf felt need to warn her. Already she'd discarded the old mask which sealed her thoughts away from the force, for the sake her dear princess who oft communicated through psychic means.

Thus, her replacement offered no such protection.

Kaila shook off the startling implications, trying to focus on the mission as they crept through the old hulk.

"Nothing," he said, after a long moment. His golden eyes flicked toward a corridor bathed in shadow. "And that is what worries me."

The young Darth said nothing, tightening her grip on one of two lightsabers holstered to her belt.

Soldiers spoke in hushed tones all around her but she tuned them out after the word "Cannibal droid" was uttered, followed sometime later by what sounded like a disciplinary action by what must have been a superior, which seemed to draw the attention of the princess.

"Why does that one?" she pointed to the shortest of the bunch. "Why does it look like it rolled in bantha excrement?"

Kaila stopped.

Surely this was no time fashion critique?

She turned toward the princess' pointed finger, confused as to what she was meant to look at until it dawned on her, and she smiled behind the mask.

"Hmh. Camouflage, my princess. Makes them harder to see, especially in forests."

The knight continued onward with the vanguard, though her broad shoulders visibly shook with subdued laughter.

"A scout, perhaps? You can tell by the visored helm. I worked with a few when I was a trooper."


Perhaps that would surprise some, but Kaila no longer feared her past coming to light, least of all to Quinn.

When they entered the command center moments later, Anathemous gestured for her droids to form a defensive perimeter around the door while the others worked. Hers were battle droids, not engineers, and so it seemed to her they were better used for their singular purpose.

"Tamsin," she turned to her apprentice, "what do you make of all this?"

The girl was good with tech, more than her own master ever will be, and she found it fascinating.

"Anything of use to our cause?"

​

 

[Jacen Breska 'TK-710']

WEAPON:DC-17m
ARMOR:Second Legion Armor
TAGS: Gerwald Lechner CT-312 Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin Brooklyn Zambrano Feyd 'TK-1312' | OPEN

// CIS Crashed Lucrehulk\\​

Jacen collapsed into the sidewall of the corridor as he was hit in the leg, letting out a pained grunt. As he rose, he disturbed the dust and rust, leaving a mark along his right forearm. He shot a glance back at 312 and the thought to yell back another insult crossed his mind, but Lord Lechner’s response stopped him cold. He was thankful for the helmet he wore as it hid the fact his mouth was agape as his mind was lost for words leaving Jacen perplexed, befuddled, and quite possibly bamboozled.

“I-uh. Well. Just happy to be here, my Lord.” He said, bowing his head.

“But uh. Yeah uh. Well…uh. 312 and I can get the power, my Lord. You can count on us.” He nodded repeatedly. The excitement to prove himself overriding any fear that he had had previously.

He knows my name, he thought again. Once again, he was thankful for the helmet hiding his face. For young Jacen, a man who put his faith entirely in the strength of the Sith? That one of the most powerful of them knew his name was either a very good or a very bad thing.

Even if he was just a distraction. He’d be the best damn distraction anyone had ever seen.

Jacen Breska, professional droid bait.

 

[CT-312]

//: Gerwald Lechner Jacen Breska 'TK-710' Kaila Irons Quinn Varanin Brooklyn Zambrano Tamsin Graves Feyd 'TK-1312' | OPEN | //:
//: Rugosa, CIS Luchrehulk //:
//: Attire //:
//: Weapons: Z-6 Rotary Blaster Canon & Vibroblade Knife//:
​

CT-312 was half paying attention to the tall ‘Trooper’ next to her.

"Never met an Epicanthix before?"

“An Epi- what?”, Confused. “What the heck is that.”. Her focus was pulled away. Jacen was speaking again. CT-312 immediately turned herself towards his direction, ready to reprimand him again if needed.

“I-uh. Well. Just happy to be here, my Lord.”

CT-312 brought her gloved left hand up, rubbing her visor in disbelief. She could feel a headache forming. Looking towards TK-710, it seems he was speaking to the Commander. Commander to him and the other Troopers most likely. But to her? CT-312 was picked up out of the Empire’s Space. He would be the Commander, but also Owner? ‘...Owner Gerwald....Owner Commander Gerwald?...’, she pondered.

Inspecting the rest of the group in the front. Near Owner Commander Gerwald and TK-710 was a different armored personnel. Definitely not Trooper attire. Indicating someone in a higher position. Next to them was a black cloaked figure. They were talking about something to each other. Heavy. The longer CT-312 looked in their direction she was feeling the atmosphere around her becoming heavier. It was suffocating. It reminded her of the intense feeling she had when she was in the presence of the Mors Mon on Woostri. The ‘Force Light’ infused golems were nothing compared to this… this group of…‘Monsters?’, she thought. Couldn’t describe what these beings around her are. Were they made from Force Light as well? Just a larger amount? She wondered. Not understanding. Or maybe it was because it hurt to breathe from the remaining injury she received on Woostri. A bit brutal throwing them into another mission without a chance to recollect themselves. CT-312 focused her attention back in front ignoring the dull pain. Chalking up in her mind of the cloaked figure as a 'person' never wanting to associate with.

“Someone get power back to the main console. I want to know what happened here.“

“But uh. Yeah uh. Well…uh. 312 and I can get the power, my Lord. You can count on us.”

‘Oh?’ CT-312, perked up. Dropping her gloved hand down and regripping her weapon. She would gladly use this opportunity to get some breathing room from these abnormal allies. Finally, CT-312 can roam freely. Actually do her job. On open comms, CT-312 relayed out "Owner Commander Gerwald, like TK-710 said, we will handle the power." , directing her attention to their squad, “MB-1782, RK-1001 on me.” The hulking Shield Trooper and normal sized Assault Trooper turned and sided themselves with CT-312. Taking her torch out once again, flashing it on Jacen and the remaining Troopers in their squad.

“TK-710, join up when you can with the others.” The Flame Trooper, TK-3232 and Jump Trooper, CC-1441 nodded back. Putting the light away. As they split off from the group, walking into another corridor. CT-312, swapped the comms to their Troopers squad, “CC-1441, do be sure to keep TK-710 in check. If we’re going to die, preferably it will be on the battlefield. Not friendly fire.”

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Quinn Varanin | Kaila Irons | Jacen Breska 'TK-710' | CT-312 | Brooklyn Zambrano | Tamsin Graves | Feyd 'TK-1312'

Gerwald’s gaze lingered on Jacen for a beat longer than necessary—long enough for the younger trooper to squirm beneath the helmet, even if his voice tried to play it off. The corner of Gerwald’s mouth twitched—was that amusement? Or disappointment? It was hard to tell through the red glow of his visor.

“You’ll have your chance, Jacen,” he said at last, his voice smooth but lined with something colder underneath. “Don’t waste it.”

He turned as CT-312 stepped forward with the kind of crisp confidence Gerwald preferred to see in the field. Her tone was military, clean, precise, a soldier through and through. Good. The Force was unreliable in places like this. He needed professionals who could do their jobs without question, even when nerves were frayed and the air hung thick with the weight of something forgotten.

As CT-312's voice crackled over the comms, addressing him as "Owner Commander Gerwald," a flicker of irritation crossed Gerwald's face. He halted mid-step.

"CT-312," he began, his tone measured but firm, "I am your commander, not your owner. I despise slavery in all its forms, and I will not be addressed as such. Understood?"

He held her gaze for a moment, ensuring his words registered, before continuing, "Now, proceed with restoring power to the main console. We need to understand what transpired here."

With that, he turned back to the task at hand, trusting the team to carry out their duties with the clarity of their roles firmly established.

“Go,” Gerwald ordered, his voice cutting clean through the silence, addressing both CT-312 and Jacen as his cloak shifted behind him. “Secure the auxiliary access. I want those consoles active. I want answers.”

He watched CT-312 rally the others, her discipline a sharp contrast to Jacen’s frenetic energy. And yet, Gerwald didn’t dismiss the latter. Chaos had its uses, too, especially when paired with desperation. Let Jacen believe this was his moment. Perhaps it was.

As the small team split off, Gerwald exhaled quietly, almost to himself.

Let’s see what you’re made of, Jacen Breska.

 

[Tamsin Graves]

​

Theme: Aurora
Equipment: Twin Omens | DE-10 | Combat Knife | Multi-Tool | Circlet of Projection | Trench\Hazard Armor | Stars Enchained
Tags: Kaila Irons | Quinn Varanin | Jacen Breska 'TK-710' | Gerwald Lechner | CT-312 | Brooklyn Zambrano | Feyd 'TK-1312'

Tamsin's listened to the troopers as they started moving again, the whole bunch of them seemed a bit cracked. It was funny to listen to them though talk smack to each other, she had no clue what Feyd 'TK-1312' was saying, it sounded like gibberish maybe that was what the chiss language sounded like but whatever it was the blueberry seemed to think it was funny.

Tamsin was about to ask her master if it was the Chiss language when Quinn Varanin asked if someone had rubbed bantha poop on themselves. Tamsin thought she had been sheltered as slave and knew nothing of the real world. It seemed people on the opposite ends of life had more things in common than they thought in not knowing chit. Though Tamsin did know it was camouflage mostly due to Kaila giving her military books over romance novels.

"It's…" She was about to answer Quinn when Kaila told her what it was. Tamsin just nodded in agreement to let Quinn know Kaila was telling the truth.

Tamsin came to attention as they reached the command center Lord Gerwald leading the way. Kaila turned to her to ask her what she made of the command center. Her dark eyes peered through her helmet into the darkness, but she couldn't really see a whole lot.

She diligently reached up and removed her helmet from her head and as she did her dark eyes lit up a glowing orange giving them all a little dim lighting. It wasn't the demon she had learned how to control her eye glow without it triggering her inner demon.

The command center seemed a mess, it had seen better days. Though that was a given considering its current state.

Her eyes scanned along the ceiling following wires to various consoles. "Did we bring a portable generator? Or some sort of power supply beyond the energy cells in our blasters and sabers?" Though if that was all they had they could maybe get the consoles to flicker on for a few minutes if the daisy chained them all to a central line. She continued to look at the wires and followed them until her eyes landed on a box.

"If we have something that can generate enough power, we can connect it to that box over there." She pointed in the direction she was looking. "Then we could have access to the consoles. If not, we could go to each console individually and hook up energy cells to them one by one, but the power won't last long. Or we can go find the reactor fire it up and hope it's still all connected."

She turned back to the troopers who Gerwald was addressing at that moment. A weird smell hit her nostrils, but she shook the thought of what it could be away. She heard one of them call Gerwald owner, and Tamsin instantly tensed up…..her hand was going for her saber but she stopped and relaxed as Gerwald reprimanded the soldier and explained his view on slavery.

"TK-1312 and Tall Lady." Not knowing or remembering their proper names, she knew they both had some connection to her sister and one of them had been involved in the riots on echnos. Yet her sister knew so many people there were too many names to remember along with faces. "Did we bring a ample power supply of some kind with us?"