Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Denouement (Tygaran Alliance, Firemane and Friends)

The one who broke the silence was none other than the Host Leader, the talkative and less cold(literally) version of the ice lady. After she did the damage control as the ice lady headed out quite angrily, of course religion was involved as always so Elincia stopped herself from rolling her eyes, the Host Leader actually approached her. "Oh kark..." She thought, this probably wasn't a good thing. Getting ready for another scolding, she looked at her and was about to do the puppy eyes. Fortunately, it wasn't the case. It was a relief knowing she wasn't going to get thrown to the tigers, but she could imagine what awaited them at New Santaissa. "Well I definitely don't have a death wish! " She said with a smile, and moved with the others towards the transports that were assigned to take them from one adventure to another, their home. The one she wasn't looking forward to.

Reports didn't look good, not at all, as they continued to descend to the planet.

New Santaissa,

Once the Angelii landed, the situation became much clearer. Instead of a cheerful crowd praising them for fighting for them, they were welcomed with protests of a very angry Eldorai mob. Elincia was about to roll her eyes before she realized the weight of the stiuation. There were shouting everywhere, some of them were clear, some of them lost in the ocean of other voices. Eldorai police was there, however, against a mob of very angry Eldorai, their effectiveness was questionable. However, that's why the Angelii was here.

"GO BACK TO WHEREVER YOU CAME, OFFWORLDER! YOU ARE NOT WANTED HERE!" One shouted very angrily.

"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" Another voice was heard. Same toned threats continued to raise from the crowd.

There was a commotion going on between one offworlder shopkeeper and a group of Eldorai, the shopkeeper was trying to protect their goods. Needless to say, he was one and they were plenty, however he was still standing his ground.

What the kark... Since when Eldorai did such acts?

One of the humans living in the city answered, with the same voice tone as the harrassers, saying they had nothing to do with this. Gaining courage from the human, the others raised their voice as well, and the angry shouting of one party turned into a full fledged death threat compilation. It was about to get ugly in here, pretty clear.

"Host Leader, what are we going to do?" She asked. "The situation is getting messy." Examining her surroundings, she thought she saw something. Holy.... Some angry karkers were beating up a human. "What the.... I am going to help her!" She shouted and immediately rushed towards the girl, reflexively her hand went towards her sarix. "HEY! HEY! LEAVE HER ALONE!" She shouted as she ran to save her. Some of the attackers saw her running towards them, recognizing the Angelii armor, they immediately dropped whatever they had in their hands and ran away, trying not to get in trouble. However, a few of them stayed. The good thing was she managed to get their attention so they stopped beating her.

"Cowards! Get back he.... Why? Why are you helping her? She is an off worlder! They are the reason we lost Kaeshana! We know what happened in the battlefield!" She said, quite angrily. It seemed like she was the boss of this mob. Well, they say bad news travels fast.

"You betray us by trying to protect this girl! We Eldorai need to stick together. You are from the Angelii, for Ashira's sake!"

"Are you karking serious?" Elincia said. "Dude, I am about two seconds away from throwing a spear in your face. Leave. Her. Alone. Now." Seems like her last sentence didn't please the mob leader, as she looked at her with a shocked expression, disappointment could be read.

"It seems like you've made your decision. Looks like the Angelii is going corrupt as well. Get her."

And she found herself in a battle. Great! Hopefully she wasn't going to get a punishment for this.

Luckily for her, the army training came in handy dealing with an untrained force, soon she overpowered the group after a couple of minutes of fighting, but instead of killing them, she froze them to the head level, giving them enough room to breathe. After all, they weren't the enemy. After all the hostiles were dealt with she moved towards the girl and offered her hand to help her get up. "Is "Are you alright?" a good question to ask right now?" Probably not.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Aeda Shaytari"] [member="Alize Rosenheim"]
 
[member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Elincia Alanis"], [member="Aeda Shaytari"]

New Santaissa, Tygara.


Vaena Askari was a patriot. She lived and breathed service to the Eldorai Matriarchy. More than that, she was a true believer. With all her heart, she believed that Ashira had moulded the Eldorai from clay and breathed life into them, giving them souls.


She believed that the Great Goddess had fashioned the heaven and the earth and used her great maul to hammer the eternal mountains of Santaissa into plans for her people to dwell in. Illyria, seduced by envy, had contested the Goddess-Queen's rule, created perverse mockeries of her creation and been cast down into the pit of hell, whereupon Ashira ascended to heaven.


But though the Creator no longer dwelt amongst her people, she was still guiding them. She had a plan for them, a destiny. Perhaps not everything had happened literally. Perhaps some events had been misinterpreted due to the passage of time, but these myths were real for Askari.


To see so many of her people acting like a mindless, rabid mob lashing out against the innocent angered her. She disliked foreign influence as much as the next conservative Eldorai. Firemane was as much an ally as it was an alien power in their midst. There was little of value they could learn from the Outsiders beyond their technology. But to attack citizens of the Matriarchy was wrong, plain and simple. There was no moral justification for it.


Businesses were being ransacked, offworlders or the few Tygaran natives who lived in New Santaissa had been dragged out into the streets, intimidated and beaten. Foreign-owned shops had caught fire. Askari was not just angry, she was disappointed. How many of them ever thought of Kaeshana until today? she wondered, as cynicism took ahold of her thoughts.


"In the name of the Queen, return to your home. This is your final warning," the police loudspeaker announced once again. Seeing the Angelii appear on the spot some protesters dispersed, chanting slogans as they went, especially after Elincia's spirited charge to save the human woman. But many stood their ground, anger roilling off them in waves. Their raw hatred was so strong Askari believed she could cut it with her blade.


"Angelii, are you not soldiers of the Goddess? Is it not your duty to slay the serpents in our midst?" an Eldorai clad in the robes of the Priestess shouted. Her Sciiac aura was strong and filled with wroth. There was fervour in her eyes. Askari could see Illyria's madness in her. You know not of what you speak. This is not Ashira's will. You should be a shepherd to these people, not drive them to madness. Disgust flooded her.


"Down with the Puppet Queen! Down with Firemane! Monkeighs, go home!"


Askari had enough of this crap. "Alanis, get the civilian out of there. Ma'am, requesting permission to clear the streets of our misguided sisters?" she called out to Kaida, who'd arrived on the spot alongside her and taken over command.


"Granted. Nonlethal force, unless I say otherwise. The police will cordon off the streets. Angelii, form phalanx. Execute Sidra Su Manoeuvre." Hearing the command, the Angelii and police formed a phalanx formation, backing each other up with thick battle shields. For melee, they'd equipped themselves with shock sticks and batons.


"My sisters, hold your ground. All true Eldorai shall be inspired by our example. Ashira is great!" Slogans, rocks and even primitive slug rounds assaulted the keeepers of law and order.


Askari communicated her intent to her battle sisters with hand signals. Then all hell broke loose. Her free hand, the one not holding her shield, was stretched out and emitted a blast of bright, blinding light from her palm. One blast of light was joined by several more as all the Rubies in the group fell in line with her.


Sciia was both the Eldorai word for soul and for what ignorant Outsiders called the Force. In their grasp, it manifested as an elemental power the gifted could harness and manipulate. In this case, it had the effect of an elemental flashbang and produced many blind rioters. The ground beneath their feet turned slippery when it was suddenly flooded with moisture, then shook when the Sapphires and Emerals added their power. Not enough to cause a quake, but more than sufficient to knock many rioters down or scare them. Covered by the phalanx, the police officers fired stun bolts from their blasters.


Then the charge began. Askari remembered the turmoil during the Exodus all too well. Far too much Eldorai blood had been spilt on that horrible day. Rebels lined up against the wall and shot. Today would be different. Hopefully. Soldiers who used this as a chance to vent their danger would be punished severely.


That did not mean she would be gentle with rioters and renegades. The Host Leader was at the head of her Wing when they charged into the mass of disorganised rioters. Her baton could not only inflict blunt trauma and knock rioters out, but also deploy a stunning electrical shock.


She was a trained soldier. They were a mob. Electricity, modulated to stun rather than kill, shrieked from the fingertips of one of her battle sisters when some particularly aggressive rioters seemed to take heart and engage them. Askari charged into the fray, swinging her shock stick. She soon lost count of how many tasted it. The Angelii simply gave herself over to the flow generated by years of disciplined army life.


A rioter produced a great hammer and Askari ducked under the massive blow, then gave the attacker a a harsh kick followed by slamming the baton into her stomach when she was off-balance. A projetile was caught by her shield before it could hit one of her comrades and she tore the slugthrower from a rioter's hand and crushed it.


But then a blast of cool air knocked her over and ice crystals began to spread across her legs, pinning her down as they tried to wrap themselves around her as tight as a Python's embrace. As the cold chill rushed over her and she tried to escape it, the fanatical Priestess stepped into view. "Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter," the cleric declared, her eyes an icy blue. Ice swept across Askari's body, seeking to turn her into an ice statue. It was so cold and she struggled to breathe. Even her blood seemed to freezing.


"Blessed are the peaceekeepers, the champions of the just," she finished. A blast of electricity from a battle sister momentarily broke the Priestess' concentration. Angrily, she blew a wave of Sciiac energy towards her assailant, but a torrent of blazing heat surged across Askari as she drew upon her power, willing the ice to melt like snow before a nova. The heat swept from her towards the cleric, generating a light so bright even Askari had to avert her eyes. When it passed, the cleric's body was smouldering and smoke coiled off her.


xxx


Farryn and Calix, along with the other Eldorai who'd joined the righteous march to stick it to the foreign devils, could probably see the commotion. Or maybe they'd already been swept along by the tide and now found themselves in the middle of the maelstrom when soldiers and rioters clashed. It was all very dramatic.


Either way, one wild-eyed rioter would grab Farryn by the arm. She probably did not realise that she was standing next to disgraced noblelady. "Sister, join us! We'll show the monkeigh lackeys that true Eldorai fear no one! The Palace wil hear our voice!" she shouted passionately, then put a blaster pistol in Farryn's hand.


Would the exiled aristo stay with the protesters and express her anger at what had happened on Kaeshana? Or would she try to return to the Cadalthor estate before things got even more out of hand? She'd have to make her decision soon.
 
Long, dark brown hair cascaded to the floor as Farryn released it from her grasp leaving a trail of dark brown locks behind her. With adrenalin racing through her body at full force, her heart palpitated relentlessly as she ran from the off-worlder she had participated in assaulting. The albino Eldorai’s heart beat faster as each step brought her closer to the Cadalthor Estate.

Suddenly, one of the rioters grabbed Farryn by the arm, stopping her and its owner proceeded to invite her to join them in their crusade and placed a blaster pistol in the pale space elf's hand. Guilt welled up inside her as she knew that she could not join her sisters in their noble cause.

"I'm sorry, I can't get caught," the fallen noble apologised, handed the blaster back and continued to make her way back to the Cadalthor estate. She could not afford to get caught. Not while her deceitful sister remained their mother’s heir – it was too dangerous.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] - [member="Elincia Alanis"] - [member="Aeda Shaytari"]​
 

Nima Tann

Master of Her Own Destiny
She thought she said something wrong when she saw the expression change of the woman. She could understand it, the wounds were still fresh after all.

When she said she was fine, of course, Nima didn't buy that. "I am glad to hear that." She said in a soft tone, knowing that trying to push the conversation forward would be fruitless, at least for now. However, she added, as a last offer about this subject. "If you ever need to talk, I'll be around." Tempest wasn't alone if she needed someone to talk to. Nima knew fulll well that trying to live your problems by yourself was never a good thing.

Before saying anything else though, Elpsis appeared, with a rather cheerful tone than the general aura of the ship. Even though it wasn't the best time to show a cheerful attitude, one part of her was glad that at least someone was smiling in the middle of all this.

"Nice to see you as well." She said to her, placing a sincere however not so bright smile. Meanwhile, the ship has docked to the station. "Well, I wouldn't get my hopes up about a vacation. But I can use a little relaxing." She said to Elpsis, before following Tempest to the exit. "And we should talk about things... later." This one was sent via telepathy.

Ashira's Light Station,

She wasn't that hopeful for what awaited them outside, since they were probably informed about a welcoming commitee. It was probably going to be a headache and lots of political talk about failures.

Speaking of headaches, she forgot to wait for the healer to come back. Oh well...

[member="Elpsis Elaris"] [member="Tempest"] [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]
 
[member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Makai Dashiell"]


Moving from the Phoenix to the Ashira's Light Station,


The moment was fleeting, but Elpsis looked just a bit hurt when Tempest withdrew her arm from her. It bothered her more than she liked to admit. "Yeah, uh, I guess," she said awkwardly. "But we could use a break from the fighting. There's been enough doom and gloom. You've been pushing yourself real hard."


Was she angry about Kaeshana? Yes. She'd saved Mara's life on Corellia, after all. Lyra had been a friend. But it was done. Going all Punisher and chasing phantoms ain't gonna change that or bring the dead back. Bottom line, she was tired after Corellia, Castamere, Atrisia and Kaeshana, having thrown herself into battle after battle with little pause. Regardless, she followed Nima and Tempest as they made their way out of the Star Destroyer. Nima's telepathic message did not go unnoticed. You're right. We gotta talk, she responded with a mental brush against the Twi'lek's mind. One that carried a strong note of concern.


A welcoming committee awaited them in the docking bay. Elpsis, ever uncomfortable around aristos who weren't Selene Tarai, hung back, hoping that Siobhan would show up soon and handle the talking. It gave her the chance to type up a quick response to Makai. Congrats, bro! Make sure you treat her well. And I didn't get injured. Much. Gonna be helping refugees. May not call for a bit.
 

Six-O

The Pan-Galactic Scumbag
How exceptional, just barely had they left one stadium of battle, now they were already being invited to engage in another. At least that's what the conference of words uttered from [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] to he and his beastly friend appeared to be regarding. Though, perchance, she wanted them less for waging war, and more for being vile. That's always a prime inducement of hiring on Six-O. Sometimes individuals just needed something done that they could not have their name attached too, in any type of official capacity, that is.

"Ua banag wa. . . " The Klatoonian wheezed, cupping his chest with his left forearm. "Af'er actshon repor'?" His Galactic Basic was terrible, but he had indisputably, never, not once, heard that particular phrase before.

"Ua banag bu sakoi see haku apoya. . . " Six-O informed, waiting until Siobhan had stopped speaking entirely before he nurtured Xerrzyk's uncivilized mentality.

Xerrzyk, with head tilted, his heavy canine brow furrowed, spoke towards Kerrigan. "Ba aweleoi poupiua?"

"Tagwa, " The automaton scratchilyretorted, an ember glow burning inside one of his larger, fractured, sensor globes. He definitely needed a little tender love, and some elbow grease.

"An wonkee hatkocanh ua dayan da?"

"Xerrzyk is unfamilar with this custom, Mistress Kerrigan." The Droid suddenly interjected to end this conversation. "You will be provided with the necessary information. As [member="HK-36"] has instructed me of your background, it was and will be an honor to join you for everything that is to come."

"Honor for fight with. Red ha'rr is anger an' war. Xerrzyk will figh' for Si-uu-bayn." He absolutely butchered her name.

As if she didn't need further reason to harbor animus towards Aliens, here was Xerrzyk. Just completely disregarding what civilized company he should have been portraying himself as. But there he was, arm tucked across his guts, his opposite hand tucking the handle of his Scourge beneath sagging medical trousers. Then the large Xeno folded an arm strongly around the back of Siobhan's neck, clinging her to his side in a powerful embrace of kinship.

"Aha!" He howled, then coughed once more, blood drooling from his pointed teeth.

"Xerrzyk regards you as ally, Mistress Kerrigan. We will await your Orders."
 
[member="Six-O"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Anya Venari"]


Intercultural understanding was more difficult in practice than on paper. Siobhan liked to think that she was a progressive, enlightened individual, though that perception was probably a bit self-serving. But this...disreputable creature was just repugnant to her. Even leaving aside his uncivilised mentality, his gender, his terrible Basic, the blood that coated his teeth and the fact that she had a good idea of what he did for a living. He dared touch her!


If looks could kill, Xerryk would have spontaneously combusted. His arm was seized by a powerful vice grip and roughly removed from her neck. She was not gentle in the slightest. "Keep your hands to yourself. Clear? Good," she hissed icily. The voice of a woman who considered all this, including the planet they could see through the viewing port, her personal domain and thought herself a queen. "I accept your fealty. Serve me as well you did on Kaeshana, and the spoils will be considerable. Break my laws, and I shall break you."


"Ma'am," Nedia interjected, clearing her throat. "I just got a reply from [member="Judah Dashiell"]. He's offered to provide transports and space for a settlement on Tabaqui to house the refugees. I accepted on your behalf and expressed our gratitude."


"Good. I'm pleased. Pass on the news to Lady Tarai." Once again, Judah had shown he was a loyal friend, beyond simply being a business partner. Unfortunately, not all news was so good!


"Uh, Countess, Sergeant Solveig reports that the rioting is intensifying in the capital. Angelii had moved in, but many foreign businesses have been torched," a comms officer who'd been monitoring events in Santaissa spoke up a bit hesitantly. "Our installations and the villa are safe, but Lady [member="Alize Rosenheim"] was not found at her residence."


Siobhan muttered an Eldarai curse under her breath. Her face was like stone. "Find her. If someone hurt her, shoot them. Get some boots on the ground, but let the Eldorai take the lead in suppressing the riots. Unless we're engaged, our forces assume a defensive posture." The idea was distasteful to her, but if Firemane 'mercenaries' launched an attack, they'd risk a public outcry and it might backfire terribly. Especially if an aristo had a hand in inciting these riots for political gain. Cynical thoughts were never far from her mind.


She turned her gaze back to Six and his comrade. They would have to be kept on a leash, but the fact that they had no attachment to Tygara made them more reliable. It meant they were outside the established power structure. "Report to Major Tempest. She's been charged with a very important operation and speaks with my authority. Obey her as you'd obey me." Her own path would take the Countess from the command deck and down towards the docking bay, where not only the Firemane trio, but the Queen, much to Sio's annoyance, Tarissa waited.
 

HK-36

The Iron Lord Protector (Neutral Good)
[member="Joza Perl"],

"I received your coordinates, allow your soldiers to rest,"

HK would reply to the Zeltron, the fact was that droids did not get tired in the way organics did in any situation they were in, if you know what I mean wink, their power sources could run low on juice, however with the contemporary technology that could take weeks if not months or years.

"I will come to you and we can discuss healing them, there is a cybernetic program I was involved in that you and them might have interest in."

And with that the machine would be set on his way to catch up with Joza and her forces, although it would probably take him a while to get through hyperspace routes since he was probably on his way to or around Abregado system where he made his home, while Kal'Shebbol system was all the way on the other side of the Galaxy.


[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"],

The machine would also send out a transmission to Siobhan's staff,

"I am currently on my way towards Kathol space to begin efforts on the cybernetic reconstruction project, I will be sending one of my copies to Arkas to collaborate the two projects more efficiently. While I do not oppose aesthetic differences between these new cybernetic soldiers underneath Kathol and Tygaran command, I propose technology used to create these Reforged to be standardized to make repairs and upgrading process later on easier."

If the machine was to direct the cybernetic installment process then it would be easier for him to make sure the two operations involved similar methods and technology even across the Galaxy due to his built-in wireless communication systems,

"I already received the word that the Galactic Alliance are conducting a similar operation without contacting us for advice or offer of collaboration, in my professional opinion I believe as a result their soldiers will suck bantha balls in combat."
 

Tempest

Storm of the Force
[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]

Tempest offered Nima a curt nod. She did not much notice Elpsis’ disappointment. She didn’t even think about what she was doing in that moment.

Instead she just walked out, being the first one from the ship to return to the station.

They were all looking at her. Well, at the group in general, but she felt as though the dozens of onlookers were judging her.
Not so long ago the thought of a hundred people staring at her would have melted her resolve, but now Tempest kept right on marching.

Let them stare. Most of them were not there, in the battle. Climbing over dead comrades and fighting the scum of the galaxy.

The Queen raised a hand in blessing and greeting to them as they exited.

Tempest replied with the most precise salute possible, then kept marching.

Through her anger she was glad indeed that she wouldn’t be expected to stand up before these pompous windbags. That would be…undiplomatic.

An aide came forward. “Ma’am. Orders from the Countess. You are to take her two new…allies…and go to that assignment she gave you.”
“I shall go at once.” She turned back to Elpsis. “I’ve got to go. Contain the fallout. I’ll see you later,” she said, giving Elpsis a smile. She realised the redhead couldn’t see her, and that made her more irritated with herself. “We’ll talk later. I…need some time after what happened. A lot’s happened. I hope you understand.”

When she had heard Elpsis’ reply, if there was one, she would turn and head back to wait for Six-O and his companion. Then they had a special mission….
 
[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Tempest"]


It's always later with you, Elpsis thought a bit unfairly. There was an upset expression on her face. She did not acknowledge the Queen or any of the pompous windbags with fancy titles. The only Eldorai aristo she actually liked was Selene, who wasn't a pompous, power-hungry queen. She could see that vile harpy Tarissa near the Queen. An adept who saw through her metaphysical eyes as opposed to her physical one could see past the serious, solemn exterior she tried to present to the outside world. Her aura showed how ugly her soul was.


"Yeah, a lot's happened," she spoke caustically. "I was at Kaeshana as well, in case you didn't notice! I lost friends, too. I saved Mara's arse on Corellia, then she betrayed us. I was at Castamere with Nima and Lyra. I'm sorry she died. Yes, punishing the arseholes who betrayed us is important. They deserve it. But guess what? Going on a big vengeance crusade, chasing ghosts and spilling a lot of blood isn't gonna bring the dead back."


Tempest was full of anger, Elpsis was, too. The negative emotions from the welcoming committee generated a flood. The empath could not deal with it right now. "We just got out of a horrible battle, but I guess there's only one thing on your mind. Fine, you and Auntie Sio go do your Game of Stars thing. I'm going to help people. I wanna help you, but I can't do that if you push me away." Then she left the scene. She was probably being childish and would regret her outburst later, but didn't care right now.
 
Far away from Tygara...


They stood in the Valley of the Dark Lords. Here lay the final resting places of ancient despots such as Sorzus Syn, Tulak Hord, Ajunta Pall and Marka Ragnos. Their empire had been reduced to ash, their tombs had been desecrated and violated time and again. Yet even though only ruins remained, Sith and Dark Adepts were always drawn to the tomb world. One of them was a young Xioquo Renegade, who was now a long way from home.


Zyanya loathed her Mistress with every fibre of her being. Her anger burnt as brightly as Korriban's merciless, cruel sun. The glowing yellow orb shined brightly, radiating intense, scalding heat across the valley's desolate landscape. A hot, dry wind blew fiercely across the sand dunes, kicking up a choking dust into the air.


The Xioquo hated the sun. Having evolved in deep caverns that never saw sunlight, her kind was most sensitive to in. Simply being exposed to its scalding rays for a few moments was torturous for her, causing blisters in her skin.


Her Mistress had not only forced her to run in it without protection, but given her a dirty, poorly fitting robe that itched her skin. There were cracks in her blistering pain, searing pain surged through her body...but she refused to give up.




"Is my Xioquo apprentice afraid of a little sunlight? Aww...clearly you're not worthy of serving me if this is how weak you are." The mocking, venomous words of Sumiko filled her ears as Zyanya ended her run, panting heavily and trying to get some moisture on her lips by licking them.




I hate you. An image was planted in Zyanya's mind. It featured her inflicting the most agonising torture on Sumiko, drawing her demise out for days, if not weeks, while she had her way with her. It gave her something to strive for. That joyful day when she would be the mistress. There was a gleam of defiance in her eyes when she glared at the Sith Lady with a hate-filled countenance.


"No, Mistress. I am strong. I shall face any challenge you throw at me and be stronger for it," she hissed defiantly, even though she panted and her heart thumped so loudly it felt like her chest might burst.


"Perhaps. I can feel your envy and your hatred. Doubtless, you dream of a day when you'll ascend, yes?" The Sith Mistress' voice was deceptively sweet, like the purr of a cat. This one had very sharp teeth. "You must strengthen your connection with the Dark Side, if you wish to amount to more than your people. Feel its power within you. Don't fight the pain the sun causes you. Embrace it."


Zyanya saw the Lady raise both her hands, gesturing. She could feel strong ripples as the Sky Woman harnessed the power of the spirits. Then suddenly several obsidian pillars and obelisks, remains of great a ruined Sith Temple, were pulled from the ground and rose into the air. Her Mistress did not seem to be experience the slightest strain while levitating them. The ornate ring on her finger radiated dark power, while her black cloak billowed in the wind. Then the pillars gracefully returned to the ground. Zyanya watched in awe and more than a little envy. The Mistress beckoned her. "Now lift them, acolyte," she hissed.


Spirits, give me strength. Zyanya took a deep breath, calling upon her anger and hatred. I shall do anything to return my people to greatness, to avenge my sister's murder and ensure that House Qual ascend to its rightful place. The Outsiders and Qadiri will be enslaved and the Children of Darkness shall reign supreme. I will break the Karishzar and tear her heart out. This I swear by the stars and by my ancestors, she remembered the vow she'd sworn on the day the Underealm fell.


She grit her teeth, soaking up the pain as heat spread like wild fire across her body. Stretching out her arms wide, she poured all her willpower into raising the pillars. Her face was covered in blisters and baked in sweat, but she refused to yield, even as she felt the start of a headache. "Concentrate," the Lady urged her on, and, indeed, her targets began to rise. Slowly they pulled into the air, shook, but then promptly fell back!


Zyanya dropped down to her knees, breathing heavily. Her skin felt like it was being barbequed. The Xioquo grunted in frustration and anger. "I cannot do it. Not out here in the sun. What you think is impossible, Mistress." She hated how pathetic she sounded.


"Impossible?" the Sith asked in a lecturing tone. Approaching Zyanya, she pointed a gloved finger at her. "The task is only impossible because you have deemed it so, my dear. The Force is inside you...but you lack the strength of will to harness it. Perhaps Illyria was right when she said you belonged among the slaves."


"Never!" Zyanya's enraged roar became a shockwave that kicked up clouds of sand and dust into the air, broke stones and skeletons, making the ground tremble slightly. Amidst the storm, her Mistress stood undaunted and stoic.


"Stop lashing out like a wild animal. You must connect with your power." Then she drove into Zyanya's mind, digging into it like a malevolent parasite. The Witch-Necromancer was cruel and merciless, cutting through the layers of resistance.


There was much the Xioquo had learned about shielding her mind, but she was helpless, caught in the web. In her mind, it felt as if her skin was melting and she was helpless to avert it. She screamed, even as it looked to her eyes as if her hand was being stripped of flesh, leaving only bone. "Focus on your power-building. Ignore everyone and everything else. Think beyond your petty crusade of vengeance." The Lady circled her like a predator. This was not real. This could not be real! She knew how to pacify her Mistress. The power was inside her. Slowly, the broken pillars began to rise.
 

Nima Tann

Master of Her Own Destiny
Between the stares and whispers from the people who weren't there, the trio continued to move towards the committee. She could feel the tension even from this distance, and their welcoming committee didn't seem too welcoming. Nima, being her usual self, tried to understand this situation from their perspective. After all, Kaeshana meant more to them and losing it affected them a lot more, however, did they deserve such judging looks? It was another story.

Taking a deep breath, trying not to show any signs of anxiety because she knew there were a lot of eyes following them, she kept marching on. When they have been told about a meeting, she knew it wasn't going to be one with sunshine and rainbows, however she didn't expect this much pressure. Or was it her personality making her feel more pressure than there was? Probably.

An aide came forward, she was carrying a message for Tempest, which included an order for her to go do some assignment that Sio gave her. Nima... could imagine what the assignment was about. And then all hell broke lose.

Feeling an emotional distress coming from Elpsis before, that emotional distress slowly got replaced by anger when Tempest said her last words and started to leave the scene, and Elpsis lashed out at Tempest before she left the scene as well. The situation escalated so quickly that Nima couldn't even get to say anything. She awkwardly stood between them as they both left, and looked at the committee. They were obviously not okay with that.

"Uhh..." She could only say, still trying to process what just happened. Well, there was only one path from here. "Great..."

So, being the responsible one yet again, she sighed and moved towards the committee, thinking of what to say and what to do, and hoping someone better at politics would come and save her pretty soon.

"I apologize for what happened. It has been a difficult day."

Here we go...

[member="Elpsis Elaris"] [member="Tempest"]
 
[member="HK-36"]

“Sounds good. I’ll run the general idea of cybernetics by them and see if they’re on board.” She imagined they would be, but it was never good to assume. There was a difference between replacing a decently good limb or organ, and then there was replacing something that had been hacked off or burnt to a crisp. “In any event, thank you for the offer. It’s very generous of you.” Prosthetics were not cheap, as the upkeep to her arm would suggest. Synthetic flesh was easier to find in peachy tan tones hmph than pink.

Not impossible, but just inconvenient enough.

The message from [member="Elpsis Elaris"] came through next, lighting up her datapad with a notification. Sinking further into her chair, her eyes flickered across the screen and she sat in a thoughtful silence before typing up a response, albeit sluggishly.

Thank you, and I’m alright. You okay? I’m with some of the wounded now, meeting HK-36 soon to discuss cybernetic replacements for their eyes. I can meet you on Tygara within the week, if you’d like. We both need a break.
 
[member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"]


Since Lady Kerrigan presumably off to deal with the High Matriarchs of the Eldorai Matriarchy, the Iron Baron would receive a reply from Lieutenant Nedia Rader. The good Lieutenant would probably be stuck replying to her boss' holophone calls and dealing with bureaucratic minutiae, but that's why she was a staff officer.


Iron Baron,

we agree that standardisation is a desirable goal. Your copy will receive clearance to land at our base on Arkas. We'll send a representative to assess the merits of your proposal and coordinate our efforts. I cannot comment on the efficacy of the Galactic Alliance's cybernetic reconstruction programme.


Lieutenant Rader

((answering on behalf of General Kerrigan))


After the message, which was practically dripping with bureaucratic officialdom, had been sent, the Lieutenant turned her mind to other matters. Firemane needed more boots on the ground, the wounded and refugees needed to be cared for and relocated. Moreover, certain people had to be arrested. A few calls had already been made to Firemane's external bases, especially the outposts on Atrisia and Corellia.
 

Tegaea Alcori

Back to Square One
[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Six-O"], [member="Joza Perl"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Alize Rosenheim"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"]

Into the turbulent aftermath of the lover’s tiff there was an awkward silence. Clearly some of the watching Eldorai were revelling in watching the humans fall out. It only increased their bias and smug feelings.

However, there was one person watching who certainly did not feel that way.
Stepping forward, Tegaea Alcori moved in to take control.

“Master Tann, you have nothing to apologise for. You fought valiantly and defeated your enemies. Whatever happened cannot be blamed on you, or anyone present,” she said firmly. The last was in a slightly raised voice so that those around her would know where she stood, as if they could be in any doubt.

“I have a speeder to take you to some accommodation and there we can do the debrief. All Firemane personnel are being interviewed, but we’re especially interested in the views of those officers in charge such as yourself, Master Tann and [member="Taryc Ap'Irae"] who is with you I understand.”

She saw Elpsis vanish and nodded. The redhead was clearly not in a good mood, so she’d let her cool off before sending an aide to corral her and redirect her energies.

Moving on, Tegaea came upon her wife at last. It wasn’t proper for a hug and kiss in public, especially given the circumstances, but she did offer a smile and lean in for a private word.

“It’s good to see you, love. I’ve been asked to direct you to the Council chamber immediately. I’ll handle all the other stuff out here, you go and give them hell!”

If she wasn’t so intensely irritated with the small-minded nobility of Tygara she might actually pity them. Hurricane Kerrigan was about to descend!
 
Still curled into a ball, Alize could hear the sound of voices arguing as the beatings stopped. What were they talking about? She couldn't be sure - she had become deaf to her surroundings and trapped in a state of shock. Tygara - her new home - was meant to be a safe place for her, somewhere she could lead a peaceful life and run her business.

After a period of relief from the beatings, Alize looked up at the Eldorai who stood over her - hand outstretched, offering to help her up. Shaken by the incident, the Epicanthix-hybrid stared up at the pointy-eared female with empty eyes for almost a full minute before taking hold of the hand in front of her and standing up.

"Thank you," she spoke in an almost robotic monotone. Her body was there but her mind was not. Inside her head, a battle ensued. Was there something else she could have done to help herself? Why didn't she do more? Was it really necessary to just give up and submit herself to the beating? Yes? No? Yes? No? She could not decide.

At first, Alize had intended to fight off her attackers but she was outnumbered and outmatched. Unable to do much to help herself, she did what little she could to protect herself which filled her with self-loathing. She could have done more, should have done more but no, she chose to give up and show her assailants her weakness by curling into a fetal position and shutting down - it disgusted her.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"], [member="Elincia Alanis"]​
 
Taryc stepped from her quarters and into the hallway. She had found a set of generic clothes in the drawers, and so now wore a zip up sweatshirt and sweatpants with the Firemane logo on them. She hadn't found any footwear, so she had made sure to clean her boots before putting them back on. The culmination of that, plus the sword sheathed at her back, likely made for an odd sight. She only rarely let the sword out of her presence, after all of herself that she had put into it, and would carry it until someone expressly told her not to.

She moved through the hallways, striking a balance between aimless wandering and purposeful stride. She had no idea where she was going, just felt the pull of the Force telling her to move. It could have also been restlessness, she hadn't moved around very much since her first few hours on the ship. Those thoughts caused her to smile slightly, and take a deep breath. Soldiers and company workers she passed gave her looks as she moved. She'd have to find out if there was an outfitter or quartermaster on the ship whou could get her something other than sweats to wear. She doubted armor was going to be the uniform of the day, but she could be wrong.

Taryc came upon a large room with many people training in it. She stopped and watched with a practiced eye, as the group in the gym practiced unarmed combat. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the bulkhead of the door, watching.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] [member="Elpsis Elaris"] @Tempest @Siobhan Kerrigan
 
Still on Korriban...yes, this cameo is actually connected to the main plot. Honest!


Her anger, pain, rage and frustration gave her strength, even as her body failed. For a few moments the broken pillars hovered in the air, levitating, before finally falling to the ground with a loud thud. Zyanya likewise collapsed, feeling exhausted and drained. Abruptly, the Sith Mistress withdrew from her mind. The veil was lifted from her eyes. She checked her body, examined the hand that had seemingly melted just moments ago. It was all still in place.


She wanted to hurl her power at her Mistress and repay her in kind, but she could not muster the energy. I must learn to protect myself against her spells. She will not teach me any power that threatens her, she thought.


"Good," the Sith Lady spoke. Venom dripped from her words. "You see the power is inside you. Maybe you're not quite as worthless as I thought." Once again, Zyanya's eyes were drawn to the ornate ring on the Lady's finger.


"I hate you," Zyanya's voice was so weak it might as well have been a whisper. She was left with naked, impotent anger. Rage that carried no power. For now. One day this would change.


"Of course you, dear," the human's tone was matter-of-fact, almost to the point of making her sound bored. "You despise anything that reminds you of your weakness. Anything that makes you realise you're not at the top of the food chain. But you do not dare strike me down. You know why."


"You're stronger...and I need you. I will study at your feet, follow any command you give me...all to master the power of darkness so that one day I will be the mistress. Then I'll destroy you," the Xioquo's voice was like the hiss of a snake. "Until then, I will endure everything you throw at me. My pain will empower me. I will swim in it."


"The way of the Sith, the way of the Xioquo, yes? Both are so archaic. Until that joyful days comes, you are my property. Get up, girl. We shall return to our ship. You'll get cleaned up...and then I have a new assignment for you. One that will make or break you." At this stage, Zyanya's legs felt like jellie, but she forced herself to stand upright. With shaky legs, she followed Sumiko through the blazing heat of Korriban. Her shoes were poor quality and offered little protection from the white hot sand, but still she walked.
 
[member="Tempest"] | Kaeshana Relief Efforts



Neima,


Appreciate the prompt response. I've already given notice to Mr.Zej to redirect his closest salvage vessels to Tygara. Estimates have him arriving within thirty hours of this message, galactic standard time. I've also got some folks scrambling to put up temporary housing on Tabaqui until something more permanent can be done. Given the nature of the rural planet, it may be best to screen those who prefer that lifestyle. Might make for less double work in the future.


-J. Dashiell
 

Nima Tann

Master of Her Own Destiny
Well, that was definitely awkward. The silence was disturbing, and she could feel her anxiety growing.

Fortunately, when she heard Tegaea's voice, she sighed, calming down a bit that someone better at speaking was there to take the wheel. Dealing with this much of stress would be catastrophic for her, and maybe even for the entire Tygara. Well, maybe not that much. But she felt like that.

Anyway, nodding her head as a thanks for saving the poor Twi'lek from the claws of political discussions, she started to talk. "I will go do that then." Then she added, this one was a lot quieter. "Thanks again..."

After giving Sio a little smile and a nod, happy that she was okay, well, at least physically since she could still sense her anger, she moved towards the transport that was going to bring her to the interview area.

Once she arrived, well, she realized that there was quite a line in front of her.

And thus, the waiting game has begun. After a good deal of several minutes, it was her turn.

So she moved in, and hoped for the best.

[member="Tegaea Alcori"] [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]
 

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