Junction Eternal Alliance | Battle of Panatha | EE+Firrerre, TSE+Soullex

[Second Son]

​

Objective: Bring The Traitors Ruin
Location: Inside the Capital City
Equipment: Sorcerer's Spellbook, Lightsaber
Tags: Felix Astermo Elaena Kessia Miran

​

This.. Was not what he expected. This group of individuals would be.. Interesting to work alongside. Or at least, this ghost armed woman was not what he had been expecting. She certainly had an interesting opinion on the Sith. But, once more, she was correct. Confidence and cockiness were a thin line. Taking her cue as she faded from view his spellbook flipped through it's pages to a particular page, which began to glow it's deep red.

"S͏̝̺̺ḩ̻̳̟͇̯͖̝i͇̭͓ͅḁ̞̘̭͞s͔̮̙ͅ ̧̪̥̲̪̯͎ͅMu̬̳̖̠̘̜̘͠ş̱̮̝̖̱ ̥̗͍̙͍̩̞Ḭ̰̝̗̟͍͠ś̖͇ ͙̮̮͍͙Z̼̥̠͎͖͇i̮̠̩͇j̡͚͓̗͙i̩̘̮a̺̪͕̩̪̼͝."
​

The shadows coalesced around him before turning into a dome around both him and the golden Sith. They would disappear from sight to any outside this barrier. Calmly he would walk forward to where Kessia had gone, his masked visage turning to look through the estate. So much destroyed in an attempt to find the Royal Family. These Force Hunters would soon meet his wrath, but now was the time to reformulate the trap to his own. As he walked he brought own a sith runed dagger and removed the glove on his other hand. A quick slash opened his palm. As they moved he muttered another incantation.

"I̬̭̱͕͍r̨̼͙̰̼̱͕̬d̶̠̬̟͇̘ͅi̗͇̯͔͓̱͢n̸̜̦͖͕̦͇̙o̘̥̲͙͇h̝͔̯̟̙͝a̩ ͍͡A̟̪n͖̻͚̦̱̺͞i͓̥̘̼m͓.̺̰̥͔̲̳̮ M̲̺̮͜o̙͇͓ḫt͓̘̬̼o̗͈̻͍̮̲͔n͓̹̳̠i̢̙̥̭̪ ͔͎͓̟̪̱A͈͞n̡̩̬̳i̷m̨̘.̠̗̠̥ ͙̙͞Z̛̺u͎͇̹̱̥̩͎͠d̮́y̹̩t͎̳̳̲̬i̛͍͎͕̻̰̜ͅ ̭̮͕An̻í̫͚͕̞̜m͏̦ͅͅ.̞̦"​

Blood would pool on the ground before shifting unnaturally. Forming runes that would quickly fade from view, though the feeling of the dark would still be there. Traps, to fall back on should they be overwhelmed.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch; The Night Queen, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Near to the Capital, Panatha
Equipment: Brynja coat | Heilagr MK. I Assassin Armour | 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | G1 OmniLink || Shield talisman | Taozin amulet | Empyrean gland
Tags: Joycelyn Zambrano | Ty Sibo | Rath Nihro | Telis Taharin-Zambrano (planned) | Open

While waiting for the Sith Empress's response, she was suddenly torn by the realization and emptiness that she hoped in vain that AMCO would come with the Sith troops as well. She had forgotten again that her husband had been dead for weeks. She was so immersed in work again and ruled out everything, even her own pain, that she forgot. She took it so natural that he was alive, because he was full of life, all the time. Cold emptiness moved into her soul again. For the first time in a few days, she had enough strength to rewrite the full coronation ceremony. The second wedding (second to them, as they had previously held the wedding, where there were only friends and family members) had to be cancelled, everything had to be varied. Yet this fight would really have been for Adrian, to save relics and artefacts. As if it had been invented for him.

She felt the presence of the Sith from the city, as well as the presence of Kessia. Although the woman hid in the Force, Ingrid, because of her own aunt (since she made Chameleon), always knew where her assassin and her right hand were going. That's why she sent another message to Ty Sibo . She tried to focus her full attention on the things that were coming; she could not immerse herself in grief, no matter how much she missed Adrian. She was a L’lerim, she could not show weakness.

~ The Sith are already in town, start a team, the commands may change depending on the Sith Empress's response. ~

Meanwhile, the young and talented Rath Nihro also arrived. The Eternal Empress returned the salute, and since she had not yet received an answer from the Sith Empress, she turned to her own Warden. She knew what the young man wanted to prove, so there was no reason to keep him here in this place.

”Private, you don't have to stay here if you want to go to town. Find who you are looking for and do what you need to do!”

 

[Kalic Daws]

Location: The air.
Tags: LE-03 (Leigh) Vidalu Na'an Adelle Bastiel Ingrid L'lerim

Kalic flew through the air in the Star Crest, looking down below. Technicaly, he wasn't supposed to fly, but he snuck out to help. And the way he chose was to drop CryoBan based anti-fire bombs. The fighter screeched above, as Kalic looked below.

"Thinks look way too hot up here guys!"

 

[Rath Nihro]

Location: Near the Capital, Panatha
Equipment: Aegis of the Snow, Vibrodagger, Nelvaanian Sword, KC-95'ACE of Spades'
Ship: Fireaxe "Deep Space" Starfighter
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim Ty Sibo Joycelyn Zambrano

Rath honestly wasn't too certain if the Wardens allowed leniency of what they should do, but Rath had always taken the initiative. Waiting around for someone to tell him what to do wasn't exactly his strong suit. Even so there was a time to get confirmation of whether or not Rath should enter the city. Plus he needed answers, and hopefully the Eternal Truth would give those answers. As they were Wardens themselves, Rath knew he couldn't take them lightly.

After Ingrid returned the salute, she basically gave him permission to join the fray so to speak. The helmet masked his voice to be a deep, robotic tone.

"By your orders, my Lord." A form of acknowledgement, and strangely he's never been corrected on how to address their Overlord. Afterwards, Rath turned to make haste towards the city. The Nelvaanian sword still gripped in reverse as the phrik blade maintained contact against his armor. He purposely kept his left hand free since that was mainly to either use the Force or to make use of a neat gadget to move around easier. One never knows how handy a grappling hook could be especially in an urban environment.

---

Sounds of fire and blasterfire echoed throughout the city as the white armored Warden dashed through the back alleys. He was only guided by the sounds of chaos, and the Force that seems to be calling for him. Or was it the dark side whispering to him? The Warden wasn’t certain, but if it led to what he sought then so be it.

Unfortunately, that decision to follow the Force and chaos led him to someone who wielded the Force into an electrifying current. Only by the visual sight of a dark figure that came around the corner with an extended hand made Rath suddenly changed directions into a tumbling roll. Rath took cover behind a stack of durasteel crates as the lightning struck the boxes. Folding the Force into a pocket above his left palm, Rath projected a strong push of kinetic energy that slammed against the crates which sent them flying towards the darksider.

The dark figure leapt over the crates before a crimson blade came to life, and Rath prepared to evade again as the dark figure dashed close the instant it touched the ground. Rath momentarily parried the strike from the lightsaber, and in the same motion Rath grabbed the bottom of the darksider’s lightsaber in the midst of a momentary saber lock before he pulled it to the side. Angling the lightsaber blade away and allowed his phrik blade to slip past before it sliced through the dark hood. A head rolled off to reveal a masculine pale zabrak with dark tattoos decorating his face.

At first Rath thought why the force user didn’t press for another attack after the lock, but he assumed that now the dead man sought to overpower with raw strength alone. The red blade still alive as Rath held the lightsaber in his free hand as the Warden turned his gaze onto it. He knew Initiates weren’t supposed to use sabers as tradition stated to use only the sabers the Warden has crafted himself. In this time however, Rath wasn’t going to have that luxury if another threw a lightsaber at his way. The Nelvaanian sword could only withstand so much of the lightsaber before it is split in twine. So Rath deactivated the lightsaber yet still held it in his free hand and Rath resumed his path onward.

 

[Ladybug]

​

Objective: Kill The Traitors
Location: Inside Capital City, Panatha
Equipment: Dark Blessings of Kuolema / Varjokävely


The initial push toward the capital provided little resistance. The enemy opposing her led force chose to adopt a defensive retreat, rather than hold the ground they had previously conquered. It was baffling to her as to why they were more than willing to give up so much territory, where once again they had previously suffered slightly less than heavy causalities to obtain this six mile stretch of land on the eastern front of the capital. The only obvious conclusion was their supplies were thinning and they needed to consolidate within the capital itself.

But she had been mistaken in her assessments. The enemy's calculated retreat had drawn her and her force into an open block, smack dab in the middle and surrounded on three sides. The enemy had turned relentless, pummeling her force with everything they could muster. She could easily signal a retreat, but her pride would not allow such a folly. She ordered her troops to dig in, take cover wherever they could muster; and for the love of her Goddess fight the enemy as savagely as possible. For every life the enemy took from her troops, they would double the ante.

"Shore up our left flank," she bellowed into the communication device attached to her ear, ordering the officer in charge of the left flank to hold fast. "If you allow them to break through they will split us in half," she added firing a rocket from her wrist mounted launcher into a group of huddled traitors. She didn't need to witness the devastation, she felt it through the Force.

"Commander," a raspy voice penetrated through all the chatter hurling through the comlinks, "A small detachment of seven enemy soldiers have broken away from the right flank and have entered the burnout building next to us. We cannot counter. I repeat. We cannot counter!"

Those seven soldiers knew, as she did, that if they could set-up shop with enough cover and uncontested they could pick off her troops almost at will. Another rocket from her wrist launcher struck the enemy, providing a small glimpse of covering fire as she led three soldiers into that same building via the front doors. Their only objective now was to eliminate that potential threat before the enemy could fill more caskets with the broken bodies of The Eternal Empire's sons and daughters. Her favorite game was now afoot; cat and mouse.

 

[Daeron]

INNER CAPITAL CITY
Ladybug Darth Strosius

Before entering the burnout building, Ladybug would have been able to see a Sith transport spiral down from the sky. Smoke billowed out from one of the wings as it spun uncontrollably.

Then, it crashed some blocks away from the open square Mikilanna occupied. Behind the burnout building.

---

Daeron’s eyes opened. The mangled ship appeared upside from his view. He glanced around to see a few soldiers laying motionlessly – tangled and penetrated by the debris of the ship.

The ship definitely crashed. Daeron realized he was the one upside down. When he placed weight upon his left hand to get him, he hissed in pain. He looked over it. No exposed bone. Daeron scanned the ship and saw a medpac.

As Daeron crawled toward the medkit, he heard Eternal Truth soldiers speaking from outside the ship. He picked up the pace, reached the medkit, and opened it to immediately start searching through it.

The voices of the enemy soldiers grew louder.

Then, Daeron found what he searched for – a bone stabilizer like device. He rolled up the sleeves of his forearm and applied the device to his arm. A makeshift cast formed out of foam. It would serve as a temporary means to set any bones that may have broken.

And at the point, the voices of Eternal Truth soldiers were just outside the downed ship…

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Ingrid L'lerim​

As Joycelyn closed the distance between herself and the Eternal Empress, she was listening in on the reports of troop placements and landing throughout the planet. Information ticked in about her landfall and the contact between er scouts and these rebel offshoots that threatened her ancestral world. It had been some time since she last took the field in an official sense, though she had been trapped in battle in the mean time.

The Eternal Empress hailed her, a most courteous response.

"Empress, your deference is most courteous. I thank you for respecting our leadership of the Panathan people."

Joycelyn spoke, but no sound penetrated the dark helmet. She waited for a moment, then spoke again.

"Empress, I-"

Seeing the Eternal Empress speak to one of her soldiers and maintain an obvious waiting expression, Joycelyn growled with irritation as she ripped her helmet off and dropped it on the ground next to her. It had been on the frizz since Velmor, and her armourers had assured her the problem had been fixed. Evidently, they were wrong.

"Empress, let me first of all, let me in person, offer you my deepest condolences for Adrian." "He was a-" She looked down for a moment, remembering her gladiatorial battle with him on Bastion, then reinitiated eye-contact. "A remarkable man. And he will be avenged." "And I must thank you for allowing us this freedom to defend our ancestral world." "You have more than proven your commitment to our alliance."

As they spoke, Sith-Imperial legionnaires were taking to the field in the support of the Eternal Empire's forces.

 

[UX-0626]

Objective: Survive
Location: Canthar - Panatha
Tags: Daeron (Proximity) Ladybug Darth Strosius

UX-0626 woke up.

The smell of burning metal, spilled fuel, and blood filled her nostrils in equal parts, in spite of her armor’s environmental filters. There were a few moments of confusion, as the background of her present circumstances went blank in her mind, spurring a brief moment of panic in the Legionnaire as she sought to make sense of her wreckage and bodies strewn about around her.

Though fleeting, those seconds of dismay and confusion seemed to last forever, until her concussed mind finally recovered her memories of the moments leading up to the crash.

A deep breath escaped from her lips in relief at the recollection, but the taste of iron on her tongue immediately called attention to the gravity of her situation. A throbbing headache wracked her senses, in addition to a painful assortment of aches in her bones, presumably sustained from the undoubtedly jarring force of the impact. Even so, she had been luckier than others, their bodies twisted and impaled in gruesome fashion from the violence of the crash.

By comparison, she had suffered only a pounding headache and a few aching bones.

Digging into the utility belt on her armor, 626 retrieved a medpac and quickly opened it, pulling out a spray-bandage and a pack of antiseptic wipes. In taking off her helmet, the smell of death and fire overcame her senses, but were quickly ignored as she worked to treat her head injury. 626 winced as she lifted her short cut cyan hair, which was stuck to her forehead under a layer of blood and sweat. Then, closing her eyes, she cleaned her forehead with an antiseptic wipe and applied a spray-bandage. The helmet went back on almost as soon as she was finished, giving a soft hiss as the hermetic seal solidified itself.

It was only then that she noticed the unidentified life form signatures growing larger in the sensor readouts on her HUD, presumably Eternal Truth soldiers moving to investigate the wreckage. However, there was still one friendly signature, a Sith Acolyte ( Daeron ) who she had failed to notice up until that moment. From there, she checked the weapons on her armor’s magnetic hardpoints, glancing over to the Sith as he worked to mend his injured arm.

She gave him a silent nod of acknowledgement as she took up a fallen Legionnaire’s battle rifle, in preparation of meeting the incoming Eternal Truth soldiers...

Spoiler: Gear and Equipment

• Armor
  • Sith-Imperial Legionnaire Combat Armor Mk. III
    • Undersuit
      • Viper Mk. I Skinsuit
    • Utility
      • Neural Band
      • Taozin Skin Nodule
      • Revealer
• Small Arms
  • “Extinguisher” Precision Pulse Cannon
  • SIF-7 ‘Minos’
    • Multi-Optic Holographic Sight
  • “Judicator” Adaptive Battle Rifle (Scavenged)
• Melee
  • Whimsy Knife
• Grenades and Explosives
  • Impact Grenade (2)
  • Thermal Imploder (2)

 

[Rath Nihro]

Location: Capital Plaza, Panatha
Equipment: Aegis of Snow, Nelvaanian Sword, KC-95 Ace of Spades, Vibrodagger, Red Lightsaber
Ship: Fireaxe "Deep Space" Starfighter
Tags: Daeron Ladybug Darth Strosius UX-0626

The capital at the very least was a metropolis in its own right. Without having a map to rely on, Rath reluctantly went towards the sounds of blaster fire and explosions. Of course he's also following the Force as it guided the Warden where he's supposed to go. It just so happens to be the same direction where the battle of chaos was taking place. The question remained, was Rath being guided there for answers? Or was it pulling him from one dark user to another?

Rath didn't have time to dwell on that as he came upon a blockade of sorts as several soldiers armed with rifles were blasting away into the plaza. He couldn't see who they were shooting at, but the colors and insignia that these soldiers wore spoke of Eternal Truth. The Warden snuck up on the squad as they were focused on gunning down whoever was trapped in the plaza. With a single thrust, the phrik blade pierced through the neck as the man started to clutch at his throat. Rath pulled the sword away as a couple of them noticed. He moved quick to slice open the second soldier's neck opened and in the same motion positioned Rath to take cover behind the dying man. Because the third one blasted his comrade with the blaster rifle, and Rath held the soldier with his left hand despite the still non-active lightsaber positioned so that the blade would go straight into the man's head if he ever tried anything.

This drew the attention of several other squad members, and while Rath does drop the sword. He catches it with the Force before it hit the ground. In the same motion Rath took a frag grenade from the soldier's belt and with a click the Warden through the grenade in an arc to land in the cluster's vicinity. Panic started to stir just before an explosion of shrapnel blew them apart. The phrik sword flew straight and true to stab into the last remaining soldier in the squad's left thigh. A groan of pain with equivalent surprise was met with a swift end as Rath dropped the corpse and as he lowered his left in an arc. The crimson blade came to life just to end the last soldier's life. Unfortunate as it was, Rath felt no sympathy for them. He didn't see the need to keep any of them alive since despite them getting rifles and armor. They're more on the point-and-shoot type of people than being told what the ex-Wardens were up to.

If anything it'll lessen the gunfire that had the Sith's forces suppressed, but Rath wasn't certain if it'll provide them enough time to take cover elsewhere. They were boxed in from virtually all sides, and Rath noticed a few of the snipers took residence on some of the roofs surrounding the plaza.

"I suppose I can lend them some support." Rath spoke more to himself than anyone in particular. He retrieved his Nelvaanian sword from the corpse before he secured it on his belt. Changing hands with the lightsaber, a grappling hook flew from Rath's left wrist as it caught the edge of the nearby roof. It pulled the Warden up on the roof, and frankly Rath was glad for the armor's high resistance to blasters since the sniper pulled out a pistol and fired a couple of bolts into him. Rath took the first bolt into his left chest, but the second one Rath brought up the lightsaber to deflect the bolt. One of the rules that his unit in the army was never bring a knife to a gunfight. So when Rath deflected the bolt, his other hand grabbed his own high powered pistol and with one shot Rath killed the sniper.

The Warden kept low as he deactivated the lightsaber and approached the dead sniper. He took the IQA-11 and noted that it only had three shots left. Rath aimed down the scope and proceeded to eliminate the two snipers on the east side and one sniper on the south. Afterwards Rath lowered to cover before he began to dig into the corpse's pockets for additional packs. Sure enough, there was an extra one so Rath ejected the mag and replaced it with a fresh one.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Protect and recover the artifacts of the Sith, kill those who would defile and destroy them
Location: Flying towards the Capital / Crashing into the streets of the Capital
Equipment: Lightsaber
Tags: Daeron / Ladybug / UX-0626 / Rath Nihro
-------------------------------------

Alisteri barely noticed as the ship that he was in breached into the planet's atmosphere, idly noticing several other shuttles outside one of the windows. He supposed that it was a decently sized operation, on the Sith side anyway. He had no idea what their ally's forces looked like, but he assumed that he would see them soon. They were nearing the city after all.

He glanced over his lightsaber one last time, mostly to look busy while the other occupants of the shuttle were checking their own gear. "The LZ is in sight, be ready to deploy." The pilot called from the front of the ship. It was time.

Right as the Legionnaires and the Sith were about to stand up and prepare to go in combat however, a couple of the shuttles around them suddenly went down under a barrage of fire from the city. The ship rocked as the pilot pulled evasive maneuvers, the acolyte holding onto the seat for dear life as he heard one of the thrusters get hit. "We're going down! BRACE YOURSELVES!" "I'm too young to die!" "FOR THE EMPIRE!" Several shouts rang out as the shuttle impacted and skid on one of the streets of the city.

The awful noise could barely be heard amidst the sounds of blaster fire and the crashes of other such transports. Finally the ship collided with a random citizen's vehicle on the street and managed to stop.

Once the masked man had managed to calm his breathing and his racing heart, as well as release his death-grip on the seat, he stood up on shaky legs and stumbled to the exit of the shuttle. As the squad checked themselves he used his lightsaber to cut the exit open, clambering out onto the street with a relieved sigh. "I can hear the enemy around us, if we survive then I owe you all a drink." He glanced back at the squad and gave them a small salute before igniting his sabre and running off into the city.

He had a mission to accomplish.

 

[Felix Astermo]

Location: Capital City, Royal Palace
Objective: Unmake the rogue elements.
Equipment: Sith Warblade, Fancy Robe & Mask.
Writing With: Elaena Kessia Miran & Second Son

The woman had her tricks, among them invisibility, and the Knight had his sorceries. Useful the both of them, but for now Aurum was content to simply follow along, offering no comment as the spy scouted ahead and only the barest nod as the Sorcerer hid them both on his own initiative. In the future, he would have to consider bringing a stealth generator, but he preferred relying on the power of the Force when possible.

Much more intuitively reliable than the complex workings of engineers, so subject to failure or sabotage.

Eying the runes for a moment, he nodded again. A sensible precaution; simply collapsing the hallway would have worked just as well, of course, but his fellow Sith seemed to have a connection of sorts with the Zambranos. Perhaps he did not wish to see their estate unduly deconstructed.

No matter, if push came to shove Aurum would do what he had to, aristocratic sentiments be damned.

"I anticipate resistance. Soon. We are past the outskirts, but fortifying the central areas seems reasonable."

 

[Ty Sibo]

Location: Capital Plaza, Panatha
Ty's Equipment: harm armor, under armor bodysuit, Anti material rifle, Protosaber
Combined arms fireteam Equipment: 3x 12 Biodroid squads, H.A.R.M. MK1 ARMOR, Armor bodysuit, Laser battle rifle, M-416's, GMG's
Fireteam vehicles: heavy gunship shuttles, tank distroyers, armored infantry vehicles
Tags: Ingrid L'lerim , Rath Nihro , Joycelyn Zambrano


Ty nodded his head before Pointing to his three Biodroids with him and Dishing out orders via Telepathic link. "Red Leader and green Leader get to your squads and your armored infantry vehicles and tank destroyers and push up with the rest of the armor" Looking to the last squad member he jesters to the heavy gunship shuttles "Blue Team you with me we take to the skies and bomb out any military structures now let's move" Ty looked back Twords Ingrid "Let slip the dogs of war my lord. for the Scarecrows will punch a hole for you." With that ty climbed aboard the gunship/shuttlecraft and began flying off to his first target

 

[Daeron]

INNER CAPITAL CITY
Ladybug Darth Strosius UX-0626

The ship Darth Strosius crashed in was just out of sight for the Eternal Truth soldiers closing in on Daeron and UX-0626. Their focus remained on the crashed ship before them...

Daeron looked up to see a fellow crash survivor - UX-0626 . He gave a silent nod in reply to the Imperial soldier.

Just after, the footsteps of approaching Eternal Truth soldiers could be heard. They could not be seen. Daeron sat still and listened. The sounds split apart at the front of the ship.

Daeron took a deep breath and focused.

clack-clack-clack

Two enemies on Daeron’s side of the ship.

With cautious movements, Dearon shuffled closer to the mangled ship’s hull.

clack-clack-clack

Two more enemies on the opposite side of the ship – closer to UX-0626.

Looking toward the Imperial soldier, Daeron pointed toward the far wall with two fingers outstretched. Then he moved a finger over his mouth to give the signal to be quiet.

Slowly, Daeron drew his lightsaber hilt with his good hand. He placed the emitter upon the ship’s hull.

And waited.

He did not look back to see if UX-0626 got set up for an ambush or not.

He waited.

The footsteps got closer.

And closer.

And when he could sense they were close enough,

click-bzzztt

Dearon ignited his lightsaber. The blade pierced through the ship hull. An Eternal Truth soldier on the other side of the steel screamed in pain – having been stabbed as well...

 

[UX-0626]

Objective: Survive
Location: Canthar - Panatha
Tags: Daeron (Proximity) Ladybug Darth Strosius

A moment of silent understanding passed between her and the Sith after the man processed her presence, the circumstances of their situation dawning upon them as the four soldiers approached the wreckage of the craft. Their footsteps were loud, growing ever closer, but the diminutive Legionnaire didn’t dare yet move, knowing that their senses were likely just as primed as her own.

It was only when 626 heard the disharmonious noise of anti-aircraft fire, discharged from an emplacement that was only a few hundred meters from the wreckage did she find her opening.

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

In four beats, 626 kicked herself up from the ground, drawing a knife from the holster on her shoulder as she did. From there, she paused for a few moments, waiting for the next round of fire before moving once more.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Uncoiling her body in a manner not dissimilar to a Loth-cat springing after prey, 626 exploded into motion, her powerful legs driving her movements as she dashed towards the flanks of the two soldiers on her side of the ship, the sound of her footsteps covered only by the pounding beats of the guns.

Boom. Boom.

She moved once more, locking the power mode of the scavenged battle rifle to the highest setting as she came around into a blind spot behind the two soldiers, who were slowly getting closer to the edge of the dropship’s mangled right side entrance. It would only be seconds before they saw the Sith, but the next beat came just in time.

Boom.

In exact sync with the ignition of the Sith’s lightsaber, a pair of supercharged particle bolts were fired off from the rifle, finding their marks in the skull of the soldier to her left. Then, after letting the rifle fall to the ground, 626 leveraged her weight to tackle the other soldier, burying her knife through one of the orange “eyes” in the man’s helmet and finishing the kill with a single contact shot to his head from her pistol.

Spoiler: Gear and Equipment

• Armor
  • Sith-Imperial Legionnaire Combat Armor Mk. III
    • Undersuit
      • Viper Mk. I Skinsuit
    • Utility
      • Neural Band
      • Taozin Skin Nodule
      • Revealer
• Small Arms
  • “Extinguisher” Precision Pulse Cannon
  • SIF-7 ‘Minos’
    • Multi-Optic Holographic Sight
  • “Judicator” Adaptive Battle Rifle (Scavenged)
• Melee
  • Whimsy Knife
• Grenades and Explosives
  • Impact Grenade (2)
  • Thermal Imploder (2)

 

[Ladybug]

Objective: Kill The Traitors
Location: Inside Capital City, Panatha
Equipment: Dark Blessings of Kuolema / Varjokävely
Tags: Daeron / Rath Nihro / Darth Strosius / UX-0626


A split second before leading the trio of soldiers into the building, she caught a glimpse of a ship spiraling down into the capital city warzone. In that brief instance she caught the markings of the ship, a Sith vessel. At this junction there was no way of knowing any aboard the downed craft harbored any survivors, and though the idea of any survivors turned reinforcements would be a much needed gift; she first had to deal with the enemies inside. She could not simply abandon the troops under her command; however she could spare a few to assist at the crash site. Quickly she ordered six soldiers to head to the crash site, though in normal times a squad would be hard pressed to navigate unfamiliar territory without a map, her boys only needed the dark rising smoke to be their beacon.

Briefly as she stepped into the bomb-gutted building, the smells of burning metal and sulfur threatened to wage their own personal grudge on her own olfaction. There was no time to ponder deeply on the attack, she needed to deal with these soldiers, ensure her own boys and girls where secure to defend their positions, and possibly make her way to the crash site. Luckily in her favor, the building was small and compacted; allowing for the good guys to move swiftly up the front stairs. And even more luckier that the carnage of battle suppressed their booted approach. She and the trio stepped into a rather spacious room at which in better days could have been some sort of conference or meeting room; the backs of their enemies to them, the fronts of said enemies lining up in front of a massive, but no longer outlined in glass, window pane. With a simple nod, the trio unloaded round after round into the enemy; falling them quickly.

Having left the trio to keep this building secure and free of pests, she first made the proper adjustments to her remaining soldiers; changing their mandate from assault to defend. Then, after leaving the most senior officer in charge of their defenses in her absence, she bolted through the ravaged streets; occasionally glancing up to the dark guiding smoke. The streets were littered with bodies, and she witnessed a few of those she had dispatched to the crash site among them. By the time she had finally reached the proximity of the downed ship, all six were dead.

Upon arriving, the site was swarming with Eternal Truth soldiers; though they were being held at bay by two individuals Mikilanna had never seen before. Regardless, these two were fighting on the same sided cause as she was, thus they were allies even if she would never see them again. Gaging the skirmish, she singled out a handful of ET soldiers trying their luck at dropping the other two. First she ignited her left lightsaber, then her right placing them both in her unorthodox reverse style. Her focus was those soldiers, and as she grew closer to them, the crystals in her hilts took hold. Almost on command, the soldiers dropped their weapons as mental disorientation pierced into their minds like a jagged, heated iron poker and nausea crept deep within their bowels; leaving them defenseless as her twin lightsabers cut them to shreds.

 

[Rath Nihro]

Location: Panatha Capital, Central Plaza
Equipment: Aegis of Snow, Nelvaanian Sword, Vibrodagger, KC-95 Ace of Spades, Red Lightsaber
Ship: Fireaxe "Deep Space" Starfighter
Tags: Daeron Darth Strosius UX-0626 Ladybug

With the fresh clip within the IQA-11, Rath picked off two more Eternal Truth soldiers in their strategic positions to the north side of the plaza. A starship spiraled to crash nearby, but fortunately the Force decided not to let the craft explode. Which meant that there was a chance for those survivors. Rath thought about moving over there to provide assistance, but then he would have to give up the high ground and risk the Eternal Truth to gain reinforcements.

As if the Force answered his concerns, unfortunately there was another squad coming from the north blockade, and trailing behind them was an Military variant Armored Ground Vehicle with an E-Web equivalent gun mounted on the back. Rath frowned under his helmet as that asset quickly changed how this situation was going to play out. With a near deafening sound, the gatling gun opened suppressive fire to the already pinned down Sith troopers. Rath had to take his time to line up with the scope as he adjusted based on the distance, the angle, and the position of the gunner. The downside was that the gunner had a shield around the gun so it was difficult to line up a shot.

That all quickly changed as the Warden felt another presence, a sinister one at that as it came from above. Both out of instinct and usage of the Force. Rath rolled away just as an dark armored figure with a red lightsaber came down to cleave through the IQA-11. At the end of his roll, Rath reignited the lightsaber that he confiscated from a dead force-user. Only to bring it up as the dark figure followed with a downward strike that clashed against Rath's saber. The strength behind this stranger was unreal that Rath felt himself losing under the pressure. So Rath pivot and turned away from the saber while simultaneously angling his lightsaber to graze the figure's helmet. Usually Rath would end it quick, but the armor seemed to be heavily resistant to the lightsaber. It wasn't cortosis for the lightsaber would've shorted out. Either way the Warden didn't have time to strike a guess as the duelist swung the red saber that forced Rath to step back just outside of the lightsaber's reach.

Following up as quick as he dodged, Rath lunged forward. The Initiate knew that he couldn't close the distance before the armored warrior brought his lightsaber back for another swing. So instead Rath parried the saber with his own and in the same motion slammed his left elbow against the helmet. The sharp blow made the armored duelist turn their cheek to the other direction, but not enough to make them back down. Suddenly Rath felt a sharp pain at his ribs as a tremendous kinetic energy pushed Rath off his feet for roughly a dozen meters. He grimaced as the armor was designed to be resistant to blasters, lightsaber, and cold. Kinetic unfortunately was not on that list as the most his armor provided was disperse that energy in the area. Even so Rath was thrown off the roof and for a moment he thought he was going to plummet to the ground. Instead there was another roof of a building smaller than the one Rath was thrown off.

The Warden grits his teeth as he flipped his body. Rath used more of the Force to dampen the impact by conjuring a wave of kinetic energy to wash over him. Rath was only able to take a breath to steady his breathing before he witnessed the stronger foe leap from the building. Every fiber of Rath's body screamed to move out of the way, and so with an acrobatic backflip Rath narrowly avoids the heavy slash. Unfortunately for both of them the duelist also unleashed a wave of force that traveled across the ground. The roof ended up cracking underneath their feet before it collapsed on itself. Dragging both of the darksiders into the lower levels, but Rath became smart as he fired the grappling hook that attached itself to the taller building next to them. The lightsaber that Rath has been holding deactivated as Rath didn't want to accidentally cut himself or the wire. As the mechanism pulled Rath up and away from the collateral damage. Rath glanced down at the duelist, and the only thing he saw was the figure made a powerful jump from the falling debris and body slammed Rath to bust through a duraglass window. Air left from his lungs as Rath didn't expect to be tackled of all things.

Both of them tumbled and rolled a few meters before Rath gathered his strength to kick off his opponent. Somewhere in the midst of the tumble Rath lost the lightsaber, and so he was back to square one. As Rath got up on his feet, the Warden drew out the Nelvaanian sword as he assumed a more defensive stance.

"Do you know where I can find a man named Ta'kir Glimmer? Used to be a Warden, blue skin, has a pale streak on the left side of his face?" Rath questioned as the dark figure also stood up dramatically slow with their red lightsaber that painted the spacious room in a red light. The warrior spoke that came off deep as it dripped with primal rage.

"No." Then with a pointed finger at Rath, the figure spoke again.

"Pick up your lightsaber." It was perhaps a bit odd, but from what Rath has seen this warrior seemed to have a thing regarding honor. Rath glanced over in the debris of glass and picked out the silver-like reflection from the lightsaber that he had dropped. The Warden reached out with his free hand as he willed the Force to pull the lightsaber into his left hand. The instant it landed into his hand the familiar red blade ignited.

"Do you know him?" Rath inquired as he needed answers, but instead of answering the duelist charged forward to engage in a flurry of heavy blows that Rath had difficulty withstanding via blocks and parrying with his lightsaber. The armored figure was clearly stronger in terms of sheer strength, and Rath more than once had to evade the red blade or else he would've been split in two.

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim Ragal Terassi Vandiir
Eternal Empress of the Eternal Empire, Lord Commander of the Wardens of the Shroud
The Red Witch; The Night Queen, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Near to the Capital, Panatha
Equipment: Brynja coat | Heilagr MK. I Assassin Armour | 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | G1 OmniLink || Shield talisman | Taozin amulet | Empyrean gland
Tags: Joycelyn Zambrano | Telis Taharin-Zambrano (planned) | Open

Ingrid issued some orders as she had not received a response from Joycelyn yet. She had no idea that there were technical problems in the background, rather she thought the woman had received information and considered them. Maybe she also gave orders. She didn’t really bother because until then, she too could think and watch her own people. She trembled imperceptibly at the other Empress’ words. Fortunately, she was able to hide the pain from her gaze, her movements. Her eyes, however, betrayed her, they showed immeasurable pain, as she made eye contact.

”Thank you, Empress. But he not just was, he is a remarkable man. I’m not give up the hope to collect his soul, his soul fragments and bring him back to life. Yes, what they did to him will avenge. I want to say right now, I don't care if his killer is a member of your bloodline, Empress. Even if the Sith Empire objects against it, I will still hunt and kill Runi Verin. Even if the price is our Alliance! This is my duty, Adrian is not just my lover, but my husband and one of the prince-consorts.”

She didn’t tell their child yet. Her voice was cold and emotionless, perhaps soulless, lifeless, but the usual soldier. However, she did not feel hatred or anger, it was not felt from her. If she even had that feeling, she would have suppressed them perfectly. It was one thing the Empress had to do, it was her duty. Even Adrian would have taken revenge if something had happened to the woman. She made this decision with a cold, clean head, not under the influence of emotions, it was a rational decision. A member of her family was killed, they only spent together four years, only four years!. Tubrok would probably have wiped out the entire Zambrano bloodline for her, only not if, in their view, the girl was no longer part of the family, she was an Ace. Without a clan or family.

”Panatha is your world, for us “only” an adjacent solar system. I know Darth Tacitus wanted to occupy and properly annex the planet to the Eternal Empire, but I respect our alliance. And I know Panatha would never surrender to us, so I was opposed to possible military operations from the beginning. Anyway, this is natural, we are allies. I know my emperor’s betrayal has changed a lot, but I hope one day I can get the whole Sith Empire to trust us again.”

The red-haired woman turned her gaze to the city, Adrian should be here. She had toyed in her mind with the thought to hug the man and put on her own military coat to the Sith Lord to finally wear regular armour on him at least once in his life. Never... that is, who knows when it might happen again. She wanted to believe she could gather his soul one day.

”Are we joining our people?” she asked, she had always been the kind of person who loved to fight on the side of her men, preferably in one of the very first lines, and not just hand out orders from behind.

 

[Elaena Kessia Miran]

Kessia Miran
Chameleon, Knight Warden of the Wardens of the Shroud, Agent of Blackwatch, sithspawn, L’lerim’s right hand​

Location: Royal Palace, Capital City, Panatha
Equipment: Gildenweave Light Armor | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit undersuit | Simple robe | 2x Westar 34 blaster pistol | 2x Sigra vibroblade | 2x Striith vibrosword | Stealth field generator | G1 OmniLink | Shield talisman | Taozin amulet | Healing amulet | Empyrean gland
Tag: Felix Astermo | Second Son

Kessia also uses technology to hide when she had to, otherwise she hid herself with the help of the Force. Like her mistress, only the Empress was much better at her. Kessia became Force Sensitive after it became sithspawn. Her training was intentionally only in a direction in which L’lerim was also familiar. It is another matter that the Empress has left her at such a level over the past few years that Kessia has been unable to catch up with her. She didn't even try after a while.

The two men soon followed her; more spells. More than once she saw her mistress and her lover, later husband, the second prince-consort practicing and both summoning different beings, demons. It was this level for the woman that was already too much and she found this power awful in front of her. Chameleon preferred firearms or melee blades. The weapons could be trusted better. She nodded at the golden man's words.

”The exterior served mainly as a residence, based on what I achieved from the local HoloNet. Inside, there are already several locations and buildings, which is more important. For example, two blocks away is a bank building, three blocks away is a hospital.”

She explained to the two men. The shape-shifter was still moving silently, in a predatory manner, like a soldier, with two firearms in her hands. Since the two men weren’t necessarily on field work (at least at the woman’s discretion) she went ahead as a scout. The next two corners could be done calmly, followed by a larger fork in the road, followed by a park meadow and the bank building mentioned at this part as well. As she looked out of the corner she saw one and a half dozen traitorous Ultranauts among the trees and bushes behind barricades. The whole place was well seen by the enemy.

”Well Darth Aurum, it looks like you get what you expected. 18 soldiers with general Ultranaut equipment and barricades.” she pulled back to the two men so she couldn't notice she was at the corner.

 

[Daeron]

CRASH SITE SANS ALISTERI, INNER CAPITAL CITY
Ladybug Darth Strosius UX-0626 Rath Nihro

Blaster shots. Screaming.

“MY LEGS!”

Daeron jerked his crimson blade once before deactivating the blade.

More screaming. Dearon looked to the side. A fractured viewport. With a wave of his good arm, he telekinetically shattered it.

The second Eternal Truth soldier on the left side started spraying the new opening the ship – in case the Sith was to exit from it.

However, Daeron waited a few moments until a pause in the blaster fire appeared. Then, he tossed his lightsaber hilt out the blasted window. It ignited midair and flew in an arc toward the enemy. Daeron closed his eyes and waved his hand.

“WHA-“

vwooom-pzzztah

Now only the one enemy soldier screaming “MY LEGS” could be heard. UX-0626 dispatched her targets already.

Daeron yanked his hand back. His lightsaber flew back to the ship and stabbed itself into the ground in front of the broken window. He picked it up and glanced out of the window to see one legless Eternal Truth soldier and a motionless body-in-two.

He then turned away to leave the wailing soldier.

And looked at the pilot’s console…

---

Some seconds later, Dearon emerged from the right side of the ship. His eyes first saw 626’s work, then the soldier herself. He gave a silent nod of acknowledgement, with the surviving Eternal Truth soldier yelling on the radio, “NEED BACKUP! MEDIC!”

Daeron saw smoke rising from the distance – from the ship Darth Strosius crashed in.

More blaster shots followed. Ones close-by. Out of sight from Dearon, half-a-dozen of Mikilanna’s troops were slaughtered by reinforcing Eternal Truth soldiers. Their chattering grew closer. And before Daeron or 626 could get to a more favorable position, the squadron of enemy soldiers came into view.

“Blast them!” one Eternal Truth soldier ordered.

Fortunately, Ladybug caught up at that moment. Daeron watched all the Eternal Truth wobble and drop their weapons. Their knees collapsed. Then, they were cut to pieces before Dearon and 626.

Daeron blinked.

Then, he finally spoke to tell the two women, “We need to get clear of the area!”

 

[Second Son]

Objective: Bring The Traitors Ruin
Location: Inside the Capital City
Equipment: Sorcerer's Spellbook, Lightsaber
Tags: Felix Astermo Elaena Kessia Miran

"You say they are trained to kill Force Users, yes? How well do they resist?" The Son shifted behind the corner so they'd be out of sight of the enemy, then let the invisibly field he created drop. His book once more began to flutter through the pages, halting on a rather complex page of runic scribbling. Aurum would likely recognize at least some of it as fear runes. "If not very well, I shall disrupt them from here. While they're consumed with dread, I'll leave it to you both to handle them." Already he began the chant needed to cast this spell. It would take time, more than it had for his little traps here and there.

"R̥͎̣i̢ ̖J̴̘̥̮̹̥i̶̪̱̜͎̼͙n̹̮̥̱̥̣a̙̞͔'̭͝t̬̳̣̹̳͍͘i̵̬s̹͍̜ ͚̮̼͈̲̟m̨i͍̱̹̙͖͙͍r͖̟͘j̯̟̘͈̥̜ị̫̣̪ ̮̥ḿ̺͇̮̜͕̺̬u̵̥̤̫̺̦̮ş͎ ̲̱̠̳͇̠̕ẁ̞̩͚̣̖̼i̢̗͖͖ͅs̰̤ạ̵̖̰͙.̶̖̗̝̲ ͍̫͉I̡͍̯̺̜͇̯͕r̼̝͢ ́r͕̯͙͔̘̣i̞̲͔ ̛͎͎̬̩h͍̱͖́ad̟͡z͔u̱̰s̼̤k̠͘a͏̖̫̞̮̟,̩ ̜a̛̫̣̩͎̞͈̥n̰̮̤̺̯͖͉i̷̼̲ ̧̺̜̜̺͚a̰̳͔͈͚s̴̤̗a͡r͚͎̘͞j̦̦͠i͏̞͚̫̙̱̲.̣̟̝̦̝͇͠ ͅN̴̲͖ͅa͖̟̜̘̣̩i҉͉͎̝r҉̘͎͉i̫͈̜ ͞k͏̩̰͙̹a͉͙m͖ ̡̖͓͕̙r͎̫̬̺a͖̘̳̬̗̝ ͔̮̗̞͔̭ș̜͇͔̭̖a̮̻͍͙̼i̟̲̩y͏̼̖̻̹͔̰̰i̳͖̭r͙̝̫͘ ́ṱ̺͚̫͕̺ut̹̘͍ͅí ̮̲̥̭̱̝͟z̭̯i͏̠j̰i̴̻.͍͔̹͚ ̥̮̲̦̞̪N̙̹̜̼̦̠ͅa̝̪í̻̳͚͚r҉͖i̹̖͞ ̤k͍̗̕a̲͈̜ḿ͙ ̻͚͉̗̻̗t̴̹̝͓̯͉͓a̤̭̜͓͕̗d͈̱̹̩t̥̺̞͇͓i͖̹̝̝͜'̡ ̱̮͙͍ir͚̣̝ ̷̙ͅri҉̘̯̦̻̥̝ ̯̫n̟̼̘ͅa̧̩͕̞̦̯̥k̹͇͎ͅt̶͖̩̖̰i̝̩̲̞̩̣͙s̗̞̪̻̜ͅ.̝͇͈̬̲̖͖ J̸̹̭̳̪̪'̣͔̬ͅu̴̩̮s̨̹̖̯̗̟͙ͅ ̭̦͕͚͠ru̹ ̛̲̙͚̩̞̜ư̪n̨͔̟̗s͚̲͜i̫͘n͇͉̪͖ ͇̭͙̜̟k̖͇û̞r̭̰̬̜͞ͅm̠̠̻̼̠͇͙͟a̻̼r̖̙̮s͕͜a̘̟͎͓.̥̙͎̀ ͈̥͈̻͉ͅJ̜͚̞̝̙'̧̦͓̬̖u͙̫̹̜͉s͞ ̬̖̝̠͠ͅr͇u̵̺̘̭͕̬̹ͅ ̷̗̜̟͎ͅu̖̲͉̰̕n̳̞̙͖ͅs̬̭̤͔̤̜̰i̖̮n̴̗̼̜͇ ̣͚͙̖̥͖w͏͓̹̫̞̹̲̩u̲̣̭͈̳n̴͎͇̗͚͇ͅi̼͍͇̟͖̘.̫ ̩̤͕͙̩̦͟J̜̥̲͠'̯̱̤̜̦͟u͉̳̤̙̞̩s̳̘̟̬͔̟̰ ̟̞̖͕̻̀r̸̝̙̦̤a̺͎͓̺͉͚ ̷̲̹s̛͚̠̝̱̩a͔i͖y̢ị̗̻͚̼r̫͈ ̛̜ḑ̙̬͚̮̹u͟j̲͔̖ͅo̮͉̞̱̕z͈͉̗͙̦̼̖͢.̠͔͚̟̮͢ͅ ̬̳̼̦͉̝̱J̣͚̩̝̬̻'̭͉̦̞̕us͔͓̲̦͕ ͕̻ẉ̺a̴̰̫̪̳̘̱͖r͍̝̣̻͍̹ͅi̵̼̱̰̫̠̝ą ҉̼d͍̪r̶̫̹ḁ̷̞͎͕̠r̩̮͈͍̱̣̪i̷̱̰̱͍͚n̫̖̫̫̯͖á ͡d҉͔̹̭̼̝̼i͇̟̯̝͙â̮͍̭̠̗ ̞̻̺͈͙t̢͎̤̘͈u͍͇̤̹͈͇̭t̡̝i̸ ̰̥̳k͖͎̝̬͡i҉r̼̫̭͉̤̱̜a͕͇̤z̪į͇̻̘ ̡s͙̩̣͈ͅa̗͙̤s̙̹̮̤̪̕ ̳̮̺͜ŕ̼͖̱̘i͍̖ ̳̬͈̣̱̜̤j̬̱͇̣̦ͅi̡͔͍͍̳̭n͞'̱͚̘.͓̱̭͔̟"

The book behind him began to glow, it's red runes flashing bright just for a moment. Then turning black. An ichor of the same color began to poor from the pages, pooling around the Sith's feet before spreading. Like a wave it rushed out towards the hunkered down foes. They noticed too late, not realizing what it was. Not all of them succumbed to the magic, but the cries of terror as several minds were warped by the dark magic filled the silence. Then blaster fire. And screams. Orders to stand down and lower their weapons.

Madness broke loose in a mere moment.