Invasion [GA | DE] Operation Shadow Hand | GA Defense of Tython, Empress Teta, & Prakith

[Rath Nihro]

M A Y H E M

Engaged: Elise Ahana-Gwyneira

Even from where Rath stood, the dark warrior could feel the terentatek’s rage and of the pain it had felt. Through it, Rath consumed the negative emotions and fed it into his own strength from the beast. With the bombardment from the hit and run tactics upon the terentatek caused it to howl. It recoiled from the impacts as it attempted to find a way to swat at them like gnats. When it discovered that none of its attacks were working, it began to weaken. To slip as it were as the soul began to falter.

Then there was fear amongst the warriors that were contending with. The struggle for survival, yet it was the very same fear that drove them to come up with strategies to win and continue to live. Likewise, their fear wasn’t anything strong enough for Rath to benefit from. Again, in the midst of their clash of beskar, Rath could feel the Force Aura that had imbued upon the spear to slowly siphon into the sword itself. Ordinarily Rath would be surprised that anyone with Force Imbued weapons, armor, and even jewelry to be a rarity. However, based on what he knew of the Mandalorians, their struggle, and likely what the warrior in front of him had to endure. It strangely wasn’t all that surprising to keep equipment that could rival even a Jedi or Sith.

When Elise unleashed blasterfire from her vambraces as she knocked away the sword during her retreat. With a raised dark gloved hand free from burden, as if to intercept the blaster bolts, yet instead of simply burning his hand. The bolts were deflected from the palm of his hand not unlike how a lightsaber would be used to deflect blasters. Albeit the initial blasterfire managed to slip past his defenses with his sword being deflected that a bolt slammed into his chest. He naturally recoiled with a grunt as it never felt good being struck by something.

By channeling the Force, by pulling the soul of the terentatek from its host, Rath was able to utilize his control and strength in the Force without hindrance. A power that allowed him to ward off incoming energy from harming his body, albeit he still felt the scorching heat through the glove. To the Elite, the Force was power. There were just some people who would do anything to achieve it.

Wind howled from Elise’s outstretched hand as she willed the Force into a telekinetic assault on his person. The dark gray cloak bellowed behind as the energy attempted to push the dark sider away. Or merely to keep him from advancing as Rath rooted himself into the ground, unyielding to the power that threatened to overwhelm him. By all accounts, he should be furious at the challenge. That it should’ve ended at the swing of his sword. Yet he was not.

If there was anything, akin to a small joy one would find, was the ability to fight. To pit their skills and experience in the ultimate dance of life and death. But more importantly, it was the closest to memory of the one person he grew attached to. The thought of her puts him in a state of calm and sheer focus. Yet the memory came with the grief and longing that he refused to expose.

The squadron watched as the hulking monster crumbled into the heap of liquid fire. For they visibly witness the spectral visage of the terentatek lynched from its host and is forcibly dragged back to the one it was bound to. Elise would witness the visage to merge with Rath’s dark form before it seemingly vanished from sight, yet never truly gone. As if the Force Energy that was used to maintain the soul upon the living realm has simply returned to the one who brought it forth.

Elise’s tactic was a valid one, albeit annoying to most Sith. In fact most Sith in his position would either be purely driven by their emotions or simply too short sighted to realize that Elise was more or less playing to her strengths. Rath merely leaned away from the dart that sailed in his direction, his eyes under the mask never leaving his opponent as he moved his sword to simultaneously protect his lower body and attack with a swipe of his blade. More than once did his weapon come into contact with the plasma shield, and each time Rath circled around to her side of the shield.

The issue with tactics was the pattern it established, and after a couple of times with Elise weaving in and out close ranged combat. Rath wagered that it was to keep him away from her team. While it was a noble gesture, he could not shake off the feeling that the warrior wouldn’t do this without having some sort of plan in motion. Of course each time she made her rounds, Rath did take a couple of steps forward. However as he noted that she drew further away from him each time. Suspicion grew within the elite warrior.

The third time she darted forward, everything went as it should. She kept low to the ground with the shield to intercept the sword from harm as she simultaneously swung her Copad’kal at his knee. Rath brought the sword overhead to Elise only to be blocked by the plasma sword. It was all he needed howeve. Crackling energy leapt from the fingertips of his free hand as the surge of lightning underneath the protection of the shield as it threatened to strike against Elise. Excruciating pain would likely slam into Elise as it threatened to send her off her feet. It was only then that Rath realized that the handle of the knife was protruding from his leg where she had struck him.

Rath grimaced as he lowered his hand to remove the Copad’kal from his knee, utilizing the Force throughout his body and from the souls bound to him to keep the blood from flowing outward. Albeit the pain was dull, it still felt like poodoo. With a flick of his wrist, Rath would expertly throw the beskar knife into the soil in front of Elise with a simple phrase. ”Try again.” His blood is still fresh on the blade, like a layer of crimson in contrast to the beskar. Yet Rath was soon to find out what the seeds that he was close to could do.

 

[Darth Apophion]

​

OBJECTIVE 3: Clash at Kaleth
Allies: Dark Empire
Enemies: Galactic Alliance, Caden Evesa

In the solemn darkness that enshrouded the Temple of Kaleth, Darth Apophion stood face to face with his antithesis—a Jedi named Caden, armored and defiant, his yellow lightsaber a stark contrast against the night. The Jedi's resolve, evident in the unwavering stance and the grip on his saber, mirrored a determination Apophion knew well, for it mirrored his own, albeit fueled by darker passions.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence after the Jedi spoke.

With the coldness of the void in his voice, Apophion broke the silence, his words a venomous declaration of the retribution he sought. "The scars your Jedi left when they carved across the galaxy, under the guise of peace and balance, bleed still. Tonight, I shall exact the price for the blood spilled, for the lives extinguished by your so-called righteousness." His proclamation was not merely for conflict but served as an indictment of the hypocrisy he attributed to the Jedi and their actions.

As silence reclaimed the moment, Apophion pointed his vermillion blade at Caden, its crimson hue a visual echo of his resolve. The weapon's curved hilt, an extension of his will, bespoke his mastery of Makashi, the second form of lightsaber combat, known for its precision and grace—a reflection of the duelist's art. He positioned his body side-on, minimizing his profile to the Jedi Guard, his front foot pointing straight towards his adversary, while his back foot was placed perpendicular, offering a stable yet flexible base.

Apophion's eyes studied his opponent for a moment, the Sith had seen the Ashlan Crusaders wear the lightsaber-resistant armor. Although there was usually more ornate. An aggressive style that was overly physical would likely be of no use, he needed to be more technical and find a gap in the armor to exploit, and he needed to to set the pace. Makashi was the style to use indeed.

Darth Apophion suddenly advanced, his movements fluid and precise. The tip of his red lightsaber was pointed up slightly at Caden's face. He pushed on his back leg, and through his front leg forward in a classic lunge forward. Apophion's blade thrusted towards the Jedi's neck. He knew his opponent was likely caked in armor. But naturally, his strike was aimed at the neck where there likely would be a gap in the armor.

 

[Alicio Organa]

Cinnegar, Empress Teta
- Sahar -
​

"Which Jedi nursery did you crawl out of, padawan."

Alicio's eyes lost none of their bite, but despite the venom in his features, a knowing smile tugged at his lips. It was a look perfected in the Senate Building on Coruscant, with years spent outmaneuvering greedy corporatists and xenophobic nationalists. I know something you don't know, his cheeky smirk sang.

Not that he was chomping at the bit to correct her. Instead, he set his stance, letting his blade twist around once in his hand. Her continued ribbing pricked him more. He hadn't been quick enough to save the Alliance's soldiers, and that stung.

He turned that hurt into resolve, setting his shoulders. The Future blossomed behind his eyes.

"I will honor their sacrifices." The nobleman spoke with a deadly, calm confidence, as his foot shifted a hair. "Who will honor yours?"

The king finally pounced, a few Force-propelled steps bringing him within striking distance of his opponent. He began their duel with a wide, sideways cut, seemingly attempting to bisect his opponent before she had the chance to draw.

He knew it wouldn't work. But how she riposted would tell him a great deal about how this duel would play out. And, perhaps, he would trick her into making more assumptions.

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen growled as the sith flipped away, his tail lashing out as he turned to follow her. With the sith leaving his immediate range, he locked the ends of his sabers back together, freeing up his left hand. Of course, once she landed, another incantation began, the sith magics causing the air around them to heat up. In response, his cloak began to glow, its runes reacting the force's presence in the air around them. "Just full of tricks aren't you."

His lifted his free hand and crooked his fingers, though, rather than the expected crackle of electric judgement that one might expect of a jedi with such a gesture, Vulpesen drew on something else, stoking that fury and anger in his gut to unleash a set of crimson tendrils which leaped forward with a sucking sound. It was a trick he had learned years ago, in another life, before he had ever met the woman, though they had been a part of the same order. Force drain. "So am I."

Since coming back to the galactic stage, Vulpesen found himself time and time again stating that he was no jedi. It was times like this that he proved it. Times when he didn't care about drawing from the light or the dark. He was a Wilder. He simply drew from the force, from the spirit of the wilds. His order's place was to embody the will of nature and nature was death as much as light. It was nurturing as much as it was predation.

Alicia Drey

 

[Casteel Mer'taal]

The Shopping District
Empress Teta - Cinnagar
Interacting with: Makai Dashiell

"I sense your scrutiny, Makky," Casteel retorted, a subtle arch of his brow conveying amusement at the irony of Makai's judgment on his piloting skills.

"I'll handle the equipment," Casteel stated briskly, relinquishing the piloting duties to Makai as the ship hummed to life under the Dashiell's command.

Unfamiliar with the layout, Casteel relied on Makai's directions, which proved effective. He located Makai's cabin and swiftly gathered the necessary items: the briefcase, the cognac, and then paused as he noticed the subtle traces of Myra's presence there - a small bottle of her favorite citrus lotion and a discarded hairband.

A muscle twitched along Casteel's jawline as he noted Myra's personal effects. Deciding to focus his efforts elsewhere, he also procured two lowball glasses, anticipating their necessity.

Following Makai's instructions, Casteel located the emergency rations and assembled a handheld crate to transport the precious cognac and glasses, along with any additional essentials. Nothing too cumbersome - they needed to remain agile.

As they approached his apartment - a grand Tetan building overlooking the sea - Casteel directed Makai to land at the designated landing pad adjacent to it. Setting down the cases, Casteel positioned himself next to Makai's pilot chair, indicating the landing spot.

"Touch down there. One of the bunker entrances lies nearby," he instructed, alluding to the necessity of such due to past battles that Teta had to face.

 

[Aerarii Tithe]

LINE OF SUCCESSION // ALLIANCE ONE
Auteme

Tithe offered a theatrical bow to Auteme and and took a seat alongside her on the bridge of Alliance One. The ferocious space battle between the Galactic Alliance and the Dark Empire played out before through holographic displays scattered around the bridge and the massive wraparound viewport. Alliance starfighters pursued Imperial TIE fighters while bulbous Star Defenders fired on triangular Star Destroyer, all weaving between the debris field around Tython. The larger Alliance fleet seemed to have the upper hand against the invaders. Tithe needed to move quickly.

Credits. Investments. Capital gains.

Tithe focused his mind on financial matters, assured by the Church of the Darkside sages on Carlac that it clouded his intentions to Auteme. Thankfully, the battle raging around them occupied her focus. The odds were looking in his favour.

“Ah, you see, it's a misguided soul who endeavors to divorce the realms of business and politics,” Tithe replied, one of the first truths he had uttered since stepping on Alliance One. “You, my dear acquaintance, are well aware of my fervent devotion to credits – they are not just a mere currency but rather my creed, my ardor, my raison d'être. One might even attribute this zealous attachment to my formative years on Aargau.”

An Alliance commtech announced that the Gambit had arrived, captained by Senator Reiner Ghadi of Aphran IV. It was time to move.

“If you'll excuse me, I must avail myself of the ‘fresher,” he explained. Tithe strode from the bridge, leaving his bodyguards standing by the blastdoors.

Unobserved in the general chaos of crew members and technicians hurrying between their stations, Tithe slipped into a nearby turbolift. He retrieved a dataprobe from his pocket and inserted it into the control panel. The device, manufactured with Trade Federation codes buried deep in Alliance One decades ago, unlocked access to a normally restricted level.

Within moments Tithe found himself at an auxiliary communications hub. Using the same probe he sliced through the blastdoors and entered the empty room. After a few moments of searching, he located his target console and inserted a new probe, which quickly went to work slicing into the communications network. A confirmation message appeared on the holoscreen - ‘Warning: All shipboard comm networks will be deactivated. Please confirm.’

Tithe stared at the screen. If he did this, the ruse was over. His treachery would be quickly detected. But if he didn't, the riches promised by the Dark Empire would be lost.

In the end, the choice was simple.

He confirmed the command, effectively killing all communications within the ship. A security alarm was activated immediately, accompanied by a call identifying the room he was in as the source of the slicing. Thankfully, he didn't plan to remain here.

Tithe darted out of the room and into the turbolift, again using the slice probe to take control. He needed to get out of here.

Tithe's shuttle, the Fiduciary, sat in the forward executive hanger where the Aargauun had arrived. A cursory security sweep of the sleek shuttle had detected nothing out of the ordinary, and the scanning team were long gone. The shuttle had sat in silence ever since.

The warning klaxons ringing out through Alliance One brought the dormant shuttle back to life. Six darkened containers leaning against the walls of the small cargo hold began to glow, their rough black surfaces slowly confused by a bright light. The light soon faded, and from each container stepped an armed Stormtrooper, now freed from carbonite. The sabotage squad took a moment to check their equipment, including their heavy blasters and a backpack each of thermal detonators, before moving toward the shuttle's exit.

Like Tithe, they also had work to do.

 

[Darth Solipsis]

DARK LORD OF THE SITH | GALACTIC EMPEROR
RUINS OF AKAR KESH - TYTHON
Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

​

"Patience."

The Sith'ari stood, his figure unperturbed by the approach of interlopers. His mind preoccupied, thrown out into the void, distantly touching upon the surface of Sinestra 's thoughts.

"They are merely insects scuttling before the might of a storm."

He could sense them, feel them, as they neared the apex of the broken summit. He knew not who interrupted his visit, but he had met at least one of their number before, perhaps even both sometime in the past war. The Sword and Shield of the Jedi, the Guardians of the Galactic Alliance, the very Leaders of the New Jedi Order. It was almost poetic, to face Ryv 's successor on the very site where his own final battle was made bare.

As the Jedi approached, the Dark Lord severed his mental link and turned to face his opponents. With a cruel smile curling his lips, the Sith'ari regarded them with disdain, his sulfuric eyes flashing with undisguised malice. Memories of a previous encounter flickered through his mind, particularly over Adrathrope during the Second Great Hyperspace War, when he had threatened Valery with the fate of her unborn child.

"Do you still hear the echoes of our last meeting, Jedi?" Solipsis taunted, his voice laced with malice. "The screams of your unborn child echoing through the void?"

His long black cloak flapped in the wind as a torrent of gusts rushed by. The Dark Lord remained stoic and still, dissecting the duo with his eyes like a cadaver.

"So much to lose.."

​

 

[Zethran Cott]

Amelia von Sorenn | Cessair Ideon | Reiner Ghadi | Phineas Kand | Arla Rodarch | Marlon Sularen | Darth Solipsis |
Ordo | Vaux Gred | Ari Naldax


No matter how experienced a commander Cott was, there was always the sensation of butterflies when reports of enemy formations were first relayed to him. Sat in its lowest power state, the Edifice Star Destroyer did its level best, deep in the ring of debris that had yet fallen to the planet below, to hide its presence from the armada. Time alone would tell whether they had been spotted in a timely fashion or not.

He continued to whisper, knowing full well that no enemy could detect the sounds through the vacuum of space, yet he still felt compelled to, as if fate itself were listening in. The enemy fleet was bustling with activity, the probes deployed amidst the wrecks of slain battleships relaying their general size and makeup. The skilled Imperial bridge crew was now working to determine what class of ship was bearing down on them.

One of the officers spoke in a firm, yet still moderately hushed tone, matching their commander’s nature. There was an edge of fear in their voice.

“It’s several battle groups, sir. We have no way of tackling such a fleet.”

Cott spoke quietly, stern in his dismissal of the theatrics and unwarranted assessment from the junior officer. They could not yet see the vast mass of enemy ships, the vastness of space obscuring such visual details without additional scopes.

“That is not our intention, Lieutenant-Commander. As much as we are all prepared to throw down our lives for our Empire, I have other orders today.”

He looked at the map, showing his own force gently strewn through the debris in a distance covering several hundred kilometres, a formation that most would consider to be somewhat loose. He spotted the arrival of The Gladiator and noted the personnel flagged to its command. A good officer, somebody Cott had marked for advancement. He indicated for the ship to hold their formation and maintain clandestine behaviour.

“Order the Defiance to begin its operations. I want them to know there is life after all.”

The Defiance began sending out its distress signal, a noisy affair in terms of data transmission. It would be picked up by even the laziest of Alliance signallers. Whether it was a trap or not, there was no way they could ignore it. Cott hoped for the best. There could be thousands of Imperial ships, lying in wait to tackle the Alliance. He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

He pressed the terminal, accessing a series of command protocols unique to his station. He clicked the display and waited. A gentle, subsonic pulse, disguised and intune with the overwhelming signature of the planet below, would be broadcast deep in the relay of the flurrying electronic signals that the various fleets and planetary defences would be churning out. He hoped it would not be discernible by the enemy, so close to the planet, but the Grand Admiral, far from the planet’s influence, would detect it.

It was a sign to say their plan was in action.

 

[Alicia Drey]

Tags: Vulpesen

For a second time Vulpesen interrupted the incantations for the Sith spell that Darth Ayra had been conjuring. Avoiding the catastrophe that was about to be set upon him by the Sith Lord's dark mind Ayra recognised the technique that was used to stop her. As a practitioner of the dark side Ayra knew what Force Drain was and it's subsequent effects on the victim. Acting quickly Ayra utilized Tutaminis to convert the dark energies of the Sith magick she had been conjuring beforehand into a powerful Force Shield that would protect her from the incoming tendrils.

Deactivating her Lightsaber blade in order to concentrate on manifesting her Force abilities Darth Ayra held up her right hand to hold the shield up in face of Vulpesen's incredible attack. With every second Ayra felt the power of the shield being sucked by the tendrils and knew that death was imminent. With her left hand Ayra conjured a Force Grip onto the fallen debris that littered the area from the damaged walls of the Kaleth temple and with a flex of her arm sent them hurtling at her opponent in an attempt to break his concentration, and most importantly, cause a significant injury.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

EMPRESS TETA

@Casteel Mer’taal

“Nice place Castie.”

Piloting had been fairly smooth. Makai kept himself low to the buildings when possible, often hard to go in such a large city. He was concerned that flying higher would be an issue of being mistaken as an enemy. Getting blown up out of the sky was not high on his to-do list.

Landing, he quickly started to shut down the vessel. He was under no delusions that his ship would be in one piece when they emerged from the bunker. Still, just in case it was proper to take care of the San the Challenger, mentally running down a list of anything important for either company was left inside the vessel.

“Alright, you're leading the way from here on out Castie.”

Following behing the blonde man, Makai took the opportunity to update Thirty-Seven. He was hoping El-Three had the good sense not to tell Ellie a thing yet.

(( About to take shelter in Casteel's bunker. Unsure if there will be communication services inside.Fill in Ellie.))

Emergency bands sure. Regular types of civilian communication? Makai was unsure . He couldn't see Alric Kuhn not having at least the Dark Net available, taking chances and leaving those without word was unwise.

Second message was sent to Ellie. Having little time to explain,he didn't want to waste his message on something with no context, such as ‘hiding in a bunker’. It would only cause more harm than good.

(( I love you ))

Satisfied with his message for now,comm was placed back in his pocket and pace was picked up as he grabbed his briefcase, using the strap to carry it easier over his shoulder.

Used to carrying mining equipment, he grabbed the crate as well. Makai figured Casteel would have to be doing other operations ; opening doors, biometric scans, whatever white-glove security that was demanded by the Anaaxi businessman.

“You've been down here before today?”

 

[Casteel Mer'taal]

The Shopping District
Empress Teta - Cinnagar
Interacting with: Makai Dashiell


Fortuitously, the turmoil had yet to encroach upon this sector of Cinnegar. However, Casteel harbored no illusions that the tranquility would endure, knowing full well how swiftly circumstances could shift based on the outcome of the conflict. Whether the Alliance would emerge victorious remained uncertain.

"In times such as these," Casteel responded to Makai, his tone measured and deliberate, "one must consider the city's turbulent history. While Teta may not boast the grandeur of Coruscant, I heeded Alric's counsel and ensured its construction adhered to his exacting standards. Additionally, a Dark Net connection has been established," he added, his speech laced with the refined elegance characteristic of his upbringing.

Guiding Makai toward a discreet entrance along the building's perimeter, Casteel proceeded to activate the biometric scanner with a practiced motion. A moment later, he positioned himself for the orbital scan to commence.

"Security measures are only as effective as the adversaries seeking to breach them," he explained as the panel emitted a confirming chirp and glowed green. With a smooth motion, the Turadium door slid open to reveal a modest hallway and an awaiting lift.

"We have implemented power redundancies and alternate exits to facilitate swift evacuation once the tumult subsides. In addition, I've arranged for discreet transport in the hangar to ensure a rapid departure if the skies permit."

The Anaxi, however, shrugged, stepping into the lift. "Then again, who knows how this wretched thing works out." He pressed a button, and the lift began its descent.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Elsewhere in the Galaxy...
Makai Dashiell

[Mistress, may I have a word with you? ]

El-Three's query drew Myra's attention from the presentation regarding a new line of energy-efficient products. They were just finishing up the review, with Myra giving the green light to create prototypes when the protocol droid arrived at her side.

"Of course, El-Three," she replied, exhaling a weary sigh. It had been a long day, and she was looking forward to resting. Once she returned to the farm, she planned to take Rue and Persie shopping. Her comm gave a buzz right after. Pulling it up, she gave a small smile as she read Makai's message. She quickly responded back,

{ I love you too. How are you doing? }

As El-Three guided her out of the conference room and towards another office, Myra couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that washed over her. Her mind flashed back to the devastating news of her father's passing, delivered by the same droid.

"Is everything alright?" Myra pressed, her voice trembling slightly. Memories of her father's death resurfaced, causing her to fear the worst.

[Master Dashiell is safe and secure with Mister Mer'taal in a fortified bunker on Empress Teta,] El-Three began, immediately alleviating Myra's primary concern. However, the droid's next words sent a chill down her spine.

[Empress Teta is under attack. I am currently investigating the identity of the aggressor, but the planetary shield has been activated, and evacuation is not feasible.]

The blood drained from Myra's face as the severity of the situation sank in

"Wait... what?

[ He has advised that he is unsure if there is any connection within the bunker, but wanted to ensure you are aware that per his bio stamp he is alive and well.]

"But he just..." Myra's mind raced, trying to process the information. She immediately attempted to call Makai's comm unit, desperate to hear his voice.

[Madam, there is a possibility that communication may be disrupted—]

Myra's sharp steely glare silenced El-Three mid-sentence.

"I'll do whatever I damn well please, El-Three," Myra declared firmly. "Get me connected to Arceneau Trade Station on Empress Teta. I also want to reach out to Daddy's contacts there."

Myra refused to sit idly by while her loved ones were in danger. She would do everything in her power to help.

 

[Spindle]

Objective 3
Tag: Aron Thress

To say Spindle was ineffective in war would be an unfair statement. True, she could hold her own when it came down to it but the specter of a Sith certainly favored a more subtle approach. Twisting others' resolve, spreading dread and indecision in her prey foes was far more up the Nagai's proverbial alley.

So too was the acquisition of information.

After all, it wasn't just brute force that ruined an empire. There were always secrets to be gathered and weaknesses to exploit. Enough pressure on the smallest chip could make the whole window shatter. Spindle intended to collect all such secrets.

While many of her cohorts took to a head-on assault of the Temple, Spindle took one look at the bottleneck waiting to happen and gave a hearty 'no thanks'. There had to be an alternate route into the temple, she just knew it, even if it meant climbing a window.

Which was precisely what she did, albeit far from as graceful as she would've liked. Her brow furrowed in distaste as her robes bore the dusty testimonial of her ascent. Ancient temple or not, one would've thought it'd be spruced up a bit. Oh well, it was hardly a noteworthy robe, anyway. The muted browns bore a resemblance to those expected of the Jedi, meant to blend in even if Spindle couldn't quite resist putting her own personal touch on the tapestry of fabric. Strands of red were embroidered into the sleeves as a dreadful finishing touch.

She kept her head down, clinging to the shadows as she attempted to navigate the temple. The archives being her almost sole focus, it would simply not do to get caught up on any superfluous scuffle.

 

[Valery Noble]

RUINS OF AKAR KESH

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

"Let's get him."

Valery felt her heart flutter over his confidence but restrained her emotions for now. She focused on the strength of his presence by her side instead and walked the final steps toward their target. Only once, had she met the now-risen Emperor during the Second Great Hyperspace War — back during the invasion over Adrathorpe, when she was pregnant with Vera. Kahlil hadn't been with her at the time, but all turned out okay in the end.

Vera was born and now trained as a Jedi Padawan and her husband was safely by her side. During the remainder of the war, she grew into the leader he was facing now. The Sword who had fulfilled her destiny by bringing down the Maw. Now, destiny had taken a new turn, and she was ready to confront it.

"No, once your plans fell apart right where we're standing now, you no longer became relevant to me." The corners of Valery's lips tugged up into a little smile, while her hands settled near the lightsabers strapped to her belt. She could feel the tension rising, and it wouldn't be long until those familiar blades ignited the air once more.

She had much to lose, thus much to fight for as well.

"This time, we won't let it get as far."

Kahlil Noble Darth Solipsis ​

 

[Mia Monroe]

Liorra
​

At least, Mia thought as Liorra moved to pray, at least she was no longer talking about cowardice. Instead she was more...morbid. She heaved a sigh. Between Liorra and Elise, Mia's work was being cut out for her. Elise's problems were easy to pin down, easy to unfold and give names. Liorra's were wrapped in complexities that Mia was struggling to untangle.

"Ni kar'taylir gar ba'buir, mhi cuyir jate burc'ya. La gaa'tayl ner o'r ner dha kusa'yr."

I only I can help you in yours. She thought, following her from the shuttle, along with a few others. "mhi cuyir olar at pabida bakrinr dayn bal morut'yc i'yugilya. narir va de'da katkta va gar ganar at, ibic cuyir jetii b akaanir, va cuun." she reminded all of them as they shifted into an arrowhead formation, with Liorra at its head, Ma to her left. She knew the grousn better than any of them.

 

[Keilara Kala'myr]

Matriarch of the Scar Hounds Tribe

Information

Objective: To try to hunt down Solipsis
Location: Ground, Tython
Equipment: FS-18-UP2 Assault Rifle | 2x Sunfury Pistol | Light Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | 2x Vibrodagger | 2x Riftblades | Promise of Freedom | Ring of Wishes and Dreams || Cloaking Device | 5x ASBF Probe Droid || OPBC-01m
Tags: N/A

"Galactic Basic" | ~ Telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >>
Keilara Kala'myr | Mercy | Ziare Dyarron | Freedom​

When the twins were younger, they once asked me what I would have done differently. They expected an honest answer, even if it meant they didn't exist. I actually had my plans before Tython, Asher always knew what I wanted, but he couldn't do it because of Tu'teggacha and the chains of the Heathen Priests. What would I do differently if I had the chance? I said what I said to their father at the time. Only in that case, I would not have left Asher an answer to that question. I've always tried to make the decision so that we could discuss it, he was the one who wanted to make the decision for me, which I know he would have regretted and changed if he could have. However, I would have been more selfish in the choice.

My answer was simple: I would have done what was my dream and what I wanted to do here on Tython, but Asher wouldn't let me. I would have taken the brain container from the metal body and run away with it. I would have let the world think Mongrel was dead and we could have started a new life somewhere, anywhere. The life we were living now in the Netherworld. I probably would have gone to Serenno first, where my county was, where my money was, where our family connections were. I would have cloned an empty, soulless body for Asher, Kallan and even Keilara. I would then have taken the consciousness and "souls" of each and packed them into the appropriate body. We would have the same life we have now, but in the Realspace. Not in the Netherworld.

So there would have been a much better chance that the biological parents of the twins would have been Kallan and Keilara, rather than Asher and me. In any case, I knew that the "Double K" aka Kallan and Keilara wanted children, two of them, a boy and a girl. Kallan told Keilara when my better half was dying on Tython. What I did know was that Asher never thought he could have children, even though he wanted to in 70 years of other lives and there were twins. So it's complicated. But that's what I would have done; I would have created for all of us the life they wanted. And I would not have let Asher die for the stupidity that got him killed.

So honestly that was my answer and probably not much would have changed from what it is now; just the location. Because the way I changed it, no one would have died. But... I don't know how the kids would have taken the fact that in history class at school they were learning about what their father did and what a monster he was, when the twins really knew him and knew he wasn't a monster, the chains of the Avatars and the Maw forced him to do so those acts. I don't know if it's better or not; I just know that I can't change it, I don't have the power to go back to the past. But if I had that power, I would have gone back there before I was captured by the Maw. Although then Asher would never exist, and neither would I. Then there would only be Kallan and Ziare. I don't know, sometimes it felt unnecessary, all this "what if..." stuff. But the twins loved…

Actually, I had no more time to think about it, because the MANIAC signalled that we would soon arrive at the church where my target was. I will be there soon, at the Ruins of Akar Kesh. I wasn't a Jedi, I wasn't really interested in the Jedi and Sith fight; I really just wanted to get rid of this worm. I was hoping that since I wasn't a Force user, no one would particularly notice my arrival, or even think it was insignificant. I was not really sure how this worked. When I used Freedom's power, it was just instinct and she knew what she was doing. To be on the safe side, I stopped the vehicle further away to continue my journey on foot. There was a higher hill, a cliff in front of me, and I climbed it.

I managed to find who I was looking for, but he wasn't alone, two Jedi... the two Nobles were there with him too. For a moment it crossed my mind that I should kill them too, and then Solipsis. Only one regret, I still didn't have a sniper rifle…

 

[Eina L'lerim-Vandiir]

The Light of Ashla , Champion and Avatar of Ashla

Information

Objective: Protect the planet
Location: Ground, Tython
Equipment: Sverð Fyrstr (weapons) | Ljósspjót (spear) | Skrúð Engill Fyrstr (armour) || Empyrean gland | OPBC-01m
Direct tag: Onrai | Closed
Tags: Open

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ["Essonian"] | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

Eina didn't care at all who was Sith or Jedi. She has always been more than that and has never held Jedi or Sith views. She has always cared about souls, not about a pointless battle between light and darkness. That is why she would never have been a good Jedi, despite being a full Lightsider. There were always other options, other paths and other perspectives. Something less limited than those who live by different codes. Eina never lived by one, she just existed, healed and helped those in need and fought to protect those who needed it. She was the kind of woman who would have fought a Jedi if they wanted to hurt someone who wanted to change, or who was asking for help.

"It's just a made-up explanation of why you are chasing power and becoming a bigger and bigger monster. This enemy that you seek, did not exist when you said it a quarter of a century ago. It doesn't exist now, nothing has changed except that you are destroying your soul and becoming a thing from which there is no turning back. You lost yourself a long time ago, I can help you find your way back and be yourself again, not just an obsession with a fantasy that is consuming you. There is still a way back." she offered her help to the other woman.

She would accept anything if it had a tangible explanation. She had a history of letting Sith go because they posed no threat to the living, the dead, or souls. And there have been instances in her life where she had to convince a Jedi that what she was about to do was wrong in the long run. However, what this woman was talking about was... madness. It was perhaps the greatest tale and fiction the woman had ever heard in her life and Eina fought the Dark Three and their creatures regularly in the Netherworld. Creatures that no one else could imagine.

"How can you explain that in all my hundreds of years of existence I have never heard of this Father of Shadows from anyone? Not here in Realspace, not in the Netherworld? And I speak with many souls, Lightsider or Darksider... irrelevant. And I have full access to the entire knowledge of Ashla Oversoul, even in this amalgamation of millions of souls, there is no information of what you speak. If it was such a big threat, why has no one ever heard of it?" she asked, slightly confused and incredulous, with interest and curiosity in her voice.

There was no rejection in Eina's voice or body language, no mockery or contempt; she was genuinely curious about the answer and how the other woman thought what she believed was true. The former Valkyrja had encountered countless cases of souls with various religious delusions, or just plain delusions. And, of course, she had also encountered those who fancied themselves gods and, like Onrai, invented all sorts of monstrosities to manipulate others. Mere mortals might have believed her.

But Eina had seen and experienced so much that with "tales" like this, for which there is no tangible proof, she had to see proof. She was naïve about a lot of things, but not about this…

 

[Ardana Vorco]

Warden, Magnarra and Marauder of the Scar Hounds Tribe

Information

Objective: Find her way to Tommy
Location: Secret Prison Facility, Coruscant
Equipment: 2x Geysa Hybrid Pistol | Assault Rifle | Armour and weapon (weapon is lightsaber resistant) || OPBC-01m
Direct tag: Silas Westgard
Tags: Thomas Barran | Open

"Galactic Basic" | ~ Telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

In the end, Spindly was saved by her own instincts and her own combat experience, as was her group. At least for the moment. The place was too quiet and suspicious, especially as there was a lot of fighting going on nearby, streets away. She gestured for the others to be more cautious, to be more careful. It was precisely because of this slower pace that the grenades did not kill the woman and her team in the next few moments, but only pushed them backwards by the blast. The team, like the woman, now had to react quickly. Since the team members were typically veterans - meaning they had been members of the Scar Hounds for years - they quickly set out to find the source of whoever had caused the explosion.

And the twi'lek woman didn't have to look too hard, because the target found her. She heard a familiar voice that matched the sound of the lightsaber, and moments later she saw the young man approaching. Well yes, a simple Marauder didn't stand much of a chance against Space Wizards, that was obvious now. She also knew that from a distance they might have a chance, but not much in close proximity, at most in vast outnumbering. But right now, Magnarra and her team were not so outnumbered that they could easily take the Jedi down. So she knew that she had no choice but to engage the Jedi in hand-to-hand combat. Spindly had been lucky so far, so to speak, to avoid such opponents, but it had long been a dream of hers to get herself a lightsaber.

Perhaps today she will have the opportunity to do just that. The debris prevented her from firing at him earlier, so she had to wait for the Jedi to get close. When she did, he jumped and she acted instinctively. Spindly had spent a lot of time on the battlefield; she had been at Tython, among other places, when the Maw suffered its greatest defeat. She survived every other fight since; of course she suffered injuries, but they only made her an even better fighter in the eyes of the Tribe. Now, thanks to them, she could almost instinctively raise the staff to her head to meet the lightsaber there. The weapon was made of a metal that could resist lightsabers, so she was able to block the attack.

"Did you think the fight would be just that, little boy?" she asked mockingly, grinning under her helmet.

She then tried to push him away from her, backwards, preferably by trying to push him against one of the walls. She knew that this was unlikely to succeed, but once he was a step or two back and she had the opportunity to attack, she would have been satisfied. In any case, she didn't wait long, she wasn't afraid of fighting a Jedi, so almost as soon as she had the chance, she charged back at her newfound opponent.

Spindly attempted to attack by striking the man with one half of her staff, deliberately so that the man could easily defend this attack with his lightsaber. But this was only a distraction on her part, so to speak, as she tried to step closer to him during the attack, and then in one swift motion tried to strike the Jedi in the head with the other side of the staff, hoping to be able to give him a headache or a concussion. Anything to better even the score between the two.

 

[Ellayina L'lerim]

Torture and Interrogation Officer

Information

Objective: Help to her fellow ISB companions
Location: Cinnegar, Empress Teta
Equipment: 2x Sunfury Pistol | Light Armour | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | 2x Vibrodagger || Cloaking Device | 5x ASBF Probe Droid || Empyrean gland || OPBC-01m
Direct Tag: Kazian Blackwood | Closed
Tags: Jon Hojkstra | KN-967 | TK-818 | Thomas Barran | Kroeger | Rath Nihro | Open

"Galactic Common" | <"High Nelvaanian"> | ~ telepathic communication ~ | << comm. channel >> ​

As it turned out, this mission did not go as planned. For one thing, Miss Korvan was not present, nor were any other persons here, only one. According to my data, there should have been many more people attending. Fortunately, I'm not afraid to improvise. In fact, I even like a challenge and the chance to use my talent and genius. After all, how can I grow? How can I be even better, if not in this way? For promotion and further development, I needed field training anyway. True, it was not exactly what I had in mind, but I was not afraid of war and battle. If I had, both branches of my family would have disowned me.

When the agent finally spoke, I turned my head towards him. And under the helmet I blinked for a moment when he addressed me as Miss instead of agent or officer. Somehow it sounded as if I wasn't an agent myself, like him. However, I gave no outward indication in my body language that I was bothered by the address, I was a professional, so I behaved accordingly and could not allow it to show if I was bothered. So my response was also quite formal.

"Well, there is a siege and battles in a large part of the city by now, so a surface escape would be quite difficult, especially if you don't have a cloaking device. The most optimal solution... which you may not be happy about... is through the sewer system." I told him. "There, even if you run into the enemy, you can have a patrol of a few men at most, no more. Outside the city there are a few drop ships that can get you off the planet, and the sewer system can take you outside the city borders."

I watched him for a few moments to see what he would say. I knew that this plan had its drawbacks, not only the patrols, but the possibility of the ceiling caving in and burying us so that we would never be found. It would be a very unpleasant and inglorious death. Or, if one can't stand darker and tighter spaces, it could be unpleasant. It's fine that the data says the passageways are wide and high enough, but the awareness is still there in someone's mind that they are underground or in a confined space and not in the open air.

"But if the sewers are a problem for you, you can choose the more dangerous option of walking inside the buildings and using the corridors that connect them. Either way works for me, so it's your choice." I said, still in an official tone. "A sewer is about eighty metres from us in the nearest alley, and a suitable building is about three hundred and twenty metres away, both with their advantages and disadvantages.."

After that I was silent and waited for his answer, I will go one way or the other depending on his decision. The point was really to get out of the middle of the battlefield or get some reinforcements to fight with, although the other agent didn't exactly look like he was going to stick around when the fight broke out.

"We have to hurry, the battle will be here soon and both escape points will be behind the battle lines." I urged the man a little.

 

[Elise Ahana-Gwyneira]

Elise Vizsla
Mandalorian Protector.
Student of Mia Monroe .
Pupil of Siyarr Ahan-Mitharran .
Third Dreamrune of the Novanian Shamans.
Alor'ad of Vercopa Squad.
Dreamseer.

Equipment
Armor	Beskar'gam.
Melee Weapons
	Copad'kal, "Ambition", personal Mandalorian Kal.
	Tar'Nau, Bes'manda Beskad.
	The Royal Dragon, lightsaber.
	Kada'yr, Mandalorian Kal.
	Breshig War Forge Consolidated K-02M Kal.
	Iviin'cer, beskar spear.
Pistols
	KSTR-20 Borealis Heavy Blaster Pistol.
	ENCL-21 Ra'ntisr Heavy Blaster Pistol.
	Mandalorian Ripper Pistol MK.II.
Seeds
	Mother's Root.
	Ori'ramikad Tree.
	Chakaar Weed.
	Creepervine.

Squadron Text Colors:
- Elise Vizsla: Red.
- Olivia Vizsla: Crimson.
- Ori'ramikad Rodarch: Lime.
- Choruk Ordo: Light Blue.
- Vhekad Rook: Brown.
- Dinui Krayt: Orange.
- Azalea Rodarch: Pink.

Cyan colored text indicates an illusion.

Rath Nihro

​

<<"We find a building where a pipeline broke. We use the water to-">>

The monster collapsed.

Dinui's eyes widened as she watched, <<"What!">>

Vhekad landed on the ground, away from where lava and rock spilled. He gritted his teeth, finally showing physical pain as he slouched, <<"Good ridence.">>

The other two fighters landed as well, weapons still up in case the creature resurrected... which it did not.

Vhekad winced, drawing his beskad once again, <<"That's over. Now we should help our captain.">>

Choruk used his jump boots to put himself between Vhekad and the fight. <<"Bad idea. He's a powerful Force User, too strong for the three of us to handle. After all, I think Elise started doing her Novanian stuff already.">>

<<"Aruetii combat techniques she shouldn't need.">>

<<"Aren't you hurt, Vhekad?">> Dinui commented as she started to reload her pistols.

<<"I-HEY! LET ME GO!">>

Choruk threw Vhekad over his shoulder, heaving a sigh. <<"You wasteland Rooks are something else. I'm taking you to Azalea.">>

Vhekad slammed his crushgaunt against Choruk's buy'ce. <<"I AM A FULLY TRAINED MANDALORIAN, I'M NOT SOME PRETTY RODARCH CAVE SULKER!">>

<<"Then actually act like one and stop fussing.">> Choruk was completely unaffected by the blow, <<"And a Rodarch is going to take care of you, by the way. Azalea is our only medic.">>

Vhekad was very embarrassed by his position, but he let Choruk drag him over to where Ori' was waiting on the rest of the team. Dinui hardly helped Vhekad's disposition, as she was laughing hysterically.

Meanwhile, Elise was steadily realizing her opponent's strength. Right around the time she Force Pushed him, he suddenly absorbed another rush of Force Energy, far, far stronger than he previously had with his sword. Elise also felt something... personal, about that absorbed energy. It was the kind of thing she sensed from animals, less intelligent droids, Sithspawn... a lesser Force Signature.

Had her opponent just absorbed a soul?

Elise knew there were soul eaters in the galaxy, but witnessing it made her shiver.

Thankfully, her tactic of hot and run drawing him into range worked well. Unfortunately, he seemed to realize something was up. Even as Elise stabbed him in the leg, the Force warned her of a Dark Side flareup at point blank. Too late. Electricity wrecked her being, as the Force Lightning made work of her durability. She fell to her knees, screaming in pain, as electrical energy surged and roasted her. Her beskar'gam was weaker to electricity as it was, but the Force was capable of flying right through the suit. Her beskar'gam's biorestorative underlay pumped bacta and pain killers into her as she hissed sharply. As the pain died down, her Kal slammed into the ground, imbedding itself in the dirt between the broken road cracks as her opponent spoke.

"Try again."

Elise looked up at his bleeding leg, and his words circulated in her mind. Beneath her buy'ce, she smirked. He was in range. Without any verbal warning from the shaman, the Ori'ramikad trees entered their first phase of life. Boosted by Elise's Plant Surge, a small army of hard, wooden spikes exploded from the ground, all with the kinetic force and strength to impale Elise's opponent. But she was far from finished. At the outskirts of her seed field, the spikes blossomed into the next phases of their life cycle. They grew into full fledged trees, with leaves blooming and branches tangling amongst each other like a fence. Now, her enemy was trapped inside with her.

Coiling around the young tree spikes within the newborn glade, weeds were rapidly sprouting. At first they appeared to be normal weeds... until one grew a head with teeth. The creepervines all matured and rapidly directed their gnashing teeth and grasping, whip like stems at their enemy.

Elise stood there, watching to see what her enemy did next. She intended on ending the fight here, in this glade. If he somehow survived and attacked her, she would be ready, her backup kal at the ready. Even with her suit's vambrace temporarily fried from the lightning, she was more than capable as a fighter and Force User.

​