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

[Raphael Gallustrade]

The ship shuddered a bit, as it hurtled through hyperspace and he took a few breaths. He'd been to several nexi, had bathed in them and grown in the power, but this place was different. Tython was a place that had been the sight of the Je'daii Order, the ones that had preceded the Jedi, that he was now a part of, and now it was under attack. His hands tightened around the controls. He could feel his anger rising, but he already understood the reason: so many sith, constantly spoiling things... It was horrible... The moment that he dropped out of hyperspace, though, he saw the full extent of the horror...

There was a enormous moon that was completely fragmented and, floating amongst the debris field, was ships, fighting, some broken... He could feel the death. He passed a large derelict ship, and watched a ship fly into the derelict. Upon that ship was an even more familiar feeling, a darkness that eclipsed most of them. He tured his ship, slightly, moving himself to start to land, when suddenly something else grabbed his attention, and his ship slowly turned back towards the planet.

"W-Wha..." A voice, no, several voices all called to him from the planet's surface. Voices... from Qi-Ko, lost masters and knights... The ghosts from Ambria... All of those... Those that told him to connect to it during the invasion of Qi-Ko... Those that had beckoned him to meditate and immerse himself within the Nexus at Ambria, they all wanted him too come down to the planet's surface. To witness, to open his eyes, to turn to the light and to lose himself in the dark.

There was a light dow there so powerful that it could blind and burn someone away, if left unchecked. There was a darkness so deep and vast that he wondered who had the greater mastery and knowledge of it, this being or Adeline. But... The darkness felt familiar...

LAND. The command came throough loud and clear and he felt his hands turning the ship downwards, towards the surface oof the planet. Even once it landed he was still far away enough that he could sense, but not see, the immense presences that were now filling the planet. He raced forward, power that had been entrusted into him from the last two nexi, filling his legs. This was still something he was getting used to, all that power was still in him and with him, at all times. He didn't like to use it, though this time felt like an emergency exception could be made, and so he raced forwards like blaster bolt, only to come to a sliding stop.

The light floated high above, what seemed like a woman with golden wings and burnished armor; oone that glowed like the sun. Then... he saw Onrai, a woman who'd once welcomed him on board her ship, despite the feeling that had been so pervasive. There was a tenderness to her, but she was also dangerous, he knew that even before sensing her. He glanced from one to the other.

The stage was set, and the players were all in their places. The question was how would the play tuurn out?

Eina L'lerim-Vandiir
Onrai

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris did not catch Braze's drift. He did not know who Aether was or what the Ray was either. The most he did though was watch as the Sith stepped forward menacingly, and Braze threw out his insults. He didn't know, did he? Tython itself was under attack, this wasn't just a one off coming their way. Aris's expression was thin with focus. Piecing together everything that was going on as best he could.

Someone had come here, brought with them an army to attack the world. He doubted it was a spontaneous assault either. Planned. This man here was Sith, or Sith adjacent. They couldn't be the Sith Order, though, could they? He heard no undead in the distance. The group from before? From Onderon? His grip tightened on the hilt of his lightsaber.

Braze was being too forward. It was clear this man was after Braze specifically, but to throw out those insults was just too much. Sith could use all manner of destructive abilities, and Zaiya was right here and- He blinked as she ran ahead of them. Even Nana was cutting forward to try and distract the man. Too many people trying to take his attention.

He didn't like what this meant.

He reached out, immediately going to just pick Zaiya up and over his shoulder as he jumped away with all his might. Something was wrong here. "Focus on your own escape, Zaiya! Braze, get moving damnit!"

They were all in real danger.

Braze | Zaiya Ceti | Lord Kalrath

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Zaiya Ceti Aris Noble Lord Kalrath

Braze recovered quickly even as the ground split beneath his feet. Practicing with Ko Vuto had helped him be ready to adapt to such circumstances. He needed distance, and he needed it now. As Aris reached out to grab Zaiya, Braze darted forward simultaneously with surprising agility and speed, almost taking flight as he stepped up a few invisible stairs. Igniting his lightsaber in a fluid motion, Braze positioned himself between Aris and the menacing stranger, ready to defend and strike if necessary. He executed a swift arching strike towards the man's face with the very tip of his blade. He wasn't aiming for complete contact but to cut at his mask, ensuring his focus was more on Braze rather than Aris and Zaiya so they could gain distance undeterred.

Braze's goal was to keep a wide berth and ascend quickly to assist in putting space between him and his opponent, setting up to move rather swiftly. With heightened senses, Braze remained alert, prepared to confront the enemy head-on or provide cover for their escape.

He didn't have time to ponder what was going on; he was focused on the here and now, concentrating on Lord Kalrath . He didn't even have enough attention spare to come up with a snippy comment in reply to Aris. What could he possibly want from Jasper? Braze had never heard about this man from him before. He hoped that Aris could get Zaiya to safety.

 

[Thomas Barran]

3rd Post

-TERROR PREVAILS-

THE_BLOODHOUND
GREAT KHAN OF THE SCAR HOUNDS
WARLORD OF RHIGAR & MAR'ZAMBUL
DIVINE CHAMPION OF MOTHER REBIRTH

Tags
Friend: Ardana Vorco Kroeger Maestus
Minako Aoki-Barran KN-967 TK-818 Kazian Blackwood
Jon Hojkstra Sahar Rath Nihro Salvor Thul

Foe: Ashley Nevermore Gress D'ran Makai Dashiell
Casteel Mer'taal Lycus Merita Alicio Organa
Silas Westgard Damian Du Couteau I'dadr Gargon Ruus Kote
Vo Pandyn Shev Skirata Anakwor Farlorn

A NEW CENTURY, A NEW TERROR II: ULTRAVIOLENT BEGINNINGS - PART 4

​

GREYZONE OUTPOSTS,
BATTLEFRONT: NORTH,
CINNEGAR, EMPRESS TETA (901 ABY)

-DARKHANS II-

<"Looks like we're ready to send out the loitering droids on this end, though a few are a little - um.... defective.... Not to worry though, most are more than enough for the task, and the Aspirants appear to enjoy their novelty.">

<"Not bad, same here. You give the signal to deploy them.... Same goes for you, Nail. Doesn't matter if yours are on a one-way trip, we ought to work together whenever we can.">

<"Copy that, Dreamer. Even if some make bigger booms than others, I'll add mine to yours on my own heading in any case. Still got UAVs to guide them, as I'm sure you've got the same on your end. But anyways, I'll await Rook's signal. Nail - out!">
​

With dugouts, encircling entrenchments, and with gap-diminishing HESCO bagging filled and set with the rubble of the Grey-Zone around them, (all set behind the crumbling defence-line of the buildings they were occupying for observance) the three-tier defence between opposing static-lines was set - and as ready as Dreamer Darkhan's contingent were ever likely to be.

'Your orders, Darkhan?'

With blasters on every perceivable arc of fire overlooking every approach from the east, and with more toys dropping for use as time passed, the Renegade-Chiss was quite aware that no time would be better to get their little part of the operation underway. Though this wouldn't stop these Aspirant warriors from thinking laterally whilst defending FOB: Dreamer, not whilst the blue-skinned tinkerer held to his habits of tactical augmentation under fire, granting a versatility-of-thought from which all the others could derive their attitudes under fire in turn. One of the many benefits of serving with one of the Khanate's longest-served Marauders, one of whom in particular who posessed an impressive reputation years before the formation of the Tri-Lunar Clique on Rhigar, and with such extensive experience and insight drawn from Mongrel and Bloodhound alike - the Aspirants in the east were all quite assured of their safety in the hands of Dreamer Darkhan.

'Just a moment.... Send some riders west, cover our backsides as well as you can out here.... I'll leave this in your hands, so don't let me down. Go!'

Lifting his Comm-Link receiver as close to his ear as his protective mask would allow, but holding off only to hold a readying hand for the sake of the supervising Marauder's earnest desire to quickly filter the order down to the droid-drone operators, the Renegade-Chiss smiled beneath his mask for a moment, relishing all in the ocean-like revelry of anticipation. Rook was never one to keep people waiting for long, and in all the time that Dreamer had known his wild Arkanian contemporary, the Bloodhound's personal sparring-partner had never second-guessed any such trivilialities of timing, second-guessing or wrong-footing for that matter. As much like the Renegade-Chiss, his outcast Arkanian comrade was also greatly-renowned for thinking on his feet, on the move - and never for too long.

<"All Darkhans! Rook calling in - its time.... COMMENCE DROID ATTACKS!!!!">
​

'COMMENCE DROID ATTACKS!!!!'

An order of which Dreamer Darkhan was all to willing to give, and by that point of the day, the Chiss was surely pent up in his desire to leave his mark on Cinnegar, and for the third (and hopefully: the last-) time in his tenure among the Scar Hounds. Thus with nothing left to do but throw down that arm he raised in halting poise for the inevitable message from Rook Darkhan, Dreamer seemingly cut the air with his fingers as if his signal itself was given with sword in hand - signalling for mayhem of which the city had awaited too long already.

'YOU HEARD HIM, ASPIRANTS!!!! EARN YOUR FETHING MEALS!!!!'

​

The counteroffensive artillery screenings, in and of themselves, had been something of a tell from the defenders' side of the Grey-Zone, with the lack of storming-attacks revealing something else from the shelling-coverage from before. Leading all three forward-operating Darkhans to believe it to have covered passive movements instead, their defensive posture would gradually begin to relax a little, opting in favour of mobility within their respective compounds, seeing for themselves that no attempts had been made on the main Mawsworn static-line as yet. The only risks that remained to the three Grey-Zone compounds by then were the unshifting chances that raids would be made on their positions instead, but in the hopes that the droids would reveal the changes in positional placements in the attack, every last assumption still hung on the most-uncomfortable of uncertainties.

Everything relied on the first, screening swarm of UAV droids, marking out targets all across Battlefront: North if they were lucky enough to find targets tempting enough for the task of the second swarm, as the second swarms would rely on the first as much as the Scar Hounds controlling them at the time. Roaring in unison from the collective, whirring hums of the engines that hovered the UAV-droids off the ground as one, it was enough to give the Darkhans' subordinates at least a little hope for relieved pressure in the impending positional strikes; but like with all things encountered in the hours preceding the first Mawsworn ground-attack, patience and perseverence would dictate the tempo of the assault, though it was still a norm to assume that good things came to those who waited.

We haven't got the time for this, but I suppose it doesn't matter now.
The droids are moving, and with that - moving in the right direction once and for all.

A NEW CENTURY, A NEW TERROR II: ULTRAVIOLENT BEGINNINGS - PART 5

​

MARIMA BOULEVARD,
BATTLEFRONT: NORTH,
CINNEGAR, EMPRESS TETA (901 ABY)

<"Rook to Bloodhound! Our UAVs are up, but you've got a green light to send us reinforcements. Artillery was only to cover reshufflings in the OPFOR static-line, nothing moving forward to meet us - or at least, nothing streamed back to us to suggest there is yet.... High-alert's still in place in the south, just in case.">

<"Handy.... More Sit-Reps like these, please. An' before I forget - expect reinforcements soon, along wi' the first batch o' warbeasts.... Bloodhound - out!">
​

'GREAT-KHAN, WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE GREY-ZONE?!?!'

Almost like clockwork, Ghoul Darkhan would be seen running back from the loading-bays with all the punctuality required to keep up, to maintain momentum with that of the Bloodhound - already bringing out his own Datapad in expectation of the moment his Atrisian friend would do the same in turn.

'I THINK - REINFORCEMENTS, WARBEASTS - AN' OUR PLAN FOR THE SECOND WAVE!!!! THATS THE ONE!!!!'

But something was awry, Barran could feel it in his resurrected bones like he was sensing any other impending danger, though this was almost-too specific, playing out as Ghoul and the Bloodhound marched to close the distance between each other. So distinct it was even beginning to turn the Great Khan's stomach, shifting the positioning of his spleen in dreading apprehension, yet this would serve to be of little and less help in ascertaining what the approaching threat would be by the time it showed it's ugly face, with Thomas being of no exception to this most-difficult of dangers to articulate.

BOOOOOOOOooooom
That wasn't a shelling impact..... That was a detonation, so it was!​

'WE AIN'T GOT THE FETHIN' TIME FOR THIS NONSENSE!!!!'

Grateful for the fact he wasn't knocked on his backside this time, Barran could only shake his head impatiently in beseeching a similar reaction from his Darkhan, though in seeing Ghoul's northward-turning gaze, Thomas knew it wouldn't take long for the Atrisian's distaste to reverberate across the Khanate HQ's mustering yard. A particular sort of rage, such that often involved the specifically-volatile process of punching and kicking inanimate constructions; ridding his mind of all it's sudden indignance as quickly as any situation allowed, and in the moment the Great-Khan turned to see the damage for himself, a strangely-similar urge began to creep into his otherwise-calm mindset.

'SOMEONE'S GONNA PAY FOR THIS - EVEN IF ITS THE LAST THING I EVER FETHIN' DO!!!!'

'Pump the brakes, Ghoul! We face this as we would any other threat, my old friend.', the one-eyed Woad interjected, bringing the Atrisian back to a half-decent semblance of reason whilst there was still time to make him useful again, somehow bringing himself back to the realm of cohesive productivity along with it. Ideas were in freeflow once more, and in the overriding need to seal the lid on the infiltration attack, (and with a lasting sense of finality at that-) Thomas was less likely to waste time than he was before the sudden detonation, even going so far as to shove Ghoul in the right direction as he had so many times before. Even then, whilst the urgency of the situation unfolded, Barran was finally beginning to understand the situation as he continued,'We've got company! An' I'm sure we both know what protocols to follow!', as the sounds of near-distant Disruptor fire drew nearer with every running pace.

<"ALL UNITS - ALL UNITS, THIS IS GHOUL DARKHAN!!!! INITIATE LOCKDOWN-SEQUENCE 2!!!! I REPEAT - INITIATE LOCKDOWN-SEQUENCE 2!!!! ENEMIES WITHIN THE COMPOUND!!!!">

<"If you're locked in - hunker down, rearm an' prime every entryway for ambush.... Its a real war now, Marauders. This is what you wanted, so show me what I'm supposed to see! Bloodhound - out!">
​

Sprinting ahead, the Bloodhound was making a beeline straight for the Beastriders manning the northwestern sector at the time, intending to establish his psychological advantage from the first reactive perimeter-sweep. It wouldn't take very long to reach the enclosed segment of Khanate HQ from there, and though it drew the Bloodhound away from his targets, it wasn't far enough to assume a stray shot wouldn't cast his subordinates to the winds, not that it would be a problem by the time the Onderonian Beastriders found their momentum. Even then, time would still be trying to stack itself against the Mawsworn for every passing second, thus the one-eyed Woad was left with no other choice but to kick down the gates that split the Onderonian raiders with the rest of the compound, sprinting in like a Novanian cheetah with gaze darting back and forth between every Onderonian bearing witness to Great-Khan's spectacle.

'RATHAAAAARN!!!! MOUNT UP, WE'RE TAKING THE FORT BACK - AS ONE!!!!'

A collective roar would meet their leader in reply, and temporarily though the reverberation would dominate the auditory overload besetting Khanate HQ by then, the unified answer of willing participation would ring out loudly enough to mark their presence among the Disruptor fire, the confusion, the sirens and every other aural disturbance of the sort. All the opposing elements in play were doubtlessly aware of the dangers before, but in the following moments, the crescendo of braying, shrieking Warbeasts would surely cement the increasing risks of remaining within reach of the proverbial hornet's nest.

'BEASTRIDERS - ADVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCE!!!!'

​

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

OPERATION: SHADOW HAND

Tags: Auteme , Aerarii Tithe , Marlon Sularen , Cessair Ideon, Zethran Cott

B O U N T Y

"Sir... we are about to breach Tython airspace."

Tython... the planet that had almost shattered the galaxy into pieces. Reiner had not been at the fateful battle upon the shattered planet, but he knew well what had transpired. The chaos permeating its stench throughout the whole of the galaxy had been long known to the former Aphran senator, and despite his words of wisdom to his fellow politicians, words of little more than spite and suspicion had been given in return. And with the conflict between the now defunct Empire and the Alliance, Reiner's party had fallen out of favor, so much that they may as well have faded into obscurity. Perhaps that was why he had given up his chair... he was never meant to be a senator. At his core, he was always a soldier...

His fleet was small, only a couple of cruisers and some smaller supporting vessels. The Aphran Defense Fleet was more than enough to allow the planet to show its strength in times of conflict, but Reiner needed only this select few... only those he could truly trust... to enable his gambit on this day. Perhaps that was what made his own vessel, the ADF Gambit, so terribly fitting for such an excursion.

"Ensure we are out of firing range, Commodore. I wish to assess the situation before we make our move."

The ADF Gambit exited hyperspace just out of range of whatever hell could be brought to bear, with the rest of the small battlegroup in tow. Reiner's hands tightened around the arms of his chair within the bridge, his eyes narrowing as he looked upon the converging forces.

"Send a message to the Alliance fleet. Tell them we are awaiting further orders."

The pieces were set. What was left was little more than stratagem.​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

EMPRESS TETA

Sweaty, legs aching,afternoon completely ruined, Makai was mentally cursing out every single Force user in the ‘verse right now. Granted, he had no idea who or what was attacking the planet, but his mind was defaulting to the most logical subjects in this case.

“We can discuss my life further once we get in this bunker.”

Igneous is Bliss was a great sight to see,however, they were still unable to leave the planet. Makai looked on the horizon as Casteel spoke. He could still see the shimmering blue of the planetary shield as shelling continued. Smoke was billowing and there were some half-blown out buildings while others were missing. A shame.

“You can fly, right? I have no idea where we are headed and we don’t need to be in the air longer than we need to. Gives me a chance to grab supplies too.I agree with your assessment, it may be a little bit before we can get off the planet.”

Makai knew the layout of the ship and where things were stored, making it a bit easier to create two bags of supplies in a quicker fashion than Casteel poking around the vessel and trying to describe where the blonde should be looking. Time was of the essence after all.

He would have to message Thirty-Seven before going into the bunker, just in case none of the communication systems he was used to worked below ground. Makai was confident that Alric Kuhn had covered his homeworld top-to-bottom with Dark Net and various other Vanir Technology products. It would only be a matter of time before the shelling hit the power supply to something important.

They hurried up the ramp, the sound of shelling getting closer. Having no idea where Castie lived, he hoped it wasn’t anywhere near where the most intense fighting was.

“Cockpit is to the left.I’m going to get started so we can hit the ground running.”

 

[Tigris]

Location: Coruscant
Objective: BYOO - Preventing sabotage of comm tower monitoring Tython and Empress Teta systems

Gear: Enclave Guardian Mantle, lightsaber, vibroknife, NJO Utility belt, Echo Stone
Opponent: Hex

A silent, subtle buzz tickled the padawan's ear as she sat perched atop the main building, beneath the massive transmission dish. she glanced at a dim red readout on her comm. GA security was en-route to help secure the facility, but with numerous reports and rumors of potential targets of sabotage, the security forces were being stretched. Tigris herself questioned the lack of on-site security, even of droids. She was informed that the site security sensors were monitored 24/7, and security dispatched as needed. Until the sudden action in Tython and Empress Teta, the risk to the site of sabotage was low.

A second notification was more alarming. The facilities entire security monitoring system suddenly went down. As a padawan, Tigris might have guessed what that meant. But as a former assassin and saboteur, she knew exactly what it meant. They were coming.

Still wrapped in the concealment of the Force, an ability that had become a part of her nefarious work in a different time, in a different life, Tigris raced to the edge of the building, then along its edge, eyes peeled. Then she saw movement along a gantry that lead to the building. Tigris thought she saw several shapes separate. but she would focus on those heading towards the building. With feline agility and speed, the shadowy padawan reached the edge just over the gantry. Aided by the Force, she leaped from the roof and lighted upon the metal structure with barely a sound. She stood thirty meters from the intruders, blocking their approach to the building via the gantry.

The concealment of the Force wavered and faded, revealing the young female Jedi crouching in dark robes. But there was as yet no telltale appearance of a glowing saber blade.

 

[Darth Ptolemis]

TEARS OF ASHLA
objective 2

Location: Aboard the NIV Predator.
Tags: Marlon Sularen Zethran Cott Ignacious Korvan Sinestra Reiner Ghadi Cessair Ideon Auteme Aerarii Tithe Arla Rodarch

Equipment in bio.
Open for interaction.

​

Lord Ptolemis’ ebon ship appeared ancient in the berth of the NIV Predator. Erosion from decades of interstellar radiation dulled its once-pristine, glowing black finish; scratches, dents and all sorts of scars revealed its true age. It was a ship of high utility, but serving more or less a singular purpose: extremely long-distance travel at sub-light speeds. Its home, as always, had been darkness and silence.

The revenant descending from its ramp mirrored many of the ship's characteristics; the stranger’s robe frayed at the edges, its rippling black folds a degree lighter in color. The one accent of the stranger’s otherwise unceremonious outlook, however, was his ominous, crimson-maroon mask. Travelling through the menacing, militaristic atmosphere of the colossal flagship with cold confidence, Ptolemis walks past hushed whispers and confused glances. His boots tread the durasteel floor, his outline painted, in alternating repetition, by red and white lights lining the corridors. He is here to see one person and one person only.

Admiral Marlon Sularen was a formidable leadership figure within this unholy union and a long-term confidant of our Emperor, a person whose vice grip could serve as a particularly cohesive force in the emergent Empire’s turbulent beginnings. Although esoteric, Ptolemis was also a man who admired effectiveness and people who dared to use their razor to cut straight through problems, however brutal the method may have to be.

- Admiral Sularen. - The Sith Lord greets the master of the NIV Predator as he arrives at the bridge, disregarding any officers that may spring up to halt or greet him. He walks over in silence, coming to a halt a few steps from the Admiral. For a few moments, he is seen enigmatically observing the men and women working under Sularen, then the pieces of remarkable technology surrounding him; his gaze meandering across projections and the viewport, his corrupted spirit set free to expand to the volume of the room. At this moment, the Sith Lord senses a shade of annoyance, mostly tied to the Admiral. So be it, he thinks, and gets straight to the point. - You have a formidable force here, Admiral. - His distorted voice is heard. - But I’m not here to interfere with your mission. The Emperor suspects boarding parties, and that is why I’m here. Is that acceptable for you? - Simple as that.

Or is it?

A spark in the Force from the direction of the turbolift drags his attention. Without a word, he turns around, welcoming the unknown arrival with the grace of a blood-sucking bat. Sinestra ​

 

[Kali'ka]

Location: Tython
Objective 3: Clash at Kaleth
Gear: Phrik Alloy Lightsaber Pike, PharmaTech Oculus, Sith robes, Sith amulet
Opponents: Catronia Byrne , Anthony Gray Sun

​

The Sith sorceress patiently waited as she lured the young Jedi to her. But a sudden wavering of her influence over the padawan's mind irked her. The illusionary cries for help ceased in the girl's mind, a suddent stronger resistance from her emerging. Had the vulnerable padawan found her courage, or had something else bolstered her resistance? An impatient anger surged in the corrupted sorceress and Kali'ka stalked to the gate in the garden wall. With a blast of the Force the door buckled, a second blow bent it nearly free of its hinges. The Sith stormed into the gardens.

The garden proved difficult to see through, winding paths through small trees, and flowing bushes. Her crimson eye scanned the interior, the lush trees, bushes and flowers a stark contrast to the landscape outside that still showed the scars of recent wars. Finally, Kali detected heat signatures amid the flora. Aha, it seemed her tender prey had been joined by a stronger foe. She saw them now in her own vision, catching glimpses of the the blue-haired apprentice and a tall man, strong in the Force. Another Jedi. Simmering anger boiled, threatening to become a full on rage. But the sorceress held her composure, fostering that dark emotion for the right moment. Kali'ka continued to stalk towards them, wrapped in a spell of concealment that hid her course along the garden paths.

Again, Kali'ka targeted out to the little one. If the padawan could be compromised, the knight would have to his attention divided. The Sith sorceress reached out through the Force, pulling on the Dark, to fill the girl's mind with her darkest fears. Granted, it was a newer spell to the sorceress, but she hoped the padawan's inexperience and her heightened emotions would make plying her with terror easier.

 

[Taam Moghul]

Objective 3: Clash at Kaleth
Gear: Kta Dom Lya, Lightsaber, Robes of the Wayward, Armored Jacket
Allies: Jonyna Si , Ko Vuto
Opponent: Jin Kyrel

His focus through the Force was practiced, amplified by armor and blade, and through it Taam flowed with clarity of perception. The Force betrayed his opponent's moves by the space of a breath, enough for the Cathar Knight to anticipate and counter attacks, and penetrate defenses. But these were not the pirates and bandits he had faced in his wanderings, easy foes to overcome, or even the enemy soldiers fought in the former war. The Jedi were battling an enemy well-practiced in the Dark Side, the elite in employing it in combat. Yet, as of yet, the Jedi Cathar couple had yet to meet their match as they defended one of the temple entrances.

It was by the blessing of that battlemind that the fierce combat did not dredge up the day that Kalisha was slain in battle, practically at his side. He had sought deeply in his meditations before arrival that such distracting emotions would not plague him on Tython, and as of yet, they had not.

With a final cleaving in two of a particularly challenging opponent, Taam caught his breath. A touch on his shoulder drew his attention quickly to Jonyna at his side. She didn't say a word, she didn't have to. Taam saw it in her eyes. Then he felt what his mate had sensed. A strong point of the Dark Side, close, moving closer. It was permeated with pain, a multiplicity of pain, pain that fed it's recipient's darkness.

Soon, the presence appeared. Imposing, the helmeted, black robed warrior exuded a haughty arrogance. It stalked closer before halting in a defiant stance. The deep voice from within the helmet spewed out cryptic threats, but Taam knew they were not empty words. They spoke of a deeply rooted conviction that made this enemy direly dangerous.

Then the tarnished blade in the man's hand ignited. The erratic, crackling blade seemed to mirror the dark fury and lethality of its owner. But it was when the warrior's robes where shrugged off that the true station of their enemy was revealed. His body was covered in a carapace. It took Taam a moment to perceive what the armor was in truth, for he had not seen such with his own eyes. Orbalisks clung to the Darksider's body, providing a defense that could possibly even deflect lightsabers. While they had just defeated a cadre of well-trained Darkside minions of the Emperor, this opponent, able to endure an entire covering of the painful parasites, was an enemy of considerable station.

<Why are they always so dramatic?> Taam murmured to Jonyn at his side, gripping the hilt of Kta Dom Lya. The songsteel blade glowed dimly, as if eager to unleash a wave of searing light against the Dark Side nemesis before them. "How about you die first?" Taam replied, shooting a glance at Jonyna. The campy response was too hard to resist. In truth, If the Cathar couple were going to battle this enemy, they would do it together, and see victory or death, together.

<>= denotes speech in Catharese

 

[Casteel Mer'taal]

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


The mere thought of spending hours, days, or even weeks confined to close quarters with Makai Dashiell elicited another muttered curse from the disheveled blonde businessman. He had been prepared for a brief discourse, not the potential prospect of extended confinement.

At Makai's inquiry about Casteel's piloting prowess with a starship, the chiseled features of the Anaxai twisted into an expression of amused incredulity. It seemed that whatever Makai said had a knack for bemusing or exasperating Casteel.

"No," Casteel replied with a shake of his head, his tone tinged with a hint of wry amusement.

"My piloting skills are limited to speeders. I prefer to leave interstellar travel in the capable hands of professionals, whom I compensate generously for their services." There was no point in embellishing the truth; their safety took precedence, and Makai likely possessed superior piloting abilities.

"I can provide directions, though," he continued, pausing at the corridor within the ship before Makai darted off. "You do have a navigation system, correct? I should be able to input my address, and the system will guide you there."

Turning his attention back to Makai, Casteel inquired, "What items do you need me to retrieve? I can assist with that, provided it doesn't involve rummaging through every drawer. We need only the essentials."

 

[TK-818]

TK-818
Stormtrooper Corps
Salvor Thul | Monos | KN-967 | Kroeger | Thomas Barran | Kazian Blackwood | Sabine Korvan | Ellayina L'lerim | Xochilt | Jon Hojkstra

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The river was not our salvation afterall..

Explosions racked the riverway, the bridges collapsing as sabotage went underway. It was a bold move, a fierce way to try and brunt the Imperial advance. They would have to utilize the only remaining pass over through what was no better than an Alliance kill zone prepared for them.

My unit was walking into their own personal hell. Feth it. At least we weren't going in alone.

Regrouping with several other imps, I felt a renewed sense of order as an old out of armor veteran took control of the situation. An unorthodox fellow, nonetheless I knew best from his lingo if I was to stay alive I had to stay close to this guy. This survivor of the Old Wars.

Calling in artillery, the old vet patched in. It wasn't long before I watched as Kroeger 's unit brought true meaning to shock and awe.

IT WAS GLORIOUS.

As Jon Hojkstra surged forward, leading the charge towards the nearby buildings, I followed closely behind, my heart pounding in my chest. The earth shook beneath us, the remnants of the collapsed bridge a stark reminder of the chaos surrounding us. With each step, I could feel the weight of my armor bearing down on me, but I pushed through, determined to prove myself worthy of the Stormtrooper Corps.

As we reached the cover of the buildings, Jon's voice cut through the chaos, urging his comrade Kane to move quickly. I glanced around, taking in our surroundings with a sense of urgency. We were outnumbered and outgunned, but Jon's words rang true – we had to use our environment to our advantage, exploit every possible opportunity to turn the tide in our favor.

With Jon leading the way, I followed suit, my training kicking in as I moved with precision and purpose. Blaster fire erupted around us, but I remained focused, my aim steady as I returned fire. Every shot would have to count, every movement calculated as we fought to gain the upper hand against the Alliance soldiers. I could almost hear the holochannels playing Ignacious Korvan 's words now, the reminder that the Core was rightfully ours. That WE were returning home.

 

[Sinestra]

HARBINGER OF CHANGE // Issue 1​

Allies: Marlon Sularen | Darth Ptolemis
Enemies: The Alliance | Arla Rodarch

The seer's chest tightened with apprehension at the sight of Darth Ptolemis' figure looming besides the Grand Admiral. Like much of the rest of the Emperor's Sith, he was shrouded in mystery. What stood him apart from the few others she had met of the Sith was his presence of terror permeating his very existence. The crimson mask poring over her sparked a tumult of emotions within—an unsettling blend of envy and bitterness. Did the Emperor doubt her abilities? Was she not worthy of his complete trust?

Determined to quell her rising doubts, Sinestra focused her thoughts, extending her senses through the Force to probe the minds of the bridge crew. Each flicker of doubt, every hint of disloyalty, sent a ripple of anxiety through her being. Her visions had been clouded, murky glimpses of potential threats, but she couldn't ignore the possibility of betrayal from within their ranks.

The temptation to halt the naval assault clawed at the seer's mind, a desperate bid to avert potential disaster, or perhaps prove her worth to the Emperor. And yet, she hesitated; uncertainty pressing heavily upon her.

What if her visions had been misinterpreted?

What if calling off the attack only invited greater danger to the Emperor's grand design?

Stepping up next to the two men, the seer nodded at both, "Lord Ptolemis, Grand Admiral Sularen." then, turning her sulfuric gaze to the Grand Admiral, she asked, her voice betraying a hint of urgency "Has there been any sign of security breaches during the fleet's journey?".

Her instincts screamed for vigilance, for any hint of danger that lurked in the shadows of their mission.

 

[Alicia Drey]

Tags: Vulpesen

The incantations for the Sith spell were interrupted when Vulpesen came in to attack. Soresu (as a technique) was not practiced to outright parry, or block. The user manipulated their blade to deflect incoming strikes through the tip of the weapon, so that the attack itself was rediverted away from them, and was usually followed by evasion as the defender moved backwards to create space.

Ayra watched as Vulpesen expertly adopted a Jar'kai stance with the intent to utilize Makashi techniques to attract her attention one way, and strike where she least expected it. One handed Ayra raised the tip of her Lightsaber to intercept the incoming first strike while the Force continued to flow through her. After redirecting the blade away from her, Ayra was then guided to then flip over Vulpesen, and as the second strike came in Ayra narrowly dodged the other strike. As she flew over her opponent Ayra felt the heat coming off the now split-in-two Saberstaff near the back of her arm.

If she had hesitated even for a split second then the limb would have been lost, and the duel would have been won.

As Ayra flipped through the air she deactivated her Lightsaber blade, so then when she performed the barrel roll across the room, she would not be destroyed by her own weapon. Expertly coming out of the aerobatics onto her feet in a skidding motion Ayra deactivated her weapon and adopted the opening stance of Soresu again. As she turned her body back around to Vulpesen, the Force guiding her motions and allowing her senses to keep track of her opponent, Ayra's hand once again begun to motion, and move between them, as she returned to muttering the incantations to the Sith spell.

The air around Darth Ayra begun to heat up and swirl like a miasma on a particularly hot, barren day. As the Temple of Kaleth shook with the on-going battle being waged around them, Ayra drew upon the energies that she had been building up before Vulpesen's attack had interrupted her, and upon the great Scar left upon the world by Shatterpoint twenty-years ago. Tython had always been strong in the ways of the Force, but the dark side was now just as strong as the light side as Darth Solipsis' and his Dark Empire ravaged the world.

 

[Kazian Blackwood]

LIFE DURING WARTIME

Ellayina L'lerim
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The ISB had played a royally bad hand.

45 hours ago I had officially been compromised. My false identity? Checked. The ship that was scheduled as my pickup? Seized. The walls around me? Closing in. The safe house felt anything but.

Jon Hojkstra had fethed off, as I'd sort of expected. When the battle had began to rock the city outside, I'd figured he was indeed a braver man than I.

Sabine Korvan , the architect of the play, nowhere to be found. She'd promised this as a way for me to set my record straight after my blunder at Onderon, but the unfolding chaos on the streets of Cinnegar dwarfed that immeasurably.

For what it was worth, I had dodged the Alliance agents on my tail until I assumed they had been caught up in the fighting outside, or pulled from the action entirely. The Alliance didn't seem like they would be wasting anything more on me when I was likely to be swallowed up by the fighting sooner or later. Thus far combat was a distant reality so I reckoned myself to be fairly deep behind enemy lines. That would make escaping just a bit harder.

Though the people I had arrived with were long gone, I wasn't alone. Aiding in my extraction was a new arrival, looking like a sore thumb for the mission that had been, but dressed to the nines for what it had become. Compared to her full gear, I was dressed like a bum, though I sported some light protection underneath my haggard clothes.

"Well, Miss L'lerim, I know you didn't come here to get stranded with me, so lets have at it. Any ideas how we get out of this fething city?" I asked the woman as I swung my bag over my shoulder and did up my jacket. I was thoroughly done with Cinnegar, with the Krath, and halfway there with the damned people I worked for. But I believed in the Imperial army, and I hoped the boys in white scoured this place like deserved...

 

[Phineas Kand]

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Tags:
Adeline Noctua
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Barely had the Jedi Knight's ship crossed the threshold into the hangar bay and already he felt a sickening swell in the pit of his stomach. A deep intake of breath filled his lungs as he sought clarity. The Force was here, it was everywhere, but it was difficult to grasp onto. Slippery, he thought to himself, initiating the landing procedure. Dimly lit by the emergency lighting, the hangar cast an eerie glow about the bulkheads. "Doesn't get much more ominous than this, does it?" he asked his droid companion. A few chirps and chortles in response was all Phineas got, punching the button to open the cockpit.

Overwhelmed. It was the only word that explained what happened as soon as the Jedi was exposed to the virulent air of the ship. Ozone, guano, and a sharp metallic scent. Blood. How long had it been? Not but a few minutes at most to traverse the distance between the ships and already there was something deeply wrong here. Perhaps it had been a mere engine failure at the onset but as Phineas' senses tried to catch up it was evident there was something much deeper and much darker at play. The man's eyes darted upwards as a new sound reached his ears, a guttural growl echoing against the cold durasteel hull. Above, strange creatures shrouded in darkness shuffled. Below, the sounds of scraping feet against the deck now drew the man's attention. Who... What...

In an instant the Knight propelled himself gracefully from the perch atop his ship, nimbly landing on the hangar deck. The familiar snap-hiss of his lightsaber arcing to life and the hum of the blade put him at ease - somewhat. In the viridian glow, his situation became more apparent. The mangled corpses of what he could only assume were the luxury liner's patrons now shambled towards him, rising from the places they'd fallen and descending upon him. It was evident these people no longer inhabited their bodies, the Force corrupted and murky around each of them. Like jet black tendrils swirling in a mist. It sent a shiver down the man's spine as he brought his blade to bear, again the feeling of another presence tickling the edge of his mind.

"Who goes there?!" he shouted.

The response he received was unintelligible, a violent wretch as the bodies surged towards him. Repulsion filled Phineas as his blade sliced downward across the body of the first dead. What remained of the husk sloughed to the floor and already another was on him. Phineas grit his teeth, fending off and cutting down the bodies as they came, eyes carefully glancing towards the uppermost reaches of the hangar.

"I can feel you there! Come out!" Phineas shouted again, his voice bellowing as the hum of his blade changed pitches. He could slice through these husks all day but that wasn't his goal. He needed to stop the bleeding, eliminate the threat. Phineas could still feel the presence of others on the ship but if he didn't make quick work... he wasn't confident they'd be there by the time he was done.

 

[Kaleb Sunwalker]

Location: Tython
Allies: NSO, Knights of Ren, Dark Side Elite
Enemies: Jedi: Jasper Kai'el
Equipment: Lightsaber, Stygian Codex

Kaleb kept marching with one foot placed against the other on the ruined terrain. He could hear the panicked voices of civilians as many tried to flee, while off in the horizon would he feel and hear the rumbling of thunder, lightning crackling off in the distance. Force Storms were common on this desolate world, but the intensity of the storm that approached was far greater than anything that Kaleb had felt before, for he didn’t have the words to describe the intensity of it all, all the while would the fallen Jedi make his way towards the platform with deadly intent. His saber now clutched in his hand, and a new fury blazed within him. Kaleb wished to be left alone, but if they couldn’t stay away then he would have no choice but to cut through them.

The voices grew as he drew closer. To his eyes he could see what looked to be a young man, in the middle of an attempt to secure civilians, the storm’s rumbling increased in intensity, a dark shadow was quickly spreading as if to blot out what light there was. The Holocron continued its red glow, as if feeding on the strange darkness that covered the land. Kaleb’s eyes narrowed towards the man, his anger building and building while he clasped the hilt of his saber within his own fingers. His steps heavy, as each foot in front of the other would often shift a little into the dirt before one foot alternated between the other. Now, Kaleb was feet away from stepping onto the platform.

Kaleb looked up with his determined gaze to hear shouting in his direction. At first Kaleb had said nothing, he was tired, exhausted, and sick of running away. The Jedi were turning up at each corner he stood upon, well now would Kaleb quickly grow sick of being chased and hounded like he was some sport. His grasp upon his saber tightened, as if that anger of his was building towards a crescendo, albeit barely contained.

The snap ignition of Kaleb’s green lightsaber would be the first sound to greet the Jedi before him. His blade lowered as the glow of the emerald blade would illuminate the ground that Kaleb walked upon. He stood facing in front of the Jedi where his tired, angry gaze had lingered upon the Jedi. “I was about to suggest the same thing, but I’ve run all out of such courtesy.” Kaleb would say, a twinge of anger was present in his tone while his lightsaber was slowly raised, the emerald glow mirroring against the angry features of his face.

“I could offer you a chance to run, but you’ll find that my generosity is in short supply today.” Kaleb would say with his raised lightsaber poised to strike for an attack. First he wished to have the Jedi in front of him. Slowly would Kaleb start to enter into a circular pace around his foe. His saber gripped tightly to his hands, he was ready to make the first strike within moments. Through Kaleb’s own exhaustion from being chased all over the Core, he still thought as a Jedi not willing to go on the offensive, that as long as both of them lived would be a victory, oh how little did Kaleb fail to understand.​

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Tython, Forests around Kaleth
Opponent: Gnost Zym

As Ko tried to restrain the botanical beast he sensed the elder Kel Dor’s approach. The hand he had out as a focus to manipulate the plants quickly clenched into a firm fist as they called him an apprentice. Finding the use of the word quite distasteful. Their calm attitude over the situation didn’t help things either. Ko believed that if he had not been intoxicated, then perhaps he could’ve swiftly brought Howl to justice.

Thinking that he’d thoroughly restrained the sithspawn, Ko shifted his attention over to the Sith. Upset with the idea that Howl was his mentor. Holding his blade tightly the padawan felt eager to engage Howl here and now, not interested in the slightest with entertaining the Master and Apprentice fantasy being expressed. Even while seeing through The Force Ko developed a fair amount of tunnel vision as he rushed Howl.

Not noticing that the monster had been freed from their natural restraints until it was too late. At the last second his focus once more shifted to the Sithspawn just in time for its powerful impact. Harshly knocking Ko away and off his feet. He tried to use The Force defensively, with a mixture of a mild telekinetic barrier around his form and utilizing soft to solid to harden his backside just before his body was slamming into the trunk of a tree. His spine and back of head were protected, but the impact knocked the air from his lungs.

The padawan coughed violently and gasped for air. Falling to his knees he was reminded of that time he was sparring with Braze and chucked the young boy into a tree. Perhaps this was a bit of karma. “Sh-Shut it…” Ko retorted to Howl, finding his voice again, albeit a very raspy and strained voice. “Any Kel Dor knows that we don’t hold a candle to nature…” Even now, with their tech the people of Dorin struggle with the planet’s tempestuous wrath, and are sandwiched between two mighty black holes. Ko strained himself back up onto his feet with the bamboo sheath of his blade. He wasn’t interested in having a discussion with the Sith before him. However. “Decay is only half the picture. Even extinction is just another part of life.” One could see Ko’s words as bleak, but he believed they were anything but. Just about all organisms in the history of the galaxy have gone extinct. Yet it’s full of life and diversity. Ko viewed it as a baton race, where the baton gets passed on from one species to another. But he didn't really expect a Sith like Howl to understand that.

“And I already have a mentor… Jonyna Si, a living legend from Cathar. I’m afraid there’s no room for the likes of you.” Ko said Stating his tutelage under Jonyna Si with pride. After being without a master as long as he was in the NJO, he took great pride in finally having a master. He wasn't gonna have a Sith cheapen that for him. The padawan assumed a defensive stance with his weapon. Even channeling energy through The Force into its sheath as he held it like a club in his off hand. Dual wielding the two halves of his weapon as a sort of improvised Jar’Kai. Although angered by Howl's insistence to refer to Ko as his apprentice. It also strengthened Ko's resolve to overcome this challenge in front of him. The padawan felt like he had to manage the sithspawn first though.​

 

[Aaaine]

Location: Tython; Upper atmosphere
Objective: BYOO; Subject hunting
Time: Null
Tags: Unblessed | Allies | Ask to interact.

“Stalker? Stalker, this is Prophet. Please confirm your landing coordinates as soon as possible. We need to begin our descent.” Aaaine watched over Alecari’s shoulder as he leaned back, frustrated, awaiting any sort of response from their sister ship as they hovered above a planet on fire. Communication issues would doom this incursion. An incursion that would, more than likely, fail at the very starting line. Even thinking of attempting what they were about to do could be considered a suicide of the mind. If they couldn’t even get on the ground…

“Stalker, we’re going to abandon this mission if we don’t-” “Oh shut up Prophet, our comms were on the fritz. Something about the de-entry from hyperspace warped our array.” A pause, and rustling could be heard on the other side of the comm. Aaaine and Alecari shared a look of confusion, before the grizzled voice broke through the static once more. “Other than that kark, we’re ready to go. Sending you our landing coordinates now. Looks like a good number of ships have already gathered.” A second later, said coordinates came through, sent by Terec and his crew of Red Coats aboard Stalker. With several button presses on the console, the view finder showed a scan of the area.

Three ships, a pair of fighters and some sort of shuttle, all landed in a small port near to where the temple stood. A perfect group, a perfect target. Aaaine took a few more moments to look over the scan before standing to her full height, turning to the Alecari, her personal Red Coat and Pilot, and gave him a nod of approval. Taking this, he began to go through the pre-landing checklist. “Stalker, you are clear to land, proceed with objective hindrance.” Only a moment later, the Bothan’s voice crackled through for the last time. “Understood Prophet, proceeding to objective. For the Unblessed.”

Standing to her full height from the bent over posture she had attained during the conversation, Aaaine’s gaze turned outside the ship, watching as Stalker broke off their port and shot toward the surface. Only a few moments into their descent, it disappeared into the dark voice, it’s stealth systems fully activating. Witnessing this only made the reality of the situation truly sink in for the Chiss, taking a moment to swallow her emotions away with a little white pill she produced from her pocket.

Alecari eyed the pill then glanced up to Aaaine taking it, before returning to his controls. “You can stay on the ship, if you want. Kark, we can call off this whole thing, right now. Your call, ma'am.” Blazing red eyes glared down at the dark skinned man, searching for any eye contact she could grab. He would not give it to her, instead pouring his entire focus into getting the ship ready to descend. “No. You lot would bring me any second rate subject you can sedate. Additionally, we may never get another shot like this. Stars do not align like this. We’re...doing this.” Her voice was firm, as firm as her nerves would allow them to be.

A moment of silence permeated throughout the cockpit, broken only by a grunt of approval from the pilot. “Understood. Stealthing, starting descent.” Without another word, it felt as though the bottom dropped from underneath her boots as the Prophet started toward the ground. They would not be joining Stalker. Those lads had their own set of objective, ones that would hopefully allow Aaaine’s crew to complete theirs. But there would be one prevailing theme between both squads.

Tonight, a hunt will be commenced. A hunt that, in her mind, could alter the trajectory of the galaxy forever.

“For the Unblessed.”

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio

Location | Objective II

Tag | Phineas Kand

The husks were no match for him of course, each cursed body cleaved would cause an echoing laughter to bounce around the ship. Following the end of the the current room of undead, the blackness had stretched all across the ship. Lights flicker some of their final moments of life before breaking down or running out of juice, darkness had overtaken the ship.

Screams came from everywhere, those who still lived being attacked by some eldritch horror that was quickly approaching. The door to the next room would be torn open by hands as big as a human adult, their claws clenching around the metal as the path for the little light had been shown. These hands seemed to be made of the same strange blackness that coated the walls, even stranger were the eyes that sprouted from them... Watching him.

"I can feel you there! Come out!"

A silky voice mocked, her voice seeming to be everywhere.

Entering the next room his presence would disturb a swarm of bats, they fly away in a frenzy as he had entered a large and long hallway. Throughout the hall many mouths were adorned upon these ink covered walls, each smiling with pearly white teeth as the hands crushed shut the door behind him. Disorganized and out of synch, they each began to laugh in a manic way as if mocking him.

"By blood we learn.."

Her whispering sounded as if she was right against his ear, it would be within that very instant that the room around him changed in the blink of an eye... Light had returned as candles adorned the room, and the ink covered metal around him had been replaced with a cold dark stone. Where was he?

It all felt so real, but was it? He could touch the ground, feel the stone around him.

"What brings you to me, little light?"

A woman in a set of cursed armor spoke, she sat calmly at a desk.. Waiting for him.

"I suppose it does not matter now, what is important is the situation you now find yourself in. There are ways to go about this yes, but I would like to be diplomatic as you Jedi prefer."

The strange woman has a hidden impish smile behind her helm.

"Would you perhaps want to hear this little deal of mine dear? You could save the souls of every single person you failed to save, you heard their screams did you not? I doubt anyone sane would desire to abandon these souls to hell, so if you may.."

With a snap of a finger a chair for him sits just across the desk, gently tapping her metallic claws against the wood in a rhythm as she waited for him to take a seat.

"Or we can do this another way."

Keres was just fine with returning him to that dark hell, a place where she had even more advantage.. It would seem this creature held many cards.

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