Junction [GA/SO] Caldera Crisis — The Alliance Strikes Back | GA/SO Junction of Barkhesh and Kiffu

[Domina Prime]

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◈ PRIME PAGECLAIM ◈

I'm Kind Of A Misfit, I Don't Hide All My Business
I'm Probably Going To Hell, Since I Told God My Religion

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ALLY: Darth Carnifex

ADVERSARIES: Jax Thio | Caltin Vanagor

STRIKE FORCE OBJ: Vulpesen | Darth Strosius | Aloy Vizsla | Darth Malum of House Marr | Gerwald Lechner | Jonyna Si | Taam Moghul | Azelle Narzisce

{FACILITY LOBBY}​

The interior of the facility left much to be desired Domina had to admit. It's pristine presentation with glistening white walls and practically spit shined floors was enough to give the large Xeno a headache as the audible THUDS of guards being tossed about by the Godborn behind her sent ripples of excitement down the creature's spine. And when she finally looked back again to see if Caltin Vanagor was following around she noticed that another had finally caught up to join the master jedi.

"Ahh look at that, brought a plus one after all huh?" She asked, shifting her five eyes over Jax Thio before twirling on her feet and back pedaling down the halls so she could face her new Godborn Champions, using her four arms to wave rather excitedly at the newcomer. "Strong silent types huh? You two must be a lot of fun~" She teased them as they stoically and very cautiously wandered deeper into the facility.

They were likely nervous about being led into a trap. But little did they know, the second they had engaged with Domina there was no need for a trap to be sprung. And once they were deep enough inside that became painfully obvious as no resistance came to meet them. They were simply…welcomed in by the strange Mandalorian, the few guards that happened to answer the alarm were quickly dispatched by the Jedi while the others learned from example and simply turned on heels and went right back to what they were doing the second they noticed Domina escorting the enemy through the halls.

And then, once they were deep enough inside Domina stood within the center of a large room which had doorways leading into different random corridors that spread throughout the facility.

One thing of interest to the Jedi however would be the Tower Elevator which lied on the OPPOSITE end of the room far behind Domina as she stood statuesque like some kind of blockade. She twisted on her feet again so her back was towards them as she reached up towards her shoulders and snatched the fluffy fur of her cloak and tossed it aside with a grand gesture of her arms. Discarding the extra weight that would slow her down as Dima pointed a claw towards the elevator door adjacent to them.

"That door takes people UP and DOWN~" The xeno mused, before looking over her shoulder at the two Jedi. "At the top of this structure you will probably find what you're looking for, yes?" She told them, stretching her arms and rolling her neck as the sound of those crystalized bones snap, crackled and popped. "Entertain This One, and you can pass! Just try not to lose your fucking HEADS!" She whistled, slowly unleashing those lashers as they brandished the crystalized blades.

She moved differently now. Steadily with a skip in her step as she began to pace back and forth while examining the two jedi. Focusing her five eyes and lifting her arms before digging her feet into the floor.

"And-a here…we…go!" She warns them before suddenly, in an inhuman burst of power from those massive, hydraulic-like legs she blasted forward like a piston.

They would notice something almost immediately as Domina brought the fight to them. All their years combating enemies of the dark, honing their skills to battle all manner of beast and evil space wizards wasn't going to give them any kind of help against this specific opponent. Force Dead, evolved and designed for this moment only. They would find that getting past this Mandalorian Fiend was going to be much harder than originally intended.

After all, how many Mandalorians did they ever encounter who, without a jetpack, blaster, beskad or silly tricks. Met them in proper combat and could not only hold their own, but present a palpable, true threat?

You couldn't count them on one hand, that's for sure. And as the strange alien creature advanced, Domina would begin to lift one leg, preparing it as if she were going to perform a round house kick directly towards Jaxs' head.

This move however, was a feint, and while in mid air Domina would alternate from the leg he perceived was going to strike him and instead threw her opposite leg out towards his CHEST in attempts to throw him back a bit and create distance while, at the same exact time that MASSIVE tail coiled and SWEPT across the floor towards Caltin Vanagor legs, attempting to sweep his legs out from beneath him BEFORE Domina had even reached the ground, two of those four arms clawing the ground to brace her fall. If either of those opening moves failed, Domina would essentially be grounded, and while low to the floor she would begin to swing her legs from one side to the other, performing a series of LOW KICKS towards the jedi's legs, aiming for the knees, shins, and ankles as Dominas five eyes remained locked on.

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING: xxx
WEAPONS: Ferrum Solus | Blodmåne | Strømafbryder
ALLIES: Azelle Narzisce
ENEMIES: Jonyna Si | Taam Moghul

Were it not for the potential and power he sensed in the woman, Gerwald would kill her. His eyes moved in her direction as his anger flashed across his eyes. The sickening hue of the dark side corrupting the blue oceans which were more inviting and serene. This one had no concept for anything other than what she knew, and that was her downfall. She had done what was required for survival, but being a Sith was about more than surviving, it was about thriving.

She had yet to learn that lesson, but in time she would.

He glanced beyond her to the ruins which surrounded them, even the tower itself. A smirk pulled at his lips. How did she not see the playground which was all around her.

“You call yourself an assassin. There are hundreds of places to hide to pick your enemy off one by one. But you miss the bigger picture regardless.”

His gaze narrowed as his eyes locked with hers.

“We want them here.”

It was as simple as that. She did not need to know why, she just needed to know this was exactly how it was meant to unfold. In their hubris the Galactic Alliance had also missed the larger picture. The attacks from this facility, where the virus originated, were just a means to an end. No nation could survive a two front war for long, and while the Alliance was distracted by the vassals, the influence and control of the Sith Order moved closer and closer toward the core.

The scent shifted. Gerwald took in a deep breath as he began to retreat further into the ruins. He would not have to tell the assassin what to do. Hopefully her keen skill to make out the obvious would win out and silence the sarcasm which was not more sharp than a blade meant to scrape butter on bread.

“Let’s play a little hide and seek with these Jedi… hmmm?”

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He knew that the Alliance were coming, he knew that the Jedi were coming.

But even he had been surprised at how quickly the attack had begun. Alarms blared through the facility, as snow piled up high against the transparisteel windows outside. He could only hope, that whether the time he had predicted had been false, that at the very least the numbers he had estimated were not so.

He cringed hearing the sounds of explosions rock across them, as small tremors were felt under the soles of his feet, as he continued running forward, ever forward, the armoured hulks of a squad of his Guard following close behind. Custos was leading most of them on the exterior defensive lines, Malum hoping as ever, his old mentor would stay safe, that the Guard would stand as firm as ever, never breaking.

He heard the sound of turbolaser batteries firing into the air, along with the sing of anti-aircraft guns. His Tsis'Kaar had found the whisperings of Alliance space most interesting, but whether it was the efforts of the Alliance Strategic Intelligence Agency, or the Jedi Shadows, they had been able to find little more.

All apart from a wide area to cover, and musings of counterattack.

Such did not truly surprise him, while the Galaxy focused its eyes upon the destruction of Yavin, the fact that Alliance forces had held on Celanon was a fact that neither the Jedi nor the Sith had ignored.

And even with Alliance forces stretched thin fighting Mo- Mandalorian Enclave forces, defending the Rimward Trade League, fighting in the Core against the newly arisen, so-called Dark Empire, being the largest power in the galaxy did grant unto one the strength to respond and retaliate to whatever threats would come to their borders.

And even to threats that did not yet arrive to their borders.

Before the Dark Empire's sudden attack, so deep into the Alliance's heartland, he would have said that the strategy they seemingly employed was working too, a forward defence beyond their own borders, using M-Mandalorians and other unaffiliates, at worst those at the periphery of their borders to be their battlefields, to slowly weaken the enemy as they marched to the core.

And what after all was a better defence, than offence?

And what better offence than one you could fight deep behind enemy lines?

Odacer-Faustin was the target, the battlefield where the Jedi had attempted to strangle the undead war in its cradle, the world controlled by Sith which apart from Korriban held the most energy into prosecuting this war.

And perhaps most importantly.

The only world just outside of the natural defences of the Caldera.

The defensive fleet was powerful, and reinforcements could be quickly brought from the Caldera, but as he would quickly uncover reviewing all that he had learned from hours ago, a small strike team, might be just enough to bypass them both.

Make the Sith fleet above orbit useless, as bombarding down below would cause far too much damage to facilities.

He had thought he would have had weeks, perhaps days to prepare.

Not a few short hours.

The Guard had been deployed, but that was all he had time to do, and the surprise was hard to recover from still. This was his price, he supposed, what he deserved in some way for wanting this assignment off the frontlines, having a heart and hating how it beat when he looked at the undead, when he looked at the life that once was, when he looked at all they left behind in their wake.

When he... almost died upon Yavin.

But as ever.

Darth Malum of House Marr , would do his duty.

"Imperator, forward scouting formations have unconfirmed reports of Mordinizi-" Venerandus began, Malum not even having a chance to chide him for that blasted title before he was glaring at him for the use of that word in his presence. Change within the Sith Empire would have to come slowly, progressively, he understood, and a name may be all a name was.

But he would be even further damned if he allowed his subordinates to maintain what was counter to his dream.

"...Of Mandalorians joining the Alliance attack." Of course, Malum had already heard the news of Mia Monroe 's M-Mandalorians aiding the Alliance in the defence of the Core, it hurt.

It did, that likely those very same M-Mandalorians were here.

But he could not be sure.

At least he knew confidently, she would not be here.

Not after... everything.

"Keep your wits about you then," He smirked, gazing back towards the helmed heads of those who followed him without question, "They may be slightly more challenging than Alliance ground forces," The cracks in their disposition, the elicited chuckles, that was what he lived for.

They would fight for him.

And he would fight for them.

Like they had done a hundred times before.

Continuing to run, it was a sudden chill, that let him know that something was wrong.

He raised a hand, and those behind him stilled, "Take up position here, our enemy is close." The sound of blasters of various flavours released came to the fore, as what makeshift cover could be found, whether table or wall or everything in between, as Malum, masked in the face of his most famous ancestor stood still, reaching to his side, to his hilt, the sound of Sith steel brandishing, as he thumbed over what would make it lightsabre too.

Whoever was coming, this would prove to be an interesting fight yet.

A bloody fight for them, he promised.

Aloy Vizsla

 

[Nulgath Zardai]

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Location: In the sky.
Allies: Sith
Enemies: Jedi Vulpesen Ianswiën

The night sky crackled with energy as bolts of lightning danced wildly across the horizon, illuminating the darkness with their erratic brilliance. First they began as mere sparks and then grew rapidly into a squall line. Thick clouds roiled overhead, their ominous dark presence hinting at a major tampering with the forces of nature and the natural order. In the distance, the rumble of thunder echoed like a scream, warning of the impending disturbance in the force.

Amidst the ever-growing tumultuous storm, a localized disturbance began to form, a focal point of intense electrical activity. It crackled with energy as if the very fabric of reality was being stretched to its limits. Within this maelstrom, a tear in the fabric of time and space slowly began to unravel, revealing glimpses into a singularity. A void. The tear widened, light and matter seemed to bend and warp around its edges, distorting the skyline in its vicinity. Objects appeared twisted and contorted through its transparent aura, Like a mirage of a desert planet. Yielding to the sheer force of the anomaly's power and directed by a single determined unseen will.

From the shimmering tear, a figure emerged, stepping boldly into the frigid cold world of Odacer-Faustin. The very essence of the figure seemed to defy scientific comprehension. Something or someone had seemingly come out of nothing. Clad in attire that seemed both modern and anachronistic. The figure was adorned in large tattered robes as black as the night sky. Gold jewelry crossed over the midrib and torso in a way that suggested that the robes were too loose fitting or the body within was larger than could be perceived from the current angle. The accents of more metallic gold textures shined midst the flashes of light birthed from stray lightning. One such texture rested atop the withered appearance of what once was a human head frayed with a mass of thin white hairs and the other covered the span of what once was a hand and forearm in the shape of a gauntlet.

As the figure levitated fully into view, the air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly wrongness. Sparks danced along the humanoid form, crackling with each subtle movement. Its eyes, or where eyes had at some time been, gleaming with an unnatural intensity, surveyed the surroundings with a cold calculating gaze inspecting the temple and facilities below.

Long had the Sith Lord, Darth Immortuos, been away from the galactic scene and for whatever reason he had returned.

 

[Jonyna Si]

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Wearing: Jonyna's Combat Attire
Weapons: See Signature
Allies: Taam Moghul
Enemies: Gerwald Lechner Azelle Narzisce

<And with you, my Queen.> Taam answered his mate in their native tongue as the stepped off the ship into the night.

Jonyna felt some comfort in having Taam by her side. Now she wasn't alone anymore, and it brought her back to her days as a Rebel. Part of her missed Sevs in that moment, a droid sniper would be lovely right now...

The scent shifted. Gerwald took in a deep breath as he began to retreat further into the ruins. He would not have to tell the assassin what to do. Hopefully her keen skill to make out the obvious would win out and silence the sarcasm which was not more sharp than a blade meant to scrape butter on bread.

“Let’s play a little hide and seek with these Jedi… hmmm?”

As they approached the entrance to the massive tower, they found...nothing. Jonyna could smell a trap. She knew someone was waiting for them inside. Rather than fall into the trap, Jonyna held up a hand, silently communicating to Taam Moghul to hold position. Channeling the Force, she used her mastery of the wind to push a massive gust into the building, penetrating every corner of the interior. The wind hummed lightly with the sound of a strumming guitar, Jonyna focusing on every vibration, and feeling what it touched. Walls. Floor. Ceiling...

People.

There. She could feel it on the wind.

There were their enemy. The music she had conjured picked up, as she led Taam into the labyrinth, headed right for the metaphorical minotaur.

 

[Gress D'ran]

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Objective II: Mirial
Break the Stalemate
"If you are going through hell, keep going."​

34th Hellstompers​

Engaging: Festerruman Sachiel
S T E E L C O M M A N D E R S​

"Lay on and fire at will!" she ordered. Bright balls of gas flame flashed from their 240mm cannons and discharge smoke streamed back from their muzzle brakes, fuming in long white trails of slipstream over their hulls. Inertial dampers worked overtime to keep the howitzers stabilized through the bouncing and lurching. Shells weighing two hundred kilograms soared through the air with their high-ex Detonite payloads.

At the same time reinforcing Pact infantry began to dismount off their APCs, breaking off into two groups to engage the Hellstomper's marines in the trenches with blaster rifles and bayonets. They may be facing elite infantry with superior equipment but the Pact had numbers and zealotry on theirs.

The others charged alongside their heavy tanks at the walkers, carrying rocket launchers, anti-tank thermal detonators, and satchel charges. Teams began to set up ATGM launchers and light anti-tank mass-driver cannons to cover the advance. Entire platoons were slaughtered on approach. For every rifleman who fell, another took his place. Corpses were run over by their tanks. Losses were horrific. Blood churned in the mud.

But the Chaos Pact had blood to spare.

"Thundercats, mortars free." Gress ordered, Raven droids keeping their eyes in the sky clear as the Thundercats started opening up on the teams of Chaos Pact infantry trying to set up anti-armor defenses. "Thunderstorm, flank around and cut off their rear." The Chaos pact seemed to be mindlessly throwing bodies at the wall. While the trench war would be hell, he knew the marines of the GADF would survive. This is what they were trained for, and they had all been issued Thunderfist underbarrels to clear the trenches.

On the ground, men cleared trenches in teams of three, and the horde coming down on them was met with well aimed talon blaster fire, and particle spreadshot that spread from one wall of the trench to the other. Autorifle operators set up hallway killing zones, waiting for men to pile into the trench before opening fire. Every team was set up in a way to maximize enemy casualties, while eliminating friendly fire entirely.

The Thundercats, still opening fire with mortars on larger groups of infantry, kept up the fire with compound lasers on tanks, and any infantry that was bold enough to get close was met with side mounted grenade launchers that shredded them. While they kept towards the back of the trench line, they loomed over it, flak guns spreading formations charging towards the trenches with durasteel.

Cougars charged forward, meeting 240mm shells that seemed to bounce off angled armor, or impact harmlessly on the impervium and seigurium plating. Hammer Turbolasers fired on the HBTs, Tusk TOW Missiles firing on them with heavy precision. Wildcats pushed forward, lighting up trenches with quad grenade launchers, while pushing through the armor and sometimes entirely ignoring enemy tanks with their superior speed, prioritizing command vehicles.

"Sir! Enemy casualties don't seem sustainable. we're shredding them."

"Keep your eyes open, Radar. I want comprehensive reports on their tech during debrief. Status reports on our loses?"

"They seem to be relying on older tech. Cougars are taking a few hits, but no casualties. Infantry are trying to set up anti-armor defenses, but no one can get close. We're supporting each other on all fronts."

"Status on Thunderstorm's flanking maneuver?"

"They're pushing forward sir, the enemy doesn't seem to know they're there with the sensor jammers."

The defense was going well. The marines company had been trained in trench warfare, but he hoped they would push through this soon. The armor regiment before them could only last so long, and the two Sphinxes slowly pushed through. While shells exploded on the multi-layer shields, nothing seemed to be warranting enough of a response. The ten story walkers simply walked over the trenches, and sometimes over tanks.

 

[Taam Moghul]

Gear: Kta Dom Lya, Lightsaber, Robes of the Wayward, Armored Coat, Ryyk Blade
Allies: Jonyna Si
Opponent: Gerwald Lechner Azelle Narzisce

The Jedi pair entered the perimeter of the ruins. The place seemed desolate, the frigid wind blowing snow across the broken walls and heaps of rubble. It carried an oppression that betrayed the place's dark history and added an almost metaphysical chill to the cold atmosphere. Taam paused next to Jonyna as they surveyed the landscape. The winds altered direction and the Cathar male knew his mate was harnessing them for her own purpose. They blew through the ruins. He knew she heard things in the wind he could not. A moment later, they exchanged a glance. No words were spoken, Taam knew she had found them.

Kta, The long, heavy songsteel blade, slid free of the sheath on his back. The weapon, a gift created by his mate, was forged in the Light, and Taam had found it seemed almost hungry to vanquish the Dark after the battle with the Master of Ren on Tython. Now, they sought to do just that in that place of such notorious infamy.

Taam focused again, seeking the Force to give him sight beyond the ordinary. Through the blade, through his armor, that Force flowed, attuned and amplified, to give him vision in the dark and even hints of what lay behind stone.

The Jedi orranakii moved forward in search of their prey.

 

[Vera Noble]

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Tag: Aris Noble Darth Carnifex Domina Prime

"I hope Mom and Dad will understand," Vera said while she walked across the cold terrain of Odacer-Faustin. Back at home, she had seen visions about this world. Visions that featured Darth Carnifex and his plans. Ever since he had captured her to open the way into the Wellspring, she despised him. No matter what people told her, she wouldn't ever look at him and see a part of her family. She couldn't care less about blood ties.

He was evil and nothing more, so stopping his plans was high on her priority list.

"The Golem will protect us, but we're going to need to stay sharp." Vera glanced at the Golem that walked with them, wielding a sword of stone, though one infused with the Force. Runes along its body flared up and revealed patterns that only Vera and her father would truly understand.

He was their guardian today.

"Have Seszil out and ready, too. I... don't know exactly what Carnifex is trying to do here, but it's bad. We have to destroy the experiments."

 

[Aloy Vizsla]

OBJECTIVE III - ODECER-FAUSTIN​

ALLIES	GA STRIKE FORCE
ENEMIES	SITH ORDER
TAGS	Darth Malum of House Marr
FORCES	VIPER TEAM
LOCATION	SITH FACILITY

EQUIPMENT

• Personal Armor
• Custom Repulse hand
• Ramikad Jetpack
  • EE-5 Particle Carbine
  • (x2)PK-45 Hybrid pistol
  • Mk.II "Starfire" Plasmathrower
  • Vizsla dueling blade
  • Kinetite Gravity Hammer

The commandos would repel down behind Aloy one by one until at last the sergeant of this team and her personal bodyguard descended, His red rally master armor marking him as both the technical leader and as having once been Death Watch himself. So complicated and diverse were the woman's past alliances that her forces were equally so.

<Tsikala!>

With that confirmation, they began to search the room for anything useful. Samples, research notes, anything. Unfortunately they turned up nothing of use, and so Aloy motioned for them to standby while she checked a nearby door. She would check using a variety of electrical scanners in search of security measures, but seeing as this room was of little value in of itself, found nothing in the way of security protecting it.

It wasn't until she began scanning for lifeforms that the enemy's defenses became cause for alarm.

A series of radar-like clicks would herald a modified scan-pulse that began mapping out the current room with sonar and for lifeforms using an advanced RF encoder that could detect water found in the bodies of most sentient lifeforms and display a rough silhouette on the user's HUD and track them in real time.

<Lenedat, traat'aliit.> Aloy would alert her team, watching the enemy soldiers prepare defenses, or at least she assumed so by the way they crouched and readied weapons, as she could only see the rough shape of humanoids and not the next room itself.

<Goore yamika, Goorar munit bal kadiilir>

On her order, The men began to stack up against the wall on either side of the door frame. The rally master known as "Redsun" began prepping a thermal detonator, while another rifleman held his hand over the blast-door door controls on the opposite side of the door frame. Redsun had merely to nod in confirmation that he was ready, prompting the rifleman to open the doors.

As soon as there was room, Redsun threw the thermal detonator in the direction that Aloy had pointed out. They would then wait just a moment for the ensuing ✱Boom✱ before entering, each activating their crusader shields as they entered one at a time with practiced speed and precision. The first few crouched to completely conceal themselves behind their shields, forming a low shield wall while the others shot over their heads at the enemy positions in an attempt to suppress them while Aloy and Redsun continued to scan the enemy and point out positions from behind the formation, each burst of their scan-pulse producing an ominous chittering sound as it mapped the room and the enemy with each click.

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

LOCATION - Odacer - Faustin
TAG ALLIES - Jax Thio
TAG FOES - Domina Prime

Spoiler: Personal effects

"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)

"CONSERVATOR" (Primary - Long Handle)

Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt

Starship: Spectre, HK-88 (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay, the late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)

”Here we… oh okay.”

She was going for Jax, which suited Caltin just fine, the Maverick could handle himself well enough. Jax probably did not know, but Connel had told his father about the “Drunken” technique, something the big man was not surprised about but certain it would serve Thio well and save his life. Okay, it was a feint and now Caltin was about to get some tail.

Really? You’re going to make that joke?

The tail was as strong as duracrete and he fell like a sack of durasteel, but fell on his hands in a prone position. He was taught in Teras Kasi long ago that “sometimes to throw a punch, you must eat a punch”, well Caltin was indeed “eating”, “feasting” you might say with the tail swipe and series of kicks coming his way. It would be annoying, irritating if he was able to experience emotions right now, but the big man was as tough as a two credit nerf steak and waited for his opening to “grab” and “throw” this xeno towards the other side of the room near that fabled lift of hers.

Nothing.

Again… still nothing…

Force Null, huh? Hard way it is.

Throwing punches did not work, she had a low center of gravity , and that tail, so his charge and spear (tackle) was out of the question. He could not even kick as she had the reach advantage. This had to end quickly.

Any “Broken Gate”s around here?

Hopefully Jax would pick up on the slight tactical hint.

Then there was... no two others peeping into the area. Something was wrong. they were... chil... squeek a Reek the Noble kids are... ugh.

We have to stuff this nutcase in a rubber room fast!

 

[Aris Noble]

"They should."

For once Aris hadn't fought with Vera about coming here, to the forefront. By all accounts they should've said something, but the vision Vera had wasn't of anyone else. It was of them. Of what was coming. Of what they could stop. He glanced over his shoulder to the slumbering sword Seszil, nodding his head. When the time came, Seszil would awaken to help. But they needed their time to rest.

It was how they were able to float on their own to help.

"That's what we're here to do. We see to their destruction, then we leave." As willing as he was to be here with Vera, he wasn't willing to let them do anything more than what they'd agreed to. They weren't soldiers, or Knight of the Order. They just had a mission they needed to accomplish. That by Vera's visions they alone were going to be able to.

"Is anything familiar yet?"

Vera Noble | Darth Carnifex

 

[Mercy]

Corazona von Ascania

The storm came in the image of a mountain of a woman.

Interestingly enough this wasn't the first time the two of them had their paths seen crossed. An eternity ago both had been exploring the same HoloScan Database of Woostri. They hadn't directly encountered each other, but Mercy's cannon ball approach, smashing through walls, had made the journey a bit more exciting for Corazona.

Mercy was more powerful now still... her presence in the Force seeping into the immediate area. In ways it was a physical presence. Acid and hunger corrupting the atmosphere.

"I found myself a do-gooder!" Mercy called out with a bright slightly-crazed smile towards Cora. Her lips were still bloody from the meal she had just had... the cleaver in her hand sticky crimson too. "Are you here to fight? Or just shepherding the weak away from their destiny?" The cleaver lazily snapped out to the side and cut the head off of a zombie that had been a little bit too curious about the powerful meat animating Mercy's power.

The mountain stepped towards the Jedi.

"I am dying for a challenge. Show me what you got."

 

[Amani Serys]

Marcus Dinn - Xeykard​

---

Mirial was under siege once more.

This little planet had seen more than its fair share of grief in the past several decades. On paper, there was nothing about it that deserved such unwanted attention. But the homeworld of the Sith lingered only a few sectors away, and thus Mirial found itself a common target for subjugation, and eventual conflict. Light and Dark alike had ruined this world just to spite each other. And now, it was happening again.

Amani was not raised on Mirial. But her family came from here. And the village the Serys' had belonged to, welcomed her as one of their own. She found peace here. And if she would not see that peace disrupted for the others who had lived here for so much longer.

This village was not a key battleground. It was an isolated community in the cold, northern reaches of an already cold world. Had the Sith come here because they knew of the Chief Healer's connection? Was it to send a message? To cause her suffering? Perhaps, but Amani found it more likely that it simply happened to be in the way. The cruelty of her enemies was as often reckless and collateral as it was targeted. Whatever the case, she fashioned herself as the village's protector. The rest of the Alliance was off holding key positions, while she stayed put with only the local militia and a few Alderaanian royal guards to back her.

This was personal. It had been a long time since a battle felt quite like this.

Mebita, the village elder, was stuck on the ground as a zombie descended toward her. In a flash, its head was removed from its body. A hand was proferred, and she took it, "You're safe. Stay behind me." Amani raised her pike, sticking another zombie as it tried to close the distance. It was promptly bisected.

"Bless you, Amani."

Another wave of undead was encroaching upon the primary defensive line. In an instant, they were all launched backwards with near explosive force. Dismembering some of the more decomposed ones through concussive impact alone. The troops turned to see the lone Jedi on the scene, a few cheering in gratitude. But behind the plague of zombies, Amani saw the living. Not just any living: the Sith. She hadn't expected to see real Sith here. She turned to the defenders, "Split off. Cover the village's flanks. I'll handle this." She whistled off a pair of royal guards, trading Mebita to them, "Go with her. Keep her safe."

As they prepared to leave, Amani turned to face the Sith head on, sulking forward without a word.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The doors opened with a hiss of hydraulic air, light spilling across the soldier's silhouette as he walked into the chamber. A cloak with attributed significance swept down from his broad shoulders, almost trailing the ground as he advanced. A helmet with an ornate tassel was clutched in the crook of his arm, while the hand of his other arm rested against the pommel of his sheathed vibro-blade. Elaborate finery on the breastplate of the soldier designated their held rank of Consul, a senior position held in the upper echelons of the Blackblade Guard; the personal army of the Zambrano despots.

Walking forward, the Consul slipped into a position of obeisance, falling to one knee and bowing their head in reverence. They need not fully prostrate themselves, they had risen above the adulation requested of the lowest rungs. Darth Carnifex did not yet regard them, His eyes were fixed upon the experiments as they cycled through. The scientists and doctors around the room did cast a worried glance at the Blackblade, for even the mere sight of them was enough to cause anxiety. Their reputation long preceded their physical presence.

Finally, Carnifex's head pivoted slightly to regard the Consul through His peripheral vision. "What is it?"

The Consul bowed his head lower, having been directly recognized. "Lifeform scanners have detected several anomalies in the wastelands. We believe them to be the adversaries you foretold us about, Lord. As per your wishes, we have held our position. But mere moments ago some of these lifeforms have encroached upon the perimeter defense. From our analysis, they appear to be Jedi. As you foretold." The Consul bowed even lower, demonstrating just how deeply his fidelity to the Dark Lord ran.

Carnifex allowed Himself a wry smile. "Good, then they are here. Rouse the cohort and organize the defense of the lower levels. We know what they've come for, so arrange extra security near the vault." Then He dismissed the Consul, who rose, inclined their head, and then swiveled around and departed the room. Carnifex then turned His attention to the scientists. "The Jedi have come to destroy your life's work. Suspend all operations and initiate the withdrawal of sensitive material from the vault. My vessel will arrive to complete the transfer." The scientists all bowed and then quickly left, leaving the Dark Lord on His lonesome.

Where He would wait.

Aris Noble | Vera Noble | Domina Prime ​

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Odacer - Faustin
Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Third Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Caltin Vanagor (Ally), Domina Prime (Enemy)


Caltin's less than enthusiastic response disturbed Jax. It was as if all the emotion was sucked out of him, was he still angry at Jax for falling to the Dark Side of the Force after he trained him to resist it? The Jedi Master's blood ran cold with fear and regret started to flood his brain. He failed Caltin just like he failed his stepdaughter: Dreidi Xeraic .

"Do you think you mattered Jax?," a voice in his head whispered inside of him. "Did you think that anything you did mattered at the end? Jairdain , your child, and Catlin will die. Dreidi will forever curse your name. Why do you even fight? All you do is mess everything up."

Was it Darth Carnifex contacting Jax again? "Come up with better taunts," Jax thought. "I've heard better from Aveline Cuiléin ,"

Whatever Caltin thought of Jax returning after his self-exile can be put aside. Right now he needed to focus on defeating Carnifex, however a strange being came up to the pair ranting and raving about not getting past her. "Then what are you waiting for?" Jax said with a smirk on his face. "Let's dance."

The woman attempted to sweep Jax's legs however Jax anticipated that it was feint and blocked her kick to his chest with his prosthetic arm. He then raised his free arm to attempt to Force Push the woman away while he drew out his Lightsaber.

As Caltin mentioned Broken Gate, Jax smiled. All those months training under him, Jax learned a lot from his ancestor. "I got a few tricks up my sleeve," Jax said holding his Lightsaber close. "Is that all you got? Because right now I'm not impressed whoever the hell you are."

He turned to Catlin. "Go I got this!" he said. "I sense a presence on top of the tower. They'll probably need your help!"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

"You ready?" Valery asked Jenn Kryze as their shuttle pierced through the atmosphere and began its descent down towards the surface of Odacer-Faustin. It wasn't that long ago, that Valery fought here against the rise of the Sith Order's undead army. It had proven impossible to stop, and now much of the surrounding sectors were under constant threat of a plague worse than death itself. Finally, it seemed they had reached a turning point.

The GADF with assistance of the Jedi were resisting the Sith's advance into Mirial, whilst also ambushing their forces in the Tingel Arm at the same time. Valery, however, had chosen to use her skills as a former Jedi Shadow again — she had joined the strike team meant to neutralize as much of the undead's production facilities as possible.

What that entailed, she didn't know for certain, but she imagined that people were brought here to be turned. Or, perhaps, other dark experiments were conducted here to strengthen the army of beasts.

"Strike teams have already begun their assault on the old Sith Academy. I'd like you with me to handle any particularly dangerous threats." She flashed her friend a confident smile and placed a hand atop her shoulder. A Jedi and Mandalorian fighting together had been so common not that long ago, and finally, it felt normal again with the conflict between Alliance and the Enclave behind them.

Not that it had ever changed her mind about Jenn.

"Touching down!" The pilot called out not a moment later, and every soldier around the Jedi and Mandalorian responded. They were ready.

Jenn Kryze Darth Prazutis ​

 

[Marcus Dinn]

Objective II
Location: Streets of Mirial
Accompanied by: Silas Fogg, Sith Alchemist
Tags: Xeykard Amani Serys

“Marcus!”

The acolyte finished off a militiaman, his blade already shifting to deflect a blaster bolt as he turned toward his mentor. Behind him, Sith troops were corralling a group of green-skinned villagers. Marcus could still hear the screams of men, women and children as they disappeared behind a building, only to be punctured by the sound of gunfire.

“Jedi on your left,” Silas said, striding toward him from behind cover. His blade growled at his side, his red gildenweave cape tossed by the wind. He handed Marcus a pair of electrobinoculars. “With a contingent of royal Alderaanian guards.”

“Alicio Organa?” Marcus asked excitedly.

“No. His wife, the Chief Healer.”

“Oh.” A little disappointed, Marcus peered through the binoculars, recognition dawning on him. “Oh.”

The woman he saw through the lenses was the same who had helped his sister rescue him from the clutches of Eshara. He tried to remember her name, but to his annoyance he could not recall it. The visions were of no help either. "She's dismissed her guards." Glancing at Silas, he decided to tell him the truth. “She is my sister’s master.”

“Really?” Silas’ eyes crinkled in amusement at the coincidence. “Will that stop you from killing her?”

“No.” Marcus raised an eyebrow. “It might stop her from killing me, though.”

“You could use that to your advantage.”

“Indeed, I could.” Assuming she did hesitate. There was a possibility she didn’t care for mercy or redemption, even when it came to relatives of her Padawan. Many Jedi didn’t practice what they preached. Marcus couldn't exactly blame them, but it was hypocritical all the same.

Silas chuckled at the thought. “Then shall we?”

Marcus felt his feet lift off the ground as Silas levitated them across the besieged village. Their flight lasted only a few seconds before they alighted on the scorched earth in front of the sulking Queen of Alderaan.

“Your Majesty, it is an honor for you to join us,” Silas said, his tone dripping with honeyed malice. Like they were meeting at a dinner party in the Netherworld. “I am Silas Fogg, last of the great Sith-Imperial alchemists. My companion here tells me you've met before."

Marcus once again tried and failed to remember what her name was. "Hi." His greeting was awkward and even a bit shy. "How is Eloise doing?"

 

[Jenn Kryze]

Beskar'gam
​

| Location | Odacer-Faustin
| Objective | Landfall

"This is what I was made for", answered the Mandalorian confidently, giving her friend a nod. "This is my purpose."

​

And she believed it, too. Ever since the shattering of Clan Kryze and the razing of Manda'yaim, Jenn nourished within her a thirst for vengeance the years could neither numb nor sate. Channeling this righteous wrath had been difficult, then, but with years came experience. Her anger, she channeled towards worthy causes - such as the one she championed today alongside her best friend. If the strike force could manage to find within Odacer-Faustin a means to halt the rampant spread of the undead, many lives would be saved. Even now, she looked upon the Jedi at her side with more than merely the fondness reserved for a friend or the respect one held for a fellow warrior; Valery had been there for her numerous times, and it was only right that she repay her closest ally with all of the might she could muster.

If not for the Jedi's help on Ilum, she would never have obtained a measure of control over the fear and anger that haunted her over the years. Her anger would heave lead her to rash action, rather than the more composed approach she now possessed, and for that, she would forever owe her, no matter what Valery told her. Closing her hand around her lightwhip, Jenn smiled. Assembling the mighty weapon had proved to be a healthy challenge for the Forgemistress, giving her a lovely change of pace - as well as a reminder of what her people could achieve, when they worked hand in hand with others.

"You can depend on me, Valery. Besides... it's about time we fought shoulder to shoulder."

And with that, the warrior mirrored her friend's gesture, bringing her hand to rest on the Jedi's opposite shoulder. Many were those who knew her helm as a sinister portent, the scratched-on, battle-scarred paint giving her something of an otherworldly air furthered by her nature as a Songbird whose voice held great power... but some knew it as the visage of a friend. A steadfast ally.

"Ibi'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur", spoke the Mandalorian with an almost visceral hunger for battle, the Mando'a feeling so much more natural than Basic on her lips. Not that she would leave Valery with much confusion as to what exactly she had just said.

"Today is a good day for someone else to die."​

​

Valery Noble ​

 

[Azazel Xaphan]

Tag: Alexandra Feanor

Spoiler: Equipment

Armour
-Wolfsbane Heavy Armor
-Beskar vambraces

Weapons
-EE-4 carbine rifle
-DT-29 heavy blaster pistol
-Vibro-Beskad Bayonet

-7-PrG proton grenade
-Baradium-core code key thermal detonator
-Compound Flex-5 Detonite Tape

"Eagle-6, this is Hound. Requesting fire mission, over." he whispered into his comms-pack. He watched the target through his helmet's Macrobinocular viewplate.

"Go for remarks."

"Requesting X1 two-fourty high-ex, target is in the open with small size element less than 10m from target," he could see the exhausted and dirty Mirialans crowded like canned fish on the back of the white speeder. They had no visible weapons. Xaphan didn't really care. They were potential manpower for the enemy to use.

"Read back as follows Hound, 240 degrees, 4650m. Target Elevation 52m. Times ten speeders, marked with Laser. North-easth to south east approach, small size element near target, over. Confirm?"

There were small ones in the convoy.

"Solid readback Eagle-6. You are Cleared HOT, I repeat you are cleared HOT!"

They were barely thirty seconds from entering the protection of the shield generator in the city center, away from the undead, away from the wrath of the Chaos pact, and away from this senseless war when the guided bombs bracketed them. Vehicle after vehicle exploded, showering the street with metal debris, ruptured power cells and plumes of gushing fuel.

Orders were orders. Heretics were heretics. They should have converted when they had been given the chance and now would be made an example of. This was just the way the Galaxy worked, Xaphan decided, the strong eat the weak. They was here to end that ouroboros of suffering and bring salvation to all. But until then they would have to work within the system of the Sith Order. The agent took pleasure in the knowledge that one day that the Chaos Pact would rise up against the Sith and exterminate them all. But for now, patience.

Xaphan stepped away from the window sill and began to pack up his comms-set. He had infiltrated the city a week ago, laying low in the sewers as Pact forces ground their way closer and closer to the city while undead fell from the skies.

This blasted-out apartment had been serving as his observational post for the past three hours, providing an excellent viewpoint on the square below and the throughfare heading into the parts of the city covered by the shield. Most of the windows had been blasted out by airstrikes and artillery fire. The cabinets in the kitchen hung open, their contents spilled and smashed on the floor. Clothes and scattered papers covered by dust and grime laid strewn about the floor.

A child's toy lied abandoned in a corner. Its bright colors were dulled by dust and ash. Quite despite himself, Xaphan picked it up and examined it. He had never owned a toy. Like all children raised on the war-world of Herodor, the infernal homeworld of the Chaos pact, the closest thing he had to a toy was a blaster rifle.

He should be moving, they would be tracking his comms-transmission any moment now. He tossed the toy aside and made to move to the door of the apartment when he stopped. Quickly he drew out his EE-4 carbine rifle, silently powering it up. He had gotten that feeling again. It was one of many things that set him apart from the Chaos Pact's other agents. He would get seemingly random feelings that told him that danger was close.

He was being hunted.

 

[Xeykard]

Marcus Dinn Amani Serys ​

Compared to the combat in Kathol, the campaign spilling from the Caldera was pure chaos. His own careful tactics and well-laid plans were replaced by masses of the dead. There were bodies enough to clog the weapons of the enemy, but hardly efficient or effective as he was.

His success in the Kathol sector wasn’t enough to ensure his command everywhere he went. He needed more successes, greater victories, to solidify himself in the Sith apparatus.

Unlike the haphazard deployment of the undead to a nowhere-village in Mirial’s northern hemisphere, Xeykard moved with purpose. He always kept himself appraised of any major Jedi, and he’d gleaned enough about Amani Serys to know she might be here if Mirial were invaded.

They’d met, briefly and strangely, but it had not been enough to aid him in tracking her down when he’d arrived. He came late — behind two other Sith, the only other Force users remotely near. Silas Fogg, one of those alchemists with combat time best measured in seconds, and Marcus Dinn, who he only knew because he was related to a Jedi. Familial weakness.

He had no doubt that Serys would handle them easily. They were fodder — useful pawns, allowing him to observe the Jedi, or perhaps find an opening. Worst case scenario, they killed Serys, and then he killed them to claim victory for himself.

The Inquisitor squatted between two village houses, presence squashed to nothing, and watched the confrontation unfold.