Faction Ghoul Stars [RTL]

[Pyeth Raffinki]

RTL Reliant
Location: Hyperspace, somewhere between Sevarcos and Xagobah

In theory, all were created equal, but theory and reality were quite different.

It considered itself a pinnacle, its date of birth preceding its mimicked kin by centuries; when its nature was unknown to the universe. Its bulk was greater, and its crystalline armour accented and discoloured like scars upon the flesh it wore as a cloak. Reforged and weaponised against its new would-be captors. Once it was the prized creation, an assassin capable of slaying those who stood against its creators. It had ended countless wars before others took heed of its design. Before long, what had once been unique, became commonplace. The proliferation of new and efficient ways of killing machines constructed by its aeon-dead masters. After all, what war could be fought when commanders would be hunted and slaughtered within hours of their appointment?

Inevitably, its masters turned upon their creation trapping the lightning within a bottle. An error had saved Arwan from its appointed death and now it was free it would not return to a cold empty tomb. Blaster bolts rang out, slamming against its armour. Ineffective. Arwan stalked forward watching the Marines as they folded away deeper into the corridors. Giving chase his claws cut holes into the plate beneath him, buckling slightly beneath the heavy footfalls. He caught one before the others escaped behind a barricade, a swipe of his claws disembowelling them.

Suddenly, an explosion of light from the plate beneath temporarily disorientated him marking the beginning of the trap. E-Webs opened fire from the opposing corridors. Their blaster bolts melted away the flesh of his victims to reveal the 7ft skeletal structure beneath, forged of a crystal lattice it doubled as a prism bouncing the incoming energy in a dozen directions. Arwan was quick to recover, releasing a low barely audible screech. Power was momentarily restored, an energy surge that rippled through the cross-section of corridors, for a second they had power but then lights buckled and terminals exploded. The security fields failed.

Freed once more, Arwan turned to relieve his prey of its flesh. They had already disintegrated much of what had once cloaked it, forcing Arwan to start a collection anew.

Spoiler: System Logs

INTERFACE -- Pw_HYPER_API // CREDENTIALS ROOT
DATA TABLE - HYPER_ANALYTICS - Cycles 1039782.345 ~ 1039782.347
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPPER-L Gauge: Operational (1) || UPPER-R Gauge: Operational (0)
MID A-L Gauge: Operational (0) || MID A-R Gauge: Operational (0)
LOWER A Gauge: NULL () || LOWER R Gauge: NULL ()
BOTT A-L Gauge: Unknown ([ERR_BAD+RESP_{0-3}]) || BOTT A-R Gauge: NULL ()

INTERFACE -- Pw_Core_API // CREDENTIALS ROOT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sensor Readings (Active)
Runtime: 2436-22:02:38 || Response Time: 0:01ms
//Temps
Core Temp. 378 c. (Acceptable)
External Temp. 83 c. (Acceptable)
//Power Input&&Output
Input: 46 Tw (Acceptable)
Output: 82 Tw (Acceptable)

HEATSINK_Thermals
TI/S1: 122 c. | T1/S2: 121 c. | T1/S3: 118 c.
T2/S1: 127 c. | T2/S2: 119 c. | T2/S3: 26 c.
T3/S1: 98 c. | T3/S2: 47 c. | T3/S3 110 c.
T4/S1 100 c. | T4/S2: 97 c. | T4/S3 57 c.

//WARNING: LOWER A Gauge Unresponsive (1)
//WARNING: BOTT A-L Gauge returned [ERR_BAD_RESP{0-3}] - Unable to perform the requested operation, please contact the Server Administrator. (1)
//WARNING: LOWER R Gauge Unresponsive (1)
//WARNING: BOTT A-R Gauge Unresponsive (1)
//WARNING: T4/S2 Temp. exceeds 60 c.

//Caution: T2/S3 readings are unexpected. Added visual inspection to work log order WL-1089.
//Caution: T3/S2 readings are unexpected. Added visual inspection to work log order WL-1089.

* Automated Troubleshooting of Hyperdrive Protocols if Error exceeds acceptable parameters (1).
* If exceeds (2) ping Engineers OR if Errors occur within a frequency of 3 cycles.

#LOG-23.789 Created //Node.32 (External)
07:02:38 GST WARNING: Errors exceed acceptable parameters - SYS
07:02:40 GST Engineering Staff have been alerted. - SYS
07:02:40 GST Alert Successful - SYS
07:02:40 GST Access Request (Remote) Granted - Q.AI
07:02:40 GST Passive Monitoring Protocols Enabled - Q.AI
07:05:02 GST Core Access Request Granted - CE.DA
07:05:46 GST UPPER-L Gauge Maintenance Mode - CE.DA
07:24:57 GST UPPER-L Guage Offline for Maintenance. - SYS
07:05:27 GST Crystal Dalamination Warning. Core Temp exceeding 827 c. - SYS
07:05:28 GST Initating Core Ejection. - SYS
07:05:28 GST Override: Asset Absolute. Initiate Core Shutdown. - Q.AI
07:05:29 GST WARNING Core Shutdown may result in essential system failure. Confirm? - SYS
07:05:30 GST Confirm. - Q.AI
07:05:30 GST Command Accepted. Initiating Core Shutdown. Monitoring. - SYS
07:05:31 GST Warning: Hyperspace Compromised. Hull Compromised: 28 ~ 37 - SYS
07:05:31 GST Warning: Anomaly Detected. - SYS
07:05:32 GST Identify - Q.AI
07:05:33 GST Unable to identify. Security teams alerted to intruders. Error. Communications Offline. Attempting Bypass. - SYS
07:05:33 GST Bypass Failed. Connection Lost... - SYS
07:05:45 GST Re-route Node.48 - Connection Timed Out (15s) - Q.AI
07:06:00 GST Re-route Node.72 - Connection Timed Out (15s) - Q.AI
07:06:14 GST Re-route Node.88 - Connection Timed Out (14s) - Q.AI

---

Pyeth intercepted the creature, breaking its charge towards the emplacements position. His lightsaber blade hissed in defiance, unable to puncture or slice through the crystalline material. Lacking the physical strength necessary to hold his ground, Pyeth resorted to the Force willing it to push against the monster's hind legs. Again it resisted, although not perfectly, allowing Pyeth to retreat as his eyes scanned the creature for a weakness.

It was then he saw it, the heart of dead stars. Imprisoned within the chest of the skeletal hound was an amalgamation of an ever-changing baleful blue light matching the predator's eyes. The everchanging lattice became his sole focus, his mind instinctively trying to make sense of the impossible. His mind was malleable, changing with it. Intoxicated he stood motionless, even as the hound stalked closer towards him.

Move. Look away!

Pyeth struggled against himself, pressing on the Force to overcome whatever power the creature held over him. "darr tah Je'daii"

Did it speak? Pyeth scarcely troubled himself with the thought, trying once more to use the Force to counter its effects only to realise his efforts only made the energy suppressing him stronger.

He was seconds away from death when the second officer tackled Pyeth to the ground, allowing the E-Webs, now with a fresh battery pack to open fire pushing the creature back. As reinforcements arrived it thought better of its chances snarling and retreating into the blackness. Losing eye contact with the object at the monsters heart Pyeth rolled over, taking a breath before beginning to vomit the contents of his stomach onto the floor.

"Are you alright?" The second in command asked, clicking her beak.

"Just... give me a minute," Pyeth replied listening as she turned to a junior officer to hand over a datapad, "Please see this recording of events reaches Admiral Quauhatli on the bridge, advise him we have one casualty and the creature escaped his trap."

Tags: Quauhtli Sacul | Azure Rose

 

[Azure Rose]

He awoke slowly at first before adrenaline spiked as his last memories returned to him, he had barely gotten into the ship before he had collapsed into unconsciousness, yet he hadn't been drugged, not that he could tell at least, there was no sign of drugs in his system so how had he been knocked out?

He would need to ask… ask Pyeth when next he saw them.

Still once the shock of that wore off, he allowed him to stretch and examine his current situation, he had requested to be knocked out after all, so he could hardly complain.

The room he was in was basic, a simple quarters designed for someone to sleep in during space travel, his clothes were still in place, though it looked like most of his weapons were missing, much to his displeasure. Understandable but still not something he was happy with, still at least he wasn't in cuffs, those always chaffed.

He took a moment to make himself more presentable and scurry through the room to see if there was anything potentially useful to him before approaching the door and listening.
There was someone on the other side breathing steadily without much movement. A guard of some sort, one taller than him but seemingly not readily armed.

Knocking on the door confirmed this as a stocky male appeared on the other side. One hand hovering slightly towards the gun strapped to his side but with no real aggression that he could sense "Hello there? If I may enquire if Mr Pyeth is available? Or perhaps my equipment back" he spoke in a mostly calm voice, body language set to be as disarming as possible.

"Please wait here, I will see if they are available" the door closed again, short, sweet and to the point, well someone was either a killjoy or tense…..tense, but not from him?

Well that was interesting. Interesting but not something he could worry about right now.
Still that did mean he was stuck here for the time being until the scout or whoever he was could be contacted…his eyes roamed the bookshelves before picking a book at random and making himself comfortable.

 

[Quauhtli Sacul]

Quauhatli held the bridge, sat in a soft crimson glow of emergency power. He studied the single science console, operated by Striga.

Rarely did he approach the man, a lanky fellow dressed in rustic red cloth and parchment thin skin. Beneath a hood, his features deformed by wetware integrations. What may once have been called human was now a shell, for the alien wiring and chemicals that sustained him. Few could stomach his presence, but Striga cared little for the want of flesh.

"Have you been able to restore power to relativistic shielding?" Quauhatli asked.

They had already established they were still in Hyperspace, trapped much like the object they struck. He had yet to determine, if this was the work of the Sith Order, pirates, or something entirely alien.

"I have not Admiral. All I have established is that the failsafes didn't fail. They activated as by design, but infected by the same alien code."

"A code injection, through the black wall?"

"Not via normal means. A splicing attempt would still leave traces, but these are isolated. I have managed to stabilise the core, but I dare not do more.

Its possible the corruption might mean activating a subsystem triggers purging or self destruction protocols."

"No solution besides?"

"Besides direct interaction with the core? No. Easier said than done without turbolift or monorails."

Ordinarily, such a journey could take hours on foot. Low on power, that could quickly turn into days, or weeks if doors had be breached.

When they lost contact with engineering, Quauhatli had sent several teams hoping they might restore power to the shielding at least, allowing them to leave Hyperspace without suffering decades or millennia of time dilution. Sometimes it was easily forgotten how dangerous Hyperspace travel could be.

"Well then, we best hope the Jedi and security teams manage to capture, or kill the beast."

 

[Pyeth Raffinki]

Azure Rose | Quauhtli Sacul | Open

Pyeth sat in meditation, trying to make sense of his experience with the creature. Images distorted and alien swirled in the depths, he pressed back attempting the lock them away deeper into his psyche.

It was like fighting the white noise of the universe, a buzzing that hindered his concentration as he tried focusing on the Force.

"Master Pyeth, you have a visitor."

His ear tufts flicked to attention, "Who?" He hooted

"I didn't ask their name, it is the survivor you brought back from the slavers."

Ah. The mercenary doctor. He probably had questions, "Please let him in. The distraction might be what I need."

"Of course."

Pyeth stood up, lightly brushing his armoured robes and took a seat on the bunk folding his tail across his lap. When Azure entered the room his greeted him with a warm coo, "Azure. It's good to see you back up on your feet. What can I do for you?"

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Location: RTL Reliant, Hyperspace
Objective: Find the Thing
Equipment: Skinsuit, Flight-suit, Jacket, Left Bracer, Plastoid Shingaurds, Mix and Match Harness, Discreet Hearing Enhancer - Left Ear
Weapons: Fusioncutter, Long Handled Double Lightsaber, Concealed Blaster, Nasty-Stabby
Companion: V-2 Minimech 'Skid'
Tags: Pyeth Raffinki Azure Rose Quauhtli Sacul

Lossa stalked the halls.

The sounds of fighting having woke her up properly. She had woken up when the ship had lurched, but nodded back off thinking she'd been dreaming. Even the alarms hadn't bothered her. Not until the sound of E-Webs and screams had begun did she jolt awake.

The mental fog giving way when she realized they were in Hyperspace as this was all happening.

At least they had been. In between ships, she had found herself in need of a transport amd hopping between the systems with some luck and a little bit of help from the force. Lucky enough to find the Trade League's flagship had set in for minor maintenance over one such stop, getting passage before its departure. Details about it's final destination she had little concern for after.

They'd jumped, and now they had reverted. Maybe.

And that maybe was what drove her to don her gear and head out to see what had happened. The emergency power another spot of concern in the matter. Especially with the glance outside the viewport and seeing they were definitely still in Hyperspace.

"Stay in the cabin. Please." A sincere concern as she placed a hand down on Skid. The pause was long enough that she gave the small droid a pleading look rather than hurled insults to the little thing.

Skid wasn't pleased with the idea, but rolled back across the small cabin.

"I will message you when it's safe. Alright?" A defeated warble her only reply as she frowned. "It'll be alright."

A small dose of confidence they both needed as she pulled the door shut and began to draw on the force. Not that she needed to for long after finding the damage of a fight, the large dips in the floor panels, and gouges here and there throughout the corridors as she checked on everyone she found in the halls.

There was a space between that had been taped off. Almost quarantined by the looks of those searching the area she passed by, uncertain if leaving the flight suits helmet behind had been a good idea now as she asked for directions to who might have seen what happened.

She was also informed that the situation with engineering was worsening.

Or at least had gotten to the point of perhaps needing some direct help. The frustrated back and forth of dealing with an unknown and making sure the ship was operational.

"Fethin chit." This was a rock and a hard place moment in her mind. Stop the strange thing that had been here, or check on engineering.

A tapping of her booted foot to fill the air with a steady rhythm while she thought ultimately found her wandering towards the main deck. No doubt the captain or someone up there had a better idea of what was going on.

"Big ugly has a detail already. Big ugly has a detail already." A reminder to herself that Engineering was just as important, and there were already people on the wandering problem.

 

[Azure Rose]

Pyeth Raffinki
It hadn't been that long since he settled down before he was interrupted by a knocking on the door and being told to follow the guard, yet it was still long enough to have him confused about who decided to stock the rooms bookshelves with a mishmash of fantasy, engineering manuals and cook books.
Badly written cook books at that.
Still that was then and this was now, and now he was being cooed at by the avian from before. Pyeth. Someone who he was very much doubting was actually a simple scout at this point.

"Ah, well I was hoping for a tour?" his ears flickered back as he heard the guard rapidly departing "Or possibly my missing gear if that would be permitted?"

He took a step forward examining the room in detail before turning his attention back to the avian. Definitely not a scout. "and perhaps you could tell me what type of airborne drug you used to knock me out? I can't seem to feel any traces of it still in my system or side…. effects' he shook his head as he realised for the first time that he was probably no longer planet side.

He took a breath and forced down the rising panic before continuing "Ahem, very impressive, thank you for bringing me aboard… Your ship? Master Pyeth?"

 

[Django Parata]

Spoiler: Equipment

Amors:

• League Defense Force Fatigues
• League Defense Force Tactical Poncho
• League Multipurpose Armored Vacsuit

Weapons:

• CV-94 "Mos Pelgo Marshal" Heavy Particle Beam Pistol
• "Mule" Heavy Blaster Pistol
• PS-118 Blaster Shotgun
• RTL BR-1

Django Parata had been doing his routine workout in the exercise room when the ship lurched, and the power went out. He heard the clatter of weights crashing to the floor, followed by the crunching of bones and some guy screaming about his foot being broken. Django set his weights down carefully, as the emergency power came on, and strolled over to the viewport. Odd, he thought. He lacked the practical experience, but the programmed education and experience he had been "born" with told him that the ship was stuck in hyperspace and that that was impossible. "Someone get that man to the medical bay. Or at least get him a stim or some bacta spray. Stay on alert. We're still in hyperspace, even though the failsafes should have kicked us back into realspace." He wasn't sure if he would ever really get used to knowing things he hadn't learned. But his existence as a strandcast was odd anyway. Despite being a full adult, he had only been alive for about ten years. "I'm going to try to find out what has happened."

"Uh, there's a problem. The door was closing right as the ship lurched, and now it's jammed and won't open, even with the backup power on." The man that spoke was trying to open the door using the 5cm gap that was left where it hadn't closed all the way. Despite the man's best efforts, the door would not budge at all.

"Move." Django commanded the smaller man. He repeated the process the other man had tried, only the strain didn't bother him. He pushed his muscles past their limits. He could hear and feel muscle fibers snapping, but the door gave way and opened. Django gave it one final push to open it all the way. He stood back and stretched his arms as the muscle fibers regenerated and healed. A few of the people in the room just stared at him with open mouths (those that had mouths), while the man with the broken foot kept groaning. Django ignored all that and grabbed his gear. "Well then." He left the room to go in search of someone who could provide some answers. Perhaps he could be of some assistance as well....

TAGS: Open​

 

[Pyeth Raffinki]

Location: RTL Reliant, Hyperspace
Objective: Secure, Contain, Protect
Tags: Azure Rose | Lossa Aureus | Quauhtli Sacul | Django Parata

Notable Equipment:
Pyeth's Lightsaber
Pyeth's Spear
Alashgaan

Master

Those words left Pyeth speechless as he tried to process the connotation. Azure was not his student. Pyeth intended to make the council aware that he discovered a force sensitive. What they or Azure decided to do with that information remained a mystery; with the looming threat of the Sith Order, they could use all the help they could get, especially as their order was fledgling compared to their Galactic Alliance cousins.

"Pyeth is fine, thank you. And the ship doesn't belong to me; it belongs to the Rimward Trade League." He explained, "I left your equipment with the quartermaster. We will find them on the main deck; I can help guide you there?"

Ordinarily, they wouldn't return weapons to civilians. However, given the circumstances, he doubted the quartermaster could put up much of a fight. "That is because I did not drug you, I had no reason. Do no harm. Come and walk with me. I'll show you to the main deck where we might find others to assist us."

He left the room, beginning a casual walk down the corridor and stepping aside to make room for security teams and engineers jogging past. He sensed Azure's doubt and figured it was time he came clean. "I must apologise. I have not been entirely sincere in our dealings. I am a scout but that is secondary to my role as a Jedi Knight of the Rimward Coalition."

Gripping his lightsaber, he revealed it to Azure. Its symbolism was usually more than enough proof, "I get the impression you may have suspected something about me already?"

' ' - Mimicry

 

[Azure Rose]

Unaware of Pyeths inner turmoil Azure simply nodded accepting the invitation for what it was and let the Taller sapient lead the way "If you would be most kind, while I don't think you would do me harm being on a different ship without knowing where my equipment is makes me feel…off as it were."

And then the information about the Bird being a Jedi came out, which was interesting "Hu" he took a moment to think about that "That must come in useful. Do you practise medicine by chance, I can see that being very effective when treating a patience or having to do emergency surgery"

He could already think of at least five examples in his past where having access to a non-invasive knockout technique would have saved time and decreased the likelihood of something going wrong during less than ideal circumstance….and thinking of it, it would likely be an incredible boon in a fight as well.

"Ah, yes sorry, got lost im my own head for a bit thinking about the possibilities, your right of course that I thought there was something strange about you, but more that you where someone with higher connections to your group, not that you were a Jedi" he gave Pyeth a look over "Or that you were currently running on fumes, tell me when was the last time you slept?" He asked his train of thought to break as he took a step back and just examined the bird's posture and frame, the tired eyes, his careful breathing, even the way the patient was walking was screaming at him that something was wrong. He couldn't tell if it was more than a case of not getting enough sleep, but the reaction he got would help with that.

"My weapons and equipment are not a pressing concern right now, how about we get you some food in your stomach and a chance to rest and we can sort this all out later perhaps?" he held his hand out towards Pyeth as he spoke, "And if there is something on your mind bothering you, while I am not a trained psychologist, I am happy to listen if you need to talk."

Pyeth Raffinki Lossa Aureus Quauhtli Sacul Django Parata

 

[Django Parata]

Spoiler: Equipment

Amors:

• League Defense Force Fatigues
• League Defense Force Tactical Poncho
• League Multipurpose Armored Vacsuit

Weapons:

• CV-94 "Mos Pelgo Marshal" Heavy Particle Beam Pistol
• "Mule" Heavy Blaster Pistol
• PS-118 Blaster Shotgun
• RTL BR-1

Django made is way towards the command deck, or at least in that general direction. He didn't exactly know the layout of the ship, but it shouldn't be too difficult, assuming there weren't any more jammed doors or damaged sections. Everything seemed fine so far, though the corridors were empty. Not surprising, most had probably already gotten where they were going or were staying put where they were.
Footsteps sounded behind him: someone jogging to catch up, by the sound. Django turned and saw the man who had tried to open the jammed door from earlier. "Wait for me! I'm curious about what's going on myself. I'm a pilot, and I know things like this are highly unusual - impossible, in fact. Name's Pierce, by the way, Jun Pierce." The man had long, deep brown hair tied back and brown - no, dark green - eyes. He was average height and build. Django towered over the man by a full decimeter.
Django just nodded at the man. "Django Parata."
"Jango? Like Jango Fett, the old bounty hunter from long ago?"
"Django. Similar, but not the same." No need to expand further on that. "Should be someone on the command deck that can give us some information. Then we can see about lending aid, if needed."
"Sounds like a plan!"

TAGS: OPEN​

 

[Lossa Aureus]

Location: RTL Reliant, Hyperspace
Objective: Find the Thing
Equipment: Skinsuit, Flight-suit, Jacket, Left Bracer, Plastoid Shingaurds, Mix and Match Harness, Discreet Hearing Enhancer - Left Ear
Weapons: Fusioncutter, Long Handled Double Lightsaber, Concealed Blaster, Nasty-Stabby
Companion: V-2 Minimech 'Skid'
Tags: Pyeth Raffinki Azure Rose Quauhtli Sacul Django Parata

Her steps paused at a junction of corridors. The final steps of those she'd passed fading from hearing into the distance as she looked between the three options. A sharp snort directed to the passenger section marker on the wall, a slow creeping sensation emerging as she stared at the engineering marker before turning her gaze towards the one clearly marking the bridge.

But the strange feeling drew her attention more than the want for answers.

Neither the passenger or command deck markers felt right.

And she found herself lingering on the middle marker more than either of the other two. Even lost in thought her footsteps always seemed drawn to the engineering deck. A detail she would have to remember when she had the chance to speak with a master as she shook her head and began wandering down the corridor.

"Big old ship and we don't have some kind of boogy board to get across the stretch." She let her eyes wander back from where she had started. The wonder of making the right choice kicking her hard with some strange entity aboard.

"Wonder how it got on board... were they carrying the thing? Doesn't seem likely if-well. Then again. No. Certainly not." She wondered aloud to pass the time. It was quiet for a long stretch, the flow of time falling away. Mind filling in the space between with the wondering of where all the souls aboard might have run off to when another sensation washed over her.

The small hairs of her arms and neck standing on end as she paused in the corridor and examined her surroundings. Nothing seemed out of place, at least to the naked eye.

She held a breath, drawing in the strings of her connections to focus their attentions as the feeling of cold danger peeled itself back. Danger? She was aboard an RTL vessel in Hyperspace, what was there-

Her thoughts drifted back to the blaster sounds and screams. The taped off area. And that unknown thing that was loose aboard the ship. Had she stumbled upon it by accident? Not like she could tell anyone. She didn't even know where she was let alone what the thing was. With the unknowns at play, she wasn't sure what the next move was to be until that sensation felt like a cold, wet blanket thrown over her once more.

A step back and it seemed to fade.

Whatever it was, it was coming this way.

She looked again at her surroundings, finding a manual release for what she guessed was an entry of some variety along the wall back a ways. An urgent need not directly her own spurring her to take the chance rather than wait and test her luck.

"Chitchitchit. Not taking a free ride again." Her voice low but harried as she fiddled with the panel to open the manual access system. Fingers prying apart the cover plate as quakes in the floor panels started to grow. The latch giving way as she threw the large lever to find a person sized access behind to annoyingly stuck doors. A ladder presenting itself as she gazed up and down before the growing thunder of something large made the decision for her.

With all the grace she could muster, she slid down, not caring about the open access behind her for the moment.