Giving the Givin [CIS Dominion of Yag'Dhul]

[Kyyrk]

Objective: Take down the Stations
Location: Yag'Dhul Orbit
Tags: [member="Julius Rhein"] | [member="Srina Talon"]

As soon as the door had been sliced open, two of the Octarch soldiers pushed forward, grabbing the bomb and pulling it out into the chamber the crew had established themselves in. Voph raised his hand and spun it in the air, signalling his soldiers to "Circle the wagons" as it were. The two that had retrieved the bomb were checking it over to ensure that all was well with the device. The rest set up next to doorways, ready to fend off the next wave of Givin that was sure to come crashing down any second. Voph's head turned deeper into the ship, and his brow furrowed. "I see them. Small crew. Don't think they're ours." Voph turned to the men kneeling over the bomb. "Status?"

"Bomb is green." Voph nodded, pulling up a readout of the ship on his datapad. He sank to one knee as he worked, his brow furrowing deeper as he focused. "Givin converging on both our position, and that of the unknowns. Naturally, they're set up the one place we're going. Either way, conflict is inevitable." Voph's attention snapped back to the present, and he looked up at the Exarch. "We have time to be reasonable, but not by much." Voph pushed himself to his feet, tapping his datapad twice more. "Path uploaded. Check your huds. Commander, you're in charge, you have ten minutes tops. See to it that the bomb reaches its destination. If you encounter the unknowns, be ready. We don't know who they are or what they want." The soldier offered Voph a quick salute before rallying the other soldiers to collect the bomb and follow him charging down one of the hallways.

Voph turned to Srina and jerked his head towards the door marking the most direct route to the reactor. As they moved down the corridor, Voph spoke in a quick yet measured tone. "One of the unknowns has left the group, he seems to be moving to delay us. Don't know if he's working with them, or on his own. Either way, this dreadnought needs to be destroyed. And I have no qualms about killing a handful to save a million." Voph fell silent, having nothing more to say on the matter, focusing instead on dispatching the various Givin patrols that were unlucky enough to encounter them.

Voph paused, holding up his hand to signal Srina to stop as they neared the unknown's hiding spot. One of the many perks of being able to see through walls. Voph pulled his cloak around his arm, ready to activate the shield if necessary. He leaned forward, just enough for a few white locks of hair and the corner of his blindfolded eye to peek from behind the corner. "Unidentified combatant, stand down. You are threatening the lives of thousands of soldiers. Do not attempt to stop us, or we will be forced to take action to ensure the well-being of our people. Whatever you are here for, if you are not with the Givin, you are not our enemy."

 

[Luna Terrik]

Location: Pushing toward objective alpha (power network for two of the larger AA guns)
Wearing: Personal Dauntless Armor, SC4 Blaster, Tactical Recon Handguns
Tags: [member="Kelsie Sylvan"]
Post: #3

​

Unlike her younger, more energetic friend, Luna was certainly not the type to jump into the front of a moving military vehicle. Instead, she climbed into the back, allowing Tein to quickly mount the passenger side in the front, before they sped off after the other squad that had managed to get going before them. They caught up quickly enough, and continued to drive toward the objective at a reasonable distance apart, making sure to keep their distance in case of any sort of artillery barrages. Alpha squad didn’t need to suffer any unfortunate losses just because they couldn’t keep their spacing correct on a battlefield.

The ride in the back of the AT-AC was bumpy enough to actually make Luna notice it for once. Usually she was able to keep her mind about her and the situation at hand, but this thing was really starting to get on her nerves. Hopefully the new transports in development were on hoverlifts of some kind. To distract her from the constant bumping, the commander swiveled in her chair, plucking a holoprojector from her belt and tossing it to the floor. The interior of the vehicle was lit up in a dim blue light as the structure was projected into the middle of the squad, who all turned to look it over. Luna spoke up first, loudly enough to be heard over the sounds of battle and the engine.

“y’all have seen this already, but I wanted to go over it once more, just so we’re clear.” Leaning forward in her seat, she pointed toward a large generator near the right, back edge of the compound. “That, gentleman, is objective alpha. That shield generator is what’s keeping this power plant from getting nuked from orbit. First priority is blowing that thing to pieces.” The commander allowed the murmurs and quick reactions be let out of the group. Some in leadership positions might’ve tried to quell it, yet Luna was different, allowing the squad to speak and voice concerns, possibly giving her an area that she missed.

As she was about to continue to rebriefing, Kelsie’s voice came over her helmet comm, causing Luna’s attention to shift. If she remembered correctly, the corridor was a point of debate in the planning meetings. Calling an audible and rappelling up the side of the wall was a viable option, they just wouldn’t have much cover once they got to the top. It would be a half kilometer sprint in the open air to the gun itself, leaving everyone open to enemy fire. If they had any sort of stealth gear, Luna would feel better about it. But without any…it was a mighty big risk.

But it was one they had to be willing to take in the situation, especially if the defenders had been smart and turned the corridor into a crossfire trap. Plus, with allowing Kelsie to present her idea, it still meant that she was responsible for the squad. Maybe even more so now more than ever. Luna took a deep breath, and while she responded, this time over a squad wide channel, she zoomed out the hologram so the corridor’s walls were now in view. “Alright everyone, listen up. Change of plans. Lieutenant Sylvan has presented the idea of rappelling up the walls of the corridor. I agree with the plan. We will stop a quarter kilometer from the entrance of the corridor before beginning up the walls. Be ready for a sprint once we reach the top.”

With that, the commander signed off the comm, made sure the squad got a good look at the new route to the guns, then reached down and pulled the holoprojector back onto the belt. They would be arriving soon enough, and once they did, the whole battle would begin for real. She just hoped that Alpha squad was ready, and that they all made it back alive. Or if they didn’t, that they at least didn’t die on this crapshoot of a planet.

 

[Zef Halo]

OBJECTIVE: Infiltrate and acquire data on a prototype Givin astrogation technology.
LOCATION: GIVIN DREDNOUGHT CALCULUS PRIME
TAGS: [member="Voph"] / [member="Srina Talon"]

"Juno, status." Julius called through the comms as soon as his thermal visor with littered with figures approaching him with haste.

::: I am inside, LT Commander. Initiating download phase. This will take some time. :::

Time. Oh, how were they running out of that commodity.

"Copy. Hurry. Over and Out."

He concentrated on his own task ahead setting his scope on the entry to the corridor where the Confederates would very soon appear.

"Unidentified combatant, stand down. You are threatening the lives of thousands of soldiers. Do not attempt to stop us, or we will be forced to take action to ensure the well-being of our people. Whatever you are here for, if you are not with the Givin, you are not our enemy."

Someone barely peeked over the corridor calling out to him. The LT Commander remained silent for a moment devouring the information before speaking:

"A deal."

Julius paused. Every second gained - an extreme value to his comrades.

"The Confederacy procures a way out for me and my squad." he stated confidently. "Or I blow up this section of the ship blocking your way to wherever you're going."

Truly, the LT Commander did not have the time to prime the corridor with explosives but the two thermal dets he had could possibly do a similar job.

It mattered little. All that mattered was buying his squad time.

And hopefully - a way out of this mess.

 

[Kaden Farr]

​

Objective: Whatever Daisy tells me to do...​

Tag: [member="Daisy Americus"]

“They can’t?” The question was given in jest considering Daisy was talking to someone who had literally talked to her while he was dead. His teasing of her only lasted so long because she was being serious, though Kaden was trying to offset it with some humor. For him, talking bad always been a dead end. Differences were never resolved with words, and it seemed the more he tried the worse things became. Naturally Yasha was his only experience in trying to resolve issues with words. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I’ve known violence my whole life, and I am a violent man. I don’t understand diplomacy.”

It was the truth. Kaden had been a killer since he was ten. At that age he helped to cauterize a wound Yasha’s uncle had suffered during the Mandalorian Civil War. That was a story for another time because that was only a few years ago. Daisy would learn over time how half of Kaden’s life had been spent in the Netherworld, and some of it while he was alive. His was a story that was dark and full of terrors. How someone so bubbly could find themselves enjoying his presence was a mystery to him, and yet there they were.

Kaden breathed a sigh of relief when Daisy maneuvered around a much larger Confederacy ship. It was a good move, and let Kaden lean against the back of his chair and take his mind off the ships chasing them. It was just the two of them, but there were plenty of distress signals coming from the ground that Kaden was not wanting to add theirs to the mix. He was not worried about going to hell again, Kaden had been there plenty. His care was for the blonde piloting the ship. He wanted to protect her, an odd feeling that seemed to not fit with the darkness that encased his hard heart. He waited for the ship to land before moving or responding. Daisy likely wouldn’t like the silence, but he was still trying to figure out why his mother was on the planet. What business could she possibly have here? Why didn’t he know?

Daisy pulled his mind from those thoughts as the ship touched down and her voice explained the situation. His helmet was still clipped to his belt as he made his way back up the ladder to meet Daisy at the ship’s exit. He could feel her worry. Daisy once asked if they were still bonded, and Kaden knew they were. He always knew when she was in a room, and still felt a pull to her. Whether that was the force or the feelings he knew were developing, Kaden wasn’t sure, but knowing she was worried, that was a result of the bond.

Without a word, the silent and stoic warrior put a hand on Daisy’s shoulder as his eyes found hers. His forehead pressed to hers, a small and subtle expression of the affection developing within him for the blonde. “Everything is going to be fine.” Kaden lifted his forehead from Daisy’s and lowered the exit ramp for the ship as he put his helmet on. He patted the twin pistols on his thighs and grabbed a heavy carbine from the rack of weapons by the door. A smile pulled at his lips as the thirst for battle grew. Daisy was worried about Scherezade, but Kaden was eager to kill.

Kaden was going to get his mother’s attention.

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Gear: Operator Class Armor-KO Pathfinder Boots-Shatory Reishūkaku-Mk1 Shadow Rifle-saber
Allied Peps: [member="Madalena Antares"]
Objective: Meet up with field CO

The choking scent of the battlefield was nothing new to her, but it wasn't something to willingly inhale. Most would wear a mask, to filter out such problems, but her scent of smell was to valuable to put aside, she would do without it for the time being. All it took was a small whiff of the air to determine were enemy contacts stood, indicating places to avoid as she zigzagged through the scared ground, continuing on towards the coordinates sent by the knight commander.

Could she have cut through the enemy lines as to reach the goal? yes, but this situation was one that required stealth, they needed to take out that turbo blaster cannon without the enemy knowing there were coming. Any possible threat at the defenders would swarm the gun to keep the CIS at bay and each second that gun stayed active the more men they lost, the sooner it was brought down the better.

It didn't take long for her HUD to ping, indicating her arrival, eye glancing around for any sight of the commander, once more her scent proving to be decisive in such locating. "Commander, ready to move out on yours orders, just give the word".

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Direct Tags: [member="Darth Elyria"]

Walking worlds. The intangible. Another person might have been impressed or worried at the sound of that, but Scherezade didn't much react; the underlying hue of the words, the admission that these were not necessarily different worlds as much as dimensions or whichever other names people might have wanted to give them, she understood what the woman spoke of, even if she had not quite experienced those specific places herself. But she had been inside the Darkness twice more than anyone ever should be. She had been in the space between the dimensions.

"You would be surprised at what can harm you where," she responded quietly after the woman assured her they would never harm Scherezade with her. She'd known such promises before; sometimes, people meant them. But ultimately, Scherezade knew that whatever it was that was coming, she was going to have to face it alone. When the Darkness made its return, she would not have any protection.

Scherezade continued to follow the woman, step after step, safe footing after safe footing. It almost seemed as though there was nothing in the cave that could make her trip or fall, put her in danger. She'd been in similar situations before; sadly, cave ins and being stuck underground were not foreign territory to her. Yet this was the safest, simplest occasion of it. The one in which her personal fear of low-ceiling'd dark places was least present. She could not help but wonder if this was because the woman ghost leading her knew the place or not, had caused it or not. With her luck? It could've been pretty much anything.

Because she wanted to. That was why the woman was helping her. Part of Scherezade wanted to rush forward and try to hug the ghost's outline. So few people actually ever wanted to help her, just like that. She could count those people on one hand. Two fingers. Most people did not care for her. Yes, things had improved with the Ministry of Secrets, and yet… She could not help but feel that if she were to disappear, the new friends would not even notice or bat an eyelash. Forcing her attention back to the woman, Scherezade said nothing. She wanted to help her. But what if it wasn't just wanting to help her? What if there was a hidden price to be paid later on?

She said nothing.

Arriving at the blockade, Scherezade sighed. A ghost could simmer out of there. She was stuck. Maybe if she was a little less dazed, she could have worked her abilities, move the block, open it up. But it was not to be. Instead, the ghost took care of it.

Not a ghost, then. A ghost would not have been able to do that.

Tinira. Scherezade blinked, the language sounding almost like sweetness to her ears. She had not heard High Sith since coming out of the pebble. It was the language of the arts and the scholars back at home, of those who held knowledge forbidden to others. It was…

"Mom?" she asked, confused. No. This was not her mother. She knew that. There was no confusion about it. But then... Scherezade swallowed, and looked at the light.

"Thank you," she said cordially before turning to the woman again. "Where can I find your actual you? What's your name?"

 

[Daisy Americus]

​

Objective: Yag'dhul Surface [At Givin Complex - Looking to Shut Down the Command Center]​

Tag: [member="Kaden Farr"] + Open​

If her eyes could have rolled any harder, they would have fallen right out of her head and danced along the console. Oh, Kaden was joking, but the young woman had mostly been speaking seriously. Regardless her attempt to keep a stern expression a little bit of a smile creeped about the kiss of her mouth. It was involuntary. Three-thousand percent involuntary…But sometimes? He just got under her skin in a way most other people couldn’t. She didn’t know why, but, she didn’t question it.

He’d been a ghost for the majority of the time she’d known him. So, yeah. Sometimes the dead could speak. Daisy just didn’t think that the Givin were that lucky.

The Mandalorian man apologized and the golden-haired Americus waved it off. He didn’t need to. Even though she took issue with this level of wholesale destruction, she knew, where they both came from. Daisy had been raised to fight with honor. Was there honor in annihilating thousands of people when they weren’t even sure what either side was fighting for? Daisy wasn’t sure. Now though, it was a game of survival. “Ah just…Ah hate when it’s like this. It’s not about who was right or who was wrong anymore…”

“It’s just about who’s left.”

By the time they landed things were pretty heated in the air. She felt a tenseness in the pit of her stomach, but, she didn’t know why. There was a darkness to this world that made her feel like everything was upside down. It didn’t make sense. They were all tech-heads with lava-pits and cave systems…Why did every bit of her want to get the heck outta dodge? She hadn’t put her helmet back on yet, and turned to face Kaden, only, to feel his hand on her shoulder again. Suddenly, he was too close. That distance became less and less when he let his forehead press against her own. Their eyes were too near for her to really see any color. His skin was too warm. He was just too close. Much, too close.

The young woman scarcely caught his words at all. Her cheeks flared with warmth when he pulled away and she immediately scrambled to put on her T-Visor so she could save a little dignity. “You better be right.”, she returned, with a small amount of typical sass, though it was mostly to cover up the fact that he occasionally made her trip all over herself. She was used to being independent. Strong. This world of force powers and galactic powers clashing made her feel so inept. So small.

Death, wasn’t even permanent for some. How did that even work? How—

It didn’t matter. Her internal rant and monologue ended abruptly once they stepped down the ramp of her gunship. Either had a plethora of weapons to choose from, but Daisy, made sure to pick up a few EMP or Ion grenades. If they were going to beat up a Givin command center she wanted the ability to shut down their weapons as quickly as possible without blowing themselves up. There were weapons all over the place that needed to go down. From SAMs to turbolasers…It wasn’t going to be easy.

As they approached, they the sensors in her T-Visor went off and alerted her to a group of Confederates [[member="Hisashi"], [member="Orrin Teslit"], [member="Áine"]] heading over one of the walls to get in. They were Knights Obsidian? At least, that’s what little the databases offered, while both she and Kaden made their approach, trying, to stay out of sight. It wasn’t easy. The hollow-eyed Givin were paranoid. There were security measures all over the place.

Since she was a Crusader now…She assumed that she was supposed to go in guns blazing. Her eyes rolled heavenward. It would be easier to choose a different entry point, slice into the system to find a map, or a directory, or just beat the information out of one of the hollow-eyes. All they needed was complete and unrestricted access to the main command center so they could shut this war down.

There were just…A lot of Givin between themselves—And the solution.

<<Ah’m tempted just to jetpack over. Ah’d use the force to be sneakier but—>>, Daisy really, really sucked at using the Force. <<—Yeah, no. Ah can see that goin’ bad straight from the get go. We’ll have to be quick though. Nothing says hit me ah’m a target more than floating in the air for a million years.>>

Daisy led a path around what protocol she could see. Buried defenses. Mines. Kad, karking, heck. Every other step could wind someone buried. The area all underneath this base was cave systems. Maybe they should have tried to come up from below, but, it was too late now. The purple-clad beskar-wearing warrior vaulted over the wall quickly. Up and over. She expected Kaden would follow.

The dodge roll race to the nearest entry point was fairly clear. <<Detecting lifeforms. A lot of ‘em.>>

She pulled her slugthrower pistols from the holsters at her hips and waited for Kaden to give the signal. If the other team was making the stealthy approach…They definitely weren’t. Tight halls, confined spaces, definitely gave them the edge as long as they had the ammo to hold out. When her partner in crime, or space liberation as it were, was ready she reared back and placed a little bit of extra strength into a kick that snapped the security door in with a bang. Immediately, hollow-eyes, and blaster fire snapped in their direction.

So, no talking then.

Daisy’s expression firmed behind her helmet. Despite her misgivings, and her worry for [member="Scherezade deWinter"], she went to work.

 

[Darth Elyria]

Location: Yag'Dhul - Planetside​

Objective: Take Care of Her Children​

Tag: [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

​

__________________________________________​

“No.”

The word was simple, touched with dark amusement, and filled with a cloying sense of unmitigated compassion. As if the specter that moved before her either knew exactly what was going through her mind, or, that she truly believed that nothing on this world would bring the brunette youngling harm. It would be hard to say. But, that was the point. Letting her children come to their own conclusions, in their own time, was her way of allowing independence. Freedom.

Even if it was a lie. Sometimes, the illusion of something was enough to keep the soul satiated.

She led her little one through the abyss. The same way a mare would lead a foal. They did not have the same bond that mother and child would share had she carried her, birthed her, and raised her from youngling to adulthood. Elyria had not always been present when she had felt anxious. Frightened, frightened, or angry. She had not been there for Scherezade to hide behind.

That was her failing. Intangibility was not infallibility. It was not omniscience. No being could be everywhere at once, but truly, Elyria tried to give that state of being a run for its money. She could call to her son, [member="Kaden Farr"], while leading her daughter from this hell. “Not that mother…”, she murmured, seeming to understand, without fully hearing the explanation. Unless the Sithling asked it of her, she would not explain, because it didn’t warrant it. Elyria had already decided.

There was no escape from that.

She watched the Scherezade look into the light. Watched, while fresh air stirred the coils of auburn tresses. Soon, she would cough the dust from her lungs. “You do not need to thank me. Not ever.”

For a moment it would seem as if she was actually offended by it. As if one of her own was required to prostrate themselves. Why should they thank her for the assistance that was so rightfully theirs? How could they respect her, if at the very least, they did not respect themselves and know their own worth? Her expression eased, indulgent again, and she turned to lead the way out. Into the light.

She sneered, briefly, at the irony.

Scherezade halted her. The question was small. Innocuous. Elyria smiled, the sight eerie, while no doubt holding the beauty and elegance of the ages. If there was ever a sign that this woman was displaced in her presence, and time, it was a smile that heralded the shadows, that spoke of perfect chaos, darkness, and something borderline malevolent. “You will know how to find me. When you are ready…”, she trailed off, while her see-though aura rolled forward, to stand before the young woman. The raven-haired female raised a singular hand and gestured first toward Scherezade’s cranium. Then, her chest. “Head and heart…It’s always there. Somewhere, in the space between.”

The Mother of Dark pulled back and her expression changed. She was not sure what name to give. “My name is many. Elyria, by my second birth. My son…He has named me Selene. You may refer to me as you wish if these titles do not suit you.”

The turned slowly, ghostly, and the onyx armor that she wore, studded with black glass of the Netherworld glimmered in a way it shouldn’t. At the mouth of the exit there seemed to be a party of Givin waiting for her little one, or, some other unfortunate Confederate to appear. They did not understand. Elyria, would keep her promise. They stared at her with confused hollow-eyes. It was clear that she was incorporeal but something about her seemed…Off. Different. Scary, as all hell.

Just because they could see through her—Didn’t mean she couldn’t hurt them.

Her mind, some distance away, pressed forward and a condensed telekinetic wave moved outward with such rampant aggression that it tore flesh from bone in one smooth narrowing of her eyes. She watched the fine mist of oddly colored blood dissipate into the air before glancing back at her daughter. Elyria knew she wouldn’t be able to accept it yet. That she had someone. A mother—That was more than her own goals and desires. “Fight. You have been humiliated. You will return every blow, every sting.”

“You will shred your adversaries. Pull their eyes out just enough to turn them toward their own, mewling, mutilated faces. Find my son, tinira, and he will be your guide when I cannot.”

Her form faded, slowly, from that point. Scherezade would be just in time to see [member="Daisy Americus"] and [member="Kaden Farr"] hop over a wall—Seemingly, to break into the Givin compound. The last thing she might hear, if she listened hard enough, would be the sweetest sound, wishing her good-hunting, whilst she killed them all. In a wash of the scent of jasmine and rain…Elyria was gone.

As if she had never been.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Direct Tags: [member="Darth Elyria"] | [member="Daisy Americus"] | [member="Kaden Farr"]

Not that mother. A small pang of pain pinched Scherezade's heart. She had seen her mother. Recently. And there was no way for her to see her again, not anytime soon and perhaps, never at all. She still remembered the smell of her actual mother, remembered being held in her arms while they were caressed by the comforting sun of Endelaan. And now she felt her cheeks redden, feeling so stupid that she had even dared entertain such a thought for an instant, that this woman was her mother. This woman was not her mother, had never been. Scherezade had a mother somewhere, had a father somewhere, and yet was an orphan in all the places where such things were counted.

No thanking, then. It was almost as if the woman was a creature out of myth and legend. The ones her true mother had loved as a child, of faes and royal courts and strange and bizarre rules that made up a whimsy landscape. Scherezade smiled, and nodded. Maybe this entire thing was like something out of a fairytale. Good fortune of this sort didn't happen to her really. In most circumstances it would be up to her to find the way out, or stay put until someone found her. To actually get help… Well, she couldn't thank the woman again. Yet to find her…

Was the riddle given with the knowledge that Scherezade was likely to attempt to solve it? Was it to tease her appetite and curiosity? She wasn't sure. Head and heart. Now that she gestured towards her… The Sithling wasn't sure if she could smell her or not. Not through the Force or the blood, but the faint smell of… Baby powder? No, her brain was surely making such things up.

Elyria. Selene.

Scherezade blinked. Titles not suited… What? Everyone had a name. People who operated namelessly usually had a reason. "What was your name of first birth?" she asked with child-like curiosity. That was the important one. Or, perhaps, the second most important one. If the woman had ever given herself a name, that would become the most important one.

Only now did she seem to notice them. The Givin. The reason she'd come to this planet in the first place at all. Elyria, Selene, she took care of them, and Scherezade blinked. Not a ghost. Ghosts couldn't do that. As far as she knew, neither could astral projection. But then what could? She was going to have to look into this. If nothing else, Elyria, Selene, had opened up her thirst to know more, to see more. Perhaps she was not permitted to thank her, but in her heart she did nonetheless. That very child-like willingness to trust the kindness of a stranger, to give into it and believe that they would do her no harm… A small part of Scherezade's mind tried to remind her that she wasn't supposed to give into that. The bigger part of her mind shut the smaller part up. But… There was always a but, wasn't there?

As Elyria, Selene, spoke of Scherezade's past though… She wanted to fight it. She wanted to fight every word of it. How did she know she'd been humiliated? She hadn't spoken a word of it, not a single one! Was it so easy to read on her face? Did she project it somehow? All these months she'd been working on letting it show less, on letting her mind wander back into those dark corners less… And all for nothing. Her jaw clenched, and there was little she could do but nod. Similar promises had been done before; yet if Elyria, Selene, would at some point in the future attempt to turn it into the kind of an offer Tacitus had made, the kind of offer Xenro had tried…

She'd add her to her kill list.

And suddenly, she was gone. Scherezade blinked, sunlight washing her face and hair now. She blinked again. It felt almost as though she was just waking up from one of the most lucid dreams she'd ever had.

From the not too-distance, she saw them. [member="Daisy Americus"] and [member="Kaden Farr"]. She took a step forward to them, and then turned around instantly, the words she heard yet did not quite hear lingering in her ears and mind.

Shaking her head now, Scherzade darted forward. The haunted and dreamy look – touched by a darkness – was still on her face as she landed, looking at her best friend and her… Well, she wasn't going to give labels before they gave it themselves. Her knives and blades slid from her body and spread around her in a fan. Words could wait. Killing the Givin could not. And still she cast a last glance backwards, to see if Elyria, Selene, was still there. She was not.

 

[Darth Metus]

Location: Yag'Dhul, Surface​

Tag: [member=Áine] | [member="Orrin Teslit"]​

Though the Shinobi would never admit as much out loud, the fiery-haired woman had become a Lifeline.

When it came to the navigation of all things opulent, Hisashi was horrendously out of his element. He was born and bred amidst the wildfire of constant warfare. And thus, he was ill-suited for the world of excess. Finely tailored robes felt off on his person. The dazzling colognes offended his nostrils. And every facet of the noble lifestyle seemed to contradict every fiber of his being. Yet, when he stood at the side of his fellow Sin - the world became bearable. He, when lost, would offer his arm to her. And by her touch, he would find himself grounded. Encouraged. He would feel that, despite his vicious upbringing, he could thrive in a world of opulence. It had taken months for the pair to get that close - and just as Hisashi relied upon Áine in the world of wealth...she relied upon him on the battlefield.

After lighting the way for their blind brother, the ash-covered woman drew ever closer to the Shinobi. Despite the thunderous boom of cannons in proximity...despite the roar of blasters and the cacophony of dying men, Áine's fingers found his own. They coiled about his, and in that moment she would find strength in his touch. He would return the gesture - his fingers moving to hold hers with a strength and confidence. And when the chime of her voice raised above the hellscape, Hisashi's lips curved into a smile. Though his body ached from the crash and a bacta bath was definitely in order, the warrior considered himself in fighting condition.

And even if he were not, his Pride would bid him to carry on all the same.

"I'm okay, Áine." came his reply, coupled with a squeeze of his fingers. For the battle which laid upon the horizon, the shinobi made a mental reminder to stay close to his brethren. His upbringing had instilled a solitary path in his fighting style. He thrived when it was just himself and his enemies - usually in a flank. But Áine was his precious shadow - where he moved, she would follow. And Orrin was her charge. Therefore, he would not move too fast for them to follow. Nor would he fight as if he did not have allies at his back. No. The Sins would fight together.

Immediately prior to Gluttony's arrival, Hisashi's grasp felt cold. Áine's touch relinquished his own and the time came to focus on the battle at hand. As Orrin made his approach, the Shinobi readied the grapple from his kit. The device was affixed to his belt and would have just enough length to get them to the top of the wall. From there, it would be all about spreading havoc to get to the cannon. Hisashi offered a nod to his fellow Sin as he joined them and listened in silence as Áine ran through the plan so far. The Shinobi only added on once she had finished speaking, giving just a nugget more detail to his operation.

"We'll use our grapples to scale the wall. Áine, remember Mechis III?" he began, referring to the day they had met. More specifically, how she had blinded a Titan with a furious shriek. "I need you to repeat that the second we get to the top. Orrin, keep your jaw slack and your ears covered the second we get to the top. Once they're addressed..." He patted his utility belt once more, producing a hollow, metallic thunk. As a man now blind, Orrin's hearing may have identified that as a thermal detonator. "...We move on the cannon and don't stop until. I'll cover our way out."

With the plan now enunciated, the Shinobi led the way forward. He broke into a thunderous sprint towards the wall, culminating with a mighty leap forward. The grapple exploded forth, sailing heavenward until catching the wall's top. Ascension gripped him thus as the device coiled its length back. Ultimately, the momentum propelled Pride up and over the wall, where he instinctively reached for his saber. Airborne, the crimson blade exploded into being before gravity saw its for burrow into one of the Givin defenders. Hisashi's feet landed upon his torso, crushing bones underfoot before he wrenched his weapon free. Whilst his fellows yet ascended, he would buy them precious breathing room - for his blade moved in a hungry blitz of death through those foolish enough to rise against him.

 

[Kaden Farr]

​

Objective: Murder by Death​

Tag: [member="Daisy Americus"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

Kaden nodded as Daisy complained about the reality of the fight they were walking into. Her views were interesting for someone from a warrior culture. She did not seem to live for the fight in the same way Kaden did. His life had always been centered around conflict however. He did not know anything different. For so long his life had been about killing to survive, and now that he was among the Confederacy, Kaden put his skills to good use. It was never about right or wrong for him, but about revenge. Even as a young child, revenge had been the thing which motivated him. His words would be a harsh truth, but Kaden knew it no other way.

“It is always about who is left, Daisy. I was made an orphan because of the things that led up to the Civil War. I fought in it, and have been fighting since. One thing I can tell you… no one is right.”

It was something Kaden had come to believe. That truth was why he had been so easy for [member="Darth Elyria"] to manipulate for her purposes. Kaden was convinced the galaxy needed to be reset and cleansed, and his Mother was just the person to accomplish hit. Of course he knew Daisy had different ideals, it was apparent in how she talked. Kaden appreciated them, even admired Daisy more for having the courage to voice them. They both came from very different backgrounds, and it was those differences that made them good when they were together. Daisy tempered him, and Kaden knew, like now, that he pushed her toward the conflict.

Kaden was certain he was right, though his mind was not focused on what Daisy said. The tension he felt as he drew close and placed his forehead on hers was overwhelming. It had been an act of affection, meant to bring comfort, but Kaden knew Daisy felt something else entirely. Kaden could feel the awkward feeling build in his stomach thinking about why the tension had been there in the first place. Were there feelings neither of them were expressing? It was the first time Kaden had any inkling that Daisy could be moved by such an act on his part. He liked it.

Daisy loaded up with weapons that seemed practical for the fight they were in. Kaden simply didn’t care. His weapons were the ones he was comfortable with, ones that let him move about quickly. This was why he liked working as a team. It was something he had shared with Yasha since they had been young, and something he had lost when she began to look at him as something other than a partner. Kaden had never been sure when that happened, and it made him a bit cautious to put any kind of label on what his feelings toward Daisy were. He just knew he had them, and that she got under his skin in all the right ways. They made a good team in battle so far, and this time he refused to hover over her like she needed it. Daisy had proven herself more than capable on Mechis.

<<< “Whatever you think… I’m still getting used to the force myself, so I’d rather take the guns blazing approach. Bust the door down and walk in firing?” >>>

Kaden always wanted to take the guns blazing approach.

It seemed Daisy found a way to their destination that would make them less of a target, and Kaden followed her over, watching her shebs to make sure it was well protected. That was the story he was going to go with anyway. Near every step could have killed them, but Daisy seemed to navigate the traps well. Kaden smiled under his helmet knowing Daisy was more competent at these things than she gave herself credit for. It was fun seeing the woman who wore the armor versus the woman who did not. They were the same, but also different, and Kaden found he was attracted to both. In the moment, however, nothing was more attractive than watching her kick down the door after tapping her on the shoulder and take the guns blazing approach.

Shots fired at them in an instant, something Kaden was not surprised about. Daisy had kicked the door, so Kaden’s job was to be the first one in. His slugthrowers sent a volley at the closest targets to ensure Daisy could pass through behind him. His objective was to distract, take a few of their enemies out, and take cover so Daisy could do the same. Kaden moved left on the way in, hoping Daisy would take that as her cue to go right. They would be able to split the long corridor this way and increase their chances of surviving this encounter.

<<< “I’m gonna push ahead,” >>> Kaden said as he moved out of cover. Three shots, three Givin killed. He was as accurate and deadly as he was brooding and dark. Perhaps this was a side of himself that Kaden should not have let Daisy see, but this was who he truly was. Kaden was a warrior pure and simple, and he thrived in the fight. <<< “Keep zigging and zagging with me. It’s not quite the dance these Confederates like to do at their fancy parties, but it is our first.” >>>

A smirk tugged at his lips. Kaden was definitely flirting in the middle of a fight as was true Mandalorian fashion.

 

[Kyyrk]

Objective: Destroy the Dreadnought
Location: Yag'Dhul Orbit
Tags: [member="Julius Rhein"] | [member="Srina Talon"]

Voph only paused for a moment, before holding out his empty right hand in a signal of peace. "Then we have no quarrel with you." He stepped out from behind the corner, his lightsaber held in his left hand, concealed under his cloak. Not that he meant to hide it, but because he was prepared to use the cloak if necessary. "Transport can be arranged. Gather your team, you have five minutes before this ship goes down in flames." Voph moved forward, hardly stopping to give the man a second glance. If he fired a shot at Voph at this range, it would end poorly, and Voph was confident the man knew that.

"Resolve, what's your status?" Voph led the way deeper into the reactor deck, towards the spot where the ship would be weakest. Councilor Aklin's voice filtered through the comlink. "We're holding, but that dreadnought is spooling up engines. We're running out of time, Voph. Archwings are in position and beginning to fire on the towers." "Good. Bring them down with all possible haste. And prepare a security team, we have guests leaving with us." "Understood sir."

As Voph closed the channel, paused near a doorway to glance behind them. The rest of the team was moving up quickly. Bomb would be there any second. "Get your team ready." Voph glanced back at the unidentified man. "Once the bomb is armed, nothing will stop it, and this ship will become a rather hostile environment. Get whatever you came here to get, and let's go."

 

[Zef Halo]

OBJECTIVE: Infiltrate and acquire data on a prototype Givin astrogation technology.
LOCATION: GIVIN DREDNOUGHT CALCULUS PRIME
TAGS: [member="Voph"] / [member="Srina Talon"]

Julius mulled over it for a moment before he called out at the hand of peace held out at him from the edge of the corner. "Your word it is."

He stood up from his cover just as the Confederate Forces headed towards him. He lowered his rifle and gazed at the Confederates passing him by, he'd make sure to remember their faces. The man who had negotiated with him and a woman beside him looked vaguely familiar. Perhaps the LT Commander had glanced their faces on intelligence reports before but could not recall particulars.

"Rix, Lena. Confederate Forces coming up. Do not fire. Repeat. Do not fire, right behind them." Julius ordered through his helmet's comms.

"Copy that, LT Commander."

"Juno, status."

::: Nearly complete, Sir. :::

"Roger. Get ready to depart. The Confederates are going to be blowing up this place. We're hitching a ride with them."

The doors to the reactor deck would slide open and reveal two well positioned with armors similar to Julius.

Rix and Lena.

The two operatives would cautiously move up to Julius passing by the Confederates with the bomb with rifles lowered but reflexes ready to meet up any unexpected actions. Trust was a commodity they could hardly afford.

::: LT Commander, the data has been secured. ::: Juno stated and Julius walked up beside the Miralukan he had spoken with earlier.

"We're ready for departure." He told him rather calmly.

 

[Kyyrk]

Objective: Destroy the Dreadnought
Location: Yag'Dhul Orbit
Tags: [member="Julius Rhein"] | [member="Srina Talon"]

Voph gestured towards a reactor pylon as his soldiers hustled in, bomb still toting between them. Voph turned to the others, and nodded. "Begin the countdown." They nodded back, and gestured for the Exarch to follow them. Voph turned back to the bomb, kneeling by the control panel and punching in the authorization code. 4:59. Voph stood and whipped his hand in a circle before pointing to the door. Move out. "Attention all Confederate Forces, clear the Dreadnought. Detonation in four minutes." Voph was almost dubious that it was going to be this easy. It never was. But he ignored the warnings sounding deep within his being. These unknowns could be trouble. But it was the most diplomatic solution at hand. He didn't strike Voph as a First Order operative, and he certainly wasn't Mandalorian. Sith Order, perhaps? No. Voph knew their methods better than anyone. But, that was all a moot point now.

As the boarding pod pulled away from the dreadnought, a wing of Octarch Fighters pulled in to cover the retreat to the Resolve. As the cannons continued to thunder below, the space above began to illuminate with arcs of energy as the XR cannons fired at the defense towers. First one fell, then another. Not the most glamorous victory Voph had ever earned, but a victory was a victory all the same. And as the Dreadnought exploded behind them, Voph was prepared to give the order. Wipe them out. But he didn't. If he wanted a chance at redemption...a chance to be with her...he had to change his ways. Those that surrendered would be shown mercy. The galaxy saw enough death and destruction. Peace might be a lie. But that didn't mean it wasn't worth fighting for...

 

[Bron Vaashe]

Orrin didn’t see the nod, but he was aware. He waited for the explanation of the scene, where they needed to go, and what they needed to do. His handicap was severe in this moment as his senses were overloaded. It wasn’t until one of the canons went off and shook the ground that Gluttony found what he could focus on. He smirked once the canons gave him guidance, and began to run up the wall as he let his grappling line go. The stick doubled as a weapon when he needed it to be, as well as the lightsaber from hanging from his waist.

Up and over, that was the plan. Orrin followed and brought all of his combat might down upon the enemy below. He knew what the red haired assassin was capable of as she was the reason he’d been recruited. Even if he plugged his ears her scream would do damage, so Orrin resorted to be in the fray, further from her rather than close. His goal was simple. Fight his way to cover so the woman could not harm his hearing. [member="Hisashi"] may not like the disregard to his order, but Orrin knew himself and what he could withstand better. [member="Áine"] didn’t have to wait.

 

[Daisy Americus]

​

Objective: Yag'dhul Surface [At Givin Complex - Looking to Shut Down the Command Center]​

Tag: [member="Kaden Farr"] & [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

Hearing that Kaden had been left an orphan, not for the first time, made her heart hurt. She couldn’t imagine what life would be like without her family. They were her everything. Perhaps, that was why they held such different views. Her scarred and war-torn friend needed something that the fight would never give him, a perspective, that bloodshed could never offer. He needed something tangible to fight for. A friend, a cause, a family to fight for. That was what made everything else worth it. “You’re not wrong, Kaden. Ah just wasn’t raised that way.”

Honor. She had been raised, firmly, with honor. Respect for her family.

The Six Actions had been ingrained into her being ever since she’d been a little girl. Leaving Concord Dawn, her friends, was the hardest thing she’d ever done. She wasn’t ashamed to admit that she’d cried for the people she’d left behind. But…Things were what they were. Submit, become less than what they were, or die. Wear a collar, or die. Leave, or die.

Daisy didn’t know what to think about how her stomach and heart fell into flips when Kaden got too close. Sometimes, he didn’t even have to be touching. Sometimes, it was just the way he looked at her when he thought she hadn’t noticed. She’d been around the Hydian Way a few times, so she knew boys were like with a crush, but this was different. She couldn’t put her finger on it. She didn’t understand, and it left her jumpy, even a little skittish, and she hated that he knew it. Kaden had never said anything…But she knew, he knew.

The Mandalorian man beside her seemed to agree with her mini-plan. The “let’s get tactical” approach was never her strong suit, but, she hadn’t gotten blown up thus far. And she hadn’t gotten any of her friends blown up so it seemed like a win-win. The sensors in her T-Visor picked up the traps and she avoided them rather nimbly for someone wearing a mess ton of beskar. He tapped her shoulder, she kicked in the door, her friend stepped in, and things got wild.

Daisy pulled the trigger to cover Kaden while he moved ahead, taking aim, as easily as she breathed. The sound would have been deafening, but the helmet she wore protected her ears, and the Mandalorian woman hit her mark. It wasn’t pretty. These weapons were made with projectiles designed to tear through enemies in the most efficient way possible. They didn’t cauterize like lightsabers. The bullets just ripped through the air at 900 miles an hour and left large expanded cavities in their wake. The Givin were smart enough to wear amour, but, it didn’t do them much good if she hit ‘em in the neck.

Just when she was about to move into the facility her helmet lit up as something, someone, landed behind her. Knives, familiar, flew skillfully around her friend and the three-hundred-and sixty-degree camera told her who was behind her without looking. “Scherezade!”, she yelled out, nearly taking a blaster bolt to the head, before she ducked down. The wood and permacrete exploded next where she had been and she reached for her best friend to pull her down too. “I was so worried about you!”

She wanted to ask what happened, to see if she was okay, but they were getting shot at. Chit. Kaden moved…Almost like a big cat. Something that stalked his prey, cut it down, before they even knew what was happening. Daisy seen it in the Badlands on Haseria. He gave instructions and she nodded her head, though, the way he said it made her cheeks flush again. “You—“, she started, about to lay into him, but again, getting shot at. “Right. Roger, roger.”, Daisy returned, quickly, before creeping forward, hoping that Scherezade would follow along.

She kept low, poking her head out only to take fire, before dropping down again. The Givin were thinning out more and more. It would be almost impossible for them to escape the wall of knives that Scherezade wielded. Here, was someone that knew how to use the Force. As scary as Kaden could be, so was her best friend. In a small way…It was comforting.

By the time they made it to the end of the corridor the hallway was, for lack of a better term, painted red. Daisy was glad she hadn’t eaten, moreover, she was glad she couldn’t smell it. There was something foul that happened to the air when newly made bodies hit the floor. “This way. Map says the command center isn’t far. There’s still a lot between us and them though…”

This time she knelt down to search one of the deceased Givin. In a moment, she stood up victorious with a keycard, and was able to swipe their way through to the next level. “Two rights and a left.”

“We gotta be careful not to get lost. This place is a labyrinth.”

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Armor | Pathfinder Boots | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 10 Czerka knives | 2 Nastirci Combat Knives | Copero's Wail | Fire and Smoke (lightsabers) | Combat Gauntlets | Knight Obsidian Sword | 2 Dissuader K-30 Pistols with Glitter Bullets
Direct Tags: [member="Daisy Americus"] | [member="Kaden Farr"]

While Daisy's back might have been turned to her, Scherezade by now knew that her helmet gave her 360 degree vision. She smiled and waved at her best friend, her knives still flying around her, ready to turn any of the Givin into sushi. For half a moment, she wondered if it'd be worth the trouble and effort to see if their flesh was edible, but quickly enough reached the very sane conclusion that some things were better not checked. They could remain lying dead where they were.

"This planet is so weird," she commented as she closed some of the distance between them, her voice still haunted like moonlight from the time she had spent with [member="Darth Elyria"].

Following Daisy and Kaden's lead, Scherezade kept her killing up. Where the knives had stopped being enough from the oncoming waterfalls of the damned creatures, she added her blood lust to it, pulling the blood out of their bodies and letting it spill to the ground before their bodies dropped, completely drained and empty. If Daisy or Kaden would turn around, they would spot one of the happiest smiles on Scherezade's face; she was a predator, and killing in hoards brought her pleasure. The song sounded inside her ears, the song of fight and battle, and there was nothing she could ever imagine doing that would make it stop.

Two rights and a left.

"Come on," she grinned, and suddenly darted forward, taking the lead now. "We're not going to get lost," she assured them, "I can smell where we came from. We're not going back until it's time to go home."

Breaking into a run, her knives flying around her like a gigantic fan of pointy ends, Scherezade followed the directions Daisy had given but seconds earlier. Two rights, a left, a new trail of bodies, and then – a door.

Wasting no time, the Sithling kicked the damned thing open. Metals cracked and groaned as they connected with her foot, but she didn't care. It was time to finish this thing and go take a shower. And think about the spooky things and moonlight feels of what had happened beneath the ground.

 

[Srina Talon]

Objective: Givin Dreadnought [Calculus Prime] Went Bye-Bye​

Location: Yag'Dhul Orbit​

Tags: [member="Julius Rhein"] | [member="Voph"]​

Srina’s expression remained firm when Voph confirmed what she felt. She didn’t know why she’d thought to question it. The Force had been a cruel blessing, however, it had never lied to her. She nodded her head slowly when the Miralukan man insinuated they had time to, perhaps not, butcher the people that were potentially in the wrong place at the wrong time. “We do what we must.”, she murmured, her tone soft, though easily carried.

She took no joy, no comfort, in any of this. It was her job to ensure victory.

No matter the cost.

The young Exarch followed [member="Voph"] as they moved through the corridors at a decent clip. She trailed after the white-haired man like a shadow, a wraith, as if she were a second skin. Her training made it so that when he stopped, she stopped, when he breathed, she breathed. When they approached the unknown on the vessel, she allowed the Councilor to do the talking. Echani were not known for speaking, and if anything, she preferred it that way.

A singular eyebrow rose at the notion of a deal. Really. She had half a mind to call what she could only assume to be a bluff. Why demand passage from the ship while simultaneously threatening to make sure it couldn’t happen. No quarrel. Yes, they had no quarrel. It was in the very same way that a boot had no quarrel with an ant. It seemed that Voph also saw through whatever it was that the stranger was playing at and came out of cover. Her hands raised, holding her Verpine Hand Canon at average height for the chest of a male human, though, she stayed along the wall.

If the man fired on Voph—She would fire back.

There was a tense moment…Then, as if the entire corridor exhaled, tension eased. Srina lowered her firearm toward the floor as they all began to move around the corner. Silver eyes, bright in the shadows, like small stars sized up the potentially hostile operative. Her gaze would be nothing short of fierce. Yet, it was fierce, with purpose. Echani could read body language as easily as a healthy heart continued to beat. He [[member="Julius Rhein"]] told his people not to fire. Srina looked for the falsehood. Looked, for the lie.

The much smaller woman said nothing. The Octarchy soldiers were moving with the weapon they needed to bring this world to its knees, and that, was all that mattered. She fell in line betwixt their people and Voph, blending, as if she wasn’t an Exarch, or anything, but one of the men that Voph commanded. It was habit. Who called the shots, who took the glory, was of none of her concern. She only needed to see the job done.

After the death of the Dreadnaught she expected the weapons of the Resolve to blaze to life. Instead…There was silence. Communications sent. Mercy, offered.

Her eyes flickered over Voph. It was…Unexpected. Though, not displeasing.

“The planet will be ours within hours.”, she commented, ignoring the obvious gentleness, with a point of fact. There was no hubris in her tone. No gloating, or anything that would signal a dictator, but a simple statement of fact. Their largest ship was offline. Their major defenses would soon be taken by their ground teams. The collection of this planet, the conclusion of an unintended war, would happen one way or the other. They had not come for blood. She brought her holo-comm to her lips and ordered that droid envoys depart for the planet. If Voph wished for this route over damnation—She would grant it. “Entreat the remaining surviving powers. See, if they will bend. If they value their people, they will hold, and take your offer.”

Instead of ordering a change in direction, she supported the peaceful act, and turned her focus on their guests. The white-haired woman pulled the hood of her Obsidian Strike armor down and she turned her gaze back to [member="Julius Rhein"] and the people he had absconded with. They wore matching uniforms. Right. Not pirates, then.

“I am Srina Talon. Exarch of the Confederacy of Independent Systems—Who are you?”

 

[Kaden Farr]

​

Tag: [member="Scherezade deWinter"] | [member="Daisy Americus"]​

Kaden simply nodded. He knew they had been raised differently, and he didn’t want to argue about who was or was not right about their approach. Both of them did what they did because of how they had been raised. Daisy was raised around honor. Kaden was raised around death. It should not have been a surprise [member="Darth Elyria"] latched onto him, or he her. They found each other because he was truly her son, born in darkness and raised by death itself.

They advanced ahead, Kaden’s thoughts still fixed on the moment they had shared on the ship. There was something genuine and altruistic about the way Daisy made him feel. She reacted in a way that made him want to press in even more, but knew the fight was more important. Kaden was going to have to find her when this was all over and see about exploring the intricacies of what they had discovered, or answer the unasked questions floating in their minds.

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] joined them, with Kaden giving Daisy a slight nod. He wasn’t going to say “I told you so,” but it turned out he had been right when he said it would be okay. Kaden had promised, so he was damn glad Scherezade showed up unharmed. Touched. Kaden sensed it, her. She had been with Selene, with his mother. They were going to have to talk about it. Daisy was excited, so Kaden tucked it away for later. There would be a better time for that conversation as well.

He loved the fact Daisy seemed flustered at his comment. In truth, that had not been his goal, but he liked knowing he had that effect on her. Kaden simply wanted Daisy to think of their movements in a way that could be relatable. If they paid attention to their timing it would seem like a dance, fluid and gracious, despite the death they would be dealing out. Scherezade seemed to have a different idea as she barreled ahead. It seemed they were following her instead.

<<< “What did I do?” >>> came Kaden’s reply to Daisy <<< “You’re friend likes killing more than I do, if that’s even possible.” >>>

He watched as Scherezade cleared the distance between them and the control center. Chasing after he had a sinister idea. Smirking under his helmet, Kaden reached around Daisy’s waist and grabbed one of the EMP grenades she had tucked away. <<< “Watch this,” >>> he said before nudging Daisy with his shoulder. <<< “Might want to clear out Scherezade,” >>> Kaden called out before tossing the grenade into the center of the room.

The grenade exploded and in a matter of seconds everything in the control center powered down. As long as someone took care of the canons, this fight was about to be over before it could truly begin.

 

[Daisy Americus]

​

Objective: Yag'dhul Surface [At Givin Complex - Looking to Shut Down the Command Center]​

Tag: [member="Kaden Farr"] & [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

There was a flair of chatter over the comms. Daisy didn’t know what caused it, not right away, but it soon became clear. <<The Givin Dreadnought got blown to space dust. Ah guess the Resolve got tired of sharing the same vacuum.>>

If they’d been outside—She was willing to bet that they’d have seen the light from the explosion.

<<They’ll be waitin’ on us. Let’s get this done, ya hear?>>

For some reason she had the urge to tell Kaden to shut the kark up. She wasn’t sure why, not in the slightest, but there was some sort of emotion rolling in her core that told her to tell the Mandalorian man to stuff whatever he was thinking in his cakehole. Were they not shooting at hostile-hollow-eyed muppets she would have probably done just that. Probably, in those exact words.

<<This planet is full of lava. The floor is frickin’ lava.>>

Daisy didn’t know the encounter that Scherezade had endured within the cave systems. She only knew that they’d somehow lost contact, and through it all, her stomach had remained in knots. It was nigh impossible to fall out of contact with the auburn-haired woman with all the devices she carried. She’d even felt funky through the Force, but, Daisy attributed it to her own inexperience over some sort of otherworldly danger. Still...Her friend sounded different. Like...Drugged? Drunk?, <<Hey. Girlfriend. Are you sure you’re okay?>>

Scherezade seemed to get a little too happy sometimes when it came to tearing their enemies apart. But, since it seemed to please her, Daisy didn’t argue. The auburn-haired woman darted ahead and Daisy could only rub her shoulder a little, quietly disguising her concern. She wouldn’t get hurt, not from these guys, but man, did she worry. She jumped a little when Kaden’s voice came through, distorted, by the vocabulator. <<Nothin’, Kaden. Nothin’.>>, she mumbled, stepping through the doorway, so that they could keep up with the deWinter Hurricane. He commented on Scherezade. Ah. He’d noticed that too. <<Yup. Ah reckon it’s a sorta therapy ya know? Like… Getting all her aggression out.>>

Better out than in her mama had always said.

To be honest they truthfully didn’t have to do much when it came to clearing a path. Scherezade rolled through the Givin like a force of nature, to the point where Daisy was at a loss for words, and felt a little shell-shocked. What had changed? Something definitely felt different about the Sithling. She just didn’t know what.

Her friend felt confident that they wouldn’t get lost and Daisy believed her. If there was one thing about the golden-haired woman, she believed in her friends, and she trusted in Scherezade like no other. She had her oddities but she was the most loyal person she’d ever known. When Kaden reached around her waist, she tensed, and had to resist the urge to punch him in the side of his helmeted head. Too close. Didn’t he know that? <<Hands, vod.>>, she warned, before realizing, he was going after her grenades.

Actual grenades. Not her personal assets.

Before she could respond Kaden called out a warning to Scherezade, and moments later, light went off in a show of electric pulses. The command center, once brightly lit and full of humming monitors and blinking panels, was full of silence. It didn’t seem like there was anyone else left standing inside either. Scherezade’s doing, no doubt. The lights turned off in the command center for a moment before a backup generator kicked in and emergency flood lights filled the building.

Daisy bit her lower lip. That felt…Too simple. <<Was that…It? Did we win?>>