Dominion Guns and Butter (SO Dominion of Pergitor and Karideph)

[Aspect of Resolve]

Dominion of Pergitor and Karideph​

876 ABY​

It is said a nation must often choose between guns or butter - a simplification of spending on military and consumer goods. As an upstart state, the Sith Order has invested entirely in its guns - to conquer planets, to push their military-industrial complex to the edges of efficiency and secure their place in the galaxy quickly. That need for defense is paramount to their security from external and internal threats - but it is not sustainable.​

​

After their losses at Rutan at the hands of Admiral Vortic, the Empire seeks to kill two birds with one stone; to ensure more ‘butter’ for its population, and less for its enemies. With local sentiment from conquered planets sticken to dangerously oppressive martial law with minimal rights, they need a way to stop rebellions before they begin - and the easiest way to do such is to placate the populations with progress and luxury, no matter how fake it may be.​

​

Introducing Operation: Dark Swarm.​

​

Proposed by Darth Empyrean and the Eternalists, ‘Dark Swarm’ is an operation to take the planets of Pergitor and Karideph for the needs of the Triumvir’s Empire. Karideph has been targeted for its extreme ability to produce food, while Pergitor serves as a powerful defensive position at the end of the Rimma Trade Route. Combined, they allow the Sith a very powerful foothold into the resource rich Minos Cluster - a much needed inclusion to their fledgling economy.​

​

On Karideph, the planet’s entire surface exists as cultivated farmland. Even the planet's mountains have been tilled to support farms - while the planet's population of 88 billion lives in massive tower cities and complicated tunnels far beneath the crust. The Sith have a simple battle plan - break a hole in the planet's orbital defenses, then send large drilling rigs deep beneath the planet. Gas bombs, white phosphorous expansion shells, and various underground weapons meant to pacify the local defense forces are already in place and ready.​

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Under the Heavens​

Breaking the planet's trade escorts and orbital defenses is paramount to invading the tunnels beneath the world. Admiral Vortic has stationed a fleet of imperial forces in orbit, with her pseudo-Praetorians in tow. Combined with the high atmospheric orbital guns makes for this a hard orbit to hold - so our efforts will be a spearhead.​

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Combine forces together, breach over the city of Toronis, and turn its orbital guns on the enemy fleets.​

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Above Hell​

As Toronis is taken from above and our spearhead breaches the opposition's defenses, we must enter the tunnels beneath the planet. A complex and efficient infrastructure system exists beneath the world - most notably, the wide water ways used to supply the entire planet with the water it needs for farming. This is our target.​

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You will escort an underground drilling transport to the main waterway beneath Toronis, and release a Kari xenophage developed by the labs of Darth Arcanix. This will kill much of the population on the planet, and those it doesn’t kill it will sterilize - enough to allow us to replace workers with robotic droids provided by other corporate entities in the region. With the local food supply freed up for export, we will secure the confidence of our populations.​

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For Pergitor, it will be much simpler. The planet is a religious hive mind built on doctrine - and the Sith have been in contact with them for a long time. Religious indoctrination is par for the course when it comes to the planet's children - perfect for the inclusion into the Sith Order.​

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Infinite Perception​

The planet, for a long time, banned the display of the paranormal. Efforts of the force were hidden away - but that is no longer the case. While the planet overall has slowly formed a more liberal view of such things, the Sith have slowly leaked in indoctrination and propaganda material to their scholars for years - until our arrival is seen as a visit from gods.​

​

A meeting has been planned with Preceptor Han - a man who made a deal with the Worm Emperor some time before his death. To give him extended life and infinite riches for the life of his world - and he greedily accepted. We are to give a speech to the planet, crown him as a holy figure, and create a rabid cult dedicated to our Sith ways.​

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Though Preceptor Han welcomes the Sith, there are those who turn their backs on our generosity. Reports say a gathering of high priests are seeking a return to the old path and turn their backs on the wisdom of the Sith. They wish to overthrow their Preceptor and replace him with one of their own. This cannot be allowed. Seek out these heretics and make an example of them. Show them the might of the dark side of the Force.​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Objective III: Infinite Perception​

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Toilsome.​

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That's how this diplomatic affair had so far gone - with a public speech to declare their intention to work with the Sith, to parading around a false 'body' of Darth Empyrean so that they may see their eternalist god. It had grown toilsome to him - tired of its overtly religious overtones. Still, he had long accepted that the control of the population was best done by driving deep into them and altering the fundamental pillars of their self perception. To build into them a Sith Religion could ensure no more uprisings in their sect.​

​

Now he entered a gathering of priests kneeling and preaching in high sith - ancient tongues filled with words he was curious they understood. Before them sat the Preceptor - a man of grizzled finality, in his middle ages. He carried a good air of authority even presented with the power put off by Empyrean's fake persona - not wilting as so many others chose to in the face of danger. It was a good sign that he would be a worthy lord over this world and not another burden.​

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"Preceptor Han.", Empyrean's fake body said.​

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"Darth Empyrean. Is that a fitting title for you?"​

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"It is.", Empyrean answered as he found a seat at the table. The chanting grew quieter behind the stage's sound barrier - an invisible force field that dulled the noise of their prayers. He had seen it many times in privacy booths on Coruscant.​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Under the Heavens
Location: Orbit over Toronis, Karideph
Equipment: Lightsaber, Dagger, Armor
Tags:

"The ship next to us just got hit, it's going down!" "Focus! Weep not for the fallen, fight for their memory and get us down there now!" Another near miss shot rocked the transport shuttle as it barreled down towards the surface of Karideph. The battle for control of the space around the planet was still very much in full swing, at least if the burning corvette crashing down in the distance was any indication. Alisteri and his squad of Legionnaires had been lucky to find a hole in the lines of fire from the fleets that battled above them, their little shuttle being one amongst the few dozen that had managed to slip through the barrage coming from the ships above and the planet below.

Alisteri clung onto the back of the pilot's seat as their ship finally hit the atmosphere of the planet, the thunder of battle still audible despite the distance between them and the main conflict. He sighed in relief as clouds streaked past the cockpit's window and he finally released his grip on the seat. "See if you can get ahold of any of our other friends in the air, try to coordinate a landing spot. We're certainly not parking right in the city proper."

He left the pilot and stepped into the main area of the transport where his soldiers awaited him, most of them still strapped in tightly to their seats or holding their blasters close to their chests as the shuttle flew on. "I have good news my faithful, we have made it past the fleet and the guns. Congratulations." The Sith did not miss the mixed looks he received.

"But now comes the difficult part. Ahead lies the city of Toronis, guarded by both its citizens, security forces, and whatever reinforcements the First Order remnants have sent them. However breaking the city is not our goal. Rather we are to simply infiltrate and capture this building." He produced a holo-projector from his pocket and activated it, the image of a tower with a large relay array at the top appearing. "This is the Toronis Orbital Defense Command Center. All we have to do is take it, turn the guns on the remnant fleet, and hold out until the real invasion hits the city."

 

[Drako]

Objective III: Infinite Perception
Tags: Darth Empyrean

---

While the affairs were attended by many there were few, save for the eternal one himself, that took such a noticeable position as that of Drako atop his Uvak. The great winged beast was draped in a red saddle-cloth which was topped by a sleek saddle where Drako sat with his lightsaber pike held vertically. The weapon's blade was dormant and in his icy steadiness the Sith Knight was yet another symbol of strength. From Drako's lofty position his head turned slightly as he eyed Darth Empyrean's false form near the Preceptor.

Drako did not know the Darth enough to discern his lack of interest in the religious aspect of the festivities. As he had personally much enjoyed the atmosphere and reverence. He held to many old ways and themes. Thus finding the spectacle to be a revival of sorts. The Sith had not been ravenous marauders but mighty conquerors bringing with them civilization, order, and growth. The defunct Sith Empire which had been supplanted by the former New Imperial Order was a complacent shadow of their namesake. The Warlords of the Sith were a hopeful brightly burning flash. This Sith Order would either endure through the ways of their founding principles and the strength that went with them or wither. Drako was certain in this. Perhaps, in time, he would come to a position of council were he could ensure a resurgent faith.

The Sith Knight turned his attention away from the Darth and his puppet to a priest that approached the rider and Uvak with reverance, attended by his peers "My lord." the priest spoke without looking up "Be heard." Drako invited him to continue "My lord, we wish to know your name and station. So that we may have complete record of today's glorious events and hallowed emissaries." for a moment Drako considered what he would say then spoke in a manner of utter certainty "I am Drako of the Order, Scion of the High Lords, Master of Beasts, and Knight of the Sith Order."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

A procession wound its way through the domed city.

Banners were held aloft by robed men and women, their hands cracked and bloodied from intense toil. Stamped upon these soot-cloth banners was the omnipotent eye, that insidious oculus, the Eye of Solomon. Hymns were recited, litanies spoken in the blasphemous tongue of the ancient Sith. The most demented among them readily opened veins with blood-crusted daggers, parting flesh and letting the cobbles run red in depraved veneration to their God of the Unseen Powers, the Ruinous Tyrant.

Their god watched them from afar, perched upon a high-rise overlooking the sprawling cityscape beneath a gilded sky of metal and glass. He'd dispersed His sanctified into the domed cities of Pergitor so that they may spread their gospel, presagers whirling thuribles of acrid incense as they read from tomes bound in cracked leather. They found fertile soil on Pergitor, the entire population engineered to be receptive to such religious overtures long before any living had been born; a predisposition so easily bent to the will of the Sith.

Nearby, Darth Empyrean (one of the tripartite leadership of the Order) was making their own overtures to a cretin named Preceptor Han. Carnifex had no desire to bandy words with a craven maggot, but He lingered nearby and observed. The Eye, after all, was spreading across Pergitor. It was natural that its gaze would turn towards those that would herald in a new age.

An age of the Sith.

Darth Empyrean ​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Under the Heavens
Location: Orbit over Toronis, Karideph
Equipment: Lightsaber, Dagger, Armor
Tags:

The shuttle's landing was relatively peaceful given how violent the entry to the planet had been, with only two or three guns trying to knock the ship out of the sky rather than the several dozen up in orbit. Alisteri's transport, alongside the handful of other ships that had breached through the orbital defense perimeter, flew low over Toronis city as they dodged buildings and fire from the ground alike.

"I've spotted the edge of the city High Priest, looks like a spaceport just waiting to be occupied." Alisteri nodded and turned back to glance out of the shuttle's window. "Find us a spot to land there then. More than likely most of their fighters are up there and their ground forces will be guarding key points so we should be unbothered for the time being."

The masked Sith walked to the ramp of the shuttle as it began to land, the Legionnaires doing their final checks on their weapons and equipment. "Our enemies have the advantage of defense, and we the disadvantage of time. We must be swift and decisive yet we cannot hurry our victory and turn it into a defeat." He pulled his lightsaber from his hip as his soldiers stood up at attentions behind him.

"Stay close, remain faithful and resilient, and follow my lead, and we shall bring our foes to their knees this day." The exit ramp began to lower as the shuttle hovered above one of the spaceport's many landing pads, the ship landing with a small shudder as Alisteri ignited his weapon. "Kia karza."

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Objective III​

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Empyrean's true form sat on a golden throne in orbit - aboard the Acerbitas. While his fake spoke with the Preceptor, Empyrean used his strength to consume the minds of its population. A strategic scalpel cutting down the minds of naysayers and nationalists - each's mind supplanted with his own. They would serve the totality of his strength, dominated in mind and body until they knew nothing but what he allowed - so that they might be his vessels wandering in the mundanity of man.​

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HIs fake, however, listened intently to the Preceptor -​

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"We've done great things in preparation for your arrival. For your glory, for your ambition - we've enacted the Ritual of Seniai Naefas. To create a bounty for you and yours pleasure."​

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Empyrean's fake stopped at that mention, brow furrowing;​

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"What ritual was this?"​

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"The Seniai Naefas. A book predating King Adas informed us of it - but the details were damaged. Is something wrong?"​

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Empyrean glanced back out to the chanting - and he could finally recognize the song they were chanting. It was an old hymn, a weapon to destroy - and these ignorant children thought it was to summon a gift for him. Empyrean's fake and his real body stood at the same time moving to stop the ritual - but it was too late. Before he could speak, a dark chime echoed through the force.​

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It was the boundary between their world and the Nether breaking - a rift torn into the sky. From its depths, a monstrous titan began to force its way through - tearing the boundaries wider until the green tinged rift was a chasm. Miles large, the being began to crawl through, start destroyer thick arms bracing itself against the planet's surface.​

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It's scream shattered the silence, snapping the dome over the nearest cities on the world - and its sheer presence began to disable, destroy, and demolish the Force Users of the world without the training to hold onto themselves. Those in the ritual room began to faint, and the acolytes on the world shuddered and fell to their knees.​

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"What have you done?", Empyrean said with a grimace.​

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His true body stood and prepared to end this threat.​

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Darth Carnifex // Drako​

 

[Drako]

Objective III: Infinite Perception
Tags: Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex

---

Drako felt a horrid sensation as the boundaries between the netherworld and the living world was torn open and some sort of entity of apocolitic proportions began to force its way through. He had never seen nor felt anything like it, and at its scream he felt the Force around him and within him flicker like a candle that was nearly snuffed out by a stiff wind. The priests and his subordinates were understandably dumbstruck. Drako turned his head to look at Darth Empyrean or what he had assumed was the Darth himself and not some double, while he gripped at the Uvak's reigns tightly as the beast faltered at the sight of the entity and began to side-step away from the direction while making a wide winged threat posture "Steady!" Drako instructed though he felt quite the opposite himself.

At the present he was completely at a loss of how to deal with the situation and much less understood what he meant. His instinct was to flee and preserve himself and his Uvak, though he did not. This was less to do with a hopeful outcome and a instant realization that the likelihood of finding a way off planet was little to none. For now he'd wait to see what Darth took control of the situation and what plan, if any, could be formulated in a short span of time.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"My Lady."

Lounged, one leg over the other, she watched. Dressed in the finest black silks, she watched. Power, control. Indulgence. She'd watched from the sidelines, listened through her agents. And for the most part enjoyed the spoils of war. Her golden eyes stared passively at the screen. A large creature, one truly large creature at that, ripped through reality. The danger of unguided cultists, it seemed.

"Our agents are.. Well, I'm not sure. We're loosing contact, but only with some. Regardless of distance, at that. It's like only the weaker succumb to.. Something."

"There's your answer, Lieutenant. Pull back our forces."

"Ma'am?"

She stood, already stepped past him as she reached for the black blade hung on the wall just beside him. "I'd rather not waste our forces figuring out who's strong enough to survive it's madness. Put me in contact with Empyreon. And reach out to our dear mercenary friend."

"Do you.. Plan to go yourself, ma'am?"

Alina flashed a grin as she turned, resting her blade on her shoulder. From deeper within the darkness of the chamber large red eyes flashed, opening to stare down at the trooper. He stood rigid. Not with fear. He already knew what this was.

"Of course not."

Darth Empyrean | Drako | Adeline Noctua | Darth Carnifex

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Objective three
Tag | Alina Tremiru Darth Empyrean Drako Darth Carnifex

Another day, another dollar. And what a wild day this was indeed! Being paid some good credits by Alina Tremiru to go in while the rest of her troops were pulling back, something was going on that ended up messing with the "weak minded" and driven them batshit insane!

Troops continue to pull back, brushing up against Jackal as she made her way through them steadily. To her surprise, a bunch of beasts she had never seen before had come in with a tide of cultists and crazed troopers. The frontline had been found, held by what else was left of other Sith soldiers.

Blaster bolts filled the air as Jackal would slide right into cover, appearing moments later as she sprung into action.. Unloading her lever action slugthrower within seconds as she went to town, popping heads one after the other using her deadly aim.

"One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight!"

Eight heads of cultists or crazed troopers gone in a flash, the casings flung out of the gun one by one at Jackal's feet. Now it was time to reload, her thumb slides in one .48 round after the other.. One! Two! Three-

A demonic beast had broken into the line, ambushing Jackal from behind, bringing its claws right into her back. Thankfully her armor had shrugged off the blow, yet she was still sent onto the ground and her lever action was knocked to the side.

Anima rushes through her veins and her eyes focus in on the beast, pulling out her pistol as the demonic being charges. The first shot hits it right in the lower gut, yet it shrugged off the blow enough to grasp Jackal which also caused her pistol to drop down.. And with no way to reach for her other gun, things would have to be done the ultra bloody way.

As the beast goes to bite down on Jackal, its maw is stopped as the Sangir grabs onto both the upper and lower jaw, pressing a clawed finger right up into its eye.

It roars in pain as Jackal manages to get free of its grip, pulling harder on the jaws before the head is split right open thanks to her supernatural strength.

Seeing this line thin more, Jackal grabs her guns back up and continues to reload her rifle, now drenched in demonic blood.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The world had begun to fall apart. The arrival of this unknown entity began to drive insane the nearest, and break the furthest - every being without the skill of a Lord or upper Knight began to fall victim to its illusions; and their wills turned to war. Carnage fell in their wake as the ollective each fell victim to their own dreams - killing a Jedi ambush that in reality was only other acolytes and civilians. Small black halos formed around the heads of those under its influence - blinding them from their true sight.​

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Empyrean, aboard the Acerbitas, tapped his staff against the ground and created a field the being could not reach - it's influence hitting him like the flare of a sun on a world who's magnetic core protect it, threatening to sheer away what control he had. He grit his teeth and transfered the spell to great towers in the belly of his ship - they would hold his spell long enough for him to deal with this abomination.​

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"Call from Alina Tremiru .", his captain shot quickly to him.​

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"Put her through."​

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The visage of the knight came forth, unaffected by the being's presence - expected given her inherent abilities at avoiding the Force. He exhaled deeply, transferring her visage to a small puck as he began to walk towards the hangers of his flagship.​

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"Alina.", he said plainly.​

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"You have questions - so I will answer what I can now. This being is known as the Dread Myrmidon - it is a being that feasts on the living force, a weapon used by ancient force users to consume and dominate force users. Not unlike your own abilities; only this is a far greater threat. In a few minutes, smaller force monsters will fall through the rift - they must be kept at bay. All local forces under its control are considered casualities, kill them as you see fit - I will contact Darth Carnifex and work in tandem to seal this beast away. Do you have other questions?"​

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It was straightforward and simple - but he let a part of his brain begin to speak towards Darth Carnifex -​

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"You already know what this is, what it is capable of. Meet me near its breach point - we will seal this together or not at all."​

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Darth Carnifex // Alina Tremiru // Adeline Noctua // Drako​

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Pergitor​

The Crimson Pyramid​

On the far side of Pergitor, opposite of the planet's major hubs, a grand operation was taking place. A small fleet of repulsorcraft travelled to and fro an active construction site and the corvette, The Revenant. The corvette was flanked by various other lesser crafts, all carrying materials and supplies for the great work. Their shields, of craft and site alike, were well tested by the heat of the lava and the nearby volcano threatening with eruption. Such was the climate of the planet, a fact which was well known and properly prepared for.​

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Construction was well underway, forming a dark structure floating above the liquid fire. Everything was proceeding according to plan, all was in order... Until it wasn't. Something had been unleashed. Even here, so far away, the Togruta Lord felt it as if it had stood right before him.​

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A shiver went through him, felt as much by his very bones as the Force itself. Darth Pyrrhus held within him the willpower to stand firm against the onslaught. The foreign entity would force him down to the ground if he let it. Pyrrhus resisted through gritted teeth, furious at the audacity, but hanging on. He bought valuable time to allow him to shield himself using dark sorcery.​

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Stood on the corvette's bridge, he walked over to Soraya and placed a hand on the Sith's shoulder. She was a master in her own right, but he could sense she was still toiling against the beast, who it seemed hungered to consume the Force itself if permitted.​

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This situation was entirely unexpected. If it escalated, Soraya was an asset he needed to stay sharp. "What... Was that" she said, after he had guided her back. "Not our concern." he said without conviction. He wanted to dismiss it, to say others would take care of it, yet he feared it would not be properly contained without his involvement. Regardless "The operation continues." He could see the protest that was about to form on her. He cut in before she could say anything, meaning to assure her. "I will travel to-"​

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Both Sith snapped their heads out towards the viewport. In the next moment two of the repulsorcrafts crashed into oneanother, creating a violent explosion before both vessels were welcomed into the lava below. No! His leaving would have to wait, he needed to salvage this operation before what he had worked towards were consumed by the flames.​

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The two Sith Lords had resisted and adjusted themselves. Pyrrhus had believed only those strong in the Force to be affected. Clearly, he was wrong. Through the Force he expanded his perception, forcing his will out beyond him and towards the minds of all those who worked on site. Behind the veil lurked the beast, and he got a sinking feeling that in order to avert disaster, he would have to wrestle with the mind of this ancient entity.​

​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"No questions."

Her form rippled out, flesh tearing, expanding. Absorbing back into herself as s he assumed her Warforme. Black plate adorned her new flesh as she lifted the black blade onto her shoulder. A wicked grin spread across her features as she stepped onto her landing craft, lips curling back to reveal the row of pointed fangs. Behind her, her second stepped inside. The transport itself was more just a large box to accommodate the larger size.

A wave of her hand sent the orders. A droid, her pilot, turned the shuttle on to send it soaring down to the awaiting battle.

"When I kill it, it's corpse is mine."

Darth Empyrean | Adeline Noctua | Darth Carnifex | Drako

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Objective three
Tag | Alina Tremiru Darth Empyrean Drako Darth Carnifex

Despite her... Unique mind, Jackal could still hear the distant whispers in her head. She loads in the last round into her rifle before wiping off some of the demonic blood off herself, yet again she pops up from behind her cover... This time pushing further ahead into the bowls of the beast.

As the pale woman slid behind her new cover, a bolt manages to hit her right in the side. She growls a bit as the heat had stung her vampiric skin, nothing pissed her off more than that burning pain.

A controlled trooper pushes Jackal's position, getting a nasty surprise as the young Sangir rushes them down as well, darting out from her cover to roundhouse kick the man. Her sheer strength and the power behind the rocket boots ends up kicking his head clean off. The headless body is pulled in using her whipcord, serving as a bodyshield as Jackal pushed to a new position.


Rounds smack into the body as Jackal pushed harder and harder against the demonic beasts and cultists, rounds from her overcharged pistol would fly through the air, taking out key points where cultist gunners were locking down the area.

Through efforts from both Jackal and the Sith troopers that weren't turned crazy, they had managed to keep pushing the swarm back.

The whispers grew louder as the Sangir got closer and closer to the Myrmidon, troopers who did fall to the insanity were quickly dealt with by their own and Jackal herself... Great effort and hard work had allowed the group to gain this much ground, though their numbers started to thin out. Yet, as more minds fell to the power around them, Jackal was still fine.



We're all mad here, after all.

 

[Drako]

Objective III: Infinite Perception
Tags: Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex Alina Tremiru Adeline Noctua

---

Drako's vision spun as the influence from the creature washed over him. The fanatics that had been just moments ago asking him about himself so that they could laud his achievements and attendance now looked vaguely like Jedi only to be more recognizable in the next moment. A wavering perception of what was being presented to him, a form of greater mind trick perhaps? It mattered not what it was, all Drako knew was that he was in danger. That, however, was before he felt hands gripping at his armored legs and digits gripping at his crimson cape attempting to dislodge him from his saddle "Unhand me!" the Knight gruffly commanded and with a clenched fist struck the head of one of the figures, knocking it away. Drako ignited his lightsaber pike as more figures closed quickly around him.

His Uvak turned towards an approaching civilian and with a swift motion bit the person across the shoulder and chest, then flung it's head violently to the side. The figure careened into another with a wail of pain as Drako leveled his lightsaber pike across his body and lunged it into yet another individual of an uncertain appearance. With a signature hissing squelch the lightsaber's blade left a ember like hole where it had previously been. The impaled figure fell like a puppet cut from its strings "Fly, Hask!" Drako commanded as he gripped his visor with his left hand. He had to collect himself, and he could not do that in the assembly area. The Uvak spread his wings wide and leapt into the air with a powerful downstroke.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Power in the hands of fools is naught but oblivion," sprang forth the voice of Carnifex into Empyrean's mind. "I will pluck out their eyes, and I will cut off their tongues. Their ears will I sever, and their hands will I confiscate. Their feet shall be hewn, their loins shall be uprooted from the stem. This is their punishment for trespassing in the Unseen World." The Dark Lord, fortified by the powers of darkness, descended from His lofty perch into the gangrenous city below. He passed through the air like a noxious vapor, a cloud of malice that darkened all light with its passage.

He appeared near where Empyrean had requested Him, wreathed in shadow with eyes of blazing fire. The strength of the Dark Side was within Him, unfettered without limits. Every step carried with it the gulf of powers greedily taken from the depths of utter blackness. Few could rival Him, and Empyrean was one. They would reach out with their powers magnified, matching one another's frequencies, to close this mighty wound and bring about the end of catastrophe.

"Together."

Darth Empyrean ​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Under the Heavens
Location: Toronis, Karideph
Equipment: Lightsaber, Dagger, Armor
Tags:

Barely a minute after the first transports had managed to touch down in Toronis and the sounds of combat were already filling up the streets and alleyways between the high buildings. Soldiers of both sides poured into the streets and blaster fire lit up the spaces between them as vehicles and buildings were quickly used as cover to hide from the onslaught of the first minutes of fighting.

Alisteri and his Legionnaires were lucky enough to only find themselves against a small security patrol as their first obstacle, and one that the Sith himself was quick to dispatch before they could alert their allies. They couldn't afford to get bogged down in the street firefights like many of the other Sith forces were, they had to keep moving. He and his soldiers moved forward from alleyway to alleyway, avoiding most of the fighting and quickly making their way through whatever they couldn't avoid.

At least the other soldiers were thankful for the timely intervention of Alisteri into their skirmishes, even if he didn't stay to charge with them after their enemies had been dealt with.

Slowly but surely the skirmishes were either ending or merging as the real battle for the city began, with plazas and streets hosting the fighting for control of the city. The Sith Knight didn't involve himself in any of the battlefields directly though, not when their objective was towering over the city like a beacon amidst the other buildings.

Weaving through the alleys became harder as he and his Legionnaires ventured deeper into the city towards the tower, having to avoid the surge of reinforcements heading to the fighting in order to push the Sith forces back out of the city. Thankfully more transports were starting to make it through the fighting in orbit and were heading right to the main firefights, making the battle all the more winnable with each landing.

Finally though the base of the tower was in sight and his Legionnaires were at his back as they overlooked the barricaded courtyard between the alleys and streets and the building itself. Now all they had to do was breach inside and reach the control center for the orbital platforms.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The black cloud, filled with potency and malice, travelled across the world with abjudication on its ethereal mind. It had told Empyrean so, even before it formed into the Black Iron Tyrant - the Warlord of Panatha himself. Empyrean could see even this from the confines of his hanger, far above the field of fire covering the planet - as explosions, carnage, and force induced anarchy began to tighten its hold on the fragile world.​

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"They will learn this lesson through fire and blood - and all this that they have brought upon themselves."​

​

The tear was miles long - the tendrils spilling forth even longer. In the lack of atmosphere, one couldn't hear the unearthly cry of the monster - but any living creature would feel it. Deep in their souls, shaken and blended at its command - and even Empyrean could hear its dark voice attempt to penetrate his own defenses. For all that the ritual that had created him had done, however, it made him nigh impossible to influence so overtly.​

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The cadre of Sith Lords within ensured it was stalled long before it reached the core of their strength. Empyrean's eyes of stone became voids as a black abyss formed above the tear - pulling from the sky the very stars. Like a physical cloak, it contained the creature within his sight. Empyrean formed next to Darth Carnifex , walking forth from the reality he had torn asunder with staff in hand.​

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Kala'anda clicked against unseen air beneath them, and a metaphysical wall began to form around them - moving to contain the creature.​

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"Alina believes we capable of killing this creature.", Empyrean said with a frown.​

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"I am not so hopeful. It will not, however, broach our world any further."​

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His gaze did not move - there was no need for it. His eyes had enacted a spell long built into their foundation, and he could see everything - omniscience for miles. None could escape his gaze - and he witnessed every writhing death, every possible movement, predicted it faster than any could imagine; he was a god of sight in this moment.​

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"Do not overuse your strength, Darth Carnifex. The more you use, the more likely the others will be summoned - if others appear, we will not succeed in the removal of even one. Is this understood?"​

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Darth Carnifex // Alina Tremiru // Darth Strosius // Drako // Adeline Noctua​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Atop Kraujas the Sith Knight broke through the clouds above. A monster was all that waited below. A beast so large, a beast strong. She could feel it, it's probing power trying to rend her mind and leave her another of it's servants. Sith with too much time, too much reverence, summoning what they could not control. A fanged grin spread across the maw of her Warform as she lifted her black blade high.

"You are little more than a buzzing mosquito to this thing, you realize that, no?" Kraujas spoke, a single red eye turning back towards her creator and master.

"And like a mosquito, I can get what I want and leave."

".. And what is it you want, exactly?"

"What we all want. Prepare the spell, won't you?"

The large wings of the possessed creature spread wide, halting it well above the creature still trying to pull itself from the rift. A rift that was closing. So they were already working on it? Alina clicked her tongue before raising a hand. Anima, the life of the Force. She pulled on it, ripping it from the very air around them. Infusing the spell with the raw energy she could provide it.

"Wait until the rift is closed. Then we'll get our prize."

Darth Carnifex | Darth Strosius | Drako | Adeline Noctua

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Death means little in the void. A vessel of flesh and bone may be broken, but the spirit endures."

Carnifex reached out with His right hand, the air around His extended fingers swirling with unseen energy. Emerald flames burst forth from His palm, spreading through the air before joining together. He then gave the flames tangible form, the entire conflagration molding into a solid shape. As the last ember died away, a scepter twisted iron remained in their place. A skull crowned the staff, its empty sockets writhing with the powers of the Dark Side. It radiated darkness like tainted blood from an open and festering wound.

"You needn't fear, Darth Empyrean. This will require but a fraction of the power I command, when put in concert with your own, and channeled through our chosen instruments."

Two Dark Lords of the Sith, each wielding a staff of unimaginable power, now working in concert with both of their immense wills bent towards the same end. Though oft at odds, Empyrean will find little resistance from Carnifex in working with him to quell this catastrophic threat; for it was in His best interest to do so. Their rivalry could continue once the rift was sealed shut.

Darth Empyrean | Alina Tremiru | Darth Strosius
Drako | Adeline Noctua ​