I Better Not Break A Nail!

[Via Dolorosa]

She spent days, or was it weeks, planning and making the final preparations for one of the most important endeavours that would help solidify the both the strength and survival of her sisters in the Covenant of the Black Rose. She had studied a handful of planets that were rich with cortosis ore, a heavily sought out mineral, in hopes of easily obtaining enough to satisfy the needs for any of her sisters that wished to employ the mineral in any manner they sought fit. And the planet, Mnencheiasus, had successfully won the lottery.​

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"I applaud your bravery as we travel to a rather unknown planet," she said to the gathered sisters that had volunteered to join along in the excavation expedition. "Caution should be our ally....but if we work together as one to face any threat...then we will all come back richer with cortosis.​

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"T-minus 10 minutes until touch down," came the voice of the shuttle's pilot over the communication speakers.​

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The anticipation was eating away at her. Everything she planned for now hung in the balance in ten minutes. In hindsight, she was grateful that she had brought a small force of ten Sisterhood Troopers along with them. They were here not for just added security but she wanted to see how they performed in the field. She had watched them train religiously back at the training facility but it was outings like this that really painted an accurate picture of how successful and useful they would become. ​

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When the shuttle made touched down and the bay doors open, she activated the switch to lower the ramp. She would be the first to step onto the planet and the last to step off. It was a belief she held that all good leaders should posses. And just like that, she adjusted the oxygen mask on her face then took the first step onto the unknown world.​

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[member="Yvette Dusong"] l [member="Sawa Ike"] l [member="Greta Kohler"] l [member="Melori Raaf"] l [member="Saiah"]​

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Spoiler

The planet is Type II meaning it is highly suggested we wear breathing masks. My apologies for not mentioning that in the sign-up/interest check.​

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[Darth Timoris]

Melori did the due diligence. It was par for the course for her now. Mnencheiasüs. In the Sol Umbra system, a planet that was blessed with two suns and three moons.

It was broadly terrestrial but had a slightly higher than average gravity, which would take some getting used to. It was known for its unusual lightsaber crystals and of course cortosis. A most useful material. In truth she had no idea what she would do with it when and if she located some – but that was not the point. It was a commodity – and a valuable one and was therefore not to be overlooked.

She glanced out of a viewing port. On the surface, hundreds of mining outposts and roadways were visible on the ore-rich crust of the planet’s surface.

“T-minus 10 minutes until touch down.”

She checked she had everything she needed and stole a glance at the Sitherhood Troopers – as they’d taken to calling them – they weren’t just picked because they were women. They were chosen because they were elite.

She sensed the tension on-board. Even her Master appeared uptight. It was palpable and it was contagious.

When the shuttle finally touched down she was second to rise. Historically she was the last to leave the ship – it was in her nature. First or last – they felt like the leadership positions. But since she’d pledged her allegiance to Darth Venefica and the Sisterhood, she was changing. And being at the Sith Lord’s arm was one of those adjustments.

She knew the atmosphere was slowly being burned away – the result of some global tectonic event that has magma-geysers dotted over the surface, so she made sure her own breathing apparatus was in place before stepping off, a mere footstep behind the Sith Lord.

[member="Darth Venefica"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

There was a lot more mining and exploring involved in being a part of the Sith than Saiah had immediately guessed. Then again, she had not expected them to be so industrious in the field of personal gadgets either. The two unforeseen aspects walked hand in hand, for these people wanted nothing but the very best of materials, and stopped at nothing to gain them. That is to say, unforeseen does not mean unwelcome. Saiah felt inspired by the things she had seen in the hands of Knights and Lords, things far more conspicuous than that well known lightsabre. Hence her desire for the valuable Cortosis ore.

She was meditating most of the way, being a novice at these aspects she needed practice. Where and when better to practice than on a journey with lots and lots of distracting elements: One powerful Sith Lord, a ten Sisterhood Troopers, and a selection of volunteers from the Covenant, each and every one tense. If they could not somehow break her concentration, then surely the pilot would when he announced.

“T-minus 10 minutes until touch down.”

The Rattataki promptly opened her eyes with a long controlled exhale of annoyance. She stood, wrapped herself in her outer cloak, secured her oxygen mask, and got in line to exit the ship as it touched down. In her mercenary days she had taken to the habit of not being first or last when exiting a ship on foreign soil. That way she was surrounded by potential meat-shields.

[member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Sawa Ike]

[member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Melori Raaf"]

Sawa was sitting there and listening to the woman, her eyes focused but she was holding onto the one sith as she lounged across the white armor. A hand caressing and small red tendrils were wriggling about under the girls skin. Her attention on Venefica while she fed. The sounds of fluttering and a red bead of energy landing on her stomach as Demeter sat there with a cruel grin on her face we the small one continued to watch them all. Sawa waited until the doors were opening and the troopers moving out before she rose up and pried her hand away from the troopers face. Letting her put her helmet back on and she was moving outside.

The world was harsh and she had seen some of the species from the planet, large, really thin and with blue blood, they were not that ideal for eating... or killing. It hardly seemed worth it but they had something valuable which was always a good reason she had found to have fun and go after them. She was walking and almost skipping as the little As=Aki sat on her shoulder in a crimson dress with short black hair and some of the palest skin. A diet of force energy and food from the ships would do that to you while she looked around and listened for the sounds of where they would be needed with the troopers.

 

[Komo]

Greta was on board the transport shuttle together with the rest of the team. An expedition to Mnencheiasus had been organised by her master, [member="Darth Venefica"] herself, as being the dutiful apprentice that she was, she had tagged along. The access to possibly having her own supply of the precious cortosis ore was simply a bonus. The team along for the ride consisted of several of her Sith sisters in the covenant, along with some of the Sisterhood troopers that had been brought along for a field test. She liked the idea of them.

She had plenty of experience working with and alongside Stormtroopers and she loved for the sisterhood to possess a unit specialised just for them. A voice through the intercom broke her thoughts and she got ready her breathing apparatus. It came from the pilot who was informing the team that they were ten minutes away from disembarkation.

Through the shuttle windows, she saw numerous mining settlements and facilities scattered through the area. The planet's atmosphere was not breathable by human standards, and they required breathing apparatus for them just to be on the surface itself. When the shuttle eventually landed, she was the last one on board to leave, keeping her eyes out for any potential dangers that could be out there. One could never know what lurked behind corners. The troopers followed behind and with her as the rest of the team quickly filtered out and began on their way to their intended destination.

[member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Melori Raaf"] [member="Saiah"] [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

While her sisters began filtering out of the shuttle, both her eyes and focus was on the other transport that had came to the planet with them. She watched with enthusiasm as twenty (20) Mark II droids began exiting the second transport. Their sole purpose of being here was to break through the rocks, stones, and other hard surfaces that contained cortois ore. The droids were quite efficient in labour tasks. ​

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The area Darth Venefica had chosen possessed two sources rich in the ore according to the data collected by the probe droids that were sent out weeks prior to the planning of this expedition. One was above ground located in the mountain region while the other was located underground inside a massive cavern. Both areas would be mined simultaneously, meaning they would need to split up.​

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"Though it might not be wise for us to split up...but it is a necessity in order to achieve the final results. five sisterhood troops and ten droids will accompany me into the underground caverns leaving five and ten to be assigned to the mountain. I will not assign who goes with whom so pair up as you see fit. If any problems or issues arrive, we can keep in contact via the comlinks I have provided each of you with."​

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She pointed out the exact number of troops and droids that would join her and headed toward the cavern's mouth. She was eager to begin the operation, because for her she had already made preparations for what she would use the ore for. Armour coating.​

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[member="Melori Raaf"] l [member="Saiah"] l [member="Sawa Ike"] l [member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

Cortosis. Greta already had in mind what she would be using her own supply of ore when she had it. Armour coating. No doubt, the same thing was going on in her master's mind. After all, that's how the saying goes. Great minds think alike. She watched excitedly as a second transport, very similar in make to the one that they had arrived in, landed on the stony barren surface.

Twenty Mark II droids then disembarked before lining up into two rows of ten as they awaited for further orders from the Sith Lord herself. She guessed that these were probably the mining droids that they would be working with.

Darth Venefica then spoke up. New orders had arrived. They were to split up, so as to increase productivity by mining both spots simultaneously. She would then be taking ten droids with her, which would leave the other ten for the remaining Sith sisters to use for their own excavation and mining procedures.

They would then proceed up to the mountainous region in pairs and proceed to where the ore were richest. The Sith Lord had left the pairing up to them to decide. Greta looked towards the direction of [member="Melori Raaf"] before asking her fellow sister.

"Interesting in pairing up?"

[member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Saiah"]| [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori followed onto the surface and was soon surrounded by other Sisters as well as troopers and then droids. It was a new experience but that didn’t make it any less valuable.

When the order to pair up came, she barely had time to consider who to choose when a fellow Acolyte of Darth Venefica’s spoke.

Melori nodded. She was a fellow sister that she’d spent little if any time with and given who their Master was, it made perfect sense to work together and also to become better acquainted.

“Sure,” Melori offered, her voice oddly mechanical through the breathing apparatus she was wearing. “Say, do you have any experience of this?” She waved her hand as if that made her request more specific. “I don’t even know what cortosis looks like, let alone how to mine it.”

[member="Greta Kohler"]

 

[Sawa Ike]

[member="Melori Raaf"] [member="Greta Kohler"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Saiah"]

Sawa was listening to the sith lord as her eyes continued to look forward. With the small As-Aki that was moving she held her hand out as the creature stood there. Pulling a finger up and with a small blade she was pricking the finger as she took her payment and started feeding. Force energy and blood as it were while Sawa's attention went towards the one little sister with a smile on her face and the silvery eyes starred at her unblinking before she was walking forward. Cradling the hand that was feeding their scout and back up before she spoke. "You will accompany me, I hunger for some take out."

She let her voice come out low but it rolled out like a husky whisper but was able to be heard plainly before she was walking and the pixie shot up into the air. Sawa raised her finger to her lips and licked it as the small cut healed leaving the flesh. A small barely noticeable moment of golden light flickering past her eyes but she went back to predatory. Body moving like she had muscles in places most humans wouldn't while the construction of the bodysuit made it look like it was painted on while restricting her breathing into small breathes. "Come along little one we're going to paint the city."

 

[Darth Ophidia]

The idea was simple: They would split into pairs and retrieve the desired Cortosis. To help them mine were droids designed for hard labour, and to aid in their protection were hand picked Sitherhood troopers. Last time she had been on a planet to retrieve ore with the Assassins they had not had such generous aid. It was very much a welcome improvement, considering the toughness of the intended material and its popularity. Which had a tendency to attract unsavoury characters. Then again, to some the Sith were the least savoury characters of all. Such bigoted minds.

As the pairs formed quite quickly, Saiah paired with a stranger who seemed quite capable. She made sure her comlink was with her and functional. Faulty tech was a poor way of dying and she had so many plans. Without much more ado, they headed for the hills and where the ore was at its' richest, to claim it for their purpose.

[member="Melori Raaf"] [member="Greta Kohler"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

The cave smelled of mildew and mold, perhaps even a tint of rotting meat, as she led her party inside. The Sisterhood troops all switched on their illuminating torches, casting a collection of bright lights on the tunnel everyone was walking through. Darth Venefica had a vague impression that they were going to find something more than just ore in the cave, so she kept the folds of her cloak pulled back; allowing easier access to her lightsaber. ​

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In the past, everytime she went into caves or underground she was greeted by something unpleasant. On Eridu it was some abominations strongly focused on eating them. On Korriban it was a mighty Terentatek coming to feed off the Force energy and bodies of her and the Acolytes that accompanied here. What new revelation awaited her now?​

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After what seemed like hours, the party came to a fork in the tunnel. Left or right? Well not wanting to risk leaving anything to chance, she led them left first. It was this left sided tunnel that was pulling on her mind. Something, or someone, was there. But whatever it was, she would not allow it to rob her of her precious treasure.​

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The path eventually coughed them out into a massive cavern that was lacking the ore deposits she had come for. But the cavern appeared to be inhabited by some sort of twisted, mal-formed species that closely represented the Mnenchei. It appeared living underground had changed their appearance slightly, and from the growls and roars erupting from their mouths; aggressive.​

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Quickly she called her lightsaber to her left hand activating it just as the weapon and her hand make contact. The blue metallic blade hummed into life, attracting the attention of these cavern dwellers. In unison, the horde charged toward her and the small party. From behind her, she heard the Sisterhood troops drop to their knees as the readied themselves to repel the attack.​

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[member="Saiah"] l [member="Sawa Ike"] l [member="Melori Raaf"] l [member="Greta Kohler"]​

 

[Komo]

And just like that, she had a partner for the mining excavation. The sister that she had approached had accepted her offer with a simple nod. That was all she needed anyway.

A sign would do. But she then spoke confirming her decision once more, and asking curiously if Greta knew anything about what they were supposed to do and how. All of it in a rather metallic voice. She wondered if her voice sounded the same. Hmmm. All of their voices probably did, due to the breathing apparatus they had on their face, modulating the tone and pitch of their usual voice.

Greta replied and discovered that she too was speaking in the same metallic sounding tone. "I've never seen a cortosis ore in person, but I've read up about them before and seen holo-vids of it. I know that unfiltered and unrefined cortosis ore can be pretty dangerous, so I suggest we stand a safe enough distance away from the droids while they mine them. I also suggest taking up a couple of spare drill heads as well, as the ore tends to wear them down pretty quickly."

"As for the mining of the ore, I'm sure the droids here will take care of the heavy lifting, won't you droid?" Greta finished as she lay a hand on the shoulder of a droid. Unfortunately, the droid stood as silent as ever, with not a word or sign to acknowledge what the girl had just said. Not one to be deterred by unforeseen circumstances, she told her sister, "Not to worry, we'll see when we get there, I'm sure It'll get to work with no problem at all!"

Moving forward, she double checked her com-link to ensure that it was functional and in good order, before ordering the mining droids assigned to the pair to proceed up to the mining site first, while the pair began to make their to the intended mining sites.

[member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Melori Raaf"] [member="Saiah"] [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori listened and learned. She still had an arrogant side to her, but she was never foolish enough to pretend she knew something if she didn’t – and mining was one thing she knew virtually zero about. So after a short exchange she was pleased to understand a whole lot more than when they’d landed and was mightily relieved that the droids would do both the heavy and the dangerous work. It almost made you wonder what they were here for when she heard a sound.

Melori knew frankly zero about mining because she’d spent her time reviewing data on the planet and likely foes. What she heard and could now see suggested they were about to face Mnenchei – broadly humanoid mammalian creatures – most of whom appeared to be a marbled grey colour. Their eyes were silver but the most important aspect to them was their height. Over two metres tall each.

The troopers lined up and took aim like a well-oiled machine. They would no doubt cut down the majority and it would be for the sisters to deal with the minority.

Already they were close enough for Melori to see some had scythe-like claws which extended fifteen centimetres from their fingertips, like some grotesque nails. Yet these paled into insignificance in comparison to their three fur covered tails.

As they closed, some remained upright, whilst others dropped to all fours and ran this way.

But the biology lesson had to be cut short as Melori took her saber hilt from her belt and with a twin snap-hiss, both blades were ignited, the crimson light bathing her simple black robes.

“I’ll protect the droids,” she said by way of an explanation before taking up a position to defend the most valuable asset they had with them.

[member="Greta Kohler"] | [member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Saiah"] | [member="Sawa Ike"] |

 

[Via Dolorosa]

With a nod of her head, she acknowledged [member="Melori Raaf"]'s words that she would protect the droids. If the droids were destroyed, then the expedition would contract sever setbacks. Now turning her attention to the horde, she thrust out her right hand sending a wave of Force energy into them, knocking most to the ground while some only stumbled backward awkwardly. As on cue, the Sisterhood troops began firing into the collective, killing half in one quick sweep. Not wanting these abominations to recover, she charged toward them with her blade slashing and slicing through them.​

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A mixture of fancy blade work and some well timed Force Lightning, she manged to kill most of them. Unfortunately, four of the creatures made it passed her and where now charging toward the droids and her two Apprentices. Instead of giving chase, she stood poised ready to observe how the two girls would deal with these creatures. And as if following silent orders, the Sisterhood troops halting their firing; ready to continue as backup if the two Apprentices struggled with dealing with the monsters.​

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As the misshapened Mnenchei drew closer to her Apprentices and the droids, anticipation and excitement washed over her. Everything they had learned, from her or otherwise, was now on the verge of being put to the test. Darth Venefica was known to put tests, some easy and most difficult, to her Apprentices; but this was a test even she would have never thought of. Pitting her Apprentices against unknown assailants.​

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[member="Yvette Dusong"] l [member="Sawa Ike"] l [member="Greta Kohler"] l [member="Melori Raaf"] l [member="Saiah"]​

 

[Darth Timoris]

Teamwork was an asset they sadly could not afford. They may have both been apprenticed to Darth Venefica – but they knew little of each other or their strengths and weaknesses – so would effectively have to work independently.

Melori stood her ground – she was not one to taunt an opponent in the Sith traditions – so facing creatures was no departure for her. Silent and focused, she waited her moment.

She had Abilities to use – but she was an Acolyte and so had limited access to the Force – and as there was no knowing what else they might face. So she relied on her saber – something her Master was already schooling her away from – but at least she was doing it now for a reason, rather than just habit.

She whirled the twin blades over her head and around her shoulders. They were almost upon her now – two splitting off to target her specifically. And even given their proximity, she was aware that all eyes were upon her and her fellow Acolyte. A test? Perhaps – but it mattered little. She would dispatch these creatures because it was necessary – not to gain favour or praise.

She stepped forward, glowering at them with her now yellow eyes. She leapt and jinked, spun and rolled, an acrobatic wonder, seemingly impossible to target – the blend of the fourth Form and Teräs Käsi serving her well.

One of the two fell almost immediately. The other rushed her. She spun through a fleet kick, breaking the creature’s arm. Then, without lowering her leg, she broke it’s neck.

She turned to face her fellow Acolyte in combat, her lightsaber still activated, held off to one side, its blades horizontal to the floor.

[member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Greta Kohler"]

 

[Komo]

The team was under attack. A group of Mnenchei had saw fit to attack the sisters. What abhorrent, foolish creatures. They were coloured grey and had repulsive looking features. These creatures were giants in their own right, but that wouldn't stop them from going down all the same. They had the gall to attack Sith, and they were going down, giants or not. The troopers that the group had brought along with them had already lined up in front, blaster rifles up and poised to fire the moment these creatures made a move towards them.

Her master, the venerable [member="Darth Venefica"] sent forth a burst of force energy in a bid to topple them, but all it managed was to send several of them to the ground. The troopers wasted no time at all, and began to let loose on the disgusting creatures, managing to capitalise on the success of the blow, to slay several of the alien humanoids.

While her master dispatched most of the attackers with ease, four of them had managed to get past her guard, and were charging towards Greta and her fellow acolytes. While her fellow acolyte and apprentice [member="Melori Raaf"], stood silent and unwavering, Greta did no such thing. She ignited her lightsaber as she taunted the approaching misshapen creatures with rude gestures and insults.

At the same time, she drew deep into the force within her and levitated a sizeable rock, launching it at one of the Mnenchei. As her fellow acolyte leapt into combat with her dual blades, Greta followed suit, attacking one of the creatures on her own. She had but one blade, but she wielded that single one with such a ferocity and rage that her master would be proud. She used what she knew in Djem So in a bid to overpower and overwhelm the creatures's defences.

[member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Melori Raaf"] | [member="Saiah"]| [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Sawa Ike]

[member="Greta Kohler"] [member="Melori Raaf"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Saiah"]

Sawa continued to walk through the hills with the droids behind her. She had taken the path less traveled and while expecting the apprentice to follow she left it open to be followed. Setting them to mine in the hills and gather what they wanted. A smile on her face while she was standing there and the large form of one of the natives, her hands were rising up as she touched the face of the creature keeping her eyes on the being. "Be in me." Sh was following and pushing her energies through the being until she was lowering her head. Slowly as she raised her head to meet the tall creature with its blue skin before her fangs were snapping into place before her mouth was on the being throat. Their eyes glazing over and she pulled at that energy within the being until she was draining. A husk in her arms that slowly became brittle and Sawa released her letting the dried almost crystal skin shatter touching the ground while she licked her lips looking into the hills at the are they had coming to them.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

There was no greater predator in the galaxy than a Sith, with saber in hand, engulfed in the throes of combat. Battles, wars, and even small skirmishes such as this opened up emotions deep within one's body and mind. The Jedi taught to guard against such emotions, pushing the frenzy of killing away. But to the Sith, they embraced and encouraged it. Emotions made one powerful, if properly handled, to react quickly to scenarios or surprises such as this. Of all the emotions one could feel, no emotion compared to threat of death. When faced faced with their own potential death, that was when a true Sith really shined. ​

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So when her two Apprentices moved into position to deal with this threat, they did so in complete control. They both pushed away the thought of fighting an unknown enemy, and struck at the abominations with such furry and efficiency. Each of her Apprentices had dealt with the creatures in their own way but the ending result was the same. Four dead creatures now laid on the ground joining their comrades that the Sith Lady had dispatched herself. ​

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"Impressive display....both of you have shown the fortitude to understand what it means to be Sith," she commented while her hands clapped together, sending the sounds echoing off the walls. "All threats....both great and small should be dealt with quickly. Never allow your opponents time to observe your movements. If you do....then you have given them the advantage."​

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"Remove these things from the cave," she ordered the Sisterhood troops, "So that the droids can begin their excavation of the ore at once."​

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Their prize was nearly in their grasps. Soon the droids would begin digging out the cortois ore and the troops would follow by hauling them off to the transport vessels. She wondered how the others were faring in the mountains.​

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[member="Melori Raaf"] l [member="Greta Kohler"] l[member="Sawa Ike"]​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Unlike the caves, the hills were largely uneventful, almost boring even. Though she had to admit, the view was rather breathtaking as they ascended into the higher planes. The badlands stretched far into the distance, she could just barely see where the oceans clashed upon shores and the vague silhouette of distant forests. One of the great perks of the job was just this: To see the galaxy in all its splendour. Saiah and the large apprentice she had paired with both kept at the back of the droid party, making sure none got lost or picked off. She would rather not have to mine the ore herself.

As they reached their mine, Saiah climbed a little higher to keep a look out while the droids worked. She had brought some binoculars, and now she started staring through the end. There appeared to be a some presence of natives in these hills, what were they called again? Mannequin? Minchkins? Minsh... Mnenchei! Big and blue skinned, rather ugly she thought. Sawa Ike appeared to be interacting with one, Saiah did not find it interesting enough to watch, but instead she turned her sight to the horizon while very interesting things happened to the Mnenchei. Alas, one cannot see all things.

Meanwhile, the droids dutifully collected their Cortosis like good little mechanical slaves.

[member="Greta Kohler"] [member="Melori Raaf"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Sawa Ike"]

 

[Darth Timoris]

Once more, Melori felt out of place. In combat she was alive but now the threat had been negated, she was oddly filled with a sense of emptiness. And the command for the droids to start work merely amplified the sensation.

She glanced at Greta and nodded an acknowledgement. "Mining, eh..." Her voice was distant, apologetic even. She felt useless - and unlike some tasks - like working with the Vong when she'd first joined the One Sith, this left her feeling cold. But her loyalty was unwavering, so she stoically stood and was prepared to defend the droids again if necessary.

So she fiddled with her saber, attaching and unattaching the two hilts that allowed her to have two single sabers or one double-bladed variety, and given the curve, would allow her to use both Makashi or her now preferred fourth Form.

[member="Saiah"] | [member="Darth Venefica"] | [member="Sawa Ike"] | [member="Greta Kohler"]