Irridonia Jaina and the Tombs of Tash Taral (Order of Fire)

[Tempest]

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Nima Tann"]

Tempest choked slightly when Xalda spoke. She managed to take a deep breath and stop herself flushing as much.
“Yes…I’m sure,” Tempest finally said. She really does though, Tempest thought. She wasn’t going to say that out loud. Presumably some of them knew that the Firecougar Siobhan liked to ‘get to know’ her subordinates.

“Anyway, get some rest, we’ll be there soon. Good thinking about the gas, I’ll go make sure we’ve got everything ready,” she said and rapidly left the room. She wasn’t sure if Xalda was as naïve as she seemed or was secretly trolling her. Both maybe!

And so yes, that most venerable of narrative conventions occurred to save Tempest from more awkwardness; the Time Skip.
As they came out of hyperspace they passed through a gap in the Oort Cloud which was deemed safe to pass through, and then onward. Soon they would be approaching Tash Taral.

“Everyone get yourself strapped in, this might be a bumpy landing.”

 

[Nima Tann]

Nodding to Shamira and Maiev for their input and good suggestions, when Xalda talked Nima almost choked on her food because of the awkward air it brought suddenly. She knew that Sio had her tastes, but talking so openly about it still made the woman's face turn red like a tomato.

Luckily, Tempest spoke up and moved the conversation away from the topic. It seemed they were about to arrive to the planet, and she also warned them it might be a bumpy landing.

A few minutes passed before they arrived, letting the crew to rest a bit, but then, it became clear that Tempest's last words were... quite accurate.

As soon as they entered the planet and started to descend, the weather of the planet suddenly worsened, as if somebody didn't want them around, and it quickly turned into a storm. Nima was already buckled up in her seat, looking around as the crew started to run around trying to keep the ship stable enough as they prepared for a landing. Of course, things didn't go as planned. The ship had its own shields, but the storm was as strong.

Suddenly, lightning struck and the ship shook violently with the hit, then everything went silent before red lights turned on. And then the loud alarms were heard, with a crew member shouting. "We have lost the control of the ship! The lightning fried our systems!" One member came with the damage report and gave it to Tempest. "Ship's going to crash!" Another shouted.

It... didn't sound good.

[member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Tempest"]

 

[Shamira Karuto]

[member="Nima Tann"] | [member="Tempest"] | [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Maiev"]


When the meeting concluded, Shamira slinked out of the booth to make her way to the crew quarters. There would be at least two people back there, plenty enough to play sabacc. Her fingers jingled a group of credits in her pocket, wide smile crossing her face as she knew that gaining at least double the amount was easily within reach.
The group had only gotten to the fourth round, having just barely started better when the ship suddenly was rocked by the feeling of harsh winds began to whip around the ship. Sighing lightly to herself, the three of the players agreed to concede the match together and everyone walked away with the same amount of credits. Shamira was mentally kicking herself for not starting the game sooner. But it was work time, and her boots hit the metal hard as she ran up the stars to the bridge, where it seemed everyone else was strapped in.
Nodding a hello to her mistress, the togruta slid into the only open chair, strapping herself in securely. Her gloved hands gripped the armrests securely, holding on for dear life as the lightning rocked the ship, while the wind threatened to blow it off its course and crash the whole freighter into the ground.

 

[Maiev]

After the meal and briefing was finished, Maiev retired for the remainder of the journey and settled herself in a more quiet place in the Crew Quarters. She remained seated on the floor throughout, legs crossed in a meditative pose and seemed almost frozen in place with how still she became the moment her eyes closed.

She was in fact conversing with Kalax-Ra, going over what the group could potentially be facing when entering the tomb. Their opposition; the Sith were one thing. But what laid in wait within the tomb itself was a different beast entirely. As such, while conserving her power for the upcoming expedition, the duo went over various ideas and plans on how to tackle the unknown.

It wasn't until one of the others disturbed her; informing her they were soon to land, that Maiev's eyes reopened.

The witch stood up, stretching slightly to loosen her stiff legs. With that, she walked over to where the others had converged. Maiev got herself seated in one of the chairs, strapping herself in. Just in time too as the ship began to rock and shake unnaturally.

"What's happening?" She asked, moments before the silences fell and the interior was flooded with the red lights. That certainly answered her question.

<It could be worse...if you were flying the ship.>

That is not funny Kalax.

But not entirely untrue either. After all, there was a reason why she always had Iggy pilot.

[member="Tempest"] | [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Nima Tann"] | [member="Shamira Karuto"]​

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Maiev"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Shamira Karuto"]


When the small ship dropped out of hyperspace, the expression on Xalda's features could only be described as mesmerised. Rather than meditate, play cards or pursue other activities, she stared out of the window, watching in fascination as the myriad celestial bodies came into view.


However, her expression soon turned grumpy when she actually beheld the planet and their craft pierced its atmosphere. "It is a desert world. This one does not like the sun. It burns," she grumbled. Disdain was written across her features. "And there is...sand everywhere. It looks appropriate for the Qadiri to live on." Old racial tensions died hard. Her people had a history of enmity with the 'desert dwellers'.


Then things got worse. A storm erupted, as if summoned by a force of nature that wished them to depart. Before she could sit down and strap herself in, the ship began to shudder and shake most violently. Lightning struck the ship and the wind lurched it so hard that she was thrown around, landing on the floor with a loud, resounding thud. Ouch. Pain surged through her body when she came to.


More lightning rocked the ship, the wind pushed the ship hither and zither. "Foul sorcery. May the Karishzar protect us," the Xioquo whispered, looking more than a little fearful. Grabbing a railing, she held on for dear life. The ship rapidly descended, falling from the heavens towards the desolate landscape that lay beneath.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Nima Tann"]

Lightning was Tempest’s friend…usually. In this case though she was stuck inside the ship as it descended from orbit. She couldn’t just run to the airlock and get out. That’d leave the others alone, trapped. Therefore she had to hope the ship was tough. It had not been a good debut for the Vanguard…though it was hardly the fault of either crew that their writers seemed intent on wrecking them!

“We’re coming in hard!” Captain Porter called as they drove in.

The dark cloud seemed…unnatural. It seemed centred very close to them, with vicious downdrafts and blasts of lightning which seemed aimed at them!
A desert dune was rapidly chosen as the best location because it provided the best place to touchdown.

The ship touched down, ploughing a furrow in the sand as it drove across it. However, the ship’s wide profile meant that it spun wildly and even flipped briefly before coming to a rest right side up in a pile.

Tempest unbuckled herself and staggered upright. She was alive, that was the main thing. Going to Shamira first she made sure her Apprentice was alright, then called out to the crew and companions.
“Is anyone hurt?”

 

[Nima Tann]

Nima's experiences with flying always ended up with the ship crashing. One would think that she would develop a phobia for that reason, but luckily, she had been in worse situations than this.

Along with the loud voices and the shouting of the crew, the ship uncontrollably spun as it continued its unguided journey towards the land. Eating food just before that didn't help her stomach, but she kept her cool for now. Not long after that the ship finally touched down, the impact threw her forward from her seat, luckily the belt prevented her from falling down. Though it left a painful backache as a punishment and caused her to cough a few times painfully.

Once it slowed down, from all the commotion she could hear Tempest's voice calling them.

"I'm fine." She called back, then proceeded to free herself from the belt and stand up. "Are you all alright?"

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Tempest"]

 

[Shamira Karuto]

The storm rocked the ship as if it was trying to rip apart the metal beast at the bolts. Even someone who was used to flying and everything that came with it would be at least somewhat frightened at the whole experience. Shamira easily fell into that category. She gripped the armrests of her seat with vigor, hoping that they would be able to keep her form slamming forward into the chair in front of her. That, and her tight seatbelt of course, were able to keep her relatively still throughout the entirety of the ride downward through the harsh storm.
That changed very quickly when the ship came out of the storm and hit the ground, however. The second metal hit sand, Shamira’s body snapped forward, with her head hitting hard against the durosteel backed seat in front of her. They settled soon after, and so did the Togruta, moaning lightly in pain and leaning back into her seat.
Tempest came to see how she was soon after, to which she managed a small, pained smile in her direction before she felt the warm liquid dripping down her head. A medium sized gash on the right side of her forehead, just missing her lekku, slowly oozed with the red liquid that kept her body running. A light touch sent a pained grimace across her face. Frowning lightly, her voice cracked in pain as she called out to the rest of the crew. “Anyone..anyone have any bacta patches on them?” Shamira had a few in her survival pack, but the quicker she got a patch on her head, the less the blood lose would affect her mentally.

​|[member="Maiev"] |[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] |[member="Tempest"] |[member="Nima Tann"] |

 

[Maiev]

While she couldn't directly see the storm herself, Maiev could certainly hear it roaring outside of the ship. Thunder crackled hungrily, lightning striking the exterior with strength that belied it's true nature. Was there something unnatural about it? Was someone twisting nature to their own ends perhaps. The witch couldn't tell, especially with the chaotic noise surrounding them.

The wind whipped around, knocking the ship around like a rattle. Maiev was grateful she had managed to get seated in time, otherwise she was fairly certain she'd be flung around like a rag doll at this point. Although that did little to lessen the amount her body was still being tugged and pulled beneath the straps. She could already feel some strain in her neck, the whiplash was going to be killer by the time they actually crashed.

That and it wasn't like Maiev was actively looking to add another bruise to her back.

Her grip around her seat's straps tightened as the captain called out. She braced for the impact, and several moments passed as the ship crashed into the sandy dunes. It struck it once, then bounced into the air a bit before falling again and crashing. It had dug a significant trench in the sand, a trail that stretched a sizable distance.

Groaning, Maiev unclipped herself from the seat and stood up, her legs somewhat shaky.

"I'm fine...mostly. Neck hurts like hell though." She called out, moving over to Xalda. The Xioquo seemed to have managed to keep herself from being thrown about further, her hands wrapped around the railing still. Though by this point the grip was so tight that the skin around the knuckles were several shades paler. Maiev placed a calming hand on the woman's shoulder. "It's all right, we've...landed."

[member="Tempest"] | [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Nima Tann"] | [member="Shamira Karuto"]​

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Maiev"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Shamira Karuto"]


As far as introductions to space travel went, this had not been a good one for Xalda. Then again, first times tend to be awkward. The jury was still out on whether the storm was a natural or supernatural occurence. However, to the Xioquo's somewhat superstitious mind, it was clearly witchcraft at work. In all fairness, void travel also seemed like magic to her. The storm violently rocked the ship, as if trying to tear it apart. Thunder roared like a wrathful god, lightning crackled as it struck the ship and they were blown hither and zither.


The young janissary clung to the railing, holding on for dear life. Having not found a seat in time, it was the best she could do. The whiplash was appalling. Her grip was so tight that her knuckles turned white. Fervent prayers escaped her bruised lips, as she beseeched the spirits and the Karishzar to watch over them and shield them from storm that sought to become their undoing.


Her shoulder hit something hard - possibly a console. The impact made her reel, but she just about managed to maintain her grip. There was a loud noise when the ship crashed into the sand, creating a big crater as it bounced and flipped around before finally coming to a halt. The Xioquo almost jumped when she felt a hand touch her shoulder, before she found herself looking into the eyes of the shaman.


"This one is alright. Thank you, Priestess," she said, out of breath. When she loosened her grip, she fell from the railing. Getting up with a pained groan, she stood shakily. "This one presumes that not all void journeys end with crashes." Was she trying to make a joke? Perhaps. Her sensitive elf ears were ringing loudly. They picked up on Shamira's plea for aid. Bacta. What was that again? Right, that strange substance the outsiders used to heal injuries.


"This one has some of the bacta...stuff," she said. Luckily, her pack was close and she found some of the...stuff. Patch, whatever. As she hastened and placed the stuff on the alien's head, another bolt of lightning pierced the heavens and struck the ship. Inside, sparks flew and lights went out.


Worse was yet to come, for the ship suddenly shook, with Xalda almost being knocked off balance. From outside the bridge, fires began to spread, gradually coming closer. Even worse, the crater beneath the ship suddenly opened up like a gaping maw, pulling the transport down. "We need to go," it seemed that the Xioquo was stuck with stating the obvious as the ship began to sink deeper and deeper into the sand while inside fires spread.

 

[Tempest]

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Nima Tann"]

Whilst Xalda helped out Shamira, Tempest went to the hatch and forced it open. It was a steep climb to get out there, and it was getting steeper all the time as the ship began to slide down a large dune.

Tempest went to the cockpit, then the crew and helped them out onto the sand, then to her companions. None of them seemed seriously hurt, but everyone was banged up a little with bruises or cuts.

No sooner had they gotten out, and Tempest was planning to go back for some more rations and equipment, but the ship’s balance finally gave out and it slid down the long dune to hit the bottom hard and be partly buried by the sand.

She turned to Captain Porter. “Dig it out as much as you can, get the supplies and other equipment out. We’ll head for the expedition base. If you can’t get the ship airborne bring all you can, and stay in touch via commlink.”

Tempest looked to the rest of the group. “We already knew this would be dangerous, but if any of you want to stay here and help Porter you can. The rest of you, come with me.”

She could see a rocky mesa a couple of kilometres away. Her map told her that this was the very mesa where the tomb was concealed. Above it was a menacing black storm cloud.

 

[Nima Tann]

She checked the others nearby to see if they were okay, and it seemed that nobody was hurt that badly, which was a relief. But the planet, or whatever power that was causing all this, didn't let them to get too comfortable.

Everything was happening too fast. Another lightning hit the ship, and started a fire inside as some of the systems exploded from the impact. Not only that, but the whole ship started to shake. Nima looked at the outside from the window to see what was going on, and couldn't contain her shock when she saw the ship was sinking in the sand. They had to get out of here immediately.

Meanwhile Tempest went to check the other crew, she examined the area, and some boxes immediately caught her attention. She immediately ran towards the first box, which seemed to contain some of the food and picked it up. They had only a little time so she couldn't check what the other boxes contained.

"Everyone, help me carry these boxes and let's get out of here!" She shouted, and then regrouped with Tempest to escape the sinking ship. Once they all got out, the only exit to the ship sinked into the deep sand as well, and soon the sand became it's grave. The ship was devoured in a manner of seconds, leaving its crew behind. Fortunately, they weren't so much out of luck. From all the commotion, she didn't know if others in the group got the boxes, but she was carrying a box which had some food.

"I've managed to get some food." She announced, and put the box down. Then when Tempest told some of the crew to stay behind and salvage, she moved towards her and signaled her to talk in private, just because the others didn't need to hear about their chances of survival being very low if any more surprises showed up.

"I don't think there's anything left to salvage there, and I'm not even sure how they can dig it out without enough equipment. If we split up, it'll lower our chance of survival. This planet is... a lot more dangerous than we expected."

[member="Tempest"] [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Maiev"]

 

[HK-36]

[member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Karrigan'Xalda"], [member="Maiev"], [member="Shamira Karuto"],


Meanwhile,

As the Firemane ship sunk through the skies of Tash Taral with all the noise and flame that usually came with such catastrophe of a vessel piercing through atmosphere violently, plummeting lower and lower until it crashed against the dusty desert surface, plowing out a deep scar within the planet's surface, a figure watched the whole ordeal from distance. Clad in his now usual black organic armor, a Vong-warped biot, and black cloak, HK was a witness to Order of Fire's arrival on the desert world, standing on a cliff face nearby an entrance to one of the many tombs dotting the planet.

His photoreceptors whirred slightly as he zoomed in during the ship's descent and crash, scanning and taking in as many details as he could. It wasn't long before he was joined by another armored droid, a machine that swore allegiance to him as a companion, rite within the loose hierarchy of Metal Lords.

"What is it? Sith?"

The other droid asked, HK shook his head as he normalized the zoom of his vision,

"Worse, Firemane."

HK replied before adding, being able to notice their signs and sigils before the vessel crashed,

"There goes our productivity."


Turning back towards his companion and the tomb the droid ordered,

"Saddle up with some healer-units and squid drones, we should check on the wreck before it explodes or the desert gets to it."

HK wasn't sure whether it was just hard landing or the ship took a more devastating crash into the desert world surface.


Either way, few minutes later as their ship was literally swallowed by sand there would be various flashes of light in the distance before the noise of thrusters roaring out rolled through the desert towards the ladies and black metallic shapes lifted up into the sky before heading towards them, if they managed to spot them. Perhaps some of them would be even able to see through the storm and clouds, illuminated by the light of thrusters and lightning, that the shapes heading towards them seemed to have what looked like large wings as well.

 

[Maiev]

Maiev gave Xalda a smile upon hearing the woman was fine, albeit slightly banged up given she had been thrown about initially. She had opened her mouth to speak, to answer the Xioquo but Kalax had beat her to the punch.

<Not unless Maiev is in the pilot seat.>

It of course went unheard by everyone else, but the witch had to hold back the look of annoyance that threatened to show on her face, not wanting to give Xalda the wrong impression. And as much as Maiev wanted to slip into her mind and smack Kalax around the head, time was quickly running out of their favour.

"You'd be correct, generally speaking landings don't involve crashing."

Maiev grabbed her personal pack and swung the straps over her arms, letting the bag drape over her back. That's when the ship began to buckle, fire roaring across the hull like a hungering beast. The flooring beneath them rumbled as the entire mass began to slip into the sand, the sound of metal and machinery being crushed beneath its weight.

The witch moved and grabbed one of the boxes, shifting to grab an additional smaller one and settling that atop the first. From there she moved quickly, getting herself off the transport along with everyone else. Maiev let out a sigh of relief as she placed her two boxes down with Nima's.

"I managed to get two, don't know what's in them though." She took a moment to catch her breath, before looking towards where Tempest had been. The witch noted the dark cloud that was hovering above the mesa. There was no doubt in her mind, that it wasn't natural - or rather the nature of it was being manipulated.

Though her attention was quickly diverted when she caught sight of something in the corner of her eye, approaching in their direction. Standing up to her full height, Maiev eyes narrowed as she tried to see what exactly was in the distance.

"Looks like we've got company."

<Dear, you do take us on the most wonderful places for our anniversary.>

Maiev rolled her eyes. Kalax-Ra always did get snarky when things weren't going particularly well.

[member="Tempest"] | [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Nima Tann"] | [member="Shamira Karuto"] | [member="HK-36"]​

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Maiev"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="HK-36"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Shamira Karuto"]


This had not been a good day for the ship or its crew. Sinking into the ocean of sand, the entire vessel was devoured. Outside, it was blazing hot. The orb that was Tash-Taral's sun shined, radiating intense heat across the desert wasteland, whilst a scorching hot, dry wind blew across the sandy dunes. Here and there, lightning slashed out of the heavens to touch down upon the surface.


Xalda hated the heat. She had only just landed and already hated this binary furnace. However, she was equally unwilling to go down with their wrecked ship when the massive maw of sand swallowed it. So she quickly sealed her helmet, shielding her features. "Come on," she urged Shamira. The alien would have to cope with her head injury until they'd left the - quite literally - sinking ship. As fire swept across the ship like a hungry breast, she grabbed a large box and moved quickly, ere the fires and the sand could consume her.


Outside, she felt like a snowflake inside a nuclear furnace. Beneath her helmet's visor, she glared at the sun in the sky. It was partly obscured by the menacing black storm cloud, but still too visible for her liking. "This one requests that if our next journey ends in a crash as well, we get stranded on a less loathsome, blighted world. This one has a box, but does not know its contents."


However, her attention was soon directed towards the loud noise. Bright light, loud noise and what looked like winged shapes, coming towards them. The loud roar of the thrusters reminded her of war engines. Already on edge due to the crash and the black storm, Xalda reacted aggressively. "Fiends approach," she raised her bolter. Explosive bolts would exit the gun when she squeezed the trigger and fired.

 

[Shamira Karuto]

Even in her pained state, bleeding and trying to keep pressure on the gash on her head, the little confirmation from the Xioquo made her laugh lightly. Shamira assumed that the species must have never been introduced to bacta, and was still using primal techniques for healing purposes. Other than a few home remedies back on Shili, bacta was the usual medical therapy for pretty much any injury.
Grey-blue eyes looked up to meet the fully grey eyes of the elf, watching her as Karri attempted to place the bacta on her gash. A light stinging sensation when it was first applied prompted a quick inhale from the Togruta. It subsided quickly once she rubbed the patch lightly with the back of her hand, pushing the bandage tighter onto the head.
Shamira nodded quickly in Karri’s direction, muttering a quick, “Thanks,” before pulling herself to her feet to start helping with the boxes. She pushed past Nima and Maiev, finding a medium sized box near the back of the area. Quickly lifting it into her arms, the Togruta followed behind the group, the last to exit the ship as she attempted to keep her footing with the rapidly shifting ship.
Being the last out of the ship meant she could feel the heat of the ship on fire behind her. Once in the group, having set her box beside the rest of the saved ones, the padawan turned to see the fate of their ship. It was not pretty at all. The majority of the hull was on fire, while what was wasn’t was torn up. Holes punched the ship where the lightning had struck it during the storm. It was even seemingly missing an entire engine. There was no way they were getting off this rock in that ship.
Hearing the role call and what was found in the boxes made her turn back to the group, while also pulling the bottom part of her mask to cover her nose and mouth. Looking down to the medium sized box she brought out, Shamira popped open the locks on either side of the lid and slid it to the side. Inside, much to her delight, was the demolition equipment. “Well, I got the explosives at least. Maybe we can make an explosion big enough for someone to see from space so that we get rescued.” Shamira smiled tiredly, putting the lid back on the box to keep the sandstorm from damaging the equipment.
The moment that Maiev and Karrigan alerted the group to approaching forms of life, Shamira was beside her mistress, lightsaber in hand, ready to be ignited in a second if need be. “Maybe they’re locals. Or scavengers. Maybe someone…that doesn't want to kill us.” She knew she didn’t sound convincing whatsoever, but there was still a tinge of hope in her voice that the people approaching were not going to try and kill them moments after crash landing.

​| [member="Maiev"] | [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Tempest"] | [member="Nima Tann"]|

 

[Tempest]

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="Nima Tann"] [member="HK-36"]

Tempest’s hopes of somehow raising the ship from the ruins were soon dashed. Rather than stopping at the bottom of the slope it was quickly being swallowed by the sands, burning, battered. There was no hope they’d be leaving on that ship.

Silently she nodded to Nima. The Twi’lek was being realistic. This desert was dangerous and separating people like this was a recipe for disaster.

“Right, change of plans. Let’s get into shelter and see what we have. Captain Porter, form up your crew and follow us.”

A quick examination of the salvage showed that Nima had got some supplies – 3 days’ worth with rationing, Shamira had got demolition equipment, Maiev had fortunately grabbed most of the research and notes whilst Xalda had got some communication gear. Tempest herself had managed to pick up some more of the notes before escapting.
It would do, even if not ideal.

Her orders to move onwards were interrupted by a sight in the clouds. Glinting in the light of the storm was….

Xalda acted first and opened fire, but Tempest ran to her and pushed the barrel down.
“Hold fire! They’re friendly,” she called. She’d not been at Hoth, but she had seen the footage and knew the profile of this equipment as ARGH.

Pulling out her commlink and trying to cut through the static she switched to the encrypted channel Firemane and ARGH shared. “HK, come in buddy, is that you, this is Tempest.”

She was a little uneasy though…just in case she was wrong. Those mechanical things were getting closer!

 

[Nima Tann]

The plans changed, and Tempest told the rest of the crew to follow the main group. Nima nodded to Tempest with a smile.

Fortunately, luck was on their side, against all odds. It seemed the rest of the group managed to get some explosives, intel and some of the communication gear, and 3 days worth of food.

It was soon revealed that she spoke too soon, as she first heard from Maiev that they had company and then Xalda shooting at the sky. Nima looked up to see what this commotion was about and she saw... flying droids. She immediately went for her lightsaber in case they were hostile.

But then she heard Tempest's voice, telling them to hold fire. HK... Now that's a name she hasn't heard for quite a while.

"HK is one of our friends, who's also a droid. He runs the ARGH and provides us with high quality equipment. And... he has quite the personality." She informed the rest.

[member="Tempest"] [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Maiev"] [member="Shamira Karuto"] [member="HK-36"]

 

[HK-36]

[member="Maiev"], [member="Karrigan'Xalda"], [member="Shamira Karuto"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"],


HK could be known, among other things, for almost getting into a fistfight with that sentient wolf that accompanied Nima to a Firemane party after the Omega Event.

Either way, few bolts flew off from Karrigan's weapon into the dark sky, quickly disappearing in the black foggy cover of storm above them where they ventured out into the path of flying lights and the noise of engines. There was a series of explosions above them suddenly and a green beam of light cut through the clouds downwards, it connected with a dune of sand near the crashsite but safely away from them, leaving a streak of energy that left a trail of sand melted into shimmering red hot glass with strange emerald flames still dancing above them. There were also flashes of ovals and circles above them, the shine of activated deflector fields before particles of shrapnel rained down below, along with, curiously enough a couple of unexploded bolts that embedded themselves into sand with heavy impact, their shells ripped open from the inside with explosive mechanism missing.

"Yes it is me you ungrateful-"

Voice rang out from above as the brief rain of fine vaporized shrapnel came and went, nothing too deadly although it might leave few cuts and scratches on the more unlucky members of their party. The words were cut out briefly by lightning streaking across the sky and clash of thunder, the voice echoed through their commlinks, garbled due to the storm interference, transmitting both wirelessly and verbally at the same time.

"-itches! Coming in for a landing!"


The whooshing of the thrusters and engines grew louder as the flying machines lowered down, finally partying the black skies to descend upon the dunes and the crash site. HK was riding on the back of a Mechanical Dragon, a flying droid beast of black duranium plates on sturdy durasteel skeleton, the old droid was wrapped in a black cloak and his organic Vong-shaped armor, wielding a black Phrik staff with a large glowing crystal in its crown like some sort of a wizard of old. Along with him he brought a group of wyvern-class starfighter drones. Much like the Dragon they were winged droids capable of fighting on the ground and in space, they were far more lighter however, and serpentine. Some carried with them medical droids, healers and battle surgeons, some were without riders to make sure there was room for the survivors.

"Get on! We have a camp nearby!"

HK hurried them up before the droids would have to start worrying about the storm or the desert decided to swallow them up as well.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Maiev"], [member="Shamira Karuto"], [member="Tempest"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="HK-36"]


Before,

"High Mistress, we have detected a foreign ship in the sky. It is heading towards the tomb," the Noghri made almost no noise when he suddenly appeared at her side. A useful trait for a bodyguard...or an assassin.


Sumiko turned her gaze away from the obelisk that had been commanding her attention. "We take out a Firemane crew, and shortly thereafter a starship appears in the sky. I do not believe in coincidences." A scream was heard, coming from a nearby room. It was one produced by torture.


"Shall I muster the warriors and engage your foes, High Mistress?" the warrior asked. "We could lay a trap and ambush them."


"No. Not yet. Fetch me some prisoners. Not the good doctor," she added. The Sith minion bowed and quickly marched away. Sumiko glanced towards the room from where the screams were coming from one more time, then got up.


A few moments later, two prisoners were dragged into the chamber. They looked like they'd been through the wars, but still had expressions of defiance written across their faces. Curses leapt from their split lips, whereupon one of the minions introduced them to the butt of a bolter.


Sumiko raised an eyebrow. "Now, now, there's no need for that," she chided the minion. Her eyes fell upon the captives. "I'd say that this is all for the greater good or similar nonsense, but honestly it's just about me."


"Go to hell, queen," one of the prisoners spat.


"Been there, done that," Sumiko said wryly, then made a gesture. "Cut their throats and let the blood drip into the urn. Make it a clean kill." Unless you were precise, getting your throat cut did not mean instant death. The Noghri's dagger moved in a blur. Before one could blink, the two prisoners' throats had been slit. Their red ichor dripped into an urn engraved with Sith symbols. As the ancient Sith had known, blood was life and held great power.


Rolling up her sleeves, Sumiko stepped towards the bowl. Her own blood was added to the mix when she made a small cut with her knife. Then she began to perform a series of elaborate gestures. An oily sense of malevolence and dread descended upon the chamber as she chanted in the ancient, forbidden tongue of the Sith.


The blood inside the urn began to swirl and darken. Souldrinker flew into her hand as she harnessed its power. She stretched out with her power, expanding her consciousness until it left the tomb's chamber, sweeping outward into the sky and the planet's atmosphere. With her ethereal eyes, she could perceive the ship that swooped down from space.


She willed black clouds into being - and a raging storm. To a Sith, the Force was not a companion, a master or an ally. It was a power that had to be conquered and made a beast of burden. Thus she enforced her will upon it. Strain was written across her features, and pain shot through the dark mark on her hand, but bring forth a storm she did. Even down here, the roar of thunder could be heard. The Xioquo warriors looked unnerved, but stood their ground.


Now...


Finally, it was over. She slumped against a pillar, breathing heavily. A minion approached her, but she waved her away. "Send a scout team and ascertain the state of our new friends. We must move quickly. I shall have a chat with our guest," she snapped. "I now know the best way to...persuade her to see reason."