It's A Trap | CIS Dominion of Secundus Ando

[Queen Bots™]

The Harch in change sighed dreamily as most of the Confederates began to fall all over themselves for the sake of the Old One. It was so romantic, so heart melting, watching her slowly fade from the world. From the Vicelord, to his peons, they all seemed like they might cry. If only the Spiverelda hadn’t laid such strict rules in regards to these contestants. It would have been incredible for ratings to have such a tear-jerker for a death live on the HoloNet. He could see the awards they would win now. Confederate Love would ballast their competition, Galactic Hospital, out of the water as far as daytime dramas went.

“Ladies…Gentlemen…Feast your eyes on this. Compassion. Love. Watch as this group of droid loving warmongers become undone at the threat of the mortal demise of one of their own. Isn’t it stunning? This is what Confederate Love is all about. Do one of these suitors desire the affections of the Ancient Echani over the other? Does she?”, the spider-like host poured through his transmitter, his mandibles clicking sadly when appropriate, with hand gestures to match. Many eyes swept through the participants with what seemed to be feigned concern before a piece of the floor opened and a repulsorlift cot rose into the area. The horned Zabrak came to make his threats and the Harch could only laugh in response.

They could do nothing. Force abilities suppressed by Ysalamir, wrapped in a Force Field, surrounded by Spiverelda Militia, and weaponless. “Your bark is so much worse than your bite, oh painted one.”, the host returned, picking at the way [member="Ahani Najwa"] had made fun of the man, confusing his pigmentation for art work. “You are clear. Crystal. In only that your LOVE for this woman is so strong you would make the emptiest of threats on LIVE programming. Let us all give his performance a round of applause!”

“Now, contestants, there is no need to ruin the mood. Place the Old One on the cot and we will give her some time to recover from her fainting spell before we return her to you. It is hardly our fault that your collective attractiveness has overwhelmed her dust covered heart.”

The Harch would wait impatiently, with the same, static expression on his multi-eyed face for [member="Vulkanus"] to comply. Once brought into the underbelly of the arena Ahani Najwa would be sedated accordingly and brought a sufficient distance from the Ysalamir. Once recovered, she would be awoken, and returned to the game.

Briefly, he noted one of the cages directly above the Old One going dark. The Ysalamir inside of it had passed out. There were still dozens of others above them—Not to mention those contained in the floor BELOW them that were maintained on separate life support systems.

What affected the reptiles above would not affect the troublesome lizards below.

The Spiverelda had thought of everything. This was not their first time dealing with crafty Force Users on this network and it wouldn’t be the last.

“Now, while we tend to the Lady of the Hour, let us run a poll…What couple do you currently favor? Submit your nominations to the following. #911.800.CIS.911.LOVE—But remember, standard messaging rates apply.”

​

Spoiler

[member="Daxton Bane"] X [member="Ahani Najwa"]
[member="Scherezade deWinter"] X [member="Vulkanus"]
[member="Katrine Van-Derveld"] X [member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]
[member="BX-25233"] X [member="IMD-2BC"]
[member="Darth Metus"] X [member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Mythos"] X [member="Srina Talon"]
[member="Lyla Quinn"] X [member="Darth Tacitus"]
[member="Zyrias Pax"] X [member="The Slave"]
[member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Rex Taff"] [member="Zephyr Carrick"] [member="Muad Dib"] [member="Tyris Hayes"]

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Identity: Identity Unknown, name revealed
Objective: Survive Date Night
Interacting with: [member="Alden Kyr’Nau"]
Wearing: This
Post: 6

Once she'd made her introduction, Katrine actually looked at the man across from her and realized just how serious he looked. Too serious like he wasn't even. It was kinda weird for a second before he finally looked a little better, a smile of a sort forming. "Better," she'd only said, without explaining too much.

His name was Alden, a piece of information that had her nod. It didn't give too much but Katrine hadn't even given her whole first name either so she'd just stored into her mind what she did get and kept listening, slightly adjusting the corkscrew in her hand, still hidden against her thigh. Alden gave a quick response to what she said about Ahani and the drink comment. They didn't care much about keeping them happy? "True but that doesn't excuse them." No excuse at all. "What's your preferred drink?" She was already asking a couple seconds later, thinking of getting herself a new one. But then, maybe it wasn't such a great idea to call the waiter from whom she'd snatched the tool in her hand. Which she still hadn't used. It just felt like there was too much attention and she couldn't find her friend to help her so it could be a waste. Unless she wondered as she looked up the Ysalamari above the table. It was risky business with a single weapon. She pretty much had to make sure she hit the jugular since she wouldn't be getting another chance. And she'd be moved again soon, right?

Meanwhile, Alden had asked about what they wanted them to be doing, making Katrine look back down as she shrugged. "I don't get it. Talking, I guess. Ahani called it speed dating though I don't really comprehend excess words like that. Dating is weird as chit already," she told him in all honesty.

Some kind of compassion had her looking away from her table, to make out what was happening. Trying to find the source of it, she'd first spotted Daxton, then what might have been the guy who'd given Ahani her flask but she hadn't seen her just yet. And then the host started talking about Confederate love and Ancient Echani. Isn't that what he called Ahani? The blonde suddenly realized as she tried to get a better view of the situation. The host requested a round of applause before announcing they'd give the Old One time to recover from her fainting spell. Kark, I wanted to hear more of the story, she found herself thinking before she realized the cage above Ahani was going dark. Give me a second, just a second, she'd thought before the host talked about running a pool. "Wait, what?" It suddenly sunk just exactly what he'd said, making her look back at Alden confused.

 

[Garza]

Objective: Shhhhhh. Imma hunting wabbits!
Allies nearby: [member="Rex Taff"], [member="Kurenai Yumi"], [member="Muad Dib"], @Tryis Hayes, [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"],
Post: 6
NPC: Operation Darkstar "Obsidian Ops - Oops"

Starting to follow after the woman as we left the office, Rex came onto the radio with the camera system alerting him to what was going on. The young man then said we would have to hurry it up and possibly do something about it ourselves. I shook my head. As much as I would love to be able to do that, we needed to hurry up yes, but not be rash and made decisions because of that. As he even stated, lives were on the line. So we should be cautious and take care of what we were doing, but still do it as quickly as possible.

Crimson stated almost what I had thought to the man, so I didn't chime in. That was, until I started hearing blaster fire.

"Nimma, since you are still there, check cameras and systems through out the building. If there is already blaster fire, no point in being stealthy too much anymore. Find out anything and everything, as well as troop movements. Keep me updated."
"You are not my mother. Just go to the armory."

I shook my head as I dashed after the woman. She then called for me to double time. I hated the thought of doing this, but I increased myself in the force. Speeding up to move much faster. No point in using the rifle or pistol anymore. Throwing the rifle over my back with the sling, I then reached down and grabbed the pistol in my left hand, and my Obsidian Lightsaber in my right hand. Not quite activating it yet, but keeping it ready should I need to.

Coming around the corner, I could see troopers already closing the distance between us. Without even thinking, I raised the pistol and fired three rounds. Two smacking into one man, and the third missing due to running, and firing with only one hand. He fell to the ground while I threw my lightsaber underhanded. The hilt twisted at just the right radius that when I turned it on with the force, it pierced through the man. Moving fast enough to close the distance, the lightsaber turned off and started to fall, only I caught it in the air, spun around the man to continue my momentum, and ran onwards.

"Get to the armory. You are faster. I'll cover you."

 

[Zyrias Pax]

​

[member="The Slave"]​

​

Her partner caressed the candle flame with his own hand, which caused Zyrias to grin. This one had a wild heart like hers, and his three meals a day included spice - an interesting development. The Chameleon finally freed at least one of her hands from the cuffs, the metal still dangling off of one of her wrists like a bracelet. Maybe if she could get him free too they could go somewhere to get high.

“Why don’t you date?” she asked, curious about him now and no longer as acutely interested in robbing him, though the temptation would always linger just under the surface of her consciousness. A spotlight hovered over the pair of them for a moment, and then after shining briefly upon the platinum and blue hair, zipped to a central area where another announcement was made.

"Mortal demise." Whaaaaaaaaaa? That didn’t sound good. Not good at all.

When prompted to give applause, Zyrias lethargically golf-clapped as she tried to figure out just what the feth was going on. Sure the Rin Smak telia she faced across the table was adorable, but if the Chameleon’s life was in real danger - not just fake holonet danger - she needed to pay more attention. She glanced around with hazel eyes at the other “contestants” in various states of confusion, passiveness and even sedation. Were they giving out sedatives like appetizers? Zyrias tried to get the attention of a Harsch attendant, snapping her finger and asking, “Do you have any dipill? It would be nice to get some right about now.”

But she was promptly ignored.

“...Submit your nominations to the following. #911.800.CIS.911.LOVE—But remember, standard messaging rates apply.”

Zyrias leaned into the table conspiratorially. “Do you know what’s really going on here?”

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

OBJECTIVE: Survive, escape, eliminate targets
POSTS: 2
ATTIRE: A chemise
DATING PARTNER: [member="Katrine Van-Derveld"]

The comment of better gets a raised eyebrow. He was aware of his own shift in demeanor but unaware of how acutely she'd followed it. He'd be... slightly worried if he had. As Alden Kyr'Nau, Alor of House Naak, he had a certain public face he needed to present. Having someone note a drop in the facade would be worrisome even if it could be chalked up to extreme circumstances. But that was just how paranoid people were they worried about every little thing that might turn into a larger thing at a later date.

"I suppose you are right, it explains but doesn't excuse. Then again, they may think they are perfectly justified in holding us captive. Most people consider themselves the hero in their own story." It was an old philosophical argument and one that was hard to pin down to a firm answer. While stories would often try and paint things as being black and white, people often forgot that both colors were just shades of grey. You could consider yourself a principled person with lines you wouldn't cross, but what if you were pushed and crossing a line saved lives? It was questions like this that plagued Alden but probably weren't important to consider while being forcibly put on a date. "And to answer your question, water usually. I am not much of a drinker I like to keep a clear head."

The answer Kat gives to his question is met with a blank stare. Alden had no idea what speed dating was, entirely new term to him. "Well, I guess yeah talking. That's what one does on dates." His voice is slow and halting. Alden had been married so there was likely some dates in the man's past, however, the man sitting across from Kat was just using that name. The Alden she was across from had never been on a date before so the entire concept was foreign but he had to fake like he knew it to keep up his charade but honestly, he'd never thought he'd go on a date so he wasn't prepared to lie his way through this. Fortunately, he is given a moment to think by the announcer talking about a poll.

"Something I didn't quite follow about one of the other couples, I think someone passed out. Also, I guess this event is being broadcast and people are voting on who they like." He shrugs his shoulders. "I don't really think anyone has had much time to talk so people are probably just voting based on who they think looks best. People tend to be a tad shallow like that." Physical attributes and proportions were very important to some people as a sign of aesthetic beauty. If he was honest he had trouble seeing people as anything other than a bags of meat with strategic weak points he could exploit.

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

Interacting With: [member="Vulkanus"] [member="Darth Metus"] [member="Srina Talon"] [member="Katrine Van-Derveld"] [member="Zephyr Carrick"] [member="Rex Taff"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"] [member="Muad Dib"]
Objective: Switch! Free the Captives, xar’chath!

Her body wasn’t burning. If she was dying, shouldn’t her body be burning like Aran and Isley’s bodies burned? Death was a frigid cloak on wet skin. The cot upon which Ahani’s failing body was placed slid against her spine, temperature radiating through the slim fabric of her borrowed dress. The only heat she felt was from [member="Vulkanus"], who (OOC: With permission) continued to stay by her side.

Death was supposed to burn. Like Aran and Isley burned on Mandalore. Death wasn’t supposed to be as cold as Raien’s eyes, or his ashen skin. Death was not supposed to bring Ahani back to the cell which begat her journey to the Dark Side of the Force and her salvation from the ice-moons of the Jedi-that-were.

She should have been as feverish as Manu’s body on Sabarene’s desert sands. [member="Manu Xextos"], born Manu Najwa, stolen from a life under Palpatine’s Shadow Guard boot. The Blessed Child… would he survive this? Just her luck, keep her son alive for 836 years and where was he, when she was dying?

On Sabarene, with his hot clone wife… a clone Mama Najwa commissioned, to keep Manu sane from his grief. Ahani tried to swear, but her tongue swelled useless in her mouth. The captors’ attempt to keep Ahani just under the Ysalamiri field, yet alive was harder accomplished than originally thought. Her vitals were crashing too quickly to hazard sedation without death.

‘Where are you, Manu? Metus… talking to those younger girls, why didn’t you fight to save… oh. This cannot be how it ends.’

Death, a cold hearted woman dressed in grey, came to claim her. For the Ancient Echani to survive, she had to be completely devoid of the Myrkr Reptilians’ influence. A heart which sustained the passions within her for centuries finally gave…

The Force swelled around this fragile, dying thing. ​

Her back lifted off the cot, limbs thrashing in the moment when her heart beat without impediment, blood rushing away from their pool at her extremities. The Spiverelda moved her further still, out and away from the cursed lizards.

Ahani’s hands yanked out, grabbing hold of the chitinous appendages of two attending Spiverelda. Instinct found her there, bringing her body and mind back to the teachings of the Sith on Munto Cudro. Force Drain, wicked and fatal, was an ability which had to be instilled, instinctual. An instantaneous sensation of fatigue struck them, as Ahani went from prone on the cot to kneeling upon it, an untempered grin spreading across her face, which flushed with an unnatural rejuvenation. Her mouth hung partially opened, as gasping lungs took in life-saving oxygen, and her eyes searched.

Where was Death? Where had she gone, the reaper meant to claim her? Why did the thaw still cling to her limbs in a shiver? More. Ahani needed more bodies. Her eyes flung to the corridor, both hands flailing out as crimson tendrils snaked and caught two more Spiverelda and drained the life out of their exoskeletal carcasses.

The now deceased creatures slumped on the floor. Looking briefly at [member="Vulkanus"], Ahani yanked one appendage each from the two nearest bodies, hefting the exoskeletal limbs to test their quality. Pieces of their exoskeletons and the metal of her cot began to break off, rotating around her. Ammunition.

For now, they’d do. “Try and put me out… I won’t play your game!! Frigid witch!!! I will never play your game!!!”

Ahani called out to Death, who fled and denied her.

Ahani crouched and with the flooding Force energies around her, created a Force Barrier around herself and Vulkanus. Dead zones further in her sensory perceptions indicated to her where Ysalamiri fields began. She grinned and raged forward. “Kill the lizards!”

A horrific and merciless sound caterwauled out of Ahani’s throat, staccato-like pushing at the air around and outside her.

Ahani was laughing.

“I’m going to rip you open and see if you taste like Lobster! Stick your limbs so far up your cloacas you forget your species! YOU MADE ME FEEL THINGS!!!! You nearly killed me for a game!! You die.” Her voice punctuated with the consistent laughter of the outraged and mentally infirmed.

“You know what Najwa means on Eshan!? It’s Vornskyr, we hunt Ysalamiri… don’t we babies? Oh… right. My pets are dead… THAT MAKES THIS EVEN WORSE!!” Her mind felt outward, to touch upon any who were attempting to aide the others in their romantic trap. If anyone needed a distraction to act… this was it.

‘Ysalamiri on top and on bottom. Anyone capable of setting fire to or exploding the foundations of the building? Do it. Big holes, go boom. Boom, boom, boom! Catastrophic hits to the Ysalamiri nutrient frames and feeding systems tank them faster than I went down.’

“How’re your ratings now, xeth’cha!?” Ahani let loose a wretched and consuming bellow, with any luck it would reach the ears of those above. A sign, simple as it was, that Ahani Najwa was on the warpath.

 

[Ria Misrani]

​

Interacting With: [member="Ahani Najwa"]
Objective: Help and Don't Die.

Vulkanus had been brewing, he had done as directed but his urge to punch this Spider right in the face rose. He stayed with her, set her down he brooded for the most part until she stirred. And within moments the most amazing thing he had ever seen happened, the Spider was gone and she was ... "I am." He was somewhere between aroused and scared chitless and grateful for the force barrier. "I'll apologize now I don't have a weapon on me, but if you want I can rip them apart with my hands but it's gonna get messy."

Oh and the sounds?

The sound she made? Yeah.

No time like the present he turned to grab for anything he could, and took the nearest object he could pick up and began to hurl them. "Like a game at the street festival, c'mon, daddy's tryin' to win a prize." Now date night was starting to get interesting, he'd have to actually thank his Sergeant. And then he turned to the woman beside him, "names Hakanu by the way."

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Identity: Identity Unknown, name revealed
Objective: Survive Date Night, Utilize Dathomirian Lessons, Kill Ysalamari Above
Interacting with: [member="Alden Kyr’Nau"] [member="Ahani Najwa"] [member=Vulkanus]
Wearing: This
Post: 7

He did agree on her on the lack of excuse before he'd reasoned about them being captive, making her shake her head. Still not an excuse. "Still not an excuse," her voice shared what her mind thought before he'd go on to say he usually drank water as he wasn't much of a drinker to keep his mind cleer. "But if you didn't have to?" Katrine still insisted. She wasn't asking for a general thing but an alcoholic specific really.

One talked about dates. "Interesting," the blonde commented back when Alden said talking was what one usually did on dates. It didn't sound like any "date" Katrine had ever heard of, not that she'd heard them being called dates. It was usually a number of things that made a Witch decide she wanted to claim a male. A show of strength, a show of might, murdering an entire club of people just to be alone with her. The last one had nothing to do with Witches and everything to do with her parents, and Katrine was well aware that in Dathomirian terms, they were special snowflakes. Still, Mother was the one who told her most stories of what outsiders would consider "dating".

As her attention had turned back to Alden, confused by the voting, she registered him wondering what was happening away from them. He'd first noted his suspicion of someone faiting before he'd gone on to say that this was probably broadcasted and people were voting, even none of them had a decent chance to talk so it was most likely based on who looks best. "I think my friend passed out," Katrine informed him based on what she'd managed to see. "They deactivated one of the Ysalamari or she'd die," Kat further explained as she looked up at the bauble holding the one right above her. She had exactly one shot if she planned on making it with her corkscrew. Though the weapon was different from the small blades and spikes she'd been trained to use, the level of difficulty wasn't too far away, though she was usually one on high ground when she was being trained.

Commossion began somewhere away from her view. Sounds incoherent but definitely, a mix of panic emerged when a couple of soldiers had hurried away in the direction Ahani had been taken. Her head was working on an image in motion. There was a singular plan. Strike, use the small breathing space to jump up high, take the weapon and throw it at another Ysalamari. Once above, if she killed several Ysalamari in her nearest proximity, she would give herself more breathing space to reach out to the Force. It wasn't just her. Uncle Isley possessed means if she could give him a window. And... Daxton. He was here too, she did see him. He needed a clearing too. No, first she had to give herself breathing space, Katrine realized as she backtracked on her own plan. She only needed a little bit of a singular basic action with the Force.

"So, I'm sorry about this, but we're gonna have to cut this short," Katrine managed to tell Alden as she'd waited, only to hear the loud voice of her new friend reaching through. It drew attention from more soldiers and even the host as Kat adjusted the corkscrew in her hand. Distractions will always be there. Calculate your distance and hold your breath. No mistakes, the voice of the Singing Mountain Scout drew into her memory before she mapped up the path of her weapon, the way the Ysalamari was held inside its cage, the indended target in it before she'd thrown her weapon straight up. It flew up, fast, devoid of any boost from the Force. Whereas she hadn't been devoid of it in her training, she wasn't permitted to use it, which had been great training.

As the corkscrew's sharp edge pierced through the neck of the Ysalamari, she draw a clean breath, feeling a trace of the Force suddenly feel her being. It was small but her sight had cleared as she felt the interruptions coming from around her still yet it was enough as she'd yanked as she sat up on the chair, lowering her feet just slightly as she sent whatever Force she had inside her before she'd leaped into the air, feeling it proppel her high above her. It had been clumsy and barely sufficient as her hands dug against the cage, halfway through her destination, using her hands slowly to rise higher, one hand rising and grabbing higher before she'd actually found herself face to face with the dead Ysalamari, her feet finding a holding beneath as her hand reached for the corkscrew, ripping it out when it had refused to budge at first.

Dead Ysalamari wasn't that scary at all, Katrine reminded herself, feeling the threats to the side and now below, which she hadn't been able to before. Now though, she was aware of them, understanding better why she'd been so numbed. The small window of breathing space had been enough just barely as she'd heard the loud roar of Doashim in her head, the demon was hungry to cause trouble. For a moment, she could swear she could feel his proximity though the feeling vanished before she could identify it completely. "He's here," Katrine quickly deduced from the feeling. It was the only reason she could feel the spirit so intently. A similar feeling occured with Lylek, quick, fleeting. They were both here, their Shamans, that was the only possibility, the Witch realized as she inspected the nearest Ysalamari, still very much alive as she adjusted herself against the cage of the dead Ysalamari and threw the corkcrew into its neck.

The day was definitely looking up now.

(Anyone inside the room, if you want to be the table next to Alden and Kat, beneath the Ysalamari Kat killed, go right ahead)​

Spoiler: Bonus Tags

Because the Nightmother is awake in the Force and spirits are pointed her attention to the presence of their Shamans, you guys do with it as you wish.
[member="Muad Dib"] [member="Zephyr Carrick"]

 

[Muad Dib]

Passing into the doors of the building he lavishly bestowed praise and a plethora of flowery bows to those in attendance who were wealthy enough to get a first hand view of the highly anticipated new show, "Confederate Love". Smoozery went a long way in assuaging fear and suspicion. The brightly dressed Muad made his way through the crowd even regaling those watching the holoscreens with several bouts of pitch perfect serenade. Oddly, and amusingly, the Mad Man known to be a man of violent action had a voice that could calm a demon hell-bent on carnage. It was a contradiction he acknowledged with a sly smile.

"It's time for me to prepare for my solo song before the vote to eliminate the next contestants. Excuse me madam and sirs."

With another Adumari bow he moved to the door to the side guarded by several of the locals and leaned in to whisper as if conspiring with the armed men.

"My friend had some rather expensive and quite potent spirits in the speeder out front. It should help to loosen those Confederate tongues to make an even greater show. Feel free to misplace a few bottles my friends."

A knowing wink was offered as the guards let the singer pass into the stairwell, his presence and acceptance by the high society in the room had garnered him a modicum of freedom, yet two guard followed him into the lower level.

Coming out of the stairwell he paused as he felt the roaring patron as their connection with the Nightmother a floor above was severed again due to the ysalmiri scattered around the level below. The grand room was littered with trees, the lizard-squirrels perched safely in their havens sending out their bubbles of force nulification. A small smirk stretched his face at the dozen guards who slowly wandered the interior forest the basement had become.

Moving into the center he neared one of the creatures and leaned in to ibserve it with curiosity. Such a mundane thing to cause such havok for force users. Shrugging he turned to look at the guards with a wink.

"If you don't mind, would you hold my jacket for me?"

As one wearily held out his arm, catering to the higher class obviously being something they had grown used to, Muad grinned as he slipped the nauseous jacket off and tossed it to the man. The sudden silence from the dozen guards along with the quick intake of breath lent a grave seriousness to the situation that had just evolved into existence.

The Opera singer was standing amidst the guards. Yet instead of merely wearing the silken shirt that had been glimpsed from open jacket, he was wearing a harness littered with half a dozen lightsaber hilts, thermal detonators, and gloveless vambraces. A grin crossed the man's face at the frozen guards staring at him in disbelief.

"Time for my close up, Mr DeVille."

Raising his hands he fired the flame throwers built into his gauntlets and spun, sending a wall of flame from both arms out into the guards and the trees where the ysalmiri screeched. Blaster fire lanced into the midst of the inferno and Muad dove to the side as he fired two mini concussion rockets that connected with a group of guards. At the explosion it created a concussive wave that washed iver several more of the troublesome creatures that sent them into the manda along with the ones who were burning like a BBQ on Independence Day in Confederate Space.

Rolling behind a tree as several blasters trained their firepower upon him he grinned as he primed several of the thermal detonators. The smell of burned flesh and smoke permeated the basement, now it was time for colorful explosions. Laughing he tossed the explosives toward several of the pillars as a wave of force reconnected with him from the dead and dying multitude of lizard squirrels.

The following explosions shattered support columns and took out many more guards and creatures, the ceiling shattering and caving in some places. Above he saw an opening into the room where the natives were filming the speed dating scene, the host giving commentary. Running forward he activated the thrusters in his boots and flew through the hole to land on a table which interrupted one of the 'dates' to grin at the multi armed host who was still being broadcast live.

"You are the weakest link. Good bye."

Aiming his left gauntlet at the host he fired the flame thrower directly into her face, engulfing her with flames. As her screams filled the room spurring the guards present to action he grabbed the unignited hilts attached to his harness and slung them out into the confederate candidates. Before diving off the table into several guards who had fired at the former singer.

From within the Patron roared with righteous rage at the audacity thathis chosen ones would dare be touched and threatened, a sentiment shared with Muad. They both felt protective of the Mandragora and together they raged into the guards and crew needing no weapon as talons grew from fingers, teeth elongated, and the rending of flesh began in earnest.

Spoiler

[member="Daxton Bane"] I [member="Ahani Najwa"] I [member="Scherezade deWinter"] I [member="Vulkanus"] I [member="Katrine Van-Derveld"] I [member="Alden Kyr’Nau"] I [member="BX-25233"] I [member="IMD-2BC"] I [member="Darth Metus"] I [member="Chikako Liona"] I @Mythos I [member="Srina Talon"] I [member="Lyla Quinn"] I [member="Darth Tacitus"] I [member="Zyrias Pax"] I [member="The Slave"] I [member="Kurayami Bloodborn"] I [member="Kurenai Yumi"] I [member="Rex Taff"] I [member="Zephyr Carrick"] I [member="Tyris Hayes"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

Kurenai Yumi

---

Objective: 2 Operation Date Eater try and keep up with the children
Allies: [member="Rex Taff"] [member="Zephyr Carrick"]
Post: 8

Rounding the corner the duo was presented with several opposing guards, Carrick drawing his pistol and saber, dispatching them before Kurenai could even draw her own weapons, perhaps she shouldn't have holstered them in the first place. Turning her head she gave a quick nod, though a little confused on him stating she was faster, did his armor weight that much? No that did no sound right, her own suit and added armor was a least 13 kg, his own did not look much heavier, and considering how fast he dispatched to patrol. Perhaps he just lacked the endurance that she had naturally as an energy vampire, or just wanted and excuse to fight more people, either way there was no point in arguing, herself already several meters down the hall way, Carrick's voice echoing into silence.

Slowly getting closer a sudden telepathic message entered her mind, it's owner non other than [member="Ahani Najwa"], seeming to have regained the use of the force one way or another, not that it really mattered to her.

‘Ysalamiri on top and on bottom. Anyone capable of setting fire to or exploding the foundations of the building? Do it. Big holes, go boom. Boom, boom, boom! Catastrophic hits to the Ysalamiri nutrient frames and feeding systems tank them faster than I went down.’

"Well it is nice to know I have free reign to do what I want, now to get those weapons", keeping at full sprint, more edged on by the woman's words Kurenai made quick progress to the armory, one that's doors were closely guarded, but not for long. In her wake several men stood guard, being altered to the gun shots from down the hall, raising their weapons at the incoming Dark Jedi, a futile action that would make disarming easier, as produce some broken bones.

Before the froward most guard could pull the trigger Kurenai was already in arms length, her hand expertly working along the weapons side, touching the eject button for the ammunition pack, making the weapon unable to fire. Keeping with the momentum her elbow slammed into their chest, making the man fly back into one of his comrades, clearing a path to the armory, but Kurenai would no stop there, not until everyone here was knocked out cold.

To her left on of the guards drew a vibro knife, swinging it at her in a back.side thrusting manner, herself binging both hands up to catch the blade arm, letting her right arm slip down, delivering a strong elbow to their stomach. With the enemy no briefly stunned Kurenai pulled on the sword arm with her right hand flipping her opponent over onto their backs, giving them a decent concussion against the steel floor. Standing back up she looked over the 3 men, giving a small shake of the head as the lay on the ground groaning, "you guys need more practice, well that is if you do not die from this little scheme your masters put on".

Giving each one a 'light' tap on the head Kurenai retrieved her sabre, turning on the blood orange blade, sticking it's burning end into the armory door, cutting a whole into the metal, sending a small force push it's way when all done, giving a still glowing hole to slide through. "I am in Zephyr, how are things on your end"?

 

[Alden Kyr’Nau]

OBJECTIVE: Survive, escape, eliminate targets
POSTS: 2
ATTIRE: A chemise
DATING PARTNER: [member="Katrine Van-Derveld"]

Whatever response Alden might have had to Kat's follow up question is ultimately left unsaid. Mostly because he didn't really have a good answer. He'd never imbibed alcohol so he had no strong opinion on the matter. Thankfully, it appeared as though his date had decided that it was time to change the night's planned festivities. A tragedy that date night only made it into the second round before the contestants started rioting but what could you do? At least this would make for good television.

With careful muscle control Alden dislocates some of the bones in his hand. This is extremely painful and would leave his hand sore for days, however, it also let him slip his hand free of the binding that kept it stuck to the chair. His expression remains bemused the entire time as though the pain didn't even register. It takes him a moment to pop his joints back into place, which makes freeing his other hand rather easy. At this point, Kat has climbed up to the Ysalamari hanging above their head to retrieve her corkscrew.

Alden first tears the chemise off, the ill-fitting garment would hamper his movement. This leaves the golden skinned male in nothing but his underwear but the chemise hadn't really covered much so it hardly mattered. Plucking a glass of water from the table he smashes it into bits. Taking the larger chunks of sharp glass he starts throwing them at the lizards dangling in the high cages. As a half-Firrerreo, his physical strength turned what would normally be a fairly ineffective projectile into a marginally effective one.

While not every thrown shard results in a kill shot of the eight he manages to take another three of the closer lizards which helps shrink the Force dampening field further. Once he feels that trickle of energy he smashes another glass, gathers all of the broken razor shards with the Force and sends them out in a shotgun esque spray to tear into even more of the lizard bodies above, throwing them hard with the Force rather than trying to guide them since he wouldn't be able to within the Yasalamri's field. This entire process took only a few seconds.

Looking up at his date Alden grins at Kat. "Oh, I don't know I think that we can keep this date going. I think this is a bit more interesting than talking, don't you?" With that said he grabs his chair and flings it at another Yasalamri cage. It would only be a few moments before the guards charged in to stop this and he planned to take out as many of the lizard squirrels as he could. Jumping onto a nearby table, from table to cage, and ramming his fist through the bars to wring a small creatures neck. Romance at its finest.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

While it was true that those outside were confused by Kurayami's seeming complete lack of awareness on of the arachnoids eventually approached and directed him towards the doors, motioning for him to follow [member="Muad Dib"]. That was no issue, in fact that part was rather easy. Once out of sight of the main crowds outside, he took a path off to the side, heading for major support structures as the sensors in his HUD finished mapping the complex fully. While he would claim this was planned if he was asked about it later, it would have been clear to anyone he had just gotten lucky. Pulling up the maps he marked a few locations and asked for passing spider-creatures to bring the boxes of liquor to these marked locations. They were understandably wary of the rambling drunk Corellian, but set off to do so after he somehow convinced them those were storage areas for a huge after party.

Inside the building he noted that the feeling of standing in an area devoid of the Force was strong. Ysalamiri. Of course. Keeping an eye on the lifeform scanners he noted that one was fading, slowly at first, then more rapidly. However, that person was removed from the Force null field. A sudden flare of Force energy from [member="Ahani Najwa"] followed by a telepathic message of th threats faced. If anything would help him sober up it would this. Well, time to drop the facade he supposed. As he reached his destination, he set the crate down gently and slipped a thermal detonator in, set for remote detonation, before grabbing the pistol from its holster. He was an able fighter even without the Force, but with it he was even more dangerous. Taking aim between the two nearest ysalamiri tanks, he primed the 40mm grenade for proximity detonation, loaded it into the underslung launcher on the Punisher pistol and fired. The explosion immediately brought guards and others running towards his location. Perfect.

There was also a sudden influx of being able to feel the Force again. Even better. As the creatures flanked him they yelled for him to drop his weapon. He somewhat complied, not dropping it, but slowly dropping to one knee and setting it down gently. While doing so he pulled the Force within himself directing it towards his palms, concentrating the energy into singular points that slowly grew in size. Waiting for his moment to strike he let them close in. Slowly lowering his hands from a raised position once his arms were fully extended to either side of himself, he unleashed a single blast of Force Destruction to either side. Those in front who were struck were turned into showers of gore. Capitalizing on the shock this brought from the others he retrieved the pistol with a quick tug of telekinesis and quickly emptied the cylinder. Two shots to either side and the last to his front.

Grabbing a speedloader, he took cover behind the left side of the doorway he had just created to reload, and even set another grenade in the launcher. The real fun had now started.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

“Just not my thing.”, he said, thinking about the times he had tried to date.

Didn’t end well, in all honesty. Mostly his fault.

He cringed at the thought before glancing around the various sources of light and entertainment around him; and just like a number of the contestant around him, The Slave seemed slower than usual. Perhaps a mix of the Ysalamiri and the sedatives they pumped him with, he seemed too slow to properly respond in a normal fashion. Instead, he let his head’s weight rest on his hand supported by the table, rather than sitting straight up.

“Does it look like I could smuggle any in this?”, he said with a pass over the tight fitting red dress he had on. Before she could make a response about actual smuggling, he glanced around and offered a simple shake of the head;

“Honestly. No. I don’t.”

As the Ysalamiri above and around them broke down from the explosion, The Slave slowly moved to stand. Contrasted by the flame behind him, he offered Zyrias a smile through the silhouette before opening his palm. In it, lighting formed before a staff did; one whose eyes were crimson and its presence deplorable. It hurt to even be around, as it seemed to drag across her skin, and tear at the pores.

“See you around.”, The Slave spoke; yet it seemed multiple tones came with it. Both deep and higher, they fell together in unison; a creeping symphony.

In the next instant, the whites of his eyes fell black, matched only by the vibrancy of the gold in his eyes. Raising the staff up, reality warped for only a moment before he simply disappeared. The Slave, and where he stood, no longer remained; only this dark impression that death was looming, for whatever reason.

What she witnessed was evil incarnate, and yet she lived. How lucky.

[member="Zyrias Pax"]

 

[Ravenfire]

Objective: 2
Allies:[member="Kurenai Yumi"], [member="Zephyr Carrick"], [member="Ahani Najwa"]
Being in the vents when Ahani began yelling ‘Ysalamiri on top and on bottom. Anyone capable of setting fire to or exploding the foundations of the building? Do it. Big holes, go boom. Boom, boom, boom! Catastrophic hits to the Ysalamiri nutrient frames and feeding systems tank them faster than I went down.’ Below kark he hadn't expected them to be below, then again in all the confusion one more person wouldn't be noticed. Dropping to the floor from the vents next to Ahani and [member="Vulkanus"] he puts a finger up to his lips and hands his BTI-CR "The Ripper" to Vulkanus. "Use this to kill the ysalamiri, the others are on there way with your weapons I hope." He whispers. Then actives his light-sabres disconnected, putting them thru the floor, he turns in a quick circular motion.

Killing two ysalamiri as he does so, dropping to the floor. He uses his light-sabres to burn all of the cages and the ysalamiri. On the comms to Kurenai "All ysalamiri killed below the people, also gave one of them my blaster pistol, they should have things well in hand by the time you get there." "However I am now going after the big man himself, the mastermind behind it all." Wandering the hallways he runs into two guards. "Please take me to your leader" he says influencing them. "We will take you to our leader, follow us please." "but of course." As he is lead by guards right to the big man himself.

 

[Zyrias Pax]

​

Post: 4​

​

With no access to the Force, lacking the midichlorians in her cells that many in the room possessed but hadn’t been able to engage until now, Zyrias did not hear the order to take down the Ysalamiri. In fact, she wouldn’t know what one was if it had jumped over to bite her ankles. But she did realize the drastic shift making its way throughout the auditorium like a whisper growing louder and louder until it was a crescendo of shouting and action. And out of the corner of her eye she saw flames.

Zyrias had heard of these types of reality shows, paid for by wealthy patrons for the sheer pleasure of watching a group of humans and aliens die. Now she was sure that this was no dating show but one of survival.

Explosions began to tear the structure apart, luckily not in the exact proximity of where the teenager and [member="The Slave"] were but close enough to cause her to jump out of her seat. But as she glanced at her date in his scarlet dress, hoping for empathy or even awareness, a strange weapon materialized in his hand and caused her the most agonizing pain just to lay her eyes upon it.

She closed her hazel orbs tightly, only hearing his voice bid her goodbye. Once she opened them he was gone, but it took her a few moments to adjust from the darkness of the Force which had brushed her psyche with the most disturbing sensation.

With one handcuff still hanging off her wrist, Zyri knocked over the candle on the table and watched the white tablecloth catch afire. Flames began to spread across the surface, rising towards the ceiling.

Instinct demanded that she flee, but opportunity warred inside.

Zyrias scrambled over to a group of dead Harsch muttering, “They are just spiders, big fluffy spiders. Big, fluffy, dead spiders.” It did not make her feel much better, but the mantra helped her bridge her arachnophobia to pick their pockets.

Was the Canto Chameleon leaving empty handed? No fething way!

 

[Rhaegar Nemesis Dib]

The light from the fireplace flickered across the study as it fought for supremacy against the light from the holoplayer in the table. "Confederate Love" played live as it streamed from Secundus Ando across the holonet. The plush leather chair held the large frame of the man in a comforting embrace as he watched the events of the 'show' play out.

A glass of amber brandy was swirled gently in long fingers lazily as the man watched the uprising begin to occur. The harch planned on creating a special event with the upcoming arrival of the Confederacy. It didn't take much of an effort to privately funnel funds toward the production of what would prove to be an entertaining and informative endeavor. And informative it was.

The forces sent by the CIS were overwhelmed and taken into custody, the ysalmiri being used to great affect against the force users that permeated the ranks of the government. Even the lauded Darth Metus had been captured which caused the man to scratch his jaw deep in thought.

If the leader of the Confederacy could be manipulated then the government would fall as dominoes leaving a void that could be filled. Such a position of power held by a man with much power and influence. But he was only one within the Confederate ranks that would have to be dealt with for his plan to come to fruition.

Rising from the seat he went to the desk and sat, a motion with his hand activating the hologram projector built into the desktop. A dozen files opened as the 'show' continued playing in the background. Each contained a dossier of figures of importance. From political leaders, to the religious zealots of the Mandragora, to the force order. There was much to study, much to learn, before more pawns were moved onto the board.

Another gesture and the hologram and holonet streaming the visuals deactivated leaving him in the semi dark, the flickering flames the only remaining light to be seen. The databanks would download every camera angle afforded from the dating event for later observation and extrapolation. For now the man contemplated in silence.

 

[Srina Talon]

Identity: Partially Known - They say "Dread Queen"
Interacting With: No One Specific
Wearing: This
Post Number: I lost count...So...

While Srina waited for her next partner to arrive she began to smell smoke. Katrine Van-Derveld leaped to the ceiling, killing one of the lizards that dampened their powers, while Ahani and Vulkanus were spirited away. Chaos soon tore through the staging area. Silver eyes watched while the crowd began to run, while the force field locking them in flickered and died, while their restraints all fell away. All of the carefully laid plans that the Harch had put forth seemed to be crumbling around their heads. The preventative measures that began to fall, one by one, eventually leaving them with their freedoms.

Their mistake? Leaving them alive. Not being thorough enough to trap -all- of them.

The military forces that had surrounded the filming space were spurred into action as one [member="Muad Dib"] through a bunch of generic lightsabers into the area. The Force returned, growing stronger with every dead Ysalamiri. Srina raised her hand as she stood from her chair and watched as the hilt on the ground rolled, slowly, before leaping to her outstretched palm.

It was not her crossguard—but it would suffice.

The white haired woman stepped out of the ridiculously high heels the Harch had placed her in and turned her sights on the spider-like warriors that were moving in with attempts to restrain them. They were burly, weapons at the ready, and Srina could already feel a swell of darkness. The urge do harm was strong, and for a moment, her nigh-angelic mask was replaced with a visage of fury. She did not like being toyed with, trapped, and placed on display for the amusement of others. One of their own had nearly died, they had all been threatened with death—And why?

For attempting to reach out to a world that claimed they were in need?

The Echani woman calmed. Peace, was ever her virtue, no matter the slight that had been made against her. She activated the saber in her hand, the blue light that erupted surprising her, but it was exactly what she needed. Her free hang flung out and yanked the nearest Harch warrior toward her. He chattered, mandibles flapping, clicking with panic and she could smell his fear. Without sentiment she pulled the creatures into her blade, running him through, before letting the body fall.

The extreme cutting power of the laser sword cauterized as it moved, gravity alone, tearing the Harch from its midsection all the way through the top of his head. It was less bloody than she would have liked. Too clean, too merciful. But, the apprentice had larger concerns, and more presumptuous Andoan’s to run through.

Her goals revolved around removing this blight at the root. The people would fall in line once their idiotic leaders were dealt with. The Spiverelda would suffer. The Spiverelda, would die.

“We need to get out of this building.”, she called to the Confederates and contestants nearest to her, intent on making it out alive, versus a charred stump. “Structural integrity has been compromised.”

From there, any CIS who wished to see their will completed would meet at the governmental buildings. They would chase the Spiverelda out of hiding, get their gear back, and reduce them to ash.

"Date Night" or "Confederate Love" was officially over. ​

​

 

[Ravenfire]

Objective: 2
Allies: No one now ([member="Kurenai Yumi"], [member="Zephyr Carrick"])
The two guards under his control lead him straight the leader, the announcer ([member="Eternal Vision"]). Rex didn't know his name nor did he care. Arriving outside the door to the announcer the two guards opened the doors. "Well hello there announcer tell me why did you do this?" He asks as he enters the room seeing most of the other confederates under the orders of [member="Srina Talon"] leaving. "Don't worry I will be taking you with me no matter your answer."

Turning to the two guards who had come with him. "Gentlemen if you would be so kind as to take this man outside to where the confederates are." The Guards replied "but of course sir, come now announcer we must go and see the confederates." Rex smiled under his helmet "Thank you so much gentlemen I hope you don't mind if I come with you." No matter what the announcer would say the guards would not let go. It was quite clear they were now Rex's thralls.

Making it outside, Rex would have the guards bring the Announcer to Srina and [member="Darth Metus"]. "Do with him as you please." He would say to the two of them. Before walking slightly off to the side to hear the verdict.