Kneel For No Man

[Darth Pyrrhus]

KALAKAR SIX
DARK TEMPLE

Volcanic planets never seized to capture his gaze. When seen from space it seemed a perfect mix of black and red, surrounded by a hue of gold. It was like it was auditioning to become the mascot planet for the Sith. Strictly visually speaking it seemed to embody the Dark Side in its own way. How far from his Shili this was. “Our scanners were unable to detect any significant lifeforms on the planet, my Lord. However there was significant interference” Even as the officer gave his report, Darth Pyrrhus could barely take his eyes off the volatile moon.

“Interference?” while complications bothered him they were to be expected now and again, and so his tone was fairly neutral. “Yes, my Lord. While we can’t confirm the cause, we believe it may origin from some form of radiation on the moon.” Radiation. Possibly. “What about heat signals? We can scan for them” another officer chimed in, though one of significantly lower rank than the first. He had been supervising the technicians situated on the bridge. Both Pyrrhus and the other officer stared at him, as if taking offense to his breach of protocol. One technician sitting beside him looked up at him. He too spoke, though being aware of the scornful glance from his two superiors did so in a hushed tone.“Sir… It’s a volcanic planet...”

Pyrrhus barely managed to withhold a condescending smile from the humiliating remark of the technician. Bold. “We shall simply have to investigate for ourselves. Are the shuttles ready?” the Togruta simply moved on, disregarding the other man. “Yes my Lord” they were back on track. “I’ll take a company with me in case we encounter resistance. Have them board immediately. We leave at once.” With an affirmative bow and another yes my lord, the Sith garbed in the traditional black robes of his order took his leave of the bridge and departed for his private transport.

Scout ships went ahead of the squad of transport ships. They bathed the planet’s surface in their unnatural light. Their job was to confirm what their incoherent scans suggested, that the moon was devoid of life. Focus was diverted towards the area surrounding the temple, as this was also where Pyrrhus and a company of his soldiers would set down. It was a point of interest which he intended to capture and use as a base while he familiarized himself with the moon. Time would show if perhaps this could be the one…

So far this seemed to be a pretty routine approach with no opposition in sight. Tension was low. Pyrrhus felt a growing sense of anticipation. The moon seemed ideal, out of sight and in tune with the Dark Side. It would shroud his presence should he decide to set himself up here. Since the fall of the One Sith he had taken his resources and drifted through space, always moving from one port to the next but only when necessary. Glee Anselm had been deemed an improper stronghold. It was too well known. Now the time felt right to establish himself again, but on his own terms, not in service of a great state.

The transports set down and approximately 150 armed soldiers disembarked and took up their positions. Today it was Flux Company who had drawn the lucky straw and was accompanying the Sith Lord on his expedition. The company’s setup was the standard one seen across the One Sith military. They were a part of the 607th battalion, who had sworn allegiance to one of the Dark Council members after the fall of the One Sith, namely Pyrrhus. Flux Company’s fifth platoon spread out and moved ahead of the rest, flashlights on their blaster rifles lighting up as they scouted the path ahead to the temple’s entrance. The rest of the company followed in formation with Pyrrhus nearly at the center front. Only the fourth platoon was ahead of him, with its two squads on his frontal flanks.

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| [member="Malok"] |​

 

[Darth Metus]

Cold was a commodity often underappreciated.

Life upon Kalakar Six was unforgiving. Harsh, even. Yet the ApeX Commander had deemed this moon as the perfect home for his warriors. In his opinion, there was no better place to cultivate warriors than such a volatile landscape. As such, training ventures were typical and intense - often taking the Ma'alkerrite host away from their headquarters and across the hellish terrain. This day was no different. Moving as a unit, a company's worth of armed warriors moved across Kalakar Six behind their commander. Each was astride all-terrain vehicle which thundered over the rocks and crag via wheels. It was an archaic choice, but ApeX had learned the hard way that repulsorcraft and volcanic conditions were not the ideal mix.

It was during a momentary halt in advance that Malok indulged in something frosty. Within one of his vehicle's bags was a carefully-kept canteen. In its current state, the contents may very well have been frozen - but the outside conditions resulted in a rather tasty middle ground. The Behemoth uncorked the vessel and indulged in a few hardy sips whilst a few subordinates rode forward. Their goal was to examine the Temple that had laid undisturbed during their time on the planet - a choice completely inspired by Malok's recent voyages to Tund and Rhand. Call it inspiration, but digging into ruins saw the Ma'alkerrite desire to poke around his own backyard.

Yet precautions had to be taken, if the former expedition was any example. Over the course of a seemingly-mundane dig, Malok had lost almost two squads of men. This would not do again, especially not where they called home.

"Commanda, e've got movement." came the voice of Lieutenent Striok. While terrible in his speech, the Ma'alkerrite had distinguished himself enough to warrant a role as Malok's second. And his word alone was enough to cause urgency to seep into the Behemoth's bones. Then, as if to immediately confirm his subordinate's report from the front, the presence of vessels overhead became apparent. Their focus...and LZ...was the Temple itself. This was no dedicated, planetary invasion force by the look of it.

"Orders?"

Malok corked his canteen and stowed it within his satchel before drawing a breath. "Send two back to HQ. Have them rouse the rest of the men. As for them, it seems as though their interest is the Temple and not ApeX."

"How can you be so sure, sir?" inquired an adjacent native of Honoghr. New Blood. Malok let the inquiry slide...just this once. "If they were here for us, they'd have landed on our heads. Or worse, blown us to kingdom come from above. No...My guess is, they're looking at the same prize as us." Malok revved the engine of his vehicle before raising a hand. "Trial by Fire boys!" he roared, spurning a symphony of thundering engines. By his signal did the ApeX company ride forth, hurtling headlong to the Temple. The various blasters affixed to the vehicles opened fire upon coming in range, for the mercenaries did not consider asking questions this day.

Not when a prize like that was on the line.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Caelia Lamora]

“Creepy, right?” the slightly distorted voice of Private Forbert sounded through his trooper’s helmet. Fifth Platoon was making their way up the stairs, ready to take the main entrance. So far so good. “What are you talking about? It’s a temple.” Private Dyson returned with a tone of confusion that his helmet did not manage to mask. “I know. But like… I don’t know. It’s creepy.” the temple was dark. Who knew what had happened in there. Horrible things. Those things left marks. Then again, maybe not.

“You’re creepy, Forbert” Private Loran said with a grin. Neither Dyson nor Forbert could see the grin, but they both knew it was there. “Forbert please. It’s too hot for your poodoo.” It was the annoyed voice of Private Shine coming from a few feet behind them. She was one of the only two females of Hammer Squad. Dyson chuckled. Though he didn’t agree that the temple looked creepy, it was an impressive structure. The way dark met red on this planet, shrouding it in darkness only to have it illuminated by fire left a strong impression on him.

“Cut the chatter.” Sergeant Rost shut the group up. Again they focused on the steps. Dyson didn’t know about the rest, but he felt himself going red with embarrassment and shame. This was unprofessional behaviour. Forbert and Dyson both replied with a quick Yes sir. Though a few steps later Forbert leaned in close to whisper “I still think it’s creepy.” They had reached the top of the steps. Anvil Squad was already ahead of them, taking up position by the entrance. Who knew what waited for them within?

“Hey, what’s that?” Dyson didn’t recognise the voice. New recruit maybe, he wasn’t sure. It was someone from Iron, one of Fifth Platoon’s three squads. He looked back at the soldier who asked the question. He barely had time to follow the soldier’s eyes to where he had been looking before the silence was broken with shouting. “We’ve got movement” “Contact!” “Take cover!” he recognised the last as the voice of his squad commander, Rost. Dyson and Forbert didn’t think, they both duck to the ground. There wasn’t a ton of cover to go about on the elevated steps.

The dark steps lit up with blaster fire and the shouts of those it harassed. Iron got the worst of it, Dyson could see a number of them going down from the corner of his eyes. “Move, move, move!” he could hear Sergeant Yang shouting to his squad as they moved at a pace up the stairs to where Hammer and Anvil were. “We’re sitting ducks!” Forbert exclaimed to Dyson, who both had sunk to the ground by some rocks at the edge of the stairs. Though Iron had taken damage they didn’t appear to be the unknown attackers’ main target. After all, why aim at the scout group when they could fire straight into the fish in the barrel? The rest of Flux was in trouble. It wasn’t a pretty opening to the engagement.

Sergeant Rost lowered his hand from his helmet, as if he had been paying attention to a message over his comms. It was probably the case. “Cover the rest, we’re taking the temple! Return fire! Return fire!” They had their orders. At different positions on the steps he could hear similar orders coming from Sergeant Yang and Dornan. Alright. Hold the stairs it is. The battle of Kalakar Six had begun. Fifth Platoon returned fire.

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| [member="Malok"] | ​

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

Information was being fed to Pyrrhus from the admiral left in charge of his flagship. The system appeared to be under their control, no major activity was being picked up. They should be free to conduct their business in peace. That was of course unless there was contest to be found down on the planet. Perhaps the temple might had some cultists left. He would make short work of them if there were, he had no doubt. There had been little to indicate that this planet was inhabited at all. Everything pointed to it being abandoned. Yet… Pyrrhus could not shake off this sense that something was… Off.

“Admiral. Have the rest of the 607th battalion on standby.” He doubted there’d be cause to deploy the entire Crown Legion. If that was the case they should’ve been able to get some readings… One battalion should suffice. After all, he was on the ground as well. That ought to count for something. One Sith Lord and a company of soldiers. Yet it was reassuring to know that reinforcements were available should they need it.

Then something moved on the horizon. Pyrrhus spotted it before the officers did. In their defense, Pyrrhus was the only one seeing beyond the limitations of his physical eyes. “Captain Varga. Deploy your men.” he said calmly to the man put in charge of leading Flux Company. “Expecting trouble, my Lord?” “Indeed.” he was not too keen on repeating himself, or even explaining himself. Although he should probably have done the latter.

In the next moment the scene lit up. An unknown amount of hostiles came flying their way, and fast. No words were exchanged, only blaster fire. The scouts up ahead got some of it, but most of it seemed to be concentrated on the main body of soldiers. Fourth platoon got the worst of it. Their left flank got torn through like they had been butter. There was shouting, chaos, blood. Though Pyrrhus stood in the midst of his with his eyes on his new prey. A challenger appears.

Flux Company had already began to return fire. Majority of it was straight up blaster rifle fire, but those equipped for it let loose rounds from their portable missile launchers. Effective as those weapons might generally be, they were still at a disadvantage here. “Our enemy is outside. Secure the temple.” it was his hope that they could engage their enemy on even ground and with better cover. The opponents were using armed vehicles, they were not. Captain Varga relayed the orders and the company began moving into the temple under the cover of the left flank and scouting group. Oh, and Pyrrhus himself of course. The familiar snap-hiss sounded immediately as the curved hilt hit the grip of Pyrrhus’ hand. Perhaps the sight of a lightsaber would be a beacon to draw attention, but he was prepared to deflect it, using the lava-coloured lightsaber to deflect what blaster fire came his way.

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| [member="Malok"] |​