Faction Obtenebration [SO]

[Taeli Raaf]

As the selected spokesman of the Sepulchral began the conclave, Arcanix kept her gaze moving about those assembled. It was an appraising look, and while the stronger Lords present were familiar, there were a few Knights that were no doubt hoping to claim some measure of power for themselves. Alina was in the field, her lust for battle calling to her cleanse Jutrand of the Jedi academy hidden there.

She was not surprised that Kaine laid claimed first, and there would be the briefest moment of eye contact between the Lady of Secrets and he as Alphoresis was declared under his banner. An agreement had been reached days ago regarding that world on Coruscant, one the others would know little about. The Kainates would have a central location within the region to control and develop for themselves, and Empyrean would need to claim next to keep in place the precarious balance of power.

And his claims were every bit as strategic as she would expect from him. His eye was towards economic strength and influence, and if he could consolidate his and the Eternal's hold over those worlds, he would be in a strong position. As for her, there were certainly benefits of being ostensibly neutral in the quiet power struggle between the Kainate, Eternals, and Tsis'Kal.

"The Order of Arcane Syn will be claiming Phaegon, Gallion, and Sanrafsix," she said quietly. Gallion wouldn't matter to most anyone present here, but for those that knew her, they might recognize she was curious about the low gravity world and its titanic fauna for her research. The other worlds were much more strategic choices. Phaegon had Lignan ore and a large asteroid belt that could provide the necessary resources for shipyards, not to mention untapped potential in the other four planets in the system and their moons. Sanrafsix, much like Darkknell, was a trade hub and her megacorporation would have significant sway there. Plus, it would control one of the major approaches into the sector.

"And we will be seeking an arrangement with whoever controls Sarrassia, to mutual benefit of course," she added.

Darth Carnifex Darth Prazutis Darth Empyrean Darth Ophidia Darth Megarea Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra

 

[Darth Veleson]

Location: Orax | Capital City
Equipment: Imbued Sith Talisman | Imbued Sith Sword | Sith Magistaff
Tags: Darth Strosius

The meditation sphere glided across the sky with unhindered malevolence. It seemed the Sith was confident no harm would come to his craft. Darth Veleson followed Darth Strosius to the edge of the city center. From above a cruel gaze levied itself upon the remaining resistors. He closed his eyes, extending his reach out through the Bogan.

He could taste the fear, desolation, and hopelessness that filled the hearts of the remaining defenders. Like a gluttonous feast the Sith Lord fed from their energy, fueling his own connection to the Dark Side. Darth Veleson closed his eyes once more, returning to his concentrative state. He recessed into the depths of his mind, calling out through the Bogan. The chaotic veil welcomed him with its icy grip and he was more than happy to indulge. He had sensed the Sith and his legions move into the surrounding buildings. The city center was still well fortified, and lines with waves of rioters fired from their makeshift defenses.

They wouldn't last long, and if they were aware of the small gold eye poised above them, the rioters knew it. The Sith Lord felt it appropriate to deal with the civilain ships acting as gunships first. And as such, he began concentrating the energy from the Bogan he was absorbing. His talisman shimmered to life once more and he extended a clawed appendage to his staff, grasping its cold shaft. With his potent connection to the Bogan greatly enhanced he conjured a great dark cloud overhead.

Over the city center, the shadow grew, nearly making the day turn to night. Within the meditation sphere, the ritual was well under-way. The Sith weaved with his free hand, dominating the weaves of reality to his will. He simultaneously muttered incantations in ur-Kittât, carefully reciting each word with precision and focus. Within his minds eye he could see each of the defender's ships as they conducted passes over the clamoring rioters. He had them now, there would be no escape.

Outside the sky swirled, dark clouds seemed to spread further over the city center and just past its edges. Those sensitive to the force could feel the immense concentration of Dark Side energy. It made the air cold and oppressive. A purple hue radiated from the center of the storm, casting an ominous glow over the battlefield. Then from within the manifested shroud, bolts of lighting rained down on each of the ships, sequentially. The vibrant and violent bolts of energy exploded against each vessel with thunderous force.

Two of the vessels exploded on impact, killing the occupants immediately. The others suffered catastrophic failures as a result of the magical blast. They crashed in dramatic fashion, however some defenders likely survived. The Sith Lord relished his magic. The destruction and death he dispensed only further supported his belief that the Sith were Gods to be worshipped by man.

The sky remained black, but the violet light grew dim. In the ensuing shadow, the meditation sphere began to lower from the sky...

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Darth Carnifex Darth Empyrean Darth Prazutis Taeli Raaf Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra Darth Megarea​

Darth Ophidia could taste the agitation in the room.

When warlords forced into mutual collaboration gathered to divvy up spoils there was bound to be tension, but this was different. This was raw. Feelings had been hurt in the emergence of her new order, but such things were necessary for the future and legacy of the Sith. If only they had listened to her.

The Pale Assassin was not the first to claim, nor the second. Eyes turned in her direction, expecting her to speak third, but in her silence Darth Arcanix spoke first. The corner of the Rattataki’s lip curled up as she leaned in toward the map.

Darkknell, Jutrand, Vellas Pavo to Eternals. It was said that the Calimondra heir was among them. She could sense him in the crowd. No doubt he would have his share.

Alphoresis, Gazzari, and Tergamenion to the Kainate. Sentral worlds, strategically sound and as expected. She caught the glimpse between Arcanix and Carnifex. There were secrets between them, that much she knew. While Ophidia did not know the details, she had shared in enough of their work to know how deep their collaboration reached. Their relationship had once been of the same caliber.

But a Dark Lady must stand on her own.

Phaegon, Gallion, and Sanrafsix to the Order of Arcane Syn.

She had presumed some of these claims and had others confirmed in intercepted missives. Still, there were some surprises.

«Tsis-Kaar: Fiviune Greeve and Ventruun»

The claim furrowed eyebrows among the Sepulchral, but the red priest at Ophidia’s side stopped himself from smirking. The claim seemed more than bold: It was nonsense. Ventruun may be a bustling hub of trade on a busy hyperlane and Greeve was a minor agricultural world, but with considerable distance between the two. Fiviune, on the other hand, was a ruinous rock of little worth. And between them was no direct hyperlane connection. Still, she appeared confident in her decision.

Was she being played for a fool, or had she some secret knowledge?

 

[Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra]

OBTENEBRATION

Homecoming

Warlord's Conclave​

Anthysius watched without emotion. He had long dreamt for years of striking out to control the sector on his own, but watching the warlord carrion rip it up elicited little reaction. Oh, he felt the hatred and sting of indignance, of course. His entire reason for planning to quietly take over Grumani was entirely due to wishing to wash his hands of the Sith.

But no matter. He would bide his time and wait, and continue to secure his position. And if nothing else, let them choke on the poisoned fruit of pacifying a conquered sector.

But Anthysius would nonetheless demand at leas some of his just due. He could negotiate for de facto control of Darkknell or Vellas Pavo or Jutrand or a myriad of other worlds he knew better than any of these carrion lords. But in front of the assemblage and the arbiter, there was one world he HAD to claim, an ancestral return centuries in the making:

"House Calimondra: Syned, and guaranteed rights and privileges for my house's corporate interests to remain untouched to facilitate the economy and administration of the sector."

The implicit statement was clear too: Anthysius, though a mere Knight, had a hand to play, a key hand of a shadow network of cults, soldiers and importantly, markets & corps, that would bring no small measure of hard, real power to any of the Big Three that were open and willing to come to some agreement regarding him gaining some administrative control over key worlds. As it stood, Empyrean held the worlds most entwined with Elevar Holdings' economic web, and it stood to reason both could gain from some arrangement. Anthysius was sure that some of the old corporate still lived inside the Worm-shell of the Eternal One.


Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex Taeli Raaf Darth Ophidia

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Ventruun was a problem - but it put the Tsis'kal in worse conventional shape for attempting to hold it. Without a direct hyperlane any military response between the planets claimed would be slow - and by forcing their hand to allow him to take the rest of the Hydian Way lane would essentially gurantee his control over trade coming from the Core.​

​

Worse than that, however, the Tsis'kal didn't need a conventional military in the same regard. While internal security measures have been massively amplified due to their intrusion - having a checkpoint for trade would allow them immediate and dangerous smuggling ability to upset his control over Darkknell. His lip almost curled at the thought - knowing he'd have to implement a very autocratic police state on the world to maintain absolute control.​

​

"That is problematic, Darth Ophidia - especially if holding Ventruun would harm trade towards the rest of the sector.", he said with barely hidden contempt.​

​

"I assume you intend to allow trade through to the more accessable Darkknell - or would you hope to choke the entire sector of trade if we threaten you?"​

​

When Calimondra spoke up, Empyrean glanced to him with artificial eyes. His control in the region was well known - but generally ignored by the planning committee, but that didn't mean he wasn't a powerful ally with his local connections to officials. Bringing him on one's side helped ensure far less overhead to maintain control - especially if he could convince the local officials to play nice.​

​

"I can support your claim for Syned, Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra . Not for free - I would offer my backing on the promise of corporate connections, economic trade, and if need be, military assistance."​

​

The last line forced him to glance towards Ophidia.​

​

Darth Carnifex // Taeli Raaf // Darth Prazutis // Darth Megarea​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Secure Orax
Location: Orax's Capital City
Equipment: Lightsaber, Dagger, Armor
Tags: Darth Veleson
---------------------------------------

Like a shroud, darkness seemed to cover the city center as the meditation sphere flew overhead and filled the rioters with a fanatical confidence. Soon enough the makeshift gunships were stricken from the sky by bolts of lightning, sending many of them crashing and exploding into friend and foe alike. While most crashed into either buildings or the crowds, a couple attempted to make a landing within the safety of the city center only to wind up crashing into the barricades keeping it secure.

Breaches from the damages caused by the gunships, and the resulting deaths or scattering of the defenders on the barricades, were quickly exploited as a first wave of rioters began to pour into the center at various points. "They're pinned in, open fire!" The Legionnaires took up positions by the windows of the building and were soon laying down suppressive fire on the retreating guards and enforcers as they fell back from the ruined barricades.

Benches and vehicles became makeshift cover as the city center was alight with blaster fire and screams of pain, the defenders falling back into their headquarters and government buildings as their attempts to reform a cohesive defense of the main open areas was soon rendered a bloody failure. As the rioters began to flood the center and beat against the buildings, Alisteri carved a sizable hole in the building's wall with his lightsaber before kicking the ruined wall and making an entrance for himself and his forces.

"Forward! Watch those windows and check your corners, this is where it gets bloody." Alisteri strode into the city with his soldiers at his back, some of them firing up into the buildings and gunning down a defender or two as they began to fire out from the buildings they had hidden inside of. The city center was all but overrun with the rioters by now, but the buildings were still full of the city's last defenders.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Darth Carnifex Darth Empyrean Taeli Raaf Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra​

There was the businessman she had once bargained with. Beneath the veneer of his layered spirit remained still a portion of the Maliphant whose hands were glued to the coffers of their Order. His goal to monopolise control over all trade from the Hydian Way was obvious. Credits held power, and the Hydian Way carried credits all the way from the Core to the edge of the Outer Rim.

"Trade will go uninterrupted through Ventruun, provided certain guarantees are in place." She placed her hand on her heart as if swearing an oath. "Darkknell is equally positioned to choke the flow of trade and information through the intersection of the Duros Space Run. Should Darkknell be used to skew either commodity unfairly in the favour of the Eternals then the aforementioned promise will default."

Her eyes slipped to the direction of the Calimondra heir. Between the two of them only, it would seem as though her eyes flickered with the reflection of a planet torched. As quickly as it had happened, the glance was over. Her overt attention was on the meeting at hand and the challenge to her claim.

"Furthermore, as long as the Calimondra do not interfere with Ventruun, he can have Syned and his corporate contacts."

She did not appear to seethe with hatred, even when pressed, instead she seemed infuriatingly collected. There was no mockery or bravado in her words, but there was confidence; a confidence greater than that she had ever displayed as a servant of any Dark Lord.

"Are these terms acceptable, my Lords? Knight Calimondra?"

 

[Terraxia]

Objective: Cults
(Flavor music)

Sabers collide as the Jedi and I continue our battle
After much swordplay, she finally manages to land a solid strike
the smell of charred sizzled flesh and smoke from my now damaged armour

"Good! Very good!" -- that farkin' hurt but nothing I can't handle

Seeing that she's breached my defense makes her renew her attack
the Dark Side is beginning to consume her, she's given herself over
I can even see her eyes beginning to change

The girl is in a Dark Side frenzy...a berserker inside of her is unleashed
her raw power and brute force begin to overwhelm my defense
it's getting more and more difficult to keep up

"ENOUGH!!!"

I barely get enough time to blast her with my own Dark Side power
She falls to the deck unconscious, it's lights out for now
retreives my saber, calls for a medic and a retrieval team on the commlink

(more to come)

 

[Iasha Rha]

Ventruun​

Iasha Rha pulled the collar of her cloak higher to cover her mouth and nose as she left her post. The green light blinking on her com was signal from her fellow operatives that it was time. All around them was violence, brawls, robbery, murder and mayhem. Some of it was due to the machinations of the Sith Order, but not all. Sometimes, sentients left their empathy behind and let their darkest impulses roar.

The Force moves darkly around a creature about to kill, and Ventruun was thick with a cloud of ill intent.

The chaos was intentional, or so she assumed. It allowed assassins like herself to work their trade in the light of the burning buildings while local law enforcement was stretched too thin to see them. It also allowed whoever swept in at the end to come off as saviours against the chaos. The endgame was beyond her, but she knew her task was necessary.

A glass dagger rested in her sleeve, cold to the touch and filled with black poison. It had become something of a signature and its making meant only one thing: Someone would die tonight.

The twi'lek slipped into an alley, jumped atop a fence and from there to a windowsill. The acrobatics were effortless, leaving barely a sound as she pulled herself up to the window and undid the lock with the force. She opened it quietly and slipped through as quiet as silk. The interior was dark, but not so dark she could not sense the corners. Iasha could tell that someone had been through the room once already, ransacking it for valuables. They either hadn't found the panic room or they simply did not care. Her hand placed itself on the door and her eyes closed as she let her senses loose. She felt a tremor in her lekku, three breathing beings, afraid, one determined. Barging in would be a trap.

Flammable liquid soon spilled across the floor and ignited. Smoke filled the flat as darkness gave way to orange light. Iasha watched as it spread deliberately cutting off all escapes but one. That was where she waited.

The glass dagger slipped into her hand.

 

[Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra]

OBTENEBRATION

Homecoming

Warlord's Conclave​

Her eyes slipped to the direction of the Calimondra heir. Between the two of them only, it would seem as though her eyes flickered with the reflection of a planet torched. As quickly as it had happened, the glance was over. Her overt attention was on the meeting at hand and the challenge to her claim.

"Furthermore, as long as the Calimondra do not interfere with Ventruun, he can have Syned and his corporate contacts."

Anthysius gave a slight bow. He had no interest in inserting himself into more struggles than absolutely needed, and making an enemy of the Dark Lafy was one such unneeded struggle.

"Are these terms acceptable, my Lords? Knight Calimondra?"

"I thank the Dark Lady for her understanding in this matter."

Jutrand Jedi Enclave
Orion Skywalker Alina Tremiru Kyrilu Storm-wracked Daxa Zuul Rhynne Urdreth​

:: Capture who you can. Kill who you cannot. If word spreads of our arrival, the hounds will surely come to this side of the galaxy. Don't try and fight those stronger than you alone. ::

Alina spoke only briefly over the holocom to her Inquisitors. They knew what they had to do. Her gaze flicked briefly to her own apprentice, watching Kyrilu only for a moment. He'd come far, but how would he handle striking out against the Jedi? It was as much a test for him as it was an importance to the whole of the Sith Order.

"Take a squad of the 67th when we land, secure the library. I'm sure some of those Jedi will try to destroy what they can before we can get our hands on it. Hideouts, other temples. Secure all information you can find. Understood?"

Issan's force cut through what defenders still stood in their way, reaching the vaunted entrace of the Enclave. The building was low and humble, with wide open spaces and parks surrounding it. Already the parks around it were ablaze, a mad mob rampaging through. Just then, Alina's Inquisitorius strike force soared overhead on shuttles. Right on time.

"Clear the boulevards of hostiles, leave unobstructed landing spots for our allies above. Shed the blood of the masses if you must to assert order. Acolytes, lead the Awoken to clear the nearest urban structures surrounding the parks." Issan herself strode up the steps into the enclave, flanked by several acolytes.

 

[Yraven Lakke]

​

Vanahame


The large spaceport was cold. No power had graced the facility for an unkown amount of time. A lone dropship broke the threshold of the spaceport's hangar bay and landed. The sounds of metal groaning beneath the ship echoed through the abandoned corridors nearby. The doors of the dropship opened and several acolytes of the Sith Order stepped out. One of them being the Echani, Yraven Lakke.

"So much wasted potential here. Centuries ago, children were indoctrinated and enslaved beneath our very feet at the hands of some lowlife despot. All because he was a lonely runt with a chip on his shoulder. Pathetic."

The acolytes' mission was a simple one. See that power was restored to the space station and eliminate any possible resistance. Though the place seem devoid of life, anything or anyone could have made a home here. And if they did, they would know the layout much better than Yraven or the others. They would have to remain vigilant.

The pilot of the dropship would send word back to command, informing them the operation had begun as planned.

 

[Iasha Rha]

Ventruun​

Smoke spread, stinging her eyes, but the Sith prevailed. She tucked a rebreather into her mouth to filter out the smoke as it darkened and welled up from the hungry, orange flames. Iasha listened to the roar of the flames growing louder and wilder as the flames climbed up along the walls, until it was cut with coughs and panicked conversation.

She could feel their fear

Clutching the shikkar, she tucked herself well into the curtain of the last remaining escape.

The door to the panic room suddenly opened. A male figure went first, holding a thick blanket in front of him to shield the others. Behind him came two children of indeterminate gender, and a female with a blaster in shaking hands. The father held the blanket up between his family and the flames and shouted for them to go first, but the children halted when they saw the shadow in the window. A blade flashed, red and black darted past the girls and a groan sounded as glass entered flesh and then broke off. The twi'lek assassin turned swiftly and threw her hands out towards the children. They squealed in fear as they were pulled to her side. The mother pivoted and raised the blaster as Iasha held the children in front of her like shields.

"This is all your fault."

The twi'lek leered just before the father wrapped the blanket around her and pulled her off balance. The mother fired her blaster, but the shot went wide of Iasha as she thrashed back against her assailant. She seized his wrist and neck, and skipped into his centre before planting her feet and throwing him on his back between the girls. The cracked blade in his back now shattered fully, releasing the toxins within. He would feel as though he burned from the inside.

Another shot.

Iasha swerved out of the side and dove forward to close the distance. She rolled, stood, and pushed the blaster up just as it fired again. Her hand thrust forward against the mother's abdomen and released a blast of the Force. She flew back, over the side of the balcony and crashed against the opposite building before falling down to the ground, limp.

Iasha turned to look, but could not see the children. They could not have escaped, she thought; they had to be hiding. She looked up and saw the flames had reached the ceiling. The house would not hold much longer. So she closed the final escape, climbed down, and watched as orange overtook the house.

 

[Terraxia]

rejoins the battle, it's pretty much over and finished
those who disavowed the Jedi and swore fealty to the Sith were allowed to live
refusal was punishable by execution

Behind every great Warlord is a fearsome right hand, my whip, my number one soldier
but Commander Jonn Ka'bel is more than that; he is a killer, the Dark Side is strong with this one
and being among the true Lords of Darkness has brought out his own true self

Ka'bel and his troops have no problem lining up the heretics and traitors
the Sith stormtroopers raise their weapons, the Commander along with them
A wicked custom F-11 blaster and some new armour to go with it

"Execute."

the helpless prisoners get mowed down in a hail of blaster fire
even after they have fallen, Ka'bel gives the order to continue firing
the man is thorough, leaves no chance for any survivors
also delivers a stern message to those who were spared

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex Darth Ophidia Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra

With her claim spoken, and no challenges to such from Kaine, Ophidia, or Empyrean, her figure had settled back into its chair. She was curious about Ophidia's choices, and she could make some educated guesses on why she chose those worlds. Her attention, though, had shifted to the outspoken Knight whose last name had connections to this sector's ancient past.

Bold of him, and while Syned had little value to any of the other Lords, she could read between the lines, as she was sure Empyrean could, about the Knight's unrestricted access for his house's corporate interests to all territory in the sector. Such an arrangement would give him undue influence that he could use in climbing the ladder, and she could feel the resentment boiling off his aura into the currents of the Force.

Empyrean raised a point of contention with Ophidia's claim on Ventruun, and he was cautious about the Knight, but the offer for his support was there. Ophidia met the contention and made no objections to Syned and the Knight's other demands, but then Ophidia's realm within the shadows was not one that needed to worry about what corporations might be operating in her realm, at least very often.

She regarded her datapad, pulling up the data on the Knight's family and their holdings.

"There's no issue with Syned, but I do have a teensy issue with your corporate... request," she said. "All operations in the Phaegon system will be within and under Aurora Industries' purview, no one else's unless a proper arrangement is made with me and..." she gave a slight indication of her head to Empyrean, "Sanrafsix's future economic development will be handled by the IGBC and its affiliates, so you will need to make fully binding arrangements with them and my approval before Elevar Holdings can invest anywhere there. Beyond that, I have no issues with your other demesnes."

 

[Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra]

OBTENEBRATION

Homecoming
Tags: Taeli Raaf Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex Darth Ophidia Darth Megarea

Warlord's Conclave​

"There's no issue with Syned, but I do have a teensy issue with your corporate... request," she said. "All operations in the Phaegon system will be within and under Aurora Industries' purview, no one else's unless a proper arrangement is made with me and..." she gave a slight indication of her head to Empyrean, "Sanrafsix's future economic development will be handled by the IGBC and its affiliates, so you will need to make fully binding arrangements with them and my approval before Elevar Holdings can invest anywhere there. Beyond that, I have no issues with your other demesnes."

"Other demesnes". Clever. As if he didn't know she knew that Anthysius had, frankly, little else to his name (and not even his real name, at that) but his corporate holdings and a smattering of real estate small enough that a megacorp accountant would write it off as a rounding error.

And speaking of megacorps, Anthysius could not help but fidget when she mentioned IGBC. That pernicious lumbering brute. Elevar Holdings was no medium-sized enterprise, the kind too often trampled by the Old Corps, but he too shared the distaste that other "rimward enterprises" held of the gigaconglomerate financier.

Taeli Raaf was trying to position her opinion as aligned with Darth Empyrean and IGBC's interests. Against such an argument Anthysius would easily lose. He had to say this carefully: he was no match for either group if they individually chose to reject it, so he took another tack:

"I must clarify that I and others have already put significant coin and labour into investments across the sector. I hope this won't be a problem with the rulers of said systems. I am merely concerned in safeguarding investments, both past and future, which I hope is something we can all see the mutual importance of," his eyes flicked to Empyrean. "Entanglements will be commonplace in an economy like this sector, and insecurity in property rights could bring down the house of cards we Sith have recently taken."

The message was clear; violation of the property rights of small fry like the Calimondra heir was only a few steps removed from unilateral seizure of assets belonging to those with much more to lose. Anthysius was rhetorically positioning his rights and assets as a canary in the coal mine for the state of the Sith Order, making it in the interests of the big players to ensure he gained his "fair" share.

Not that any two Sith could ever agree on what counts as fair.

"Now, I am sure we can come to the 'proper arrangements' with little trouble." He gave a reassuring smile behind the lie. Though Anthysius foresaw little trouble operating as per usual vis-a-viz IGBC, he knew he would have to fight tooth and nail against every possible nibbling at his piece of the pie.

"One possible contention we should prioritise for resolution is Phaegon's Lignan mines. Having operated some small-scale mining and preliminary research operations on it-" -even the humble statement was a bit of an exaggeration; barely any independent mines dared to mine such a potent resource without powerful aid, and Anthysius had only set up small-scale operations so far- "-I can confirm that Lignan is very much a vital strategic resource that concerns all of the Order."

He let the sentence sink in for a moment.

"I would be more than happy to come to an agreement on joint profit, operation and research regarding Phaegon's Lignan reserves; the already-present staff and expertise would come in handy, and I would be willing even to divest myself from Phaegon's other economic activities to ameliorate your concerns. The already-present facilities can be expanded, and due to its important nature, I also propose that representatives of any Sith Lords be given access to contribute, benefit from and inspect the operations of such a vital facility."

A veil of magnanimity. All would see through it, and all could easily jointly reject it, but if any of the factions, especially the big three with bad blood between them, were the first to oppose this reasonable proposal on their own, it would open them up to (self-serving) accusations from the other factions of short-sighted greed for the vital ore, and of stirring dissent within the already fragile Order.

Anthysius was counting on self-interest and lack of coordination (reasonable assumptions of any Sith) between them to pre-empt coordinated opposition to that addendum.

"As to Sanrafsix, I will be happy to work out the details with IGBC affiliates on my own time after other pressing matters are discussed at this meeting."

 

[Kyrilu Storm-wracked]

The Light In Darkness
Location: Jutrand Jedi Enclave

Alina Tremiru // Daxa Zuul // Rhynne Urdreth // Orion Skywalker // Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra​

This was it. All the training, all the pain, all the lessons had been building up to this, Kyrilu's biggest challenge yet. His Master's previous missions had been errands compared to this - going saber-to-saber with Jedi. A full-on assault of a Jedi Enclave, testing Ky's newly-emerging strength in the dark side of the force and his belief in the ways of the Sith. In order to play in his part in helping the Sith Order stamp its dominance on the galaxy once more, Ky would need to ensure his wits were sharp and his blades were sharper.

As the Inquisitorius shuttles banked low over the city, Ky could feel the chaos of the city-wide riots taking place below. The anger, the violence and the fear all caused Ky's Sight to thrum with the power of the dark side. It was maddening, being so close to such suffering and not being allowed to partake, but Ky's prey today was so much more worthy of his attentions.

Ky listened to his Master's instructions, securing his plasteel half-face mask to the magnetic subdermal implants in his skull as he did so. The vibrosword and his lightsaber hung securely at his waist, patiently waiting for their time to taste the blood of a true enemy.

"Understood, Master. I will not fail you," Ky said, his usual sense of humour dulled in the wake of this mission's import. He made his way to the shuttle's hangar, filled to bursting with soldiers of the 67th Legion eager to be let loose. Ky briefly sifted through the minds of some of the purge troopers, gauging their determination, resolve and will to fight. His senses landed on one squad in particular, and he stalked over.

The troopers stood up at straight as they realised they were the subject of Ky's attention. The sergeant, a human female with a shaved head, grim smile and her helmet tucked neatly under one arm, snapped off a quick salute. The rest of the eight-man squad followed suit despite being immediately uncomfortable in his presence. Ky grinned inwardly, still getting used to the feeling of command. "Name and unit designation, Sergeant."

"Sergeant Liran, 21st Purge Squad, Sir!" Was the woman's curt reply.

"And the informal designation?"

"Uh...none yet, Sir," Sergeant Liran said, tight-lipped.

Ky nodded knowingly as the rest of the troopers looked everywhere but at him, shifting their stances embarrassedly. Good, they would be eager to prove themselves and gain a moniker worthy of the elite squad Ky had judged them capable of being.

"Forget your original orders, Sergeant. You and the 21st will be accompanying me to the Enclave's library. It will not be easy, I expect to encounter dangerous foes who will do their very best to kill me and anyone with me. I will do my best to lead you, but I will not protect any of you. If the 21st is not up to the task, tell me now and I will find another," Ky said, letting the expressionless visage of his mask bore into each trooper, reading their surface emotions as he did so.

"My troopers are some of the best, Sir! We would be honoured to follow you today!" Sergeant Liran barked, the whole squad saluting him stiffly, proudly.

Ky smiled. "Excellent. Perhaps I shall help you earn a moniker today with that attitude, Liran. Ready yourselves, we will be landing soon."

Good, those following him were suitably motivated not just to do their duty but to prove themselves and follow his orders tenaciously. The engines of the shuttle wavered, promising imminent violence as the craft settled down.

It was time.

 

[Yraven Lakke]

​

Vanahame

The groaning and moaning of the metal corridors were the only sound to fill the air of the once active spaceport. Three teams split up. One led by the young Echani acolyte. Yraven set out through the spaceport in search of anything or anyone hostile. None who would call such a place home willingly he figured. Without any power, his task would be that much more difficult. He had hoped the team in route of restoring power would find a solution with haste.

"It is quiet," he noticed. "Do not let the silence fool you. This is far too secure a place to not claim. It is what I would I do should I be desperate enough." The Force was not giving Yraven any insight to anything that was outside of his sight. Perhaps, the starport was cold and lifeless as previous reports indicated.

Maybe Yraven would have an easy day.

Yraven soon found himself at the end of a hallway. Though, there were no rooms. Not even a door. Yraven was puzzled. Why would there be a hall in this facility that lead to nowhere? He quickly thought on it before moving on to other parts of the spaceport.

 

[Venn Kolis]

OBTENEBRATION
Sword of the Corpse God

Jutrand​

Calamity reigned in the streets of the city-world. Fanatical cults of Dark Side followers had begun a bloody people's revolution in urban centers across the Ecumenopolis. The forces of the civil defense were beset on every side by wild attackers. On thundering hooves they came, whooping for joy of blood. The Dhord Buqari had been loosed, and there was no one to deliver from their hunt. Through the streets they charged, and as they rode their pikes flashed down to strike any who stood in their path, or were simply too slow. Cycler rifles cracked out from rooftops and from their Dalgo mounts, bringing swift death to many who thought themselves out of harms reach.

All across Jutrand, on this fated day, extremist Sith followers had begun hostile actions in their blocs and districts. And all across Jutrand, unmarked transport ships had descended into spaceports and city streets. From their cargo bays, the Dhord Buqari had spilled forth. After their arrival, seemingly expected by the insurgents, the two groups had begun to assault all major and minor points of planetary control and infrastructure. Civilian casualties had been inevitable in the chaos. Violence was rampant, explosions intermittent across the endless skyline.

And then a shadow fell across the Capital Bloc. Eyes turned upwards to a heavily armed cruiser, emblazoned in red and gold. Scarlet dropships spewed forth from the hanger doors of the Blade of Fear, to scream down into the streets of bedlam. Dark-clad troopers in hooded coats swarmed the streets in crowds, rifles in hand. Lieutenants were standing on street corners and atop barricades, talking into loudspeakers. To the Dhord Buqari, to the cultists, to citizens and city officials, their message was the same.

"Cease all hostility. Your recklessness is endangering lives. Do not be afraid. We are the Burning Legion. We will restore order."

​

Feeds from a squadron of probe droids showed the state of the Capital Bloc from a hundred viewpoints, displayed on an enormous array of monitors. Before these was sat the Cinder Hierophant, his helmet removed. Reclined with his feet propped up, Venn's yellow eyes flicked from screen to screen, taking it all in. It was working wonderfully.

The Dhord Buqari, of course, were not really being arrested. It was all for show. Most of the extremists would also be released, in time. The important bit was when the Sith Eternal rescued the bloc from anarchy, and the arrest of the current administration. Soon the Burning Legion would present evidence (falsified, naturally) of their gross internal corruption, and claim it was representative of affairs all over Jutrand. The entire city-planet would surrender control to the Sith Eternal, or else face more incursions from the Burning Legion, all in the name of purging corruption.

But the Sith Eternal certainly wasn't using this opportunity to seize power! The very idea! No. Once the old administration had been deposed, the Church of Akos would organize new elections for a representative government. There was no harm in it; elections were so easy to manipulate. And soon, the Church would hold the hearts of the populace anyways.

Brushing dark hair up out of his eyes, the Sith apprentice stood and stretched. The paperwork he had ahead of him really didn't bear thinking about, but despite the workload, Venn was feeling quite self-satisfied. Galling as she could sometimes be, Tremiru had her uses. Alina had done him the great service of taking a very promising group of young Sith and moving to eradicate the Jedi of the Jutrand Enclave. Facing extinction, they would have no manpower to oppose the Burning Legion's coup; of this, Venn was certain.

"Please forgive my intrusion, Hierophant. We have our next assignment."

Venn turned to take a datapad out of the hands of the officer. "At ease, Colonel. These are the Days of Darkness. There's always work. Whereto next?"

"Subterrel, sir."

 

[Daxa Zuul]

Jutrand Enclave
Kyrilu Storm-wracked | Orion Skywalker | Anthysius Soraysom-Calimondra | Alina Tremiru | Rhynne Urdreth ​

Issan's force cut through what defenders still stood in their way, reaching the vaunted entrace of the Enclave. The building was low and humble, with wide open spaces and parks surrounding it. Already the parks around it were ablaze, a mad mob rampaging through. Just then, Alina's Inquisitorius strike force soared overhead on shuttles. Right on time.

"Clear the boulevards of hostiles, leave unobstructed landing spots for our allies above. Shed the blood of the masses if you must to assert order. Acolytes, lead the Awoken to clear the nearest urban structures surrounding the parks." Issan herself strode up the steps into the enclave, flanked by several acolytes.

The transport hovered over the enclave; shuttle doors opened in mid air, revealing Daxa, a stark figure draped in brilliant scarlet, and a heavily armored squad of the 67th, bristling with weapons. Wind buffeted her cape and roared in her ears. Below, chaos reigned, as mobs trampled and torched everything they could. The Force was a swirl of pain and misery and anger as conflicts erupted around the city. Already, the Sith forces were encroaching upon the enclave. It was glorious.

Without preamble, she leapt from the transport, a laugh of pure delight bubbling its way out of her, and landed atop on of the enclave's low buildings. Fires dotted the city line, and thick back smoke billowed through the air. All around, there was violence. Pure, beautiful, unadulterated violence. She felt high, almost, as if she were floating, carried up and up on a rising swell of death and desolation.

She did not hide herself in the Force- not for this. She flared her presence instead, red anger and black hatred rising to the fore, as if in challenge. Come Jedi, she said without words. Come and die.

She would seek out the pups first, then work her way up.

​