Operation: Reclamation Swarm [Iron Empire Dominion of Ornfra Hex]

[Talos Rygat]

Location: Sharb
Objectives: Investigate
Allies: [member="Caelag Vass"] [member="Arisa Yune"]

Talos was approached by an Archon who whispered about Jedi Master Yune's arrival. Talos nodded in acknowledgment, the Sharb officials like ones on inquisitively.

"An ally, with vast medical and support resources. They're known for their goal to aid anyone they can. The Imperial Empire has made friends with these allies because of their immense support for those in need. We can assure you they are trustworthy."

"We appreciate all you're offering, but we don't want any interventions from outsiders."

"We've secured contact with the Council. We would like to make the attempt. You've lost people, We are here to help, there is a better chance if We search together. We don't want anyone else disappearing, trust Us."

"Alright fine." The official waved a hand and a number of speeders drove up with security and escorts. They ushered the group into the speeders.

"We'll take you to the Council, you ride with us."

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Ilum - Iron Pantheon
Though lovers be lost, love shall not; and death shall have no dominion.
~Dylan Thomas

[member="Kaili Talith"]

Objective 3 & 4.

[3]

Is it that simply? no, in fact it is cold comfort. Especially for those that had been taken before their time, cut down by others who could have otherwise spared their lives. The young so filled with life ready to try and achieve their potential or fail, as sometimes the path of life will want to do. But they would never know, the galaxy would never know the graces that had been taken from it. The young girl before him, a pretty young thing, saddened by some event in her life and for Theo could have amounted to anything. It is very difficult to find someone in the galaxy that has not been touched by life's experiences of a grievous nature but that doesn't make it any less important to the person.

The pair began their trek toward the caves, Theo pushed his legs to plow into the snow and ice as they climbed the snow dune, it would not take them long for on the other side the entrance to the Ilum caves would open before them. "I suppose it might be surprising considering my parents", from her comment he believed she had heard of the family name just as he had her own. "Although I am Jedi, a Jedi life was never imposed on me because of it and I have the freedom of choice to travel my own destiny", There had never been any demand made by the Silver Order or his family to follow their foot steps, in fact it was encourage he find his own way. The pressures of the family name he had be self-imposed. He recognised that himself, and since then he had never looked back.

"I take it you require a crystal", it was the most obvious reason for her coming here. "I am sure you have knowledge of the caves and what tests they will impose on you. I shall watch your back". By that he means to go to her aid if the test becomes too much. The seeking of a crystal is an individual experience, one that needs to be take alone, but that does equate to placing them danger. The top of the dune was reach and down the other side the high columns of the cave entrance pressed hard against the rock face of the ice mountain. "Shall we?".

 

[Krayzen Dratos]

Location: Schesa
Objective: Do my own thing
Post 2/15

It had taken a few minutes, but he had arrived at the planned construction site. The terrain was good to make a fortress, as there were natural defenses.

"General." a trooper respectfully stated. When he had arrived, he could see that there were various tents, and thousands of soldiers patrolling the ground. The Dark Knight had come to take over the building of the construction, although even he at times wondered why he was given such boring tasks.

"What have you done so far?" he curiously asked.

"We have been able to set up defenses around this perimeter." the soldier stated, pointing at various points on a 3D map. "In terms of the construction, we are ahead of schedule. Our engineers are currently working on setting up a program that will work hand in hand with our automated defenses. The construction workers at this instance are working on establishing the barracks, as well as the medical quarters for those that might be injured." the trooper replied.

Krayzen then nodded, deciding to see the areas that were being constructed for himself. He would soon help with the construction, as the Anzat wanted to set up a good example for the troops under his command.

 

[Kaili Talith]

Snow was one of those elements that Kaili had never really gotten used to. When she had grown up she had been taken to several hazardous training exercises with her parents and extended family, it was part of how they had chosen to raise their children and they had been better off for it. At least so Kaili liked to believe. She knew the importance of not focusing on the discomforts that the environment caused her unless said discomfort was causing her pain. The snow bit into her ankles, but she had the man’s cloak to help with that. She’d live and she’d be a step closer to enduring yet another mission in climates that bothered her.

And she’d have a saber, that was a plus too.

“I was free to shape my own destiny too,” Kaili nodded. “Aela and Micah chose the Galactic Alliance, I chose neither.”

She had always valued her own freedom. Freedom from her parents, freedom to move and think as she wished. It was part of why she dreaded to accept the fact that her own company was bound to her with good reason. Kaili wanted the freedom that not having it brought, but she needed the money it brought her in order to actually enjoy said freedom. It was a Catch-22 if she had ever experienced one.

“I do indeed search for crystals.” She let in a shaky breath. “I don’t have much knowledge about the tests, but I do know they have some sort of trials.”

The temple’s gates came into view and Kaili couldn’t help but mouth out an unspoken ‘wow’ at the sight of it. While she had not ever really been part of the Jedi she had always found appreciation for the grandness of their architecture. This place was ancient, it spoke of such old wisdom, yet it still remained standing. Its wonders made the blonde girl forget her troubles for a moment as she let her eyes soak in the sheer scale of it.

“Let’s.” She nodded as her eyes kept lingering at the sight of the grand pillars.

“... I can see why Mara would come here.” She uttered before realizing what that meant. When that meant. “At least why she would have.”

“Before the Mandalorians got here and tore her apart.” Kaili felt a brief chuckle blow through her nose as she frowned. “Pretty sure you heard about that one.”

The frown grew wider. “She’s written books about it, refusing to let the past rest where it belongs.”

Eyes closed. “I fear for her sometimes, but I don’t have the means to help her.”

Her heart grew heavy again. “... I don’t have the means to help anyone.”

Pain. “Feth.”

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

[5]​

 

[Caelag Vass]

• Location: Sharb
• Objective 2: Investigate mysterious disappearances
• Objective 4: Prove worth to the Iron Empire Army
• Post: 3

Caelag sighed quietly to herself, stubborn as ever the Chiss were. Not unlike most other species, really, but for an isolated group it made more sense she supposed. Here was the big Iron Empire coming in and taking charge of what was their one village's problem, it certainly seemed like they were going to force their way in. Or at the least, weren't taking no as an answer. Not to mention she and two other soldiers were there, armed and dangerous.

Still, progress was progress, and it would not be shunned by the Miraluka simply out of distaste for the thin trust. She motioned her two privates to follow her, as she took a seat in one of the speeders. She fixed her cloak a bit so it wouldn't get caught in anything, and flipped her hood up to help with the wind that would come from riding in the speeder. She had a particular distaste for these, though it stemmed from the need of someone else to drive for her.

She hated how she needed help. But this time, at least, she had an excuse in acting civil for the comfort of the hosts of the planet, She glanced off to the side at Centurion Rygat, giving the being a small nod to indicate to him, personally, that she was doing alright. Her feeling of being uncomfortable echoed ever so slightly in the force, and she wanted the sensitive being to know she wasn't going to start shooting anything up.

She would remain quiet for the drive, waiting to speak only when she had particular need. She was here to act, after all, not simply make small talk and promises.


[member="Talos Rygat"] | [member="Arisa Yune"] | [member="Vitha Sat-thuron"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"] | [member="Kiran Arlos"]

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Ilum - Ilum Caves
Nothing comes from nothing, and nothing ever could.
~Sound of Music

[member="Kaili Talith"]

Objective 3 & 4.

[4]

How do you solve a problem like Kaili? You can't. Only she can do that.


"They tore apart more than stone and ice", he said solemnly almost inaudibly. As they drew near the entrance to the caves she would notice the damage and for the most part the it was still in ruin. Although the Legion had secured the caves making it safe to pass through there was still much work to be done. Théo would have to approach the Empire regarding this soon. "Yes, I have heard what had happened here". And not just from books or files on data pads, but from the younglings cut down in there and in the skies above. They were waiting, he knew it.

To change the topic of conversation, he shifted to what she was about to face in there once she passed the inner entrance and through the ice curtain to the caves beyond. "Well, yes they are trials, but nothing set in stone", a slight grin crossed his lips. "I have not had need to gather a crystal from here, I passed through the caves on Rhen Var when I was but a lad. They are similar a trail and the caves will test you individually, which could be anything". He remembered all the younglings back then, some older gathering their crystals, and each one of them experienced so much and so different to the next.

"My experience was that .. my fears where tested, fears I still hold really, but have come to terms with. However, that day I learned of something more, of a skill I did not know I had. Now do of course". It had been the natural talent, born to him and given to him from his father, the ability to use the force in a power waves, a shock wave that is beyond the capacity of most.

"Your friend you say will not let the past rest, can you do that? sometimes the past is all we have in order to feel something. To be able to feel that we still live. It can bury you as well and needs to be watch with much vigilance or else it will swallow you. But our past defines us, for good or bad". They entered and immediately the cave grew colder then outside, but Théo could draw on the force to sustain him but the girl?

"Keep my cloak, you will need it". He pointed to the curtain of ice, the way in which she would enter the caves proper. He closed his eyes and summon the lightside of the force and stood letting his tendrils of light touch the ice and soon the caves answered him and the curtain opened.

 

[Kaili Talith]

It would have been more of a surprise to Kaili if the man hadn’t heard of what had happened. The Massacre on Ilum had been a horrific event that shook her world. It was something that never should have been allowed to happen in the first place, yet it had and as a result it’d become a testament to the horrors that could be brought into the galaxy when cowardly men took out their aggression on those that were their minors. Her tone when people mentioned the event was always the same and it was more than fair to assume that perhaps a small part of Mara’s propaganda against the Mandalorians had rubbed off on Kaili too. She tried to keep that in mind when faced with a discussion on the subject, but it was hard. The propaganda was built primarily on of pain that leaked from her friend’s mind. That was more than Kaili knew what to do with. She had always been an advisor, not a counselor.

Thoughts of Mara was not something that Kaili relished much. At least not when Ilum was Involved. When the man moved on to discuss the trials she was about to face she took it as a saving grace and pondered what these trials would be for her. In a sense it was an interesting conundrum to her. What fears was there to face for the girl that was convinced she was currently living her own worst nightmare? Out of all the people she held the closest to her heart she only had one left able to stand. In the immediate aftermath of the events that had taken place on Bespin Kaili had given Mara a panicked call to make sure that she was okay. She was, and in that regard Kaili didn’t have to worry. At least that was what she wanted to tell herself. Out of three pillars that supported her and all that her life had been, only one remained standing.

And then, in an instant, eyes narrowed at the Jedi’s remark. A spark of anger roared through the girl’s mind at a perceived slight. Was he lecturing her? Was the self-righteous little goody two-shoes telling her she was supposed to just let it go? Lips thinned and shrunk into a tense spot on her face as her nose scrunched up. The idea that she was being told by a jedi, a Heavenshield no less, how to handle her grief was laughable. Of course, deep down she knew that this reaction was not hers, but Kaili had always been a trouble child when her temper got involved. Teeth gritted, an arm was raised to point at him and chew him out over the remark.

Her mouth opened to say something, but she couldn’t. Because she wouldn’t. He didn’t mean to imply that it was Allyson she had to let go of as much as the things that weighed her down from her past and to confront that. The arm that had pointed at the raven-haired master slumped back down by her side as her shoulder hunched over in regret and guilt.

“I’m- I’m sorry.” Kaili swallowed as she struggled to find the words. “I thought you were saying-”

“... I lost someone very close to me.” She sighed. “I thought you were saying I should just let her go, but I can’t.” Her mouth remained open as if she wasn’t quite done, but once more the words escaped her. The panic grew, she needed to explain this, she owed him. “Four years. Gone. I can’t.”

No, the girl had to move on. She couldn't stand still like this. Her feet let her continue her passage into the temple itself. If the truth was to be told she feared the trials more than anything she had ever feared in her life right now. In this moment she was at the most vulnerable state she had ever found herself in and if she knew these ancient rites correctly they would know that as well. The chilling grip of the cold sought her out once more as they entered the first chamber.

“And thank you.” She said trying to look the man in the eyes with no success. “For the cloak, I mean.”

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

[6]​

 

[Kiran Arlos]

Location:Sharb
Objective:2
Secondary Objectiveon't screw up
2

Kiran entered hangar where they were supposed to meet and while he leaned back against several crates next to the transport that they were supposed to be taken, his hand moved just in habit towards his pocket which held his lightsaber crystal. While he should have left it on Ilum, however he felt the need to carry it with him. While Kiran had a training saber clipped to his belt.


Kiran pushed himself off once he saw a large party of soldiers and such enter the hangar. It was then indeed evident that they were to be part of the party that the Jedi Master had gathered in the hangar. Kiran approached the group and [member="Valkren Calderon"] The young man gave him a small wave before he spoke up. "Hello good sir, I assume you are here at the request of Master Yune?"


[member="Arisa Yune"] [member="Vitha Sat-thuron"]

 

[Oros]

Ilum​

​

Crix-class Diplomatic Shuttle
Hyperspace, Approaching Ilum
Outer Rim

Surely there were those better suited to so monumental task than him.

Variations on the same thought repeated in the mind of the Celegian Jedi Knight as he meditated in the passenger hold of the New Jedi Order vessel. As a cyanogen based species living among Type I sentients, Oros was used to living in a restricted environment, but shuttle rides were more uncomfortable than most. For safety reasons, the repulsorlifts of the sentient invertebrate's life support tank were deactivated and the protective shell filled with life sustaining solution was physically strapped in to compensate for the accompanying turbulence the strain of atmospheric exit and reentry had on the smaller starship's less powerful inertial dampeners.

Trying not to concentrate on this temporary ignominy, Oros fell back in on himself as he began to prepare mentally for what was to come. Diplomacy and intergalactic politics had never been the focus of any of his major studies, but with current events straining the DiploCorps to their absolute limits, the Jedi Librarian and scholar had been the most senior official the Galactic Alliance had been able to call upon on short notice. And it had been short notice, for when the confirmation came from their Chiss intermediaries that the meeting was in fact to take place, the travel itinerary they had issued had been offered with little room for negotiation and precious little time to make the rendezvous. Such were the nature of the Chiss, and from the rushed briefings Knight Oros had gathered that the Triumvirate Council had asked much of its few citizens who were also expatriates from the Ascendancy to reach out to the homeland and arrange such a parlay with the Iron Empire and their sovereign.

Emperor Isamu Baelor.

There was a time, not long after this new kingdom within the Unknown Regions had first coalesced, when the very notion had struck fear into the hearts of both Jedi and Galactic Alliance citizen alike. For it was not so long ago that Baelor had been a General of their greatest foe, and had commanded armies against the Defense Force on the field of battle. With their military resources strained on multiple fronts already, the Alliance had been able to do little but wait for an inevitable hammer blow that in the end never came. Months passed, and with no proclamations of vendetta or rapid military expansion towards the Federation's borders, eventually the Triumvirate and the New Jedi Order were forced to speculate, and eventually begin to take the Empire's official stance of isolationism and neutrality in the greater conflicts of the galaxy at face value.

What are Jedi to do when an enemy lays down his arms, and pledges to no longer fight you?

There was certainly still a sizable constituency within the Order of hardliners, orthodox zealots who believed that any trace of the Darkside should be purged without regard. But there was a growing moderate influence among the Jedi of the Alliance, based on the belief that to serve as the police of the galaxy was not only ultimately untenable, it was perhaps irresponsible. Perhaps, his reputation as one of the chief advocates of this new alternative doctrine explained why he had been chosen to head this delegation of DiploCorps Jedi and Alliance ambassadors. Around him, the others chattered away in equal measure nervousness and excitement, but ever isolated by his restrictions, Oros remained still within his tank.

"Fifteen minutes to hyperspace reversion," the comm system in the passenger bay squawked.

Briefly the Celegian considered telepathically thanking the pilot for the notice before remembering communication through walls and across rooms tended to be unsettling to most humanoids, so instead he reached out to the others to make sure they were all ready for what was to come. The Chiss had promised them safe passage through the Ilum system, where they would reach out to the surface for landing coordinates and, after the intermediaries had verified that their craft did not secretly contain a Justicar strike steam or Galactic Alliance Guard kill squad, they would be escorted to...where, the Alliance delegation was uncertain exactly. To a secure location where they would meet with a representative of the Emperor, most likely.

His tentacles trembled in anticipation, and despite both his worries about what was to come and his longing to be safely back on the grounds of the Sullust Temple which had so long been his second home, the scholar in Oros could think of little else but how wonderful it would be to see the desolate vistas and sacred ruins of Ilum, a planned steeped in the history of the Force.


[member="Isamu Baelor"]

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Objective: 4 – BYOO
Location: Ilum – Iron Pantheon, Medical Quarters
Post: 3

“He slipped off a ridge during patrol, ma’am.” One of the soldiers answered. “As you can see, he bumped his head pretty bad.”

Valae nodded quickly and held her palms out as she closed her eyes. Indeed, the gash that marked the injured man’s forehead had been readily apparent. She focused her mind on her patient, from what she could tell, he had not sustained any serious injuries – aside from the head wound. But the clouded area she sensed around the man’s head, seemed to tell her that he had suffered a concussion. With her initial examination complete, she moved on to cleaning up the wound.

Reaching out with the force, she began to draw upon the energy to heal. She placed her hand against the side of her patient’s cheek and concentrated on letting the force flow to him. Valae drew in deep breaths, her expression calm but also quite serious as she worked. Slowly, the injury began to shift – the wound itself began to close, aided by the accelerated healing of the force. She reached further, past the exterior, and to her patient’s mind.

There was still work to be done.

 

[Zeradias Mant]

"Prime minister.", Zeradias greeted, stepping forward with his hand extended. The two embraced briefly, before moving to the purpose of his visit immediately. "I do apologize for my premature departure last time."

"Please, do no worry. It has given much of us a chance to reflect. The parliament has unanimously decided to ratify a treaty permitting the annexation of Ornfra by the Iron Empire. We realize that we are either corrupt and vulnerable alone, or stronger together. The empire has shown no ill will from the start, we have no reason to distrust it.", Hren'emiz'lusa said optimistically. His tone shifting to a deeper tone, he offered little more. "I hope that our trust shall not be betrayed."

Zeradias was a stoic man. If he was surprised, he didn't show it. Instead, he simply reassured the man that betrayal was not something the Crown had on the table for the rising Chiss power. The prime minister began to stroll, offering the grand admiral a tour of the revitalized city. It was more noticeably cleaner, and security appeared tighter, even without the party of Chiss and Iron Imperial Marines in tow. After some sights and updating on the status of the system, the two men entered a small conference room. There were already a few additional Chiss men and women inside, with Hren'emiz'lusa informing him they were a select group of parliament members that the prime minister regarded as instrumental in their advancing forward. Zeradias nodded in greeting to the group before taking his seat at the head of the table nearest to the door. Hren'emiz'lusa took his seat opposite of Zeradias, on the end of the table closest to the wall.

And thus the shaping of a nation began.

[ 3 ]​

 

[Krayzen Dratos]

Location: Schesa
Objective: Do my own thing
Post 3/15

An unorthodox general, Krayzen was not one that obeyed the traditions that accompanied inspections. To him, there were tedious, and that, along with the Anzat's abandonment of many traditions were the reason why he was well liked by his troops. He saw them as a waste of time, as the troops, instead of being set up in proper positions for his arrival, could simply continue to work.

The Anzat had decided to visit the barracks, and the medical bay, those being the very first areas he had ordered to be constructed in order to help those that were ill. It had been a tradition of his dating back to his days in the One Sith, as even when he had followed the Sith ways, he had still valued the lives of his men, people he considered as close to his family as he could get.

When he arrived, he decided to hear the reports, while using telekinesis to help with the heavier work, lifting large objects, although Krayzen knew he would soon have to do it the old fashion way.

"Excellent work with the barracks. It is could to see that is nearly completed." he stated, having finished helped with the construction of a bed. His old skills on Yanibar had taught him many things, this included.

"Have there been any complications. I have the full backing of.."

"No sir." the trooper replied.

Krayzen then nodded, deciding to stay there for another hour, having left his armaments in the 'armory' to go help.

The Anzat nodded at the troopers, deciding to go and now visit the medical bay.

The inspection continued.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Ilum - Ilum Caves
Time heals all ..

[member="Kaili Talith"]

Objective 3 & 4.

[5]

No, it only helps you cope with love lost.


"Move on, yes you probably should, but let her go? Why?", he turned to face her as her eyes alive with grief could not meet his and he understood that this girl she lost had been more to her than just a good friend. "I have lost someone I loved more than life, and I still love them. Why would we not continue to love them? But my lost different to yours, it was my grandpapa and he was someone I looked up to with awe", he smiled at the memory of the man. "The pain remains, even years after his death but without him I would not be the person you see here today. I have not lost a lover, and I thank all the gods of the galaxy and the force for this, and I hope I never form an understanding of it .. like you have. I am not going to stand here and tell you what you should do to get over it for I don't have a damn clue of what I would be talking about nor understand the pain you suffer". How could he understand her loss?

He turned until standing face on to her, his hands lifted and rested gently on her shoulders, "If I was to tell you anything, I would say .. Never let go. And pull her closer to you and keep hold of all the memories you have, keep them safe. Because memories fade. Why would you release a part of your life that has enriched you?".

He lowered his hands, he knew that nothing he could say to her would relieve suffering she has and all he could do in this time for her, was to be there when she faced the tests the caves would impart upon her. They entered the first of many chambers, what direction the girl would take was now in her hands and she needed to allow the force to guide her. It is different here to the Rhen Var caves, none the less beautiful, but there is something more to it, more dangers. The darkside had visited, many many times and that was sensed by him, along with more .. a darkness so vile that sorrow seeped tears of blood.

The voices where beginning to whisper louder ..

A sideways glance to Kaili as he wondered if she was hearing them too.

 

[Valae Heavenshield]

Objective: 4 – BYOO
Location: Ilum – Iron Pantheon, Medical Quarters
Post: 4

Valae focused on the shadowed areas that she sensed in her patient’s mind. She drew a deep breath and released another gentle wave of healing energy from her palms. Though she had little experience to draw from when it came to medical knowledge, she trusted in the force. It was all probably a bit too mystical for someone with actual experience as a physician, but they would not be able to deny that her methods worked.

When the clouded areas had cleared and Valae was satisfied with her work, she dropped her palms to the side to the bed. She watched the man closely; it was entirely possible that she was even too close for comfort. Valae leaned forward, her eyes wide, waiting for him to wake. Though, after a few moments, she realized that he probably needed time to rest.

And so, she pulled a chair up to her patient’s bedside and had a seat. The Jedi healer placed her hands on her knees. Now she would simply wait.

 

[Froste]

Location: Sharb
Objective: BYOO - Investigate a potential Sith cell.
Post: 1

The Iron Centurion sat on a crate, watching the men of his platoon unloading the supplies they had brought along for their assignment. In Roth's hands were a holopad, and the Knight was deep in his reading. Investigate and eliminate any and all rumors of Sith in the area. Proceed with caution. Potential for loss of limb or life high. A snort came from Roth's nose as he read the final sentence of his orders, as if he didn't know the danger was high with this mission. He brought his gaze up from the holopad just as his sergeant approached him, with a pack on back and in hand, offering it out to Roth. "Here is your pack, Centurion. The men and I are ready to move whenever you are." Roth reached out and took the pack as he stood to his feet, then threw it on his shoulders in one motion. He tucked the holopad away into one of his pockets, then sent a nod at the sergeant. "Ready to move, sergeant. Let's go."

Later that day, in a remote village.

Roth sat in a villager's home, sipping on his canteen as the villager spoke. "Yes, strange men have been wandering the outskirts of our village. Always from the Southwest." Roth acknowledged the statement and tucked his canteen back in its spot on his pack, then stood. "Thank you for your help. My sergeant here will compensate you for your time." The Centurion left the hut as the sergeant gave the man his payment. Now outside and with the rest of his platoon, Roth pulled out his holopad and checked his map of the area. To the Southwest was another village, about five klicks. He swiped off of the map and checked the recent reports. He checked and checked, and found no reports coming out of this village of late. Confident of this discovery, he moved to the front of his column and spoke, "Ready yourselves men. I believe that we're near our objective." A few steps later came the unanimous "Yes, Centurion."

 

[Kaili Talith]

“I am not letting go.” Kaili sighed. “She is-... Was important to me, she helped me through a lot.”

There wasn’t anything that Kaili could say that she would feel provided Allyson with the honor that Allyson deserved. The words she wanted to use felt hollow, inappropriate and shallow. The right words that Kaili searched for simply didn’t exist. To say that she had loved this person felt like an understatement and to say that she treasured her equally so. The woman had been the light of her life and now it was gone. There was a hole inside of Kaili that she didn’t really know what to do to in order to fill. The idea to come to Ilum was one of many ideas she had thought of on a whim, an idea born out of her doubt and anger that had made sense at the time. Yet now that she was here and the further into the cave they got the worse the idea felt.

Theodred let go of her shoulder and a cold breeze swept in under her cloak. It carried a familiar sound, a faint whisper she had only heard in one other place. The girl perked an eyebrow and turned to look in the direction that her companion stood. She still couldn’t strive for eye contact but the intention was there, borne from the fact that this sensation wasn’t alien to her. There had been plenty of times where similar whispers had swept her mind. Trauma had left her with recurring dreams in which the same thing happened, but there was a difference between her dreams and reality. That being that this was not a dream where the whispers revolved around her, this was a place of tranquility besmirched by an act of violence that should never had happened. Kaili felt a sting as she dragged her hand across the bruise on her forearm. She had pinched it with all her might once the realization had hit her, and it had proceeded to spread across her body in the hopes that she would wake up.

But she hadn’t, and now the dead was speaking. Of that there was no doubt.

“They whisper.” Kaili sighed once more and looked out across the chamber they entered. “Of course they do.”

“Begging the one question you have no answer for.” The young blonde turned back towards Theodred. “Why?”

“I’ve seen this before.” She sighed and turned back towards a blonde figure sitting in the middle of the room. “In my dreams.”

But unlike her dreams this was not Maila who sat at the center of the room. The whispers in the air started to grow louder and louder the further into the room that they got and once more Kaili was reminded that there were few things as innocent as the sound of a child’s sobbing, few things as heart wrenching as hearing it in a chorus of dead little angels that had fallen from the sky before their time. The air reeked of fear, confusion and morbid curiosity. Some were vengeful, others were simply lost, all of them terrified.

It reminded Kaili of her nightmares. The recurring ones from the ship crash.

“The dead seek answers you cannot bring them,” Kaili pointed to the middle of the room at the shadow of a woman sitting at its very center, though it was entirely possible that to Theo might not have seen anything at all. “That girl over there. She must have been one of the casualties on Ilum.”

But it wasn’t. Had Kaili taken note she’d recognize that the girl looked far too tall to be a child. The force tried to tug the blonde technomancer in its direction but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She remained anchored at the outskirts of the room in order to avoid facing it. The fear that this was her trial started to eat at her mind as every single fibre of Kaili’s being told her she was not ready for it.

Part of her knew this wasn’t a child.

Part of her knew that this was someone else.

Herself.

“I can’t do this.” Kaili said and turned away towards Theo once more in panic. “I can’t do this.”

In the distance the woman got up off her feet and looked over in their direction, standing as still as the night staring at the blonde seeking refuge from its horror.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

[7]​

 

[Froste]

Location: Sharb
Objective: BYOO - Investigate and eliminate Sith cell.
Post: 2

The footfalls of the platoon came heavy and fast. The soldiers of the Iron Empire were seasoned, and Roth wouldn't have had it any other way. Sith were a dangerous breed, as Roth knew well. No doubt, some of the more experienced men in his outfit today would be able to tell that Roth used to be Sith. He didn't let this bother him, however, as they would soon see where his true priorities lie.

"Two klicks until we hit the village, Centurion." The sergeant spoke from behind Roth, who was still leading the column. He brought his fist up, signalling the men to stop. The Iron Centurion turned, then instructed, "Make sure all of your weapons are ready. Who knows when we'll stumble upon the Sith." Almost immediately after his command, the sound of weapon parts clinking together rang out. The men of the platoon were quick to examine and re-examine their rifles and secondaries, each signalling to the Centurion once they were ready. Roth checked that each man was ready before he turned and began to set off once again.

A few hundred feet later, Roth came up on a hill. He reached the crest and saw the black smoke high in the sky. From his vantage point he could see the buildings and huts of the village, still far off in the distance. Slowly, Roth and his platoon continued on toward the village.

 

[Krayzen Dratos]

Location: Schesa
Objective: Do my own thing
Post 4/15

While he walked, he could see that most of the builders were here comprised of Chiss soldiers. The Dark Knight however saw individuals of various species here, and he wondered to himself if they had been part of the One Sith. A large portion of the Empire's forces had followed Isamu to the unknown region, stemming from the loyalty he had deserved. After all, the man he had once called a Grand General had geared the Sith toward various military victories, and had proven himself a strategist own his own right.

And here he was, building a fortress. It had been another assignment for him, and one that he intended to fully accomplish. The former Sith had left the barracks, and had gone to the medical bay. Krayzen could see medics from all planets of the Empire here. He kindly, nodded, and greeted them, quite happy that there were few casualties, none of them fatal. He thought about using the dark side to heal them, but the Broken Warrior didn't think any of them needed it, as he deemed the injuries not serious enough to warrant such an action.

As he looked around, the Anzat could see variant shields that covered the fortress. Krayzen intended to make sure the fortress was better than the one that had been constructed on Illum.

That actually gives me an idea.

The Anzat then ended his inspection, choosing to somewhere else.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

Ilum - Ilum Caves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RefvKi1TzNM

[member="Kaili Talith"]

Objective 3 & 4.

[6]

He couldn’t see, would never see the women she did standing in the cave. But the others appeared around him, all around them both. Children mostly, just standing there a shimmering white light within it, a form of them of what they once were. Why indeed? They and countless others ask the same question every day when war or evil visits their domain no matter where in the galaxy that may be. How many countless souls walk the plains of the outer realm locked trapped in this void that will not release them from its grip. Theo stood there numb for moment, the voices loud and begging for release from the fear and confusion.

He looked at each and every one of their faces, they appeared lacking any emotion on their features but the emotion filled the chasm of the cave, it was overwhelming to the senses to the point where his head and mind felt their suffering. He turned in the direction that Kaili pointed, seeing nothing except a child turning to run down a tunnel, which moments ago was not there. There was another, someone larger than life and if he did not know better, would have sworn it a Valkyri warrior. Is this trickery?

“What is my kinsman doing here?”, he voiced his thoughts. “Kaili I don’t see .. I don’t see ..”. He hand raised to the side of his head, pressing his fingers against his temples sucking in air to relieve his pain.

I can’t do this, a panic a voiced filled with panic cut through the noise of this mind. “I can’t do this”. Then the chamber filled with the sound of explosions, over and over and fear ripped through the cave as if it too was set to fall and the very ground shook beneath their feet. The whole battle, the attack was on recall if one was open to see it. “They need us, they need us to be strong .. they need us to set them free”, he turned to her standing there unable to form rationale and in this moment he was no better too.

“But .. not here”, not in this chamber, there was too much pain. “We need to move on, deeper into the cave. You must do this. Not for you, not for lost lover .. but for them”. He looked at her with concern, “I can’t help you get passed this point in your life, to be able to move on unless you do that first. I don’t know what your purpose is in life, if you even have one, but I do .. and now I know what I must do here, what I must do now”.

“Don’t let go .. she helped you through a lot? Let her help you now”.

 

[Kaili Talith]

There was little Kaili could do but nod. She didn’t want to face this, but if now wasn’t the time she wouldn’t ever know when that time would be. Time was that these caves had forced greater women than herself to face that which they had feared more than anything else, and in most circumstances they had come out on top of it. It wasn’t much of a consolation but in the end it was the only thing that Kaili could tell herself to make it all seem like something she had to do. The figure in the center of the chamber didn’t look all that intimidating from a distance. Perhaps that was what scared her the most. The feeling in her gut told her that this was something she had to go through, the feeling in her mind told her it was something to run away from.

Yet as if on instinct she would find the sound of her boots reverberate around the chamber as one foot placed itself before the other. The echoes grew louder and louder for each step that she took and the closer she got the more her eyes widened ever so slowly at the sight of who stood before her. It was Kaili herself. It was like looking in the mirror, it had her scars and marks, her eyes and everything down to the shape of her entire body and silhouette. It was looking into a mirror, the thought of which made the young girl scoff. Was this a joke? Was this supposed to be her greatest fear? Her brow perked and arms crossed as she stepped up to the figure to look at it. It was herself but dressed in dark robes with white details. It was cute. Kaili felt the sting of disappointment soar through her body, fuelled by the growing sense of frustration at what she had expected of herself.

“Is this it?” Kaili asked herself with a frown and a shake of her head. “Am I supposed to be afraid of-”

Before the girl could finish her complaint she’d feel the cold hands of her ghost self as it grabbed a hold of her upper arms and tore them out of their crossed posture. Its mouth gaped wide open in a manner akin to that of creatures of her worst nightmares to let a thick tar-like smoke erupt from from her throat and lips to cloud Kaili’s mind. The girl entered a state of shock as images began to flash before her eyes. A sense of death and destruction, monsters and droids and desperation filled the room while a slow creeping feeling of loneliness started to overcome her entire being. Kaili wanted to fall to her knees but found herself petrified and it only got worse for each scene that blinked before her. The imagery grew more and more clear for each segment that passed through her mind until eventually she could see it all as clear as day. There were burning fields, the sound and images of men and women screaming in terror as they ran from machines that cut them all down one after another like the animals that they were. The momentary glimpses offered no respite in a world that Kaili had never seen before.

Darkness overcame her and the feeling of anger and hate grew more intense. The scene shifted to a hooded figure at the top of a pile of corpses issuing commands to its loyal metal servants. The sound of fire crackled accompanied by the sound of blasters and slugthrowers in the night. The tyrant’s hand lowered and a second of silence passed before the ominous sound of a snap-hiss reverberated throughout the entire vision. A blue blade erupted from the cloaked figure’s silhouette as a set of amber, distorted and dark glowing eyes set on Kaili. The saber in the figures hand was raised in preparation for a strike at her before it came cutting down with the familiar hum of a lightsaber.

Before the blade was able to touch her Kaili felt herself finally falling to the floor with a loud thud. Panicking she threw a quick couple of glances around the room to see where she was. All evidence pointed towards her being back on Ilum again. The image of herself had let her go, her back had cuaght her fall and yet Kaili kept her eyes focused on her own image of herself in a terrified stare. It pointed at her, and without a lack of control Kaili would feel it all over again as memory after memory resurfaced.

An image of Maila rose from the ground to stare at her. Kaili raised a shaken hand in an attempt to reach out and grab at her dead friend but before she could even react it was smashed into the vision who proceeded hunch over in pain as its hands began to crack open with the dripping of blood. Kaili’s eyes looked down upon her own hands as they too were slowly drenched in blood much as they had during the shipcrash. Maila had died in her arms, been the first experience the girl had experienced with death.

The vision took its first step towards Kaili as the hundreds of souls of the mass grave she had investigated with the Galactic Alliance rose out of the floor as well. Kaili tried once more to grasp one of them, but yet again she found them phased into the vision’s shape who proceeded to fall to her knees in pain. Its entire body proceeded to split her skin like the bark of a tree while Kaili felt her heart sting in misery, in pain for a moment before a sense of hollow fear seized her in full. Eyes glanced at the white details of the visions robe to stare itself blind as it slowly began to shift into a deep crimson color.

The vision took its second step towards Kaili as Allyson rose from the floor.

“No!” Kaili screamed and desperately tried to to claw her way towards her lover’s shadow with no success. “Please, no!”

But it was too late. The image of Allyson closed its eyes. A flood of crimson tears began to pour down its cheeks and Kaili would feel her own cheeks do the same. She tried to desperately claw her way towards Allyson once more but it was as if something beyond her control kept her down on the floor. The shadow of her love smashed into the vision with an explosion, yet unlike the other shadows it caused Kaili no pain beyond that of her tear ducts inability to hold anything back. Ungraceful sobs and panicked heaves for air gripped at Kaili as the vision nearly fell over in pain while grasping at its own face. More crimson trickled on down its features as it took its third and final step towards Kaili. A dripping hand reached in under its robe to withdraw a cylindrical weapon from within. The snap-hiss from the vision echoed through her mind once more at the sight of the blue blade that erupted from her vision’s lightsaber.

“Wh- who are you?” Kaili’s breath shook.

“I am you.” The voice chuckled with a deep, corrupted and unnatural clang as the lights of the cave brought attention to its tormented features. “The real you.”

“No…” Kaili whispered under her breath.

[member="Théodred Heavenshield"]​

[8]​